Page 16 of Demon's Desire

“You can ask him how things are going. Meet some more of the Valero Coven, too, if you want.”

Onyx wrinkled his nose. “More vampires?”

“You don’t have to.” Nico shrugged like he didn’t care much either way.

“I probably should, since everyone decided I need to be involved. I want to keep an eye on Rowan. Don’t need him trying to twist things to his advantage.”

Nico tapped his notebook thoughtfully. “He wouldn’t twist the situation, or make trouble where there is none. He’s not like that, but he does look for advantages in everything.”

“That doesn’t bother you? I thought you were out to help people.”

Nico chuckled. “Rowan helps people, too. Just in a different way. I don’t need my friends to all be exactly like me.”

“Good because if they were, I wouldn’t come tonight.” Onyx shuddered. Nico’s sincere kindness was off-putting.

Nico laughed more loudly. “Why do you hate me?”

“Why do you care?”

Nico grinned, and Onyx’s lips curved upward to match. He couldn’t help it. Damn witch.

Nico pulled out his phone. “Give me your number.”

Onyx did as he was told, rattling off the digits before he thought better of it.

“There.” Nico sent him a text, and Onyx’s phone vibrated. “I’m sorry I didn’t keep you updated. There’s been a lot happening this week.”

The apology soothed some of Onyx’s agitation, quieting the flames inside him. “A lot happening? It’s only Wednesday. Was there a dried herb emergency?”

Nico snorted. “Nothing that dire.” He paused. “I’ll make sure to keep you in the loop, even if it’s to confirm that I followed through on what we discussed.”

Again, the reassurance soothed Onyx, loosening the tightness in his chest. He took an involuntary step closer to the counter. “I’ll hold you to that.”

“I’d expect you to.” Nico leaned forward once more, forearms on the counter. “While you’re here, can I ask what happened when you went to the Realm of the Damned? Ash and Dante won’t tell me what’s going on with Lucifer.”

On the one hand, keeping the details within their inner circle was probably best, but if Ash and Dante didn’t want Nico to know, it gave Onyx the opportunity to rock the boat. They deserved it after messing him around.

He shrugged. “Why does it matter? Lucifer isn’t going to come knocking on your door.”

“Glad to hear it, but he might come after Harper and Ollie, right?” Nico’s voice dropped, like he was afraid of the answer.

Onyx inched closer. “You’re very concerned about them, but you don’t have to be. Luc would be a fool to go after the mates again. I had to stop Dante from killing Luc just for hurting Ollie. He was out for blood. Ollie and Harper are safer than they were before they mated. My brother’s issue is with us, not them.”

“Brother?”

Onyx cursed himself for letting that slip. “Yes, brother. Luc and I share the same unfortunate parentage.”

Nico looked fascinated by this news, and Onyx’s tension returned.

“What’s Lucifer’s issue with you?”

“There isn’t enough time in your mortal life to unpack that.” Onyx shook himself. He shouldn’t get personal. Nico’s kind face must have lulled him into a sense of false security. Still he said, “Luc wanted to drag us back to the Realm of the Damned.”

“But he won’t drag you back now that everyone is free. Right?”

Unease swelled inside Onyx. He hated speculating on Luc’s plans. “It seems unlikely.”

Nico almost looked relieved, but why would he be? “Is the conflict between you over?”