Page 31 of Corrupt Shadows

Rosa shakes her head, her pink waves bouncing around her shoulder as she scoffs. “Give it up. Why are you here?”

I tense a little, but neither seem to notice. I haven’t told her everything about my past. As far as she knows, my family was a bad bunch, and the Order hates me for it. I’m only too grateful when a waitress walks over with a huge smile, unaware of what she’s interrupted.

“Can I get you all something to drink?”

Aiden’s leg bounces, vibrating the table legs. If we’re not careful, he’ll bolt, and I can’t pull the gun out in public—unless he tries to hurt me, which is the reason I brought it. She hesitates when no one answers, and I force a smile. “I’ll take a water.”

Rosa smiles. “I’ll have a martini, and he will have a scotch.”

She nods and leans over, placing three menus in the middle of the table. “I’ll get those for you and be right back. Have you been here before?”

“No,” I say and look at Rosa. I hate small talk.

Rosa softens my harsh tone with a laugh, then she nods. “I have. We’ll let you know when we’re ready to order.” The waitress smiles back at her, but her hesitant gaze sweeps over me before she leaves. When she’s gone, Rosa looks at Aiden. “You’ll need that scotch.”

“I really don’t know what you’re both talking about,” he says again. “I don’t know about any order.”

I tuck a lock of hair behind my ear and lean forward. “I know you’ve been asking questions about me,” I hiss. “We’re not leaving until you tell us who you really are and what you want.”

His gaze moves past my shoulder, to my right. I look beside me and notice four mirrors on the wall. He quickly looks away, and my chest tightens. “You know him,” I say when realization dawns on me.

The muscle in his jaw ticks.

“The demon in the mirror.”

Anxiety threads his gaze, and he forces a second laugh, but this one is even less convincing.

I sigh. “Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

“Demons?” He gives Rosa an incredulous look, as if I’m the crazy one here and he’s not some insane stalker pastor in the world’s deadliest organization. “That’s insane.”

I shake my head. “You know it’s not. You’re working with him.” I glimpse the mirror in my peripheral vision. “What does a demon want with the Order?”

The waitress returns with our drinks, and I bite the inside of my cheek. Rosa tells her we’re not ready yet, and she ignores the me and Aiden. I can’t blame her. Aiden and I both stare stormily at each other, while Rosa is the only one with a hint of a smile.

When she’s gone, I sigh. Rosa wags her finger. “I like it here, so try not to do anything to get us banned,” she warns. “We’re going to have a civil but honest conversation. That way, no one will get hurt.” She takes a sip of her martini.

I breathe in the potent scent of mandarin from a nearby candle and catch a waft of garlic and parmesan lingering. Aiden doesn’t touch his scotch.

“Look,” he says, his blue eyes widening in the same way Gomez’s does when he wants something. “I really don’t have a clue what you’re talking about…” He glances again at the mirrors to my right, and I sigh.

“He’s really not watching us,” I say, answering his unspoken question. “He has no idea we’ve come here, and unless you told him, how can he track us here?”

Aiden grimaces. “You’d think.”

My breath catches in my throat as my heart gallops. He knows. I was right. “If you don’t tell me the truth, you’ll have far worse to fear than from a demon.” I pull the gun from the purse and nudge it against his legs.

“What the fuck!” He slides his chair back then jumps to his feet, his forehead beading with sweat. “He’s right. You’re fucking crazy.”

Rosa fumbles for cash to leave for the drinks, but I can’t let him get away, so I run out after him. I keep the gun hidden, keeping it in my grasp but inside my purse.

The brisk, night air hits me like a wall after being inside the warm restaurant. I spot Aiden at the crosswalk. He’s running far faster than I can. I step back into the shadowy entrance of a store when he looks back at the restaurant. I peer around the doorway and watch him disappear into an alley.

When I reach the front of the alleyway, I slide my back against the wall so he won’t see me, then I slip into the dark, narrow space. Rats run through the rain-soaked garbage as I make my way farther in. I can hear his footsteps. It comes to a dead end, and I’m certain he could climb the wall if he wanted, but I know this town like the back of my hand. He can’t get away from me that easily.

My heart pounds against my ribcage, the hairs on my neck standing on end as I move closer to him. He’s staring at the brick wall at the end of the alley, the moonlight pouring down, illuminating the graffiti covering the whole area.

“Run and I will shoot,” I call, then step out of the shadows. I cock the gun, ensuring the safety is off, nausea swirling in my stomach. “I have spent my life running from you people, and I’m done.” Tears threaten to break through, the swell of emotion taking me by surprise. “Start talking.”

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