“That’s okay. I like the view I’ve got.”
“So you go for the older ladies,” she said with a laugh. “Good to know.”
Jax locked eyes with her. “I wasn’t talking about the cashier.”
Pink crept into her cheeks, and she turned away from him. He’d sworn he was going to stop saying things like that to her, but he couldn’t help it. Part of him still thought that one of these days she’d realize she liked him as much as he liked her. He only hoped it would be sooner than later. And preferably before her supposedly perfect boyfriend paid her a visit.
They paid for their lunch and headed toward the exit. Persephone came to an abrupt stop a couple feet short of the door, and he almost plowed into her. “Whoa,” he said. “If you’re going to put on the brakes like that, you need to give me a hand signal or something.”
Her eyes remained fixed on something ahead of her.
“What is it?” He stepped to the side and followed her line of sight. A newspaper with the headline: Third body found. Victim missing heart.
Underneath there was a byline about the victims all having the same image branded somewhere on their bodies. The zoomed in, black and white picture showed the two-pronged staff Hades used to bring unwilling spirits into the Underworld burned into the skin.
“Third?” Persephone turned to him, her face drained of color. “Did you know about these?”
He shook his head.
“What are they doing with the hearts? I’ve got the dagger, but what if …?” Her eyes widened. “What if Hades came up with another way to do it? To make daywalkers?”
“The gods keep him in better check now,” Jax said, doing his best to sound confident in that fact, even though he wasn’t.
“Tell that to the three people missing their hearts.” She lifted her chin, determination filling her features. “That’s it. I’ve done enough preparing, and I’m done sitting around. We’ll go visit my voodoo priestess over the weekend, see what she can help us with, and then we’re going hunting. It’s time to put a dent in the demon population.”
“About that…” Jax blew out his breath, bracing for the fight his statement was going to cause. “I know I said we’d fight them, but you’ve got a bigger calling. Fighting demons is too dangerous for you. You can’t risk it.”
“I can’t risk not doing it. I’ve seen what’d be like—what it was like when the demons could be out in the sunlight—and if I don’t do something to prove to myself …” She crossed her arms. “You said we were going to fight them, and I’m not letting you take it back.”
“I know, but you had me cornered and I didn’t know what else to say.” And your lips did that pouty thing, and you hugged me. “Honestly, I planned on delaying for a long, long time until you realized you couldn’t fight because your job is guarding the dagger. You know you can’t go out hunting.”
“What I know is, fighting demons is the only thing that might save me. You told me to trust my instincts, and this is what they’re telling me to do.” She placed a hand on his arm. “Help me be the person I need to be so I don’t screw everything up. Help me like you promised you would.”
Then she did the pouty face thing. And he was screwed.
Chapter Seventeen
“How much further to the witch’s place?” Jax asked as they walked toward Mara’s Sunday morning.
Persephone looked to the heavens for help and sighed, nice and loud, so he’d get how annoyed she was. “For the millionth time, Mara’s a voodoo priestess, not a witch.”
“Same difference.”
“It is not the same. Mara’s a descendent of the legendary Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau.” Persephone wasn’t sure why she bothered explaining. Two days of arguing about it hadn’t had any effect on Jax’s opinion.
“All I know is that you’re bringing some weird stuff, no matter what you want to call her.”
“Jimson weed’s harmless as long as you use it right,” she said, even though she knew that wasn’t what he was talking about.
“The snakeskin and the toad, Persephone. You have dried up dead things in your bag.”
“Showing up without spell ingredients would be rude. It’s like showing up at a dinner party without anything. I know you’re skeptical, but she’s the best at what she does. Her spells have protected my home and helped me hide the dagger. I trust her, and I know she’ll be able to help.” Persephone stopped at the door of the pale yellow building, then turned to Jax and gave him her most serious glare. “And you better be on your best behavior.”
“Or what?” He poked his finger into her side. “You’ll pin me?”
Persephone smacked his hand. “Or she’ll cast a spell on you, and I’m not sure how helpful you’d be to me in toad form.”
“I guess you’ll have to kiss me and turn me back then, princess.”
The mischievous glint in his eye sent that fresh-from-the-rollercoaster feeling through her stomach. She turned back to the door, wishing she hadn’t stopped to try to talk sense in him. Obviously he didn’t have any.
And why does he have to look at me like that?
She swore she could still feel his gaze on her. Mara had been out of town Friday and Saturday, and Jax insisted they spend every free second training. She thought they’d trained hard before, but since she wanted to hunt, Jax had pushed her until her arms and legs ached. The two days together had also left her with far too much alone time with Jax. The more time they spent together, the harder it was to keep her feelings neutral.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed away those thoughts and focused on the task at hand. She pressed through the glass door, holding it open for Jax. He didn’t look happy about it, but he followed her in.
Their footsteps echoed as they walked down the empty hall. The old wooden door on the end had a variety of crosses and veves representing the astral forces nailed to it. A couple gris-gris bags filled with herbs hung from the doorknob.
Jax eyed the decorations, eyebrows raised.
