Crown of Lies: The Demon Detective (Book 1) by Annika West

Author:Annika West [West, Annika]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mad Hag Publishing
Published: 2022-08-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter

Thirty-Two

“I hate this,” I stated.

“Do you want to back out?” Razai asked.

“Of course not. I just need it to be known. And I can’t believe you told yet another person about me.”

The club music rattled the mirrors on the walls in the dressing room. We were in one of the few private rooms so that the other dancers wouldn’t see me or Razai, and they could have the privacy they deserved.

He held his hands up. “I didn’t say anything more to Darby other than the basics, and she’s not one to ask questions.”

The woman in question walked in. Darby carried a bag and a stony, bored expression. Behind her came another surprise.

I groaned, “Ember? What are you doing here?”

Ember, with arms crossed and a defiant lift to her chin, stated, “None of your business, is it?”

My sigh could have started a tornado all on its own. Maybe one that could carry me away to a far-off land with no archangels in sight to fuck things up for me.

Darby face-palmed the fae and pushed her out of the room. She handed me the bag. “Here. I guessed your size, but I think it’ll work.” She tightened her silk robe and narrowed beautifully made-up eyes while Ember peeked around her. “I’m not going to ask what this is about, and all I can say is that you better not lose me my job, understand? This is my tuition money.”

Razai assured, “You won’t even notice us here. Neither will your manager.”

Her gaze grew more slitted. “The manager doesn’t pay attention like she should. I’m not worried about her. I’m worried specifically about you. You’re going to do something strange, like fight with the mafia or dismantle a pole and steal it.”

He gave her a puppy-dog stare. “I would never! Not sober, at least. And I intend to stay sober. I think.”

I kicked his foot. “He does.”

Darby muttered something like, I’m going to get fired tonight, aren’t I? She refocused on me and said, “Whatever. Get dressed. The opener is in fifteen minutes. After that, I can’t babysit you.

“Razai. You have thirty minutes in there, got it?”

He winked and gave her a thumbs-up. How could one tall warrior of a man dispense so fucking much cheekiness?

Darby’s deadpan expression told us she was completely unconvinced. “I already regret this.” She shut the door.

Razai collapsed in the plastic chair beside him. “Well, time to get a move on.” He gestured to the bag.

“Get the fuck out.”

“Aw, but I wanted to help you button up. Or zipper up. Or ribbon-tie you up—no, that sounded wrong. Did it, though? Depends on what you’re into.”

“Razai, I will hamstring you with a chair if you don’t leave in the next ten seconds.”

He relented. “Don’t come crying to me if you get all tangled.”

Once he was gone, I got dressed. Darby’s choices fit me for the most part. The lace teddy was a little tight but not uncomfortable. Thankfully, she included a tulle skirt to cover my mostly bare ass. It was a little see-through, but I appreciated any and all coverage.

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