Page 10 of Dancing with My Elf
“She might recognize one.”
“You want her to help us search for demons?” Nova’s voice edged higher with incredulity.
“Well, yeah,” I replied. “The sooner we find them, the sooner we can stop them.”
Nova hissed, revealing her reticence. “I don’t know if I want to broach that subject. She’s pretty freaked out by demons.”
“Yeah, I understand. I figured I should check.”
Nova exhaled. “You’re right. I doubt she’d go for that considering how traumatic it was, but I’ll ask.”
After devouring my roast beef sandwich with pickles and a bag of salt and vinegar chips, I drove to their house on the other side of Salem. Minutes later, I pulled into the long driveway of a turreted house painted a light shade of purple. I had known Margaret, a witch and Nova’s aunt, through the Network. She’d managed to escape a demon’s attack but had ended up dying here at home. What a peculiar house. In one way, it was a crime scene, but since the attack had been committed elsewhere, and this spot had countless layers of protection on it, it wasn’t the case. Margaret had escaped a demon to return to her magical home. I scowled thinking of her last moments, succumbing to dark magic. Those soulless monsters who attempted to steal magic had to go.
I scanned the doors at the front of the house. Nova told me to the come to the door on the right leading into the main part of the house. I parked in the long driveway. A cool rain now fell, and I rushed over the snow-covered path to reach the front door to avoid getting soaked. The rain would work against us in searching for dark magic, as it could wash traces of it away. It shouldn’t last long, though. The fun of the changing weather around here. No wonder Mark Twain said, “If you don't like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.”
After I knocked, Lucas opened the door, filling the frame with his massive presence. I sucked in a breath. He was covered with clothing today, jeans and a loose, white, button-down shirt. In the dimly lit club last night, I hadn’t noticed the remarkable color of his eyes. They were a brilliant blue fringed by long, dark lashes. With them fixed on me, I froze, feet glued to the pavement.
He leaned forward. “Zoe.”
I shifted my weight. “Hello, Lucas.” To snap out of my awkwardness, I joked, “I almost didn’t recognize you with your clothes on.”
My snarky remark wasn’t called for, and I instantly regretted it, but he appeared unfazed.
He smiled, dazzling me with the brightness of it. “I know how to amend that.” He started to unbutton his shirt.
I raised my hand. “Not necessary. You can save it for the club.”
He stepped aside, welcoming me in. “Would you like a drink?”
“Sure.”
“I just made a pitcher of lemonade.”
“Sounds good,” I agreed.
He brought me over to where Nova and Gianna were sitting on a sofa in the living room area. Gianna was a tall, dark-haired, half-siren beauty who towered over both Nova and me.
“Make yourself at home,” Lucas said. “I have to run downstairs. I’ll be right back.”
I scanned the room with the fireplace, flat-screen television, video games, and records. It was a nice place and surprisingly tidy for three guys living there.
Nova and Gianna greeted me, and Lucas walked away. The image of him sauntering at the club last night returned, and I resisted the urge to gape at him. I was here on duty, nothing else.
I turned to back to them. “Hey Gianna, I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to talk to you.”
She grinned. “Zoe filled me in on the situation, and I’m in.”
“You are?” I stared at her in surprise. A part of me expected her to wring me out for being insensitive. I didn’t expect her to jump on board, especially with such enthusiasm.
“Ab-so-freaking-lutely,” Gianna replied with a resolute nod. “After two deeply unpleasant encounters with them, I’ll be damned to just sit around and wait for it to happen a third time. No way. I want to do something to stop it.”
“Wow, that’s a great attitude, Gianna,” I said.
“And if it means I have to suffer through watching several pretty men shaking their tail feathers for me, I think I can stomach it.” She flashed a Cheshire cat-like smile.
“Sebastian might not,” Nova mumbled.
“Let me worry about him.” Gianna tapped Nova’s hand.
