Free The Entity Within by Cat Devon Page A

corner of the living room up near the crown molding.
    Was Damon watching? Had he heard what she’d said about him? She tried to remember exactly what she had said.
    “So tell me more about these demons you unleashed,” Tanya said.
    “I didn’t unleash them.”
    “Right. The story is that your grandmother unleashed them.”
    “It’s not a story. Did Damon send you over here to interrogate me?” Zoe demanded.
    “What if he did?”
    “Then I’ll tell you the same thing I told him.”
    “The same story you made up.”
    “It’s not a story. It’s the truth.” The expression on Tanya’s face clearly indicated that she didn’t believe Zoe. “Why would I want demons hanging around?”
    “Because you’re a witch.”
    “And all witches call upon demons?”
    “I don’t know. You’re the first witch I’ve ever met,” Tanya admitted.
    “Then let me be the first to assure you that witches do not want demons around. Witches aren’t evil.”
    Tanya just gave her a look.
    “Okay, so maybe somewhere on the planet there are evil witches,” Zoe said. “But we aren’t. We’re good witches.”
    “Now you sound like Daniella.”
    “She’s not a witch,” Zoe said.
    “I know that. But she plays the songs from that musical Wicked when she’s making cupcakes.”
    “I met her. She seems very nice.”
    “I’m the one who saved her, you know. When she was trapped down in the tunnels, I mean. I escaped and got help.”
    “What do you know about the tunnels?” Zoe asked.
    “That’s where the demons are right now. Bootleggers trying to smuggle alcohol during Prohibition built the tunnels. Not that I was alive during that time. I was turned in the ’50s. Not my fifties, obviously. I was turned at the peak of my beauty. You’re already past yours.”
    “I’m only twenty-eight,” Zoe said.
    “Yeah, but your eyes are different colors. That’s weird.”
    “This coming from a vampire who runs a tanning salon,” Zoe retorted.
    “I don’t run it, I own it.”
    “Well, that’s an entirely different matter then,” Zoe said sarcastically.
    “Right. I know. I’m a business owner. A member of the Vamptown Council,” Tanya bragged. “And the other business owners are not happy that witches have moved in. We don’t want your kind here.”
    For a second, Zoe thought the growl came from her before realizing it emanated from Bella, who’d strolled into the room to sit at Zoe’s feet.
    “I don’t like cats,” Tanya said. “They sneak up on you.”
    “I don’t like vampires,” Bella said. “They sneak up on you and suck you dry.”
    Tanya growled.
    Bella growled louder.
    Tanya tried to reach for Bella but the protection spell prevented her from touching the cat.
    Bella stuck her dainty pink feline tongue out at Tanya.
    Zoe was tempted to do the same.
    “That’s black magic right there,” Tanya said, glaring at Zoe. “I say we torture you to get you to remove the demons and then we get rid of you. Or maybe the demons could kill you first and then Damon can kill them. I like that idea.” Tanya paused to look at the camera and preen a bit. “It’s brilliant. Right, Damon?”
    “No, it’s not,” he said from right behind her.

 
    Chapter Eight
    “What are you doing here?” Zoe said.
    “Preventing Tanya from torturing you,” Damon said. “Although there is something to be said for a good catfight.”
    “I find that comment offensive,” Zoe said.
    “As do I,” Bella said. “Although back in the day at court I was known to battle a lady-in-waiting or two. But those days are over.”
    “Her cat talks,” Tanya said.
    “I know,” Damon replied.
    “That’s black magic,” Tanya continued. “Evil stuff.”
    “It’s not black magic,” Zoe corrected her.
    “Like you’d admit it if it was,” Tanya scoffed. “You can’t trust her.”
    “I already know that,” Damon said.
    His comment aggravated Zoe no end. Granted, it was nothing new. Damon had told her more times than she could