“Um…no,” I answer.
My tail itches at the base of my spine, wanting to come out, wanting to attack the intruder, but I take a deep breath and keep myself in check.
“Who are you? How did you get in?” I ask instead.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you close so early.”
“I do. How did you get in?”
She touches her chest with her long, manicured nails and laughs.
“Oh, I hate doors.”
It doesn’t exactly answer my question, but I doubt she’ll offer any further explanation.
“How can I help you?”
I’ll worry about how she teleported in later…because that’s the only way, right? Unless she hid while we were still open.
“I don’t think you can. ButIcan helpyou!” she says.
I tilt my head and narrow my eyes.
“How exa?—?”
Before I’ve even finished, black wings appear behind her and she’s in my face, two fangs protruding from her teeth. Her previously blue eyes are an abyss of black and red.
“By giving you a piece of advice.”
My own set of wings comes out, and I push my forehead against hers. The time when Yu-jin was the victim is long over. If she thinks she can come into my store, my life, and give me attitude, she’s got another think coming.
“Oh really? I didn’t ask for any.”
She glances at my wings and laughs.
“Dear hell, what even are you? Is this a joke?”
“I’ll be your worst nightmare if you don’t get out of here now.”
“Please, sweetheart, stop with the theatrics. You don’t scare me. I’m a hell-demoness. I’m not afraid of some”—she waves her hand in front of me with disdain and grimaces—“mutt!”
“I won’t repeat myself.” My tail also comes out, the pointy end going straight to her temple and pressing on it.
All it’ll take is a thought to pierce her pretty little head.
“That’s cute. I’m starting to see why he’s interested in you.”
“Who?”
The tension on my tail wavers for a moment, and she throws her hand up and grabs it, twisting it back toward me.
“Whatever spell you’ve cast on him, it’s time to end it. Whatever fun he had with you is over. Just tell him you’re not interested anymore and leave him the fuck alone.”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about,” I say with gritted teeth, although I have a pretty good idea.
She’s got black feathery wings and she’s a self-proclaimed hell-demoness. There’s no denying she’s talking about Lucian.
She scoffs.
