by Emma Shade
“This is boring,” Coren said with a sigh.
I smiled. “Believe it or not, this was how it was for years. I can’t help but think this is the calm before the storm.”
“I wondered that, too. We’ve fought some bad guys for days, and then nothing?”
Puffing a breath out of my lips, I nodded.
My thoughts must have worked because Raven poofed in, her strides catching ours as she materialized.
“Hey,” she said, “sorry I’m late. There’s been a wave of deaths lately. I finally told Dad I needed the rest of the night off to hunt with you two.”
I grinned. “I was just thinking about you. Glad you’re here.”
“I’m happy I’m here, too.” She slung an arm over my shoulder. “I need to kick some demon ass and relieve some stress.”
“Good luck,” Coren muttered.
She ignored him. “So, what’s new?”
“Oh, you know. Saw the demon named Zagan, and he said ol’ Luke wanted me because of the prophecy you showed us, and something about my sword. Can you believe he’d believe that bullshit—or that he’d want my sword of all things?”
There was a beat of silence before Raven chuckled. “Crazy, right?”
Rap music blasted from the club to our left, the lights flashing to the beat through the large windows. Several people smoked a few feet from the door and I eyed their choice of clothing. That was when I noticed the woman in the racy black dress. Her dark skin was accented in a gold shimmer and her makeup was perfection. Her long, black hair hung down to her back, and she was at least six-foot tall with legs that went on for miles. Her sexuality drew the attention of those around her, each of the smokers never looking away from her.
I hated how beautiful she was, but I blinked in shock when she looked in my direction. At first, I thought her eyes were hazel, but as she watched me, I noticed they were mustard yellow. The faint smell of Hell wafted off her, but she’d almost covered it with perfume. Her long, blue nails tapped against the wall behind her in a rapid succession of clicks. When she spotted Raven at my side, her fingers froze. Her gaze shifted to me and I knew the instant she realized who I was. I gave her a wicked smile and pulled my sword free. Her focus darted all around her, and then she ran. For wearing stiletto heels, the bitch could sprint. Fuck.
I took off after her, my boots pounding on the pavement. She turned the corner on Main Street and I followed. This one wasn’t getting away that easily.
“Mara!” Raven called after me as I heard her footsteps following shortly behind me.
When the woman hurdled over the tall, chain-linked fence, I cursed. I had to climb it, but I hadn’t lost her. She had trapped herself in an old industrial complex with tall brick buildings surrounding her.
“Just give up,” I said, swinging my sword in my right hand. “It’ll be over before you know it.”
“Oh, baby, I don’t want to go so soon,” she crooned, her bottom lip pouting.
Her hands moved from her hips, up her stomach, and to her breasts. My eyebrows narrowed in confusion. What the fuck was this shit?
“Coren,” Raven shouted, “don’t get any closer! This is a succubus.”
“Shit,” I heard his curse and his retreating footsteps.
“I don’t mind a foursome,” the succubus purred. “Actually, I quite enjoy them.”
The demon’s hands had now moved under her shirt to caress her nipples. I wanted to gag at the heated expression she gave Coren.
Now, she really had to die.
“Listen, bitch, he’s mine.” I charged forward, my weapon raised.
She ducked at the last minute and my sword sliced into her shoulder. The succubus screeched, and her once-yellow eyes were swallowed by blackness. Her mouth opened wide to show a row of shark-like teeth.
“Holy fuck,” Coren muttered.
Raven snickered. “Yeah, they’re pretty ugly when they’re feeding or pissed off.”
Ignoring their remarks, I focused on my task. My goal was to dispatch this demon so she couldn’t wreak havoc on unsuspecting victims again. I didn’t want to think about how many males or females she’d already killed by her sexual prowess. I wanted to slice off each one of her limbs until she was only a bleeding stump on the ground.
Despite the obvious pain the demon was in, she swung her attention to Coren and said, “I’m sure all of you would enjoy my company.”
