72

The smell was fresh but not very strong. They couldn’t have gotten too close. That, or their magic was significantly weaker than the demons at the castle.

I hopped the back fence and snuck into the backyard, pausing for a moment to listen. Hannon opened the door as I reached for the handle. He took me in for a moment, looking for damage, before he stepped aside so I could get in.

“All was quiet,” I whispered, heaving a relieved sigh once I was in the living room and the door was locked behind me. “But Nyfain said that I could not allow them to take me to the castle under any circumstances.”

“But he’s in the castle.”

“They’ll use me in a game against him. I’ll be a pawn. Lord only knows what they’ll do to me to get at him. I’d rather not find out.”

“Wow, Finley.” Hannon took the bow gingerly, hefting it and then pulling it close so that he could sight and tug back the bowstring. “This is as fine a bow as I’ve ever seen.”

“It’s a beauty, right? And look at this…” I pulled the sword from its sheath on my left hip, where I’d secured it before leaving the field. “And these…” I grabbed the throwing knives out of my knapsack.

“This is a handsome gift,” he breathed. “Or is it a loan?” “Either way, he’s entrusting me with them.”

Fists rapped on the door. I froze with the sword in hand, my fingers wrapped tightly around the hilt. Hannon studied me for a second.

The knock sounded again, and I crept closer. A pungent aroma permeated the air. My heart was like a trapped animal in my chest. Demons. They’d come.

My glance at Hannon must’ve spoken volumes. He joined me at the door in a rush.

“What do we do? Should you run?” he asked.

“And have them wait here until I get back? That would only put you guys in danger.” I eyed all my weapons. Then the back door. “Let them in. Nyfain said that they like drama. I’ll act uninterested and hope they go.”

“And if they don’t?”

“I’ll find a way to kill them. Then we’ll drag the bodies into the wood and leave them there. No bodies, no questions.”

It sounded great, though I didn’t know if it was feasible.

We quickly stowed the weapons in easily accessible locations around the front room and backyard. As the third knock came, I pulled the door open, only belatedly realizing I still wore my day clothes. Clearly they hadn’t pulled me out of sleep. Hopefully they wouldn’t notice.

A tall man with long white-blond hair flowing around his square face waited on the stoop with a patient expression and dark, cunning eyes. Need stirred deep within me, quickly curdling my stomach as disgust replaced desire. An incubus, obviously, and my reaction was the same as it had been in the castle. Their magic, while still registering as sexy, now had the opposite effect on my body. My animal was running interference.

“Yes?” I asked in a mildly confused voice.

“Yes, it is you. I wondered.” His tone was sleek and confident. Tingles of

worry skittered across my skin. “I’ve seen you from time to time, hurrying home as darkness fell. Your beauty is so incredibly pleasing. You have many admirers.”

“What are you, a dating service?”

A smile worked across his thin lips. He studied me for a moment. “You are so much more than that shifter could ever be. No wonder he is prepared to go to such extremes to have you.” He looked beyond me to the inside of the house, then stepped back and glanced down the lane. “Were you born in this hovel? Or are you being hidden here?”

“Hidden here? What are you talking about?”

He was back to studying me, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Born here, then. Interesting. Monissa will want to meet you, I think. Come with me.”

“Why? Actually, it doesn’t matter. The answer is no.”

His demeanor changed slightly, his shoulders squaring and a hint of power curling around him.

“Finley, what is it?” Hannon pulled the door open a little wider so he could fit beside me in the doorway, hand resting on the frame. His clothes were mussed, as though he’d recently put them on, and his hair stood on end. He was playing it like he’d just woken up. Which was not a great contrast to my fully awake vibe. His other hand stayed behind us, his side pressed to mine. “Who is this?”

“You are the older brother, correct?” the demon asked. “We have no need of you or your other siblings. We just want the girl. No problem.” The demon was clearly reacting to Hannon’s size.

Hannon’s brow furrowed. “Here, come in. There’s no point standing out on the stoop. I’ll put on some tea.”

The demon’s gaze slid to me, and I could see him weighing this option. I crossed my arms over my chest in a pose that screamed stubborn! He’d be more inclined to accept Hannon’s offer if he knew I didn’t want him to. Bullies were predictable.

“Finley, come on. Let him in. I’m sure there is a reasonable explanation for all of this,” Hannon urged.

“Yes, Finley. Be a good girl and do let me in.”

Rage boiled within me at the demon’s condescending tone. At his belief that he had power over me and my family. My animal surged forward and power lit me up, white-hot.