by Willa Blair
Abby’s lips parted and she took the hand he offered. Thank the saints she was listening. After the night he proposed in such a half-arsed way at the hospital, he would need all the help he could get to convince her to be his forever.
“What I did not tell ye earlier was, the years as an executioner hardened me. I grew to not care if the next demon I fought killed me or not. It was not until I met ye I realized how far I’d sunk in despair of the constant battles, the frustration in not being able to help everyone. Only ye touched the hardened shell and began to soften the infernal organ in me chest.” Darach kept his gaze on Abby, hoping to see some type of emotion beside hurt.
“Darach, I’m sorry. It seems no matter how hard I try not to be a witch, I still end up one.” Abby fiddled with the hem of her dress.
“Nay, ’tis my fault as well. I fought falling in love. I feared to lose what I had before. I didnae realize that to not love at all, meant I had already lost.”
Abby all but crawled into his lap and he welcomed the little pats of understanding she rendered to his face, his shoulders, and his chest. Truly, it felt good to be soothed like he was a babe. He allowed her ministrations for a moment longer before capturing both her hands.
“Abby, I love ye. I want to make ye my wife. I know ye said nay when I asked ye the first time, and I did out of desperation—”
Her gasp made him rethink his words. “That ’tis not what I meant. I feared ye would leave and I would never get a chance to hold ye again.”
“Okay, I can live with that explanation.” She giggled softly against the pillow she’d made of his chest.
“Aye, but can ye live with me?” His breath held, and his chest hurt waiting on her response.
Abby’s laughter stilled, she tilted her head back, and then looked him in the eyes. “Yes.”
“Aye?” He almost choked on his question.
“Aye, Darach.”
His roar of happiness echoed throughout the house. A bare second later, both Sean and Arianna materialized. Sean with his hands held out like weapons, and the immortal with her sword raised and ready.
Darach had a hard time making himself heard over Abby’s unrestrained laughter. Not to mention Sean’s “What’s going on?” And Arianna’s “Are you two okay?”
“Put away your weapons. There be no battle to be fought tonight, unless ye count the one already waged and won.”
At his words, Abby laughed harder amidst the confused looks of the halfling and Arianna.
“What are you talking about, Highlander?” Sean frowned his confusion.
“Simply this, halfling. Abby has finally agreed to wed me.”
Sean grinned while Arianna looked bored. “Is that all? I thought there was a hurricane blowing in off the gulf.” Her words were tart but the smile she sent his and Abby’s way was one of congratulations.
“I suppose now we have to plan a wedding?” The immortal’s nose turned up like she smelled something rancid.
“No worries, Arianna. It will be simple. If Darach agrees, we can be married right here at the house as soon as it can be arranged by a justice of the peace. No frills. I don’t think my new fiancé will want a long engagement.”
“Ye got that right.” He’d marry her right now if they could get a preacher.
Darach stopped resisting the lure of her lips and kissed her again. When he raised his head a few minutes later, Sean and Arianna were gone again.
“Abby, when does the Christmas break start for your school?”
“In about three weeks, why?”
“I be thinking, although ye didnae want to hear it before, I have more than enough money for us to live on for several lifetimes. Would ye consider giving your notice and not going back after the first of the year?”
Since Darach had phrased it as a request and not a command, Abby thought about what he said. So far, her immortal usually had a pretty good explanation to back up what he said, unless it came to romance, then he was all thumbs and toes, but she could deal with that since he was so cute when he made an idiot of himself.
“Why?” She raised an eyebrow.
“Well, ’tis like this: I have been here in NOLA for almost a decade. So far no one has remarked upon the fact I dinnae seem to age. Sooner or later, I be sure, Michael will send me somewhere else. I would want ye to go with me.”
Abby knew he was right. His ability to not age had been and still would need to be addressed in reference to how they would live their married lives.
