Page 51 of Demon's Heart

“I’ll finish up here if you don’t mind getting the extra conditioner out back? I can never reach that shelf.” Ellie nudged him out of the way and seamlessly took up washing and rinsing his client’s hair.

Ollie hurried out of the way. What the fuck was that?

He’d been feeling great all morning. No one had even touched him, and he’d completely lost it.

In the back room, he filled a cup with waterfrom the cooler and took a long sip, absently rubbing his neck. His nerves tingled as he remembered the pain. The blood. He shut his eyes. He couldn’t think about this now.

“You okay?” Ellie asked from behind him.

Ollie spun around. Was that the fastest hair wash, or had he been here that long? “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.” He gave her a weak smile.

“Manuela’s good to go, sipping her tea waiting for you.” Ellie paused. “Do you need someone to take over?”

“No, it’s fine. I…I wasn’t standing there that long, was I?”

“Not at all. I bet your client didn’t even notice.” Ellie’s soft features shifted in concern. “It was more the look on your face.”

Fuck. “I spaced out for a second. I’m fine. Uh, had a bad weekend, but really it’s nothing. Thanks for giving me a minute to get my shit together.”

“Anytime.” Her perfectly manicured brows pinched together.

“I’m fine, really,” Ollie said before she could pry. “I need to get back out there. We’ll catch up later.”

“Okay.” Ellie followed him out to the salon floor. “Take care of yourself, Ollie.”

The restof the day went by without incident. Ollie washed the rest of his clients’ hair without flashing back to tight, evil hands on his neck.

Ellie seemed satisfied he was okay and didn’t press for more details about his weekend. Ollie smiled and chatted and was almost certain no one else noticed anything wrong. But he no longer felt good. He wasn’t his old self, and Lucifer’s claws slicing his neck were never far from his mind. He wasn’t okay.

By the time his last client of the evening was due to arrive,only two other stylists were still working. Ollie leaned against the front counter, looking through his schedule for tomorrow as he waited for his new client. Hopefully, they weren’t going to be much later. He was ready to be done.

The front door opened and Ollie looked up from the computer. “Oh, hi.”

Onyx grinned, blue eyes shining. “Hello to you.” He sauntered up to the counter. “I have an appointment.”

The booking in Ollie’s schedule said Mr. Black. “Your name is Onyx Black?”

“No.” Onyx shrugged. His voice dropped to a whisper as he gave Ollie a significant look. “Wedon’t have last names.”

Right. Another demon thing. Good to know. “Um, I’ve got you in for a trim, is that right?”

Onyx nodded. His blue hair was impeccable, appearing effortlessly messy in a way that was clearly styled.

“Right this way.” Ollie gestured toward the stations.

Why was Onyx here? His hair didn’t look in particular need of attention, and he must have a salon he went to regularly. Did Dante know Onyx was here? Had Dante sent Onyx to check up on him? How possessive and sneaky.

Ollie’s chest pinched.

He eyed Onyx as he pulled out the chair for him. The demon was about his height and looked like any other well-dressed human. He might not have guessed Onyx’s true nature if Dante hadn’t said he was a demon.

Onyx sat in the chair and inspected himself in the mirror, scowling at his perfect reflection.

“Your dye job is amazing.” Ollie draped a towel over Onyx’s shoulders before covering him with a cape and snapping it closed behind his neck. “I love the blue, and the hints of lavender are gorgeous.”

“I did it myself.” Onyx smirked at Ollie in the mirror. “I have amagictouch.”

Ollie almost laughed. “I bet you do. So then, what are you doing here?”