The Price of Possession

by Dakota Brown

  Likely.

  "Demon prince agrees," I supplied.

  "And we do need a solid plan on dealing with the occultist. I have a few ideas. Once we finish assaulting this dungeon, I'll cook dinner and we can finalize a few things." Mal leaned back in the chair and studied me.

  I nodded. "Sounds good, mate."

  "Should we let Darius know what we're up to?" Mal asked.

  "Naw, don't think he's up for this kind of chaos." Honestly, I didn't want to deal with him after. I suspected I was going to have to let Ezra out to play and he'd probably never forget that. I didn't want to let Ezra take over, but the extent of the demonic energy I'd felt was far more than I'd ever encountered before. I also didn't want to put him at risk. He simply wasn't as good at this stuff as I was.

  Mal gave me a worried look before he nodded. "It will be easier if we don't have to worry about any objections the priest might have."

  Aaron rolled his dice and sighed. "Yeah, your priest friend probably doesn't need to know I'm a half angel. At least not until we figure out what exactly that means."

  "He seems unreasonably cool with demons," Sabian said, voice a bit dark.

  "Yeah, at least leaving me with you lot. Not complaining, mind. Just agreeing with Sabian that it is a bit strange. I don't think Darius has gone to the dark side, but it is something we should maybe consider." I shivered. The idea of Darius aligning himself with evil was disturbing. "He also hasn't checked on me recently. Kinda strange."

  I'm evil and you have aligned yourself with me, Ezra declared, a bit petulantly.

  I have no doubt you're an evil badass, Ezra. You are, however, working for the good guys right now.

  He sighed, and I took that as him conceding the point.

  Mal brought our attention back to the game.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  That night I lay staring at my ceiling, running our plan through my mind. It was as solid as we could make it. This ninja shit was so not my cup of tea, however, and I was worried about tomorrow.

  Ezra jerked me into the blank space. He was again wearing his silky dress shirt with the rolled-up sleeves and the black dress pants that fit him just right.

  I jerked my gaze away from the red buttons on his shirt and the trail down his chest they led me. My fingers itched for me to run them up and down his chest.

  "Worrying about it won't make it easier."

  "I know." I hugged myself, frowned, and glanced at myself. I was wearing some sort of badass evening gown. It clung to me in the right spots to accent my figure. The fabric slid across my skin in a way that was far more intimate than I would have expected.

  "For real?" It also showed off a great deal of my ink. Yep, open backed, too, from the feel of it.

  He shrugged and had the good grace to look embarrassed. "It matches my clothes."

  I sighed. "I've never worn anything like this in my entire life."

  "Pity. You can change it if you want."

  Not having the energy to bother with trying to figure out how, and secretly enjoying the outfit, I simply turned my back and hunched my shoulders. I didn't want to deal with any of this. I'd quit. Gotten out. So many people important to me had died. And now I was putting people at risk again. Sure, they'd be a lot harder to kill, but still, they were putting themselves at risk because of me.

  Ezra touched the small of my back, his warm fingers trailing fire up my bare skin as he stroked along my spine. I hadn't heard him move closer.

  My breath came faster as he put one hand on my hip, the other caressing my bare neck.

  "They're here by choice," he said, reading my mind. "Sabian would be involved regardless. The hellhound lives for this kind of conflict. Mal is a warrior despite his scholarly tendencies. Aaron is not at risk from the demonic energy, only human weapons and I'm certain Sabian will protect him as their role is to release as many demons as they can."

  His breath tickled my neck and my stomach tightened. I managed to keep from leaning back against his chest, but it was one of the harder things I'd done recently.

  "You are the most at risk in this fight."

  "But I have you," I breathed out, voice raspy.

  "You have me," he agreed.

  We stood that way for a small eternity, neither of us making a move to come together, but seemingly unable to pull away from each other.

  The more involved I got with him, the harder it would be to break away later. He was leaving. I'd probably never see him again. At least not like this.

