Demons of the Sun

by Madsen, Cindi

  After Persephone got Dean talking to Lucy, a cute girl in her pre-calc class who hadn’t been giving the evil eye but lit up when she saw Dean, Persephone wandered back down the hall. The little things—like talking about classes, joking with Dean and Danielle, and trying to set him up with Lucy—helped her feel human again. They helped her remember why it was so important to overcome the demon part of her that kept rising to the surface.

  That’s it. From now on, I’m not going to let my nightmares or any stupid demons get to me.

  Jax was leaning against the wall near their class, brow furrowed, tapping his pen against his lip.

  Now cute Warriors who kill spiders for me, those are a different story.

  He straightened as she neared, and relief flooded his features. “I thought you ditched me again. Then I’d be worried and bored. At least the last time I went to high school I got to use my sword during classes.”

  “So go do something else.” Persephone dug her keys out of her pocket and extended them to him. “Come get me at the end of the day.”

  “Oh, I thought…I was trying to give you space, but I can give you a little bit more if I’m still annoying you.”

  “You’re not annoying me. I just thought that since you were bored, and you know…” She glanced around, then leaned in and kept her voice low. “Since demons can’t come out during the day anyway, you might want to get away from it all for a while.”

  A slow smile curved his lips. “I don’t annoy you anymore?”

  Returning his smile, she said, “Well, you’re not this second anyway, and that’s quite an accomplishment for you.”

  “Just admit it, I’m growing on you. Your life would be boring without me.”

  “It’s definitely been…eventful since you entered my life. I’ve done more fighting in this last week than I have in years. And I’ll admit you came in handy with that whole spider thing this morning.”

  “Oh, not with fighting the demons, but with the spider.” All humor drained from Jax’s face. “I’m sorry about last night. I’m the one who’s supposed to be watching out for those kinds of things, and I got distracted. I won’t let it happen again, I promise.”

  She’d never seen him look so unsure of himself, and while his arrogance had driven her crazy at first, she realized it wasn’t so much arrogance as confidence. And he looked lost without it. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “It’s not your fault. Demons are out there, and we have to deal with it.”

  “But I can usually sense them earlier. There was something different about those demons last night, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. Still, I should’ve sensed them. I was just caught up in”—his eyes locked onto hers, a combination of protectiveness and desire filling them— “other things.”

  Her heart picked up speed, swirling up the conflicting emotions she always felt when he looked at her like that. Suddenly, she was having a hard time remembering what they’d been talking about.

  That’s right. The demons and how he thinks he’s the one who messed up. They’d come for her, and she didn’t want Jax feeling bad for something that was her fault.

  “If it wasn’t for all the training we’ve been doing, that attack would’ve gone a lot worse,” Persephone said. “But everything turned out okay. We took care of them, just like we’ll take care of any other demons who cross our path.”

  The words were supposed to make Jax feel better, and while she hoped they did, the truth of them hit her hard. They would run into more demons, and she needed to get the evil inside her under control before it happened.

  Of course that was one of those stupid easier-said-than-done things.

  Chapter Fifteen

  As they ate dinner, Persephone looked across the table at Jax, and thought about how much her life had changed since he’d shown up. She didn’t feel so lonely anymore. It was a relief to be able to talk about her Sentry job and what really happened to her parents. Training had also made her feel more secure in her calling, like she actually might have a chance. In fact, she found herself looking forward to their nights together. Plus, he knew how to cook, which had added variety to her meals. She smiled a lot more lately, too.

  “What?” Jax asked.

  “Nothing.” Since he’d caught her staring, she searched for something to say. “Burgers were a good idea.”

  “Glad you like them.” One corner of his mouth kicked up. “Couldn’t have done it without your excellently sliced cheese and tomatoes.”

  “Are you mocking me? Because as you pointed out, I’m good with a knife, and that might not end up so well for you.”

  Feigning innocence, he threw a hand to his chest. “Me? Mock the dangerous Persephone Katsaros? I wouldn’t dare.”

  “Good. And don’t you forget it.” The words would’ve been a lot more threatening if she could’ve kept a smile from breaking free.

  Persephone scooted out her chair, grabbed her empty plate, and headed into the kitchen. She placed her dish in the dishwasher, then, noticing the mayo was still out, put it away.

  She spun away from the fridge and almost slammed into Jax, who was coming from the opposite direction. She grabbed his arms, barely keeping herself from falling. “Whoa.”

  He placed his hands on her hips to steady her. “Sorry. I didn’t realize you were going to do a ninja move away from the fridge.”

  “You know me, I don’t mess around, even when I’m doing the dishes. Not to mention this kitchen’s so tiny, it’s almost impossible not to run into you.”

  A flirtatious grin curved his lips. “I say we start hanging out in the kitchen more, then.”

  Her heart skipped a beat as she stared up at him. The way he was looking at her left little doubt about what he was thinking.

  And now she was thinking about it, too.

