Page 6 of Demon Found

Focus, I need to focus. Could he really solve my problem? I study him again. He’sdefinitelythe Virrey’s son. He must be here as a publicity stunt. Maybe, maybe there’s a way out of this mess.

“I’m listening. What’s your price?”

Zephyr nudges Farrell and whispers something in his ear. They break into cackles of laughter, slapping each other on the shoulder, before turning back to me. I shift from foot to foot, watching them carefully.

“If you’rereallyabout to be the new girl at Fates, then I want to test you out before anyone else. My price is a kiss, with tongues.”

The cheeky fucker. Test me out? Like I’m some new toy. My brain is immediately angry, but my stomach does a funny little backflip. Dammit, part of me wants to kiss this random, arrogant asshole. It would be an attractive proposition, even if he wasn’t offering to solve the biggest problem in my life. He doesn’t need to know that though. I give him a curt nod and hold out my hand.

“I’m Lorelei, and you have yourself a deal.”

Farrell grabs my hand and, instead of shaking it, pulls me toward him until I’m pressed up hard against his chest. He uses two fingers to tilt my chin up and his russet curls tumble into my face. I could happily die in those eyes.

Concentrate, Lorelei. This is a business deal. Nothing more.

Our lips touch and tingles break out all over my skin. My eyes flicker shut and my pulse thrums quickly, echoing around my head.Dammit, this boy can kiss. He blows my ex out of the water.

Farrell wrenches out of my grasp, and my eyes fly open. He writhes and contorts, filling the air with bellowing roars. I stagger back a few feet. He gives one final feral growl, his body bulges, and he rips through his shirt and pants. His skin morphs, breaking out in giant scales.

Within seconds, instead of an obnoxiously handsome guy standing in front of me, there’s a giant silvery beast taking up the whole damn alley. Flames lick from its nostrils, and I jump away with a yelp.

Zephyr glares at me for a brief second, shakes his head and dives toward his now-scaly friend. He lays his hands gently on Farrell’s giant snout and mutters something so low I can’t catch it.

The beast grumbles and the ground trembles under my feet.What the hell? I’ve never met anyone this powerful.The magic rolls off him. Belching black smoke and hissing quietly, the creature spasms once, twice, and on the third lets out an almighty scream before shrinking back down into human form.

Holy hags, that was quick.

The hunk of muscle standing in front of me is naked and drool worthy. His abs stand out, rock freaking hard. My gaze dips lower to the V of his stomach, trailing further down his body.

“Ahem.”

Ah, shit.I blink, staring straight ahead as heat rushes up my neck.

“I think you’ve done enough ogling.” Zephyr’s words come out harsh, clipped.

“I have to go sort this out.” Farrell gestures to his shredded clothes and a frown plasters his brow.

Nodding frantically, I let them get to the end of the alley before I remember.

“Wait! What about our deal?”

“Go wait in line. By the time you get to the front, it’ll be sorted.” Farrell turns away with an eye roll.

They better sort it. Scrubbing my hand across my lips, I scowl at their departing backs. Ididn’twhore myself out. It was adeal,that’s all. An uneasiness settles on my chest. Fucking rich kids. If this harebrained scheme actually works, I have to go to school with them.Shit.

Chapter Four: Lorelei

Ipassmypapersover to the imp and wipe my sweaty hands down the front of my scabby trousers. He shuffles from foot to foot, avoiding looking me in the eye, while he stamps the documents. He shoves them back at me as if the damn things are burning him.

“Proceed to booth twenty-two. The fae there will organize your emergence.”

Huh. So, Farrell was good for his end of the deal. Rounding the corner to the booth, my steps slow. This is it. Today I’m going to find out my genus. I’m going to emerge for the very first time. I swear if I’m something super powerful, I’ll go back and put Frank in his place. And all the other assholes on my list.

The corner of my mouth twitches. Who am I kidding? I’ll be part harpy, like Dad. But there’stechnicallya chance I could be a powerful genus. Who the hell knows what my mom was. Shelly wouldn’t let Dad talk about Mom despite making it obvious she didn’t see me as her daughter. My stepmom was a right piece of work.

Hope burns in my chest. Powerful supes have an easier life. It’d be nice if something came down on my side for once.

Shaking my head, I take a deep breath and push the door to the booth open.

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