Page 75 of The Demon's Fire
“Tell that to my unknown future mate.” Tyr looked both ways after opening the door. He signaled the all-clear for Sabine.
Beaucoup eyes were on them when they strode into the Alliance Security Division fully armed, blades in chest sheaths, guns strapped down. Hand on hip and her foot jutted out, Sabine paused in front of the first occupied desk. “Point out Agent Nico Abello. He’s expecting us.” Despite her long blonde hair pulled into two braids which swished when she walked, her sultry eyes, and angelic face, nobody would doubt she was a tough warrior.
“Lucky him.” The redheaded agent shook his thumb toward an office in the back. “Thatta way.”
“Thanks.” Feeling the Alliance guy stare at her ass as she walked away, Sabine gave her hips an extra swish to make his day. “Males.” She smirked at her Goth-like, pierced and tattooed companion.
“It’s in our genes.”
“Yeah. If only you could keep it there.” Sabine knocked on the office door. Rather than wait for an answer, she opened it and marched in.
A male leaned back in a chair, his large, well-worn boots propped on the desk, nose in a book. Black hair, just long enough to curl at the ends where it met his neck and looking as if he combed it with his fingers, fell lazily across his forehead. With broad, muscled shoulders, the agent was not what Sabine expected for a human male. He obviously worked out enough to give him some seriously spectacular biceps. His thighs, even relaxed, stretched the fabric of his pants.Yeah. She’d like to handle all those hard muscles. Her nymph hormones darted around, slamming into each other.
“Whaddaya want? I told you not to bother me.” The guy didn’t look up as he spoke.
Sabine cleared her throat, wishing she could clear her mind as easily. “Kole’s office called ahead. You’re expecting us. From Scath.”
“Oh, right.” He slammed the book onto the desk and jacked his chair upright. When his chin tilted up, a wide smile revealed dimples and bright, laughing eyes outlined with long lashes. He stroked a day-old shadow on his jaw, his gaze locked onto Sabine. “Hello, sweetness. And you, too.” He hardly glanced at Tyr. “Where are my manners? Have a seat. I’m Nico. To what do I owe this visit?”
Her warlock partner slid into a chair, his open smile hiding his lethal powers. “I’m Tyr, and sweetness here is Sabine. What we have to say is confidential. So confidential you’re invited to Scath, where we’ll drop the news on you.”
“I’m not a very trusting man. While I’d follow you almost anywhere, sweetness, I think I’ll draw the line at shadowing your ass to another realm. Unless, of course, you want to give me a few hints or a really big reward when I get there. And I’m not talking cash. Besides, I’m leading an investigation here.”
Sabine shifted in her seat next to Tyr. Though the human male was alluring, he was full of himself. Worse yet, she truly hated terms of endearment. “Cut thesweetnesscrap. I can take you any day of the week. You’ll come quietly or else.” Her temperature rose as she thought of putting her hands on the male, and all those nymph hormones played dodgeball again.
A slow grin played across Nico’s face. “I love how you want to get rough with me. That’s normally a big turn-on … sweetness. But here’s the thing, I’m pretty sure the warlock could take me in a fair fight. I don’t fight fair, though. Of course, you’re not as strong as he is. I’m guessing you’re a nymph. A truly healthy, fit nymph who obviously works out.” He hesitated while his hungry, honeyed gaze dripped down her body, making her instantly sticky. “But it’s likely I can take you fair and square. And again, I don’t fight fair. So, unless the two of you intend to smack me around in front of an entire office of Alliance agents, you better pay me a little respect and tell me what the hell is going on.”
The human’s muscles were coiled to attack even though he looked relaxed. Like a rattlesnake.
Tyr frowned at Sabine. “I think we got off to a bad start.”
She rose to perch on the edge of Nico’s desk. Her legs brushed his knees. “Tyr’s right, cuddles. We didn’t get off to a good start. Let’s begin again. We have some seriously confidential information to share with you. For your own welfare, it’s best if you go with us to Scath and talk to Minister Alarik or Acting Commander Rein.”
“So, because you have a nice, tight ass and, from what I can see, spectacular tits, I’m supposed to follow you?”
Grrr.
Sabine growled like a wolf shifter rather than a nymph. This guy pushed her buttons. “No, you’re supposed to follow me because I’m a Firebrand, you’re an Alliance agent, and I’m here to save your life.”
“No.” He leaned back in his chair, his delectable, muscled arms folded behind his head.
“No, what?” Sabine narrowed her eyes in disbelief.
“No, I’m not following you. My office is secure. Tell me now or get the hell out. By the way, slide your tight ass off my desk, sweetness.”
“I tried the nice way. Screw you.” Sabine rose.
“Now there’s an offer I might…”
The Alliance agent didn’t have time to finish because Sabine signaled Tyr, who flicked a wrist in Nico’s direction.
The agent’s eyes blazed with fury for one second. Then a chill spread through the room. “Hey! What was…” His lids half-shuttered his eyes, his coiled muscles unbunched, and his shoulders relaxed.
“It was a spell to make you my bitch, cuddles. Now smile while you stroll out of here with Tyr and me. You’re gonna tell everyone you are assigned to Scath for a few weeks. Afterward, we’re off to your place to pack for the vacation.”
ChapterNineteen
Onher feet but swaying, Skyler stared into the depths of the gray, murky, bubbling Healing Pond. Clumps of sludge erupted from beneath its surface. She pulled on her jacket collar until it covered her nose. “Are you sure this is necessary?”