“All right. I can do that. The school system won’t have any problems in filling my spot with the economy like it is. Do you want me to quit sooner?”
She welcomed another kiss from his lips, although it was way too short for her satisfaction.
“Only if ye want to, lass.”
“Okay, I’ll give my notice starting the Christmas break, and if they can get a temp admin until then, I’ll quit sooner.”
“Thank ye, Abby. Now, do ye have any idea when ye want to marry?”
“The weekend’s almost here. I vote for Saturday if we can get the license and blood work done. Oh…will you have a problem with them drawing your blood?” Abby bit her lip, she hoped not.
Darach laughed. “Nay, and there willna be a problem with the license either.”
“Oooh, you’re going to do something you shouldn’t, aren’t you?”
“If ye mean using mind thoughts to help our cause along, then aye, I’ll do what I have to.”
“Darach you’re so bad, but I love you. So Saturday it is?”
“Aye, now give me a kiss and get upstairs.”
Abby did as he asked but didn’t move away. “What if I don’t want to leave?”
“Abby, I have been pretty much celibate for centuries. The fact that ye have agreed to be my wife is making my lust for ye grow even more.” The pained look on his face, and the redeveloped hardness near her hand almost caused her to laugh. Except it wasn’t that funny. She too wanted him like there was no tomorrow.
“Okay, I’m going. Will I see you after school tomorrow?”
“Aye, as soon as ye get home, I will pop in.”
“I love you, Darach.”
“I love ye too, lass. Ye be my heart.”
****
It was only after she left his side and went upstairs that Darach could actually let out a sigh of relief. Not just because his lust didn’t beat at him so much with her out of sight, but the fact she’d actually agreed to marry him.
Just a few more days and she would be his. Then he would make sure she never regretted saying yes.
“Hey, you coming out tonight or staying in?”
“Out.” Darach answered Sean who evidently had been popped back in the house by Arianna. A happening he should have heard, and he would make sure in the future his thoughts did not get in the way of Abby’s safety. It could have been a demon if the guards were down.
“Any idea where to look tonight?” Sean propped against the doorway.
“I want to check out those warehouses on the other side of the bayou.” Darach stood up. “Ye want to walk or teleport?”
“Let’s walk. I’m kinda like Abigail. I’m not overly fond of that type of travel.” Sean eased out the door in front of Darach.
“Where’s Arianna?”
“Upstairs with Abby. She’ll check the guards again after we leave. I told her we would probably be out hunting.”
“Thanks.” Darach closed the doors and then both he and Sean moved away from the porch light and out into the dark shadows of the front yard. They then made their way to the industrial section of Canal Street. Four dilapidated structures sat at fifty-foot intervals away from some of the more sturdy buildings.
“Ye want to take a couple and me a couple?” Darach looked around as he waited for an answer.
“Naw, let’s check them together. I really don’t want to run into a demon pack without backup.” Sean’s grimace reminded Darach all too well of their encounter the night before.
&nb
sp; As they entered the first warehouse, Darach withdrew his sword and held it ready. He wanted no surprises, but if they came, he would be ready.
Sean grinned, held up his hands, and then his face went somber as they search the first floor. They found nothing out of the ordinary. Boxes with old shredded paper, a few sealed fifty-gallon drums, and several rodents. It went that way for the next three floors.
Outside once again, Darach brushed off cobwebs and jerked his head toward the next object on their list. This warehouse had a bit more debris scattered around, but no demon trail.
The third was the same and they moved to the last building.
The moment they entered the interior, Sean jerked his head toward Darach. His mouthed Demons stirred Darach’s blood. Just maybe this time they would find Angus, if nothing else the dagger. Since the demons did not have the weapon with them when they engaged them in battle, he believed the weapon must be back with Angus or hidden somewhere.
Their steps were steady and silent as they used the stairs to climb to the upper floors. A nod from Sean pinpointed where he thought their quarry hid. Darach didn’t like that he couldn’t smell the demon trail, but at least Sean could ferret them out.
