Three Wishes

by Debra Dunbar

  He stopped when he reached her. “Are you enjoying yourself? Can I get you another champagne?” He had dark blue eyes that met hers from under thick, nearly white brows in appreciation. His head dropped to take her in from the feet up, and she saw the short, golden-blond hair that covered his scalp in thick fuzz.

  “Welcome to the Genus Micro party. I’m Carter Phelps. You are...?” He glanced at her chest, and she began to take offence before she realized he was looking for her nametag.

  “Iowa, and I’m Dar.”

  By all that was holy, it was that blasted demon again. She’d never encountered anyone quite so annoying. Or attractive. But mostly annoying. Another glass of something carbonated was thrust into her hand as the demon took the half-empty glass and drank the contents in one gulp.

  “My name’s not Iowa, it’s Asta.”

  The human male ignored Dar and raised his glass to her. “Asta. What a lovely, unusual name. Is your company considering Genus Micro for their security needs?”

  “No.” This was ridiculous, conversing with these humans when she had a demon to catch. And a blues club to visit. If only she could catch this guy, then she could have the fun she’d been craving without all the guilt.

  The human laughed. “I love your honesty! I know we’re beyond many small businesses’ budgets, but you should consider the costs if you fall prey to a cyber-attack. It’s not just the big dogs that are getting hit lately. Let me show you what we can do for your company.”

  What in the world was he talking about?

  “You’re not going to show her anything, buddy.” That demon—Dar—took a step forward, angling his body to squeeze between them. “Take a hike; this one’s mine.”

  His? Where in all of creation did he get that idea?

  The human ignored Dar, turning his back to him and placing himself between Asta and the demon—which put him uncomfortably close. “We can talk about your needs, and I’ll see what I can do.”

  Asta got the feeling he was discussing more than his software. Dar evidently got the same vibe because he bristled, elbowing the man in the ribs. “You lay one hand on her ‘needs’, asshole, and I’ll shove an ice sculpture where the sun don’t shine.”

  That seemed pretty extreme, especially given her ability to easily defend herself against a human. Still, the sight of Dar in a beautifully tailored olive suit, his eyes glinting red with jealousy stirred something deep inside—something a little bit wicked.

  “Yes, that sounds nice. I’d love that.”

  “No, it doesn’t sound nice,” Dar snapped, clinking his empty glass against hers. “Drink up, babe. We’ve got a blues club to go to, and I’m sure this dickhead has customers to schmooze.”

  Asta took a quick gulp of the champagne to hide a smile. Dar and this human were on the verge of coming to blows—over her. What a bizarre situation for an angel to be in. “I’m working, Dar. Rain check on the blues club.”

  “Fuck that.” Dar glared at her, a bit of an elbow war going on between him and the human. “Drink, and then we’re leaving.”

  “I’ve got a splendid idea,” the human snapped, somewhat out of breath from his mild tussle with Dar. “Why don’t you go to the blues club by yourself, or with some other woman, while Asta and I work?”

  That wasn’t a splendid idea at all. The thought of Dar going to the club without her, or with some human female, made her want to reverse her decision and take the night off as he’d suggested. Asta stared down at the champagne glass, realizing she’d drunk almost half the contents. She couldn’t—work was the reason she was here. Work came first.

  But work didn’t include standing around while this human tried to sell her software and get her up to his hotel room, either. Game over. Time to focus and see if she could pick up the trail of this elusive demon—the one that wasn’t following her all around the city.

  “I don’t want this.” She thrust the glass back toward Dar. Might as well get out of this building and see if she could pick up the demon’s song outside. If he hadn’t been summoned and wasn’t using a magical device, he had to have left somehow. There were only so many exits. If she circled around through the alleys, there was a chance she might catch his trail.

  “I’m sorry,” she gave the human a kind smile. “I really need to get going. I’ve got some... research I need to finish tonight.”

  “See you tomorrow at the conference?” There was something in his blue eyes that spurred her protective instincts—something shy and scared. He might be attracted to her, but in spite of that, he seemed vulnerable.

