The Demon Within (A PeaceKeeper Novel)

by Stacey Brutger

  She dabbed at her face only to stop dead at his smile. Following his gaze, she glanced down and blinked in surprise at her nearly exposed torso. It looked like she’d entered a wet t-shirt contest.

  And from his expression, won.

  Feeling hunted and wanting to be caught a little too much, Caly threw the towel at his face.

  He deftly caught it mid-air, doing nothing to diminish the intensity in his eyes.

  A shiver raced over her as the breeze picked up, and she crossed her arms, refusing to admit it had anything to do with him. Never one to second-guess her actions, she couldn’t understand this sudden shyness.

  If she didn’t want to kill him, she wanted to kiss him.

  Her focus went unerringly to the towel as he dried off, the way he dragged it over his body. No way could she form coherent words while he performed such an intimate task. He finally looped the towel around his neck, leaving his smooth chest exposed. Barely able to tear her gaze away, she dared a glance up to his eyes.

  Only to find that he seemed to be just as fascinated with her. His hunger made her feel like a chicken wing at an all-you-can-eat buffet. She shouldn’t have felt relief at not being the only one affected, but she did.

  “We need to talk.” Her voice came out husky and provocative rather than the stern she was aiming for.

  Embarrassed, she forced her gaze from his body and stared over his shoulder. Unfortunately, her imagination worked just fine.

  “This is going to be a problem.” Even as she mentally selected the next words with care, three vehicles pulled up in the yard. When she turned, headlights blinded her.

  A cloud of dust shot their way, and she buried her nose in the crook of her elbow. Grit stung her eyes and peppered her skin. The swirling mess coated them in seconds. She fingered her weapons, but didn’t draw, not until she knew if they were friend or foe. None of her senses registered any danger. The darkness inside her remained peaceful in slumber.

  The guardian stepped forward, his body blocking most of the debris. It didn’t help. Her white shirt would never be the same.

  Annoyed and a bit relieved to have their conversation postponed, Caly dropped her arm and squinted as shadows took shape in the darkness. Then she recognized the cocky strut of the man heading in her direction.

  “Henry. I should have known.” Never one to hide behind another, Caly stepped around the guardian.

  “Name.” She mentally slapped herself for forgetting to ask. A huff of breath passed her lips, and she shoved all her emotions in one direction…to kindle her anger.

  “What are you doing here? You made it abundantly clear you wanted nothing to do with me.” She cringed at the hurt she heard in her voice. She thought she didn’t care about being expelled from the group, but anger and sexual frustration ripped off the fresh scab of their abandonment.

  And Henry was the best target for miles.

  She opened her mouth then paused when she noticed the ragtag group behind him. They were beaten and bloodied. “What the hell happened?” She hurried forward to help a woman with a broken arm from the vehicle.

  Henry answered in a bald statement. “The warehouse was attacked. I warned you what would happen if the group splintered, but you did it anyway.”

  “Shut up, Henry.” Nancy, a petite redhead who usually worked out the legal details for the group, exited the last vehicle. “It’s Tuesday. I came in to do the paperwork and found the place destroyed. From my guess and from what they said, the base was attacked early this morning, less than an hour before sunrise.”

  Caly whistled. “Risky.”

  With a nod and a disgusted look, Nancy waved an arm to indicate Henry. “He and his group were celebrating a successful mission. Only they didn’t notice they were followed back.”

  “How many survived?” A quick survey of the vehicles and a glance down the road told its own story. Caly cast Henry a scathing glance, furious that he could make such a rudimentary mistake. She well understood the need to celebrate after all the setbacks they’d suffered, but you do it away from base and post guards.

  “This is it.” Tight lipped, Nancy clicked her tongue in disgust. “I also found this dunderhead had rigged the ballot. The group knows. It’s the reason why we’re here.” She met Caly’s gaze directly. “You won by a landslide.”

  Caly’s jaw sagged. She shook her head in denial, unable to assemble enough brain matter to formulate a response.

