It’s not like my quest to destroy other demons stems from the goodness of my heart. If it wasn’t for the fact that Liora spends time in the Sapie world, leaving my vessel weak and vulnerable, I wouldn’t care less what other demons did.
But many demons out there can put her…meaning me…at risk. Some Paraste demon could attach to one of the kids at her school and make him go all Columbine or something and Liora could get caught in the crossfire. Besides, I need to stay sharp. On top of my game. The Amazèa may be gone for now, but one day they will return. And when they do, I’ll be ready.
Tatiana nods. “Very well. I have prepared the revealing powder for you.” She motions to the small satchel on the table. I can’t help but smile. She knows me so well. The special dust allows me to distinguish Parastes from regular Sapies and takes several hours to create.
I grab the pouch, bid farewell to Tatiana, and summon Diablo. At the Bridge of Kings I take a quick look for Bones, but there’s no sentry in sight. “Bones?” I call out. The night is eerily quiet. I try again, louder this time. “Bones!” Still no response. I cross the river and head to the Bar.
“Hey, Ivy…Bones here?”
“Hi, sweetie. Yes, he’s been here for about an hour. I think he’s waiting for you.”
“Yeah, I got held up a bit. Her…” I roll my eyes.
Ivy gives me a sympathetic smile and motions with her chin to the guy sitting in the corner. “Our sexy stranger is back again. Did you get the scoop on him or what? I saw you guys talking at the bar last night.” She sounds accusatory, as if I’m holding out on her.
I avoid her gaze. Yes, he’d approached where I was sitting, but only to order another drink from Cody. We’d exchanged “hello”s, and he’d commented on the music playing on the jukebox. Guess he really likes Led Zeppelin. But then he went about his business and I went about mine. I hadn’t seen him again…until earlier tonight in the alley. But I’m not about to replay this tidbit of embarrassing info to one of the biggest gossips in Dryndara.
“Sorry, Ives, we didn’t really talk. But I really do need to go speak with Bones,” I say as I spot him chatting with Cody.
Ivy gives a small frown, but doesn’t say anything, her attention diverted by a group of approaching demions.
I glance casually around the room as I make my way up to the bar. Cody and Bones are laughing about something, but I’m more interested in the back corner where the vampire brothers are entertaining their friend. As usual he’s facing away from me, his back to the room. Good.
“Lucky Lady,” Bones’ cheerful voice rings out. He pats the empty stool beside him. Two tall glasses of Jack on the rocks wait for me on the bar. Smiling, I shimmy over to him.
“Hey, doll,” I say, giving him a peck on the cheek. “Almost didn’t recognize you with your clothes on.”
He laughs, revealing two perfectly even tiny dimples on his tan cheeks. “Well, I’m sorry about that, but they have funny rules here. ‘Course we can always go somewhere a little more private and—”
I punch him lightly on his shoulder. “Seriously, won’t you ever stop trying?” Cody raises his eyebrows up and down suggestively, so I lean over and sock him, too. “You guys are ridiculous.”
They both chuckle, and Bones rubs his shoulder gingerly. “I think it’s bruised. It needs a kiss to feel better…”
“Oh, puh-leeze. Spare me.” I roll my eyes and sit down. But the truth is I love when Bones flirts with me, especially because he doesn’t have to. I’m not a natural conquest for him, for his demonic urges of seduction and procreation only extend to Sapie women. Something I am not. So whatever instinctual desires drive him, the way he flirts and plays with me is caused by something else entirely.
But as much as I love Bones, deep down I know it’ll never work for us to be anything but friends. Best friends. Nothing more. So he hits on me, and I pretend to hate it. It’s our way.
“Who’s the new guy?” I nod my head toward the corner, hoping I sound nonchalant. Bones is also the jealous type.
Summoned by patrons at the end of the bar, Cody leaves, so it’s Bones who answers.
“Can’t say. He’s passed by me several times; his scent is all right. He’s half Sapie, like you. Not sure what type of demon he is. Got a few different reads but none that caused any concern. Why do you ask?” He suddenly sounds wary.
“No reason.” I shrug and casually sip my drink. “Just wondering if we had another vampire in town, is all. You know how I loooove the blood-suckers.” I pretend to swoon.