The Demon Within (A PeaceKeeper Novel)

by Stacey Brutger

  They circled one another like wary animals. Her boot heels crunched glass. She stopped when her boot landed on the only picture of Oscar and herself. The past. A past she had to put behind her or become lost in the nightmare.

  She bent and retrieved the photo, careful to keep her unwanted guest in within her peripheral vision. In the background, the doorbell rang.

  At this time of night in her line of work, that could only mean trouble.

  Without lifting her head, she stared down at the old image and came to the conclusion that if he’d wanted her dead, he could’ve easily finished her off.

  No, he was more dangerous. He wanted something from her, and she had no intension of making it easy for him, not when she would ultimately pay the price after his mission was complete.

  “Leave before I change my mind and make your exit from my life permanent.” Not waiting for a response, Caly tossed the picture into the cold grate and strode out of the room. Everything inside urged her to turn around, that he could have the answers she so desperately needed. But if she did that now, she’d be condemning her friends. Until the issue with the Fallen has been handled, her search for a cure was on hold indefinitely.

  * * *

  He’d never understood humans. They were the chosen people. They literally had the world beneath their feet. Sure, they had their weaknesses, but they also had so much more.

  And yet most threw an eternity of happiness away for selfish wants and needs. They lied to themselves and the ones they professed to love. Hate, greed. The list went on and on.

  Ruman stared at the doorway where she disappeared. Instead of following as he should, his feet took him to the fireplace. Unable to explain his reasoning, he removed the damaged picture. He blew off the dust and stared at the younger version of Caly. Running his thumb across the smooth surface, he caressed her face, only to feel the cool image below, not the vibrant, hot-blooded woman he’d touched moments before.

  She obviously thought the past was unimportant.

  The past would be the perfect place for his search. His mission to protect her was proving to be more trouble than he’d anticipated. He just hoped it was worth it, and they both got what they wanted.

  His freedom.

  Her life.

  And for some reason, her life mattered to him.

  She was unique. He’d never run across anyone like her. The way she moved, the way he reacted to her touch, threw him off balance. She was something more than human, but damned if he knew what. Not something Other. She wouldn’t have been able to wake him if she were evil.

  Women’s voices reached him. Unabashedly listening, Ruman folded the picture with painstaking precision, taking care to ensure the image of Caly remained unblemished before slipping it into his pocket.

  “I’m sorry about your loss.”

  Caly snorted. “Get over yourself, Juliet. You knew about the trap from the beginning. Only it didn’t go as planned. I survived.”

  “Don’t be stupid. I gave you a heads-up when I sent the messenger to you a day early. It should’ve been enough notice. I didn’t know about the tragedy until I read the papers.” She shrugged. “I did what I could.”

  Unable to resist, Ruman slipped into the hall and hugged the shadows. Composed, standing tall and proud, Caly held her anger tightly leashed. The diminutive woman was obviously Juliet, a pale washout to Caly’s vibrant color.

  “I told you once and I’ll tell you again, those men are not your friends. They don’t mean you well.”

  The blonde tossed her head back and laughed, a tinkling sound that scraped against his nerves. “They’re not angels, but that’s what I like so much about them. You and I were taught to use what we have to get ahead. You’re so strong you don’t need anyone. I’m not like you. All I have is my beauty to get what I want.” Juliet adjusted her gaudy jeweled watch with a self-satisfying smile. “I’m willing to pay their price.”

  Even if it cost Caly her life. The abrasive words had his hands curling into fists as if to defend Caly from this tiny scrap of a woman. It took an effort to restrain himself and just listen.

  As if Caly would welcome his interference.

  His overreaction didn’t make sense since he detected no overt threat. His protective instincts shouldn’t have kicked in.

  “They’re using you. In the end, they’ll suffer for their actions and so will you if you don’t cut and run now.” The words were harsh but true.

