by Lynn Rush
Gage backed away. “Half-breed.”
Wait. If Jessica Hanks was so valuable to merit two Guardians and a heightened interest from Master, then maybe if I got to her first, I could negotiate my contract.
CHAPTER 7
“Okay, hon.” The waitress set the coffee cup on the table. “Your food will be up in a few minutes.”
I dipped my chin to her and poured in the creamer. My spoon dinged against the sides as the cream lightened the dark pool of steaming caffeine to a caramel color.
My phone vibrated against the Formica table and Gage’s face filled the screen. More checking up. I pressed answer and propped the phone between my shoulder and ear to keep my coffee going.
“Where are you?”
“Eating.”
He huffed, evidently not appreciating my three days of evading him. “What have you discovered?”
“I must not have your charm because I was unable to gleam any information from social services.” I sipped the coffee and reveled in its bitter yet creamy taste. “You would think my demon side would come with some mind-altering abilities to enable us to get information.”
“This is taking too much time.”
I relaxed into the stiff, red leather booth and brushed away the crumbs from the black topped table while Gage moaned on about my lack of progress. Clanks of silverware hitting plates echoed around me. The scent of frying grease and sweet pastries triggered a roar in my stomach I was sure the people sitting behind me would hear.
“David.”
“What, Gage? If Master’s Seers were a bit more effective, I might have found her by now.” I glanced around the café and lowered my voice. “I will scour the schools and malls after my meal. Goodbye.”
I tapped end in the middle of his sentence and tossed the phone to the side. My search for Jessica Hanks had revealed nothing, and I refused to experience another quarter millennia in punishment for missing a Mark. I smoothed my fingers over my chest, remembering the flame.
Beka’s image dashed into my brain. When I’d first seen her, I’d flippantly teased she might be worth another stint in solitary, but I was wrong. The only thing worth punishment would be finding a way out of the contract controlling my existence.
To be free was all I wanted.
“This seat taken?”
Beka’s voice startled me, and the back of my hand grazed my cup, knocking it over. A stream of coffee spilled over the table and onto the floor.
“You really are a jumpy guy, David.”
I shot to my feet mindful of the dark puddle collecting near my shoes. “Beka?”
Her bright smile could chase the thickest clouds away. I’d not yet seen her in daylight, and she was even more stunning with the sun spotlighting her flawless, porcelain skin, and long straight nose. With her hair secured away from her face, her high cheekbones stuck out, demanding equal attention as her sea-green eyes.
“I saw you through the window.” She stepped over the pool of coffee. “How are you? Haven’t seen you in the club in a few days.”
“Busy.” I glanced out the window. “Work.” I’d lurked around the outside of the club and tried two different times to get into Beka’s apartment only to be detoured when either she or Russell returned home.
“I see.” She analyzed the floor, while my eyes were drawn to the outline of her ample chest beneath the fitted red blouse.
I steered my attention back to the coffee encroaching my shoes.
“So, what do you do for work that’s kept you so busy?”
“Research. Very boring.” I eyed the empty booth across from me, knowing I should ask her to join me, but also knowing I shouldn’t. “Want to sit?”
Her cheeks flushed, and she bobbed her head.
“Here, let me.” I took her shopping bag. “Don’t slip.”
“Thank you. I didn’t mean to startle you into spilling your drink.” She smiled, and the bright sun caught the corner of her eye, highlighting flecks of amber.
She slid onto the booth and settled in the middle. I threw a quick survey of the store. A man with silver hair, sitting two booths down, eyed me over the tip of his newspaper.
I set Beka’s bag beside the booth. If Gage located me, I’d simply say I was researching the club, investigating employees. Maybe Jessica Hanks was on the wait staff.
I settled back and tossed a pile of napkins on the spilled coffee. The desert suddenly claimed ownership of my throat. Although my assimilation into the world was nearly complete, Beka’s lilac scent still devastated my senses, and my fingertips ached to touch her.
