Games of Desire

by Patti O'Shea

  Chapter Nine

  Marax glanced across the rental car to Chloe. Dusk was deepening into night, but with his demon vision, he could see her clearly. Her expression was pensive and she’d been quiet since they’d left the hotel to meet her sister. He reached over and squeezed her thigh, reminding her that he was here if she needed him. She put her hand over his, but didn’t say anything.

  After a few more minutes of silence, he asked, “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, just thinking about a few things.”

  “Like Olivia?”

  Her hand tightened on his, but that was her only response. He let the silence lengthen. Marax had only heard Chloe’s side of the conversation, but it had been enough to make him dislike Olivia. He wasn’t stupid enough to tell her that, though, even if Chloe had been mad enough to spit fire after she’d ended the call. One comment about her sister and she’d unleash her temper on him, the only target handy. But her sadness got to him and he’d rather see some heat from her.

  Trying another gambit, Marax asked, “Is the Magic Hat some wizard hangout?”

  “No. It’s a club for human magicians. Olivia’s always been fascinated by how they do their tricks. She’s familiar with the place and probably felt comfortable setting up a meeting there.”

  The edge was back in Chloe’s voice and Marax gave her leg another squeeze. The light ahead turned yellow and he drew to a stop. The corner streetlight and neon signs illuminated the interior of the sedan and he took the opportunity to study her more thoroughly.

  “You know,” she said as she shifted impatiently, “why don’t you just jump in my head and make it easier for both of us?”

  It was tempting. “Because some things can’t be done the easy way.”

  She used their link to tell him her opinion about that and it involved profanity. Marax hid a smile and moved his attention to the intersection. Chloe’s fire was returning and he was damn glad to see it. One more prod should get her to explode. He waited for the light to turn green. “Olivia didn’t show at Infinity last night. Do you think she’ll keep tonight’s meeting?”

  “Who the hell knows? I sure don’t.”

  And he had ignition.

  “You know what bugs me the most?” Chloe asked. She didn’t wait for an answer. “Even after I told Olivia the Incredible Hulk wanted me to pay for her transgressions, she was more concerned about herself than about my safety. She didn’t ask if I was okay. She didn’t apologize. She didn’t volunteer to deal with her mess. And I wasn’t shocked by any of that because this is who she is. Before today, I always wrote it off to her young age, but she’s twenty-one and isn’t a child any longer.”

  “You’re right.” He kept his voice even, careful of unleashing her instinct to defend her little sister.

  “I know I’m right and it makes me furious to know I enabled this behavior by rushing to her rescue. Olivia’s father is a wizard.”

  That last part sounded like a non sequitur, but because of the conversation they’d had earlier, Marax knew what Chloe was saying. “So she has no demon blood then.”

  “None. My mom corrected anything I did that might be irresponsible. I got grounded even when I was a small child, but Olivia didn’t get in trouble the way I did.” Chloe sighed and slumped back in her seat. “That means I pretty much got punished only because I was part demon.”

  “It’s unfair, but in the long term, it looks as if your mom did you a favor.”

  Marax felt Chloe’s stare and he was surprised she didn’t singe off his beard. “Just how do you figure that?” she asked.

  “Would you want to go through life like your sister? Leaving messes behind in your wake and not caring about how they hurt others?”

  “No.” There might have been a slight growl in her voice. “Are you always this much fun?”

  Marax didn’t try to hide this smile. “Sorry.”

  “No, you’re not,” Chloe said, but she didn’t sound angry anymore. “How’d you get along with your brother before he disappeared?”

  He recognized the ploy as a way to get the focus off her, but Chloe needed a break from the emotion, so he didn’t call her on it. “I understand what you’re asking, but we didn’t have to deal with what you’d consider normal sibling dynamics. Demons can live thousands of years and Eligos was an adult long before I was born.”

  She didn’t say anything for a long time, and when she did, it had nothing to do with family. “You need to turn right at the next light.”

  With one last pat of Chloe’s knee, Marax returned his hand to the steering wheel. He switched lanes and turned where she told him to.

