Point of No Return

by Tara Fox Hall

  Disconcerted, I watched him dress, wondering what other fantasies he planned to enact tonight. I was already bruised, and I’d only been here an hour. I slipped back into my jeans gingerly, careful of my tender flesh.

  Devlin regarded me. “Do you want me to carry you downstairs?”

  “I think I can walk,” I said, giving him a look.

  “You can walk when we reach the food,” he said firmly. “I want to carry you, and you’re clearly worn out.” He reached down, I put my arms around his neck, and he picked me up. Grabbing my purse with his free hand, he handed it to me, then repositioned my weight in his arms. Leaving his door wide open, he walked downstairs with me in his arms.

  I expected his security to be like Danial’s was, for someone, maybe Lash, to meet us in front of the house with one of the Hummers. Instead, Devlin carried me into the living room where at least ten people were watching TV. Blood splattered on the big screen, as some young virgin died a messy death. Lash was sprawled on the couch by himself, no one nearby, the others scattered here and there, some on the floor, others on chairs, a few standing against the walls.

  As Devlin came to stand in the doorway with me in his arms, everyone looked up. Lash paused the movie, his blatant stare knowing. I flushed crimson, realizing they’d all heard our screams of climax from upstairs.

  “We’re heading to Davy’s,” Devlin purred. “We need an escort of three, at least. Drinks are on me. Who wants to come?”

  I was appalled he let them drink on duty, but didn’t speak.

  “I’ll come,” Lash said quickly, uncoiling himself from the couch. “I was bored anyway.”

  Two other men came forward. One said, “Vince and I’ll go too, Boss.”

  “Good,” Devlin said, gesturing with his head for them to go out in front of us.

  Devlin helped me into a Hummer parked past my truck, then got in beside me. One guard drove, the other sat behind us, and Lash rode shotgun. We drove out just missing the garage door.

  “This is Vince, and that’s Kev, Sar,” Devlin said, gesturing. “You already know Lash.”

  “Good to meet you,” I said politely.

  They were all silent. I gave Dev a questioning look.

  “They remember you, Sar,” Devlin said ominously. “They were the only survivors from that night I came for you at Danial’s house.”

  I shrank back from him, opening my mouth to tell him to take me back to the house. Devlin grasped my hand. “Don’t worry. They, like all my men, now have orders to protect you with their lives, Sar. They are not going to hurt you, even though they might wish to.”

  “Comforting,” I said under my breath, and leaned into Devlin’s shoulder, my eyes locked on the floor.

  Chapter Four

  The journey to Davy’s didn’t take long, maybe ten minutes. I wasn’t sure what I expected, but the place itself was pleasing. It was a large room, the walls unsanded wood, the floors stained. A large jukebox played some AC/DC near a long bar that ran along the back wall. There were clearly some unsavory people here, besides my present company, though no one was being loud or rowdy. As we entered, a couple people I guessed were weres of some kind saw us, then quickly paid their bills and left.

  We sat down at an empty table. At once, a barmaid came over. As soon as I saw her eyes shift to snake, as cold and flat as Lash’s, I understood his reason for coming out on a cold night. “What can I get you, Girl and Boys?” she said, looking squarely at Lash.

  “The usual for me, Cin,” Devlin purred “A pitcher of beer for each of my men here, and a bottle of your finest Shiraz. Also, I need a menu for my lady.”

  Cin raised her eyebrows at that, but only nodded. “And for you, Darlin’?” she asked Lash, her tone a low and sultry hissing.

  “Bring me what you’re bringing Dev, and when you come back over here, be prepared to go on break,” Lash said, his hiss raspy with lust. “Because that’s as long as I’m waiting for it.”

  “You got it, Darlin’,” Cin said, winking, and she sashayed back towards the bar.

  I stared at her swaying form, then quickly looked down.

  “We’re going to play pool,” Kev said to Dev. “Yell if you need us.”

  Devlin nodded. Kev and Vince got up and went through a door to the side of the bar, where I assumed the referenced pool table was.

  Cin was soon back, setting down the wine, an opener, two wineglasses, and two regular mugs that were steaming in the air. Dev and Lash picked up their mugs, then slammed them together, blood sloshing over the sides.

