by Debra Dunbar
At least there was tons of free shit here. So far he’d managed to fill the little canvas bag he’d been given with several USB sticks, half a dozen rubber stress toys, thirty pens, and a little device that sprayed water while whirring a fan. That had come in handy, but the battery hadn’t lasted more than twenty minutes—which was about the time it had taken him to move ten feet in this fucking place.
She was here—his angel—somewhere at the opposite end of the giant room. Who knows where the fuck the other demon was. Two hours and he hadn’t sensed him at all.
He shuffled forward another few feet and cursed under his breath. How the angel thought she was going to catch her prey in this room was beyond him. Narrowing his eyes, he looked upward, wondering if she’d taken to wing to avoid the crowd. It’s what he would have done. Actually, he would have just started blasting his way through the humans. Or morphed into his rat form and taken a short cut between everyone’s legs.
It was a reasonable idea, Dar thought, before moving another few feet. Humans seemed irrationally afraid of rodents. A two-foot long rat running around the aisles would clear the place pretty damned fast. If this crowd didn’t start moving soon, he was going to do it.
A large man to Dar’s left stumbled, knocking the demon sideways. People staggered like a line of dominos ready to fall. Damn it all. This sucked. Forget the rat form, the blasting idea was starting to sound better and better.
“Sorry.”
Dar looked up into very familiar blue eyes that widened in shock as they met his. Wyatt—his sister’s human toy. Why she allowed her humans to run around like this was a mystery. He should be back in Maryland, locked in a cage or duct taped in the basement, but no, here he was with his own tote bag bulging with goodies.
“You’re not allowed to harm me.” Wyatt tried to back away from Dar, but didn’t get far.
“I don’t intend to harm you.” The demon huffed. “Although, if these people don’t get moving soon, I may start indiscriminately ripping off limbs. What the fuck is with this crowd?”
“We’re in line for the Genus Micro freebie. Everything thins out once you’re past their booth.”
Genus Micro. That had been the company who’d put on the swank reception last night. Dar suddenly became more tolerant of the horde. If last night was any indication of their marketing budget, their swag was going to be worth waiting for.
“I didn’t see you at their reception at The Wit last night,” Dar commented. If he was stuck here with Wyatt for the next hour, he might as well make small talk.
“Uhhh, yeah.” Wyatt laughed. “I wasn’t exactly invited. I’m kind of the competition, although, compared to Genus Micro, I’m small potatoes.”
Dar craned his neck and saw a woman in an evening gown handing items out to the throng of humans. Almost there. “So I’m assuming you plan on sneaking around their booth, gathering what intel you can, and stealing their ideas?”
Humans weren’t so different than demons, and Wyatt had proved in the past that he wasn’t above breaking laws to further his own interests.
“Sort of.” Wyatt shot Dar a defensive look. “It’s not a crime to check out the competition.”
The crowd parted, and Dar sprang forward, practically tackling the scantily dressed blond woman handing out the freebies. She jumped back, dropping her bowl and spilling the plastic-wrapped items on the floor. The throng of humans went wild, suddenly resembling children diving for candy from a piñata. Dar elbowed several in the head and kicked a few in his haste to retrieve as many of the items as possible. If they were really that valuable, perhaps he could sell them. No need to stand in line. Just ten bucks gets you this plastic thingie right now.
Breaking free from the scrambling humans, Dar examined his score and scowled. More USB sticks. What the fuck was everyone salivating over these things for when at least ten other booths were giving them away.
“It’s what’s on them that’s important.” Wyatt’s smug voice was right beside him. “Cobra Mini, the low-end version of their virus protection software. It retails for over five thousand per license.”
Dar whistled. That was the low end? Shit, he was totally in the wrong business. Forget blowing up bridges and bribing politicians, the real money was in computer security. If only he knew what the fuck that entailed, he could make a fortune.
“Can I sell them?” Dar opened his jacket and revealed the dozen little plastic sticks overflowing from his inside pocket.