  She wanted to deny everything, didn’t want the responsibility. She wasn’t anywhere near ready like everyone seemed to think. And worst of all, if everyone knew the truth, knew her connection to the demon underworld, they’d agree with her and that’s what shattered her.

  While she battled her indecision, Nancy shrugged. “We would’ve shown up sooner, but the police were asking some sticky questions and detained us most of the day. At least you couldn’t do ant worse than this knucklehead.” She sniffed at Henry before disappearing inside the house.

  Henry glared at Caly. “This is all your fault. If you hadn’t dragged everyone here, we would’ve had enough defenses to repel the assault. Instead, we lost some good people because you didn’t keep your word.” He crowded closer in an attempt to intimidate her.

  Her lips curled in a snarl. “I kept my word. Everyone here came of their own accord. They left the group.” Caly shook her head. “No. They left you and your lackluster leadership. I told you this would happen if you didn’t find a strategist.”

  “You bitch.” Spittle flew from his mouth. Face purple, fists clenched, Henry all but shook with repressed rage. Less than a foot separated them.

  Caly tensed for attack when warm hands settled on her waist, pulling her backwards. Caly stiffened and tried to jerk away, but the hold was unbreakable. With little effort, she found herself lifted clear off the ground and set aside.

  “What in hells name are you doing?” It did nothing to deter him. Her guardian released her, stepped forward, still almost naked, and faced down Henry.

  The action startled her, and she stilled.

  She could fight her own battles. Always had.

  She didn’t know how to react to having someone do it for her. Anger gave way to curiosity, and Caly watched wide-eyed as Henry backed down from the confrontation.

  “Apologize.” The low rumble of the guardian’s voice made her spine tingle.

  The threat must have been enough. Henry blanched. A mumbled, half-assed apology escaped as he scrambled for the front door.

  She didn’t trust Henry completely, but they never left one of their own behind. Even the assholes. Then a dark suspicion worked its way into her mind. Henry wouldn’t run scared from a simple threat.

  Demons often exposed their true self when enraged. Half afraid of what she’d find, Caly quickly circled to face the guardian.

  Only to find the same too handsome appearance.

  A cynical smile twisted his lips. “What did you expect to see? A demon?” He laughed humorlessly. “Careful little one, keep pushing and you might find more than you can handle. Don’t dig if you can’t face the truth.”

  It stung that he’d so easily guessed her intent. Caly didn’t understand it. Just what type of demon was he? Determined to find out the truth once and for all, Caly tromped toward the library for the second time in as many days. She would find answers, even if it took her all night.

  “You could say thank you.”

  Caly rolled her eyes and picked up the pace, hounded by the warmth in his voice and the way it tugged at her. She felt his eyes watching her retreat, felt branded by his gaze. Heat moved down her body and came to rest on her ass.

  It was all she could do not to turn around and confront him. The only reason she hesitated was she feared she was more interested to see if he was checking her out than to actually reprimand him over the fact.

  Frustrated, she stomped up the porch steps, the wood vibrating underneath her boot heel. It didn’t make her feel any better. Desire still hummed through her body.
/>
  And there was nothing she could do about it, no visible enemy she could fight. Just how did a woman fight herself and come out a winner?

  Laughter drifted on the breeze. “My name’s Ruman.”

  She slammed the door behind her.

  Chapter Twelve

  Without Oscar’s police contacts, necessity forced Caly to wait until daylight faded the next day to search the compound for any clue of the attackers.

  Unfortunately, waiting gave Ruman the opportunity to tag along, which was the last thing she wanted. The greater the distance between them, the better for both. His sheer presence suffocated her objectivity. She didn’t know where he went during the day, and told herself didn’t care. The daylight hours granted her a much needed reprieve from his overbearing attitude.

  Though it wasn’t much of a break. The crew asked questions about him all day. And every time she had a few moments alone, no matter how she tried to keep busy, her mind automatically gravitated to him like a damn homing pigeon.

