Rebel Heart series Box Set

by Trina M. Lee

  “Cinder would be happy to hear you say that. He was hopeful we would tackle this as a group.” I gathered my things, including the Midnight Star, which sat against my back in the sheath slung over one shoulder and tight across my chest. Excitement flickered through me, causing my pulse to race. “Ready?”

  * * * *

  Finding the church was easy enough. However, it was nothing like I’d imagined. We rolled up in Jett’s Mustang, the engine growling like the warning from an angry cat. Staring at the ramshackle building, I swallowed hard.

  It was in a sad state of disrepair. Crumbling stone walls kept it standing, but for how much longer was up for debate. A battered and rusty iron fence with bent bars and missing sections surrounded the property. Headstones littered what I could see of the rear. And demons. Several demons.

  “Oh boy,” I said, my throat dry. “This is a little darker than I expected.”

  “Really?” Jett studied the silhouettes moving beyond the stained glass windows of the building. It appeared to be heavily occupied. “It’s pretty much exactly what I was expecting.”

  I began to question both Cinder and myself. Were we crazy for thinking I could just walk into a demon black market and walk out with an item Cinder wanted, unscathed?

  Jett turned off the car and pocketed the key. Reaching under the seat, she produced a sai. Turning it over she grinned. “Silver coated. I came prepared. Claws, fangs, and this baby. I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

  Seeing as the werewolf who rarely dealt with demons was bubbling over with her readiness, I had to pull myself together. Jett was an excitement seeker, always looking for a rush. Performing was her favorite way to achieve that, but seeing the sparkle in her eyes made me envious. She seemed so much more prepared for this than I felt.

  Reminding myself that Jett was a predator by nature, I sucked in a deep breath and got out of the car. With the Midnight Star secure on my back, I flexed my fingers until my palms tingled, ready to throw fire in the face of any demon who messed with me.

  The front doors of the church stood open despite the frigid night air since demons remained unaffected by extreme temperatures. My breath puffed out as I shivered. Packed snow crunched under foot as we ascended the few crumbling stone steps.

  Noise spilled out of the desecrated church. Voices mingled together as demons shouted, laughed, and snarled at one another. A golden statue of a half-man, half-beast stood in the lobby. It was surrounded by incense sticks that gave off a rotten scent.

  I expected everyone to turn and stare at us when we stepped inside. They didn’t. Most of them took no notice of us at all. Okay then.

  The church was bigger inside than it appeared from outside. The pews had been removed, replaced with rows of tables where demons had laid their wares. From gemstones to weaponry and even animals, demons were buying and selling all sorts of items.

  “It’s like a black magic farmer’s market in here,” Jett observed, her dark gaze roving over the many tables of so-called goods.

  I reached into my pocket and pulled out the blue stone Cinder had given me. It glowed faintly. Nova must be here. Uncertain of where to start, I slowly made my way through the building, lurking near tables, watching the stone as I went.

  Two demons argued over the price of a ring that sparkled even in the dim yellow lighting. They spoke another language, but it was obvious that the buyer thought his offer of a small pouch of green sand-like powder was more than enough. The seller poured a small amount of powder into his palm and studied it. Then he muttered something that infuriated the buyer demon, who snatched his bag of powder back. With a snarled remark, he stormed away, leaving the other demon snickering after him.

  Spying our gazes upon him, the demon motioned us over with a hand. “Don’t be shy, ladies. Come see what Mallie has for you. Isn’t it lovely?”

  He held the ring up for us to see. It was hard to focus on when my gaze was continuously drawn to his inhuman appearance. With the head of a fox, body of a man, and cloven feet, Mallie wasn’t the most frightening demon I’d seen, but he certainly wasn’t setting my mind at ease.

  Black eyes glinted with intrigue as he looked us over. “Come now, white lighter. Surely you have use for such a trinket.”

  So much for my identity going unnoticed. As Jett kept a watchful eye on those around us, I approached the demon’s table, keeping out of reach.

  “What does it do?” I asked, merely curious.

