Page 28 of Kiss of Light

“I gotta go, D. Keep me posted.”

She ended the call.

Blake could already be in New Orleans trying to pick up her trail. Maybe the fae twins too.

She’d driven west for about five hours yesterday before Lemar had woken up. A sizeable distance. But she knew those hunters. And she knew Ravij. It wasn’t enough.

She had to find Lemar and get on the road again, though she had no clue what she was going to do about his dilemma.

One problem at a time.It was becoming her mantra.

She got in the car and left the sad little bar. There was nothing else around for miles. The stars were bright overhead as she tooled slowly along the interstate.

She knew Lemar had nowhere to go. He was angry and full of self-loathing, and he wasn’t thinking straight. She was counting on him stomping along the highway, cursing her soundly and trying to catch a ride.

She found him ten miles away.

“Lemar, stop. Let’s talk.” She pulled up next to him and leaned from the driver’s window as she matched his pace. He didn’t look at her.

“Fuck off.”

“I don’t know what you did, but that isn’t who you are now. You didn’t even bitemewhen you had the chance, and I’m a demon.”

“It doesn’t matter. What I did means I can never go home. I may as well wait for the hunters and have done with it.”

“Gods, you’re annoying.”

She pressed the accelerator and screeched ahead. Then she turned the car sideways, bringing it to a stop in front of him. He didn’t even break stride. He just leapt lightly onto the roof and over the other side.

She watched his receding back in frustration. Focusing on a point just in front of him, she shimmered there and slammed a hand into his chest. His eyes darkened.

“More demon tricks?” he said.

“Don’t try to run. I can shimmer in front of you every time and all you’ll do is piss me off.”

“Is that a challenge?”

“No! Goddammit, this isn’t about you. It’s about saving Nush’aldaam from a madman. And you can mope and grizzle all you like but we are going to fucking Colorado whether you like it or not.”

His eyebrows shot up.

“Mope and grizzle?”

“Look.” She ran a hand through her hair, trying to articulate the words. “I get that you did something awful in the past. And I get that you have a shitty relationship with your dad. But right now you have a dozen hunters on your tail. All I’m asking is that you come with me to Colorado. Can you at least do that?”

“Then what?”

“Thenyoudecide what to do next. I have connections, maybe I can persuade your father not to execute you on sight. But whatever happens, I swear it will be your decision.”

“You swear? You, who have already kidnapped me once?”

Tala held out her little finger.

“I pinkie swear.”

A reluctant smile tugged at Lemar’s mouth. He regarded the outstretched finger.

“That’syour idea of a binding covenant?”

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