by L. A. Long
“I’m a demon so I can control my appearance.” He leans close to my ear and whispers. “You like me this way.”
My breath catches in my throat and I instinctively put my hand over my heart.
Makus notices and puts his hand over my heart. Okay, it’s over my heart and part of my boob, but I’ll give him the benefit since he’s mostly feeling up my heart. “Your heart always beats fast around us.”
“Get your hand off her,” a voice orders.
Makus rolls his eyes and sighs.
He moves, and the angel and reaper are standing in the room.
“Does my heart beat faster around you two?”
“Always.” The reaper frowns. “Why? Did they say otherwise?”
I look at them. “Ren and …?”
“Syn,” the reaper says. “The memories will come back to you.”
“They said you took them.”
The reaper glares at the demon and warlock. “We had to. You know that.”
The angel looks out the broken window where Leech One threw himself. He looks at Makus. “Did you do this?”
Makus immediately points to me. “What did you say?”
“Dumbass.”
The angel takes a deep breath. “Poor soul. He needn’t have taken his own life.”
I step back. “Am I that predictable?”
Syn walks over to me. He gently touches my shoulder. “We just know you, that’s all. Did they hurt you?”
Bast laughs. “Look at her. Do you think those foul things could hurt her?”
I study the reaper. Gorgeous. Sad, blue eyes. Tattoos peek out from his white shirt which he really shouldn’t button all the way up. I have to stop myself from licking my lips. “Did we have RV moments, too?” I cringe because I don’t know if I want to know.
Syn blushes. He pushes one of his long blonde curly locks behind his ear. “Our moments weren’t in an RV.”
I blow out a breath, slide down the wall and sit on the floor. “Okay, so …” I study the four. “Is it safe to say I’ve had sex with all of you?”
They all nod.
“Scheisse.” I stand up quickly. “I wasn’t being paid, was I? Because that would be fucking sad.”
Makus has to stifle his laugh. “No, my soulless one, you’ve been many things but never a whore.”
The angel frowns. “You can say prostitute. It’s less jarring.”
Makus makes an exaggerated gesture of contrition.
I grab my head because it’s starting to pound. “Even with an angel? No offense. I mean you’re …” I motion to him. He’s obviously gorgeous with short brown curly hair I can imagine running my fingers through and brown eyes that makes me melt when he looks in my direction. Pouty lips that I could suck on all day.
I run to the basin and splash cold water on my face. I close my eyes, but I know they’re not going to disappear.
I wipe my face off with my sleeve. “What the hell am I?” I look to each of them. “I don’t care which one answers me, but we’re not leaving this shithole until someone coughs it up.”
Makus smiles. “That’s the Caz I remember. Total bad ass. Take no prisoners. Boots on the ground. Balls to the wall.”
Bast looks me up and down. His eyes could undress me right where I stand. If the others weren’t here, I’d totally let him. “I’ve missed you. Haven’t had my Caz fix since that day in Tucson.” He glances at the angel and reaper. “The day you stole her from us.”
I stomp my foot. “Enough with the demon on angel, reaper on warlock glances. Answer me. What am I?”
Leech Two starts screaming again.
Ren leans down and studies him. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”
“The guy’s a total fuckwad,” I say. “I saw what he wanted to do to me.”
Bast smiles. “Would you want me to take care of him for you?”
Ren jumps up. “This one’s ours, and you know it.” He looks at me. “Because of this, he’ll change. Be a new person. Help a lot of people. Victims and tormentors.”
I roll my eyes. “Sure he will.”
Bast shrugs and glances at me. “Will the gesture count at least? Put a win in my column?”
I fold my arms over my chest and tap my boot against the floor. “I want the truth. Now. What am I?”
The warlock looks at the demon. The reaper glances at the angel, but no one says anything.
I wait, but they only stare at me. I wait some more. They’re not going to tell me, and I’m not much for staring contests. I grab my back pack. I know they won’t stop me. I slam the door on my way out. The lock’s broken, and it won’t keep them from following me. It just feels good to slam something.
Chapter 3
I stomp down the hall, down the stairs and out the building. I walk across the street. I know they’re watching me. I can feel their eyes on me. I glance up to the fourth floor window.
Sure enough, the demon and warlock grin at me. Damn demon actually waves. I turn around quickly. I don’t know where the angel and reaper are, but I can feel them. Why do they have that effect on me? Make my heart beat fast? Only when I turn the corner do I know none of them are watching me.
I walk for blocks zig zagging around the city. I continue to walk even though it starts to rain. I have no idea where I’m going. Every once in a while, I feel someone watching me, but I quickly duck into an alley, cross the street, run the other way until I know I’m alone.
After hours of this, I run into a gas station bathroom. I don’t have to use the bathroom. I never do. I stare into the mirror hoping this time I’ll be able to recognize something. Anything.
My stomach aches, and I get that feeling again. I’m not alone. I close my eyes to try to figure out which group found me. “Demon.”
I smile and throw the door open. Unfortunately, it’s not Makus. Someone … something stands there. It looks like a lump of burning flesh. I don’t know if it’s female or male or human or what. Before I know what’s happening or can prepare, it has me by the throat and throws me against the mirror.
