Dead Again

by Lisa Andel

  He gathered me in a hug. Then stroked my back as he kept holding me. “I'm glad you're back."

  When Ash let me go, Trend pulled me tight to his chest. “What about Rafe?"

  Rafe. I was safe for Rafe to touch again, but Trend and I had given ourselves to each other.

  "I'm such a fuck-up.” I dropped my head into my hands.

  Trend kissed the back of my neck. “As far as I'm concerned, I like the way things turned out."

  "Thanks.” I mumbled into my hands.

  "Rafe will survive,” Ash assured me. “Besides, you carry Trend's mark. There's still a bit of the demon about you."

  Ash left a few minutes later, telling me he'd be around more often to check in with me.

  Trend picked me up, and sat me sideways on his lap.

  "How about dinner and dancing tonight?"

  "Sounds good to me.” I hadn't been out in a long time. “Are we, like married now?"

  "No. To demons, it's more the claiming of a primary lover. They continue to fuck whoever they want, but share a deeper bond with only their primary."

  "Damn. I hate to say this, but the idea of you sleeping with other women bothers me."

  "Don't tell anyone, but the idea of you fucking other men bothers me."

  "So, what are we going to do?"

  "I think we should live together. I plan on having you in my bed every night anyway."

  "We'll never get anything done."

  Trend laughed. “I think we'll be able to work on that."

  I scrambled off his lap and headed for the bedroom. Now that I didn't have any magic I could use, I'd have to get ready the old way. I stood in front of my open closet and evaluated my clothes.

  Trend joined me, and watched as I flipped through my selections. He stopped my hand when I came across a sapphire blue halter dress.

  "That one."

  He leaned back against the wall, his ankles crossed, watching me.

  I pulled his T-shirt off, then walked over to the dresser to get some under things.

  "Leave the panties off."

  Shrugging, I grabbed some thigh-highs, and sat on the edge of the bed to put them on.

  I was reaching for the dress when Trend's hand splayed across my stomach, his chest pressed to my back.

  "You have got to be the sexiest woman I've ever laid eyes on.” He brushed his lips along the side of my neck, while he rocked his erection against my back.

  "If you don't stop, we'll never make it out of here."

  He sighed, then backed away from me.

  "It's a tempting idea, but we haven't been out of this house in almost a month."

  I slipped the dress on, then went into the bathroom to take care of my hair and makeup. Finished, I went to find Trend.

  He was standing next to the bar, taking a sip of a golden beverage. I saw him in profile, his head tipped back, his hair feathered away from his face. I scanned his body, his flat, firm stomach, his tight ass and lean thighs. Warmth spread throughout me as I gazed at him.

  He turned and looked at me, his dark blue eyes spearing straight through me to my soul.

  "Christ,” I breathed.

  "That look in your eyes will get you something special when we get home tonight.” He set his glass on the bar. “Ready?"

  He placed his hand on the small of my back, and the next thing I knew we were standing in his bedroom.

  "Just let me change, and throw some clothes into a bag, then I'll be ready to go."

  I sat on his bed, and took a look around his room. Besides the bed, he had a dark mahogany dresser and chest of drawers, an overstuffed chair, and a device that looked an awful lot like an electric chair.

  Trend strolled back into the room, and I asked him what it was.

  "Electric chair."

  "You find much use for something like that?"

  He just grinned at me, but didn't answer.

  He pulled into the parking lot of an extremely popular restaurant. I knew for a fact that even others had to make reservations days in advance to get a table. He swung out of his seat, then came around to my side of the truck to give me a hand out of mine. Then he dropped his hand to the small of my back and walked me to the entrance.

  It was dim inside the restaurant. No electric lighting was used, though there were wall sconces that cast sufficient light in the lobby. Candles lit the three interlocking dining rooms.

  A very stiff man stood behind a podium, the reservation book open on top.

  "Name?” he inquired, looking down at me condescendingly.

  "Trend!"

  I turned at the sound of his name. A man in his early forties with dark hair, artfully touched with silver, came striding from the dining room on the left.

