Page 51 of Speak No Evil

“I’m so sorry this happened to you, V,” I whisper on my side of the portal and let it close slowly on its own.

But opening a portal to V without knowing precisely where she is gives me an idea.

I finish showering, dry off, and put on my new demon suit.

I don’t know if it should be so easy to slip in and out of my two forms, but it is, and I’m grateful for the extra intimidation factor.

I don’t bother with clothes. I don’t have any that would fit, so I open another portal.

Before leaving, I send a thought to Vrahs.

The old me would have gone off, telling no one.

That’s how I always operated my business. But I’m seeing the benefits of people knowing where I am and having access to backup.

I’m going to the Head Coven Leader. Shit in that town is changing, starting right now.

Care for reinforcements? Or an audience with the king?

I’ll let you know if I need you, but I think I need to do this on my own.

And the king?

Possibly. I’ll let you know.

When he speaks next, a devastating smile is clear in his voice.You are a marvel, Jade. I’m honored to have you as a mate.

Shut up. That’s not what we do.

I’m conceding to backup, but there’s no way in hell I’m getting all lovey-dovey mushy-mouthed over a gorgeous trio of god-like immortal demons who think I’m hot and want to make me come all the time.

Yeah.

Bye,I project awkwardly into his head and step through to Laurel Cove.

“What the fuck!”

“Oooh, you’re not Claudia,” I say to the tiny witch in Claudia’s seat in Claudia’s house.

Er, I suppose the house belongs to the covens, and it’s given to the Supreme Coven Leader.

The tiny witch looks me up and down. “Claudia? Claudia’s been dead for almost a year. Who the fuck are you?”

“Shit. Claudia died?” I sink heavily into the chair in front of her just as she hops off her chair.

“Get your naked demon flesh off my black velvet chairs, you heathen!”

Heathen? Jeez, it’s been an age since anyone’s called me that.

Before I have a chance, the witch conjures a comically large swath of fabric, I’m guessing a tablecloth. It wraps itself several times around my hips.

And I thought humans were the prudes.

“This is the last time, I’ll ask, demon. Who are you and what are you doing here?”

“Oh, right. I’m not actually a demon. I’m a witch, like you.”

The woman crinkles her nose at me.