  “The Magic Hat is about six blocks from here on the left,” she said.

  That explained her sudden tension. “It’ll be okay, Chloe.”

  “Maybe, but I keep thinking what happens if Olivia doesn’t show up? Or what if she shows and doesn’t remember which spell she used? She was vague on the phone when I tried to get that information, and as much as I love my sister, she actually is flaky enough to forget.”

  “Then we’ll deal with it.”

  The closer they got to the club, the tighter Chloe’s body became. He spotted the neon top hat with magic wand and started scanning the area. They were practically even with the building before he saw her. She wasn’t as tall as Chloe and her red hair wasn’t as deep and rich, either, but he was pretty sure that was Olivia. “Is that your sister standing under the marquee?”

  Chloe leaned forward and peered past him. “That’s her. She’s here.” There was a world of relief in her voice.

  Marax put on his signal and waited to turn into the entrance to the parking lot. “Don’t jump out of the car and run to her. Wait for me and we’ll walk casually. There’s no sense calling attention to her or us.”

  “Why? It’s not as if anyone except the Hulk cares, anyway.”

  “Because it’s not outside the realm of possibility that the galghoan is around here. The more we blend in with the humans, the better.”

  “Wait, what? How can the demon be here?”

  “I told you, his kind of demon can track energy better than most others. He had enough time to find us at the hotel, and if he was there, he could have listened in on your phone conversation. Yes, it can be done by any demon who wants to—our senses are acute.” Traffic finally cleared enough for Marax to turn into the lot. “Even if he didn’t listen to the call, he could have followed us from the hotel without my being aware of it.”

  There was an empty spot near the back and he pulled the car in and turned off the engine. He didn’t waste any time getting out, because Chloe wasn’t going to be patient. Marax took her hand and linked their fingers. “Casual. Be casual.”

  The sidewalks were filled with people walking to various venues and he hoped their energies were chaotic enough to mask them. With every step they took, he scanned for the enemy. That he detected nothing didn’t mean the galghoan wasn’t there. As powerful as he was, he could hide himself from any other demon. Marax didn’t like how exposed Chloe was. He wanted her away from danger, but he battled his instincts. The only way to ensure his mate remained safe was to get that antidote and bargain with it.

  Olivia was scowling when they reached her. Her gaze dropped to their joined hands, and when she looked up again, she asked, “Why the hell did you bring him along?”

  Chloe’s smile disappeared as she heard the derision in her sister’s voice. “Don’t you ever use that tone about Marax ever again. While you were lying low, leaving me to handle everything, he was the one who fought that gigantic demon who wanted to hurt me. This would be the demon you never told me about, the one who planned to make me pay for your actions.”

  “Now, Chloe, you know I didn’t mean anything personal by it.” Olivia had turned conciliatory and Marax wondered at it.

  “You never do, right, Olivia? Well, you can relax, I’ll bail you out of this trouble, but it’s the last time. After this is finished, you’ll have to deal with the consequence
s of your actions without me.”

  Marax heard his mate’s resolve, but he was pretty sure little sister didn’t realize Chloe meant what she’d said. Without warning, the hair on his nape bristled. A scan turned up nothing, but he couldn’t dismiss it. “We need the antidote,” he said.

  What did you pick up? Chloe asked along their connection.

  It might be nothing, but I think it would be best to get things taken care of ASAP.

  Chloe nodded and looked back at her sister. “What spell did you use to create the potion?”

  “I can’t remember,” Olivia said petulantly.

  A growl began low in his throat as his patience slipped. Chloe gripped his hand tighter and shifted until she was against his side. Her nearness helped him regain his self-command.

  “How can you forget something like that?” Chloe asked with more restraint than he could have managed.

  “I made the potion a few months ago. Do you remember every spell you ever used?”

  “Of course not,” Chloe said, “but some spells are more important than others. A potion you decide to use on demons falls into the vital-to-recall category, especially when you use it on a demon the size of an NFL defensive lineman.”

