The Price of Possession

by Dakota Brown

  No, you need to leave now.

  You're not completely healed yet, Price. Also, there's the matter of waking up your vampire. I'm giving you a free hint here. If you pull the stake out of him now, while I'm still healing you, I can continue to heal you while he tries to drain you dry at no additional debt accumulated.

  I looked around until my gaze fell on Mal. He was slumped over in the chair, not moving. At least he was still here to save, though seeing him like that made my heart clench.

  If you wait, or you cast me out, you're going to have to get creative to save him. So, unless you want to find a random human to sacrifice to your vampire, you'll accept my presence without a fight. And I will fight you.

  Why?

  I will explain later.

  His presence faded and I got some idea that he might be conserving his strength. If I took his suggestion and woke Mal up, he'd probably need it. I could only guess based on what the demon had said and what I knew of vampires–which wasn't a whole lot–that Mal needed a lot of blood to recover from what they'd done.

  I sighed and climbed the rest of the way to my feet. Mal had saved my life, is what he'd done. The least I could do was make it so that he didn't kill anyone because of it.

  Now that I was somewhat recovered from dying, I noticed Darius and Aaron standing next to Sabian. My hellhound was at my feet.

  I was not happy about seeing Darius.

  He's not particularly happy, either, the prince supplied.

  I almost laughed.

  Knowing what would happen, I put my hands out and leaned against the invisible barrier that held me in.

  "Someone want to let me out?"

  "Chris, you're possessed by a demon," Darius replied.

  "No shit, Sherlock. And right before that I was very dead. He promised to be a good house guest, so let me out."

  "Of course, he did. That's what demons do." Darius crossed his arms, seeming to forget he was standing next to an incubus.

  Sabian looked incredulous.

  My hellhound growled.

  It occurred to me that both Sabian and the hellhound had also promised to be good houseguests and had completely made good on that promise.

  Aaron looked like he wanted to run away.

  I flipped Darius off.

  He pulled out a bottle of holy water and I felt the prince flinch inside of me.

  It would be best...

  Yeah, I got this, I cut him off.

  "Sabian, do me a favor and punch Darius in the face until he stops being an asshole."

  Darius blanched, as if just remembering what Sabian was. I suspected Sabian could take more hits of holy water than I could right now, and the incubus didn't look worried when he turned to confront the priest.

  "Look, I need to help Mal. I'm probably the only one who safely can right now. Let me out."

  "Chris, Mal..." Darius trailed off, looking back at the vampire before his eyebrows rose. His gaze darted back to me. "Seriously?"

  I put my hands on my hips and tapped my foot. "You were right, they've both treated me way better than any of the humans I've dated."

  Darius flinched. He'd been my first, long before he'd joined the priesthood.

  "I deserve that."

  "Yeah, you do. Now stop being a dick. I think we've got the demon situation under control. If this one wasn't friendly, I'd let you send his ass back to hell. He's got a vested interest in helping us stop these twatwaffles, and he promised to leave quietly as soon as he could. I'm still healing, so he can't leave yet." Didn't need to bring up the rest of it.

  "So how are you going to help Mal?" Darius asked warily.

  "Pull the stake out and let him drink as much of my blood as he wants. The demon will keep healing me. Probably need to eat a whole cow's worth of steaks later, but it'll be fine."

  "Jesus, Chris, you're really in deep."

  "And who's fucking fault is that?"

  Darius threw up his hands before he turned and headed to the door. "Fine, but you'll have to find yourself a different exorcist when you can't get free of all this."

  "Yeah, typical, leave when it gets tough," I shouted after him.

  "The cops will be here soon, Price. Someone's got to hold them off unless you want them to know about Mal," he shouted. Somewhere a door slammed, and I sensed he was gone.

  "Fucker," I muttered.

  "Aaron." Sabian broke the thick silence that settled in after Darius left. "I can break the circle, but it would be easier if you did it."