  All the air went out of the room as he slid his hands behind her, pulled her against him, and lowered his head toward hers.

  The moment before his lips made contact, Persephone dropped her forehead to his chest. She froze like that, knowing what was about to happen was going to ruin the easiness between them.

  “Talk to me,” he said, voice soft.

  With his arms around her, she couldn’t think clearly, so she stepped back, out of his grasp. “There’s someone else.”

  “Dean?”

  Persephone shook her head. “It’s not Dean.”

  “Well, I haven’t seen anyone else around.”

  “We’re…” Here’s where things got tricky. She wasn’t about to fill him in on all the difficult-to-believe details. “It’s a long distance relationship, and it’s been going on for years. I’m sorry if I misled you. You’re here, and obviously you’re attractive, and you’re a good guy…” She dropped her gaze to the floor. “But I’d just be using you, while thinking about someone else.”

  He took a step toward her, closing the gap between them. “Use away, then.”

  She put a hand on his chest to push him back, but she couldn’t seem to get the energy to push. He was warm, his eyes were on hers, and he was right in front of her. In her waking hours.

  His hand came over hers, and her heart thudded. She couldn’t deny his offer was tempting. But it was a bad idea. It would hurt Adrastos. And Jax. And most likely her, too.

  She pulled her hand away, hating how cold it suddenly felt, and crossed her arms so she wouldn’t be tempted to reach for him again. “I love him, Jax. And he loves me. You and me, we’ve got our purposes in life, and we can work together, but that’s it. There can’t be anything more.”

  The muscles along Jax’s jaw tightened. “If this other guy really loved you, he’d be here protecting you.”

  “He loves me enough to be out there fighting, making the world safer. Plus he knows I can take care of myself.” Being in the same room as Jax was suffocating, and she needed to get away before she had a full-on break down.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, then fled toward the safety of her bedroom.

  Thirty minutes of lyi
ng on her bed, staring at the ceiling, didn’t make Persephone feel any better. “I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore. Waiting for a guy who only occasionally visits me in my dreams when there’s someone right here. Someone who likes me.”

  But he doesn’t know everything about me. And if he did…

  One tear escaped and ran down the side of her face, into her hair. The one thing she’d always been sure of was Adrastos. But now here she was, questioning if he really did love her, or if she’d end up waiting for him forever, only to be disappointed in the end.

  Her throat ached, her chest ached, and the throbbing in her head was making everything worse.

  She lifted her hand to the tattoo he’d given her, running her finger over the slightly raised skin. He’d promised forever, but right now, she needed the here and now. “If you’re out there and you really love me, please, please come to me tonight. I don’t know how much longer I can hold on.”

  Persephone stood in the meadow, staring at the tree Adrastos usually leaned on. But he wasn’t there. Her heart felt heavy, and she thought about flopping onto the ground and having herself a good cry.

  And then there he was, stepping out from the trees.

  He crossed the distance between them in long, quick strides and pulled her into his arms. “I’m so sorry, my love. It was bad for a few days, and I couldn’t get away.”

  Panic filled her, for his safety, and for what it meant if New Orleans wasn’t the only place seeing a demon resurgence. “It’s bad there, too?”

  He swept her hair behind her ear. “It was, but we’re winning now. It’s looking better than it ever has, and it won’t be long now. Then I can come for you.”

  To her dismay, tears formed in her eyes. She hated that her emotions were so near the surface lately.

  Concern flooded his features. “What’s wrong?”

  She blinked back her tears. “What if something happens to one of us? What if we never get to be together?”

  “I’m not going to let that happen.” He put his hand on the side of her face and looked into her eyes. “Persephone, I love you, and we will be together. Can’t you feel it?”

  “I used to, but…” She shook her head. “Everything’s such a mess, and I’m having nightmares, and demons are everywhere, and I feel the darkness tugging at me. It’s bad, worse than it’s ever been. I don’t know what to do or think anymore. I feel so lost.”

  His arms encircled her again and he held her to him. “I won’t lose you, not now, not after everything we’ve been through.” He kissed her forehead. “We’re so close. Don’t give up on me yet.”

  In his arms, she felt like she could handle anything. Then her stomach twisted, because she’d been so close to slipping with Jax. “I don’t deserve you. You should find someone else who’s not such a mess.”

  “There is no one else for me.” He intertwined his fingers with hers, then lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. “All this fighting, I’m doing it for you, so we can be together. When that happens, we can put all this bad stuff behind us. We’ll never have to be apart again.”

  “You promise?”

  “I promise.” His form flickered. “Take care of yourself.”

  “Wait!” She threw her arms around him and kissed his lips, desperate to soak him in.

  He returned her kiss, crushing her to him, his warmth washing over her. His lips neared her ear and his voice was soft. “I’m sorry, my love. I have to go. I’ll come back whenever I can.”

  He kissed her once more.