  “Yes. I’ll be there.” It wasn’t quite a lie. If there was something demons were planning in conjunction with this conference, she’d need to be there. She turned away from the human and nearly ran into Dar, who was standing practically on top of her. He’d still not taken the drink she was pressing into his chest.

  “Not a champagne drinker? Let’s go over to the bar and see what else they have. Then we’ll get out of here and have some fun.”

  “I don’t drink.” Asta pushed him away, extending the beverage toward him. It slipped slightly in her hand, liquid sloshing over the edge. The demon grabbed for it, enclosing her hand in his. The room seemed to slow to a halt, and Asta felt a shock of contact. It was like electricity shooting through her skin. She’d touched him last night in the alley, wrapped her hands around his neck in the elevator, had her other hand flat against his chest—why did her fingers entwined in his make her feel like she’d been hit by lightning?

  “But you do drink. I’ve seen you do it twice. Is lying another one of your sins? I had no idea angels were so fallible. How do you feel about the sin of lust? It’s a favorite of mine, although I’ll admit I could use some practice. Lots and lots of practice. Maybe you can help me with that one?”

  Demons.

  A slow grin curled up one side of his mouth, and silver gray eyes danced with a flash of red. He’d stalked her all day, watching her, teasing her with his presence, had practically came to blows with a human over her, and now he had the gall to proposition her—an angel.

  “I’m not sleeping with you, never, ever going to have sexual intercourse with you, so get that out of your little pea brain right now. Got it?”

  “Does that include blow jobs? Is mutual masturbation off the table, too? I’ve got some really kinky shit I can do with vegetables and electrical cord—does that count as intercourse?”

  What in the world would he possibly be doing with vegetables and electrical cord?

  “No, I mean yes. Would you just get the fu— the heck out of my way? I’m serious. I need to work.” Asta’s frustration peaked until all the emotions she’d bottled up boiled over. It might be unfair, but she wanted to punch Dar right in his beautiful face.

  “Can I kiss you?” His voice was warm and seductive, a boyish smile giving his words a hopeful touch. “One kiss. No tongue. Well, maybe some tongue, but not a lot. One little kiss and I’ll leave you alone for the evening.”

  “You... .” Her voice choked, unable to find the words to even complete a sentence.

  The demon didn’t seem to have the same problem. His grip on her hand tightened, his thumb lightly caressing her knuckles. “Yep, me. I’m a demon, after all. I’m guessing you’re not going to come see that blues band with me tonight, so I might as well have a little kiss to think of while I’m whacking off all alone in my hotel room.”

  Argh! He’s such a pain in the posterior. Dar leaned close to her, and she shoved. It was like trying to push a brick wall. He might be younger and a few inches shorter than her, but he was solid. “I’m done playing. Leave me alone, right now.”

  “Or what?”

  She felt his breath against her face, saw the silver in his gray eyes. Again she pushed to no avail.

  “Is this guy bothering you?”

  The bouncer’s concern faded into a buzz of sound, and everything became tinged with red as the glass shattered in Asta’s hand. Giving up on shoving, she reached for Dar,
but he jumped backward, away from her.

  This was it. She was done with this pesky, annoying demon. He might look good enough to ruin her vibration level in that suit, but she was going to smash his face in. No matter how he tempted her with his food and music suggestions, she wasn’t about to ruin a perfect service record by ditching her job in the last week.

  He’s tempting you with more than food and music, a little voice admonished. It was true, but her curiosity over what it would be like to kiss him didn’t negate her strong desire to beat him to a bloody pulp. She could hardly do that in the middle of a swank reception—or in front of the bouncer. No, better to be subtle and take the demon to where no one could observe, and then punch him senseless. Irritating, annoying demon.

  Liar, that voice deep inside chastised. Dar’s teasing had been more flattering than irritating, as had his persistent nearness since sunrise. He was clever, funny, and she was pretty sure his outrageous flirting held more than just a demon’s drive to drag others into the pit of debauchery. She saw it in his eyes, the attraction combined with respect. Yes, she liked his attentions, but he was still pissing her off, and physical confrontation held an edge of sexual excitement that she didn’t fully want to admit to at the moment.

