Drop Dead Demons

by Kirk, A

  And that skin. I remembered the feel. Taut. Smooth. Warm and springing to life under my touch.

  A faint heat stained my cheeks at the memory. When I realized Ayden had been watching my appraisal, my blush raged to inferno levels. I kept my eyes averted for the remainder of Dad’s ministering.

  Dad snapped off his plastic gloves. “You can put your shirt on now.”

  Crap. With the peep show almost over, I risked another glance — gaping stare — at Ayden’s below-the-neck eye candy. Hey, a girl’s got to take her kicks where she can. And Ayden half-naked definitely kicked in a serious chemical reaction.

  Dad eyed Ayden’s bloody shirt. “Then again, maybe not.”

  Mom said, “Lucian, go get one of your shirts.”

  “Sure, but, uh,” Lucian shifted from foot to foot, “I don’t think it will fit him. Might be…” He resettled Oron and said softly, “A little small. Maybe.”

  Luna snorted. “Ya think?”

  “Shut up!”

  “This’ll be fine.” Ayden reached for his shirt, but Mom whipped it away.

  “Not a chance. Kids, upstairs and help me find something.”

  At their departure, Dad closed up his medical bag. “And these injuries are from a—”

  I jumped in quickly. “Like I said, it was Jayden’s super-duper laser thingy, which went crazy and Ayden got caught in the crossfire.” I smiled tight, nerves wracked by Dad’s stoic face. “Right, Jayden?”

  Jayden ground his teeth, looking like he’d be happier chewing glass. “Right.”

  Ayden, Logan, Tristan, and Blake covered their mouths to hide the smiles at Jayden’s expense.

  “And with their parents out of town, they called me to come see you,” I said. “Because you’re the best there is.”

  Appealing to Dad’s vanity couldn’t hurt.

  “Uh-huh. Okay, first of all, Mr. Smart Stuff,” Dad settled a stern look on Jayden, “no more dangerous experiments.”

  “Understood,” Jayden gave a stiff nod. “Because I now realize that despite my genius level IQ, a super laser—”

  “Super-duper,” Ayden corrected.

  Jayden shot his brother a scathing glance. “A super-duper laser…thingy is apparently beyond my scope of cognition to control safely, and my days as a reckless operator of such high-level equipment are at an end.”

  Dad nodded, pleased. “Second, I’ll need to treat the wound regularly so—”

  “Done, sir,” Ayden saluted. “I’ll report to your house morning and night.”

  Dad glanced from me to Ayden. “How is that different from the last few weeks?”

  “Dad!” I blushed.

  He stood and picked up his medical bag. “And third, I’m taking you to the hospital right now for some tests. Make sure there isn’t any internal damage.”

  The roaring litany of protests from the Hex Boys bordered on madness. They sounded like a gaggle of grannies, but Dad was having none of it.

  “Sorry, gentlemen, that’s the way it is, or right now, I call an ambulance and everyone’s parents. I’m sure the sheriff would be happy to provide a police escort to the hospital.”

  Ayden pulled me aside. “Aurora, do something.”

  “Sure,” I nodded. “Hey, Dad. Ayden says you’re right and that you two should take his car to the hospital. He’ll even let you drive. Right, Ayden?”

  Ayden wiped his hand across his mouth so he could mutter behind it, “Not what I meant.”

  Through the gritted teeth of my huge smile I said, “I know.”

  “That sporty red number?” Dad grinned. “Sweet. Let’s hit it, kemosabe.”

  They were headed to the car, Ayden wearing one of Dad’s bright, flowery Hawaiian shirts, when Aunt M’s Taser went off in the side yard, and what sounded like a body thumped against the fence.

  Someone screamed for mercy.

  Chapter Eighty-Three

  Aunt M was in a fencing stance and had a white-knuckle grip on her Taser. Despite her belly, she managed to bounce on the balls of her feet. Van Helsing stood beside her, hissing, his hackles raised.

  “Gotcha!” she screeched. “Stay down, you limey swine or I’ll zap you again! Someone get me my tranq gun!”

  “Saints and sinners, woman. I’m no pervert!” Jenny lay on his back, coat open.

  He’d lost most of the arsenal, now wearing only the two guns in the shoulder holsters. But his overall look was still serial killer-esque.

