I poked my fork into a waffle. “I wasn’t there when he was doing it.” I jammed a piece of waffle into my mouth. “I fas sweep.”
Jill’s eyes were dancing in amusement, but Ryan’s narrowed even farther. “You were what? Asleep?”
Jill piped up to save me. “Maybe they’re places where people are going to die. Have you checked out those sites?”
“Only a couple of them are nearby,” I said, giving her a grateful look. “There are a few more that aren’t even on this map. But no, I haven’t gone and checked them out yet.” I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. “I’ve been a bit preoccupied.”
Ryan’s scowl hadn’t abated. “Hang on, did he go up and use your computer without you knowing about it?”
I set my fork down. “Ryan, let it go. I’ve already dealt with it.”
“Dealt with it?” Ryan said, anger in his voice palpable. “He’s sneaking around, and you’re acting like it’s nothing!”
“Would you stop treating me like a goddamn child?” I exploded. “I don’t need you looking out for me! Yes, I confronted him. We’ve established boundaries. I fucking dealt with it. Like the grownup that I am! Could you please get off the ‘I hate Rhyzkahl’ horse for just a few minutes and try and work with me?”
Hurt and pain seared across his face, and I immediately regretted my outburst. “Shit. Ryan, I’m sorry. I just can’t take any more sniping right now. It doesn’t help anything.”
“I understand,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry.” A horrible silence fell, and after about a dozen heartbeats Ryan pushed back his chair. “Excuse me. I need some air.”
My chest constricted as I watched him exit out the back door. Zack began to stand to go after him, but Eilahn put a hand on his shoulder. “I will see to him,” she said. “You three need a moment anyway.” The two demons exchanged a long look, then Zack gave a soft sigh, nodded, and sat back down. To my surprise Zack looked at me expectantly as Eilahn left and quietly closed the back door behind her.
I frowned. “What?”
He took Jill’s hand in his, gave her a fond look, then returned his attention to me. “I am in need of your assistance.”
“Sure thing,” I said. “What do you need?”
He took a deep breath. “You are wroth with me for failing to disclose information that you feel your friend and my lovemate deserves to know.”
I narrowed my eyes a touch, gave a cautious nod. I didn’t miss the fact that he was talking like a demon and not like Zack Garner. Jill merely looked baffled.
“Information?” Her eyes went from him to me and back again. “What are you talking about?”
Zack gave her hand a light squeeze but kept his eyes on me. “I do not deny her right and need for full disclosure. I dishonor her by failing to provide it. Yet I am bound by oaths that counter my ability to be fully truthful.”
The light bulb went off over my head. My anger at him evaporated. “Ohhhhhh. Wow. Gotcha.” He wanted to tell her and couldn’t. Apparently there were hierarchies of honor, where some oaths outweighed others. Poor guy. No wonder he looked so frazzled. “You, uh, want me to help explain things?”
Jill frowned. “You guys are weirding me out. What the hell is going on?”
I looked at her. “Zack has something that he wants and needs to tell you because you tot