The Demon's Song - By Kendra Leigh Castle Page 0,63

cemetery up there, but right now, we both know it’s me. He’s still mad.”

Sofia accepted Dru’s outstretched hand and looked curiously between her and Phenex, who seemed to understand what the problem was. Meresin, as she suspected, had vanished from where he’d been standing.

The big, thickly lashed eyes that settled on Sofia’s face were incredibly friendly as Dru shook her hand. Sofia found herself unexpectedly at ease with this woman who looked like some supernatural goddess.

“Sorry,” Sofia said. She wasn’t quite sure what to say.

Dru only laughed, low and warm. “For what? You didn’t run him off.” She looked between the two of them. “Huh. Justin wasn’t yanking my chain. Go figure. It’s great to meet you, Sofia.”

Phenex’s hand stroked down her back, just once, and it was all Sofia could do not to purr. She needed to get a handle on this, she told herself. He wasn’t hers. She needed to be able to concentrate on other things when he was around.

Yeah, right.

“Stay with Dru. Be right back,” he murmured. Then he was gone, too, and Sofia could feel the emptiness where he had been. She sighed before she could stop herself, and when she focused again on Dru, the woman was watching her with a great deal of friendly interest. Sofia felt herself flushing.

“Huh,” was all Dru said again, and then shook her head. She surprised Sofia by slinging an arm around her shoulders and leading her toward the restaurant entrance.

“Come on, we can have drinks while we wait for Meresin to zap him and send him on his way. I need as many juicy details as possible before Phenex comes back.”

Sofia allowed herself to be led, laughing at Dru’s conspiratorial tone. There was something about her looks that did remind her of Justin, despite the difference in coloring, but she seemed as playful as he was serious. She was hard to resist.

“I don’t think there are really any juicy details,” Sofia protested.

“I beg to differ. We’re talking about a fallen angel who, up until recently, was just as likely to run you through with one of his precious guitars as look at you. Now he looks so…melty. At least with you. Obviously, there’s a story here.”

Sofia raised one brow and felt her lips curving as she looked wonderingly at Dru. “You’re going to be very persistent, aren’t you?”

Dru laughed as they swept inside and headed for a long, gleaming glass bar that seemed to be full of floating candles.

“Sofia, I’ve been working on my technique since Julius Caesar walked the earth. Persistent doesn’t even begin to cover it. On the upside, I plan to ply you with free drinks, and I’m a font of Terra Noctem gossip besides. You want info, I’m your girl.”

“Info on, say, why Meresin just pulled a disappearing act?” When Dru looked at her, startled, Sofia grinned. “You’re not the only one who’s curious. Juicy details come at a price.” Dru smirked, a conspiratorial gleam in her eye.

“Ooh, you drive a hard bargain. I figured I was going to like you.” She gestured at a pair of empty stools. “Have a seat and prepare to have your ear bent, then. You’re going to fit right in down here.”

And though Dru’s easy acceptance was a pleasure, Sofia felt that strange twist in her gut that she did every time Phenex referred to his house as “home.” It was as though a place was being made for her even though she hadn’t asked for one. Her own little niche between Phenex’s instruments, here in the dark. His newest acquisition.

Unsettled, she pushed the thought away. It wasn’t like that. She wouldn’t let it be like that. This was only temporary, and tomorrow she would get to spend some time in the sun and clear her head. Things would make more sense then.

She hoped.

“Dinner” seemed like a strange word to use for a meal eaten in a magic city in the wee hours of the morning with a couple of vampires in attendance. But weird or not, Sofia found herself pleasantly surprised by Phenex’s group of friends. And that’s what they were, even if he wouldn’t admit to it.

They’d been given a private room in the back of Flicker, ushered behind a heavy velvet curtain and seated at a long table that was much like the bar—glass, and filled with candlelight. The seating consisted of cushioned stools, much easier for the Fallen and their wings. Phenex had immediately stationed himself on Sofia’s left, and Dru had happily