I can’t breathe. Can’t think. This thing can’t be read. Can’t be anticipated. I try to pry it’s hand off my throat, but it only tightens it’s grip.
It slams my head against the mirror again breaking the glass. “Choose,” it gargles out.
“One hour. Choose.” It slams me against the mirror again, and I feel blood drip down the back of my neck.
It drops me to my knees and disappears.
I grab my neck, but my skin burns. I jump up and peer into the dirty mirror. My neck is burned from where it grabbed me. “Scheisse. What the fuck?”
I stumble out of the bathroom not wanting to be in tight quarters again. It’s night and raining. Didn’t know I’d been in there for so long. Did I pass out or something?
I need to keep moving. Something is happening. About to happen. Should be happening. I can’t tell anymore. Everything is off, and I’m all wonky.
I walk down the streets and sense someone following me. Angel. I duck into an alley to escape, but I run right into something and fall on my ass.
I look up. “Angel.”
She smiles. She’s beautiful with the kindest eyes and the—
She grabs me and throws me against the brick wall.
“Hey, what the fuck?”
“Watch your language.” She stares into my eyes. “Choose.” She throws me against the wall again.
“Let me guess?” I ask. “I have an hour?”
“Choose.” She throws me down to my knees and disappears.
I sit with my back against the wall. I’m not one for tears or worries. I don’t fear. I don’t get anxious. I don’t get hungry. I get pissed. That’s easy.
“Subtle pricks.”
I get up and walk further down the alley until one of the building’s fire escapes juts out and protects from most of the rain. I sit down and close my eyes. No point walking anymore. Make them come to me. I close my eyes and try to rest until they do.
<
br /> Chapter 4
I keep my eyes closed even though I know they’re here. Watching me. Leaning over me.
“You going to pretend all night, beautiful?”
My heart beats faster. I hoped it would be them. “The demon and warlock combo.” I open my eyes. “Subtle with the warning.”
Makus raises his eyebrows. “My soulless one, what are you talking about?”
I stand up and feel the back of my head which has finally stopped bleeding. “One of your lovers in the bathroom?”
I whip around to show them my head. “Damned creature threw me against the mirror.” I turn back around, but I can tell by their expressions they have no idea what I’m talking about. “He … she … it was a demon.” I look Makus up and down. “Didn’t have your glamour though.”
He smiles and bows to me. “I appreciate the compliment, but I did not send any demon. If you remembered, you’d know I only work with Bast and you. Other demons tend to be assfucks.” He studies me. “Describe the demon, please.”
I shrug. “All burned and garble voice.”
Makus nods. “Poor thing. A messenger. One of the lowest ranks. They don’t even warrant the proper flesh.” He runs his hand up and down his bare chest.
I follow his hand and wish it was my hand feeling him. “Is that what you look like when your not all …” I motion to him. “Male modely?”
He produces just a hint of a lusty smirk. The guy could flirt with a coma patient. He leans in closer to me. “I’m much more horrific looking than that. Tell me what the messenger said.”
“Told me to choose. Gave me an hour.”
Makus and Bast exchange glances. They don’t say anything, but their expressions make me flinch.
“Then the angel.”
Bast shakes his head like he didn’t hear me right. “Excuse me? An angel?”
I nod. “Beautiful. Not at all like the poor demon. Told me the same thing. Choose. Why do they have to slam my head into something?”
Bast sighs. “They’re trying to get you to remember.”
“Maybe they could buy me dinner or something. Wait for something to jog. I don’t respond to a subdural hematoma.” I think about what I said. “I mean I don’t get them. I give them.”
Makus smiles. It’s not a creepy smile or an all-knowing grin. It’s more a smile of pride or respect. “Something big must be going on for both sides to send messengers.”
I grab my backpack and throw it to Bast. “You can carry it. I’m tired of lugging it around. Why would both sides give a shit about me?”
Makus looks around as if he’s waiting for the angel and reaper to suddenly appear. “Caz, do you really have no idea how important you are?”
I lean in closer to him. “News alert, pretty demon, I have no idea what I am or who I am.”
“We need to get you off the streets before they send the next tier.” Bast motions for me to get a move on.
I appreciate that he didn’t grab me. So many just like to throw their weight around and grab and possess, but Bast didn’t.
Makus leads the way back down the alley and stops in front of an RV. He opens the door and winks at me. “Let’s see if this can shake up some memories.”
I step inside. The angel and reaper are waiting for us.
“What the fuck?” Bast points to the door. “Out.”
Makus looks around. “I stole this fair and square. If you lot have taken anything that Caz would need to get her memories back …” He glances quickly to the kitchen and then blows out a breath. “The kitchen counter is still there. We’ll be needing that.”
Syn’s entire body tenses, and I can tell he’s one inappropriate comment away from doing whatever the hell reapers do.
Ren puts his hand on Syn’s shoulder. “If they’re sending messengers, then Cassandra must choose.”
The reaper breathes easier. “She’ll need both sides in order to make the right choice.”
“Well, sorry, but we don’t do orgies.” Makus grins at me and winks. “Unless you want me to clone myself. That would be hella fun.”
