The Price of Possession

by Dakota Brown

  "Everyone, this is Mal, and you know Sabian. They're going to help us keep the riff raff out." I hoped if I could avoid mentioning demons long enough, they would forget. It was a vain hope, but I could pretend.

  The guys responded to all of the greetings while I snagged a piece of pizza.

  "So, what exactly are you going to do to keep the demons out?" Billy put a foot on the chair he stood next to and leaned his elbow on his knee, studying the guys.

  Mal glanced around. "First, probably a cleansing ritual. You've done a fantastic job with the physical cleaning. We will have to clean the traces of that demon away. Then we will put up wards that should keep most demons out."

  "Not all?" Billy frowned.

  The others stared at Mal with rapt attention.

  "I'm not sure anything can keep every demon out. Some are simply too powerful. However, it's unlikely that we will encounter any demons that could breach the wards, uninvited."

  "Why would someone invite a demon in?" Mandy glanced around as if expecting one to pop out of the woodwork, as it were.

  Mal shrugged, obviously not going give the real answer. "I can't foresee every possibility, of course. Simply that there may be a time when we need to invite a demon in. Obviously, it would be under strict orders to behave itself."

  "Can you order a demon around like that?" Mandy's eyes went wide.

  "Depends on the demon," Sabian answered. "And what the arrangement with the demon is."

  "So, we're supposed to be forgetting that demons exist, right mates?" I clapped my hands together after I finished my slice of pizza.

  They all looked at me with similar 'seriously?' expressions on their faces.

  Why were they not freaking out more?

  Sabian leaned over and whispered in my ear, "I might be keeping them from losing their shit too badly. I didn't think you needed the drama."

  I sighed, not prepared to deal with that tidbit of information. Sabian's revelation was a bit unsettling, but I'd deal with that later. "Just do me a favor. You don't want to get caught up in any of that shenanigans if you can avoid it."

  "How'd you get involved?" Stacy asked quietly.

  I clenched my jaw, before shrugging. "Darius dragged me in when I was young and impressionable."

  "You're hardly old," Mal stated.

  I shrugged. "Thirty-five isn't old, sure, but I'm much more jaded." I grinned at him.

  He conceded my point with a quick nod of his head and a mischievous smile.

  "The priest?" Billy raised his eyebrows in disbelief.

  "Yeah, wasn't always a priest. Anyway, we grew up together. He got me involved. Then he dragged me back in the other day. So, misspent youth and all that. Not real interesting."

  The look everyone gave me let me know they thought I was full of shit. I shrugged.

  "So, how many demons have you sent back to hell?" Stacy clasped her hands together in delight.

  "Not sure. Look, it's getting late. Um, lot of unhappy memories and all." I ran my hand through my hair and thought maybe I should style it up again into the short mohawk I'd been neglecting for a while. Maybe having a boss with crazy hair would distract them from the demons. Probably not.

  "Sorry, Boss," Billy said. "It's simply not something we ever thought we'd hear anything about. It's like stuff you see in movies or on TV."

  I nodded. "Yeah, some shows are closer to the truth than others. Mostly it's just saving people from bad choices. Sometimes you can't save them, but you can at least make sure the demon isn't loose on earth."

  They nodded soberly.

  "What other kinds of supernaturals are there?" Mandy grinned, eyes lighting up.

  I'd have bet anyone a hundred bucks right then that she was into vampire romances. I managed to avoid looking at Mal, though I could practically sense the amusement rolling off of him and Sabian.

  "Don't know, mate. Mostly just dealt with demons. I suspect there's all sorts of things out there we don't want to know about, though."

  Mandy looked a little disappointed. Hopefully, she wouldn't go looking for trouble. I finally glanced at Mal, but he didn't look alarmed. Maybe he was the only vampire in the area. Come to think of it, I didn't know how their society worked at all. I made a mental note to ask him later.

  "Okay, get this cleaned up and get out of here. We need to get this place buttoned down and I need to get some real sleep." Lord and Lady, I hoped Mal was planning on staying the night. I wanted some more of him and Sabian once I'd had a chance to get some rest.

