Omens (Dark in You 6)

Khloé planned to keep it from as many people as possible for two reasons. One, it was never good for demons to know you were weak. Two, the news would then be less likely to reach her mother. But Teague’s loyalty was primarily to Khloé; he’d never divulge anything that she told him in private.

He’d agreed to meet with her at her house. But, having heard from someone that she and Keenan had been all handsy with each other at the bowling alley yesterday, he’d stormed to the studio. He’d been furious at the idea that she was letting Keenan “use” her, but he’d settled a little on hearing that she and the incubus weren’t simply sleeping together.

She’d also explained that she had bigger worries than if the relationship would crash and burn. To say that Teague hadn’t taken the news of her infection well was something of an understatement.

“Enoch’s got a lot to fucking answer for.” Clenching his fists, he shot Khloé a look full of censure. “I’m not happy that you didn’t mention this until now.”

“I only learned about it recently,” she reminded him. “I didn’t tell you immediately because it wasn’t something I wanted to share over the phone.”

“You could have told me sooner.”

“Keenan and the girls pretty much commandeered my entire day yesterday, wanting to keep my mind occupied on other things. I wanted you and I to be alone when we had this conversation.” Because Teague was a private person; he didn’t like sharing his emotions with outsiders—it made him feel vulnerable—and she knew he’d need the opportunity to vent a little. He’d done plenty of that in the last ten minutes.

He stopped pacing and shoved a hand through his hair. “What’s the plan for how to handle this?”

“In short, we need the help of an angel.” She crossed one leg over the other. “Jolene and Knox are trying to locate one.”

“I don’t personally know any, but I’ll ask around.” Teague flopped onto the chair beside hers. “I hate that there’s nothing else I can do.”

“You and me both.”

“Does no one have any idea where Enoch could be?”

“Not right now, no. He’ll lay very, very low while his body regenerates. The auction I told you about finishes today. With any luck, the blade will be ours. Then we can kill him for real.” Her demon relished the idea.

“Would his death somehow rid you and Ciaran of the infection?”

She felt her nose wrinkle. “I doubt it. I think our best bet is to find an angel.”

Teague rubbed his nape. “How is Ciaran?”

“Physically, he’s still groggy and showing signs of the infection. Emotionally, he’s pissed as all hell and is more worried about me than he is about himself. But that goes both ways.”

“You can’t die, Khlo,” said Teague, his voice rough.

“I’m not going to. Do you really think my grandmother would let that happen?”

“There are some things you can’t control.”

She tucked her hands between her crossed thighs. “Yeah, I know. But I have to believe that this will all work out, Teague. I have to.”

He slid an arm around her and pulled her close. She leaned into him, accepting comfort and giving it. Her demon burrowed into him too, not liking that he was hurting.

The door to the break room slowly swung open, and none other than Keenan breezed inside.

*

Keenan held himself very still as Khloé sat up with a smile. There was no guilt on her face at having been caught hugging another man, and there shouldn’t be—she’d done nothing wrong. Teague was her anchor; there was nothing sexual between them. Still, jealously and possessiveness churned in Keenan’s stomach, and his demon all but roared.

His muscles ached with the effort to stay still. He wanted to stalk over to Khloé and yank her away from Teague. Wanted to take her mouth right there and make it clear that she was his.

His demon snorted at the sour look the hellhorse tossed him. The entity saw him as no threat. But it still hated the sight of Teague’s arm draped over her shoulders.

Seeing the lines of concern etched into Teague’s face, Keenan figured she’d told him about the traces of death essence coursing through her system. Keenan wasn’t going to lie, it bothered him that she’d confided in another man. Yeah, Teague was her anchor and had no mate, so his loyalty was primarily to Khloé—there was every reason for her to confide in him. But the possessive heart of Keenan hated it.

“I came to see if you were ready to leave,” Keenan said to her, his voice deceptively calm. He wasn’t going to be an ass toward her and, in doing so, punish her for his pointless jealousy.

Her brow furrowed. “Is it closing time already?”

“Almost,” he replied.

“Well, we’re talking, as you can see,” clipped Teague.

Keenan didn’t even look at him. “You need more time, baby?” he asked her. Yeah, he’d used the endearment on purpose, hoping to prick at the hellhorse’s temper. Immature, yes, but Keenan had never liked him.