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voice, replaced by an easy drawl that only made Dru more worried. “And I’ve done my fair share of digging.”
    Nate hesitated. “Really? Where do you dig? Up in the mountains?”
    Greyson gave Nate a lazy smile. “Wherever looks the most promising. Most digs don’t pan out. But you want to know what the funny thing is?”
    Nate’s expression turned guarded.
    Greyson leaned closer, looming over Nate just a bit. “Funny thing is, just when you think you’ll never find what you’re looking for . . . it turns up right in front of you. The perfect gem. When you least expect it. And no one else has claimed it yet.”
    â€œIs that a fact,” Nate said evenly, standing his ground.
    â€œIt is.”
    Dru watched the exchange between the two men, seeing something going on just beneath the surface. Something unstated and primal, like two gorillas circling each other in the jungle. Neither of them was willing to back down.
    She gripped Nate’s arm and pulled him away. “Honey, I’m sure Greyson doesn’t have time to chat.” She shot Greyson a warning look.
    â€œShe’s right,” Greyson slurred, the pitch in his voice deepening dangerously. “She needs to come back to my place and check out my mojo. Ain’t that right, Dru?”
    Nate glared at Greyson, then turned aside and said to Dru, “What is he talking about?”
    There’s no time for this , she thought. Greyson is transforming into a demon! Right now!
    Greyson stepped up close to them with a smile that seemed ever so slightly unhinged. “Well? Let’s go, magic lady.”

8
    THE DEVIL INSIDE
    â€œWhy don’t I buy you a drink, and we’ll call it a night?” Nate said to Greyson with a forced lightness that wouldn’t have fooled a kindergartner. When Greyson shook his head, Nate said, “I insist.”
    â€œNate,” Dru said, leaning in close. “I need to get him out of here. Fast.”
    â€œGoing anywhere with him is a terrible idea,” he replied in a low voice.
    â€œHey,” Greyson barked. “The lady told you. We need to go .”
    Seeing Greyson’s state deteriorating before her eyes, Dru realized there was no more time for this nonsense. She took Nate’s arm and pulled him a few steps away. “Honey. This dinner is too important to mess up.” He started to object, and she cut him off. “I’m taking Greyson back to the shop, right now, before he gets any sicker. I’ll call Opal to help.”
    Nate put his hand over hers. “ After dinner.”
    Greyson marched after Dru, but the bullish maitre d’ put out an arm to block him, like a railroad gate coming down in his path. “I’m so sorry, monsieur . A jacket is required.”
    Greyson straightened the front of his leather motorcycle jacket. His eyes glowed bright red. “This is a jacket,” he slurred, then swatted the maitre d’s arm out of his way.
    It barely seemed like Greyson put any effort into the motion at all. But the maitre d’ staggered back as if he’d been thrown and collided with a waiter carrying a tray of glasses. The deafening crash of breaking glass turned heads throughout the restaurant.
    â€œOkay, time to go.” Dru left Nate behind and darted over to Greyson, took his arm, and turned him toward the door. He didn’t resist. His face looked paler and more haggard by the second. “You’re going straight back to the shop,” she ordered. “Come on.”
    Greyson shook his head, not in denial, but as if he was trying to clear it. “Something’s . . . not right. Dru?” Sweat tricked down the side of his forehead. “What am I doing here?”
    His confused words sent a chill down her back. They might not even have time to make it to the shop. She tried to remember which crystals she had with her, in her purse.
    Greyson swayed, and Dru