Sweet Temptation

by Wendy Higgins

  “What happened?”

  “Three whisperers were on Jay. Two on Patti. One was trying to possess her.” Patti covers her mouth and gags. I can’t bloody blame her. “I killed four of them, but . . . one got away.”

  “One got away,” I whisper. Anna and I stare at each other as it sinks in.

  One got away. One who saw her with the sword. One is all it takes. It feels as if my innards are on a carnival ride, because this is it. This is the catalyst—the beginning of the end. Anna has started it, and she’ll lead us into it, and oh, God.

  I stand, grasping my hair roughly. I feel the same nervous energy course through me as when I had to watch Anna work on New Year’s Eve, and when she entered the summit in New York the next day. That same bloody powerless feeling. I lean against the wall, my head spinning.

  “Shite. Shite, Anna . . .” I’m not ready for this. It’s too soon. I’m not ready! A yell forces its way upward and out of my mouth, and I punch the wall with all my strength. My fist goes through drywall.

  I have to protect her. I can’t let anyone hurt her. I know she’s strong, and though we don’t look at things the same way, or think things through the same, she is smarter than me in many ways. I know all of that, but I am still crazed with the need to hide her from the world.

  I turn and lean against the wall, pressing the heels of my hands into my eyes.

  I’m not ready. . . .

  “Kai.” Anna’s voice is clear and calm.

  I drop my hands. She has brushed the stray hairs from her face. I don’t know how she can look so certain at this moment.

  “I don’t think they know you’re here,” she says to me. “That’s to our advantage.”

  I nod, though it’s hard to believe anyone’s got the advantage here but the Dukes.

  “You’re not on the suspicion list,” she goes on. “So you can stay ‘in the know.’ We’ll go our separate ways and—”

  “No,” I interject to stop her. She’s mad if she thinks I’m letting her out of my sight. “I stay with you.”

  If she refuses, I will follow her. I stare at her, daring her to argue. She sighs and looks aside, thinking.

  “Okay. Let’s get our stuff and get out of here.”

  Bloody right. Together.

  We say our good-byes to Jay and Patti. Anna hugs her mum tight, and then we run. I drive Anna’s car and she lies low in the backseat.

  When an unknown number shows up on my mobile, I know it’s Father straightaway. I’d been curious to hear from him before, but now? Not so much.

  “Hallo,” I answer.

  “It’s Pharzuph.” I knew he was young and American now, but hearing his new voice is still fucking weird.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Are you in Atlanta?”

  “Not yet.” I glance at Anna, who’s bloody adorable in a baseball cap, and for half a second I’m distracted. And then young, twatty Pharzuph speaks again.

  “Meet me at our former home tonight at nine p.m. I’m flying in, and we have some things to discuss.”

  All I can think of is that I have Anna with me, and how fantastically horrible his timing is. “I’ll see you at nine o’clock, sir,” I say, like a good boy.

  “Don’t be late.” He hangs up and my jaw locks with annoyance at his insolence. It’s a good thing we’ve got a seven-hour drive ahead of us, because it’s going to take at least that long to mentally prepare for this. I won’t just be swallowing my pride; I’ll be choking on it.

  At eight thirty I’m back in my old room, and I feel no warm and fuzzy memories. In fact, I’m entirely creeped out to be back here, surrounded by the ghosts of my past.

  I focus on the fact that Anna is parked up the street, and I’ve got knives in my pockets and boots—the blades have even been dipped in holy water. If demon legend is correct, holy water does more than repel demons—it’s like a poison to them, like prayer in liquid form.

  I push my hearing down to where I know Anna’s parked, but I hear nothing. She is silent and unmoving. Good girl. Now I just hope she stays there. I hope she has no reason to come charging at the house, sword blazing.

  Although, that would be a brilliant sight.

  I pace the room. Perhaps I should go upstairs to wait, but this room feels like my territory. I’d prefer to meet here if he’ll allow it. I flick on my old stereo system and smile as the high volume vibrates the floor under my feet.

