Shadow Demon

by Judith Post

Aidann, as usual, wasn’t as pleased. “There’s only one bed, a couch, and a recliner. Where do we sleep?”

  Andre went to find the blow-up mattress Reece had purchased when too many rogues called her condo a safe haven. She’d never used it. As Choco explained, “Air mattresses leak when we shift. Our nails punch holes.”

  Aidann eyed it skeptically now. He sighed. “It’s better than the floor.”

  The man oozed nothing but good will. Reece ignored him and followed Damian to the kitchen. Too much adrenaline always made her hungry. Right now, she was starving. And overwhelmed. She needed sustenance and comfort.

  Chapter 18

  Once they’d eaten, Reece went with Damian to the balcony to see him off. He’d used telepathy to let Benito and Antony know he’d join them later than usual tonight.

  “Be careful.” She wrapped her arms around him, no easy feat. Her gargoyle wasn’t small.

  “All of us are frightened, not just you.”

  She melted into him. He’d put words to what she hadn’t said. “You guys handle it better. I feel like I could jump out of my skin.”

  “It’s worse when you don’t know what to do, when it looks like you haven’t got a chance. But you helped us take a step none of us thought possible. That means, we might find another. Don’t give up hope. Not yet.”

  She hugged him and stepped back to look at his face. A high forehead. Chiseled cheekbones. Noble. That was the only way to describe him. “I’m glad I found you.”

  “Technically, I found you, the best thing that’s happened to me in centuries.”

  “Do you have to be so literal?” He had found her, or she'd have been a canine treat. She'd have joined the great pantheon of fledgling witches who hadn't lived long enough to find their powers.

  He gave a full-fledged grin. “I have to enjoy your weak moments while I can. They don’t come that often.”

  “Weak!” Her hands went to her hips. "Vulnerable—maybe. But weak?"

  He laughed. “Time for me to leave!”

  She watched him spread his wings and fly into the shadows. He’d purposely teased her to lighten her mood, she knew. And she appreciated it. When she turned to go inside, she saw Luna standing at the French doors, smiling at her.

  “I had a gargoyle once,” Luna told her. “A wonderful companion.”

  That's when it clicked. “Benito!” Reece remembered the first time she’d met Damian’s elder. He’d told her that he’d met her great grandmother, that he knew the Rutherford bloodline. His tone implied they’d been more than friends.

  Luna looked surprised. “You know him?”

  “He’s here. He’s Damian’s elder.”

  “My gargoyle’s in Bay City?”

  “He and Antony live in a nest in the attic of an old church. Damian joins them every night to stand guard.”

  Aidann approached, a scowl on his face. “What is it?”

  “An old friend of mine is helping fight Nen.”

  The scowl deepened. “What old friend?”

  Reece looked from Luna to Aidann, not sure of herself.

  Luna smiled. “Don’t worry. Aidann’s not the jealous type. He just doesn’t trust anyone.”

  “For good reason,” Aidann said.

  “It is harder being a warlock than a witch.” Luna raised a brow at him. “Not that you’d be cheerful anyway."

  "What is this past love?" he asked. "Someone we can depend on?"

  "Another gargoyle. My choices were much better than yours."

  Reece couldn’t hide her surprise. "You've had lovers?"

  "When I was young.” The warlock hunched his shoulders. “Romance is overrated."

  How long was “young” for a warlock? Reece wondered how many women he’d “loved” before he teamed up with Luna.

  Luna laughed, unconcerned. “And now he’s hunting Nen with me."

  "Love and battles don't have to be mutually exclusive, do they?" Reece could see these two as a match.

  “For us, yes. With someone else, I might have both.” Aidann scowled at Luna. “Why's that?” Andre asked, coming up behind them.

  “I smile once in a while,” Luna quipped.

  Aidann turned to Andre. “What’s your agreement with Hecate? You seem like upstarts.”

  “Upstarts?” Andre’s posture stiffened. “We might be new, but we’re serious. I've had lots of women. I know when I’ve found a keeper.”

  Andre had had a lot of women. That's why Reece never took him seriously, but when he saw Hecate, that was the end of his playboy days.

