Temptation by Fire

by Tiffany Allee

  And Karson needed to kill Hugh. That should have bothered me maybe, but I couldn’t summon any guilt for the demon who’d robbed Karson of any chance of a normal life.

  His eyes caught mine and I was suddenly breathless.

  “Try to distract your friend for a few. I need to ward the house.”

  “Like with the wards you drew in blood around my apartment building? I think people might notice that.” Miriam really would kill me—or she’d kill Karson—if she caught him running around her house with a glass of blood, drawing pictures. And, oh God, Miriam’s mother…

  “Nothing so dramatic.” He reached into his jacket and pulled out a Sharpie. He winked at me.

  A surge of emotion ran through me. Aw, hell. I was so going to miss him when he was gone from my life. I gripped the door handle as if it would keep me afloat. When he opened his mouth, no doubt to ask what was wrong, I fled the car.

  Miriam greeted me at the door with an excited wave and wide eyes as Karson strolled up behind me. And I was suddenly reminded that I’d shared nothing of what had happened over the last couple of days with my friend.

  Miriam waved Karson into the overly decorated living room as if it was the most normal thing in the world to hang out with a demon hunter, and got him a glass of iced tea. The guests hadn’t started arriving yet, so we left him there alone. Then she dragged me back to her bedroom, where I plopped on her bed and readied myself for the inquisition.

  “Ava,” she whispered, slamming the door behind us. “I don’t even know where to start. What the hell is going on? Why is Mr. Crazy here with you? I thought we’d decided he was no longer hot after he tortured a dude in that bar? I mean, last time we talked, weren’t you convinced he was the demon?”

  As quickly as I could, I went through what had happened since the night we’d run from the club, leaving out the juicy parts about me and Karson, and ignoring Miriam’s occasional outburst as I went.

  “Why didn’t you call me?”

  I almost told her it was because I hadn’t had the time. Or because Karson had told me to lay low. That I didn’t want to involve her because she might get hurt. But none of those things were totally true. And I owed her the truth.

  “Because I knew you’d tell me I was crazy. That I should stay out of this demon mess. That I’m a dumbass for getting so involved.”

  Miriam sat for a few moments, silent. “That’s not true,” she said, finally.

  “It’s not?”

  “No. I wouldn’t have called you a dumbass. Sure, I would have insinuated it, but—”

  I threw a pillow at her and she laughed. “This is all pretty unbelievable. Although not much more so than disappearing shadow dudes.”

  I examined her ceiling for a few seconds before responding. “I know.” I should have known that this would be the limit of Miriam’s belief. Psychic visions were one thing—a limb that Miriam had gladly climbed out on for me. Demons were pretty far to ask anyone to go, and asking her to believe that Karson was a good guy after the scene I’d described in the back of that bar was, in some ways, an even bigger stretch.

  “Hey,” Miriam said, and I dragged my gaze back to see the concern on her face. “I didn’t say that I didn’t believe you.”

  I started at my friend’s perception, but then realized I shouldn’t be surprised. One thing Miriam was good at was reading people—me, especially.

  “Thank you.”

  Miriam plopped onto her plum comforter next to me, seemingly unworried about her sparkling rhinestone-encrusted cocktail dress. She propped herself up on an elbow, using a huge pillow shaped like a panda bear’s head. “So tell me the rest. Why are you here instead of holed up somewhere with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Scary?”

  “I had to come. It’s your party.”

  Miriam sat up and perched on the edge of her bed. “What will you do next? Where will you go? Please tell me there’s a plan.”

  “There’s one forming as we speak.” Kind of. There had to be a way to use the gala to get at Thomas.

  Hugh might be there too, of course, which complicated things. Maybe Karson and Franklin could gather enough Venators to take them both down. Karson had mentioned a sister cell that they could call in if absolutely necessary. Heck, for all I knew, the Venators might be working on attacking at the gala right now. It was a good target. A specific time and place where Thomas was guaranteed to be. And maybe I could be the bait to lure him out.

