“That’s kind of sad.”
Raelyn nodded in agreement. No parents. No siblings. No cousins. No grandparents. She imagined it would be rather lonely to be the last surviving person in your family.
She typed Mr. Tall, Dark, and Auraless’s name into the search engine, repeating it out loud.
“Julian Rickelson.”
“Are you Googling him?” The ghost moved closer, hovering over Raelyn’s shoulder.
“Yep. With the amount of information available on the internet today, you never know what you’ll find out about someone.”
Within zero point forty-seven seconds, ninety-four thousand results appeared on the screen.
Raelyn scrolled through the results. Cold air passed over her shoulder as Trinity leaned closer to the screen.
The two woman stared at the results, dumbfounded.
Not a single search result was for Julian Rickelson. There were results for Julian Routh, Julian Richelson, and James Ricketson, but no Julian Rickelson.
No images. No social media. No personal profiles.
Nothing.
Even the obituary wasn’t available online.
“That’s impossible.” Raelyn clicked the links randomly, each one as useless as the last. “Even if he was savvy at maintaining his privacy electronically, there should still be something about him that had ended up as a part of public records. Taxes, mortgages, court records, social networking, a blog, a resume, something.”
It was like Julian Rickelson didn’t even exist.
◆◆◆
Two hours later, Raelyn slumped down in her chair and sighed.
“Well, that was a colossal waste of time,” Trinity said.
“Mm,” Raelyn hummed in agreement.
The two women had searched the internet for information about Mr. Tall, Dark, and Auraless, now known as Julian Rickelson, and had come up with absolutely nothing.
Considering the ease with which a person’s information becomes public record in today’s Digital Age, the lack of information on Julian Rickelson was rather impressive. Clearly the man valued his privacy.
Or he had something to hide.
No, Raelyn shook her head. She would remain positive. An answer exists for everything, she simply had to figure out the right question to ask.
“I think we’ve hit a dead end, Rae.”
Raelyn held her hands over her head and stretched. The ghost was right, they’d exhausted this search option in its entirety, and there was nothing about the man on the internet.
Her mind swirled with too many unanswered questions, many of them basic. Where did he grow up? Where did he live now? What did he do for work every day? Did he even work every day? Does he own any pets? Does he have any children? With that nice car he arrived in, is he really that wealthy or just a big spender? Who was that guy he was with? Why did he call him Master?
Raelyn recalled those gray eyes staring into her own, as she was pressed up against the man, and a rush of warmth spread throughout her body. How long was he staying in Tennessee? Does he believe in love at first sight?
Wait, no that’s much too fast. Raelyn shook her head. She had to remain focused on finding an answer to the question that started this all.
Why doesn’t Julian Rickelson have an aura?
Raelyn closed the laptop. It was a good thing she was meeting him tomorrow morning for coffee, because talking in person was the next logical step to gathering all of the facts.
The only problem was, a date over a cup of coffee doesn’t exactly take very long, maybe thirty to forty minutes?
How would she possibly cram in asking all of her questions in such a short amount of time?
Chapter 7 - Julian
It didn’t seem fair that the services were held on a day that Julian’s aunt would have loved—a cool, sunny day without a cloud in the sky. The fall colors on the trees throughout the cemetery had reached their peak, vibrant shades of reds, oranges, and yellows, plus the occasional light green.
Hidden behind dark sunglasses, Julian’s eyes were riveted to the scene in front of him as he watched the burial vault lowered into the grave, his aunt’s coffin safely stowed inside. He turned away before the first shovel of dirt could fall. The funeral director waited patiently by Julian’s SUV.
“Mr. Rickelson, engraving of the headstone is scheduled for three weeks from now. The paperwork will be ready for you to pick up tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Julian replied, his voice flat and emotionless.
“If you need anything else, please do not hesitate to call me.” Colleen took his silent nod as her signal to depart.
Hineker opened the door of the SUV, and Julian slid into the backseat, emotionally numb. It was official now. He was the last member of his family.
Julian didn’t know what to feel.
Sensing his master’s inner turmoil, Hineker remained silent throughout the drive back to the hotel.
Julian’s heart and mind needed to heal, and that would take time.
◆◆◆
Hineker soundlessly exited the bedroom, leaving his master alone to rest. He hoped that the afternoon nap would help Julian stay alert when they resumed their search for the demon later that evening.
For over a hundred years, the enforcer demon has been a part of the Rickelson family, remaining in close proximity with his masters by serving as a member of the domestic staff. He’d helped the men fall in love and start families. He’d ensured that the Rickelsons achieved wealth, success, and high social standing, as per the arrangement so many years ago. Yet, one thing that he never thought he’d see was the life and ultimately death of the last descendent of this prestigious family that he had helped to create.
The demon shook his head, frustrated. Since Julian was the last living heir, upon his death Hineker’s contract with the Rickelson men would finally be complete, and he would be returned to the underworld. It was a fate that the demon had always known would one day come. Devouring his demon master’s soul and returning to the underworld was one of the rules of the games.
Hineker had performed this contractual duty many times before, except this time, when he ate the soul of Julian Rickelson, his contract with this family would be complete.
