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  Because I simply couldn’t get enough, we were watching one of the bands play when Atticus walked by. A tall drink of water clad in black leather, he paused near the stage to speak with a roadie. Instead of shouting over the music, I held up a finger to tell Jett I’d be right back.

  Atticus glanced over at my approach. His face lit up in recognition. “You’re the badass guitarist from Crimson Sin. You fucking slay, girl. Nice to meet you. I’m Atticus.”

  Did he know what I was? Surely he sensed it. From this proximity the static charge coming off him made the tiny hairs on my arms stand on end. I accepted the hand he extended. “Thank you. It’s Spike.”

  The moment our hands touched his pale green eyes widened slightly, his pupils dilating. The heavy static surrounding him intensified, as if I’d piqued his interest. “A nephilim. How curious. You know, I thought you were a myth. That celestial vibe in your touch tells me otherwise. I’m fascinated.” Indeed he seemed to be. Releasing my hand, he stepped back to give me a good once over, like he’d expected a nephilim to look different somehow.

  I stifled a laugh. “Then you’ll be even more surprised to learn there are three of us.”

  “And one werewolf,” Atticus added with a chin jerk in Jett’s direction. A slow grin crossed his handsome face, revealing fangs. “Well that certainly makes the tour more interesting, doesn’t it?”

  “Being able to be yourself every night while everyone else is none the wiser makes it pretty fun too, I’d bet. I doubt that would go over so well for those of us with wings.” It wasn’t often that I interacted with vampires. Still, I didn’t get the feeling that I should fear Atticus. He gave off an incredibly easy-going, laid-back vibe. Nothing about him said killer. Although, that could be said about many murderers.

  Ducking his head of short black hair, Atticus ensured no one was in earshot before replying, “Wings? Now that is some seriously cool shit.”

  Since I couldn’t just play supernatural small talk and not get down to business, I angled close enough to be heard without broadcasting to the roadies that worked behind the scenes. “Was it you?” I asked. “The dead guy this morning. Did you kill him?”

  This vampire was a stranger to me. I didn’t know what to expect. However, his outburst of laughter wasn’t it. “Hardly. I was in the back of my bus with a lady on either side of me. I don’t kill on the road. It’s akin to shitting where one eats, don’t you think?” He quirked both brows at me, finding my question incredibly humorous. “A well-placed nip on a groupie every so often is all it takes. I’m in this for the music, the money, and the pussy, in that exact order. Not the blood.”

  Because I didn’t know how to reply to that, I nodded and pressed my lips into what felt like an awkward smile. “Well, ok then. Glad that’s been established. I’m just going to head back over to my friends there. I’ll see you around.”

  Atticus smirked, enjoying my discomfort. “Welcome to the tour, Spike.”

  I headed back toward my friends feeling more than a little ridiculous. Maybe I’d been too quick to point a finger seeing as there hadn’t been a wound on the body. The vampire clearly thought I was a moron.

  A guy stumbled in front of me, almost falling as he upset his drink all over his shirtfront. Once he righted himself, he stared around with glassy eyes, unfocused and unaware. There was an ashen quality to his skin. Haggard and unkempt, it looked as if he hadn’t slept in days. A shock of drab gray stood out against his otherwise dark brown hair. He seemed sickly.

  Maybe he was on something because this was certainly more than alcohol. There was a strange faraway look in his eyes that struck me as incredibly odd. Something I’d never seen before, despite the many drug users that tended to hang around a music scene known for its heavy partying.

  “Hey man, are you okay?” I asked, waving a hand to get his attention.

  Absently he rubbed the back of his neck and stared off, kind of like someone looking for their car in a massive parking lot. Suddenly he took notice of me. Both bloodshot eyes widened. “I’m just looking for someone. Pretty sure I’m just looking for someone.”

  “Maybe you should head to the First Aid tent and get some water. Have someone take a look at you. They can help you find whomever you’re looking for.” Standing on tiptoes I tried to see over the crowd. There had to be an event staff member hanging around nearby who could help this guy out. The festival was clearly drawing a type.

