by Patti Larsen
As cute as his ass was.
***
Chapter Ten
After a quick check with magic to make sure we were safe, Ram and I climbed back into the beat-up transport and flew back through the falls. Now we were properly supported and not on the run from Guards, I was able to enjoy the view more. Ram spun us sideways part way up the falls, mist sheeting over our shields, the thundering sound of falling water still so loud my teeth rattled together. But the sight was stunning. The elemental pressure of the red-tinted moisture shook the slim hull, vibration adding to the thrill of hovering in mid-air surrounded by primal power.
Speaking of primal power, my demon, now safe and off alert mode, was having more than a little fun with the whole Ram-in-my-lap situation. After I caught her sliding my fingers under the hem of his shirt, I forced my hands to my sides and clenched them into fists. If Ram had objections to either reaction, he had the good grace to keep it to his damned self.
Smart boy.
No beautiful dragons with multi-hued hides and massive wings graced the skies this trip and I found I missed the sight of them. Instead, as the largest of the suns set, leaving a few smaller ones to brighten the sky ahead, the sparkling spires of Milanseme beckoned.
“We have to use stealth,” Ram said over his shoulder. “We haven't registered a flight plan and this vessel could be stolen.”
“Nice of you to tell me now,” I grumbled. “What do you want me to do?”
“Nothing,” he said, a smirk in his voice. “But I wanted to warn you so you wouldn't fight me. I'm going to need control of the shields to make this work.”
Shudder. He wanted control of my magic? Even my overly amorous demon side wasn't happy with the prospect.
Ram must have sensed my reluctance because his wide shoulders shrugged. “I leave it up to you, Princess,” he said. “But there is no other way.”
“I could do it.” Big talk, Hayle.
“Perhaps,” he said. “If we had time for me to teach you to fly. But I must manipulate our shields as I steer the transport. Both actions have to be in sync.”
If he was jerking my chain, I'd kill him later. Sighing, tension in every single muscle of my body making it harder, I opened my power to him and let him take the reins.
Tried to. Ram's touch was gentle but firm, kind but still foreign. My entire body twitched as my many sides fought him for control.
“Your Highness,” he grated between clenched teeth as the transport wobbled in answer. “Perhaps using only one of your powers will do.”
Ah. Right. I let him have my demon, since she was into him anyway. She grumbled at me, but complied, and, after a brief tango with Ram's magic, settled down to mope and let him take over.
It was weird, like being on autopilot, someone else manipulating my power. I wasn't sure I'd be able to repeat the performance if it weren't for my other magics. Though they also shivered at the thought of being taken over, the freedom of my vampire and Shaylee at least made the process tolerable.
One look out the window told me it wasn't working. “Um, Ram,” I said, going for cool confidence while my heart tripled its speed. “That's a Guard transport.”
He didn't answer, flying straight toward it. And its partner ship.
“Ram.” I refrained from jabbing him in the ribs. “Ram.”
The slim ship tipped, making me chirp a cry of protest and grab onto him for dear life as we slid sideways between the two larger transports, clearing them as they hummed away without any indication they'd seen us.
“Nice trick,” I said in his ear. “But a little warning next time.”
His chuckle ignited my temper again, but I was in no position to do anything about it.
The last time I'd seen Milanseme, I'd been struck by the thought it resembled a very busy pincushion. Pointed, shining spires climbed into the air, the buildings all tall and slim, packed together, their roofs jabbing heavenward. The fading sunlight turned the horizon red as the last of the suns went down, an unhappy shade as the pointed city seemed to bleed the very sky.
“Pleasant looking place,” I said, sarcasm returning as my stress level grew. I had no idea what was in store for me. This mysterious appointment Ram talked about had been so far from my thoughts I'd failed to ask any questions.
Yet.
“Like most demon cities,” Ram said. “We're almost there.”
