Page 5 of The Devil in the Details

He licked his lips, the long tongue moving with all sorts of promises.

“Now that is a lie. Do not lie to me, Zelda Kniffen.” He sat up, no longer holding her wrists, but she was still restrained by an unseen force.

“I’m not lying.” She squirmed, and his eyes went entirely black, which probably wasn’t good. “Hot guys don’t go for chubby chicks unless they want something.”

“Is that something sex? Because—” He growled again, deep in his throat, and it went right to her core.

“You can’t say things like that.” She turned away, her face burning in embarrassment.

With a snap of his fingers, he released her wrists. Gently, he grabbed her chin, turning her to look at him. His eyes were completely black, void of light. “I will say what I please. The truth does not care for your inhibitions.”

This wasn’t about her inhibitions, thank you very much. This was about Walker dazzling her with his handsome face, and her being so desperate for affection that she overlooked the fact that he used her. What had she been thinking? Guys who looked like him were never interested in women who looked like her. That was just a fact.

Malgraxon growled again, interrupting her self-recriminations. “I see now. He took more than your security clearance and your job. He took your spark.”

Ugh.Pity. She didn’t want pity.

“My spark is just fine,” she said.

“Hush.” He pressed a finger over her lips, smirking. “I will take your contract, Zelda Kniffen, third-generation Martian.”

He sprang to his feet. She absolutely did not miss the weight of him on her or his heat, because she was not lusting after this arrogant demon who wore her ex’s face.

“I will ruin Walker for his transgressions against you,” Malgraxon said.

“In exchange for what?” she asked, sitting upright. There was a price. There was always a price.

His gaze swept over her, heated, and his tongue did that thing again. “A kiss.”

“A kiss?”

“Yes, you have convinced me of the righteousness of this task. Walker Rocheford must be made accountable for all he has done to you. A kiss is my price.”

“Just a kiss?” That was too little. She’d read stories about how the Daimoni took the first-born child or something equally horrific. Their price was never straightforward.

“Do you think I need gold or jewels? I have plenty. But I have never tasted your lips. With my long life, unique experiences are difficult to find, and your kiss will be a unique experience. Do we have a deal?” He held out a hand.

It had to be a trick. She turned his offer over in her mind but couldn’t see how.

“Deal,” she said, taking his hand.

A tingle or a spark went through her when their hands touched. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end, and she gasped.

“Now,” he said, rubbing his hands together. “Tell me more about this party Walker will attend.”

CHAPTER 2

ZELDA

The largest city on Mars, Opportunity, flanked the volcano Arsia Mons. Lava tubes and caves sheltered the first settlers from radiation and the harsh Martian climate. Then the domes came, forging an enclosed environment. The domes expanded, eventually creating a continuous ring around the volcano. Inch by inch, humans carved a place for themselves on Mars. Terraforming was still a science fiction dream, but reality was getting closer. The atmosphere was almost breathable. It wasn’t farfetched to think that Zelda might one day be able to walk outside a domed city without a breather, though she’d be an old lady when it finally happened.

The sky was still pinkish red. Some things stayed the same.

Tucked away in the oldest parts of Opportunity, deep in the tunnels, with no natural light, was the only place on Mars willing to hire Zelda.

The pawn shop wasn’t exactly a good use of her art history degree. Their typical clients hardly ever brought in antique paintings or fine silver to sell, unless they were stolen. Whilethe shop’s policy was not to ask questions, some items were too hot to bother with. They dealt in jewelry. Zelda spent her days testing, authenticating, and giving an appraisal. Whatever the value, her boss took thirty percent off the best offer and marked up the item by fifty percent. It was robbery, but people were desperate.

Zelda was one. She did her job and minded her own damn business.

---