The Demon's Song - By Kendra Leigh Castle Page 0,14

final warning before Justin made good on his threat. Not that the vampire would win, but he didn’t need any bad blood right now. Not if he wanted to get his way without a lot of immortal bitching.

“It’s simple,” Phenex said. “Call off Daegan. I’ll play bodyguard until you get this sorted out.”

Justin frowned. Blinked. Then frowned even more deeply. “What?”

“You heard me. I’ll watch her. You’re welcome.”

“Phenex…” Justin shook his head when he trailed off, then gathered himself to try again. “Phenex, that’s…an interesting offer…but I’d rather have you—”

“Tough shit,” Phenex interjected. The longer this took, the farther away Sofia got. “I’d rather be sitting on that beach you and Vivi hooked up at, playing my guitar, and getting paid not to do anything. But I’m here, and Sofia needs to stay alive while you try to figure out who you need to kill. My brothers hunt, I guard, and you don’t lose anyone. Everyone’s happy.”

Justin looked at him blandly. “You’re never happy unless you’re giving me a headache, any of you. And for somebody who struts around like some mysterious demigod you’re about as transparent as glass, Phenex.”

Phenex just shrugged. He didn’t answer to Justin, or to anyone, as long as his decisions didn’t endanger Earth. He was pretty sure that wanting Sofia Rivera in his bed didn’t qualify as upsetting the Balance, the precarious equilibrium between light and darkness. Though that body of hers might inspire him to try things that would.

Justin rolled his eyes to the ceiling and exhaled loudly through his nose.

“Fine. If this is what it takes to get you to lighten up, fine. But until someone makes a move on her, keep out of sight. I need them to think she’s alone. Most vamps aren’t going to get anywhere near you voluntarily.”

That made him smile. “Damn right. I’ll draw demons, though, if they’re involved. I’ll wait and see, but I don’t think it’ll take long.” He sure as hell hoped not. Hiding himself from Sofia wasn’t exactly the plan. Phenex turned away, giving a disinterested wave behind him. He had what he wanted. “Later, Justin.”

“Yeah, great. Thanks for, what, two songs?”

“Three. And you’re welcome.”

“You owe me.”

“Whatever.” Phenex headed for the nearest exit, his power beginning to pulse in time to the beat of his immortal heart. Justin, Amphora, his ever-growing stack of obligations…everything vanished in the face of the hunt. He could barely wait to unfurl his wings and begin.

Justin muttered a few curses in a long-dead tongue under his breath, watching Phenex go. Then he turned and stalked away.

Chapter Six

Someone was watching her.

Sofia paused in the middle of the parking lot and looked around, frowning. Apart from a young couple getting out of their car and, a little farther away, a homeless woman pushing a small cart filled with plastic bags, there was no one around. Still, Sofia couldn’t shake the sensation of eyes on her, couldn’t stop the hair from rising at the back of her neck.

Leftover trauma, she told herself, clutching her keys as she got moving again. She’d worked eleven to eleven yesterday and today, and it had gone a long way toward keeping her sane. The ER was a busy place most of the time, and even during the occasional lull, there was always something that needed doing. She hadn’t had to think. All she’d had to do was eat, sleep, and work. It was only during the short spaces between those things that her mind had tried to fill with the memories of what had happened. Blood, and vampires, and black wings…she still couldn’t make sense of it. The only thing that convinced her she’d really seen it all was that Sara was still gone…and the note, written in an elegant, unfamiliar hand, that had been slipped beneath the apartment door while she’d slept after her return from Amphora.

Your friend is well. Thank you for your silence. No signature. She didn’t bother showing it to Amy. Just as Justin had said, her roommate didn’t even remember going to Amphora. Something about the glazed look that came into her eyes every time the subject came up was deeply unnerving, and Sofia had decided not to push it. The memory of what had happened seemed to belong to her, and her alone.

She still couldn’t decide whether that was a good thing or not.

Sofia blew out a breath and tried to just enjoy the facts that it was a warm September night, she had the next two days off, and