Hell's Belle - Eve Newton Page 0,23

I knock and then push the door open.

“Doctor Gregory,” I say in that husky way that he always ignores.

He looks up from his workbook in surprise. He glances at his watch and then back at me. “Well, well,” he says, standing up. “To what do I owe this early call?”

“I was up, figured I’d get you out of the way before I get some shit done, ya know?” I flop into the chair and cross my legs.

“I see,” he murmurs and picks up another notebook. He sits opposite me, uncapping his pen and gives me a penetrating look.

I sigh. “Okay, I get the drill. I’ll start. So, last night I decided that I wanted an early night. I fell asleep and was woken up by a weird Night Mare Demon thing. Shax says he’s like super rare and supposed to be in prison, but that’s not even the weirdest part. I was forced out of my body, but like a powerless me and then I was accosted by all of these gross Demons until Drescal managed to wake me.” I stop speaking and search Gregory’s eyes.

He blinks a couple of times. “A powerless you?” he croaks.

“Yeah,” I snarl, “Remember the rules, human.”

“Oh, how could I forget,” he drawls at me, holding his hands out to gesture his situation, his pen caught between two of his fingers.

“I’m gonna need to hear it,” I inform him loftily.

“Everything you say is confidential and protected, and if I utter a word to anyone you will string me up by my cock and cut off my body parts, starting with my tongue.”

I give him a big beam. “Super.”

He returns my smile with a weak one which drops off and his face goes serious again. “Accosted?” he probes.

“Accosted, raped, whatever. Serpent Demon and a Gargoyle to be exact.”

“Err,” he stammers. “Annabelle, this is serious, you…”

“I’m fine,” I brush it off, because I really am. “I mean, yeah, it freaked me out last night but it’s over. Done. Dealt with and I will ensure it will never happen again.”

“Have you faced your attackers?” he asks quietly.

“Not yet, but oh, they’ll know I’m coming,” I growl, bringing my bat to my hand with a zing of magick.

Gregory pales and swallows before putting his pen and notebook down and leans forward. “Annabelle.” His voice is full of concern. “Are you okay?”

“I told you, I’m fine. Fuck this conversation. I’m more bothered about the creepy Night Mare and the Astral Projection.”

“You know that if you ever need to talk about it, I’m here.”

I’m about to spit out an acerbic comment, but he looks genuinely concerned. Not just about me as his patient, but about me. I cut him some slack and smile. “Thanks,” I say quietly. “Oh, before I forget, your bullshit tactics aren’t working. I shifted yesterday and I could’ve eradicated a Demon.”

“You sound glad that you didn’t,” he says, sitting back and picking up his pen and paper again.

“Pah,” I scoff. “He is an arrogant asshole. He is lucky I don’t go back there and fry him.”

“Hmm,” he murmurs and scratches something down in his notepad.

“What are you writing?” I ask with a frown. I lean forward and reach out, but he pulls it away.

“Not for you to read,” he says.

“Too damn bad,” I retort and with supernatural power, magick the book from his hand to mine. I look down with a smug smile as he splutters and chokes and scrambles to get it back.

“You think I’m protesting too much?” I ask incredulously. “You asshole.” I fling the book back at him and he catches it with excellent reflexes for a man and quickly shuffles the pages. His cheeks are an adorable bright red and I get the feeling that I didn’t see what he was so bothered about. I am going to have to get my hands back on that book when he’s not watching. See what’s sooo blush worthy. Probably ravings about my cleavage being on show and my over made up face. Dickhead.

“Well, are you?” he asks after clearing his throat.

“I fucked him if that’s what you’re asking,” I say harshly. “I had to get rid of the rage. That’s the whole reason that you are here, though, isn’t it, Doc? To stop me from raging out in the first place.”

“Did you try the technique?” he asks.

“Yes, after I’d already shifted.”

“Did it work?”

“Well, yes…”

“Then I am doing my job. What do I keep telling you, Annabelle? This isn’t an instant process. It will take time