Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout

25

The place we were meeting Roth turned out to be a restaurant called Zeke’s. We had to park in a garage down the street, and it was a little weird walking beside Zayne, wondering if any of the people we were passing on the street had any idea what he was.

I liked the restaurant from the moment we walked in. Softly lit, the interior was a mixture of exposed wood and steel. The booths looked comfortable with thick cushions and lush pillows. It had a rustic-modern feel that reminded me of mountains and Colorado.

Which was weird, because I’d never been to Colorado, but for some dumb reason, I imagined there were a lot of places like this in Colorado.

The hostess appeared to recognize Zayne. With a genuine smile and lingering gaze I couldn’t blame her for, she seated us in a surprisingly private booth near a large stone fireplace. There was a romantic vibe to the place that made me overly aware of Zayne and made me feel like I should be wearing something...cuter than jeans and a T-shirt.

Whatever.

I was comfortable and that was all that mattered.

The moment the waitress left after placing our drinks on the table—a Coke for me and a water for Zayne—I asked, “Is it okay for us to meet here?”

The candlelight from the center of the table flickered over his face as he nodded. “People that come here mind their own business.”

“Oh.” I toyed with the napkin as I glanced around. “Do they know what you are?”

“They know I’m a Warden, but they don’t know what Roth is,” he explained. “How’s your back feeling?”

“Perfect.” And it really was. It didn’t ache or throb at all when I made sharp movements. Pulling my hands into my lap, I glanced around the restaurant before my gaze found its way back to his. “Thank you for doing that.”

His chin dipped, causing a strand of hair to slip against his cheek. “It was my pleasure.”

A humming warmth traveled through my veins. “I’m sure there’re better things you could be doing than rubbing gunk all over my back.”

“You’re right. I could be doing better things with my time,” he replied.

Ouch.

The warmth vanished.

“But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t enjoying myself,” he added, and my gaze shot to his. A half grin played at his lips.

Before I could come up with a response, I felt the sudden increase in my shoulders. “I think he’s here,” I said. “Or another demon is here.”

A moment later, Zayne said, “I feel it now. Crazy how you can feel it before me.”

Zayne rose and moved to my side of the table. He sat beside me, thigh pressed against thigh. “What does it feel like to you?” he asked.

“Like a hot breath on the nape of my neck,” I told him, voice low. “And a heaviness in the shoulders. Same for you?”

He nodded.

Roth arrived, dressed very much like he’d been the first time I saw him. All black. He wasn’t alone. The icy blond demon was with him, his hair braided in pigtails, which looked weirdly good on him.

“I hope we kept you guys waiting.” Roth slid into the booth across from us, followed by Cayman. “And yes, I meant that just the way it came out.”

“We just got here,” Zayne answered, stretching his arm along the back of the booth. “We weren’t waiting long.”

“That’s disappointing,” Roth replied, his bright amber gaze fixed on me as he got himself situated. “So weird.”

“What?”

He tipped forward. “I still want to touch you.”

My eyes widened. “You’re an odd, creepy demon prince.”

Roth grinned.

“Well, you still creep me out,” Cayman announced as Roth leaned farther toward me, one hand sliding across the table.

“No touching,” Zayne warned.

The demon prince pouted as he pulled his hand back. “That’s no fun.”

“Where’s Layla?” I asked, changing the subject from the whole touching-me thing.

Roth smiled tightly. “She decided it would be best if she sat this one out.”

I glanced at Zayne. There wasn’t even a hint of emotion on his face.

“Don’t you two look supercozy and cute.” Cayman eyed us intently.

“Do we?” Zayne murmured.

“You do,” Roth answered. “I like it. A lot.”

Zayne’s finger began tapping along the back of the booth. “I’m so glad to hear that, as I’ve been waiting on bated breath for your thoughts and feelings.”

Roth smirked.

“Did you guys order anything?” Cayman asked, scanning the menu. “I’m starving.”

