Page 23 of Demon's Desire
What would it be like to master Onyx and coax sweet sounds from those snarky lips?
Rowan dealt. Usually, one of his employees oversaw the table and Rowan played, but this wasn’t a regular game, and even though all the casino employees were aware of the magic world, many weren’t in Rowan’s coven, and couldn’t learn Onyx’s true nature.
Nico should have considered that before inviting Onyx last minute. A pang of guilt settled in his gut. What if Rowan had wanted to relax tonight?
They played the first few hands quietly, not talking more than was necessary to keep the game moving. The atmosphere remained tense. This wasn’t exactly what Nico meant to invite Onyx to. He’d hoped for more fun, but of course, Rowan wouldn’t relax around Onyx until they were better acquainted, if Rowan ever relaxed around him at all.
Maybe Nico shouldn’t be so comfortable around the demon, but nothing he’d learned had led him to believe that the furious being he’d first met was the real Onyx. That wasn’t the whole picture. Nico wanted to connect the dots betweenthatOnyx and the one who got jealous of Ollie being invited to play video games.
“So, has our return caused a big stir?” Onyx asked as he folded his cards, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Are you gathering your allies to strategize, preparing to counter our play for dominance?”
Damnation, did he have to be so abrasive? Maybe the furious Onyx was closer to the real him. He didn’t exactly try to get along with anyone. At least not from what Nico had seen.
Rowan’s turn was next, and he folded, tossing his cards into the middle of the table. “I’ve informed the covens I’m on the best terms with. Word hasn’t gone wide enough to cause a stir, and since you gave no indication that demons wanted to dominate the magic community, I have no reason to move against you.”
“Maybe not. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t. Are you really going to take my word for it and do nothing? You believe me when I say you won’t notice most demons?”
Rowan raised a shoulder in a half-shrug. “Being prepared for all potential scenarios is always best.”
“In other words, I suspected correctly.” Onyx puffed on his cigar. “It’s like you’ve forgotten demons have been in this city longer than your coven, and you didn’t notice or have any trouble.”
“Not every one of your kind is going to spend their energy making a name for themselves trading paintings.”
“Of course not,” Onyx snapped as if he thought Rowan was taking a dig at him. “But there will be more demons interested in the arts than in magic world politics.”
“And finding their mates, right?” Leo cut it. He’d never liked tension. “It doesn’t seem so bad if demons are going to be focused on finding partners. Onyx is right, most of the magic world probably won’t even notice the demons’ return if that’s all they’re doing.”
“You make it seem like demons keep to themselves, Onyx.” Nico had to agree, even if he worried that the transition was bound to be rocky.
Onyx waved his cigar. “Why wouldn’t we? You all aren’t as interesting as you think.”
Cecile snorted, a hand covering her mouth.
“So, how does finding your mate work?”Leo asked.
Onyx blew out a plume of smoke. “Who knows? Magic, fate? I don’t care.”
“You don’t?” Leo smiled like it was a joke, then his face fell. “How can you not care? Mates are why you came here in the first place.”
Onyx’s eyes glowed behind the wafting cigar smoke. “What do you know about why I do anything?”
“Sorry. I suppose I don’t.” Leo looked away.
Onyx set his cigar in an ashtray at the center of the table and stood. “It seems I’m killing the party. Why don’t I leave so you all can relax? Unless your poker nights are always thisfun. In which case, I’d rather spend my time with humans.”
“Wait.” Nico stood, but Onyx was already through the door. Nico followed him into the hall. “Do you always have to get under everyone’s skin?”
Onyx stopped. “Yeah, pretty much.”
“Why?”
He turned, eyes glowing with blue flame. “Because I can, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.”
That was true. As a powerful immortal, Onyx could get away with anything, but Nico swore he’d said it as if he was begging someone to try and stop him. Was that what he wanted? To be included even when he pushed people away? Did he want someone to challenge him?
Nico stepped forward until they were chest to chest. He peered into Onyx’s stony face. “Sounds like someone needs to teach you some manners.”
Onyx took a step back, mouth open in offence, eyes flaming brighter, casting that eerie glow on his cheeks. “Like who? You? Try me, witch.”
