Page 106 of The Devil's Trials

“Of course, but I also don’t think we should stay in Seattle. Too much has happened already, it’s no longer a viable or smart option.” He takes another drink. “I was already in the process of arranging a new place for after you complete the trials when Marrick started causing problems.”

My brows lift, and I lean against the counter, folding my arms. “A new place where?”

“Vancouver. It’s a nice house. Out of the way so it’s private enough, but still close to a handful of portals for any necessary trips home.” He scratches the stubble along his jaw. “I think you should head to Vancouver with the others, and I’ll meet you once I’ve collected your girls.”

I rub my eyes with my thumb and finger, sighing.

“We’re going to figure this shit out, mate.”

“There’s nothing to figure out. Marrick is going to find out what happens when you threaten what’s mine.”

He whistles softly, finishing his drink. “Spoken like a true king.”

TWENTY-SIXCAMILLE

Harper has only been here for three days but she has to go back to Seattle tomorrow. Between needing to finish her own training and figuring out things with Xander and his council, she can’t stay any longer. As bummed as I am, I understand.

I get up early and sneak out to pick up breakfast from the café a few blocks away. It’s a small, family-owned place that makes the most amazing egg and cheese croissants and cinnamon rolls. Not to mention, their chai latte is top tier—probably the best I’ve ever had. It keeps me coming back.

The street is still quiet, and it’s cold enough that my breath fogs the air. I hug myself tighter, tucking my hands under my armpits to keep them warm as I pick up my pace.

I only slow to cross the street, glancing both ways before I step off the sidewalk.

From nowhere, a body collides with mine, shoving me backward away from the street and under the awning of a closed floral shop.

My pulse skyrockets, and when my brain catches up and I recognize Blake’s face, my eyes narrow sharply. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“Long time no see, love.”

I try to shove him away, but he isn’t going anywhere. “Is that the only greeting you know?” I mutter. “And I saw you less than a month ago. What do you want now?”

“Here’s the deal,” he says in a voice void of his usual flippant humor, which puts me on edge immediately. “You and I are going to take a little trip. We can do it the nice and easy way, which includes a first-class flight, or—”

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I cut in as I try to put distance between us, and my heart beats harder as panic pours into my chest.

Blake grips my shoulders, pinning me against the brick exterior of the shop. With a sigh he says, “For the record, I really didn’t want to do this the hard way.”

I open my mouth to, what? Scream? But Blake is faster. His eyes go black as he pulls a hand off my shoulder. Then his fist is flying, slamming into the side of my head and sending me toppling into darkness.

My head is throbbing something fierce when I open my eyes. I sit up against a mountain of unbelievably soft pillows and blink quickly, desperate to orient myself, but my surroundings are unfamiliar. The room is dim, lit softly by lamps on the nightstands on either side of the king-size bed I’m on.

I glance down, frowning at the black silk sheets as my panic crests, and I scramble off the bed, wincing at the splitting headache taking residency behind my eyes.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

I was walking to get breakfast for me and Harper when Blake ambushed me on the street. The bastard knocked me out.

Whipping around, my eyes land on a window, and I rush toward it in search of some clue as to where he brought me.

The night sky outside is so clear I can see the stars, making me think we’re not in New York, and the moonlight reflects off a small pond. I can’t see anything else but trees, and as the reality of being kidnapped settles in, the back of my neck tingles and my throat goes dry. My eyes burn with unshed tears as I fight to stay grounded in reality.

Panicking won’t help the situation, but the pressure building in my chest evidently didn’t get the memo. Each inhale is shallower than the last, and I cross the room in a hurry on unsteady legs, reaching for the handle of the first door. Throwing it open, I find a simple yet modern, four-piece bathroom that smells faintly of citrus and mint.

After splashing cold water on my face, I reach for a towel to dry my hands and brush the inside pocket of my jacket. My breath catches at the hard outline of my dagger.

I’ve been carrying it since Noah tossed it at me during the demon attack outside Two Boots.

I return to the bedroom, torn between relief and insult, considering Blake obviously didn’t think I was enough of a threat to disarm me.

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