Dark Forsaken (The Devil's Assistant Book 3) by H.D. Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

what goes on down here, but something tells me if I don’t get ahead of this, then I’ll just be dealing with a bigger problem in the future. Which would mean more meetings with the big three or dealing with Harry’s threats of having his boys sort it out, and, next to you, the druid mob are my least favorite people to deal with. I can’t exactly give back the Fall Queen title, so I’m stuck dealing with it, which means you’re stuck dealing with me.” I needed to get out of here and away from him. Mace’s eyes widened a fraction as he saw the blue wisps of energy dancing around my wrists. “It’s obvious the places near the blacksmith’s shop weren’t closed by the owners—they were tossed and abandoned. I suspect the ones on this street are the same. The new businesses at least have people in them you can question.”
    “I’ll just have Sage here keep the riffraff out of the bar,” he said, as if he had no plans to look into anything.
    Squeezing my fist closed to tamp down my power, I put a bit of persuasion in my voice and said, “This is more than just a PR nightmare. I don’t want any more pagans tossed out of this place half dead. If they want to drink in here, let them.”
    “This is—” he tried to argue.
    “This isn’t my problem with downtown. I couldn’t care less who drinks in this bar.” Adding persuasion again, I said, “You will look into the closed businesses. You will investigate the new ones that have opened. And you will report your findings back to me. Do I make myself clear?”
    I had to stop myself from taking a step back. Using that much power on him had almost drained me and I couldn’t look weak.
    Mace nodded, but he didn’t look happy.
    “And you’re going to help keep the other fallen in line. If we figure out it’s the Fallen descendants causing the issues, then you’ll be responsible for stopping it.”
    Mace raised both eyebrows.
    “I don’t want you killing anyone. Just make sure they start behaving.”
    He looked away as if to dismiss the entire conversation.
    “ Anyone ,” I said stressing the word, “that doesn’t behave will be sent to the fourth realm. Have I made myself clear?” That got his attention.
    “Anyone?” he said. “Does that include Cinnamon?”
    “Cinnamon? Why do you ask?”
    He shrugged. “I’m just trying to clarify the rules, my queen.”
    As far as I knew, Cinnamon was living on the Upper East Side with a billionaire playboy that bit off more than he could chew. I didn’t think she was causing any trouble. The big three hadn’t mentioned her, but Cinnamon wasn’t exactly the poster child of playing nice. “Is she not behaving?”
    He shrugged.
    “You don’t get to send the troublemakers back. I’ll handle that. You’ll just spread the word and inform me of anyone breaking the new policy. After you investigate the businesses. I need to know what’s going on down here.”
    “Of course, my queen,” Mace sneered. He gave a slight bow before heading back to his office.
    “Sorrel, get Sage. We’re leaving.”
    Sorrel gave me a weary look, but clearly my don’t-fucking-push-me expression was enough to keep him quiet. He lifted Sage and slung him over his shoulder.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
     
    Sorrel stuffed Sage’s unconscious body into the back of the Lamborghini, which might seem impossible, but wasn’t. Of course, Sage would have been complaining if he were awake. Thank God for small favors.
    I was ready to be home, or at least what passed for my home these days. Because of Sorrel, I couldn’t just live in my old one-bedroom apartment I’d shared with Jack. I now lived in a ridiculously extravagant apartment large enough for a family of seven. A small part of me never wanted to live in the one-bedroom again, but that was because there were just too many memories of Jack and me and the happy, somewhat normal life we could have had there. I’m not sure why I kept it. The old apartment was