“Dammit!” she cursed.
“Breathe,” Devlin said, his voice calm. “Take it slow.”
With careful precision, Talia tried again to catch the thought. She almost had it. Just a little more…
She gasped in horror, breaking her connection.
“Where did he go?” Devlin asked.
Talia gasped for breath, trying to calm her racing heart. “My apartment,” she whispered finally. “Devlin, last night he headed for my apartment. If you hadn’t been waiting for me…” The demon of her childhood would have ripped her apart and she wouldn’t have been strong enough to stop him.
Talia was crushed in Devlin’s embrace before she even felt him move. “Christ,” he whispered in horror.
His arms were tight around her. Even though she drew comfort from his embrace, Talia knew she walked a slippery road. She had to put distance between them, even if she didn’t want to. Especially if she didn’t want to.
“Devlin, let go,” she commanded, squirming in his arms.
“Please…give me a minute,” he begged softly. “I almost lost you last night.”
Instantly, she stilled. Fear flowed over her like an icy wave. She had almost met the same fate as her family and she hadn’t known. She hadn’t felt anything but the joy and pain of seeing Devlin. What if it had been Saleel who waited for her in the shadows? She’d be dead now and she hadn’t even sensed he was there.
The scope of the demon’s powers rocked her. If he had the ability to hide his presence it meant he was far stronger than she’d thought. Devlin could be in real danger fighting this man.
Unable to help herself, she wrapped her arms around her demon. He held her tightly and for once she wasn’t complaining. For a long moment they stood in the cemetery, locked together unmoving. Finally, Devlin dropped his arms and stepped back.
“If he went to your house last night he would have seen me there. He knows we’re together now,” he said, not looking at her.
“And he knows what I can do which means he’d anticipate all the places we’d go today.”
“He’s not in the cemetery. I would have felt him.”
“Which means—”
“He is probably waiting close to your apartment.”
“There’s an empty parking lot out back. Perfect place for an ambush.”
Devlin smiled crookedly. “I thought this would take longer. Looks like everything will be over tonight.”
Talia looked at her demon and for once didn’t feel the usual hate. “Are you sure you want to do this?” she forced herself to ask. “He could kill you.”
“If I walk away he will kill you.”
“Yeah,” she agreed with a shiver.
Devlin reached out and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear, a tender look on his face. “I’m having no second thoughts, Talia. Not about something this important.”
Talia stared at her protector. Was she really important enough to him that he would risk his life? God, she desperately wanted to be. Her need caught her by surprise and she shook her head to clear it of the disturbing thought. Glancing back at the car, she tried to focus on the matter at hand. “If you’re sure about this we should probably go.”
“Yes.”
“Do you need anything?”
Devlin grinned wickedly. “What do you think?”
Talia swallowed. She’d never seen him fight in full demon form but even his half-form was dangerous. He’d be fine. He had to be.
“Let’s go,” she said.
Chapter Six
They pulled into the parking lot slowly. Both of them scanned the area, looking for hiding demons.
“Where is he?” Talia asked.
“He’s out there.”
“Maybe he decided fighting you is suicide and he left.”
“He’s out there,” Devlin repeated.
Talia breathed in shakily.
Glancing at her, Devlin reached over and took her hand. “Everything will be all right,” he promised.
She looked at him across the darkened car. So many nights she’d dreamed of being free of him. For years the thought had kept her going. Her hate gave her power. But right now, looking at him, she couldn’t imagine a world without him in it. The pain and betrayal he’d put her through years ago didn’t seem to matter as much as it used to. The bottom line was she didn’t want him hurt. She didn’t want him taking any chances for her if it meant his death.
“I’m scared,” she whispered.
“I know.” His tone was heartbreakingly gentle.
“For you,” she corrected him. She squeezed his hand. “Don’t die,” she commanded, not meeting his eyes.
Devlin sat in silence for a long moment, studying her bowed head. “Would that distress you?” he asked.
