Page 29 of Bite Marks & Broken Hearts

The team lounged across the collection of mismatched sofas, all eyes fixed on me as I entered, which slowed my pace somewhat. The rich scent of coffee filled the air, and everyone except Kit clutched paper cups adorned with an orange tabby cat logo reading “Fat Cat’s.”

“Here.” Priya offered me a steaming cup. “We guessed latte, one sugar.”

I stared at the cup, oddly touched. Maybe using me as demon bait was firmly off the table after all.

Sebastián cleared his throat, and every head swivelled towards him like a well-oiled machine, mobile phones slipping into pockets.

Leather-bound notebook in hand, Sebastián began rattling off updates. His voice had a smooth, commanding tone that washed over me like warm water, oddly soothing despite the formal setting. My gaze drifted to his perfectly pressed button-down shirt, the way his skinny black tie lay flat against his chest, how the collar sat just so against his throat.

My attention scattered further as Sebastián mentioned places I’d never heard of, throwing around terms like “Class B entities” and “metaphysical anomalies.” I caught something about increased activity in Hackney, and Kit muttering some sort of moan, but it wasn’t until I heard my own name that my ears pricked up.

“Rory, you’re with Flynn today.”

Before I could even get a proper look at my newly assigned minder’s reaction to that, words tumbled out of my mouth. “Hold up. I need to lay down some ground rules.”

Felix let out a snort of laughter that died the moment Sebastián’s eyes flicked his way.

“First off, am I goingto be locked in this creepy hotel all day, every day?” The coffee cup trembled slightly in my hand. “Because that’s absolutely not happening. And…” I set my jaw, determined to get this out. I’d just started building a little life in London for myself, and I’d be damned if I’d let it all burn without a fight. “I’m supposed to be at work tomorrow. Rising Dough. Ihaveto go in.”

“Out of the question,” Sebastián said, fingers idly trailing down his tie as if straightening an already perfect line.

“No, you don’t understand. I need this job. Emma—” I swallowed hard. “I can’t just disappear on them. I won’t.”

The silence stretched as thin as spider silk. Sebastián’s dark eyes bored into mine, and I forced myself not to look away. This was my life they were mucking about with, demon or no demon.

Finally, Sebastián’s shoulders dropped a fraction. “Someone will accompany you to supervise.” He consulted his notebook one more time, then barked, “Right. Meeting adjourned.”

I took a half-hearted step towards Rory, pausing when Sebastián blocked my path, hand outstretched. “Give me your phone.”

“What? No.” I clutched it to my chest like a shield. “Why can’t I have it? I promise I won’t go posting about demons all over the internet. Who would believe me anyway?”

“Flynn—”

“Please.” My voice cracked. “There are people I need to stay in contact with.”Or, more accurately, people Ishouldbe staying in contact with, whom I’m merrily ignoring, but still.

Sebastián’s expression softened, and he held out his hand again. “I just want to put my number in it.”

“Oh.” Heat flooded my cheeks as I fumbled with my passcode. “Right. Sorry.”

Sebastián’s fingers brushed mine as he took the phone, and a shiver trilled up my arm. He stood so very close, and his scent washed over me—a dark, spicy cologne. Like the siren song of deep water at midnight, it pulled at something in my chest: beautiful, intoxicating, and carrying that same warning of danger. I watched as he typed at asnail’s pace, trying to ignore how my heart had picked up speed, and the ridiculous side of my brain started thinking of something witty to say.

But this wasn’t flirting. This was purely professional—him making sure his demon bait didn’t wander off and get eaten.

“There.” He handed the phone back. “Call if anything feels wrong. Anything at all.”

I stared at the new contact: Sebastián Salazar. Had I been expecting anything else?

He checked his watch—a sleek vintage-looking piece with a leather strap—and I tried my very best not to get distracted by his forearms again.

“I’ve got my weekly call now,” Sebastián said, as if I had any idea what he meant. Then, with a final, lingering look my way, he walked towards the stairs, pausing to whisper something in Rory’s ear.

Judging by the way Rory rolled his eyes, it was about me.Brilliant.

“Right, let’s go!”

I scrambled after Rory. He reached up to a high shelf on a bookcase, and my jaw dropped as it swung away from the wall to reveal a safe door like this was some sort of bloody Scooby-Doo episode.

A burst of laughter escaped my lips before I could stop it.

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