by P. C. Cast
“Hell yeah, you should have.” His gaze had changed. It was oddly soft, as was his voice. “Jesus, Shay. Why didn’t you?”
“Would it have mattered?” She honestly wanted to know.
“Damn right, it would have. I would have done things differently.”
Curiosity burned. She’d never experienced lovemaking where the act had been entirely voluntary—a fact best kept secret, though. “How so?”
His mouth, tipped in that half smile of his, filled her vision as he moved closer. “Give me a second to recover,” he said low in her ear, “and then I’ll show you.”
Toward dawn, Quel gently roused her from a doze of pure exhaustion. Her human body tired as quickly as it surrendered to pleasure. The trade-off was worth it. “I knew your ass looked great in jeans.” Quel nibbled and kissed his way down from her neck to the ticklish spot between her shoulder blades and lower. His heavy erection brushed against her thigh. The man was insatiable. She quite liked that. “Though I’ve got to say it looks a hell of a lot better without them.” On all fours, he playfully bit her left cheek.
She laughed then winced as she rolled over. Her body continued to remind her that tonight was its first time making love.
As did Quel. “Sore?” He sounded slightly more smug than sorry.
“Yes. A bath sounds lovely right now.”
“Sorry, angel. I’ve got a shower, no tub. There’s a new motel in town. Nice place. Maybe on your next night off we’ll check in and have ourselves a party in one of those in-room Jacuzzis.”
His words shattered the lovely spell she’d been under all evening. There wouldn’t be a next time.
Bat bugger. What had she been thinking, coming here tonight? She should have said no to the drink, she should have stayed close to the Faithfulls’ home. She’d put Quel at risk by spending the night with him. It was a selfish risk, even if she hadn’t planned on it going this far. Lucifer was all too good at discovering her affinity for anyone and anything—and taking it away.
She wriggled out from under Quel’s weight. “It’s nearly dawn. I’ve got to go.” She hurried around the room, snatching her clothes off the floor, blaming her mistake on her addiction to feeling alive—and her curiosity and attraction to Quel. In coming here, you may have just signed his death warrant. Her tenderness with the babe could be explained away as winning the family’s trust, but what of the others she’d met here? She couldn’t afford to get close to any of them. She had to keep her distance or risk the unthinkable. She mustn’t become attached to Quel, to the babe, or to anyone. Mortals were off-limits. Starting now.
She was going to miss him. She was going to miss this life. More so than the others, this one had felt . . . real. Her body did, too, she thought with another wince. Her other bodies had all been virginal. Why hadn’t they stung like this one did? Maybe it, too, like this life, was real.
The realization froze her in place. Did the soul mean she was no longer a demon? No, that was impossible.
Jeans, bra, blouse . . . one shoe, then two. Frantically she tore through the fallen garments. “Did you see my—?”
“Panties?” Propped up on one elbow in bed, glorious in his unself-conscious nakedness, he twirled her tiny undergarment on his finger. “Come and get ’em, angel.” His blue eyes danced with devilish mischief of the sexual sort, reminding her all too much of Swift River the last time she saw him. The night he died. At your hand, Shay.
Lucifer would make her kill Quel, too. She thrust out her hand. “I have to go, Laredo.”
In a move so swift she hadn’t time to react, he caught her hand, yanking her across his body. She batted at him, pushing him away as he kissed her . . . kissing her until she’d melted into the embrace. It didn’t take long at all to thaw her. She could almost taste the smile she was certain curved that self-satisfied mouth, a smile she sensed faded as he rolled her under his body to give her a kiss as tender as any she’d ever experienced.
When he finally lifted his head, cradling her face in his hands, she was reluctant for their lips to part. No one, not even the men she’d persuaded to love her, had ever kissed her quite like that. “That’s my parting gift to you, angel,” he said quietly. “A little something to remember me by.”
“I will remember you.” With that vow, a shiver ran through her. “Always.”
Suddenly gruff, he pushed her waded-up panties into her hand. “Shower. Get dressed. Whatever you need to do, Cinderella. I’ll walk you home.”
