Dare Me

by Parker Blue

  Besides, Princess, heavy with Fang’s puppies, was broadcasting exactly how upset she was with the situation, the intruders messing up her space, treading on her delicate sensibilities, endangering her puppies. Fang tried to console her, but the pregnant hellhound was rather enjoying her whining diatribe.

  I couldn’t tell how much of it was true. “Was she really in danger?” I asked Micah quietly.

  “Not really,” he murmured as Austin helped Shade pick things up. “She hid under the bed when the two men burst in, but they weren’t looking for her.”

  “What were they looking for, then?” I glanced around at the expensive games and computer components littering the floor. Thieves would have taken those, so they weren’t common burglars. “Were they demons? Could she read their minds?”

  “No,” Micah said. “But Princess overheard them talking. They were looking for el demonio de la sombra—the shadow demon. Apparently, she picked up a bit of Spanish before we met her.”

  Princess had a skill? Who knew?

  Micah continued, “Shade wasn’t here at the time, so I guess they took out their frustration on his belongings.”

  “Is anything missing?” Austin asked, a battered keyboard in his hands.

  Shade picked up an iPad with a smashed screen and sighed. “I haven’t found anything missing yet. Just damaged.” He tossed the broken tablet in the trash.

  I glanced at Princess. Fang had one of his paws on hers and was nuzzling the spaniel’s ear. “Did they say why they wanted Shade?” I asked her.

  She cast me a mournful glance. THEY WANT TO KILL MY HUMAN, she declared.

  Fear thrilled through me. Oh, crap. “Shade’s in danger?” When Austin cast me a questioning glance, I told him what Princess said.

  Princess let out a snort. HE CAN TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF.

  Maybe, but if Shade lost his temper, bad things could happen, like popping the cork to another dimension and letting a whole bunch of rampaging evil demons into our world. “Why would they want to hurt Shade?” I asked.

  I DON’T KNOW. THEY DIDN’T SAY. THEY GOT IMPATIENT AND LEFT, BUT THEY’RE PLANNING ON COMING BACK.

  I wanted to question Shade, but he wasn’t real communicative lately. In fact, he was doing his best to act like I wasn’t there. I glanced at Micah, hoping he’d know the answer.

  Micah asked for me. “Shade, do you know of any reason why someone would want to kill you?”

  Austin raised an eyebrow at that, but I couldn’t read Shade’s expression since he was still all swirly.

  “No,” Shade said. “No idea.”

  Shade wasn’t the type to piss anyone except me off, so I didn’t have a clue either.

  YOU MUST PROTECT US, Princess insisted, looking at Micah.

  THAT’S MY JOB, Fang said. AND VAL’S. YOU CAN COME STAY WITH US.

  What? Whoa. I wasn’t sure I wanted to deal with Princess’s whining and Shade’s moods right now.

  WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? GWEN IS STAYING AT ALEJANDRO’S, SO SHADE CAN USE HER ROOM.

  We had the space, true, but . . . “Can’t Shade stay with you?” I asked Micah.

  “I’ll stay here,” Shade said, biting the words out. “I can take care of myself and Princess.”

  Whoa, he sounded determined . . . and totally pissed. For some reason, that made Austin smile and quirk his eyebrow in disbelief. Annoying man.

  Micah frowned. “But who will take care of that green cloud above your head?”

  Oh crap, he was right. The gateway to the demon dimension was forming before our eyes.

  “Stop,” Micah ordered.

  Instead, the cloud grew, snapping with a miniature lightning storm, and scaring the crap out of me. Once before, I’d stopped a portal from opening to the demon dimension by wrapping my body around Shade, using Lola to distract him before he killed himself. But he wouldn’t welcome that now, and I wasn’t up for rejection.

  Use me, the crystal whispered.

  Without consciously deciding to do so, I reached out with the amulet to touch Shade lightly, ready to use it to force him to control himself if necessary. It was so easy, effortless, as if the crystal had an affinity with the shadow demon. Maybe it did, since Dina had used it on him before.

  Shocked, I realized I could see his expression, even with no one touching him. Did the amulet do that? He looked like a tortured angel, dark blond hair falling into his eyes, and his beautiful face clenched in a rictus of agony as he fought to control his anger and the portal.

