Deadly Attraction

by Calista Fox

  Morgan, who stood outside her front door, stepped away and asked, “Will you come out on the patio for a moment?”

  She had no idea what he was up to, but she trusted him. As her father had. She followed him outdoors and found the two horned demons who’d stood by her, Tanner and Michael during the invasion.

  The one who’d taken the lead on the battlefield moved forward. He extended his hand and said, “I’m Rafe.”

  “And I’m Landford,” the other demon said.

  She shook both hands.

  Rafe said, “You were impressive earlier. You knew the fire wraith’s army intended to attack us, not wait for the king’s men. That’s good instinct. And you fight valiantly.”

  “I’ve had excellent instructors.”

  Landford said, “You’re not just trained, Jade. You have a gift. We’ll stand by you and fight with you anytime.”

  “As will I,” Morgan told her.

  She felt oddly choked up but managed to say, “I appreciate that, from all of you.”

  “Well.” The general gave her a smile meant to comfort her, she suspected. And that did not bode well for her hopes of a reconciliation with Darien. In Morgan’s eyes, she saw doubt the Demon King would come around and forgive her this final time. “We’ll be on our way now. Rafe and Landford will continue to patrol on our side of the border, as a precautionary measure.”

  “Tanner and I will agree upon shifts too,” she said, her voice reflecting her dismay. She couldn’t hide her pain over betraying Darien and losing his confidence in her—perhaps even his love.

  “Be careful,” Morgan told her.

  “We will.”

  Jade walked back inside the cottage, securing the door behind her, since she didn’t anticipate any other visitors. Least of all Darien.

  She stood in the doorway of her bedroom, her shoulder propped against the frame and her arms crossed over her chest. She stared at the enormous bed that took up a good portion of the room. It was her favorite piece of furniture in the cottage, for many reasons. Darien had given it to her and they’d shared several beautiful nights underneath those sensuous covers.

  Pushing away from the doorframe, she strolled over to the bed and ran her hand over the satin sheets and the soft, suede duvet. In her mind’s eye, it was easy to conjure images of her and Darien making love. Their limbs entwined, their bodies joined, their lips and tongues twisting and teasing.

  As her palm continued to sweep over the fabric, her gaze fell to her hand. She stopped stroking the duvet and removed Darien’s ring. A wave of emotion washed over her as she placed it on the mantle of the fireplace. Then she left the room.

  Curling up on the sofa in the living room with a throw that matched the ice-blue drapes in color and was made of warm chenille, she rested her head on a pillow and closed her eyes. The consternation she felt over angering Darien and the tension and fear she’d experienced most of the night mixed with the physical fatigue from battling the fire wraith. Exhaustion consumed her, which she decided was a welcomed sensation. She was too tired to think, too tired to analyze, too tired to separate all her feelings.

  So she concentrated on tamping them down and, shortly thereafter, fell asleep.

  The next morning, however, she snapped awake with myriad things on her mind. She rushed about the cottage, cleaning herself up and changing clothes before riding into the village. Her first stop was the meeting hall, where she found Tanner.

  Despite her emotional strife, she still had work to do.

  “The demons Rafe and Landford will continue their patrols on their side of the boundary,” she told the other slayer. “But we should resume our watch as well.”

  “I’m fine with sticking to nights, if you want days,” he said.

  “Maybe we should change that up every other month. Hardly seems fair for you to always have night patrol.”

  “I don’t mind,” he said in his usual calm, even tone. “Besides, I don’t have a spouse to spend evenings with, so it doesn’t really matter to me.”

  She frowned. “I don’t have a spouse to spend evenings with either.”

  “But you will when you marry the king.” There. A slight edge to his voice told her he was still wary of her decision. She could put his mind at ease, though.

  “I highly doubt I’ll be marrying the king.” True, he hadn’t called off the engagement. But that was only because he currently wasn’t speaking to her.

  A dark brow lifted and Tanner asked, “You backed out now that the fire wraith and his army are defeated?”

