Free Games of Desire by Patti O'Shea

didn’t use it on him,” Olivia disagreed.
    “Don’t lie to me,” Chloe warned. “I won’t accept that from you.”
    “I’m not lying! That kid demon made me mad, and I wanted to pay him back, no one else, but he’d bought three drinks. I spiked all of them to be sure I got him, but as he returned to his table, tall and mean grabbed one of the glasses from him. I couldn’t have known that would happen.”
    Something strummed at his senses and Marax went rigid. Would the galghoan risk an attack out in the open? Demons did their best to stay hidden and make sure most humans didn’t believe they existed, but their enemy had turned his back on his branch and their beliefs, how hard would it be for him to disregard the entire demon species?
    Marax couldn’t discount it. To protect his people, he should guide Olivia and Chloe off the sidewalk and into the parking lot where it was somewhat secluded and a battle could be better concealed. But the idea of potentially putting his mate at greater risk was unthinkable.
    “He’s out there,” Marax warned. “Since I can’t pick him up, I don’t know where, but I know he’s watching us.”
    “I’m out of here,” Olivia announced. She made it five feet before stopping cold. The air in front of her shimmered and the galghoan appeared.
    “Leaving so soon? But the party’s just getting started.” The demon smiled.

Chapter Ten
    Chloe bit back a gasp.
Where did he come from?
    I don’t know,
Marax sent back.
If he’s strong enough to make himself invisible, we’re in big trouble here.
    She didn’t need Marax to tell her that. The large demon brought Olivia back to where they stood. Her sister didn’t complain, but the way he held the back of her neck must have hurt. One sharp move and he’d snap it and Chloe was too aware of how easy it would be.
    “You and your countess may leave, your grace. I have the guilty one.”
    Countess? She wasn’t—
    Yes, you are. I’m an earl, you’re my mate, that equals countess.
    “I’m afraid you don’t understand how family works,” Marax said aloud. “No matter how tempting it might be at times, abandoning even the most obnoxious of them isn’t an option.”
    It was probably the worst moment in the history of the world, but it didn’t seem to matter. Chloe’s heart took a tumble inside her chest. Marax might be a demon, but he was a good man, the hottest lover ever, and she was mated to him.
    Sometimes a woman got lucky.
    “Your grace,” the big demon said calmly, “I would have defeated you last night had reinforcements not arrived, giving you a chance to escape.” He held Olivia half a foot off the ground by his grip around her neck. Her sister emitted a weak squeak and Chloe had to fight the urge to rush forward. “Do you really wish to die for one such as this?”
    “Not particularly, no,” Marax replied smoothly, “but my mate loves her sister, so I’m afraid I’ve no choice.”
    Chloe clung to Marax’s hand with both of hers. She didn’t want him to die, but if he—they—didn’t fight the demon, Olivia would die. It was a hell of a mess. Chloe couldn’t leave Olivia, and Marax wouldn’t leave her. There had to be a way out of this. She looked around, searching for an answer, but instead she noticed they’d drawn attention. “Put her down,” Chloe said in a harsh whisper. “Humans are staring. Do you really want to involve them in this vendetta?”
    The galghoan verified what she’d said and slowly put Olivia back on her feet. Before Chloe could draw a breath, the giant hoisted her sister over his shoulder and took off running, going from zero to preternatural speed in no time.
    “Let’s go,” Chloe ordered and started running, tugging Marax with her. “Can you track him?” she asked as they reached blur-the-scenery speeds themselves.
    “I can track your sister.”
    And that might be better. Olivia was who was important. “Why did he run?”
    Marax ignored the question. “Hang on to