by Jill Cooper
“Take the next exit,” Karl said with a clear of his throat. “She’s heading east. You need to switch over to the I-495.”
Jessica did as he suggested and as she hopped onto the I-495, a green highway sign stated they were headed toward Nebraska.
Nebraska
That’s where they grew up with Mom and Dad. That was where—oh God; Jessica knew where Amanda was going. She was headed home—to their real home. They hadn’t been to Nebraska in years. Did everything they could to avoid it.
Hang in there, Amanda. I’m coming.
“She’s going to our family home. Maple Street—Sweetwater, Nebraska. I know where she is.” Jessica rested her elbow on the window and leaned on her hand. She pinned the gas pedal, watching the speedometer climb toward one hundred miles per hour.
“What’s it like?” Karl asked.
“What like?” Jessica turned her head to answer.
“Love,” Karl said, “I’ve never heard anyone talk about it. But from the way you fight for the queen, I’m guessing that’s love. It seems…confusing.”
“Shut up,” Duncan shoved Karl. “She doesn’t need this from you.”
No, Jessica didn’t, but it didn’t mean Karl was wrong. Love was confusing. “It’s what makes us human. If we lose that, God help us all.”
The highway was surprisingly empty. Maybe it was because of the time of night—3 A.M. the witching hour, but something about it set Jessica’s belly on fire.
Karl sat up straighter in the backseat. “Demons.”
Jessica gripped the steering wheel as her senses came alive. Up ahead was a blockade of blinking lights.
Police.
She accelerated the car and hoped they could break through the wooden barricade without too much trouble. “Hold on—.” Her voice ripped to a complete stop. The wheels of the Oldsmobile hit a nail strip and the front tires were blown out.
Shit.
Jessica wrestled with the wheel and slammed on the brakes as the car spun wildly. Doing at least three full rotations, the car headed toward the steel guardrail. Jessica’s vision couldn’t right itself and she gripped the handle of the door. Her head flung forward and the seatbelt tightened, digging against the soft flesh of her neck.
“Duncan—.” Was he okay back there?
The car slammed into the guardrail and flipped over into the ditch. Jessica’s hands braced against the ceiling, as the car slid down the embankment on its roof, before slamming into a tree. A branch smashed through the passenger side of the car, tearing through the window, the seat, everything.
No. Duncan…Duncan…. Jessica’s vision spun and her mind slipped from her. She was nearly unconscious, but that couldn’t happen. It just couldn’t.
Nebraska. She needed to get there…. She grabbed for her shotgun as she undid her seatbelt. Someone opened the door and Jessica spilled out. Rolling on the ground, the sky swiveled as if she was on an amusement park ride.
Her view of the stars and the shifting branches, against the reigning darkness, was interrupted by the silhouette of a large rim hat. “Well, well…looks like I caught the infamous Jessica Blood. Didn’t exactly go as planned.” The demon leaned down into her face. Jessica saw her reflection in his mirrored sunglasses. Wasn’t good. Her cheeks were cut up and her eyes were more confused than angry.
“But at least I have you.” He grinned.
Not damn likely. Jessica righted her shotgun and blew his face off. Maggots and demon guts rained onto her, but at least the job was done. Rolling onto her stomach was painful. “Duncan!” She grabbed at the rear door to pull it open, but she just couldn’t. Couldn’t even reach the handle.
Had to stand, but couldn’t. Her limbs just wouldn’t work.
Voices were coming. Men were charging down the hill. Jessica had to get away from here, but she couldn’t leave Duncan behind. Virtually impossible, Jessica didn’t think she’d get more than a few feet away.
Someone seized her from behind. Jessica squealed and readied her elbow to drive it back, but he wrapped his arms around her and dragged her away from the car. “Easy, sugar.”
“Duncan?” Jessica squeezed her eyes shut. “I thought…”
Behind the low ridge of pointed rock, Duncan moved her onto his lap and cradled her close. His face was bruised and he took a deep breath when he reeled his head to peer around the side. He was in pain, but Jessica couldn’t stop herself from touching his face.