“Cinderella?”
“Yeah. I gotta get you home before your coach turns into a pumpkin. As long as you leave a glass slipper behind, we’re cool.”
“And you accused me of babbling?”
“Hey, you’re the teacher. You know your fairy tales better than I do.”
Actually, she didn’t. “Of course. Cinderella. The glass coach.”
He gave her a strange look. “Slipper.”
“Right.” She bit her lip before she revealed more of her ignorance. There were many details of being a modern human that she didn’t know. She’d never thought she’d be staying here as long as she had. She hadn’t banked on meeting Quel Laredo.
He shook his head at her. “If it takes me the rest of my days, I’m going to figure you out.”
She was going to use the rest of her days to make sure he didn’t. Not that she had many days left.
The fountain was the centerpiece of the town square. This time of night the area was deserted. The sky was growing light already. If she’d been human, she’d be greeting the sunrise with all the excitement of having spent the first night with a lover she wanted to see again and again. Instead, the coming dawn brought a feeling of dread.
Oblivious, Quel wrapped his arm over her shoulders, holding her close as they walked. “That was one hell of a night. I’d like to see you again. Though if the good reverend figures out you’re no longer a virgin after one date with me, she might not let you.”
“That might not be such a bad thing, Quel.”
His steps slowed as her heart banged hard in her throat. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t know if seeing each other is a good idea.”
Now he stopped, holding on to her hand as he searched her face in disbelief. “Are you giving me the brush-off?”
“I can’t see you anymore,” she blurted out. She had to sever ties with Quel before Lucifer discovered her attachment. It was what she’d failed to do all those thousands of years ago with Swift River. Then, she’d made the one, unforgivable mistake: she’d underestimated Satan. She might not be the smartest demon, but she did have a learning curve, and she was going to prove it tonight. She’d put Quel’s welfare over her own desires. “It’s over. I’m sorry.”
Quel swore under his breath. “I don’t frickin’ believe this. Shay—”
He’d stopped speaking midsentence. Reaching for his pistol, he peered into the shadows, his nostrils flaring. “Hell stench.”
The thunder of small hooves drew their attention to the far side of the square. A herd of billy goats trotted toward them. Fluffy and white, they looked like the ones in Harmony and Damon’s pen. Glowing red eyes gave away their origins.
“Subdemons,” Quel growled. He sprayed silver BBs into the herd, decimating it. The goats sizzled and popped, dissolving before their eyes.
A shriek sounded overhead. Something whooshed past, blowing Shay’s hair. Quel took a shot. An owl fell to earth, its red eyes fading as it flapped at their feet. Even as it vaporized, the sky filled with other creatures, hundreds of them. Their flapping wings rustled like dry leaves. “Bats this time,” she said. The subdemons swooped and squeaked.
Quel hauled her close, letting her bury her head against his chest as he blasted away at the beasties. More varieties appeared to replace what he destroyed. Evil soaked the very air. Malevolence, she could feel it.
And so it begins . . . Lucifer’s patience had run out. Her time of freedom was up. The time to act was upon her. She
twisted around. “Quel, protect yourself before me. When the time comes, you cannot hesitate. You must save yourself.”
He jerked back. “Woman, you’re definitely babbling now.”
“Promise me you’ll do it.” She gripped his arms. His eyes were wide with denial. He’d rather die himself than hurt her, she knew. There was only one way to get him to do as she said, and that was to tell him what she was. “I’m a monster, Quel. A demon. Your instincts were right about me.”
“Bullshit,” he growled. His blue eyes were blacker now. He was angry.
“I came to kill the Faithfulls’ baby. Lucifer ordered me here. He thinks the child will grow up to rival him, even defeat him. He sent me to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“And you couldn’t do it.”
Her throat constricted. “No,” she whispered. “I can’t.”
“You’re human, that’s why.” Quel grabbed the cross hanging from her neck, pulling the chain taut. “A demon couldn’t wear this. You can. You’re mortal, Shay. You’re one of us, not them. You’re human.”
