Demon’s Gonna Demon, I Guess.

  “An incubus, animus, lizard, and human walk into a swamp—sounds like the beginning of a really bloody joke.” ~Maddie

  “Lola. Maddie.” Lyra’s voice rang out through the entryway of the large home, carrying all the way to the library, which was several hallways away. “There’s someone here I think you will be excited to meet. He arrived late last night, but I didn’t want to wake you.”

  When Lola entered the foyer, Lyra stepped to the side, revealing a short, humanoid, lizard-looking being. He was adorable, and Lola opened her mouth to say so, but Lyra gave a sharp shake of her head.

  “Katy sent me a text.” The Prima cut her eyes toward Otto. “To the effect of… ‘keep all cuteness comments to yourself around the lizard.’”

  “Otto not cute,” the little guy said, but the baggy jeans and T-shirt he wore rendered his words completely false.

  The hell you’re not, Lola thought mentally, but stayed her tongue.

  “Oh my gosh, he’s so freaking cu—” Maddie started, but froze mid-step and mid-speak when Otto hissed at her. “Uh, badass. So freaking badass.” Maddie quickly switched gears. “I was totally going to say he’s the freaking baddest-ass of all badasses.”

  “I, Otto,” the lizard said again. “I swears to protect you for Katy.”

  Lola could tell he took his job seriously. “Thank you, Otto. We are most grateful for your assistance.”

  “We’re just waiting for our other guest to arrive,” Lyra said. “Demons aren’t known for their promptness.” She motioned for Otto to follow her, and Lola and Maddie fell in step behind them.

  Maddie made a squishing motion with her hands toward Otto.

  Lola shook her head. She leaned in close. “If he bites you, you die.”

  Maddie dropped her hands. “Damn. Lizards of Damaria don’t play.”

  Lola sighed. “Just try not to offend him. I don’t need two best friends playing chicken with death.”

  They each took a chair in the little sitting room. It was hard for Lola not to stare at the strange-looking lizard. He was like a pug or French bulldog—so ugly they’re cute.

  “Demon not to trust.” Otto looked at each of them. “They only for selves.”

  The Prima made an agreeing sound, but then added, “Sometimes, we have to take a leap of faith, even if what we’re leaping into seems dangerous.”

  “Umm, no offense, Lyra, but every step in this supernatural world is a leap of faith because everything, and everyone, is dangerous. Especially to us humans. I’m walking around seeing tigers, cheetahs, and lions, and thinking, ‘Man, I hope they’ve had breakfast.’”

  Lola laughed at Maddie. “You don’t have enough meat on you to make a full meal. Gain a good fifty pounds and then the beasts here might consider you as more than just a twig with legs.”

  Maddie levelled her eyes at Lola. “You suck.”

  “I keep you safe,” Otto repeated.

  Lola didn’t want to insult the little guy, but she wasn’t exactly sure how a lizard no taller than a two-year-old could keep them safe from a thirty-foot snake. Or a demon, for that matter.

  “I’m holding you to that, Little Man,” Maddie told the lizard. “And I hold a grudge, so don’t go letting me down.”

  Otto grumbled something in what Lola recognized as the Damarian language. She was going to have to get Callon to teach her so she wouldn’t be insulted by a lizard and not know it.

  Taras walked in and sat down next to his mate. He looked at Otto. “It’s good to see you out from under the thumb of Azure, Otto. I’m glad to have you in my home.”

  Otto bowed his head. “I thanks you.”

  As they descended into silence, Lola forced herself to sit still on the stiff settee, resisting the urge to fidget as they waited for Raphael to arrive. Her nerves were not helped by the presence of Katy’s unusual friend. After a moment, he began to scurry about, as if looking for something, and then the small lizard creature perched tensely on the ornate coffee table, his bulbous eyes constantly roving the room. He seemed ready to bite anything that moved too suddenly. Having a supernatural attack lizard underfoot was doing nothing for Lola’s anxiety.

  Maddie leaned over and whispered, “What are the odds Raphael is going to push Otto’s buttons just for kicks and giggles?”

  Lola winced. “Ever in our favor, if I was guessing.”

