Page 52 of Forbidden

“Yes,” she said coolly, “because of you.”

“They wouldn’t have left as quickly as they did if not for us,” Wolf said, trying to keep his voice calm. “They would’ve busted their way into your office. Shadrach was a bigger deterrent than any of the halflings here. If you’re implying Ira and the humans shouldn’t come around anymore, neither will I. Neither will Malachi or Talon or Shadrach, and we’re the ones who stopped this from turning into a bloodbath.”

Shadrach turned his head toward Wolf at the mention of his name, and Wolf hoped he wouldn’t dispute what he’d said. Shadrach wasn’t like the rest of them. He wouldn’t go where the humans went, because he had no attachment to them. But Shadrach wouldn’t have been there at all if Wolf hadn’t texted him, so he hadn’t exactly told a lie. Shadrach might be more inclined to go where Talon went, and Wolfwas willing to bet Ira’s visions intrigued him enough for him to play along.

Lilith’s lip curled, her gaze roaming the group. Alex and Luke were ignoring her in favor of cleaning Storm up. Lilith wouldn’t be bothered to do such a thing. Storm was more likely to bleed out and die under her watch. Wolf was certain that if she pressed the matter, she wouldn’t only lose the demons who’d taken human partners. She might lose Storm, too. Maybe even others like Xyra. Was that a loss she was willing to accept?

“Get this music turned back on,” she snarled. “Get the mess cleaned up, open the club back up, and somebody needs to go out and mind the door.”

“I’ll do that,” Xyra offered, one hand already on the door.

“No,” Lilith snapped, turning away from her to address Wolf. “Xyra can tend the bar alone tonight. Since all of this mess was caused byyourhuman, you can stand outside and guard the door, Wolf.”

Ira took a breath to speak, but Wolf gave his hand a tug to silence him.

“Fine,” he agreed. “I’ll go outside and keep watch.”

“I’ll come with you,” Ira said.

Wolf drew up short. “No, seidhr. If someone’s watching the club, we can’t risk exposing you. We can’t let them know you’re here.”

Ira deflated. “But…”

“Don’t let what happened here be for nothing. Stay with the other humans for now. I’ll be fine.”

Ira reluctantly let him go, and he slipped outside into the cool, quiet night. There was no sign of paladins, no unfamiliar SUVs or other suspicious vehicles. The parking lot across the street was emptier than he’d ever seen it at this hour, but maybea fresh wave of humans would arrive before the night’s end. He doubted any of the ones who’d fled earlier had bothered calling the cops. Most people at least knew better than that, even if they didn’t know exactly what type of club In Extremis actually was.

The heavy door opened beside him. Pulsing music escaped for a couple of beats before it fell shut behind Storm, who dropped a black chair beside Wolf and sat down with a grunt.

“Man, fuck her,” Storm hissed.

Wolf snorted out a laugh. “How’s the wound?”

“Whatever. I’ve had worse. The humans didn’t want me out here, but I’d rather be out here than in there under her fucking thumb.”

Wolf hummed. For a bartender, he wasn’t fond of the club scene, either. It was more peaceful out here.

Storm pulled a pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket, only slightly bloodstained, and offered one to Wolf. He took one with a sigh. There was nothing better to do out here.

“Word has it the humans have some sort of base of operations,” he said, eyeing Wolf curiously.

“Word might be right, depending on why you’re asking.”

“They need a doorman? I might be in the market for a job that isn’t here.”

Wolf laughed, smoke curling into the air in front of him. “I don’t think they have the money to match your pay.”

“Shit, I don’t care about that. I’ve been working for her for a hundred years. I don’t need the money. I’m just too bored to sit around doing nothing.”

“Would she let you quit?”

Storm went quiet. “I don’t even know. I could just stop showing up. What’s the worst she could do?”

“Send a hitman to take your fingers. Or your dick.”

“Fuck, she would, too, wouldn’t she?”

They both laughed, but Wolf supposed there wasn’t really much funny about it.

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