by Debra Dunbar
***
Tub. Jacuzzi tub. In the last century, she’d taken a few midnight dips in the lake, and stolen a few quick swims in private swimming pools, but the thought of stretching out in hot bubbling water... . Mmm, hot water. She relaxed a bit just thinking about it. Well, to be honest, she also relaxed a bit due to the demon’s skilled fingers working out knotted muscles. Wow, she must be frazzled if she was letting a demon put his hands on her neck, let alone enjoying it.
She chewed her lip. “Well... I really shouldn’t.”
The demon spun her around, nudging her gently toward the exit. ‘Go. Now. The Jacuzzi tub awaits.”
Asta glanced back with narrowed eyes. “Okay, but if you sneak in on me when I’m bathing, I’ll fry you to a crisp.”
Dar raised his right hand, although the glint in his eyes was downright wicked. “No peeking. I promise.”
“Asta! Hi, I’ve been looking all over for you.”
She turned. There was Carter Phelps, flushed rather red, trying to simultaneously smile at her and glare at Dar. Great. She so didn’t need this right now—a cockfight between a man and a demon. She was just too exhausted for their jealous antics.
“I was thinking of what you said last night, and I had an idea,” Carter announced.
Last night. And now Dar was bristling too, his eyes practically boring holes into the human. How to diffuse the situation?
“You’ve identified a security risk?” There. That should clue in the demon-half of this testosterone battle that her meeting had been business related, but not alienate Carter—or give him the ridiculous idea that anything was going on between herself and Dar.
The human looked sheepish. “Well, no. The other thing we discussed. There’s a huge charity event in San Diego next month, and as a major donor, Genus Micro gets to pick the charity. I was thinking maybe you’d like to attend? The money could go to a cause that benefits Rwanda and the situation there—you know, to help out your family and others that weren’t as lucky to escape the genocide as you were?”
The demon made a sharp choking noise. “Rwan-what? What the fuck?”
Asta quickly shifted her weight, bringing a sharp, tall heel down firmly into Dar’s instep. He yelped. “I would love to go, but I’m leaving after this week for home... uh, returning to Rwanda to stay. I won’t be back here for a very long time, if ever.”
“Oh.” The human looked devastated, and Asta felt a twinge of guilt. Better to end this fantasy of his now than have him pining over her for however long it took humans to get over crushes. “I’ll still... maybe you can recommend a charity, and I can let you know how much money we raised? Oh, and I’m continuing to keep an eye out for the security concerns we discussed.”
Even more guilt. She needed him, needed the knowledge and insight of a bigwig at the conference to clue her in on what possible motive could be driving a demon plot, but she didn’t want to lead him on. What a mess.
“Thank you. I’m actually a bit tired and heading out now, but I’ll touch base with you in the morning?”
He practically glowed. “That would be great. Can I walk you to your hotel? Where are you staying?”
“Not a chance, dude.” Dar grabbed Asta’s elbow and practically knocked the human aside. “I’m walking her out, so you just keep your grubby charity funds away from her.”
Carter rolled his eyes and gave Asta what she supposed was a smile of sympathy. “I’ll have an espresso waiting for you. No sugar, no cream, a twist of lemon—just as you like it.”
Dar yanked her arm, almost throwing her to the floor. For some reason unknown to her, she allowed him to haul her through the convention. The whole way, he muttered something under his breath about how macarons were better than espresso.
Once clear of the main conference hall, she pulled free and planted her feet. “Seriously? What is your problem? He’s one of the movers and shakers here. We need him for insight into what the demon’s motive could be, and an early warning of possible issues. Don’t drive him away.”
“That’s hardly likely,” Dar snarled. “It would take an atomic bomb to get him away from you. He knows how you drink your espresso? You went back to the party last night and picked him up. I’d expect the seduction method of information gathering from a demon, but not an angel.”
