Page 44 of Demon Found

Growling, I turn away and grab my tablet. I doubt she’s in any kind of state to answer but I have to try. My call rings and rings. Nothing.

Shit.

Just as I’m shoving it away, the screen lights up.

Ali-G Chat

Farrell: Naeve’s with me. Something’s happened. My room, now. Bring Hewie and Zephyr.

Charming. Couldn’t the asshole elaborate? Abandoning a pissed-off Val, I search for the boys. I’ll have to see Val sing another night.

Hewie’s loitering at the side of the stage like a little groupie. He’ll have to do. Zephyr will be fucked up by now, I’m not trying to wrangle him anywhere he doesn’t want to be. I need to know what’s happened to Naeve.

As we reach the dorms and head inside, Hewie nods toward the elaborate oak door set at the end of a stunning corridor. So, this is where Farrell lives. Looks like having a rich daddy means you get a whole damn floor to yourself. I hammer on the door, leaning in to each strike with all my strength.Please let Naeve be okay.The door opens abruptly, and I fall forward, arms windmilling to catch my balance.

“Why do people keep trying to break down my damn door?”

Strong hands grab my shoulders, steadying me. My face presses up against a toned chest and a waft of pine and citrus engulfs me. I freeze at the contact. My eyes trail up the immaculate shirt until I’m peering at Farrell’s high cheekbones and russet curls. His pupils dilate, and for a brief moment, I think he’s going to kiss me. His tongue darts out, licking his lower lip, and he sways toward me.

Farrell gives my shoulders a shove, and I step backward, tripping in my borrowed heels. He tugs on his shirtsleeves and dusts invisible grime from the front of his shirt. Okay. Maybe I misinterpreted that. Now he looks like contact with me disgusts him. Nice.

“Where’s Naeve?” I glance around the dimly lit entrance hall. Shit, he has an entrance hall in his dorm.

“She’s sleeping it off in the guest room.”

My tension eases slightly. Squeezing my way past Farrell into his rooms, I can’t help but gawp. A marble floor stretches away toward an opulent lounge, and several doors open off the corridor we’re in. Heavy velvet curtains shroud the windows. A tacky statue of a giant dragon takes up an entire corner. Dammit, is that a freaking chandelier?

“Make yourself at home, why don’t you?”

Flinging myself onto a massive white leather couch, I glare up at Farrell.

“What the hell is going on? Val said Chano took off with Naeve. What happened? If he hurt her so help me. I don’t care if he’s the devil’s son himself. He will pay.”

The strained lines on Farrell’s face relax slightly, and he cocks his head. “Not quite sure you’ve got enough grip on your powers to take on Chano, little harpy. But I like the sentiment.”

It takes an hour, and several coffees, before I get my head around what happened. HewiesawNaeve get spiked and didn’t say anything to me? Who does that? And then “the enemy” saved the day and brought her here. But Chano only stepped in after Zephyr royally fucked up.

Rubbing my forehead, I glance at the door to the guest room. Will Naeve ever forgive Zephyr for ignoring what happened? I won’t. That guy might be allegiance, but he can’t be trusted. Maybe once, he was a decent guy, but that was well before I met him.

It hits me, our allegiance is fucked. A low dread knots in my stomach. We’re in shambles. One druggie slave and his master, one chick with an ex-communicated family, and me—a nobody from the streets of Venez. I’d almost convinced myself it might be okay to rely on these guys. What an idiot.

Farrell clears his throat. “I’ll deal with Hunter. Can you look after Naeve for a few days? Keep her away from Zephyr for a bit.”

“Not the solution, Farrell. You can’t keep excusing him for his bullshit.”

A pained expression crosses his face. “He’s lost so much. I can’t . . .”

“You’re not helping him by ignoring this.Youare as much a part of the damn problem!” My anger spills over, and I’m on my feet, straining up into Farrell’s face. “Sure, the decision to quit has to come from him. But if all he ever sees is his best friend condoning his asshole behavior . . . what conclusion is he going to make? You’re his life, Farrell. He doesn’t have family here, his friendship with you is the most real thing he has. Bond or not.Youare harming him.”

Storming out of Farrell’s apartment, I make a beeline for my own dorm. It’s going to feel empty without Naeve, but I can’t stay in that place one second longer. Can’t be around Farrell’s insufferable arrogance. How can he not see he’s part of the problem?! My pentagram prickles under my skin and I rub at it. I can’t even see Zephyr’s mark, and Farrell’s is so fine it could be drawn on in pencil.

Fuck. We’re so screwed.

Flinging my armful of books onto Naeve’s bed, I groan. My shoulders are killing me. Surely all this could be sent by email?

“Here’s your homework from the lessons we have together. Don’t get used to it. Youneedto be back soon, my muscles aren’t built for this shit.”

“You’re a lifesaver. Now I don’t feel so guilty about being off.”

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