  Her hope to escape the house undetected dwindled when hushed voices rose from the foyer. As she came down the stairwell, the third step creaked under her weight, and she winced. The voices stopped. She hadn’t fixed that step as it was a perfect alarm system. Now, with so many people in the house, it was a nuisance.

  The old farmhouse, chipped paint and all, was packed to the gills. No one could fart without someone else knowing.

  Her steps slowed to allow herself a few seconds to compose herself before facing everyone. In a nervous gesture that was unlike her, she adjusted her weapon. Then she hit upon the reason for her unease. Her room had been searched. Everything remained in place but her things had felt off, not put away in the same, precise way she took care of her few belongings.

  Then understanding hit. Henry, the skunk. Her mood lightened a bit with sadistic amusement.

  She wasn’t stupid. He wouldn’t find the medallion there.

  She took a deep breath to center herself then stepped onto the landing. Hand on the newel post, she searched the faces of her friends and comrades. Some were resolute, some determined, while others seemed resigned.

  “Where’s everyone going? Are we having a party?” She blinked innocently at Jarred, but he only crossed his arms over his chest in the way men had a way of doing when they thought women were being unreasonable.

  She dropped the pretenses. “This is only a simple in and out recon. No danger. No engaging the enemy.” No one said a word. Defensive, but determined to go alone, Caly placed her hands on her hips and widened her stance. “It’s a one person job. More people will only attract more attention.”

  “If it’s a simple mission with no danger, you won’t mind company.” Ruman stepped from the shadows, the smirk on his face enough to make her want to kiss him.

  No!

  She meant smack him.

  Uncertain of his agenda, she kept silent and trailed cautiously down the rest of the stairs.

  As if he sensed her betraying train of thought, Jarred snickered. It quickly turned into a cough when she elbowed him hard in the stomach. The skin of her face tightened. If not for the demon’s interference, she would’ve managed to talk her way out of company. Because of this buffoon, the chances were nil.

  She couldn’t sneak off and find her djinn with everyone in attendance.

  Her jaw ached from gritting her teeth against the desire to swear. “The more people who volunteer, the greater our chance of discovery. The group can’t withstand more publicity. The last thing we need is to be followed and suffer another attack.” She dared anyone to argue with her edict.

  Of course, Henry had to challenge her judgment.

  “Are you saying you’re the only one competent enough to complete this mission?” Cocky as ever, he appealed to the others and spread his arms. “We’ve all earned our dues. One person going alone is suicide. As much as we don’t get along, this is something none of us can condone.”

  Kelly had the audacity to smile. “As much as I hate to admit it, doofus here,” she gestured to Henry, “has a point.”

  Nodding in agreement, David wrapped his arms around Kelly from behind and rested his chin on the top of her head. “Select one or two people to scout the area and keep look-out. It’ll allow you to search without fear of discovery. We’ll be able to watch if anyone shows a little too much interest.”

  Silence filled the room. Caly expected Henry to explode when no one automatically jumped to obey his command. Instead, he remained tightlipped and acquiesced without a word.

  Caly scrambled for an idea, but she had nothing. She conceded defeat with little grace. With a turn of her heel, she stormed outside to her Dyna Superglide. The Harley chugged when she cranked the engine over, and she revved the throttle. The smell of gas, the rumble of the motor, soothed her. From the saddlebags, she removed her heavy leather and suited up for a ride, leaving her hands free of gloves in case of attack. She had to be quick, her fingers dexterous enough to grab for her weapons.

  Zipped and buttoned, Caly lifted her leg and rested the heel of her boot against the bottom of the porch railing. By rote, she strapped two large handled knives to the outside of her right pant leg, one to her calf, and one on her thigh. Legally, the state allowed only a three-and-a-half-inch blade. Because she moved to the country, she could claim they were for hunting and get away with her five inch Browning. Other weapons remained hidden on her bike. They were illegal, but illegal was better than dead.