“I didn’t seduce him,” Asta declared hotly. “We went for coffee next door and talked. That’s it. He has a bit of a thing for me, but I’ve done nothing to encourage it.” Nothing to discourage it either, she thought with another helping of guilt. And why did she care what Dar believed?
Dar’s eyes narrowed, and her anger kicked in.
“Take a hike. I don’t need you, and I don’t need your Jacuzzi tub either.” She spun around to leave, but he grabbed her arm. She allowed him to halt her, even though she was strong enough to break free.
“I’m sorry.”
It was insane how those two words deflated her anger like a balloon on a nail.
“I’m sorry. I’ve never worked with an angel before, and I judged you by demon standards of behavior. Please forgive me? And please use my Jacuzzi tub?”
Asta sighed, suddenly realizing she was still toting around his heavy bags of stuff. What was it about this demon? He could be such an irritating jerk, and then he’d worm his way into her heart with a sincere apology. What demon apologizes?
Wait, heart? Oh no. That was so not happening. But she was exhausted, and the hot, steamy tub just a few blocks away called to her.
“Apology accepted. I’ll drop off your stuff and take a bath at your place, even keep my vow on our night out tonight, but you need to promise not to harass Carter. Don’t prank him, don’t speak to him, and especially don’t engage in a fistfight with him. Deal?”
Once again, the demon raised his right hand—the one not gripping her elbow. “Deal.”
***
Carter. She’d called that stupid human prick by his first name. And the way her voice caressed the syllables made him itch to plant his fist in the man’s face. Still, it was him she was going out with tonight, not Carter. He just needed to play his cards right. Rwanda his ass—the angel had lied like a demon in addition to her other sins. Yes, he just needed to be the right combination of ballsy and patient, and she’d be his. The thought stirred not just the one-eyed trouser snake but something deeper inside him. Love was a shameful emotion for demons, one they denied with great vehemence, but Dar had felt that emotion before and wasn’t embarrassed to admit it—at least to himself. As amazing as youthful infatuation had been, it was nothing like what this could be if he just allowed it to happen—if the angel allowed it to happen.
His mind whirred with thoughts of how he could stealthily seduce her. Plotting out the evening in his mind, Dar strolled back into the convention center—always scanning for demon energy. Tonight would be amazing, but he sensed that the way to Asta’s heart was through her work. Helping her catch this demon would do more to further his suit than an exquisite dinner. Sorry, guy, when it’s a choice between betraying a fellow demon and scoring an amazing angel, you lose.
There was one more hour before the conference closed for the night and everyone went to their respective parties. Dar thought for a second about Asta opening the door to his hotel room, discarding her clothes in a line as she strode down the hallway to the bathroom, climbing naked into a steaming tub of water. There was that other motive behind his offer to her—well, beyond the idea of Asta naked in his tub. The angel was trying her best, but she still leaked power. Any demon in a one-block radius could pick up her energy signature if they were suspicious and wary. Dar suspected the demon they were chasing might be more willing to make an appearance if the angel wasn’t in the same room.
Sure enough, as the conference was winding down for the evening, Dar picked up the energy signature, stronger than it had ever been. Holding his own energy tight, he weaved up and down the aisles, tracking the moving target until it halted right where his morning had begun—at the Genus
Micro booth.
No circle, no runes. The convention was closing soon, but there were over twenty people meandering around the booth. Dar walked through, making a habit of shaking hands with whomever he met. That’s when he found himself face to face with Carter Phelps. The man had his hands full of USB sticks—blue this time instead of red.
“Dar, right?” The human was clearly fighting between the urge to pummel him into the ground and remain professional. Professional won. “Did you get one of the Cobra Mini samples earlier today? We’re out, but I might have one or two I can scrounge up somewhere.”
Professional, but if looks could eviscerate, then Dar would be in bleeding bits on the floor. The man clearly had a big-time hard-on for Asta. Too bad. Dar had gotten here first, and he was the superior species in this fight. Still, from what he’d heard, angels did have a soft spot for humans and often took that affection down a sexual path. He just needed to make sure Asta didn’t make that choice.
