lip, shifting the strap on my bag higher up my shoulder as I lifted my hand. My closed fingers paused.
Informing Dad about my travel plans had not been easy. He assured me that he understood, knew it was something I had to do, but letting his little girl stay with her demon mother wasn’t an easy task for my father. He would worry, even with my promise to call him daily. Chloe had cried and hugged me, a fairly normal reaction from my stepmom.
Chase, unlike my cool and collected father, had no problems telling me exactly how he felt about my plan to see my mother.
Are you fucking insane? What the hell for?
Those had been his exact words.
His wardrobe might only be black and white with an occasional gray, but my cousin was colorful in other ways. His love. His language. And honesty. No lies or deceit, when it came to Chase. Unlike another demon I knew.
Ashor and Chase couldn’t be any more different, and yet, they were all too similar, which was probably why the two would never get along. Ever.
The only person I hadn’t told of my impromptu trip was my mother. Possibly not the smartest plan, but I had checked to make sure she was in town before booking my flight and not off gallivanting in Hell or in Europe. With Mom, you never knew what she was up to or who she currently had in her bed.
This should be fun.
I exhaled, rapping my knuckles on the door, and I took a step back, waiting. A few seconds later, the rustling of movement and bare footsteps padding over the floor seeped from inside the apartment.
She flung open the door and leaned a shoulder against the doorway. The flicker of shock in her crimson eyes was quickly hidden with a sultry smirk. “Well, isn’t this a surprise. What brings you to New Orleans, ma cherie?”
I dropped my bag on the floor. “I thought it was time for some mother-daughter bonding.”
“Hmm. You don’t say.” Her lips twitched in a way that implied she knew I was lying, and yet she didn’t press the matter but swung the door open and gave a sweeping gesture with her arm. “Make yourself at home.” Dressed in flowy cotton shorts that were cut short and a simple white tank top cropped to show off her midriff, she looked like a hippie. Nothing about this woman screamed demon, but that was part of the allure. All sex. Her long champagne-colored hair was tousled, as if she just strolled down the beach or woken up from a romp between the sheets. I sooo didn’t want to think about that and peeked over her shoulder to see if anyone else was inside.
I rolled my luggage into the main living area of the apartment, taking in what sort of place Mom lived in. I’d only met my mother for the first time after I started college. Things between us weren’t roses and rays of sunshine. And it was all kinds of awkward being here.
She sauntered off into the kitchen while I looked around. “Just how long will you be staying?” she asked as I heard her opening the cabinet. “Not that I’m complaining. I never thought you and I would ever be under the same roof.”
The floors were a rich bamboo decorated with cream-colored woven rugs. Delicate white curtains danced at the open windows that stretched from floor to ceiling, letting in a soft stream of sunlight into the room. “I’m not sure yet. I hope it’s okay that I just showed up.”
Water ran from the tap. “I’m guessing this surprise trip is more than wanting to spend time with your mother dearest. I heard whispers of your recent visit to the Court of Darkness and a certain prince….”
I continued my exploration, running my fingers over the arm of a white couch. All the walls were painted white as well and were decorated with what looked like local art and hand-knitted macramé. Everything in the place could have been purchased from Free People or Urban Outfitters. When did Mom become so boho chic? “What did you hear?” I asked, my stomach muscles tightening at the mention of Ashor.
Carrying two glasses of tea, she strolled back into the room and offered me one. “Oh, this and that.”
“Kira,” I growled. It was difficult to call her mom to her face. She hadn’t yet earned the privilege.
“So, I’m right. He is why you're here.”
“And if he is…?” I countered, taking