Page 22 of Demons and Debts
‘They killed someone I cared about … and they did the same to her as they did to Dreyson.’ I say slowly, emotionlessly, and I see them glance at each other.
Pushing away the grief and guilt, I chance looking at them both in the eyes for a second. ‘Did you think I didn’t know what I had? That I’d give up an orc stone just for the Iron Incubi to mete out a beating to a few local assholes who like to mess with me?’ I give Vic a smirk of my own because that probablywaswhat he thought. ‘I might be a human, but I’m not that fucking stupid.’
His eyes bore into mine and I know he’s mad, not because I notice anything specific in his posture or expression, but because I would be if I was him. I’ve made him look like a fool and when I see Theo’s quick, wary glance at his president, I know I’m right. I look back at Vic, trying to see the signs for myself because unless I’m looking, specifically trying to find them, I would never notice and I’m trying to practice. I want to get better at it.
At first, I don’t see anything. He looks the same as before, but then I realize he’s clenching his jaw … and one of his fists actually. Then I feel that pressure again and Theo flinches away from him with a small hiss. I don’t move, but I’m second-guessing riling him up. Vic is angrier than I thought if he can’t control his creepy power and even his buddy is scared.
‘Give me back the orc stone and we’ll break the deal,’ I offer because he clearly wants me out of here. ‘I was going to leave town in the morning anyway.’
Vic says nothing, just stares at me as if he’s having some kind of war with himself. I decide to give him a moment because internal struggles I understand.
‘Did Drey die because you ignored a note?’ Theo asks quietly from the other side of the bed away from Vic.
I get the distinct impression that if I give the wrong answer, I’m not going to live very long here.
I swing my head around to look up at him. ‘No. I only got the note tonight. They knew I went to you for help. I’m sorry. I didn’t know they’d ... I didn’t even know they’d found me again.’
‘Why did you come to us in the first place?’
‘I mentioned something to my friend Sharlene. She works at Gail’s with me. She told me about you.’
‘And where did you get the orc stone?’ Vic asks out of nowhere and I glance at him. The pressure is gone again so I guess that means he’s back in control of himself.
‘I didn’t steal it, if that’s what you mean. It was my mom’s.’
‘And where is she now?’
Vic steps closer to the bed, forcing me to crane my neck to look at him properly.
I meet his gaze. ‘She died a long time ago.’
‘Whoever these assholes are, they killed one of the Iron I’s. We’re bound to make them pay,’ he says, ignoring my reply.
‘I still need to leave,’ I insist. ‘I won’t put people I care about at risk.’
‘Odds are they don’t know she’s here,’ Theo says to Vic like I’m not even in the room. ‘Sie and Paris would have noticed if someone else was there watching her tonight or followed them here and we have border protection in place to stop outsiders from surveilling us. They can’t even set foot on the property unless we let them.’
My mouth falls open. ‘I’m not going to pin my hopes for my friends’ lives on your opinion of theodds.’
Vic shrugs. ‘You don’t have a choice. You’re not leaving the Clubhouse grounds, sweetheart. If you try, we’ll just find you and drag you back. Then your stalkers willdefinitelyfigure out you’re here and your little friend Sharlene will be down two eyes and her flimsy, mortal life because of you.’
‘She has kids,’ I say faintly.
He steps closer and gets in my face. I cower back in the bed, not liking how close he is, not liking that Ilikehow he’s towering over me …
‘I’m a demon, baby girl. Do you think I give a fuck?’
I shake my head and he backs off, giving me a cold smile before turning back to Theo. ‘Keep her here until I have chance to talk to the others about ouruncontractedhouse guest.’
Vic leaves without another word and I’m left reeling in the bed.
‘That go the way you thought it would?’ Theo asks me lazily from the other side of the room.
I blink at him. ‘I’m … not sure. I didn’t really have a plan.’
He gets a look on his face that I’m used to seeing, like he doesn’t get me at all, and I look away from him. I don’t like that look. It makes me remember how alone I am.
‘Can you at least take the cuff off?’ I ask.
