Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

DO YOU REALLY THINK THIS LITTLE HUMAN IS EXACTLY AS SHE SEEMS?

I couldn't take my eyes off Seph as she sat at the bar, looking absolutely stunning in a figure-hugging black dress and heels that displayed her shapely legs. My heart raced with a mixture of admiration and jealousy, and I tried to focus on Rhiot's instructions, but Seph was like a magnet drawing my gaze back to her.

"Are you even listening to me?" Rhiot snapped as he attempted to regain my attention. His sarcastic tone barely registered as I continued to stare at Seph.

"Uh-huh," I murmured absently, my mind struggling to process anything other than the curve of Seph's ass as she sat on the bar stool. She was playing bait for the demon we were here to capture. Apparently bars were a common place for demons to lurk when looking for people desperate enough to bargain away their soul

"Damn, Parker, get a grip," Rhiot muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. "Just remember the plan. Keep an eye on Seph and be ready to step in if things go wrong."

"I know, Rhiot."

"Then why do you keep staring at Seph and not scanning the perimeter for the demon?" he demanded, his voice laced with exasperation.

"Because..." Words failed me, drowned by the pounding of my heart in my ears. How could I explain that every time I looked at her, all I could think about was peeling the dress off of her? "Because she's never looked like that before," I finally whispered.

"Fair enough," Rhiot conceded, softening slightly. "But we can't afford distractions right now."

"Right, right," I said, tearing my gaze away from Seph for a moment to acknowledge Rhiot's frustration. His lips pulled up into a mischievous grin, then disappeared when he realized I'd noticed it. Damn lust demon cravings made it hard to focus.

Trux, Grayson, and Kearan had taken up strategic positions among the crowd, blending in seamlessly as they kept watch. Trux appeared stern and focused, while Grayson's quiet demeanor allowed him to fade into the background. Kearan, with his distaste for confrontation, looked uncomfortable but determined from his place in a shadowy corner.

"Can we just talk about how amazing Seph looks?" I whispered to Rhiot while elbowing him, unable to contain my awe. "She's always been beautiful, but this is something else."

"That's called a distraction," he chided, although his smile became more pronounced. He knew I wasn't one to gush over appearances, so Seph's effect on me must have been obvious even to him.

"Sorry," I mumbled, trying to clear my head and listen to Rhiot's instructions. My demonic half was itching to make a mess of things, as usual, but I had to stay in control. If I fucked up this mission, there would be more than hell to pay.

"Look, all you have to do is keep an eye on her and be ready to step in if needed," Rhiot repeated, his voice firm but understanding. "The team is here to deal with the demon. You're here to observe and learn. My job is to protect you if things go south."

"Thanks," I replied, attempting a confident smile that felt more like a grimace. In my hand, I clutched a notepad and Kearan's crayons... hardly the most effective tools for fighting a demon, but they were all we had managed to grab before we'd been forced to leave for the bar earlier in the evening.

Just as I steeled myself for whatever might happen next, Ronove sauntered into the bar. Even though I'd never seen him before, his demonic essence was powerful, so unless two demons had shown up at the same time, this had to be him. I'd looked at his dossier on the way over, but I couldn't remember facial features. I'd never been able to.

When I'd first met my mates, I was worried I wouldn't be able to tell them apart. Between trying to keep their names straight and figure out which name belonged to which person, it felt impossible. Then I'd picked up on other features that told me who they were. Eye color, hair color and style, voice, mannerisms, etc. Plus Seph had written some helpful tips in the notebook I'd carried a lot at first to make notes about them.

But new people were almost possible. Even if I had the picture of Ronove right in front of me, I wouldn't be able to recognize him unless his hair, clothes, etc., were exactly the same. Face blindness was a bitch like that.

Except Ronove didn't need a striking appearance to stand out. Even with my rogue demon powers, I picked up on his power and the air of confidence that seemed to intoxicate everyone around him. As he made his way to Seph, I felt a mixture of envy and protectiveness boiling within me.

"Hello there," Ronove purred, sliding onto the barstool next to her. "You look absolutely ravishing and beyond despair tonight."

"Thank you," Seph replied, perfectly matching his flirtatious demeanor. She swept her fingers along his arm, clearly trying to keep his focus on her. I clenched my teeth, desperately holding back my jealousy. "I've never been worse."

Rhiot had warned me that demons could influence human's emotions and responses, especially if it would make it easier for demons to manipulate them. I wondered if my powers had the same effect on humans.

"While I'm sure she appreciates your jealousy," Rhiot whispered, sensing my rising agitation. "Remember, we're here for a reason."

"Right," I muttered, trying to quell the raging storm inside me.

