Dance with the Demon by Stacia Stark

3

Danica

Rose arrived as Gary was being loaded into the ambulance. I stood in the store and watched, my hands fisted.

Rose cleared her throat. The bounty hunter had never liked me, and she hated demons even more.

“What do you want?”

She smiled. “Danica Amana, you’re under arrest–”

That was enough to make me rip my gaze from the ambulance. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

Satisfaction gleamed in her eyes. Rose’s father had been killed in a demon summoning gone wrong. He was an idiot for attempting to set a demon on his business partner, and he’d gotten what he deserved. And I’d told Rose exactly that when she’d pissed me off during my last investigation.

She obviously carried a grudge.

“Witnesses heard you screaming at this gnome earlier today. Apparently, you choked him with power.”

“Since when does the Mage Council care about lesser fae?”

If anything, I was expecting the dark fae to begin an investigation into what had happened to one of their people.

Rose ignored me. “And just a few hours later, he ended up dead, with his store nothing but rubble. And you were conveniently here to find him. Did you have a moment of regret, Danica? Is that why you called an ambulance?”

“You guys think I did this?” My hands fisted. Rose noted it and smiled.

“It’s ironic, really. Soon, there will be a bounty on your head. Traitor.” She sneered at me, her gaze dropping to my arm.

That’s what this was about. The Mage Council was still punishing me for not breaking the bond with Samael.

“Fine, I’ll come in,” I said. I wanted to talk to Keigan anyway, and maybe I could get Mella to do some research for me. I needed to know if there were any similar cases in the area.

“Oh you’ll come with me, will you?” Rose simpered. “Thank you for doing me that favor, Danica Amana.” Her eyes hardened. “Hold out your fucking hands.”

For the first time, true fear hit me.

The witches who had tried to kill Samael had used these chains on him. With enough time, the sheer force of his power would have snapped them, but while I had power, Samael was power. I’d had a glimpse of it when he’d killed close to thirty witches with little more than a glance. And yet, those chains had blocked his ability to access that power. If they’d made Samael unable to access his power, I’d be completely helpless.

If Rose put those chains on me, I was screwed.

Betrayal stabbed through me like broken glass. Two and a half years I’d been a contractor for the council. Not only had they fired me, but now, they wanted to put fucking Naud chains on me?

I bared my teeth at Rose. “If the mages want me to answer some questions, I will. But if you think I’m wearing those chains, you’re dreaming.”

Not only were the chains guaranteed to render me powerless, but they were meant to humiliate me. The Mage Council did the same to Mella, the selkie who was chained in the facility’s library. Since they’d hidden her skin from her, she was already completely powerless, but they’d put her in chains anyway. Because they wanted to prove a point.

Look what happens to the people who betray us.

Rose planted her feet. “Don’t make this more difficult than it needs to be.”

“I’ve had a very bad day. I’ll come in, but I’m not wearing the chains. Don’t push me on this.”

“I can have backup here in two minutes.”

I laughed, and it echoed through the room. It didn’t sound anything like me. “Bring your backup,” I dared her. Then I dropped my shields.

Power greeted me like a long-lost lover, caressing every inch of my skin. It urged me to make an example of the bounty hunter who’d dared to try to chain me.

Rose went white. She was very still. Prey. That’s what she looked like.

“What about now? Would you like to chain me now, Rosie?”

Wow, unseelie power made me into kind of a dick.

But Rose wasn’t holding out the chains anymore. She handed them to another bounty hunter. The backup. He’d arrived while I’d been attempting to control the power that urged me to kill everyone in sight. I bared my teeth at him.

Then I packed my power away, shoving it down beneath my shields. It hurt.

“Let’s go.”

I followed them out of the store. Out the corner of my eye I saw movement. Vas.

His expression was hard as his gaze took in the bounty hunters behind me. I gave him a nod. I was fine.

He tilted his head disbelievingly and I nodded again. Last week, I’d taken Vas to the shooting range. It had been hilarious trying to teach a demon who was a walking weapon how to fire a gun. He was the only demon I still talked to, and the only good thing to come out of my deal with Samael.

I’d always been low on friends, and Vas was quickly becoming more like a brother.

A flap of invisible wings, and he was gone. I got in the back of Rose’s car and sat quietly. Rose got in the front, and I was small enough to enjoy the goosebumps that rose on the back of her neck.