  “And you?” Aidann asked Reece. “What about you and your gargoyle?”

  Luna smirked. “Stupid question. What gargoyle have you ever met who doesn’t give one hundred percent?”

  Aidann's eyebrow rose in warning. “How serious were you about this Benito?”

  “We'd still be together if he hadn't traveled to America to protect a city.” She smiled. “Sometimes, though, passion blazes brighter when you know your time together is short.”

  “My point exactly.” Aidann went to the table and pulled out a chair. "This conversation bores me. There must be something we can do."

  "Cards?" Andre grabbed the deck from the bookcase.

  As Aidann shuffled, he tossed Andre a challenge. “You’ve never slept with women just because you could?”

  “If I had enough wine, I slept with women I didn’t even like, but then I met Hecate.”

  Aidann shrugged. “I haven’t met the right woman yet.”

  “That’s what every player says.” Luna picked up her cards. They played five-card stud for the next two hours. Reece went bust first. She couldn’t concentrate, and she was never good at games. Aidann lost next, and then Hecate. Finally, Andre won the pile of chips in a showdown with Luna.

  The cards put away, they settled on the sofa and chairs in the sitting area and turned on the TV, but Reece could hardly keep her eyes open.

  “Go to bed,” Andre told her. “I’ll make sure Luna and Aidann have everything they need. You don’t have to play hostess.”

  Gratefully, she padded to her bedroom, tucked behind the bookshelves. She stripped out of her clothes, let them stay where they dropped, and pulled the blanket over her. The voices in the other room lulled her to sleep.

  She woke to the aroma of fresh coffee and to Damian and Aidann talking in the kitchen. At first, she didn’t move. The bed felt so good and doing nothing felt even better, so she turned onto her back and stretched slowly, enjoying her solitude. But she caught a word here and there.

  “Gordy …pacing…distracted.”

  Aidann’s brogue answered. “Nen…summoning…weakest link.”

  Reece frowned. What was happening now? Her curiosity overcame her languor. She rolled out of bed and reached for her robe. It wasn’t there. She stepped into the jeans she’d left on the floor and pulled on a clean T-shirt. No bra. It was too early. She padded into the kitchen.

  Damian went to pour her a cup of coffee. His eyes roamed to her breasts, and he smiled. “Did we wake you?”

  “That’s all right. You sounded serious. Is everything okay?”

  The smile faded. “Nen might not be able to leave his house, but we’re thinking he can call people to him. Gordy’s having a hard time staying away.”

  Aidann pressed his lips together, aggravated. “If he’s affecting Gordy, he might be affecting a lot more people, too.”

  “Can we interfere with a summoning spell?” Reece asked.

  They settled at the wooden table. Aidann absently stirred sugar into his coffee. He didn’t seem the sugar type. She’d expected him to take bitter and black. “It’s tricky.” He took a sip from his cup and grimaced. “Potions protect against enemies. Shields protect against magic, but these people aren’t enemies and they have no magic, so they can pass over or through them.”

  Luna left the air mattress and came to sit next to him. “Nen can’t cross our boundaries, so he found people who could.”

  Damian let out a s
igh. “We knew Nen would think of something. He was quick about it.”

  “Because he obsesses. He doesn’t stop thinking until he finds a solution.” Luna’s hair, unlike Reece’s tangled mop, fell to her shoulders in waves. It made her look soft and vulnerable. Reece knew better.

  Andre reached for Reece’s black, silk robe, draped across the arm of his recliner, and headed to the coffee pot. Reece scowled at him. He liked her robe a little too much. He ignored her and poured two cups of coffee, one for him and one for Hecate, then brought them to the table. Hecate had slept in her clothes. She looked rumpled and groggy. She sipped quietly while the others talked.

  Damian said, “Pete and Hud have put yellow, police tape around the house. They were going to keep watch, treating it like a crime scene, but Wedge sent two of his Weres to stand guard. Their hearing is more acute and they’re faster. If someone tries to get by them, they won’t be able to.”

  Aidann shook his head. “No guarantee. If Nen keeps talking in peoples’ heads, they might be half-crazed. They might come armed.”

