“Knew you two wouldn’t be out of the bedroom long,” Onyx taunted, appearing beside them.
“Don’t eavesdrop.” Dante flashed fiery eyes at the menace.
Onyx stuck out his tongue. “Where’s this witch?” He looked around the rooftop. “I’m going to give him nightmares.”
Harper shot off a text. The vampire and his coven ran the strip club on the first two floors of the building and an underground casino on the floors above that operated on an invite-only basis. Apparently, Nico was already here.
Rowan must trust Nico a great deal, allowing Nico to lead him blindly into something like this. In Dante’s experience, vampires didn’t usually trust witches that much.
“He’ll be up in a minute,” Harper said, putting his phone away.
“Excellent.” Onyx gathered power around him, shedding the illusion that tricked other magical beings into thinking he had no magical power.
Even with his shirt on and demonic features away, there was no mistaking him as benign. Magic thrummed, electrifying the night air. Onyx’s eyes glowed with cold fire, casting an eerie blue light on his cheeks and sharpening his brow with shadow.
Ash curled his lip in distaste.
Before Dante could comment, Nico exited a service stairwell, the door banging open.
“Everything’s ready down…” Nico stopped in his tracks.
Onyx let his fangs drop and hissed, the sound so wrought with emotion chills ran down Dante’s spine.
“Hi, Nico.” Harper rushed forward. “Don’t worry about Onyx. He’s mad you found out about them, but it’s fine.”
Nico’s eyes didn’t leave Onyx, seemingly fixated on the fire crackling at Onyx’s fingertips. “It doesn’t look fine.”
“It is. Promise. Come on, Ollie.” Harper waved him over. “We don’t want to hold you guys up. Get back soon, or I’ll spend all my money on lap dances.”
Ash rumbled and Harper gave him a sly look.
“Figured I’d pick up some tips and tricks.”
The sound deepened to an appreciative growl.
Ollie covered his mouth, his mirth tickling Dante’s insides through the bond.
Onyx didn’t move, frozen except for his burning eyes and sparking fingers. It wasn’t a bad display. They’d better get out of there before Nico changed his mind about helping.
“Thank you, Nico,” Dante called. “We’ll make sure he’s better behaved next time. Had to let him get it out of his system.”
“Right…” Nico almost looked hesitant to leave. Maybe he was afraid to put his back to Onyx. “We’ll be in Rowan’s office on the top floor unless Harper is serious about going to see the dancers. The building is secure either way. You won’t have anything to worry about.”
Ollie and Harper nudged Nico toward the stairs, and he jolted, shaking himself, and hurried to lead them away.
“Thanks, Onyx,” Ash said dryly. “Do you feel better now?”
Onyx turned his fiery glare on them, panting slightly. “No. I feel like kicking mybrother’s ass.”
Dante heldhis tether to Ollie tightly as Ash surrounded them with his orange glow. Magic quickly obscured the view of the rooftop, and Dante’s power rose to meet Ash’s, joined by Onyx’s.
This was it. Dante dropped his fangs. He wasn’t only hunting Luc for Ollie, but he let anger fuel him. Pain still crushed him every time he remembered Ollie limp in his arms.
Lucifer’s reign ended now.
Darkness engulfed Dante, pressing in as they moved between realms.
With a pop, the constriction disappeared and Ash’s glow dissipated, revealing familiar stone walls.