Would it be the same as looking at him?
After getting a general idea of the city, she’d picked out the paranormal hotspots. It had been easy enough. Not many had access to magic except witches and it was unusual for people to hide their scent like she did without knowing the right people.
Dex didn’t smell like anything she’d ever come across before. Most of what she got was the leather from his coat, the shampoo he used in his hair, and the sharp tang of vodka. There was something underneath all of that, but it was…
It was a siren call and she knew it would pull her down so deep there was no chance she’d ever be able to breathe again.
Why she wanted that was a whole other problem. Her instincts should be screaming at her to run away, take him out – something. But none of that was on her mind when she looked at him, even when his hands were covered in blood.
Nova pulled out her laptop and ignored her phone. She typed up her report, mentioning her plans for the next night and then hesitated.
Her orders hadn’t said anything about what to do if she had to kill or not. Would the Council even care? It wasn’t like murdering other paranormals was illegal. Only if she got caught by humans would the Council mind.
Nova hit send.
It was almost sunrise based on the grey light in the room. She closed the blackout curtains and picked up her phone again.
Should she look at it?
Climbing into bed, she tapped the passcode and wrapped the down blankets around her, adjusting the pillows so she could snuggle against them. Two seconds to let her mom know she was alive and well.
Then her thumb hovered over her contacts.
Just fucking look at it already.
She hit the app before she could second-guess herself.
His info popped up with the picture and she selected it.
Dex was grinning into the camera, showing off his canines. One hand was up in a finger gun pose, framing his sharp jawline and gorgeous smile that promised so much trouble. She inspected those golden-brown eyes and his floppy blond hair that had a tendency to fall in his face.
Nova tossed her phone on the nightstand and buried her head under the pillow.
She was in so much trouble.
11
DEX
“Ihave a job for you.”
Dex didn’t say anything as he stood in the boss’s office, wondering what it would be this time.
“The politician we paid off to get us the contract is dragging his heels.” The demon gave Dex a sharp grin. “I need you to speed it up. We have too much business to take care of for this bullshit.”
“Congratulations on the expansion,” Dex drawled. “I take it you want me to take care of this now?” He gave Agmos a sharp grin that promised the violence his own demons thrived on.
“No better time than the present.” Agmos came around his desk and slapped Dex on the shoulder hard enough it stung.
But by now, he was used to it. Agmos was the only parent Dex knew after all.
“I’ll get it done.” He tilted his head to one side, and then the other. The cracks and pops relaxed him as he considered how he was going to approach this. “Anything I should be aware of?”
“I’d rather you didn’t kill him.” Agmos shrugged. “But human politicians are easy to buy. So, if there’s no other way, do whatever you have to.”
“Should be a good time.” Dex clicked his tongue and gave Agmos one of his infamous finger guns.
“That’s my boy.” Agmos went to the small bar and Dex waited, sensing there was something else. “How are you doing?”