She reminded me of an athlete in her khaki shorts and white tennis shoes.
“Hey there, sweetie. Can I get you anything?” the redheaded waitress asked, carrying a coffeepot and a glass of water. A young, pimple-faced boy trailed her, pushing a mop in front of him and went to work on the mess I had made.
“Water’s good for me.”
The waitress set a new coffee cup down and poured the dark liquid to the rim. A lanky, nearly bald man, carrying a tray of food took her place beside the table. “Hamburger and fries?” He lifted his chin in my direction.
“Yes.” He sat the plate in front of me and my other meal, chicken salad with ranch dressing, before Beka, then turned on his heel and left.
Her eyes went wide. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to barge in on you and your—” Her cheeks reddened as she glimpsed the departing waiter. “I didn’t realize you were sitting with someone. I—” She scooted to the edge of the booth.
I dragged the salad beside my burger and fries. “They are both for me. I am eating alone.”
She paused, one hand planted on the tabletop while she stared at my food. “Two meals?”
“Yes. But if you still want to leave, I will understand.” Please stay. But I knew she should leave. More for my sake than hers.
She slouched, letting out a long breath. “Gosh, I thought…”
“What?” I slathered ketchup over my fries. I sure missed eating while in punishment. In the last five days, I’d eaten enough food to feed a small country and relished every minute. The only part of the demon’s power I appreciated was the quick healing. My muscles had recovered nicely.
She scooted back to her spot and rested her elbows on the table. “Nothing. Just weird that you’re eating two meals.”
“What brings you out and about today?” I asked.
“Shopping. You?”
I dunked a fry in the ketchup. “Research.”
“Library’s on the other side of town.” She nursed the glass of water.
“Hotel is near here.
“Marriott?” She swept a stray strand of hair from her forehead. “You look like a Marriott-type.”
“Should I be insulted?”
“No. I like Marriot-types.”
A French fry lodged in my throat. She liked Marriot-types. She’d told her brother she was drawn to me, too. I was a four-hundred-year-old half demon bound to the life of a slave to Satan’s right hand man. She was an immortal Guardian. Opposite ends of the spectrum. One dark, one Light.
Impossible.
I cut my burger in half and took a bite. The salty, meaty taste burst in my mouth. I would never tire of eating again.
I held the other half up. “Would you like some?”
“Sure you have enough?” Her lips curled into a smile.
“You could have my salad if you prefer.”
“I like burgers better.”
I pushed my plate to the center of the table. “Please.”
She accepted the food from my hand, dipped it in ketchup, and took a bite. Her tongue darted out and snatched a stray bit of ketchup from the corner of her mouth.
Along with my breath.
“They have great food here,” she said.
“How long have you worked at the club?”
“I just help out whenever. My brother bought it. He’s into that sort of thing.”
“You seem to enjoy the dancing.”
> “I saw you watching me that first night.” Her eyes narrowed. “But you didn’t want to dance with me.”
“It was my first night in town. Tired from travels.”
“Hmm.” Her eyebrows elevated. “Yeah, well, I help him at the bar a little. It’s fine for now.”
“For now?”
“Here you go, sweetie.” The waitress refilled Beka’s glass of ice water. “Just holler if you need anything else.”
Beka looked to her left. With her hair tied back into a ponytail, I got a clear view of the Guardian’s Mark behind her right ear. My breath stalled. A Guardian, someone so pure, sat not two feet from me. My demon stirred, but I denied his urge to pounce.
To destroy.
“So, is it just you and your brother?” I took another bite.
“Mostly. I mean, he has a staff of a few part timers, but mostly he and I take care of the place on our own.”
“I did see a few waitresses and security people.”
She nodded, taking a bite of the burger.
So, this was what humans did. Enjoyed pleasant conversation, while sharing a meal. I could learn to enjoy this.