  Caly swung her leg over the seat, double-checking that her blades were easily accessible. A twist of the wrist sent the engine revving until it settled into a loud purr. Bike upright, she kicked the stand back and placed yellow tinted glasses on the bridge of her nose.

  Before she could take off, someone settled on the back of her bike. Though they didn’t touch, her body went on full alert. She knew without looking who thought to grab a ride.

  No one rode with her.

  Ever.

  “Get off.” If attacked, she needed to be able to move without hindrance. And she sure as hell didn’t need him anywhere near her when she was trying to keep her head straight and focus on what needed to be done to keep her friends safe.

  Ruman placed a large hand on her hip and leaned forward, his chest pressed flat against her back. The jacket didn’t prevent his essence from enveloping her senses, nor his warmth from surrounding her, wrapping around her until it was all she could do to keep her mind on the mission.

  Chin on her shoulder, his lips a breath away from her ear, he whispered, “Make me.”

  The words were husky.

  A dare.

  The challenge simmered between them. She clenched her hands on the handlebars, a tremor wrapped up her arms as she resisted putting her hands on him. If she touched him, she couldn’t guarantee it would be in violence. The shiver that worked its way down her body made her want to turn around and steal the kiss he owed her.

  The glimpse she caught of him from the side mirror revealed a playful smile, and the enjoyment he got out of taunting her. Beneath the dark lenses he wore, she found brown eyes devouring her.

  Daring her.

  “It’s not worth my time.” With a shrug, she forced her eyes away from him. A small voice whispered demon, but her mind and body drowned out the sound. Each hour they were together, it grew fainter.

  That was so not good. Lips pursed, she took off with a roar and a spray of gravel. Nighttime was a wasting.

  His hands tightened almost painfully on her hips. Caly concentrated on driving the twisted country roads. The longer they waited to search the compound, the more dangerous it’d become both in terms of the attackers finding them and the trail going cold.

  She weighed the consequences of a detour and with a quick, impulsive decision she pressed the turn signal. The turnoff would add an additional twenty minutes to the ride, but the little jaunt might possibly be worth the cost. It was time to get some answers.

  Her features settled into firm lines. “There ar
e precious few references in the old records about guardians. There was no mention of any curse or your kind gaining their freedom.” She spoke the statement matter-of-factly but it sounded more like a question.

  Instead of hollering to be heard over the wind, Ruman edged his body closer in a way that threatened her resolve to find out more about him. “I’m a unique case.”

  The deep rumble of his voice echoed along her back and it took her dazed mind seconds to digest his words. She swallowed hard and decided silence was the better part of valor until she could find a way to control her response to him.

  A sharp turn ahead had her downshifting, leaning the bike into the curve. Accelerating, Caly allowed herself to enjoy being outdoors. For a moment, she gained the freedom she was often denied.

  Wind scooped around them, over them, clearing away the problems of the day. No clouds dimmed the stars’ brilliance, no traffic obstructed their path. They crested a hill and Caly slowed to a stop at the peak.

  The moon’s rays illuminated the valley below them. Cast in shades of gray, the panoramic view of the countryside stole her breath. To her, the night had a beauty that rivaled what the day could offer. Even the city in the distance, a harsh reminder of the outside world, didn’t detract any from her pleasure.

  Ruman’s hold loosened, and Caly turned to see that the smile he’d wore had disappeared. Not a muscle moved as he took in their surroundings.

  “What is it?” Concern made her reach out and touch his arm.

  He looked where her hand rested, and Caly quickly removed her fingers from his sleeve.

  “Sorry.” Heat spread from her cheeks to her ears. Facing forward, she placed her hands back on the handlebars in a death grip. She’d been stupid to bring him here.

  Strong arms wrapped around her from behind with a quickness that caught her heart. He rested his face next to hers, only inches separating them. “It’s beautiful.”

  The sadness in his voice reminded her of the many times she’d been so alone, struggling to survive. Uncomfortable with her thoughts, Caly said the first thing that came to her mind. “I used to come here years ago.