Demons of the Sun

by Madsen, Cindi

  Arms full of snacks, Persephone walked up to the counter of the Quick Stop. The newspaper caught her eye, and while she really didn’t want to know if the paper had reported on the body she and Jax had stumbled upon last night, she needed to know.

  After paying for the newspaper and treats, she sat on the warm hood of the Mazda, while Jax pumped the gas. She opened the paper, struggling with all the pages, and ran her gaze up and down until she found it.

  Body Found on steps of Saint Louis Cathedral

  Underneath was a picture of the victim, a Mr. Linus Gerou.

  Persephone had seen the face before—in a box next to five others, missing eyes and with drooping, deteriorating skin.

  She blinked, forcing herself to look past the rotting image in her mind, to how he looked in the picture. Dark hair, brown eyes, skin firmly on his skull, showing no signs of decay, body still attached.

  A hand came down on her shoulder and she jumped. “Didn’t mean to scare you.” Jax leaned in and studied the paper. “What are you looking at?”

  “The body we found last night. This was him.” Persephone’s throat felt raw, and her stomach moved up to the place her heart should be. “I’ve seen him before.”

  “Where?”

  You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Or maybe you would, but that would lead to questions I don’t want to answer. “He just looks familiar, and we know from his tattoo he was a Gatekeeper. The Order’s already weak and this…” Persephone slid off the hood. “We’ve got to stop it. I just hope Mara can point us in the right direction.”

  “Did you hear about the murder last night?” Persephone asked as soon as Mara opened the door.

  “Hello to you too.” Mara waved them inside.

  “Sorry. But something bad is brewing, and we’ve got to find a way to stop it before it’s too late. Please tell me you can help us find the demons responsible, so we can put an end to it.”

  “Come sit down, and I’ll see what I can do.”

  Persephone and Jax sat on the antique gold couch, and Mara sat in the chair opposite them. She glanced from Persephone, to Jax, and then back at Persephone. “Something’s different.”

  Persephone scooted forward. “About this murder?”

  “Between you two. I must say I’m a little surprised, since your connection with your dream man was so strong. I’ve never seen anyone as in love as you were with him.”

  Over the last few days, Persephone had been able to keep her guilt at bay—thanks to the happiness she felt being with Jax. But Mara’s mention of Adrastos sent the guilt crashing through the barriers Persephone had worked so hard to keep up.

  Mara’s gaze moved to Jax. “I wish you the best of luck. You’re certainly going to need it.”

  Until now, Persephone had thought of Mara as a friend. That’s probably why her harsh words cut so deep. “Why would you say that? All this time, I thought you and I…” She shook her head, unable to finish.

  Mara folded her hands in her lap. “You came to me asking for help, remember?”

  “With demons,” Persephone said, narrowing her eyes at Mara.

  “Well, in order to survive them demons, you’re going to have to make some difficult decisions.” She turned to Jax. “And so will you.”

  “I don’t understand what that has to do with me and Jax being together.” Gritting her teeth, Persephone pushed herself off the couch. “I guess we’ll have to figure out what to do all by ourselves. Don’t worry, we won’t bother you again.”

  Mara stood. “I’m concerned about the decisions you make. In case you forgot, they affect us all.”

  “Do you have any idea how much pressure that puts on me?”

  “Yes. That’s why I need you to sit down and hear me out.”

  Persephone glanced down at Jax. He shrugged, apparently leaving it up to her. She returned her attention to Mara. “Fine. But leave my love life out of it.”

  “For now we’ll concentrate on demons.” The way Mara said for now was unsettling, but Persephone decided that since she was here already, she might as well sit back down and hear Mara out.

  Jax sat stiff, his usual easy manner gone.

  Mara settled back into her seat. “Word is, in addition to the higher than usual amount of demons, there is some kind of super demon out there, passing out orders from Hades.”

  “That must be what I felt last night,” Jax said. “I could feel the evil was stronger, more powerful.”