“She’s big on protection. That whole voodoo doll thing is a lie, you know. The dolls, or more often bags” —she pointed to the gris-gris— “are for protection or luck, things like that. Not for stabbing and making other people suffer.”
Persephone lifted the heavy brass knocker and knocked three times.
The door swung open and Mara stood there, a warm smile on her face. She looked more like a normal teenager than the powerful voodoo priestess she was. She wore her hair in wavy micro braids, and her white shirt stood out against her dark skin. Around her neck was a necklace with a large silver pendant inscribed with the veves of each god.
“Hey, Persephone.” Mara’s eyes moved to Jax and her smile widened. “So this is the guy I’ve heard so much about. I can certainly see why.”
Talk about awkward. “Actually, this isn’t my…” Persephone could feel the heat rising from her neck, into her cheeks. “Jax is a Warrior. He knows about my job and the dagger, and he’s here for extra protection.”
“Since the other guy apparently had more important things to do,” Jax said.
Persephone shot Jax a dirty look—one he acted shocked by—then she turned back to Mara. “Anyway. I’m sure you’ve noticed the increase in demon activity.”
“Hard to miss it, unfortunately.” Mara waved them inside. “Come on in, and I’ll tell you what I know.”
Every corner of the place was filled with bottles, herbs, gris-gris bags, candles, and books. A sweet, earthy scent hung heavy in the air and bright colored objects lined the pale yellow walls.
Persephone unzipped her backpack. “I brought you a present.”
Mara’s gaze remained on Jax. “I like it.”
Persephone placed the bag filled with Jimson weed, the toad, and the snakeskin into Mara’s hand. “This kind of present.”
“Oh. Right.” Mara looked inside the bag. “Thank you. You always seem to know exactly what I need.” She set the bag on a shelf and returned her attention to Jax.
Okay, I know he’s good looking, but Mara’s practically drooling.
Jax pointed at the wall with all the weapons hanging on it. “Cool collection.”
“You like it?” Mara took down one of the broadswords and held it out to him. “This one’s my favorite.”
For someone who’d been ranting about seeing a witch, Jax certainly didn’t look uncomfortable now. He was talking animatedly about the swords, and Persephone couldn’t help but notice how close he and Mara were standing, all the smiles they exchanged, and the way Mara kept putting her hand on his arm.
“Well since you showed me yours…” Jax pulled out his sword, demonstrated how the blade sprung out of it, and let Mara hold it.
And I thought I was special.
Persephone cleared her throat. “I was thinking we should get started on the demon discussion.”
Seemingly unfazed by her request, Jax proceeded to take another of Mara’s swords off the wall—a wicked-looking sabre. “This would definitely take care of a demon.”
Mara put her hand on his arm and leaned against him. “Slices through them like butter.”
“Awesome.” He beamed at Mara. “Sounds like you’ve got a lot of slaying experience.”
“My protection wards keep trouble out of my path for the most part, but I’ve run into demons out in the city at night a few times, and when I do, I kill them so they can’t hurt anyone else.”
“Speaking of killing demons,” Persephone said, raising her voice. “That’s why we’re here. Jax and I are going to start hunting them and taking out as many as we can.”
Mara whipped toward her, mouth hanging open. “You can’t, Persephone. You’ve got to keep the dagger safe, not go hunting.”
“That’s exactly what I told her, but she’s so damn stubborn that she refuses to listen to me.” Jax nudged Mara with his elbow. “Do a spell on her or something for me, will you? Make her listen to reason.”
Mara laughed, putting her hand on his arm again, like she’d been doing every five seconds since they’d gotten there. “I’m good, but I’m not that good.”
Persephone clenched her jaw, fighting the irritation bubbling up in her. “I didn’t come here to be ganged up on. I made up my mind, and you guys can either help me, or I’ll go it alone.”
Mara’s smile faded. “You know I’ll help you as much as I can, but something big is going on. Have you heard about the murdered people, the ones missing their hearts?”
Persephone nodded. “Saw it in the papers. Noticed Hades calling card was left on the bodies, too. That’s why I decided it was time to get serious.”
“It’s even more serious than that. Their heads were severed, and the police haven’t recovered them.”
Jax’s eyes widened. “The heads were missing? That’s…How did you even find that out?”
“I’ve got my sources,” Mara said. “The police are trying to keep a lid on that information, but it’s only a matter of time before it gets out. I think the demons are gathering items for some kind of sacrifice. One that brings out the worst kind of evil.”
Cold crept through Persephone. Headless victims. The worst kind of evil.
She took a moment to soak it in, but the terrifying truth of what she was up against didn’t change her mind. “All the more reason for me to fight. If they complete that ritual, something tells me I won’t be able to protect the dagger, no matter how hard I try to hide it.”
She looked at Mara, knowing how hard the priestess tried to protect people—even people she didn’t know. Several times a week she walked around, spreading blessed mixtures on the town’s sidewalks or in front of homes of the elderly. “People are dying, Mara, and I can help stop it. I need to help.”
