Demons Amongst Us (The Book of Demons Saga #2) by Raquel Dove Read Free Book Online Page B

the two sisters rose from their seats and left the room. 
    “You are correct to dislike her so, Lo rd Balthazar,” AnnaBeth said. “We will take care of her.”
    “Wait,” Alex said, “What do you mean ‘take care of her’?”
    “Alexandra,” AnnaBeth said, “it is our duty to protect you, and we will do whatever it takes to do that.”
    “You didn’t answer my question,” Alex said, crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned back in the chair, glaring at AnnaBeth. 
    “Now is not the time,” AnnaBeth said. “We must concentrate our efforts on returning.  Which means we must procure a key.”
    “Do you know where one exists?” Balthazar asked, ignoring Alexandra’s pouting.  He could sense her displeasure, but he also knew she would quickly get over it.  Her emotions flipped so quickly through her.
    “Of course,” AnnaBeth said.  She glanced at the remaining sister, who pulled a small book from her pocket that looked eerily like the big book they had been reading from.  She quickly flipped through the pages of the book, finding the one she was looking for and showing it to Balthazar.  “Does this look familiar to you?”
    The recognition immediately hit Balthazar.  He had never seen the article that was drawn on the page in person, but he had seen many depictions of it.  The item had at one time been part of the crown jewels of the Devas.
    “It is Devasi,” B althazar said, “the royal pendant of the Sultana.”
    “Yes,” AnnaBeth said, with a rather pleased smile, “and it is a key between our worlds.”
    Sam and Alex sat, slack jawed and wide eyed looking at the picture. 
    “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Alex said, looking at Sam, who was mirroring her dismayed expression.
    “Nope,” AnnaBeth said happily, “all you have to do is retrieve this item and we can all return.”
    “Oh, well,” Sam said, throwing his hands in the air, “we may as well give that dream up now.”
    “I do not understand,” Balthazar said, looking at Alex with confusion settling on his brow.
    “There is no way we are going to be able to get that,” Alex said, shaking her head, as she pointed a finger at the picture.
    “ Why ever not?” Balthazar asked with a cocked eyebrow.
    “That’s the Ho pe Diamond,” Sam said. “We aren’t getting anywhere near that.”

Chapter Fourteen
     
     
    “It’s the most famous piece of jewelry in the world,” Alex said as she glared back at Balthazar, who didn’t seem to understand the problem with obtaining the item.
    “So,” he said, cocking an eyebrow.
    “So,” Alex said, taking in a deep breath and preparing her next line of arguments, “it’s held in the Smithsonian.”
    “So,” Balthazar said, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back in the chair.
    “So,” Alex said, letting out a heavy sigh of annoyance, “it is probably the most secure place on the planet.”
    “So,” Balthazar said, tilting his head.  Alex rolled her eyes with an exasperated huff.
    “So, we are never going to get it,” Alex nearly yelled at him.
    Balthazar unfolded his arms with a sigh.  He could tell his fun was over, and he would need to get serious.  He was afforded so few opportunities to play, he would have to learn to reign his antics in so as not to offend his intended.
    “Alexandra,” he said, taking her hands in his and trying to get her to look at him.  She played coy, avoiding his gaze.  He hooked a finger under her chin, turning her eyes to him.  “You forget who I am.”
    “Oh trust me,” Alex said with a sarcastic smirk, “I haven’t forgotten who you are.”
    “Then you should know,” Balthazar said, “your human defenses cannot stop someone like myself.”
    “He’s right, Alexandra,” AnnaBeth said, butting into the conversation.  She was rather enjoying the interaction between the two, as was evident by the smirk on her face.
    “Sam,” Alex said, looking at him and hoping he would back her on this.
    “He’s got a