We hadn’t, and I didn’t get the chance to redirect the conversation to why we were here, because the waitress showed up and took Roth and Cayman’s drink orders, along with requests for an array of appetizers.

When the waitress hurried off, I leaned forward. “Have you guys found out anything?”

It was Cayman who answered. “I have not so great news and bad news.”

I stiffened as my stomach pitched. “Okay?”

“I put my ear to every ground possible, and no one is talking about your Misha, about Bael...or about you,” Cayman explained.

“I don’t know if that’s the not so great news or the bad news,” I said, glancing at Zayne.

“It’s the not so great news. It means Bael doesn’t want anyone to know about it, and that’s strange, because us demons are the bragging sort,” Cayman said with a grin. “And I’m not talking about humble bragging like the Wardens do.”

Zayne snorted. “Two Hellions came after us last night. They were sent by Bael.”

“Bael has a damn army of Hellions at his disposal, so you should expect to continue to see them if he’s got them looking for you.”

“And what’s the bad news?” I asked, and Zayne touched the back of my shoulder, sifting through my hair to reach the muscles tensing there.

Roth met my gaze and his features softened a little. “No one knows where he’s holed up, but I think he’s the reason we’ve been seeing an increase in lower level demon activity. Since he’s topside, they’re going to follow.”

Zayne shifted beside me, keeping his hand on my shoulder. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that when we do locate Bael, it’s not going to be just him. He’s obviously got a ton of Hellions with him, but you can expect to see a lot more.”

“Great,” I murmured.

“And Bael isn’t known for his hospitality,” Cayman remarked, picking up his wineglass. “Not even when he’s trying to be nice.”

My gaze shot to Roth, and he lifted his shoulder in agreement. “But I know you already realize that, and you already know that he’s keeping Misha alive for a reason, which is backed up by your run-in with the Hellions the night prior. He’s using Misha to draw you out and sending Hellions after you.”

“They’re not going to get her,” Zayne said.

I shot him a look, oddly...complimented by the certainty in his tone.

“But this brings us to the portion of the weird news,” Roth continued. “No one is talking about her. There’s no whispering of a Trueborn on the scene.”

“Well, that’s not bad, right?” I asked.

“It’s not good, either.” Zayne’s fingers were still on the back of my shoulder, light but oddly comforting. “Because it doesn’t tell us what Bael is trying to accomplish here, other than wanting you.”

“Getting his hands on you can be reason enough for him.” Roth drew his finger around the rim of his glass. “You know what demons will do to a Trueborn.”

I suppressed the shudder as I reached for my drink. “Could Bael be behind what’s attacking the Wardens and other demons?”

Roth shrugged. “Bael is a big deal. He’s powerful enough, but...”

“You don’t think it’s him, do you?” Zayne asked.

The demon prince didn’t answer immediately. “Why would it be? What does he have to gain by risking exposure? Nah, Bael is ballsy but he’s not stupid.”

An array of appetizers arrived—crab cakes, cocktail shrimp, crab dip and fries. The food looked and smelled amazing, but I didn’t touch it.

“Did you know several Infernal Rulers have left the city or are planning to?” Roth plucked up a shrimp, glancing at Zayne. “Isn’t that...suspicious?”

Infernal Rulers were Upper Level demons that controlled legions of lesser demons. They were sort of like executives, and I guessed that would make someone like Roth a CEO with his boss, Lucifer, being the president, but that would mean Bael was also like a CEO...?

My head hurt.

Zayne’s fingers splayed out across my shoulder. “So, whatever is out there on the streets has them scared, too?”

“The Wardens aren’t the only ones turning up dead in very graphic ways,” Roth reminded him.

“That’s something I don’t get,” I said, glancing down at the plated crab cake Zayne had slid in front of me. “If it’s a demon, why would it go after other demons?”

Shaking his head, Roth unloaded a spoonful of dip on his plate. “Wants to be the biggest fish in the sea, I suppose.”