Talia swallowed hard before nodding once.
“Why?” he breathed.
Talia dropped his hand and looked out the window. “You saved me as a child,” she said. “Of course I wouldn’t want to repay you by getting you killed.”
Devlin’s bitter laugh cut her like a blade. “Of course,” he agreed. “Well, my dear, do not worry on my account.”
“Just be careful,” she muttered.
“Always,” he said shortly before swinging out of the car.
Talia squeezed her eyes closed for a second. Couldn’t she have said something supportive or encouraging before sending him off to fight for her? What was wrong with her?
With a sigh, she opened the door and got out. Closing the car door, she scanned the parking lot. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t feel Saleel anywhere.
“Look sharp,” Devlin said as the shadows around the parking lot seemed to twist and grow until the darkness surrounded them, blocking out the street lights.
“Oh hell,” Talia said, inching closer to Devlin. This demon controlled light? Definitely not good news.
“Stay by the car,” Devlin told her, casting a last glance her way. When she nodded her agreement, Devlin rewarded her with a slight smile before he sauntered forwards.
“Greetings, Saleel,” he called.
“Greetings, Devlin,” a disembodied voice replied. “I have no fight with you. Step aside and give me the human.”
“Sorry,” Devlin shrugged. “She’s mine.”
“We do not court death so lightly.” The demon sounded truly surprised.
“Nothing I do is ever done lightly,” Devlin replied. “Will you withdraw?”
“I cannot. My failure to kill her has haunted me for years. Her death will be my solace.”
The voice sounded calm as he talked about her impending death. Talia shivered in dread.
“It appears we are at an impasse,” Devlin said. “Remember, Saleel, it was you who started this fight. We do not attack humans under other demons’ protection.”
“I found her first,” the voice said. “If anything, I have the prior claim.”
Without any warning, Devlin twirled around with a snarl, shooting a laser of light from his palm. The light hit the shadows and a dark figure leapt out of the way, rolling on the ground.
Talia gasped in surprise as the man who murdered her family rose to his feet and shook out his coat.
“How unsporting,” he said.
He looked so…normal. Saleel was a tall man, loose brown hair curled around his face giving him an almost boyish charm. He smiled easily, and if Talia hadn’t known who he was she would have thought him handsome. It made her sick. A man as evil as he was should look the part.
The demon strolled towards them. His black eyes flickered past Devlin and met hers.
“Hello, darling,” he said with a twisted smile. “Have you missed me?”
Devlin moved to stand before Talia, using himself as her shield. “Don’t talk to her.”
Talia gripped Devlin’s coat with shaking fingers. She remembered the way Saleel felt in her head. It was as if the night her family died were happening all over again.
“I’ll do more than talk to
her,” Saleel replied with his boyish smile. “Once you are dead.”
Devlin hissed, baring fangs that hadn’t been in his mouth a moment ago.
“Come now, Devlin, such passion over a human? What if I promised to get you a new pet?”
“You won’t live long enough to fulfill any promises.”
Saleel hissed viciously, his charm dropping away. “Do not tangle with me,” he warned.
“Get back, Talia,” Devlin said, ripping off his coat and crouching defensively.
Talia stumbled back to the car, knowing she’d only be in Devlin’s way if she tried to fight Saleel.
Devlin changed before her eyes. Razor-sharp claws elongated from his fingers, coupled with the killer fangs in his mouth. He grew taller, filling out with muscles her Devlin didn’t normally have. Pointed ears peaked from his now-wild hair and black tattoos trailed over his skin in a language long dead. The green of his eyes bled pure black, no hint of white showing in his gaze. He looked feral and vicious. Even to Talia’s eyes, he was completely terrifying.
She’d never seen this side of Devlin before. He’d been very careful to keep it from her. This form was one demons changed to when they needed every drop of their power. Usually Devlin was more than a match for his enemies in his human form. Judging from his complete change, Talia knew Saleel posed a real threat.
