Demons of the Sun

by Madsen, Cindi

  His face said he wasn’t buying it, but that was all he was getting. For now, anyway.

  “Fine. You can tell me later. We’ll have lots of time to get to know each other.” He straightened, and his voice took on a firm tone. “Since I’ll be living here with you.”

  Persephone stared at him, waiting for the crack in his expression, for the sign he was joking. Seconds ticked by, and she realized he was serious. “That’s not happening. I’m not even sure I trust you.”

  “You do.”

  “That’s so annoying. You saying I do, doesn’t make it true.”

  “I knew this wouldn’t be easy,” he mumbled. He scooted closer and locked eyes with her. “Your instincts are good, and you know I’d never hurt you.”

  “Of course I’m going to agree that my instincts are good. And my instincts say don’t let someone I don’t know live with me.”

  “When I’m out finding and fighting demons, half my skill is physical, and half is instincts. My instincts are solid. They led me to you.”

  She opened her mouth to argue, but he cut her off. “In a roundabout, I-thought-you-were-a-demon way, but still. When I left West Virginia, I traveled south, finding pockets of demons here and there and slaying as many as I could. I never stayed anywhere for more than a couple days, though, because there was always this push to keep going. Until I arrived in New Orleans a few weeks ago, and I knew I was supposed to be here. Now I know why. Whether you like it or not, I’m meant to protect you. So you can’t seriously tell me that your instincts aren’t telling you that you’re safe with me.”

  She almost said she could and would just to show him he didn’t know everything. But somehow, as crazy as it seemed, she did know she was safe with him. One of her biggest fears, though, was that she couldn’t fully trust herself. And if she couldn’t trust herself, she wasn’t exactly sure what that meant about her instincts and her desire to trust someone she’d known for less than twenty-four hours.

  “I’ll sleep out on your porch if I have to,” Jax said. “I’ve already got my stuff out there anyway. But I’d rather be inside, getting real rest, so that I can help you if it comes to it.”

  Having him sleeping out on her porch would definitely attract the attention of the neighbors, something she avoided at all costs. Persephone took in his set jaw, the determination in his eyes—no doubt he really would park himself out there. Someone might call the cops, too. Then they’d find out she was living alone and she’d be in an even bigger mess.

  Persephone let out a long breath. “There are going to be rules. If you break them, you’re out.”

  One corner of his mouth turned up.

  “Wipe that smile off your face. This is temporary, you’re sleeping on the couch. I have a strict hands-off policy so don’t even think about trying to work your charm on me, and if at any time I tell you I need space, you need to give it to me.” She crossed her arms and lifted her chin, putting on her best don’t-give-me-crap expression. “Got it?”

  He saluted her.

  Freakin’ smartass. “Just keep in mind that at any given time, I can show you how strong I really am.”

  “Looking forward to it. But just so you know, that might be tricky with the hands-off policy. I want that one working both ways.”

  She glared at him, already regretting her decision to let him stay. “My mom warned me Warriors were egotistical, obnoxious brutes. I thought she was exaggerating, but it turns out she under-exaggerated.”

  “Well, my mom never warned me that Sentries were hot, stubborn, and immune to Warrior charm, so just be glad you got a warning.” He stared right back at her for a moment, then cocked an eyebrow. “Come on, can’t we at least try to get along? For the good of the world and all that?”

  He topped off his request by flashing that megawatt grin of his. A grin she tried to resist, but was having a hard time being totally unaffected by. As frustrating as he was, there was something likeable about her self-appointed protector.

  “I suppose for the good of the world, I’ll suffer through it.”

  His smile got even bigger, and it sent a tingly feeling through her stomach.

  Then she immediately felt guilty, because the man she loved was out there waiting for her. And she felt like she’d just betrayed him.

  Persephone stood in the spot she usually met Adrastos, but he wasn’t leaning against the tree.

  A cracking sound caught her attention, and she spun, eager to see him.