Oh, she wouldn’t have had a problem with me behind her if she’d clamped Naud chains around my wrists and removed my ability to access my power. I refrained from telling her I didn’t need my power to kick her ass.

The Mage Council Facility was a few minutes’ walk away, and if Rose had been thinking clearly, she would’ve taken the opportunity to march me down Main Street and humiliate me further.

The short drive didn’t give me much time to consider my options, but I ran through them anyway. Option one: tell the mages about the kids. Cil and Zip would be questioned about whatever they saw. Unfortunately, I highly doubted the mages actually gave a shit about Gary. They were bringing me in to put me in my place. The kids would be further traumatized.

Option two: leave the kids out of it. Evie would keep them safe, and I could visit them when I was done being grilled by the mages. They’d be comfortable, surrounded by the witches who— while I couldn’t stand most of them— would probably be delighted to have kids in the house again.

Rose parked the car and I stepped out. I didn’t know the bounty hunter who’d been sending wary glances over his shoulder at me from the passenger’s seat. He must be new. He circled the car and approached me from behind. I snarled at him.

“If you think I’m going to allow you to walk that close to me, you’re wrong.”

If I gave these assholes an inch, they’d stab me in the back and have me in those chains before I could blink.

The bounty hunter gave me the side eye. He had six inches on me and his fist was the size of my face. He stood poised on the front of his feet as if ready to lunge at me. I’d pull him off balance and bury my knife in his gut before he got the chance.

Time slowed down as we both stared at each other. I softened my knees and he squared his shoulders.

Anytime, buddy.

Rose jerked her head at him and moved away from me, allowing me to follow them both in. Mages and bounty hunters were gathered in the lobby, mostly silent, all eyes on me. Someone had tipped them off that I was being brought in. Ben, the power-hungry coward and pain in my ass, leaned against the wall near the elevators and gave me a wide smile as we approached.

Rose pressed the button for the paranormal elevator. The elevator we used when bringing in dangerous bounties. What a nice touch.

Ben winked at me. “Danica Amana brought in for questioning. I never thought I’d see the day,” he drawled.

“I’m not surprised by your mental inadequacies. As always, your train of thought is stalled at the station.”

The male bounty hunter snorted, and Ben glowered at me, stepping close. His hand twitched as if he’d like to smash his fist into my face. I ignored him, sauntering into the elevator as soon as the doors opened.

Rose pressed the down button. They were taking me to the interrogation rooms. Just a few weeks ago, I’d stood in one of those rooms with her and questioned a witch who’d been suspected of killing demons. Now, I was going to be the one interrogated.

Life was funny.

The elevator doors opened and my eyes met Keigan’s. He was pale, his mouth turned down. He narrowed his eyes at Rose, and the look on his face clearly communicated his disappointment. She shifted on her feet and looked away.

“Danica,” he murmured. “I’m sure this has just been a big misunderstanding. We’ll get this cleared up.”

“I don’t think so. They tried to put me in Naud chains, Keigan.”

He blanched and Rose flushed. “Naud chains? What were you thinking?”

“Albert’s orders,” Rose said.

Keigan ignored her. “I’ll speak to him,” he said to me. “We’ll figure it out.”

I had a feeling we wouldn’t figure anything out, but I nodded and followed Rose to interrogation room three. Yes, she remembered the last time we were here too. She’d been so terrified of Vas she’d nearly pissed her pants, and now she was attempting to prove that she was in charge.

I sat down on one of the metal chairs and both bounty hunters leaned against the wall. The room was silent as we waited. Rose had her head bowed and was silently studying the ground. If she hadn’t been such an asshole from the moment I met her, I’d probably feel sorry for her. She’d imagined she would bring me in here in Naud chains, humiliating me in front of everyone. Instead, I’d walked freely behind her, while Keigan— a mage she looked up to— had made it clear he was disgusted by all of it.

The door swung open, and my eyes met Albert’s. He was dressed in a gray suit, his eyes hard, a deep pillow crease on his cheek. Clearly, he hadn’t lost any sleep after firing me.

“Danica,” he said. I nodded at him. He jerked his head at the bounty hunters, and they left the room.

The door opened once more. Keigan. “You’re entitled to a representative,” he said. “Would you like me to stay?”

