Deals With Demons Read Online Free PDF Page B

child Saleel had come up against before. This time she was a woman trained to destroy demons. Plus she had Devlin in her corner. She may not truly understand why he was helping her, but she knew enough about Devlin to know he was a demon of his word. If he promised to keep her safe, he would.
    For a price , her mind added.
    Yes, for a price. He never did anything for free. Demons looked out for their own interests first. She knew that well enough. But if one night with an old lover freed her of the fear she lived with, she considered it a good bargain.
    Pushing herself to her feet, Talia decided to make use of her time. She opened her weapons closet and pulled out a few daggers. A rusty senser was as good as dead. Might as well get some practise hours in while she waited for the sun to set.

    25
     

     
    When Devlin knocked on the door, she was ready. Talia sat on her bed, staring at the dark city beyond her window.
    “It’s almost time,” Devlin said as he stepped into her room.
    “I’m ready.” She’d dressed in her customary black but chosen a daringly low-cut shirt to dress up her outfit. The long sleeves covered the daggers hidden in wrist sheaths, and with her short hair and low neckline the black rose on her throat stood out like a beacon. Her tight black jeans disappeared into knee-high boots, each equipped with a thin blade hidden in the lining. She looked dangerous. She looked like a demon’s lover.
    Devlin had dressed for the occasion as well. Gone were his habitual suits. In their place he wore a black silk T-shirt that reminded her painfully of the one he’d worn the night she’d slept with him. Black breeches encased his legs, laced up the sides all the way from hip to hem. He looked scrumptiously sexy and a part of her hated him for it.
    “You know the plan?” he asked, sitting next to her on the bed.
    “As soon as we get to the club I need to pretend I’m infatuated with you,” she recited. “You’ll cover me while I search for any sign of Saleel.”
    “Do remember to be careful,” he told her seriously. “This club will not be happy with your presence.
    I’d rather not have to fight every demon there to get you out again.”
    “I’ll be a good girl,” she taunted.
    Devlin snorted. “You have no idea how to be a good girl.”
    She had years ago. But he was right—the innocent Talia had died her last night in the mansion. The woman who’d walked out of his house had been a different person entirely. Now being good was the last thing she wanted.
    “Good girls don’t kill demons,” she agreed with a cold smile, “and I love my job.”
    He narrowed his eyes at her. “Why did you pick that particular line of work?”
    She shrugged casually. “Needed to pay the bills.”
    “With the blood of my brethren?”
    “Seemed poetic justice.”
    “Why?” he asked harshly.
    Talia refused to look at him. No way was she letting him dredge up the painful past she was doing her best to forget. “We should go,” she said, pushing off the bed. “The night is young and we have work to do.”
    Devlin sighed but let his questions drop. Resigned, he followed her from the room.
     
    26
     
     
     

    Talia stared up at Shadow Walk’s entrance with trepidation. Already she felt the presence of the demons within. It battered at her like a storm. All her instincts were telling her to run, and yet she glided closer and closer to the club.
    Devlin reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her to his side. “Walk strong,” he commanded her. “This is definitely a time when it’s okay to look dangerous.”
    “Right,” Talia breathed, straightening her shoulders. “I’m ready.”
    Together they strolled up to the bouncers. They took one look at Devlin and stepped aside. Both the demons at the door hissed softly as Talia walked by, but she did her best to ignore it.
    The club was unlike anywhere she’d been before. They walked down a long staircase to the main floor and Talia