  He wasn’t there, and although she couldn’t see anyone, she knew someone was out there. The hairs on the back of her neck rose. She could feel she was being watched. Gathering her courage, she stepped toward the noise.

  Dark tree branches jutted into the night sky and bushes filled the ground below. They could easily hide someone. Or something. She tried to push that thought back. She held her breath and listened, but all she could hear was her own rapid pulse.

  The wind swayed the greenery around her, casting shadows, rustling the leaves. Persephone took another step forward, squinting into the darkness.

  Red eyes materialized among the shadows. Hundreds of them, all of them focused on her. Terror gripped her chest and stole the air from her lungs. She didn’t have a sword, didn’t have a way of defending herself.

  The stench of rotting flesh hit her as the figures emerged. Hulking gray-skinned demons with glowing red eyes and pointed ears. Some were bald, some had stringy black hair—all had bulging muscles underneath their armor, in addition to shields and swords.

  Persephone’s heart raced as she tried to come up with a plan.

  One of the largest demons advanced toward her—jagged teeth, sharp black nails on the ends of knotted fingers, and a gold ring through his smashed up nose.

  Persephone pulled up her fists, steeling herself for a fight.

  The demon bowed his bald, rough-ridged head. More gold rings lined his disfigured ears. “We’re so glad we found you. Now you can come home with us, where you belong.”

  For a moment she just stared, unable to move. Finally, she found her voice. “I don’t belong with you.”

  “You know you do.”

  Dread wound its way through her. No matter how many breaths she took, the air didn’t seem to reach her lungs. She caught her reflection in the demon’s shield and gasped. Red eyes that glowed like demons’ stared back at her.

  She looked at the demon before her, then back at the army behind him. They weren’t looking at her like they wanted to kill her; they were looking at her with awe and admiration.

  “I don’t want to be bad,” she said, but they didn’t move, didn’t respond. “I don’t want to be bad, I don’t want to be bad!”

  Persephone sat up in bed, screaming.

  A dark figure stood before her. She automatically reached for the sword by her bed.

  “It’s just me,” the male voice said, and it took her a moment to realize it was Jax’s voice. “You were screaming.”

  Persephone released the handle of her sword, put a hand over her racing heart, and took a couple deep breaths. “It was just a dream. A bad dream.” My worst nightmare coming true.

  Jax moved closer, stepping into the strip of dim moonlight coming through the window. “Whoa. What’s up with your eyes?”

  She dropped her gaze, lifting a hand to shield her eyes from him. “Nothing. I’m fine, so you can get out of my bedroom now.”

  “But—”

  “Just go!” She realized how harsh she sounded and softened her voice. “Please. Please just let me deal with this alone.”

  He hesitated, then finally turned and walked down the hall.

  Persephone jumped out of bed, turned on the light, and gasped at the reflection in her mirror. A hint of red still shone in her irises.

  Even though she was awake, her nightmare was still going. Because she could feel the demon blood inside of her, fighting to take over.

  Chapter Five

  “You don’t have to follow so close,” Persephone said to J
ax as they entered the school. “I’m going to talk to my friends, and I’d rather you not be breathing down my neck while I do it.”

  He slowed his pace, letting her ease ahead of him. Last night she’d smiled at him, a real genuine smile, and he thought he’d gotten past her angry front. But this morning she was back to cold. Ever since that nightmare. When he’d charged in there last night, it had almost looked like her eyes were glowing.

  He shook his head. He’d been half asleep himself, and he was sure he’d only imagined it. Or maybe it had been the light coming through her window, because she looked normal today. She’d avoided his gaze all morning, though, and when he’d mentioned her nightmare and asked if she was okay, the look she gave him practically seared the flesh off his bones.

  So much for progress.

  This job would be a lot easier if they could get along. It would be even easier if she was an unattractive girl and all his focus could stay on keeping her safe. Because it was ridiculous to feel jealous when she flashed a warm smile at Dean.