  Mallie extended the ring to me, but I shook my head, refusing to touch it. I might be a newbie still, but I wasn’t an idiot. When I wouldn’t take it, he shrugged and laid it in his palm where it sparkled as if lit from within by its very own light.

  “It allows you to cross between worlds,” he said, turning it over as if that would seduce me into a purchase. “The wearer is able to step from the physical realm into the spiritual and back again as they wish. No limitations.”

  Step to the other side? Where all demonkind dwelled when not on the earthly plane? No, thank you.

  “Sorry.” I shook my head. “Not interested.”

  Unwilling to take a swift rejection, Mallie dropped the ring into a box and reached for what appeared to be a rabbit’s foot. “How about this? It brings endless good luck. Money, fame, fortune. Anything you want.”

  Jett’s head snapped toward him. “Anything? And what kind of price does such an item demand in exchange for all of those goodies?”

  Nothing good could come from the objects these demons were trading. There was always a price for the kind of power they offered.

  Mallie smiled. “Smart wolf. The foot gives you what it takes from someone else. As long as you don’t have a guilty conscience, it’s of little bother.”

  “Thanks anyway,” I broke in before the curiosity on Jett’s face could manifest. “We’re just here to talk to someone. Nova. Is he here?”

  Furry brows drawn together, Mallie dropped the rabbit foot and leaned forward, hands planted firmly on the table. “He is. But let me warn you, violence is prohibited within these walls. It’s a place for all to barter peacefully. Any white lighter business you might have with Nova will have to be taken outside.”

  So that was why nobody had threatened me the moment I walked in the door. Made sense. Insulting what remained of the church by turning it into a den of thieves wouldn’t go as smoothly if they were all fighting amongst themselves.

  “Understood,” I said, noting the way his gaze had drifted to the hilt of the Midnight Star.

  “I’ll give you everything I have for your sword.” Mallie spread his hands wide, indicating the various trinkets he had laid out.

  “Not a chance.” My body stiffened, and my breath came faster as nerves gripped me.

  Mallie stared hard, his black gaze boring into me until I began to feel violated. Then he blinked several times and pointed to a table toward the back of the church. “That’s Nova. Let me know if you change your mind.”

  As we moved deeper into the throng of marketplace demons, we began to draw more attention. Several sets of black and red eyes followed us. Some of them spoke in that strange language as we passed while others chose English, wanting me to hear them.

  “What business does a white lighter have here?” A question asked with aggression rather than curiosity.

  “Cinder’s chosen one.” This followed by mocking laughter.

  “Lovely young werewolf. I wonder if she’s for sale.” More laughter.

  Jett and I exchanged a look. She had grown visibly tense, hands clenched into fists. Her sai was tucked into her belt within easy reach. I hoped her short wolf temper didn’t cause her to say or do something to piss off the wrong demon. Or demons, as it might be.

  The stone in my hand glowed brighter as we approached the table Mallie had pointed out to us. Nova stood behind it, haggling with another demon. He had the appearance of a man, for the most part. Long black hair fell down his back, his pale skin so white and flawless he could’ve been chiseled from marble. Tall and well
built, he had the physical presence of one who had seen his share of combat. Dressed all in black with a hooded robe, he seemed ready for battle. His inhuman features were two black horns adorning either side of his head, his black wings, and the serpentine tail that flicked around his legs.

  “Is it wrong that I think he’s kind of hot?” Jett whispered.

  Nova glanced our way, doing a double take. Red eyes met mine and my lungs froze. Red eyes meant that he was a mid-level demon. In the same league as Koda and Dash. A force to be reckoned with, as all demons were of course, though part of me had held out hope that he was one of the weaker black-eyed buggers.

  We waited our turn while he finished his business. I watched the exchange closely, seeking any sign of the throwing star. There were many items on his table, but I didn’t see a throwing star among them.

  After trading a small leather-bound book for what appeared to be an eyeball, Nova dismissed his customer and turned to us with a raised brow. His face was void of anything remotely friendly. He looked us over one at a time with arms crossed.