  Matthias raced around the corner. “No worries! He’s with me!”

  Aunt M didn’t budge. “What’s the son of the po-po doing hanging out with this lawless looking cretin?”

  Matthias arrived breathing heavily. “He’s, uhhh, an undercover cop. Old friend of my dad’s. Detective Jen…nings is in town to surprise my dad for…his birthday.”

  “Then what’s he doing skulking around here?” M wanted to know.

  Matthias swallowed. “He came with me…while I checked on Ayden, whooo is doing good, yeah?”

  “Will be in no time,” Dad said. “I’ll have to call and wish your dad a happy birthday.”

  “No!” Matthias laughed awkwardly. “You can’t.”

  Dad frowned. “Why not?”

  “He can’t think anyone knows because…” Matthias’s brain was spinning its wheels, but finding no traction.

  Since I was always happy to help out my favorite teammate, I said, “Because Matthias is throwing him a big surprise birthday party and Jen—Detective Jennings is the surprise guest so he has to hide and we can’t mention anything about this otherwise we blow the surprise. And the best part is we’re all invited. It’s sometime soon. He’s still pounding out the details, but promises it will be huge bash. Big, big celebration. Right, Matthias?”

  The Aussie’s smile could freeze over Gossamer Falls Lake. Twice. “Absolutely.”

  “I love surprises.” Dad nudged M backwards and pried the Taser from her fingers. Then he gave Jenny a helping hand-up. “Nice to meet you Mister, sorry, Detective Jennings. I apologize about the misunderstanding.” He lowered his voice. “It’s been a…difficult pregnancy.”

  “Not a problem.” Jenny shot an acid look at M. She sneered back.

  “Party?” Mom popped her head out from an upstairs window. “Can I bring something?”

  “No,” I said. “Matthias has it all handled. He’s a big party guy.”

  “Yep. That’s me.” Matthias shoved Jenny around the corner. “Aurora, I did have a couple of party related questions.” He grabbed my arm and dragged me along. As soon as we were out of sight, he whispered, “Come over to my house after school so Jenny can check out your powers. My dad will be gone today so the coast is clear.”

  “Why do I have to stay away from your dad? I like him.” So charmingly opposite from the Angry Aussie.

  “Because you’ll bollocks the whole thing up. As usual.”

  “That doesn’t tell me anything.”

  “Shut it and listen up.” Matthias glanced over his shoulder. “Just deal with the exploding-light-blast thing. Don’t tell Jenny you can take trips to the Waiting World or…have vision dreams about demons.”

  “Don’t you trust him?”

  “Sure. It’s just…” The Aussie’s eyes flicked away.

  “You kinda don’t.”

  “He has his own agenda. Can be a bit…unhinged when it comes to Artemis.”

  “You’re saying he’d use me to get to her?”

  “I’m saying don’t give him the chance. See you after school. Don’t be late, or I won’t remind him to switch out the real bullets.”

  The first light of sunrise crawled over the horizon. The start of another stellar day.

  Chapter Eighty-Four

  In the kitchen, wearing purple polka-dot rubber gloves, because Mom thought even the most mundane utensils should be brazenly garish, I dumped the cooking pot into the sink’s soapy water and scrubbed with vigor. I stared out the window, but even the shimmering lights of sunrise and the garden’s joyful bea
uty and exquisite scents couldn’t brighten my mood.

  After Ayden and Dad left, I’d tried for a quick nap while Luna showered. But while I should’ve been — no, I was — exhausted, when I closed my eyes my mind went into overdrive, replaying the crazy night, then seemed to stick on the vision of Ayden lying near death.

  My gut wrenched every time, shocking my system with adrenaline. I became wired, edgy, ready to explode. The “what if” scenarios were endless. It all could have gone so…fatal. And the common denominator of disaster?

  Me.

  Ironic how Aunt M and Bancroft wanted us separated because they worried Ayden and the boys posed a danger to me when the truth was, I was the real threat. To all of them. I mean, jeez, I’d brought demon gods to their doorstep. Something even the Mandatum considered so cataclysmic it called for teams of Sicarius, their most lethal killers. And the boys wouldn’t even call for backup.

  Because of me.