“And you two aren’t worried?” I asked, frowning again as a fork ended up between my fingers. “Scared? You’re both big...demon fishes.”

Zayne chuckled under his breath.

“Never been called a demon fish, but yes, I like to think we’re big deals.” Cayman popped a fry into his mouth.

Roth’s smile was slow and wicked. “Concerned? Yes. Afraid? Never.”

“Arrogant,” Zayne murmured as I cut into my crab cake and he picked up a steamed shrimp. “You should be somewhat afraid, if not for yourself, then for Layla.”

The lazy amusement vanished from Roth’s features as his gaze flicked to the Warden beside me. “Did I ask for your advice on what to worry or be afraid of?”

“No, but it sure as Hell sounds like you need it.”

Busying myself, I took a bite of my crab cake and almost moaned in pleasure. It was amazing. Mostly meat seasoned with Old Bay. I took another bite, close to shoving my whole face into the cake, while Zayne and Roth eye-screwed one another.

“Get used to it, Trinity.”

I looked up at Cayman. “Used to what?”

“Them arguing and trying to out-snark one another.” Cayman winked. “Some people find it tiresome, but I find it wildly entertaining. I’m just waiting for the moment when their passionate arguing turns into passionate lovemaking.”

My lips twitched as Roth snarled something under his breath. I finished off the delicious crab cake. “I was thinking. Bael has the ability to control humans, right?”

“Beyond what all of us typically can do? Yes. But on the kind of level you saw during the attack on the community? I would be surprised,” Roth said. “Bael is particularly skilled at influencing humans, but to pull off that amount of possessions, I’m thinking something else was involved.”

“What?” I glanced down at my plate when some dip and chips ended up on it. The melted cheese and crab looked tasty.

“A spell,” Roth answered.

“Witches,” Zayne said, nodding. “That would make sense.”

“Witches?” I turned to him, surprised. Witches, real witches, were humans whose ancestors at some point had hooked up with a demon, and that watered-down demonic blood had gifted them with certain abilities that usually involved the four elements—earth, wind, water and fire. They also had a knack for spells and enchantments. “You have covens here?”

“We do. Some really active ones. They tend to hide from both demons and Wardens, which is why they’ve managed to stay alive and off the Wardens’ radar mostly,” Roth said, sliding a glance in Zayne’s direction. “Because you know, Wardens do like to kill indiscriminately.”

Zayne sighed.

“Do Trueborns like to kill indiscriminately?” Roth cocked his head as that amber gaze slid to me.

“At this moment? Yes,” I said, annoyed.

Zayne chuckled under his breath while Roth grinned and leaned forward. “I like you.”

“That’s awesome to hear,” I murmured.

His grin grew. “There’s a chance that witches could’ve been used, and while most of them stay as far away from my kind as they do Wardens, there are a few covens who like to get down and dirty with demons. I know of one in particular.” Roth leaned back. “Of course, Zayne wouldn’t be able to talk to them. They aren’t fans of Wardens.”

“But they’re fans of yours?” I asked.

“Everyone is a fan of me,” he replied. “You could meet with them. They won’t be able to tell what you are, and I can take you. There’s a huge group of them that usually meet on Saturdays.”

Saturday was like another week from now. Seven whole freaking days. Impatience blossomed, tinged with frustration. Would Misha survive another week?

Zayne stiffened. “I don’t know about this.”

The demon prince’s gaze shifted to Zayne. “I thought you trusted me?”

“I trust you, but I don’t trust you to make wise life choices.” Zayne pulled his arm off the back of the booth.

Roth pressed his hand against his chest. “I’m offended.”

“I’m down for it.” I ignored the look Zayne sent me. “If there’s even a small chance they can give us any information, I’m willing to go with you and meet with them.”

“Perfect,” Roth purred, and Zayne didn’t look remotely happy.

“Good.” I leaned back against the booth. “You just have to promise me that you’re not going to try to...eat me or something.”

That devilish smile of Roth’s returned. “Now, that might be asking too much.”