“Mind telling me where ‘there’ is?” My stomach dipped in a quick heave as he dropped our elevation and scooted the damaged transport between buildings, skimming through the thin spaces. Now that we were in it, I shuddered at the thought of living in a city where it appeared most of the buildings had almost no living room.
Ram pointed as the transport dropped lower, heading to the outer rim of the other side of the city. I followed his finger, spotting a squat grouping of buildings, all porcupined together. He settled the transport in a dark alleyway, a gaping black hole at the end beckoning us onward. When the small ship finally settled at the side of a damaged building, Ram released his hold on my demon. I felt her sigh and stroke his power with hers before she retreated.
He'd better not get the wrong impression.
Ram turned sideways, glowing eyes meeting mine. Before I could offer a sharp response to what I could only expect would be some kind of snarky sexual comment, he nodded. “Well done. And thank you for trusting me.”
“Wouldn't go that far,” I said. “But my own personal safety is pretty important to me so, yeah. You're welcome.”
Ram didn't say anything, just watched me with his steady gaze before releasing his shields completely and stepping out of the transport. He offered me a hand as I rose, stumbled, suddenly light-headed as my stomach complained and my mouth puckered with thirst.
“Don't suppose we could hit a fast food place on the way to wherever you're taking me?” A jolt of magic steadied me, but I'd have to have food and water eventually.
“I'm sorry,” he said, genuine at last, real concern in his voice. “I'm sure my contacts will be able to feed us.”
“The rebels.” It was the first time I brought it up. “You work for the people who are against Ahbi and the ruling family.” My grandmother's worries about the future of Demonicon came rushing back, tainted, I was sure, but the fact her magic now lived inside me.
“Your family.” Ram paused before going on. “We only want equality for all demons,” he said. “You saw how the villagers live.” I couldn't argue with him there. Or could I? “Is that so wrong?”
“Maybe not,” I said. “But there are other ways to go about it.”
“I wish that were the case.” His face shut down, cooled, jaw tight. I knew that face. The stubborn, rock-wall face. I'd worn it myself at times. But being hard-headed hadn't done me much good, and I was sure he'd run into the same trouble.
Not my problem. Ahbi's power suddenly hummed eagerly, the pull of the geas shuddering a moment before falling still. I could only take it as a good sign. Was Ameline in Milanseme? If so, this could all be over very quickly.
I was all for that.
“I promise, Leader will explain everything when we see him.” Ram's face stilled as his power reached out. He frowned after a moment, shook his head. “I can't get through.” He grimaced, glared at me. “I've been having trouble reaching anyone since I met you, Princess. Your idea?”
“Not mine.” I hated to admit my own weakness, but keeping the secret wasn't really serving anything. “I've been having trouble, too.”
Ram grunted then shrugged. “I have to check in with the local rebellion cell. We’re already late, so there’s no guarantee Leader will still be available to meet us. But the cell leader should be able to tell us if we have a new contact time and place.”
“Well, you go right ahead,” I said, turning on my heel, feeling with my magic, with Ahbi's power, searching for the pull of Ameline. “I'll take care of my little problem first. Then, if I can, I'll meet up with you and this mysterious Leader of yours.”
&n
bsp; Ram's hand reached out, took my arm. Not a tight grasp, but a firm one.
“Please, Princess,” he said. “Don't make me force you to come with me.”
I turned back just so I could laugh in his face. Couldn't help it. Tears trickled down my cheeks as I giggled in near hysteria. Ram's expression flickered from confused to angry to tired before I ground to a snickering halt.
“It could be our objectives can go hand in hand.” Smoothly diplomatic of him now he knew making me do anything would only get him in all kinds of hurt. “The rebels in this area would know if a strange demon appeared, especially one who might be stirring trouble.”
Considering I was dressed in filthy pajama bottoms torn off at the knees, fabric for shoes and a grubby t-shirt that stank as bad as the rest of me, I was really low on options. I could have gone after Ameline, but would likely be arrested for vagrancy before I made it two blocks. If vagrancy was a crime here.