  “That’s another reason Wedge sent Weres. Not many people carry guns with silver bullets.” Damian didn’t sound overly thrilled with the plan. “All of that’s great as long as Nen doesn’t find a way out. Then whoever’s at his house won’t have a chance.”

  “They wouldn’t anyway,” Hecate said. “Everyone in Bay City will be in trouble if he escapes.”

  “Wedge has each team take two-hour shifts. Choco and Spikes are there now.”

  “Why them? They’re new.” Reece was fond of the two, recently changed rogues. They’d stayed in her loft for a while, hiding from Selena and Rome Nash.

  “Why not them?” Andre reached for an orange in the bowl of fruit Reece kept on the table. “No one wants to be there. Everyone takes a turn.”

  Reece bit her bottom lip. Andre was right, but it would bother her more if something happened to them instead of someone she didn’t know. Not fair, but true. She pushed to her feet and went to open the refrigerator. No wondrous, whipped-cream-laden food sat ready to tempt her. She shut the door and poured herself another cup of coffee. The pot was empty, and Damian came to help her make more.

  “How do you stop someone from pushing past the police tape when Nen’s calling them to him?” she asked.

  “Simple.” Damian’s voice was matter-of-fact. “You knock them cold.”

  Reece stared.

  “It’s better than crossing the shield and going into that house.”

  Luna leaned forward to see Hecate better. “What if we cast an obscuring spell? That would confuse people. They couldn’t see the house.”

  “They’d still feel compelled to that spot,” Hecate said.

  “Winds?” Aidann asked. “They could gust around the property and keep people away.”

  “And you don’t think that would attract attention?” Andre raised a dark brow. “Scientists and meteorologists would probably come to study the phenomenon.”

  They were throwing ideas around, growing frustrated, when someone knocked on the door.

  Reece went to answer it.

  Pete peeked inside her condo. “Sorry. I didn’t think you’d have visitors this early in the morning.” He nodded at Hecate and Andre, gave a salute to Damian. He slid past Reece and started for the table to join them.

  Aidann’s pale eyes glittered with questions as he glanced at Damian.

  “The main detective I work with."

  Aidann nodded understanding. He waited for Pete to settle in the chair Reece had just vacated and glared at him.

  Pete returned his gaze. Years of being a cop made him immune. “I’m not sure what to tell reporters about the crime scene. Any ideas?”

  “The house you taped is quarantined. The man who lives there has a rare and serious disease, extremely contagious. He’s not allowed to leave and no one’s allowed to enter.”

  Reece blinked at Hecate. What a brilliant explanation for Nen’s barricade!

  “What kind of disease?” Pete asked.

  “The diagnosis isn't official yet,” Hecate said, “but no one wants what this man has.”

  Pete pushed himself away from the table. He waved Reece back into her spot. “No need to let me out. I know the way. I’m calling this in right now.” He hurried from the room, closing the door behind him.

  Andre slid an arm around Hecate’s shoulders. “Sometimes, you simply amaze me.”

  “And you told the truth, in a fashion.” Luna grinned. “Once the news hits, people will be wary to even go near that house.”

  Damian gave an admiring nod. “It’s the perfect excuse to cordon off the house and keep people out. It might even make the residents in the next houses want to leave for a while.”

  “Nen will still be able to draw some victims to him,” Aidann warned.

  “Let him. The Weres won’t let them pass.” Andre finished his coffee and went for another cup. “We have a strong pack in Bay City. Wedge is one hell of an alpha.”

  Reece understood Andre's pride, but she didn’t like having the Weres so close to Nen. If he managed to escape, they’d try to stop him, and they didn’t stand a chance. “You know, we never used our holy water or rosary beads at Nen’s house. Would that make our shields stronger?”

  Hecate blinked at her, mulling over the idea. “It can’t hurt. We gave all of our beads away. Do you think Father Daniel could give us more?”

  “Let’s ask him.” Damian rose and reached out a hand for Reece. “Why not stop by the church?”

  This time, Andre and Hecate drove in his Land Rover. The rest piled into Reece’s SUV, and they set off to see the priest.

