Soul Ties

by Lisa Swallow

  “I’m not going to use it. You know that.” Ava’s voice was barely audible.

  He opened his hand again. “This brings things home a bit, Ava. What you came here to do.”

  “Things have changed since then.”

  He stepped toward her. “Have they?”

  Keir looking down at her in confusion. Ava wanted to reach out, touch his face let him feel the connection humming between them. She’d shattered the link.

  “Keir, I killed a demon - let its soul go free. Don’t you understand what that meant? What danger I’m in? I did it because I trusted you. For you. So don’t accuse me of this!”

  Keir blew air through his cheeks then looked upwards to the ceiling for a moment before turning and setting the crystal back on her desk. “Why were you upset with me before?”

  “When?”

  “In the cafeteria. I wanted to talk to you then.”

  Ava looked away, hiding her embarrassment. “It’s nothing, just me.”

  Catching her chin in his hand, he brushed his finger across her mouth, a soft power coming from his touch. Her lips parted as the breath rushed out of her.

  “I missed you too, Ava. You never gave me a chance to say.”

  Ava gazed up into his violet-flecked eyes, his pupils dilating as he continued to brush her face. He traced his fingers to her neck.

  “I thought you’d played me at my own game,” she blurted, “I thought you’d done it because you couldn’t kill me. And making me release a soul would ensure certain death for me.” She sat on the bed.

  Keir’s eyes widened. “No, why would you think that.” She smoothed the covers of her bed, looking away. “Zach? Did he give you that idea? Dahlia said he spoke to you.”

  “He came to see me, knew everything, I thought the worst…”

  “I had to go, Ava, I had no choice,” he said earnestly, “but the whole time I was away, every time I closed my eyes I saw you - the day we fought and I kissed you, the day you killed the demon and I held you.”

  A deep warmth spread through Ava at the intensity in Keir’s eyes, sure he could hear her heart hammering against her chest.

  “I spoke to them about you, told them what was happening with me and you, asked what it meant.”

  “Them?”

  “The people I was with. They already knew about us and weren’t that happy…” He paused. “It’s complicated.”

  Us. He said us. “Complicated, how? Because I’m a soul-hunter?”

  Keir picked up the crystal again, and squeezed the gem into the palm of his hand. “You haven’t stolen my soul but you might as well have done, I couldn’t stand being apart from you, it’s as if you already held a part of me, pulling me back. That’s what’s complicated. And I don’t understand why. It makes no sense.”

  Keir’s words resonated and reality hit Ava. Her response to his absence hadn’t been fear. It had been loss and loneliness.

  Keir sat next to her on the bed, reaching out and putting his fingertips under her chin before placing his lips on her forehead. Ava made a small noise of surprise and closed her eyes. Her mind fought against her body telling her not to yield to him again. As Keir’s mouth touched hers, he kissed her tenderly, wrapping his arms around her and drawing her to him. This was a thousand miles away from the assaulting passion of their last encounter, but the fiery heat she’d felt that evening shot straight from memory and into the core of her body.

  Ava touched his face and Keir’s hand threaded into her long hair, pulling her face to his. His tongue traced her bottom lip and the tingling from his touch spread through her face. Ava yielded into him, desperate for Keir to take away the numbness and replace it with the power surging from him to the center of her whole being.

  Ava pushed her face into his, her hands pulling at his hair as she deepened her kisses, tasting him. Pushing her backwards onto the bed, Keir pressed her into the blankets. His bright eyes filled with the raw, primal look she’d seen the night they fought Zach. Gently, he weighted her down, covering her face and neck with tiny kisses, Ava shaking against the overloading sensation between them.

  “You smell so good,” he murmured, as he kissed her neck.

  Keir’s fingers slid under her sweater and Ava’s skin ignited where his fingers touched. Ava’s mind fogged, unable to comprehend anything but the touch sending sparks jolting through her and his taut body covering hers. She pulled his T-shirt so their bare skin touched, lightning-hot heat surging through her. The cool metal buckle from Keir’s belt warmed against Ava’s skin as he slid his hands to her waist, pulling her hips toward him. His hands moved toward her breasts and, as she arched toward the expectation of his touch, he stopped. Keir clenched his fingers into a fist against her burning skin, breathed raggedly into Ava’s hair.

