Free Demons Are a Girl’s Best Friend by Linda Wisdom Page A

my protection.”
    Maggie admitted she wasn’t surprised often, but she was now, as the realization hit her with the force of a Mack truck.
    “She’s in hiding,” she said. “How much danger is she in?”
    Declan sliced his hand through the air. “Do not speak that aloud.”
    Without looking down, Maggie reached inside her small clutch bag. When she found what she wanted, she brought it to her lips and whispered a few words.
    “Sometimes secrets are necessary. I will keep yours.”
    “If I give her over to you,” he said bitterly.
    She pressed what she took from her bag into his hand. “Have her keep this on her at all times. It won’t make her invisible, but it will keep her under the radar you’re obviously using.”
    Declan stared at the small, brown chiastolite sphere that held a black cross in the center. “Protection.”
    “I always carry extras, and I added some extra oomph to this one,” she explained. “I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll talk to our Seers. If they don’t think I need to speak to her, I won’t push the issue.”
    “And if they do?”
    “Then I’ll be back, and I won’t be as nice next time.”
    “Yes, I can see that.” He continued to stare at the sphere as if he’d find all the answers there. “Why?”
    “Over the years, I’ve had to fly under the radar a few, or a thousand, times. Now I’m going to snag my dancing friend and get out of here before something happens that would require my intervention. I really don’t want to have another good outfit ruined.” She walked toward the door.
    “Maggie.” He reached the door before she did, turning and leaning against the door frame so she couldn’t leave. “You’re doing this for me, aren’t you?”
    “What is it about the male ego that thinks it’s all about them?” She laughed and shook her head in amusement. “As long as you want to protect her, I will help. The minute you try something else, I’ll tear your balls off. It’s been a long day, so I’ll say good night.” With a nudge of her hip, he was gently pushed aside. She pulled open the door, leaving behind the scent of black orchid.
    “But I haven’t had a snack yet,” Elle could be heard complaining. “Could we at least stop by the bar? I’m sure I could find some nice insects there.”
    ***
    By the time Declan reached the main room, Maggie and her friend had reached the exit. He noticed that the pretty elf was smiling and wiggling her fingers in farewell to an elf he knew to be a club regular.
    He also knew things about the male elf he didn’t think the elf was aware he knew. He had no doubt that if Maggie learned about his proclivities, she would cheerfully disembowel the male without a second thought.
    “What did the witch want this time?” Snips appeared at his side.
    Declan kept an eye on Maggie’s slim hips and long legs. “She only wanted to help.”
    “The Guard doesn’t help. They only destroy,” the imp sneered.
    Declan felt the sphere in his pocket, where his hand now warmed the stone. He felt the heat of her magick in the depths and the sense of safety it offered the owner. It was obvious it would shield Anna better than anything he could have devised.
    “I want to know everything you can tell me about the witch. Go back to the day she was birthed.”
    “Why?” Snips’s suspicion was at a high level.
    Declan kept his expression noncommittal. Snips may have been an excellent personal assistant, and Declan wholly relied on him for the workings of the club, but that didn’t mean that he trusted Snips with anything personal. Snips knew Anna by another name, and Declan made sure her true identity was hidden from the imp. He figured as long as he didn’t slip up where Anna was concerned, Snips wouldn’t discover the truth.
    “It’s always best to know all you can about your enemies.”
    “You don’t look at her as if she’s an enemy.” Snips’s ugly face showed disdain.
    “It’s better to allow her to feel as if she