Demons Are a Girl’s Best Friend (24 page)

A demon and a priest walked into a bar one night.
She started to giggle.

“It has already begun. You cannot stop it now,” the priest intoned, keeping the fire-opal blade just above Courtney’s heart.

“That’s what you think.” Maggie knew enough not to make any quick moves. She just wanted to distract him long enough… As she sidestepped, she whispered words that floated through the air and reached Courtney, loosening the bonds securing her to the altar.

Lightning split the sky as Courtney rolled off the flat stone.

“No!” The priest reached for her. As he fell forward, the knife nicked the girl’s arm.

“Shit!” Before Maggie could utter words to stop the blood flow, a drop dripped off the knife blade onto the sacrificial stone. She didn’t hesitate and threw her knife at the priest, the blade finding its way to the man’s heart. He fell dead onto the altar.

“It’s too late!” Victorio shouted, triumph spilling from his voice. He threw up his hands to the sky. “Welcome to the one we have summoned!”

Maggie ran to Courtney, sealing her small wound with a spell and pushing the teen behind her as she retrieved her knife. “Elle, protect her,” she ordered. The spider immediately left Maggie and landed on Courtney’s shoulder, sinking her fangs into a guard who tried to grab hold of Courtney.

“You won’t win,” Declan declared, advancing on his father, his knife resting easily in his hand.

“I’ve already won,” Victorio taunted. “And if you choose the witch, you will become fodder for the god while I will rule.”

Black clouds covered the temple top, making it difficult to speak.

“Who summons me?”

All four turned at the musical voice.

The woman who faced them was barely over five feet tall, slender as a reed, with the golden skin of her Mayan heritage and lush black hair that hung to her hips. Her blood-red gown was accented with a girdle of gold circles, along with an elaborate collar of hammered gold and matching earrings. Her lips matched her gown, and her teeth, when she smiled, were white and very sharp.

“Only one of you wishes me here,” she spoke. “While I wish it were one of the females, I sense that is not so. Nor you.” She glanced at Declan. “So it must be you.” She turned to Victorio, who couldn’t hide his shock. “You are surprised, demon.”

“The history we have studied so many centuries and the reports all say
god
of destruction, my lady,” he said formally, quickly recovering from his surprise. “Naturally, I am happy to see a beautiful woman instead, and I welcome you to our world.”

Maggie kept Courtney behind her and at a safe distance from the goddess, whose power felt like a million nuclear plants ready to melt down. It was a struggle just to breathe. She glanced at Declan, who had managed to move a few steps away from his father, although he hadn’t sheathed his knife.

The Goddess of Destruction stared at her priest, touched his back, and impassively watched while his body turned to ash.

“You thought to tempt me with a child’s blood? Such weak fare is not a suitable offering for one such as I,” she said, with a toss of her head. “And I sense that the world is not what I wish at this time.”

“But I was promised much.” Victorio made the mistake of protesting. “I brought you the heart of a warrior my son valued.” He waved his hand. A mass of black muscle appeared in his palm, dripping dark blood.

“Alexi! You bastard!” Declan roared, moving toward his sire. “You had him killed.” He looked ready to tear Victorio’s heart from his body.

The Goddess of Destruction ignored Declan’s fury as she turned toward Victorio. “You are merely a demon, not even one of my lineage. You are also one that cannot be trusted. You have the heart of a deceiver and bring me the heart of one I did not ask for. A sacrifice such as this would only be accepted if the younger one had brought it to me. There is no power in your gift. I do not like deceivers, nor would I allow one to become a part of my court.” She looked at Declan. “You have the eyes of one to be trusted, but I also know you would not join me. What a pity.” She showed her pearly whites that looked razor-sharp.

“Is she hitting on him?” Courtney hissed in Maggie’s ear. The girl was immediately shushed.

“I will not be denied!” Victorio advanced on Maggie, an obsidian blade in one hand. “The witch’s blood will finish the ritual, and you will take me as your consort. I have worked too hard to see my plan fail now!”

