After Dark (Between the Veils Series, Book One) (16 page)

“I didn’t say he was the brightest hunter.”

Temperance released a shuddering breath, yanking the medal from around her neck. She wasn’t sure what to do, but knew they didn’t have many options. Gall was right. They wouldn’t last long with only a salt barrier to save them. She held the talisman out, turning the cross toward Gall. The creature stopped, its gaze fixed on the swinging pendant.

She forced herself to swallow, praying her theory was right. “I have the medallion. I won’t let you hurt anyone else.”

Gall curled his lips into a snarl, his gaze still centered on the medal. “If you knew how to send me back, you would have done so already.” The edges of his mouth turned upward. “The talisman won’t save you if you don’t know how to use it.”

She held her ground, shaking it at him. “
Vade retro Santana
. Begone, Satan.”

Gall growled as his body wavered, the flames sputtering for a moment. He glared at her. “Not quite, witch. I’m more powerful than the mumblings of a long dead priest. You don’t have enough power to vanquish me.”

Avery grabbed her arm, spinning her to face him. “That’s it. You were right. We need some kind of power source to hit him with in order to reactivate the medallion.”

“But I don’t have anything other than our equipment.” She did a mental check of what they’d brought. “What about the UV device? It worked before. Maybe together…”

“It’s only on a battery and he’ll have that drained long before I can draw enough energy to do any real damage.” His eyes lit up. “I have an idea, but you’re not going to like it.”

She shook her head. “You’re not going to sacrifice yourself to save me, I…”

Her words were crushed in the hard rev of an engine. Avery cursed as he grabbed her, taking them both to the ground as the Porsche slid sideways through the fire beside them, spraying a layer of dirt and grass through the air as the hood flipped open, shielding them from the debris. Gall bellowed as his ring disappeared, tendrils of smoke marking its demise. He spread his hands, raising another barrier, making the flames flare against the amethyst sky. Temperance looked up just as Blake jumped out of the car.

He dashed to the hood before turning toward the demon, some kind of device in his hand. “Now, Temperance. Say it now!”

She struggled to her feet, holding the medallion out again as she recited the passage. “
Vade retro Santana
. Begone, Satan.”

Gall screamed as Blake pressed the button, a loud blast of static filling the air, mixing with the raspy wail. She held her breath, repeating the phrase, watching as the demon writhed over the ground, its body slowly vanishing. The medal glowed in her hand, the light blazing like the sun. The fire surrounding them dimmed, the flames crackling as they flared then fizzled out, leaving only the hiss of static vibrating in the air.

She kept going until the medallion sparked and disappeared, winking out like a distant star. Avery cupped her elbow, drawing her over to him. She moved effortlessly into his arms, burying her head in his shoulder as she released the breath she’d been holding, the air rushing out of her lungs in a strangled sob. Her knees threatened to buckle as he dropped kisses on her head, pulling her tighter.

“I don’t know what you did, darling, but damn, it was fucking incredible.”

She laughed, the tone higher than usual. “I didn’t do anything, not really. It was Blake.”

Avery turned as the man approached, his face covered in soot, his chest heaving. He kept glancing over at where Gall had disappeared, as if expecting the demon to simply materialize again. “Hey, don’t thank me. I never would have found you if Avery hadn’t answered his phone.”

Temperance drew her brows together, looking at Avery in utter confusion. “Phone? When the hell did you have time to answer your bloody phone?”

He smiled. “Technically, I just touched the screen when I put my hand in my pocket and left the line on. I had no idea it was Blake, or that he’d try to trash the car in some lame version of
Grand Theft Auto
.”

Blake slapped him across the shoulder. “Lame? That…right there…was some fucking amazing driving. Did you see me skid through that ring of fire? And for the record, the Porsche is mine.”

“The
truck
is yours. It suits your cowboy, all laid back personality. Now the Porsche…it screams me.”

Temperance snorted, crossing her arms on her chest as she shook her head, staring at Avery. “Aren’t you the least bit interested how Blake sent that demon back to Hell?”

Blake held up his hand. “I didn’t send it back to Hell, Temperance. You did that. All I did was supply the power I heard Avery say you needed.” He held up the unit. “It’s nothing more than an EM device, designed to provide enough electromagnetic energy for spirits to contact us. Most of the time, they just drain it, but hook this baby up to a car battery and bam…unlimited supply. Guess our demon friend didn’t know what to do when he got hit with that much energy.”

She laughed. “Seriously? You saved our asses with some white noise and a twelve-volt battery?”

Blake beamed. “The wonders of modern technology, girl.”

She sighed, not fighting when Avery drew her close again, his lips coasting over her ear. A shiver raced down her spine, but for the first time that night, it wasn’t because of fear.

“Remind me to get you another medallion…just in case.” Avery kissed her this time.

Temperance leaned into him, ignoring the way Blake huffed, mumbling something about them getting a room. All she knew was that the hunt was over, but the adventure was just beginning.

Chapter Eleven

Temperance stood in front of the chapel, her hands clenched at her sides, as she stared at the neon sign blinking overhead. The endless noise of passing cars and crowded sidewalks bustled in the background, adding to the frayed nerves already making her heart pound in her chest. She was here, in Las Vegas, and she was about to go through with the most impulsive decision of her life. A shiver of excitement wove through her body, unleashing a flurry of goose bumps. She’d never felt so alive, or so happy. And it was all because of one man.

Avery Smith…self-proclaimed psychic, ghost hunter extraordinaire and slayer of all things demon. The same man she’d called an arrogant ass on more than one occasion and the only man to ever steal her heart.

“I’d rather think that I’d wormed my way in. Stealing makes me sound…untrustworthy.”

