Page 11 of Flying Blind

“Oh, strip club. Watching nearly naked people isn’t really in my wheelhouse lately.”

He chuckled. “Sex sells. It is very profitable. We protect the ladies, and they entertain the men and women.”

“How fascinating. Don’t care.”

His fingers stroked the inside of her wrist. “Interesting. Your skin...”

“Oh, that. Luna says that it happens a lot with betas that alphas have infected. We end up with omega skin. It has made the scars on my back easier to manage.”

“Those scars. May I see them?”

“Sure. That’s why I picked this dress.” She moved her hair to one side and bent her neck. She heard a ragged inhale, and some fingers touched the marks, moving down her back. Fire flared in sensitive places as he traced the brands.

“Okay. Stop playing.”

He lifted his fingers from the marks and sat next to her. “You are marked for three demon alphas. Three openings have been made in your psyche to create doorways for a demon alpha to slot into. We have to do it as a group for it to work properly.”

“Can’t you just... uh... plug yourself in or something?”

“No. Three holes drilled into a boat have to be fixed for the boat to be sound. They bored three holes into your energy pattern, and if you exert yourself, you can drain the emotional energy very quickly. My grandma knew that and encouraged you into the public eye. You feed off a crowd when you sing.”

“Oh. I wondered what that was. I do feel better after performing.”

“But it is a temporary measure. Whoever suggested that avenue of performance probably saved your life.”

Zara thought briefly of Roane and nodded. “I will send her something nice. I haven’t really mentioned anything to her since that day.”

“She offended you?”

“She told me to wear a lace band over my eyes. That since I couldn’t do anything about it, to have fun with it.”

“Ah, this was shortly after everything happened.”

“Right. She was very blunt.”

“And you rebuffed her.”

“Yes. It was none of her business.”

“Where were you?”

“At a Book Club meeting.”

“So, it was everyone’s business. That is why you were there.”

“Yes. She didn’t say anything, so I am sure it’s okay.”

He said, “When you have your alphas, you will regain sight. That will help you to see the ladies of the Book Club in a new light.”

“So, there has to be three of your kind.”

“Yes. I have been shopping for demons who are well-behaved and are not violent or vile. That is harder than you think. Two local demons were killed in the last six months.”

She blinked. “Was one of them a banker?”

“Yes. How did you know?”

“I think he was the spotter. The other guy was a thug.”

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