The demon made no reply, just watched and waited.
“Come to finish what we started at the Whitney house?” she demanded.
He moved then, brushing past her body. It was all she could do to stand still and not go on the offensive.
“If I wanted it finished,” he whispered against her ear, “you would never have known I was here before you went up in flames.”
Fear slithered down her spine. “Then what do you want?’
He withdrew just enough to meet her gaze. “You.”
She swallowed twice, trying to produce words despite her dry throat. “I’m not up for grabs.”
“Shame.” Releasing her from his hypnotic stare, the demon turned to stroll along the factory floor. Unable to stop herself, she kept pace with him.
“You are investigating the spirits,” the demon declared.
“Yes.”
“Then you are useful to me.”
Her eyes narrowed. “How so?”
“We share a common interest. Find your answers, hunter. But when you do, share them with me.”
She stopped walking. “No.”
The demon turned back to her, arching a brow.
“Let me guess,” she said, beating him to the punch. “People don’t say that word to you often.”
A ghost of a smile played along his lips. “Rarely.”
Which meant he was used to being in charge. He was the one who gave the commands, not the one who followed them as all the other demons she’d fought had been. If this man wasn’t another soldier in Abaddon’s army, what was he?
“Well, get used to it,” she said, lifting her chin. “You can’t say jump and just expect me to ask how high.”
“On the contrary,” he replied. “I can.” Fire leapt into his eyes as a clear reminder of just what she was messing with.
“Back off, demon,” she snarled.
“I am offering you a partnership, Snow. One way or another I will find the answers about the spirits and why they are leaking into this world. Work with me.”
“Somehow I doubt you’re the kind of demon to let a human work in an equal partnership with you.”
He inclined his head. “Then work for me.”
“I have a job. I won’t betray people who trust me.” She turned to walk away, trying to ignore the way the hairs on her nape rose when she gave the demon her back.
“Then I should turn up the heat.”
Instantly the temperature of the warehouse rose. The snow caked to her boots turned to water in seconds. Darcy fought the urge to shred her winter coat and strip down to her undershirt.
A drop of sweat trickled down her lower back and she felt more moisture plaster her bangs to her forehead. The heat was uncomfortable but she was keenly aware of how much hotter he could make it with a wave of his hand. Restraint from a demon was definitely new.
A hard body pressed against her back. She gasped at the contact, feeling his heat even through the layers of clothing protecting her.
Hands slid over her hips, pulling her back against the demon behind her. Darcy tried to tell herself her racing heart was because of fear but he had yet to do anything to truly harm her.
“Think.” His breath tickled her ear. “We could use each other.”
She knew from the suggestive drawl of his words he meant more than a professional partnership. For a second she almost wished she were a woman with looser morals but sleeping with the damned was a line she had no intention of crossing.
“You have nothing I want,” she replied, thankful that her voice sounded strong and not breathy.
“Not true,” he taunted. “And my gifts could be invaluable to you in this case.”
“Then solve it yourself.”
“If forced to. Be careful, Snow, not to scorn my offer so quickly.”
“I don’t work with demons. I kill them.”
He spun her around so fast it took her a second to focus. When she did her instincts kicked into high gear. They were far too close.
“I could say similar words back to you,” he said. “And I happen to know there is a hunter waiting for you outside as we speak.”
Fear banished any inconvenient lust. “You wouldn’t.”
Amusement fled his dark eyes. She watched as all traces of humanity bled from his face, leaving only an enigmatic monster behind. “I will do whatever is necessary to solve this mystery. Even if it means destroying every hunter within city limits.” His fingers trailed up her throat to cup her chin. “I might leave you for last, Snow, but I’ll come for you all the same. I will never let a mortal jeopardize those I protect.”
“Spoken like a true monster,” she breathed.
His gaze dropped to her lips but he didn’t release her. “Your move, hunter. Help me or sacrifice your friends.”