From the corner of my eye, Gage’s hulking frame caught my attention. He made eye contact with me from across the street and hopped down from the curb. Damn that meddling demon.
“Beka. I noticed you wore your hair up today.”
“Hot out.” She swirled the ponytail around her forefinger.
“I’d love to see it down again. It’s so beautiful.”
“You want me to take my ponytail out?” She scanned the café and returned her gaze to mine.
She frowned as she continued swirling her golden lock with her finger, teeth raking her bottom lip. Yes. It had to be a nervous habit, one that relentlessly tempted me to take her mouth with mine. She had no idea the effect it had, probably didn’t even know she was doing it.
“Yes. Please. Would you mind terribly?” Hurry.
Gage quickly approached. I tipped my head to her and smiled.
“You are a strange one, David.” The corner of her mouth lifted into a crooked smile.
“It’s so beautiful draped over your shoulders.”
Keeping her gaze directly on me, she reached for the thick piece of dark leather holding her mane in place, and I looked out the window again. Within seconds, Gage would enter the eatery. I couldn’t chance him noticing the Guardian’s Mark, and her long hair would cover the symbol. One quick motion, she pulled out the binder, and her hair cascaded over her shoulders.
The scent of lilacs bombarded me. “Beautiful.”
She combed her fingers through her hair, but stopped mid-motion. Jaw clenched, she straightened in her seat and opened her eyes wide. She scanned the restaurant, nostrils flaring.
“Are you all right?” I fought the urge to touch her hand perched on the top of the table. The tips of her fingers blanched as she flattened them against the surface.
“I’m fine.” But she stayed focused on our surroundings as her gaze swept over the room.
“David, there you are,” Gage said.
Two long strides past the door, and he towered over our table. I slumped into my seat. Beka pinned Gage with a stare so intent I thought it’d tear him apart.
“Who is your lovely new friend, David?”
“You know this man?” Beka asked.
Her chest heaved, and she must be squeezing her hands beneath the table as her biceps flexed. Still, she didn’t face me.
“No. Just met him upon my arrival here for my job.”
Gage speared me with a glare. “David—”
“He is assigned to me as my assistant to help me with my research. I do not know him beyond that.”
Finally, she met my gaze, but quickly pushed herself out of the booth and stood before the massive demon. He backed off, ogling her toned body, which in turn made mine tense with anger. Gage will pay for regarding her in such a manner.
I knew I was in trouble for sure if I’d already staked her as mine. And I had done just that, because his lustful gaze triggered my feral sense, which only came out when protecting what I considered mine.
“Where are you going, Beka?”
She moved to my side of the booth and crawled in next to me. “Nowhere. Just wanted to…ah…make room for your friend if he’s staying.” Beneath the table, her toasty hand rested on mine.
Then the reason for her actions hit me. She sensed Gage as a demon, and her Guardian nature took hold, thinking I—a human—needed protection.
CHAPTER 8
“She is working behind the bar, mixing drinks.” Gage strode toward me.
I’d perched myself two blocks from the club at a covered bus stop waiting. “The brother?”
He dipped his head.
“Good. Alert me on my cell phone if they near the entrance to the apartment. I will go in.”
Gage snared my elbow. “Your woman has taken quite a liking to you.”
I twisted from his grasp. “The quicker you let me get into her apartment and have a look, the quicker I might discover something. I am anxious to leave this small town.”
“Are you?”
I stomped away. “I’ll be quick.”
Gage snarled, but I let it roll off my shoulders. Beka had shadowed me since the restaurant, probably worried for my safety from the demon she sensed in Gage. Although I enjoyed her company, it made things difficult to investigate and challenged my resolve.
We’d walked through the town, stopping at two shopping malls and three local coffeehouses. The efforts proved futile, but with Beka so close, distracting me, I didn’t have much choice.
Her Guardian nature to love and protect beamed through her entire being. She gave her whole heart to it the way she detected Gage’s demon nature and stood up to the beast before coming to my side at the restaurant.
