The Quest (20 page)

I left the purse on the dresser and strolled out of the room. Boss used a charger on his desk. Maybe he’d taken my phone and plugged it into the charger.

Before turning the corner of the hall, I flipped on the light switch. Boss left the chair pushed under the desk, and even from a distance, I noticed he cleaned off the top. I stopped behind the chair and looked down. My phone sat on a folded piece a paper. He’d written my name on the cover.

My heart began to beat faster. I reached for the note. Did I really want to read it before calling Sal? What if it had bad news? What if he decided he really didn’t love me? Dragging my fingers 1over the paper, I decided not to read it yet. I picked up the phone, found Sal’s number, and waited for an answer. When his voice mail picked up, I left him a detailed message telling him I no longer needed his security.

“The cops are still out there,” Tabby said as she reached the end of the staircase. “My sister is going to pull up in a few hours and think something bad is going on.”

“I just called and left Sal a message. Maybe he’ll get it and spread the word before your sister arrives.” I set the phone down and picked up the note.

“I hope you’re right. I don’t want to spend hours explaining everything to her.” She stopped in front of me.

“Have you read this?” I held up the small piece of paper.

“No, but I’m dying to know what it says. He wouldn’t tell me.”

“Did he seem mad when he left?”

“Kind of. I was getting a bottle of water from the refrigerator when he rushed by. He said he had to meet someone and left you a note.”

“He had to meet someone?” I asked with shock evident in my tone. “Before dawn?”

“That’s what he told me. He left so fast, I didn’t get a chance to ask who.” She pointed at the note. “Do you want me to read it first?”

I lowered my head. “No.” With one flick, the paper unfolded. Boss wrote
Don’t go. Please.

“What’s on it?” Tabby asked.

I handed the note to her.

She read the words aloud, then said, “He’s worried about you.”

I took the note back and returned it to the desk. “Yeah, well I refuse to quit, no matter how much he begs me.”

Tabby let out a deep sigh. “Now what?”

“Now, I take a bath,” I said, stepping past her. “When I get out, I’ll call Boss.” Although I wanted to know where he was staying and with whom, I decided the phone call could wait a little while longer. The grime, dirt and dust from yesterday had clung to my skin long enough.

“Do you want me to make something to eat?” Tabby asked. “I can fix a sandwich for you.”

Food? Did she mention food? I stopped halfway down the hall and spun around. “I’d love one of your sandwiches.”

She smiled and for a moment, I thought she would jump with joy. “Great. I’ll have it ready for you when you’re done.”

The enthusiasm in her voice was unmistakable. She took pleasure in cooking and preparing food. She enjoyed it so much she battled Jonas for superiority in the kitchen. While fixing a sandwich didn’t entail much difficulty, seasoning it did. Thus far, Jonas had her beat, but I still enjoyed everything she prepared for me.

Tabby headed upstairs, and I strode into the bathroom. After stripping off my clothes, I enjoyed a relaxing bath, then dried my hair and added a touch of makeup. Back in the bedroom, I slid on comfortable clothes–a pair of jeans and a tank top. As I shut the dresser drawers, I backed up and kicked one of my boots with the back of my foot. I glanced down and saw my dagger on the floor. Picking up my prized weapon, I wondered if I should find a way to strap it to my back or leg since danger followed me everywhere. I placed the dagger on the dresser, deciding I’d ask Boss for help on securing it to my body.

I met Tabby upstairs, ate the delicious sandwich she prepared for me and listened to her talk about her sisters for nearly an hour. The woman amazed me, helping take care of her three younger sisters while her parents worked double jobs. She shared with me the struggles and the happy times they went through. Listening to her, I wondered if I had any brothers or sisters. If I did, were we happy? Did we struggle? I doubted the latter since Boss believed my father to be a powerful demon.

When the doorbell rang sometime later, a wave of sadness washed over me. The time for Tabby to leave had arrived.

While Tabby dashed upstairs to get her bag, I opened the door.

“Hi, is Tabitha here?” the tall, lanky young female asked. She had long, dark hair past her shoulders, but not nearly the length of Tabby’s.

“She ran to get her bag,” I said, opening the door wide. I extended my arm toward the living area. “Would you like to come in?”

“I’m coming, Teresa,” Tabby yelled.

