Page 70 of Dancing with My Elf
“Besides, it’s not like we’re in a relationship. And with what we have going on at the Network, it’s the last thing I need. Or want,” I added. My voice sounded as hollow as those words.
Cassandra gaveus an update on her interrogation in the conference room the next morning. “I still haven’t gotten much from the demon.” She scowled. “He’s an arrogant shit.”
“He won’t talk?” I asked.
“Not unless to mock us and our feeble magical restraints, reiterating how we can’t keep him here for long. When I ask him why he thinks that, he gives me a smug smile and says, ‘You’ll see.’”
“Arrogant, indeed,” I agreed.
I worked throughout dinner, eating a quick bite at my desk as I tried to find a breakthrough in this case. With each passing day, the strain wore on me despite the much-appreciated time off.
In the evening, Nova stopped my office. “Gianna’s coming in soon. She said she’ll look at the demon.”
“She did?” I placed both hands on my desk and blinked at her. “What made her change her mind?”
“Not sure. She texted me and asked if she could stop by.”
A few minutes later, Gianna entered the Network with a wavering smile. “Let’s do this.”
Although I was grateful that she’d volunteered to come down, her uneasiness bothered me, and I was concerned for her well-being. Were we becoming friends? “I’m glad you’re here, Gianna, but what made you change your mind?”
She exhaled. “The two of you. You’re both so brave, and I want to be more like you.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “And a quote on a tea bag. Something inspiring about facing your fears.”
“Whatever works.” I shrugged, raising both hands.
After ensuring all the defensive magic safety protocols were in place, I led us down to the basement and through a tunnel beneath the Network. A massive, gray-skinned gargoyle with a horned head stood on guard. I greeted him and he let me pass through the door, which was reinforced with silver and magical protection. In the chamber, I pulled open a partition to a small window that had bars. We weren’t taking any risks that he could escape.
“Let’s go.”
The demon rose from a bench and walked over to the window. He fixed his stare on Gianna. “What a surprise. You must have missed me, Gianna.”
My muscles stiffened and skin crawled.
Her face turned into a frozen mask. She stepped backward. “You’ve changed your appearance but are still the same vile monster inside, Jakob.”
He tipped his head back and laughed. “I always loved your spirit.” He sniffed the air. “Still screwing the wolf, I see? You could do so much better than a timid dog afraid of water. It’s not too late to join us, you know. It’s the only way to save yourself.”
Gianna stepped up to the bars and spat in Jakob’s face. “I’d never join you or my pathetic excuse of a mother. Where is that bitch, anyway?”
He wiped the spit off his face and then licked it. I cringed along with Gianna and Nova.
“Preparing,” he said. “As you should be. The portal is opening soon. You’ll want to be on the winning side.”
Nova and I exchanged a glance as if contemplating if we should interfere. Gianna got the demon talking. Maybe we should hold back to see how this unfolded.
“I don’t believe a word you say,” Gianna snarled.
He arched a brow. “Suit yourself.” After raising an index finger, he said, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” With a triumphant sneer, he added, “There’s nothing you can do to stop the portal from opening. And when it happens, I’ll come find you.”
“If you come near me, I’ll fuckin kill you!” she shouted. “I’ll shred your balls into confetti and feed it to piranhas.”
He laughed. “Still thinking about my cock, my horny little siren?”
“Only if it means severing it from the rest of you.”
“Yes, we could use someone with your spirit, even if you’re hard to convince. I thought about taking you at the club when I saw you there. But these two might cause trouble.” He pointed to Nova and me. “My father told me I should wait until you were alone.”
My heart plummeted. Demons had been in the club, and we’d missed them. So many could have been at risk. The idea that Lucas was so close to danger twisted me like revolving daggers.