  “I didn’t use it on him,” Olivia disagreed.

  “Don’t lie to me,” Chloe warned. “I won’t accept that from you.”

  “I’m not lying! That kid demon made me mad, and I wanted to pay him back, no one else, but he’d bought three drinks. I spiked all of them to be sure I got him, but as he returned to his table, tall and mean grabbed one of the glasses from him. I couldn’t have known that would happen.”

  Something strummed at his senses and Marax went rigid. Would the galghoan risk an attack out in the open? Demons did their best to stay hidden and make sure most humans didn’t believe they existed, but their enemy had turned his back on his branch and their beliefs, how hard would it be for him to disregard the entire demon species?

  Marax couldn’t discount it. To protect his people, he should guide Olivia and Chloe off the sidewalk and into the parking lot where it was somewhat secluded and a battle could be better concealed. But the idea of potentially putting his mate at greater risk was unthinkable.

  “He’s out there,” Marax warned. “Since I can’t pick him up, I don’t know where, but I know he’s watching us.”

  “I’m out of here,” Olivia announced. She made it five feet before stopping cold. The air in front of her shimmered and the galghoan appeared.

  “Leaving so soon? But the party’s just getting started.” The demon smiled.

  Chapter Ten

  Chloe bit back a gasp. Where did he come from?

  I don’t know, Marax sent back. If he’s strong enough to make himself invisible, we’re in big trouble here.

  She didn’t need Marax to tell her that. The large demon brought Olivia back to where they stood. Her sister didn’t complain, but the way he held the back of her neck must have hurt. One sharp move and he’d snap it and Chloe was too aware of how easy it would be.

  “You and your countess may leave, your grace. I have the guilty one.”

  Countess? She wasn’t—

  Yes, you are. I’m an earl, you’re my mate, that equals countess.

  “I’m afraid you don’t understand how family works,” Marax said aloud. “No matter how tempting it might be at times, abandoning even the most obnoxious of them isn’t an option.”

  It was probably the worst moment in the history of the world, but it didn’t seem to matter. Chloe’s heart took a tumble inside her chest. Marax might be a demon, but he was a good man, the hottest lover ever, and she was mated to him.

  Sometimes a woman got lucky.

  “Your grace,” the big demon said calmly, “I would have defeated you last night had reinforcements not arrived, giving you a chance to escape.” He held Olivia half a foot off the ground by his grip around her neck. Her sister emitted a weak squeak and Chloe had to fight the urge to rush forward. “Do you really wish to die for one such as this?”

  “Not particularly, no,” Marax replied smoothly, “but my mate loves her sister, so I’m afraid I’ve no choice.”

  Chloe clung to Marax’s hand with both of hers. She didn’t want him to die, but if he—they—didn’t fight the demon, Olivia would die. It was a hell of a mess. Chloe couldn’t leave Olivia, and Marax wouldn’t leave her. There had to be a way out of this. She looked around, searching for an answer, but instead she noticed they’d drawn attention. “Put her down,” Chloe said in a harsh whisper. “Humans are staring. Do you really want to involve them in this vendetta?”

  The galghoan verified what she’d said and slowly put Olivia back on her feet. Before Chloe could draw a breath, the giant hoisted her sister over his shoulder and took off running, going from zero to preternatural speed in no time.

  “Let’s go,” Chloe ordered and started running, tugging Marax with her. “Can you track him?” she asked as they reached blur-the-scenery speeds themselves.

  “I can track your sister.”

  And that might be better. Olivia was who was important. “Why did he run?”

  Marax ignored the question. “Hang on to me.”

  She wrapped her arms around him and Marax leaped, taking them across a busy intersection without getting hit. When they were on the other side, he grabbed her hand again and said, “My guess on why he ran off is your reminder that humans were present. Our king’s strongest edict is about remaining hidden and the galghoan isn’t far enough gone to defy our sovereign.”

  He brought them to a skidding halt in front of a locked wrought-iron gate. The sign posted said it was a park. Chloe tried to peer inside, but the trees kept her from seeing anything. “Olivia is inside?”