  I managed to wave somebody over who then steered him toward the First Aid crew while gently asking if he’d taken anything earlier that day. I released an uneasy breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. This shit just hit too close for comfort.

  As I reached Jett she grabbed my arm and pointed through the throng. “Heads up. Looks like your ex has drawn attention.”

  Several yards away stood Rowen. The bright turquoise of his hawk made him easy to spot. But that wasn’t what made him stand out to the demon currently chest bumping him in an effort to instigate a fight.

  “Shit,” I muttered, scanning the vicinity for Arrow until I remembered he’d gone on a drink run with Sam.

  Rather than rush in impulsively, I paused to assess the situation. Rowen generally had a pretty level head, but he’d been making some less than stellar decisions lately.

  It was Jett’s observant opinion that he wasn’t over our breakup so he was acting out to release the emotions he didn’t know how to purge. Knowing she was probably right made it harder to process. I wasn’t responsible for Rowen’s choices and actions. Still I felt bad anyway.

  The demon appeared fully human aside from the black eyes. In jeans and a t-shirt, he looked like thousands of other guys. Nobody would look twice at him, making it easy for him to move among the crowd and stir up trouble.

  Rowen’s mouth moved as he hissed something nasty at the demon. The way his brow lifted and his lip curled, it had to be ugly. Rage stole over the demon’s face, confirming that. When he gave Rowen a shove that threw him to the ground, my feet were moving.

  Ignoring Jett’s shout for me to wait, I weaved through people, frustrated by the many obstacles in my path. Between the bodies blocking my way forward, I caught glimpses of the demon leaning over Rowen who pushed himself up, refusing to cower in front of anyone. Neither of them could use otherworldly power without risking the wrath of the powers that be. But there were a lot of ways to hurt or kill a nephilim that required no power at all. We were mortal, and no demon could be trusted not to go right for the kill if given a chance.

  Before the demon could throw a fist loaded with immortal strength into Rowen’s face, I grabbed hold of his arm. It was like grabbing onto a brick wall and expecting it to move. He spun swiftly to face me, dragging me off my feet. I let go of him before he could make a grab for me, darting out of reach.

  “What’s going on?” My question was directed at Rowen.

  The demon answered for him. “You’re trespassing on my territory, half breed. There’s a fee just for passing through.” Ebony eyes drifted over us. Tugging on his bushy beard, he paused on me. His stare intensified until I squirmed in my skin. “It’s been quite some time since I’ve come across a female of your kind.”

  “Well unfortunately for me I have to deal with your kind every damn night,” I snapped back. “We’re passing through, and we’re not paying a damn thing to do so. If you want a fight, you’ll get one.”

  The demon chuckled, but his brow furrowed in mild confusion, like he didn’t quite know what to make of me. Word of my existence had started to spread. Both angels and demons wanted me dead for a variety of reasons but most especially because I was my father’s daughter.

  But this guy was a bottom feeder at best, and I refused to fear him. Because nothing scared me quite like Aster, the Angel of Fate and member of the Brotherhood of the Blue Stag, who would stop at nothing to justify his cause in seeking my death.

  “We leave with the tour in the morning. If I were you, I would step aside and let us go about our business. Otherw
ise we’re just gonna kick your ass back to the other side anyway.” Rowen lifted both hands, giving the demon the choice he never would have given us.

  The guy never looked twice at Rowen now that his attention had found me. Curiosity outweighed his irritation at our supposed trespassing. Had he also heard the prophecy about a woman born of an immortal, destined to lead a great rebellion? A woman that some believed to be me. Although I had yet to see any concrete evidence of that myself.

  “Who is your father?” The demon spat the question like it had slipped out on its own.

  “Who the hell do you think you are to ask me that? All you need to know is that we’re both light, and we have no problem taking you on right here and now.” Inside I was shaken because my parentage was still raw for me and what it meant was still a question that I had no answer to. On the outside though, I crossed my arms and willed my fingertips to stop burning with the need to set this asshole on fire.

  Upper lip curled in a sneer, the demon shifted his weight from foot to foot, sizing us up. “Nobody passes through without paying the fee. Without exception. Half breeds included.”