  “Lock it down,” I said urgently.

  “I’m . . . trying,” he gritted out as he fumbled with his back pocket and pulled something out.

  Fear spiked within me. A knife. I knew it, damn it. Shade would rather kill himself than let more demons into the world through his portal and was fully capable of slitting his own throat.

  I wouldn’t let that happen. “Drop the knife, Shade,” I ordered. “There’s no need to kill yourself. You can do this.”

  I was about to force him with the amulet, but there was no need. Austin was suddenly there, slamming Shade up against the wall.

  “Let me go,” Shade exclaimed, his eyes blazing at Austin. The cloud grew.

  Austin shoved his forearm against Shade’s throat and used his other hand to grab the wrist holding the knife. “You heard Val. Lock it down, now, or I’ll kill you myself.” The vamp’s fangs descended, and his voice was so menacing, it scared the crap out of me.

  But my outrage was even stronger. Was he trying to get us all killed? I leapt forward to yank the vamp away from Shade, but Fang’s voice stopped me.

  NO, VAL, LET IT BE. AUSTIN’S PLOY IS WORKING.

  Ploy? Sure enough, I could see the struggle on Shade’s face as he fought to control his anger. Evidently, though he was willing to kill himself, he wasn’t willing to let Austin do it for him. Go figure.

  The knife clattered to the floor, and slowly, the small green cloud dissipated.

  Austin backed off, but Shade’s haunting blue eyes were still blazing. He was obviously seething inside, though he managed to keep the cloud from reforming in the face of Austin’s threat.

  I gave Austin a nod of thanks. He just shrugged, smirked, and lounged against the wall, arms folded as if nothing had happened.

  Remembering what we’d been talking about, I said, “See, there’s no need for Shade to come with us. He has it together.”

  LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE, Fang taunted.

  Even Austin raised a disbelieving eyebrow in my direction. Didn’t they get it? I didn’t want to babysit Shade when he obviously didn’t want me around.

  Micah gave me a stern glance. “You accepted the position of Paladin, to protect members of the Underground, remember?”

  How could I forget? “Yes, but—”

  “This is the first time I’ve asked you to fulfill your promise. Are you turning me down?”

  When I hesitated, Micah asked quietly, “Do we need to appoint a Lethe instead?”

  I winced. No way would I condemn anyone to that sort of existence—part demon, part vampire, and all nut job. Especially since the soothsayers said the only one suitable for the position was Shade. He’d never forgive me. Shoot, I’d never forgive myself.

  “You really think blackmail is the best way to motivate her?” Austin drawled.

  Micah didn’t take that well. “I’m simply reminding her of the consequences of her actions. What’s important here is Shade’s safety. I thought Val wanted that, too.”

  Crap. He really knew how to twist the knife. Austin was right. Micah was trying to blackmail me into doing what he wanted.

  NO, Fang said flatly. HE’S JUST TRYING TO DO HIS JOB, TAKING CARE OF HIS PEOPLE. YOU’RE ONE OF THE BEST TOOLS HE HAS TO DO THAT. DON’T YOU WANT SHADE AND PRINCESS TO BE SAFE?


  Now Fang was laying a guilt trip on me? Yes, but—

  NO BUTS. YOU’RE THE BEST. WITH MY HELP, OF COURSE.

  Shade muttered, “Don’t I have a say in this?”

  He sounded annoyed, but the anger—and the cloud—were totally gone. Then he glanced at me, and the pain and longing in his expression took my breath away.

  Longing? My heart leapt in response.

  Holy cow, it was like laying his soul bare without his knowledge—invading his privacy, since he had no clue I could see his expression now. Not knowing what to think, I released my light hold on him with the amulet. Sure enough, I could only see swirls again where his face was. Interesting.

  “No, you don’t have a say,” Micah said. “Not when it means keeping the door to the demon dimension closed. Until we find and deal with the people trying to kill you, we need to keep you safe with Val.”

  Guess I didn’t have a say, either.

  LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, Fang said privately. MAYBE TIME TOGETHER WILL HELP YOU AND SHADE KISS AND MAKE UP.

