The Range Rover raced down the icy road, heading directly towards a broken section of the guardrail. At the vehicle’s speed and current distance, it would slip right through the opening and plunge hundreds of feet into the ravine below.
“Holy hell.”
Julian barely resisted the urge to slam on the brakes. Doing so would only make things worse, forcing the vehicle into a slide that he wouldn’t be able to control. Instead the demon master tried to focus on which way the SUV was going, while keeping his feet away from both of the pedals, hoping that the vehicle would slow down on its own.
The demon master turned the wheels in the direction of the slide, taking care not to jerk the steering wheel as he attempted to regain control of the vehicle. The SUV snapped back, moving into the opposite direction. Julian cursed, and repeated the motion several times, fighting to stop the vehicle from rotating into a full spin as it gradually began to slow down.
He risked a glance towards the back seat. Hineker’s eyes burned a brilliant shade of red as he held a weakly struggling demon by the neck. Black flames slowly danced along the creature’s body while it howled in agony.
Julian grimaced at the high-pitched sound.
“Hineker, stop playing around.”
The enforcer demon scowled at the command. Sometimes his master took all of the fun out of hunting.
Hineker snapped the creature’s neck, the sharp crack echoed throughout the vehicle like a gunshot. Pressing with his magic, the black flames spread, quickly engulfing the demon’s body. Within moments the only sign of the creature’s former existence was the lingering smell of rotten eggs mixed with sweet flowers.
Julian brought the Range Rover to a complete stop, mere inches from the guardrail. The demon master rested his head against the steering wheel, and took a deep breath. He instantly regretted it.
“Sulphur and lavender?” Julian wrinkled his nose at the smell, confused.
“It was a Sopitas Daemon,” Hineker clarified. “A sleeper demon.”
“Well that explains the lavender,” Julian said.
The scent of lavender is known for its relaxing effects. It made perfect sense that a demon whose specialty was lulling its victims to sleep would leave the scent of lavender in its wake.
“Did you get the location of their master?” he asked.
“No, they wouldn’t say, no matter how nicely I asked,” Hineker replied with a smirk.
Julian ran his fingers through his wavy, dark brown hair. It wasn’t the first time that they had been left with a task that was only half finished.
The sleeper demon was gone, but they still had to try to find the demon’s master. It was never a good idea to allow someone who knew how to summon a demon to remain free. Besides, Hineker would never pass up a chance to devour a demon master’s soul.
Chapter 8 - Raelyn
“You’re not really going to go out in that, are you?”
“Um,” Raelyn paused mid-step, one foot in the air, confused by the disdain in Trinity’s voice. She changed direction and moved to stand in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom. Staring at her reflection, she analyzed her outfit—a loose fitting, solid colored shirt, baggy jeans, and her favorite clogs.
The jeans she knew were clean, having been pulled from the folded pile of laundry sitting in the basket by the closet.
She lifted the hem of her shirt and sniffed. Her outfit was both clean and comfortable.
Why was this a problem?
Trinity shook her head at Raelyn’s puzzled expression. Raelyn’s current outfit of baggy clothes and well-worn shoes was simply unacceptable.
“No, no, no, no,” the ghost glided across the bedroom and stopped in front of the closet. “Your everyday clothes is not what you wear on a first date. Especially for a man that you want to impress.”
“Trey, a coffee date is meant to be casual,” Raelyn protested. ”Besides, I have to go to work afterwards.”
This was how the disagreement between the two women over outfit selection always began. Raelyn’s personal style focused on being both comfortable and casual, while Trinity favored following the latest trends. It was an old argument between the two friends.
The ghost repeated the long established familiar response to Raelyn’s protest. “Just because the date is casual doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t make a little extra effort.”
Raelyn rolled her eyes. Her friend could be so stubborn sometimes.
“I made an effort,” Raelyn countered. “Everything’s clean.”
The ghost ignored her, opting to look inside the closet instead. A coffee date outfit had to say effortless, with a touch of fun.
Unfortunately, Raelyn’s closet was filled with clothes that were anything but fun, mostly knit tops in solid colors, a handful of blouses, and a few pairs of blue jeans.
Trinity could appreciate owning a few basic pieces. In Raelyn’s case, they were her entire wardrobe.
Where were the stylish, seasonal, trendy pieces to add a little spice to one’s look?
“Don’t you own anything that’s not for work?” Trinity whined, staring at a stack of solid-colored tops.
“What else am I supposed to wear?” Raelyn frowned, confused by her friend’s behavior. Weren’t jeans universally acceptable?
“How about a dress?” Trinity asked.
“A dress?” Raelyn repeated, surprised. She’d never been a dress kind of girl and hadn’t worn one in years.
“I always wear jeans,” she muttered, feeling the need to justify her limited clothing choices. “They’re comfortable.”
Now that it was brought to her attention, Trinity realized that she couldn’t recall the last time that she’d seen her friend in anything other than a pair of jeans.
“A dress can be just as comfortable as a pair of jeans.”
“No, it’s not,” Raelyn countered easily. She wasn’t going to back down on this one.
“Why not?” The ghost turned around to look at her friend.
