by J. N. Colon
“She did something to me…” Link wheezed again and collapsed on the leather cushions. “She was asking about the dagger.”
Shit.
“Was she now?” As Dumont dropped the glamour, horns sprouted from his head, and his jaw widened to expose jagged, saliva-drenched teeth. The embers of hellfire burned in his stare.
My heart hammered out a beat more frantic than the techno music thumping through the sound system. I was trapped in enemy territory. The threat of death tightened around my neck like a noose.
And Dumont was the hangman approaching the gallows.
Chapter 19
A line of sweat sliced my temple as more demons surrounded me in the back room of Pulse. Their glamours faded one by one, revealing horned creatures with mottled skin and razor-sharp talons longing to carve my flesh.
My death raker powers rose to the surface. They salivated for violence.
If I gave in and drained even one demon, my soul would suffer the consequences.
But if I didn’t, I might not make it out of this nightclub alive.
“Who told you about the dagger of Astrix?” Spikes emerged on Dumont’s broad shoulders, tearing holes in his T-shirt.
My gaze skimmed the room for an exit through the semicircle of demons. “I heard someone talking about it in the club.” I peeked over my shoulder, finding nothing but a seamless wall. “I was just curious.”
Son of a wicked witch. I had no escape.
“Then what the hell did you do to Link?” He nudged a female demon next to him, a pair of twisted onyx horns protruding from her forehead. “Check on him.”
She marched forward, snapping her teeth at me as she passed by. “Link? Are you okay? What did the witch do?”
Link blinked, his eyes still half-mast from the loss of energy. “She felt like… death.”
I lifted my palms in surrender. “It was an accident. I swear. My powers get a little out of control sometimes.”
“I’d say you had complete control of those powers while you were messing around in my memories.” Link groaned and struggled into a sitting position.
The group of demons inched closer, and another layer of pressure tightened around my chest. I’d have to fight my way out of Pulse if I wanted to survive.
Dumont shot the two demons flanking his sides a knowing look. “Vita, Jux, grab her.”
Power exploded through my core, spreading violet strands of electricity down my arm as the two demons approached. I could handle two, but the group behind them growing more agitated, including the snarling Dumont, was another story.
“Hey!” A gale-force wind slammed into the room, knocking the demons about and breaking their tight semicircle.
I dashed forward, escaping sharp talons. Had Caleb changed his mind and followed me to Pulse?
With the flick of my wrist, I shot a jolt of magic into a growling demon as he charged forward. The beast flew into a couch, demolishing it. A hand wrapped around my arm and yanked me out of the way of another demon.
When I turned, I bumped into a solid form much broader than Caleb’s. “Jasper?” The bartender at Shade of Nightworld pulled me through the silver curtain and into the smoky club. “What are you doing here?” I yelled over the thumping techno music rattling my bones.
“I saw you leaving Shade without Caleb, so I followed you.” He pulled me to the right, his broad form clearing a path through the humans. “He nearly bit my head off when I mentioned you. I figured you guys had a fight.”
“Yeah, and now I’ve got a bunch of demons on my ass.” I glanced over my shoulder as several elbowed their way toward us. Others fanned out toward the exits. “How are we going to get out of here?”
“I know a back way.” Jasper’s hand remained clutched around mine as he pulled me toward a door barely visible against the high-gloss ebony wall. He yanked it open, and we entered a plain, unadorned narrow hallway. “I dated a couple of demons that worked here.”
Jasper was hot, and those dimples alone could unravel anyone, even demons. I just hadn’t expected him to like the dark side.
“It’s not as weird as it sounds.” He flashed a quick grin and finally released my hand. “Two of them were only half-demons.”
A door slammed, echoing through the cement and brick corridor like a crack of lightning. Jasper halted and threw his arm over my torso to hold me back. He peered around a corner, the muscles in his body tensing.
I tried to regulate my breathing. My heart had a hell of a time resuming a normal, unhurried beat. Good thing we weren’t in the back of a vampire haven. They’d hear me a mile away.
