White Hot Kiss

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  “I can see that.” His stare lowered and thick lashes fanned his cheeks. A small smile pulled at his lips, and when he spoke, his voice was soft, yet deep and powerful. “You know I can’t let you take her.”

  “What?” demanded Caym. “You know what the risk is! She must be dealt with or all of us will die if the Lilin are raised. You can’t stop me.”

  Roth shrugged. “But I can.”

  His brows furrowed as he stared at him, and then understanding dawned on his face. The air around him started to shimmer, but it was too late. Roth shot forward, and he was just so damn fast. His hands were around the other demon’s neck in a second. He twisted.

  The crack was deafening, swallowing Caym’s scream.

  A thick black mist exploded, stinging my eyes. And it stank—really stank. I covered my mouth, gagging as the vapors expelled from the demon—or what was left of the demon—blew the window at the back of the bathroom out. Shards of glass clattered off the floor and then the fire alarms went off, ear-piercingly shrill.

  The smoke filled the bathroom, turning everything black. Out of the darkness, I felt warm hands touch my cheeks. I jerked back, unable to see past the fire in his eyes.

  “It’s all right. It’s me,” Roth said, sliding his hands to my shoulders. “Are you okay?”

  I coughed. “I can’t see...anything.”

  Roth bent, picking something up off the floor, and then he slid an arm around my waist. “You’re bleeding.”

  “I hit my head.”

  He lifted me to my feet. “On the sink you were hiding under?”

  “Yeah, well, things weren’t going too well in here.” I let him guide me out of the heavy smog and into the hallway. I dragged in a deep breath and soaked up the clean air, but the smoke billowed out into the hall. I was having trouble making sense of the shapes in front of me. “Roth, where have you been? I’ve been so worried.”

  “I’ve been around” was all he said.

  Kids were rushing out of the classrooms, half-hysterical. I thought I heard someone yell “Bomb!” in the barely controlled chaos.

  I felt Roth let go and my hands reached out blindly. “Roth...? I can’t see.”

  “I’m here.” Roth wrapped an arm around my waist, half carrying me down the hall.

  I stumbled alongside him, dumbfounded by his sudden reappearance and still reeling from my encounter with the demon. The pounding in my head was lessening, but the sting in my eyes made it impossible to see.

  His grip tightened. “Hold on. We’re almost outside.”

  A burst of bright light caused me to wince as the double doors were opened. Teachers called out, ordering students to cross the street and stay in the park. Chilly air caressed my cheeks and soothed some of the burn.

  Roth guided me to the ground. “How are you feeling?”

  All around me, I could hear kids coughing, some calling their parents and others crying. I guessed I was faring better than them. “My eyes are burning. How come you can still see?”

  “I closed my eyes.”

  “Gee,” I muttered, rubbing the palms of my hands against my eyes. “I guess you’re smarter than me.”

  “Nah. I just expected it to happen. You didn’t. Just keep blinking,” Roth ordered softly, pulling my hands down and holding my wrists in one hand. “It should clear up in a few minutes if you can keep your fingers out of them for three seconds.”

  My eyes still watered something fierce. “Roth...”

  “I don’t want to talk about that stuff right now,” he said.

  I swallowed hard. “I didn’t betray you. I swear. I had no idea they were going to be there.”

  There was a pause. “You’re part Warden. I’d expect no less from you.”

  Pressure clamped down on my chest. “I’m also part demon.”

  “What? Is that side of you now as important as the Warden side?”

  I didn’t answer, because I wasn’t sure.

  “Did you tell them my name?” he asked, his voice surprisingly gentle. “I’d at least like a heads-up before I get sucked into a summoning spell.”

  “No, I didn’t tell them your name.” Keeping my head lowered to avoid the bright glare of the sun, I drew in a deep breath and willed the hurt to go away. “You’d already know if I did.”

  “True.” He shifted so that I could feel him behind me. He still held my wrists, as if he expected that I would immediately start clawing at my eyes. “Too bad you’re missing this. Everyone is freaking out. The police and firemen are inside.”

  I wished I could see something. “Does anyone look hurt? Stacey and Sam were in there.”

  Roth sighed. “Everyone is fine. I promise you. It was just smoke. It won’t kill anyone. And I also grabbed your book bag from the bathroom. It’s right beside you.”

  My vision was starting to clear. Twisting around, I looked at Roth, and instead of seeing a blur, I saw honey-colored eyes and dark lashes. It struck me then. All the times I thought I caught his scent hadn’t been my imagination. “You’ve been here this entire time.”

  Roth didn’t answer.

  “You’ve just been invisible.” I kept my voice low. “But you’ve been here.”

  A funny little smile tipped his lips up, and I started to push the topic, because I wanted him to admit it—I needed him to admit it—but his fingers slid over my cheek. His touch elicited a hundred delicious tingles that started in my belly and spread. Our eyes locked, and I suddenly found it difficult to breathe or even remember what we were talking about.

