by Jocelyn Dex
“Okay,” Baden reported to everyone in the dining hall as he walked around. “There’s no one outside Navie’s door, but it’s bolted from the outside. I’m walking down a long hallway. There’s a staircase at the end. A guard at the bottom. I’m going to try to sneak past him.”
Fin could barely contain himself. Navine was in trouble and he didn’t want to just sit around. He wanted to go in, take her in his arms and bring her home safely. “Come on, Baden.”
Fin hadn’t realized he’d spoken out loud until Baden turned a knowing look on him.
“Made it past him. Under the staircase now. Left or right?” He looked at Fin.
“Right.” He hoped his gut feeling was correct.
Baden nodded.
“There’s an arched red door down here. The others are plain, wooden. I’m going in.” Baden’s eyes widened. “Oh shit.”
Fin jumped out of his seat. “What is it?”
“Ten guards and…Debol.”
Rydin jumped up next. “Impossible! I killed him.”
Baden staggered and grabbed a chair back to right himself.
“I left before they saw me. How?” he asked.
“We have to go in now. Hard and heavy. I won’t let him touch Navine again. Never!” Fin shouted.
“It’s not possible,” Rydin said again. “I delivered a killing blow. He is dead.”
“Then he has a twin,” Baden said.
* * * * *
They strapped down with daggers and found the Tengurs outside flying in tandem above the orchard, their blue-and-purple fur glinting in the bright sky. They landed gracefully when they spotted the group. Kiberry trotted up, stood up on his back legs, tongue lolling out of his mouth. It was his way of saying he was ready to help. Xena slinked up beside him and nuzzled his neck. Fin guessed she was in too.
Baden was able to teleport to any place he’d astral projected to. So, everyone linked up to him and in a flash, they were outside the building where Navine was being held.
There was still only one guard outside but Baden wasn’t kidding, he was huge. Eight feet tall, muscles bulging on top of muscles, six-inch, sharp horns atop his head and he held a double-headed battle-axe.
He spotted them and a deep, grumbly voice asked, “What is your business here?”
“We’re here to see Debol. To strike a bargain if necessary,” Fin said without hesitation.
The giant demon snorted, howling laughter bursting from his face.
Kiberry growled low in his chest.
When he’d collected himself, he pulled a radio from his waistband, speaking into it in a language Fin had never heard before. Only three seconds passed before the door opened and six guards of the same demon species as the one who’d laughed at them, marched out, one flanking each of them.
One shot Kiberry and Xena with an odd weapon that surrounded them in a shimmering field. They snapped and bit and snarled but couldn’t break free. Araya lurched forward but was sent sprawling back when she touched it. Kean caught her and held her close.
“They’re fine. No harm will come to them. Follow us,” one guard said.
Valia and Araya hesitated, casting concerned gazes at their Tengurs, but eventually followed them inside and through the red arched doorway that Baden had reported. Leaning back on the front of a desk was Debol.
“Welcome,” he said enthusiastically. “I expected you a little sooner. Please sit.” He motioned to the various chairs throughout the room.
Valia said, “How are you not dead?”
He quirked an eyebrow at her. “Dead? Why would I be?”
Rydin stepped forward only to be held back by his assigned guard. “That is not Debol.”
“Very good, Rydin. My name is Dorster. I guess he never mentioned me.”
“How do you know me?”
“I know all of you. I made it my business to learn all I could about you after you killed my twin brother.”
It really was Debol’s twin. This couldn’t be good. Fin tensed, slowly reaching for his dagger.
“No need for that,” he looked directly at Fin. “I am not my brother and I wish none of you any harm. I’m simply collecting what’s mine.”
“Yours?” Baden spoke up. “My sister is not yours.”
“Anything that was Debol’s transferred to me upon his death. She was not contracted to him, but there was a bond nonetheless. In the order of things in the demon realm, as Rydin already knows, if a bond was formed here, it automatically passes on to the closest family member from the deceased bondholder. Should there be no family member willing to take it on, the bond is broken.”