“Fine,” I said. “But I'm starving and dirty and not in the mood to take crap from anyone. Fair warning.”
He nodded quickly, smile returning. “The quicker we go, the faster we can both fulfill our duties.”
So he thought of me as a duty. Okay then. So much for my demon's romantic interest.
Suited me just fine, thank you.
Before we even had a chance to head out, Ram froze, pulling me close from the grip he still had on my arm. A flood of demons melted from the darkness, at least a dozen of them, all staring at us with suspicion.
“Long live Ruler,” Ram said softly.
The group relaxed as a unit, one stepping forward. She was a bulky demon, shoulders wider than Ram's, eyes too close together, a horn sheared off at her shaved scalp. A thin scar ran the length of her cheek, disappearing down her neck, corded muscles in her arms and bare legs intimidating.
“Luprimustica,” she said, voice gruff and manly.
“Rameranselot,” my companion said. “I have a meeting with Leader.”
“Leader's gone.” She stepped forward, eyeing me carefully, gaze narrowing. “You missed him.”
Ram swore softly and shook his head. “He knew we were coming,” he said. “Did he leave instructions?”
“No.” She stopped just a few feet away, jaw bunching as she scowled. “Who's the girl?”
“The one who Leader wanted to meet,” Ram said. “None of your business.”
“It is my business,” she snarled. “This is my territory.” Lightning fast, she grabbed my opposite arm and jerked me out from behind Ram. Unprepared, I stumbled, almost falling to my knees, just catching myself. I surged upright despite the dizziness my action roused and faced her down. She was stocky, no taller than I was, but she had pounds on me I'd never match.
Good thing I had more magic than her.
Kinda than anyone, for that matter.
Her eyes flew wide as she stared before stepping back with horror on her face.
“Are you insane?” Luprimustica spun on Ram, fear turning to rage. “You brought her here?”
Ram tensed, pulled me back again while I snarled and tugged myself free of his grip. “What do you know?”
“Only that her face is everywhere.” The demon leader chopped the air with both hands. “And if any of us are caught with her, we're as good as stripped and dead.” As her eyes settled on me again, Luprimustica's expression settled into grim fury. Ram must have sensed where things were going, because his power reached for mine just as the paranoid leader of the rebels gestured at me.
“Kill her,” she said. “At once.”
***
Chapter Eleven
I'd heard that before. And wasn't about to let some low-ranking rebel leader succeed where so many others had failed. Not when I was in full possession of my powers and able to defend myself.
It was almost comical their reactions to my sudden power flare, multi-hued magic rippling around me as I grinned, my demon's need to fight almost taking over. “Who's first?”
I wish I could say they turned coward and ran, not because I didn't want to fight or was afraid, but because I really didn't want to hurt anyone. Despite the fear on their faces, the bulk of the demons obeyed their orders and rushed me as a unit.
Only to fly back, tossed by a blast of air magic in a lovely arc, landing in a heap on top of Luprimustica.
“Nice technique,” Ram snarled in my ear, hand wrapped around my arm again, “but we don't have time to play.”
I tried to pull free, but he had already turned and ran in the opposite direction, taking me with him. I could easily have fought him off, taken on all the rebels as far as that went. But the sound of a siren's screech behind us told me why he wanted to flee.
I guess I agreed with his motivations.
A glance over my shoulder showed Guards flooding the alley, the fallen demons struggling to rise and fight them off. One of the oversized soldiers spotted us and pointed our way just as Ram dragged me bodily around a corner and out of sight.
“Guards,” I gasped as we ran, my hunger and thirst making it hard to drum up energy.
“No kidding,” he shot back. “Your little display probably alerted most of the city.”
Oops.
“Well, if you hadn't brought me into this stupid situation in the first place,” I snapped as we rounded another corner and down a flight of stairs, “I wouldn't have been forced to fight.”