Irritated, the demon’s eyes flashed red and he lashed out with his magic. Black flames erupted around a vase of flowers and moments later it was gone. One day Julian would die and his soul would be no more. The Rickelson family tree would be no more. It was something both demon and master had always known.
The enforcer demon glanced over his shoulder at the closed bedroom door. His contract with Julian’s great-great-grandfather had allowed him to perform his enforcer duties—uninterrupted—for over a century. But this time, when Julian died it would all be over and he’d be returned to the underworld, forced to start over with someone new.
The demon snarled, frustrated with Julian. For over a century he’d worked with this family of humans, and now it was all going to end because Julian was too stubborn to let Hineker continue the game.
◆◆◆
It was late in the evening when Julian and Hineker resumed their hunt for the demon. Tonight the orange traffic barrier had been replaced by a local police cruiser.
Undeterred by the road closure, Hineker drove up to the black and beige Chevrolet Caprice that blocked the roadway and parked. The bold action prompted the officer inside to exit their vehicle and approach the SUV.
The black female police officer wore her hair in two long dark braids that ended near her waist. Her brown, almond shaped eyes were darker than her skin, and outlined with a winged liner, giving them a sexy, catlike shape.
“I’m sorry sir, but you can’t use this road. Please follow the detour,” she said.
Hineker studied the woman for a moment. He’d been dealing with talking his way past police blockades since the early nineteenth century. And he’d been enjoying a sexy woman in uniform long before that.
The demon’s eyes slowly moved up and down the woman’
s body, appreciating every ladylike curve hidden beneath her uniform. His eyes turned red, and he pressed his magic forward, layered with suggestions of lust, desire, and submission. Visions of entangled limbs, sweaty skin, and cries of passion flooded the officer’s mind.
The demon’s eyes flared in anticipation. Oh the things he would do to her. Hineker stole a quick glance at the woman’s nametag.
“Please forgive me Officer Fatu,” Hineker paused long enough to offer a sultry smile. “It’s been a long day and this is the fastest way back to our hotel.” His voice dropped an octave, desire rolling smooth underneath the words. “Surely you can let us pass, just this once?”
The officer’s dark eyes dilated and her mouth hung open, rendered momentarily speechless by the demon’s magic.
Hineker eased up on his magic, allowing the woman to speak.
“Sir, the road is blocked. You don’t be–.”
“Shh,“ he placed his finger against her lips to silence her protest. The demon pushed a small amount of energy forward, just enough to allow his magic to end the struggle between duty and desire in her mind. The woman sighed as the demon’s magic melted away any further protests that she had.
“What’s your name?” he asked, moving his hand to stroke her cheek with the back of his knuckles.
The officer found her voice within the lust-filled haze.
“Charmaine.”
“Well, Charmaine, what do you say to letting us pass?” the demon purred at the pretty mouse in uniform.
“Yes,” she whispered, mesmerized by the handsome man in front of her. “But, just this once.”
The demon beckoned the policewoman closer. “So beautiful,” his thumb gently grazed her luscious lower lip, “so soft.”
She whimpered at his touch, wanting more.
“Hineker,” Julian interrupted. “Stop playing around, we have work to do.”
“Of course, Master.” The enforcer demon smiled and allowed his magic to ebb away from the beautiful officer.
“Forgive me, my sweet,” Hineker apologized. “But I must go.”
“Go?” Her shoulders slumped forward, saddened by the thought of his absence.
He stroked her cheek with his fingertips one last time.
“I’ll be back for you later, my sweet.”
The officer nodded as the SUV drove away.
◆◆◆
The Range Rover turned in the middle of the road and continued down Route thirty-five.
“This isn’t working,” Julian said. “We’ve been up and down this ten mile stretch of road multiple times and it’s the same thing as last night, there’s not a single spark of demonic energy.”
“Mm,” Hineker nodded in agreement.
“We need a plan B,” Julian ordered. “Stop the car.”
The demon steered the vehicle onto the shoulder.
“What do we know?” Julian stepped out of the SUV and began to pace back and forth. Accustomed to Julian’s behavior, Hineker waited silently while the demon master organized his thoughts out loud.
“One, they were all alone when they died.” The demon master continued to pace. “Two, the victims were all men.” Julian stopped and stared at the enforcer demon. “Your presence might be what’s keeping them away. But if I drive alone, that should attract the attention of our demon.”
Julian sighed. This wasn’t the first time he had to act as bait. In fact, it was something he found himself doing fairly often lately.
He accepted the keys from Hineker and settled into the driver’s seat. Julian frowned as he started the SUV. He was tired of risking his life all of the time. It was no wonder why a demon master to an enforcer demon rarely lived to be an old age.
As if reading his master’s mind, Hineker offered his reassurance.
“You know what to do, Master.”
Julian nodded, setting aside his frustrations for another time. Right now he had to focus on the task at hand.
The demon master rolled up the window and put the SUV in drive.
“Let’s do this.”
