Her flare of excitement fizzled. Currently. One of his qualifiers—to indicate she wouldn’t always be in his bed.

Dickwad! Jo told Desh, “We’re not exclusive at all. Earlier today, we were discussing how unexclusive we are. He insists on it. We haven’t even slept together.”

Rune grated, “Yet.”

Jo ignored him. “Ever.”

“Good to know. I’ll be givin’ ye me number.”

“Awesome! Or stop by my digs. I live not far from here at the Big Easy Sleeps.” She pointed over her shoulder.

“No shite? The Big Sleazy.” He laughed.

“Exactly!”

Rune stepped closer to her, telling Desh, “We need to leave for our destination. You’re either taking us, or you’re wasting our time.”

“I accepted the gold, baneblood; I accepted the gig.”

Rune nodded at Jo and said, “Head somewhere sheltered.”

“Already thought of that. I know of a place.” The demon held out his big hand to her. “C’mere, me beauty.” Turning to Rune, he snapped, “Yer arm.” He clutched Rune’s forearm, then traced them. His teleporting was hard and fast like Rune’s.

When Jo blinked open her eyes, they stood in the shade of a rock overhang. Past the shadows was an expanse of blue sky. Puffy white clouds elbowed the sun. The day was crisp, a one-eighty from the humid night in the Quarter. The scent of pine tickled her nose.

I’m in freaking China! “This is amazing!” She could see the bases of two mountains, but not the peaks. The stone was light in color, the surface dusted with tufts of green. She wanted to see more! She traced to a nearby field, peering up at the white-capped tops.

She reeled on her feet, mind boggled. So beautiful. So big. Her first real mountains.

Desh traced to her side. “Gods almighty.” His stunned gaze flickered over her face. “Ye’re a day-walkin’ vampire.”

“That a big deal?” She glanced past Desh. Rune was just as astounded.

“Huge,” Desh said in a choked-up voice. “Ye should’ve burned to ash.”

So sun did burn vampires. “The light’s never bothered me.” If she’d ever made friends, she would’ve liked to go to the beach with them. Lie out. Sip blood from a glass with a little umbrella. “Must be because I’m wicked strong and all.”

“I’ve seen a lot of things in me days, but never something like this. Never.” Desh stared at her—the same way she’d stared at the snow-capped mountains. “Ye truly drink blood?”

“One hundred percent of my diet.”

Suddenly Desh’s body hit the ground, plowing through solid rock. Rune had lunged for the demon, now had his knife against Desh’s throat.

“What is wrong with you?” she screamed. “Don’t you dare hurt him! I vow to the Lore I’ll make you regret it!”

“Another vow?” Rune snapped. “He knows too much! If I don’t do this, you’ll be hunted. It’ll never end.”

She’d be damned before Rune decapitated the nice demon in front of her!

“I’ll not say aught about the girl!” Desh’s eyes met hers. He looked like he worried more about her than himself. “Get away from this poxy bastard, l’il bit. One way or another.”

She teed up her telekinesis, but Rune had that blade pressed to Desh’s vulnerable throat. She didn’t have enough control to focus a precise beam, could end up blowing them both to bits.

But one talent of hers was honed to perfection.

“Make me regret it, then, Josephine.” Rune’s tone was like steel. “But I can’t risk it.” He tightened his grip on the blade handle.

Which meant it was time to reveal all her secrets.

THIRTY-SEVEN

Josephine the vampire stood beneath a blue sky. In godsdamned sunlight. In front of this random demon.

Too many thoughts to process:

She’s a day-walking vampire, a hybrid. But of what?

Such an asset for the Møriør.

Not even Blace can go out in the sun.

Protect the asset.

Protect. What’s. Mine.

Rune snatched Deshazior’s hair, yanking the demon’s head back.

Suddenly a chill swept over him. He glanced up. Josephine was gone—

His blade hand flung away from the demon, outside his control. His other hand balled into a fist—and slammed into his own jaw! Then again! “What the fuck, demon?”

Freed, Deshazior traced across the clearing. “Not me, baneblood.”

Rune fought with all his strength, finally able to overcome the force.

Another chill ran through him. Then Josephine stepped out of his body.

She was a faint outline, the skin around her eyes so dark. Her hair billowed as she floated.

She’d been inside him. She’d possessed him! The shadowed eyes, the immunity to sun . . .

Josephine was half phantom.

He turned to Deshazior, saw the demon’s recognition of the same. Can’t allow him to live.

“Didn’t get enough, Rune?” Her voice was as ghostly as her appearance. She sank into the ground.

He pivoted, jerking his head around. Where the hells was she?

A spectral hand breached the surface, clamping his ankle, dragging him down.

He fought, but his own body was dematerializing! Every kick passed through the ground. There was no defense against this. If she wanted, she could haul him to the core of this world, where he’d be crushed to death.