  Screaming lyrics. The whine of electric guitar chords. An unrelenting drum beat. Lovely.

  A strand of my hearing remains on the front door, so I know when Father comes in. I’m on my third Nine Inch Nails song. My hands clench and stretch open. Clench and stretch. I stare at the door. When it swings wide, a tall blond bloke stands there with his face scrunched in disgust. We are matched in body thickness, but he might have an inch of height on me. He carries himself like a wanker.

  Three grungy spirits fly next to him and over him, filling the room with half their wingspans spilling through the walls. I hope they don’t venture around the premises during this visit.

  “Shut this racket off!” he yells.

  Yep. Wanker.

  I flip the stereo off and he lets out an annoyed sigh.

  “Good to see you, Father.” I nearly trip over the word Father. He’s got the large red badge, but he can’t be older than twenty or twenty-one. “Excellent choice on your new host body.”

  “Yes, it was,” he says, running a hand through his thin, silky-looking hair. He’ll probably be balding by thirty. “You sign the estate paperwork tomorrow?”

  Is that what this is about? “Yes, sir. In the morning.”

  He pulls a folded paper from his back pocket. “Here’s my new account information. You’ll receive your own funds from the life insurance and inheritance. Everything else needs to be transferred to me. If a penny is missing, I will know it.”

  “I understand.” Git. He just wants to make sure he gets his money so he can start his new life ASAP. Could’ve just rung me, but I suppose he wanted to show off his pretty new body.

  The spirits circle us, restless. Father ignores them.

  “Good.” He sniffs the air and glances at the king-sized bed with its black and gray silk bedding. I’m going to sell all of it. I don’t want anything that’s been in this house. “Smells like old lust in here. You were always a good worker.”

  I blink. Wow. A compliment. “Thank you, Father.”

  Then I remember Anna is listening. I hope he won’t go into any details.

  “Things aren’t always what they appear, are they?” he asks. The whisperers hiss in anticipation as his voice takes on a silky edge.

  I feel my eyes narrow. What’s he going on about? Is he talking about my working? Shite, has he had someone watching me in L.A. that I don’t know about?

  I force myself to ask nonchalantly, “In what way?”

  “Something’s not right.” He slowly walks the room, running a finger over my black dresser, which has gathered a light layer of dust since nobody’s been here. He wipes the finger on his jeans and holds his hands behind his back, much like he used to in his old body, but it looks strange. His muscles are bulkier.

  “I haven’t been able to put my finger on it. . . .” As he talks, he looks at my framed posters of favorite bands, all autographed. He’s acting as if what he’s saying is no big deal, but it feels as if he’s about to drop a bomb. Dread trickles down my spine. “Ever since that summit when the damned angels showed up, we’ve been watching the daughter of Belial.”

  Do not react.

  Lie through your teeth.

  I snort a derisive laugh. “Her? No offense, Father, but I don’t see why an unremarkable Neph like the daughter of Belial would warrant such attention. I’ve worked with her. She’s excellent at her job, but on a personal level she’s rather . . . boring.”

  He turns to face me now, amused. “So you took no pleasure from your time with her?” Tricky bastard. Always with the games. His new grin is too wide. Th
e whisperers turn their ugly, hazy heads to hear my response.

  “Oh, I took my pleasure. I also got out of there as quickly as I could. She’s got zero personality unless she’s wasted.” The whisperers hiss and make raspy, choking sounds of laughter.

  Father chuckles low. “I know being with her was a chore, but it was necessary. She’s somehow been able to fly under the radar. Now we know for sure that she’s a threat.”

  “A threat?” I laugh, as if it’s a ridiculous notion. He takes three quick steps toward me and points in my face, hair slanting across his forehead as he tilts his head almost comically. The spirits bob up and down in agitation.

  “You think this is funny? You think I have time to joke around?”

  I keep a straight face and force a respectful tone. “Of course not, but having spent a good bit of time with her, it seems preposterous. She cares about nothing except where she’ll find her next drink.”