  “Cinder sent you.” It wasn’t a question. “I suppose he wants the star. I told him what it would take for me to hand it over. So unless you came to meet my demand, you’re wasting your time.”

  “Oh? And what exactly did you want for it?” Playing it cool was hard with my heart thrumming in my ears. With hands on my hips, I did my best to hold his chilly gaze.

  A slow smile spread across Nova’s face, revealing two upper and lower fangs, much like a wild cat or wolf. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Cinder sent you without telling you what I demanded? What kind of game is he playing here?”

  Refusing to be intimidated by that vicious smile, I shrugged. “So why don’t you tell me? Then we can haggle about it. I mean, that’s what you all do here, isn’t it?”

  Nova’s smile faded as fast as it had appeared. “What I want in exchange for the star… is you.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  I stared at him, voiceless. The words wouldn’t come. This was Cinder’s way of giving me some field practice? By sending me directly to a demon who saw me as a commodity? Panic surfaced, threatening to choke me. The blood rushed from my face.

  Nova stared at me, patiently awaiting a response. Jett nudged me. If I stood there stupidly gaping at him any longer I was going to blow any hope of coming across confident and prepared.

  “Sorry to break it to you, but I’m not interested in being demon property,” I said coolly. The tingles in my palms spread up to my forearms, and I had to focus on shutting down the fire burning beneath my skin.

  Nova studied me in a manner that made me uncomfortable, like one might scrutinize a car they considered buying. “Sorry to break it to you, Ember, but you already are.”

  “What the fuck does that mean?” Jett broke in, a growl in her husky voice.

  He ran a hand over the wares laid out on his table. The atmosphere rippled and one of the objects, a tear-drop pendant made from a clear quartz crystal, lit up as he touched it. “The nephilim are abominations. Humankind tainted by the fallen. You belong to the dark.” Nova was flippant, speaking as if it were common knowledge and we were fools to think otherwise.

  “You must be forgetting that I had a choice,” I said, matching his condescending tone. “Not that I came here to discuss any of that with you.”

  Nova was silent. Red eyes leveled on me, he just stared. The mass of voices surrounding us faded, as did my awareness of the marketplace. I gazed into those crimson orbs, drawn to the abyss within them. The promise of escape beckoned to me, pulling me deeper. A sensual warmth unfurled within me, spreading through my limbs and clouding my thoughts.

  As I stared hard at Nova, I noticed the silver flecks in his eyes. I’d never seen anything like it. He was beautiful. I was willing to bet he felt as good as he looked. I leaned forward and reached for him.

  Jett caught my arm and shoved me back. With a hand on my face, she shoved my head aside, breaking my eye contact with the demon. “Hey, Spike! Snap out of it, would you?” To Nova she snarled, “What the hell did you do to her?”

  He allowed himself a snide smile. “Would you like to find out?”

  I shook my head and focused on each breath as it entered and exited my lungs. The lusty effects of his stare dissipated, and I was able to think again. “He’s an incubus,” I said, kicking myself for being such an easy target.

  Incubus demons commanded sexual energy, a weapon in their hands, a powerful one. With just a look they could have a woman, or man for that matter, in a swooning mess of desire. It was said that their kiss could bring enslavement and death. The female version was known as a succubus. It was a trait occasionally found in vampires as well, though with some limitations.

  “Cinder was a fool to send you,” Nova remarked. “He knows my terms. You for the star. Otherwise, no deal.”

  “Why Spike though?” Jett asked, careful not to hold eye contact too long, though Nova didn’t require it to manipulate a victim.

  “Spike?” Nova repeated with a raised brow. When I didn’t bother to explain he continued. “Why not her? She’s a rarity, as all females are among our kind. That alone makes her valuable. Being the keeper of the Midnight Star just adds to the appeal.”

  “And what would you do with her?” Jett continued, her brow furrowed in confusion. “Keep her as a pet?”

  I shot her a horrified glare. That was not a question I wanted the answer to. Too bad because I was going to get it.

