“W-what? Isn’t that the demon or demigod you told me about earlier?” She continued to rub her arms and paced. “I-I need to get her out of there.” She stopped and looked at him, her eyes pleading. “Do you know where she is?”
“Do you have a death wish? And no, I don’t.”
Her brows pinched down at Baal’s question. “Of course, I don’t, but she’s my sister!”
He huffed. “I realize that, but what exactly do you think you’re going to do? Waltz in, grab her and waltz out?” Baal asked.
“I don’t know! I thought you were the expert here.” Tears threatened to spill again.
“Seriously. You don’t need me here to bear witness to your banter.” Jax rose from his seat.
“You’re right. They need help killing demons,” Baal commanded.
Jax clapped his hands together and rubbed. “Now, we’re talking.” He gave a slight bow to Ranata. “While it was a pleasure to meet you, I’m a warrior, not a babysitter. Good luck with your sister.” He vanished before she could reply, and she had a sudden urge to throw up again.
The demon focused on her once more. “Now that he’s gone, maybe, you’ll come clean and share what’s going on.”
She was tired as hell of his games and wanted to be done with it, so she headed for the door. This time, she was determined to make a hasty exit. Grabbing the handle, she half-expected Baal to come up behind her. Instead, the handle refused to turn, and her skin prickled. She whirled to face the demon who still stood across the room. Fury and panic sent her blood to the boiling point.
“Let me go!”
Wind whipped around her. A lamp on a side table fell to the floor. Glass shattered in the distance along with her nerves.
“Stop it! Why are you doing this?” She placed her arms over her head and ducked to avoid flying debris. A hard body rammed into her then pinned her to the floor. Baal’s lips were next to her ear.
“But I’m not the one doing this, princess. You are.”
Baal covered Ranata’s body to protect her from the furniture flying across the room. He didn’t know how, but the conditions in his penthouse had gone from calm to an F2 tornado in a matter of seconds. Each time he tried to subdue it, things grew worse.
“Princess, you need to stop whatever it is you’re doing before you rip up my entire home.” Though he had to admit, he loved the feel of her soft curves beneath him. She fit him like a glove.
“But I’m not doing this. I can’t do stuff like this.”
Somehow, he had to get her to calm down. His magic only made it worse.
“Ranata.” He cupped her face and forced her gaze to him. “Look at me. Think happy thoughts and try to calm down.” Her body trembled beneath him. He’d fucked up royally and freaked her out, and now, she was trashing the place. No way in hell she was human. But what the fuck was she?
“Princess, focus on me, and we’ll breathe together. Ready?”
She nodded.
“Okay. Slow, deep breath in. Hold it…and let it out.” A chair whizzed past his head. “Happy thoughts and deep breath. Hold, one, two, three and release.” The wind calmed slightly. “Repeat.” He breathed with her, but things weren’t moving along fast enough to suit him. “Princess, I’m sorry for being a dick. I didn’t mean to upset you. Calm down, and we’ll talk. We’ll figure this out together.”
Everything stopped and crashed to the floor, but at least, it was quiet. He rolled off her and lay on his back staring at the ceiling. He sent out his magic to clean up the mess, but as he righted the kitchen table, Ranata rolled onto her stomach and vomited.
“Oh, god, I’m so sorry,” she cried.
He jumped to his feet and scooped her up. As he walked to the bedroom, he turned her mess to ash and swept it away. “Don’t worry about it. All taken care of.” He laid her on his king-size bed and wondered why he’d brought her to his room and not one of the guest rooms.
You know damn well why you brought her here. It’s where you want her. In your bed!
“Stay put.” He went into the bathroom, grabbed a washcloth and wet it with cool water then came back and placed it on her forehead.
She pulled it down over her eyes. “I’m so sorry. I was suddenly so ill and had no control.”
“It’s okay. Are you feeling any better?” He went for a bottle of water from the mini-fridge then came back and sat on the edge of the bed. “Here, drink this.”