“I managed to grab one this morning. They’re far too basic for our needs, though. I was hoping to speak to you about some of your other, more robust, product offerings.”
Phelps clenched his teeth, and again professional won. “Absolutely. We’ve got three other products for larger companies with complex security needs. I’d be happy to put together a more detailed proposal after an appropriate needs analysis.”
Keep your friends in a bear hug, and your enemies close enough to fuck them in the ass. This guy had designs on Asta—that alone was worth some personal time. He also was a mover and shaker at the conference. If Dar wanted to win his angel, he’d need every bit of intel he could gather to catch the other demon. This man could help.
“What are those?” Dar nodded at the blue sticks. “More of your Cobra Mini giveaways for tomorrow?”
Carter’s smile seemed a shade devious. “No. We’re bringing out the big guns for tomorrow. Ouroboros is our newest product. It’s a learning program designed to keep you one step ahead of the hackers. A lucky hundred will get one of these—six months’ free protection.”
Dar’s eyes zeroed in on the items. If the red ones would bring a few hundred on the black market, how much could he make on these? The demon’s thoughts immediately focused on how to steal as many of them as possible. Perhaps he could watch where Carter stored them and sneak in later to steal the lot. Hmm, another reason to make nice with this guy.
“Want one? I’m going to save one for Asta, but I can spare another for you.” It was a grudging offer, business interests warring against fierce sexual competition. “Here. This is our top-of-the-line product. Take one.”
Why yes, he would take one. Dar reached out an eager hand to grab the stick and brushed his fingers against Carter’s.
The residual demon energy snaked faintly through him—sulfur and grapefruit with a raspy, pebbled feel to it. It was a signature of power—one from a demon that wouldn’t easily make it through a gate undetected. What. The. Fuck.
In spite of the energy, Carter was not the demon. He was human, but definitely a human who had been in close contact with a demon. But where had the demon been? One of his employees? One of the many attendees who’d strolled into the booth today? Or was Carter the sorcerer?
If he was, where the fuck was the demon? It hadn’t been summoned into the hall. Had Carter left and done his magic elsewhere? Dar pocketed the USB stick and glanced at his watch. Two hours until he met Asta. Time enough for a little snooping.
“Phelps, do you have time to chat about your products? I know we’re both chasing after the same woman here, but I’m willing to put that aside for business. I’ve been contracted by a German holding company that had a rather embarrassing breach in a major division this year. I’m sure you understand that I can’t reveal their name, but I’m very interested in what your company has to offer.”
The man’s eyes lit up, although there was still a wary narrowing around the edges. He quickly shoved the remaining blue sticks into a cabinet and locked it. “Absolutely. It’s difficult enough to regain customer trust after a breach, but a second one would spell the end for a business. Your company is right to look to the best.”
And here comes the kicker. Dar only hoped what Wyatt had inferred earlier was true. “I’ve got to be straight forward with you—we’re also looking at a competitor of yours. Wyatt Lowry came highly recommended. He’s a one-man shop, without the vast customer base that you have, but he’s really brilliant.”
Bingo. Carter Phelps stiffened, his lips thinning to a grim line. “I’m brilliant too. And no other company has a reputation on par with Genus Micro.”
It was a petulant statement, as if he’d spent his life around those who doubted his brilliance, as though he had to defend his intellect every second of every day. Still, the man’s tone wasn’t defiant or bold; it was weak and full of doubt. The man had defended his mental abilities for so long, he’d begun to doubt them himself.
Not exactly the MO for a sorcerer. How the fuck had this guy managed to summon a demon, let alone control one? He should have been a blood splatter on a hotel wall. Maybe Dar had it all wrong, and the residual energy was from a customer or employee. There was only one way to find out.
“Well, of course you’re brilliant! Cobra, and now this. I’ve got to say, Phelps, this Ouroboros you’re releasing might just be the product we’re looking for. Let’s get a quiet drink somewhere and see what we can do about my client’s problem.”
