“It’s likely he’s watching and waiting,” Caim piped in as he strode from one end of the room to the other, his beefy arms folded over his chest. “I bet he’s hiding in the shadows, making note of your routine and schedule, and planning for a time when he knows you’ll be alone.”

My mouth went dry. “Yeah, that’s not at all terrifying.”

Caim’s lips quirked in the corners. Az narrowed his eyes and stepped in front of him, almost like he was blocking Caim from view. I rolled my eyes and leaned back into my chair. Okay, this was officially getting ridiculous. Caim was part of his Legion. He trusted him with his secrets and his life. So, what the hell was his problem?

“We want you to walk home alone tonight,” Valac said in an eerie voice, continuing as if nothing odd had happened. “You did it once before. So, he might not find it strange.”

“Wait.” I leaned forward and palmed the table. “You want to do this whole bait thing tonight? As in…now?”

Stolas gave me a solemn nod. “The sooner we take care of this asshole, the better.”

“Well, shit.” I blew out a hot breath, my mind reeling. When I’d agreed to this crazy plan, I’d imagined some distant, faraway scenario that I didn’t have to face for awhile. Maybe in a few weeks. After I’d had time to get used to the idea. I’d never thought it would happen so soon.

“And we don’t want him to get bored and target someone else,” Phenex added. “Right now, he’s focused on you. That’s a good thing.”

Yeah, sure. If you weren’t me.

Az stepped in close. I swallowed hard and desperately tried not to stare at his lips. The lips that had been kissing me. Also, there had been tongue. “You’ll be safe, Mia. I swear I would never let anything happen to you, not while you’re under my protection. We’ll be up on the rooftops the entire time. The second the killer appears, we’ll be right by your side.”

“Wait.” My heart stopped. “You’ll be on the rooftops? But it will take you ages to…oh.” It was a demon thing. “Don’t tell me you have wings.”

A slow wicked smile crept across his lips. “Maybe one day I’ll show you.”

19

The Hell’s Kitchen streets were full of shadows. Every thud of my boots brought on a fresh wave of unease. Frankly, it was stupid. The fear, not the trap. I had a Legion of demons watching my back. There was no reason to panic.