Deals With Demons (6 page)

“Monster,” she whispered, too angry to feel anything.

Devlin held out a hand. Fire shot from his palm and burned all the offending flowers to dark ash. Talia shook with anger. How dare he come here to mock his victims? Did he have no decency at all?

“I want to kill him with my bare hands,” she snarled.

Devlin laid calming hands on her shoulders. “I know but now is not the time to give in to your anger.

We have to find him before we can slice him into tiny pieces.”

Knowing he was right, Talia tried to shrug off the consuming rage gripping her. Even as she made the attempt she knew she wouldn’t be able to shake this emotion. She couldn’t sense others’ feelings if she was all blocked up with her own.

“I can’t,” she cried, tears of frustration and rage pooling in her eyes.

“Talia,” Devlin said, turning her around. “Look at me.”

Reluctantly, she raised her eyes to his.

“I know this is impossible,” he told her. “I wish I could do this for you. But I can’t. You’re the senser.

We need your powers if we’re going to stop this guy before he hurts anyone else. I know you can do this.

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. You have such strength in you,” he murmured softly. “I always knew that. Do this for your family. Do this so you can feel safe again. Saleel robbed you of something infinitely precious. Help me make him pay.”

Still shaking with anger, she tried to do what Devlin asked. She closed her eyes and focused on Devlin. Talia felt his hands on her, felt his nearness. She felt safe around him, even after the pain he’d put her through. Maybe she always would. After all, no matter what he’d done to her as an adult, he’d still saved her life as a child.

Concentrating on her lover helped her let go of some of the anger. Slowly, she became aware of Devlin’s emotions. Using her powers, she tried to draw deeper. She sensed the turbulent emotions swirling through him. Lust was in the forefront but also anger at what Saleel had done to her. She saw his protective streak and smiled slightly. But there was more. She just couldn’t see it all. Something important was missing. Something to do with her rose—

Devlin shook her roughly. “No, Talia!” he yelled at her.

Talia jerked back, blinking.

“I didn’t give you permission to invade my feelings,” he growled.

“Sorry. I was only trying to move past my anger. I did it without thinking.”

He closed his eyes in frustration. “Try and sense Saleel,” he told her, anger heating his voice. “And never turn your tricks on me again.”

She swallowed, guilt clawing at her. She could have stopped much sooner had she wanted too. But the thing was she didn’t want to. She wanted to know all his secrets. If she understood more about him, maybe he wouldn’t be able to confuse her as much as he did.

33

“Sorry,” she said again, turning back to the graves.

Anger washed over her once more, but this time she let it flow by her without engaging in it. She had no time to waste right now.

Closing her eyes, she opened her senses to Saleel.

Sickening waves of pleasure buffeted her. She tried to hold back her nausea as she felt his twisted pride when he looked at the destruction he caused. He’d been happy as he stood over the graves of her family. The idea that any creature would take such delight in the wanton devastation he’d wreaked turned her stomach.

“Feel his plans,” Devlin instructed, resting his hands on her shoulders. “Breathe past the emotions and see where he went next.”

Talia did her best to hold on to Devlin’s voice and use it as her anchor. He wasn’t like the evil she was touching. Devlin may have hurt her emotionally but he would never harm her physically. He was her safe harbour, even now.

Sifting through the monster’s emotions, she tried to catch traces of what he’d been planning as he stood here. Where was he going next?

The answer was elusive. She felt the presence of the thought she searched for but every time she tried to bring it into focus it disappeared like a dream.

“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 34

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.

35

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.”

37

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.