As they traversed the third floor, the halfling’s eyes began to glow red. Darach’s heartbeat picked up a bit of speed. The adrenaline that accompanied the anticipation of a battle pumped blood through his veins at a dizzying rate.
Sean motioned toward a stack of wood piled almost to the rafters. They skirted around the obstruction and found a door. A lock hung in the metal hasp. Darach moved nearer to the halfling. “Do we go in together or one at a time?” His whisper was so low he barely heard his question, but Sean’s demon ears picked it up. He held up a finger pointed to himself and Darach. Good—a frontal combined attack would hopefully give them the element of surprise needed to dispatch the creatures back to hell.
Darach kicked the door with his foot, and they charged over the threshold. His sword swung in a circle but he brought it to rest at his side. The room was empty. He turned to Sean who shrugged his shoulders.
“They were here.”
“I believe ye, but when?”
“By the smell, no more than a few hours ago. It could be they’re coming back.”
A sigh so full of frustration escaped Darach, that he followed it with a fist to the wall. The fissures began to close immediately. Thank God, the dagger had not damaged that part of his immortal makeup, and his healing process seemed to be getting back on track.
“So do we wait?” Sean looked at his watch as Darach studied the room. For a building on its last legs, this one cubicle seemed to be in almost pristine condition. He couldn’t imagine run-of-the-mill demons not leaving it in a frenzy.
“Sean, this place is too neat for demons like the ones who attacked us last night. Someone with a sense of order made sure this place was maintained. I wonder if Angus used this as a headquarters?”
Darach circled the room. “I wouldna put it past him to use this as a front, and keep his real hiding place a secret, even from his minions.”
“You’ve got a point. Let’s see what else this room holds besides questions.” Sean joined Darach in his perusal and both of them began moving the neatly stacked boxes out of the way. They did the same with several barrels and pieces of moldy plywood. Only when the obstruction was out of the way, did they find a door.
They used the same precautions as they did the first time, but still no demons. However, this time the room looked like Darach thought it should. Litter consisting of bottles, cans, paper, and half-eaten food dotted the floor. An old scarred desk sat to one side, with an equally antique rolling chair.
Darach moved to the desk. At first it looked like another bunch of papers, but then a corner of color caught his eye. Darach laid his sword across the wood, and pulled the stiff paper loose. An image of Abby jumped out at him. He pushed more papers aside, and found various poses of Abby going to school, at the club, standing in her front yard, and even with him at the restaurant the night before.
****
Angus watched as Darach and the half-breed entered one of the warehouses. He hoped they would find the office he used now instead of the antebellum home he lived in. He also hoped Darach found the pictures of Abigail. It would fuel his rage, and could be used against him. Too bad he wouldn’t get a chance to see the results of their hunt, but Angus had to pay a visit to the underworld and give his report to Lucifer.
Michael glanced at the gift he’d sent another immortal to purchase for a wedding present. Darach would be pleased. He also wanted to get something special for Abby. And although, he’d rather have Ragnor helping Darach also, he felt better after talking to Conner. Too much was at stake and until Angus was caught, his immortals, their loved ones, and the city of New Orleans was in for a dangerous and as much as he hated voicing the thought, deadly ride.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Darach’s roar of rage startled Sean who turned and immediately fell into a fighting stance. His gaze traveled to the photos spread out on the desk.
“Damn, Darach, they’ve been following Abby for quite some time.”
“I ken, and I will kill the son-of-Satan when I find him.”
“And I’ll help. I think we need to check on the girls.”
Darach gathered up the photos. At Sean’s confused look, he snarled. “I will be damned before I let those demons keep these. They have done enough to violate Abby already.”
“I agree, and I think I’ll let you give me a ride back to Abby’s.”
Darach stuffed the sword back inside his coat, the photos in his pocket, and grabbed Sean by the arm. He welcomed the dissolution of his molecules. He needed to be with Abby.
