by B. J. McCall
“There’s a store down the street.”
The store was large and filled with racks of clothing. He chose jeans that covered the tops of his boots and a comfortable, long-sleeve blue shirt that hid his wristbands and weapon belt.
“Just one more thing,” Kela said. She gathered his long hair and tied it back with a stretchy band. “You’ll draw less attention.”
When they walked back to her vehicle no one stared at him, but men noticed Kela who looked good in her tight jeans and a red top that clung to her curves.
Ansara settled into the passenger seat. “Do you know where Andre Karr lives? If Vakkar’s been using his place, I can smell his stench.”
“Karr lives above his gallery in the theater district.”
“Take me there.”
After a short drive, Kela pulled over and parked. She pointed at the four-story building across the street. “He lives on the top floor of the building with the gargoyles on the corners. Those ugly faces have always made me uneasy.”
Ansara looked at the gargoyles. “With good reason.”
“Roland’s apartment is on the third floor. He might be home.”
“It’s likely he’s in a low, dark place hanging by his toes with the rest of his friends.”
“What about Vakkar?”
“He’s not a vampire. Demons can inhabit a human body and take over the mind. They don’t like bright sun, but using Karr’s body, he can move around the city day or night.”
“Is Karr dead?”
“Not as long as Vakkar has need of him.” Ansara looked at Kela. “Let’s see if he’s home.”
They climbed out of the vehicle and crossed the street. Ansara glanced at the gargoyles. The large stone heads moved. Ansara couldn’t blow them up without drawing attention, but the lesser demons inhabiting them had to be destroyed.
Kela had great instincts. Most humans wouldn’t have sensed the demons skulking in the gargoyles.
They walked into the gallery. A thin young woman with a shaved head and long dangling earrings greeted him with a brilliant smile framed by blood-red lips. “Welcome to the Karr Gallery. I’m Elisa.”
Ansara stepped up to the shiny black counter. “Is Andre available?”
“Mr. Karr isn’t in today. May I take a message?”
Ansara noted a doorway leading to the back. He lifted his hand and flicked his fingers, showering Elisa’s face with tiny flashes of white light. “Is there a back stairwell leading to the penthouse?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll just go up the back way.”
Elisa blinked. “Okay.”
He and Kela hustled up the four flights, stopping at the back entrance to the penthouse. Ansara focused on the door, hitting it with a blast of white light. The door flew open, banging against the interior wall.
“Wow. I guess guardians don’t knock,” Kela said.
“It’s best to destroy any energy protecting the door before entering a demon’s lair. That’s why I chose not to use the street entrance to the apartment.”
Ansara clenched his right fist. With a flick of his wrist, he opened his hand and shot a ball of light into the corridor. The ball exploded into a million diamond-like light particles. The bright particles dispersed, filling the hallway.
“What’s with the fairy dust?”
“Fairy dust?”
Kela pointed at the flashing light particles.
Ansara opened the two doors accessing the apartment. The particles flashed and spread. Within seconds every inch of Karr’s penthouse would be purified. “Demons leave traps for the unexpected.”
“What kind of traps?”
“Hellfire that will burn off your hair and sear your skin,” Ansara said, stepping into the apartment. “I’ve destroyed the traps. It’s safe.”
Wrinkling her nose from the stench, Kela followed him inside. “Smells awful.”
Ansara moved through the kitchen and dining areas, following the stench of blood and demon. He entered the living area and looked around. The furniture was stained with dark splotches that explained the stench of blood. The walls were painted red.
“Let’s take a look around and see what Vakkar’s been up to.”
He crossed the room and turned down a hallway. The door at the far end was marked with a pitchfork demon sign. He lifted his arms and focused his energy, white flame shot out of his fingertips, hitting the door. The demon sign disappeared.
“What’s that smell?” Kela asked, gagging and holding her nose.
“Demon, death and brimstone.”
He opened the door and Kela gasped. “What is it?”