Fin could tell by Rydin’s grimace that the Incubus spoke the truth.
“You can’t have my sister, damn you. She never should have been part of this.”
He waved his hand dismissively at Baden’s outburst. “She hasn’t been mistreated since being here. She was simply a tool to get you all here. At least I’d hoped it would get you all here. Reports from Debol’s guards—the ones you didn’t kill anyway—explained how the situation went down. Besides, I’m not such a fan of Sempires as my brother was. Having a female addicted to me, the hassle that comes with it? Not my thing.”
“Then what the hell?” Baden asked.
“I’m interested in some of your talents and Navine is my bargaining chip. Technically, Rydin should be mine. His contract bond should have passed to me, but it did not. There were two other of Debol’s employees that mysteriously escaped being passed to me also. Why is that, Valia?”
Shit, Fin knew Valia’s latent Sensus demon powers had come out during her transition and she’d unknowingly bound Rydin’s aura to her. And when Rydin had been wounded, she’d somehow done the same to two of Debol’s guards. Doing so didn’t exactly break their bonds to Debol but it overpowered it.
“I assume you already know why, so why ya makin’ me waste my breath?”
He laughed. “I like you. Anyway, it’s an interesting talent. If word gets out you can do that, well, I fear other contract holders might want to use your talents or simply kill you to make sure you don’t interfere with their operations.”
“I don’t give half a crap about any of that.”
“No one will touch her,” Rydin said.
Valia put her hand on his forearm and squeezed. “Besides, why wouldn’t they snatch and kill true Sensus demons?”
“Apparently, no one’s come across one who could bond an already bonded demon or person. Either that or no other Sensus demon has been foolish enough to reveal that…trick.”
Valia snorted. “I’m a Sempire. That ability has only come out twice in thirty years.”
He ignored her and focused on the others in the room.
“And you, Baden. The astral projection, two places at once? What a wonderful spy you’d make. Araya, you have a way with Tengurs. They are special demons aren’t they? If you had them both in here now, you’d definitely have the upper hand. Good thing I was expecting them. And lastly, Fin. The male Sempire. I didn’t believe the guards at first but when I captured Navine, I felt it. She had no trace of my brother in her anymore. Many Incubi would want to kill you. I kind of want to kill you myself but you’re such a novelty.”
“What do you want from us?” Rydin asked through gritted teeth.
“A favor from each of you. Whenever I may need your talents. No questions. Agree and I’ll let Navine go. Oh I’ll also make sure word of Valia’s talent doesn’t get out so she won’t be in danger.”
“I will not be beholden to another contract holder. Ever,” Rydin said.
Baden sneered at Rydin. “I’ll do whatever you want. Just let my sister go.”
“Me too,” Fin declared.
“No. No.” Dorster waved his hands emphatically. “No contracts. Each of you, give me your word. It will be good enough.”
“What?” Valia laughed. “Bullshit. You’re just gonna accept our word? What’s the catch?”
“If you refuse me when it comes time for
me to cash in the favor, I’ll sadly but definitely, have you killed. Truly, I’d rather not get into any of that nasty business. I prefer to believe you will keep your words. Valia, can’t you read my aura?”
Valia squinted, straining. “No.”
“Well, one of you feel free to volunteer to find a Sensus demon to come read me. One you trust. You’ll see I have no motive other than making interesting allies.”
“If you wanted allies, you probably shoulda gone about this a little differently,” Kean said. “Ya know, like knocking on the door and introducing yourself.”
“Please,” he said. “I’m offering you a way to find the truth.”
“Raimee,” Araya whispered. “But what if it’s really just a trap?”
“She’ll be here in a minute,” Baden said, his face red. “She was finishing up a…scene.”
Fin knew exactly what Baden meant. Raimee must have been performing in one of his mother’s fetish films when Baden astral projected to her.
“That is such a nifty skill,” Dorster slapped his knee, smiling at Baden.
The door opened a few minutes later as a guard escorted Raimee into the room.
