That made two of them.
What would happen if Selina decided to break the curse? Darrak would have to leave. And that’s what she wanted all along, wasn’t it?
Of course it was. She didn’t want to die.
It didn’t matter what had happened between them, there was no place in Eden’s life for a demon… reformed or otherwise.
And that’s just the way it was.
— An hour later, Eden watched a taxi pull up in front of Hot Stuff and Selina get out of the back, staring at the exterior of the café warily before she entered.
There was a buzz of activity in there — it seemed busier than usual. There were probably fifteen other patrons enjoying a late afternoon refreshment. The pastries and sandwiches were kept under a glass cabinet by the cashier. Stools were set up along the main coffee bar itself, and that was where most people were seated. The espresso machine whistled and gurgled as it coughed up caffeinated beverages at stiff prices.
Eden and Darrak sat at a table in the farthest corner in the back. The more privacy they could get, the better. For some reason, Darrak hadn’t even made eye contact with her since they’d left the apartment.
He felt guilty about what happened between them. And even though she understood why he felt that way, it didn’t exactly make her feel like a million bucks.
A strange sensation crackled over Eden’s arms as Selina tentatively approached. What was that? Electricity?
Selina played with the gray-stoned pendant around her neck as she eyed them each in turn with anything but friendliness in her green eyes. Darrak stood and held his hands, palms up, in a disarming manner.
“I mean you no harm.”
Selina eyed him suspiciously. “Why do I find that incredibly hard to believe?”
He sat back down in his seat. “I’m just here to talk to you.”
Selina remained standing. “Funny, I could have sworn you wanted a great deal more from me today than just talk.”
Her distrustful gaze moved to Eden and a moment later it changed to something else. Something unreadable.
“What have you done?” she asked quietly.
Eden’s eyes widened and that electric feeling again crackled along her skin. “What?”
“Something’s changed since last night. I sensed it the moment I entered this place. But…” She looked around as if trying to pinpoint the source of her distress before her attention returned to Eden. “It’s you.”
“Me?”
Selina’s red lips curled back from her teeth with disgust. “You allowed yourself to be physically seduced by a member of Lucifer’s court?”
Eden stared at her blankly. “I–I… uh…”
“You fornicated with this demon,” Selina snarled under her breath.
Fornicated? That was such an unpleasant word.
Eden cleared her throat and felt her cheeks flush. Terrific. Had a magical memo gone out that she’d jumped Darrak’s bones? She looked around at the coffee bar, but no one was paying any attention to them. Despite the subject matter, their voices were hushed.
“That’s actually none of your business,” she said.
Selina laughed humorlessly. “I wish that was true.” She glared at Darrak. “You should be ashamed of yourself. She’s just a human.”
His expression didn’t change. “Eden’s right. This is none of your business.”
She shook her head. “You’re as deceptive as ever, aren’t you, demon?”
“I never deceived you, Selina,” he said evenly. “You’re the one who summoned me and forced me to give you the power you so desired.”
“And I’ve regretted it every day since.”
He curled his fingers around the mug of hot coffee in front of him. “Doesn’t look like you’ve suffered much over the years.”
“Doesn’t it?” She touched her pendant. “My soul is black.”
“Looks more like a middling gray to me.”
Eden looked at the jewelry as well. “What are you talking about?”
Selina let out a shaky breath. “I wear this special amulet — it tells when the wearer’s soul is in danger. The blacker it is the more I must control my magic or else lose myself to the darkness completely.”
“So it’s kind of like a mood ring?” Eden asked.
Selina fisted the stone and squeezed. “Oh, absolutely. The gauge of my damaged soul is exactly like a mood ring. My, aren’t you smart?”
Darrak’s knuckles whitened on the edge of the table. “Eden has only started to learn that there is more to the world than meets the eye.”
“Her ignorance is obvious. Especially when it comes to you, demon. I guess she’s been charmed by your handsome face and hasn’t seen your demon visage yet.”
“You still think I’m handsome after all this time?” Darrak asked dryly. “Please stop. I’m blushing.”
“I’ve seen him,” Eden said. “The demon him.”
The witch looked surprised. “I don’t believe you.”
Eden nodded. “He’s a lot larger, he has these big-ass horns, and he’s covered in hellfire. Not exactly male model material.” She glanced at Darrak. “No offense.”
“None taken.”
Selina blinked. “I stand corrected. But I can’t believe you have accepted him. That you… fornicated with him.”
There was that word again. Eden winced.
“Let’s stay on topic,” Eden suggested.
The witch crossed her arms. “My life is perfect right now. I don’t want to do anything to risk that. I destroyed you, demon.”