Page 40 of Demon's Bane

I make a low, noncommittal noise in the back of my throat, considering that for a few moments, and my next words slip out before I can think better of them.

“Soleil was there, too, that night at the Veil.”

Seren stiffens beside me. It’s slight, barely noticeable, and when I look over at her, she quickly hides the expression of surprise on her face.

“Was she?”

“Yeah. I didn’t talk to her or anything, but you know how tight she is with coven leadership.”

Seren huffs a breath. “And did she… go through? Is the coven sending their best and brightest to the demon realm to snag a mate?”

“No, she didn’t,” I say, and Seren’s tight posture relaxes. “I didn’t know all the witches who decided to cross, but it didn’t seem to be anyone of… that caliber.”

She laughs, bitter and hollow. “No, I doubt it would be. We both know how tightly they hold on to the witches they value.”

Except for you, I want to say, but I bite my tongue.

We fall silent for a few more moments until she sighs and speaks again.

“There’s one more thing. Something your demon would probably want to know.”

I look over at her. “What?”

“There’s been another theft. A big one. Apparently the demons who run the mines are pretty mad about it.”

“How did you—”

Before I can finish my question, a motion from the end of the alleyway catches my attention. Seren and I both turn to look.

There, watching us with eyes narrowed in suspicion, is Rhett.

11

Rhett

The temperature in the alleyway feels like it drops ten degrees as soon as I round the corner.

At the opposite end, just outside the back door of the shop, Joan and Seren stand shoulder to shoulder with their backs against the brick wall, speaking too quietly for me to hear what they’re saying.

Not that it would matter, anyway, because the pair of them fall silent as soon as they spot me.

A flash of emotion on Joan’s face. Surprise and concern and something I don’t want to believe is… guilt.

Ice floods my veins to match the temperature in the alley.

“Joan,” I say, walking slowly toward them. “Seren. What’s going on?”

When Joan glances at Seren, it’s another hit to the trust my mate and I have been building these last few days. The guilt darkening her eyes is unmistakable this time.

I don’t want to let myself see it.

I don’t want to let anything into the tentative friendship that’s been growing between us with each day in her shop and each night in her apartment. Joan’s soft smiles and the blushes she can’t hide, how she seems to be as powerless to keep her eyesoff me as I am her. The way she’s been opening up to me, sharing bits and pieces of her fascinating realm.

More time, we were supposed to have more time.

“Listen,” Seren says, speaking directly to Joan. “I’m in this for you, not for anyone else, yeah?”

Joan nods, more of that guilt furrowing her brow.

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