by Sharon Kay
“Me too.” Aware that his buddies could hear every word, he tugged her toward a doorway. “Let me show you my room.”
“Your room?” She followed him all of the ten feet it took to get where he needed. “Oh, wow.” She stopped abruptly behind him.
Just off the kitchen and great room area was the den with his computers and equipment. The three hard drives hummed in near-silence, while a police monitor flashed with red dots.
“This looks like it’s straight out of some hacker movie,” she murmured. “Are you sure I should be in here? I might short something out.”
“Everything has battery backups.” He pulled her close. “But I guess I shouldn’t kiss you in here, just to be safe?”
Her eyes dropped to his mouth. “Um yeah. Don’t do that. I mean, yes, do kiss me. But later.”
“You’re cute when you’re flustered.” He slid a hand down to her ass. He knew he was teasing, but she was too damn sexy not to touch.
“Mmm.” She let out a slow breath. “Can we see another room?”
“Hell, yes.” He steered her toward the dining room, another fancy-dancy room that didn’t get much use. “This is for show. We don’t even walk through here.”
“It’s pretty,” she said as he led her to the carpeted stairs in the foyer. “Maybe if you ever had a nice dinner or something.”
“Again, you have an open offer.” He gestured to cabinets stocked with china that he’d never seen used. “Though don’t ask me which side the water or wine glass goes on.”
She laughed. “I don’t even know that. I would take a guess. Or wait—search online.”
Descending, they emerged in the lower level hallway. “This is where we came in, from the garage. And this…” He pulled open a glass door. “Is our training room.”
She stepped in, eyeing the large space with its treadmills, weights, and blue mats for sparring. “Whoa. You fight with those?”
He followed her gaze across the room, to a rack of gleaming daggers and swords. “Yeah. Thanks to our accelerated healing, firearms don’t do much damage. Our bodies push the bullet out in minutes. The wound will close quickly.”
She gaped. “That’s incredible.”
“It also means that the only way to kill an enemy is through beheading or fire.”
Now her eyes went saucer wide. “Oh my god.”
“I know it might sound brutal. …”
“Yeah. It sounds awful.”
“But it’s the only way to ensure an opponent won’t harm anyone anymore.”
She swallowed. “You do that? It’s part of your job?”
“Yes. If we don’t curb the maniacs who seek too much power, things are worse for everyone.” He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. “I know how it seems. But Torth doesn’t have a legislative system. Just good and bad forces. The assholes try to steal, manipulate, coerce, to gain the upper hand. The rest of us have to keep them in check. Any way possible.”
“Oh.” She frowned. “Do you ever get hurt?”
“Minor stuff, yeah. All the time. I got stabbed in that alley before I followed you into the portal.”
“What? Oh my god. Are you okay?” She reached for him, hands tracking along his chest. “Where? Did you see a doctor?”
He grabbed her hand and laid it over his heart. “I’m fine. It healed in a few minutes.”
Flattening her palm against the cotton of his T-shirt, she gazed up at him. “That’s amazing.”
Her touch was warm on his sternum, a sensation that he wanted to prolong. He caressed the back of her hand, noting each slender bone under her soft skin. “It comes in handy.”
“Can my body heal fast too?”
The thought of her being hurt fired his protective instincts to life. “Not sure. Have you ever been injured?”
“Hmm, nope. Never broken or sprained anything…” She paused. “Wait.”
He tensed. “Don’t tell me someone—”
“No, I burned myself in college.” She curled her fngers into his T-shirt, soothing him though she probably couldn’t guess the depth of his need to keep her safe. “We were making crème brulee. My torch was defective. At first, it didn’t produce a flame. I kept clicking it and then all of a sudden it made a huge one.” She lifted her hand and turned it back and forth. “It burned my wrist from here to here.” She laid two fingers on her delicate skin, three inches apart from each other.
“Shit.” He grabbed her arm and kissed the spot she’d indicated. No trace of a scar remained.