  “I’ve been looking into rituals that use hearts and heads, but when it comes to the Underworld, there are a lot of them that call for items like that.”

  Six stones from members of the Order, six hearts, six skulls. The unwelcome images filled Persephone’s vision. “What if they’re gathering objects from their victims, too? Like something valuable? Something they always keep on them?”

  Jax and Mara both stared at her, and Persephone feared she’d been too specific.

  “Personal effects usually have some kind of revenge meaning. Or a drawing of power. I’ll look into it.” Mara scooted to the edge of her chair. “Guess we should get started on a demon locating spell, then we can figure out where to go from there.” She stood. “Jax, you remember that box I had you put up high last time?”

  “The black one with the silver symbols on it?” he asked.

  “That’s it. Can you get it down for me and bring it back in here?”

  “Sure.” Jax crossed the room and disappeared down the hall.

  Mara whipped her head toward Persephone. “Look, I think you misunderstood me earlier. This thing with you and Jax, I sense trouble ahead for you two. And since he’s your protector, and you protect the dagger, do you really think it’s wise to start a relationship with him?”

  “It’s not like I meant for it to happen,” Persephone said. “But I’m better with him. He keeps the nightmares away. He’s stronger than I am.”

  “He’s going to need to be. And what about Adrastos?” Mara’s eyebrows shot up. “Have you thought about what’s going to happen when he comes for you?”

  Persephone’s fingers automatically went to her tattoo. “I…It’s not…I’m not sure what I’m going to do about him yet.” She dropped her arm and lifted her chin. “All I know is I tried to resist this thing with Jax, and I couldn’t.”

  “I think you should’ve tried harder.”

  “Are you sure you’re not just jealous? The way you were eyeing him the other day made it pretty clear—”

  “I’m not jealous, Persephone, I’m scared.” Mara ran a hand through her braids. “You don’t seem to be thinking clearly, and I’m scared what that means for you, for Jax, for our future.”

  Heavy footsteps sounded out, growing louder and closer.

  Persephone’s chest tightened. “You think I’m putting him in danger?”

  For a moment, Mara simply stared back. Then she blew her breath out. “I’m pretty sure we’re all in danger.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Jax gripped the handle of the Mazda’s driver side door, planning on opening it for Persephone.

  She put her hand on his arm. “About what Mara said…I think she really thought she was helping, but she shouldn’t have…” Her eyes lifted to his, the gray filled with worry. “I’m just sorry.”

  Jax would be lying if he said the mention of her boyfriend—make that ex boyfriend—didn’t bother him. But she was here with him now. Something about the way Mara had wished him luck, though, as if he didn’t have a chance, ate at him.

  “Maybe she’s right. Maybe getting further involved…” Her voice cracked. “I don’t want you in danger because of me.”

  After all the progress he’d finally made with her, he wasn’t going to let her over-think everything and pull away again. He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Don’t start that again. Whether you dump me or not, I’m going to care about you, and I’m going to protect you.” He shot her a grin. “You might as well get some good make-out sessions out of it.”

 
The hint of a smile hit her lips. “It’s your humility that draws me in the most.”

  He leaned down and kissed her. He loved how little she felt in his arms, the way she sighed when she gave in and kissed him back.

  Grayness settled over the sky, snuffing out the blue, so as much as he wanted to stand here kissing her all night, it wasn’t safe.

  Instead they were going to go do something even less safe.

  ***

  The last rays of sun outlined the row of rundown warehouses—broken windows, wood planks nailed across doors. Not exactly the kind of place you wanted to be at night. Or during the day.

  According to Mara’s finding spell, there was a heavy demon concentration here. Persephone pulled her car in front of one of the dark buildings.

  It’s time to show the demons whose side I’m on.

  Adrenaline pumped through her, heating her veins and readying her for battle. She pocketed her keys and took a deep breath.

