I reached up and cupped his jaw. “I’m not worried about that,” I assured him.
Hugo didn’t look like his believed me.
“Come on.,” I urged, nudging his shoulder. “Let’s go accuse Davenport of killing a bunch of Fae.”
“Mara...”
“I’m joking!” I danced away, down the well-worn path, and towards the office building. “Or am I?” I wiggled my fingers and made spooky ghost noises.
Jae and Hart were already inside when I reached the door. Hugo held it open for me, ever the gentleman.
Davenport stood, pacing behind his desk like a stalking tiger. His muscles were bunched, and I would not have been surprised if he lashed out, unhinged his jaw, and swallowed me whole if I said the wrong thing.
Remi sat in the corner with a tablet on his lap, he did not look up to greet me.
Hugo followed on my heels.
“Now that we are all here,” Davenport began, glancing at Remi. “Can someone tell me what is going on?”
I opened my mouth and closed it, deciding how much information I wanted to share if Warren Davenport could potentially be our killer.
“Someone hacked your business email and used it to arrange several ventures,” Hugo spoke with confidence, as he stepped in front of me as if to protect me unconsciously. “The Summoner gained the knowledge to summon the Ifrit by trying to cash in on your favor with Dermot Dirk.”
Davenport narrowed his eyes but allowed Hugo to keep talking.
“They then requested Fae Killing bullets, dissolving, like our Devil's Silver ones, from Ryn Cole.”
“I had no idea that my standing was so high amongst the Fae,” Davenport said dryly. “They seem to be bending over backward to supposedly accommodate my requests.”
I shifted from foot to foot. When he put it like that, it did sound suspicious.
“The Summoner must have already summoned the Ifrit when they contacted Cole. They wore your face to the meeting.” Hugo concluded.
Davenport glanced at me. “Could it have been a Mimic Sidhe?”
“Are you accusing Dermot Dirk of trying to start a war against the Hunters?” I countered. “Did you kill those people?”
“No,” Davenport said through clenched teeth. I preened like a peacock as I smirked. Happy that I had gotten under his skin. He turned to Remi, dismissing me. “What do you have for me?”
“The email trail leads back to a coffee shop in Maywood. I phoned and asked for their security footage, but they don't have cameras.” Remi did not look up from his tablet. “I’ve sent a team to get a statement.”
Davenport turned to Jae. “Keep a feel out for any residual guilt, pride, or general nerves.” He ordered. “I want you eating in the canteen, and around people as much as you are able until we find the Summoner.”
“And me?” Hart asked.
“Keep your eyes open to any suspicious activities. Anyone acting differently.” Davenport said. “Dismissed.” Everyone turned to leave, including me. “Mara, you stay.”
I turned back, just as Davenport stepped around his desk, resting his hip against the wood and crossing his arms. He studied me to a few seconds, with a mix of exasperation and arrogance.
“Was it easier to believe me capable of murder, than admitting what you feel for me?” He asked gently, eyes boring into mine.
“Hugo told you?”
“Yes, little Demon.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat that made it difficult to speak. “You scare me,” I admitted, the words were pulled from my mouth. Beyond my control.
“It wasn’t me.” Warren’s eyes flashed. “But should I be flattered that a Demon thinks I’m capable of killing so many people?”
I winced. “I’ve never killed anyone.”
Davenport's lip twitched. “Right.”
“I’ve never killed an innocent.” I corrected. My cheeks flushed with anger (at myself) and embarrassment when I remembered that Davenport had been the one to clean up my mess. At least he wasn't asking questions and calling me evil. I couldn’t read his expression. I had no idea what he was thinking, and for that, I feared him.
Davenport gripped my shoulders and pushed my back against the rough concrete wall. He towered over me, his frame shielded the rest of the world from view. When he spoke, his breath brushed the shell of my ear and made me shiver.
His fingers danced across my flat belly. I forgot that I was just a passenger in someone's body. All I wanted was to experience his touch. His warmth.
His hand dipped under my waistband and slid into the front of my panties. Dipping inside me for a second before retreating.
His lips pulled into a predatory smile. Anyone would think he was the Demon.
“Your fear is the reason you're wet right now,” Davenport smirked. “I arouse you, as much as I scare you.”
He leaned in and pressed a tender and slow kiss to the seam of my jaw. I arched my neck, groaning.
“Besides...” He purred. “You only fear me because I can hurt you. Not because I will.”
Davenport pulled away. I felt lost, empty, and fragile without his body in front of mine. Touching me. He tapped my nose.
“We all have our secrets.” He smiled.
My eyes narrowed, but before I could argue, Davenport had walked away.
I was unashamed to say that I ogled his round, muscular ass as he went.
After I calmed down my inner thirsty bitch, I went to the Mess Hall, determined to eat something, and then go to bed. I had only been away from the compound for a day and a night, but something had shifted, and I couldn’t put my finger on it.
I caught Riley's eye as I turned to the tables with my tray in hand. She lifted her hand to wave, before catching herself and offering her typical glare instead. Chloe sat next to her, her hair back in its signature bun, as her arms flailed wildly as she told a story. My eyes had already moved away when they doubled back, stopping on the beautiful redhead at their table. Wearing a kelly green wrap dress, and high gladiator heels, Alicia, Remi's fiancée, was a beautiful flower in a sea of khaki.
Remi stood away from the tables, talking to Hugo. Their body language implied that an interruption would not be welcome—I was proud of myself for deciphering the markers of human behavior.
I waved at Dr Dan and got a perplexed expression in return. If being uncalled in a sea of Hunters bothered Frankie’s brother so much, I had no idea why he stuck around.
Then again, I was a Demon who ate nightmares—I was one to talk. I continued to stay at the compound even though it was severely harmful to my health.
The silver collar on my neck chafed, but it wasn't Devil's Silver. I could destroy it if I wanted to. It was more for Davenport's piece of mind that I kept it on.
There was an empty table in the corner, so I sat down and started to eat my Thai curry. It was spicy enough that no hot sauce was required.
The back of my neck prickled; someone was watching me. My spine stiffened, and my fist clenched around my fork. I froze and waited, but the feeling drifted away.
“Do you mind if I sit?” I looked up to find Remi, smiling down at me. I grinned, even though it felt like a hand had wrapped around my heart and squeezed. His dark eyes sparkled, but it hasn't escaped my notice that he had not looked at me once in Davenport's office.
The bond between us snapped tautly. The rest of the world fell away. I could sense his concern radiating through our connection, like an itch at the back of my skull.
“How was Queens?” Remi pulled out the opposite chair to mine.
“It was my first Thanksgiving,” I said, stabbing a piece of chicken. “There was stuffing. Pie. Momma G had Jae running around her kitchen like her own personal sous chef.”