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“Who are you?” I asked the woman, taking a step closer to her.

Admirably, but uselessly, she held her ground. “I’m Juliet. Get the fuck out of my house.”

That wasn’t going to happen, and it was slightly cute that she thought she had a say. If necessary, I’d toss her out of my way like a ragdoll.

The voice in the background muttered, “I hate repeating myself.”

The air in the house shifted and I knew Elijah and his woman were present. Whoever the other man was, he had cloaked them.

“I am here for Elijah,” I told her, taking another step forward and watching her pulse jump pleasantly at the base of her neck.

Her weight shifted as she positioned herself to snatch the dagger at her waistband. I wouldn’t have to dirty my own blade—not that doing so was much of an inconvenience for me.

“And who are you?”

Cassia’s heart pounded in her chest, her unique cadence providing me with background music I wouldn’t ever live without. “I am Lukas. I have business with him. Remove yourself or I will do it for you.”

The door opened behind her, and she whirled around the same time Elijah came out. His skin paled as he said, “What the hell? Lukas?”

Then he remembered himself and fell to the floor in a respectful bow. Juliet gaped at him and I tilted my head to the side, giving her a soft smile. She blanched and backed up several steps until she couldn’t anymore.

The door opened again and Elijah’s woman took in the entire scene. “Elijah! What’s going on out here?” She pulled two knives, one in each fist. “What the fuck are you doing you fucking freak!” She yelled at me. “What did you do to him?”

Cassia rushed forward and I snatched her waist, stopping her beside me. “What are you doing to these people?” She cried out. “What is going on?”

Elijah lifted his head and his woman eyed Cassia. Juliet’s gaze scanned all of us, trying to make sense of what was happening around her.

Then, the rear door opened once more. A man taller than I stepped through, his long glassy ebony hair swinging over his shoulders. He had bright, grass green eyes and various tattoos covering the olive skin of his neck and hands. Hieroglyphics and vines, other symbols I hadn’t seen in years.

He was an abomination, one that shouldn’t exist. He was a shell of a man. The highest ranking of the demons, but now a vampire. And his blood was tainted even further than that. It possessed a trace of the cold blood of angels.

A sharp breath sounded beside me. “Holy shit,” Cassia whispered. “Wow.”

Her voice didn’t contain nearly as much fear or distaste as it should have. No, it bordered slightly on the edge of admiration. That tiny trace injected white hot fury straight into my heart.

“Oh my God,” she screamed. “What happened?”

I picked her up and set her on a chair. “Lukas!” One of her hands gripped the arm rest and the other waved around in the air, feeling for nothing.

“Damn,” the tall man remarked. “I’ll have to remember that one. Samantha! Get out here,” he called over his shoulder.

A woman in a royal blue gown that matched her eyes sauntered out and she slid her hand down his arm. Cassia yelled for me until I flicked my fingers her way. Elijah’s woman glared at me hard enough to set me alight, had she the ability to do so.

“Yes, Ramone? What is it?” She took us all in and glanced back at him. Elijah lifted himself from the floor.

Ramone pointed at Cassia. “That’s you if I ever hear how handsome another man is ever again.”

“Ohhh. She’s blind now?”

“And mute.” The man smirked at me.

My chest heaved. I wasn’t here for a party. “Elijah, I need to speak to you.”

He wrestled with several emotions before he replied, “I’ve done—we’ve done, everything you required of us. I am restoring this kingdom, and we never returned to the Second. Selena and I have followed your orders to the letter without fail.”

Selena’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head. “I should have known! You fucking asshole, leave that girl alone.” She jabbed her finger in the air toward Cassia.

If I was going to have their compliant cooperation, perhaps it would be prudent of me to remove the spell I’d cast on her.