  And then he was gone.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Dreaming of Adrastos had put everything back in perspective—nothing seemed as dark or impossible in the light of day. But knowing things were good with Adrastos didn’t stop them from being awkward with Jax.

  As Persephone ate breakfast, she didn’t have a clue what to say to him. And for once, he was quiet, too. She kept looking at him, missing how easy things had been less than twelve hours ago. Then he’d look at her, and she’d feel self-conscious and weird, and she’d turn her attention back to her cereal.

  Persephone put her bowl in the sink, grabbed her backpack, and finally ventured her first words to Jax since last night. “The offer to ditch and take my car still stands. I know you don’t want to spend another boring day at school, and I’m sure you’re not looking forward to being around me all day either.”

  The legs of his chair scraped the floor as he stood. He turned to her, eyebrows lowered, mouth set in a frown. “You think I’d let my feelings for you get in the way of my job?”

  The real question was if he meant the feelings, like how he liked her, or that his feelings toward her had now turned bitter. The answer might hurt, so she didn’t dare ask. “I’m not worried about your job. Who we are is more than our jobs, and all I’m saying is if you want a break, I completely understand.”

  He stepped closer, until their bodies were all but touching. “If you think I want a break, then you don’t understand.” His eyes held a challenge. “You can’t honestly tell me you feel nothing for me.”

  Keeping her eyes locked onto his went against all her instincts, but she knew he’d call her on it if she looked away. “You’re right, I can’t. Because I do care for you. As a friend. So I’m going to tell you once again that I’m in love with someone else, and I hope you’ll respect that, or we’re going to have to re-think our arrangement, friends or not.”

  His posture stiffened, and she could feel every painful thump of her heart as she waited for him to say something. She’d meant what she’d said when she said it, but now…

  What if he leaves and I have to go back to being all-alone? Who’s going to bring me back if the darkness seeps in? I need him here. I’m better with him here.

  He put his hand on her shoulder, and she closed her eyes, waiting for those painful words, I’m leaving. “Okay,” he said. “Friends then.”

  She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him.

  And just when she thought everything was so clear, her perspective got all messed up again.

  ***

  “Hey.”

  Jax didn’t have to turn around to know it was Persephone. Not only because the voice, but he could also smell her perfume. He’d inhaled that light floral scent so many times as they’d sparred or whenever she’d rest her head on his shoulder as they watched TV. Then there was the way her nearness always affected him, sending his pulse racing and turning his insides to mush.

  “Um, we’re going for a snack run instead of eating lunch in the cafeteria,” Persephone said. “You want to come?”

  He closed his locker door and spun around. “Yeah, sure.”

  Her smile seemed more relief than happiness. He realized he’d pushed her too far this morning—far enough everything was strained between them. At least he’d given it a real shot. He didn’t know how he’d fallen so hard, so fast, but the ache in his chest as he stared at her confirmed it had happened.

  “We’ve got to hurry so we can make it back on time. It’s not nearly enough time to eat, but we go anyway, because it’s a break from school, and the junk food’s way better than the cafeteria food.” Her smile widened, and this one hit her eyes. “That’s why I go anyway. The guys go because they think the cashier is hot, and she wears really skimpy outfits.”

  “Well, if there’s a hot cashier, then by all means, let’s hurry.” He almost put his arm around her, like he would’ve yesterday without a second thought.

  I can’t believe this tiny girl’s got me so messed up. Man, I need to smash my fists into something.

  Her boyfriend seems like a good place to start.

  Even though he knew it wouldn’t solve anything—it certainly wouldn’t make her happy—he held onto that thought. He needed something to help him get through the rest of the day.

  Jax walked the aisles of the convenience store with Persephone as she studied the shelves of candy.

  “So how come you’re not on the phone all the time?”
he asked.

  A crease formed between her eyebrows. “Why would I be on the phone all the time?”

  “The boyfriend. I assume long distance means lots of calls.”

  “Oh. We’re not really phone people.”

  “Then how do you keep in touch? Letters?”

  Without turning around, she said, “I don’t really want to talk about him with you. It’s weird.”

  He opened his mouth to say, because you like me, but stopped himself. The goal was to get back to comfortable, not make it harder. “I’m just curious how it works.”

  “All you need to know is it does.” She grabbed a Snickers and a package of Twizzlers. “Now hurry and pick something, so we have time to eat it before being forced inside the rest of the day.”

  Why is she so defensive about him? And why can’t I just let it go?

  He grabbed a bag of potato chips and headed up front, trailing after Persephone.

  A gray-haired lady with thick, round glasses stood behind the counter, working the cash register. “Wow,” Jax said. “The guys were definitely right about the hot cashier.”

  Persephone turned to face him, a smile on her face that melted his heart. “Guess the other girl isn’t working today. Or maybe she’s in the back. You could ask, then you can drool over her like the rest of the guys do. Hell, you’d probably even have a chance with her, unlike the rest of them.”