Jasper lifted two fingers to indicate the number of demons he spotted. I bit the inside of my cheek. Were they searching for us or just performing their usual duties?
“Is Dumont sure he saw her and that fae slip back here?” A feminine voice reached my ears as footsteps drew closer.
“Yes, Jalia.” A male demon released a bored sigh. “Why are they even bothering with this witch? So she screwed with Link? Angel boy deserves it, always walking around like he’s the Dark Lord’s gift to women.”
“Could you be any more jealous?” Jalia scoffed. “And the witch was asking about the dagger, Kitch. That’s not good.”
The dagger of Astrix—as Dumont referred to it—was clearly of importance. Could it be the very knife used in the East Side Slasher murders?
But if demons were the culprits behind the play for fae territory, why use such an important weapon just to dispatch a bunch of humans?
I needed to find out where Queen Cyria lived. That had to be her apartment in Link’s memories.
Another door banged closed, and Jalia and Kitch’s footsteps disappeared.
My shoulder leaned into the wall behind Jasper as a breath of relief spilled from my mouth. That was close.
A brutal grip curled around my neck and wrenched me into a solid chest. My sharp intake of air bounced down the corridor
“I should have known you were full of shit.” Suric, the bartender who pointed Link in my direction, glared with sharp teeth emerging from his mouth.
“Let her go.” Jasper’s eyes began to glow as a wind stirred his copper locks.
Suric laughed. “You can’t save her before I suck her soul dry.”
My molars ground. Why did he assume I was some damsel in distress? “Who the hell said I needed saving?” I shoved my elbow into Suric’s ribs, putting a jolt of magic into it.
The demon released me and stumbled into the wall. “That wasn’t very nice.” His voice had deepened, sending chills over my spine. He slowly licked his lips, already salivating over my soul. “It’s been a while since I had a witch. I’ll eat the fae first and save you for dessert.”
Suric rushed forward, claws reaching for my throat.
Fast as lightning, I formed an energy ball and tossed it at the approaching demon, which sent him soaring down the hall. Suric hit the concrete floor with a resonating thud, and his body slackened. He was out cold.
“Come on.” Jasper grabbed my arm and yanked me around the corner. “We’ve got to move fast before he wakes up.”
We bolted down the hall, my legs pumping and sweat leaking down my back, soaking my shirt. A gleaming red exit sign finally emerged after a few more twists and turns. Thank Hecate.
Jasper rammed into the heavy metal door, pressing on the handle, but it didn’t budge. “It’s locked.”
I laid my hand on the chilled surface and gave it a shot of magic. Nothing happened. Are you kidding me! I’d never met a lock I couldn’t open until now. “It must be spelled or something.”
An alarm blared through the corridor, and I slapped my hands over my ears to drown out the piercing scream. The threat of capture had the walls closing in.
We were so screwed.
Jasper nudged me out of the way. “I have earth magic too. I may be able to manipulate the steel.” He pressed his palm on the door, the tendons in his jaw tightening as he strained.
I chewed on my
bottom lip and checked over my shoulder, expecting a line of demons to be sprinting down the hall. What would they do if they captured us? Torture would definitely be involved. Demons loved it.
A keening groan reverberated, followed by a pop, and the door swung open, a blast of cold air hitting my face.
“Stop! Don’t let them escape.” Dumont appeared with a group of demons in tow.
“Let’s go!” Jasper hauled me through the door, slamming it closed. “My car is around the corner.”
“Wait.” I dug my heels in and broke out of his grasp. Purple cords of magic slithered off my hands and coated the door just like I’d done at Shade to keep the sentries from spilling into the alley after me.
I backed up just as a force of ten men rammed into the door, denting the thick steel. That wouldn’t hold them for long.
Jasper and I took off toward the street, our ragged breaths bouncing on the brick walls.
