“I helped you. You may thank me now.”

“The underworld will freeze over before I thank you for messing with my life.”

“It’s not as hot there as most people think,” he said. “I felt the wards on your apartment. You’ve been practicing.”

“Don’t change the subject. Wait, when were you at my apartment?” I wouldn’t thank him for making me attend those ward lessons. I would not.

The gleam in his eyes told me he knew I was appreciative despite my annoyance at him. I gave him squinty eyes.

Samael raised one eyebrow. “You have much more to learn. Your power is unique but potent. If you truly want to be able to defend yourself, you need to train.”

I swallowed. While I was grateful for the help he’d given me, our ‘sessions’ had been torture. Not only was Samael a strict, merciless teacher, but I’d been forced to sit with him for hours.

Wards weren’t the only things I’d learned during those hours. I’d learned that the tiny crease that appeared between his brows when he was concentrating… it made my stomach flutter.

I learned that the pride in his eyes when I succeeded made me feel like I could take on anything and walk away.

I learned that the scent of him— cedar and citrus and male– made my heart thump harder in my chest.

I learned that despite my every instinct warning me away from the demon, my body didn’t care.

He stepped closer, and I backed up, until I was leaning against one of the concrete slabs that protected the building from anyone who thought they could ram it with a car or truck.

“I missed you,” he breathed, leaning down until his head was almost buried in my neck. “Did you miss me?”

I didn’t miss him. I craved him.

“Absolutely not.”

“Ahh Danica, you wound me.”

“Blah blah. Get out of the way, Samael, I have places to be.”

“You’re going to talk to the gnome children.”

“Yes.”

“Would you like some help?”

I smiled sweetly. “When I need someone to be so scared they piss their pants, I may give you a call. When I want to talk to two traumatized kids, you can stay far away.”

Something I couldn’t catch flashed over his face.

“Very well. I’ll see you soon, Danica.”

“I don’t think so.”

He merely shook his head at me. The expression on his face said I was the most adorable thing he’d ever seen. I barely resisted the urge to punch him in the nose.

With a snap of invisible wings, he was gone.

4

Danica

Evie lived in Trinity Park— deep in witch territory. Most of the houses were old, huge, and steeped in history— all things witches were delighted by.