A Girl's Guide to Demon Hunting (24 page)

    “Thanks Lokess,” I whispered.
    As much as I wanted to prolong our reunion, I had no idea how much of a head start the others had. Getting into the car, I put Pancake back in the passenger seat. While the engine warmed up, I opened the small black bag that waited for me on the floorboard. Lokess had done well: I found a cell phone, five hundred dollars in cash, a fake ID (I’d have to thank Jenny later) and a white envelope. Opening the envelope, I pulled out a thick red invitation. My stomach flip-flopped as I read the neat black script.

His Royal Highness and his guest Allie Montgomery’s presence is requested at the Annual Fall Art Gala at 7:00 P.M. this evening.
We seem to have something the other wants. 

XOXO
Peaches

    After reading the first three words at least ten times, I was finally able to read the whole thing. So Max’s dad was the King, which meant Max was a Prince. As horrifying as that was in and of itself, my mind seemed to focus on one very small fact. I called a member of the royal family a douche. To his face. Granted I may have physically assaulted him on more than one occasion but somehow calling him names felt so much worse. Did they still use stocks? Well, judging from Nick’s shiner, at least Ace might be there to keep me company.
   Feeling like I had a giant ball of anger, embarrassment and more anger bouncing around my insides, I glanced at the clock and saw I only had two hours before the exchange. I buckled myself and Pancake in and sped out of the garage.
   Once on the interstate I flipped open the phone and dialed Peter’s number. He picked up on the third ring.
“How would you feel about being the King of Las Vegas?”

Chapter 49

"Pissing Jenny off is never an option."
                                       
       -Allie

    The sun was setting when I finally pulled into the parking lot of the drive-in, coming to a skidding stop a few feet from a long black limousine. Peter, dressed in a tuxedo, emerged from the back of the limo.
    “Thanks for coming.” I told him as he opened my door for me.
    “You can’t make an offer like that and expect me not to show up.” He said, giving Pancake a wide berth as she jumped out of the car and ran straight for the waiting limo. 
    “Did you bring what I asked for?” I asked as I locked the car, at the same time wondering if it was even worth bothering.
    “Of course.” He said, sounding offended that I even asked.
Rolling my eyes at his reaction, I walked past him to the waiting limo.
    “Allie wait.” I stopped at the worry in his voice, turning to face him, I saw him examining the cuffs.
    “Give me your wrists.”
    Confused, I held them out to him. As he wrapped his hands around the cuffs, I felt his power wash over me only for it to recede until it was focused on my wrists. I gritted my teeth against the pain as the cuffs heated up just as they crumbled in his hands. Amazed and a little horrified at what he’d just done, I watched in silence as he dusted his hands off and climbed into the backseat of the limo.

    I stood there for a moment relishing in the feeling the warmth of my power. I had no idea until that second how much I'd missed it.

Chapter 50

Tip 199:  Never call a Gluttony Demon fat. Trust me, it's not funny.