“I thought you were dead. I thought—.”
“I know,” Duncan didn’t gaze back at her yet. “I barely made it out before that branch charged through. Karl wasn’t so lucky.”
Jessica was almost sad. As far as demons went, he hadn’t been that bad a guy. She’d had worse passengers.
“They’re coming,” Duncan whispered. He slid down further into the ditch and Jessica lay close to him. Her head was on his shoulder and her arm was draped beneath his arm. Duncan too, was wrapped tight around her. One hand rested on her shotgun and the other tucked beneath her head.
As the flashlights moved past them and the demons spoke to each other. “She couldn’t have gotten far. Check west and we’ll take the east. Then we’ll circle back. She has to be here somewhere.”
“We have to catch her. Master wants her now.”
Master? Was that Amanda or was it the devil himself?
When they were gone, Duncan helped her out of the ditch. “Can you walk?”
How had they managed to hide from the demon horde? Their luck had never been of the good kind before, but Jessica wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. She nodded, but her steps were wobbly and her vision was spinning. Duncan kept his hand firmly on her waist while his other was on her hand and led her up the hill. “I’ll be all right.”
“I’m worried you might have a head injury.”
“I don’t have time for a head injury, Duncan.” There wasn’t time to do anything except get back on the road. Could Jessica’s luck be any worse?
“I know,” Duncan sighed and helped Jessica over the guard rail. “Well, you always said you wanted to steal a police cruiser.”
“It’s not really stealing if they left the keys in the ignition.” Jessica pointed to the one closest. “You’re going to have to drive.”
“I’ve always wanted to drive one of these.” Duncan slipped behind the wheel, as Jessica got into the passenger seat.
“But please, no sirens,” Jessica rested her head back.
Duncan took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “How will we find her now?”
“You must’ve hit your head harder than I thought. I know where she’s going.” Jessica rolled her head over to look at him. “104 Maple Drive Lane. Sweet Town, Nebraska.”
Duncan grinned. “I’ll get us there in time to stop Amanda. I promise. You can count on me, Jess.”
****
Duncan
With a start, Duncan snorted awake. His face was smashed into the headrest in the front of him and it was covered in dried blood from his own nose. Moaning, Duncan tried to move his head, but shooting pain traveled up the right side of his neck. It crashed through his brain and right into his eye.
Jess? Was she….
No, she was gone. Duncan struggled out of the car and fell to his knees. Crawling amongst the fallen leaves, he gazed up at the sky. The stars were fading. Daylight was brightening the sky and that meant Jessica had been alone for awhile. Far too long. The police could’ve gotten her or the demons. Duncan needed to hurry.
Rushing to his feet, the pain in his head intensified and his hands slammed down on the hood of the white Oldsmobile. He could barely stand. Shaking his head, he counted to ten and thought of Jessica’s face, back when times were simpler. Back when she could smile and there was less worry behind her eyes and more joy.
That’s the girl he had to find. That was the girl he had to save.
A moan from behind him caught his attention. Jessica?
Whipping around Duncan leaned against a tree an
d removed a pile of leaves sitting beneath it. The demon Karl was pinned against the trunk thanks to a golden, jeweled dagger in his gut. “Karl,” Duncan’s voice was hoarse like something was lodged deep in his voice box. He tried to clear his throat but it just made the feeling worse. “Who did this to you?”
The demon groaned and opened his mouth. There was dry blood around the creases of his lips. “Luci…fer.” He gagged and Duncan was pretty sure he wouldn’t get anything more out of Karl. He was pretty sure Karl was dead.
If what he said was true, Lucifer was free and in the very forest Duncan was in. Maybe the demons they had run into weren’t sent by Amanda. Maybe they were sent by Lucifer. If he was free of hell and in this forest, Jessica was in trouble. Jessica had a target on her back and might not even know it.
Damn it, no. “Jessica!” Duncan called out. He rushed to his feet and headed toward the street. He needed to find her.
Before Lucifer did.
