“Did he hurt them?” As much as they’d deserved it, she still abhorred unnecessary violence.
“He helped himself to a snack, altered some memories.”
“A snack? Right, he’s a vampire.” The thought of sucking blood from one of those guys made her stomach roil. She rubbed the back of her neck and took long, slow breaths. Yeah, she didn’t find the whole vampire thing the least bit sexy, no matter how many books or movies tried to make it seem desirable.
No, she seemed to have a weakness for one particular surly fallen angel. Just her luck.
“Nothing else of interest.” He swiveled in his chair, caught her around the waist, and dragged her onto his lap so she was facing him.
She tilted her head to one side, hearing what he didn’t say. “Anything not particularly of interest?” He had contacts with other members of the group. There were things going on in the world that had nothing to do with her situation, although she couldn’t imagine anything more important than one that had the devil and an angel involved.
He shook his head. “We stay out of one another’s business and try not to have too much contact.”
“Not even with Asher?” He’d seemed to be, if not a friend, at least friendly.
“I’ve known him the longest.”
“How did you meet?” The curiosity was killing her. They weren’t exactly running with the same crowd.
Or maybe they did. Where vampires come from and who governed them was a mystery? It was likely “need to know” information. And she certainly didn’t need to. She had enough troubles of her own without adding to them.
“We’d both been hired for the same job. We both took exception.”
“Wow.” Talk about a battle for the ages. But he hadn’t killed the vampire. And he could have. Sure, Asher was dangerous, but Maccus was at a level all his own.
He gave a negligent shrug. “We came to an understanding, founded the Brotherhood, and then went our own way. There will always be friction when two powerful creatures are in close proximity.”
That made sense. None of the members of the Brotherhood would have an easy time with trust. “Doesn’t it get lonely? I mean, you guys live forever, right?”
“In theory. But in my experience, anyone or anything can be killed.”
A shiver raced down her spine at his ominous words. Anything could be killed. Even demon bounty hunters. He’d probably killed a dozen of her kind. Or maybe not. She doubted he’d bother—not enough challenge.
“What are we doing?” His lips twitched. Why wouldn’t they? She was currently sitting on his lap with his erection pressing against her. “Besides this.” She rubbed her mound against his shaft. Even through their clothing, the heat and friction sent her thoughts down a sensual path. She was getting way too close to him, and she’d barely scratched the surface of who he was.
He wrapped his hands around her hips before sliding them back to cup her ass. “We’re going to try to defeat Lucifer and Gabriel at their own game.”
She wished she had his confidence. “Not possible. Someone has to die.” His entire body turned to stone. “And it’s likely to be me.” Wasn’t much point in lying to herself.
“Why you?” he asked.
“Why did Lucifer order me to kill you?” Because there was no good reason. “Maybe because of the chemistry we have.” They had that in spades. Even now, talking about her impending death, her body responded to his touch. Maybe even more so with the awareness that time was running out.
She turned it back on him. “Why you?”
He shrugged his massive shoulders. “Lucifer has never liked me.”
Understatement the millennia. Maybe of all time. “I’ve caught a few rumors about the Hunter. You’re definitely not one of Lucifer’s favorite people.” She paused, almost afraid to ask. “Is it true you could have taken Hell?” That’s what had been whispered, along with the fact he’d been asked to leave.