  Chapter 19

  Benito put his hand to his heart when Luna climbed the steps to his nest. “I wondered if we’d meet again.”

  Antony glanced at Luna, then Reece. “You look alike. This must be your great…”

  “My bloodline,” Luna finished for him. “Age has no relevance for us.” She turned to the warlock close on her heels. “And this is Aidann, her friend, who came to help us fight Nen.”

  Benito seemed genuinely happy to see them. “He looks as powerful as you are, Luna—how fortunate. If I remember correctly, you don’t suffer fools gladly.”

  “You know me too well.” Luna smirked. “His gifts complement mine.”

  Benito motioned toward Antony. “Have you had the great fortune of working with my friend?”

  Luna shook her head. “I’ve heard of him, of course. Antony’s victories are well known in Europe.”

  Aidann, dark and forbidding, looked out of place in the gargoyles’ room. He frowned at its slanted ceilings and the small windows tucked into its angled roof lines. He sneered at its shabby furniture. “How did three gargoyles happen to settle here?”

  “I thought Luna would have told you. I came to help Aurelius fight a nest of vampires who’d invaded Bay City.”

  Reece took a quick breath. She didn’t like to talk about vampires. Damian stiffened at his old friend’s name. He still mourned his passing.

  Benito kept his voice neutral. “Eventually, we couldn’t protect the city on our own. There were too many others. We needed help. Damian joined us.”

  Reece wove an arm through Damian's. He slid his hand into hers.

  To change the subject, he said, “We came here to ask Father Daniel a favor. Is he around?”

  “He’ll be up in a few minutes. He’s excited about meeting the new witches,” Antony told them. “He’s counseling a young girl in his study at the moment.”

  Reece couldn’t imagine anyone better for that job. To her, Father Daniel was every bit as wise as the gargoyles, and he’d achieved that wisdom in one lifetime.

  “What kind of favor do you need?” Benito asked.

  “More rosary beads, maybe a necklace for each corner of Nen’s yard and more holy water, if it’s possible.”

  “It certainly is,” came a voice from behind them. Father Daniel made his way up the last few stairs to join the
m. “My, my, am I right to presume we now have two more witches among us?”

  Benito beamed a welcome. “Daniel, may I introduce you to Luna and Aidann? They’ve flown here to fight the warlock.”

  The old priest paused an instant, nonplussed. “Flew?”

  Luna laughed. “On an airplane. We don’t do broomsticks.”

  Father Daniel chuckled at himself. “Luna, is it?” He studied her carefully. “I’ve heard your name before.”

  “An old friend of mine from Europe.” Benito smiled. “And Reece’s relative. Two similar visions of beauty.” At Aidann’s scowl, Benito misread his concern. “I’m too old to pursue those types of pleasures these days. I wish you and Luna lifetimes of happiness together.”

  Aidann looked as though someone had sucker punched him. “Luna and I fight battles together. That’s all.”

  “Really? Such a shame.” Benito shook his head, clearly disappointed.

  Reece turned her attention back to the priest. “I take it Benito and Antony told you we’ve sent the demon home and trapped Nen.”

  He took her hand, beaming with pride. “Such a good girl! I knew you could do it.”

  “It’s not enough. We have to keep Nen there.”

  “If you think rosary beads and holy water will help, I’m honored to be of service. Tell me what you need and Damian can collect them when he comes for his friends at nightfall.”

  “Four rosaries, at least,” Reece said. “We’ll bury one at each corner.”

  “Bury them?” Father Daniel sounded slightly shocked.

  “So that no one sees them and removes them. Or wonders about them.”

  Father Daniel nodded. “I see. And the holy water?”

  “For the Weres who stand guard to pass back and forth among themselves.”

  “I’ll fill half a dozen vials. No reason to take chances.” He hesitated. “I understand how holy water might affect a demon, but a warlock? Will it work?”

  “We don’t know.”

  His voice trembled slightly, not from age. “I hope you aren’t forced to find out, but it’s better not to leave any stone unturned. I’ll have both ready for Damian when he comes tonight.”