Page 48 of Legacy of Temptation

“Boy howdy, did he ever,” Draven said. “That bitch tore his heart out and ran it through a woodchipper. Total carnage. Like, if that had happened to me, it probably would have triggered my demon.”

Logan punched his buddy in the shoulder as he stood. “It would not. You’re tougher than that.”

Draven had sworn he’d never let his emotions overcome his willpower to remain in human form and live a normal life in the earthly realm. Like Logan, Draven had been raised by loving parents who’d taught him how to live among humans the way their kind had done for millennia—as long as nothing triggered their inner vengeance demon.

No one wanted that. The gentlest of them, once triggered, became Ufelskala Tier-Five demons, existing solely to deliver vengeance. Their first victims were those who triggered them. After that, they doled out gruesome vengeance for those who hired, summoned, or asked them. For their entire thousand-year lifespan.

Logan could think of few fates worse than that.

Draven gave him a skeptical eye roll. “Heartbreak is the reason most vengeance demons lose their shit.”

Shanea covered his hand with hers and gave him the biggest, sappiest puppy-dog eyes. “Which is why I swore I would never hurt him.”

“Aw, how cute,” Logan said, his voice carrying an unwelcome thread of bitterness. He was happy for his friend, but damn, he’d love to have what Draven and Shan had. What his parents had. What all his aunts and uncles had. “Maybe you two should come with me and get your own room.”

Draven kissed his fiancée. More cuteness. “Speaking of hotel rooms, aren’t you worried that Lilith will show up?”

Logan shifted the shopping bag to his other hand. “Nah. Eva moved her room to the fourth floor next to the stairwell. And I’ll cover my tracks and make sure I’m not followed. Plus, I think Lilith’s focus is on my cousins right now.” He held up the bag. “When Leilani brought the blouse for Eva, she said someone broke into her flat and decorated her bedroom in erotic demon art.”

Shanea’s pierced eyebrow arched, the little gold ring glinting in the candlelight. “What’s erotic demon art?”

“I made the mistake of asking that question too,” Logan said. “Turns out, it’s a bunch of genitals strewn around. Nailed to the walls. Glued to the ceiling. Things like that. Limos said it sounds exactly like something Lilith would do.”

“Holy shit.” Draven grimaced. “That’s messed up.”

After seeing Lilith’s artistic and sexual tastes in her shrine, Logan agreed with Limos. “Limos and Arik are insisting that Lani stay with them until Lilith gets taken out.”

“Well, if you need anything, let me know.” Draven grinned. “And let me know how much yousleeptonight with Eva.”

There was no point in trying to convince his friend that nothing was going to happen, so he left the pub, the sound of Draven’s and Shanea’s laughter following him out.

He hurried to the hotel, taking an indirect, winding route while keeping an eye out for anyone who might be tracking him. He arrived at Eva’s door without incident, if he didn’t count the demon spirit he’d captured a few blocks away. The thing had been darting between unsuspecting restaurant patrons seated outside, sucking their energy or brainwaves or whatever, when Logan casually tossed adecipulabetween tables and watched the screeching fiend get slurped into the trap.

Every diner was completely oblivious to the drama, and that thing had beenloud.

The hotel room door opened just enough for Eva to peek out. “Password?”

He held up the bag. “New blouse.”

“That’s correct.” Smiling, she swung open the door and stood there in a fluffy, knee-length white robe that made him wonder what she was wearing underneath. “You may enter.”

He brushed past her and handed her the bag. Like a giddy child, she dug through it and pulled out a tissue-wrapped parcel.

“Ooh, this is nice,” she said as she unfolded the blouse. “It’s nearly identical to the one you sliced up.”

“I gave it air vents. You were hot and sweaty. I did you a favor.”

She laughed and pulled a box from the bag. “What’s this?”

“I picked it up today.” He dropped his backpack next to the chair where he’d be spending the night. “Thought you needed a souvenir from Brussels.”

She opened the box, and her full lips parted in surprise. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed as she lifted the delicate gold necklace with her fingers.

“It’s a yellow iris. The city’s symbol.”

“I love it.” She held it out to him. “Help me put it on?”

He took the necklace and waited for her to turn around. “Your robe’s collar is in the way. Can you tug it down?”

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