Danielle fixed her with her serious glare. “Because you like Jax, and for some strange reason you’re trying not to?”
“It’s not…I can’t…” Unable to find a way to finish, Persephone shook her head.
“That boy’s all about you, as I’m sure you’ve already noticed.”
“I’m a duty. An obligation. And come on, it’s weird to act like my bodyguard all the time. I don’t need a freakin’ bodyguard.”
“The way he looks at you, trust me, it’s more than obligation. He’s crazy about you.”
“We barely even met.”
Danielle shrugged. “Well, you make a strong impression. Forever I thought you and Dean would be perfect for each other. I kind of freaked out about it because if you started taking his side over mine, there’d be serious bitterness…” She threw her hand up. “Anyway, so not the point of where I was trying to go. What I’m trying to say is, there’s something about Jax. I think he actually gets you, and as much as I love you, girl, I gotta tell you that’s not easy.”
He understood her better than most people because he knew more. There was still plenty he didn’t know, though. Then there was Adrastos. “It’s more complicated than finding someone who gets me.”
“So explain it. Because from where I’m standing, it seems like you’re throwing away a perfectly good guy. A guy every other girl at school is totally lusting after.”
Persephone was dying to tell Danielle everything. Since she couldn’t, she settled for what she could say. “There’s someone else. It’s also why Dean and I—or anyone else who ever showed interest for that matter—never went anywhere. I hardly ever get to see him, but I promised I’d wait for him.”
“Wait for him?” Danielle asked, nose scrunched up. “For how long?”
“As long as it takes till we can be together.”
Danielle seemed to be thinking hard, and Persephone worried she’d hear it now—her best friend was going to tell her how crazy she was.
Danielle’s eyebrows shot up. “Is he as good-looking as Jax?”
“Oh yeah. But, like, the opposite of Jax in every way. He’s got dark hair and these intense dark eyes, and when he looks at me it’s like…” Putting it into words wasn’t possible, but Persephone tried her best. “My heart goes crazy, and I can hardly breathe, but in a good way, and I feel warm and safe and happy.”
“Sounds dreamy.”
“Dreamy’s definitely a good word for him.” And I wish he’d stop only being in my dreams and come find me already.
Danielle brought back the serious glare. “And why am I just now hearing about him?”
Persephone shrugged. “I know it’s a little strange, since Adrastos and I hardly see each other, but when we do—”
“Adrastos? Wow, what a name.”
“It’s Greek, and trust me, he makes it work.” She flushed as she mentally replayed some of their stolen moments together. “We belong together, D. I feel it in every inch of my body. When I’m with him, everything’s better. Like it’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
“You love him?” Danielle asked.
Persephone nodded.
“But you feel something for Jax, too?”
Persephone hesitated, then nodded again. “It’s making me feel awful. I still love Adrastos, but when I’m around Jax, I can’t help feeling drawn to him. He’s sweet and good-looking, and he stirs up all these conflicting emotions…I feel so guilty. I shouldn’t even be thinking like that, not with Adrastos waiting for me.”
Danielle offered a consoling smile. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Long distance relationships aren’t easy. Maybe you and this Adrastos guy should take a break. Then you can see what happens with Jax.”
“No. I could never…Taking a break’s not an option. I can’t even think about it without…” All the warmth drained from Persephone’s body as she thought about not being with him, and she had to take a breath to calm her growing hysteria. “He gets me. And whenever we’re together, I can feel how much he loves me.”
Danielle put her hand on Persephone’s shoulder. “No wonder you needed to get away. But don’t worry, we’ll get through this. And if you ever want to talk about it, you know I’m here for you.”
Relief filled Persephone. Even though she couldn’t tell Danielle everything, her friend at least semi-got it.
Then she froze, all her relief washing away. Just over Danielle’s shoulder, a pair of red eyes shone through the dark alley.
Chapter Eight
Jax paced the floor, the knot in his gut growing tighter and tighter, while the blood in his veins got hotter and hotter. Each silent minute seemed like an eternity. He looked at the door every few seconds, like that would make Persephone burst through it.
Back and forth. Past all the plants she kept. The one by the door she hid her sword behind. A tree of some kind in the corner. Several plants hung in the kitchen, too. He’d never noticed how many there were before.
Another glance at the door.
Back and forth.
Until he was about to go insane. He checked his phone for the hundredth time—she hadn’t called him back—then turned his attention to the furball sitting on the couch. “Does she stay out this late a lot?”
Turtle looked up, but he didn’t answer the question. Because he was a cat. I’m losing it. She’s driven me insane, and now I’m talking to a cat.
Earlier today, Jax had watched Persephone hug Dean, which bothered him enough he’d gone into the classroom to wait for her. But she never showed. The instant class let out, he’d frantically searched the halls for her. That’s when Dean gave him the note. The note that said basically nothing.
On the way to New Orleans, Jax’s truck had broken down in Montgomery, Alabama, so he’d left it in a shop and took a bus the rest of the way. Now here he was without a vehicle, and the reason he’d needed to come to New Orleans was out strolling the town, ignoring his phone calls. “What if something happens to her?” Cold settled into the pit of Jax’s stomach. Something wasn’t right. He couldn’t sit around waiting anymore. He’d have to rely on his instincts to guide him.