  I’m in hell. I’ve got to protect a girl who hates me and go to high school again. It was bad enough the first time.

  Danielle approached Persephone and got an equally big grin. Arms gesturing wildly, Danielle launched into what looked like a crazy story. Dean rolled his eyes and shook his head at his sister, but he didn’t leave. Persephone whispered something in Dean’s ear, and every muscle in Jax’s body tensed.

  Someone tapped him on the shoulder, and he wheeled around. A girl with exotic eyes and long dark hair smiled up at him. “I thought I’d come introduce myself. I’m Naomi.”

  “Jax.”

  She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “Cool. Well, if you need help with classes…” She ran her eyes down him. “Or anything else, all you have to do is let me know.”

  She’s got a killer body, she’s obviously into me, and I’m not even a little bit interested.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Dean leave Persephone’s side. “Thanks, but I’m good,” he said to the girl and then rushed toward Persephone, bracing himself for the irritated look she was sure to give him.

  ***

  Persephone told Danielle and Dean she’d catch them later and turned around to find Jax coming toward her. She felt kind of bad for being mean to him this morning. It wasn’t his fault she’d had a nightmare. Just his fault he’d seen her right after, at her most vulnerable.

  Her stomach clenched. What would he think if he knew the truth about me?

  That thought made her go back to ignore mode. Ignoring him was safe. She hugged her books against her and headed toward Mr. Ramsey’s room.

  Jax fell into step beside her. “I thought we were going to try to get along.”

  “We are getting along.”

  “The only time you looked at me this morning was to give me a dirty look.”

  “I didn’t realize looking at you was required for getting along,” she said, keeping her eyes glued to the people in front of them. “In fact, I think we’ll get along better if I don’t look at you.”

  “You treating me like crap isn’t going to chase me away, you know that don’t you?”

  Now she felt bad again. Taking a deep breath to keep herself calm, she stopped and faced Jax. “Dean and Danielle are my best friends, and even they’ll tell you that I hold things in. That’s just the way I am, and it’s better for everyone concerned to keep it that way, trust me.”

  “I get why you hold back with them, but I know at least some of what you’re going through. Our enemy is the same.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “I’m not saying you have to tell me right now, but when you’re ready…”

  “Then I’ll talk to someone who knows me.”

  “You’ll go crazy if you hold it all in.”

  The hallways had emptied, and class was going to start any minute. “Yeah, that ship has already sailed.” She stepped back, out of his grasp, and charged into the classroom.

  As much as she hated knowing she was crazy, she couldn’t even pretend to be normal. Losing her family, knowing demons were out there hurting innocent people—and worse, knowing she’d become like them if she didn’t fight that part of her hard enough—was bad enough. Add waiting for a man she’d only dreamed of to find her and the pressure of guarding the dagger, and it wasn’t any wonder she was crazy. But it was her burden, and she’d bear it, because it was what she was born to do.

  Even Jax, no matter how much he claimed he’d understand, wouldn’t if he knew the truth.

  If he knew that the enemy he fought so hard against had made her what she was today.

  As Persephone gathered her books from her locker, she felt Jax standing behind her. He’d left her alone most of the day—well, he hadn’t talked to her. He’d still hovered, like the giant bodyguard he thought he was.

  “I’m going to be playing soccer again,” she said without looking at him. “We play every day after school.”

  Jax leaned against the locker next to hers. “Actually, I was kind of hoping there might be an extra spot so I can play. I’m sure I can keep up.”

  “Geez, cocky much?”

  “Only around friendly girls like you.”

  “I guess I’ll have to start punching you in the face then,” she shot back. The more she thought about playing with him, though—about not holding back—the more it appealed to her. “I’m sure the guys will be cool with you playing.”