  "Yeah, sure. What do I do?" Aaron rubbed his hands together and I could smell his fear.

  "Just put your foot over it."

  "You can't do that?" Despite his question, Aaron walked forward and slid his foot over the runes etched into the floor.

  The circle popped and I practically leapt out of it, the hellhound on my heels.

  "No, not this one, anyway. Some, yes. I'd have had to figure something else out. Chris, are you sure you can handle Mal?"

  I glared at Sabian, but after the tirade I'd just thrown at Darius, my anger was spent and anything I could have said would just be petty. Sabian had saved me, which was far more than Darius would have done.

  "Yeah." I softened my expression and Sabian relaxed. "It's just one more thing the prince has to heal. Since he's still trying to put me back together, he assured me that it was all included."

  I went over to Mal and tugged at the ropes that bound him. It looked like they'd simply tied him into the chair to keep him upright, not with any real intent at restraint. The ropes came away easily and I took a deep breath before I put my hand on the bolt of wood through Mal's heart.

  Price, let me distract you. This is going to hurt. A lot.

  Why are you so concerned?

  If you want to experience what it's like to nearly die again, I'll leave you two alone, the demon replied sharply.

  I hesitated. I did not want to get in any deeper with this demon, as Darius had put it, but I was also not keen on another near death experience.

  I will keep you alive, but it's not going to be fun if you don't let me distract you.

  It usually feels good when he bites me.

  He's not in control of himself right now, and won't be for a bit.

  Sounds like you've some experience with this.

  I could almost feel the demon shrug, as if something under my skin rippled. That definitely creeped me out.

  What exactly are we talking about here, mate?

  Invisible fingers trailed up my spine, sending a thrill of pleasure through me.

  Oh.

  A distraction only. Nothing more. Believe it or not, this is not my first choice, either.

  Okay. Just this once.

  I'm just engaging your mind, he explained. It will keep you from feeling what getting drained by a vampire actually does to a person without the helpful endorphins they usually use to pacify their prey.

  Just...do whatever it is you're going to do.

  Pull the stake out.

  Taking a breath, I grabbed the shaft of wood and yanked. I was surprised at how easily it came free, though the barbs on the end must have done some damage on the way back out.

  Mal's eyes snapped open, and if the demon hadn't been somewhat in control of my body, I would have flinched away at the empty look in his fully black eyes. He grabbed me, jerking me forward and going for my neck.

  His teeth broke skin and for the barest moment I felt pain before the demon prince intervened and my system flooded with endorphins.

  For a moment, I wondered what he had been fussing about. If that was all he had to do...but then my attention returned to what Mal was actually doing to me. That very brief moment made me extremely glad when I suddenly found myself standing in front of the prince again.

  He looked tired, lips drawn, dusky skin unnaturally pale, some wrinkles I hadn't noticed before at the corners of his eyes.

  "You are quite a lot of trouble, you know that, Price?"

  "It's why everyone loves me.
" I gave him a cocky grin.

  "It may be the clue to your charm. I don't know you that well yet." He held out his hand.

  Still making me choose. I guess that was fair. The yet on the end of his statement worried me though, and I tried not to think too much about it as I placed my hand in his. I didn't really want him to know me well at all. Despite that, I didn't resist when he pulled me forward. He was gentle, putting an arm around me, hand cupping my hip. He threaded the fingers of his other hand through the longer part of my hair and tilted my head. He wasn't tall, but he was still taller than I was, and he leaned over to press his lips to mine.

  Though he'd professed some reluctance earlier, he pressed me against him now, and devoured my lips as if they were a lifeline. My heart raced, and I hoped it was from what the demon prince was doing to me, not impending cardiac arrest from blood loss.

  After a moment lost in his embrace, I slid my hands around him, under his suit jacket, his warmth nearly overwhelming through the dress shirt he wore.

  It took a great deal of restraint to keep my hands from wandering, though I did grip his shirt, pulling him against me, trying to ignore my ovaries that were demanding I get naked, get him naked and satisfy all of those urges that were racing through me.