With any luck, he’d find Persephone before anything happened to her. And with even more luck, this awful feeling he had that she was in trouble would be nothing more than him being overly paranoid.
***
This couldn’t be happening. Not here, this early in the night in a fairly populated area. Of course, no one was around right now.
Oh, for the love of the gods, Persephone thought, why didn’t I pay more attention to where we were going?
Jax said demons were on the rise in New Orleans, and here she was without a weapon. And worse, Danielle was here as well, without any knowledge of the kind of danger they were about to be in. People instinctively knew to fear demons, even when they projected themselves as human. If this one dropped his projection—which they sometimes did to terrify people—Danielle would freak. She’d freak if Persephone started fighting some random cloaked guy, too, so Persephone’s mind raced for a way to get her friend far, far away.
“I just realized one of my gran’s friends lives nearby. It’s been a while since I checked on her, so why don’t you take my car home.” Persephone dug her keys out of her pocket and held them out to Danielle. “I’ll catch a bus when I’m done and come by for my car tomorrow morning.”
Danielle didn’t reach for the keys like Persephone desperately wanted her to. “I’ll come with you. It’s not like I’ve got anything else going on tonight.”
The demon neared the mouth of the alley.
Persephone’s heart lurched and she had to work to keep her voice calm. “Well, she sometimes gets confused, and she gets paranoid around strangers, so I should probably go alone. Plus, it might get all emotional since we’ll be talking about Gran, and you know how much I hate for people to see me like that.” The keys jingled as Persephone thrust them into Danielle’s hand. “I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
Danielle’s fin
gers finally curled around the keys. “Oh-kay. If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.” It was all Persephone could do to keep from shoving Danielle toward the parking lot.
Danielle walked to the curb, glanced over her shoulder and gave a small wave, then disappeared into the blackness that had settled over the city.
Persephone whipped around to face the demon. A black, hooded cloak covered his head and hid most of his body, but as he walked out of the alley, the glow from the streetlight bathed his hideous gnarled face.
Breathing suddenly became difficult. Persephone swallowed past the lump of fear lodged in her throat and forced as much conviction into her voice as she could. “I’m a Warrior, so you really don’t want to fight me. Leave now, and I’ll let you live.”
His grin showed off his sharp teeth. “You’re not a Warrior,” he said in a deep, gravelly voice. “You’re one of us.”
Revulsion slammed into her, turning her fear to rage. “I’m not one of you, you disgusting, vile creature.”
He jerked his chin in the direction Danielle had gone. “Run off with your friend, keep pretending you’re human. I’ve got work to do.” His gaze moved to a dark-haired woman coming out of the nearby apartment building.
All her instincts screamed at her to run, but she couldn’t. This time, she wasn’t going to run. Tonight, she was going to take out her first demon.
As the demon started around her, Persephone stepped into his path. “I’m afraid you’re not going to make it to work tonight.”
He narrowed his red eyes at her. “You don’t want to mess with this, girl. Hades wants her, so he’ll have her.”
Persephone stood straighter, trying to make every centimeter of her five foot two and three-fourths count. “If Hades wants her, he should’ve come himself, because you’re not getting by me.”
The maniacal smile that hit his lips sent a chill down her spine. “Don’t worry, he’ll be coming himself soon, then we’ll give you all the fight you want. Until then.” He tipped his head and started around her again.
To prove how not on the demon’s side she was, she was going to kill him before he killed someone else, weapon or not. Gathering all the strength and courage she had, she kicked her foot into the side of his knee.
His leg bucked and he stumbled. He spun around, anger pinching his disgusting features. He took a swing at her and she threw up her left arm to block it. She sent her right fist into his side and followed with a jab to his nose. He retreated a couple steps, then came at her again, his arms slashing wildly through the air. She jumped back, but not quick enough. Pain flared through her shoulder as his jagged nails sliced her skin.
“Ahh!” She gripped her shoulder. Blood ran between her fingers. She looked at it, then the smirking demon. Okay, now she was really pissed.
Afraid it would take over, she usually held the demon part of her back. But tonight, she decided it was time to set it free.
Her blood heated, running fiery trails through her veins. She could feel the power and rage in her rising, and she let it wash over her. She took a deep breath and attacked, unleashing everything she had on the demon. She sent her foot into his stomach. Ducked his swing and drove her fist into his face again and again. Her knuckles hurt from his tough hide, but she didn’t stop. She dipped low as he took another swipe at her. She punched his gut, his ribs, then brought her knee up, into his groin.
He fell back against the wall, holding himself. Those red eyes flashed on her. He tucked his head and with a yell, ran at her.
Persephone dodged left. She brought her elbow down on the back of his head as he passed. He stumbled forward and she leapt on his back. He reared up, backpedaled, and slammed her against the wall. She barely maintained her hold on him as all the air shot out of her lungs.