“I already told you once. He’s mine.” With anger coursing through me, I twisted my body around and the blade sank into flesh. As the demon’s head slid from her body, I said, “And I don’t share.”
Staring at the succubus’s body bleeding out on the concrete, I realized the blood was cherry red, which was an odd shade for a spawn of Hell. The color was too humanoid, and I let out a sigh.
“What’s the matter?” Raven questioned as she strolled up beside me.
Because jealousy had roared to the surface when the sex-crazed freak tried to get Coren in bed, I had admitted that I believed he was mine. If that didn’t scream emotional attachment, I didn’t know what did. I struggled with that for a minute and then decided some things were better left buried so deep inside it would take some torture and a shovel to dig them out.
Coren’s steps echoed against the surrounding walls, and at his approach, I wanted to kick the dead, headless bitch one more time.
Instead, I shrugged and gestured to the demon with my bloodstained sword. “Nothing. Just tired of these damn surprises. A succubus? I thought they were folklore.”
“We didn’t talk about them in our demonology lessons. Dad hasn’t said much about them, other than they literally eat the souls out of their victims.” Raven shivered. “Honestly, I wonder if they are how the rumors of vampires started. If you ask me, I think vampires are real, but they’re elusive as hell.”
I shuddered at the mental image of a succubus eating a soul out of a body, and because vampires might be living among us without anyone the wiser. I had to be a fool to think other supernaturals didn’t exist.
Coren’s hand caressed my back and I stepped away, not because I didn’t want him touching me, but because I wanted him to. I hated myself for both moving away from him and for wanting to feel his fingers trace the tattoos on my skin.
Raven winked. “I’ll go ahead and take this beasty back to Hell. The lower demons will love her.”
Gross. As soon as she disappeared with the body, I slid my sword back in its holder, turned on the balls of my feet, and made my way back to the street.
“Did you mean what you said when you said I’m yours?” Coren asked, easily catching up to me with his long strides.
Of course, he would bring that up. I inwardly groaned. I didn’t want to admit anything, so I gave a noncommittal shrug of the shoulders. “She had her sights on you. I was trying to keep you from being succubus fodder.”
He gently grabbed my arm, stopping me right before Harvard Street. “You’re such a horrible liar, Mara.”
He stared at me, his brown eyes reminding me of caramel, far too sweet and tempting for my liking. I stared right back at him, lost in the way he looked at me. He took a step forward and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer. His gaze went to my mouth a second before he leaned down and met my lips.
The kiss was electrifying, toe-curling, and sexy. I didn’t care that I was splattered with demon blood or about the consequences of making out with an angel. All I focused on was the spellbinding kiss between us. When he pulled back, he left me breathless and wanting more.
Coren’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “You can’t ignore what we have together forever.”
“Want to bet on that?” I said. With a smirk, I strolled away from him.
His laughter reverberated behind me, sending a delicious chill deep in my bones. What he said next caused the enchanting shiver to turn cold.
“You still owe me a favor, you know.”
I spun on my heels so fast he took a step back. My sword met his throat. �
�That favor won’t be used for sexual acts. I’ll slice your dick off and then your head, especially if you expect me to do anything like that to keep our agreement.”
He held his hands up in surrender. “God, no. That’s not what I meant at all. I’d never, ever ask you for anything like that.”
“Good,” I said and put my weapon away, “because I don’t want to kill you.”
“You must really like me, then.” Coren grinned.
Rolling my eyes, I edged around him and strode in the opposite direction on the street. I had to get away from Coren. One, because he had me so edgy that I nearly stabbed him, and two, because I wanted to wipe away his grin with my lips.
Pulling my leather jacket tighter in the cool air, I glanced up at the cloud-covered night sky. I wondered if the snow would be early this year. Hunting demons in ice and snow was a bitch and I dreaded it. Then I realized I may not make it a full winter if Lucifer had any say in the matter.