She peeked out from beneath the washcloth, her embarrassment evident. “Thanks.” She struggled to push herself to sitting. When she’d finally managed, she grabbed the bottle and took a big sip. “What the hell happened out there? Why’d you do that?”
He searched her eyes and sensed she wasn’t lying. She had no clue what had happened. “I didn’t start that. Matter of fact, the more magic I tried to use to stop it, the worse it got. Sugar, it was all you. You created that storm.”
She rubbed her eyes. “But I can’t levitate objects or create wind.” Then she cracked a smile. “Though I’ll admit, I had an urge to throw something at you.”
Again, he sensed she was telling the truth. “Something strange is going on here.”
She tried to hide a yawn.
“You need some rest. Stay here, and get some sleep. I’ll be in the other room and later, when you’re rested, we have a lot to talk about.”
“I am really tired all of a sudden.” She lay back and rolled to her side, tucking her hands up under her chin. Baal got up and walked from the room before he did something stupid, like forget he wasn’t about to give his heart to any female.
As he stormed back to the living room, his thoughts strayed briefly. She can’t be fully human with the power she exhibited earlier. Maybe, I can claim her. He poured a shot of tequila and downed it. “And I must be fucking crazy to consider it.” Baal needed someone to track Chaval and figure out what the warrior was up to. He’d ask his sister to do it, but her mate, Caleb would have his head. Besides, Baal would never put his sister in harm’s way. He poured another shot then opened his mind to see whether his call would be answered.
Lucan? If you can hear me, I have a job for you.
Chapter Five
Lucan called to the shadows and commanded they form a circle around the three demons who’d terrorized a young girl on the street. What she’d been doing out after dark was beyond him. Didn’t these people understand what a curfew was? His leader, Aidyn, had gone to the Vatican and spoken with the head honcho. Luckily, the Catholic church was on board with offering any cooperation they could to rid the world of the demon stench that had filtered up from Hell.
Officials issued a curfew in the hope of getting people off the street before dark to keep them safe. Humans flocked to the local churches. It hadn’t taken long for word to spread that the demons couldn’t enter. He chuckled to himself. If they only knew the spawn of Hell didn’t give two shits about churches and their religious relics. What kept them at bay was Lucan and his brethren. They’d drank the water from the Cave of Knowledge, thus making their blood sacred. They cut themselves and traced blood crosses on the building so demons couldn’t enter. Knowing people would seek refuge in their local churches, the guardians had protected those buildings first.
Now, it was time for the guardians to expose themselves. Aidyn would hold a public broadcast in a few days that would hopefully accomplish that. Lucan still believed it was a bad idea. They should have just let Gabriel, and his armies of winged warriors play the role of good guys while Lucan and his brethren stayed hidden in the background and did what they were created to do.
Protect humanity.
Humans didn’t need to know their protectors had fangs and drank blood. They were better off with their illusions of the winged angels.
Lucan produced his sword. “You fuckers picked the wrong street to play on.” The shadows, still under his command, kept the evil corralled while he swung the blade taking off all three heads in one swipe.
Lucan? If you can hear me, I have
a job for you.
He wiped the blood from his blade and wondered what the demon, Baal, would have need of him to do. Normally, Lucan liked to work alone. He was having a difficult time since Marcus and Seth had found their mates. Add to that the recent death of one of their brethren, Garin, and he felt like the odd man out. Things were changing, and Lucan hated change.
Not that he’d begrudge his friends’ happiness. He was thrilled Marcus and Seth had both found their mates and thus reversed the curse Drayos had placed on them centuries earlier. Lucan lived with the curse every day. The darkness that resided inside every guardian slowly spread until it consumed them and snuffed out their light, making them blood-thirsty killers. However, Lucan didn’t want to fight the darkness. He welcomed the extra power it brought him with open arms.