She turned her stunned gaze to their enemy and saw Saleel going through a similar transformation. Gone were all hints of the boyish, charming man. In his place there stood a monster ready to fight to the death.
Without warning, Saleel charged.
Talia held her breath as the demons clashed. Claws flashed before her eyes and terrifying snarls rent the air. They moved almost too fast for her eyes to follow.
Saleel slashed at Devlin with his vicious claws, trying to sink his fangs into his opponent’s jugular. Talia cried a warning even as Devlin twisted out of the way, narrowly avoiding a death blow.
When flashes of fire lit the dark, Talia knew Devlin was attacking with magic as well as physical strength. It looked like her demon needed every advantage he had. Saleel must be stronger than he’d anticipated.
Talia watched in stunned silence as the two ancient, powerful beings tried to obliterate each other.
Grunts of pain filled the air and Talia smelled the tang of freshly spilt blood. Both demons had been wounded. Devlin attacked with blinding speed even as dark blood pumped sluggishly from his shoulder. Baring his teeth, he lunged at Saleel. He wrestled him to the ground before the other demon blasted him off with a burst of hot fire.
Devlin rolled out of the way, patting out the flames that clung to him. It’d take more than a little fire to take down such an old demon, but Talia still winced in sympathy.
The two demons circled each other, each looking for an opening. It was excruciating watching them fight and knowing she was useless to help.
Or was she?
Talia inched backwards until she was able to slip the car door open without alerting the demons to her plan. Slowly, she crouched and reached a single hand inside. When her questing fingers felt the cool leather of her bag she grabbed it and yanked it out.
Crouching behind the car to hide her actions, she carefully withdrew the black gun from her bag. It was her Plan B backup. Demons didn’t die from regular bullets, but if the gun was loaded with silver ammo it would slow them down. Clicking off the safety, Talia slowly stood.
She knew she’d only get one chance at this. If she fired at Saleel and missed, the demon would come after her. Worse, if she fired and hit Devlin then they were both dead.
Sliding towards the warring demons, she kept the gun hidden behind her body. She didn’t want Saleel alerted to what she was going to do before she did it.
The two demons were locked too tightly for her to get a clean shot. Talia had always been a dagger kind of girl. She knew how to fire a gun but it wasn’t her area of expertise. This time, however, she had to be perfect.
One chance, she thought. Make it count.
The demons grappled before her. Devlin had Saleel pinned to the ground but once again the demon fought free of Devlin’s attack, launching himself into the air.
Talia whipped her head back, trying to spot the dark demon against the black sky. As if by magic, Saleel was completely hidden from view.
Devlin paced the ground, staring intently at the sky.
How long can he stay up there? Talia wondered, pressing her back against the car for protection in case he came after her.
Suddenly Devlin shot his hand up towards the sky. Deadly energy erupted from his palm to rip through the night like lightning.
A painful cry sounded as the attack hit home.
Caught by the fiery magic, Saleel thundered back to the ground, slamming into the pavement with brutal force. Devlin was on him in an instant. Curling his sharp claws, he lunged for Saleel’s vulnerable throat.
Even as his body twitched from the surge of electricity thrumming through him, Saleel had enough strength to roll free of Devlin’s attack. Saleel twisted like a snake and drove his own claws deep into Devlin’s uninjured shoulder.
Devlin’s cry of pain echoed through the empty parking lot. Talia flinched in sympathy, knowing how much pain her demon must be in. He never admitted to discomfort. Only something extreme would get a rise out of him.
Saleel turned his claws viciously, cutting even deeper. Devlin was forced to push back in order to free himself, losing his advantage over his foe.
As Devlin limped back, Saleel pushed to his feet. He looked down at his weakened opponent, but instead of jumping back into the fray to press his advantage, he turned to look at Talia.
Talia retreated a step when jet black eyes locked on her. Opening her sensing powers automatically, she saw the way his thoughts turned.