“Want me to take you back home before it gets too cold tonight? I think we both deserve a break after the succubus.”
I longed for a break, but I shook my head once.
Coren sighed. “Fine. If you want to be stubborn about it, I’ll take matters in my own hands.”
“No fucking—”
My protest was cut short. His hand moved as fast as a viper, snatching my arm in one smooth motion. I didn’t even have a chance to say another word. My skin tingled as he faded, bringing me along for an unnatural ride.
*****
“Your father is a ghost, Mara.”
I let out a long breath. “Nothing? Really?”
Lor’s mouth thinned. “We all tried to locate his whereabouts. It’s like he vanished.”
As I leaned against the railing, I observed the sun rise over the horizon from my balcony. The morning light made Lor’s skin seem pale, and his eyes cardinal red. They were absolutely stunning.
Coren had left shortly after he dropped me off, knowing damn well I’d berate his ass for fading me without permission. I was sure Lor had waited until I was alone to deliver the news, anyway. He and Coren had a shaky truce. I thought they avoided each other for my benefit.
“How could somebody disappear like that?” I questioned, more to myself than Lor.
He answered anyway. “Do you know how long it took us to find you? One year.”
“But I had signed a contract and could see you. That doesn’t count.”
“That could be true, but what if your father sold his soul, too? A man like that doesn’t show up without a reason. I have to wonder what his angle is and why. Why did he show his face after all these years?”
“Honestly, I think he has an ulterior motive for his visit.” I pulled a picture out of my pocket. “He gave me this picture the day he showed up. Supposedly, it was his way to prove that he knew my mother. But I think you may be on to something in regards to his soul.”
He took the picture from me and studied it. His crimson eyes narrowed as he saw the character in the background. “And the plot thickens.”
I snorted. “No shit. Welcome to the life and times of yours truly.”
“Be careful. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. You’re only human, after all.”
“So everyone keeps reminding me,” I replied and massaged my temples. “I wish you guys had faith in me.”
“It’s not that we don’t. You’re not as resilient as your friends and me. You can’t deny that.” When I scowled, Lor reached up and removed my hands from my head. “While you’re a badass and slaughter demons, you’re also my friend. From where I come from, that means you’re family, and we take care of family. We care deeply about you and don’t want to see you hurt. Or worse.”
All the tension left my body at his confession. “Is this how you feel, or all of them?” I whispered.
“If I had to guess, I’d wager all of them. Coren most of all.”
The stakes kept rising higher and higher, and before too long, those same stakes might be my undoing. Especially if Coren was involved.
I threw my arms around Lor in a hug. He hesitated before he hugged me back. Without saying anything, he slowly dissipated until I held only air. My gaze went back to the city before me. I went to put the picture back in my pocket and I had to tamp down my anger. He had dematerialized, along with the photograph of the man who said he was my father.
“Lor!” I screamed. “Give me the fucking picture back!”
There’d be no response. Lor had probably arrived in Colorado right after he disappeared.
Shit.
CHAPTER 31
Don’t get mad, get evil.
After sleeping the day away, I stumbled into the coffee shop down the street.
As soon as I entered the space, I breathed in the earthy scent of roasted beans and vanilla. The cool hilt of my sword rested against my back and I adjusted my jacket to hide it. After my recent experiences, I refused to go anywhere without it. In case the pretty blonde barista turned out to be from the netherworld.
“Cooffeeee,” Raven chanted like a zombie talking about brains.
I jumped at her rapid appearance next to me. I glanced around to make sure the patrons weren’t paying attention. They weren’t, thank goodness. The dark circles around her eyes and her wrinkled clothes were more startling than her entrance into the shop.
“Are you okay?”
She focused on me. “Dad and I are swarming with deaths and we haven’t slept in days. I don’t know how much longer we can keep up with this type of workload.”