Unless of course…. he already had.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Strange as the Earth was and how things had changed, Lucifer drove. At first it was difficult, but his unfamiliarity went unnoticed by Jessica Blood. His passenger, the one he stole right before she discovered the real Duncan Jasper, unconscious in the back of that white sedan. He took the man’s form easily and with it came bits and pieces of Duncan’s memories.
He loved this woman and Lucifer had to pretend to love her as well. Of course, she was easier on the eyes than most human females he had met. She was nowhere as perfect as an angel—fallen or otherwise—but she pleasing enough, for a human.
Now, she slept in the passenger side of the car, unaware she rode with the devil himself. She was the perfect solution for getting close enough to Amanda. The one who would be queen of the underworld. If she planned to descend into the pit, Lucifer had no choice but to kill her.
Only Amanda could seal him back into the high court of hell. It wasn’t the barren twisted caves of the underworld, but prison was prison. No matter how beautiful it was. No matter how many parties and gladiator games Lucifer commanded, it still wasn’t the same as walking the Earth.
So many humans to richly corrupt. So much beauty…. To Lucifer being topside was everything. And he had no intention of ever going back to Hell.
Lucifer caught his reflection in the rearview mirror and sneered. Handsome human face, he thought maybe he could grow to like his appearance. If the angels would allow him to keep it, but the jig would be up, as soon as he slaughtered Miriam and Amanda. Too bad, Lucifer wouldn’t have minded a lifetime making love to Jessica. Oh well, where there was a will…there was his way.
There was always a way when Lucifer was in charge. It would only be a matter of time. He touched Jessica’s face with the backside of his hand. Expecting her to stir, when she didn’t, Lucifer became concerned. Odd, in the past human woman had always quivered against his touch.
Had he lost some of his mojo?
No, Lucifer suspected it was something more. Maybe Jessica wasn’t asleep. Maybe she was unconscious.
****
She was barely breathing.
Lucifer pulled the car over onto the shoulder on the highway and inspected Jessica closely. Her pulse was erratic, but strong, but her breathing…if she didn’t make it, Lucifer wouldn’t get close enough to Amanda to kill her. She’d sense him coming without Jessica around to distract her with their sisterly bond.
He tilted Jessica’s head back gently. Her lips parted and she wheezed for air. “Aren’t you a sight,” Lucifer whispered and exhaled. His breath was black as it floated from his mouth down into hers.
She gagged and grabbed at the door handle. “Relax,” Lucifer whispered against her ear. “It’s okay, sugar.”
Staring through her luscious skin and through her skull, Lucifer saw the problem. Her head injury was more serious than he’d first suspected. . Fluid was building up in her brain. Well, he’d have to reduce some of the pressure then, wouldn’t he? Lucifer took a deep breath and held up his palm.
“This might pinch,” he said and plunged his hand through the side of her head. It dissolved against her skull.
Jessica’s back arched but she was deeply unconscious. She might have felt the pain, but she couldn’t awaken or respond. Lucifer was glad for that. He didn’t have the time to appease her every little human thought.
Wiggling his fingers, Lucifer found the fluid and like a drill, popped it so it would run into his hand. When the fluid had drained away, he removed his hand. Jessica appeared better already. Her breathing became strong and even, like someone in a deep sleep. Her chest rose and fell with each long breath.
Sensual, the way she held her mouth. Oh, Lucifer could grow to lust for this one. What a prize she would be in the high court of hell. He could imagine her in dresses of gold, zigzagged with red flame, coming alive just by her human skin. What a prize indeed.
His hand stroked up her shirt and over her breasts. It had been so long since Lucifer had touched a woman, a real one, who wasn’t a vindictive power hungry demon, that his skin tingled with desire.
Jessica’s eyes slit open. “Duncan,” she whispered. “My head, it really hurts.” She groaned and reached for it.
“I know,” Lucifer tried his hand at his best southern drawl, “you had a scare, but it’ll get better now.”
“How?” Jessica scowled and tried to put herself up, but moaned when she tried.
He put gentle pressure on her shoulders to keep her resting. “Does that matter? Don’t you trust me?”