He struggled, clawing at her arms. Re-gaining control of her body, she put one hand on the top of his head, winding her fingers through a handful of his stringy hair, the other on his chin. And jerked.A loud, grinding crack filled the air, and the demon slumped into a scaly pile. Persephone fell to her hands and knees, struggling to catch her breath.
“Persephone!”
Looking up, she saw Jax running toward her. She took another deep breath and pushed herself to her feet.
His eyes widened as he neared. “How bad is it?”
Blood ran down Persephone’s arm and dripped onto the sidewalk. “It looks worse than it is.” Actually, it hurt like hell, but she knew he’d freak out if she said that.
The world tipped, and she had to put her hand on the wall to steady herself.
Jax was a little blurry, but those blue eyes of his stood out, and they were studying her with fierce intensity.
“I’m fine,” she said, because he looked so upset. “No weapons and I still killed him. Come on, you’ve got to admit that’s impressive.”
He glanced at the demon. “Impressive, but you don’t look fine.”
She let go of the wall to show how fine she was. Then clamped onto his arm as she started to tip.
He gripped her arms and guided her to the ground. He dug into his bag and pulled out a small first aid kit.
“Don’t worry, I heal fast.” The three gashes in her arm had already stopped bleeding. They were deep and ugly, but she took the clotting as a good sign. “By tomorrow it’ll just be scratches.”
“Not if you bleed to death now,” he said. Usually she couldn’t avoid his gaze, but now he seemed to be avoiding hers.
“How did you find me anyway?”
He pushed up her sleeve and pressed gauze over her cuts. “I’ve got good instincts.”
“Instincts? You instinctively thought to look for me somewhere I don’t usually go?”
“One, I can feel demon presences, and two…” He ripped the tape with his teeth, stuck it across the top of the gauze, and finally looked at her. “I can feel you, okay? If I focus hard enough, and if you’re in danger, I can feel you.”
“You can feel me? That’s weird.”
“It’s necessary.” He ripped another piece of tape and continued to secure the gauze over her cuts. His movements were fast and precise—obviously he’d done this before. The muscles in his jaw clenched. “Protecting you would be a lot easier if you didn’t fight it.”
Persephone was light-headed, but she didn’t miss the angry edge to his voice. “You’re mad?”
His eyes locked onto hers. “Yeah I’m mad. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been this mad before.”
“I bet if someone tried to take away your free will you’d be even angrier.” Persephone jerked away and then immediately regretted it. Searing heat shot down her arm and hot tears sprung to her eyes.
Jax ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not trying to take away your freedom, but like I keep telling you, it’s my job to keep you safe. How can you still not understand?”
“You think I don’t understand?” To her dismay, her voice cracked. “I’ve got to guard an object that got my family killed. I have all these rules, all this responsibility, and I don’t want it. Sometimes I feel like I’m going to crack under the pressure.”
He covered her hand with his. “That’s why we’ve got to work together. So neither one of us cracks.” He glanced at the demon, then back at her. “With your bare hands, huh?”
“I used my legs, too.”
The start of a smile hit his lips, but faded in the next second. “Now that they know where you are, we’ve got to go somewhere else.”
“They don’t know about the dagger,” Persephone said. “It was just one of those wrong time, wrong place things. But he was going to kill a woman, and I couldn’t let him.”
“I guess that’s something to be glad about—the dagger. And you saving a woman’s life. Now as for your shoulder, I did what I could, but I think you’re going to need stitches.” Jax leapt to his feet. “We better get you to a hospital.”
Hospitals weren’t exactly equipped with her blood type, not to mention all the questions about where
her legal guardian was, so that was the worst idea ever. “No need. I’m telling you, I heal really fast.”
Jax frowned, looking like he was going to argue, but then seemed to think better of it. He shrugged off his jacket and draped it around her. He walked over to the demon, lifted it like it weighed nothing, and chucked it into the alley where it would decompose overnight.
His expression was all business when he squatted next to her. “Promise me you won’t do anything like this ever again.”
“You know I can’t,” she said. Jax opened his mouth, and she put a finger to his lips. “But I promise I’ll give you a break and I’ll keep you updated on where I am. It’s a pretty good deal, so I’d take it if I were you.”
He sighed. “That’s good enough, I guess. For now.” He helped her to her feet and wrapped an arm around her waist.
The way he looked down at her sent butterflies through her stomach.
And then the guilt crashed into her again, mixing in with the throbbing pain in her shoulder.
Chapter Nine
“Stop looking at me like that.” Persephone felt self-conscious trying to eat her cereal with Jax watching her so closely. First thing this morning he’d asked how she was and she said fine. He wanted to check the cuts on her shoulder, but she’d reiterated that she was fine. He hadn’t taken his eyes off her since.
“Like what?” Jax asked, an innocent expression plastered on his face.
“Like I’m a fragile girl who’s about to break.”
“Just let me look at your shoulder. I worry that we should’ve gone to the hospital to get you stitched up. We still might need to.”
“I heal fast, I checked them out, and for the hundredth time, I’m fine. See…” Persephone lifted her arm to prove how okay she was. Her shoulder was stiff, but if a little movement got him to leave her alone, the momentary twinge was worth it.
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