I smiled at him. “Sure.” It was more for him than me. He was clearly miserable, his face pale and his brow furrowed. If I said no, he’d likely just stand outside the door, wringing his hands. I didn’t know why Keigan had taken me under his wing when I first began contracting for the Mage Council, but he was the only person here who truly gave a shit about me.

Keigan took a seat next to me. Albert didn’t seem pleased, but he didn’t object, sliding into the chair on the opposite side of the table.

“Do you know why we brought you in?”

Oh, is that what they’d done? I gave him a look that said he knew damn well I’d brought myself in. He sat back in his chair, tenting his hands on the table in front of him.

“Rose said the Mage Council got wind of my argument with Gary.”

“Yes. A few hours later, the gnome ended up almost dead. He may still die.”

My stomach twisted. “I have no motive to hurt Gary.”

“Then why were you seen screaming in his store? Why did a bounty hunter nearby report a wave of dark power? If you went back tonight and lost control, it will go better for you if you admit it now.”

“I went back to apologize. I found Gary crumpled on the floor. His shop looked like someone had tried to ruin everything he owned.”

Or, like someone had been looking for something. Had his goods been broken because someone wanted to hurt him, or were they broken by someone who was looking for something?

I hadn’t paid enough attention. I’d been too focused on getting the kids out and keeping Gary alive. I’d kept up the CPR until the ambulance arrived and the fae healer had managed to get his heart beating again.

I needed to get back to his store and take another look.

“Amana?”

“I’m sorry, what was that?”

Albert gave me a hard stare. “Take me through it step by step.”

I complied, telling him exactly what had happened from the moment I arrived, but leaving out all mention of the kids. Albert let me run through it, nodding along, and then studied his notes.

“It says here that the gnome has two children.”

“His name is Gary.”

He surveyed me, his eyes hard. “Where are the children?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen them. I’m unsure why this is Mage Council business, to be honest. As you’re well aware, Gary isn’t human.”

“You don’t need to be sure. All you need to know is that when a bounty hunter connected to the Mage Council but bonded to a demon is seen threatening a resident of this city, the Council takes notice.”

I heroically restrained myself from rolling my eyes. Albert smiled at me. It wasn’t a nice smile. “Why do I get the feeling you’re not being entirely truthful, Amana?”

I shrugged. Keigan cleared his throat. “It’s late,” he said. “Danica has told you her version of events. With the gnome–” he glanced at me and his eyes softened “with Gary still unconscious, you have no reason to hold her here.”

Albert ignored the other mage. My power licked at my shields, itching to teach him a lesson he’d never forget.

“It doesn’t take a demon to know that Amana is lying,” he said. Then he turned to me, his expression stony. “Either you tell us exactly what happened now, or you leave me no choice but to administer a truth spell.”

My mouth hung open. Next to me, Keigan got to his feet. “This is outrageous!”

The door slammed open, leaving a dent as it hit the wall. All of the oxygen in the room was immediately sucked out as the high demon stepped inside, his eyes on mine.

Power, thick and deadly crept up the walls and along the floor. It radiated from him, silent yet dripping an obvious threat. His silver gaze ignored everyone else in the room and methodically scanned my body as if searching for bruises.

He looked like a fallen angel, with his lush mouth, sharp cheekbones and a jaw that looked hard enough to break your hand– if somehow you defied all odds and managed to punch him in the face.

I hadn’t seen him for weeks. He’d been allowing me to skip Monday dinners, which were mandatory for everyone bonded to him. I’d hoped his choice not to attend his stupid dinners also meant he’d chosen to leave me alone.

I should’ve known better.

“Little witch,” Samael purred, “just what trouble have you gotten yourself into now, hmmm?”

I would kill him. I’d kill him so dead that I’d make what the witches had wanted to do to him look like a day at the spa.

“I’m fine,” I told him. “Butt out.”

Albert went sheet white, and Keigan began to tremble. Samael just laughed.

“I don’t think so.” He turned to Albert. “I must have misheard you. You didn’t just threaten my witchling with a truth spell, did you?”

His tone was one hundred percent possessive male. His eyes dared Albert to misstep, and the corner of his mouth tipped up in sardonic amusement.

“No,” Albert ground out. His gaze flicked to me, and my shoulders wanted to hunch. The disgust was clear on his face.

Samael smiled. “In that case, we’ll be leaving. Come, bounty hunter.”