  Suddenly, the sitting room doors swept open. Lola tensed, expecting the incubus. But it was Wyatt. His eyes quickly took in the room and then landed on Otto. A mischievous grin spread wide across his handsome face.

  “Oh, hell,” Maddie muttered.

  Otto was on his feet in a flash, puffing up in a show of aggression as he hissed at the panther playboy. “I bite you.”

  Wyatt froze, looking bemused at the display.

  “Whoa there, Little Guy.” Lola quickly scooped up the indignant Otto before he could launch himself at Wyatt. “No biting. Did Katy send you with a muzzle or something, anything, to keep your teeth to yourself?”

  The lizard muttered but settled in her arms. The panther’s lips twitched. “Fierce protector you have there.” His amusement faded. “Though I have heard you’re about to be dealing with a demon. That’s no place for a young warrior.”

  “Otto older than you,” the lizard growled.

  Lola sighed, absently stroking Otto’s spiky frill. “I know. But try convincing Katy not to protect the people she loves.”

  Understanding flashed in Wyatt’s eyes. “Just so, be cautious. The bayou holds many threats, some with friendly faces.” His penetrating gaze seemed to say they should be wary, even of supposed allies. “I’ll be out front if you need me, Prime.” Wyatt turned on his heel and stalked away.

  Otto suddenly writhed in her grasp. “Demon comes!”

  Sure enough, Raphael strode casually through the doors a moment later. Maddie tensed beside her, but Lola kept a firm grip on the snarling Otto.

  The Incubus paused, one brow quirking at the reactions to his arrival. His sharp eyes lingered on Otto curiously. “New friends, Lola?”

  She gave him a tight smile. “Just some added protection against any snakes in the grass.”

  Raphael laughed, the sound smooth as honey. “A wise precaution for entering the bayou.” He took a seat, relaxed as a lounging panther. “Shall we discuss the details of our impending journey?”

  Lola clenched her jaw, hugging Otto closer, like a scaly security blanket. She just had to get through this. Then they could find the witch and save Katy.

  Meeting Raphael’s knowing gaze head on, she said evenly, “Yes, let’s get this over with.”

  No matter how the demon tried to unbalance her, Lola refused to show fear. She had faced worse monsters than him in New York’s shadows. This was merely another beast to outsmart. And with Otto as backup, she just might survive the viper’s den unscathed.

  Lola tried to focus as Raphael laid out a map and then showed them the route to the remote bayou plantation, but it was difficult with a grumbling Otto glaring daggers at the demon the whole time. She just hoped the prickly lizard wouldn’t actually lunge and bite Raphael before they got the information they needed.

  “Do you have an exact location for the plantation house itself?” Maddie asked when Raphael finally finished. “That swamp looks huge to be searching blindly.”

  The incubus smiled, flashing a dimple that no doubt lured many poor souls to their doom. “Fret not, I can guide you straight there. The bayou holds no mysteries from me.”

  Lola tensed at his smooth assurance. She didn’t trust his motives here at all.

  “It’s not the bayou’s mysteries we’re concerned about, Raphael,” Taras said sharply. “We need to know we can trust you.”

  “Demon and trust don’t seem like two words that go together,” Maddie said.

  Lola kept her eyes on the map as her gut churned over her friend’s words.

  A shiver ran down her spine as Raphael’s sharp gaze turned to her. “You seem … distracted, Lovely Lola. Are you quite all right?”

  Lola resisted the urge to hurl a pillow at his smug face. “Just ready to get this trip over with,” she bit out.

  The damn demon had the nerve to look amused, like her clearly evident hostility entertained him. He just loved trying to get under her skin.

  Well, she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Standing abruptly, she set Otto on the couch. “Taras, Lyra, if that’s all the info we need, we should get ready to leave first thing tomorrow, don’t you think?” She angled her body toward the door in clear dismissal.

  Raphael took his time rising from the settee, brushing imaginary lint from his jacket, no doubt just to irk her. “Bright and early. I look forward to having you ladies … under my care.” His gaze turned smoky as he eyed her and then Maddie.

  Lola cringed inwardly. Could he be any more obvious? She felt like a gazelle being toyed with by a lion.

  She gave him a brittle smile. “Great. See you then.”

