Page 30 of The Rowan
I glance over at Meri, who’s watching him leave, then she pulls out her phone to text someone. Craning my neck, I try to see if it’s Callyx, but he doesn’t pull his phone out. I wonder what that’s all about?
18
ARDEN
I’m watching Callyx leave, instead of where I’m going, when I bump into someone. “Oh, please excuse me.” I glance up to find Daire’s icy blue eyes staring down at me. “Daire. Are you okay?”
Straightening his cuffs, he slides an arm around the beautiful woman at his side. “Who was that demon?”
“Callyx Karth,” I reply. “Why?”
The tension eases from his shoulders. “Karth, of course. The cadre wants to meet him. Maybe next time, you’ll introduce us?”
I shrug. “Sure. I’m surprised you haven’t met him, but then again, it’s Callyx. Unlike Vargas, Callyx prefers to stay in the shadows, and Lucifer lets him.” Turning to the woman, I introduce myself to her. “I’m Arden.” I’ve seen them together a lot since I started working here, so I’m guessing she’s his girlfriend.
She sneers down at my hand. “I’m Solange, Daire’s girlfriend,” she says curtly. “Daire, why are we talking to this witch? She isn’t anyone important, is she?”
“This witch is under the cadre’s protection, Solange. I’m checking to make sure she’s okay. Put your claws away,” he commands.
“What do you mean under the cadre’s protection?” she screeches. “I’ve never heard of the cadre offering their protection to anyone. What does that even mean? Is shelivinghere?” She puts her hands on her hips, her dark eyes flashing with fury, waiting for him to answer.
Daire’s phone buzzes, and he looks up to see Valerian above him. “I’ve got to speak to Valerian for a minute. Why don’t you go sit at our table,” he suggests. With a flash, he’s gone.
Exasperated, she gives a brief scream. “You. Answer my question,” she demands. “Are you living here?”
“You should talk to Daire,” I recommend, not wanting to get in the middle of these two. “I’ve got to cash out my customers.” With a sidestep, I pick up the check from the table on my right and swipe their card on the tablet. After handing it back to them with a receipt and a pen, I’m walking to the next table when Solange grabs my arm.
I knock off her grip. “I told you, talk to Daire. I don’t know you or trust you. Why would I tell you anything?”
She blurs in front of me, staring at me. “You’ll tell me.” The crowd falls silent, watching us. What she’s doing is against the rules of sanctuary, but few will risk their neck for a witch. “But first, why don’t you give me a little taste? You smell delicious.” The rune at my throat flares in warning—she’s trying to compel me.
A couple of guys in the crowd step forward, and she hisses at them. Nervously, they step back.
“Sorry, I’m not into girls, especially ugly ones. Meri, maybe. She’s beautiful insideandout, but not you.” I wrinkle my nose in disgust. “Go try your parlor tricks on someone else.”
The crowd gasps, and the guys who stepped up to help chuckle.
“You bitch.” She gives a deranged laugh. With a blur, she dives toward me, and I reach out and grab her by the throat in mid-air. Slamming her up against the wall, I hold her there. She’s so tiny, she’s like a gnat in my grasp. My temper frays.
“The first rule of attack is to know your opponent. You don’t know me, and yet you assumed your vampire speed and strength would be to your advantage. Uh oh, it’s not.” I pull the sword hidden at my side. “The second rule is to prepare for surprises, which you clearly didn’t do. Now you’re in danger of having your head cut off.” I take a deep breath, trying to get my anger under control. I can’t kill Daire’s girlfriend. It would piss him off. “I’m getting real fucking tired of people underestimating and attacking me. Now, what should I do with you?” I loosen my hand so she can speak.
“Daire!” she screams.
“I’m standing right here,” he drawls. “What did you do to piss off Arden? Didn’t I tell you I’d meet you at our table?”
“Are you going to stand there and let her treat me this way?” She cries, fake crocodile tears rolling down her cheeks. “Obviously, she’s using magic to enhance herself. Who knows what spells she’s planning to use on me.”
“A spell? I’m more likely to use my sword to cut off your head so I don’t have to hear you screech anymore,” I snap. The crowd whispers. Remembering where we are, I drop her to her feet. I hold the tip of the sword at her throat. “You’re lucky we’re in a sanctuary. The next time you attack me, I won’t be so lenient.”
Valerian stalks over and grabs the hand holding the sword. “Lass, I think your shift is over. Let me get you a drink.”
“I deserve one after Daire made me clean up his mess,” I snarl. “How he can date someone so stupid is beyond me.”
A shriek sounds behind me, and I watch while Daire reaches out to wrap his arm around Solange’s waist. He peers down at her, tucks a piece of hair around her ear, then leans down to whisper to her. With a roll of my eyes, I turn and motion to Valerian.
“Lots of alcohol. Something strong,” I tell him.
19