    “Are you sure this is going to fit?” I asked from the backseat.
    “I’m a Lust Demon; do you really think I haven’t memorized your measurements?” Peter said from the front where he sat next to Penny who was driving. No way was Peter going to sit back here with Pancake.
    “Gross.” I mumbled as I pulled the dress over my head.
    The dress was made of black satin, sleeveless with a Grecian neckline. It would have been boring if not for the skirt, which was completely covered in peacock feathers. After tucking Julie’s ring in my bra I found a pair of small gold hoop earrings and three gold bangle bracelets in the garment bag. Putting the jewelry on, I slipped on the pair of black heels and gave myself a once-over in the reflection of the window. The short blonde wig looked okay hanging loose around my shoulders; my makeup though was nonexistent.
    “Penny, do you have any makeup I could borrow?” I asked, catching her eye in the rearview mirror.
    Unable to see the rest of her face I could only imagine her sneer as she threw her purse with deadly accuracy right at my head. I caught it just before it struck home. Opening her purse, I found her makeup bag. Rejecting everything but the mascara and the black eyeliner I went to work.
    I was just putting the finishing touches on the mascara when we pulled up to the front of the Botanical Gardens. Not waiting for the attendants, I opened the door and took in my surroundings. Two stories, made entirely of glass with a domed roof, it was beautiful.
    “Humm, I should have gone with something sexier.” Peter said as he offered his hand to me.
    Rolling my eyes at his comment I placed my hand in his; a cold chill ran through me and I tried to control the fear that settled deep inside me. My hand clasped tightly in Peter’s, I walked next to him as he avoided the long line of well dressed people who stood on a red carpet that lead to the paparazzi-covered main entrance. Instead he led Pancake and me down a slate covered path that circled around the side of the building to an outdoor maze of shoulder-high bushes.
    Across from the maze, there was a small entrance; this one lacking both the red carpet and the photographers.
    His hand on the knob, Peter paused and turned to me.
    “You better not welsh on our deal.” He said.
    "Just remember the plan."
    Taking a deep breath, I looked into his deep brown eyes and my breath caught at the fear I saw there. and I realized it wasn’t just my life I was risking tonight.
    “I keep my promises.”
    His hand tightened on mine and in the blink of an eye I felt his power, thick and dark wrap around me. I felt a moment of panic afraid of it's affect but it was fleeting as my power rose to the surface and his power settled against my skin like a shield. I guess this was a benefit to the blood exchange.
    "You're sure your shield thingy will work?" I asked.
    "Yes, the other Demons will only see what I want them to. Right now you're a tall blonde."
    "If we make it out of this alive, you've got a lot of explaining to do about this whole blood exchange."
     "I will. I promise."
    The Gala committee had transformed the Botanical Gardens into a magical work of art. White paper lanterns hung from the tree limbs, lighting the various pathways that wound throughout the gardens. Placed along the pathways, atop wooden easels, stood the featured artists’ paintings. Peter and I didn’t bother to stop and ogle the paintings, instead we went straight for the middle of the gardens. The bright sounds of a waltz came from a string quartet set up on a little stage on the edge of the dance floor.
    Couples crowded the dance floor, swirling in time with the music. Knowing Pancake would give me away immediately, I told her to hide. She ran around Peter and disappeared behind a thick rose bush. I smiled as I saw a bush a few feet away shake; she must have found a small rodent to snack on. Well, at least she’d be all hell hound-y when the time came.
    “How long until Peaches arrives?” I asked as Peter pulled me into the shadow of a tree.
    “Be patient.”
    “I hate waiting.” I said as I squinted in the dark for some sign of Pancake. She was definitely taking my command to hide to heart.
    “Then we don’t wait, we dance.” Before I could protest, he stepped out from under the protection of the tree and twirled me onto the dance floor. 
    Never having waltzed before, I did a fair amount of stepping on his toes before I got the hang of the steps. I kept my eyes peeled on the entrances as we moved around the dance floor. I couldn’t help but notice the shocked looks on our fellow dancers faces as we passed by. As usual Peter and I were dancing way too close; if we weren’t careful we might kill a few old couples with our dancing alone. ‘Round and ‘round we went and the ticking clock in my head seemed to speed up.  
     I felt Peter tense and his power pull tighter around me at the same time I saw Peaches walk onto the dance floor. Peter made a smooth turn, leading us off the floor and back to our tree. Hiding in the shadows I watched Peaches. Surrounded by her entourage of admiring humans and Demons, she hadn’t noticed us yet. She was absolutely beautiful. Her red hair hung in loose waves down her back, one side artfully pinned back, held securely with a large diamond-encrusted swan. Her long white dress, hugging every curve, pooled around her feet. She was already beginning to feed off the humans Envy.
    Careful not to draw any attention to us, I continued to look around. I caught sight of Heidi and Mateo along with their security about thirty feet from Peaches. They must have come in while I was watching her.