  As she scooped Otto up and herded Maddie quickly from the room, she heard Raphael’s low chuckle behind them. Lola gritted her teeth. She was so done playing his games. But she’d put up with the demon if it led them to the priestess.

  Otto twisted to glare over Lola’s shoulder, tail lashing. “I bites him if he hurts yous or the Maddie,” the lizard declared ferociously.

  Despite her unease, Lola laughed. “Thanks, Otto. We’ve got this.”

  With her prickly protector at her side, maybe she stood a chance against the demon’s mind games. For Katy’s sake, into the snake nest she’d go, and dare the vipers to strike.

  Nico lounged atop one of the elaborately carved settees in the silkies’ receiving chamber, but his sharp gaze took in every detail as they awaited an audience with the spider king and queen.

  He cataloged each exit, the patterns of the guards’ patrols, and the way sound echoed slightly off the vaulted ceilings. One could never be too aware of their surroundings when dealing with royalty, even supposed allies. Especially in their own web.

  “You look ready to stab someone,” Roan rumbled from his tense perch nearby. “I thought arachnids were your kind of people, with their crazy, shifty eyes and sparkly, silk clothes.”

  Nico grinned. “Oh, I like them just fine, when you know they’re hustling you.” He flourished a hand lazily. “But when the silkies put on airs of civility, that’s when you gotta watch your back.”

  Callon shook his head, leaning against a pillar across from them. The lion seemed tired, likely worrying after his new mate. “Not all of us assume the worst in others, Nico.”

  Nico shrugged, unbothered. “Hey, just calling it like I see it. Everyone’s got an angle. Me? I prefer when they don’t pretend otherwise.”

  Before Callon could reply, the far doors swept open. Lyric glided in, followed by an elegant couple that could only be the king and queen. Nico sat up straighter, taking their measure.

  Queen Athena moved with refined grace, her beauty more striking than the loveliest sunset. But it was the calculating gleam in her bright eyes that gave Nico pause. This one was clever, shrewd, and not to be underestimated.

  King Aurelius cut an imposing figure beside her, power evident in his broad shoulders and commanding air. His sharp gaze sized them up just as closely as Athena had done. Nico inclined his head in a show of respect.

  Once seated, the pleasantries began, Lyric making introductions. Nico let the conversations flow around him, only speaking when required. His role here was to watch and listen.

  Finally, talk turned to the reason for the meeting. “We have heard troubling rumors about dissent from within the kingdoms,” Callon said gravely, “but know not from where this unrest stems.”

  “You seek to root out Azure’s allies,” Queen Athena surmised, her voice smooth as silk. “A dangerous game, Lion Prince.”

  Nico didn’t miss the glance she exchanged with her king at Callon’s title. Interesting.

  Callon either didn’t notice or ignored it. “Dangerous indeed, should war break out,” he conceded. “We hope only to avoid further bloodshed. We’ve all been down that road and know where it leads.”

  “Peace is fragile, now more than ever,” King Aurelius said solemnly. “Perhaps some alliances are best left in shadow, for the good of all.”

  Definitely interesting. Nico sat forward. “Respectfully, Your Majesty, shadows can conceal vipers as well as mice. If we knew which nobles treat with Azure, they could be reasoned with, brought back to the light.” He kept his tone polite, only vaguely cajoling.

  Athena’s piercing eyes turned on him. “And what would you know of walking in darkness, Chaos-Bringer?” The question held a biting edge.

  Nico widened his eyes innocently. “Very little, My Queen. I prefer the open road, as wild and free as my Kingdom’s namesake.” He paused. “But even I know serpents thrive in shadows if the sun is too bright.”

  The queen’s eyes narrowed, but whatever she might have said was interrupted by the king’s rumbling laugh. “It has been a long time since I have entertained the shaman of the Kingdom of Chaos. I have forgotten how sharp and cunning your tongue can be.” The king looked at Callon. “You have an interesting associate, Prince Callon.”

  Callon grimaced faintly. “Nico takes some getting used to. But his counsel has proven wise, if unconventional at times.”

  Roan made a derisive sound, earning a sly grin from Nico. Callon threw them both quelling glares before returning his attention to their hosts. “Might we prevail upon your aid, King Aurelius? Any information could prevent catastrophe.”

