Page 22 of Right Hand Of The Reaper
Ari raised a dark brow. “Is it?”
“You don’t know who I am?”
“Should I?”
“I just thought with the drink choice you knew?”
Ari shrugged and looked apologetic. “I just let fate choose. Something told me to make you that drink, so I did.”
I propped my elbow on the bar and rested my chin in my palm. “I’m a Reaper.”
He let out a rich, musical laugh and nodded. “Then yes, it would indeed be a fitting drink.”
Ari set about mixing me another drink and I lost myself in watching him work.
“Why does my love life have to be so complicated?” I mused aloud.
“Where would the fun be if life was simple?” Ari said with a chuckle.
“I’m not sure I want ‘fun’, I think I’d settle for just ‘happy’. I’ve got a vampire ex who seems to pop up unexpectedly, my Hell Hounds that it’s against the law to love, and something happened with a Metus demon that I don’t even know what to think of and why am I telling you all this?”
“I’m a bartender, love. Think it’s part of the job description. Metus demon sounds pretty cool though. Never met one of them before. Are they as scary as people say?”
I shrugged. “He wasn’t to me but everyone else seems to avoid him. I guess that’s because I’m a Reaper.”
“Maybe. Or you’re his mate.”
My stomach dropped. “What? Nope. That can’t… um… just no.”
Ari gave me a sympathetic smile. “Do you know much about demon mates?” I shook my head. “Well, we only have one and usually our powers don’t work on them, or work in unexpected ways.”
A flush crept up my cheeks as I remembered what had happened with Atticus earlier today. “What do you mean by unexpected?”
His brow raised. “You really want me to answer that?”
“Um, maybe not.”
“Perhaps you should just talk to your demon,” Ari said as he placed the drink in front of me.
“I would, but after the… incident, he fled. I don’t think he will want to.”
Ari covered my hand with his. His fingers were warm and smooth, and his touch was gentle. “I can assure you, if I was lucky enough to find my mate, I’d be dying to talk to them. If a little terrified.”
“Thank you, I’ll try and find him.”
“Good. Now, I think your escort is here.”
“Huh?”
Ari pointed over my shoulder, and I looked behind me to find a giant fire demon stood behind me. Jeez, the guy was fucking huge! With flaming red hair, fire in his eyes and a suit that was losing a battle to contain his bulging muscles.
“Roux, please come with me.” His voice was raspy, like it was filled with smoke. I glanced behind him to find the twins and Magnus, but they’d disappeared. “Your friends have been moved to where they can work out the differences in a more private location.”
I winced. Oh boy, they weren’t going to like that. “Well, I hope you put them in a room that can withstand some serious destruction.”
The fire demon’s lip curled into a smirk. “It’s been taken care of. Come. This way.”
I followed him out of the main VIP area and through a concealed door. Beyond was a corridor that was blissfully quiet. After the pounding of the music, my ears were ringing slightly, and the silence back here was a bit of a relief. As I climbed the stairs to meet the Fates, I had to decide how much I was willing to sacrifice in order to save Thane.