His smile won Jessica over. Her green eyes were hazy, but filled with love. “Of course I trust you. Are we almost there? Can you get us to Amanda?”
“I promise,” Lucifer kissed her cheek and allowed his lips to linger against her. So hungry for her. He wanted to devour her, but patience…there was time for that later. “Almost there, but you rest a little bit longer. Can you do that for me, darling?”
Jessica nodded and her eyes were already closed. Her body needed time to heal, but he was certain by the time they got to Amanda, she’d be ready to do her part. He listened to her fall back asleep, but his lips never strayed from her ear.
“You will love me,” he whispered. “You will go to Amanda and delay her while I deal with the angels. They only want to stop you. Get in our way. We can’t let that happen, Jessica. Do you understand? If they try to stop you, you will deal with them swiftly. There will be no doubt in your mind when I tell you what to do.”
“No doubt,” Jessica murmured and her head rolled to the side.
That was it. That was how it was done.
He was, after all, the master of lies.
****
Jessica rested as the car idled just outside of Sweet Town, Nebraska. Lucifer watched her sleeping form as he popped the car door open. “I’ll be right back, Jess.” He squeezed her fingers and stopped short of kissing her, though he wanted to. Really wanted to, but it wasn’t time yet. Things had to set in. His suggestions as they drove needed time to…percolate.
“I’ll be right back,” Lucifer stepped from the police car. He was parked on a dirt road where fields of grass shifted in the night’s breeze. Off in the distance was a farmhouse, but it was dark. Clearly everyone that lived there was asleep.
Lucifer stepped from the street into the grass. From the trees in the field several forms emerged, each holding a blade—high court demons in their regal robes. Deep red or black with intricate golden scroll work. Each of them, a master in their own right. Each the oldest and most regal of his clan.
Plus a special one. His daughter, Amara. The most beautiful of all demons, with flowing black curls except for three purple highlights than ran through. It matched her lavender lips and the shining purple of her eyes.
Dressed in tight black leather pants and a tighter corset, she placed a fist on her hip. In her other hand, she twirled a gleaming silver sword. “This place stinks of humans.”
The apple didn’t fall far from
the tree.
The other demons bent at the waist as Lucifer approached, but Amara didn’t follow suit, until Lucifer gave her a steady look. She finally gave in with a sigh and gave him a courtesy bow. It was the little things…. Amara might be centuries old, but it was time she learned how to respect the proper order of things. It was time she grew up a little.
After tonight, Lucifer would make sure she knew her place.
“145 Maple Lane. Angels will be swarming the place, so make sure we have a clear path. Jessica must get to Amanda.”
The demons bent forward before they sprouted their black wings. Lucifer’s own were hidden for the time being, but they couldn’t be masked completely. As he returned to the squad car, thanks to the headlights, his silhouette, cast on the dirt road, showed the outline of folded wings.
He just hoped that Jessica wasn’t cognitive enough, that she would discover them. Humans weren’t exactly the quickest of the bunch, but they had what Lucifer wanted. Life. Pleasure. All the things he coveted for himself.
Jessica rubbed her eyes as he got in. She sat up and there was curiosity twinkling in her eyes that hadn’t been there before. So, she was feeling better. “Where did you run off to?”
“Pee break,” Lucifer pasted a charming lopsided grin on Duncan’s face.
“We’re here.” Jessica sat up straighter and gazed out the window. “In a few minutes we’ll see Amanda. I’ll be with my sister again.”
Lucifer started the car back up. “Then we have nothing to lose. Gotta make tracks. Time waits for no man.”
Or demon. Even if he was king.
Chapter Twenty-Six: Amanda
Home.
The Blood estate was something Amanda never thought she’d see again. A two story home, with blue shutters, on twelve acres of land. A peeling picket fence surrounded it and the grass was overgrown, but not so overgrown that it hadn’t been cared for. Someone had been here, within the last month.
Amanda could make out the tracks in the dirt path that led to the family barn. Cinnamon and Nutmeg; when was the last time Amanda had thought of the names of the two horses she and Jessica once rode? Gosh, she had even forgotten they had horses until now.
