Spellbound by Marcus Atley Page B

edge of the table and frowned when Stavros said nothing further. “So, I’ve been thinking-”
    “Shocking,” Stavros muttered. Elion growled under his breath in warning; the smug bastard only arched a brow in return.
    “What do a museum, a historical mansion, and a home in human suburbia have in common?”
    Stavros looked at him like he’d grown a second head. “Is this a riddle?”
    Elion rolled his eyes. “No, it’s not a riddle. Those were the locations of the break-ins. Nothing stolen from any of them, at least nothing that was noticed. What’s the common denominator?”
    “They don’t have a suspect. Maybe they aren’t connected; maybe it was some deadbeat human.”
    “Come on, you read enough of that file to know that’s bullshit. Each report had witnesses that smelled sulfur. What humans do you know that smell like sulfur and can break into a museum with maximum security without being detected?”
    “Why would a demon break into a museum, a century old mansion, and some house in suburbia?” Stavros retorted dryly.
    “Exactly.” Elion offered the waitress a forced smile when she brought out their food, her cleavage lingering in front of Stavros, who ignored her existence once more.
    “What is this exactly?” Stavros asked nervously when they were alone once more.
    “And you call me a child,” Elion laughed as he watched hesitation creep across Stavros’ features. “You were raised in a place where it’s common to eat glowing mushrooms and you’re intimidated by pasta and veal? Just take a bite.”
    Elion watched, amused, as Stavros’ expression twisted into something similar to a whiny child that didn’t want to eat their peas. He cut the smallest bite possible, sniffing it and eyeing it carefully before putting it in his mouth. He scowled as he chewed, his brows knitted and eyes narrowed as it slid down his throat in a dramatic swallow.
    “Well?” Elion asked hesitantly.
    “It’s- weird,” Stavros grumbled. Elion’s laugh earned a few looks in their direction. He could feel Stavros’ blood-thirsty glower, but that didn’t stop him. His laughter immediately dissipated when Stavros leaned forward and rough fingertips brushed over his left ear. A shiver shot down his spine and a small gasp slipped through his lips.
    “What was that?” he asked, hoping his voice didn’t crack. Stavros gave him a pointed look before gesturing to his ears. Elion quickly brushed his fingers over his hair, verifying his pointed ears were covered and offered Stavros a weak smile.
    He cleared his throat, inwardly demanding his blush to vanish as he looked up once more. “Is it okay? Should I order you something else?”
    Stavros shook his head, cutting another piece of veal and sticking it in his mouth without hesitation, and if Stavros noticed the proud look on Elion’s face, he said nothing.
    ~~
    “So, if there was no sign of a break-in at the museum, how did they know anyone had actually broken in?” Elion asked. Stavros was sitting on his bed, sipping on a beer and staring at a printed layout of the museum. Every few moments he would scowl at the beverage before taking another long swallow. “And if you hate human beer so much, why are you drinking it?”
    “It tastes like piss. Why does it taste like piss?” Stavros glowered.
    “Why do you know what piss tastes like? And again, why are you drinking it?” Elion sighed. “I think you’re just grouchy. You need a nap.”
    Stavros rolled his eyes. “The reporting officer said the guard heard noises and went to investigate. He claims that no alarms were set off, but an exhibit had obviously been tampered with. At the mansion break-in, it was the same. Someone heard noises, called the police, the police said there was no sign of a break-in until they searched the place and found that a hidden safe had been opened and rooted through, but nothing was missing. The home-”
    “The same. So, someone’s looking for something. Can I have the exhibit