  I needed to talk to Karson.

  “So how long have you been sleeping with the sexy demon hunter?”

  I gasped. “How did you—I mean…”

  Miriam rolled her eyes. “Come on. It took about five seconds to see that extra-protective look in his eyes, and the slightly embarrassed but oh-so-happy look on your face. Is he awesome in bed? Oh my God, of course he is.”

  Heat swamped my face and Miriam chuckled.

  Extra protective? If Karson appeared protective of me—even to someone who didn’t know him, like Miriam—maybe he really did care more than I dared hope. Then again, the man looked protective all the time with his closed-off expression and the way he stalked everywhere like some kind of predator, eyes always searching for danger.

  “Oh gosh, don’t get all embarrassed on my account.” Miriam’s eyes lit up with mischief. “Maybe you should just touch me and see if you can get a vision of how all this works out for all of us in the end.”

  I recoiled, and panic pushed bile into my throat.

  The amusement faded from Miriam’s expression, and her tone took on a hard edge. “Jeez, you don’t have to look at me like I kicked your puppy. It was a joke.”

  The fear choked me, and I hated it. But I couldn’t bring myself to face that fear. I couldn’t even pretend to be okay with the idea of touching her, of knowing her future, not even for a joke.

  “I’m pathetic.” I got up from the bed and paced.

  “You’re not. I shouldn’t have joked about it. I just thought…never mind.”

  Crap. I couldn’t even joke with my best friend about my visions. Talk about overreacting.

  Miriam glanced at the alarm clock on her nightstand. “We have to get you ready. People will be arriving any minute.”

  “Go, go.” I waved Miriam to the door, happy for the distraction. “I’ll steal something from your closet and raid your makeup.” If things were normal, I could ignore my visions for a while longer. Forever, if I was lucky.

  She reached out and pulled me into a firm hug, engulfing me with her jasmine perfume. But she was careful not to touch me skin to skin.

  “You know I love you, right?” I said.

  “Duh. I’m extremely lovable.” Miriam grabbed a tissue from the box sitting next to her television and dabbed at her eyes. “All right, hurry up then. It’s time for the show to begin.” She struck a dramatic pose. “I’m ready for my closeup.”

  I dressed in something as close to my own tastes as could be found in Miriam’s closet full of tight-fitting, shiny clothes. Settling for a dark green dress that lacked Miriam’s normal flashiness, I added a hint of makeup and spent five minutes working with the curling iron to get my hair under control. Sex with damp hair was fun, but making it behave after it half-dried that way was not.

  Still totally worth it.

  Smoothing my dress one last time in the mirror, I turned to face one of my greatest fears.

  Parties.

  …

  Iced tea, huh? Better than Ava’s perpetual Cherry Coke, I supposed. I stood near Miriam’s couch—cream colored, like most of the non-party-related objects throughout the rest of the house I could see—and waited for Ava to reappear at the top of the stairs. The painful anger that had burned through me since seeing Hugh still lurked under the surface of my thoughts. But being around Ava, being with her, had quieted the rage. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so conflicted. I needed to hunt Hugh. I needed to kill him—preferably with my bare hands.

  But I was also ridiculously close to feeling happy.


  I couldn’t do anything about the demon right now, no matter how much I itched to. That would require some planning. But I could do something for Ava. I could smile for her friends and pretend that a killing rage didn’t bubble just below my surface. I could help her get through this party.

  And I wanted to.

  I’d gone out and drawn a quick symbol under Miriam’s welcome mat. It wouldn’t be very effective, and probably wouldn’t even protect the whole house, but it was the best I could do in the short amount of time I’d had. Not long after I let myself back in the house, Miriam reappeared, but without Ava in tow.

  I frowned at her and she returned the expression.

  “She’ll be down in a few minutes. Guests will be arriving soon, and since my mom is getting things ready in the kitchen…” She crossed her arms and looked me up and down, not showing the slightest hint of fear or nervousness. Instead, she looked decidedly unimpressed.

