The Demon Within (47 page)

The blood rushed out of her head until she felt lightheaded. Caly dropped her gaze to the innocent looking disk. She probed it with the tip of her boot, afraid it would attack. “What is it?”

“Pick it up and see.”

His voice was so soft she had to strain to hear it. She tore her gaze away to glance at him. With his arms crossed, Ruman stood like the sentinel she’d once found in the forest so long ago. All except for his eyes.

His eyes were molten with emotions shimmering in their depths. With the promise in them shining at her, she reached down and picked up the piece.

A warm glow surrounded her hand, sweeping up her arm. In minutes, her whole body tingled as if waking from a deep sleep. “What’s happening?”

Ruman slipped his arms around her, and kissed her temple. “Don’t you know? Can’t you feel it?”

The piece cooled in her hand, and Ruman carefully lifted the chain and slipped it over her head. The metal came to rest against the burns on her chest and the pain evaporated. The raw flesh of the burn healed, leaving behind raised symbols imprinted on her skin. “What is it?”

“You are a Keeper.”

A laugh jerked out of her. “Like a fish?”

Ruman raised a brow without cracking a smile, and her humor faded. “As I am a Guardian, you are a Keeper of the Peace. The first one since the angels left this world to the humans.”

“Like the law or something?”

“Something like that.” Some of the tension eased the lines of strain on his face, and he tugged at a strand of loose hair, tucking it behind her ear. “There’s a fine balance between the demon world and the human one. You’ll become an intermediary between the two worlds.”

“That makes no sense. No demon would take me serious—” Ruman lifted a hand and Caly stopped, a bit overwhelmed by the turn of events.

“They will now.” He touched the medallion, a light caress that made her body hum. “This allows you the strength and longevity of a full demon. They’ll have no choice.”

Caly processed the information but only one thing repeated in her head. “Does that mean you’ll…” She broke off, the hope too painful to voice.

Ruman tipped up her chin and kissed her slowly. One touch and passion exploded, stunning her when he held nothing back.

Caly broke away, so dazed she stumbled over her own feet. “What was that?”

Head tipped back, Ruman laughed. The light of the sun hit the horizon and spread, rapidly eating the space between them.

Caly grabbed his hand, tugging at his arm. “You need to find shelter.”

Ruman shook his head. “Watch.”

As light hit his form, a warm glow enclosed his body. The first ray of sun cascaded over him, and he arched his back.

Caly watched, mouth gaping when blindingly white wings, twice as large as him, unfolded from his body. The beauty dried up her words. She stepped forward and reached out to touch him. “Ruman?”

“You saved my life. In risking your own for me, you lifted my penance.”

The implications slammed into her, strangling the air in her throat. She dropped her arm and hugged herself to keep warm, barely able to string her words together without stuttering. The wound twinged, but the pain in her heart blocked out all else. “You’re leaving.”

Ruman shook his head and touched her face as if awed by the privilege. “My place is at your side. The world is changing. We have to adapt. You have a large job ahead of you, one you can’t do alone. I am and always will be your Guardian.”

He lost his smile and glared down at her, eyes burning. “A team. No more risking your life alone. No more running out to meet trouble. Not without me. You—”

Caly reached up and kissed him, a quick brush of her lips. “Shush.” She gazed up at him, hope and uncertainty swirling inside her. She wanted this so bad she was afraid to take the chance and believe. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

“I want you.”

“But—”

“With everything that entails.” He paused a moment with a vulnerable look that cracked her heart. “If you’ll have me?”

Emotions clogged her throat when she would’ve spoken. Caly stepped into him arms, put her hands on his face and pulled his head down to eye level. “I love you.”

She kissed him chastely.

Once.

Twice.

Strong arms surrounded her, and she found herself swept off her feet. A bubble of happiness filled her chest, and she laughed. “I can walk, you know.”

“Why, when I can carry you?” He moved toward the house.

Caly slipped her hands in his hair and laid her head against his chest. “Do you get to keep the wings?”

“Aren’t you tired of angels by now? Don’t you know that they’re trouble?”

“You might have been trouble, but you’re worth it.”

Chapter Thirty-five

“H
e’d be proud.” Ruman nodded toward Oscar’s grave. Buried a few hours ago, they made sure Henry received a place of honor next to the old man.

Caly laughed through a sheen of tears. “He’d be horrified.”

Just the low, husky sound of her laugh raised his spirits, not to mention making him hard every time he heard it. Ruman wrapped his arms around her middle, pulling her back against his chest and nuzzled below her ear. “And proud.”

Laughter gone, Caly sighed and rested her hands on top of his. “And proud.”

“Caly, Ruman, there’s an attack at Bellvue.” David’s voice echoed over the cemetery, disturbing the early evening silence.

“East Bellvue Street, dumb ass.” Kelly snarled, startling a flock of birds into flight. She and David headed toward the van, Kelly’s strident voice carried easily on the light breeze.

“I thought being three months pregnant would’ve mellowed her.” Caly shook her head and sighed.

“Are you kidding?” Ruman laughed. “In a few months, we won’t be able to sneeze without her mothering us to death.” He smiled and reached out to touch her again like he couldn’t resist. “She’s perfect.”

Caly snorted. “If you ask me, Brie and Jarred were the smart ones to leave after the dust from the battle settled. We should’ve gone with them.”

“Vacation?” Ruman entwined his fingers with hers. “Nah. With nothing to do, you would’ve gone crazy on the first day.” He hugged her close and kissed her ear. “Anyway, they left so we could have some time alone.”

A sharp whistle pierced the air and they looked behind them. Kelly stood by the passenger side door of the van, her hands on her hips, her foot tapping. She waved them over and then scrambled awkwardly inside the vehicle.

“Back to work.” With a slap on her behind, Ruman chuckled and turned to make his way across the lawn.

“You’re going to pay for that.” Caly warned, rubbing the abused area.

A glance over his shoulder revealed a wicked smile and a gleam in his eye that did dangerous things to her heart. “Promise?”

The End

Sneak Peak

Electric Moon

“W
ould you care to explain why you let three strange male shifters into my house without my permission?”

Raven’s words halted Durant on the spot, but his eyes lit up as his animal rose to the surface. “What happened?”

“Besides them seeing me half naked, you mean?” She took pleasure in the little growl of rage that rumbled from him. “How about a little invasion of my privacy? I could’ve killed them by accident.”