Page 32 of Demon's Desire

It was true. Onyx’s brothers seemed happy to sit apart from humanity.

“They’ve been more involved with humans in the past than they are these days,” Onyx admitted. It was hard when human friends died, or had to be left behind so they didn’t notice the demons not aging, but Onyx never let that keep him away.

“Speaking of humans, how’s your artist friend?” Onyx asked Ollie.

Ollie’s dimples popped as he smiled. “Dex is good. I’d love to bring him to your next opening, if that’s cool?”

“Consider it done. I’ll send you both formal invitations.” Onyx basked in Ollie’s string of thank yous.

They turned to the menus, and dinner flew by in a whirl of delicious food. If Nico had been there—wait—why was Onyx thinking about Nico? He’d seen him yesterday. His addiction to the man seemed less like a joke all of a sudden.

As they left the restaurant, Onyx booked a ride home for the mates.

Harper seemed disappointed that dinner was over. “Next time we have to go out when we aren’t working in the morning.”

“Deal.” Onyx gave him and Ollie an evil grin. “We can add a nightlife tour to our schedule.”

“Yes, oh my gosh, we have to.” Harper bounced on the balls of his feet. He had so much joyous energy, it was amazing. “Oh! How did you like Rowan’s club last night?”

Onyx’s stomach swooped. “What?”

“Nico said he was taking you to poker night.” Harper waggled his eyebrows.

Ollie made a pleasantly surprised sound. “He did?”

Onyx crossed his arms. It wasn’t like he had anything to be embarrassed about, so he pushed the feeling away. “Poker was dreadful, though I’ll admit, Rowan runs a good show. No one at the club had any complaints about him.”

Ollie’s brow furrowed. “You were asking around?”

Onyx shrugged. “We don’t really know the guy.”

“True.” Harper rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m glad the dancers don’t hate him.”

Ollie elbowed Harper in the side. “You and Ash going back again?”

Harper’s cheeks flushed. “Yeah, but after watching everyone perform, I think I want to take pole dancing lessons.”

“You should.” Onyx loved how outgoing Harper was, even when he was bashful about it.

Ollie nodded his encouragement.

These little mates were going to be fun. They’d do Onyx’s miserable brothers good.

“I’ll keep you guys posted,” Harper promised as the car pulled up.

The boys climbed in, and Onyx headed toward the nearest subway station. The train didn’t cross the river, but he felt like a walk. He’d ride it as far as it went and take the footbridge.

Onyx zoned out, on autopilot as he moved through the night. He didn’t mind the harsh lights of the subway or the drunk people singing in his car. Cities were the only place for him, where masses of people meant something was always happening.

The night air turned cool as he exited the underground station. Onyx walked lazily, not in any rush to get back to his empty loft.

He crossed the bridge, pausing to look out at the water. The idea of a pet nagged at him. He needed something. Ignoring the hollow longing that had taken up residence inside him never worked for more than a few hours. And if he got a cat, he could use it to tease Nico about his fictional fear.

Onyx smiled to himself, a garden of tangled feelings blooming in his chest, delicate and open, but with a razoredge, like he was afraid of where this change in him had come from.

Someone stepped up to the railing beside him. “Brother.”

Onyx froze. Lucifer loomed next to him, taller even than Ash.