Page 29 of Demons of Eden

“Well, I wish you would have given me a heads up about where we were meeting,” I complain, suddenly very conscious of the fact I’m wearing a baggy t-shirt and workout leggings. Maybe I shouldn’t have rushed to get here so fast.

I’m totally going to blend right in amongst the leather and latex, aren’t I?

Rio snorts, causing us to both turn to face him. I raise an eyebrow at him, waiting for an explanation for his sudden outburst of amusement. He shrugs, but his lips twitch slightly as if fighting back the words.

“Something you want to say?” I prompt, not letting it go.

“Just think it’s funny that you, of all people, are the one concerned about this place.”

“Oh, I’m not concerned.” I flash Rio a bright smile before gesturing down to my outfit. Though, it’s generous to refer to it as one considering the only criteria I had when picking out my clothes today were ‘no stains’ and ‘smells clean.’ Oh well. “Not at all. I just wish I could have dressed up for the occasion.”

I ignore the choking sound coming from Torrin beside me and stride off towards what I would assume to be the club’s subtle entrance. The almost decrepit-looking door pushes smoothly open with an ease its appearance wouldn’t suggest. A few steps in, I pause, turning on the spot to look around the entryway. It’s nothing like you’d expect from the building’s outer appearance. Inside the old warehouse, it’s gleaming like brand new, with glossy black floors and red embellished charcoal walls. There’s a large desk right ahead and, directly behind it, three black doors. Comparing the stark differences, I’m guessing the outside is to ensure only people in the know can find this place. It’s clearly working for them. I mean, I’ve lived in this city for nearly three years now and never heard a single whisper of its existence.

Torrin passes me as he makes his way to the desk in question, and I almost jump out of my skin when I look for Rio and realise how closely he’s standing beside me. I need to put a freaking bell on him or something. Advanced warning for when he sneaks up on me, especially considering I’m not fully convinced he isn’t still planning my death. Not wanting to dawdle, I join Torrin at the desk just as he dings the odd little golden bell on it.

Almost immediately, the middle door opens, and a beautiful woman steps out. If I wasn’t already feeling self-conscious before, well, now I definitely would be. She’s jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Hell, I bet she could be wearing baggy workout clothes, and nobody would think twice about her presence here. Though, the skin-tight cutout dress hugging her figure certainly works to her advantage. She’s taller than me, and I doubt that’s all the work of the deadly high heels she’s wearing. Tumbling red hair scatters in perfect curls down her shoulders, framing a face models would envy, her piercing green eyes glancing down to meet mine with a curious but not unfriendly expression.

“Can I help you, doll?”

At her question, I glance to my left at Torrin for help, not knowing how we’re supposed to be approaching this. Straight answers, or sneaky?Shit.Maybe, just maybe, I should’ve asked more questions before walking in here like I actually have a clue what the hell we’re doing. Other than looking for some guy whomightknow Ash, that is.

“We’re here to see Marbas. A mutual friend told us this would be the best place to find him,” Torrin thankfully answers, saving me from having to fumble over words.

The woman’s expression turns icy-cold as she turns to face Torrin, as does her voice. “I think you’ll find there are no warrants for Marbas’ capture or elimination,hunter. So I don’t understand what it isyou’redoing here.”

“Not here for a council assignment, nor is Marbas who I’m after. I’m actually hoping he can help me find them,” he replies, unbothered by her attitude.

“I doubt he’ll be much help.” She smiles, but there’s zero warmth to it when she looks at him. Well, I suppose a demon might be wary of someone whose career is based on hunting their kind, more often than not with a kill clearance or request attached to the job.

“We still want to speak with him,” Torrin insists, and I can’t help but notice the way her eyes dart over the three of us at his words, lingering on me. Anxiety has my arms itching to wrap over my stomach protectively, but I know it’ll only draw attention to what I want to hide. I force myself to keep them still, squeezing my hands at my sides instead.

“Is she your client?” she demands suddenly, and my anxiety spikes even higher.

“So what if she is?” Torrin replies, not fully denying or confirming her suspicions, though I suspect it’s more than obvious that I am.

Why else would I be here tagging along with them?

“Did you have a bad experience with someone from our club, sweetheart?” she asks me, far softer than she had spoken to him. “We have a reporting system, and I can assure you that we take complaints very seriously. Marb considers everyone’s safety at the club as our top priority.”

“Sure he does,” Rio mutters, not quite low enough to avoid the woman hearing him.

“He does. How dare you imply?—”

“I haven’t been here before, actually,” I answer over her, mostly to stop this argument from occurring before Rio gets us thrown out of here with his attitude. “I’m looking for a demon I met a little while back. I asked my friends here to help me find him.”

“And your reasons for seeking out this demon?” she asks, still glaring at Rio, who glares right back at her.

“Are personal,” I answer firmly, briefly weighing up the merits of what I’m saying before continuing, “I swear we don’t intend to harm them or anyone else here. We just want to talk to Marbas. Please.”

“Well, seeing as they lack a warrant, we don’t have to let either of them in,” she replies almost smugly, though the expression entirely vanishes when she looks away from Rio to meet my gaze with a soft sigh. “However,as I doubt they’ll let you come in alone, if you promise to keep your friends on a leash and out of trouble, you may all enter. I can’t promise Marbas will have answers for you, though.”

“She isn’t the?—”

“Thank you,”I say loudly, talking over Rio’s likely stupid comment before he can say something that’ll get us all thrown out the door. “Sorry about him. He can be rude when intimidated by beautiful women.”

She laughs, and damn, I didn’t think a woman’s laugh could sound so seductive. I decide it must be a succubus thing because there’s no way she’s anything else. Between her looks, where she’s working, and Rio’s instant dislike of her, that much is obvious.

“I’m sure,” she replies in a humorous tone, smirking as she leans forward, resting her hands on the desk and tilting her head to the side. “Head on through the left door, down the hallway to the end, then cut across the main club floor to the back metal stairs. If you go right up to the top, he should be up there, hiding away from the action as always.”

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