  "I should get some rest," I finally gasped out. My entire body was pulled tight, and I wanted nothing more than to lose myself in what Ezra seemed to be offering. It was just a really bad idea. I was good at bad ideas, but somehow, I managed to take a step away from his delicious heat.

  "Yes, you should."

  I couldn't read his voice as I managed another step away.

  Moments later I was back in my bed, staring at the ceiling. Alone except for the Pomeranian curled up at my side.

  I took a few shaky breaths, rolled over onto my side, and somehow managed to pass out. Though, briefly, while I was on the edge of sleeping and being awake, I was certain I felt Ezra curl himself around me.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  "Think it's a trap?" I followed Mal into the living room after letting him inside the house, trying not to stare at the way his jeans hugged his ass. I gave up and stared. The plain black T-shirt fit pretty well, too.

  He set a bag down on the coffee table and sank down onto the couch. I told Ezra to shut it and curled into Mal's arms.

  The vampire held me, resting his cheek against my head. Sabian looked on, expression peaceful. Aaron joined us a moment later, folding himself into the chair across from us. They were both dressed in jeans and dark T-shirts, too. Eye candy all around. I was not complaining.

  "It's possible. Doesn't change anything. We have to assume they are prepared for us to discover them. They know I'm a vampire, they know Sabian is an incubus. I'm assuming they have some idea of what makes Aaron special since they are the ones that led us to him in the first place. What they might not know is that we still have Prince Ezra with us. I wouldn't count on that, either."

  "Great. You're filling me with some extreme confidence."

  Mal kissed me and chuckled. "We'll be fine."

  "You don't think we need any other form of backup?" Aaron shifted uneasily in the chair.

  "Such as?" Mal asked.

  "The cops, I guess." He hunched his shoulders.

  "We could simply tell them where to look. It would get a lot of them killed, however," Mal said.

  "It's us or nothing," I added. "Let's get ready to head out."

  Reluctantly I uncurled myself from Mal's embrace though I felt Ezra's phantom hands on me, as if he were holding me in place of the vampire.

  Mal pulled his bag open and pulled a few things out.

  "I made a few of our own charms for protection." He handed out some etched silver circles. The sigils on them were familiar and I thought with a bit of time I could decipher what he'd done.

  "Yours was the most complicated, Chris. Protecting you from other demons while not affecting Prince Ezra, Mayhem, or Sabian was interesting. Especially Prince Ezra. None of these should harm Sabian or Mayhem, but I wouldn't touch Chris unless you have to, just in case I messed up. I left Prince Ezra off of the rest of them because it does introduce some vulnerabilities that the prince can defend against, which will help Chris but not the rest of us."

  I could feel the power in the charm he'd given me. "Did you even sleep, mate?"

  "No. I don't need as much sleep as you do on a regular basis."

  Everyone pocketed their protective charms.

  "I made this for you, since you seem to have misplaced all of your own tools." Mal winked and handed me a black stole with protective sigils hand stitched in silver thread. It was very similar to the one I had made for myself years back, only much nicer and the stitching was far neater. The added protections were helpful when dealing
with exorcisms.

  I took it from Mal. Yeah, this one was much nicer. That was real silk and I bet the thread actually had a silver content. Mine had been put together with a hope and a prayer and a beginner's skills. That I'd kept using it once I'd improved probably wasn't my smartest move.

  "Thank you," I said with a touch of reverence.

  I felt Ezra squirm.

  Gonna be a problem?

  No. You should wear it. It will help protect you. It's simply uncomfortable for me, not detrimental.

  I slipped the stole over my shoulders and grinned at Mal.

  "The one thing we're short on supply of is holy water, but you may not need any with Prince Ezra riding along."

  Ezra shuddered.

  "Yeah, I got a little bit left in my squirt bottle if I get desperate. Would hate to burn myself, though." I was getting way too comfortable with the idea of being possessed.

  Mal handed me a silver knife with sigils worked into the blade and a sheath I could slide onto my belt. That could also be really useful for protection and other ritual needs. As with the stole, it was far nicer than the one I'd made for myself years back.