“Two words,” Raelyn returned the ghost’s gaze with a smug grin on her face. She had the perfect ending statement to this particular disagreement. “Thigh rub.”
The ghost frowned. Raelyn had made a valid point. Thighs left uncovered in skirts and dresses could rub together, leaving someone with twisted clothing, and maybe even reddened skin.
This didn’t stop Trinity from wanting to wipe the smug grin off of her friend’s face though. If only she was still alive. Instead, she could only glare while her ghostly form hovered in the air.
“You’re hopeless.”
“No, I’m not,” Raelyn smirked, knowing that she was right. “Besides, you know that I like to be comfortable.”
Trinity scoffed, then turned back to the closet full of boring, basic clothes. The selection of clothing for a date was absolutely abysmal.
“You really need to go shopping.”
Raelyn shook her head. Trinity wanted her to spend her time off in a crowded mall paying for overpriced clothes that pulled, tugged, and itched?
No, thank you.
The ghost pointed out the only items that didn’t look like Raelyn’s usual work uniform. It would have to do.
“Try the ivory top, the dark wash jeans, and the tan leather jacket.”
Raelyn shrugged her shoulders and pulled out the clothes Trinity suggested. Some arguments just weren’t worth having. She quickly changed into the new outfit.
The top had a straight silhouette with a slim fit that fell around her hip. The jeans were slim through the hip and thigh with a boot cut leg opening. Apparently slim was the theme for her new look. The leather jacket was soft, with a front zipper and side buckle accents. Raelyn grabbed a pair of cowgirl boots she’d completely forgotten about from a corner of the closet to complete her new outfit.
“Well?” Raelyn held her arms out wide and turned in a slow circle, submitting herself for inspection.
“Better,” Trinity nodded in approval. It was the best that she could do with t
he current selection.
“Now, about that hair.”
Raelyn glanced at the wall clock, while her hands flew up to her braid in a vain attempt to hide it from critical, ghostly eyes. If she didn’t leave right now, she’d end up trapped for the next hour succumbing to her friend’s ministrations.
“I’m going to be late.” She hurried to the door, eager to get away from her friend’s primping.
The ghost followed and Raelyn felt a rush of cold air against the back of her neck. She waved a hand at her friend and the jerky movement caused the elastic in her hair to slide off. Her hair fell across her shoulders as the braid quickly unraveled.
“Aw, come on,” she whined, picking up the elastic hair tie and shoving into her pocket. If she stopped to fix her hair now, she would be late for her date. Raelyn rushed down the hallway. She’d just have to let her hair be wild and free.
◆◆◆
Raelyn sprinted across the street, arriving in front of JavaBean with less than a minute to spare. She inwardly cursed her friend’s meddling as she struggled to comb her wavy hair into submission with her fingers.
An SUV pulled up alongside the curb at the front of the coffeehouse and stopped. The black vehicle stood out in sharp contrast to the locally owned cars and pick-up trucks parked along the street. With over two hundred sunny days a year, and summer temperatures that climb well past ninety degrees Fahrenheit, residents of Tennessee generally selected white and other light-colored vehicles to help reflect the sun and heat.
Wearing the same slim fit, dark navy blue suit and tie as the day before, Mystery Man Number Two exited from the driver’s side of the SUV. He walked around the vehicle and moved to open the rear door, allowing the passenger inside to exit.
The sight of Julian stepping out of the SUV stole Raelyn’s breath away. Unlike the formal dress of his companion, Julian’s outfit was simple—a button-down shirt cuffed and rolled to the elbows, flat front trousers, and oxford shoes, all in one singular color—black.
Her eyes slowly scanned him from head-to-toe. It should have been easy to spot any spark of color against the dark background his clothes provided. Yet once again, she found his aura one hundred percent absent.
She also found herself completely distracted by the sight of him.
Four out of five people don’t have the proper skin tone to pull off black clothing. Clearly Julian was that fifth person. The all black outfit, paired with his personal coloring, made Julian look like he belonged on the cover of a magazine, not real life. Raelyn stared as he approached, unable to tear her eyes away from this gorgeous man.
“Hi, Raelyn.”
It had only taken two words and already her heartbeat had sped up. The syllables of her name rolled off of his tongue, a verbal caress that ignited something deep within. She wanted to hear him say it again.
“Hi,” Raelyn managed to choke out, willing away the flush building underneath her skin. There was no way that he hadn’t noticed her staring hungrily as if she were a starving wild animal and he was wounded prey ripe for devouring.
She bit the inside of her cheek, disappointed in her lack of self-control.
Get a grip Raelyn.
“Are you ready?” she asked, hoping to distract her traitorous self by practicing good manners.
Julian nodded. He opened the door, allowing Raelyn to enter first before following her inside.
The coffeehouse was almost empty, the hustle and bustle of the morning rush already done. The sharp acrid scent of coffee filled the air, mixing with the spiciness of pumpkin, the flavor of the fall season.
Raelyn unconsciously closed her eyes and drew a deep breath, savoring the heady aromas of fall.