The man nodded eagerly, his business interests temporarily pushing aside any romantic rivalry. “Sure. I’m staying at the Four Quarters over on Wacker. Let’s pop over there and continue our conversation.”
“In order to get your opinion on what solution Genus Micro would offer, I’d need to reveal some rather confidential details,” Dar cautioned.
“I understand.” Phelps seemed to struggle then made a frustrated noise. “I have the top-floor suite. We could speak there without worry of anyone listening in.”
Dar tried for a friendly, relieved smile. It was probably the same as his predatory smile, given the human’s wary expression. “Perfect. I’ve got a hard stop at five-thirty—a rather lively evening planned with a certain lady, if you know what I mean.”
Carter looked furious. “You’re not going to get anywhere with her. She’s better than some two-bit consultant. Still, I’ll make sure you’re on board with Genus Micro by the time you meet your date.”
‘Date’ sounded like he’d spat something foul onto the floor. Dar smothered a grin. He really needed to cozy up to Phelps and get information on who he’d been in contact with that might be the demon, but he couldn’t resist the urge to stick it to him. Yeah, buddy, I’ve got a date with the beautiful angel and you don’t.
There was an awkward silence as they left the closed convention and walked several blocks to the hotel. The streetlights echoed the radiant gold and red of the sunset over the city edge. The river reflected the glow in the small wake that followed the tour boats. On the opposite side of the bridge, joggers danced down the riverside promenade, muscles straining in the evening light. The Four Quarters had a dock on the river for those who wanted to enter from the promenade or via small craft. Dar followed the human around the front of the building, past the valet service, and through the massive glass doors. The concierge greeted Phelps by name as they made their way past the open-layout dining area and lounge to the huge bank of elevators.
Carter Phelps’s penthouse suite at the Four Quarters was as plush as the one Dar was staying in. Outside the panoramic windows, cars snaked by. Dots of light moved along in the distance framed by the sunset-lit waters of Lake Michigan. Sweet, but it probably didn’t have the amazing tub that Dar’s had.
The human was stiff and formal as he ushered Dar onto the plush sofa and offered him a drink. The demon watched him chip ice then looked around for anything that might clue him in to what supernatural force Phelps had been in contact with. Nothing beyond the smallest trace of demon energy. The room was as steril
e as any other hotel suite. Carefully coordinated design elements, entertaining area, and small dining area bisected by a miniscule kitchen. The dining table was covered with a variety of brochures, pamphlets, and stacks of paper. A laptop blinked beside it. Dar began to feel there was nothing here to give him a clue, but he might as well play the game ‘til the end.
“My client was vulnerable to four significant attacks last year.” Dar announced, still scanning the room. “Of that, three we were able to do damage control before the public found out, but this last one... financials and critical customer information is probably now in the hands of the highest bidder.”
Phelps glanced up from the mini bar and winced, looking both sympathetic and antagonistic at the same time. It was a disturbing combination of expressions. “We’ve had several clients turn to us after similar scenarios. Data shows after implementing a Genus Micro solution, their vulnerability is less than one percent. During the last three years, none of the clients who implemented our suite of products had any compromised data.”
Dar nodded as the man rambled stiffly on, citing all sorts of statistics. Where was the demon? Employee who’d visited here? Valued client that had close contact with him? Phelps had a residual energy signature, but nothing more. Although there was no sign of a summoning circle or any kind of magical device, the energy signature was faint but steady—as if the demon were watching from behind some kind of gauzy curtain.
Taking the offered crystal tumbler with murmured thanks, Dar continued scanning the room as he sipped his drink. It was a typical upscale hotel suite. Sofas loaded with pillows, color-coordinated abstract paintings, geometric lamps with pleated shades—nothing suggested a summoning had occurred here, let alone any other kind of demon meeting. Still, there was that annoyingly elusive trace of energy. Had the demon left an item behind? Was he hiding in the bedroom closet? What the fuck was emitting that energy?