  It didn't take long before my team had cleaned up after their dinner and headed out for the night. I wandered around, inspecting their efforts.

  "I don't think this place has been this clean in years. They really did a good job."

  Mal had pulled all the blinds closed, even the ones on the door, and locked us in. I checked the back door just in case it was still open while I was in the kitchen. We were as safe from observation as we could be.

  "Can I use this table?" Mal asked once I rejoined them in the dining area.

  "Yeah."

  He pulled a few things out of his backpack, including a smudge stick for each of us, a few canisters of salt, and some chalk.

  "First a cleansing ritual," Mal declared.

  "Yeah, let's sage this place," Sabian agreed enthusiastically.

  I wasn't sure if I should laugh at Sabian or sigh. Mal ignored the incubus as much as anyone could ignore someone who basically exuded sex.

  Obediently, I lit my smudge stick with a lighter and watched it burn until I could put out the flames and let it smolder instead.

  Sabian and Mal did the same, then we moved through the shop, spreading the sage smoke through the air.

  Mal spoke a few words once we were done and the air instantly felt lighter, as if it were fresh and new.

  "This next part is going to take a while, since I need to draw the wards. I'll go as quickly as I can, but I think it will still take me about an hour." Mal picked up the package of chalk from the table.

  "Chalk permanent enough?" I asked.

  "Once I'm done, it will be."

  "Great."

  "Have a seat."

  Sabian and I grabbed chairs and kicked back to watch. Well, I relaxed. Sabian leaned forward and watched intently.

  Mal pulled a chair over to the wall and stood on it while he drew an intricate symbol. It took nearly ten minutes for him to get it the way he wanted it, and I couldn't imagine he'd be done in an hour at that speed. It turned out I underestimated the vampire's speed. Once he had the shape worked out, he moved considerably faster, though as he had guessed, it still took him about an hour to cover the shop with the wards.

  After he finished drawing, he spilled salt across every exterior doorway and window.

  Well, the place had been clean. I didn't say anything.

  "You may consider having me add to the warding on your home," Mal suggested when he joined us at the table.

  "Yeah, you're welcome to." I stared at the chalk marks all over my restaurant and hoped he had a plan for that, as well. I trusted him, though. As surprising as that was to me.

  Mal nodded. "Okay, now we need to activate these. I don't really need your help for this, however, since you own the place, and Sabian will be here frequently, I thought it best to include your energies in the warding. Sit around the table. Let me light a few candles, and then join hands."

  Once Mal was ready, I slid one of my hands into his cool one, and my other into Sabian's warm hand. I could feel the energy Mal pulled from himself and the environment, and my innate energies responded to his, melding into the shape he formed his energy into.

  "Chris," Mal said softly. "Did you know your eyes go almost black like a vampire's when you use magic?"

  "Uh, it's been mentioned, though not with that comparison." I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

  "You do realize you have some innate magical ability, yes?" He caressed the back of my hand with his thumb.

  I stared at the tabl
e. "It's the running theory on why I'm so naturally good at exorcisms," I choked out.

  He brought my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles. "Nothing wrong with having abilities," he tried to reassure me. "Maybe you'll let me help you explore them later."

  "Maybe," I whispered. I nearly sighed in relief when he turned his attention away from me and back to energy he'd gathered. I couldn't quite see it, but I could feel it crackling between us. Sometimes I could see energy, and it was possible if I opened myself more, I'd be able to see this. Still, I imagined that Mal shaped it into a form that looked like the sigil he'd chalked on my walls. He chanted softly under his breath, and I could feel the moment when he released the spell, or warding, or whatever it was actually called. The energy plowed through us and slammed into the walls.

  I gasped as there was an audible pop and suddenly I felt like we were completely cut off from the outside world. Holy crap.

  "Black abyss," Sabian swore. "That's powerful. You weren't joking, Mal. A demon strong enough to break through those wards isn't likely to ever bother with a place like this."