  “Are you measuring me for a coffin?” I asked.

  “Look, I get the whole appeal of the demon hunter thing, especially to Ava. She’s inexperienced, and she’s obviously completely fallen for you,” she said in hushed tones. “And I think you’re probably a good sort of person somewhere deep down.”

  “Thanks?”

  Miriam continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “But she doesn’t need her heart stomped on by anyone, let alone someone who’s swooped in to save her—her hero, if you will. So.” Miriam narrowed her eyes. “If you even think about hurting her, I will do some pretty unspeakable things to your man-parts the next time we meet.” She flashed me a big, bright smile. “Got it?”

  My mind raced to find a response to that, but Miriam disappeared into the kitchen before I could come up with anything. What could I say, anyway? The young woman was just graduating medical school and was already scarier than some hardened Venators when it came to protecting her friend.

  The doorbell sounded and guests started pouring in, several of whom gave me sidelong glances. Ava appeared at the top of the steps when the second large group meandered through. She was stunning in a green dress that highlighted how light her matching eyes were, and with a touch of makeup and a bit of curl to her hair, she looked like a bright young coed, not a woman who should be in hiding to avoid demons. The only oddity in the outfit were the wrist-length white lace gloves she wore, but somehow, between a matching barrette and her shy confidence, they looked like they were made for her and the dress.

  My heart swelled at the sight of her, and realization hit me like a club to the stomach. What I’d done was unthinkable.

  I cared about her. Hell, I was falling for her.

  Green eyes met mine, and I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. The vulnerability I’d seen when we first met still lingered, but it was reinforced with a strength that hadn’t been there before. Or maybe it had been, and I just hadn’t seen how deep it went. Confidence filled her and spilled out to the people around her.

  To me.

  Ava reached out and smoothed my hair with her lace-covered hand. “I have to go bring some appetizers out. Save me a dance?” She leaned in and went up on her tiptoes to kiss me on the cheek before disappearing into the kitchen.

  A large breath evacuated my lungs and I stared after her. I couldn’t allow myself to fall for Ava. Sure, she was everything a man could want. Beautiful and kind. Brave and smart. But she wasn’t for me. My life wasn’t what she deserved. And it was a life I’d tied myself to. A life I couldn’t quit.

  Ava reappeared and passed out refreshments. I spoke little, and felt out of place among the large group of people who all seemed to know one another. They all wore easy smiles, and slid in and out of their groups to join new ones. They were comfortable, at peace, with no idea of the monsters waiting just outside their doors. Ava belonged among them, but I had never been so aware of how much I didn’t.

  Questioning glances were shot my way, but a nod of acknowledgment satisfied most who looked at me with questions on their tongues. Vague references to Ava satisfied the rest.

  After what felt like hours but was probably closer to forty-five minutes, Ava dragged me out to the backyard where music was blaring loudly from a local band, and people had gathered to dance in the cool evening air.

  She tucked herself into my arms and we danced a slow song together. I used to know how to dance, I was sure of it. But now it felt foreign, and I nearly stepped on her feet a couple of times.

  “I’m so happy to see that you’re not perfect at everything you do,” she whispered in my ear as we moved around the stone patio.

  I ignored her jibe and tried to concentrate on anything but how right she felt in my arms.

  “Did Miriam say something to you?” Ava asked when the dance was done, her face drawn with worry. “Don’t let her get to you. She’s all…well, she’s not all talk, but I promise I won’t let her stab you or anything.” She grinned at her own joke, and pinched my arm lightly.

  “It’s not that.” I shook my head. “Never mind. We’ll talk later. I don’t want to ruin the party.”

  Her grin widened. “I hate parties, Karson. But you’re making this one bearable for me. Thank you.”

  Throat suddenly tight, I nodded.

  A loud crash sounded from inside the house, and raised voices exclaimed words that were difficult to make out.

  “Demons?” I pulled her to my side, ready to step between her and anything that came out to the yard.