  “To good times and women,” Dev said, grinning.

  “To good times with women,” Lash amended, grinning back at him.

  They drank the mugs dry, then slammed them back down on the table, as I stared. Cin removed the mugs, carried them quickly to the bar, then came darting back. Lash was already on his feet, waiting. He grabbed hold of Cin’s hand, then led her through the door Kev and Vince had used.

  Had they really gone to play pool, or was there a brothel in back? I turned questioning eyes to Dev, who was opening the bottle of wine. “Not that it’s my business, but why aren’t they going outside to use the backseat of the Hummer?”

  “Too cold,” Devlin said, popping the cork. “There’s another pool table back there. Lash will use that, he’s done it before.”

  I was so appalled I didn’t know what to say.

  Devlin saw my face and laughed. “Sar, Cin is an exhibitionist, she likes that. She could easily come to Lash at Hayden or somewhere else and be with him in private, but she likes him to come to her just like this. If he doesn’t care, why should you?”

  Had Kev and Vince gone back to get front row seats at the show? Ugh. “I don’t care, so long as you’re not going to make me watch.”

  “Only if you want to,” Devlin teased, then noticed a huge man towering over him. “Hi Gary. How’s business? It looks light tonight, for a Saturday.”

  “It’s early yet,” Gary replied with a smile. “The rough crowd won’t come in until midnight, which makes me surprised you’re here so early.” He looked me over with kind eyes, his mean features softening. “Nice babe.”

  Gary was a huge man, with burly arms, a bald head and a big bristling salt and pepper beard, but that didn’t mean I was going to take his shit tonight on top of everything else. “I’m not a babe, Gary. My name is Sarelle.”

  “Whoa,” Gary said, putting his hands up. “I didn’t mean anything.”

  Devlin put down the bottle of wine very deliberately. “She isn’t one of my babes, Gary. This is Sar, my lady. I expect you to give her the same respect that you give me, and address her as such.” His tone was exacting. “You will see her with me from now on.”

  Gary nodded, his eyes on my choker. “My mistake. I apologize, Lady.”

  “Good to meet you,” I said, mollified.

  “What would you like, Lady?” he said.

  I handed him the menu. “A grilled cheese sandwich, some fries, and your Death by Chocolate after, please.”

  “About fifteen minutes,” he said. “I hope the both of you enjoy your evening. Let me know if you need anything.” He went into the kitchen.

  “Why isn’t his name Davy, if he owns the place?” I asked Devlin as he poured the wine.

  “His father was Davy,” Devlin said, handing me my full glass. “He was a good friend for many years, till his death about seven years ago. His son Gary is a good man, too. I frequently used to come here with Lash and some of my men, when I lived at Hayden. I hadn’t had a chance to come by since my return, until now.” He paused. “Do you like this atmosphere?”

  “I’m comfortable,” I said hesitantly. “But I’m surprised you do. This seems more like Lash’s idea of a good spot than yours. Danial wouldn’t be caught dead in a place like this.”

  “I’m among friends here,” Devlin said, sipping his wine. “That tends to matter more than pretentious surroundings, the older I get. And my men tell me the food is very good. But I asked what
you thought.”

  I gave him a real smile. “I like it,” I said, putting my hand on his. “And I thank you for saying what you said.”

  “It’s only proper, Sar. We’re Oathed. I expect you to be given respect, and not treated as a plaything of mine.”

  “You always put things so nicely,” I said, rolling my eyes.

  Devlin raised his glass. “To us. To our first night together with everyone knowing what we feel for each other. And to you, Sar, who have taken my heart, long after I thought I could ever give it to anyone again.”

  “To us,” I said softly.

  We clinked glasses and drank. “This is great,” I said appreciatively afterwards, eyeing my glass. “What is it?”

  “Castillero del Diablo,” Devlin said, turning the bottle label so I could read it. “A favorite of mine.”

  “Cellar of the Devil,” I said, grinning. “How appropriate.”

  About the time my food arrived, Lash returned, his attitude almost friendly. As I ate, he talked to Devlin about Ebediah’s affairs.