  “No, I didn’t back out. But he’s extremely angry with me and I have a feeling that’s not going to change anytime soon.” Hadn’t both Morgan and Sheena said as much?

  Her heart ached over the thought of losing Darien for good. However, Jade was terrified she’d cry a river if she didn’t contain her feelings. If the tears started flowing, she was afraid they’d never stop.

  “I’m not sure what to say about that,” Tanner told her. “I don’t want you to be unhappy, Jade. But marrying the Demon King… That’s a little tough for the rest of us to process.”

  “I understand. It’s been rather surprising for me too.”

  He regarded her a moment, as though curious about her emotions. But then he asked, “What about that thing you said to the vampire before you killed him on the battlefield? I knew you were lying about Michael being a slayer in order to make it sound as though he was as skilled as the rest of us. But you said one of the slayers was part demon.”

  “A demi-demon, to be exact.” She brushed the hair from her neck to show him the mark. “Apparently, some comingling of races occurred in my family a long time ago. My father was half-demon as well. We share similar traits.”

  “Aside from dark hair and blue eyes?”

  Jade focused on the pen Tanner had set aside when she’d entered the hall. She used her psychokinetic powers to lift it from the desk and bring it to her hand.

  “Holy shit,” he muttered.

  “Yeah.” She let him adjust to this revelation before adding, “There’s more. Darien didn’t want anyone visiting me when I was laid up at the cottage because I was badly injured but healing quickly. Much faster than a normal human. It would have alarmed Michael and Lisette. You too, perhaps.”

  He nodded. “I always sensed there was something different about you. Walker did too. That’s why we often deferred to you—as if you knew things the rest of us didn’t.”

  “Unfortunately, I’ve acted mostly on instinct. And with a hot head. I need to think more strategically going forward.”

  “You did precisely that when we confronted the rogue demons.”

  She considered her tactical moves and felt at peace with the decisions she’d made. “Thank you, Tanner. I appreciate your support.” She added, “I also want to continue the goodwill effort recently set into motion. We’ll work with the general, as my father once did. He’ll have to be the conduit to Darien, not me.”

  The other slayer eyed her speculatively. “You’re taking this change in direction well.” He was kind enough not to call it a breakup or otherwise jibe about her being dumped by the Demon King.

  “On the outside, Tanner. On the outside.” She stood. “We also need to work on more training. We never got to wraiths. I had no idea what to do with that menacing, fiery one.”

  He snickered. “You never made it past the chicken, Jade. You’re still on shifters. I told you, a raccoon is next.”

  She blanched. “You weren’t serious about that?”

  With a chuckle, he said, “We’ll figure it out.”

  Her stomach churned. “Make sure it’s already dead, please. I can’t practice on an animal that’s still breathing.” Not that she could practice on one if rigor mortis had set in, either… Damn it.

  He shook his head at her, as though to call her the slacker slayer. Apparently, his congeniality only went so far.

  Jade marched out of the meeting hall and headed to the tavern, where she found Mich
ael prepping for the evening ahead.

  “Came to see if I’m still alive?” he mocked as he raised his arms for her to inspect him from head to toe.

  “Ha, ha.” She slid onto a barstool. “Seriously, though, thank you for listening to me and not getting yourself into trouble.”

  “Well, except for that shifter,” he said in a contrite tone.

  Jade didn’t want him to feel even an ounce of guilt—he’d done an excellent job when the enemy had attacked. “It engaged you. And by the way, nice swing and aim.” She considered how quickly Michael had reacted to her instruction and how solidly he’d delivered a blow to the wolf, stabbing it in the chest and momentarily incapacitating it so Morgan could move in for the kill. “You did a great job, actually.”

  He said, “I didn’t particularly like seeing the wolf’s throat ripped out.”

  “Me either, but that’s how you defeat shifters. Tanner made me practice on a chicken.”

  “That’s disgusting, Jade.”

  “Yes it is.” She paused then, ventured, “Maybe you’d like to join us for some lessons? Tanner is still training me.”