  "I'm so glad you stopped by. It's been a long time since I've seen you."

  The two men shook hands.

  "Henri, I'd like you to meet Lisa. Lisa this is Henri Thibaut, the owner of this fine establishment."

  Henri took one of my hands in both of his, leaning in to kiss me on either cheek.

  "It's a pleasure to meet you."

  Henri took a closer look at me, then looked back at Trend. He studied him for a moment.

  "A pleasure indeed. I hadn't heard, Trend. This is a first for you. We must celebrate. Come, come.” He spun around, and started walking towards the back of the third dining room.

  I leaned into Trend, whispering so I wouldn't be heard. “He can tell? What is he?"

  With a straight face Trend answered me in a low voice. “Demon fairy."

  I snorted, loud enough that Henri turned around and glared at Trend. Trend shrugged.

  He led us to a table in the back corner, next to a large window that overlooked a garden lit with hundreds of tiny white lights.

  I snorted again, then tried to cover it with a cough.

  Both men looked at me like there was something wrong with me.

  "Fairy lights.” I blurted out, unable to stop myself.

  "Christ. She's perfect for you,” Henri said in disgust.

  Even though I'd insulted him, Henri was a perfect host. The food was delicious, the champagne other. He and Trend exchanged information on people and places they had in common. I found it fascinating, since Trend and I had been too busy to talk much to each other since I'd met him.

  Afterwards, we thanked Henri for the meal, and the good time. I kissed him on his cheek.

  "No more jokes. I like you."

  I saw the flash of the demon in his smile, and realized I'd never insulted him to begin with.

  Our next stop was The Dare. I hadn't been in there since the night I'd met Tyr, and I hesitated to get out of the truck when Trend opened my door.

  "What's wrong?” He leaned against the door waiting for my answer.

  "This is where I met Tyr."

  "Ah.” He grabbed me and hauled me out of his truck. “Since you'll never be fucking him again, I don't see what the problem is."

  We found an open booth next to the dance floor. A waitress appeared as soon as we sat down, took our order, then passed me a note. It was from Madge, insisting I see her in the kitchen immediately.

  I showed the note to Trend, and he let me out of the booth. Before he let me walk away, he planted a hand on my ass, and pulled me to him for a kiss, a very possessive kiss.

  I liked it.

  I made my way back to the kitchen without incident. I kept thinking that I'd run into Tyr, and I really wasn't up for it.

  "Hey, Madge.” She was overseeing the preparation of some dish. She gave the chef a few suggestions, then made her way across the room to me.

  Her eyes widened when she looked me over.

  "So who's the stud?” Madge flashed her fangs as she grinned wickedly at me.

  "Trend Delgado."

  "No fucking way.” Madge's eyes widened. “You are my idol, girl. That man, demon or not, is one of the most sought after males I've ever heard of. He's never been seen with the same woman more than twice.” She gaped at me. “So give,
is he the demon that marked you?” The awe in her voice was starting to embarrass me.

  "Well sure, I marked him as well.” I leaned back against one of the counters.

  "You do know he's a demon sorcerer?” Madge was giving me the “mom” look.

  "Yes. Did you know that I recently spent some time as a demon?"

  She blinked at me. Then she laughed.

  "Girl, you've got to be the craziest woman I ever met.” She dropped an arm around my shoulder and gave me a hug. “Come on and introduce me to him."

  Madge dragged me out of the kitchen, and I steered her towards the booth where Trend waited for me.

  Trend rose when we neared, kissed me, then kept his arm around my back while I made the introductions. I thought Madge might faint.

  "A pleasure, Madge. I've heard of you and your place before. I don't usually visit this part of town."

  "God, you're one sexy man."

  Trend grinned, and Madge swayed, her eyes rolling back in her head. Trend caught her, and lowered her into the booth.

  "This happen to you a lot?” I studied Madge, wondering if there was something we should be doing for her.

  "Sometimes.” Trend nudged me towards the other side of the booth.