In the center of the bedroom was a swirling vortex of black fire. “It’s a demon gateway. Vakkar is bringing more of his kind to Earth.”
Ansara had to destroy the vortex or he’d be fighting a demon army. In the far corner of the room a blond man sat in a high-backed chair. His skin was deathly pale and his clothing was rumpled and stained. The man stood.
Kela gasped. “It’s Karr. He looks like shit.”
Ansara raised his hand to destroy the thing occupying the gallery owner’s body but before he released his cleansing fire, the lesser demon jumped into the swirling fire. Vakkar was occupying another body.
“I want you to bring your vehicle to the front entrance of the gallery, but don’t turn off the engine. Get out of the building, Kela. Don’t stop for anything or anyone. As soon as I get in the car, I want you to drive away as fast as you can without calling attention to us.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Destroy this gateway before more demons come to Earth. Go, and watch out for those gargoyles. Don’t turn your back on them.”
Kela’s eyes widened.
“Go, Kela. Run for the car. Things are going to get hot.”
Kela took off and Ansara gathered his energy. He clasped his hands, forming an energy ball in his palms. As the ball gained power, he opened his hands and released it. The spinning silver ball was charged and all it needed was the power of Sacred Fire. Ansara removed the tiny sword from his belt and expanded the blade to its full length.
He sank the blade’s point into the spinning ball and it burst into white flames. Wielding his sword, Ansara flung the fiery ball into the vortex. Then he spun on his heel and ran.
He raced through the apartment and down the stairs. Thunder cracked as he burst into the gallery. He ran up to the bald receptionist and grabbed her around the waist. She screamed, cursing at him all the way to the sidewalk.
“The place is going to blow. Run!”
Elisa looked at the sword in his hand and took off down the street, stumbling in her bright-green high heels. Ansara jumped into the passenger seat of Kela’s vehicle. “Go! Go! Go!”
Kela stomped on the gas pedal and the vehicle shot into traffic. A truck slammed on its brakes and the driver blasted his horn. Elisa, still running, was dodging cars.
“Faster!”
Ansara watched out the rear window, waiting for the vortex to blow. Thunder cracked, then the top of the building lit up.
“What the fuck was that?”
“The gateway imploded.” Ansara grinned. “That should piss off Vakkar.”
“Vakkar isn’t the only one,” Kela said, accelerating around a convertible. “Every cop in the city is going to be looking for my car, looking for us. You’re blowing up things and running around with a sword. They’ll think we’re crazy or terrorists.”
A loud thump sounded on the roof.
Kela’s eyes widened. “What the fuck!”
Another bang and the roof caved in.
“Gargoyles.”
Ansara shoved his hand against the vehicle roof and focused his energy, blasting a hole through the roof. The gargoyle exploded.
Car horns blared and tires screeched.
Bang! Another gargoyle attacked the roof. Ansara pointed his finger and shot the gargoyle with a stream of white fire. The stone figure blew into fragments.
“I
hear sirens,” Kela yelled.
Ansara swore when she blew through a traffic signal. An oncoming taxi swerved and slammed into a delivery van. Sirens wailed. They had to get off the street. Ansara spotted a multilevel parking lot. “Turn into the public parking. Now!”
Kela turned in, stopped at a gate and yanked a ticket out of the dispenser.
“Drive up the ramp.”
On the third level Ansara saw an open spot near a dark corner. He pointed to the spot and instructed Kela to pull in.
She switched off the engine and looked at him. “Now what?”
Ansara climbed out of the vehicle, sheathed his sword and shrank the weapon. “Get out of the car and move back.”
“You’re not going blow up my car?”
“Trust me.”
Kela climbed out of the vehicle and shut the door.
“Keep watch.”
Ansara waited until Kela walked a few car lengths away, then raised his open palm. His energy focused, he popped the caved-in roof back into place and sealed the holes. He clenched his hand and flicked his wrist, releasing a swirl of light from his palm. The light enveloped Kela’s vehicle. The black SUV changed to silver and the dents and scratches disappeared.