  He gave her a curious look. “Really, you’d allow that?”

  “Doesn’t hurt to know how to properly defend yourself.”

  “Interesting offer, especially coming from you.” If she wasn’t mistaken, his chest puffed a bit, as though he was proud of himself that he’d won her approval. “I’ll take you up on that.”

  “Good. Now there’s something else. I need to quit my job. It’s been hell juggling my work here and slayer duties. I barely sleep.”

  His delight dimmed significantly. “Sure, I understand. Besides, you can’t serve up beers at a tavern when you’re the Demon Queen.”

  Her heart sank even further. “I won’t be crowned in the near future, if ever, so stop looking glum. I have sufficiently pissed off Darien. For the last time, I suspect.”

  Michael seemed to debate whether he wanted to continue this topic but finally asked, “How’d you manage that?”

  “Turns out, I’m a huge pain in the ass. Who would have thought?”

  His eyes narrowed on her. “That’s not exactly a New World Order, Jade. I’m sure he had to know this going into the relationship. You did challenge him after Jinx died, remember.”

  “Seems there are some boundaries he’ll let me cross. Disobeying him is not one of them.”

  “Ah yes. You do have a rebellious streak.”

  “He told me to stay in the village last night. But I had no choice than to go with Tanner, and I defend that action. Still…” She rubbed her finger along a groove in the wooden bar. “I understand where he’s coming from. I got a healthy dose of my own medicine during our battle.”

  “How so?”

  She smiled softly at her friend. “I was worried about you, until I realized you were doing exactly as I’d asked by staying out of the way. You reacted when you needed to, rather than purposely putting yourself in danger. I tend to find myself in it when I don’t sit tight the way I’m supposed to.”

  “Actually,” he mused in a low tone, “maybe you’re not meant for the sidelines, Jade. As potentially deadly as it could be for you, I get the feeling being in the thick of conflict is your strong suit.”

  “Wow,” she said as her gaze locked with his. “You finally get me.”

  “Little late in the day,” he admitted. “But it’s exhausting to keep fighting you, Jade. You’re going to do and say whatever the hell you want, anyway. I’m not the one who can tame you.” He frowned, as though he found that a disconcerting notion. Then added, “I’m not sure the king can either.”

  With a sigh, she said, “There’s a very good possibility he’s given up trying.” She lifted her hand and wiggled her fingers to show she wasn’t wearing his ring. “I think I’ve gone beyond infuriating him.”

  Michael reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Maybe that’s for the best. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to gloat. There’s much more to you than I can handle, Jade. I’ve learned that over the past few months.”

  “I’m sorry it didn’t work out between you and me,” she said in a humble tone. “I’m a little more complicated than the average woman.”

  “You can say that again.”

  She laughed. “Let’s not rub it in.”

  He was quiet a moment then said, “I realize it’s time I move on. Maybe ask Jessica Delfino or Krista Parks on a date.”

  Her brow furrowed out of curiosity. “Where would you go? What would you do?”

  “Beats the hell out of me,” he said with a shrug. “I’ve never been on a date.”

  “Well, whatever you decide, make it romantic. Apparently, we females like that.”

  He grinned. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  She stood on the foot rail of her stool and leaned over the bar. After kissing Michael on the cheek, she said, “You’re still my best friend.”

  “Even though I’m not a demon?”

  “Don’t be a jerk.” She jumped to the ground. “Gotta go. I have more work to do.” She headed toward the door but turned back and said, “You know, people around town started sprucing up their storefronts and displays when the king began sending a variety of new items our way. Maybe you should consider sanding the ridges out of the bar and jazzing the place up a bit.”

  “Is this your idea of spreading goodwill?”

  She gave it thought, then nodded. “Part of it. I’ll see you later.”

  As Jade wandered toward the library, she realized what she was doing with her unplanned visits. She’d consciously chosen not to stay at the cottage and wallow in her sorrow.