“Shh!” He pinned me against the cold, stone wall at the bottom of the steps, an elaborately shaped metal railing above us offering a slim view of street level. Ram spun and snapped a tight crack of magic, shattering a round globe of magic hovering above us, plunging our hiding place into darkness just before booted feet pounded into view.
“Shield.” Ram scowled at me. Like I needed the reminder. I stuck my tongue out at him, my wards already in place, tucking him inside as the first set of boots halted above us.
“Search this whole area.” The deep Guard's voice reminded me of the sound of crushing glass. “I want those two rebels found.”
Ram pressed me firmly into the wall with his whole body, lowering his face close to mine. “Close your eyes,” he whispered. “They're glowing.”
I did as I was told with a sharp remark ready to fire off, forced to hone it to a razor edge in my head, knowing talking—in this case, snarking—would make it more likely we were found. Instead, I clenched my jaw over and over as Ram's cheek settled against mine, my magic shielding us from the probing magic above.
It wasn't my intention to put you in danger. His mental voice hummed in my head, a bare whisper of sound. I'm sorry.
I'm sure you are. The slicing comment I'd been honing died a quick death as I softened. Are you sure this rebellion you're part of is what you expected?
He didn't comment for a moment as a second sweep of magic pressed against the shields, only to disappear again as the Guards moved on. In one way, their means of finding criminals was far better than normals at home. Magic as powerful as theirs could probably locate 99% of all they sought. But for a fugitive like me, they had no chance. In their arrogance, they moved on without a physical search.
Worked for me.
I felt the Guards pass us by at the same instant my demon purred and reached out her power to embrace Ram. His face turned, open mouth breathing hot air on my cheek, the warmth of his body suddenly acutely apparent as were the hard muscles under his clothes and the bubbling desire my demon welcomed and fed with her energy.
I caught myself as my head turned by her choice, Ram's lips hovering over mine, descending.
Perhaps another time, my vampire said. Dryly. Parching.
Both of my hands pressed firmly to Ram's chest and shoved him back as I snapped at my demon who retreated with a moan of frustration.
“If you don't mind,” I said, proud of myself I kept my voice down, “we're a little busy without this kind of complication.”
“You reached for me.” Oh. My. Swearword. I hated his smirk. Wanted to claw it from his face. Was about to when
I felt the touch of magic I knew. Not because I reached for it. But because the presence of it punched me in the stomach.
Gasping, feeling the desperate need and hate from Ahbi's power flare to life, I spun and looked out through the railing. At first, there was nothing, just a street with a few nervous pedestrians hurrying along, the odd slim transport.
When I spotted her, my entire body went rigid. Did I look that much like myself here? I didn't think so. However Ameline managed to take demon form, she still had the same face. I watched her cross the street with a young demon girl in tow, the child pulling weakly against her as though knowing it wouldn't do any good as the pair moved out of sight.
I scrambled up the stairs, searching for them again, while Ram hovered next to me.
“What is it?”
“The one I seek,” I said, feeling Ahbi's spirit speak through me. “Stay out of my way.”
I ran before he could answer, spotting Ameline and the girl rounding a corner two blocks away, putting on more speed, calling up Ahbi's power already hovering, ready and waiting to kill the girl who had murdered her.
Not thinking, hyper-focused on my quarry, I raced around the corner and right into a group of waiting Guards. They roared at me, magic lashing out to rebound from Ahbi's mighty power, sending them tumbling back. One look over their struggling bodies showed me Ameline, an angry smile on her demon face, the crying girl firmly in her grasp as she saluted me before running off.
My roar echoed from the walls, the surge of power taking over so strong I felt massive, as though I'd grown a hundred feet tall with muscles like a possessed body builder, ready to crush my opposition and go after her.
A flash of magic over my shoulder was enough of a distraction to snap me out of my delusion of goddessness. I turned to see Ram firing power at the Guards who were starting to recover. Grim and furious, his mind lashed against mine.