  “Yes and she’s stationary. We’re going to have to jump to clear the wall. Hold on to me again.”

  Eyeing the iron spikes jutting out from the top, Chloe said, “Don’t misjudge the height. I don’t want to land on one of those things.”

  “I’ll keep you safe,” he promised solemnly. Too solemnly.

  Chloe went up on her toes and brushed her lips over his. “I know you will. Keep yourself safe, too, because I’ve kind of gotten used to mind-blowing orgasms.” She ruined her attempt at humor when she kissed him again. Oh, the hell with it. “You matter, Marax. Remember that.”

  That earned her a flash of those killer dimples. “Hang on,” he said.

  She did, and as she felt his muscles tense, Chloe closed her eyes. She didn’t open them again until she felt ground beneath her feet. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that.”

  “When we have time, I’ll show you how to do it yourself.” Marax stepped back. “I don’t suppose you’d—”

  “No, I’m not waiting here. What if you need me? Besides, I can’t boost your magic from more than maybe ten yards, so I have to be with you.”

  “I figured you wouldn’t stay out of the action.” He shook his head. “If you’d like to start amplifying my powers now, I’d appreciate it.” When he nodded, Chloe knew he felt the flow she was sending. “Stay behind me as much as you can. Don’t let him lure you out, because if he can use you against me, he will. You got that?”

  She bit back the smart-aleck comment and said, “I have it.”

  “Good.” He took a step, then stopped. “Chloe, just so you know, you matter, too. Now let’s get this over with.”

  Marax moved and Chloe wanted to reach out and hang on to him again. She wanted to forget this whole thing, take him home and climb into bed with him. But she couldn’t. If she touched him now, she might distract him, and Olivia was here, somewhere, and in danger. He slowed down as they went around a bend in the park’s walkway.

  There, leaning against a tree, stood the Hulk. Chloe looked around, searching for Olivia. She found her lying on a bench behind the other demon. She looked—with a soft cry, she started toward her sister, but Marax blocked her path.

  Olivia needs me.

  She’s
fine. That’s the truth. She’s unconscious, but unhurt. Now pull it back together.

  Chloe bristled at the order, but she trusted Marax and if he said Olivia was fine, she was. Taking a deep breath, she realized he was right about her state of mind, too. She’d become so upset, her intellect had turned off and her emotions had been in control. It was a major problem for demons, but this was the first time she’d experienced it.

  “You’ve decided we fight here?” Marax asked.

  “Why not?” The giant straightened and stepped forward. “It’s away from humans and the trees should conceal our engagement from the apartment buildings that surround it. All in all, the king should have no quibble with this site.”

  “You’re being awfully accommodating.”

  “I can’t outrun you, but I can overcome you in battle, your grace.” The giant put his hands on his hips. “Why don’t we stand back to back, take ten paces and turn and fire.”

  Marax shook his head. “I think we can fire from where we are now without all the duel rituals.”

  “As you wish.”

  What about the antidote? Can we negotiate with that? Chloe asked Marax.

  Maybe if we had it ready to go or at least had something in writing to prove we could undo the spell, but without it? I don’t think he’ll believe us.

  Can you try?

  She heard Marax’s sigh over their link.

  “Instead of exchanging fireballs and lightning bolts,” he said, “why don’t we talk about a potion to undo the green tint of your skin? You let us go, including my mate’s sister, and we’ll deliver the antidote to you. It’s a win-win situation. We get to live and you return to your normal shade.”

  “She—” the galghoan gestured over his shoulder to Olivia “—can undo the spell. If I kill the two of you, I still have her. I get my potion and then I can take my time avenging this disgrace she caused. I call that a win-win scenario. As you’re at the disadvantage, I’ll give you first shot, your grace.” He held his arms out wide, as if welcoming the fight.

  “So be it,” Marax said and Chloe felt him gather power, drawing it from that deep, wide pool. He was going to make the first blow as strong as he could manage, and she tried to help, tried to give him a bigger boost with her magic than she already was.