Demon Forged

a word for what we hope to accomplish, detective. We rally together to fight against a piece of legislation that should never have been passed—only those who oppose us would want to cast a negative light on it.”
    Slippery bull-fucking demon. Irena clenched her teeth, held her tongue.
    “You don’t agree, Guardian?” Rael glanced at her, then back at Taylor. “Where do you stand, detective? Don’t you think that people should be with the ones they love?”
    Irena could not stand it. She hated him. Not just because he was a demon, but because he used such tactics: If Taylor agreed with him, it gave the appearance that she was complicit in more than just this. To disagree would make her appear cold to her fellow humans. To evade the question would make her appear as if she lacked conviction.
    “What would you know of love, demon? You know nothing of love. And if you support it, rally for it,” she sneered, “it is only because you think that it will be your gain.”
    He did not look at her, and said flatly, “I do know, Guardian. I have loved. I know what it is to love a woman and to want nothing more than to lay the world at her feet.”
    “Or put a bullet through her throat so that she lays at your feet.”
    “Tell me how I could have shot Julia, Guardian.” He cast her a baleful stare. “You were there. Give me a scenario where that could possibly be true. And then give me a reason why I would kill a woman so valuable to me.”
    “Hold on.” Taylor held out her hands, then looked to Irena. “You know you’re off track. Sit back. If he’d done this, he’d be nephilim fodder by now.”
    Irena sat back and seethed.
    “So let’s get back to the question: Who knew, besides Miss Wren, your wife, and yourself, that you would be at the rally?”
    “A better question, detective, would be: Who did not know?”
    “Fair enough. So if you are mistaken, and a demon did plan to hurt you—politically or otherwise—they’d have had plenty of notice and opportunity to find a hired gun.”
    Rael shook his head. “I’m sorry, detective, but your logic is flawed: A demon would know I wouldn’t die.”
    “But you might be exposed. They couldn’t have known the Guardians would be there to cover for you. Do you know of any demon who would risk exposure—or who has argued for it? Any vampire?”
    “I will have to think on that, detective.”
    Taylor nodded. “What of your wife? Does she have any enemies?”
    “She was well-loved, detective.”
    “Can you think of anyone who would harm her to get to you?”
    He frowned. “You don’t think she was the target, do you?”
    Answer the question. Irena gritted her teeth, fought to stay in her seat and force him to answer. Hugh could not see the truth if Rael returned every question with a question.
    “I have to cover my bases, congressman. Many times, that means just throwing something out—even if I can’t see a motive behind it. Other times, we don’t even have to ask, because the motive is clear, either for or against: For example, you’ve already stated—and we know —how valuable Julia was to you. Not to mention your career. So that takes you out—you obviously didn’t hire someone to kill her, risking exposure in the process.”
    He smiled, shook his head. “No, detective. I didn’t.”
    They would soon see, Irena thought.

    It was nearing sunset when Taylor pulled the car alongside the sidewalk a block away from the federal building. Irena stepped out, and had a quick stare-down with Preston before he accepted the front seat she offered him. She slid into the back as Alejandro folded himself into the other side. He had to turn toward the center to fit his legs. He stretched his arm along the back of the seat.
    His nostrils flared, and she knew that he’d scented her blood. Though he didn’t move, his body tightened with suppressed violence.
    Unexpected heat sizzled through her. Did she warm from his protective response or that display of readiness? She didn’t know, and didn’t try to separate the parts of her reaction. All that mattered was that she’d warmed so quickly and fiercely, because of Olek’s response and his readiness. Not her anger, not his pride. They would come again, she was certain. But at this moment, anger and pride were not in the car between them.
    And she enjoyed the feeling of what was.
    Olek made a single sharp gesture. Rael?
    No. Khavi appeared after our lunch , Irena signed to him. Taylor did not appreciate