A Demon in Dallas Read Online Free Page A

smoothness of his skin beneath my fingertips, to confirm with touch what my eyes had already distinguished. What would it be like to kiss him? His lips were perfectly formed, the colour of soft pink rose petals with the finest Cupid’s bow curve. I tilted my head to the side and leaned in. But then a firm hand landed on my shoulder and shook me roughly, wrenching me out of my trance.
    “Watch yourself with him, he’s Fae.”
    With a muttered curse, I tore my gaze from the handsome man, but not before I noticed a shadow pass over his face. His once beautiful features distorted and for a brief moment I caught a glimpse of the ugliness within. The fairy snarled at the man behind me then got up from his seat and headed for the door, hissing and swearing as he walked out of the bar.
    Closing my eyes, I breathed a deep sigh of relief. In all my years as a hunter, I’d never come into contact with fairies, as they usually stayed in their own realm, but I knew those of the Unseelie court were not to be trusted. I also understood my own limitations and, though my abilities allowed me to be unaffected by a vampire’s glamour, I had no such protection from the Fae. Even so, I hadn’t thought their mojo would work quite so well on me. Clearly I needed to rethink that estimation. Jesus, if the guy had asked, I would have willingly offered up my mortal soul and then some.
    My saviour walked around and took a seat on the now empty stool beside me. When I got a look at his face for the first time, the dread settled into my stomach. I’d thought the voice had sounded familiar, but I’d still been under the Fae’s spell when he’d spoken and the recognition had only barely penetrated my dulled senses. Could the night get any worse? If there was one person I hadn’t wanted to run into and certainly didn’t want to owe a debt of gratitude to, I was looking at him.
    Getting the attention of the bartender, I ordered a scotch, neat. I nodded gratefully when he placed the drink in front of me and downed it in one long gulp, enjoying the burn as it slid down my throat with purpose. Only when I’d placed the empty glass back on the bar did I turn to face the man next to me. He had his head cocked to the side and was regarding me with marked interest. I didn’t like it.
    “What do you want from me, Malaki?”
    “We have a favour to ask of you.”
    Cold seeped into my bones, in complete juxtaposition to the warm numbness the whisky was spreading through my veins. “I have no interest in serving angels.”
    Malaki shrugged. “Personally, I prefer the term ‘messenger of God’ and technically you are on our side.”
    “I’m not on anyone’s side but my own.” I knew I was fighting a losing battle because Malaki’s favour didn’t sound like a request, it sounded like an order.
    “I’m not sure the hunters’ council would agree with that.”
    I ignored the comment and stared into his steely grey eyes, refusing to look away even though holding his gaze was as difficult as swimming against the current in a heavy storm. “I repeat, what do you want from me?”
    Power oozed out of the angel’s every pore, making my skin prickle as it trickled over me, raising goosebumps on my arms. “We’re having a little problem with a demon in Dallas,” Malaki said conversationally, as though he was discussing something as innocuous as the weather.
    I shook my head. “I don’t get involved with demons.” On the few occasions I’d crossed paths with them in the past, I’d barely escaped with my life.
    “No, but this one has aligned himself with some powerful supernaturals, specifically of the furry kind, and I believe those do come under your jurisdiction.”
    Crap, he had me there, but, if I was smart, the situation could work to my advantage.
    “Okay, so let’s say I help you with your little demon problem. Would you be willing to do something for me in return?”
    “If you’re referring to the infamous partner in crime that has