Rune’s jaw slackened.
Deshazior couldn’t dip his head fast enough. “Woman, make me dreams come true!”
“That’s enough,” Rune cut in. “We’re running out of time.” They were in no way running out of time.
“Rain check?” Josephine asked.
Voice gone low, Deshazior said, “Oh, decidedly, luv.”
Jo was digging Desh!
Not like she did Rune, but she felt a curiously strong pull toward the affable demon.
Desh was handsome in a supernatural linebacker-y way, and his accent was kind of s.e.xy. His horns were even more bada.s.s up close.
When he grinned down at her, she gazed up at him with a puzzled smile. For someone who pretty much hated everybody, she had a good feeling about this guy. She could almost imagine she was making a friend.
Her first!
So many things were beginning to change in her life. The future spread out so brightly. . . .
Yet while she’d taken an instant liking to Desh, Rune and the demon seemed to hate each other on sight.
“Name your b.l.o.o.d.y price,” Rune demanded.
Was the dark fey jealous? Or was this another instance of Rune not playing well with anyone who had a d.i.c.k? She suspected the latter.
“The lady’s ride is gratis.” Desh didn’t back down an inch. “Ye’ll be payin’ me a gold doubloon—or she goes alone.”
Jo m.u.f.fled a laugh.
With narrowed eyes, Rune took a coin from his pocket, flipping it to the demon.
Desh caught the piece, seeming to weigh it. “It’s good gold.” He sank a fang into the edge. “It’s old gold. Where ye from, stranger?”
Rune’s lips drew back. “A place where demons mind their own business.”
Jo glared at him.
“Ye look like a fey, but ye’re barin’ the fangs of a demon. Should’ve known by yer eyes.” Desh frowned at her. “Ye understand he’s a scurvy baneblood, luv? Walkin’ poison and poxy bad luck to boot. If ye’re thirsty, the blood of a storm demon”—he pounded his broad chest—“is stout and hearty. I’m a thousand years old, so I’d be aged like fine wine.”
Rune bit out, “What the f.u.c.k is this, demon? We’re here to transact.”
Desh turned to him. “I see no mark upon her neck.” Mark? “If ye reckon she’s yer mate, I’ll respect that. Otherwise, she’s fair game. The fairest.”
Rune didn’t believe dark fey got mates, much less that Jo was his. So how would he answer that challenge?
“She’s not my mate.” Rune squared his shoulders. “But she’s in my bed.” Then he added, “Currently.”
Her flare of excitement fizzled. Currently. One of his qualifiers—to indicate she wouldn’t always be in his bed.
d.i.c.kwad! Jo told Desh, “We’re not exclusive at all. Earlier today, we were discussing how unexclusive we are. He insists on it. We haven’t even slept together.”
Rune grated, “Yet.”
Jo ignored him. “Ever.”
“Good to know. I’ll be givin’ ye me number.”
“Awesome! Or stop by my digs. I live not far from here at the Big Easy Sleeps.” She pointed over her shoulder.
“No s.h.i.te? The Big Sleazy.” He laughed.
“Exactly!”
Rune stepped closer to her, telling Desh, “We need to leave for our destination. You’re either taking us, or you’re wasting our time.”
“I accepted the gold, baneblood; I accepted the gig.”
Rune nodded at Jo and said, “Head somewhere sheltered.”
“Already thought of that. I know of a place.” The demon held out his big hand to her. “C’mere, me beauty.” Turning to Rune, he snapped, “Yer arm.” He clutched Rune’s forearm, then traced them. His teleporting was hard and fast like Rune’s.
When Jo blinked open her eyes, they stood in the shade of a rock overhang. Past the shadows was an expanse of blue sky. Puffy white clouds elbowed the sun. The day was crisp, a one-eighty from the humid night in the Quarter. The scent of pine tickled her nose.
I’m in freaking China! “This is amazing!” She could see the bases of two mountains, but not the peaks. The stone was light in color, the surface dusted with tufts of green. She wanted to see more! She traced to a nearby field, peering up at the white-capped tops.
She reeled on her feet, mind boggled. So beautiful. So big. Her first real mountains.
Desh traced to her side. “G.o.ds almighty.” His stunned gaze flickered over her face. “Ye’re a day-walkin’ vampire.”
“That a big deal?” She glanced past Desh. Rune was just as astounded.
“Huge,” Desh said in a choked-up voice. “Ye should’ve burned to ash.”
So sun did burn vampires. “The light’s never bothered me.” If she’d ever made friends, she would’ve liked to go to the beach with them. Lie out. Sip blood from a gla.s.s with a little umbrella. “Must be because I’m wicked strong and all.”
“I’ve seen a lot of things in me days, but never something like this. Never.” Desh stared at her—the same way she’d stared at the snow-capped mountains. “Ye truly drink blood?”
“One hundred percent of my diet.”
Suddenly Desh’s body hit the ground, plowing through solid rock. Rune had lunged for the demon, now had his knife against Desh’s throat.
“What is wrong with you?” she screamed. “Don’t you dare hurt him! I vow to the Lore I’ll make you regret it!”