Page 27 of Demon's Desire
How had Nico found the one argument Onyx couldn’t say no to? Was Onyx that transparent in his desire to win over Ollie and Harper? Could Nico tell he wanted to be dragged kicking and screaming into being included? No, probably not. Nico was set on being kind and helpful. To everyone. It wasn’t about Onyx specifically.
Hell, Nico was the worst.
“Fine, but don’t try to invite me to play with that vampire, Leo.”
Nico rolled his eyes. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Onyx followed him out of the club.
It wasn’t as if more time with Nico was the worst thing to happen to him. The man was a treat to look at, and Onyx was curious about where he lived. Besides, the longer they hung out, the longer Onyx could pester him. Nico responded so well to everything Onyx threw at him.
Someone needs to teach you some manners.
Onyx’s fire burned at the sheer audacity, his insides tightening with anticipation. Did Nico mean it? Did he care enough to make Onyx be good?
Probably not, but it was fun to mess with the witch either way. It was almost like Onyx was developing an addiction to him. That or some sort of magnetic pull had to be what drove him to follow Nico outside and into a rideshare.
The ride through the city was almost relaxing, and by the time the car pulled over in front of a small apartment building, Onyx’s agitation was a distant memory.
They climbed out of the car, and Nico unlocked the gate barring the building’s entry from the street. “No comments about my place?”
“Huh?” Onyx followed him into the small space separating the front door from the street, and the gate shut behind him.
Nico looked down at him. They were too close, trapped inthe narrow enclosure. “You had a lot to say about the look of Rowan’s club.”
“No I didn’t. I made one comment.” Onyx’s skin prickled. He’d never insult the place where Nico lived. He took a shot at Rowan because he was an immortal and had chosen to spend his money on an architectural eyesore when he could, by all accounts, have afforded to set up somewhere nicer.
“Fine. Don’t expect much and you won’t be disappointed.” Nico turned and unlocked the door.
Onyx seethed. Did Nico think he was shallow? He didn’t go around the city judging people who had to actually work for a living. Of course they wouldn’t have the same luxuries he had.
Nico led him inside, up the stairs, and down a hallway with worn carpet. He unlocked a door and stepped through, slipping off his shoes. Onyx followed and did the same.
The scent of citrus filled the air.
“I won’t bother offering you a drink, but I’m going to grab something.” Nico rounded the entry’s tight corner and disappeared.
Onyx stepped after him. He took a deep breath, and the citrus scent deepened into something more earthy, soothing Onyx’s foul mood as if it were a personally tailored balm made to inspire a creeping sense of comfort.
Déjà vu hit Onyx in the chest. A feeling he’d forgotten tugged at the edge of his senses. The Eternal Realm popped into his mind, bright blue skies, wispy clouds, and towering mountains.
For a second, it was as if Onyx had been transported home. Not to his loft or any other place he’d lived on Earth, buthome. To the realm he’d never wanted to leave.
“I know it’s small.” Nico filled a glass with water in the kitchen area to the right of the open living space.
Onyx shook himself, and the feeling faded. “There’snothing wrong with small. I don’t live in a mansion, you know.” He walked further into the room and sat on a leather couch that looked well-loved.
Nico joined him, pausing to turn on the TV and gaming console before sitting. “Where do you live?”
“A loft on the other side of the river.” Why had he answered? He never told anyone where he lived, except Scott.
Nico’s brows raised. “Across the river?”
“Yeah.” Onyx’s tone turned defensive. “Is that surprising?”
“It’s not what I pictured.” Nico set his glass aside and glanced toward the window. “I used to live right on the border of the South Banks and Port View.”
It was Onyx’s turn to be caught off guard. Those were the two Shearwater Landing neighborhoods that sat separated from the rest of the city by the river. They’d nearly been neighbors.
