Total pages in book: 207
Estimated words: 196971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 985(@200wpm)___ 788(@250wpm)___ 657(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 196971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 985(@200wpm)___ 788(@250wpm)___ 657(@300wpm)
"If you're that certain about Zari's feelings for you," Micah couldn't resist taunting, "then why bother with a warning?"
"For my pet's sake, of course."
Micah was caught off guard by the ring of truth in Alexandru's words.
"She enjoys working in your agency for some reason. It would be unfortunate if you were to make things uncomfortable and force my pet into handing over her resignation."
"And you really think she'd do that?" Micah challenged. "Choose you over her job?"
The amusement that gleamed in the half-demon's lazy green eyes made it seem as if he had said something even a toddler would think stupid, and Micah's fists clenched against the urge to drive a fist in the other man's too-perfectly-chiseled face. Even he knew the damn half-demon was goading him, but he was still unable to keep himself from rising to the bait.
"You are free to believe whatever you wish." A nonchalant shrug accompanied the words. "But enough about my lovely pet for now. She is not what you came here to discuss, is she?"
Micah didn't like the way the vampire seemed to find it too easy to read him, but reminded as he was now of his true purpose, he had no choice but to temporarily set aside his contempt. "Things have significantly changed since you left," he said abruptly, "and your precious Demon Duke of Brimstone became the Red Witch's slave." He waited for Alexandru to say something but was unsurprised when the vampire's expression only turned inscrutable in response.
"We have our own sources to verify this," Micah stated flatly, "so there is no need for you to confirm it."
"Then what are you here for?" Alexandru asked curtly.
Decision time, Micah thought broodingly. Angels like him had been raised to distrust demons without question, but since Zari had unequivocally declared herself as this man's heartkeeper...
"The Devil's Door." Micah saw the vampire frown. "You've heard of it then?"
Alexandru fought to keep his face expressionless. "Naturally." The most inhumane sacrifices alone had the power of opening such a portal, and even then only archdemons were able to pass through them.
"Z—-" The half-demon's gaze noticeably cooled at the way Micah referred to Zari, and he realized he had finally found a chink in the other man's armor. "Apologies."
Albeit quickly issued, the apology - Alexandru was irritated to note - sounded anything but sincere.
"It's what I'm used to calling her. She doesn't like it, of course, but then I'm sure you've noticed the same thing yourself." Micah paused then added silkily, "Z also looks a lot cuter when she's mad, don't you think?
It was Alexandru's turn to see red and bite back an expletive. "Just get to the point."
Satisfied at having scored a point against the vampire, Micah had no problems ignoring the brusqueness of the other man's tone. "Z had already been working at AGNEX for about six months when she told me about a tip she's received from her contacts in Chalys."
"I see." Alexandru himself had taught Zari to use that line, in instances she found an unavoidable need to speak of her visions to people who didn't know she was a soul seer.
"I had a feeling she's had that tip a lot longer than that, but she was waiting to see if I could be trusted. She told me her source had a strong reason to believe someone at AGNEX would turn traitor and eventually open a Devil's Door from this side."
Alexandru's gaze narrowed. "And you believed her?"
"Whatever I thought of it at that time is immaterial," the angel said quietly, "since it's already happened. I've had the whole city under surveillance since Z's tip, and nothing's happened until recently. Two Devil's Doors have opened in the past forty-eight hours. You were the one who went through the second...and judging by your current expression, I already know you haven't told Zari about it."
"Is this blackmail then?" Alexandru questioned coldly.
"Think of it as cutting a deal." Micah's tone was equally cold. "I'll keep your secret, and I'll make sure no one else finds out about it...if you help us kill whatever it was that went through the first Devil's Door."
"And that's it?" Alexandru derided. "We are simply to trust each other's words on this?"
"I never said anything about trust, have I?" Micah's lip curled. "Zari seems to trust you, and for that I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. As difficult as it is to accept," Micah forced himself to say, "I've seen you with Z. I know how much she means to you, and how far you'll go not to let her know the truth about yourself."
The Hunt for the Thirteenth Boy
Chapter Thirteen
ZARI HAD ONLY BEEN at the park for a few minutes when she heard the sound of footsteps. Deliberate for sure, she thought in amusement, since her Master couldn't be anything but stealthy even if to save his life.