    “Peter, why are Heidi and Mateo here? I didn’t think they were into the art scene.” I asked in a whisper.
    “They’re not.” He said and a worried look crossed his beautiful face.
    “Don’t back out on me now.” I warned him. “You’re the only one I can trust.”
    “Allie, this could turn into a blood bath. Please, just come with me.”
    “Aw, you really do care don’t you?” I teased.  
    “Must I always remind you? I. Am. A. Demon.” He said, pointing to himself.
    Rolling my eyes in response, I told him, “Remember, when you find her, call the number I gave you.” Standing on my tip toes, I placed a kiss on his cheek and I tugged my hand from his.
    I walked as fast as I could down a winding path away from the crowd. I hadn’t taken five steps before I felt his power slip away from me. No longer shielded by Peter’s power, I didn’t have long before some Demon saw me and alerted Peaches. Thinking I might as well be comfortable if I was going to die, I pulled the wig off and tossed it into the bushes.
    My goal was to lure the Demons away from the crowd and one by one pick them off. I’d walked a few minutes when I heard footsteps behind me. Keeping my head down, I turned down a deserted path. With my concentration on what was happening behind me, I had no warning when a pair of hands grabbed me from the dark and yanked me into the shadows.
    I felt Max’s shield the moment he grabbed me. Relaxing in his arms as it surrounded me, I stayed perfectly still and watched as Heidi, dressed in a bright pink gown, walked right past us. I waited until her footsteps faded before turning to face him.
    “Crap you scared me.” I whispered.
    “I scared
you
? You’re supposed to be safe back at the house, not walking into a trap.”
    Remembering the trouble we got into the last time we fought in the dark like this, I pushed my anger aside.
    “You need me, Max. I can help you find Julie.”
    “I know.” He said.
    “Then...why did you leave me behind?” I asked, completely confused.
    “Because I had a plan that didn’t involve getting you killed. One that I don’t have time to explain.” He said, pulling me from the shadows.
     I struggled to keep up in the stupid heels as he pulled us down the stone path towards an emergency exit. I cringed in anticipation of wailing sirens as he pushed the door open. When no alarms sounded I relaxed. Curiously I watched as two men dressed in tuxedos slipped though the door. I barely registered the blonde hair before I realized who it was; tears sprang to my eyes as I was crushed in Shooter’s hug. Whatever might be broken with us, it could be fixed.
    Then, over Shooter’s shoulder, I saw Ace just a few feet behind. The bandage on his hand reminded me of what he’d done to Nick. He had to at least care a little.
Right?
    “Listen…” I said quietly. Damned tears were ruining my makeup job.
    “About that…” Ace said. I waited, knowing I deserved whatever came next.
    “Does this mean we have to be on the Demons’ side now? ‘Cause I really don’t like Demons.”
    I looked up and saw the stupid grin and I jumped at him and held both of my idiots close.
    “It’s always ‘we,’ Wonderkid.” he said quietly into my ear. 
    Relieved as I was, I still had the sudden urge to smack them both for putting themselves in danger like this.
    “Do you have the rifle?” I asked Shooter.
    “You mean this beautiful work of art? Allie, you shouldn’t have.” He said, patting his side. I could just barely make out the lump of the barrel.
    “There you guys are.” I heard Jenny say from behind us.
    The blood drained from my face as I saw her walking up the path with Pancake at her side (of course pancake had found her), dressed in a silver dress. A few feet behind her was Sam, dressed in a figure-hugging black dress and a purple wig.
    “No way.” I whispered as they walked towards us.
    Jenny came to a stop in front of us and her eyes widened when she saw me.
    “What is she doing here?” she asked, glaring at Max.
    My heart broke at her words, I’d been stupid thinking she would forgive me. “I really don’t see how her being here is part of the Save Allie plan.”
    “I just found her here.” He told Jenny. With a small smile she pulled me into a hard hug.  
    “I don’t like it but I’m glad you’re here.” She whispered. 
    “Me too.” I said, knowing she hadn’t forgiven me for what I’d done. But maybe I was a step closer.
    “Okay ladies break it up, we need to get this plan started if we have a hope of getting Julie.” Max said, tugging me away from Jenny.
    “But what about me? You can use me.” I said.
    “Using you as bait is a last resort. Ace, Shooter, Jenny; I need you to get into position.” Max said and with a nod they ran down the path and out of sight.
    “Sam, are you sure you want do this?” He asked.
    “With pleasure.” She said with a scary look in her eye.
    “No, wait. This isn’t going to fool anyone.” I said. “There’s no way you’re going to fool Peaches or any of the Demons for that matter. You’re going to have to use me.”
    “No, it’s too dangerous. Allie, it’s a simple exchange; all we have to do is get Peaches to believe it’s you long enough for Julie to be set free. It’s less risk to use Sam, I can’t shield you and fight at the same time.” Max said.
    “Then don’t shield me. I’ve done just fine all these years without one. Besides, how are you even going to get Julie out of here? It’s swarming with Demons. I’m telling you I can help. I can make sure you can get her out of here.”
    “What do you have in mind?” Max asked.
    “Pancake.” I said with a smile.