Human . . . could it be? Yes. She was already halfway to believing it. Quel’s conviction pushed her the rest of the way. Her soul, her immunity to silver, her virginity, it was obvious. “I crashed into that wishing fountain and came out mortal.”
“You wished to be mortal, to have a soul, and it gave you what you wanted.”
A soul. The chance to really live. For a finite period, she realized. “I’m no longer immortal.”
“Quality over quantity, we humans always say.”
She laughed at that until reality returned. Her new status meant she was even weaker than she’d thought. She had no powers at all to fight anything Lucifer threw at her. And these subdemons were only the tip of the iceberg.
“Go, Quel.” She shoved at him. It was like trying to move a brick wall. “Get out of here. It doesn’t matter what I am now; Lucifer will kill you if he finds out I love you.”
For all his hardness, he gave her the classic double take.
“Yes, I love you. We go back, Quel, way back. It was during the Ice Age. You were a hunter, even then. I was a demon, but I fell for you. Lucifer didn’t like it. He had me kill you. He’ll do it again—”
“Hold on. I smell a demon.” His voice sounded a little too calm, a little too steady. A glance at his face revealed alarm. Damnation, the demon hunter was nervous. Not a good sign. Whatever was on the way frightened him. “It’s powerful, Shay. Ancient.”
Who was it? She glared into the shadows. The oldest demons were few; she knew them all. “See? You’ve got to get out of here.” Why couldn’t he understand? She knew! She’d lived this all before. “Forget all that crap about protecting me. Go. You’re in over your head.”
“You got the wrong man if you think I’m going to cut and run, angel.”
“I’m not an angel,” she screamed in frustration.
“You are to me.” Quel made a stifled groan and hauled her closer, crushing her against him. Sliding her hands under his coat, she soaked in his body heat. It didn’t help her shivering. It was like the night of the crash all over again. “It doesn’t matter what you were,” he said in her hair. “I don’t frickin’ care.”
A quiet laugh interrupted. “I’m jealous, Shay. I’ve missed you down in Hell, and here you are, once again keeping company with mortal men. What do they have that I don’t? Feelings?”
The familiar deep, lilting voice chilled her to the core. Nevin, she thought. Lucifer hadn’t sent just any demon after her. He’d sent the most feared high demon lord of them all.
Eight
With a tornado of bats spinning overhead, Nevin advanced on them, his eyes glowing red. “Down!” Quel shoved her to the ground and took aim.
Nevin flicked his wrist. A burst of black energy sent Quel flying backward. He hit the ground hard, his boots scraping over the dirt.
“Quel!” She bit her lip. Too late. She’d revealed her feelings.
Nevin appeared absolutely delighted by her outburst. “Master wanted me to see what was taking you so long. How quickly I found my answer. Our little mortal wannabe has found herself another man. Is she in love?”
“He’s nothing but a bit of sport, Nevin. You know how much I enjoy sex.”
“That I do.” Nevin was heartbreakingly handsome. When he smiled, broad and perfect, he could bring a woman to tears. And he had, many times; she’d been witness. “You always did prefer me to the humans, dear Shay, didn’t you? A real lover. A dark lover.” You want me, Shay. You desire me above all others. His commands rang in her mind. Take off your pants and beg me to fuck you in front of him.
Gasping in shame, she shook her head even as her fingers tangled with the top button on her jeans. Fight it, she told herself.
You desire me above all others. You can’t help it.
No! The compulsion to please Nevin warred with her drive not to give in. Crying out, she rolled her fingers into fists.
Nevin howled with irritation. “How do you defy my commands? You are human, weak.” He blinked, sending another wave of persuasion. Undress.
“No.” Her voice sounded guttural and surprisingly strong. How? Residual power? Sheer will?
This crazy town?