****
Abby pattered into the kitchen. After Darach left she’d fallen asleep only to wake up abruptly. Before she could determine what had awakened her, the vision hit.
The woman was so young, so beautiful, and so dead. Blood dripped away from her limp body to pool on a concrete floor. Abby knew there was no way she could help her, but it didn’t keep her from bemoaning that fact. Nothing she did would make a difference at this point. Usually when the visions struck she could see what was happening in the present, and if this vision followed on course, then the woman was already dead, before Abby went to bed.
Now she couldn’t sleep. Maybe a cup of hot tea would help. And until it did, now would be a good time to make notes of what all she needed to do before the weekend. While the water heated she gathered some index cards from her briefcase and a pen.
By the time the kettle hissed she’d drawn up a list she could make work in the time left before the wedding. She got up, popped a teabag into her mug, and drowned it with hot water. As it steeped, she got out the phone book and looked up justices of the peace. She’d prefer to get the minister from her grandmere’s church, but Pastor Evans was out of town.
Abby wrote down at least four names, and was sipping on her tea, when the room wavered and Darach and Sean sorta fell into the kitchen.
“Geez, you could give a girl some warning.” Abby wiped spilled tea off the front of her robe, and blotted her notes.
“Sorry Abby, I thought ye would be fast asleep.”
“Not with me giving up my job at the school and a small ceremony to plan. I needed to get everything in order, so I wouldn’t forget anything. Which reminds me…”
She grabbed one of the cards and held it up. “What time should we get married? I don’t know if you…either of you have to sleep during the day for your jobs. And Arianna seems to be up every time I am.”
Darach dropped a kiss on her lips and laughed. “I can sleep anytime, what about ye, Sean?”
“Same here. I never know when I’m going to be called out. Second shift is my primary but as you know, crime doesn’t play favorites. So you pick the time and I’ll do my best to get someone to cover if I get called in.”
“Great. I’m thinking maybe five or six. I know it might cos
t a bit more to do it after hours, but I really would like to have the service here. Just us two and Sean and Arianna, oh yeah and Conner too, to act as witnesses if ya’ll and she agrees.”
“Agrees to what?” Arianna came strolling into the kitchen with a leopard print robe flapping around her ankles and bare feet.
“To being witnesses when Darach and I get married.”
“Well, duh. When do you two plan on doing the leg shackles?”
Arianna grabbed the cookies out of the cabinet.
“Saturday, if I can hook up a preacher.” Abby stole one of the cookies off Arianna’s plate. Her movement galvanized Sean in doing the same.
“Hey, get your own. I’m hungry.”
“Yeah, I bet it takes a lot to fuel a leopard.” Sean’s teasing tone as he eyeballed Arianna’s robe met with a reaction Abby would never forget. The immortal grabbed him, locked her lips to his, and kissed him until Sean actually looked like his legs didn’t work.
“Get a room, you two.” A chuckle of laughter rolled from Darach.
Abby knew her face was burning, and the arm Darach slid around her waist just heated her up more in all the right places.
“Now you can quit wondering and leave me alone.” Arianna’s snappish tone turned Sean’s eyes a bit red.
“Maybe we should leave these two alone?” Her whisper was met with Sean’s equally sharp words.
“No need, I’ve decided I don’t like jungle kitties.”
Arianna put up her hand, whether to ward off Sean’s rude words, or to slap him, Abby didn’t know. Talk about television drama come to life, daytime soaps had nothing on the immortal and Sean.
“Okay ya’ll, settle down. I want to hear about the hunt tonight. Did you find anything?” Her question resulted in a variety of reactions. Arianna stepped away from Sean and crossed her arms over her chest. “Good night, Abby, I’m going back to bed.”
Sean looked Abby’s way as the immortal left the room and then at Darach who’s bronze skin lost some of its color. He gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.