Page 32 of Demon’s Desire (Lovers of the Damned #3)

ONYX

“We don’t need to protect my place,” Onyx said for what had to be the hundredth time as he, Ash, and Dante headed down a narrow street behind the waterfront, on their way to Ren’s apartment.

Ash grabbed his arm. “Luc broke into the gallery. He’ll break into your house.”

Onyx pulled from his grasp. “Then I’ll stay at work or with Nico.”

“Stay with Nico? Seriously? Why do you have to keep where you live secret?”

Onyx spluttered. “Yes, seriously. Why are you so angry that I won’t tell you?”

“Because it’s illogical,” Ash growled, cinnamon-spiced smoke tinging the air.

“Illogical? Big word for you. To be honest, at this point I’m keeping it secret to piss you off.” It wasn’t true. Onyx needed at least one piece of his human life to remain untouched.

“Fuck. Fine.” Ash threw up his hands. “I don’t care. I bet your house sucks. It’s probably over the top. Ugly. I bet you live in the suburbs.”

Onyx cracked up. He should have fumed, but Ash was unintentionally hilarious. It reminded Onyx why he wanted to like the oaf.

If only Ash had apologized instead of acting like he hadn’t called Onyx a traitor.

“Would you really stay with Nico?” Dante asked.

Fuck, Onyx hoped they’d gloss over that. “If Luc is after Nico, I should keep an eye on him.”

Ash’s steps faltered. “Luc thinks he’s your mate, doesn’t he?”

Onyx had left that part out when he’d told his brothers about the Devil’s visit to Gallery Four. “Who cares what Luc thinks. He didn’t think Harper was your mate and was wrong. Are you going to start taking Luc’s word for anything? Even you’re smarter than that, Ash.”

Dante grabbed both their arms and pulled them into the alley beside Ren’s building. “What happened at the gallery, Onyx? You said Luc broke in and threatened Nico, but I want the details.”

It had been a relief that Dante and Ash hadn’t pressed for more information earlier. They’d jumped into action to ensure Luc wasn’t getting into Nico’s building or the apothecary without a fight. Seemed Onyx’s luck had run out.

He explained, more or less, exactly what happened.

“He gave you your magic back?” Ash gaped at him. “How’d you forget to tell us that?”

Onyx bristled. “I didn’t forget. It took me a while to realize that’s what he’d done.”

Dante stared at him unblinking. “And he said he wouldn’t hurt Nico?”

Ash grabbed Dante. “Who cares. We can’t believe him.”

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 Luc burrow 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 the text message telling 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 were the 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.

“Maybe we should have kept in touch with Pamala,” Ash muttered as the door shut behind them. “She might have better information.”

Dante pulled out his phone. “Pamala’s still in the city.”

Ash sniffed. “Didn’t you tell her to stay away from your mate?”

“Yes, and she has, but apparently, she’s dating Ollie’s coworker Ellie, and Ellie has been telling him all about it.”

Onyx had missed the drama with Pamala thanks to Luc’s curse knocking him unconscious. Apparently, she’d tried to kidnap Ollie to blackmail Dante into freeing her friends from Hell.

“You aren’t worried about her hanging around?” Ash asked.

Dante grimaced. “Ollie doesn’t seem bothered. Pamala hasn’t come near the salon, and we don’t have the right to tell her not to date Ollie’s friend.”

Ash looked displeased. At least Dante was more reasonable.

“I’ll ask Ollie where we can find Pamala. We can see if she’s heard anything about the bounty or demons hunting Luc.”

Onyx sighed as if he’d had the most trying day of his life. “You do that. I’m going to go.”

“Wait, I was hoping you’d go see Pamala.”

Why him? Onyx dropped his head back. “Come on, Dante. Leave me alone. I don’t want to talk to her.”

Ash’s brow quirked. “Have you got something better to do, like look after Nico?”

Onyx opened his mouth to snap at him, then realized Ash wasn’t teasing. There was no sneer to his tone, no hint of mocking in his face. He seemed genuinely interested.

Onyx couldn’t find words. Why was Ash looking at him so tenderly? Like he was happy.

“I can talk to Pamala if you need to go to The Herb Emporium,” Ash offered.

What the fuck was happening?

“No. I don’t need to go to The Herb Emporium,” Onyx snapped at last. “Why would I? It’s protected against Luc.”

Ash scowled. “Don’t you want to be close to Nico?”

He did, but how had Ash guessed? Oh, hell. Did Ash believe Luc and think Nico was his mate? Why did that send a wave of panic coursing through him?

“Pamala works at a boutique in the Arts District called Jaune,” Dante said, looking at his phone, seemingly oblivious to what Ash was saying.

Relief coursed through Onyx. “Ash can’t go to Jaune. They won’t let him in the door.”

Today, Ash wore scuffed jeans and a wrinkled T-shirt that he’d probably bought in a pack of three from a chain store.

Not that there was anything wrong with that, but he’d stick out like a sore thumb in that quarter of the Arts District, and for once, no one would be starting because of his hulking form.