“That’s all right. I’ll wait here,” Teresa said, smiling. She held out her hand toward me. “You must be Shelley. Tabitha has told me quite a bit about you.”

Oh, really? I shook Teresa’s hand. “Your sister is a wonderful person. I’m going to miss her while she’s visiting you.”

Behind me, I heard loud thuds from the staircase. I glanced over my shoulder and found Tabby reaching the last few steps.

“Did you have any trouble getting here?” Tabby asked, peering past Teresa as she handed her bag to her sister.

“Except for the accident on the interstate, I didn’t have any trouble.”

Looking outside, the sun shone and not a cop car was in sight. I met Tabby’s gaze, and we both smiled.

“Looks like Sal got the message in time,” I said.

Tabby wrapped her arms around me. “Take care of yourself, and please be careful.”

I squeezed her back. “Call me later.”

“I’ll miss you,” she said, her voice choppy.

Grief hit me fast. I wanted her to stay. She was my best female friend, and the only female I trusted in my crazy world. Yet, I knew if she remained here at the house, her life would be at risk.

I took a step back from her and tried to smile, but my lips refused to budge. “Enjoy the time with your sisters. Hopefully, this will all be over in a week.” And hopefully, I could return to a normal life, whatever that was.

Tabby wiped a tear rolling down her cheek. “If you need to talk to someone, call me.”

“I will,” I said, trying to refrain from sounding glum. “Don’t worry, I’ll get everything worked out.”

She nodded, stepped past me, and then stopped. “Be sure to tell Jonas you thought my sandwich was the best.”

I chuckled. “I’ll tell him.”

She left, smiling.

I watched until the car disappeared from sight, then returned inside the house. For the first time since I could remember, I felt completely alone.

I strode toward the kitchen with one thought in my mind–finding Boss. Where was he? Why did he leave? He could handle a little sun, but certainly not a full day of exposure. I needed to know he was safe.

I headed for the basement to get my cell phone. The doorbell chimed, stopping me halfway down the stairs. Thinking Tabby had forgotten something, I rushed back up and slipped through the opened door.

The annoying ding sounded again.

“I’m coming,” I yelled, heading toward the front of the house.

I unlocked the bolt and opened the door. Nothing was there. Not a body in sight. Not a shadow. Not a stir of movement except for the trees in the distance rustling. A soft breeze brushed over me. Who could’ve rung the doorbell?

The wind picked up. A light, burning odor drifted in the air. In an instant, a chill crawled over my skin. I took a step back. A second later, I sensed motion behind me and spun around.

“Hello,” Billy said with a devilish curl of his lip.

Fuck!

Chapter 14

Billy’s clenched fist shot straight at my face. I swayed to the side, missing the hit by mere inches and hearing air swoosh near my ear. The demon’s burning scent scorched my nostrils. If he had broken my nose, I wouldn’t have had to smell his hideous scent. Thinking fast, I shoved both hands into his chest. He stumbled back, giving me the opportunity to flee. And I did.

I rushed past him, feet stomping on the floor as I headed for the basement. Billy wanted me dead. Knowing he would accept nothing less and nobody else was around to stop him, I had to fight back. If I wanted to survive, which I did, I needed my dagger.

Behind me, I heard smacks of feet, a racing heart and heavy breaths. I rounded the corner fast and caught a glimpse of him drawing near. Damn, I needed more distance, more time–if only seconds, but I couldn’t let those two problems stop me.

Reaching the half-open door to the basement, I paused for a brief second to widen the gap. Billy rushed toward me. I leaped down the steep staircase, breathing fast and praying I’d reach my dagger in time. The weight of his presence pressed upon me with each thud of his feet on the steps. Halfway down, he shoved my back, and I lost my balance.

I missed a step and twisted my ankle when it slipped off the edge of the next one. Pain seared my bone. I would’ve screamed, but my legs buckled, and I crumbled fast. My knees hit the steps first, then my arms. I rolled, banging against the stairs, unable to stop myself from the rapid descent. The world spun around me and every bone ached. Finally, my out of control body flew from the staircase. I smacked into the wall and expelled a loud gasp.

The world continued to spin, and my heart pounded in my chest. I needed to sit up, move and get my dagger, but my entire body ached. I tried lifting my arm, but it felt heavier than a boulder.