  Keir lifted his head and rested his forehead on hers. “I could lose myself with you,” he murmured, “I’ve never felt this before.”

  His eyelashes tickled Ava’s cheek as she tried to keep on top of the sensations flowing through her, desperate for his hands to caress her again. “I don’t understand either,” she whispered, “But I’m not complaining.”

  Nudging his nose into the hollow of her neck, a sigh from his lips warmed her skin before he drew away. With a quick kiss of her forehead he sat up, rubbing his face.

  Disappointment flooded Ava, replacing the desire but doing nothing to stop the arousal he’d poured into her. “Keir?”

  Keir turned to her, a sheen of sweat on his forehead, eyes dark with his own wants. “I don’t think we should jump from enemies to lovers so quickly, I can’t do that.”

  Pushing herself up, body still trembling, Ava stroked his face, knowing what he said made sense. “Okay.”

  He took her hand and playfully bit one of her fingers. “I’m not saying I don’t want you, but…”

  “I know. It’s too much. You don’t trust me yet.”

  Keir frowned. “Is that bad?”

  “No, I don’t trust you either. Maybe more than I did but I think we’ve got a long way to go yet.” She kissed his nose. “You can’t let an enemy seduce you.”

  “Not just a little bit?” he asked teasingly.

  “Okay, maybe a little.”

  The relief of the new understanding poured into Ava, fighting out the fear of betrayal but pushing her closer to an enemy. If that’s what he was. She didn’t know what they were anymore.

  Ava rubbed her eyes and Keir looked at her, brow creasing. “You look tired.”

  “I was working this afternoon. And I haven’t slept much.”

  “Do you want me to go?”

  She looked up at Keir, the man whose presence made her skin heat. Who ignited fire inside her the day he first touched her, and gradually melted all the resolve she’d ever had to harm him. She never thought this was possible, from just a kiss and a touch. Ava’s body ached for him to hold her again.

  “No. I don’t want you to leave me.”

  Keir drew in a deep breath. “I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep. Only.”

  Ava smiled coyly and lay down. He pulled her into the curve of his body, heart beating steadily against her back. She traced her fingers over his muscled arms, pulling them tightly around her. Safety. She heard Keir’s breathing deepen to match her own and closed her eyes, soaking up the warmth and comfort of him. The exhaustion of the week overcame her and she fell asleep.

  Chapter 14

  Ava hitched her coat around her neck and glanced at Keir. He blew onto his hands and rubbed them together, as he watched the house through narrowed eyes. The garden of the property was overgrown with weeds and the fence broken. Tucked between two other brick built properties, the house looked out of place compared to the immaculate frontages of its neighbors.

  “Is it derelict?” asked Ava.

  “That’s what they want you to think. Probably find them in the basement. Dahlia’s tracked these guys here - if we hang around we can finish the job.”

  Ava tucked her nose into the
top of her coat and blew warm air across her face. She’d never spent a winter in the human world before, and wasn’t enjoying her time in one. Especially the parts hanging around outside tracking demons, even with a smoking hot Nephilim guy who only had eyes for her. She leaned over to brush a distracting curl from his forehead. Any excuse to touch him. Keir caught her arm, brushing her hand with his lips.

  “You don’t have to do the seduction thing with me anymore,” he murmured and a heat filled her cool body as she met his eyes.

  She breathed in and out slowly. “I wasn’t.”

  He grinned. “Good.”

  Ava was confused. The last few weeks with Keir were the happiest she could remember. They kissed, touched had even spent the one night together but he wouldn’t go further. He was driving her crazy. She knew he wanted the same, hell she’d felt his arousal against her the times they’d been entwined. But he always pulled away when she tried to push him further. If she was going to have to put up with the damn cold, he could at least be warming her up.

