I winced at the sound of rattling metal as I landed on the base of the fire escape. I stayed still for a moment, waiting to see if anyone started yelling, and when there was nothing but silence, I was kind of disappointed that no one had witnessed my gymnastic feat of awesomeness.

Story of my life.

I quickly climbed the fire escape, which had to have about a hundred different code violations. With only the moonlight to guide me, instinct took over, and I didn’t let myself think about how I couldn’t really see where my hands or feet were going. If I let doubt creep in, I could fall, and I was high enough I would end up with a couple of broken bones.

A warm, sticky wind caught the loose strands of hair that had escaped my bun as I reached the rooftop. Placing both palms on the cement ledge, I scanned the area. Luckily, bright floodlights shone from three different maintenance sheds, each complete with its own massive antenna. I didn’t see Suit Demon, but I knew he had to be up here. I could feel him.

I pulled myself over the ledge. The breeze was more of a wind up here, which I welcomed as it rolled over my sweat-slickened skin. Daggers secured to my hips, my fingers twitched with the desire to unsheathe them as I walked across the roof.

Near the second shed, I caught sight of Suit Demon. He was on the ledge opposite the area I’d climbed up, crouched in a manner that was so Warden-like, I frowned. He’d gotten rid of his suit jacket at some point, and his white dress shirt billowed in the wind. The demon appeared to be watching the world down below. Was he waiting for someone? Maybe he was up here waiting for the demon Zayne had followed.

Maybe even Bael.

A plan quickly formed, thank God. Catch the demon off guard, gain the upper hand and make him talk.

Sounded legit and well-thought-out.

I stepped from behind the shed, keeping my hands open at my sides. “Hi!”

Suit Demon whipped around, rising with unearthly fluidity. He was on the narrow ledge and then one heartbeat later, he was a few feet from me.

A rational person would’ve experienced some level of fear at that point, but that wasn’t what I was feeling.

He was close enough that I could tell he was handsome, which wasn’t surprising. Demons rarely appeared as anything other than someone who would be viewed as universally attractive. What hid pure, unadulterated evil better than a comely face?

Cocking his head, the demon frowned. He stared at me as if he’d ordered a tender marinated filet, but instead had ended up with a cheap flat beef patty. I was sort of offended.

I was 100 percent organic Angus beef, thank you very much.