Something Wicked (19 page)

She nodded and closed her eyes.

The next moment all the magic that filled the room left in a rush. The glass he held fell to the carpeted floor as pain swept over him and he rapidly lost solid form again. It was only Eden’s powerful magic that helped him attain that form during dark hours. Before he could say another word, his body turned to black smoke. He suddenly felt desperate to find shelter. In this form he was very susceptible, as close to true death as a demon could get, apart from being on the receiving end of an exorcism. He didn’t even make a conscious choice; he simply moved toward Eden as if attracted magnetically.

As he possessed her, she cringed and clutched at the bedsheets.

He hated hurting her. If nothing else, at least it was fast.

“We’ll fix this,” he said when he was able to communicate with her again.

“Oh, yeah?” she replied after a moment. “I think I’ve heard that line before.”

“Theo will help us.”

She exhaled shakily. “You’re sure you trust him?”

“With my very existence. Which seems to be rather appropriate right about now.”

“What if he can’t help?” she asked.

“He will.”

“But if he can’t?” she persisted.

“Then we’ll find another way.”

“The eternal optimist.”

“Who knew?” He was quiet for a moment. “I know I shouldn’t have borrowed your body . . .”

“No, you shouldn’t have.”

“But I’ve decided I’m not sorry.”

She tensed. “Not even a little?”

“I’m sorry you were so upset about it, but it had to be done and I stand by my decision.”

“Let’s just forget it.”

“Really?”

“For now. It’s been a long night.”

“What the hell did Ben want from you, anyhow? Did he really want to kill you?” Anger and hatred flared inside him as he thought about the cop who’d put Eden’s life at risk that night.

She hesitated. “No. He wanted to save me.”

He wanted to ask her to clarify. It felt as if she was holding something back, but he didn’t push her. “Doesn’t sound like it to me.”

“He means well. He’s made some . . . bad decisions, but he means well.”

Why was she still defending him? That didn’t sit well with him. “A lot of men have done evil all in the name of good.”

“Kind of preachy for a demon, aren’t you?”

“You’re right.” He hesitated. “It’s disturbing, actually.”

It only confirmed what Theo said. Demons didn’t preach right from wrong. Demons weren’t “nice.” They were powerful and dangerous opportunists. They were loyal to their own kind when it served them. Their own existence was of first priority to them, bar none.

Darrak wasn’t nice. Hell, he didn’t even want to
be
nice.

If Eden had met the pre-curse him face-to-face . . .

Well, she wouldn’t have been trying to make love to him. She wouldn’t feel remotely safe with him. And he wouldn’t feel this overwhelming need to protect her, even from himself.

Darrak trusted Theo as much as one demon could trust another. But Theo had no artificial humanity to deal with like he did. And Theo was not remotely
nice
by any definition of the word.

For the chance to break his curse, Darrak had no choice but to take a risk and meet with him at noon and take Eden along for the ride. He couldn’t say he wasn’t worried about this.

Even though demons didn’t worry. Or, at least, they shouldn’t.

On the bright side, he’d never had souvlaki before. It sounded delicious.

Eden slept in until after nine o’clock. The alarm clock didn’t go off. She assumed Darrak turned it off so she could recover from what had happened last night.

Last night.

Oh, boy.

Darrak was nowhere to be seen. She dragged herself out of bed and went to the bathroom, staring at her bleary-eyed reflection. She splashed some water on her face, then stared some more. Her gaze then fixed on her amulet.

Just like the circles under her eyes, it was significantly darker this morning.

Her hand shook as she drew a brush through her tangled hair. Her throat felt thick and her eyes were shiny. She wasn’t going to cry. That would be a really wimpy thing to do.

Everything was going to be okay.

Even though Eden’s soul had darkened from using her black magic again.

Even though someone had tried to kill her the moment they found out she was a black witch.

And that someone had been helped by Ben, a man she used to have a major crush on.

Also, she’d been unable to stop herself from jumping Darrak’s bones, and he’d soundly rejected her by throwing a glass of water in her face. The particular memory made her face flush with embarrassment.

Oh, and she couldn’t forget the news that her father was an angel.

Yeah. That little fact was still hard to wrap her head around.

Because of him, she had some sort of celestial energy inside of her fighting with her black magic and threatening to tear her into two separate and very pissed off pieces.

Did that cover it?

Her stomach lurched. Not painful this time. Just sick.

Eden had always wished for an exciting life. She really should have been more specific.

She forced herself to get ready for the day. She showered, dressed, and makeupped. She still had a glimmer of hope, and to this she clung desperately.

Unfortunately, that glimmer of hope was Darrak’s friend Theo.

The glimmer of hope flickered like a match in a strong wind, threatening to plunge her into darkness at any given moment.

Finally, she went out to the kitchenette to find Darrak and Leena both waiting for her.