Wyatt laughed. “Do it fast. Genus updates their software monthly, and the freebies won’t get the new versions. They’ll be worthless in two months.”
Damn. Although there had to be some sucker out there who would pay a few hundred for one of these. Dar would be long gone before they realized he’d sold them an old version.
“I think that’s an angel over there.”
Dar looked up at Wyatt’s urgent whisper and saw Asta holding up one of the Genus Micro USB sticks and eyeing it with curiosity.
“I know. Isn’t she hot? She totally wants me.”
Wyatt snorted. “Yeah, wants to see your head nailed to the wall. You better get out of here. I don’t want to have to explain to Sam that I watched her brother get killed in the middle of a convention hall.”
“I haven’t done anything to violate the terms of my immunity. Besides, she’s hunting another demon.”
Wyatt looked about in alarm. “There’s another demon here? Should we vacate the building?”
Dar shrugged. “I don’t know if he’s going to collapse the ceiling or set the room on fire or what. He’s been really stealthy. It’s almost like he’s jumping in and out of the room, like he’s only partially here. I doubt he’d be able to pull anything that dramatic without being fully present for more than a few seconds.”
“A few seconds is sometimes all it takes,” Wyatt grumbled. “Do you think he’s got an elf button or some magical device?”
It was kind of nice having a conversation with a human who actually understood these things. Sam had taught her toy well. “None that I’ve ever experienced. The way his energy signature fluctuates, it’s like a botched summoning. He’s ghosting in then gone. I can’t imagine a demon doing that voluntarily. You wouldn’t be able to get anything done. Plus it would be annoying as all fuck.”
“So someone here is a sorcerer trying to bring in a demon from Hel?” Wyatt looked around. “We’re all a bunch of geeks, excluding the hired booth models. How would we tell a sorcerer apart from the rest of us?”
“I don’t know. It’s not my problem; it’s hers. This demon isn’t stepping on my toes, and last time I checked, I wasn’t an angel to go chasing down every demon who crossed the gates from Hel.”
“So why are you here?” Wyatt arched an eyebrow. “You don’t know anything about computers beyond Internet gambling and surfing for porn. I can’t imagine there’d be anything at a security conference to tempt you.”
“I’m here for her.” Dar nodded toward the angel. “I’m going to tempt her into sin—well, more sin than she’s currently indulging in. Which is quite a lot, let me tell you. Did you know she shoplifts clothing? She stole a biker jacket from AllSaints this morning, had three coffees, and licked a Danish. I’ll bet I can actually convince her to eat something. I’ll bet I can get her to do a whole lot more than that, if you get my drift.”
“Right.” Wyatt shook his head, looking skeptically at Asta. “Just because your sister has managed to seduce an angel doesn’t mean you’re going to. No offense, dude, but she hasn’t even looked once at you.”
“Yeah? Watch.” Dar made a quick motion with his hand, and the slick salesman at the Genus Micro booth suddenly found his pants around his ankles. Like steel to a magnet, everyone’s eyes turned to stare at the man’s crimson briefs—everyone but the angel.
Asta’s eyes pivoted around, glaring right at Dar.
“Okay, she’s looking at you, but, in my experience, that particular expression doesn’t lead to sex in the near future.�
�
“Sure it does. Fistfights always lead to sex. You’re clearly lacking in your knowledge of how to woo demons.”
“She’s not a demon,” Wyatt argued. “You should be helping little old ladies across the street, or picking up litter from the highway medians if you want to woo an angel.”
“Even better.” Dar leaned in close to Wyatt. “I’m helping her catch a demon. I’ve got inside knowledge of a demonic plot to destroy the city. She’ll bag this bad guy then fall into my arms in gratitude—my muscular, buff, and tanned arms.”
Wyatt rolled his eyes. “Liar. Seriously, Dar, if I can see through your bull, an angel will be able to.”
“She’s coming this way.” Dar cut off Wyatt with a hand on his shoulder. “Ssssssh. Ixnay on the emonday.”
