Page 87 of Demon Apathy: Sunderverse

For the first time, doubt entered Sage’s expression. To his credit, he hid it quickly and dug in his heels. “Did you forget we signed up to become demon hunters? We know they hurt humans, so we send them back where they belong. In hell, like you.”

Drevan huffed. “If you’re so brave and ready to put your life in danger… maybe I have a better use for you.”

Wait? What?!

“Help Lucia with her task,” he added. “There’s this guy. His name is Richie. He—”

I shook my head. “No, leave them out of it.”

Drevan shrugged. “Maybe you’re right. Too dangerous. Better letyoutake the risks just like you did in there.” He hooked a finger toward the hotel behind him.

“Hey, that’s not how it was,” Jenna said. “You’re twisting things.”

Drevan rubbed his chin. “Am I? Do as you please.” He made a dismissive gesture with one hand and turned to leave.

“I’ll do it,” Sage spat. “Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”

“No!” I shot back. “Don’t you see that’s what he wants? Don’t let him goad you into anything you don’t want to do. He may not want to hurt you directly, but he can sure put you in harm’s way.”

Drevan put a hand to his heart. “You injure me with your suspicions.”

Sage stood firm. “Who said I didn’t want to do it?”

“I don’t need help, Sage,” I said. “Thank you.”

Jenna cleared her throat. “But… wewantto help.”

“I… I don’t…” Benjamin stammered.

Jenna swatted his arm. “Don’t be such a coward.”

“Well,” Drevan regarded us with humor, “it seems your friends are indeed brave, Lucia. You shouldn’t deny them the opportunity to assist you.”

I opened my mouth to tell him what I thought of his manipulative ass, but he cut me off.

“Besides, it would be prideful of you to assume you can handle everything on your own.”

Bastard!

“So what do we have to do?” Jenna asked, practically rubbing her hands together.

“Nothing, at the moment. I’m working on setting a few things up, following your idea of involving Richie in our scheme. When everything is in place, I’ll let you know. For now, you should all return to the league and avoid getting intounsupervisedtrouble.”

“We don’t need a fucking babysitter,” Sage said.

“I beg to differ.” Drevan spun on his heel and, in a blink, was gone, leaving me feeling thoroughly screwed up.

“You idiots!” I spat. “You fell right into his trap.”

“Is it a trap when it is exactly what you want?” Jenna asked.

I shook my head, feeling at a loss.

What had I done?

When we arrived back at Striker Hall, Director Grant was waiting for us in the grand foyer. I froze at the sight of him, standing proudly in his demon hunter uniform. From the looks of his tousled hair and scruffy clothes, I assumed he’d been out, putting his Queller to good use. Except it wasn’t his battered appearance that made me pause, it was the anger in his expression.

“The four of you… in my office!” He didn’t wait for us to follow as he disappeared down the hall, walking at a clipped pace.