“Where does the demon queen live?” If I didn’t go after that dagger now, I could lose my chance to discover whether or not the demons were behind the murders. Cyria would hide the knife elsewhere once she found out a witch was asking about it.
The bartender shook his head. “Haven’t you had enough excitement for tonight?”
“I don’t have a choice.” I halted and peered around the corner at the long line of humans waiting outside of Pulse.
Jasper leaned against the wall next to me, dragging his fingers through his damp copper curls. “Is this about the dagger that demon mentioned?”
“It’s at her place.” At least I hoped.
Jasper cursed as a group of demons marched out of the front entrance, their heads whipping in every direction, trying to pick up our trail. “Tolliver Tower on the corner of Milton and Elm. She has the top penthouse.”
That was only a few blocks from here. I could be there in less than five minutes if I ran.
Jasper grabbed my arm before I took off. “They’re going to follow you.” He jerked his head toward the searching demons. “I’ll lead them away while you head to the penthouse.”
“Are you sure?” I didn’t want to leave him alone to deal with a bunch of demons. This wasn’t his problem.
He flashed a dimpled grin. “I’ll run to my car. They’ll assume you’re with me, at least for a few minutes.” He gently shoved me toward the left side of the street. “Just be careful.”
“Thanks, Jasper.”
I slinked out of the alley and remained close to the shadows until enough distance stretched between the demons and me, and then I bolted. A couple of protests rang out from other pedestrians on the sidewalk, and a few tossed scowls my way as I interrupted their leisurely nighttime strolls.
The chilly autumn air swept over my heated skin as my legs burned from running. Had I been in anything warmer than a sheer lace top under this jacket, I’d be drenched in sweat.
When Tolliver Tower finally came into view, I slowed my pace, examining the tall, art deco building for entry points. The extravagant front edged in gold was out of the question. A place like this would have an impeccably dressed doorman, and since the demon queen occupied a residence, it was most likely one of her subjects.
I chewed on my bottom lip and slowly crept toward the side of the building shrouded by meticulously planted trees and shrubs. Sleek wrought iron fire escapes—nothing like the rusty death traps at my apartment building—dangled from the intricate pattern of ebony and charcoal bricks.
Sneaking into a lower apartment and finding a way to Queen Cyria’s penthouse was my best option.
I skulked closer to the facade, craning my neck back to judge the distance to the nearest metal rung. Witches didn’t fly, but I could use magic to scale a wall.
My powers slithered from my core, and I took a step back before launching myself onto the building. Violet cords latched onto the hard exterior like tiny electrical suction cups.
Adrenaline pumped through my veins and spurred me faster. Time was of the essence for many reasons. Plus, if someone happened by and saw me climbing this ritzy joint, they’d call the cops thinking I intended on robbing the place.
I only planned on taking one item, and it was for the greater good. Sort of.
My hand finally wrapped around the cold iron railing of the fire escape, and I clambered over, breathing heavily. I brushed strands of tangled, damp hair behind my ears and peered into the swanky apartment.
Dangling pendant lights brought a soft glow to the sleek, modern furniture of the unoccupied living room.
Get in quick and get the hell out of there.
Using my magic, I unlocked the window and silently crawled onto the polished hardwood floor. An action movie played on the large flat-screen, elaborate explosions and crashes transpiring during a high-speed car chase.
I gingerly eased the window closed, letting out a shaky breath. Now I just had to make it to the door without being discovered.
A low snarl echoed behind me.
Shit. Just my luck. I had to sneak into a demon’s apartment.
But a menacing rottweiler loomed a few feet away instead of an Underworld creature. My body loosened—only a little.
“Nice doggie,” I whispered, slowly turning around.
His threatening rumbles deepened, saliva dripping from his sharp teeth. Apparently, he wasn’t that nice of a doggie.
I lifted my hand and pulled a violet energy ball into my palm, bouncing it up and down. “Want the ball?”
The growling stopped as he folded onto his hind legs, staring at the purple orb, his head tilted in curiosity.
Dogs were all cute puppies at heart, even the snarly ones.
