Page 16 of Demon Hunger
Drevan nodded in encouragement.
“Do you know why he does this? Mukbang, I mean? Is it in hopes of making money? He doesn’t have a lot of viewers, so maybe you can just top his bank account and we’ll be done.”
“Smart thinking, Mr. Acosta.” Drevan smiled approvingly. “I like the way you think. However, that is against the rules. Kody has to see the error of his ways and repent. I doubt a flush bank account would accomplish that, anyway. But you hit an important aspect of all this. Motivation is important. I suggest we start there. We need to find out why he does this.”
“That means we need to meet him, talk to him,” Jenna said. “I volunteer to go with Lucia.” She added emphatically, making sure she wasn’t left out of the action.
“There is a competitive eating event this weekend that he plans to attend,” Khargon said. “Maybe you two should sign up.”
“What? As contestants?” Jenna’s blue eyes went wide.
Khargon nodded, a glint of amusement in her eyes. This was probably her version of torture.
“As entertaining as that might be to watch,” Drevan said, “they can attend simply as spectators.”
“I’m sure we can all go, right?” Sage asked. “Jophiel and LeBeau might show up, and we may be able to help.”
“I don’t see howwecould be of any use against an angel and the former director of the LDH,” Benjamin pointed out.
He was great at thinking through stuff, but fighting was definitely not his thing. It was puzzling since he had gone against his parents’ wishes to join the league. They had wanted him to be a lawyer or a doctor like them. At any rate, if Benjamin wanted to be a true demon hunter, he was going to have to get over his fears.
“I think you could be of great help, Mr. Acosta,” Drevan said reassuringly. “It sounds like a plan.”
I clapped my hands and stood. “Great, I think we’re done. You guys can stay, but I have to head back. I have a lot of studying to do.” I deposited my plate on the table, without waiting for anyone.
Drevan glanced at the floor, looking disappointed. Jenna joined me and jerked her head to encourage Benjamin to come with us.
“Oh, yes. I also have lots to study.” Benjamin followed us and stood behind us as we waited for the elevator, which opened straight into the foyer.
Dragging his feet, Sage joined us just as the elevatordinged. We got in and, as the doors slid shut, my shoulders relaxed. Being around Drevan was going to give me high blood pressure, for sure.
Jenna leaned in and whispered in my ear. “We hardly needed a meeting for this.”
I frowned at her.
“Drevan could have just texted us about the competition. I think it was an excuse to see you.”
I shook my head. “I don’t care. I’m tired of thinking about it.”
“Sorry.”
Her meek apology made me realize that my tone with her had been cutting, but at the moment, I didn’t have it in me to apologize back.
I was the first one to step out of the elevator and rush for the exit. I needed some fresh air.
“Wait, Lucia! I want to get some of this yummy coffee,” Jenna called. They had a fancy espresso machine in the lobby.
“You guys go ahead. I’ll wait outside.” I waved a hand without looking back and hurried past a bellboy pushing a luggage cart.
Outside, it was cold and snowing lightly, but the bite in the air was perfect. I took a deep breath and walked down the sidewalk, wishing I could somehow erase Drevan from my mind. The constant tug-of-war inside me was going to drive me crazy.
He’s a monster. He’s a monster. He’s a monster.
I pace up and down the sidewalk, chanting under my breath like a lunatic. I was so lost in my own head that the familiarthud, thudof large wings beating above me didn’t register until it was too late.
I’d barely lifted my head after noticing the sound when I was scoped off the ground and, the next thing I knew, I was airborne. I let out a high-pitched scream as I stared at my dangling feet getting further and further away from the sidewalk. He held me by the scruff of my jacket as I swung precariously from side to side.
“You damn bastard,” I cursed, once I got my breath back. “Why won’t you takenofor an answer?”