  They continued the dance, him backward with each step she advanced, always evading her grasp. Reaching the hallway, he darted into the elevator, inexplicably holding it open for her to join him.

  It was full of humans. They were fairly intoxicated. Asta considered enthralling them then bashing the brains out of the smug demon next to her, but her skill in that area was tenuous at best. In her state of anger, it was unlikely she could entrance an insect.

  Once outside, Asta followed Dar around a corner and grabbed him, flinging him against the wall with all her might. The demon’s back crashed against the stucco. He left an imprint of his shape as he peeled himself from the building. Before he could move more than a foot, she was on him again, flinging him to the other side of the alley. This time, he managed to hold onto her, and she stumbled forward, tumbling over him with the force of her momentum. They rolled, coming to an abrupt halt against the curb, the demon on top.

  “Forget the blues band, how about we head to Millennium Park for an outdoor concert? Or we throw coins in Buckingham Fountain? Or ride the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier?”

  The Ferris wheel. Her anger evaporated, and she felt a sting of tears. It had been constructed soon after she’d arrived from Aaru, and she’d always wanted to take a ride. Stupid job. Stupid demons. Why couldn’t she take one damned evening off and have a little fun before she went home?

  “Hey. It’s okay.” Dar’s voice was soft and gentle. She closed her eyes, unable to look at him until she got a grip on her emotions. “Really. We can do it some other time. It’s not like you’re leaving tomorrow or anything.”

  That made her want to cry even more. She only had a few more days, and this demon was only reminding her how much she’d missed out on in her hundred years.

  Her eyes flew open as she felt him shift off her. Extending a hand, he pulled her to her feet, sliding his hands around her waist. “I don’t understand. Is it the Ferris wheel? You don’t like them? Is this like the thing with the rats? We don’t have to do that. Tell you what, we’ll combine work and pleasure. I’ll tell you all about the demon plot while we sip martinis at a bar.”

  Asta hesitated. He was being so kind, so un-demonic. She did want to ride the Ferris wheel with him, sip a margarita while she eyed this handsome demon over the salt-crusted rim. He’d say all sorts of outrageous things, and she’d laugh in spite of herself, throwing right order and her vibration levels to the winds. The idea appealed more to her than he’d probably ever know, but he was a demon, and she was an angel. And there was work.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lose my temper. It’s just been a really stressful hundred years.”

  He smiled, and she barely resisted the urge to reach out and stroke his face, to rub her thumb along his bottom lip.

  “Come out with me. I’m pretty sure you deserve one night off after one-hundred years.”

  “I can’t. I really, really want to, but I just can’t.” She didn’t need to feign the regret. I’m making the biggest mistake of my life.

  “You’re making the biggest mistake of your life.”

  She jumped at his words, wondering if he could read her mind, or if her emotions were that transparent. Dar sighed, tightening his grasp of her waist. “You angels are fucking slave drivers when it comes to duty and responsibility. Well, if I can’t spend the evening with you, I’ll have to go with plan B.”

  Before she could even wonder what plan B was, his lips were against hers. It wasn’t the sort of kiss she’d ever expected from a demon—not that she’d ever envisioned herself kissing one. His mouth was gentle and tender, barely a caress. His lips explored hers, then he lifted his head from hers, tugging her bottom lip with a hint of teeth.

  “Goodnight, Asta,” he whispered.

  It had been over too fast for her to stop it. She’d been too surprised to resist. Liar. All she wanted was for him to kiss her again. That wasn’t something she was willing to admit, so, instead, she summoned up the dredges of her long-cooled temper and pushed him aside. “Go to Hel.”

  “Eventually. Right now I’m having too much fun.”

  She shook her head, unable to resist returning his smile. Looking down, she saw their tussle in the alley had torn her pants. Another pair of pants ruined by this infernal demon. If he stuck around the rest of the week, she probably wouldn’t have a stitch of apparel left intact. The thought should have pissed her off, but, for the first time in the last century, she found she really didn’t give a flying leap about the state of her precious clothing. It’s not like she’d be taking it with her to Aaru, and the last twenty-four hours with this demon had been far more exciting than even a Versace dress could ever be.