“Hey guys,” she said, smiling and waving. “Dors, what the hell are you doing?”
“You know him?” Baden said, incredulous.
“He’s a fan,” she explained.
“Indeed.” Dorster came forward to hug her. “I had no idea it would be you but I’m pleased. If you wouldn’t mind, let your friends know my intentions toward them.”
She stood, studying him. “He’s clean right now. Someone ask him a question so I can see if his aura changes.”
Fin asked, “Do you plan to let Navine go, unharmed?”
“Yes. I do.”
Baden said, “What about the rest of us? One favor and then we’re off the hook?”
“I only want one favor from each of you at some point. Nothing more.”
“His aura shines truth. I don’t have all the details of what’s up but I don’t think whatever he’s told you is a lie.”
“See?” he said to everyone in the room. To Raimee he said, “When are you going invite me over for dinner?”
She laughed. “Dors. It would never work with us.”
He sighed. “Such a pity.” To the rest of them, he said, “If you’ll all give me your word, I’ll have Navine brought down and you can go.”
They all agreed, even Rydin, and Dorster sent a guard to fetch Navine. Fin’s heart knocked against his chest. He wanted to see her for himself. To know that nothing bad had happened to her.
Moments later, there she was looking as beautiful and angry as the first day he’d seen her. She shoved at the guard as he led her into the room by her arm. When he removed a cuff from her wrist, she ran to Baden, throwing her arms around him.
It was her brother, he knew, but jealousy stabbed at him anyway. He wanted her to find comfort with him. Run into a room and throw her arms around him.
Valia punched him in the arm.
“Ow. What was that for?”
She whispered, “Your aura is blinding me. Seriously? Jealous of her brother? You got it bad.”
Fin scowled. Damn it. It was bad enough he felt like a fool. He didn’t need Valia teasing him about it.
“I hope your stay wasn’t too unpleasant, Navine,” Dorster offered.
Navine’s eyes dilated, Fin assumed because of the Incubus scent, and her only other response was to lift her middle finger to him. Dorster chuckled, unfazed.
“Let’s go home,” Baden said.
“The guards will escort you out where you’ll find your Tengurs safe and sound.”
Once outside, Kean and Araya took charge of Kiberry and Xena. They were both spitting mad, all gnashing teeth and snarling until they saw everyone was unharmed.
* * * * *
They all ported back to the mansion. Navine and Baden thanked everyone for their help and apologized for putting them out. She offered to assist in any way possible when it came time to do Dorster’s bidding.
She saved Fin for last. She took his hand in both of hers, surprising the hell out of him, looking him in the eyes. “Thank you most of all.” She squeezed his hand and kissed him on the cheek, then hastily turned away.
Fin slumped in his chair as Navine and Baden left the mansion. Even though elated that Navine had not been harmed, he felt more despondent than ever now that she was gone. He didn’t know what he’d expected, but he wanted something. Wanted more. Wanted her here with him.
His face must have given away his feelings, or Valia was reading his aura, because she said, “Aw, cheer up, Fin. She didn’t spit on you or yell at you.”
True, he supposed. There was that.
Chapter Eleven
It’d been two days since they’d brought Navine back from the demon realm and she continued to plague Fin’s mind. He hadn’t expected it, but he’d hoped she might call him or text him or pop by to see him but she hadn’t. He hadn’t heard from Baden either.
Araya and Kean’s engagement party was tomorrow and Fin busied himself with cooking. Cooking waaay more food than the guests could possibly eat.
“Wow,” Araya’s voice startled him, “what a spread. Didn’t you look at the guest list?”
He wiped his hands on a towel that hung from the waist band of his pants and gave Araya a hug. “Yeah, I looked. Are you checking up on me?”
“Nope. I trust your food choices. I came by to grab the wine fountain.”
“I would have brought it to you.”
“You have your hands full already and I’m still trying to figure out how I want to arrange everything. It’s easier if I have the stuff at home to move around.”