With a flick of his wrist, he commanded the shadows into a mini-funnel cloud that picked up the remains of the demons and swept them away. Then he locked onto Baal’s location and flashed.
“What do you want, demon?” He stood in Baal’s penthouse living room.
“You’ll never guess who I had a strange encounter with?” Baal held up his hand. “I’ll tell you. Chaval. I’d like you to figure out what he’s been up to.”
Lucan bared his fangs. “I’ll tell you what he’s been up to. He’s a fucking traitor, and I thought you knew that.”
“I sense otherwise. He didn’t say anything to indicate what’s going on, but he said things are not what they appear. He opened himself to me. The man’s afraid. You and I both know Chaval fears nothing.” Baal went on to explain his encounter with the Sumari warrior, and the more Lucan heard, the more intrigued he became. Chaval had been a childhood friend. What had made him side with their enemies? More important, what the hell was he afraid of?
“I trust your senses and agree, there’s more here than we can see. I will search his homeland,” Lucan replied.
Baal raised a brow. “Can you get in?”
“I can go anywhere. You forget, I control the shadow walkers. However, I’m curious why you don’t ask your sister to do this?” Everyone knew her dark power was as strong as Lucan’s.
“I don’t want her involved. You in or not?”
Lucan didn’t need to think about it. “I love a challenge. I’ll go there now.”
Ranata had no idea how long she’d been asleep, but her stomach rumbled in hunger. She threw her legs over the side of the bed, stood and padded out of the room. After a quick search, she found Baal in the kitchen, standing at the counter chopping some vegetables. A delicious aroma wafted from behind him.
He looked up and smiled. “Hope you’re hungry and you like pasta.”
Her stomach growled in response. “I’m starved. What is that? God, it smells delicious.” Her mouth watered.
He placed the vegetables into a wooden bowl then gave them a light toss. “It’s an old family recipe.”
She stepped to the stove and looked into the large simmering pot. A thick red sauce bubbled, and the smell that followed the steam upward caused her stomach to knot in hunger. “Mmm, how long before we can eat?”
“Go sit. You can start with a salad, and the rest will follow.”
Ranata complied and took a seat at the black lacquer table where two place settings had been laid out. “I didn’t know demons could cook.”
Baal placed a plate full of greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, various colored peppers and olives in front of her. “The dressing is also an old family recipe, and yes, we cook.”
She picked up her fork while he poured her a glass of red wine. “I guess I just assumed since you live in a penthouse and own a casino…”
“What? That I’d have people waiting on me hand and foot?” He shook his head. “Not really my style. Don’t get me wrong, I like fine things, but at heart, I’m a warrior. I like getting dirty.” He pulled out the chair across from her and sat. For some reason, a picture of him covered with dirt and wearing a ripped shirt popped into her head.
Dear god. She diverted her attention to her salad and dove in. “This is really good.”
“Thanks. So, I thought we should discuss what happened earlier today,” he said between bites.
“I told you. I’m unable to make objects float around the room.” The remembrance of earlier caused her to shiver. It had scared the shit out of her.
“I know, and I can sense you’re telling the truth.”
She looked up. “Really? You can tell when people are lying?”
“I can sense all emotions. Demons usually prey on people when they’re most vulnerable. However, some of us have evolved beyond the need to torture.”
“Oh. Well, that’s a good thing then.” Though she didn’t know him, she couldn’t picture him torturing someone.
“When I went to your home, it was surrounded by demons. Their leader and I had an interesting chat about you and your sister,” Baal continued.
Fear gripped her gut and twisted. She recalled their earlier conversation. “You said she’s with Lowan. How do we get her back?”
Baal set his fork on the table. “Let me give you a Lowan lesson. He is a demigod. That means he has more power in his pinkie than an entire army of demons.” His forehead creased. “He’s the fucking reaper on steroids.”
She fought to control her emotions. Tears wouldn’t get Raven out of trouble. “So, you’re saying there’s no way to reach her?”
