Read Online Dark Forsaken (The Devil's Assistant Book 3) by H.D. Smith - Free Book Online

queen?”
    “I want your word that he’ll stay out of trouble.”
    She hesitated for a moment as if she was uncertain and then glanced at her phone. Who was she considering calling?
    “I’ll force him to stay if you refuse,” I warned. I wouldn’t just let her walk out with him only to turn him loose the moment they were out of sight. “I’ll need your word if you want to take him.”
    She glanced at Sage, then said, “I, Cinnamon of Fallen, give you my word that, while in my care, Sage will stay out of trouble.”
    Sage grunted and sulked away. I considered challenging her addition to the oath—while in her care—but let it go.
    “Keep him on a short leash,” I warned.
    Cinnamon laughed. “Claire, your concern warms my soul, but do not fret, he will not be allowed to run around by himself.”
    Do not fret ? Was she serious? I wanted to roll my eyes at her, but didn’t. I waved my hand to dismiss her. I had had too good of a day to let her ruin it. Thankfully, she left without further encouragement.
    A few minutes later, Sorrel came to the door. “I don’t think that assistant chick is coming back. Are you ready to leave?”
    I glanced at my computer screen. It was almost four, close enough to the end of the workday.
    Before I could answer, someone came crashing through the door to the outer office. Sorrel turned to face them, blocking my view.
    “Do this, do that,” Connie muttered and then let out a startled yelp. “What are you still doing here?” She didn’t wait for Sorrel to answer. “Here, take this,” she said, shoving something into his hands. I heard what sounded like paper flapping. “I now have flyers to make and deliver. It’s already after three,” she groused, slamming a drawer closed. The outer office door opened a second later. “Tell Miss Fancy Pants that I’m taking tomorrow off.”
    Sorrel turned back around with a scowl on his face, holding a to-go tray with two cups of coffee. In complete deadpan he said, “Miss Fancy Pants, your assistant is crazy and won’t be here tomorrow.”
    I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. “Whatever.” Connie wasn’t exactly the best assistant, but she didn’t usually act quite so erratic. Cinnamon’s coffee run had obviously put her in a mood.
    Sorrel took out one of the coffees and tossed the other in the trash.
    “No,” I said sarcastically, “I didn’t want the coffee, thanks for asking.” When he didn’t comment, I continued. “We’re going downtown for dinner.”
    He started to protest, but I cut him off.
    “I’m the queen and I say we’re going to the Jaded Dragon for dinner.” I snapped my fingers, changing his clothes into a tie-dyed mockery of his badass cowboy look from the previous night. He changed them back, but I immediately put him in a tight matador’s outfit in bright pink. “I can keep this up for days.” That was a total lie, but I had enough juice to piss him off for at least an hour.
    “Fine,” he said, changing his clothes back. “Let’s go.”
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 7
     
     
    The Jaded Dragon was three blocks south of the blacksmith’s shop in an industrial part of Underworld. It was housed in an old building, but the business was new. Everything from the fake façade to the restaurant sign was factory fresh. Something about the place felt familiar, but I knew I’d never heard of it before my internet search. Had I? As I stared at the sign, I got a sense of happiness that left almost as soon as I felt it.
    “Sorrel, have you ever heard of this place?”
    He nodded and absently said, “It’s the hottest place downtown.”
    My brow furrowed. “I thought that was Sunshine Sandwiches’ motto.” I remembered the slogan of the deli I’d seen on the otherworldly taxi last spring. Sorrel stared at me with a blank expression on his face. “You know, the sandwich shop.”
    “Never heard of it,” he said.
    Never heard of it ? That place was supposed to be famous in Underworld.