Page 108 of Demon's Heart
Ollie and Harper made eye contact.
“Yeah.” Harper leaned forward, voice low. “There’s a telepathic element to our connection.”
Nico grimaced. “That seems intense.”
“It can be,” Ollie admitted. “I was pretty hesitant, but Dante can block it if I want, and it’s good in times like this.”
“Hm.” Nico considered Ollie skeptically. “You’re comfortable with how this turned out for you?”
“It’s a work in progress, not gonna lie. But I’d have chosen this with Dante eventually. We’re good together.”
“Okay. I’ll take your word for it. You’re very understanding for a human who’s new to our world.” Nico picked up his drink. “I’m glad you called me tonight, Harper. Whatever those three are dealing with won’t get into this building. Unless it’s Lucifer.” He made a sound like that was ridiculous.
Harper choked on his water, and Nico’s face fell.
“You’re kidding me? The dangerous situation they’re dealing with is the Devil?” Nico hissed.
“He won’t come after us. Don’t worry,” Harper hurried to say. “No one knows where we are.”
Nico finished his drink. “That’s a good point. Fuck, if Rowan knew I’d brought that kind of trouble here, he’d…” Nico shook his head.
“Not have wanted to help?” Ollie guessed.
“Have been impressed,” Nico corrected. “Hopefully, he’ll never know. Do you guys want to stay in here, or would you rather have a distraction?”
“I don’t really want to sit around.” Harper directed a questioning look at Ollie.
“Me either. Time’s going too slow already.” Feeling Dante brush up against him gave Ollie rushes of warm affection despite Dante’s undercurrent of unease. Ollie wanted to send something strong back, other than his burgeoning distrust of vampires.
“Do either of you know how to play poker?” Nico asked.
Harper shook his head.
“Not enough to want to put money on it.” Ollie didn’t have the disposable income for gambling. “I’d rather tip strippers than lose at cards.”
Harper stood and pulled Ollie up. “Why don’t we start with a cocktail at the bar? I want to check out the casino at least a little. Then we can see the dancers.”
Nico polished off his drink. “I’ll introduce you to Leo. He makes better cocktails than should be legal.”
They closed the office behind them, Nico nodding to two suited men standing in the hall. Down another flight of stairs, carpeted in red, two more suited men greeted them. They had to be security. Coven members, maybe?
Ollie didn’t let his gaze linger. It was like being in a Mafia movie or something.
“Good luck.” The man on the right opened the door for Nico and sound spilled into the corridor.
“I might need it,” Nico said as he walked into the casino, most likely not referring to gambling.
Bright light and cool air gave Ollie a jolt. That sharp scent from Rowan’s office filled the air here too, but Ollie couldn’t place it.
The floor was full of people. A few slot machines lined the far wall, but most of the space was taken up by card tables. Roulette and craps were set up closer to the bar, and a live band played in the corner.
“Do you think everyone here is a witch or vampire?” Ollie asked Harper.
“No, there’s plenty of humans too. Staff and guests.”
“You can tell by looking?”
Harper shook his head. “It’s not visual. I have to actively scan for magic. It’s a habit whenever I walk into a room. Rowan was projecting his power back there, so there was no missing it, but no one here is doing that.”