I’d had dreams of him ordering me to do just that. I shoved the vision away and I ground my teeth as I got to my feet.

“Thanks, Keigan,” I murmured.

“Be careful, Danica.”

“You know it.”

I walked out the door. Rose was hunched against the wall as if she was attempting to blend into it. The male bounty hunter was nowhere to be seen.

Samael followed me out, turning sideways through the narrow doorway. His wings couldn’t fit, even tucked in tight. I’d had dirty, dirty dreams about him and his wings.

Albert and Keigan followed us out, and Samael turned his head, glancing over his shoulder.

“Attempt to put Naud chains on Danica again, and I’ll burn this place to the ground.”

His gaze lingered on Rose, and surprisingly, she didn’t piss her pants. She did turn white, her mouth a thin line as she nodded.

“Oh, and Albert… don’t think I’ve forgotten that the witches who attempted to kill me were using those filthy chains. When I find out exactly how they got their hands on them, your name better not come up.”

Albert said nothing, simply watched as Samael turned toward the elevator.

I ground my teeth but kept walking. The elevator certainly wasn’t made for Samael’s wingspan. He pulled me into him and turned, arranging his invisible wings. The elevator doors slid closed, and my eyes met Albert’s. I knew what it looked like. He couldn’t see the fact that there was nowhere else for me to stand, feather’s brushing every inch of my body and likely pressed against all three of the elevator walls.

No, it just looked like I was Samael’s toy.

“I can’t believe you just did that.”

“Believe it, witchling.”

My hands fisted. “You made things a hundred times worse. I was handling it, Samael, and now you made them think I’m one of your subjects.”

“You are one of my subjects.”

I snarled at that, managing to turn within his arms and his gaze dropped to my lips. “There’s that mouth I can’t stop thinking about.” His voice was low, intimate, and my breath caught in my throat.

“Don’t play with me, Samael.”

“Oh, little witch. I would like nothing more than to play with you. Unfortunately, you insist on running from me.”

“And I always will,” I vowed. He merely smiled.

The elevator doors opened to the lobby. Thankfully, at this time of the night, it was almost empty. I was so furious I was shaking. “You undermined me.”

Samael’s gaze turned cold, but he didn’t say a word until we were out of the lobby and on the sidewalk.

“I helped you. You may thank me now.”

“The underworld will freeze over before I thank you for messing with my life.”

“It’s not as hot there as most people think,” he said. “I felt the wards on your apartment. You’ve been practicing.”

“Don’t change the subject. Wait, when were you at my apartment?” I wouldn’t thank him for making me attend those ward lessons. I would not.

The gleam in his eyes told me he knew I was appreciative despite my annoyance at him. I gave him squinty eyes.

Samael raised one eyebrow. “You have much more to learn. Your power is unique but potent. If you truly want to be able to defend yourself, you need to train.”

I swallowed. While I was grateful for the help he’d given me, our ‘sessions’ had been torture. Not only was Samael a strict, merciless teacher, but I’d been forced to sit with him for hours.

Wards weren’t the only things I’d learned during those hours. I’d learned that the tiny crease that appeared between his brows when he was concentrating… it made my stomach flutter.

I learned that the pride in his eyes when I succeeded made me feel like I could take on anything and walk away.

I learned that the scent of him— cedar and citrus and male– made my heart thump harder in my chest.

I learned that despite my every instinct warning me away from the demon, my body didn’t care.

He stepped closer, and I backed up, until I was leaning against one of the concrete slabs that protected the building from anyone who thought they could ram it with a car or truck.

“I missed you,” he breathed, leaning down until his head was almost buried in my neck. “Did you miss me?”

I didn’t miss him. I craved him.

“Absolutely not.”

“Ahh Danica, you wound me.”

“Blah blah. Get out of the way, Samael, I have places to be.”

“You’re going to talk to the gnome children.”

“Yes.”

“Would you like some help?”

I smiled sweetly. “When I need someone to be so scared they piss their pants, I may give you a call. When I want to talk to two traumatized kids, you can stay far away.”

Something I couldn’t catch flashed over his face.

“Very well. I’ll see you soon, Danica.”

“I don’t think so.”

He merely shook his head at me. The expression on his face said I was the most adorable thing he’d ever seen. I barely resisted the urge to punch him in the nose.

With a snap of invisible wings, he was gone.