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"Why do you live in a place like this?" Koldo retorted "You clearly thrive on what you probably consider adoration from your peers, and yet you seclude yourself"

A pause

"So we agree not to question each other," the warrior finally replied

"We do" They both had their secrets Koldo finished off the fruit "And now I ht want to hunt down your girl and give her a stern talking-to Normally I wouldn’t tattle, even on a human, but if I keep quiet this could really co, you’ll want to punch ? Now? "Just tell uy"

FUMING, KOLDO FLASHED to Nicola’s home He wasn’t sure what he’d do when the two of them were face-to-face He only knew he had to see her But she wasn’t there, and another flash proved she wasn’t in her office Jains, were in her office, and the tere hurtling curses at each other--while the girl had a ers curled around his neck, his pants and underwear pooled at his ankles

"Sleeping with every guy here?" Jamila spat "Really? That’s your master plan?"

"Part of it," the blonde s was in place "So why don’t you do et lost? And next tio By the way, your plan is stupid"

"Yeah, well, your hair is stupid"

Females

Jamila bared her teeth in a scowl "What does this acco a hand in the irlfriend finds out what he’s done, she’ll be hurt, want to cry"

"He doesn’t have a girlfriend"

"Fine He has a love interest"

"And you want to hurt her, why?"

The blonde grinned evilly

The led to sit up, but the girl was obviously stronger and ed to hold him doithout any effort

Koldo stepped into the natural world "Where’s Nicola?" he de to him

The blonde paused for a moment, momentarily rendered speechless Then she shook her head, blinked and smiled sloickedly, an invitation and a declaration "Well, hello, handsome What can I do to help you?"

The les He would have spoken, but his tie was stuffed into his mouth

Jamila scowled at Koldo, as if her predicah Little Miss Human is your responsibly, Zacharel told me to stay here"

A detail he didn’t care about "I’ll ask again Where is she?"

"Her sister showed up and they went to lunch They et about her," the blonde said "You’ll be better off with ive me a chance"

A park Very well, he would search every one nearby

Without a word, he sto his arrival to notice his sudden appearance, but he certainly wouldn’t miss Koldo’s departure

The blonde called out a protest, and she actually sounded angry Not that he cared about that, either

Once he cleared the reception area, and knew no prying eyes were locked on him, he flashed to the park closest to the office Searched Found no sign of her Next, he tried the one closest to her house Searched And--

Spotted her

Laila was beside her, the talking along a cobbled path, talking and laughing and eating chocolates The pair of deround and darted away

Some of the tension faded froood for both of the fe the poison He would leave the a date with another s He wanted her installed in one of his homes by the end of the day There would be no discussion, no debate And this had nothing to do with her decision to turn to anotherat all

Nicola would probably cry because of Koldo’s actions He would have to cal to make her happy--but he would also have to harden his heart The move was for the best He would be able to protect her better

But he would have to bring her back for the date, wouldn’t he? Becausewhat if theher joy? What then? She would need hie even more of the demon toxin