I tossed the ball down the hall, and the big beast chased after it. Poor fellow. By the time he got back there, the orb would have evaporated. And I would be long gone.
I darted toward the door, unlocked the deadbolt, and dragged the gold chain off the latch. The hall was empty, so I stepped out, easing the door closed. My boots sank into the plush carpet running along the marble floor as I made my way around the corner and then leaned against a wall to calm my pulse. My heart would explode by the end of the night.
The distinct ding of the elevator echoed, meaning someone was coming.
I whipped my phone out and angled away, pretending to be engrossed in the screen as footsteps approached.
The human tenant passed by without so much as looking in my direction, her bag of Chinese takeout filling the softly lit ivory corridor with the scent of ginger, garlic, and aniseed.
If that had been a demon, I would have been screwed.
I crept down the hall and turned a corner, finding a gold-plated elevator. My finger jammed into the call button, and I waited on pins and needles.
Please let the car be clear.
Another ding resonated, and the door slid open. I sensed the demons before they came into view.
Son of a bitch.
But the two were so busy in an intense lip-lock, they barely noticed the doors had opened or that a witch stood just outside.
The girl giggled and broke the kiss. “This is my floor.”
“Oh, right.” The guy drew her out, and they both gave me fleeting glances as they ambled by.
I jumped into the elevator, my legs trembling. That was close.
“Wait, was that a witch?” the guy asked.
Shit!
I jabbed my finger into the button to close the doors before the demons could return, slumping on the reflective gold wall once I was safely sealed inside. A mix of fragrances collided in the small space, and I rubbed my nose. Gentle music played from a small speaker in the ceiling.
My gaze searched the panel and found the top floor penthouse. Unfortunately, a key was needed to activate the button.
Great. I seriously hoped my magic worked on this lock, or I’d have to climb out of a window and scale the building all the way to the top floor.
I laid my palm over the smooth plastic circle and sent a blast of magic into it, whispering a little pray
er to all the gods, the sun, the moon, and the stars.
Please work.
The elevator jolted, and I grabbed onto the metal handrail. Uh-oh. If this thing started plummeting to the bottom, I’d scream bloody murder.
The car shuddered before the metallic hum of machinery whirled, and the penthouse button glowed pale yellow.
A whoosh of air exited my lips. Unlike the exit door at Pulse, the button wasn’t spelled. Demons didn’t think anyone was crazy enough to sneak into the queen’s home.
That was me, crazy Thorn Rosalee.
I wiped sweat from my forehead while the elevator slowly ascended to the top. Hopefully, Queen Cyria wasn’t home, because I had no idea how to explain my presence in her apartment.
The door opened to a dark room, but lights slowly turned on, bringing a glow to the sheer opulence. My boots squeaked on the ivory and cream marble spanning the floor as I stepped inside, the elevator closing behind me.
Nothing stirred the air, and no sounds emanated from the central living area or any of the halls branching off.
Cyria wasn’t home.
My fingers ran over one of the smooth decorative marble columns that belonged in ancient Greece instead of the entryway of a high-rise penthouse. Gold embellishments dripped everywhere, and expensive art spotted the walls.
Mirrors lined one side of the room, displaying my haggard reflection. I could really use a brush. Floor-to-ceiling windows boasted spectacular views of the Chicago skyline.
If I were a powerful dagger, where would I be?
My lids drifted shut, and I took a deep breath. Power streamed forward, giving a boost to the natural intuition most witches possessed. Mine had been a little off lately, but since I was back to using all my witchy abilities, it should be on point again.
I moved toward the left but kept my eyes closed, using my hands to stop from smacking into anything. A slick wall brushed my palm, and I followed, my boots gently thumping on the marble.
I passed through a doorway, and sudden tingles crackled over my scalp. My lids snapped open to a room full of ancient artifacts displayed on glossy wooden shelves. Vases, archaic tools, weapons, bowls, and things I had no idea the name for crowded the space.