  The Spider King exchanged another loaded glance with his mate. Nico repressed a smile. Even without words, the power dynamic here was clear. The lady ruled this court in truth, her shrewd mind the one they must persuade.

  With an elegant shrug, Athena said, “We know little of Azure’s allies outside rumor and hearsay. But discretion guides our steps.” She studied them intently. “Sometimes, respecting secrets preserves the peace. As lions should understand.”

  Definitely no help forthcoming then. Nico kept his easy smile in place, though irritation pricked. He caught Lyric’s eye, and she gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head. Message received. Additional pressure would not sway the obstinate royals.

  Callon seemed to realize the same, as he smoothly changed course. “Of course, we defer to your wisdom in protecting your people.” He stood and bowed respectfully. “Might we beg just one further boon before taking our leave? There are some who yet remain here that should return with us, by your grace, of course.”

  Athena raised one elegant brow. “The animi that wear the marks of the Kingdom of Claws.” At Callon’s nod, she waved a hand dismissively. “Yes, yes, collect them if you wish. We’ve no need of them using our resources when they are of no use to us.”

  Nico’s jaw tightened at her callous words. Just like the Spiders to treat something not important to them as nothing special. But now was not the time to pick that battle. He cleared his throat and raised his brow at her.

  Athena rolled her eyes. “Fine, shaman. You can have the ones with the Kingdom of Chaos marks as well.” She sighed dramatically. “Do you also wish us to release all the other kingdom’s animi to you?”

  “That won’t be necessary,” Callon interjected. “We trust you will do right by the other kingdoms.”

  The rest of the formal parting words passed in a blur. Nico’s shoulders loosened imperceptibly once they were away from the cunning royals. Their mission here may have failed, but at least Callon secured the animi’s release. Small victories.

  As they made their way out of the palace, Lyric pulled him aside, concern in her eyes. “You tread a dangerous line provoking the queen so, Nico,” she chided gently.

  Nico flashed her a rakish grin. “Now, Lyric, you know I was a perfect gentleman.” At her unimpressed look, he laughed. “Someone had to ask the question. Royals don’t like getting their hands dirty if they can avoid it.”

  Lyric shook her head ruefully. “Be cautious, my friend. The silk may appear smooth, but still it ensnares.” With a final squeeze of his arm, she glided away.

  Nico watched her go. However this brewing storm ended, the aftermath would leave scars. He only hoped friendships and loyalties could weather the coming trials. With a deep breath, he went to join the others as they waited at the bottom of the stairs to the mansion. When their heads turned in his direction, Nico glanced over his shoulder and saw a dozen or more females come out of the doors they’d just exited.

  He put on his best smile and nodded to them as they walked past. Nico noted the ones with bare arms that had tattoos representing the Kingdom of Chaos. He wondered how many of the Damarians from his kingdom would find their mate and be made whole.

  Once they’d all passed him, he turned and followed until he stood next to Callon, Bane, and Roan. The Kingdom of Claws Shaman stood with his arms folded in front of his chest, glaring down at the females. He looked ready to throttle them rather than assist them.

  “Are all of you here of your own free will?” Roan asked, his voice gruff.

  Some of them nodded, and some spoke up and said, “Yes.” There was one that caught Nico’s eye. She seemed to be attempting to hide behind two of the other females, and they kept shifting every time this petite blonde moved.

  Why are they hiding you, Skittish Mouse? Nico wondered as he began to walk, taking slow steps around the circle of females. She tried to shift away quickly when she realized that Nico was watching her intently.

  “What is your name?”

  The female’s eyes widened as she glanced up at the two women who still attempted to move in front of her. But Nico pinned them with his stare and slowly shook his head.

  “What’s the problem?” Callon asked.

  Nico tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as he watched his prey. “We seem to have a little bird that is with the wrong flock.”

  “She’s Kingdom of Wings?” Roan asked.

  Nico’s hand shot out, and he grabbed the female’s arm. He made sure not to hurt her. He pushed up the long sleeve of her baggy sweater until he could see the tattoo on her bicep. His eyes widened as he stared at the snake he’d only ever seen one other time.