  Somehow, I doubted it. But one thing was for sure—something would come to a head. Maybe that was a good thing. Being in limbo sucked. Knowing one way or another if we had a future together would be better than not knowing at all.

  I sighed, accepting the inevitable. Shade did, too, though he must dislike the idea as much as I did.

  “Besides,” Micah added, “Shade can use the time to digitize the Encyclopedia Magicka. We need the information in case the books are ever stolen again.”

  Was he serious? “You want to put the spells in a computer . . . where anyone can copy them to the World Wide Web and share them with the world?” What if evil mage demons surfed the Internet? The mind boggled.

  “Not all of it,” Micah explained. “I meant just the first book, the one that describes demons, vampires, and other nonhumans, and what we know about them. Digitizing it will give us more access—searchable access—to it, and we can add other things we’ve learned. And it wouldn’t hurt to have Shade put together an index of the spells available to you in the other two books, either.”

  “I can do that,” Shade confirmed.

  Micah nodded. “We’re not planning on sharing them on the Internet.”

  “That makes sense, but I’d rather not use the spells unless I have to,” I protested. “They make Lola even weaker.”

  “No problem,” Austin said. “I can hang around to help with your . . . feeding needs.”

  I glared at him. Shade and Austin and me all cozy together in one place? Oh my. “Not a good idea,” I said. “Tell him, Micah.”

  Micah looked surprised. “Why? I think it’s an excellent idea. We’d be glad to have your help, Austin, if you think Alejandro can spare you.”

  Austin nodded. “I already told Val I’ll protect her until she can rebuild Lola’s strength.”

  “I don’t need your help,” I gritted through my teeth. “They’re men, right? I can take care of them with the amulet.”

  Go ahead, show them, that small voice whispered. I stroked the crystal teardrop and called on its power, reaching out to Austin. The amulet made using Lola so easy, so pleasurable. All I had to do was slip my hooks into Austin’s chakras and clamp, and he was all mine. “Tell him I don’t need you,” I commanded Austin.

  “She doesn’t need me,” Austin parroted obediently.

  Could Micah tell I’d used the amulet? He knew when I used Lola. But when he shot me a suspicious glance, I realized he couldn’t.

  NO, BUT I CAN READ IT IN YOUR MIND, Fang said. To everyone, he added, SHE USED THE AMULET TO FORCE AUSTIN TO AGREE.

  Traitor. He was supposed to be helping me.

  I AM, Fang insisted. BY CALLING YOU ON YOUR BAD DECISIONS.

  “You used that thing?” Micah repeated incredulously and glanced at Austin.

  Could they tell by looking at him that he was under my control? To me, Austin just looked more relaxed . . . and quiet. Just the way I liked him.

  “That’s crap, Val. That’s what Dina did to me,” Shade said, frowning.

  Chalk up another reason Shade found to be angry with me. I allowed myself a mental shrug. What the heck—what was one more?

  “Let him go,” Micah said. “We don’t control friends.”

  “I’m just proving a point,” I said defensively. “I’m able to control him easily, like I would any other man who comes after Shade and Princess.”

  Fang snorted. ALL YOU’RE PROVING IS THAT THE AMULET IS BAD FOR YOU. I HEARD IT CALLING TO YOU, URGING YOU TO USE IT.

  “So? Why shouldn’t I use the amulet? Didn’t you just say we should use any tools at our disposal? This is my best one.”

  Micah’s mouth firmed. “That’s probably what Dina thought, too. Maybe that’s why she turned into a power-hungry dictator. Do you want to be like her?”

  No, but I was no Dina. Where was the danger?

  YOU DON’T NEED AN ARTIFICIAL AID TO PROTECT SHADE, Fang said. ALL YOU NEED IS LOLA. AND ME, OF COURSE. LET HIM GO.

  Looked like they’d badger me until I gave in. “Okay, fine.” Reluctantly, I released the vamp, but it was harder than I expected to give up that power. Having Austin around wouldn’t be so bad if I could make him do what I wanted him to. “But I’m supposed to be able to protect the members of the Underground without the assistance of outsiders . . . vampires.”