  “No. Worse. It’s Miriam’s mom.” Ava grimaced. “I’ll go check it out. Sounds like there’s some catastrophe.” She disappeared into the throng of people and I looked around, feeling suddenly lost without her by my side.

  Idiot.

  This was pointless. I’d let myself develop feelings for her, and I was already far too attached. Getting away from her as soon as possible was the only thing I could do now. And in the process, I’d get her away from Thomas and Hugh.

  I’d do the right thing. Cut ties. Whatever…feelings plagued me now would fade. Hell, a fresh dose of demon blood in a new tattoo would hurry the process.

  The thought should have calmed me, but instead adrenaline rushed through my body, agitating me and getting me ready for a fight.

  I followed Ava’s path and went inside. The large, updated kitchen was filled to the brim with hors d’oeuvres and drinks and several women who seemed to be trying to put some order to it all. One woman, who looked like an older version of Miriam, snapped her fingers to get attention and assigned tasks to the others.

  Ava stood among the women, but somehow apart from them. It was the knowledge that made her not fit. I’d seen it before. No matter how you tried, seeing the other side of things, the stuff most people didn’t believe in, separated you. Changed you.

  But with Ava’s visions, I wondered if she ever really had fit in among these people.

  With anyone.

  But she sure seemed to fit with me. Fuck.

  …

  Ava sang most of the way back to the hotel. Words to songs I didn’t know that had played at the party. The wrong words, if I were to guess. And she hadn’t even been drinking.

  But her high spirits were contagious, and I found myself chuckling when she came up with a particularly outrageous lyric.

  “You enjoyed yourself,” I said once we’d reached the room.

  “I did.” Her smile widened and she tugged off the heels she’d borrowed from Miriam and tossed them by the door. “I really did. I think that compared to chatting with demons, avoiding touching people isn’t so hard.”

  The word demons brought me down a little but I refused to bring her with me, so I smiled back at her. “You’re exceptionally brave. You know that, right?”

  “You think so?” Her amusement faltered.

  Shit. What had I said?

  “I need to tell you something. And you have to promise to keep an open mind about it.”

  “I don’t have to promise anything,” I said automatically. At her fallen expre
ssion, I cursed softly under my breath. “Yeah, I get it—that wasn’t fair. I’ll try to keep an open mind.”

  She wrung her hands like she hadn’t heard me and took a deep breath. “Thomas invited me to be his date at that gala. And I think I should go.” The rest of the breath she’d gathered released from her in a whoosh of air, just as I exploded.

  “What? How can you even suggest—” My voice grew louder with every word. Fear and anger rushed through me, and I clenched my fists at my sides to avoid shaking some sense into her.

  “I know it’s a little trickier with the other demon in the picture, but—”

  “Hugh murdered my family, Ava. Every fucking person I ever cared about. And you want to put yourself—the only person I’ve really cared about since—right into his line of fire?”

  “You care about me?” she asked, eyes wide. “I didn’t—I mean, I care about you, too. But I thought—”

  “What? That I didn’t give a shit?” I took her hands in mine and noticed I was trembling. Fucking human reaction. The thoughts of her around that demon tore at my core. “Of course I care,” I said gruffly.

  “Oh.” Her voice caught, and she cleared her throat. “I just assumed… Never mind what I assumed.” She swallowed hard, face scrunched as if she were thinking about something really hard.

  I had to make her understand the danger, even if I scared her in the process. “It isn’t just what he’s done to me, Ava. Demons aren’t all equal in power and what they can do. Hugh—or Malus, as he’s been called before—isn’t a run-of-the-mill demon like Thomas. He’s more powerful. Not just in speed and strength: he can do things with his mind—control people, make them do things. Higher-tier demons like that, they are tougher to kill, tougher to trap. They are more resistant to our runes and powers than normal demons.”

  “But you can trap Thomas.”

  “Thomas and his kind aren’t easy by any means, but they’re limited. They can track people down with their shadowmen and they are devious and nasty in a fight, but they’re mostly predictable.”