The RV shakes, and a loud whoosh outside slams the RV this way and that like it’s going through a tornado.
“Someone’s not happy,” Makus says.
The angel looks at me. “They want you to make a decision so we can continue our work. Now.”
“What work are we supposed to do?”
No one answers me so I sit down like a petulant child. Alright, it’s a little difficult with the RV churning like it’s got food poisoning, but I’m just that stubborn to pretend it doesn’t bother me. “Nope. I have no memories. I have no soul. There’s no way I’m making a decision based on piss poor facts. So, whoever is out there can fuck off.” I raise my voice at the last part just for fun.
Bast sits down next to me and smiles his usual flirty expression. “You don’t have to decide anything, beautiful.”
“She does,” the angel says, stepping forward. “I’m sorry, Cassandra, but both sides are sending messengers.”
I shake my head. “Not going to decide until I have all the facts.”
Makus slaps the wall and laughs. “Do you have any idea what your stubborn nature does to me? Or how much I’ve missed you?”
Just then both Syn and Bast grimace and fall to their knees in agony.
I don’t budge from my chair.
Ren and Makus look at each other and then at me.
“They’re trying to get you to decide,” Ren says. “They’re using our next in commands to force you.”
My insides tense at that word. “Force?”
“Uh oh.” Makus grins and leans against the wall. “My Caz does not take orders.”
I shrug. “Do your worst. Cause I’m not choosing.”
Even through the pain, Bast looks up at me and smiles. “That’s my Caz. Bad ass all the way.”
Blood seeps out of his ears and nose. Syn also is on his knees holding his head.
I wonder how far they will take this. Are they going to explode them? I sigh and stand up. “Okay. How about I don’t make a decision …” I hold up my hand quickly. “But I agree to work with both groups. Two jobs each doing whatever the fuck we all do. Then I decide where I belong.”
Makus’ grin turns devious. “Love it that you didn’t pose that as a question but a statement of fact.”
I wait but neither the warlock nor reaper stop holding their heads or bleeding. The growling outside intensifies as does the shaking of the RV. I sit back down. “Best offer. Take it or you’ll need to find more minions for your angel and demon.”
After a few more minutes of drama, Bast and Syn stand up as if nothing’s happened.
“Sounds good,” Bast says, wiping blood off with his sleeve.
I frown. “Why would heaven or hell care anything about me?”
The four glance at each other.
Makus takes a deep breath, but Ren steps forward. “We’re bounty hunters is how you liked to describe it.”
“You track down souls?”
They nod reluctantly.
“More to it than that, but yes,” Makus says.
I wait for them to explain further, but they just stare at me. “So, what does that have to do with me?”
The RV starts to rattle again. Ren looks up. “I don’t think they want us to tell you.”
Heat rises from the floor, and I jump onto the chair.
“Neither does my side,” Makus says. “Let’s just say, you have both of us in you.”
“Ew.” Then it hits me. “Two sides. One good. One evil. I’ve been with all of you …” I still can’t wrap my mind around that. “That’s not part of my job, is it?”
Makus’ eyes dance. “No, unfortunately, but you are a master at it.”
Syn shakes his head. “It means, your soul—”
The RV shakes more as if it will come apart any second.
I get it. No more questions about anything important. “How about I call the demon and warlock Team Hellion?
”
Bast laughs. “I like that.”
Ren cringes. “Hellion definitely fits. Are we Team Heaven?”
“Too obvious. We need a more modern take.” I think about both of their names and squish them this way and that. “Team Reapgel.”
Makus chokes. “For reaper and angel?”
I nod.
Syn curls his upper lip like he’s just tasted mold. “I like Team Heaven better.”
I think about it. “I could go with my original assessment of both of you.”
Ren steps forward and glances between the warlock and demon as if he will do anything to prevent me from saying it. “Team Reapgel is fine.”
Bast gets the hint and leans close to me. “What was your original assessment?”
“Limp dicks.”
Makus laughs so hard I think the roof will fly off the RV. “Team Hellion versus Team Limpdicks. I like that.”
“Team Reapgel is fine,” Syn reminds.
Makus looks the reaper and angel up and down. “Team Limpdicks fits better.”
Ren sighs. “It doesn’t, and Cassandra knows that better than anyone.”
Makus’ grin quickly fades. “I’d hate to have to clean up angel bits. Which one of us are you going to choose first, Caz?”
I look between all of them. “Team Hellion.”
Syn takes a deep breath. Ren’s eyes find the ground as his smile falters.
“Alphabetical order,” I say, trying to soften the blow.
“Sure.” Bast’s grin expands. “That’s the reason.”
In an instant, the angel and reaper disappear.
Makus takes a deep breath. “Thought they’d never leave.”
Bast grimaces and raises his sleeve to show smoke rising from a mark.
Makus leans over to peek. “What’s the job?”
“They etch it into your skin?”
Bast nods.
I look at Makus. “You’re the demon. Why not sketch it in your flesh?”
“Because I’m the demon. The boss.” Makus looks himself over. “My skin is too perfect to flaw.”
I roll my eyes again. I have a feeling I’m going to be rolling my eyes a lot.
