In the Demon's Company (Demon's Assistant Book 2) by Tori Centanni Page A

say, the word flying from my lips before I can think better of it.
    “As I suspected,” she says, clearly pleased by my answer. My pulse races and fear is trying to make me shake, which is a very bad thing with a sharp blade at my neck. I try to hold still and swallow the fear. “And you, psychic. Is he the one you work for as well?”
    Gabriel nods stiffly.
    “Excellent.” She claps her hands together and stands. Her eyes find Anna behind me. “Cut her throat.”
    Anna hesitates. Her hand shakes so hard she almost drops the knife. “I won’t let her die,” the demon says, trying to reassure Anna. It sure as heck doesn’t reassure me. “I will bind her soul, like I did for you.”
    Ice runs down my spine. My throat is a desert. “No, please.” The words escape my lips like a gasp, a tiny plea for my life. Anna’s hand is still except for the shaking. Then the knife drops and clatters to the ground. Gabriel dives for his sword and is up again, blade extended at Anna’s chest. Anna falls to the ground and sobs. I stand, rigid, heart slamming into my ribs, afraid to move.
    “I can’t,” she says. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to die but I can’t…”
    The demon woman tsks, tongue clacking against the roof of her mouth. “I do hope all humans aren’t this weak-willed.”
    “Get out,” Gabriel says, thrusting the blade toward the demon. She sighs, like she’s horribly disappointed but not scared.
    “Suit yourself,” she says. “But once I find a few mortals who aren’t pathetic, simpering fools, I will tear your throat out with my teeth.”
    Gabriel walks her to the door at sword point. She puts her hands up, smiling, like it’s all a game. “Tell Azmos Vessa is in town,” she calls to me. “He’ll want to know.”
    Gabriel slams the door and bolts it shut. I race to the back of the house and find a back door. It’s locked. I don’t know if locks will keep her out but at least she’s gone. I let out a breath before I kneel besides Anna. She’s crying and holding her stomach. The sweatshirt is pulled up slightly and I see through layers of gauzy bandages wrapped around her middle and secured with electrical tape. A line of blood has soaked through the fabric, making the dots into a line.
    “She attacked me,” Anna says, when she sees me looking. “She asked to come in and use the phone, and then she grabbed a knife while my back was turned.” She lets out a shuddering breath that rattles her body. “I shouldn’t have let her in. Emily is going to kill me. She’s always warning me about strangers, says I’m too nice.”
    “Why did she stab you?” Gabriel asks. His sword is down at his side but I notice he’s not putting it away.
    “She said if I didn’t agree to do what she said, she’d let me die. I was bleeding everywhere. It’s all over the kitchen.” She starts crying and tries to get to her feet. “I need to clean it up before my girlfriend gets home. I need to…” She stops and flops down on the sofa. “She’s going to kill me.”
    “Your girlfriend?” I say. “I’m sure she won’t. You were attacked. She’ll just be glad you’re safe.”
    Except as I piece things together, I realize that Anna isn’t safe at all. Vessa, the demon lady, mortally wounded her so she could offer her a deal. So she could do what Azmos does and give her more time…which doesn’t make sense.
    Anna shakes her head. “Vessa. She said if I didn’t do what she said, she’d kill me. That only her ma-magic is keeping me alive.”
    My stomach churns as I glance back at the kitchen. Blood is splashed on the white fridge, and there’s a pool of it creeping out from behind the counter. It looks like a murder scene. Which, I realize with a sudden sickness, is exactly what it is.
    “We need to take her to see Az,” I say to Gabriel. To Anna, I add, “He can help you.”
    I hope to god that’s true.

 
     
     
     
CHAPTER TEN
     

     
    We take a cab to the warehouse and bang on the door