Page 40 of Demon Found

“In the woods behind the Wailing Moon.”

“It’s where?”

Naeve giggles and pulls out her pad. “This here on the map is all academy grounds. Over there is the portal to the commercial area where the pub is—the Wailing Moon. It’s where all the best parties are held.” She pauses and a blush creeps up her face. “At least . . . that’s what they say. I’ve been to the pub but didn’t dare go to the fresher’s party, not by myself.”

“So, we make this one extra good.”

I’ll damn well make sure of it. Naeve isn’t missing out because of her brother’s political bullshit and a few mean girls. And after that fucking stunt by Las Ratas, I sure as hell need to let loose.

Chapter Twenty: Chano

Scrubbingmyhandovermy buzz cut, I glare around the crowded bar. I can’t beat someone from this preppy crowd to a pulp just to appease my demon. Or can I? Hellfire, the idea’s sure appealing, but it’s not fight night. Fight night in the Wailing Moon is the highlight of my week. This? This is purgatory.

But all the students are here tonight, so here’s where I need to be.Mi mamiis right. I need a better grip on the Maveriks. They have to see me let loose, see me as as one of themandas their leader. If I can’t rule the gang outside the academy yet, I’ll sure as hell keep them in line here.

Slamming my empty glass to the table, I jerk my chin at Alarick, who rises to get us another round before we head outside.

“Deago, go scope out the bonfire. Get our crew ready to head there.”

He scowls. “I want another drink. Make someone else go.”

“Disrespect me again, I dare you.” I press my flick knife gently into his thigh and see the moment he recognizes the cool blade for what it is. His teeth bare and the purple of his demon rings enlarges, irises swirling in challenge.

Thisputaisn’t backing down?

With a snarl I sweep the legs of his chair out from under him. In an instant, I’m straddling his torso, my fist crushing his windpipe.Brook no opposition. I barely register the shouts as the supes around us scramble away. Deago slaps ineffectually at my chest, his face turning dusky. It’s not enough. My demon growls for his blood.

A crowd of alarmed yuppie faces peer down at us. The complete hush in the previously noisy bar finally penetrates my blood lust. Hellfire. This is how I take care of business. They better get used to it. I have to take a few deep breaths before I can force my fingers to uncurl.

Deago takes a ragged breath, the challenge in his eyes long sputtered out. My fist connects hard with his nose, and his head snaps back. Standing, I pause to rub my bloody knuckles clean on his white top. Fisting his shirt, I yank him up beside me, throwing an arm over his shoulders and grinning widely.

“Challenge me again and I will let my demon out to play, no matter if we’re in school, puta. Remember your place. That goes for the rest of you too,” I snarl and the crowd melts away.

“Boss,” Deago mutters staring at the floor and rubbing ineffectually at the bloody stains on his shirt.

To anyone else it looks like submission. But Iknowthis sneaky asshole. If he was brave enough to challenge me once, even in a tiny way . . .

Anymore of his bullshit and I will end him. My uncle be damned. Massaging my tender knuckles, I glare at his back as he heads for the door. Deago is both a demon and my cousin, he should be the perfect second. But he’s all nine levels of hell away from being trustworthy. Still, I can’t choose Alarick over him for now. It’d cause chaos at home. His father is the least problematic of my uncles. But then, that’s a pretty low bar.

I clench my teeth. What happened to trustingmi familia?

My gaze is still fixed on the doorway Deago vanished through when a slim figure appears, silhouetted in the light.

Lorelei.

I’d recognize her blindfolded. By her scent. She smells of citrus with a powerful hit of ginger thrown in. It’s bewitching.

The girl is stunning in academy uniform but she’s a queen tonight. My simmering rage melts away like snow landing on the gates of hell. What is it with my demon and his fascination with this chica?

She’s the first girl I’ve ever been tempted by, tempted to chase. She’s off-limits—she refused to join the Maveriks—making her even more damn attractive.

Of course, she’s in tow with one of Cuelebre’s hangers-on tonight. Naeve the nymph, Naeve the nerdy, Naeve the needy. But even the bookworm is dolled up. Maybe she’s got a date.MaybeI can worm in and get a word with Lorelei.

Standing, I elbow my way farther into the room. Perhaps I can still get her on my side, I can be very persuasive. She turned her nose up at choosing between Maverik and Cuelebre, but dammit, everyone chooses in the end. And I want this girl with me.

Naeve prances to a table just as Lorelei vanishes behind the bar. Hellfire. The bar’s dumb initiation. I prop myself against the wall near their table and motion for Alarick to bring my drink over.

The table is crawling with Cuelebres. Farrell’s fucking cousin Kieran too. My horns prickle at my scalp, itching to be let out. Simply seeing him brings my demon to the surface. Creepy shit likes sniffing around young girls. I’ve not caught him with a minor yet, but if I ever do, he’s a dead man walking.

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