“You mean to have Kean move around?” he teased.
She laughed. “He loves it. He’s excited about it too. Should be fun.”
“Should be,” he agreed.
Fin knew Araya was about to ask him something serious by the look on her face, and he didn’t want to do serious right now. Hell, he’d hate to be a big cry-demon in front of his youngest sister.
“Any word?” she asked.
He shook his head.
“You okay?”
“I’ll be fine.”
She gave him a sorrowful look, squeezed his arm and nodded. “Well, then I want you to bring a date to the party tomorrow.”
“What? I’m not dating anyone right now. Don’t even have any prospects.”
Valia chose that moment to pop in. “What’s up, sibling bitches?”
Fin and Araya both laughed at her entrance.
“I was just telling Fin to bring a date to the party.”
“Oh hell yeah.” Valia pulled a stool up and sat.
“I’m not really up for all that. I’ll just bring the food.” The only one he’d want to bring as a date was Navine and obviously that wasn’t going to happen. The thought of other women simply did not appeal to him at the moment.
“Either bring a date or I’ll bring one for you,” Valia threatened. “You know I’m not kidding.”
Yep, he knew damn well if Valia threatened it she would do it. Maybe he’d ask Raimee. No, he didn’t want to step on Baden’s toes. He was pretty sure Baden had some interest in her. Although Fin didn’t so it would be strictly platonic.
There were plenty of females in and out of the mansion. A few of them he’d even entertained. They hadn’t been interested in more and neither had he but they’d stayed friendly.
“Fin?” Araya asked. “Consider it, okay? Now, where’s that wine fountain? I need to get going.”
He showed her where it was, kissed her cheek and went back to cooking. Valia stood there staring at him, hands crossed over her chest.
“What?” he asked without looking up.
“I don’t like you sulking.”
“I’m not sulking, V, I’m cooking.”
“Cooking for the entire demon population? You’re stress cooking.”
He dropped the mango and knife that
was in his hand, pulled up a stool and sat. “It’s keeping me busy. Okay? I’m trying really hard to not be a sap. I’ll bring a date. Whatever. I don’t want to talk about it or think about her anymore. It’s done. I wanted more. She didn’t. I’m just happy she’s alive. At least there’s that. I promise I’ll be fine.”
She smiled unconvincingly at him and hugged him. “Lemme know if I can do anything. I’m popping over to Araya’s for a while—until she starts driving me nuts with arranging—want me to take anything?”
Fin let out a relieved breath. He couldn’t believe Valia had dropped it so easily. That wasn’t her usual M.O. “Sure.” He opened the fridge and took out a double-stacked platter and handed it to her.
Valia left and Fin decided he’d make some meatball parmesan sliders. Rydin and Kean would love them. Hell, he loved them.
“Hey, cousin!”
Fin’s head jerked up. “Lymirie?” Wait, had she called him cousin?
She skipped over and wrapped her arms around him, then stepped back and looked him up and down. “Lookin’ good! It’s been awhile.”
He shook his head. “What did you call me?”
She laughed and shook her finger at him. “You heard me. Sneaky, sneaky. Ya know, I always had a crush on you. The cousin thing must be why you snubbed me.”
Fin didn’t know what to say. How the hell did she know?
She smacked him on the shoulder. “Relax. Araya kept me on the phone for an hour, talking about the possibility of,” she looked around the kitchen, then whispered, “male Sempires. Anyway, by the time she was finished, she had me convinced it wasn’t a bad thing. Then she swore me to secrecy and told me about you.”
It took him a minute to recover from the shock but then he relaxed and smiled, glad to have someone else accept him as he was. It was what he’d always wanted. Acceptance.
“You hungry?” he asked.
“Always.”
Fin grabbed a plate from the cabinet, opened the refrigerator and piled it high with a variety of fruit. If he remembered correctly, Lymirie liked a little of everything. He set the plate in front of her and she rubbed her hands together dramatically before digging in.
“What’s it been? A year, since you last visited?” Fin asked.