  Their relationship progressed uneasily. As a soul-hunter and a Nephilim, distrust hovered around the edges of their partnership but the spark of connection remained. Ava’s worldview had shifted, eyes opened to the realities around her. This meant new allegiances and forcing herself to trust those she would ordinarily have killed. As the weeks passed, the strange physical pull between them began developing into more.

  For the first time in her life, somebody treated Ava like a person. Keir didn’t ask anything of her, only encouraged her to help. She was still confused why he’d taken the route away from helping the Demon Lords, despite the danger his decision put him in. But she also understood his need to move away from controlling forces. To live his own life, doing what he believed was best for him. There lay the connection between her and Keir - lost on the edge of their worlds they’d found each other.

  “Ava.”

  Keir’s hand gripped hers and she winced, following his gaze. Two people approached the house opposite, tall figures in long, dark coats walking with a male gait.

  “Now what?” she whispered.

  “We’ve been watching this nest for a while, they’ve been attacking people locally and drawing attention. We think they might be moving on soon so I really want to get on top of this before they do.” Keir’s brow furrowed, intent in his voice.

  “Nest?”

  Keir didn’t look away from the men. “Vampires.”

  “Really? They exist?”

  Keir chuckled and looked at Ava as if she was a child. “One of the oldest kinds of demon tracked, come on, you must have come across them?”

  Ava shook her head. “Nope, never sent after one.”

  “And they sent you after a Nephilim!” He rolled his eyes in an exaggerated manner. “What were they thinking?”

  “Shh,” she laughed and poked him.

  “Well, now’s your chance to meet one of the charmers.”

  They crossed the road, approaching around the side of the house, away from the streetlights. Keir’s shoes crunched on the ground and he paused, listening. Nothing. He raised a hand indicating Ava should stay where she was, and moved silently toward an unlit, grimy window. He peered through before turning back to her and shaking his head.

  “Where did they go?” she whispered as he returned to her side.

  He pointed downwards. “In the basement. I’m not sure if there are others down there though.”

  Ava and Keir moved to the back of the house, and she strained her human hearing, unable to pick up any sound. Keir’s eyes were closed, and she was sure he sensed more than her.

  “There’s three of them - normally there’s more. The others must be out hunting.” He grinned at her, eyes bright in the darkness. “Getting three will be good, before they move on.”

  “Three? There’s two of us?”

  “They’re no match for a Nephilim and a soul-hunter,” he said in all seriousness.

  Ava made a small noise, indicating she didn’t believe him. In the last few weeks, they’d taken down single demons together. But three?

  “We’ll be fine,” he said, “we’ll just take them by surprise.”

  “How?”

  “Go and knock on the door.”

  Ava stared at him. “Do what?”

  “Do your sexy Ava thing… get them into the upstairs of the house.”

  Ava tried not to smile, wishing he’d kiss her again, but he gestured at her to go to the front door.

  Following the cracked paving, she knocked on the flaking painted door. A light flicked on inside, and voices carried through. The door swung open, and a man looked at her, eyebrows drawn together, suspicious.

  “Hi,” she said breezily.

  “Yes?”

  “Sorry, just wondering if you’ve seen my dog?”

  “Dog?”

  “Yeah, four legged animal, goes woof.”

  The confusion on the vampire’s face detracted from his tough-guy-in-a-leather-jacket image, but he quickly composed himself, suspicion returning to his face.

  “No, sorry.” He began to close the door.

  Ava stuck her foot in the gap, before the door closed completely. “It’s just he’s so little and I’m so scared he’ll come to harm out in the dark all night.” She lowered her voice and leaned forward. “Did you know they kidnap dogs? For dog fighting? I’m so worried about my Troy.”

  “Troy?”

  “He’s only tiny, he might have got scared and hidden in your garden - or basement. Do you have a basement?” Ava peered around him.

  “Umm.”

  Obviously vampires were easily confused.

  “What’s going on, Marius?” asked a gruff voice.

  “Girl here. Lost her dog.”