“Why did you pants that man?” Asta demanded. “Have you found the demon yet? And what are the red items everyone is snatching up from the floor?” Her words were abrupt, but there was a warm glint in her brown eyes, and a hint of a smile on that luscious mouth. Yes, his lovely angel was trying to keep to business, but her mind was clearly thinking of something else, too.
“Wow, she is hot. I mean, she’s hot for a human, but she’s really hot for an angel. They’re normally kind of statue-looking and blurry.”
Dar winced, wondering at Wyatt’s intellect. Complimenting an angel on their manifestation of the human form was one thing, stating they were ‘hot’ by addressing them in the third person right in front of them was another.
“And he is an idiot,” Dar told the angel. “I mean, he’s really an idiot for a human. They’re normally kind of clever in a lower-life-form kind of way.” Her eyes danced with humor as they met Dar’s, and he couldn’t help but catch his breath at the shared moment between them. “He’s an idiot, but he’s also right. You are hot. One smoking-hot angel.” Dar punched Wyatt good-naturedly in the shoulder. “And she’s my angel. I saw her first, so back off, buddy.”
“I am no one’s.” Asta waved her hand dismissively. “Last I checked, I hadn’t been presented with a breeding contract, or any sort of exclusivity proposal. So, currently, I would consider myself unattached. And, just for your information, I would never consort with a human, especially one marked by a demon. He’s claimed.”
“I’m so relieved to hear of your single and available status.” Dar put his hand on his chest. “And I’m also glad I’m not a human. There’s still a chance you might consort with a lowly demon.”
“Is it snowing in your homeland? ‘Cause that’s the only way I’m consorting with you.” Asta smiled smugly. “Oh, and I have your clothes from the other night at my place. Do you want me to drop them by your hotel room?”
Wyatt made a choking noise, and Dar stifled a laugh. The angel probably had no idea what she’d just implied. “Just keep them at your place. It’ll be good to have a spare set there. I’ll make sure to bring over a toothbrush and razor next time.”
“Toothbrush and razor? What are you talking about?” Asta tilted her head, wrinkling her forehead in adorable confusion. “And back to my original question: why did you disrobe that man?”
“To get your attention.”
Asta bit her lip, obviously trying to hide a smile, the gold flecks glowing in her eyes. “A little unorthodox, but you get points for creativity. And now you have my attention. Have you located the other demon? I’ve searched this hall all morning and haven’t sensed him. Not that sensing anything is easy with all the electronic equipment and the number of attendees. Did you know, it took me twenty minutes to get down this aisle? The crowds here are insane.”
“I haven’t sensed the demon either, but I did bring you something. Here.” Dar handed her a white bag. She took it, holding it gingerly between thumb and forefinger.
“Please tell me this isn’t bird poop. Or worse, demon poop.”
Now that would be funny. “Look inside. Go on.”
She opened the bag, holding her breath as she looked. With a sharp inhalation, the angel dug her other hand into the bag, withdrawing a brightly colored, circular-shaped pastry.
“Hey, can I have one?” Wyatt looked longingly at the bag.
“No, you can’t. They are only for my angel. I don’t buy expensive food for humans.”
Asta gave Wyatt an apologetic look but didn’t offer him one. “What are they? I saw them in the window at Alliance Bakery. Are they some kind of donut?”
“Donut? Babe, I would never present you with lowly donuts. These are macarons. I figured if you’re going to be chugging coffee like a third-shift convenience-store clerk, you might as well indulge in quality pastries, too.”
The angel took a bite, making appreciative noises as she chewed.
“That one’s salted caramel. The one with the black specks is lemon poppy, and the green is pistachio. The brown is milk-chocolate passion. Save that one for last, because I’m pretty sure you’ll have an orgasm while eating it. I wouldn’t want you to collapse on the floor and crush the other macarons while in the throes of ecstasy.”
“Mummffm, mumm.”
Dar was fairly certain that hadn’t been a declaration of love—or lust—but from the rate she was devouring the pastries, he knew his impulsive trip this morning had paid off. Score one for the demon, he thought smugly.