  I had no interest in hearing what his fee might be. Driven by my own inner insecurity and the need to protect myself and my companions, I brazenly stepped forward and grabbed the demon by the throat. I let the fire seep forth, lighting my fingertips in a soft glow. It was subtle enough to go unnoticed. Just enough for him to feel the holy fire in my touch.

  “I’m not going to repeat myself. Walk away or face the consequences of messing with the wrong woman.” I stared him hard in the eyes, watching as the pain crept in.

  From behind me Rowen chuckled, having fun with the demon. “Trust me, man, it’s not worth it. This woman will chew you up and spit you out.”

  My entire body went cold all over. What the hell was that supposed to mean? It felt like a dig.

  The demon ripped back out of reach, grabbing at the burn marks where my fingertips had been. A wary suspicion crossed his face. “Flame bearer. Get the fuck out of my city, and when you leave, don’t ever come back. Because I won’t be the only one waiting for you.”

  Not for a second did he turn his back on me as he retreated. Not until he’d reached a place beyond the shadows where he could safely disappear without being noticed.

  That’s when I rounded on Rowen. “Chew you up and spit you out?” My voice rose with each word. “Is that what you think I did to you, Rowen?”

  Amber eyes hardened by heartbreak revealed nothing. “It didn’t mean anything, Spike. Just something I said to make it clear that he shouldn’t mess with you.”

  He was lying and we both knew it. Perhaps finding Arrow and I together had unsettled Rowen. But that wasn’t my problem. And I didn’t deserve to be the target of his anger. We were supposed to be beyond this.

  Before the wounded part of me said something I’d regret, I walked away. When Rowen called my name, I didn’t stop and I didn’t look back.

  So badly I wanted to call him out on the bullshit. But that would mean digging up a grave that had long since been filled. And I had no interest in that.

  CHAPTER SIX

  NEEDLESS TO SAY, I wasn’t quite feeling the party vibe anymore. After Jett and Sam snuck off to grab some time alone together, I left Rowen and Arrow by the stage, where they waited to watch one of the remaining bands play, and headed back to the bus. Hopefully I’d find a Tylenol in my bag and a couple of brownies from Cinder. I could really go for some comfort food. Maybe if the bus was still relatively empty, I could grab a shower without fighting anyone for it.

  I passed through security and exited the festival grounds. A short stretch of parking lot separated me from where the buses were parked in a row. The lot stretched dark and wide, bringing to mind the many dark and unseemly creatures that could be lurking unseen.

  Like Flint. That asshole could be anywhere. Even though I hadn’t seen him since the night I stabbed my sword into his eye, I often felt the need to look over my shoulder. Demons could do that to you.

  So I did it now, finding nothing there of course. But when I turned back toward the buses Blue Monroe stepped out of the dark in front of me. Not quite as bad as the demon but that didn’t make him harmless.

  “Fancy running into you here. You owe me a drink.” A twisted smile lit up his face. The faraway glassy glint in his eyes indicated the use of narcotics. That wasn’t what disturbed me though. It was the lecherous way he gawked at me, as if I were little more than an object for his pleasure.

  My fingertips warmed in response to the threat. “I don’t owe you a damn thing. Giving orders doesn’t work with me. I’m not sure what kind of girl you’re used to, but I’m not one of them.”

  I moved to go around Blue, but he moved with me, blocking my escape. I was totally going to have to punch this guy. Fingers clenched into fists, it took great effort not to throw a fireball in his stupid face.

  “Wow, you are a feisty one, aren’t you? I like that. These groupies, always available and never a challenge, it really gets old after a while. You, however, none of them seem to be quite like you.” Drawing a cigarette out from behind an ear, Blue produced a Zippo lighter. The grinning skull carved into the metal left a bad taste in my mouth.

  Briefly, I wondered if I could manipulate the flame into blowing up in his face. Maybe he’d never know it was me. “Seriously, man, who the hell do you think you are? God’s gift to women?” I was about three seconds from breaking this asshole’s nose. I put up with a lot of crap from a lot of people, but this kind of behavior didn’t get a free pass.