  His gaze flickered away from mine and he sighed. “Here comes the cavalry, a hundred years too late.”

  Caught up in Roth, I hadn’t sensed another Warden’s presence until he was right on top of us.

  “Let her go,” came Zayne’s voice.

  There wasn’t a chance for me to be surprised about Zayne being there, because Roth’s grip tightened. “Or what?” he said. “Are you going to go all stony on me and force me to go demon on your ass? Where does that leave us? I’m sure the Alphas won’t appreciate a showdown in front of a bunch of impressionable youth.”

  Zayne growled low in his throat. “I’m willing to risk it.”

  “I’m sure you are.”

  But Roth let go of my wrists and strong hands gripped my arms, hauling me to my feet. I yelped in surprise and a bit of pain as the fingers dug deep. I caught the scent of winter mint right before Zayne spun me in his arms.

  He looked furious and the emotion went up a notch when he got an eyeful of the egg growing on my head.

  Roth eyed us from under the shade of the trees, his lips twisted into a smirk as Zayne smoothed my hair back and checked out the knot beneath it. “Her head will be fine,” Roth said. “The arm you nearly twisted off is another story.”

  Zayne’s grip relaxed. “Shut up.”

  Roth came to his feet fluidly. “I don’t think I like your tone.”

  “And I don’t like your face,” Zayne returned.

  “My head—my arm is fine. I’m fine.” I wiggled free, ignoring the wave of dizziness. “My eyes still burn a bit, but now I can see.”

  Zayne grasped my shoulders. “Why couldn’t you see? What happened?”

  “The sulfur,” answered Roth, stepping closer and speaking low. He had no fear of Zayne. None whatsoever, and I didn’t know if I should be proud of him for that or angry. “There was a demon inside the school. And no, not me. He wanted to kill her, so you should be keeping a better eye on her. Then I wouldn’t have to step in.”

  Zayne snarled, taking a step toward him.

  The half smile on Roth’s face spread as they went toe-to-toe. They were about the same height, but Roth was a few inches taller while Zayne was broader. I glanced around, realizing a few kids were starting to stare.

  The amount of testosterone the two were throwing off was ridiculous. I squeezed in between them. “Contrary to popular belief, you two are not the enemies here.”

  Roth chuckled. “And he obviously can’t ke
ep you out of trouble.”

  There was a good chance Zayne was going to choke slam Roth. “I’m going to enjoy ripping your throat out.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Roth took a step back, his gaze drifting to me. “You need to protect her or wraiths won’t even have a chance to rip your throat out. You get what I’m saying?”

  I opened my mouth to tell them both I didn’t need them to protect me, but Roth had pivoted around and disappeared into the throng of students. I stared at the spot where he’d stood until Zayne pulled me against him. I let out a muffled squeak.

  “Shit. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes.” I pushed against his chest to get some air, but there was no moving him. Reasoning he could only squish me for so long, I dropped my arms and waited for him to let go.

  When he finally did, Zayne grabbed my bag off the ground and took my hand. A muscle ticked along his jaw as he stared straight ahead. “I’m taking you home.”

  “He didn’t hurt me, Zayne. It wasn’t him.” When there was no response, I squeezed his hand. “Zayne...”

  “It doesn’t matter right now,” he said. “What does is that the bastard was right. We haven’t been keeping you safe. And if he’s truly the one who has, then there is something messed up about that.”

  * * *

  Jasmine held a cloth that smelled of antiseptic an inch from my face. “This may sting a bit.”

  I figured it couldn’t sting any more than my eyes had. Even now they were still sensitive as I tracked Abbot’s clipped movements in the kitchen from where I sat in the sunroom. She placed the cloth against my temple and I winced.

  “Sorry,” she whispered with a sympathetic smile.

  Nodding, I held myself still as she swiped the material over the knot. Things could be worse, considering Caym wanted to kill me.

  Zayne stood by, arms crossed. “Father, it goes against everything I know to say this, but we must give consideration to what Layla has been telling us. This demon—”

  “I know,” Abbot snapped.

  I tried to hide my smile and failed. Jasmine’s eyes narrowed on me. Any satisfaction was short-lived.

  “She cannot go back to that school or go anywhere without a Warden accompanying her until we get to the bottom of this.” Abbot faced me, rubbing his beard. “And don’t even think to argue with me over this.”

  I withered under his stare. “But what will you tell the school?”

  “That you have mono or some other human disease. Really, it doesn’t matter. Your schoolwork will be sent here in the meantime.” He turned to where Geoff stood. “Have you heard anything from the police commissioner?”

  Geoff nodded. “No one knows what truly happened at the school. They are filing a report that it was a prank gone wrong—a smoke bomb. But this was a close call. If the demon had gotten her out—”

  “Or if my friend hadn’t shown up,” I threw in just for kicks.

