Falling For Best Friends

Offers & Favors

Declan's POV

I sit back in my desk chair as I finish up yet another call. One would think that being the head of a Supernatural shadow organization would absolve me from mundane meetings, conference calls, and the like, but somehow this job seems more taxing in a way. Between the territory wars, species prejudice, the outlier factions, and the humans who are aware of our existence, I am always in the middle of brokering a deal here, putting down a threat there, talking to this person, and consoling the next. I never wanted this job, but if I don't do it, then Axel wins, and even in death, I can feel him breathing down my neck whispering doubt as his seeds of chaos sprout leaves.

Just as I was considering closing my eyes, Autumn burst into my office. I feel the annoyance radiating off her skin. I taught her to close her thoughts from me years ago, but not everything can be hidden. She doesn't even bother sitting as she stands just a few steps from the door, her arms crossed. It amazes me that a girl this small and beautiful can turn into such a monster.

“You rang,” she says with enough sass to slice through the exhaustion I have been feeling. It was going to be one of those meetings.

“Autumn,” I begin, but she doesn't let me finish.

“Don't Autumn me, Declan. Twice. You have used that freaky mind control sh*t on me twice in the span of a week!”

“I…”

“I don't want to hear it. I never wanted to be a part of your stupid supernatural group. I want to hang out with my friends, date humans, and make stupid mistakes. I don't want to chase down drug dealers and be a supernatural spy.”

I laugh, and she glares at me. “Two things. One, you'd break a human. Two, I'm sorry.”

She sighs, and I relax as she finally takes a seat. “What do you want, Declan?”

I smile. There may be a chance to do this without exerting my influence. “Wintyr.”

“Absolutely not, no way.”

“Hear me out,” I said, but Autumn was already on her feet, making her way toward the door.

“Have you completely lost your mind, Declan? She's my friend, not one of your little meal whores. I am not selling out my friend…”

“It's not like that. I want to offer her a job.” I said, and I know it sounds ridiculous, but at least she is facing me again.

“A job?”

“Yes, I want her to paint me.”

“Why?”

“Will she accept the job, or not?”

“Probably not. She doesn't like you.”

“I pay well.”

“She can't be bought.”

“Not like that. I can make it so she doesn't have to work while in school. One painting and she will be set for the duration of her time at the university.”

“What's in it for you?”

“I get to help out my little sister's friend.”

“B*llsh*t.”

“Does it matter?”

“Of course it does. You are asking me to deliver my best friend to you. I need to know what your intentions are.”

“I will be on my best behavior. I will have her home at a decent hour, and I will pay upfront. If she decides she does not want to continue the arrangement, she can keep the money, and she never has to see me again.”

“That's it. You will let her go, no strings attached? No free samples? No trying to induct her into your harem?”

“I promise?”

Autumn narrows her eyes on me as if she is trying to read my intentions. Lucky for me, her kind does not have that ability. There has only been one being that has ever entered my mind, and he no longer walks this earth. “I make no promises, but I will ask.”

“I couldn't ask for any more than that.”

“What have I missed?” asks Wella as she strides through the door.

Autumn’s eyes roll at the sound of Wella’s nasally voice.

“Ah, I see one of your pets is here. Mind fetching me some water, girl?”

“Wella,” I say as one of Autumn’s hands transforms into a set of claws. “You’re early.”

“Aren’t I always?” she says, taking a seat on my desk and facing Autumn.

“I think I will head out, Declan. I will let you know if she’s interested.” Says Autumn with a smile. Wella’s eyes immediately snap to mine the moment Autumn disappears.

“Who is she talking about?" asks Wella.

Autumn and Wella have never gotten along. I don't fault Autumn for her part in it. Wella is a lot, and if it was not for her access to the demons, I would not have entertained her. It's an added bonus that she has a great eye for...talent and is a willing participant in my love-feeding and f*cking. With all that said, she has a strong jealous streak. Autumn's departing gift was going to end in a headache for me if I don't convince Wella that there is no her.

“No one. Any luck with your contacts?” I said.

“Is there something I need to know, Declan? I thought I was your curator,” she whines as she faces me and grabs my collar. “I bring you the best girls, don't I? Why would you need that beast to source anyone for you?”

“You don't even know what you are talking about,” I said, leaning in close and taking in a taste of her energy. Even though I'd had my fill the night before, I couldn't resist tasting Wella when she was around. There was something about a demon-human mix. A forbidden gift that kept on giving.

She places a hand against my chest. Her baby blue eyes betray her own lust, but her jealousy is stronger. “This better not have anything to do with that human green-eyed b*tch. Savannah told me you were all over her last night at that party. You were supposed to be on watch. I sent plenty of girls for you to taste why…”

Her claws are digging into my chest now as my hands wrap around her wrists. “Easy there, Wella,” I said, bringing my lips to her ear. “Keep digging your claws into me, and I will send you right back to hell with Daddy dearest. Do I make myself clear?”

Wella swallows before pulling back and nodding. I dropped her wrists and let them fall to the side. She's looking down now, defeated. Part of me wants to tell her to get out, but I need her connection to know what she knows. She's the closest thing I have to a representative from the demon faction, but they'll never let her speak on their behalf. Even with her father being considered royalty amongst their fickle ranks.

“It's silent,” she says, finally getting to the matter at hand. “It's like they are waiting for something. I have never seen the seven clans so in sync and focused.”

That's foreboding, to say the least. Demons are always on the move - betraying this one, assassinating that one, and all of the above. To know that something had them coordinating is concerning.

I get to my feet and walk around my desk. That just leaves the wolves, and if what Javier said is true, whatever hit the vamps hit the wolves first, and they have all but gone into hiding. I need to know for sure, and that leaves me having to take a trip to the f*cking tundra. I hate the cold.