Ronove is a Marquis and Great Earl of Hell, Rhiot continued, sending his thoughts to me through the mating bond so no one around us could hear him. He commands twenty legions of demons, and he's not someone to be taken lightly.

Why couldn't they have picked a low level demon for me to go after first? I replied sarcastically, feeling even more anxious.

Listen, we have the element of surprise on our side, plus multiple highly trained operatives, Rhiot reassured me. If anything goes wrong, we'll step in. But for now, trust Seph and let her do her thing.

"Fine," I begrudgingly agreed, forcing myself to take deep breaths and stay focused on the scene unfolding before me.

Despite Rhiot's words of encouragement, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong. As Ronove and Seph continued their flirtation, a gnawing unease grew in the pit of my stomach. All I could do was watch and hope that my instincts were wrong.

Seph slid her hand up Ronove's arm, drawing his attention again as she leaned in closer. Her other hand reached for the small vial of potion Rhiot had given her earlier. Seph poured the potion into Ronove's drink while he wasn't looking. I stopped breathing as I watched, worried that he might notice her movements. But Ronove seemed completely captivated by Seph's beauty and charm.

"Here's to a night we won't forget," Seph purred, raising her glass.

"Indeed," Ronove replied, a wicked smile playing on his lips as he clinked his glass against hers.

As they both took a sip, Ronove pulled his glass away at the last moment with a frown. Then he set the glass down on the table as he turned to face her more. "You know, I was thinking..."

"Couldn't be that easy?" I whispered to myself, trying to stay positive. "Of course not, I was involved after all."

Stay ready, Parker, Rhiot's voice echoed in my head. We have a backup plan if Seph can't get him to drink the binding potion.

'Backup plan' was an interesting choice of words, considering I had no control over my demonic powers. Still, I had brought along some crude weapons, if they could even be called weapons, a random notepad of paper and Kearan's crayons. We were screwed.

As I watched Seph continue to charm Ronove, my hands clenched around the notepad, the crayons digging into my palms. Every fiber of my being wanted to rush over and yank him away from Seph, but I knew I had to trust in her abilities and stick to the plan.

"Come on, Seph," I whispered under my breath, willing her to succeed. "You got this."

Just as things were getting intense between Seph and Ronove, Ro appeared out of nowhere, sliding into the seat next to the demon. My heart dropped as a sickening sensation settled in my stomach. This wasn't good.

"Ronove, old friend," Ro said with a smirk. "Do you really think this little human is exactly as she seems?"

Ronove's eyes narrowed as he glanced at Ro, then back at Seph. I could see the gears turning in his mind as realization washed over him. Seph tried to play it off, but Ro had planted his seed of doubt.

"Deceive me?" Ronove asked, his voice dangerously low. "What are you talking about, Ro?"

"Did you honestly believe this beautiful woman," Ro gestured to Seph, "was interested in you for anything? She and her friends have been planning to take you down all night."

"Ro, you bastard!" I hissed under my breath, feeling a familiar anger starting to bubble within me. Every fucking chance Ro had, he betrayed me.

"How dare you!" Ronove roared, his true demonic form starting to emerge. The bar went quiet as everyone stared in horror at the unfolding scene.

Get ready, Parker, Rhiot's voice rang in my head again. It's about to get ugly.

"Great," I muttered, gripping the notepad tighter. "Just what I needed."

Ronove's wrath was unleashed as tables, chairs, and glass flew through the air, crashing into walls and windows. The bar was filled with screams and chaos as people ran for their lives from the once-friendly patron who had become a towering figure of terror. The bar was filled with the sound of glass breaking, furniture flying, and people screaming in terror. Ronove's roar echoed off the walls as his transformation completed, a deep rumbling that seemed to shake the very foundations of the building. In the midst of the chaos, Rhiot's voice rang out above it all. "It's time to fuck him up!"

"Go!" Trux shouted, signaling for us to move.

"Stay close," Grayson instructed Kearan, reaching for his hand.

"Time to put that demonic muscle to use, Parker," Rhiot said, smirking despite the situation.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I bit out, my hands shaking as I tore a page from the notepad and began scribbling with Kearan's crayons. "Let's just hope this works."

As the team fought to subdue Ronove, I focused on channeling what little control I had over my powers into the makeshift spell. My hand slid over the paper in jagged lines, then followed up with the words 'demon chains'. It was a long shot, but it was all I had. I just prayed it would be enough to stop him before he destroyed everything, including us.

"Here goes nothing," I whispered, hurling the paper at Ronove.

But in an instant, he vanished, leaving only destruction in his wake and a limp chain sprawled over the floor. We were left standing amidst the wreckage of the bar, our mission failed and our enemy escaped.

"Damn it," I muttered, my heart sinking as I stared at the carnage. "So much for that plan."