Page 101 of Demon's Heart
Harper looked dismayed. “We’d be trapped. I can’t go up against multiple demons. Lucifer nulled my powers completely when he kidnapped me. It wasn’t even a fight.”
Onyx bounded off the couch. “How likely is it that Lillian and Maxell will suddenly see Luc as the better ally? They didn’t seem much fonder of him than we are.”
“But he is in charge of the world we sent them back to. We can’t be completely sure,” Ash grumbled.
Ash and Dante would never leave Ollie’s and Harper’s safety to chance, and trusting demons who attacked them would be foolish any way you looked at it.
Ollie’s stomach twisted, gnawingly empty. “So if we aren’t going to the reserve, where will we go?”
Harper grabbed Ash’s arm. “What about Nico?”
“That’s not a terrible idea,” his mate agreed.
Onyx wrinkled his nose. “Who the hell is Nico?”
“My boss. He said he’d help me and Ollie. We can trust him.”
“A witch?” Onyx choked like he was trying not to laugh. “What good will he be? He doesn’t even know what’s going on.”
Dante and Ash shared a look. “He knows about us, Onyx.” Dante quickly explained what happened at the apothecary.
Onyx’s face was bright red by the time Dante finished. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me someone learned our secret.”
“Don’t be mad at Ollie and Harper,” Ash warned.
“Ollie and Harper? Why would I be mad at them? It’s our responsibility to guard our secret, not theirs. And you didn’t tell me like it wasn’t important.” Or more like Onyx wasn’t important.
Ollie’s chest pinched. “I’m sorry.”
The fire burning in Onyx’s eyes dimmed. “I’m not mad at you, Ollie. I don’t like being kept in the dark.” His attention returned to Dante and Ash. “You always ask for my help, but you don’t bother treating me like I’m on your stupid little team. Then you act all offended when I don’t jump the second you glance my way. I’m sick of it.”
“Are you backing out?” Ash growled, shifting Harper off him so he could stand.
Onyx’s fire flared. “No, I’m not because Dante is right. We need to do something about everyone being trapped, and my brother can’t get away with hurting your mates. But if you want my help again, fucking act like having me around matters. Stop keeping things from me.”
“We’re sorry.” Dante laid a hand on Onyx’s shoulder, but Onyx pulled away.
Ash approached, mumbling, “Sorry.”
Onyx released a long, measured breath. “Whatever. We’ve got shit to do tonight, and I can’t deal with this too. At least you threatened this witch with my wrath. Can’t have him thinking we’re all like you hopeless saps.”
Ash snorted. “Don’t let him meet you, or he won’t be scared long.”
Ollie caught Harper’s eye, and Harper looked at the ceiling. Yeah, his mate sucked at apologies.
“Fuck you. I’ll meet Nico if I want.” Onyx straightened his spine. “I’ll put the fear of Hell in him. I’m much scarier than you, Ash. You’re just big. It’s not that impressive.”
“Let’s get going,” Dante said before Ash could jab back. “We haven’t given Nico much notice, but I’d still rather not delay.”
Harper called Nico and explained that the demons had to take care of some dangerous business and that he and Ollie needed a safe place for the night. “He says we should meet him at his friend Rowan’s place.”
“Who?” Dante and Ash asked in unison.
Harper spoke into the phone. “Um, his vampire friend? Heads a local coven. Rowan’s properties are more secure than Nico’s, and Nico says Rowan will help without question. Apparently, their friendship is like that. Nico can take us somewhere guarded by the coven, so we’ll have a small vampire army at the ready.”
“But we don’t know Rowan,” Ash said like he wasn’t sure if he wanted to growl or not. Likely because he was talking to Harper, not Nico directly.
“It’ll still be better to hide with him.” Ollie hated to admit it. Was he ready to meet vampires? “No one will have any ideawhere we are. None of us are connected to Rowan, and if something goes wrong, finding us at Nico’s house or the apothecary shop won’t be too hard.”
