Chapter 42

She turned a pleading look on me.

"Oh my God!" I took a step forward to help her but Drio knocked me back with a sigh.

Flashing over to her side, he did some Vulcan neck pinch thing and she transformed into a sleek white fox with multiple tails. Mostly transformed. Her hands, feet, and face-all the bits touching the tape, stayed human. The overall effect was somewhat disconcerting.

"Nine," he said, seeing me count her tails.

I inched closer. "What is she?"

"King's makeup artist, Evelyn. Also a kumiho. A master illusionist usually plying her tricks to seduce men."

"But this one puts hers to use on King?"

"That's the theory."

"How did you know she was a demon?"

He tugged me forward, shoving my face inches away from her neck. "Smell."

This close to her, I accessed my magic just in case, a low level hum under my fingertips, but despite her growling and thrashing, she was bound fast. I sniffed, blinking at the faint smell of strawberries.