Concern for my friend took over. I’d never seen her like this. “Is there a war or an epidemic or something?”
“Or something,” Death said, his deep timbre softer than usual.
Startling for the second time, I whirled to face Death. The same exhaustion lined his handsome face and his dazzling eyes were dull.
Glancing between them both, I frowned. “What’s going on?”
“I wish I knew, but I know Lucifer has something to do with it.” He ran a hand over his face. “The souls have gone to both Heaven and Hell; therefore, we have no proof of his involvement. These last two weeks have been unusually busy.”
“This has been happening for two weeks?” My mouth gaped before I snapped it shut. “Why haven’t either of you told me this?”
“We haven’t had time, mi cielito.”
We all placed our orders with the barista and took a seat near the back so we all faced the front door. I sipped on the vanilla macchiato and observed my friends chug theirs. I doubted five coffees would cure their fatigue.
Spinning the cup around on the table, I listened to the scraping sound for a bit before I spoke. “Why now? How are these people dying?”
Raven’s eyes stared at my cup as it rotated on the hardwood. “They’re random things. Pandemics in hospitals, unexpected fires, accidents, you name it.”
“So what makes this any different than any other time? Those types of horrible events happen every day, as awful as that is.”
“Because,” Death answered, “we’ve seen these events double, if not triple lately. Sure, we may have one awful day and things go back to normal. Yet, we’re going on two weeks of this shit.”
I sat back in the chair in shock. “This isn’t a coincidence.”
“Agreed.” Death gave a short nod.
“Who’s doing your job right now?” I asked after taking a sip.
“Nobody. The ghosts can pile up for a couple minutes. They’ll be there when we’re done with our break.”
The detachment in Raven’s tone sent chills up my spine. I knew they were both used to death, but lack of sleep was taking a toll. I wondered if the dead were a distraction technique to keep them busy while I fought for my life.
Guilt tore through me. This wasn’t fair for them. Lucifer had to be stopped and his obsession over my soul thwarted. I knew how to get information, but I didn’t fully trust the source. But... I had nothing to lose at this point.
Cl
earing my throat, I took a chance. “Can you send word to a demon for me?”
Both of their eyes widened in surprise.
“I must be dreaming because you did not ask me that.” Raven’s lips thinned.
“Can I ask why?” Death questioned, his penetrating stare never leaving my face.
“It’s a long story, and I promise I’ll fill you in as soon as I can. His name is Zagan. Tell him to come find me. I need his help.”
Raven rubbed her temple as she gave me an exasperated look. “You can’t be serious. He is dangerous.”
“I know he’s dangerous, but I think he’ll be invaluable. Of course, no demon can know you talked to him.”
Death gave a quick nod. “Well, we’ll try to get word to him. I’ll be the one to say I think it’s a horrible idea to ask the General of Hell for his company, but I trust you.”
Now it was my turn to stare at them. Zagan was the General of Hell? For real? I was in over my damn head.
They both gave me a tight hug and said their goodbyes. Death waited for no one it seemed. Not the reaper, but the deceased.
As I finished my coffee and threw the cup away, I wondered if Lor found any more information on Marlin Foster. If he hadn’t, was the bastard of a father watching me now? Or had Lucifer sent one of his spies? I resisted the urge to flip my middle finger as I exited the shop. My hands fisted at my sides to keep from doing just that.
“You look like you could punch a wall,” a deep, accented voice said from beside me.
I reached for the hilt of my sword and then stopped. The man, or demon, was Zagan. Death and Raven worked fast.
When I didn’t answer, he continued, “So, I heard you wanted to speak to me. I’m honored, truly. But make it snappy. I don’t have all day.”
Seeing as how I didn’t want him to know where I lived, I pointed to an abandoned business across the street.
“Ah. Privacy is of utmost importance, but we don’t have to have a conversation in a dilapidated building, you know.”
My eyebrows knitted together. “What do you mean? Where else are we going to go?”