“What a lovely home,” Billy said.

Through my unclear vision, I saw him descending the staircase. Swallowing, I closed my eyes and hoped the dizziness would stop.

“I’m going to have fun cutting you into pieces and displaying them throughout the house.”

Eyes still closed, I rolled onto my stomach. Every little bit of movement brought more pain, but I had to get to my dagger. I refused to let some underground scumbag kill me. After a quick, deep breath I opened my eyes and pushed myself onto my hands and knees. My bones screamed in pain, and I ignored them.

“Oh no you don’t.” Billy planted his foot on my back and shoved me to the ground. “You’re not going anywhere.”

I bit my lip, holding back the cry of agony that wanted release. The bedroom was only a few feet down the hall. I’d left the dagger on the dresser. Somehow, I had to gather my strength to get to my weapon.

He pressed his weight upon me, pinning me to the ground. “Mmm, mm, I must say darlin’ you have one hot ass.” He slapped my rear and slid his hand between my legs.

“Fuck you!” I spat, disgusted with him touching me. Hot anger seethed within me, giving me energy I desperately needed.

Billy laughed. “I love your spunk.” He gripped my arm, forced me onto my back and sat on me.

Seeing his devilish face, I gathered a glob of saliva and spit. The giant bubble smacked his eye. Score one for the
darlin’
.

“You fucking bitch!” He wiped at the goo on his shoulder, then pulled something out from his pocket. He held it above me. Following a click, a silver blade slid out.

Fear and adrenaline powered me. I braced one hand against his chest and gripped his forearm with my other one. He pushed the knife forward with all his strength, but I held him back.

“How much is she paying you, Billy?” I asked, my sore arms straining to keep him away. The sharp point of the blade inched closer.

He gritted his teeth. “I’m not doing this for money.”

The silver watch on his wrist faced me. In a split second, I recalled it from our first meeting. My father’s watch
.
Sadly, I lacked the time to study it in detail.

“Why then?” My arms trembled slightly. I had vampire strength, but I still ached horribly from the fall down the stairs. “Power?”

Sweat broke out on his face as he struggled to move the knife forward. “Your daddy could offer me a job as his right hand man, and I’d still want to kill you.”

I stared into his eyes and found a deep loathing. Why did he hate me? What did I ever do to deserve such feelings from him? And why would he bring up my father? Thoughts racing, I came up with one possible answer.

“For Galluzzi?”

A slight twitch of his lips clued me to the answer I’d suspected.

“You really fucked things up by making her withdraw from the presidential campaign. Demons could have–”

“Shelley? Boss?” Jonas called out from upstairs.

Billy jerked his head toward the door.

I wondered briefly how Jonas had left the hospital. “Here!” My voice was shaky as I struggled to keep Billy’s knife from piercing my flesh.

Unknown voices and the patter of multiple footsteps rushed closer. Jonas wasn’t alone.

Billy growled in anger and jerked his arm back, freeing it from my grasp. He held the blade high and tight in his grasp, ready to plunge it into me. Sweat rolled down his face while his eyes gleamed with pure loathing.

“Stop or I’ll shoot!” A man’s voice.

Billy lowered the blade. Two shots blasted from the top of the stairs. Before the sharp blade sliced into me, Billy and his weapon disappeared. I lay frozen, staring at the empty space above me.

“Holy fuck!” Jonas said as he descended the stairs.

Two uniformed officers with guns in their hands followed Jonas. I breathed in a deep, relieving breath, and then rolled onto my side and pushed myself into a sitting position.

Jonas crouched down in front of me. “Are you all right?”

“I am now.” I gave a jerky nod as one officer passed by us, walking down the hall. “What are you doing here?” I watched as the police officer checked the bedroom, pointing the gun ahead of him.

“The doctor released me since I healed fast. A couple of cops were outside my door and offered to give me a ride home. I normally would refuse a ride from a demon, but Tabby told me what was going on. I tried calling and texting Boss. He never replied.” Jonas quickly scanned the area. “Where is he?”

“I don’t know. He told Tabby he had to meet someone. He left before dawn.”

Jonas eyed me with confusion. “He left before dawn?”

“That’s what Tabby told me.”

He stood and rubbed a hand over his short hair. “It’s not like Boss to up and leave before the sun rises.”