City of Demons Read Online Free PDF Page A

succubus on the jury until now. Even the center stagers—Noelle, Margo, and Clyde—seemed surprised to see me.
    I put on my customer service face, hoping I looked as calm and confident as Noelle. “Where were you when Anthony was killed?”
    Clyde didn’t answer right way, and I could tell from his gaze that he was appraising me in a new way. I don’t think he’d expected any sort of reasonable questioning in this courtroom. I don’t think anyone had.
    â€œI was at home, watching a movie.”
    â€œWas anyone with you?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œNo alibi,” said Margo happily.
    She was right, which didn’t help his case. On the other hand, I felt pretty confident a demon like Clyde could have gotten some low-ranking vampire or imp to lie for him and play alibi.
    â€œAny other questions?” asked Luis.
    â€œWhat movie did you watch?” asked the drunk juror.
    Luis glared at him, then flicked his gaze back to me. “Any other questions?”
    I thought about it. “When was the last time you saw Anthony?”
    â€œThat morning. He was leaving Noelle’s office while I was coming in.”
    â€œDid you talk?”
    â€œNo. Well, cursory greetings . . . and even that seemed to piss him off. He was angry and in a hurry. Was kind of an asshole.” I had a feeling he might have elaborated, but Clyde probably realized trash-talking the guy he was accused of killing wasn’t too smart.
    I nodded and looked back at Luis. “That’s all I’ve got.”
    * * *
    â€œWhy did no one ask those questions right away?” Seth asked me later, back in our room. There’d been a little more procedure, and then the court had recessed for the day. “Those are, like, the most basic courtroom questions ever. ‘Where were you when this happened?’ etc., etc.”
    I shrugged. “I know. None of them care.”
    â€œYeah, but there’s a five-century disembowelment on the line.”
    â€œThey’re demons,” I told them. There wasn’t more I could offer by way of explanation, and Seth seemed to understand.
    â€œSo, what about the other suspects?” he asked. “When will they be examined?”
    â€œTomorrow and the next day. Nobody wants to work too hard at these things, so they spread it out. In fact, most of the people watching are only here for the social aspect. It’s the party of the century.”
    â€œLiterally,” muttered Seth.
    I laughed and brushed my lips against his cheek. “Well, speaking of parties, there’s one right now up in the penthouse. Wine and appetizers for dinner.”
    A wary look crossed his face. “And you want to go.”
    â€œIt’s a party. And not everybody here sucks. Luis is cool.”
    Seth was silent a moment, and I could almost see the wheels turning in his head. “Luis was . . . nice.”
    â€œSo, you want to come with me?” I asked. “It’ll be fun. I saw you packed your Moon Patrol shirt, so you can even dress up.”
    He gave me a wry look at the shirt joke. “You know how I feel about parties and groups of immortals. This would be like . . .”
    â€œA five-century flaying?”
    â€œYes. Exactly.”
    â€œCoward.”
    He caught me in his arms, pulling me to his chest. “Around this sort of thing? Yes. I make no pretense to bravery.”
    â€œWhat are you going to do instead?” Like I didn’t know the answer.
    â€œAre you kidding? There are five coffee shops around the corner with free wi-fi. I’ll have a new novel done by the time you get back from the party.”
    I didn’t doubt it. And honestly, I couldn’t believe Seth had gone this whole day without getting any sort of writing done. It was truly a sign of his love for me.
    But then, a wistful look appeared in his eyes, one that indicated that maybe writing wasn’t the only thing on his mind. “But I’d