Declan didn’t hesitate. He pushed his knife into his father’s back and then pushed his bloody body toward the goddess.

“He’s yours!” he shouted. “Take him back where you came from, and do not return!”

Victorio’s eyes widened with shock as his son’s words sunk in. “
No
!”

The goddess smiled. “I welcome your gift and will be happy to return to my home with this sacrifice. I have been in need of a new pet since my last one expired.” As petite as she was, she had no trouble wrapping her arms around Victorio’s torso. With a swirl of acrid smoke, she disappeared with Victorio’s cries a mere echo.

The threesome felt the rumble beneath their feet a second later.

“Time to go!” Maggie grabbed Courtney’s hand, while Declan guided them through the lingering smoke.

As they ran and slid their way down the steps, the topmost blocks of the temple tumbled down around them. By the time they reached the bottom, the rest of the team had dispatched the guards and were ready to help them back into the jungle.

It wasn’t long before the temple was reduced to a pile of rubble, the intricate drawings having disappeared and the fire opals in the stones melted.

“I knew you’d come!” Courtney hugged Maggie.

“Court, I have to breathe!” Maggie gasped with laughter, hugging her back.

Declan was treated to the same, along with every team member.

“You came, too?” Courtney stood in front of The Librarian.

“Someone had to record the rite,” he informed her.

Courtney danced around, the hem of her gown flaring around her bare feet. “Can you use magick for shoes?” she asked Maggie and sighed with relief when she found hiking boots on her feet. “Not cute, but they’ll work. Can we go home now? All they fed me was some kind of nasty-tasting liquid and berries!”

“I barely fought. Only one was my victim.” Elle pouted as she returned to Maggie’s arm.

“You were almost sacrificed. No hysteria?” Maggie was stunned by Courtney’s attitude.

“Oh, I’m sure that will come later, but I supposedly come from a line of nasty demons. We don’t have to walk far, do we? And does anyone have any food? I’m starving! Who can survive on nuts and berries? I
told
them I wasn’t a vegetarian, like that did any good,” she chattered away to Sybil as they walked back to the waiting jet.

Maggie felt Declan’s arms around her.

“You know what?” he said softly. “I think we’ll keep her.”

She tipped her head back to receive his kiss. “Yes, I think we will.”

“What good is coming from a line of kick-ass demons if I can’t throw a knife in a straight line?” Courtney groused. “And look at this. Blisters!” She held out her hands. “Frebus made me practice on the punching bag all afternoon.” She blew her bangs out of her eyes.

Maggie laughed, much to the teenager’s disgruntlement. “It will take time.”

Courtney collapsed on the couch. To maintain a cover for the human courts, they remained in the house on Spinning Wheel Lane, although they spent most of their time at the compound and Courtney slept there when Maggie was on a mission. The only difference was that the attic at the house had been turned into a studio set up for Maggie to teach Courtney basic magick. Elle had her own corner as she continued her search for a way to have a longer-lived lover. So far, the teen had blown holes in the roof twice and turned the attic stairs into rubber.

They had yet to learn what Courtney had a flair for, but Maggie knew it would come when the girl was ready to embrace it.

She looked at her ward, feeling a warmth that was new to her. While Maggie had plenty of friends, she hadn’t known anyone who relied on her in so many ways. She also discovered that going to the mall had a whole new meaning when shopping with a clothes-hungry teenager. And that junk food didn’t last long in the house.

But her life had taken an even more interesting turn. The object of that turn could be heard coming through the kitchen.

“Hi, honey, I’m home!” Declan walked in and kissed Maggie.

“You guys are so corny.” But there was affection in Courtney’s teasing. “Okay, I’m off to die on my bed. You can tell Frebus I can’t make my next class because he
killed
me!” She bounced upstairs.

“Gotta love the dramatics.” Declan dropped down on the couch beside Maggie.

