After making her own cup of coffee Kelly came to the table and sat to Brianna's right. Kelly mumbled something about spells, but Brianna didn't catch it. Good thing, that. Kelly had a penchant for being reckless, last night being a good example. Brianna just hoped her friend would ride the wave as they had discussed just before falling asleep last night. No point in breaking free when it was so easy for one of the demons to apprehend them. It would only serve to piss them off.
"Sorry we didn't meet last night. I'm Valencia."
Kelly eyed the hand Valencia offered, her brows raised. It was clear Kelly didn't give a shit who Valencia was, and she let the whole table know.
Valencia withdrew her hand. "Okaaay."
Asmodeus glared at Kelly. "There is no need to be discourteous to your host."
"My host?" Kelly leaned across Brianna, practically snarling at Asmodeus. "I'm not here enjoying brunch as a guest. I'm here because you're holding my friend against her will." She sat back and mumbled, "Host my ass. A gilded cage is a cage nonetheless."
Brianna sat back and offered an apologetic smile to Valencia. Yes, they were being held against their will, but she realized these demons didn't have to give them such inviting accommodations. Things could be a whole lot worse, and might be, if Kelly didn't learn a little diplomacy.
The table fell into an uncomfortable silence. Asmodeus touched her arm and Brianna instinctively pulled back. He slowly drew his hand away as if her action surprised him. If she didn't know any better, she would have thought she had offended him. Too bad for him that like Kelly, a cup of coffee wouldn't make her forget she was nothing more than a prisoner, held against her will. A domesticated kitchen scene with fresh bagels on the table—ohhh, bagels—couldn't take away from that simple fact.
He pushed his chair back and stood. "Brianna, come with me."
Knowing protesting wouldn't get her very far, she wrapped a hand around the warm coffee mug and stood to leave.
As they were walking out of the kitchen Asmodeus stopped abruptly. She nearly bumped into him, spilling her coffee. He turned back to look in the kitchen.
"You stay," he said to Kelly, who had left the table to go with them.
"But—"
"Stay."
Kelly's face grew red. She didn't say any more as she sat back down at the table, which surprised Brianna. Docile was not a word one could associate with Kelly.
"Are you still going out hunting tonight?" Naberius asked, leaning back in his chair. His eyes were black and yellow, his expression peaceful as he brought his left arm around his girlfriend's shoulders.
He freaked her the hell out.
"Yes. Call Raum if you like."
"Will do."
Asmodeus turned to leave and she followed behind him. She covered the rim of the coffee cup as they ascended the stairs. Spilling coffee this early in the morning was a sin, not to mention the carpet looked damned expensive.
"So, what are you doing tonight? For some reason I don't see you as the clubbing type."
"Clubbing?"
She glanced up at Asmodeus. His hair shone like that of the angels' on the previous night. At times he could pass for an ordinary man, though she was beginning to believe he did that intentionally. When the time warranted, he made her aware of the power he possessed.
Naberius always looked the part of an immortal demon. His eyes had an ethereal glow to them, his aura consistently deadly. Asmodeus, on the other hand, chose when to display these attributes.
The imp in her surfaced. "Yes. We club each other around with ancient weapons just for shits and giggles."
They stopped at the top of the steps. Asmodeus smiled over the rim of his coffee cup. "I prefer swords," he said, taking a sip.
"I'm sure you do." She thought about the ancient weapon he had wielded in her shower. The length had been impressive, and she had been mesmerized by the droplets of water falling from the tip. She cleared her throat, forcing the image away. "So, where are you going tonight?"
A dark look crossed his features. He turned and led the way down the hall. "Naberius, Raum and I will be hunting Nephilim."
"Nephilim? There are Nephilim in the area?" She had been under the impression that Nephilim no longer existed.
He held a door open for her. "Are you familiar with the creatures?"
She slipped past him, ignoring the rush she felt as her body brushed against his, and found herself in a library. As with the rest of the house, the shelves that adorned the walls from floor to ceiling were made of oak. A vast array of books lined every inch of the shelves, and a huge oak desk sat at the end of the room. Behind the desk was a grand window which bathed everything in a soft light.