  "I'd avoid touching the blade until Prince Ezra has left us," Mal suggested.

  "Yeah, had that figured out. He's squirming pretty hard right now." I shifted on the couch, made uneasy by his discomfort.

  I slipped the blade into the sheath and slid it onto my belt.

  I am glad we are on the same side. Malak does know how to construct quality tools.

  High praise from the demon. I'd tell Mal later.

  "How long before we leave?" Aaron asked after Mal handed him another silver blade.

  "Half an hour. Anyone hungry before we leave?"

  You should eat.

  My stomach was churning, but Ezra was right.

  "I should try to eat. How are you doing, Mal?"

  "I'll be all right."

  I held out my wrist and his eyes darkened before he looked away.

  "If that's all it takes, Mal, you're hungry, too. We all need to be at the top of our game. I'll feed you, you feed me. It'll be fine."

  "It hasn't been that long since I've had fresh blood. I really am fine." However, he did not object when I scooted over onto his lap. I threaded my fingers into his wavy hair and grinned when he met my eyes.

  Mal ran his fingers along my jaw, before tracing them down my neck.

  I shivered in pleasure at his touch. Now, more than I had been before, I was grateful that Ezra had spared me the full impact of waking Mal up from being staked. Because of that, I had no hesitation when Mal lowered his lips to my neck. He hesitated a moment before he sank his teeth into my skin.

  Pleasure exploded through me, curling through my breasts and sliding its way down my belly until my stomach tightened, and heat pooled in my core. I quivered, groaning, just on the edge of release.

  Hmm, I kind of like this. I can torture you a bit.

  Jerk.

  Ezra laughed, running phantom fingers over my body, teasing me, using his ability to control me to keep me from crashing over the edge into some much needed relief.

  Beg me, he demanded.

  Fuck you, Ezra.

  I groaned when Mal released me from his power. Turned on, but denied relief by the freaking demon.

  That's about enough to get you exorcised.

  He laughed, the sound trailing through my body and lighting me up further.

  "Are you okay?" Mal asked, brow furrowed.

  "Fucking demon thinks he's funny," I grumbled.

  Mal raised his eyebrows before pulling me into a hug. "Thank you."

  "Yeah, any time, Mal. Hopefully next time without an asshole demon being a giant jerk." I said the last loudly, as if he couldn't read my thoughts.

  Ezra chuckled.

  "Maybe he is evil," I muttered.

  "Why don't you let me cook dinner for you and Aaron, and then we can head out." Mal probably knew what my problem was. Scratch that, I was certain he knew, but he was kind enough not to rub it in.

  "Sure." I climbed out of Mal's lap and collapsed back onto the couch.

  Aaron was staring at me, his mouth open slightly in amazement. Oh, right, he was still here and had not yet experienced that particular aspect of having a vampire around. Well, guess he was really indoctrinated now.

  "Sorry, guess I'm just used to Sabian being around. Didn't think about it."

  Aaron snapped his jaw shut and shook his head. "It's fine." He didn't continue, though I had the feeling he wanted to say something more.

  He's turned on and more than a little surprised by it.

  Thanks, Ezra. You know, I'm fucking turned on, too. Asshole.

  I'm well aware.

  His amusement was about to get him sent back to hell.

  You need me for a little while longer.

  If I didn't, I'd be kicking you out for that.

  He laughed and retreated before we could argue more.

  Fucker.

  Sabian watched me with a trace of amusement in his otherwise carefully neutral expression. I wondered how much of my conversation with Ezra he could overhear. I knew, to some degree, he could read my mind, as well.

  Grumpy, I climbed off the couch and headed for my room. My underwear was soaked, and I had nothing to show for it except unrelieved desire.

  I can help you with that.

  If you had just left me well enough alone, I'd be fine. I was not about to ask the demon to get me off.

  You'll enjoy it more later.

  I don't want to enjoy it later, I wanted to enjoy it now. What if we all die and I go out with unrelieved orgasams because you denied me.

