I sigh when Damon pulls us back against the chair. "He handed me a wad of cash while my personal bodyguard received the credit card. With the cash, I bought a ticket on the shuttle, a hotel room once I landed, and food. The next morning, I went clothes and necessity shopping."

Grunts are heard around the room as it grows chilly.

When no one speaks, I glance at Irel. "What's wrong?" No one looks at me, their eyes averted to their food.

When she doesn't say a word, I place my hand on her shaking one. "Irel, what's wrong?" I say louder, more urgently.

The room flashes dark, making me squeak in fear. "Damon?" I whisper, my chest heaving with every moment we are plunged into darkness.

Damon continues to purr, not once reacting to what is occurring around us.

When the black ink vanishes, my eyes blink a half dozen times to clear my vision. Directly in front of me is a box.

A strained sound comes from Irel's throat. That's when I realize her hand is shaking.

"Damon!" I shout, my eyes burning with anger. "You let them go right this instant!" Jumping off his lap, I place my hands on my hips. "This is not how you treat people who are taking time out of their day to help someone you apparently consider yours!"

The strain in the room I didn't realize was occurring vanishes, leaving a lightness in its place.

"Fuck," Elea breathes. "If that was a small amount of Damon's demon magic, you don't need to worry, Leah. Derrek won't get within a hundred feet of you with your man protecting your ass." She wipes a hand down her makeup-covered face, not caring if she smudges it.

"Anyone have a clue as to what that was all about? Is this normal for sex demons?" Huffing, my eyes slide from person to person. I'd ask Damon, but the dude doesn't talk yet.

That needs to change and quickly.

Irel snorts, her eyes shining with delight. "That would be jealousy, Leah. Your new man is green-eyed of your Ex. What you are currently wearing was bought with Derrek's money. So, any rational male would buy you an outfit with his money and burn the clothes you're currently wearing. Leaving nothing tied back to Derrek. I'd bet you the rest of my year's earnings that you have a new outfit within that box." She nods to the cream-colored box resting on the table.

"And the darkness?" Giddiness surges along my fingers. I didn't want Derrek buying me things. It felt like I was using him. With Damon, there's none of that. At least, not yet there isn't.

Cyrus clears his throat, his eyes narrowing behind me. "Is there a reason your men are restraining a teenager, Damon?"

I'd forgotten entirely about the two demons holding Lio hostage. They weren't hurting him. Lio wasn't even making a noise. He's not in the room, though. Did Damon's men take him somewhere? Leaning around, my eyes widen in shock at the shifted teenager. Fur is sprouted across his arms.

"Is he a lycan?" I've never seen one in person before. He's not terrifying. Maybe it's because he's a teenager and not a full-fledged adult lycan?

"Ryoko, take them to the office," Cyrus commands, his voice leaving no room for objections. "Leah," he turns to me, "sex demons use darkness when they don't want their minions to be noticed. If you can't see them, you won't know who is in the room or what they are doing. The inky feeling blocks out their scent for supers. We couldn't smell who was in the room with us. It's a dangerous feeling for supers. For sex demons, it's a strategic move to keep whoever they are protecting safe."

We watch the two hooded demons follow Ryoko out of the room. Can they communicate telepathically with Damon?

"Oh. So, whenever Damon has one of his people stop by, all light will vanish?" That will get old quickly. "And can he speak telepathically with them? Those two men did his bidding without him speaking."

Cyrus shakes his head. "I don't believe so. When the royal guards arrive, they will be your ghost guard. No one will see them, not even when they are attacking. With them surrounding you, blacking out a room will no longer be needed unless the demon is undercover. I believe Damon wants you to witness his cousin's actions. They haven't harmed you or Lio and only restrained him because you moaned while eating his soup. As for speaking mentally, I don't see why he can't. He is the king, after all. If I can link with other dragons within my horde, surely Damon can. And no, he didn't tell me the two males were his cousins. One whispered it in my ear before they kept Lio away from you. They respected us. Damon respected us."

With that knowledge, there's no reason for me to delay what, no doubt, everyone in this room wants to see is in the box. Irel takes the lid from my hands, tossing it behind her chair. She one hundred percent wants to see what Damon has purchased for me.

Nestled inside black tissue paper is a gorgeous cerulean blue sundress and cream-colored sandals with laces up the back.

"Will I see the warriors?" Pulling the dress out, I press it against my chest. "And is there a bathroom I can change into?"

Grunts from the males–not Cyrus–have the lights flickering. They shut up quickly.

Cyrus chuckles, pushing his empty plate away. "I do not know that question. Only Damon can answer that. Since he hasn't lifted an object, I assume he wants to keep that information a secret."

Irel stands, placing her napkin on the table. "Follow me. No one will disturb you in the bathroom. They wouldn't dare." There's a warning in her eyes. If one of the males in the restaurant dares, he will die. It's a fact. "I'll stand out here in case you need my help. If you don't know already, Damon will follow you in. He won't risk someone attempting to steal you away with magic. There will be royal female guards on your detail for this exact reason."