“It was only a first degree burn. I thought it would blister, but it didn’t. And then it healed the next day. I always thought I just lucked out that it wasn’t worse.” She raised questioning eyes to him.
“Not luck. That was your father’s genes.” And thank the gods. Maybe she hadn’t healed as fast as a full-blooded demon, but she’d recovered much quicker than a human. That assuaged his concerns somewhat. Though he still planned to do everything in his power to keep her out of dangerous situations.
Her gaze shifted to a point beyond him. “So, you know how to use all of these?” she asked. “Wow, there’s even a bow and arrows.”
“We’re trained to use any and all weapons.” He shot a glance to the plethora of firearms and steel at the ready.
“But we’re in the city. Wouldn’t some of those things stand out?”
“Yep. But Lash demons have another option. One we don’t have to carry.”
She tilted her head. “Oh?”
“Watch. All Lash demons can do this. And only us.” Drawing on his inherent power, he held out his free hand and summoned a spark of fire in his palm.
Enza gasped. “Oh my god. Is that real?”
“Yup.” Concentrating, he encouraged the spark to swell to a large flame, then to the size of a baseball. It bobbed gently, hovering an inch above his skin.
“It-it doesn’t burn you?” She stared with mixed wonder and concern.
“Nope. Not me. But whoever I choose to throw this at—they’re toast.”
“Ugh.” She made a face. “Sorry. I get it. Sort of. It’s just really violent.”
“I know.” He extinguished the fire, wishing for the hundredth time that she could ease into his world.
“You can call that up whenever you need to? You never run out of it?”
“Nope. So it’s useful in human cities, where we can only carry concealed daggers. And we can’t even have those, then we aren’t defenseless.”
Her gaze raked his chest. “I don’t think I’d ever describe you that way.”
“Good. Because that will never happen.” Especially not where you’re concerned. “Let me show you another room.” He took her hand and led her back to the hallway. Moving down the beige carpet, he went to the last door and pushed it open.
Enza stepped in. “Oh my gosh. What don’t you have here?”
He shrugged. “A pool.”
She quirked a brow but walked farther into the home theater, down the main aisle. Leather stadium seats formed two sections with enough seats for twenty people. “This is amazing. Where are the movies?”
He gestured to a rack of blue-rays on the wall. “Take your pick.”
She tapped a finger on her chin. “I’m guessing you guys have a bunch of horror or action movies.” Nearing the selection, her eyes widened. “No way. Rom coms mixed in with the guy stuff?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Don’t know who put those there.”
“Probably a guy who wanted to get laid.”
He snorted.
She made a cursory scan of the plastic cases, then walked to the first row of seats and sank into one. He joined her, pushing the armrest up and out of the way. “Want to watch something?”
“No.” She tucked her legs under her and leaned on his shoulder. “I still have questions.” Her tone was pensive as she toyed with an extra hair tie at her wrist.
“What’s on your mind?” He draped an arm around her, loving her soft skin.
“Wil
l I have to go out and fight with you? Or with Miranda? She said you and she were predatory demons. And I’m one too, right?”
“Whoa, pretty girl. You used your power for the first time today and now you’re thinking about fighting?”
“Well. I don’t know. I don’t want to. I just wonder if I’ll have to. If it will be expected of me.”
“No. Not expected, because you’re half human. That makes you inherently weaker than a full-blooded demon. And if you did want to, you’d have to go through a training program just like everyone else.”
“Oh. Good.” A sigh of relief slipped past her lips.
“It would be a smart idea to go over some basic defense tactics, though.” He scrubbed a hand over his jaw.
“I can handle that.”
“All right. I’ll put that on your agenda.” He stroked a finger down her cheek. “What else?”
“Are there demonic dogs?”
He laughed out loud. “If these are your first two questions, I can’t wait to hear the rest.”
“What? I’m curious.” She shot him a sheepish grin. “And I thought you mentioned them back at The Arboretum.”