  A small, pleased smile curled his lips before he shrugged. "I've had quite a lot of practice, but thank you."

  He released our hands and I stood. A wave of exhaustion crashed over me.

  "Fuck," I muttered, grabbing at the chair so I didn't fall.

  "We should be done here," Mal said. "Let's get back to your place. Mind if I stay the night?"

  "I was hoping you would," I admitted before looking around. The wards had turned invisible and the salt lines had vanished, but I could feel the energy thrumming through the air. Neat trick.

  Mal gathered his things and put them back in his backpack while Sabian offered me his arm. I was tired enough that I took it, letting him support me as we left the pizza shop. I locked up behind us and we all climbed into my tank of a car. The trip back to my place was something of a blur, and I was only marginally alert as I stumbled to my front door.

  Therefore, it took me a moment to notice something staring back at me.

  "What the hell is that?" I blurted out.

  Chapter 9

  Sabian

  We all stared at the creature perched on Chris's doorstep. It was small, fluffy, yellowish in color, and clearly demonic as it wrinkled its lips at us before wagging its small, fluffy tail. What the hell was that thing?

  And then I realized that hell was the right word. That was the earthly form the hellhound sent by my prince had chosen. What in the black abyss was it?

  I traded a look with the vampire while Chris continued to stare, dumbfounded.

  Mal tilted his head in a question and I nodded. He burst out laughing.

  "Seriously?"

  I shrugged. "They can choose whatever canine form they like on this plane. Once they choose, they're generally stuck with it, however."

  "That's a Pomeranian," Chris sputtered.

  "It's a hellhound," I offered.

  "No." She shook her head vehemently. "Just...No. I'm not having a...a... purse..." She couldn't even seem to get the words out.

  I wasn't sure what she was trying to say, but the horrified disbelief on her face made me chuckle.

  I wasn't sure how I'd actually fallen in love with a human, but there was no denying that's what I felt for my exorcist. While my kind typically dealt in lust and fed off of feelings like love, they didn't usually fall themselves, but I surely had. I didn't even mind.

  "A purse dog!" she finally gasped out.

  The pom-hellhound growled at her.

  "No!"

  It pranced forward on its tiny feet and lifted its leg. By the time I figured out what the damn thing was doing, it was too late. It, well, clearly a he, peed on Chris' leg.

  "What!"

  Mal grabbed her before she could punt the tiny dog.

  "You will not come in the house if you can not behave!" She was still nearly shrieking. As much as a woman like Chris would ever shriek.

  At least she'd gone from no, to you have to behave to come inside. The hellhound would have to agree to her commands to start the bond a hellhound had with his owner.

  "Chris, he was marking his territory. He won't do it again, but he did have to get his scent on you."

  "By peeing on me?" She glared at the tiny creature.

  The pom-hellhound sat, not even trying to look contrite.

  "Okay, do all Pomeranians have red in their eyes, or is it just this one?" Chris asked.

  "While I believe they are all truly demonic in nature," Mal said with a laugh. "I think ours is probably the only one that is truly a demon in disguise. They normally only have red eyes when the light hits them right."

  Chris groaned and leaned her forehead against Mal's shoulder.

  "How is something this tiny supposed to help us?" Probably her last-ditch effort to send it away.

  "It will have a hellhound shape that is much more formidable," I supplied, trying, and probably failing, to keep my amusement out of my voice.

  "Why couldn't it have been a German Shepherd?" She sounded defeated. I almost felt bad for her, but I suspected it was because she was exhausted.

  "Your leg would be a lot wetter if it had been," Mal stated gently.

  Chris just sighed. "If you're coming in the house, you have to behave yourself. No peeing on things or crapping inside. No eating anything but actual food inside, or outside. I do not need vet bills. Do hellhounds have vet bills? Don't get on the table, or things like that. You're welcome on the couch, of course. And, uh, no excessive barking."

  The pom-hellhound wagged its tail as if in agreement.

  "Am I forgetting anything?"

