Page 31 of The Monster's Desire

“Nadia,” I say, almost in a trance. Demon magic is potent in the air.

My shadows have been a little too quick on the jump lately, but they seem to be enjoying a leisurely vacation at the moment. They lazily swirl around my hand and over him, since we’re touching, but Garth isn’t fazed. He laughs under his breath and nods for me to head inside.

Echo zips to my side, hissing at Garth. His fangs are super freaking intimidating and only a few inches away from my face. Cool hands wrap around my upper arms, and I’m swiftly moved across the room.

The council sits at a long table. There are three men and two women. The men hold the middle seats, and the women are on either end.

The five leaders in front of me are not a very diverse representation of the town residents.

My magic must be having an off day. I get a light pulse of warning, but nothing that matches the level of dread I should feel when I’m in a meeting surrounded solely by vampires and demons.

A prickle of unease jolts through my body. Well, nice of my senses to finally catch up with reality.

“You may sit,” Constantine Abraxas says. He’s seated in the middle of the others. A wrath demon, who’s quick to anger and even quicker to torture for the fun of it, is the one in charge of this meeting. I almost wish Echo hadn’t given me any information on the members of the council. The little I read is making it extremely difficult to relax.

My eyes unintentionally flick to Echo. How the fuck could my “partner” fail to prep me for this meeting? He should’ve warned me ahead of time or said nothing. This in-between bullshit is making me uneasy.

“What have you been told to expect from us?” Warren asks in that smooth vampire voice that signals he’s using compulsion.

My eyes don’t leave his as I answer. “I know from experience how meetings are supposed to go.”

“That’s not what I asked, now is it?” Warren asks. “What have you been told about this council?”

“Very little,” I hiss. My hands fly up as I rub at my aching temples. “This is the least welcoming town I’ve ever been to. Big shock that no one wants to work for you guys. Ever heard the sayingyou get more flies with honey? I’m not obligated to help you with your ward.” I jab a finger toward the town council.

Garth snorts from somewhere behind me, while Echo blows out a heavy breath, like my stupidity is physically painful.

Constantine laughs and shakes his head. “We were told you’d be plucky.”

“Told by whom?” I ask.

The greed demon at his side eyes me with what I think is appreciation. Lysander Godfrey is a beautiful specimen, if you’re into vain and disgustingly shallow. Physically speaking, he’s gorgeous, but the majority of supernaturals are.

I’ve learned my lesson before—the pretty ones are always dicks. The alpha wolf is a perfect example.

Warren quirks an eyebrow at me. “Do you know who we are?”

He’s still forcing answers? Guess we know exactly how this entire exchange is going to go.

Starting from left to right, I spit out their names and species.

Imogen looks bored as she taps away on her phone. Valaine Vossen, the only other female on the town council, is a succubus. She’s busy reapplying her lipstick while fluttering her eyelashes at herself in a compact mirror.

The three men are the only ones who seem to be taking this meeting seriously.

“The ward surrounding the town has nearly collapsed. Shouldn’t we be discussing that?” I ask. “I have other business to attend to while I’m in town, but I am willing to help.”

Unless I run, which is honestly starting to feel like a more realistic reaction, but they don’t need to know that.

Imogen gives Echo a nod.

He shoves me down into the only chair on this side of the table. I’m going to end up throat punching that guy...I can feel it in my gut.

“You’ll attend to the ward beginning today,” Warren says, lining his tone to force compliance.

“Of course,” I agree as my magic buzzes. It sure doesn’t lash out to protect me or even insulate me from being forced to agree due to his compulsion.

“Nadia, may I call you Nadia?” Constantine laughs as I say nothing. “You’re the fourth blood witch to enter North Falls within the last five years. It’s gotten to the point the paranormal council will no longer send us active agents.”

---