He cocked his head. “Good memory. There’s a species of canine called hellhounds. They’re huge and nasty and like to eat our demonfire.”
“Oh.” She scrunched her nose. “Like big wolves?”
“More like those horse-sized wrinkly black mastiffs you have here on Earth, but mean as hell. Luckily, their appearance is so distinct, you don’t come across them too often. They’re mostly on Torth.” He pulled his phone from his pocket. “Hang on…here.”
“Oh my gosh.” She leaned in to peer at the angry-looking hound on his screen. “That looks like it came from a comic book.”
“No comic, unfortunately. Hopefully you’ll never see one.”
“Torth is where you grew up?”
“Yep. And trained with the Watchers.”
“Do you miss it?”
“Nah. Home is wherever Arawn sends me.” But as he breathed in her sweet scent and held her close, he had the sneaking sense that his definition of home was about to change to something involving her.
That thought should have given him pause. But instead, it seemed damn natural. He traced a lazy circle on her bicep. “Anything else, bella?”
She pulled back to look him in the eye and a curious smile tilted her lips up. “What did you say?”
“Bella. Did I get it right?”
Her eyes lit with delight. “Yeah. You got it perfect.” She rested her head on his shoulder again, snuggling close enough to stretch her leg over his lap.
Italian for beautiful. Because she was, inside and out, and he wanted to be there for every detail she learned and every question she had about the rough yet striking supernatural world around her.
CHAPTER 16
THE HOURS OF ENZA’S SHIFT zipped by the next day. With Pandora playing Florida-Georgia Line, bread rising, and chocolate melting, she was in her perfect work mode.
Yesterday had been a deluge of information—but she’d handled it. She’d peppered Rhys with any questions that popped into her head as the hours flew by. He’d answered in his usual manner, patiently and disarmingly sweet. Eventually he’d driven her home, promising to stop by at the end of her shift today.
Rhys. Dreams of him had haunted her night. Her dreams were always weird, but these were really odd. The two of them fell endlessly through a rainbow-hued portal. He’d held her close and she’d felt safe, despite the sense that neither of them knew where they were going to land or what would happen when they got there.
She shook her head now as she sealed the bag of flour that she was done with for today. A low rumble of a throat clearing had her whirling around.
Rhys stood there in the doorway, just like the other week, filling the space and looking insanely hot. A dark gray T-shirt hugged his pecs and biceps, which flexed as he folded his arms. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Enza smiled. “So they just let you walk on back here now?”
“Yep. I promised to fix any problems with the computers or register, indefinitely.”
“Wow.” Enza used a paper towel to push flour and crumbs into the garbage. “You should know that Meena purchased the best equipment and an extended service agreement, so you probably won’t have to lift a finger.”
He winked. “I saw what she bought.”
“You’re bad.” Enza shook her head. Glancing to the window, she caught a view of the brick building next to theirs and frowned. “Is it raining?” The sky had darkened to foreboding gray.
“Not yet, but it’s threatening to. The air has that rain smell.”
She gazed out at the murky air. “I know exactly what you mean. And darn, I didn’t grab my umbrella—whoa.” A sharp crack of thunder boomed overhead.
“There’s no rush to leave. We can hang out. In front or back here.” His dark eyes twinkled.
“True.” She bit her lip, tempted to hide back here with him and ignore the storm and her co-workers. But part of her wanted to get away from the familiar. “I’d rather go somewhere else.”
He took a half step closer. The air swirled with the scent of his cologne and soap. “Anything you want.”
So sexy and strong. She needed to get a grip, fast. What was it about him that made her as swoony as a teenager? “I saved you a chocolate chunk cookie,” she blurted, grabbing it from its hiding spot behind her row of backup timers.
“You sure you’re not some kind of cooking fairy?” He took it, holding her fingers in his for a second.
“What?” A giggle burst from her, breaking the sexual tension. He was so laid back. “Is that even a thing?”
His gaze flicked to the exposed pipes lining the ceiling. “Nah. But you could be the first.”