  Maybe M and Bancroft were right…just for the wrong reasons. Maybe, after we got through this, I should consider keeping my distance.

  “Come on! If we leave early Mom will buy us real breakfast.” Lucian grabbed his jacket off a kitchen chair and grabbed his backpack, then mine off the floor. “Meet you at the car.”

  “No!” I dropped the pan and tore my backpack off his shoulder.

  “What’s your problem?” Lucian said. “I’m being nice!”

  So was I. Just couldn’t explain that I’d stashed Flint’s flaming slasher spheres in my backpack. Given all the psychos gunning for their pound of my flesh, I figured I should be armed. Didn’t think the mini-bombs would activate on my little bro, but better safe than at the hospital sewing on severed limbs. I chucked the bag under the table.

  “Sorry. Got a…delicate…art project in there. Meet you at the car.” I pushed him out before heading back to the sink. “Best brother ever!”

  “Weirdest sister ever.”

  “Aren’t you done yet?” Mom bustled into the kitchen and grabbed keys off the hook. “We have to go.”

  “I’m trying,” I scrubbed harder. “But burnt oatmeal puts up a heck of a fight.”

  “Leave it to soak. Oh, Dad called.”

  My heart tripped over itself. “How’s Ayden?”

  “Fine. Dad ordered him to skip school and rest.” Mom walked over to me. “So you two are okay? He’s not the reason you’re looking zombie-esque, is he? Because I’ll—”

  “No, Mom,” I interrupted before she got to the homicidal threats. “We’re good. I just haven’t had much,” let’s call it zero, “sleep.”

  “Are you having nightmares again?” She looked worried. “Should we get you back to the therapist?”

  “No.” I patted her arm. “Just give me a few days to catch up.” And stop a demon apocalypse without getting us all killed.

  “Fine. For now. Meet you in the car. Hurry.” She kissed my forehead and disappeared into the foyer. “Selena, what are you doing? No, you can’t go naked. I don’t care if Bubbles is naked, pick up your clothes off the stairs and put them back on. Yes, right now. Fine, you can wear your shirt backwards. M! Come on. Luna and Lucian are already in the van.” The front door opened. “Ayden? What are you doing here?” I dropped the pot. Soap splashed in my mouth. “You’re supposed to be home resting. Dr. Lahey’s orders.”

  “And I will,” I heard Ayden say. “But first, I was hoping I could drop Aurora at school.”

  “Why is there a Maserati in my driveway?”

  “I left my car with Dr. Lahey. He seemed to like driving it.”

  “I just bet he did,” Mom muttered. “Mid-life crisis here we come.”

  “So, about Aurora?”

  “Not sure,” Mom snapped. “You made her cry the other day. I don’t like that.”

  I cringed.

  “Neither do I, ma’am.”

  “But you fixed it?”

  “I believe so.”

  “Mm-hmm.” Mom sounded skeptical. “If it happens again, I may start removing body parts.” Pause. “Meaning yours.”

  “Yes, I understood that, ma’am.”

  Mom laughed. “Just kidding, silly.” Then she screeched, “M!”

  “Jeez, you’re like a banshee.” Aunt M said.

  “You waddle like a duck.”

  “You do know these raging hormones make me prone to violent outbursts.”

  “Take your best shot, Daffy. Ayden, Aurora’s in the kitchen.”

  “But no hanky-panky,” Aunt M warned. “Because this is what happens and it ain’t pretty. You should see the size of my—”

  “Ooookay, M, move it along.”

  “Calm down, banshee, I was going to say feet.”

  “Aurora!” Mom yelled. “Ayden’s here.”

  Gee. Ya think? I tried to peel off the gloves which weren’t doing much for my look, but…too late.

  Ayden sauntered into the kitchen. Underneath the leather jacket, he wore a fresh T-shirt. A thin layer of bandages was visible through the fabric, but no seeping blood. He looked very much alive and way more than well. Downright gorgeous, in fact. My knees trembled. Goosebumps rippled over every inch of my skin. I had to work to control my breathing.

  Calm down, girl. Distance, remember?

  “Couldn’t resist coming by for another poisoning?” I lifted the pot from the water. “Aunt M’s oatmeal should to the trick.”

  “No,” he said smoothly, “I couldn’t resist coming by for you.”