  Granted, she wasn’t facing the pain of heartbreak head on, but she also wasn’t holding back when it came to discussing her ill-fated romance with Darien. Surprisingly, she found a measure of relief in not keeping the tormenting debacle locked inside her. For the first time, she was truly confiding in her human friends. And it felt good.

  Entering the library, she smiled as Lisette glanced up from a book.

  “No coffee?” her friend quipped.

  “Totally forgot it. You want some?”

  “No, I was only joking. What brings you by?”

  Jade pointed to the desk in the corner. “Typewriter. Will it bother you if I peck away a bit more? I’ve decided I am going to write a book. At least attempt to, though it’ll take me several years at the pace of my clicking on the keys.”

  “I told you, you’ll get used to the arrangement and will gain more speed. But the machine is also designed for slower progress so you don’t jam the metal arms that hit the paper.”

  Lisette came over and demonstrated, pounding out a slew of letters that caused the short rods to stick in a clumped mess before they could tap the paper and leave their mark.

  “Gotcha,” Jade said. “Slow and steady isn’t such a bad thing after all.”

  She discarded the sheet and inserted a fresh one. Having no real idea where to begin, she let her instinct and her heart guide her.

  Chapter One

  Not all humans are good. Not all demons are evil…

  * * * * *

  “You didn’t enjoy the veal, my Lord?” Sheena asked as she swept into the main dining hall.

  It was well past midnight and the diners had long since dispersed. Darien had not joined them earlier, opting to eat alone, as he’d done for over a week now. Tonight he’d merely picked at his food, not having much of an appetite.

  Ignoring Sheena’s question, he asked, “Have you been to the village?”

  “Not since the night of the battle.” Sinking into a chair at the long, wide table that sat fifty, she said, “I feel bad about that. I chastised Jade and told her she wasn’t in this alone, and then I stopped seeing her. That’s not how friends treat each other.”

  Darien agreed but then again… He’d not spoken with the woman he loved since that fateful night either. Therefore, he took great interest in Sheena’s reason for her actions. �
�Why haven’t you gone to see her?”

  The vampire shook her head. “I’m not sure.” Her gaze lifted to meet his. “Why haven’t you?”

  Darien pushed aside his plate. Surprisingly, his answer came without thought. “I’ll cave if I do. I’ll let her convince me she did the right thing by disregarding my orders. And I’m not inclined to let her off the hook.”

  “But you’ll forgive her someday, won’t you?”

  He stood. “Forgiveness isn’t the issue. I owe her that, if for no other reason than the things I’ve done that she’s forgiven me for. But accepting her actions will only encourage her to continue doing as she pleases, without much thought to her own safety.”

  “I disagree,” Sheena said in a low tone.

  He stared at her, perplexed. “Meaning?”

  “She’ll be this way regardless of whether you condone her behavior. You can’t change her, my Lord.” Sheena stood as well. “And isn’t that one more thing you admire about her?”

  She left the dining hall without another word. Darien hung his head and sighed. With a half-snort, he wondered why he couldn’t have fallen in love with a woman with an obsequious and pedantic nature.

  But then a sentiment Jade had shared with him one night came back to him.

  How boring would I be if I did everything you asked me to do?

  Jade Deville could never be boring. Nor could she ever truly be safe. Unless, of course, he married her and granted her immortality.

  He walked out of the room as he stewed over the conundrum. By the time he reached his study, he wasn’t any surer of his situation with Jade than he’d been a week ago, following the fight. Maybe humans and demons weren’t meant to interact socially. Perhaps they were meant to stay on their sides of the border, coexisting from afar.

  Naturally, the painful part of this theory was the obvious fact he loved Jade. Deeply. More than he’d ever imagined loving anyone. He agonized over how desperately he wanted to see her, how much he missed her. Conversely, he’d still not gotten beyond wanting to wring her neck.

  So he poured a glass of brandy and sat at his desk. He had ample work to do, particularly correspondence amongst the stewards under his charge and the kings on the six other continents that would occupy his thoughts and time. Keeping Jade from his mind was not easy, but it was necessary.