Page 41 of The Misfit Mage and His Dashing Devil

I’d invaded his privacy, learning he knew the demon Morax, who I’d heard rumors about. Not as a demon, though, but a dark witch, Mora Mayfaire, who preyed upon the desperate, conjuring deals and offering discreet services. I might’ve studied a lot of different ways to fast-track my failures into successes during my years at the academy. Not that my weak research on the witch who was actually a demon turned up anything.

“We have to maintain a low profile, or do you…” I bit my lip. Asking if he wanted to fight his way through downtown, even sarcastically, would likely encourage him.

“I am keeping a low profile.” He adjusted his blazer as the tail slithered back into his backside just above his butt. There wasn’t a hole in his blazer or pantsuit, and his shirt was tucked in, so maybe a small rip in the dress shirt. “Stop studying me, nerd.”

“I’m just making an observation.” I hadn’t noted when he’d unleashed them during our escape or when we’d arrived at the apartment for the night. There was a lot of processing going on. Still… “Do your Diabolic features rip through your clothes?”

“Duh.”

“I’m only asking because werewolves and shapeshifters have these enchanted wardrobes, so their transformations don’t leave them naked.”

“Do I look naked?” He smirked.

My ears burned, reminded of his very bold strut after his shower. “Can we just go?”

“You’re so boring.” Bez made a pouty face, putting his sunglasses on. “Let’s go.”

We walked to the vanguard outpost. The plan was simple. Stake out the place, identify Vanguard Corvine, grab his grimoire, and leave. If done right, we wouldn’t have to actually interact with any of the mages inside. We had the advantage of Bez’s Diabolic presence being difficult to track and my lack of mana making me a literal blip on the radar in this sea of magic downtown.

“Where’s this vanguard outpost?”

I scanned the towering building. “It’s in the suite at the top.”

Bez eyed the empty street, then stepped in close, chest pressed against mine. I backstepped, but he grabbed my wrist.

“Relax.”

I lacked words. Okay—I had a million words, but thankfully I didn’t blurt them.

His body burned away the chilled fall weather. Every other time he’d stood this close, I’d never noticed his warm presence. Granted, those times involved attempting to murder me, kidnapping me, and kissing me. It was like his Diabolic nature radiated hellish heat. He leaned in closer, his chin grazing mine. Was he going to kiss me again? I turned. No sentinels or vanguard or anybody around. This wasn’t some ploy. Or was it? Definitely. He wanted to get a rise out of me. Mess with me somehow. His head rested on my shoulder while one hand wrapped around my lower back, and his other squeezed the back of my thigh.

“W-wh-what are you doing?”

“Try not to scream.” He snickered into my ear.

“What?”

“I’m not taking a bus to the rooftop, that’s for sure.”

“That’s not how that works—”

Bez unveiled his wings. Gray feathers filled my line of vision, and in an instant, we soared directly up. I held onto Bez’s shoulders tightly, legs swaying, with only his grip keeping me steady as I took heavy breaths into his chest while avoiding looking down.

My feet dangled above solid ground, and my butt plopped hard onto the gravel rooftop before I’d found my footing. “Dick.”

“So, what’s the plan? Break and enter? Hope the vanguard in question has this grimoire? Hope yet again it holds evidence Alistair requires? Hope yet just a bit more that the chancellors see your actions as helpful and clear your name?”

“The plan is to get the grimoire—discreetly, while avoiding the vanguard. Then, determine if it has anything useful, and hand it off to Alistair.”

“Fine.” Bez crossed his arms, practically brooding a stealthy mission which meant he couldn’t pummel mages. “Let us commence your useless mission.”

“It’s not useless. Al believes it’ll benefit—”

“Blah, blah, blah-biddy, blah. I get it.”

I huffed, muttering a few breathy profanities until Bez removed his sunglasses, grinning. I hated his angst. His cavalier attitude. His everything.

But I trusted Al. He’d always looked out for my best interests even when it’d have been easier to look away.I didn’t trust Al’s intentions with Bez, though. It was something I needed to mention to Bez. He was such a loose cannon and unpredictable. Same thing, I guess.

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