“I’ll have to go,” Onyx concluded.

Dante and Ash looked at him in shock.

“What? I’m not actually busy this afternoon. The gallery is closed.” And he didn’t want them aware of his longing to lurk on The Herb Emporium roof.

Onyx wasn’t ready for his brothers to know he’d found his mate. Hoped he’d found his mate. Onyx couldn’t face the reality himself. He needed Nico more than life itself. It fucking scared him, and he had to work it out with Nico before he let his bumbling brothers in on what was happening.

Nothing could touch him and Nico. Not yet. Not while their bond remained fragile. Onyx could hardly let himself believe it. He kept reminding himself that nothing was confirmed. Not with one hundred percent certainty.

When Onyx was sure this thing between him and Nico wouldn’t break and destroy his life, then he’d admit it was real.

From the outside, Jaune looked about the same as it had the last time Onyx stopped in, despite that being close to a year ago.

He opened the yellow door and breathed in the subtly perfumed air. A sheer blouse on a nearby rack caught his eye, and he trailed his fingers along the fabric.

“Welcome to Juane, I’m Pamala,” said a tall, immaculately put-together woman. “Is there anything I can help you with today?”

Onyx glanced around the shop. If anyone else was here, they must be in the changing rooms.

“I may have been passed out the last time we were in the same alley, but don’t you remember me?”

Pamala’s eyes widened, her composure otherwise intact. “You’re looking much better. For what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

Onyx snorted. “Relax. I’m not here to bother you.”

“Are you here to shop?” she asked hopefully.

“Not exactly.”

Another worker appeared at the counter in the back, along with a customer.

Onyx grabbed the blouse. “But why don’t you help me style this, and we can chat along the way?”

“Good idea. My boss is human,” Pamala whispered, taking the top and leading Onyx to a rack of pants and skirts. “Do you have a preference?”

Onyx cocked his head. It had been a while since he’d played around with his clothes. For all he liked dressing up, his day-to-day wardrobe had gotten monotonous with all his designer shirts and jeans.

“How about a pair of shorts?”

“Good call.” Pamala led him to another display. “Is Dante going to ask me to leave the city?”

Onyx cringed at the pain in her voice. “No.” He shook his head at the first pair of shorts Pamala presented. “I’ve got ones in that color already. Dante didn’t send me here. At least not about Ollie.”

“But Dante knows I’m seeing Ellie?”

“Not really Dante’s business, but it sounds like Ellie’s been keeping everyone at work updated.”

“Yes, she wants me to go out for drinks with them. But if Ollie’s there…” Pamala gave her head a tiny shake. “Anyway. Why are you here?” She selected a pair of tiny leather shorts and held them out.

Onyx took them. They were perfect. The only leather shorts he owned had a zip down the ass. Not exactly the kind of thing he wore to the gallery.

“We wanted to ask if you’ve heard much from the other demons in town. Are you in touch with anyone?”

Pamala’s expression tightened. “Lillian and Maxwell share a house with me. But that’s not what you’re asking, is it?” She glanced over her shoulder. “Would you like to look at shoes or accessories?”

“Sure.” He handed the shorts to Pamala and followed her farther from the woman at the register.

“Maxwell ran into a few demons one night and asked me to meet them at a bar,” Pamala whispered as she sorted through necklaces.

“They were going on about the Hounds and Lucifer. I said you didn’t support Lucifer, and Maxwell backed me up.

They asked how we knew, but I had a bad feeling, so I didn’t say we’d spoken to you. Max kept quiet too, for once.”

She offered two necklaces, and Onyx selected the silver choker.

“One of the demons—his name might have been Ambrose, but don’t quote me on that—went on about his friend who believed the Hounds and Lucifer should all die for imprisoning us.

I argued with them, but they didn’t seem serious, more big-headed than anything, talking about some sort of bounty.

But how would they have set that up? Discussing permanent death in a bar with relative strangers couldn’t be anything more than spouting off. ”

Onyx’s heart sank, dropping into a pit that seemed to have no bottom. “Maybe freedom emboldened them.”

Pamala looked at him more closely, frozen for a second. “You think they were serious?”

“It’s not the first time I’ve heard something like this.”

Maybe Luc was telling the truth. Onyx could have burned the boutique to the ground. The only thing worse than falling for one of Luc’s lies was finding out he was telling the truth and being tempted to believe everything else.

And what? These demons meant to permanently kill all four of them? He and his brothers were slated to die because they’d stood at Luc’s side several millennia ago? It was out of hand.

This wasn’t the same as Dante flying into a rage after Luc almost murdered Ollie. All he’d needed was a moment to see reason. Did these demons plan to give Onyx, Dante, and Ash a chance to explain, or had their minds already been made up? They seemed to have decided on Luc’s sentence.

Even if he was the Devil, this wasn’t the answer.

Onyx had truly believed none of his fellow demons would stoop so low. It didn’t matter how long they’d been locked out of the Eternal Realm. Some rules could not be broken.

But did that mean helping Luc?

Onyx couldn’t leave his brother to die.