Page 95 of Happily Ever Bitten (Underworld Royals 2)

Demon bars were so much better than human establishments. The décor came alive in fiery spurts, torches illuminated the rocky interior, and the bartenders had the appropriate amount of dexterity to handle the crowd.

I sipped my blood-infused wine at the counter while pretending to listen to the male beside me go on and on about his pet hellhound. He wasn’t exactly hitting on me, just making friendly conversation, which I allowed because it afforded me the opportunity to study the demon across the bar.

He was the final name on my list.

Braun.

I’d taken out his two buddies last week, and the second had been kind enough to give me this asshole’s location.

Finally.

Is he making you want a hellhound, baby? Grigory asked me via our link. He sat in the shadows, his legs crossed at the ankles, as he watched me work. He would only intervene if I needed him.

Do you think it would placate your mother? Lux had been going on about us creating an heir, which was ridiculous because Grigory and I had just wed. Fortunately, my husband agreed with my stance—we weren’t ready. Which was why he hadn’t even begun to look into the fertility rituals required for Noxia demons.

It might, he murmured, referring to the hellhound pleasing Lux. But I’ve heard they can be hell on furniture.

I smirked, his comment confirming he could hear everything the guy beside me was saying about his new pet. Apparently, they have a clawing problem.

So does my wife, Grigory drawled, sending me a memory from earlier this evening. He’d fucked me up against the wall of our shower, and my nails were a little overeager on his back.

I’m not sorry.

I know. He shifted subtly, his instincts going on alert as the demon across the bar stood. I think he’s about to head out.

Yep. I politely finished my conversation with Mister Hellhound, wishing him luck with his pet, then picked up the tab for his drink. “It’s on the King and Queen of Noxia,” I informed him. Because, yeah, those were our titles now that Grigory had ascended.

My buddy’s eyes widened. “What?”

“It was lovely to meet you, Max,” I added. “Feel free to bring your pup to the palace sometime. My husband would love to meet him.”

“You’re… you’re…”

I winked at him. “It’s the hair,” I said, pointing to my updated look. “Red is the new blue.” And as I hadn’t spent much time around the realms yet, my face wasn’t all that familiar either. Only my name.

“I had no idea, Queen Zaya. I… What are you doing here?”

“Working,” I replied, patting him on the back. “And I mean it. Feel free to stop by sometime.”

With that, I left him gaping after me and followed my mark out the door in the blistering sun of Neptune. Grigory hung back for obvious reasons, his mental link with me satisfying his instinct to protect.

After two months of practice, I’d more or less mastered my soul-sucking power. I didn’t like to use it often, but it was required tonight. Just like last week when I took out the other two demons. Their souls couldn’t be allowed into the resurrection cycle.

Rolling my neck, I trailed after Braun toward his little hideout.

He didn’t pay attention to his surroundings, not noticing me at all when I came up right behind him at his door.

His overconfidence would be his downfall.

“With a record like yours, I would think you’d pay better attention, Braun,” I told him conversationally as he inserted his key into the lock.

His shoulders stiffened, a bead of sweat appearing on the back of his neck.

That little tell gave me all the power.

He feared me.

I recalled a time where he haunted my nightmares, where his face appeared beside Necros as they laughed at my wilted form on the floor.

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