  "Act like a housebroke, trained, well-mannered dog," I supplied.

  The pom-hellhound turned its reddish gaze on me in a condescending glare.

  "Yes, everything Sabian just said."

  The creature huffed in annoyance, but finally wagged its tail again.

  "Fine, if you agree to all that, you can come in." Chris trudged into the house, dumped her coat, kicked off her shoes, and went toward the living area.

  Mal picked up her jacket from the floor and hung it for her.

  The pom-hellhound trotted into the living area behind Chris and by the time I got there, he had curled up on her lap on the couch.

  She had basically collapsed onto the couch, staring at the ceiling. "Fuck," she muttered.

  I sat down on one side of her, and Mal took the other. For a while we all just sat there, but finally Chris sighed.

  "I really should get some sleep. I want the two of you for breakfast, and I won't have any energy if I don't get a few hours of rest."

  Her nonchalant way of telling us she wanted us in the morning sent a jolt through me, and I could sense that she'd both surprised and aroused the vampire, too.

  "And then, maybe real breakfast." She looked hopefully at Mal who laughed in reply.

  "Whatever you desire, my dear exorcist."

  She grinned. "Bed, right now. Well, a shower, then bed. Maybe some cuddles. Sleep, sex, food. Repeat over and over again."

  I laughed. "I like the sound of that." How had I gotten so lucky as to be rescued by this delicious human, and then also desired by her, as well. Really desired, not just because of what I was. I could tell the different flavors of desire from anyone I fed from, and hers was the purest of true desire, not simple lust. Potent, and addictive.

  Mal stood and offered her a hand. I watched how he treated her, determined to offer her the same respect and courtesy. He likely knew far more about how to treat a woman when in an actual relationship, and I was eager to learn. I hoped one day that I could have that with Chris, too. I knew Mal and Chris were still figuring out their own relationship, but hopefully there was room for both of us in her heart.

  The creature on Chris's lap hopped to the ground and followed as Mal led Chris to her bedroom.

  There was more to the hellhound than Chris and Mal knew, but as long as he didn't get overly possessive, at least where Ma
l and I were concerned, I wasn't going to let it bother me.

  I had no idea what the creature's feelings on being here were. Did it want to be here? Or was it simply under orders? That would certainly affect his attitude toward Chris, but I had no doubt that he would do his job. He even acted friendly enough, at least toward her. I did wonder why he had chosen the earthly form he'd taken. It was a bit strange. Most of them went for something much more impressive than a small, what had Chris called it? Purse dog? Still, I knew what hellhounds looked like in their natural form and his other shape would take Chris's breath away.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  I didn't think I'd ever get tired of waking up with Chris curled up in my arms. The vampire hadn't minded sharing the bed with me, and we had sandwiched our exorcist between us. There wasn't a lot of extra room, but we made it work. The pom-hellhound had curled up behind her knees, though he had done his best to not touch me in the process.

  Though neither the vampire nor I needed as much sleep as our human, I didn't think either of us would want to get up before her. Her chest rose slowly, though I could tell she was slowly returning to consciousness.

  Mal was laying on his back, an arm wrapped around her while she lay with her head on his chest. He stared at the ceiling, lost in thought, though he glanced over at me and smiled when I turned my attention to him.

  Chris took a deep breath and her eyes fluttered open. Mal and I both tightened our grips on her, and she sighed contentedly.

  "Could get used to this," she murmured into Mal's chest.

  "Me, too," the vampire replied.

  She shifted around slightly before sitting up. "I'm going to go to the bathroom real quick, and then I'm going to come back and start shit." She grinned. "If that's all right by you two."

  We both shifted to make it easier for her to crawl out from between the two of us and she left the room.

  The pom-hellhound moved so that he could curl up on her pillow while we waited for her to come back.

  "Okay, so what do we call you?" Mal asked, probably perceiving that a hellhound was far more than an earthly dog.

  The creature looked at Mal, almost seemed to shrug, then tucked its tiny button nose into his fur and shut his eyes.