◆◆◆
Julian drove the SUV down the dark and windy road, the beams from the vehicle’s headlights the only sign of life. He’d already driven two miles and was halfway through the third when he felt a burning sensation from his demon mark, the tattoo on his back detecting the presence of demonic magic nearby.
Finally, he’d captured the attention of their demon.
Now he had to keep it.
Ignoring the increased pressure and discomfort from his back, Julian kept his eyes on the road and continued to drive. If he waited long enough, he should be able to lure the demon directly to him.
A few moments later, an unknown voice whispered near his ear.
“Faster.”
He risked a quick glance around the Range Rover. He was still alone. The demon master shuddered at the thought of a demon broadcasting suggestions inside his head.
Julian couldn’t call for Hineker until he had the demon physically near him. With nothing else to do but follow the command, he pressed down on the accelerator. The vehicle hummed as it picked up speed. The needle on the speedometer bypassed the posted speed limit as the Range Rover raced down the windy road. The guardrail and surrounding trees whizzed by in a blur of silver and green.
A light rain fell upon the SUV and Julian turned on the windshield wipers. Moments later the rain shifted to freezing, signaling a drop in the outside temperature. The vehicle’s traction control system activated, working to prevent the tires from losing their grip on the cold and slippery road surface. Condensation formed on the windshield.
The demon master turned on both the front and rear windshield defrosters, while he kept his eyes on the empty road. Julian repositioned his hands on the steering wheel, making minute adjustments to keep from driving off the road.
“Sleep,” a mysterious voice suggested.
Julian’s eyelids grew heavy. The rhythmic striking of ice against the window glass and steady beat of the windshield wipers, combined with the warmth of the vehicle’s interior, cocooned him into a false sense of security.
This must’ve been how the other men crashed, Julian thought to himself. The demon lulled its victim to sleep, while they drove fast down the icy road.
The demon master shook his head, struggling to keep his vision focused on the road outside his windshield.
The only thing keeping him awake was the pain from his demon mark.
“Sleep,” the soothing voice whispered.
Julian’s head nodded forward.
Sleep, it was a tempting suggestion. Surely closing his eyes for just a few seconds wouldn’t cause any harm, right?
As his eyelids began to close, Julian’s body relaxed and the seatbelt slipped downward. His foot pressed down harder on the accelerator and the SUV roared with a burst of power.
“Sleep,” the voice said.
Although he was warm and relaxed, Julian resisted. He couldn’t fall asleep right now, there was something else he was supposed to do.
Something important.
What was it?
“Sleep,” the voice repeated again, insistent.
The demon master’s eyes closed halfway as he struggled to remember what he was supposed to do.
No, not do, there was someone he was supposed to call.
Maybe if he closed his eyes, just for a moment, it would help him to remember?
A leathery hand covered his own against the steering wheel. Julian’s demon mark burned hotter as the demon’s magic caressed his skin.
He struggled against the pain and darkness, while the demon’s purple hand pressed down firmly against his own.
Who was he supposed to call? Ghostbusters?
No, it was someone else.
Blackness creeped along the edge of his vision as Julian whispered.
“Hineker, come.”
◆◆◆
Hineker echoed his master’s behavior, walking back and forth by the side of the road
. He never liked this part, waiting. It irritated the enforcer demon that he was powerless to do anything until he received his master’s call.
Suddenly, the demon stopped pacing. He tilted his head and listened. Julian’s voice was little more than a whisper upon the wind.
Hineker’s face broke into a wide grin.
It was about time.
Following his master’s command, Hineker teleported himself inside the Range Rover. The enforcer demon snarled at the sight of the Sopitas Daemon’s purple hand pressed on top of Julian’s own. He shoved the demon off of his master. Using one hand, he grabbed the creature by the neck and pulled the body into the backseat with him.
The creature shrieked in pain as Hineker tore off first its left hand, and then its right. The enforcer demon pinned his foe against the rear passenger side window. The purple demon squirmed and hissed, its handless arms waved around as it tried to break free from the punishing grip around its neck.
Hineker smirked, his eyes a brilliant shade of red. It was always nice when his prey tries to fight back. The demon wheezed underneath Hineker’s iron grip, struggling to lash out with its demonic magic. The enforcer demon used his own magic to block the weak attempt. Hineker squeezed and felt the bones of the Sopitas Daemon’s neck give a satisfying crunch underneath his hand.
“One chance.” Hineker pressed his magic forward. The creature howled in pain as the enforcer demon coaxed black flames to slowly crawl up the creature’s legs.
“Where is your master?” he asked.
“No,” the demon gasped in between breaths, defiance flashed within its yellow eyes. “I’ll never tell.”
“Wrong answer.”
Hineker tilted his head, studying the face in front of him. “If you aren’t going to tell me what I want to know, then you don’t need this, do you?” He waved his fingers and watched as delicate black flames danced along the demon’s lips. He focused the flames forward, burning the demon’s tongue from the tip to the back, then moved the fire down the creature’s throat.
◆◆◆
The close presence and large amount of demonic magic caused Julian’s back to burn unbearably hot. The demon master yelped in pain as he jerked forward, now fully awake.
Demon Aura Page 5
