“Impressive,” Satan said as the crowd quieted. Several guards tended to Cole and took him from the room. “I was going to offer to fight the winner . . . ”
“It would be my pleasure,” Ethan said flatly, not fucking around or playing games. “We can go right now.”
The Devil’s eyes widened for a brief second—so quickly, I wasn’t sure I saw it. He was scared. Oh my God . . . Satan was scared.
His gaze narrowed and he stepped forward menacingly. His words were for Ethan only, but I was a Vampyre and heard everything. “You may be able to take me with your fists, but I could destroy you with a finger,” he whispered.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Ethan replied cheekily.
“Do that.” Satan turned to his minions with a beautiful smile on his face. “Please make yourselves comfortable. Refreshments are being served in the dining room and the concert will begin in an hour.” He gathered a pale Amanda to his side and left the room.
“Bedroom?” I asked my bruised and bloody mate.
“Yes,” he replied.
As we made our way out we were given a very wide berth. Demons whispered and pointed. Several bared their teeth. Awesome. We had clearly become the new Power Couple in Hell. Unsure if that was good or bad, we held our heads high and walked out.
“I think everyone wants a piece of us,” I muttered as I avoided the wet blood on the floor.
“Yes, I believe you’re correct. Just smile.”
“Will do.” I smiled and nodded as we made our way through the throngs of Demons. The rest of the day would be tricky, but then again . . . what the hell in Hell hadn’t been?
Chapter 29
Business in the front and party in the back.
“What did you say?” Ethan asked as we entered the ballroom. It had been converted to a concert venue for the evening.
We had rested and changed after the fight exhibition. General George had returned with my Baby Demons and they loved and kissed on Ethan until he insisted we lock them in the bathroom. They were unhappy, but found the tub to be an excellent pool. I left them splashing, screaming with joy and diving off the showerhead. I’d fussed over my Vampyre and made him drink a good amount of my blood. The only remnant of the battle was a slight purple bruise along his cheekbone. Vamps had amazing healing power.
“I didn’t say anything. Wait, were you in my head?”
“Maybe,” he answered cagily.
“Get out of my head,” I snapped.
“Astrid.” He stopped me on the side of the room, out of Demon earshot. “When you let me into your thoughts yesterday, something happened. I’ve been able to see inside you ever since. Completely inside.”
My first reaction was anger, but I had let him in. Would I have done that if I knew he’d always have access, even without permission? In a moment of ridiculously mature adult clarity, I realized I would. My fear of rejection didn’t exist with him and I wanted him to see me.
“This could be an issue on birthdays and Christmas.” I grinned and he relaxed.
“I promise to stay out during the holidays.”
I nodded and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. He looked mouthwatering in his black jeans and icy blue long sleeve t-shirt. I loved the casual dress code in Hell. It was in direct opposition to the décor, but I wasn’t going to complain. I was deliriously happy in jeans, Doc Martens and a black fitted tee that hugged my body in all the right places.#p#分页标题#e#
“So business in the front and party in the back?” Ethan arched a brow for explanation.
“The mullets.” I pointed to the cover band setting up on the stage and bit back my laughter. “Do you see how their hair is short in the front and long in the back?”
He nodded and winced.
“That’s a mullet. Actually, those are some of the most spectacular mullets I’ve ever seen.”
They were works of redneck art. One of the band members literally had a blond crew cut in the front and stringy long black locks down to his ample bottom in the back. Another had a short spiky red style going in the front and permed purple curls flowing half way down his back. The boys were also tatted and pierced within an inch of their lives.
“Words escape me,” Ethan muttered and shook his head.
“Would you get a mullet if it turned me on?” I teased.
“No, I would not.” He grinned and copped a feel of my ass as we seated ourselves along the outside wall. We wanted to be able to scan the room and watch for unusual activity. Sword stealers seemed to like an audience and this was a big event.
“The crowds have gotten bigger,” I said as I searched for trouble. There had to be several hundred Demons here.