  I scooted in, and he sat next to me, draping an arm over my shoulder. We stared at Madge for a while, waiting for her to come to.

  "Shouldn't we do something?” I didn't want anything bad to happen to her.

  "She'll be coming around any minute now. No harm done."

  We looked at each other, and I suddenly had to kiss him. I speared my fingers through the hair at the side of his head, and drew his mouth down to mine. I plunged my tongue into his mouth, desperate to taste him. He responded with equal enthusiasm, nearly dragging me into his lap while we ate at each other. His hand trailed up the outside of my thigh, under my dress. When he started working it between my legs, I broke the kiss.

  "Not with Madge here."

  "So what if Madge is here?"

  "Trend."

  He let me go, but I could tell he was planning something.

  Madge groaned, then her eyes fluttered open. She sat up with a start, and blinked at us.

  "Well,” She brushed her hands down her dress, making sure everything was where it should be. “That's never happened before."

  A server brought her a drink, and she sipped at it before she spoke again.

  "So many questions, but most of them I'll have to ask when we're alone.” She winked at me.

  "Yes Madge, he's got a big dick."

  Trend bit back a laugh.

  Madge just grinned wider.

  "Ah, but does he know what to do with it?"

  "Decidedly."

  She turned her attention to Trend. “I don't suppose you'd like to take on another lover?"

  I have no idea what look Trend gave her, but I thought she was going to faint again.

  "I'm sure it's my loss, but Lisa is the only lover I want."

  "You're going to have to give me some pointers, girl.” Madge edged out of the booth. “Nice to meet you, Trend, but I've got to get back to the kitchen, or God knows what the chef will put in the soup."

  Trend had risen with Madge; he brushed his lips across her cheek. “The pleasure was mine."

  I took advantage of his being out of the booth to get to my feet.

  "I've got to hit the restroom.” I glanced around the room until I saw a sign pointing the way.

  I finished my business, washed my hands, then checked over my hair and makeup. Satisfied I still looked O.K., I headed out into the hall.

  Trend was leaning casually against the wall. I admired the way his legs looked in his leather pants, the way they molded over his cock. The way his cock grew while I watched.

  The next thing I knew, Trend had picked me up and backed me into the wall at the end of the hallway. He held me pinned there with his chest pressed against mine, one hand under my ass. He worked his other hand between our bodies, releasing his erection.

  "Trend, someone will see us,” I hissed at him.

  "So?"

  I felt his other hand on my hip, then the head of his cock pressing into my vagina.

  He stroked his way in, then adjusted his grip on me.

  "Put me...” His mouth closed over mine, ending my argument.

  With strong, full thrusts, he worked me against the wall. I no longer cared if anyone saw us.

  I came in a burst of racking convulsions that threatened to blow me apart. Trend joined me, his own orgasm so intense his knees nearly buckled.

  I hung onto him, waiting for my head to clear.

  When he lowered me to my feet, I found I had trouble walking.

  He kept his arm around me, and guided me back to our booth.

  "Let me know when you're up to dancing.” He brushed his lips over my temple.

  We ordered another round of drinks. They'd just been set down on the table when Trend's cell phone rang.

  "I'll be right back, I've got to take this.” He headed for the front of the bar.

  I was checking out his ass as he walked out the front door when someone sat in the booth opposite me.

  It was Angel.

  "No.” It didn't matter what Angel had to say, or what he wanted, I wasn't interested.

  "Long time no see. Heard you almost didn't come back this last time.” Angel smiled.

  "I just needed a vacation."

  Angel studied me in the dim light. “You look different.” Then he flashed that chilling smile of his again. “Maybe your luck is running out?"

  He slid out of the booth, and approached me. “I think it's time to meet my friend."

  He snagged my wrist and with surprisingly little effort dragged me out of the booth. When he had me on my feet he pressed me tightly to his body. His mouth came down on mine, one of Angel's true talents, and for a moment I lost myself in his kiss.

