Demon Night

block most people from seeing them—and it was difficult to care, anyway.
    “You came,” she said, and leaned her forearms on the bar. His face was the most wonderful thing she’d ever seen.
    “That I did. And if it’s agreeable to you, I’ll stay a spell.”
    She nodded. “It is.”
    Ethan relaxed into his seat, his gaze slipping over her features. “Word is, you’ve been busy.”
    “A little.” She poured his whiskey, slid it across the counter. “I didn’t have much to do last night after you left, so I walked here and got my computer.”
    “And chatted with Savi a bit.”
    “Well,” she said, “I had been thinking about what you’d said about keeping me on retainer, and compensation for that. The only thing I really want but can’t afford is that house.”
    “You want it,” he said softly.
    “Yes.”
    “But you don’t need it.”
    She touched his hand, squeezed lightly. “No.”
    He took a long breath, and a longer drink—but only, she thought, so he had time to think that over. “And the theater?” he asked after a moment.
    She shrugged. “I’m already familiar with the stage, and they’ll be paying for the remaining business classes and training I need before it opens. I’ll miss Cole’s, but it’s right across the street—and I’ll keep helping Old Matthew with the office stuff until he kicks me out of the nest.”
    He smiled at that. “You’re doing all right, then.”
    “Mostly.” Her voice was rough.
    His gaze dropped to his drink. “You wake up early again?”
    “Right after sunset.”
    “That’s real good.” He fell silent for a long second. “And did Sammael provide you—” He bit it off, and a muscle in his jaw flexed. “Did you get fed?”
    “Yes. Jane brought it—”
    Ethan’s mouth was on hers before she could finish, his lips gentle and warm despite the frustration she felt boiling through him. His tongue slipped over her teeth, pausing at the tips of her fangs. She shook. The bloodlust rose up fast. He just had to push, and bleed, and she’d be lost—but he groaned low in his throat and pulled away.
    Charlie blinked; the span of the kiss had been almost the same. A blink, and then over—she didn’t think anyone had even noticed.
    And she was trembling with need, excitement. There was no doubt he’d been tempted to push; he hadn’t forced it on her, but he’d wanted to, badly.
    “All right, then,” he said. His fist was clenched on the bar. “You don’t need me for feeding. But you could have it from me. I’d make certain nothing got mixed up.”
    “Yes, it would.” She covered his hand with her palm, lightly massaged his tight knuckles with her thumb. “I don’t need your blood, Ethan, but I need you . So if I fed from you it would get completely mixed up.”
    His eyes closed. When he opened them again, a wry smile touched his mouth, and his hand turned to hold hers. “I ain’t sorry for stealing that kiss.”
    She dipped her head to hide her grin. “I’m not, either.”
    “There’s that, at least.” He sipped at his drink, watching her. “Will you be needing a ride home?”
    She nodded and held his gaze. “I made arrangements with Old Matthew, but I’d rather go with you.”
    His smile widened. “And you’re all right to get back here for work tomorrow?”
    This time, regret deepened her reply. “Jane will be picking me up, since she’ll be bringing over the…” She trailed off, not wanting to mention the blood again.
    But if it stung him, Ethan didn’t show it. “All right.”
    She had to move away to fill an order, and when she returned she said, “Jane also told me that Legion might be forming something similar to SI here in Seattle. Not the investigations, but training demons and vampires so they are prepared to fight the nephilim.”
    “Vampires against the nephilim?” Ethan whistled softly between his teeth. “Demon blood would be a powerful incentive though, wouldn’t it? That’d be sure to cause some problems in the community here. Few other communities, too.”
    “It seems easier just to drain us dry and store the blood. Or have us donate, rather than train.”
    “It sure does. Maybe it’s something to do with that prophecy. Not knowing whether they need the vampires alive.” He shook his head, met her gaze. “I sure don’t know about that prophecy myself—but knowing what Legion is planning is useful.”
    “Unless they’re feeding Jane bad information.”
    He nodded, smiling slightly.