A Job From Hell (Ancient Legends #1)

Clare,
and stumbled across Amber. She said she had a plan to save Aidan. She wouldn’t
tell me what it was, just that it involved the Shadows.” Cass peered at me, all
innocent green eyes, wide with fake honesty. I knew she was lying, but I let
her continue. “I tried to talk her out of striking a deal with the Shadows, but
she wouldn’t listen. I had no idea she’d act so quickly, otherwise I would’ve
left you a note.”
    “How did Amber get hold of the Shadows?”
Kieran asked. “It’s not like they can walk in here, what with the gold-infused
bars Aidan put up around the property.”
    Cass shook her head. “I’ve no idea, mate.
Maybe Amber got hold of their phone number. I’ve heard that Devon’s throwing it
around like hot cakes.”
    “That’s very useful information, Cass.” I
nodded, seemingly impressed, ready to let her believe her bluff worked on me. “Can
you get us inside their fortress?”
    She shook her head. “That isn’t part of my
job duties, mate.”
    “May I remind you it’s your responsibility
to ensure no mortal entering the immortal realm, willingly or unwillingly, ever
comes to harm?” I raised my brows meaningfully.
    Cass groaned. “This job’s kind of hard, isn’t
it?”
    “You’re not cut out for it, I knew it. Send
in your notice, sweetie. No one will hold it against you,” Kieran said. He was
leading her on, counting on her half fallen angel nature that wouldn’t let a
challenge untouched. I regarded her, waiting for her reaction.
    Cass lifted her chin defiantly, that
dangerous glint blinking in her eyes like a siren. “I was joking, you moron. No
job’s too hard for me. I can’t get you in because some of them are my friends
and I would never betray them. Doesn’t mean I don’t know someone who can help.”
    I would’ve liked to point out the double standard
in that. Instead, I said, “She showed you, bro.”
    “Didn’t see that one coming from our little
Cass.” Kieran’s lips twitched. He was barely able to conceal his amusement. If
he didn’t shut it, Cass would see through his pretense.
    “There’s this guy who works for me— Thrain . He’s the best demon slash shape shifter there’s
ever been. He’ll get you in,” Cass said, proudly.
    “Can we trust him?” Clare asked.
    “He won’t dare cross me.” Cass shot Kieran
a displeased look. “Unlike some other people here who don’t know what’s best
for them.”
    I breathed in. Here we go again. She was even worse than my brother. “Cass, how fast
can you get hold of him?”
    “Huh?”
    “The shape shifter,” I said. “We need him
here ASAP.”
    “Right. Thrain .” She
fell into that strange state again, like she heard something that we didn’t. Her
eyes twinkled a few times before her gaze cleared. “Dad’s pissed with me for
taking the job,” she mumbled. “I told you it was a bad idea, Pinky.”
    “Who’s Pinky? Is she okay?” Kieran
whispered. “Someone forgot to take their meds this morning.”
    “I don’t believe in medication,” Cass said.
“I’m 100% natural. No silicon, no synthetic hormones or steroids, no artificial
flavors, colors or preservatives.”
    Kieran laughed. “Too bad, because you would
benefit big time from something to make those voices go away.”
    Cass jumped up and pushed the table to the
side. Her half-full glass shattered against the floor, water seeping into the
carpet. “That’s it, mate. I’ve had it with you! I’m going to kick your butt into
next week.”
    “I see she’s hallucinating again,” Kieran
yelled. “Somebody call the pharmacy!”
    Before I could grab her, Cass stretched out
her arm and started murmuring. Her green eyes changed to red, glinting like a
lantern. The bulbs flickered; the ground beneath our feet shook. I looked in
horror as Cass growled, hundreds of voices echoing at the same time. Kieran
paled, frozen to the spot as he murmured, “I knew I should’ve let sleeping
demons lie.”
    The paint from the walls peeled off,
falling to the floor in large chunks, as something screeched outside the window.
The ceiling cracked, the tiny fissures growing bigger. Cass took a step closer,
sparks like thunder flying from her outstretched hands, hitting Kieran in the
chest. He stumbled backward, eyes wide with surprise. Something stirred beneath
his white shirt, tightening it and pulling at the material until it stretched.
The buttons ripped and fell off.
    The noise stopped abruptly. Cass stormed
out, red-faced and