  “You know we’ve got some of his guards still alive and under contract. We don’t need them in Canada, not with Ebediah’s home almost completely destroyed. Those polars and wolves pledged their allegiance to you, Devlin, but that means nothing.”

  “And if I cut them loose, they’ll band together and attack me, just like Garret’s vulturemen did to Danial after Danial killed him. That always happens if you negate the guard contracts after taking power. You know how these things go, Lash,” Devlin said, his tone dark, sipping his wine. “We’ve got to find a way to put them to work, but not where they’ll cause trouble.”

  “Just bring over the polar bears,” Lash said, hissing a little. “Leave the wolves. They will just be trouble anyway. Wolves always are, they are as bad as lions—”

  Racist, I thought but didn’t say.

  “Maybe you’re right,” Devlin said, reluctantly. “I’ll have to decide next week. Maybe I can divide them up and sell most of the contracts to some vampires up there.”

  “We’re going to stay at Hayden, right?” Lash said, his eyes seeking out Cin as she waited tables. “I don’t want to have to stay in Canada for more than a night, no matter if that’s your territory now or not. This is home, here.”

  “How are you going to arrange it?” I asked hesitantly. “Can you Rule a territory you don’t live in?”

  “Yes,” Devlin said, stroking my hair. “It might not be possible, save Canada is close by and is very stable, at least the hierarchy I’ve seen thus far. Most of my travels will be via demon, per usual After I check on Ebediah’s former holdings—mine now by law. It should amount to only a few nights a week, Lash, if that.”

  “Good,” Lash said, moving his eyes from Cin back to Devlin. “I need a woman I can coil with near me to be happy, and Cin is my favorite.”

  “Lash, why don’t you tell her to come to Hayden, live with you?” Devlin said lightly, smirking. “You can have some little snakelings or whatever—”

  “Shut up!” Lash hissed, smiling out of the corner of his mouth. “I’m too old for children. Frankly, I don’t know what you think you are going to do with a child yourself, Dev. You aren’t the type.”

  “Maybe you just haven’t seen that side of me,” Devlin said, giving me a tender look.

  “I haven’t seen it because it’s not there!” Lash said loudly, laughing. “You have always been what you are, Dev, all the decades I’ve known you. You can’t be anyone else!”

  Devlin didn’t reply, though his irritation showed.

  “How long have you known each other?” I said quickly, trying to diffuse the situation. “Lash, you can’t be that old. I’m bad with guessing ages, but you can’t be older than forty, right?”

  “I’m a hundred and seven,” Lash hissed proudly, grabbing a used wineglass off a nearby table and filling it full. He knocked it back, then poured another, emptying our bottle. “I take a potion that slows my aging tremendously, but it can’t stop it altogether, Sar.”

  “What’s in it?” I asked, amazed.

  “Never you mind,” Lash said coldly, fixing me with his flat eyes. He drank his second glass down, then put it down on the table with a sharp clack.

  I looked away. “Sorry I asked.”

  “Back to what you said about me, Lash,” Dev interrupted. “You didn’t know me, back when I was with Annabelle. I loved her like I love Sar. I would have given anything for her. I want this chance very much. Don’t think this isn’t serious for me, because it is.”

  Lash looked over at Devlin, and his expression didn’t soften so much as it became a little less cold. “You are different with her,” Lash agreed with a shrug. “We all see it, Dev. Don’t take offense over what I said before. I was just teasing.” He turned to the bar. “More wine,” he said.

  Cin brought us my cake, and another bottle, which Lash quickly opened. He filled our glasses.

  “To friendship,” Lash hissed softly. “And second chances.”

  The three of us clinked glasses. Lash downed his in one long swallow, placed it on the table with a clack, and eyed his snakewoman waiting. “I think it’s time for another break, Cin.”

  Cin held her hand out to him wordlessly. Lash took it, and she led him back into the other room.

  “What is it with you two?” I asked Devlin. “He’s your friend, but he works for you?”

  “Yes,” Devlin said. “I pay him well, but he could work for anyone, Sar. He’s the best there is, the highest ranked. He could make a bigger salary if he worked for Perseus, or Samuel, or even for a less powerful vampire. There are some now in other countries richer than I. But he likes working for me. We’ve been together a long time.”