  Then I heard him—squeak. His body went rigid, his arms falling away from me. I backed away from him quickly, and noticed Trend standing behind the man, his hand wrapped around the back of Angel's neck.

  "Delgado. What's up? I've never had a quarrel with you."

  "You're kissing my lover.” Trend's knuckles whitened with the pressure he was applying to Angel's neck.

  "Yours? Last I knew she was with the cat."

  "Now you know she's with me."

  "All right, all right, I'm leaving now.” Angel had started to sweat. I'd never seen him sweat before. Trend released him, and he was quick to disappear.

  Trend took me into his arms, and kissed me, no doubt erasing Angel's touch from my lips. Then he led me out to the dance floor, swinging into the beat of a soft, romantic song.

  "I'd like to take you right here,” he whispered into my ear, causing my nipples to harden and heat to pool between my legs.

  "I think they frown on that here.” I wasn't at all sure he wasn't serious.

  "Honey, if I wanted to take you right now, I seriously doubt you'd do anything to stop me.” Trend kissed me, his lips moving mine apart, his tongue stroking erotically along mine. When he broke the kiss, my head was spinning.

  He had me. If he wanted to fuck me in the middle of the crowded dance floor, I wouldn't do a thing to stop him.

  "Let's go home."

  I walked in a daze to his truck, leaning into his side.

  Trend tensed. Shoving me behind him, I watched as he flexed his hands out to either side of his hips. There was a yellow flash of light, then I heard Trend grunt. My mind cleared, and I inched closer to him. He threw his left hand forward, blue lightning streaking off his fingers. His right hand came behind him, and he grabbed my arm, hauling me towards his truck.

  Another flash of yellow, and Trend tackled me to the ground, rolled twice, then sprang to his feet, bringing me to mine with a yank. He threw another volley of lightning at the attacker I had yet to see.

  He unlocked the cab with his remote, then shoved me in through the driver's door, climbing in on my heels. />
  "Stay down.” Jamming the keys into the ignition, he fired up the truck, rolled the window down, and shot off another bolt as he threw the truck into gear, and hit the accelerator.

  The truck shook with the sound of screeching metal as a golden fireball flared over the tail and flashed down the sides of the vehicle.

  Trend drove over the side yard at the bar, jumped the curb, and squealed out onto the street.

  The truck rocked, and I glanced back to see what the attacker had hit us with, only to find a large, ghostly white creature advancing towards the cab in the bed of the truck.

  "Trend!"

  Trend glanced over his shoulder, then spun the wheel to the right, causing me to slide across the seat as the truck lurched in that direction. I was flung back across the seat into the door, when he whipped the wheel in the other direction.

  The creature still advanced, unhindered by the violent motions of the truck. It reached the cab, its body melting against the back window, then oozing through into the section behind our seats, filling the area with its presence.

  Trend slammed on the brakes, but not before the creature wrapped an icy tendril around my chest. With my arms pinned to my sides, it had no difficulty lifting me out of my seat, and reeling me into its body. It entirely enclosed me within itself. The temperature dropped several degrees; a wetness coated my skin and soaked into my dress.

  The cold sank into me, until I felt it deep in my bones. My heart slowed as the blood became sluggish in my veins. Lethargy stole over me, my eyelids drooping, as my heart slowed further. Somewhere on the edge of my consciousness I heard an explosion of sound, but I no longer had the energy to care.

  Chapter Eight

  Nothing.

  My eyes were open, I was sure, but the blackness was complete.

  Nothing moved; no sounds were made. I was in a vacuum of sensory deprivation.

  I knew that I had died, and I worried that this time it was for good. God help me if I had to spend eternity in this void.

  Time stood still. Or not. I had no way to tell the passage of time. I didn't even have the beating of my heart to count the seconds with.

  A noise. A faint but distinct sound caused me to turn around. Behind me a whiteness glowed, growing larger. I prayed that it wasn't the light.

  It was a man, at least the likeness of a man, with flowing white robes, and long, silky white hair. His bushy white eyebrows were drawn low over light blue eyes.