Grim Magic (Book 4 of the Ink Series)

Brother lover

I had begun to hate the bar.

But as I watched the pretty blonde go about her business cleaning and serving customers I remembered why we were there.

Slade's finger circled the mouth of his beer as he studied her. "What do you think it takes to have the ability to bring back the dead?" he asked. "Do you think she's a witch?"

I dropped my chin to my palm. "I don't know. I don't even know what Kenny's deal is. Who can kill people just by touching them?"

I forced the image of my dad from my mind and tried not to think of the trunk.

"Lucy calls them dark angels." Slade bit his lips ring. "Grim Reapers, Azrael, Abaddon. There are all kinds of names for his kind."

I couldn't believe it was even possible. But I'd seen it with my own eyes. Not only were there witches in the world I lived in but there were demons and angels.

"Why do you think he is so hell bent on doing this? Do you really think it's because of the money?"

Slade smirked. "There is no way in hell someone could spend billions of dollars. He just wants us to think that's the reason."

I bit down on my thumb and chewed at my nail. "Which means once again we are in a world of trouble."

Slade sat back in his seat, I couldn't take my eyes off of his black t-shirt and how morbid the skull was at that moment. "There's always a way out."

I swallowed. "I sure hope so."

The door chimed and three guys walked in. The bar died down, the only sound, the jukebox in the corner. I looked at Slade hoping he knew what was going on.

The first guy took off his beanie and rubbed a large hand over his buzzed head. His eyes were blue and quickly flicked around the room. He took a seat and the other two followed suit.

"Who's this guy?" I whispered.

Slade looked my way. "I don't know. But I have a feeling we are about to find out." He watched Eve, it only took a minute before she noticed the guy wearing the beanie. She walked over and touched his shoulder a small smile on her face. The way she looked at him I didn't know if she was upset or intrigued.

And then they kissed.

It was Kenny's brother.

He was huge, big hefty shoulders, a muscular frame that battled Slade's. And everywhere I looked it seemed people noticed him. Men of all sizes darted to the other side of the bar to get away from him.

"That's Kenny's brother." I bit my lip. "I wonder what brought him in. Do you think he's on to us?"

Slade shrugged. "I'm sure."

I swallowed. I wasn't sure this guy sniffing us out was anything I was up for. I wanted my dad back. I didn't want to fight with anyone.

One of the bar staff took the stage. "Tonight is amateur night. Winners get free shots all night. Who's feeling brave? Come on I know someone out here wants to sing." He scanned the crowd. A few drunk men and a few confident woman stepped forward. But his eyes were on our table.

Slade ran a hand down the back of his neck.

"You there in the black t-shirt with the tattoos, you look like you can rock out. What do you say?" All eyes were on Slade. A few girls a table away smiled, everywhere he went he managed to find groupies.

"Are you going to show them what you got?" I smirked. Slade rolled his eyes. "Come on, I think it's sexy when you sing."

Slade's grin widened. "Sure, we'd love to battle it out."