Page 79 of Demon's Desire

Dante shook himself. “No. We can’t, but…”

Unease churned in Onyx’s gut. The suspicion that Luc wasn’t up to his usual trickery wouldn’t go away. He’d let Lucburrow too deep inside his head. “Fool us once, shame on him. Fool us—what are we up to now? Well past twice. We can’t trust him, Dante.”

“No, we can’t.” Dante gave a tired sigh. “But we have to figure out if demons are trying to kill Luc. If that’s confirmed, then it calls everything else into question.”

“You think he broke into the gallery to genuinely tell Onyx he wouldn’t hurt Nico?” Ash’s lip curled. “Please.”

“Why else give Onyx his magic back? Why tell us he can see through our invisibility illusions?After a thousand years of keeping that tidbit to himself.He could be trying to gain our trust because he needs us to save him.”

“Or to trick us into getting close so he can betray our trust again.” Onyx had told himself he’d never give Luc an inch, and here he was, considering it. What a nightmare.

“Let’s talk to Ren.” Dante ushered them out of the alley. “With the bounty on us, it’s not unreasonable to think someone’s hunting Luc too.”

Ash snorted derisively. “The bounty is for information leading to our capture, not deaths. If the same demons are looking to capture Luc, fine. They’re welcome to hunt him down and imprison him. It’ll save us the trouble.”

Onyx wanted to agree. Luc’s claims had to be a trap, even if there happened to be a kernel of truth in there somewhere.

But if it wasn’t a trap, and Luc’s permanent death was a real threat, what then? Luc didn’t deserve their help after everything.

Too bad what someone deserved never seemed to matter.

Dante knocked, and Ren let them in, showing them into the apartment where she’d been living since first sneaking out of Hell.

She perched in an armchair and folded her hands in her lap. “I was wondering when you’d be back.”

Ash remained standing as Onyx and Dante settled on the couch. He crossed his arms and loomed. “We wanted to check in on our alliance.”

Ren seemed unruffled by his unfriendly demeanor. “Unless you’re here to tell me otherwise, our alliance remains unchanged. I appreciate thetext messagetelling me everyone was released from Hell, by the way. I can’t imagine what you’re here to tell me if that wasn’t in-person news.”

She was growing on Onyx. Prickliness was a respectable trait.

Dante leaned forward. “Have you caught up with many demons since the exodus?”

“I prefer to keep to myself.” Ren examined her nails. “But a few found the magic I left around the city and tracked me down. I might have to move.”

Onyx frowned. “Did they threaten you?”

“No, they asked a bunch of prying questions. I pretended I’d just gotten here. Didn’t want anyone aware that I snuck out early. And don’t worry, I didn’t mention you three.”

“Good.” Dante glanced at Onyx like he was expecting something.

Onyx made a confused face.

Ash cleared his throat. “Have you heard any rumors?”

“Rumors about what?”

“The three of us? Lucifer? What demons are doing in Shearwater Landing other than tracking you down?”

Ren’s posture straightened. “You and Lucifer didn’t come up. No one advertised what they were up to, and I didn’t pry, but I can give you a list of who found me before I scrubbed my magic from the city.”

It didn’t seem like she’d heard of the bounty, and if she was keeping to herself, that made sense. Even if Ren’s visitors werethe demons looking for Onyx and his brothers, they wouldn’t have said that outright without a clear read on Ren’s loyalties.

Dante got to his feet like he was ready to leave. “Someone’s looking for us, and we’d rather they not learn anything useful. Can we still trust you not to sell us out?”

“Nothing’s changed. I’d like to stay as far away from whatever’s brewing as possible.” Ren stood as well, and gestured to the door. “If you need to see me again, I’ll probably have a new place, so text first.”

Dante agreed, and they all left.