If Saleel killed her quickly it would eliminate the need to fight. Surely Devlin wouldn’t continue if she was dead. There would be no point and demons were nothing if not calculating. They did only what was to their best advantage. Saleel was banking on her death ending the battle. He could kill her and escape. There was no downside in his mind. Well, except for one.
Talia flinched as she read how Saleel wanted to prolong her death. The deranged demon wanted to truly enjoy it. Without Devlin, he would have made her scream for hours. But Saleel was a pragmatic demon. Pleasure was all well and good, but when the price was his personal safety, he was willing to forego his more sadistic desires.
He took a step towards her even as Talia raised her gun.
She pulled the trigger without hesitation. Demons moved too fast to chance having second thoughts. It was him or her, and she had zero qualms about killing when her life depended on it.
The first shot caught him in the heart but, with his changed demon form, she doubted the wound was more than a scratch. Demon skin was like armour when they converted fully.
Automatically, she adjusted her aim. The second bullet took him in the throat.
Saleel faltered but didn’t stop.
Talia aimed for his forehead and fired. Again and again she pulled the trigger until she heard nothing but the useless clicks of an empty clip.
Her attack hadn’t killed Saleel but to her surprise it had slowed him down. Dropping the gun, she drew both of the daggers sheathed on her wrists. If this was her end she’d go down fighting.
However, before Saleel reached her, Devlin rose from the darkness like an avenging angel.
Her bullets had slowed Saleel enough for the other demon to catch up. Devlin raced for Saleel and thrust his clawed hand into Saleel’s back in a brutal assault.
Saleel froze, staring at her with surprise.
Talia was equally stunned, rising from her fighting stance. She watched a slow dribble of blood trail from Saleel’s lips, staining his perfect, pale skin.
Before her, the demon of her nightmares choked on his own blood. Part of her was horrified by what she saw. Bullets hadn’t pierced his flesh, yet Devlin was strong en
ough to drive his hand through the armour-hard skin? She shivered. Devlin had powers she hadn’t even guessed at.
“Do you know what I’m holding?” Devlin voice split the stillness. The sound that emerged from his lips was rough and guttural, far from his own voice.
“Yes,” Saleel choked out the word.
“Good.”
Devlin jerked his hand out of Saleel and the demon dropped to the ground like a puppet whose strings had been cut. In Devlin’s bloody hand, Talia saw Saleel’s still heart.
Devlin squeezed the organ until it exploded in his hand, his face expressionless. He shook the mess to the ground and stepped back from his kill.
Slowly, he raised his gaze to Talia’s.
She looked at him without any mask, unable to hide her feelings. In truth, she didn’t know what she felt. For a long moment she could only stare at him until her gaze dropped to Saleel’s lifeless body.
Devlin had frightened her with his strength and brutality, it was true. But more importantly, he had killed her monster. He’d fought a deadly battle for her and won. Devlin might be terrifying but nothing changed the fact that he was still her hero.
She took a stumbling step forwards, then another, until she stood before him. Before he could speak, she carefully wrapped her arms around him.
Devlin stood frozen in her embrace, as if he were unsure whether his touch would be welcome.
Stepping back from his stiff body, Talia looked up to meet his eyes. She showed him without words that nothing he did would ever turn her away. Especially not when his actions saved her life and endangered his own.
Devlin smiled slightly, his demon-black eyes bleeding back to his natural green. He looked past her and snapped his fingers. Blue flame leaped around Saleel’s body, destroying all evidence of their fight.
Talia shielded her eyes from the brilliant glow of the unnatural flames. Instead of being frightened by the display of magic, she felt refreshed. The flames were cleansing the evil from her life. They took Saleel’s stench and banished it forever from the world.
She looked back up at her demon as the flames started to dim.
He was watching her, not the fire. Devlin’s eyes glowed as he lightly touched her face, tilting her chin up.
Deals with Demons: Angels and Demons Page 5