  As she gripped the handle of the sword Gran had given her, Gran’s voice echoed through her mind: You leave the fighting to the Warriors, dear. You fight if you have to, but the only way to ensure the dagger doesn’t fall into the wrong hands is to keep yourself safe enough to protect it.

  That day, Persephone had promised she’d only use the sword to defend herself. Guilt crept through her, squeezing at her chest.

  I’m sorry, Gran.

  Jax put a hand on her knee; his other held his sword, thumb hovering over the button that would send out the blade. “You sure you want to do this?”

  Gran’s words kept running through Persephone’s head, tugging at her. She remembered all the times Mom had told her the same thing—all she’d risked to make sure Persephone was safe.

  But I’ve got to do this before more people die. And I’ve got to prove to myself I can stand up to evil.

  “I’m sure.” Her surety didn’t keep her hand from shaking as she reached for the door handle. Her fingers wrapped around the handle, and froze there.

  Go ahead. Open the door.

  They didn’t listen. She closed her eyes and tried once more to pull the handle, and still, she couldn’t get her fingers to go through with it.

  “I can’t do it.” Persephone dropped her hand and looked at Jax. “I want to—you have no idea how badly I want to go and kick some demon ass. But everything in my body is telling me I’m making the wrong decision, that this isn’t my mission.” With a groan, she rested her forehead on the steering wheel. “Stupid freaking instincts. Or maybe it’s all the years of brainwashing catching up. Either way, I can’t do it.”

  “Praise Zeus,” Jax said. “I wasn’t sure how I was going to concentrate on fighting while trying to keep my eye on you, and I knew you wouldn’t listen to reason if I tried to talk you out of this horrible plan.”

  Without taking her head off the wheel, she twisted her face toward him and gave him a dirty look.

  “That came out wrong. Your plan’s just…” He put his hand on her back. “I know you’re intentions are good, but putting yourself in danger isn’t going to help anyone. The best thing you can do is keep the dagger safe, and the best thing I can do is keep you safe.” He glanced out the window. “Even if all my instincts are telling me to go in there and kill them.”

  Jax ran his fingers up and down her back, calming her, but she could tell from his clenched jaw it was as hard for him to stay as it was for her. Maybe even harder. He would do it to ensure her protection, though, and she had a feeling it was about more than his so-called mission. He cared about her. She could see it in his eyes, feel it in his touch. It was amazing to have someone like that—someone who could be here with her.

  “I’ll make a couple calls,” he said. “See if I can’t get more Warriors out here to help.” He offered her an encouraging smile. “We’ll find a way to stop them.”

  Unless we’re already too late.

  Negative thinking wasn’t going to get them anywhere, so she decided to shake it off, go home, and figure out what they could do next.

  Jax’s posture stiffened and his eyes widened. “If we’re going to avoid a demon battle, I think you better start the car and get us out of here.”

  She straightened and saw several pairs of red eyes moving toward them. Good job, Persephone. You and your brilliant plans.

  She dug into her pocket for the keys. Her fingers gripped the ring, but the keys caught in her fabric. Jerking hard, they finally pulled free.

  And fell, landing near her feet.

  “Persephone,” Jax said.

  “I know, I know.” She retrieved her keys, jammed them in the ignition, and looked out the windshield.

  The demons moved toward them, weapons drawn, teeth displayed.

  She fired up the car and threw it in drive.

  Well, the least I can do is take some out from the safety of my car. Persephone slammed down the gas pedal. She barreled into the three in front of her. The right side of the car lifted as the tire ran over one.

  More demons came at them. Jax rolled down his window, extended his sword, and hacked at them.

  Glass shattered, spraying across Persephone. A large hand gripped her arm. She yanked, trying to get free. Another demon lunged onto the hood, blocking her view of the road.

  The demon clamped onto her arm and tugged. Even though she tried to clutch the steering wheel, her hand slipped off and her toes lifted off the gas pedal. “Jax! A little help!”

  Jax retracted his sword and twisted it toward the driver side window. He pressed the button and the blade shot out in front of her, piercing the demon’s neck.