Moving out of the way of a departing patron, Julian’s arm brushed against her own, snapping Raelyn out of her internal musings. The sudden contact sent a spark of desire pulsing through her core.
Julian’s touch had been accidental.
She wondered what it would feel like if it had been deliberate instead.
Raelyn shook her head.
That’s not why she was here. She had to stick to the plan—was this man truly auraless, or were the past two days an unlikely chance occurrence instead?
Food.
She’d distract herself with food.
Raelyn walked up to the counter to order. With two people in front of her, she had time to drool over the selection of freshly baked pastries on display. Pumpkin scones with spiced pumpkin glaze and apple spice muffins were lined up front and center, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cookies, and apple crumb coffee cake sat nestled on raised stands near the back, with JavaBean’s staple treats of cinnamon buns and chocolate chip cookies placed on either side. Her mouth watered at the sight of so much pumpkin goodness. Fall was her favorite time of year.
“What would you like?” Julian asked, when their turn came at the register.
“A pumpkin spice latte.”
Raelyn hesitated. Would it be a bad first impression if she also ordered a pastry on a first date?
“Would you like anything else?” Julian asked.
“No,” she answered, with little to no sincerity.
“Are you sure?” He grinned at the woman drooling at the display case.
Her resolve melted as fast as sugar poured into a hot cup of coffee. Besides, she could use a little sugar to help fuel her investigation.
“A pumpkin scone, please.”
Nodding, he gave their order to the cashier and paid with his credit card. Moving to the pick-up counter, Raelyn fidgeted with her hands while she struggled to get her nervousness under control.
The server called out the name of the patrons in front of her. She risked a quick glance as the duo retrieved their drinks. With each sip of coffee their auras flashed bright yellow, the caffeine a source of instant happiness.
“How’s your arm?” Julian asked.
She returned her full gaze onto the still auraless man. Warmth flooded her cheeks at his gentle look of concern.
Wow, she really needed to get her act together. If she blushed at every single gaze and question he gave her, she would never make it through this date in one piece.
“I’m fine, it was just a scratch.”
Raelyn’s response sounded like a robot. She racked her brain for a way to remain calm.
Why were first dates always so stressful?
She took a couple of deep breaths. She just had to get through the first few minutes, then the awkwardness would pass, and everything would be ok.
“Julian,” the server called out.
Raelyn lunged for her food and drink. With both in hand, she surveyed the room, deciding where they should sit.
The counter-height table and chairs that faced looking out the front window were out, they would be stuck sitting side by side staring at the street. Not an ideal arrangement for a first date. The clusters of comfy looking brown leather chairs, separated by dark low tables, were a tempting option, but any customers who entered would have to walk by them to place their orders.
Too distracting.
Instead, she selected a seating area near the back of the shop. Raelyn sat down in a red and orange paisley high-backed chair that faced a wood paneled wall decorated with shadowboxes filled with various odds and ends. The position shielded her gaze from anyone in the room, including the distraction of flashing auras induced from caffeinated happiness.
The position also meant that Julian was the only thing she could look at.
He slid into the bench seat covered in a red and orange striped fabric, and placed his drink on the small tan marble table in front of her.
She wrapped her fingers around the mug and squeezed, a vain attempt to soothe her nerves.
One reason why Raelyn hated first dates was because she was small-talk challenged. As an introvert, she was naturally uncomfortable with the spotlight. She never knew how to start a conversation or how to keep it going, and she was reluctant to talk about herself. Plus, due to her gift, her constant avo
idance of people and public places made it hard to know what was popular to talk about.
Thankfully, Julian took the lead.
“Do you come here often?” he asked.
Raelyn blinked.
It was a common question. The sort of thing a person asked when they wanted to start a conversation.
It was also one of the most clichéd pick-up lines, ever.
She tried to hold back a giggle.
This entire situation felt so awkward, and laughing would only make it worse.
Of course, the harder Raelyn tried not to laugh, the less self-control that she had. It wasn’t long before a giggle escaped her lips.
Julian’s puzzled expression shattered any remaining willpower she had left.
She giggled again.
Raelyn knew that sudden laughter was probably out of place and inappropriate, especially at the start of a first date, yet this fact only served to make her laugh even harder.
It wasn’t long before her giggles transformed into belly clutching guffaws, the uncontrolled laughter drawing more than one curious look from the staff behind the front counter. As tears rolled down her face, giddiness swept through her, taking her nerves along with it.
“I’m sorry,” she wiped her eyes with a napkin from the table. “I just couldn’t help myself. Your question reminded me of a bad pick-up line.”
“It’s alright,” he smiled, handing her another napkin. “You’re beautiful when you laugh.”
Damn, another line of flattery like that, and she just might self-combust on the spot.
Raelyn hid her reddening face behind the napkin, pretending to wipe away another stray tear as she struggled to compose herself.
With every second that passed she missed out on an opportunity to gather important information. She was never going to figure out why this man didn’t have an aura if she didn’t take charge of this situation and start getting some answers to her questions, fast.
No longer suffering from an emotional overload, she eased back into her seat and let her body relax. With her nerves now gone, she could focus on her fact-finding mission.
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