She was an honorable woman.
I made my way to the roof again under night’s dark cover. No matter what feelings or bodily urges I had for Beka, I still had to find my Mark, which, ironically, was her Mark as well.
Squeaking floorboards announced my arrival to her door. Of course it was locked, so I dug the picking tool out from my back pocket. I should break the lock and make it look like Gage entered. Maybe she would kill him for me.
The metal tool slid from my sweaty hand and clanked against the door. I snatched the tool up and jammed it in the lock until it clicked open. Gage had only shown me this technique hours earlier, and I’d inaccurately doubted its effectiveness.
Crossing the threshold gifted me with the sweet scent of lilac.
Beka.
I had to stay focused on the Mark. It was best for us all. Even if Beka protected me from future demons, she couldn’t protect me from Master calling my contract due. If that happened, I’d be dragged back to the Manor regardless.
Even my strength was no match for the contract binding me to Master.
I eased the door shut behind me. To the left sat a diminutive kitchenette that opened to a living room. To the right, a dark, short hallway lined with four closed doors.
I moved to the end of the hallway and opened the first door.
Bathroom.
The next door opened to a bedroom. Must be Russell’s by the emptiness of the walls and lack of decorations. I’d come back to that one. Finding Beka’s room interested me more.
I creaked open the third door and a thick wave of her scent washed over me. I absorbed the sweet air deeper into my lungs. Beka.
A cream-colored comforter covered the twin-sized bed in the left corner of the room. A two-door closet with mirrored panels to the right sat open, and I peered in. Several hangers full of dresses, specifically the red one she’d worn when I first met her.
I brushed my fingers down the shiny fabric. Cool to the touch now. Yet I remembered the warmth radiating from her body when she had stood near me that night.
“No.” I bit my cheek hard enough to draw the metallic taste of blood. Without touching anythi
ng more, I backed out from the closet.
A wooden, corner desk housed a laptop computer. Let that hold some answers. Two steps brought me to the desk, and I lifted the cover. The screen jumped to life. No password needed to open the home screen. Trusting. A picture of her and Russell, hugging, surrounded by snow. Her long, blond hair cascaded from beneath a pink cap. Her cheeks and nose a rosy red.
I swiped my finger over the square touch pad and guided the cursor to the magnifying glass in the upper right hand corner of the screen and clicked. A rectangle search box appeared, and I typed, Jessica Hanks.
The computer brought two files to the forefront, and my stomach flipped. Beka had found information on Jessica.
I eased onto the padded leather desk chair, the wood creaking beneath my weight, and double clicked the first folder. A document opened with a picture of a freckle-faced girl. Possibly four or five years old. Straight red hair cut below her ears. She held the hand of a taller woman, with matching red hair.
Must be Jessica and her mother. I imprinted the chestnut brown eyes into my memory along with the pale, skin and pudgy cheeks.
I exited the document and opened the next. Another picture. Same girl, same age, standing near a gravestone, holding the hand of a plump, dark-haired woman with a ramrod straight back. But there was a caption to this picture.
I leaned in, squinting to read the fine print
“She will change the face of the earth. Find her. –G.”
Who is G?
I clicked out from the documents and stared at Beka’s picture again. I feathered my finger along the screen, just below her chin and couldn’t help the smile twitching my lips. If only…
My limited knowledge of computers left me no other choice than to close the screen. I’d gotten enough. I now knew what Jessica looked like. Despite the years that had past, I would pick out her eyes in a crowd.
I opened the top left drawer to the desk. A mirror, some lipstick, and a hair brush. I picked up the brush and brought it to my face.
Mmm. My Beka.
I shoved the grooming device into my back pocket. Alarms rang like a bell tower gong in my head about my growing affection for the Guardian, but I didn’t care. Soon, I would find my Mark and leave, but with the brush in my possession, I’d always have a part of Beka.