  I promise, if you're about to die, I'll make sure you have a mind blowing one on your way.

  "Seriously?" I blurted as I nearly tripped over my feet entering my room.

  "You okay, Chris," Mal called.

  "Just arguing with fucking Ezra," I snarled. "I'm going to fuck Mal later, whether you want me to or not, just for that." I said the last aloud, knowing Mal would hear me. Hopefully, he wouldn't mind me using him a bit. I wouldn't have minded.

  Ezra didn't reply as I angrily changed into dry clothes and stomped back out into the living room.

  Fortunately, by then, everyone was basically pretending like nothing had happened, so we settled into a quick meal for those of us who could eat it, before heading toward the door.

  I gave Sabian a quick hug, just in case. Ezra didn't object, which was either an improvement or he was more worried than he let on. I gave Mal a much longer one involving a heated kiss and a great deal of tongue.

  Ezra stayed quiet, though I suspected he was annoyed. He might actually be worried he'd pushed me a little too far with his last stunt.

  He would have to get over it.

  "I'd hug you, Aaron, but electric shock and all."

  Aaron nodded. "I'll use my imagination." Then he blushed. "I mean...for the hug."

  I grinned at him. "All good, mate."

  With that, we climbed into my tank of a car and headed into the desert. Hopefully, we all survived.

  I might not forgive myself if something happened to any of them.

  Chapter 19

  Price

  We parked as close as we dared, then went the rest of the way on foot, until we stood on the edge of the warded area. Sweat dampened my T-shirt under my light leather jacket, and ran between my breasts. A slight breeze did little to dispel the lingering heat from the day. I really should have left the jacket in the car, but it had saved my ass so many times that I ignored the discomfort.

  Mayhem had shifted to his hellhound form, getting quite a reaction out of Aaron and Mal, who hadn't seen him yet. I had trailed my hand along the mane of fur that ran along his back. It was every bit as soft as it had felt in that blank space Ezra took us to. Mayhem had rested his head in my hands for a minute and I'd scrubbed at the base of his horns. By the way he had leaned into my touch, he liked that a lot. Now he stood at my side, alert for
danger.

  The smell of sage was heavy on the air as Mal studied the ward. He drew a sigil in the air with his knife, and made a pushing gesture. The sigil glowed briefly before it pressed against the ward and seemed to fizzle out after a few sparks.

  "They're going to know we're here after I take this down," Mal warned. He drew the sigil again before drawing his knife. He cut his palm, said something I didn't understand, and pushed again, this time with a spray of blood that the sigil absorbed.

  Shit, Mal knew real blood magic? That was a little dark. Blood marks were one thing, but this was a whole different level.

  He's a vampire. It's natural for them.

  Oh.

  The ward shimmered and Mal held up both hands, intoning something else, before he went and stabbed the ward with the knife.

  Direct, Ezra commented.

  It worked though. The ward shattered with an audible pop.

  The broken magic washed over us, feeling like someone dragged sandpaper over my skin.

  "Yuck," I muttered.

  "Very unpleasant," Mal agreed.

  "Let's go," Sabian ordered.

  We followed his direction and headed for the front door as fast as I could manage, since I was the slowest one.

  Resistance met us at the door. Two men, clearly possessing demon amulets, charged out. They both looked a little ragged, the strain of hosting unfriendly demons clear in their sallow skin and sunken eyes. Even with the demons being contained in amulets they were clearly paying a price for the possession.

  Since we were trying not to kill people unless we had to, Sabian and Aaron took point instead of having Mal lead the fighting. He'd step in if necessary.

  Sabian darted forward, grabbed one of the men and jerked the amulet away from the guy's neck. Neither of us needed a reveal spell to find them anymore. Ezra's doing. They also only ever seemed to wear necklaces or bracelets so that also made it easier.

  Aaron grabbed the charm, hissed in pain as the silver melted between his fingers, and Ezra shouted a command to the demon that was freed.