  A second vampire walked up and stood shoulder to shoulder with the first. They were similar looking, pale skinned, slicked black hair, cultivated rock star look.

  “What dog?”

  “Troy.” She flashed him a smile. “Is there any chance he’s inside your house? He doesn’t like being outside and I’ve asked the other neighbors.”

  They two glanced at each other.

  “Sure, take a look,” drawled the second vampire, “Come on in, sweetheart. Let me fix you a drink.”

  Ava kept her smile plastered across her face, “Oh that’s so kind thank you.”

  In the empty house, a bare bulb hung from a white wire, no shade. The light illuminated stained beige carpets and bare walls. She peeked into the rooms as she passed, all devoid of furniture, no curtains at the windows. Boxes were stacked in the corner of one room.

  “Just moved to the neighborhood?” she asked.

  “No, we’re moving out soon.”

  The vampires headed toward the back of the house, where a light filtered through an open doorway, stairs running into the basement. The second vampire disappeared down them.

  Something moved in the shadows at the edge of her vision; Keir waited in a room to her left. She glanced at the vampire in front of her, ensuring he hadn’t noticed Keir, adrenaline building, ready to push her into action.

  “Oh, I thought I heard something in here,” she said, indicating the room.

  Marius cocked his head to one side. “You smell funny.”

  “Excuse me?”

  He stepped forward, his dull brown eyes narrowed as he sniffed her. She took a step back into the room. “Do you often go around sniffing people?”

  “What are you?” he growled and extended long, white fingers toward Ava’s neck.

  Ducking under him, she pulled him into a headlock and spun around. He opened his mouth to yell out as Keir stepped out of the shadows, holding a stake, the point against the vampire’s chest. Keir put his hand over the vampire’s mouth.

  “She’s a soul-hunter and you just lost,” he whispered, nodding at Ava.

  Ava pushed the creature violently forward toward Keir, into the wooden stake he held. Without a sound, the body crumpled to the floor. The soul poured out o
f the vampire’s open mouth, toward the window. Ava winced, each time a soul went free her anxiety increased, Darius’s face appearing in her mind.

  “Come on, two more to go,” said Keir, pulling at her arm, “did they go downstairs?”

  Ava’s eyes widened as she saw the vampire disintegrate. “Wow…” A pile of ash lay on the dirty carpet.

  “Ava!”

  She followed him and they crept along the hallway. Keir paused at the top of the stairs, listening. “Okay, there’s only two now. I’ll get the closest one and you grab the other.”

  “Sure.”

  They descended the stairs carefully and Ava covered her nose with her arm, the odor from their den more pungent than any other she’d come across. A single bulb lit the room, dirty mattresses strewn across the floor and the walls stained with something Ava hoped wasn’t blood. The vampire she’d seen in the doorway faced away from them. A second vampire lay on his side on one of the mattresses - another male, skinny and scruffy compared to his comrades.

  “Easy…” whispered Keir and grinned at her, pulling out the stake.

  “Yeah?”

  The vampire turned round, shooting a hand out to catch Keir by the neck. Keir instantly sidestepped him. The vampire on the mattress jumped to his feet, moving with inhuman speed across to his friend. Ava knocked him to the floor and he grabbed her leg, trying to pull her to the floor. She kicked out, her foot colliding with his chest; he winced and yelled profanities at her. Behind her, Keir struggled with the first vampire and she heard the sound of someone being slammed against the wall. Ava glanced round - Keir had the vampire pinned there, arm held up, ready to stake him. Taking advantage of her distraction, the second vampire grabbed her long hair and dragged her to the ground.

  “Don’t you fucking dare!” she cried kicking upwards with both feet into his chest as he tried to hold her down. He fell backwards, Ava straddled his chest, twirling the stake in her hand.

  Fear pooled in the vampire’s subdued brown eyes as he gazed up from beneath a shaggy blond fringe. He’d stopped struggling. Ava paused. She’d never come across a demon who looked frightened before. A sound came from behind her like air being pushed from someone’s lungs. One down, one to go. But why had he stopped struggling?