  Juliet rolled her eyes. The perfectly coiffed hair barely shifted when she shook her head, unemotional as a statue. “You’re overreacting. I’m having fun. Maybe you should try it sometime.” She checked the time and touched the chain link straps on her purse again as if she were already gone. “I only stopped by to pay my respects.”

  She turned to go, but Caly wouldn’t let the matter drop, willing to fight for someone who’d left her to die. “And it didn’t bother you that they used your name to kill my friends and almost took my life as well?”

  Guileless blue eyes glittered back like sapphires but without the spark of fire that made the stones so precious. “Not at all. You can take care of yourself, and I needed a favor. Everything worked out fine.” She shrugged, “Well, almost. I thought you’d have taken better care of your friends.”

  Juliet departed, and Caly glared after her like she would pounce. Finally, she padded up the stairs, soundless in the dark. Ruman hesitated a second then followed Juliet. He needed information, and a girl like that always had a price.

  She carried the stink of demon on her, a mark only other demons could detect. A too sugary-sweet smell, almost like honey, that stated ownership of the human and warned others they were off limits.

  Once outside, Ruman gave one last look at the house, unable to repress the unease that surfaced at not having Caly in his sight. Which was silly. She’d be fine on her own while she slept.

  It was time to investigate, even if it meant stirring up the hornet’s nest. He had to know more about her.

  Chapter Ten

  The dream grabbed Caly by the throat, dragging her under as she hovered between awareness and sleep. Heat burned in her lungs as if she were standing in that damn jungle again. The battle echoed ahead, men’s screams of terror as they begged for help. When she reached for her weapons, she grabbed nothing but air.

  “Ah, hell.” She took off running, but no matter how hard she pushed herself, the temple remained stubbornly out of view. Tangled branches blocked the path. Spidery vines clung to her, tugging on her legs and arms. She swiped them aside and stumbled, landing on her hands and knees.

  The sound of the fighting moved off in the distance, and guilt crushed her throat in its brutal grip. She couldn’t let them die again. She’d been doing unbelievable things all her life. This would be no different.

  Determination hardened her resolve. A deep pit in her gut gapped open as the demon she’d always denied slowly drained away everything but the demand to hunt. Senses heightened. Smells intensified. The forest sharpened into minute detail.

  Scrambling to her feet, she took a step only to come face to face with her statue.

  The urge to hunt changed focus, shifting to him. The battle sounds faded as he sauntered toward her. His muscles flexed in a way Caly couldn’t resist ogling.

  The man was fricken’ gorgeous.

  The panic tearing apart her chest eased at his nearness, and her anxieties vanished. The only danger that lingered was her need to touch him.

  The darkness in her retreated a tad, purring in pleasure. Caly closed the gap between them, lured by the invitation in his sable eyes. Heat enveloped her in a protective cocoon. No one would hurt her again; he’d make sure of it. When he leaned down, she tipped back her head, let her eyes drift closed, almost able to taste him.

  Thunder boomed in the background, startling a yelp out of her. Bolting upright, Caly surveyed her surroundings, surprised to see the four walls of her room.

  No intruders or jungle.

  And no sexy stat
ue.

  She nearly whimpered.

  What had she been thinking? Caly scrubbed her eyes with the palms of her hands, wishing she could brush the incident out of her mind as easily. Despite the way her body tingled, the kiss hadn’t happened and never would if she had something to say about it. Searching inward, she breathed a sigh of relief to find her demon resting peacefully, awake, waiting, but content.

  Shoving off the cover, she shivered, the shock of cold air harsh on her oversensitive skin. The dream faded, taking with it the last bit of warmth. Caly yawned and glanced out the window. The majestic storms she’d expected didn’t appear. There wasn’t even a hint of a cloud in the pale rose streaking the horizon.

  The sound came again, like a car backfiring, shattering the silence. Before it faded, she shoved her legs into her jeans.

  Company had arrived early.

  The pounding continued to rain down on her door. She clattered down the stairs, slipping a shirt over her head. She paused with her hand on the knob, unable to prevent herself from stealing a glance over her shoulder to the parlor, her heart in her throat.

