Page 6 of The Devil's Waltz

I don’t miss a beat. “Because I want to see you again.” No point in beating around the bush. “Despite this not exactly being a meet-cute from a romance novel, I’ve had a nice time talking with you tonight. I’d like to do it more, preferably in a less hostile environment.” My lips twitch into a faint smirk, and I add, “Though I’ll take what I can get.”

Her cheeks go pink and her pulse jumps. “Hmm…You’re quite the smooth-talker, Xander.”

I decide at that moment I enjoy her saying my name. Probably too damn much. “Thank you,” I say in a low voice, laced with mild amusement.

Camille blinks at me before exhaling a deep sigh. She holds out her hand, waiting.

I pull my phone from my jacket pocket and set it in her open palm.

“If you text me even once about demon hunting, I will block your number,” she warns, tapping on the screen for a minute before handing my phone back. Her tone is stern, but there’s a lingering tiredness beneath it.

The adrenaline from the attack is likely wearing off, and I wouldn’t be surprised if her muscles were getting heavier with exhaustion by the second. She’s trying to project an air of strength, but I see her false bravado for what it is. I admire her for it—it also tells me I have a lot of work to do.

“Understood?” she presses firmly.

I don’t bother trying to hide my grin as I return my phone to my pocket. “I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”

THREECAMILLE

“You came in late last night,” Harper comments from behind her mug with a suggestive grin as I walk out of my bedroom. The apartment smells of freshly brewed coffee and her favorite cinnamon-raisin bread.

I pause at the counter that separates the kitchen from the living room, grabbing a banana from the fruit bowl. “Yeah,” I say, sleep clinging to my voice. I’ve never been a morning person, but nine a.m. was the only Global Communications time slot this semester.

My eyes shift toward her as I debate how much I should share.

Once I finished closing the café last night, Xander had insisted on walking me to my car, where I thanked him again before taking off. My thoughts spiraled the entire drive home, and it took me over an hour to fall asleep. I dreamed of demon eyes and what would’ve happened if Xander hadn’t shown up.

“Hello? Earth to Cami.” Harper waves a hand in my face, arching a brow at me.

“Sorry,” I mumble, blinking back into focus. “I, uh…There was a demon attack at the café. Well, in the alley beside it.”

Her eyes widen, her posture straightening. “What the hell happened?” she demands as her breakfast pops from the toaster. She doesn’t take her gaze off me, waiting for me to answer.

I rehash what went down, my stomach twisting into knots as the memories flood through me.

“Son of a bitch, Cami,” she breathes, coming around the counter and tugging me into an inescapable hug. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

I pull back. “Thanks. I know I got lucky. If Xander hadn’t been there…” I trail off, shaking my head as I force the thoughts away.

“Cami—”

“I accused him of working with my parents,” I cut in, dragging a hand down my face. I am so not awake enough for this conversation.

She props her black legging-clad hip against the counter. “Why would you think that?”

I offer her a dry look in response.

“You seriously think it was an exercise to get you back into training?”

“The thought crossed my mind.”

Harper frowns. “As much as your parents want that for you, I really don’t think they’d use department resources in a ploy to convince you to train again. Plus, we both know the hunters have no way of controlling demons. Unleashing one in downtown Seattle would contradict the oath we take to protect everyone. Rachel and Scott wouldn’t do that.”

Pursing my lips in consideration, I let loose a heavy breath as my only response. She makes a valid point, but there’s still an uncomfortable tingle at the back of my neck that feeds my suspicion. I’m not entirely convinced they didn’t have anything to do with it. They’ve done some pretty messed-up things in the past to rope me back in. The odds of them coordinating the attack are low, but not impossible. Especially with having Xander there to step in and keep me from becoming demon food. I can’t rule it out.

That said, the same reason I have for not wanting to train is exactly why my parents want me to. Danielle. They never knew the only reason I agreed to enroll at the academy was because I wanted to be like my sister. After she died, it didn’t feel right to explain that. They would only be disappointed in me.

Harper shuffles toward the toaster to retrieve her breakfast. “I suppose you’re off to campus?”

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