“Morning!” Leena said cheerily. She obviously didn’t remember a thing from last night after being put back to sleep.

“Morning,” Eden replied, trying to force a smile to her face. She failed.

Darrak eyed her warily. “How are you?”

She couldn’t look him in the eyes. “I’ve been better.”

“Listen, about last night—” he began.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” She didn’t want to talk about anything from last night. In fact, she’d decided against telling Darrak what Oliver said regarding her father. Besides, she didn’t know for sure if it was true or not.

“But—”

“No, Darrak.” She went to the fridge and poured her daily glass of orange juice. Her queasy stomach protested, but she downed it anyhow.

“What happened last night?” Leena asked.

“Nothing.”

She felt Darrak staring at her, but she didn’t look at him.

The phone rang and she picked it up on the third ring.

“Eden,” Andy greeted her cheerily. Why was everyone so damned cheery this morning? “Running a little late today?”

“Yeah. Sorry. I’ll be in the office soon.”

“No worries. You got through a ton of files yesterday, so we’re all caught up. Take your time. Listen, I want you to join me for my cheating werewolf spouse stakeout. It’ll be good for you to see a master investigator like me at work.”

If nothing else, she was glad Andy was accepting the recent paranormal infestation in his life and business so easily. Although, it was likely he was in the land of denial. She really wished she could join him there. It was a happy place.

“When?” she asked.

“Noon. I can swing by the office and pick you up.”

That was when they were supposed to meet Theo the demon for Greek food.

“Can’t, I’m afraid. I have an appointment scheduled.”

“Is it important?”

“Vital.” She flicked a glance at Darrak, and memories of the prior night flooded back to her. “Can you handle it okay on your own?”

“Oh, sure. All I’m doing is snapping some pictures. It won’t be a problem. Just thought I’d offer. I’ll touch base with you later, okay?”

“Okay. Good luck.”

She hung up. Andy wanted her to learn the ropes of being a private investigator, and she had to admit, she’d started taking more of an interest in the business. She was naturally curious. Her case of the moment, although it wasn’t an official one, was figuring out who killed Graham. She wished she had more time to devote to it.

It wouldn’t be today, however. Her only priority was figuring out if Darrak’s friend was really going to help them or if he was just blowing smoke.

Since he was a demon, the smoke blowing might be quite literal.

“I feel like something’s going on that you two aren’t telling me,” Leena said. “If you tell me, I might be able to help out a bit more.”

“Yes, that would be nice,” Darrak replied. “What exactly is it you do around here? Other than watch television all day, that is?”

She gave him a dirty look. “This isn’t permanent.”

“So you keep telling us.”

“Us.”
Leena shot a glance in Eden’s direction. “He makes it sound like the two of you are a couple.”

Eden really didn’t need any bickering today. She was seriously close to the edge.

“Currently we’re a two for one deal,” Eden admitted tightly. “But, no, we’re
not
a couple.”

“Let’s leave, Eden,” Darrak grumbled. “I need to get away from Catwoman or I might say something I’ll regret.”

“Feeling uncomfortable around me?” Leena asked. “Is it because I remind you you’re as unwelcome here as I am?”

Eden hissed out a breath, wishing for the days when her apartment was empty except for her and a pile of magazines. Now she was constantly living an episode of
Three’s Company
. From Hell.

She rubbed her temples. “You’re not unwelcome. I promised you could stay until you sorted out your issues—”

“Which could take forever,” Darrak said.

“Right back at you,” Leena snapped.

“Come on.” Eden grabbed Darrak’s tense arm and directed him toward the front door. If they fought another minute, she was seriously going to lose her patience.

The wards she’d instinctively set last night wouldn’t protect her after she left the building. She’d have to keep an eye out for Ben and Oliver. However, they knew what she was capable of, and they wouldn’t know she didn’t use that black magic every day of the week. She’d be surprised if they approached her today, figuring they’d take a little while to lick their wounds.

Just the thought of a threat made magic begin to crackle down her arm.

Bad black magic. Go away.

Just like yesterday, her new neighbor Lucas was leaving at the same time as they were. Eden glanced at her watch. Maybe his alarm clock hadn’t gone off, either.

He looked over at her. “Hey, there.
Eden
, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.” Small talk in the hallway felt like a chore this morning, but she’d give it a shot. “How’s that housewarming party coming along, Lucas?”

“Slowly.”

Leena peered out the front door to see whom Eden spoke to, and her eyes widened as she took in the attractive man next door. “I don’t think we’ve been introduced. I’m Kathleen Harris. But you can call me Leena.”

He approached and firmly shook her hand. “Lucas Campbell.”

“So we’re neighbors, huh?” she grinned. “Feel free to borrow some of my sugar anytime you like.”

“And by that,” Darrak said, “she means she’d be happy to have sex with you.”