  He was gone. She’d know otherwise.

  A pang of regret rippled through her at the thought of not seeing him again, and she frowned at the reaction. If she ever came across him again, she’d have to kill him. It was her job.

  Everything inside her protested the logic.

  Sometimes her job sucked.

  Distracted, she pulled open the door mid-knock, almost taking a fist to the face. Reacting instinctively, she twisted aside and yanked on the arm. Momentum sent the man sprawling across the floor. The harsh curses that followed let her know exactly who was her would be attacker.

  “Good morning, David.” A smile crept into her voice.

  “That’s a good place for you, sugar.” Kelly strode forward, stepped over her disgruntled boyfriend then ruffled his hair. A smirk covered her lips as her dark eyes met Caly’s gaze. “I take it you missed your morning coffee?”

  Caly’s lips twitched, and she shifted to look behind Kelly toward the walkway. “I believe that’s coming yet.”

  Kelly blinked then shook her head. “I don’t know how you do that.”

  “Part bloodhound.” Caly joked and watched Jarred alight from the car carrying two sacks. Coffee and donuts. Yum.

  Caly turned and watched David struggle to his feet.

  “You could give me a hand, you know,” he huffed under his breath and aimed a glare at both women.

  “Sugar, I think you can remember how to work those things that connect your feet to your body.” Kelly looped her arm through Caly’s and dragged her off toward the kitchen. The men trailed after them.

  “Aren’t you going to ask why we came?” Kelly tossed out the question in a casual manner, her focus on the food being passed around the table.

  “Let me guess. You are to be my cook, David my servant, and Jarred my butler?”

  A jelly-covered smirk cross Jarred’s face as he systematically devoured the last of his donut. “I told you she wouldn’t fall for it.” He wiped at the cherry smudge, and turned to search the cupboards and fridge without another word. She’d stocked the bare minimum, up from the normally stark kitchen, in preparation for their visit, knowing that even if they didn’t move in with her, they’d spend every waking moment there anyway.

  “Girl, we worry about you. It’s not safe for you to stay here by yourself.” Kelly flicked David a barely discernible look from the corner of her eye.

  Caly knew that look. Trouble. “What happened?”

  “Maybe you should sit and have your coffee first.” David slid the cardboard cup across the table. Caly dutifully cradled the cup, the heat invading her chilled fingers. She inhaled the steam deep into her lungs, not sure she could handle more bad news. The fragrance of roasted black coffee had her eyes closing in bliss. Her last bit of denial before the world intruded.

  “Here.” The smell of chocolate reached her first. One eye cracked open to see David dangle a Swiss stir stick inches from her face, a knowing smirk on his lips.

  Swiping the swizzle, she didn’t care why they were here or even hear his teasing, not until she finished her coffee. As she sipped her delicious brew, she watched the ever organized Jarred jot down a list of supplies he found lacking.

  “You’ll never guess who came to visit.” Kelly’s words were muffled around the donut she devoured. Her second.

  It didn’t take a genius to reach an answer. “Juliet.” The name soured the coffee and the last swallow left a bitter taste coating the back of her throat.

  “The bitch came to visit you, too, didn’t she? I bet she gave the same prepared speech she gave us on how sorry she was about our loss.” Kelly rose, ready to beat the snot out of the debutant.

  Caly appreciated the sentiment, but spoke to halt her friend’s headlong dash to disaster. “She knows what she’s doing. She knows the consequences of consorting with that type of man and doesn’t care. You beating the crap out of her won’t change her mind; it’ll only redirect her ire onto you.”

  “I don’t care. She needs to be taught a lesson. She can’t mess with other people’s lives and not expect them to react.”

  “And when her demon friends go after David because of you?” It was a low blow, but it halted Kelly at the door. “She’ll search out your weakness and attack. All she knows is her friends get her what she wants. She doesn’t know they’re demons, and I want to keep it that way. The last thing we need is for her to start plotting.”

