Free The Demon's Song by Kendra Leigh Castle

of you is enough,” Sofia said, crossing
     her arms over her chest and looking between them.
    “I agree,” the blond said. “ One of us is more than enough, and sadly for you, it isn’t our resident songbird. I’m
     quite willing to switch places with him, though…and I promise, I’m very entertaining.”
    This time, he was ready for it when Phenex took a swing at him. He caught Phenex’s
     wrist in midair, and the two men glared at one another, locked together, teeth bared.
     Despite what Phenex had said about not being a vampire, both he and the unwanted company
     were sporting long, sharp incisors.
    “Hit me again and I start biting.” The blond’s words were a hiss, and something in
     his eyes changed, became reptilian just for an instant.
    “You even try it and this songbird is going to enjoy ripping out your eyes with its talons,” Phenex shot back. “If you’ve
     got anything useful to say, Gadreel, then say it and take off. I’m not usually this
     far up on your list of people to annoy.”
    “Because you’re not usually doing anything interesting. Or any one .”
    They glared at each other silently, and Sofia’s stomach clenched while she wondered
     which one would manage to strike first. But after a minute that seemed to last years,
     Phenex snorted, Gadreel gave a wry smile, and they stepped away from each other at
     the same time. It was almost…friendly. Not quite, but enough to assure Sofia that
     her furniture and walls were safe.
    “You’re a lot more fun when you’re not doing all that broody musical moaning,” Gadreel
     said. “I suppose I’ll stay for coffee.” He headed into the kitchen without another
     word, leaving Phenex staring irritably after him. Sofia moved closer, drawn to him
     so strongly that she barely noticed what she’d done until she was standing right in
     front of him.
    He lowered dark crimson lashes when he looked down at her, and for a few seconds Sofia
     could pretend that circumstances were entirely different, that he was just the gorgeous
     musician she’d met. That he’d been in her bed all night.
    She had to stop herself before she started imagining all the things they might have
     been doing, glad that Phenex seemed too preoccupied to look at her as intently as
     he usually did. Those eyes seemed to see everything.
    “I made breakfast,” he said quietly, jerking his head toward where Gadreel was fiddling
     with her coffeemaker. “I didn’t invite him, but he’s got a habit of inviting himself.
     Hopefully he’ll take off soon.”
    “I heard that,” Gadreel said blandly as he finally figured out how her one-cup machine
     worked.
    “Who is he?” Sofia whispered. “What kind of a name is Gadreel?” It sounded like Gabrielle,
     but more exotic, less feminine. Not that she had any intention of making the comparison
     to her newest visitor. She figured he probably had some kind of crazy weapon on him
     somewhere to go with the fangs. Though the fangs would be enough.
    “One of my Fallen brothers,” Phenex whispered back, lowering his head so that his
     lips nearly touched her ear. The feel of his breath on her skin made her shiver. “Gadreel
     is a snake. Literally. Keep that in mind when you’re dealing with him.”
    Fallen . That word, evocative and mysterious all at once.
    “I don’t want a snake in my apartment!”
    That seemed to amuse him, and the flash of a grin he gave her made her absurdly glad
     that whatever else Phenex was, he didn’t seem to have anything in common with the
     distant, shining beings she’d learned about as a child.
    “Don’t tell him that. He’ll never leave,” Phenex said, his breath feathering her skin
     one last time before he straightened and jerked his head in the direction of the kitchen.
     “Grab some food if you want it. Gadreel wouldn’t have come unless he wanted something,
     and he’s not going to talk until he eats.” Then he walked away to grab a plate for
     himself.
    Sofia finally looked