Page 41 of No Rest for the Wicked

What? They were? “Tom? We didn’t talk about this.” Too late. The crowd surged the bar.

Zee and Victor finally stopped trying to devour each other’s faces, and after a tender, lingering glance at Victor, Zee swooped into the crowd of guests and staff, herding everyone toward Tom. “This is the best birthday. You guys are the best.”

I ventured to where Zee had left Victor half-collapsed over a table. He wore the wide-eyed expression of someone who’d just had an incubus try to lick out their soul. “You okay?”

He touched his lips and swallowed. “Surprisingly, yes?”

“Have you ever been kissed by a demon before?”

“I can say, without any doubt, in my very long and varied existence, I have not.” He pulled out the chair and carefully lowered himself into it, clearly still reeling.

Did he like the kiss? It had looked as though he had. “What do you think?”

He rapidly unbuttoned his collar, and yanked his shirt away from his neck. “I’ve never known anyone to kiss with their entire body like he does.”

Yeah, he’d been into it. Grinning, I perched on the edge of his table. “This is a really nice thing you did.”

Victor’s idle gaze sought out Zee across the room, then flicked back to me. “After the cake debacle, I was rather at a loss as to where to go or how to rectify it. The surprise party was Tom’s idea, and of course, it appears to be a hit with Zodiac.” He watched Zee again, lining up shots for the guests with Tom’s help. “However, I did wonder if it was all for nothing when you didn’t return.”

“We had a run in with some vampires. I’ll tell you about it later.” There was no use in ruining the party mood.

“Sounds ominous.”

“We also ran into Princess Daisy. I think it might be a good idea if you stay at the hotel as much as possible.”

“You met Daisy?” Victor rubbed at his forehead. “I am interminably sorry, Adam.”

“Don’t be.” I dropped into the chair next to him. “Her obsession is not your fault. But since Seb and Gideon appear to be working together with Daisy, and it’s escalating, and then the whole elevator accident, we’ll need a plan.”

“I agree⁠—”

Zee slammed two drinks down on the table. “A Bloody Bitch for Lord Fancy Fangs, and a whiskey for you, Kitten. That is the first round of many. We’re all getting wasted, we’re having fun, and we’re going to discover if Victor is a grumpy drunk.”

“Unfortunately, it’s likely my metabolism will destroy the alcohol as fast as I am able to consume it.”

Zee shook his head. “All I’m hearing are boring vampire noises. Don’t worry, Tom will know how to fuck you up.” He bounded off to give Tom his mission for the rest of the night.

I tried to hide my smirk, but it only grew when Victor side-eyed me. “He won’t stop until you admit defeat.”

“I am beginning to realize that.” But at least Victor had relaxed too. “Thank you again, Adam, for allowing me to stay and participate in this hotel and your life. I’m certain I do not deserve it, but I will endeavor to try.”

We’d come a long way in just over a month.

Zee, me, and Victor. We were good together. Stronger together. But how could I tell Zee I was nothing like what he thought me to be? The prophecy said, to save the world I had to die. My heart was the prize, not me.

A heart shall rise, a beacon bright.

A heart so many had died and killed for.

The heart Zodiac admired.

“Adam?” Victor sensed my malaise.

“It’s nothing.” Smiling, I downed my whiskey. “We deserve some fun.”

“Would it not be prudent for one of us to remain functional to see to the safe running of the hotel?”

“Nothing is going to implode in the next few hours. Plus, you can’t escape Zee’s challenge that easily. Battle lines are drawn.”