  Kelly steadied herself by gripping the doorway, her knuckles white, her back poker straight. Attitude marked her every move as she turned to face the group. “We can take whatever she can dish out.”

  “We couldn’t at the temple.” The reminder wasn’t gentle, but Kelly didn’t understand subtlety when her friends were threatened. The words were so very similar to what her late night visitor quoted to her that she winced.

  Caly hated to bring it up, but it needed to be said. “They’re planning something big. I’m afraid we’ll be in over our heads if we don’t prepare ourselves.”

  “You mean the plan to resurrect the Fallen.” Kelly moved back to David’s side and snuggled close.

  When he wrapped her in his arms, Caly looked down at her empty cup, a twinge of jealousy burrowing in her chest. To have someone to support her like that, no second guesses, no doubts. She rubbed her temple, pushing the envy away. “I don’t think it was a fluke. The walls were covered with glyphs, instructions on how to conduct a blood ritual. My best guess is that they were searching for someone, but I have no clue who or why.”

  “So what’s our next move?”

  Frustration made Caly antsy. With no outlet, she stood and paced. Either that or go stir crazy. “I’d hoped to avoid this step, but we have no choice.” Caly stopped and raised her chin.

  Jarred beat her to the punch. “You’re going through with your plan to reach your demon contact.”

  “If I can contact my djinn, my doppelganger, I know I can find out what’s happening.”

  “But isn’t seeing your own doppelganger an omen of death?” David rubbed his chin as he studied her.

  “Not always.” Caly bit her lip against volunteering more information. The more she said, the less likely she’d be able to slip out of the house without them trailing her into trouble.

  Kelly didn’t wait to hear more. “It’s too dangerous.”

  With a shrug, Caly met her gaze. No matter how she worked the situation, she couldn’t find a way around it. “Not going would be worse.”

  “Tell me about this djinn.” Disapproval and judgment lined Jarred’s face, but he also understood necessity.

  Meeting up with her djinn again gave Caly mixed feelings. At the first terrifying meeting with her double, Caly feared that if she stared too long into those dark eyes, she’d never find her way back from the abyss. Now, all these years later, the thought of seeing her again made her feel like a helpless child.

 
“Most people have heard of guardian angels. In order to keep the balance between good and evil, a djinn is born as well. Only djinn aren’t the benevolent creatures that parents tell their children about in fairytales. No magic lamp or benign genie popping out to grant wishes. They are weaker demons and tend to be a bit overzealous when it comes to terms of their survival.”

  “Like an angel and devil sitting on your shoulders.” Kelly shook her head. “You can’t trust—”

  “She’s not evil.” The protest sprang instantly to her lips, a sore subject she and Oscar had argued over so many times. Jarred raised a brow at her vehement denial, and she looked away when awareness sharpened in his gaze. “In order for a djinn to survive, they must remain close to their human counterpart until they grow into their powers.”

  “And how would you find this demon?” Kelly crossed her arms, not giving her an inch. The pointed question carried a little too much suspicion for Caly to brush it off without them taking notice. Her friend knew her too well.

  “It’s like déjà vu. I can sense her when we’re close.” That was as much as she was willing to share with them of her djinn. She fought daily to keep her humanity and not give into the demonic urges. She’d be damned if she’d allow her friends to learn about it now when their lives hung in the balance, and they needed her most.

  “What’s to prevent this demon from killing you outright?”

  The muffled words came from Jarred. Even with his head stuck in the back of a cupboard as he tallied the supplies, he still paid careful attention to everything around him.

  “If I die, she dies. The only danger is if we came too close. Since we both know the consequences, we can avoid—”

  “Explain the danger.” Kelly tilted her head and stared without blinking, the perfect lie detector, trying to ferret out what wasn’t being said.

  Caly knew that expression, and the trouble that came with it. “When a person meets with their djinn, it’s like two magnets. You’ve met your other half, the best friend you didn’t know you were missing. You start thinking alike, talking alike. After a time, the line between the demon and human blur. They merge. All the power. The lure of never being alone again.