Page 8 of Demon's Desire
The original vampires were a group of witches who’d slayed a demon and drank his blood in order to gain immortality. Killing a demon or Eternal was an unforgivable crime, even if the Eternal Realm had decided not to smite the perpetrators in this particular case.
Onyx liked to bring it up to make vampires uncomfortable, and hadn’t had the pleasure in a long time.
Rowan frowned. “I’m not that old. The origin of my species is hardly my fault. How do you know Nico?”
Onyx cut a glance at the witch. Nico looked tired. Was he genuinely stressed about all this? Really, there was only so much he could do about any coming upheaval. He should relax.
“Nico is…” Onyx trailed off. It was to their advantage for as few people as possible to know who the Hounds actually were. Lucifer was still looking for them, and who knew if any other demons would come sniffing around. “We have a mutual friend.”
Rowan studied Nico. “The boys from the other night?”
Well, it appeared Rowan wasn’t stupid. They might have to trust him with who they all were, given they’d gotten him involved the night they went to hunt Luc in the Realm of the Damned. If he knew Harper and Ollie were involved, it wouldn’t take much sleuthing to get a glimpse of their mates, even if they weren’t detectable as demons.
“The night we had that strange disturbance behind the club?” Rowan continued.
“Yes. That was the night the demons were freed,” Nico said.
“None of that matters,” Onyx cut in before Rowan could ask anything else. “We’re here to get the word out. There’s going to be an adjustment now that the rest of my kind are back.”
“An adjustment?” Rowan stiffened. “How can it not matter what happened the night the demons were freed? Didyoufree them? Why did demons fall to Earth in the first place? Does it have anything to do with their return? What about the witch souls in Hell?”
Fuck, he had an inquisitive mind. What a nuisance. They weren’t going to get away with keeping this guy completely in the dark. Onyx should have refused to deal with this.
“Demons fell to Earth to?—”
“It’s no one’s business why we fell from the Eternal Realm,” Onyx snapped, glaring at Nico.
Nico glared back. “Why can’t we tell him? What’s the big secret?”
Onyx didn’t want to talk about mates. It was irrelevant. “Why we came originally isn’t the issue. It’s literally ancient history. We lived among you before, and the world ticked along fine. Our return won’t be an issue unless witches and vampires make it one.”
“You don’t know that,” Nico argued. “Demons could start conflict as well as anyone. And I think people need to be aware of mates.”
Fucking witch. Onyx briefly contemplated strangling him. “Why the hell am I here if you’re going to say whatever you want? What happened to deciding what to share?”
“I agreed to let you decide whether to share your identity or not. I didn’t say I’d keep anything else quiet.” Nico shifted uncomfortably. “Why can’t we explain mates? Isn’t that why the demons were freed?”
Onyx clenched a fist at his side. “You don’t know shit about mates.”
“Well, it’s clear the subject is a touchy one for you,” Rowan interrupted.
Onyx’s eyes flamed. “Watch it, vamp. I could end you without breaking a sweat.”
Rowan didn’t even flinch, damn him. Though Nico sucked in a sharp breath.
“We’re surrounded by my coven,” Rowan said levelly. “You can’t take on a whole group on your own.”
“Watch me.” Onyx’s body flashed hot. He needed to get his emotions under control, but everything was so sharp today. So overwhelming. “Andras was a pacifist. Caught off guard after trusting the wrong witch. Your coven couldn’t overpower me. Don’t let history make you bold. One slayed demon is hardly a precedent.”
Rowan relaxed his posture, so calm you’d think he hadn’t been threatened. What was his angle in backing down?
“My apologies. I clearly have no idea what’s going on here. I don’t even know what mates are. Of course, I’ll help get the word out about demons returning, but it seems we need to agree on a message first. How about a drink?”
Nico nodded, and Rowan stood, heading for the small bar on the other side of the room.
“Bourbon, please.” Nico sounded relieved.
Rowan began pouring two glasses. “How about you, Onyx?”