  He was helping me survive Mal without getting a complex, that was it. He didn't want anything more. Really.

  Ezra shifted against me, rumbling in pleasure as he tightened his hold on my body.

  I had no idea where he had learned to kiss, but damn, I could get lost in this so easily and come back for more.

  Holy crap something was seriously wrong with me. Lusting after Aaron, and now the prince? I had a pretty good excuse to make out with the demon prince right now, but not wanting more later. Yes, he was probably the best kisser ever, but still...

  You are living with an incubus, he pointed out without breaking off from consuming me.

  So, it's Sabian's fault?

  No. Just trying to give you an excuse. Though, his presence isn't helping.

  The prince nibbled at my lip, and I groaned, letting him lean my head back, gasping as he kissed along my jaw before biting gently at my neck.

  I couldn't even think anymore. My body was putty in his hands, and the only thing keeping me from collapsing to the ground was his arms around me. I needed more, but he didn't lower me to the ground, didn't pull my clothing from my body and bring me to even greater heights of pleasure.

  No, instead he leaned back, breathing just as heavily as I was, his eyes shining with lust.

  "You should wake up now," he ordered, though I swore I heard a hint of disappointment in his voice.

  "Chris!"

  I jerked my eyes open, waking up to a frantic vampire.

  "Mal, you're okay," I managed to get out before he crushed me against him.

  "Can't breathe," I mumbled against his chest.

  "Sorry. I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

  "Yeah, mate," I slurred. "Mmm, fine."

  "You should be dead, as much of your blood as I took." His voice broke and I wasn't sure if I was about to see if a vampire could actually cry or not. Apparently, no one had the time to bring him up to speed.

  "Yeah, I already did that once today. Wasn't about to do it again."

  "What?"

  "Long story. Look, I think we need to get out of here and I need some rest. Sabian can fill you in."

  The world tilted, and suddenly I was cradled in Mal's arms. I lost track of what was going on after that, drifting in and out of consciousness until I woke in my own bed, still curled up in Mal's arms. He was asleep and it was dark outside. Sabian's absence was strange, but I didn't have the energy to be truly alarmed. Mal was here, and with a quick thought I could sense Sabian was nearby, the extra senses courtesy of Ezra, I imagined. The hellhound was curled up behind my knees, and I was safe at home.

  With that, I drifted back to a deep, healing sleep. Maybe I'd wake up to find the last day had been a really bad dream.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  I wiped steam off of the mirror and leaned on the counter, my arms supporting most of my weight as I stared at my reflection.

  "Fuck," I said quietly.

  The demon prince was quiet but, just as I could see the red rimming my brown irises, I could sense his presence in the back of my mind. My only experiences with possession were from the other side, casting demons out and all. Still, I was fairly certain this was not what a possessed person normally experienced. The prince was keeping his word and trying to make this as easy as possible. Still, it wouldn't take much for him to take over.

  I wiped at my eyes, brushing away a few tears. I'd woken up alone, except for the hellhound, for the first time since I'd met Mal and Sabian. I had no doubt it had something to do with the demon prince's presence.

  If it helps, you're not alone. Clearly, he wasn't as distant from my thoughts as I had hoped.

  Asshole.

  The demon chuckled. Is that any way to treat someone who saved your life?

  I sighed.

  I am a prince. It is customary to address me as such.

  Either you're oblivious, or you just don't know me that well yet. I'm an exorcist, and about as likely to address you with a title as I am to sprout wings.

  Ezra sighed but didn't push the issue. Smart on his part.

  The hellhound licked water from my leg that I hadn't yet dried off.

  You need to name him.

  What? Why? Why is he here, anyway?

  Price, if you had named your damn dog, he could have prevented a lot of this.

  What? I shivered as a chill ran through me. I could have prevented this? With a name?

