Page 82 of Demons and Debts
I tried it the old-fashioned way too; just a little tip-toe of seduction to see what she would do, but even then she didn’t react the way I thought she would. I’d expected either hysterics or fear, not the resignation bordering on anticipation. She wanted me even though she was scared. Maybe she’s going native. Wouldn’t that be a trick? Send her back to her father a willing little incubi whore …
I look back at her again and my eyes narrow with the way the shadows bounce off her in the corridor. She looks so much like him in that moment that I wonder how I could possibly have missed it at first. I have to grit my teeth, so I don't let the anger out. I know she can feel it when I lose control of it.
Is she as wily as he is, I wonder? How did he orchestrate this so well? How did he make Paris bring her here? Did it start when she dangled herself in front of us like a prime piece of meat that day in the bar, pretending she had no idea that her covered body was even more of a temptation to us than what she’s wearing now?
She’s not an open book like the other females I’ve come across, but I’ll crack her and then I’ll make her tell me the whole plan.
I decide to keep my knowledge to myself for now. I want her alive and if the others know she’s a plant for the Tertiary Order … Fuck. A supe spy would be bad enough, but a spy for the Order? There wouldn’t be any saving her from Kor. I might as well tear out her throat here in the corridor where it’ll make less of a mess.
I take her down the hallway to the games room. I've already made sure the others are in there waiting.
She stops at the threshold, and I jerk my head towards the room. I see her swallow visibly. She looks like she’s going to her execution.
Not yet, Little Mole.
But I’m sick of her drawing this out. I roll my eyes, grab her by her forearm, and thrust her inside.
Theo and Paris are playing some first-person combat game I don’t remember the name of, but at my grim look, Paris pauses it.
‘We need to talk,’ I say.
I put her in front of the TV before all of us, knowing that this will be intimidating for her and hope she doesn’t crack too soon. A minute part of me feels guilty when I see her hands shake as she hides them behind her back, but I don't look too closely at why that might be. She must have known the risks before she walked into the bar with that fucking orc stone and started this whole thing.
‘I just heard that there was a bombing in the city last night.’
That gets their attentions, even Sie who’s reading in the corner looks up.
‘That’s the fifth one this month,’ Theo mutters, chucking his controller down next to him, the game forgotten. ‘Where?’
‘A shifter club. Twenty dead, thirty more injured.’
‘The Order?’
I watch the girl closely, but she doesn’t give anything away at the mention of her people.
‘They claimed responsibility online, yes.’ I confirm.
Now, to see if Maddoxdidhave anything to do with this. I can’t see him betraying his own kind, but he might know more about her than he let on last night.
‘What happened in the club while you were at the table with Maddox?’ I ask her.
She blinks at me, staying silent for a long moment. She looks confused as if she thought she was being brought in here for another reason and I almost laugh. Did she think we're about to have an orgy right here and now? The idea has merit. Even if she is working for the Order, we have a legitimate claim on her now. Stupid girl signed the papers.
I look at her standing there in that short little dress because I haven't let her change and I see her pull it down surreptitiously, but of course everyone notices. She fidgets under everyone's eyes.
‘What do you mean?’ she asks in a small voice.
Oh, she’s good. She’s a credit to him. I’ll make sure to tell him before I gut the fucker in front of her.
‘Why did you throw your drink in his face?’
‘It was an accident.’
‘Don't give me that!’ I snarl at her lie.
When she flinches, stepping back, I follow. Taking her chin in a light grip between my fingers.
‘There's something you should know about me, Princess,’ I say. ‘If you lie to me, I will put you over my knee and I will spank that deceitful little ass of yours until you tell the truth.’
