The practice seemed to help, and by the time we were done, I didn’t need to concentrate on holding my power back. It was no longer pressed up against my shields like it was just waiting for me to lose control.

I thanked Selina and strode out her front door. Vas was waiting on her porch.

I scowled. “This seems like deja vu.”

He grinned. “You know, I was recently thinking that we don’t get to hang out enough. I’m always busy working for Samael, you’re usually bounty hunting. Now we get to spend some solid time together.”

I wasn’t buying whatever he thought he was selling. “Samael said he wasn’t going to have anyone follow me around anymore.”

“He’s not. I’m your partner.”

For fucks sake. “I want some privacy. Is that too much to ask?”

Vas’ face hardened. “Yes. Yes it is. Want to tell me what’s got you so pissed?”

I turned and walked toward my car. Vas followed, and I scowled as he reached out and turned me back to him.

“I’m just struggling with a few things. I don’t want people watching me break down.”

“Ah. That.”

“What?”

Vas’ expression went blank and fury unfurled in my chest. “That son of a bitch reported my panic attack?”

“Not in that many words. He merely reported that you pulled off to the side of the road and seemed incapacitated.”

“That’s just fucking great. And Samael wonders why I want nothing to do with him.”

“Samael ripped him a new one when he found out that had made it into his security report.”

I shook my head. This was why Samael had been so remarkably cooperative and when I’d asked him to stop ordering his demons to follow me around. He’d already decided to replace them with Vas.

“I get that this sucks,” Vas said. “But look on the bright side, I’ve already seen you at your worst, and whatever happens, you can trust me not to report it to anyone.”

“Anyone except Samael.”

“Only if he asks me a direct question.”

It was our deal from the last time we’d worked together. I attempted a smile, but the whole situation sucked. Vas and I had the beginning of a friendship, but Samael just kept coming between us.

It wouldn’t surprise me if he’d sent Vas for this exact reason. He knew we were friends, and the possessive demon was jealous. He was likely hoping I would take my frustration out on Vas.

Asshole.

“Fine. I’m going to interrogate some humans. You can stand around and look suitably intimidating.”

He rolled his eyes. “Cramped elevators and bigoted humans. Two of my favorite things.”

“Hey, why should I be the only one having a sucky day?”

Vas scooped me into his arms with a sigh. “Where to?”