Page 22 of Demon's Desire

“He should join us,” Leo said without pause. “What side does Ollie play?”

Nico would love to include Ollie and get to know him better. “I’ll have to ask.”

Dante might not want to join if he were trying to keep his identity under wraps, but no one in the Valero Coven wouldtake advantage of his trust. Besides, they’d only see hisWorld’s Endcharacter.

Onyx regarded Leo with newfound distaste, as if he didn’t like the turn in the conversation. Was he being protective of Ollie? He didn’t say anything or threaten Leo, and it wasn’t as if politeness would hold him back.

Maybe it was something else.

A theory formed in Nico’s mind. “Are you sure gaming’s not your thing?”

Onyx narrowed his eyes. “I’ve never actually tried it.”

“If you want, you’re welcome at my place any time. Who knows, give it a go and you might enjoy it.”

Leo’s brows lifted. Yeah, Nico never invited anyone over, so what?

“I don’t know. It sounds dumb.” Onyx shifted his stance, almost nervously. “Why pretend to have powers when I can shoot fire from my fingertips?”

The warmth seeping into his tone didn’t match his dismissive words. It seemed like he’d been jealous of Leo inviting Ollie to play, and was mollified by Nico’s counter-offer. Not that the brat would admit it.

“Gaming’s no dumber than any other hobby,” Leo grumbled.

Onyx shrugged carelessly. “Not that you can control immortal fire. So what would you know?”

Leo shook his head and went to grab a drink from the bar in the corner of the room just as Rowan appeared in the doorway with Cecile, a tiny, lethal woman in charge of the coven’s information gathering. Emile, Rowan’s main enforcer, followed close behind.

“Onyx, welcome back.” Rowan clasped Onyx’s hand with a smile. “Let me introduce you to Cecile and Emile Valero.”

Onyx greeted the other vampires with a frosty politeness.

Rowan’s coven, like most vampire covens, wasn’t based around mortal family ties the way witches’ covens were. Members took the Valero surname upon joining, but only Rowan’s children, to whom he’d gifted immortal life, were blood-bound to him.

Like the witches Harper grew up with, some vampire covens required members to swear blood loyalty upon joining, but Rowan didn’t believe in forced connection.

Felix, Rowan’s other enforcer, drifted into the room and was introduced. Everyone found seats at the table, with Nico situating himself next to Onyx.

Onyx wasn’t aware, but Rowan had brought his three most powerful and trusted coven members. This wasn’t their usual poker crowd.

“Can I get anyone else a drink?” Leo sounded nervous, likely having made the same observations as Nico.

“You’re off duty, Leo. Relax. You aren’t tending the bar tonight.” Rowan pulled two cigars from his inner suit pocket and passed one to Cecile. “You don’t mind, do you?” he asked Onyx.

“I’m not exactly worried about second-hand smoke.”

Rowan smiled. “I suppose not. Would you like one?”

“Go on.” Onyx held out a delicate hand, palm up, faint blue veins standing out against the pale skin of his wrist.

Rowan passed him a cigar. Putting it to his lips, Onyx lit it with a flash of blue fire.

Everyone stared. Fire was no vampire’s friend, and no other magical being could conjure it from nothing.

The demon cut a smug look at Nico.

Nico shook his head, heat blooming in his chest. Fuck, Onyx looked hot when he was pleased with himself, those blue eyes shining, promising wickedness, and the slightest hint of a blush on his sharp cheeks.

Being around Onyx gave Nico a thrill. He was more aware of his body than usual, all his reactions bordering on primal, as if his subconscious recognized the predator in Onyx, yet wanted to move closer rather than flee.