  Abbot’s gaze slammed into me. “Even if by some bizarre chance this demon isn’t out to raise the Lilin, he is not and never will be your friend.”

  “Anyway,” Geoff said drily. “The exposure would’ve been beyond damaging.”

  Jasmine brushed my hair back and continued to dab at my temple as she glanced at the doorway. Danika came in, carrying Izzy, whose little head was resting on her shoulder.

  “Drake?” Jasmine inquired.

  “Still asleep.” Danika hefted Izzy a little higher. “This one won’t sleep unless she’s being held, and I don’t want to miss this conversation.”

  It took everything for me not to roll my eyes.

  She moved to stand beside Zayne, and I couldn’t help but think that they already looked like a family, especially with Izzy in Danika’s arms. I kind of wished there was black demon smoke in my eyes again. “What I don’t understand is how we’ve been unable to capture any Upper Level demons,” she said, smoothing a hand over the child’s curls.

  “Demons know when to hide,” Abbot grumbled.

  “It makes sense.” Zayne looked at me and then glanced away quickly. “All the Upper Level movement around the city, I mean. A demon trying to raise the Lilin is bound to bring others by the masses.”

  “True, but foolish of them. They’re safer down below, where Wardens can’t get them.” Geoff sat down in one of the chairs and stretched out his long legs.

  Hearing them discuss this seriously was odd to me, but I jumped in. “They want to start the apocalypse.”

  Abbot muttered under his breath. “Child, the apocalypse—”

  “Isn’t supposed to happen now, or only God knows when it will be. Yeah, I know. But here’s the deal. No one benefits from the Lilin being reborn, right?” With all the eyes on me now, I felt exposed sitting there having Jasmine fussing over my head like I was an invalid.

  Ducking out of her grasp, I stood and moved behind the wicker chair I’d been sitting in. “When a Lilin takes a soul, the human turns into a wraith. Neither Heaven nor Hell gets the human. And that’s why even Hell doesn’t want the Lilin to be reborn.” I’d tried explaining this before, but everyone had been so angry with me I was sure none of them had listened. “But some of the demons want out of Hell. They want to be able to come topside and not have to follow the rules or worry about the Wardens. They know that if the Lilin are reborn, the Alphas will step in and go after every demon. They aren’t going to go down without a fight. Mankind is going to find out about demons. There will be a war, which will most likely move the apocalypse ahead of schedule.”

  No one spoke for a few moments. Then Geoff broke the silence. “It’s risky, but demons have never been worried about that gamble before.”

  Danika handed off the sleeping tot to Jasmine. “Kind of like the crazy boyfriend, right? If I can’t have Earth, then no one can.”

  I almost grinned at that comparison.

  “When can the incantation be complete?” Zayne asked.

  “There is no set time.” Abbot picked at a leafy blossom from one of the nearby plants. “It can only occur after Layla turns seventeen. Or at least that is how the text has been translated.”

  “I can’t stay holed up forever. I’ll go crazy.”

  “You have no other choice,” Abbot replied.

  Irritation coated my skin and I snapped, “Now you believe me?”

  “I’m not sure what to believe at this point.” He broke off a dead leaf and closed his fist around it. “All of this is just theories. None of it is backed by evidence or truth.”

  I threw my hands up. “It is the truth. It’s what I’ve been telling you since the beginning.”

  “There is another way,” Zayne said before his father could unleash what was no doubt a verbal lashing the likes of which I’d never seen before. “We find the demon responsible and send it back to Hell.”

  “I like that idea.” I folded my arms to keep from hitting something.

  “That’s a good idea, but the problem is there are hordes of demons out there.” Geoff pinched the bridge of his nose. “We could start summoning them from the Lesser Key, but that would take us years.”

  “The demon...” Zayne took a deep breath. “Your friend doesn’t know who the demon is?”

  I knew how much it must’ve cost Zayne to call Roth my friend, and I appreciated it. “No. That’s something he was trying to find out, but no one is talking. Either there’re a lot of demons supporting this, or they’re scared of whoever is behind it.”

  “That’s not reassuring,” Danika said.

  Zayne’s brows arched in agreement. “We could see if he’s made any progress since—”

  “Absolutely not!” his father thundered. “We are not working with a demon.”

  “Father—”

  “No, Zayne.” Abbot prowled to the door and stopped. Anger mottled his cheeks. “That is a path I am not willing to go down for any reason. History has proved that doing so ends in treachery.”

  I knew then that no matter what Roth could do, or any demon, for that matter, Abb
ot’s views would never change. They were too deeply rooted in him, to the point of blind bigotry. Nothing short of a miracle would change his beliefs. Most Wardens were like that, especially the older ones.

  My gaze fell to Zayne. He wasn’t ready to let it go. “Layla’s life is in danger. So are the lives of thousands, if not millions, of humans.”