  Once you name him, the binding will be complete, and he will be able to fully manifest on this plane. Until then, he's trapped into his chosen form and unable to completely fulfill his duties to protect you. He's doing the best he can right now. He was instrumental in breaking the warding that had you trapped when you first met your angelic friend, and he was able to summon help in time to save you yesterday, but he could do so much more with a name.

  Let me get this straight. I have to name my hellhound and bind him to me. And then he can eat all the bad things?

  Ezra chuckled again. It was a good thing he found me amusing, or he'd probably get tired of me fast.

  Yes.

  That's some seriously fucked up movie shit. I am not naming him Moon Child.

  I don't think he would appreciate that name anyway. Nor would he appreciate Mr. Fluffy Pants. He read my thoughts before I could voice them in this strange mental conversation we were having.

  I sighed.

  Why haven't you named him?

  I don't know what to call a hellhound and I didn't realize it was that important. So how permanent is this binding?

  The demon shrugged, and I felt the movement just under my skin. I shuddered.

  It's breakable.

  He didn't elaborate and I suspected I didn't want to know more. At least right now. That brought another question, did I want yet another demon bound to me? Darius was right, I was getting in deep and this was not the team I was used to playing for.

  Warm, invisible arms wrapped around me, and a bare chest pressed against my back. I leaned into the contact for a moment before I froze.

  I promise, in the coming conflicts you're on the right team. Ezra whispered in my ear, and a different kind of shiver jolted through me.

  On one hand, I desperately wanted to run or at least shove him away. On the other...he was an awfully good kisser.

  The prince went still. I am going to blame the incubus, he said. I apologize. He released me and his presence faded.

  I groaned, before sagging forward. This entire situation was ridiculous.

  "So, no Mr. Fluffy Pants?" I looked down at the Pomeranian.

  He growled and mimed lifting his leg toward my foot.

  "Hey, house broke hellhound, remember?"

  He sat and wagged his tail.

  "What about Mayhem?"r />
  His fluffy little ears perked forward, and he wagged his tail cautiously.

  "You like that?"

  The creature yipped something that certainly sounded like an affirmative.

  "All right, Mayhem it is."

  I don't know what I expected, but the result of naming him was anticlimactic after what the prince had told me. He gave a full body shake, making him look even fluffier, before he went back to licking water off my leg.

  I shook my head, grabbed a towel, and finished drying off. Once I was dry, I went into my bedroom and grabbed clothes, before digging around in a desk drawer and finding some pink tinted glasses. They were meant to be a fashion accessory, but they were light enough that I could wear them inside and hopefully it would hide the red in my eyes. No, I hadn't bought them. They'd been a gag gift years ago and I'd kept them mostly because I'd forgotten about their existence until now.

  I threw them on and looked in my dresser mirror. It was going to have to be good enough unless I was going to start wearing actual sunglasses inside.

  Steeling myself, I left my bedroom and headed for the living room, where I could sense Sabian. I presumed Mal was there if he hadn't left. This extra sense of the demons in the house was really weird. Even the hellhound was like a faint pull, though he trotted along my side.

  "Chris," Sabian said hopefully when I came into the room.

  Mal arched an eyebrow, I presumed at the pink tinged glasses.

  "Hide the red?"

  He studied me for a moment before inclining his head. "Well enough. If anyone noticed, they'd probably assume you went on a bender and had a bad hangover."

  "Wouldn't be the first time," I muttered.

  "Are you hungry?"

  "Now that you mention it, I could probably eat an entire cow."

  His smile was hesitant, but he got up from the chair and headed for the kitchen. "You slept later than I expected, but I made biscuits and gravy since that would be easy to reheat."

  "Thank you." I went over to one of the stools, sat and leaned my elbows on the counter. I cradled my head and shut my eyes. "What the fuck have I gotten myself into?"

  Mal slid a plate in front of me and put a hand on my shoulder.

  The demon flinched, which led to me flinching. Mal pulled his hand away.