  Goosebumps re-fired in triplicate. How could I resist that? More importantly, why would I want to? Because, Aurora, being around you could get him killed. You should back off. Starting now.

  “You look good.” Some might say edible. I gritted my teeth and went back to scrubbing the pot. “But Dad’s right. You should go home and rest. I’ll get a ride with Mom when she gets back.”

  “Crap,” he muttered. “I knew you’d do this.”

  “Do what?” I turned my head and jumped. He stood right next to me.

  “Blame yourself. You’re probably even thinking you should break up with me, keep your distance. From all of us.”

  That was creepy. I looked down. “Might not be a bad idea.”

  “Forget it. Horrible idea. Not happening.” Ayden took my face in his hands. “I know what you’re going through. I did the same thing. Even ran away from home to protect them.”

  My brow furrowed. “Who?”

  “The people I loved.” His hands slid down to my shoulders. “When I was young, learning to control my power, I burned plenty of them. Now you burned me. It happens. We all go through this, Aurora. Some more extreme than others. Look what happened to Tristan.”

  I threw the sponge. “That just proves how dangerous it is!”

  “Of course it’s dangerous, but running away won’t solve the problem.” He tipped my chin up with his knuckle and forced me to look at him. “Won’t work anyway. You’re not getting rid of me that easy.”

  “Not unless I zap you into the Waiting World by accident.”

  “Then I’d just wait for you to come rescue me,” he said easily. “Hopefully wearing some skimpy leather outfit.”

  I snorted. “Nope. It’s usually some stupid dress.”

  “Really?” he said with interest. “Short? Low cut? Think I mentioned I’m a big fan of your…various body parts. Will there be cleavage?”

  A giggle skipped from my lips. “Shut up.”

  “Laughter. Much better.” He cocked his head and smiled. “Look, we have families to help us cope with all this, you don’t. So, I’ll be the one to tell you.”

  “Tell me what?”

  His hands cupped my neck, thumbs stroking along my jaw, his dark eyes full of compassion and reassurance as he spoke in a low, confident tone. “It’s not your fault. You are perfect. You will master your powers.” He kept his eyes locked onto mine. “And I’ll be there every step of the way to help, because we’re in this together and nothing, absolutely nothing you can do will ever scare me away.” He placed
a soft kiss on my forehead.

  I leaned into the touch and closed my eyes. “But it’s so risky.”

  “But it’s so worth it.”

  “But I shouldn’t.”

  “But you want to.”

  Yes I did.

  My heart was skipping, my stomach fluttered. Classic signs. Sure, while I hated that I hurt him, being away from him was way more painful than I wanted to endure. Wimp.

  He studied me for a long moment. “The truth is you want me as much as I want you. Let’s just deal with it.”

  Deal with it? I had trouble saying it out loud.

  Those sensual eyes of warm chocolate brimmed with promise, kicking my emotions into a triple arc loopty-loo of longing. I breathed him in. The scent of leather, sandalwood, and…Ayden was a blissful combination.

  I released the breath in a sigh. “You’re awfully sure of yourself.”

  He chuckled, “No, I’m awfully sure of you.” He slid a hand down my arm. “Could those be…goosebumps?”

  “Uh.” I licked my lips. “No.”

  He gave me a wry smile as his fingers stroked my skin. “The evidence would seem to dispute your statement.”

  Wow, even lawyer-speak sounded sultry when it rolled off those luscious lips. Yeah, probably should’ve taken The Fifth on that one. My skin was as bumpy as a book in Braille, confessing all I could not say. And his long, slender fingers read every word.

  “I’ll take that as a positive sign.” His eyes roamed my face and eventually landed on my mouth. His lips parted slightly and a heavy breath slipped through. His head started to dip, then paused. He closed his eyes briefly, seeming to rethink the move. Then he stood straighter, lifting my wrist to showcase the purple polka-dot glove. “And these? Extremely sexy,” he said, eyes sparkling with amusement.

  “Yeah, they aren’t—”

  My voice shook, so I shut up and immediately ripped off the gloves as if they were on fire. Well, one glove came off easy, but then the free hand was so sweaty — probably because my core temperature was through the roof — that I couldn’t get a grip on the stupid rubber no matter how hard I tried.