Page 51 of Infernal Hearts

Jason’s entire demeanor drops, a somber aura surrounding him. “Thanks anyway.” He grabs my hand and tries to lead me out, but the vampire instantly appears on the other side of us.

“Are you forgetting something? A deal is a deal.”

Was it too much to hope that he suddenly forgot how much he was asking? I nod halfheartedly. “You’re right. How do you want to do this?”

“Paper contract is fine, if you please. I know incubi usually have quicker, more carnal methods, but that’s not my speed. I hope you understand.”

I appreciate his manners, but that’s not going to work. “Paper contract is no problem for me. But you’ll need at least a kiss to activate magic like that.”

Mr. Aranda chuckles, face beaming with a strong sheen. “That I can handle.”

I draw up the paperwork, we each put a drop of blood, and the air grows thick with magic. Jason stands back to watch the entire ordeal, this time as a bystander, but makes no comment. I lean over to press my lips to the vampire’s, and I can see out of the corner of my eye that Jason shifts with discomfort.

With a flash of light, the mystic atmosphere immediately clears. In front of me stands a human man, skin peachy pink with a few grays through his hair.

“Thank you, demon.”

I rub my chest, gut tightening. “My pleasure. Jason, ready to get going?”

Jason nods and beelines for the door without another word. He’s clearly upset about something, but I can’t tell what.

“When do you want to go? Now?”

“No time like the present.”

We peel out of the parking lot and head to the forest. I have a feeling it’s not particularly far, but I still feel the tension in the car.

Finally, Jason speaks. “Maybe we should look into this more when the sun is out.”

My jaw tenses, but I force it to relax. “I really don’t think we should wait. We’ve used enough time already.”

He nods. Who knows what we’ll find up there? More of Dane’s belongings or any evidence of his new life. What if he’s shacked up in the middle of the woods, livid that I ended up finding him? Only one way to find out. We finally have a major breakthrough, even if I just robbed a creature of his immortality.

Chapter Eight

Jason

How bad could a night in the woods with a demon really go?

You know. Minus the whole attempted murderer on the loose.

I should be excited and thankful we have a pathway to our next clue, but for some reason what happened in that cabin with Mr. Aranda won’t leave my mind.

My radio blares a Reba McEntire song as we swerve down the road—“Fancy”—and I notice that Levi knows all the words.

I curl my toes, lips pressing together. “I didn’t think you were a country fan.”

He stops lip-syncing and smirks. “I’m mostly a Reba fan. This song is fantastic.”

“Why’s that?”

“Have you really listened to the lyrics? She came from nothing and then charmed her way into getting everything she ever wanted and more. She may not have made the deal herself, but I’d put good money that one was made for her.”

I let out a bark of laughter. “And how exactly did you come up with this theory?”

“Easy. Not too different from how I became what I am. ‘Might’ve been born just plain white trash, but Fancy was my name.’” He leans back in his seat and continues to mouth the words of the song.

I try to process what he just told me. “Wow, I don’t even know where to start. You weren’t always an incubus?”

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