“Son of a bitch!” Lee said again, a disbelieving smile quirking his lips. “You just don’t know when to stay dead, do you?”

My breath hissed in and I jerked as I felt him tap a line.

“Get down!” I shouted, shoving David out of the way and lurching back.

Pinwheeling, David hit the floor. I slid almost to the door. The air crackled and a thump reverberated through me. On all fours, I jerked my gaze to the ugly purple stain dripping to the floor. What the Turn was that? I thought, scrambling up and tugging my skirt to my knees.

Lee gestured to Chad, who looked cowed. “Well, get them!” he said, sounding disgusted.

Chad blinked, then strode to David.

“Not him, you idiot!” Lee shouted. “The woman!”

Chad yanked himself to a stop, turned, then reached for me.

Where in hell was Ivy? My demon scar flamed to pleasure, and while it was rather distracting, I nevertheless had no problem jamming the heel of my palm into Chad’s nose, jerking back when the cartilage tore. I hated the feel of breaking noses. It gave me the willies.

Chad cried out in pain, hunching over and holding his blood-soaked hands to his face. I followed him down, giving him an elbow on the back of his neck, which he conveniently put in my reach. In three seconds Chad was down.

Rubbing my elbow, I looked up to find David watching in wide-eyed interest. I was between Lee and the door. Smiling, I tossed the hair that had escaped my bun out of my eyes. Lee was a ley line witch; chances were that he was a coward when it came to physical pain. He wouldn’t jump out that window unless he had to.

Lee thumbed an intercom. “Candice?” His voice was a mix of anger and threat.

Panting, I licked my thumb and pointed to Lee. “David, you might want to leave. This is going to be dicey.”

My good mood grew when Kisten’s voice came out of the speaker along with the pained sounds of a catfight. “Candice is busy, old man.” I recognized the sound of Ivy’s attack, and Kisten made a noise of sympathy. “Sorry, love. You shouldn’t have strayed. Oh, that had to hurt.” Then he was back, his fake accent heavy and amused. “Perhaps I could help you?”

Lee clicked off the intercom. He adjusted his coat, watching me. He looked confident. Not good. “Lee,” I said, “we can do it easy, or hard.”

There was a thumping of feet in the hallway, and I fell back to David when five men came spilling in. Ivy wasn’t with them. Neither were my charms. They did have a lot of guns, though, all pointed at us. Damn.

Lee smiled and came out from behind his desk. “I’m all for easy,” he said, so smug I wanted to slap him.