  ‘Goodnight’, he’d said. He was done playing and was ready to let her focus on her work. The thought was like a cold breeze across her skin. She didn’t want him to leave, and she sure as heck didn’t want to work. She’d rather go with him to see the blues band.

  “Tomorrow we’ll discuss what you know about the demon plot. Meet me at the convention center, and you can help me find this guy.” It was the perfect excuse to spend more time with him.

  His smile broadened, becoming rather predatory. “I’ll be there, and I’ll help, but it’ll cost you.”

  She doubted an evening in a blues club was all he would want. Or a somewhat chaste kiss in a dark alley. Was she really willing to take this further? Could she lie to herself about her motives as the level of sin passed minor into mortal?

  One week. Less than one week, and she’d be gone. If her path to salvation was so fragile that she couldn’t push the boundaries a bit, then so be it.

  “We’ll discuss terms tomorrow. Now get out of here, so I can do my job.” She’d meant to sound firm, resolved and strong. Instead, the words were those of someone who’d just dropped her ice cream into the gutter.

  “Okay.” His eyes were warm as they met hers, and she felt her resolve waver. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  She’d expected more sass, more innuendo, but he complied with her demand. Asta felt deflated and curiously disappointed as she realized he’d never even mentioned their kiss.

  Chapter 5

  Dar climbed through the broken window of the drycleaner and eyed the endless loops of plastic-clad hanging clothes. It was time to step up his game. This angel seemed to admire a well-dressed demon, and he enjoyed fine clothing. He’d left his suit last night in the alley, and it had been stolen by the time he had returned. Besides the one he had on, his only other clothing was a pair of khakis and a few t-shirts. If this angel liked suits, he was going to give her suits. Really, really expensive suits.

  What better place to score some nice threads then a pricey dry cleaner? Humans dropped off clothing and sometimes didn’t pick them up
for weeks. A lost outfit or two wouldn’t be out of the ordinary. Theft wasn’t on the forbidden-activity list, but he’d pushed this angel pretty hard. It wasn’t beyond reason to think she’d decide any infraction of human law would warrant punishment. The idea was rather exciting. Hmm, what would an angel’s idea of suitable punishment be?

  Damn. That line of thinking was making him want to head back down State Street and see how far he could take things with her. He’d promised to leave her be tonight, and as hot and bothered as he was, Dar knew the best way to reel this angel in was to let her miss him a little. Instead, he’d do a bit of five-finger discount shopping, find a hotel more suitable for seducing an angel than the dump he was holed up in, then plan how he was going to get her up there.

  After masturbating like a crazed monkey.

  Damn, she was beautiful. And the fact she seemed reluctant to kill him was a plus. It would have been simple for her to lie and claim he’d violated the terms of his immunity. It would be her word against a deceased demon’s. The mystery of why she hadn’t killed him was just as intriguing as her mile-long legs. And their back and forth today.

  Dar snorted with laughter as he remembered the look on her face after he’d kissed her. This angel liked him. He’d seen the way she’d watched him last night, felt the way she had moved her body against his—and had definitely felt the way she’d explored his spirit-being. She’d been a hair’s breadth from losing control, and he’d gone to sleep last night with a serious case of blue balls. Hopefully tonight she’d sleep just as restlessly, tossing and turning as she dreamed of him.

  She was gorgeous. Plus she radiated fiery emotion, sweet kindness, unexpected humor—he’d never thought angels could be so volatile, so mesmerizing.

  Ain’t love grand? Well, maybe not love, but this weird fascination with someone powerful enough to kill him was pretty close. Now, to find the right outfit for wooing an angel.

  Not these shitty wedding dresses with their eighty yards of fabric and fake pearls. There had to have been a thousand of them spinning by as Dar cycled the loop of clothes around. Why did humans think such a voluminous dress would be suitable for pledging eternal love? Humans should get married naked. In fact, the guests should be naked too. Or forced to wear French-maid outfits.