He turned and looked at Kela.
She stood, mouth agape, staring at her car. “That’s impossible.”
“I just imploded a demon vortex. Bending light is easy.”
She walked up to her car and ran her hand over the door. “You’re good.”
Ansara grinned and reached out for Kela. Nothing stirred his juices like a beautiful woman, blowing up stuff and killing demons. His blood running hot, he yanked her against him and kissed her, hard and fast. “Let’s go home.”
“Just like a man to think of sex when every cop in the city, a pissed-off demon and a pack of vampires are after us.”
He cupped her ass and squeezed. “It’s the danger and the sexiest partner I’ve ever had that gets me going.”
Ansara was so proud of her. She hadn’t screamed or lost her head and when needed, she would stand and fight. He wanted her and when it came time to leave Earth he would feel the loss. “We’re good together.”
Kela stood on her tiptoes and cupped the back of his head. “We’re very good together, but shouldn’t we be chasing down Vakkar?”
He eased her back against the side of the vehicle. “He can wait.”
“It’s almost sundown. Isn’t there something we should be doing? Setting a trap? Sharpening our weapons?”
“Our task is critical, but so is living.” He popped open the clasp of her jeans. “Home is too far away and you’ve got my blood up.”
Kela saw the fire in his eyes. “Here? You can’t be serious.”
“Dead serious.”
She glanced around. “What if someone drives up that ramp?”
Ansara lifted his arms and flung out his hands, sending a swirling mist into the air. The mist surrounded them, forming an opaque curtain.
“No one can see us?”
He unzipped her jeans. “No one human.”
“I keep thinking this can’t be happening. That you and your magic can’t be real.”
He took her hand and placed it on his cock. Even through his jeans, his erection was prominent. “Too bad you can’t make our clothes disappear.”
He slipped his hands inside her underpants. “I could,” he said, cupping her ass. “But I like undressing you. It’s like opening a present.”
Kela unbuttoned his jeans and slid them off his hips. His erection popped free and her heart rate kicked up a few notches. She slid to her knees. “I like my present.”
Kela licked the broad, silky head.
“It’s yours to enjoy.” His voice was deep and raspy. “All of it.”
She swirled her tongue around the tip, then took him into her mouth.
He gasped.
Using lips and tongue, she worked her way along his length. Hard and hot, he filled her mouth. She licked and sucked him, loving his gasps and groans of pleasure.
He grabbed her by the hair, gently tugging as his hips rocked and his thighs slicked with perspiration. His cock jerked.
Realizing he was close, she cupped his balls.
“Sweet heaven!”
He stepped back, pulling his cock out of her mouth. Grasping her upper arms, he pulled her to her feet. Then he yanked her jeans and underpants down to her ankles.
Kneeling before her, Ansara stared at her pussy. “I owe you one,” he said, pulling off her shoes.
He stood and lifted her against the vehicle.
Every cell in her being was hot and ready, so ready she trembled in anticipation of his big cock inside her. Kela wrapped her legs around his hips and her arms around his neck.
His eyes were fiery, a slight red ring around his silver irises, or was she just imagining the color? She expected him to thrust inside her, but his gaze was locked on her face.
“Sweet heaven, I love fucking you.”
Then he thrust, going so deep Kela’s insides trembled.
“Bless the stars, you’re tight.”
Kela sucked in a breath. “Maybe you’re just big.”
He rocked his hips, filling her again and again. A few delicious strokes and Kela hung on the precipice of climax. The next stroke had her teetering on the knife’s edge.
His arms were steely, the muscles tensed. His fingers dug into her thighs, then he thrust deep, taking her to the stars and beyond.
She convulsed, coming with such intensity she bit her lip.
His hips stilled and for several potent moments they clung to one another.
Kela raised her head and opened her eyes. He was staring at her.
