The Demon's Song Read Online Free Page B

thralled.
     Her eyes were glazed, and she smiled vacantly at him. He had to admit, the thrall
     was a handy trick the vamps had. They’d needed an adaptation like mind control to
     survive here among the humans for so long. Unlike their kind, angels—fallen and otherwise—had
     never been meant to hide themselves, had always been meant to set themselves above
     the beings most of his dark brethren likened to talking monkeys.
    So he had no thrall in his arsenal, just wings, fangs, and a big-ass sword. For now,
     it worked, but no one could accuse the Fallen of subtlety.
    “What the hell happened?” Justin demanded, reddish eyes darting from Phenex to Sofia
     to the body in Phenex’s arms. “Most of the humans didn’t hear the screaming because
     of the music, but there isn’t a single vampire here who didn’t! If this is your idea
     of fun…” Then his gaze settled on the various pieces of vampire on the floor, and
     understanding dawned. He shoved a hand through his hair and closed his eyes. Phenex
     thought he looked as though he was praying for patience, and he smirked, amused.
    “Oh. Great. One of these .”
    “One of these ? Does this happen a lot here?” Sofia’s voice fairly vibrated with outrage. Phenex
     looked down at her, enjoying the way she was glaring at the vampire king. Justin was
     far too nice, in his opinion, but he doubted many humans had looked at him this way
     and lived to tell the tale. Sofia didn’t seem to have any inkling of the danger she
     was surrounded by, though, even now. In fact, she seemed to be struggling to keep
     her patience with them.
    “You know what? I don’t care,” she said. “I don’t know what you people are, or what
     this place is, but my friend is dying ! The guy on the floor was…was… eating her! Sucking her blood! She needs help !”
    Justin locked eyes with Phenex. “Well?”
    Phenex shrugged. “Still alive. If you’re going to do something about it, better be
     now.”
    Justin heaved a sigh, then gestured at one of the two vampires who’d come in with
     him. “Amir,” he said to the tall, dark-haired vamp, “if you would.”
    Amir gave a short nod, then stepped forward. Phenex gladly gave Sara over into his
     arms. This turn of events wasn’t unexpected. Justin had too strong a sense of justice
     to let the human die if he had any say in it, and turning her wouldn’t take much at
     this point. Amir wouldn’t exactly be exerting himself. The man arranged her against
     him so that her bite mark didn’t show and left swiftly.
    “Is she going to be okay? I want to go with her. Amy and I should go with her.”
    Phenex looked down at Sofia. “Careful what you wish for.”
    A flush stained her cheeks, but she didn’t look away from him.
    Brave little human. You have no idea what I’m wishing for.
    Justin cursed softly. “This is a mess. What happened?”
    “These two came in tonight looking for their friend,” Phenex said. “They found her,
     plus some extra.”
    One dark brow winged up. “And you showed up in here why?”
    He’d be damned all over again if he answered that one truthfully. “I smelled blood.
     And I’m good at finding trouble.”
    Justin seemed to accept that at face value, which was a relief. “True enough.” He
     shook his head. “I’m starting to think we have a problem.”
    “You’ve got lots of problems.”
    Justin laughed again, though there wasn’t much humor in it. “Add a couple more to
     the list. We’ll talk back at the, uh…home.” He eyed Sofia as he continued speaking
     to Phenex. “I’d been hoping I was being paranoid, but I should know better by now.
     I’ll need your help. You and the others.”
    Phenex shifted his weight and hooked a thumb in one belt loop. “You usually do.”
    Justin looked at the remaining vampire by his side, a sandy blond who looked as though
     he might have been a surfer in his mortal life.
    “Trey, take Amy home. She should be able to tell you where to