Page 12 of Dating the Dealing Demon

He shoots me an imperious look that translates just fine through the fiery gaze and scarlet skin. “Now you believe me?”

The woman smacks him again—this time hard enough to make him grunt. “Aren’t you going to introduce me?”

Giving an irritated sigh, he waves between us. “Val, meet Nic. My baby sister.”

Nic swoops in on me. “I am such a fan of your show. Why are you on the floor? Nooo.” She stretches the word into multiple syllables. “Did Theo make you kneel? Seriously bro, you have no idea how to treat a woman.”

Theo pinches the bridge of his nose like he did at the haunted house. “I did not make her kneel.”

It’s good to know he finds someone else exasperating.

“Whatever,” Nic says, helping me stand and then guiding me to the couch when I wobble. “You poor thing. Interdimensional travel can be a real bitch.” She glares at Theo. “Did you bother to ease the transition? You know human bodies aren’t built for teleporting.”

For once, he looks uncomfortable, letting the supreme boss of all bossiness vibe slip for a second. “You’ll feel better soon,” he tells me. “Anything you want, ask the suite, and it’ll magic it for you.”

His pitiful attempt at kindness had to cost him. I answer with my own vulnerability. “I want my friends.”

“I can’t give you that. Not until their contracts end.”

“You said ask for anything.”

“Not that.” He looks to his sister. “I need to get back to the house. A portal opened—one I didn’t authorize?—”

“The other matches?” she asks.

He looks away. “I’ll be back soon. Take care of her, will you, Nic?” Without waiting for her answer, he simply disappears.

Leaving me in hell.

“It’ll be okay,” Nic says. “He’s the best matchmaker to ever exist. Not just because he closes the deal, but because heprotects his matches. He’ll go to the ends of all the worlds for you and your friends, especially since you’re his mate.”

I sense an ally, someone who might say more than Theo did. Or more than he would’ve if I had believed him long enough to let him talk. “What does that mean?” I ask. “His mate?”

“His destined match. The only person in the universe meant for him. Didn’t he explain it?”

I evade. “There wasn’t time.”

“No,” she says. “Theo wouldn’t have let you stay a moment where it wasn’t safe.”

“Not safe,” I repeat in a whisper. “What happened to my friends? He said they weren’t there, that a portal opened.”

She touches my arm, a gentle sweep of her fingertips she pulls away as quickly as the comfort sets in. “He told you he was a matchmaker?”

I nod. “To a specific clientele.”

“Monsters,” she says. “What you humans would call monsters. Like us.”

The cruelty of what she calls herself? It cuts with the same deep shame as each time my family calls me cursed or jinxed, and I hurt for her. “I’ve been called worse than monster by the paparazzi,” I admit.

Giving a snort giggle softened by sad seriousness, she asks, “Why do you hide your quick wit on the show?”

“Probably for the same reason you’re hiding your wings. We don’t share our true natures with someone who might judge us for them.” I keep my tone compassionate, empathetic even. Winning this woman to my side might be the only way I can get back to my friends, to my world.

Which takes you right back to the show, a cruel voice in my head reminds me.

True, this could be the escape from the insanity of showbiz life, but it’s not on my terms, and I wouldn’t risk my friends for anything.

I need answers, and Nic’s my one shot at getting them. Accusing her brother of being an obnoxious, controlling asshat won’t help so I aim to sound like this is no big deal. “Why would anyone open a portal at the house? Were they looking to steal something?”

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