Nevin grabbed her wrist, spinning her around. He lifted his hand as if to rip off her blouse but recoiled at the sight of the cross. A shot rang out. The demon staggered backward, roaring in fury as he centered the forgotten Quel in his sights, his eyes glowing fiercely. Although obviously hurting, Quel had staggered to his feet, a pistol in each hand. The weapons and his eyes appeared preternaturally bright against the backdrop of the fountain. Did the demon hunter have powers of his own?
If so, they were not enough to go up against Nevin. The demon hurled another pulse of energy, and Quel staggered backward. Quel uttered a harsh sob and pressed a fist to his forehead. His struggle to fight off the nightmares the demon had implanted in his head tore at her heart. The emotional turmoil a demon could inflict was truly horrible. Another attack of Nevin’s sent Quel plunging to his knees.
“Stop it!” she shouted at the demon.
Nevin sneered, turning back to her. Remove the cross.
“No.”
I will take you, and you will like it. You will cry out in pleasure for him to hear.
“Fuck you, Nevin.”
“Actually, I was hoping you would do that. You were always so good at it.” His arm slid over her shoulders. He kept his chest away from the cross, she noticed. “Down in Hell, you were the butt of all the jokes. The demon who dreamed of being human.” His laugh rang out in the square. “It’s why Master never gave you the rank of high demon lord. He knew he couldn’t trust you. He was right, of course. Look at you: weak, powerless. Pitiful. It seems you finally got your wish.”
She took the cross and plunged it into his chest. It glanced off his ribs but sank deep enough. An unearthly shriek filled her ears. He hurled her to the ground, his hand pressed against the bubbling, ruined flesh.
“Mistake,” he hissed, leveling an arm at Quel. Wave after wave of persuasion and dark energy flew in Quel’s direction until the demon hunter writhed in agony.
“Stop it, Nevin!” Quel was suffering, and she was weeping. She couldn’t bear to watch. Then again, Nevin knew that. He was torturing Quel for her benefit. He’d kill Quel, then her, but before he did, he intended to thoroughly enjoy the moment. With feline delight, he’d toy with his prey.
“Nevin, please.” Choking on a sob, Shay reached for the hem of her blouse and lifted it. “I’ll do it.”
“Pretty water!” From across the square, a little figure in Transformers pajamas appeared. Dread pierced Shay at the sight of Damon Junior toddling toward the fountain, dragging his beloved “binkie” blanket behind him.
Nine
Little Damon stumbled once, landing on his padded bottom before righting himself. The town square looked like a battleground. The babe gave the remains of the subdemons little more than a pas
sing glance. “Bad doggies,” he muttered.
Nevin followed her horrified gaze. His lips slid back over his perfect teeth. It wasn’t a smile as much as it was a snarl. “What is this?”
Pure, cold terror plunged down Shay’s spine and slowed down her racing thoughts. Slowed down everything. Protect the boy. As if she were under water, she was flinging off her heels, tossing the pumps over her head. She was glancing in Quel’s direction, seeing him pushing to his feet with shaking hands, his face pain-ridden but determined. Turning, she ran as Nevin lifted his arm to fire.
“No . . . !” Her voice was deep, drawn-out, as was each long stride that carried her ever so slowly away from Nevin and toward the approaching child.
Her focus had narrowed to one goal: reach the babe before Nevin attacked. “No matter where you run, no matter where you hide, I will find you, and end you. You will never escape your fate.” Even as Lucifer’s awful threat echoed in her mind, she focused outside herself, shoved aside her qualms. She did in fact no longer matter; what happened to her was irrelevant. Instead of the idea being frightening and terrible, it was freeing and wonderful. This was bigger than her, far bigger. Bigger than any of them. This little boy would save the world, and she would save him.
One last straining leap brought her to the boy. Sweeping him off the ground, she whirled, dancing on bare feet as she came face-to-face with Nevin. The demon’s glowing eyes had narrowed, both of his arms rising, weapons to be used on her and the babe.
“Shay,” the child said calmly, patting her arm. “Shay, good.”
She’d already turned away from the imminent threat of Nevin, intending to flee across the square. Caught in the odd time warp of slow motion, she knew what she had to do. Save the boy. At all cost, save him.