“You’re confusing me.” She stepped closer and couldn’t stop the damn smile.
“And you’re spoiling me. I gotta warn you, I could get used to this.”
“I have more. For the guys,” she said. “I thought, if we go to your place today, or tomorrow…”
He took a huge bite and closed his eyes. “Best cookie ever.” He opened his eyes and set them on her like beacons that could see into her soul. “And you can come over today, tomorrow, and the next day—”
“Hi!” Meena’s voice was overly loud as she walked into the kitchen. “I just wanted to tell you, maybe you two should go before it pours. It’s like, gonna be epic.”
“Okay, twist my arm.” Enza wiped down the work table one last time and hung up her apron. She gave her torso a quick inspection for streaks of flour or dough. Not that it would matter, if they were about to walk into a deluge.
“Ready?” Rhys asked, his voice low and too sexy to be human. A shiver of excitement raced down her spine. The reality no longer scared her. Instead it filled her with an anticipation she never expected.
“Yup.” She grabbed the box of cookies for the guys, carefully wrapped to avoid breaking, and zipped it into the backpack.
They walked through the store, which wasn’t busy this time of afternoon. Rhys had one hand on the doorknob when the skies opened up.
The rain didn’t start gradually. It was instant and forceful as if a deity in the sky had turned on a faucet at full blast. Water hit the pavement so hard that it splashed back up, followed by a rare showering of hail.
Enza stared at the blueberry-sized pieces of ice that quickly covered the sidewalk. “We almost never get hail! Meena, check this out!”
“Oh, wow.” Meena rushed over to take in the rapidly melting weather phenomenon, then at the passers-by running for cover. She pushed open the door, heedless of getting soaked, and stepped out. “This would be a great time for a coffee break, get inside, out of the rain! Warm lattes and lots of chairs!” She gestured to anyone who dared peek up from their huddled scurrying. “Come on in, stay dry.”
A few people hurried in, shaking water off their clothes. Enza and Rhys let them pass, then Enza pulled him outside. The shop
had a small overhang where several people huddled to the left and right of the door.
Enza and Rhys squeezed behind the crowd and pressed against the glass window. It was semidry and the hail, thankfully, had slowed.
“Guess you were ready to leave work, huh?” Rhys chuckled.
“Yes. And it never rains that hard for that long. There’s always a lull.” Enza stood close, absorbing his heat. The storm had broken the stifling air, and after days of soppy humidity, plus the splash of rain carried on the wind, it felt cooler than it had in days. “Where’d you park?”
“Cabbed it today.” Rhys glanced over his shoulder into the shop, then swung his attention back to the street. “Gotta admire Meena, taking advantage of a storm.”
“She sees everything as an opportunity.” Enza grinned. Several other buildings on the busy boulevard had awnings or overhangs, and little clusters of pedestrians huddled beneath each one. “Look, the hail stopped already. In a few minutes, we can head to—”
Crack!
A purple-white bolt of lightning split the sky, and thunder boomed so loudly that Enza squeaked. “Thank goodness for lightning rods,” she said, peering south toward the downtown skyscrapers. “That looked close.”
“Let’s hope they do their job. Better yet, I hope this stays over the lake.”
Another bright spear illuminated the sky and she whirled to stare at it. Or rather, where it had been. The cloud above it churned like a mass of dark, curling fog. Like it was brewing more…
More electricity. Sparks. Lightning. Power.
She blinked rapidly as a warm sensation spread over her arms and melted into her chest. Locked into an unseeing gaze with the thundercloud, she suddenly saw the brilliant mix of energy inside. The positive and negative charges Miranda had talked about. They zoomed around at breakneck speed like tiny stars, careening around and then into each other.
Crack! The sparks collided in a burst of brightness, and another bolt of lightning shot from the cloud.
Enza gasped, unable to look away. “I see them,” she whispered in wonder. “Like before, except they’re clearer now.”
“Enza?” Rhys’s voice sounded far away. Concerned.
