Page 33 of Demon’s Desire (Lovers of the Damned #3)

NICO

Right as he was meant to close the shop, Nico got caught up chatting with a long-time customer. By the time he got around to shutting down, Harper was long gone. Staying late wasn’t a problem, or a rare occurrence, but usually he’d at least remember to post the closed sign.

The bell rang. Nico sighed and tried not to begrudge the extra business.

He pulled back the curtain and reentered the main shop. “How can I help?”

Recognition stirred as Nico took in the customer approaching the counter. A tall, hollow-faced vampire named Emmett, who he’d hoped he’d never see again.

“Out.” Nico pointed to the door, finding a woman blocking it. She was one of the people he’d seen with Michael outside his building.

What the fuck was this?

Emmett was an Orlov, and had left Shearwater Landing with the remainder of his coven. Were all the surviving members back? He should have asked Rowan for more details.

Nico averted his eyes and called on his magic, weaving a shield to prevent the vampire’s illusions from enthralling him. His hands flashed, hidden behind the counter.

“I’m not sure why you’re here, but I don’t want any trouble.” Nico’s pulse raced, but he stayed firm.

Emmett stalked closer, posture relaxed. “You shouldn’t have gotten involved with scum if you didn’t want trouble.”

He was one to talk. Nico had hardly been involved in the Orlov mess. The most he’d done was help rescue the humans that the vile coven had been attempting to traffic. Rowan and the rest of the Valeros had taken out the trash.

“You and I don’t have any conflict as long as you’re not hurting people again.” Nico’s shield against hypnosis was complete. All he had to do was keep things from escalating and get these two out of the shop.

Onyx and the demons had only protected The Herb Emporium against Lucifer. It made sense given the shop was open to the public, and Nico hadn’t even considered extra security when Michael was the only one on his radar. Going up against another witch wasn’t an issue.

Had the witch joined the vampires? Was he even still a witch, or had he been granted immortality?

Emmett reached the counter. “You don’t get to tell us what to do. There’s a new game in town. Rowan’s time’s up. I’m here to send a message.”

Nico’s pounding heart skipped. Fuck. He raised his hands, casting a spell to rupture a blood vessel in the vampire’s brain. Killing them temporarily was the only way to incapacitate a vampire.

The spell was halfway past Nico’s lips. Emmett’s hand flashed, and something wet hit Nico’s face.

He sneezed and faltered, rubbing at his eyes before he could stop himself. Dizziness hit, and he grabbed the counter, slumping to the side.

Nico blinked, finding Emmett right beside him. He grabbed Nico’s jaw and wrenched his mouth open, pouring the rest of the contents of the vial inside. Nico tried to spit it out, but it was no use. The substance absorbed into his tongue and gums, burning like acid.

“You’ve got enough time left to pass on our message.

Rowan needs to fall in line, or this is what’s waiting for every one of his little soldiers.

Don’t bother wasting time trying to get help.

Nightbrush kills in less than an hour, and there’s no antidote.

But you’d know that.” Emmett gestured around the shop.

“Expert in herbs and potions as you are.”

He turned and strode out of the shop, the woman slamming the door behind them.

Nico swayed and sank to the floor. He blinked, and his vision blurred. No. He had to do something. But Emmett was right, nightbrush was as lethal as it was rare.

He was dead, and his body would catch up to that fact soon.

Heart skittering, Nico pulled out his phone. His hand shook, and he almost dropped it. Onyx. He needed to talk to Onyx. Nico had to tell him how he felt.

It took three tries to unlock his phone. Finally, he found Onyx’s contact and hit call. The phone rang and went to voicemail.

Tears slid down Nico’s cheeks. There wasn’t time for Onyx’s games. He needed Onyx. He had to tell him he was falling in love. Nico couldn’t leave this life with his feelings trapped inside him.

He called again, and again. His head swam, and his body went cold. He couldn’t feel his toes.

“Hello, Nico. What’s so urgent? I’m busy shopping.” Onyx’s voice hit Nico like a jolt of electricity, almost enough to bring him back. But not quite.

“Onyx.” Nico gasped for air like he’d been running. “Onyx.”

His voice sharpened. “What’s wrong?”

“I want to be your mate. I’m f-falling f-for you.” Nico closed his eyes, head pounding. He couldn’t focus on the blurry shop and talk at the same time.

“Nico. Where are you? Why are you slurring like that?” Onyx sounded frantic, but he hadn’t acknowledged what Nico had said.

They must not be mates after all.

Nico’s heart cracked, and it hurt worse than the poison slithering through his veins.

“Nico, where are you!”

The shout jolted him. Nico tried to rise and couldn’t. His head lolled. He almost dropped the phone.

“Th-the sh-shop,” he slurred. “Bad. Nightbrush. Gotta message.”

A loud whooshing filled his ear. Nico winced. Had Onyx hung up?

“Nico, talk to me. I’m coming.”

Nico clutched the phone, but words were impossible. Onyx was still there. He smiled. That was nice. At least he wouldn’t die alone.