  “Much like Danial and—” I stopped myself, saddened.

  Devlin touched my arm gently. “Yes, like them, though Lash and I have been together for some sixty odd years, Sar, not ten.” He paused. “To us.” I raised my glass, as he raised his. “To having you in my bed, where you belong,” he said, his eyes full of desire.

  Angry at my remembering Theo, I added wickedly, “To you having me everywhere in your bedroom, and to you being where we both think you belong.”

  Devlin gaped a moment, then his eyes changed from slightly molten gold to hot burning pools of pure wanting. He cast his eyes around, then began to get up purposely.

  Whether he had been going to take me right over our table in front of everyone or lead me to the back room, I never knew. For at that moment, a man walked out from the back room with a bunch of his buddies rubbing his jaw, furious.

  “God damn him! He interrupted our game an hour ago, too!”

  “Come on,” one of his friends said cunningly. “Let’s get the guns from the truck. We’ll wait until he’s busy with that whore, and then blast him to Hell.”

  “Yeah,” another laughed. “A bullet or two in his ass is going to cramp his style.”

  The five of them walked outside.

  Devlin glowered, then got to his feet. “Sar, stay here. If you hear gunfire, duck under the table. I need to get the bears, and head those men off before they get back—”

  “If Lash is the best, can’t he defend himself?” I asked. “Can’t you just warn him?”

  “He’ll kill them; he’s been in a foul mood for days. As for warning him, I’d have to interrupt him and get close enough he’d hear me over the music. If I startle him or her as they’re mating, either might strike.”

  “You don’t have to worry, I’ll wait in the car,” I said, getting to my feet.

  Devlin sat me back down forcibly. “That’s exactly where I don’t want you. Stay here, where you’re safe.”

  I nodded grumpily.

  Devlin headed outside a moment later with Vince and Kev. There were no shots, but a minute later, the three of them came back in. Vince had a spray of blood across his face, but otherwise they seemed unmarked. Kev and he left, and Devlin came back to the table.

  “Lash should be done shortl
y,” Devlin said, sitting back down. He stuck the cork in the bottle, then handed it to me. “I want to get you home. We have unfinished business, Love.”

  The last thing I wanted at the moment was more sex. I nodded anyway, playing along.

  Lash came strolling back, grinning hugely, until he saw us. “What’s the problem, Dev? Kev and Vince left before finishing their game.”

  “It’s time to go,” Devlin replied. “You ready?”

  Lash cast a longing glance backward. “I suppose,” he hissed. “She is on the clock. Let’s go.”

  The ride home back to Hayden was uneventful. As soon as we’d parked, Vince and Kev left without a word. Lash followed Devlin and I inside, then upstairs. I watched him with alarm, until he went into the room beside Devlin’s.

  “He lives here with you?” I said, as Devlin led me back to his bedroom, then shut the door.

  “Yes,” Dev said, stripping off his shirt, and tossing it aside. “It’s safer for everyone. He can hear if I’m in danger. Serena’s is the room next to his. Titus and Leri used to share the one beyond that, at the end of the hall. There are more rooms beyond the kitchen, where the rest of the guards sleep.”

  “I don’t feel him. Titus, I mean.”

  Devlin led me to the fireplace. “Sit, Love.” He began to build a fire. “As for Titus, he put a buffer on his room. Think of it as ‘blackness-proofing’. I’m used to the feel of a demon nearby, but I’d never be able to have anyone living here with me if he hadn’t. Lash and the other weres are uncomfortable around demons, as a rule, so that was easiest.” He blew on the flames. “Titus is most likely not there tonight, anyway. He’s probably in his basement workshop, concocting something. Hand me that bottle, please.”

  I gave it to him, then lounged back on the loveseat, my mood more relaxed. “You do have a talent for romance.”

  He poured the last of the bottle of wine into two ornate wineglasses that had been on the mantel, and handed me one. “Yes, I do. Now repeat that toast of yours for me,” Devlin purred.

  I flushed. “To you having me everywhere in your bedroom, and to you being where we both think you belong.” We clinked glasses, and sipped.