  “I think I’m the guy that could make you a star. I have power in this industry. Best-selling albums. Tours that sell out. I can make all of that happen for you, Spike. But I don’t give without getting.” As Blue spoke he made the mistake of trying to touch me. His hand landed on my shoulder.

  I grabbed it as Cinder had taught me and twisted his wrist, encouraged when he grunted at the sudden, sharp pain. Then I gave him a shove that sent him stumbling. I knew how to throw a guy on his ass. Blue was getting off lucky here.

  “Don’t fucking touch me. In fact, don’t fucking look at me or talk to me. I’m not interested, Blue. I will never be interested. Get over yourself.”

  The fire burned inside me. So badly I wanted to set Blue’s revolting ass on fire. But he was human. Because of that he got a free pass. It didn’t feel right.

  Blue didn’t back off as I’d hoped. Instead, he came at me harder, grabbing me by both shoulders tightly. Cigarette clenched between his teeth, he snarled, “You don’t know who you’re messing with, bitch. I can end your career before it even starts.”

  Stunned into silence, I stared into his crazed eyes. Before I could make the choice to headbutt him in the face, Atticus strolled along with his arm around a sultry redhead.

  Immediately Blue released me and put a few feet between us. Puffing on his cigarette, he pretended like we’d just been hanging out, shooting the shit.

  Atticus drew to a stop so close to Blue their noses almost touched. “The only career that’s going end around here, Blue, is yours if you don’t back the fuck off and understand that no means no. I’d be happy to help you figure it out if you need a little help with the concept.”

  Blue jerked back, intimidated by the vampire. And who wouldn’t be? The undead could intimidate with just a look.

  Plucking the smoke from his lips, Blue raised both hands as if to claim innocence. He took a few slow steps toward the buses. “Chill out, dude. We were just talking. I’m not looking for any trouble.”

  Catching my eye, Blue winked. Like this was a joke we were both in on. Then he headed across the lot toward his own bus, which thankfully was parked several away from mine.

  “What a fucking douchebag,” I muttered, missing for just a moment how much easier it was to have an altercation with a demon. At least I could be myself and just throw down. The restraint killed me.

  Atticus watched Blue retreat, his jaw hard set, eyes n
arrowed. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that guy is bad news. Rumor has it he tries this kind of thing a lot.”

  With a glance at the groupie waiting for him, I said only, “Well I’m pretty sure I can take him. Guys like Blue always get what’s coming to them. It’s the waiting for it that sucks.”

  “Ain’t that the truth?” Guiding his lady friend along, Atticus led her toward his bus, leaving me to venture to mine. “Have a good night, Spike.”

  Releasing an annoyed huff, I waited until I was alone to let the tiniest flames dance along my fingertips. Just a few seconds was all I needed to release the pent-up fire within. I wasn’t used to this shit. Humans.

  I was used to demons, creepy things that deserved more than a fireball to the face. Separating my emotion from logic concerning Blue proved difficult. It took a lot for me to want to hurt somebody, but he’d driven me to that point.

  Pulling open the bus door, I was greeted by the telltale sounds of an action movie: squealing tires, shouts, and gunfire. I stepped inside to find Paul and one other guy from his band, Chase I believe it was, watching some Jason Statham movie and munching out on pizza.

  “What’s the matter, Spike?” Paul asked, gesturing at me with his slice of pepperoni pizza. “You look pissed. Like you’re gonna kill somebody.”

  “It’s that obvious, huh? Nothing like your everyday rock star misogyny. I’m so over it.” Striding to the fridge, I searched about inside until I found some Pepsi. Grabbing a bottle of Jack Daniels off the tiny counter and a red plastic cup, I poured myself a generous drink. I sure didn’t expect Paul to understand. He’d been a sexist dick to me as well.

  Paul nodded, his head bobbing slowly and a little erratically. His eyes were red rimmed and bloodshot. Everybody was partying hard already. I imagined our livers would make us pay the price for it later.

  “Yeah, I’m sorry I was such a dick to you. I don’t mean anything by it. I’m just an asshole.” Taking a big bite of pizza, Paul munched absently, his gaze straying randomly to the car chase on the screen.