The Demon's Song by Kendra Leigh Castle Read Free Book Online

brothers hunt, I guard, and you don’t
     lose anyone. Everyone’s happy.”
    Justin looked at him blandly. “You’re never happy unless you’re giving me a headache,
     any of you. And for somebody who struts around like some mysterious demigod you’re
     about as transparent as glass, Phenex.”
    Phenex just shrugged. He didn’t answer to Justin, or to anyone, as long as his decisions
     didn’t endanger Earth. He was pretty sure that wanting Sofia Rivera in his bed didn’t
     qualify as upsetting the Balance, the precarious equilibrium between light and darkness.
     Though that body of hers might inspire him to try things that would.
    Justin rolled his eyes to the ceiling and exhaled loudly through his nose.
    “Fine. If this is what it takes to get you to lighten up, fine. But until someone
     makes a move on her, keep out of sight. I need them to think she’s alone. Most vamps
     aren’t going to get anywhere near you voluntarily.”
    That made him smile. “Damn right. I’ll draw demons, though, if they’re involved. I’ll
     wait and see, but I don’t think it’ll take long.” He sure as hell hoped not. Hiding
     himself from Sofia wasn’t exactly the plan. Phenex turned away, giving a disinterested
     wave behind him. He had what he wanted. “Later, Justin.”
    “Yeah, great. Thanks for, what, two songs?”
    “Three. And you’re welcome.”
    “You owe me.”
    “Whatever.” Phenex headed for the nearest exit, his power beginning to pulse in time
     to the beat of his immortal heart. Justin, Amphora, his ever-growing stack of obligations…everything
     vanished in the face of the hunt. He could barely wait to unfurl his wings and begin.
    Justin muttered a few curses in a long-dead tongue under his breath, watching Phenex
     go. Then he turned and stalked away.

Chapter Six
    Someone was watching her.
    Sofia paused in the middle of the parking lot and looked around, frowning. Apart from
     a young couple getting out of their car and, a little farther away, a homeless woman
     pushing a small cart filled with plastic bags, there was no one around. Still, Sofia
     couldn’t shake the sensation of eyes on her, couldn’t stop the hair from rising at
     the back of her neck.
    Leftover trauma , she told herself, clutching her keys as she got moving again. She’d worked eleven
     to eleven yesterday and today, and it had gone a long way toward keeping her sane.
     The ER was a busy place most of the time, and even during the occasional lull, there
     was always something that needed doing. She hadn’t had to think. All she’d had to
     do was eat, sleep, and work. It was only during the short spaces between those things
     that her mind had tried to fill with the memories of what had happened. Blood, and
     vampires, and black wings…she still couldn’t make sense of it. The only thing that
     convinced her she’d really seen it all was that Sara was still gone…and the note,
     written in an elegant, unfamiliar hand, that had been slipped beneath the apartment
     door while she’d slept after her return from Amphora.
    Your friend is well. Thank you for your silence. No signature. She didn’t bother showing it to Amy. Just as Justin had said, her roommate
     didn’t even remember going to Amphora. Something about the glazed look that came into
     her eyes every time the subject came up was deeply unnerving, and Sofia had decided
     not to push it. The memory of what had happened seemed to belong to her, and her alone.
    She still couldn’t decide whether that was a good thing or not.
    Sofia blew out a breath and tried to just enjoy the facts that it was a warm September
     night, she had the next two days off, and most importantly, that she was alive to
     appreciate both. Yeah, she was twitchy. But she’d handle it. Based on the other night,
     she seemed to be able to handle just about anything.
    She was almost to her car when she caught a flicker of movement, no more than a shadow,
     out of the corner of her eye. She