Page 68 of Demon Apathy: Sunderverse

Jenna sputtered a laugh while a flush of embarrassment rushed up my neck, heeding straight to my cheeks.

“I knew it!” Drevan growled, looking furious.

Sage ran a hand over his mouth as if making sure it was still his. “What the hell?” He pointed a finger at Drevan. “You did that. You put those words in my mouth.”

“You know damn well I did not,” Drevan answered.

Sage turned to me. “He’s lying. I mean… c’mon, he's a fucking demon. You can’t believe what he says.”

“I don’t,” I said in a hurry, hoping it would clear the air. Even though I knew well how this particular skill of Drevan worked, it would make things a lot easier if I pretended it had all been a demon’s trick.

Drevan huffed, but didn’t argue. Instead, he turned to me and said, “I’m sorry to interrupt this outing with yourfriends,” at the word he threw a murderous look in Sage’s direction, “but we need to talk.” He walked to the car and opened the passenger-side door.

I turned to my friends. “Sorry, guys, go back without me. I’ll see you later.”

Jenna’s shoulders slumped. “Is there something we can do to help, Mr. Morningstar? We would love to be of assistance.”

“Speak for yourself,” Sage spat.

Benjamin didn’t say anything, but his expression suggested he agreed with Sage.

Drevan took Jenna’s hand in his and pressed it gently. “I appreciate the offer as I’m sure Lucia does. In future, if there is a task that would suit your skills, I will make sure to contact you.”

Two bright red blotches appeared on Jenna’s pale cheeks. Drevan’s charm was simply disarming. Seeing it in action on someone else made me realize why I didn’t stand a chance against him. It also made me wonder if I'd mistaken his charm and attention for something they were not. It was clear he wasn’t trying to put the moves on Jenna. He was just being nice. But it was also clear that any warm-blooded woman would want to believe there was more to his politeness.

The way he kisses you has nothing to do with manners,the logical side of me reminded me, but who needed logic right now?

Drevan offered his hand to me. “Shall we?”

Even if he’d come to take me straight to hell, how could I refuse?

Drevan took me to Queens and explained we were going to visit Solar.

It was a drastic change from the Manhattan scene, but more like what I was used to back home: streets packed with small businesses, small family homes, neighborhood parks, empty lots, and not-so-great areas.

After parking the Ferrari next to a crumbling-looking building, he shut off the engine. I looked up at the drab, foggy windows on the structure’s façade. “This is where he’s staying?”

“Indeed.”

I was surprised, considering he’d grown up in utter luxury. It was a huge step down from his mother’s apartment.

“Why is he back here? Isn’t he afraid of Richie anymore?” I asked as Drevan opened the door to let me out.

“Something changed. Khargon must’ve missed it.” Drevan climbed the steps to the stoop and pressed a button on the building’s buzzer. He had to press the button three times before Solar’s sleepy voice crackled through the speaker.

“Who is it?”

I stepped up. “It’s me, Lucia Sunder.”

Silence. Drevan and I exchanged a glance.

Finally, Solar spoke again. “I don’t need your help anymore. Thank you.”

The speaker popped, and we were disconnected.

“What now?” I said.

Drevan stepped up to the front door and waved a hand over the lock. There was a click, a wink in Drevan’s eye, and he stepped inside. We climbed the dusty steps to the second floor and found unit 207. He inclined his head toward the door, inviting me to knock, then disappeared.