  His eyes narrow and his voice lowers. “Then she’s fooled you as well. That boring Neph who you think’s so benign was caught being affectionate with her human mother-figure this morning.” He spits the words. “We sent five Legionnaires to get more information, and the girl took out four of the spirits! She’s a mercenary of heaven.”

  He snarls the last sentence with venom and his whisperers move about the room faster, upset, making scratchy noises like dry, noiseless screams.

  I school my face into concerned shock. “Wha—? How is that possible?”

  He stands straighter and runs a hand through his hair again, as if trying to decide if he’ll trust me with the next bit. Thankfully, he does, but his eyes flash red as he talks. “She’s somehow able to wield a Sword of Righteousness. Only angels of light have been able to do that.”

  I force my eyes wide and shake my head. “But . . . why would an angelic weapon allow her to use it? I’ve watched her lead souls astray, and I nailed her myself. She’s hardly angel material.”

  Those words feel especially acidic on my lips.

  “I . . .” He shakes his head, looking almost frightened. “We don’t know.”

  We have stumped the Dukes, for what it’s worth. Now to attempt to lead them astray.

  “Is it possible someone is trying to deceive all of you? Point you in the wrong direction? I mean, how do you know about the sword, and the spirits she supposedly killed?”

  He ponders this, still appearing baffled. “One of them escaped.”

  “I hope that spirit isn’t misleading you,” I say. The trio of whisperers advance on me with claws and teeth bared. I wave a hand to ward them off.

  “They’re too stupid to come up with something like that.” The whisperers reel back and glare at Father as if deciding whether or not to be offended. He gives a flick of his wrist and points to the door. They swoosh out and Father goes on. “Unless they’re being led by someone. But I haven’t seen a spirit that terrified since the Fall. We sent it down to Lord Lucifer for further questioning. He’ll get the truth out of it.”

  I can’t respond because my muscles are tensed against the shudder that Satan’s name elicits.

  “We’ve got Legionnaires on the hunt for both her and her father. Belial’s been eluding us for a while now, so he’s definitely up to something.”

  I nod. “I see you’re keeping several whisperers with you to keep an eye out. That’s good.”

  He puffs his chest out and hmphs. “I’m not going to let that girl get in a sneak attack. The other Dukes and I are staying armed and ready. We’ll find her and hold an emergency summit to learn the truth and get rid of her once and for all. Angels be damned.”

  And that is when the truth will be made known. Please, let this work.

  “What can I do to help?” I ask.

  “Search for her. If you find her, she becomes your prisoner, and you’ll notify me immediately. Do whatever is necessary to keep her with you and get her to the location we choose for the summit. And most important, disarm her. Under no circumstances should she be allowed access to the Sword of Righteousness.”

  “Of course. I’ll begin immediately. I have a few ideas where she might be.”

  “Good.” He steps closer and looks me dead in the eye. “It’s in your best interest not to fail me in this endeavor. Do you understand?”

  Another death threat. How original. Thing is, I’m no longer scared for myself. My only concern is Anna. For her sake, I won’t punch old Pharzuph in his new face. Yet.

  “I understand,” I answer.

  His eyes are bright; he’s probably feeling the glorious weight of his power trip. “I’m going to Marissa’s tonight, and I leave in the morning. My new duty station will be in New York City, so it’s time for me to get settled there. Don’t waste any time getting to work on your task.”

  “Yes, sir,” I say absently, still stuck on one tiny detail. “But you’re going to Marissa’s, you say?” Doesn’t she think he’s dead?

  He chuckles and flashes that obnoxiously wide grin again. “Marissa is a special human. She knows about our kind. She’s expecting me, and can’t wait to get her claws into my new skin.”

  His grin is still huge and I force a nod. Yeah, she’s special all right. An especially evil bitch. “She must be an exceptional woman if you’ve been able to trust her in such a way.”

  Father pulls out his mobile and glances at it, then pockets it again. “Exceptional, yes. And I still expect you to be at her service if she calls on you, regardless of whether or not we live here.”