  With a shriek, the demon let go.

  The tires squealed as Persephone slammed the gas pedal to the floor. She jerked the wheel right, then left, and finally shook the demon from the hood. Only to ram into another. She screamed when it hit the windshield, its gaze boring into hers. The car hugged the curb as she made a sharp right. The demon rolled off, and she accelerated away from the rundown buildings, toward the lights of downtown.

  “I bet we got five? Six?” Jax glanced behind them, retracted his blade, and rolled up the window.

  “I guess I should feel good about that.” But she didn’t. Her heart was still racing, her palms were sweaty, she had a feeling her hood had a blood streaked dent, and the driver side window was broken. Worse than all that, though, was the feeling she’d done something so incredibly stupid. Put her life in danger and gained nothing. Dad, Mom, Gran, and probably ancestors going back several generations would be ashamed.

  Talk about a failure.

  “You’ve got to stop beating yourself up,” Jax said as he crawled into bed next to Persephone. “People make mistakes, and we got away.”

  “I ignored all I’ve been taught, and for what? So I can feel better about people dying? No matter what I do, it’s not going to change what’s already happened. No, I’ve got to go and do something stupid to prove to myself I’m—” In the nick of time, Persephone stopped herself from saying the words out loud. Not evil.

  Jax’s arm came around her, and his lips brushed her neck as he spoke. “That you’re what?”

  “I just feel like a failure. And helpless. And I hate everything.”

  “Everything? What about this?” He hugged her tighter and kissed her neck.

  “Okay, so maybe not everything.” She rolled to face him. The streetlight outside her window spilled through the blinds, illuminating Jax’s face.

  She grabbed a fistful of his shirt, tugged him to her, and pressed her lips against his. Heat ran through her body, and she kissed him deeper, biting lightly at his bottom lip.

  He moaned, and then he was pulling her onto him, running his hands up her back, slipping his tongue into her mouth. Thoughts seemed far away and detached; the world around them melted away.

  A couple dizzying minutes later, she finally found enough strength to pull free, even though it was the last thing she wanted to do. As much as she cared about him, she was still worried about going too far
, too fast. They were already dangerously close to crossing a line she knew she wasn’t ready for.

  “I don’t know if sleeping in the same bed is such a good idea,” she said, slightly out of breath. “I didn’t realize it would be so…” So hard to think clearly. Or to control myself.

  Jax sat up, breathing heavy as well. He ran his hands through his hair and his voice came out strained. “Okay. You want me to go sleep on the couch again?”

  “No!” She clamped onto his arm. It could be a coincidence the nightmares stayed away when he was next to her, but she didn’t think so. With his arms around her, she felt safe. Without him next to her—well, she was afraid to find out. “We’ve just got to be more careful.”

  “Hey, you’re the one who started that one. Not that I’m complaining.” Big smile on his face, he did the double eyebrow raise.

  “No more of that either. We’ll just sleep.”

  Jax shook his head. “You’re overestimating my willpower. You smell good, and you’re soft, and I…” His gaze ran down her and he gulped. “I better sleep on the floor.”

  “But that’ll be so uncomfortable.”

  “Trust me, I’ve slept in much worse conditions. There’s carpet, and I’ll have a pillow. I’ll be fine.” He threw his pillow on the floor, and she swore he mumbled something about blocking and stabbing a demon in the heart.

  She tossed him an extra blanket and he lay on the floor, folding his hands across his chest. “Goodnight, Jax.”

  “Night, babe.”

  Persephone smiled, her heart fluttering in her chest. Then, because her self-control was barely hanging on by a thread, she rolled away from him and squeezed her eyes closed, thinking she’d never be able to fall asleep.

  The first rays of the day spilled across the meadow, dew clung to the grass and leaves. A breeze floated over Persephone, carrying a crisp earthy scent.

  And there he was, leaning against the tree, his form lit by the rising sun. “Hello, my love.”