“Anything more said about Victorio’s death?” She knew he’d been dealing with the administration of Victorio’s extensive holdings.

“I heard from one of the Demon Committee members an hour ago that it’s all settled. Wreaker put in a claim for his pets and some of the money.” He grimaced. “I told Wreaker he could only have the females as long as he doesn’t drain them. It’s in writing with his signature in blood, so they’ll be safe. With luck, he’ll get tired of them and release them.

“The Committee decided that Victorio’s greed for power got the better of him and they’re better off without him trying to usurp their positions. He will not be missed. They’re not happy I closed down the portal, but I won’t be punished for it. It’s not as if the club needs it.”

“Does that mean I can get in?” Courtney called downstairs. “I’ve got demon blood anyway.”

“No!” they shouted in unison.

“Changes all around.” Maggie admired the navy tone-on-tone shirt Declan wore. She saw it as too close to black, but she figured by year’s end, she’d have him in forest green or even a nice burgundy.

“How about some more? Think we can make a go of it as a family?” He brought her fingertips to his lips. “I move in here, and we tackle Courtney together. With Courtney, it would probably be best to have backup.”

She stilled. “I’ll still be a Guard.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. I just want to know you’ll come home to me.” He smiled. “I’ll even throw in a tree house.”

The sounds of Linkin Park screamed overhead, along with sounds of Courtney chattering away on her phone.

Maggie climbed onto Declan’s lap. “I already cleared out half the closet for you.”

“Good to know.” He leaned in to kiss her and then reared back as his nose twitched. His face grew a bright red, and he turned away to sneeze.

Maggie yelped and started to jump away as a corner of the coffee table went up in flames. Declan waved his hand, smothering the flames with a word.

“New perfume?” he asked, rubbing his nose.

She nodded. “I’ll give it away. By the way, the next time you feel the need to sneeze, aim at the fireplace.”

***

“I’ve found it! I’ve found the perfect hex!” Elle’s voice could be heard from upstairs. “I must choose my next lover wisely because I will be able to make him immortal!”

The next minute, Maggie fell off Declan’s lap as the house rocked on its foundation and the explosion had them staring up at the ceiling, which now sported a multitude of cracks and scorch marks. There was silence, and then came the tiny voice.

“Never mind.”

A thank-you to the lovely and imaginative Meredith Clark, winner of my name-that-character contest.

And a bless-you to Michael Charton, who researched the Mayan culture for me and saved me so much time.

Mega thanks to my family, who puts up with my muttering spells and creature names and sometimes grabbing pen and paper at the oddest times.

My totally awesome agent, Laurie McLean, who’s always there for me. Sourcebooks’s Deb Werksman, who’s also there for the witches; Susie Benton; Danielle Jackson who gets the word out; and fantastic illustrator Lisa Mierzwa, who illustrated my first four gorgeous covers and Tony Mauro who illustrated
Demons Are a Girl’s Best Friend
.

My Witchy Chicks family, who’ve been there from the beginning. I love you all.

The Casababes and my beloved Lair mates, who are always there.

And much chocolate and champagne to my friends who listen to me whine, giggle, and everything in between. You keep me just sane enough.

Linda Wisdom was born and raised in Huntington Beach, California. She majored in journalism in college and then switched to fashion merchandising when she was told there was no future for her in fiction writing. She held a variety of positions, ranging from retail sales to executive secretary in advertising and office manager for a personnel agency.

Her career began when she sold her first two novels to Silhouette Romance on her wedding anniversary in 1979. Since then, she has sold more than seventy novels and two novellas to five different publishers. Her books have appeared on various romance and mass-market bestseller lists and have been nominated for a number of
Romantic Times
awards. She has been a two-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA Award.

She lives with her husband, one dog, one parrot, and a tortoise in Murrieta, California.

When Linda first moved to Murrieta, three romance writers lived in the town. At this time, there is just Linda. So far, the police have not suspected her of any wrongdoing.