“Wow, those are good.” The angel crumpled up the bag and placed it neatly in a nearby trash can, licking the crumbs from her fingers. “And I am suddenly very energetic.”
Sugar rush. Dar bit back a smile and nodded. “Just think of how much you’d be able to accomplish if you made macarons part of your daily morning routine.”
She eyed him suspiciously. Her form shimmered briefly before returning to its perfect state. “I’ll consider it. Now, what is this red thing the humans want so badly that they’ll risk wearing holes in the knees of their pants to obtain?”
“Porn. Here, let me have yours. Or better yet, we can watch it together tonight in the privacy of my hotel room.”
Asta lifted an eyebrow. “Porn? It’s an Internet security conference. Why would anyone here be interested in images of human reproduction attempts?”
“Humans are always interested in sex. We probably don’t go ten minutes without thinking about it. Well, at least the guys don’t. But that doesn’t—” Wyatt grunted as Dar elbowed him in the stomach.
“See the woman handing them out? She’s going to be banging at least two-dozen lucky guys tonight.”
“Liar.” Asta rolled her eyes and threw the USB stick. It bounced off Dar’s forehead and onto the carpet. “Tell me the truth.”
“It has computer software on it. The humans find it particularly valuable, but only for the next month. After that, they’ll find the next version particularly valuable.”
“Waste of my time,” Asta muttered, turning to leave. “I’m going to keep looking around to see if I can pick up any traces of the demon.”
“Ask me what else I know. Go ahead, ask.”
She sighed but turned back to face him. “You don’t know anything, Dar. All you’ve done this morning is run around, collect silly cheap trinkets, and ogle the booth models.”
“And buy you pastries. I did buy you pastries. And I never even got a ‘thank you’ for that either. Angels: so ungrateful and impolite.”
The angel took a deep breath. “Thank you very much for bringing the macarons. They were delicious, and I enjoyed them greatly. And you were right about the lobster crepes last night. I went back while I was looking for the demon and tried them. They were amazing. I’m afraid I was quite a glutton and ate two.”
She went back and ate something—ate something he’d been urging her to try. Dar’s heart skipped a beat. What else would she enjoy? Peking duck? Mushroom risotto? Twenty-year-old scotch? Maybe more than a kiss? It was all he could do to keep from grabbing her and dragging her off to his hotel room.
Instead, he grinned like a fool. “I’m holding you to that rain check on the blues club, you know.”
“What bl
ues club?” Wyatt asked.
He might as well have not spoken for all the attention either paid to him.
“Nope.” Asta wagged her index finger at Dar. “I seem to recall you telling me, with a liberal sprinkling of profanity, you weren’t taking my rain check. We’re in negotiations, demon. Nothing for free. Tell me what you know about any plot on the convention or any demon activity in my city, and I might be willing to eat more pastries.”
Dar barked out a laugh. As if that were an even trade. He’d have to think of something clever for his made-up information. Turning to Wyatt, the demon raised his eyebrows. “See? She wants me. I’ll be getting me some angel love by the end of the week, or my name isn’t—“
With a squeak, Dar found himself sitting on one of the rafters. Aside from Wyatt, the humans below were blissfully ignorant of the angel’s meteoric rise with him in tow. Wow, she was fast.
Reclining casually against a thin suspension wire, Asta gave him an easy smile. “Now that we’re away from that human’s prying ears, let’s negotiate. What do you want in exchange for information and your assistance?”
A fifty-foot drop wouldn’t be fatal, but it wouldn’t be enjoyable either, especially if he landed on that pointy booth below. “How about we do this at a lower altitude. Like ground level. I’ll even spring for coffee.”
The angel tilted her head and furrowed her eyebrows. “But this is so much more private. Come on. Tell me your outrageous demands. I’ll protest, and then we’ll eventually come to an agreement.”
Screw that. He’d be happy to make outrageous demands; if only he wasn’t gripping the beam with all his strength and trying to keep from hyperventilating. “I have good reason to believe there’s a sorcerer involved who is attempting to summon the demon.”