  “Doing normal things like playing sports is something I always wanted to do. All my schooling was in the middle of the woods, where we spent our days learning how to fight and survive, even with limited supplies. I might not have had it as rough as you did, but I didn’t exactly have a normal childhood either.”

  “I’ll try to keep that in mind when you’re driving me crazy.”

  “And I’ll keep in mind that you just need some practice being nice before you figure out how to do it right,” Jax said.

  Mouth hanging open, she turned to him. He had a huge grin on his face, and it was impossible not to return his smile, even though it was totally at her expense.

  He nudged her with his elbow. “Come on, miss thang, let’s go get some of that aggression out on the field.”

  Persephone raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I plan on it, and I know right where to aim it.”

  “Bring it on.”

  The guys didn’t argue when Persephone said she wanted to guard Jax. As she lined up opposite him, a surge of excitement shot through her stomach. She was finally going to get to see what it felt like to go all out.

  Luis and Dean faced each other, ball between them. Dean had won the toss, so he was kicking off. Persephone tensed, ready for the pass.

  Dean kicked the ball to her, and she dribbled toward the goal. Jax stuck on her. Rob was open, so she passed to him.

  Rob passed to Dean.

  She ran down the field, then cut toward the center.

  Dean kicked the ball her way.

  But Jax intercepted it.

  No one intercepted passes meant for her! Desperate to correct her mistake, she rushed to cover him. He dribbled the ball, not leaving an opening for her to steal, like he’d played all his life. He neared the goal…

  Persephone backed off a bit.

  Then charged around his other side, stole the ball, and passed it to Dean.

  Jax looked at her and she flashed him a big smile, then hustled down the field. Jax caught up with her as Dean passed her the ball. She kept it close, moving toward the goal. She slowed. Jax came closer. She scooped the ball, sending it between his legs, darted left, and shot.

  In her excitement, she kicked harder than normal. It barely missed Terrell’s head.

  And went in.

  Persephone pumped a fist in the air. “Yes!”

  Jax put his hand on her back and moved his lips by her ear. “Just so you know, that’s the last goal you’re getting this game.”

  She twisted toward him. The competitive glimmer in his eyes sent a rush of adre
naline through her. “Less talk, more walk.”

  Jax was wrong—she scored another goal. But that was after he blocked her again and again. He’d scored two on her, and after being tied for twenty minutes, they called the game. Persephone couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so blissfully tired.

  “That was fun,” Jax said to her, after they’d said goodbye to the others. “I’m exhausted, though. You’re not an easy person to keep up with.”

  Persephone smiled at him. “You’re pretty hard to keep up with yourself.”

  He gave her a half-cocked grin. “Wow. A compliment and everything.”

  “I’ll take it back if you’re going to be obnoxious about it.”

  “Sorry, it’s already out there. You can’t take it back now.” He shouldered his bag and put his arm over her shoulders.

  She thought about pulling away, but it was a friendly gesture, and she supposed it wouldn’t kill her to get along with him while he was here. Not to mention how good it felt to be close to someone.

  “I’m cooking you dinner tonight,” he said as they walked toward the car. “And I’m a pretty good cook, if I do say so myself.”

  Persephone shook her head. “Wow, you really take the cocky thing to a new level.”

  “It’s a survival tactic. If you think you’re going to lose a fight, you usually will. Plus, you know, there’s the whole trying to impress you thing.”

  “Unfortunately for you, arrogance doesn’t impress me. I’m more impressed with humility.”

  “You say that, but you keep everyone at a distance, so my only chance is to charge right in and pretend I totally know what I’m doing.”

  Persephone stepped out of his grasp and scowled at him. “I said I hold back sometimes, that’s not the same as keeping everyone at a distance.”

  He gave a pointed look to the space between them. “Yeah, I don’t know where I got that idea. Obviously I’m way off.”

  He pulled open the car door for her. “You still haven’t told me anything about the dagger. In fact, you haven’t even confirmed you are a Sentry. But I know you are, so whenever you’re ready…”