It doesn’t take long to spot Laura behind the bar. Her familiar, warm energy practically radiates through the room, and when she sees me, her face lights up. She immediately waves me over, her smile wide and welcoming.
“Clare! I’ve been telling you to come visit me at work forever. I can’t believe you’re finally here. Why didn’t you call and let me know you were coming?” Laura scolds, though the grin on her face makes it clear she’s thrilled. I lean over the bar, giving her an awkward one armed hug. “Because I like to keep you on your toes.” I respond. Laura rolls her eyes and smirks.
“Let me grab you a drink.” She reaches for a glass, but then pauses, glancing over my shoulder. Her eyes widen slightly as they land on Lukas. I mean, it’s not hard to figure out who he must be. I don’t exactly have a habit of strolling into bars with irritatingly handsome men in expensive suits who are sporting large, attention grabbing bruises on their faces.
“One for your… Friend too.” Laura offers, her tone teasing. I grin and tilt my head toward Lukas. “And that’s what I call friends with benefits.” I say with a wink. Laura bursts out laughing.
“You got it, babe.” She grabs us both drinks, sliding one across the bar to me and then one to Lukas. She leans on the counter and glances between us, I can practically feel her curiosity.
“So, since you brought along Mr. Tall, Dark, and Judgey, I assume this isn’t a social call?” She asks, her eyes are pleading for more information. I sigh dramatically.
“Yeah, I got guilted into helping out. Something about children or puppies or something.” I reply, my tone dripping with mock exasperation. Laura grins knowingly.
“Yeah, that would do it, you softie.” She teases, then looks Lukas up and down. She gives a single nod.
“He is just as pretty as you described. So serious though.” She comments.
“I know, right?” I reply quickly, gesturing to him.
“And look, no colours at all!” I complain. Before Laura can respond, Lukas steps a little closer to me and leans down, his voice low and quiet in my ear.
“As thrilling as this conversation is, we did come here for a reason. The human is watching us, and the demon has his eyes glued to her.” He reminds me. I glance subtly toward the end of the bar where Laura’s friend, the human one, is wiping down a counter. Lukas hesitates, then adds in a slightly amused tone.
“You told your cousin I’m pretty?” I roll my eyes and turn just enough to shoot him a glare.
“I’m picturing duct tape over your mouth right now.” I deadpan. I feel the faintest puff of warm air on my neck as he chuckles softly, his laugh is oddly infuriating. Damn him for being so smug… and so attractive. He would be a lot easier to work with if he wasn’t attractive. I bet he would be less cocky too.
In the end, I don’t even have to ask Laura about her human friend because, while I’m busy glaring at Lukas, Laura takes matters into her own hands.
“Clare, this is Rina. Rina, meet my cousin Clare. She’s basically my only sane relative.” Laura says cheerfully. I fight the urge to laugh. It’s never a good sign when I’m the sane one in the room.
“Nice to meet you.” Rina says, her tone sweet but confident. She has an aura about her, calm, composed, and just a little mischievous. Before I can respond, Lukas clears his throat. Here we go again. I roll my eyes and make an attempt to introduce him.
“And this is my… Well… This is Lukas.” I say awkwardly. I was about to introduce him as a friend, but let’s be real, I’m not sure we actually ARE friends. Work husband? Yeah, no way. Still, it would have been better than letting the awkward silence stretch on. I’m so distracted by my awkwardness that I almost don’t notice Lukas extending his hand toward Rina, offering a handshake. My stomach drops. Oh no, you don’t. Without thinking, I elbow him in the ribs to stop him. The moment I do it, I remember his injuries. He lets out a pained sound, and guilt crashes over me like a wave. I grab his hand.
*Sorry, I forgot.* I apologise silently. Then I narrow my eyes.
*But I told you earlier, no mind reading my friends. Or potential friends.* Lukas gives me a slight, reluctant nod. Only then do I let go of his arm. Rina, meanwhile, is watching us curiously. Still, I need to move this conversation along. Lukas is not the most patient person, and the last thing I need is him deciding to dive into Rina’s thoughts. I should probably approach this delicately… Yeah, right. Screw subtlety. That’s not really my style.
“So, Rina.” I say, leaning on the bar and getting comfortable.
“You’re that human who has two demon bargains, right?” I ask bluntly. Lukas tenses beside me, and I’m pretty sure I can feel Laura facepalming behind the bar. But Rina doesn’t seem bothered.
“Yep.” She says cheerfully.
“Although, I’m not sure that’s exactly the way I want to be introduced.” She adds. I grin. I already like her. I don’t know what it is, but Rina feels like the kind of person I’d love to get really, really drunk with. No wonder Laura likes her so much.
“Oh, I get that.” I reply.
“Oh I get that, but it is kind of impressive. I mean two deals and you’re still going. Actually, I heard rumours that you’re immortal now. I didn’t know people even COULD become immortal. That’s kind of insane you know? How did you beat the demons?” I ask. I know we need this information, but I also legitimately really want to know. And okay, so maybe ‘rumours’ is a stretch, it’s more like gossip from Laura. But Rina doesn’t need to know that.
Rina tilts her head, her expression thoughtful.
“Uh… I’m not sure beating them is the right way to describe it. Tori and I work together, we made a deal that benefits us both. The main benefit for me is that I get to avoid the other bargain that I got dragged into.” I raise an eyebrow. Did she just call the demon Tori? That’s… Unexpected… The large and dangerous looking man in the corner of the room does not look like a ‘Tori.’ Lukas clears his throat loudly, and I fight the urge to elbow him again. He really is not patient.
“Will you tell us everything you know about the two demons? Be specific,” Lukas demands, his tone direct and uncompromising. I groan internally. Rina looks uncomfortable.
“Uh… What? No. That’s super weird. If you want to know something about Tori you can ask him yourself. As for Solem, all I know about him is what other people have told me. I’m not an expert or anything. She answers. Despite her polite tone, I can tell Lukas has annoyed her. And honestly, fair enough.
“Luk! Rude much?” I snap, before turning back to Rina.
“Sorry about him. He’s very… Goal oriented. You totally don’t have to answer any of that.” I mean, obviously, I want her to answer. But from everything Laura’s told me, the demon,Tori apparently, is basically her boyfriend. If someone was asking nosy questions about someone I care about, I wouldn’t be happy either and the last thing I want is to upset her or her terrifying partner. Rina shrugs and waves at the demon, gesturing across the room for him to join us. My stomach drops as the very large, very intimidating demon starts making his way toward us with the kind of focused stride that makes me second think my decision to come here in the first place. I hold my breath. Please don’t let her be mad. Please don’t let her be mad…