Mara sighed, then nodded. “Okay. Then let’s figure out how to keep you as safe as possible.” She took a step toward her shelves, paused, and then glanced over her shoulder at Jax. “You better come with me. I have a feeling we’re going to need the hardcore stuff, and I keep that on the high shelves.”
Persephone was glad they were finally getting back to business.
Then Mara looped her arm through Jax’s, and Persephone felt irritated all over again.
Jax opened the front door, looked around, then apparently satisfied the coast was clear, retracted his sword and tucked it in his pocket. “Okay, I’ll go ahead and admit it. You were right about Mara. She’s the opposite of evil, and I’m glad we’ve got her on our side.”
“Mm-hm.” Persephone picked Turtle off the couch, put him on her lap, and ran her hand down his furry back.
Jax sat next to her. “You’re not going to gloat? We went back and forth on this for days, and when I tell you that you’re right, all you say is ‘mm-hm?’”
“Sorry, I didn’t know I was supposed to have a speech prepared. I’m glad you finally see things my way.” Actually, she kind of wished he still thought Mara was an evil witch.
Then she immediately felt guilty for thinking like that. Mara had never been anything but nice, and she was the only one who knew about Adrastos’s dream visits. She didn’t know that it was the only time Persephone had seen him, but she understood the dream connection. In fact, Mara had said he’d have to love Persephone an awful lot in order to pull off connecting with her in dreams.
“She’s cute, too,” Jax said.
Forcing herself to keep her expression neutral, Persephone nodded. “She is.”
“Maybe I’ll ask her out.”
“You should.” Persephone petted Turtle faster and faster, until his fur was a staticky mess. “It’ll be nice for me, too, because I’ll finally get my place to myself for a few hours.”
Jax grabbed her wrist, stopping her hand from its path down Turtle’s back. “You’re cute when you’re jealous.”
She glared at him. “I am not jealous.”
“Please! I could see it all over your face the entire time we were there. You were so annoyed that Mara was hitting on me.”
“I was just annoyed. We were there for something important, and you guys were wasting time flirting.”
A smug smile made its way across his lips. “You’re even more jealous than I thought.”
She jerked her hand away. “You’re delusional. And apparently in denial, even though I’ve repeatedly told you I’ve got someone else.”
“You’re the one in denial, babe. I know what I want.” He put his arm on the back of the couch and leaned in. “And I’m wearing you down.”
Persephone shoved him. “You’re right. Your full-of-yourself attitude has worn me down so much I’m exhausted.” She scooped Turtle into her arms and stood. “I’m going to bed, and just to be clear, because you’re so bad at jumping to the wrong conclusion, that’s not an invitation.”
Jax kicked back, putting his hands behind his head and propping his feet on the coffee table. “See you in your dreams. If you want to make them a reality, you know where to find me.”
Then he winked.
Winked!
The blood boiling in her veins made it impossible to respond. She was sure he’d only find something infuriating to say back anyway. So she stormed down the hall, into her room, and kicked the door closed.
She sat on her bed and plunked Turtle back in her lap. “He thinks he knows me. He doesn’t know me. I don’t like him. In fact, I hate him.”
Turtle looked up at her and mewed.
“Exactly.” She scratched behind his ears. “Temporary insanity, that’s why I for some reason felt the tiniest bit jealous. But Mara can have him. I’ve got Adrastos, and I’ve got you. What else could I possibly need?”
Turtle closed his eyes and purred, happy and content, and she was a little jealous of him, too. Cats had life so easy. Of course, she didn’t really want to be a cat. It would be nice to be blissfully unaware of the coming danger, though.
If I’m going to make it through whatever’s happening, I need that annoying, cocky guy in the other room.
Even with his help, she still might fail. After a few min
utes of worrying, overanalyzing, and driving herself crazy, she decided everything would seem better after she got some sleep. She changed into her pajamas and crawled into bed.
No matter what, she was absolutely not dreaming of Jax tonight.
Chapter Eighteen
Persephone stood in the middle of the battlefield, gripping her sword. She wore the same black corset and tiered skirt. Bloodied bodies covered the ground.
“She’s back,” a gruff voice said. “Our queen has returned.”
Blade out, Persephone whipped toward the voice. Red eyes glowed through the darkness. A large demon stood in the middle. In his hand, he held Hades Dagger.
Somehow, she was going to have to get it back, no matter how outnumbered she was.
Trying to hide her fear, she straightened, and lifted her chin. “I am your queen, and I want my dagger back.”
The demon’s lips stretched into an awful, terror-inducing smile. “You’re not our queen yet. But you will be soon.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Bring the Warrior. We need to start the ceremony.”
Another demon stepped forward. Holding Jax. His hands and feet were bound, and blood poured from gashes on his arms and legs.
“No!” Persephone screamed as sheer black horror gripped her heart.
Jax’s eyes rolled toward her, but there was little life left in them. She stepped toward him, and the demon raised his blade to Jax’s neck. “Stay back.”
Persephone froze.
Demons came forward, carrying boxes, and placed them in front of her. The apparent leader—the one holding Hades Dagger—put his hand on her shoulder. He pushed her forward, toward the boxes. “Six pieces of chalcedony, one from every division in the Order.”
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