Sunset to Sunrise (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7.5)

A fight ensued when another beer bottle was thrown. Human nonsense. It didn’t take long for the bouncers to break it up. Yet it had been enough to ruin the brief moment of calm.

“Hey, Kale.” Willow stopped me with a hand on my arm as I rose.

“I won’t tell her,” I said, sensing his request.

He hesitated as if there was more he wanted to say. Then he just smiled, a small, tight press of lips. “Thanks.”

I was halfway to the exit when the air moved unnaturally around me. The scent of sulfur preceded the demon. When Shya appeared before me, I was in no way surprised though I was disappointed. What now?

The demon stood there smirking at me, his red eyes glowing with malevolence. I glanced back toward the bar, but Willow was gone.

Chapter Six

“Shya,” I greeted him with a nod. Whatever had him here in my club, it had to be important. He rarely came in here, which was just the way Alexa and I preferred it.

“Kale.” He clapped me on the back a few times. “Can we talk? Outside perhaps.”

“Of course.”

I accompanied him out, noting the way his calculating gaze swept over the place. We passed a vampire who had his victim bent over a table while he banged her from behind. Shya’s eyebrows drew together in consideration as he watched them.

“Making a few changes while Alexa is away?” He snickered. “I like it. It’s a breeding ground for trouble though.”

I shrugged, unwilling to let on how easily the club had slipped out of my control. My eyes widened in shock when I noticed a busty blonde holding her phone up to record the vampire sex.

Plucking the device from her hand, I discharged the battery with little effort and placed the dead phone back into her palm. Such devices weren’t allowed in here. Patrons were to check them at the door, for obvious reasons.

Her angry shouts went ignored as Shya and I disappeared through the exit. I paused long enough to pull Justin aside.

“All back room activity needs to stay in the back room. That has to be enforced. Starting now. If Alexa finds out about this, it’ll be my balls she comes for first. But I’ll send her your way after she’s done with me.”

Justin nodded, solemn and disappointed. Couldn’t say I blamed him. I was enjoying the party too, but it was just too high risk. There was a reason the bloodletting and supernatural sex went on out of sight. That kind of thing needed to remain unseen by the general public.

“It’s fine. I’ve got it under control,” I said when Shya and I emerged in the parking lot. He didn’t look convinced. “Anyway, what would you like to talk about? I assume it’s not the club.”

Dressed in an expensive black suit, Shya appeared as human as he got. Wings unseen and blue-black hair slicked into place, only the red eyes betrayed him.

“Have you taken care of that little vampire problem? I want it dealt with before Alexa and Arys return home.”

That was interesting. I slid a sidelong glance his way, studying him as we walked through the parking lot. I hadn’t expected him to take Phillip this seriously.

“There’s no problem. I killed most of them tonight. I’ll find the leader and finish him off. No worries.”

Shya’s lips pressed together in a thin line that I’d come to associate with displeasure. “Find him tonight. Don’t put it off.”

I gave a scoffing bark of laughter. “You don’t really think there’s any true threat to Arys and Alexa, do you? I mean, come on. These guys are nothing. Arys could take them out in his sleep, I’m sure.”

Shya clasped his hands behind his back, staring straight ahead as we walked toward the busy street that ran in front of the nightclub. “I don’t doubt that. However, all threats must be treated the same. Seriously. Zero tolerance. It doesn’t take but a spark to start a rebellion, Kale. I’ve seen it.”

As had I, but I was in no mood to discuss this with him. In fact, I didn’t want to speak to him regarding Alexa in any way.

“It’s been dealt with,” I said, insistence heavy in my tone. “Look, Shya, I know why you’re so intent on keeping Alexa alive and safe. But you must forgive me if I refuse to have any part in that. I won’t protect her simply so that you can kill her when it best suits you.”

My voice was calm but my words rang with determination. I had made my place here, working to protect a secret, silencing those who threatened to expose it. But I would not play whipping boy to a demon.

Shya was unfazed. His lips twitched in a hint of amusement. “No, you will protect her because you love her. And because you belong to her. Regardless of my intents, you will always protect her.” His gaze locked on mine, and he shrugged. “I suppose you’ll even try to protect her on the day I do take her life. Pity. I hope I won’t have to kill you.”

I had nothing to say to that. It wasn’t often that the demon struck me speechless; I’d gotten used to his strange quips and warped point of view. This time though, I was at a loss for words.