He shook his head. “I never say never. I just don’t know the how yet. Maybe, you have the answer.”
“Me?”
“I said my discussion included you. I was told to protect you at all costs. Something about your past is the key to your secret. You are more than you realize. So…what’s your secret, Ranata?”
“I-I don’t know what that means.” She pushed aside her empty salad plate and watched him rise and clean up their dirty dishes, carrying them to the kitchen. Moments later, he returned and placed a steaming plate of spaghetti in front of her. She dove in, wanting to know whether it tasted as good as it smelled. It was better.
They were halfway through their meal before he spoke again. “Listen up, sugar. It’s time you spilled. What are you hiding that I should know about?”
She’d be damned if she’d rehash her past. It wasn’t anyone’s business. Besides, it has nothing to do with finding Raven. “I’m not hiding anything. Your friend is delusional.”
He studied her. His golden gaze penetrated into her soul until she shifted in her seat.
“Did you forget, sweetheart, I can detect when you’re lying? Care to try again?” He reached for his glass of wine and took a sip. “Who are your parents?”
“Robert and Stella Aldrich. Know them?” She laced her reply with sarcasm.
“No. Who were your real parents?” He pushed aside his plate and leaned back in his chair.
She picked up her napkin, wiped her mouth then tossed it on the table. “They were my real parents, and this conversation is done.” She stood and took two steps when she ran into him. “How the hell?”
“I’m faster than you, and there are a few other things you should know.” He stood so close she felt his hot breath across her lips.
“What’s that?” she whispered.
“My favorite pastimes are fucking and fighting. I excel at both.”
Why the hell did that statement turn her on? “I need to know this why?”
“The reason I excel is because I spend a lot of time practicing, and the reason I practice is so I’m not tempted by my demonic urges. I told you, some of us have evolved beyond the need to torture.” He cupped her chin. “I don’t hurt innocents, but that doesn’t mean I can’t take what I want from you.” His gaze burned darker. “The craving to prey on human weakness is with me every day.”
The lump in her throat rose higher. “How can you say you don’t hurt people then?”
“Oh, sugar, there will be no pain. On the contrary. The pleasure you’ll feel will have you begging to tell me anything I want to know.” He releas
ed her. “But I don’t want to play dirty, so let’s say we sit down and start over.”
She only needed a moment to contemplate her next move, and logic demanded she comply. Ranata managed her way across the living room on wobbly legs and curled up in a chair. Baal came over and refilled her a glass of wine.
“This might help you relax.”
Relaxation was exactly what she needed, so she accepted the glass and took a big sip. “So, what exactly am I supposed to tell you?” she asked as he settled on the couch across from her and a fire lit on its own in the fireplace.
“Start with who were your real parents.”
Figures he’d make her dive right into the most painful part of her past. She took another sip of wine. “I don’t know who my real father is. My mother…” Visions of the beautiful woman with long black hair and brilliant blue eyes floated back to her. She shoved aside the pain.
“My mother dropped my sister and I off to the local nuns when I was five. She said she’d return later that night, but she never came back. I was too young to understand she’d dumped us at an orphanage. I only knew that I must have done something terribly wrong to make her abandon us.” Tears stung her eyes, and her chest tightened. “But Raven was only a year old, and she didn’t deserve that.” Ranata had tried so hard to put that day behind her, and rehashing the past was like ripping open an old wound. It hurt like hell.
Lucan shifted into a black mist as he approached the portal that led to Chaval’s home world. It was the only way he could enter since the magic woven around it was meant to keep intruders out. However, as mist he was able to squeeze through the tiny pinholes that always dotted any portal—even one created by the fae.
He pushed his way through and into the other side where darkness had fallen. His planning had been perfect, and he stayed in the form of mist so he could blend into the black night. As he zipped high above the ground, he was overcome with a sense of emptiness.
This is odd. Where the hell is everyone? The kingdom of Thyldan was home to at least a thousand fae.
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