“Maybe you’re just perfect,” she said, licking the blood off her lower lip. “Or your cock is as magical as your sword.”
“No magic,” he said, slanting his head. “Just you.”
Kela’s pulse jumped for joy, then his lips swooped down on hers and she was lost in his sweet kiss. By the time the kiss ended Kela’s heart thundered with love.
As they pulled up their jeans, Kela grappled with the emotion of love. She believed she’d experienced love, but what she’d had with Roland was nothing like this spiritual and emotional bond with Ansara.
Falling for a demon hunter who came from the far reaches of the universe didn’t make a lick of sense. But Kela’s logical, well-organized world of work, her dream of a happy suburban life had imploded and now the only real thing was this amazing warrior with extraordinary eyes giving her a taste of heaven.
Ansara touched her on a plane of emotion she’d never sensed before and would unlikely feel again.
Once the hunt for Vakkar was over, he’d leave and her life was going to be uninspiring. And the sex? How do you accept the ordinary once you’ve experienced the extraordinary?
Ansara touched his forefinger to her chin. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
His gaze narrowed. “Maybe I should drive?”
Kela nodded and climbed into the passenger seat.
Ansara opened the back door and changed from his jeans and shirt into the vest and pants he’d worn last night. Was it possible they’d met less than twenty-four hours ago?
He dissolved the mist and climbed into the driver’s seat. “Let’s find Vakkar.” He started the car and backed out. “When you told me about Roland, you mentioned a club?”
“The Devil’s Warehouse.”
He drove down the ramp and headed for the street. “We’ll start there.”
Kela gave him directions. As he pulled into traffic Kela glanced up and down the street. Cars moved in routine patterns and a few pedestrians strolled along the sidewalk. Everything looked normal, but Kela felt a strange urgency building inside her.
“If Vakkar isn’t using Karr’s body, how will you find him?”
“I can sense Vakkar’s presence and he can sense mine. He failed to corrupt you and obtain the cross. He knows I’m here and a fight to th
e death is coming. If he wins, he’ll come after the cross. He’ll kill you to get it. He can’t use its power, but he wants it for a victory trophy. He’ll come after you and he’ll be occupying another human body.”
The club was only a mile away. The closer they got, the more Kela worried.
“He won’t succeed,” she said. “He can’t.”
“I fight demons. I’m good at it, but I can’t guarantee the outcome of a confrontation with a skilled demon like Vakkar. He’s old and he’s crafty. If I fail, another guardian will come to protect you.”
A shiver ran down Kela’s back. Ansara possessed so much magical power she never considered Vakkar might kill him. She didn’t want to lose him. She didn’t want another guardian.
“Tell me how to help you. I’ll do anything. Let me approach Vakkar. The cross will draw him out.”
“No, Kela. No matter what happens, no matter what you see, don’t get in the way. It will take all my concentration and energy to fight Vakkar.”
“There must be something I can do.”
“Protect yourself and the cross.”
Ansara parked in the lot behind the club and cut the engine.
Kela’s gaze swept the lot. The sun had dropped behind the downtown buildings and soon the vampires would come out. Kela released her seatbelt and picked up her weapon belt. A dozen sharpened stakes hung from the leather loops.
Ansara grasped her shaking hand. Kela turned toward him.
“Wait here,” he said. “Stay in the vehicle and be ready to drive. Protect the cross at all costs. I have your word?”
Kela nodded.
“I’ll go inside the club,” Ansara said. “If Vakkar is inside, I’ll know him by his stench.”
She secured the belt around her waist. “Don’t worry. I got your back.”
Ansara cupped the nape of her neck and pulled her face close to his. “You’re gorgeous.”
She closed her eyes, waiting for a kiss that didn’t come.
He climbed out of the car. “If I’m not back when darkness falls, leave and don’t look back. Drive out of the city. Keep going and don’t stop until sunrise. A guardian will find you.”