  Like hell I will. “Of course, Father. Enjoy your evening. I’ll begin my search for the Neph straightaway.”

  “If you need to involve the son of Melchom to help you, then do that. He has a lot of resources at his disposal on the West Coast.”

  “Brilliant idea,” I say.

  He turns from me, pulling out his mobile again as he walks out. I stand there alone and listen to him ascending the stairs to the upper floor.

  Another heartwarming conversation with Father has ended.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  Ready or Not

  “If love’s a fight, then I shall die,

  With my heart on a trigger.”

  —“Angel with a Shotgun” by The Cab

  The full weight of our situation doesn’t hit me until I’m with Anna again that night. I stare at her brown eyes in the backseat of her car at Lookout Point, where we went after my meeting with Father. Trepidation is heavy on me.

  Anna is strong, yes, but she is flesh and bone. She has a tender, sensitive heart. And our grand plan is to set her in front of all the Dukes and Legionnaires in order to play out this prophecy?

  Can anyone else see what a bad idea this is? I have a hard time believing this is how it must go down. There has to be another way. She is one being with one sword. There are 666 of them. Granted, we have a handful of Neph allies, but the odds are stacked against us.

  Perhaps Anna and her father and the others are okay with handing her over to the Dukes to be slaughtered, but I’m bloody well not. I have to make her see straight.

  “We don’t have to do this. You can stay hidden, like Zania.” I could take Anna to the very same convent.

  “I can’t hide forever. And what would that mean for you? Your father will expect you to be working. Marissa will be calling you.”

  No. None of that matters. “I’ll go into hiding with you.”

  “That’s no way to live.”

  Isn’t it? We’d be together. Her shoulders are set as she examines my face. I know she can’t understand my selfishness, but damn it, I can’t understand her selflessness either.

  “Are you truly not afraid?” I ask. “At all?”

  “Of course I am . . . but the chain of events has started, and we can’t stop the prophecy now.”

  “We can try.” We can slow it down. We don’t have to rush straight into the burning fire. Why is she in such a rush to do this? I know the Dukes are evil and the whisperers are a bloody nuisance, but this prophecy could kill her.
Could kill all of us. I can’t be left on this earth without her. And I can’t stand the thought of Anna suffering.

  She shakes her head, and her eyes droop as if she feels sorry for me.

  “I finally have you, Anna.” I sound so pathetic.

  She touches my hand. “And every second we’ve had together is a blessing I never thought we’d get.”

  She takes my shoulder, but I’m so tense I can hardly feel her hands on me. Anna’s hands move up my body and curve around the back of my neck. She holds me hard and kisses me.

  This, I feel.

  I kiss her back like her mouth offers sustenance. I pull her close and revel in the feel of her hands scratching through my hair. “God, Anna,” I say against her mouth. I hold her so hard, hard enough to keep her here forever. Hard enough that nobody can take her from me.

  I tear my mouth from hers and pant for air. “I can’t lose you.”

  Her hands pull at me, and her voice is ragged with emotion. “Stop thinking that way. I can’t fight them if you’re not on board, Kai.”

  I look at her, and I fucking hate myself. Anna wants to save the world. Not for her own glory, but because she cares about the people who are terrorized by the demons. She cares about the Neph and our way of life. She cares about all the things that I don’t. I can’t give her what she needs from me right now—my support—and I hate myself for it.

  I try to pull away, disgusted with myself, but she takes my face in her firm grasp and puts us nose to nose. “You haven’t lost me, Kai. I’m right here with you. Hold me.”

  I pull her to my lap and bury my face in her neck. She’s right here. In my arms. She knows I’m a selfish prick, but she’s still here. I breathe and swallow and hold on tight.

  I hold her as the stars light the night sky and the crickets send up their cacophony of mating calls. I hold her as the hours pass and our bodies wind down and weariness catches up with us.

  All the while I keep an eye out for whisperers, and I scan with my hearing. It’s eerily quiet.

  Anna turns against my chest and reaches up to stroke my face. I close my eyes and feel her kind touch. I soak in her love.