Temperance laughed as Avery wrapped his arms around her, dragging her back into his chest as his hands clasped around her ribs. His warm breath glided over her neck, and she tilted her head, humming when his lips trailed along her skin, teasing her with a hint of what he’d do later.

“Stealing is the only rational explanation for how I fell so hard so fast. That, or you put a spell on me.”

“You were the one who put a spell on me, darling. After all, you are a witch.”

She sighed, taking his hand when he moved around to her side. “Then you’d best never cross me because you know what they say about witches who’ve been scorned.”

“And risk having you entrap me in a necklace? I don’t think so.” He tugged her hand. “Are you ready, or are you waiting for someone else to rescue you?”

She gave him a smile, squeezing his hand. “Can’t rescue what doesn’t need saving. And I was ready that first night you kissed me.”

Avery grinned, leading her into the small building as cars honked in the distance. Blake met them at the inner doors, looking handsome in designer jeans, a white, button-up shirt and black jacket. The man greeted Avery with a hard slap on his shoulder before pulling Temperance into a firm hug.

He gave her a chaste peck on the cheek as he eased her back, his mouth curled into an impish grin. “Damn, you are stunning.”

Heat burned her cheeks as she glanced down at her clothes. Though she rarely wore anything other than jeans, she’d opted for a spaghetti strapped dress that dipped low over her breasts and hugged her curves before flowing out at her ankles. In a brilliant white, it set off her tousled, auburn hair and was the closest outfit she’d ever get to a wedding dress.

She smiled. “Thanks, Blake. And thanks for coming. I know you’re anxious to head off on your vacation.”

Blake snorted. “There isn’t a force in Hell that could stop me from watching my consummate-playboy brother finally tie the knot.” He tapped Avery on the ribs. “I told you the next time I’d see you it’d be at your wedding.”

Avery huffed in feigned frustration. “You saw us at the plantation, jackass, and every day since.”

Blake waved him off. “Whatever. I just want it on record that I was right. I called this long before you guys did.”

Avery shook his head. “It’s only been a week. I’d hardly call that long, and I’m pretty damn sure I’d made my mind up the moment Temperance knocked on my door.”

“You just don’t want to admit I knew you were in love with her before you did.”

“Sure, little brother. Perhaps we should check you for psychic powers.”

Temperance shook her head, turning toward the door when it opened. A young woman in a plain blue dress walked through, her shoes clicking on the tiles. Her long, brown hair was pulled into a clip at the back of her head, and a touch of polished makeup highlighted the simple beauty of her face.

“Annie.” Temperance rushed to the girl, squeezing her tight as she wrapped her arms around her, curbing the urge to spin her around. “I thought you couldn’t get out of San Francisco due to fog?”

“I couldn’t. And with the forecast not improving, I decided to drive.”

“You drove? Ten bloody hours?”

“It was only nine.” Annie gave her a knowing grin. “I drive faster than you, Tempie.”

“Tempie? And here you told me you didn’t have a nickname.”

Temperance turned when Avery slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her close as he nodded at Annie.

Temperance extended her hand toward the woman. “Avery, this is Annie Dunnigan. Sis, Avery Smith.”

Annie smiled back, looking over at Temperance. “This is the arrogant ass you’ve been complaining about for the past year? Damn. If I’d known he was this gorgeous, I would have learned how to hunt ghosts.”

Avery laughed, offering Annie his hand, and raising hers to his lips as he dropped a kiss on the back. “I’m thrilled to see my reputation precedes me yet again.”

Annie waved her other hand. “And I can see why my sister changed her mind. You are a charming brute of a man.”

Avery straightened, glancing at Temperance. “I believe I was just complimented and insulted in the same sentence.”

Temperance hugged him closer. “Get used to it. Annie has a much sharper tongue than I do.”

“How wonderfully surprising,” he said.

Annie smiled as Blake sauntered over, shaking his head as he stood next to Avery. Avery glanced at the man and laughed, wrapping his other arm around Blake’s shoulder.

“Annie, I’d like you to meet my little brother, Blake. Blake, Annie,
Tempie’s
…”

“Little sister.” Annie shook Blake’s hand, drawing a deep breath when Blake repeated Avery’s kiss. “Damn, do all the Smith boys try to beguile a lady’s pants off with only an introduction?”

Blake winked at her. “The smart ones do.”

The group startled when a man opened an adjoining door behind them, calling out the name Smith.

Avery offered Temperance his arm. “Ready?”

“I can hardly wait.”

* * * *

Avery stood at the window, looking out at the starry sky. The ceremony had been short, but perfect, with just enough fluff to bring sweet tears to Temperance’s eyes. She’d held his gaze the entire time, that stunning smile never leaving her lips. And when the minister said he could kiss the bride, she’d pulled him down for a blazing, tongue-dueling battle that had lasted until the poor man had cleared his throat and Blake had bodily separated them.

“That’s an awfully serious look for a new groom.”

He turned, stunned at the vision of beauty behind him. While she’d taken his breath away in her form-fitting white dress that had flowed over her curves as if made just for her, the black lace negligee she wore now stopped his heart.

He pressed off the window, forgetting about the allure of the city lights as he stalked his prey, knowing nothing short of her lips on his would cool the fire burning through his veins. She met him halfway, wrapping her arms around his neck as he lifted her up, claiming her mouth as he carried her over to the bed, laying her gently across the soft, cotton sheets.

He smiled down at her, glancing at the mattress. “Another first for me. I don’t think I’ve ever made love in a sleigh bed before. Though the possibilities are intriguing.”

“Not sure you can tie me up on this one, though. No spindles.”

He chuckled. “There’s more than one way to tie a lady up, darling.”

“Or a man.”

“Well played. Now how about we worry about the logistics of bondage tomorrow? It’s been far too long since I’ve tasted you.”