  “Like she said,” Nova chuckled. “I’m an incubus. What do you think I’d do with her?”

  “That’s enough,” I cut in, not wanting to hear another word. The heat in my groin was still cooling. “There has to be something else you’re willing to bargain for. I’m not leaving without that throwing star.”

  Although I was most definitely still uneasy and bordering on afraid, I hadn’t come this far to leave empty handed. Unfortunately, I also didn’t have anything to trade for it.

  “How about your wolf here?” Nova nodded at Jett who bared fangs in response. “She seems like a fighter. I like that.”

  “Oh, I am,” Jett snarled. “Listen, asshole. Neither of us are for sale. Now why don’t we skip to the end and make this interesting? You want a fight, we’ll give you one.”

  Warning laced my tone. “Jett—”

  She rushed on unheeding. “The odds are in your favor. What have you got to lose, other than a throwing star?” Her eyes flashed solid wolf, ready to fight.

  Nova’s laughter warmed the air. He shook his head as if he couldn’t believe the challenge he’d just been issued. “Do you have a death wish, wolf?”

  What in the hell? That had escalated quickly. I held up both hands in a demand for their attention. A small flame danced about my fingertips, and I clenched my hands into fists in an effort to hide the small slip. No such luck. Nova’s watchful gaze didn’t miss a thing.

  “Nobody is dying,” I insisted, seeking a way to diffuse this bomb Jett had ignited. “Nova, you can’t tell me there’s nothing at all you’d be willing to give up the star for? I can’t imagine it means that much to you.”

  He wasn’t going to give it to me. And I couldn’t very well take it from him surrounded by demons as I was. Shit. I was stymied. This was a total fail so far. I felt like slinking out of there, but every demon here would know I’d left with my metaphorical tail between my legs. Seeing as so many of them knew who I was now, that wasn’t an option.

  Intrigued, a finely arched brow lifted as Nova considered my question. Anything he said was going to suck. He was a demon. No demand from him was going to be something I wanted to hear. I could only hope it was something I could pull off.

  “It doesn’t.” He gave a slight shake of his head. “Most of the things I trade don’t mean much to me, other than what I can get for them. Their value is determined on who wants it and how bad they want it. You seem to want the angel star bad enough, and I’d like to see what makes you so special. So I’l
l make you an offer.”

  When he paused to ensure I hung on his every word, I inclined my head in an expectant tilt, indicating he should spit out the rest of it.

  Jett remained stiff beside me, bristling over with wolfy goodness.

  Pure evil delight slid over Nova’s face. Holding out a hand, a black, three-pointed throwing star appeared in his palm. Each point was curved and razor sharp. “If you can take it from me, you can have it,” he said, flipping the star between his fingers with expertise. “We’ll have to go outside of course. I presume it will get violent.”

  “And if I can’t?” I didn’t want to ask but had to. Conversations with demons were never as they seemed. Getting all the details up front was a must. They would always take any chance to pull the rug out from under an unsuspecting foe.

  Nova exuded a sinister calm. “Then I take something from you. Sending you back to Cinder a little less innocent than you are now seems to be no less than he deserves for sending you in here.”

  Seeing as there was nothing I could say to his promise to violate me as a message to Cinder, I merely nodded. Though my experience with incubus demons was thankfully limited, I’d heard enough stories to know that what he promised could leave me scarred both physically and mentally.

  “Fine,” I finally mustered. “Let’s do this.”

  Without a glance back, I strode through the back door, ignoring the demons that watched our exchange.

  The last table near the door was occupied by a female demon, a rarity as Nova had said, so I couldn’t help but do a double take. White blonde hair fell to her hips in long waves. She too had black horns, one on either side of her head. No tail though, at least not that I could see. She peered at me with emotionless black eyes.

  “Are you sure this is a good idea?” Jett grabbed my elbow and hissed the words in my ear. “I have a lot of faith in your abilities, Spike, but this guy just threatened you with rapey things. I’m not sure this throwing star thing is worth it.”