at two hulking monsters. “Now you two need to get something straight, I may be new here, but I’m not some weak little human half-blood. I’m practically full demon, and I spent the last two years in the Nether Lands. I’ve faced more than my fair share of Underworld a-holes so you two don’t scare me. At. All.” Sounded good, right?
Hayden broke into a slow clap, and I tossed him the middle finger salute. He turned to his buddy with a smirk. “I think our little pumpkin is going to fit in just fine here, T.”
Chapter Five
An hour later, I was traipsing behind my cellies toward the mess hall. I kept one eye on them and the other on the other convicts passing us by. Now I knew why the C.O. kept calling me fresh meat. Every single prisoner I encountered practically salivated as their eyes raked over me. And it wasn’t only the males. I hugged my arms around my middle, hoping to make myself invisible from the creepers.
One thing I did notice: walking behind Talon and Hayden was like Moses parting the Red Sea. There wasn’t a single supe we came upon that didn’t immediately move to the side as they passed. What was that about? Damn, I really needed to get on their good side. I hated to think what they’d done to earn that sort of respect in a place like this. I’d have to keep an eye on them and every other convict in here. It was the only way I’d survive my hopefully short stay.
If only Talon didn’t want to rip my head off…
As I walked behind the pair of massive shoulders, I tried to guess what kind of supernatural creatures my new roommates were. Actually, I did it with everyone as they passed. From what I’d deduced so far, the supernatural races were divided by jumpsuit colors. Some demons were a dead giveaway—their horns, leathery skin or forked tongues gave them away. But the human-looking variety were the tough ones.
My eyes trailed down Talon’s broad shoulders, down his corded arms and muscular butt. Even in the jumpsuit, I could tell that man was cut. Too bad he was a complete douche. My money was on Talon being a shifter of some sort—most likely a wolf or tiger. They were usually the more dickish ones. According to Emi and my parents, anyway. I smiled at the thought of my Dad’s mom. She hated to be called grandma, and I didn’t blame her. Her demon blood had kept her looking smoking hot as my ex frequently liked to remind me. Eew. It was all Ryx’s fault I was in this mess to begin with.
Hayden and Talon stopped short and with my head immersed in my internal musings, I nearly smacked right into Mr. Dark and Broody’s back. A deep growl vibrated his throat, as if he’d sensed me get too close. I jumped back and right into the arms of another hard body.
“Well, hello there, precious.”
I froze as thick biceps encircled my middle. I tried to look up at the velvety voice that belonged to the deep ebony-skinned arms, but the guy had me in some sort of weird headlock.
“Don’t freak her out, Dallas,” said Hayden, my new savior. “T’s already scared her enough for one day.” He leaned toward my captor and whispered loud enough so I could hear. “He’s on the rampage today, FYI.”
Dallas released me, and I spun around to put a face to my newest torturer. “Never do that again.”
He laughed, showcasing gleaming white teeth and a pair of sharp fangs against the dark backdrop of his skin. Vampire. At least I’d been able to pick out one of the three. “Oh feisty, I like that. What’s your name, little thing?”
“Azara,” I bit out. What was up with all these nicknames?
He extended his hand and flashed that beaming smile again. “Dallas Texas.”
“Seriously?” I choked on a laugh.
Hayden smacked the tall guy on the shoulder. “He’s serious all right. When he woke up as a child of the night a few decades ago, he found himself in good old human world, Dallas, Texas. Apparently, his God-given name Cornelius didn’t quite fit his new immortal lifestyle.”
“God didn’t give me that name, Angeles, my mama did. And you shouldn’t be one to throw stones, Hayden.”
“That’s not your real name either?” I interjected, my gaze bouncing back and forth between the two men.
“Hell no, child. When was the last time you’ve heard of an angel