Page 15 of Demon's Desire

Nico appeared from behind a curtain. “What are you doing here?”

Onyx’s spine stiffened. “I’m here to see Harper. Is that all right with you?”

“You don’t need my permission.” Nico leaned forward, arms braced on the counter. “Harper’s on his break.”

“Oh.” Onyx glanced around, heat rising in his cheeks. Why was he embarrassed? Fuck, he hoped it didn’t show. “When will he be back?”

“Half an hour.”

It was too long to wait. Onyx stalked toward the counter anyway. Nico had a stain on his apron. Probably good that he was wearing it, or he’d ruin his T-shirt.

Nico smiled at his approach, and Onyx wanted to wipe the look from his face. What was he so pleased about? Maybe he always smiled like that, which was even worse.

Onyx crossed his arms. “Did you talk to that coven?”

Nico pushed off the counter, his smile disappearing. “Yeah.”

Yeah. That was it? Onyx waved his hand. “And?”

Nico’s brows pinched. “And their leader died recently, sothey have a lot on their plate. I didn’t want to saddle them with more bad news.”

“Demons returning isn’t bad news.”

Nico shrugged. “Maybe not.”

There was a beat of silence.

“That’s all you have to say?”

Nico frowned. “Did you want meeting notes?”

Onyx’s fire sparked in his gut. “No, I’m supposed to be helping. You were all worried about telling people, and what, now it’s fine? You told your friends, and that’s the end of it?”

Nico’s lips twitched like he was holding back a smile. Like he was laughing at Onyx. The nerve. “It’s not the end of it, but I feel better now that I’m not the only one aware of what’s happening.”

Onyx was momentarily glad Nico felt better before he remembered he didn’t care.

“Is that why you’re here? To see how spreading the word is going?”

Onyx pursed his lips. “I’m here to see Harper.”

“Okay. Feel free to browse the shelves while you wait.” Nico turned his attention to a notebook lying open on the counter.

Onyx wouldn’t be dismissed like that. “So, do you not need my help anymore, or what? Because it seems like you could have done without harassing me. Have you even talked to Ash and Dante?”

Nico looked up. “I talked to them yesterday.”

Had they all met without him? “Sounds like it’s all taken care of then.” He couldn’t keep fury from tightening his words. He turned to go.

“Hey,” Nico called.

Onyx stopped but refused to turn around. Why couldn’t hecontrol his temper? He wasn’t usually this short unless Ash was in the room.

“What?” he snapped.

“I’m seeing Rowan tonight. Come with me?”

“Why?” Onyx spun slowly. His stupid heart fluttered at the invitation as if he had no friends, but Scott was right. His social calendar was always full.