Page 39 of A City of Smoke and Demons
Jem ignored him, nodding at the wound on Ezra’s throat. ‘I’m going to assume she’s not happy with you.’
‘Sheis sitting right here,’ Analise said, poking her finger into her croissant. ‘Why didn’t you tell me what he was?’
‘It wasn’t my place,’ Jem said.
Analise muttered something under her breath.
Ezra couldn’t stand much more, he’d had enough. ‘Is this charade over? Am I allowed to go back to the Canem Club yet?’
‘The mark—’
‘If I’m lucky, maybe a demon will rip my guts out before I get there,’ Ezra mumbled.
‘We can only hope,’ Analise said.
Ezra scowled, then got up, striding across the room and ripping open the drawer near the sink. He pulled out a large knife, running his thumb over the sharp blade. When he turned around, knife in hand, Lira’s eyes widened. Ezra dropped the knife in front of Analise. The sound of it clattering against the table echoed around the small room.
She glared at him.
‘Finish the job,’ he challenged. ‘Because I truly don’t know what else to tell you, Analise. I lied. I’m sorry. I’m an arsehole.’
Her fingers toyed with the handle of the knife, and then she shoved it away, standing so suddenly she almost knocked him over.
Their eyes met. ‘You want to end your miserable existence, do it yourself.’
She stalked from the room. Lira followed, taking the remains of her croissant with her.
Ezra stared at the empty doorway for a moment before sinking into his seat. He exhaled sharply, then raised his eyebrows in Jem’s direction. ‘Tobias?’
‘Don’t look at me like that.’
‘No judgement. I didn’t realise the man you were shagging is Tobias, who wants to take my head off.’ Ezra toyed with the edge of his sleeve. ‘You didn’t tell me?’
‘I know you don’t like him. And he doesn’t want to take your head, not really,’ Jem replied, lips twitching. ‘He thinks you’re an arrogant arse, though.’
‘Thanks for clarifying,’ Ezra said. ‘Does dear Toby know that you hunt demons?’
‘Tobias,’ Jem said firmly, ‘and yes, he knows. He’s in the Order.’
‘You said it was a family affair, unless you’ve got some kinks in the closet that I really do not need to know about.’
Jem chuckled. ‘It’s not just my family in the Order, Ez. There are at least ten others involved.’
‘You kept it from me. You’re the closest thing I’ve got to family, Jem, and you hid things from me.’
‘So, as your almost-family I’m going to point out that you’re deflecting.’ Jem’s expression was troubled.
‘Of course I’m deflecting.’ He wouldn’t deny it, not to Jem. ‘And I think if she really wanted it, I’d be dead.’
‘You wouldn’t have stopped her, you mean.’
‘Something like that.’
Analise came marching in, snatching her croissant from the table and giving Ezra a look that was fierce enough to melt the flesh from his body. His responding anger took him by surprise. ‘Leave me alone, Analise. I’m trying to wallow in my self-pity.’
She laughed darkly, as if his anger amused her, and he wasn’t entitled to it.
But she was right. He wasn’t. ‘I’m well aware how much of a cunt I am.’
