It wasn’t. I’d already checked my phone. Thankfully, the demon wasn’t holding me to our deal. I followed him downstairs, watching how the crowd gathered in the ballroom parted for him.

“Danica Amana?”

I peered down at the goblin. “Hi.”

Her green face was tight. “I thought you might be here. I was hoping to talk to you.”

“Sure.”

Samael watched me through darkened eyes as I stepped away from him and closer to the wall, leaning down so I could better hear her.

“My name is Yexa. My father was murdered a few nights ago,” she said, her huge eyes filled with tears. She sniffed, shaking her head, and her long pointed ears flapped against her head. “I live out of state, and I just got back. My father’s name is Merrill.”

That made two lesser fae store owners, one dead, one fighting for life.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you. I know you’re investigating what happened to Gary, and I was hoping you could help with my father as well.”

“How was your father killed?”

“His store was turned upside down.” She gave a wet sniff. “Someone beat him to death.”

“I’m so sorry for your loss.” There was nothing I could say to help her. All I could do was try to find out who’d killed her father. “I’ll go check out his store tomorrow,” I promised.

“That won’t be necessary.” We both turned at the low, dangerous voice. The unseelie king stood a few feet away, his guards nowhere to be seen. Dark power poured off him, and everyone was giving him a wide berth.

“Excuse me?”

He glanced at me briefly. “You’re excused.” Then he turned back to Yexa. “I will send one of my teams to investigate this murder.”

The color faded from Yexa’s green face. But she lifted her chin. “Wi-with all due respect your majesty, I would prefer for Danica to help me.”

The king went very still. “And why is that?”

“Because she knew my father. And she cares.”

I gaped at that, but Yexa wasn’t apologizing. She hunched her shoulders, staring down at the ground. I fought the urge to step in front of her. To hide her from Finvarra. But the king merely nodded.

“As you wish.” His eyes met mine. “You will let me know if you need assistance.”

“She won’t,” Samael purred.

I glanced between both of the men. Their power was radiating from them in dangerous waves as they stared at each other. Next, they’d be whipping their dicks out to see who was bigger once and for all.

“I’m sorry again for your loss,” I murmured to Yexa. “I’ll be in touch.”