  BUT YOU CAN’T, Fang reminded me unnecessarily. FORGET ABOUT YOUR STUPID PRIDE AND DO THE RIGHT THING.

  Oh, all right. I glared at Austin. “Okay, but once I’m able to build Lola back up to full capacity, you’re out of my way.”

  Austin rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Agreed, if you give up the amulet.”

  “No way. I might need it.”

  Micah shook his head. “It’s dangerous.”

  “Not to mention it’s wrong,” Shade added, his voice sounding tight and ticked.

  YEAH. IT JUST MADE YOU WANT TO USE IT MORE.

  “Forget it,” I said flatly. “I’m not going to get rid of a weapon that might help me save Shade’s life.”

  “I’d rather die than have you use that thing on me again,” Shade bit out.

  Whoa. “I didn’t use it, Dina did,” I said gently.

  “You know what I meant,” Shade said, not giving an inch.

  Micah and Austin looked just as stubborn as Shade sounded. “Okay, what if I promise to use it only in an emergency?”

  Micah and Austin exchanged uneasy glances.

  “I can handle it. I swear.” Sheesh. What did they think would happen?

  “We’ll try it,” Micah said reluctantly. “But Fang will monitor you. If it gets too strong a hold on you, I’m taking it away.”

  Annoyance flared within me. He could try. Too bad the amulet wouldn’t work on an incubus, or I’d force him to do what I wanted.

  SEE? Fang said. THAT’S THE KIND OF THOUGHT YOU WOULDN’T HAVE HAD BEFORE. THAT AMULET’S DANGEROUS.

  Was it? Maybe. Maybe not. “I said okay, didn’t I? I just need to rebuild Lola’s strength so I won’t need it.”

  “Good,” Micah said. My mulish expression must have tipped him off, because he added, “You’ll accept Austin’s help, Val. As the leader of the Demon Underground, I insist. It’s your responsibility to protect Shade and Princess to the best of your ability. Using Austin is the best way to do that . . . unless you know of someone else who will volunteer to let you feed on them?”

  I glanced at Shade, wanting to use the amulet on him, force him to step up. I resisted it . . . barely. With no verbal clue from him, I realized that I wasn’t going to get any help from Mister Swirly Face, not even to save his own butt.

  “Okay, fine,” I muttered, then changed the subject. “Can the Special Crimes Unit help with finding out who did this?” Normally,
the SCU only dealt with keeping the unaffiliated vampires from snacking on the tourists, but they might also be able to find a clue as to who was looking for Shade and why. Maybe even be there as back-up in case Shade’s would-be captors showed up again.

  Micah nodded. “I was just about to call Lieutenant Ramirez.” While he was at it, Micah also called in a couple of his people to transport Shade and Princess along with their things to my townhouse.

  “Looks like you’ll have back-up for a while,” Austin said. “I need to go back to the mansion, let Alejandro know what’s going on. I’ll meet you back at the townhouse.”

  Shade and Austin and me, all together and cozy-like? Oh, joy.

  Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do to stop him.

  Chapter Three

  Austin

  FOR THE SECOND time that day, Austin slammed a man up against the wall. This time it was Luis in the basement of the mansion. Austin wanted to rip the vamp’s head off, but satisfied himself with shoving his face into Luis’s instead. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  Luis didn’t resist. He merely glared back. “Your job,” the aristocratic Spaniard snapped back. “Someone has to train the new ones, and you haven’t exactly been around, have you?”

  For good reason, but Austin didn’t owe Luis an explanation. Luis sure owed him one, though. Gwen and Elspeth cowered in the corner of the basement sparring room. Though the walls and floors were padded, and there were no furnishings to get in the way, the two still had cuts, scrapes, and bruises all over their bodies. They’d heal soon, but it still pissed Austin off, not least because he felt guilty for leaving them to suffer Luis’s brutal training methods.

  “Terrorizing is not training,” Austin bit out. Frustrated, he gave Luis one last shove against the wall then backed off, clenching his fists and vowing to not let the man provoke him.

  Luis straightened his shirt and brushed some nonexistent lint from his sleeve. “They need to learn how to handle themselves in a fight against hunters and rogue vamps. My methods may be harsh, but they work. You’re too soft.”