by Gail Koger
“Color me happy. Let me pack a bag.”
“Step away from her.” The command was followed by the distinct sound of a shotgun being racked.
I peeked around Fabian’s shoulder and met my father’s furious gaze. “Put the gun down, Dad.”
“Step away from her,” my father repeated.
When Dad had his scary cop’s face on, bad things happened. “He won’t hurt me.”
“He’s Dragos,” my father spat.
I threw up my hands. “I know that, but he’s my Dragos.”
A low growl rumbled deep in my dad’s chest. “Dammit, Mariah, did you sleep with him?”
“Like that’s any of your business.”
“Answer me!” he roared.
“Don’t yell at my mate,” Fabian snarled.
Oh, hell. The cat was out of the bag.
My father’s finger tightened on the trigger. “Mate?”
“Yes, Mariah’s my mate and blood-bound slayer.”
“Slayer!” Dad bellowed.
Fabian locked a possessive arm around my waist. “The ritual has been completed. There’s nothing you can do to break it.”
“Isn’t there?” A nasty smile curved my father’s mouth.
Holy shit! My father had lost his mind, and my mate had a death wish. Wiggling out of Fabian’s hold, I placed myself in the line of fire. “Easy, Dad. Remember what the doctor said about your blood pressure.”
“You made me a promise, Mariah.”
“I know I did, but shit happened and—”
“Shit happened? What kind of piss-poor excuse is that?”
My temper flared to life. “Excuse me? I was doing my fucking job.” I poked my father in the chest. “My. Job. Do ya get that?”
“And you just had to hook up with a Dragos enforcer to do your job?”
“Believe it or not, he was my job, but things kinda went sideways, and without his help, your little girl would be dead as a doornail.”
Dad snorted. “Why didn’t you ask your grandmother for help?”
“I did, but we were dealing with a murderous sorcerer, a demon, some fire-breathing dragons, Asmoday, the serpent king, and the Apache Thunder God. It took all our powers to defeat them.”
“Fire-breathing dragons, huh? You expect me to believe that load of manure?”
“Yep.”
Xero appeared and attacked my father’s pants leg. “No hurt Myee.”
“What the hell is that?” Dad tried to shake Xero loose.
Fabian answered, “That’s Xero, our familiar.” He snapped his fingers. “Xero. Off. He’s family.”
Our little demon obediently stopped chewing. “Family?”
“He’s my father.” I scooped her up.
“Why he mean to Daddy Fabian?”
“’Cause he’s silly.”
Dad eyed Fabian with a distinct lack of favor. “Your mother warned me about him.”
“Any Dragos or just Fabian?”
“She said if I allowed you to become a slayer, a Dragos would claim you.”
Whoa! Mom had predicted it? “It’s a done deal, Dad. Can’t you be happy for me?”
He scowled and jabbed his shotgun at Fabian. “Once you’re married, I’ll be tickled pink.”
I rolled my eyes. “A shotgun wedding is a little old-fashioned, don’t you think?”
“He screwed you, he marries you.”
“Dang. That’s a bit rude. You owe me an apology.”
Without a hint of remorse, Dad responded, “Do I?”
“Show Mariah the proper respect, old man, or—”
My father punched Fabian in the mouth, knocking him down. “You think you can take me?”
“Holy fucking shit, Dad!”
Fabian wiped the blood off his mouth and climbed to his feet. “I know I can, old man.”
I planted myself between the two men and held out my hand. “Give me the gun. This nonsense has gone on long enough.”
“A police officer never allows himself to be disarmed,” my father stated, taking a step back.
“God, what is wrong with you?”
“You broke your word.”
Arrgh! It was like talking to a brick wall. I linked mentally with my grandmother. “Dad’s here, and if you want those grandkids, you’ll keep him from shooting Fabian.”
Poof! Grams and Serafina teleported in.
“Put that shotgun down. Now!” Grams commanded.
Serafina gestured. A whirlwind of sparkling yellow magic engulfed Dad. When it faded my father was a Chihuahua.
The shotgun crashed to the floor. Boom! A gaping hole appeared in my wall. Just fucking terrific.
Growling ferociously, the Chihuahua immediately attacked Fabian.
My unhappy mate knocked him away and jumped on the bed. “Stop your attack dog, or I will.”
“Turn him back!” I yelled at Serafina.
She sniffed. “He dared to point a weapon at my grandson.”
Xero leaped out of my arms and chased the now yipping Chihuahua around the room.
Oh, dear God. “Bad Xero. Dad is not a chew toy.”
Dad disappeared under the bed.
Xero chased after him. A dogfight broke out.
“Do not eat my dad.”
Grams squared off with her rival. “I want my son-in-law back in human form.”
“No,” Serafina said defiantly.
“Tempore est quaedam monstrata,” Grams intoned.
“No, Grams!”
A thin red mist swirled around Fabian, and shazam! He was transformed into a ten-year-old girl wearing a spiffy princess outfit. She stomped her foot. “Cazzo cagna.”
The princess had a potty mouth.
Grams pointed a finger at Princess Fabian. “Not another word, or I’ll tan your butt.”
“Try it and I’ll transform you into a braying ass,” Serafina warned.
My family belonged in an insane asylum. I let out an ear-shattering whistle. “You want grandkids?”
They both nodded.
“Then turn them back.”
“As you wish,” they said in unison, and with a wave of their hands everyone became human again.
Unfortunately, Fabian was still wearing his princess dress.
Dad yelped, “I’m stuck.” He shoved frantically at the bed which, of course, didn’t move an inch. Not with a hundred and ninety pounds of pissed-off male standing on it.
I glared at Fabian. “Get off.”
The bed suddenly hurtled upward, throwing Fabian across the room.
Xero, in demon form, dragged my father out by his leg. “Me help silly dad.”
“Thank you, sweetie.” With a gasp of horror, I quickly clapped a hand over my eyes. Ewww. I had just seen Dad’s man parts. “Clothes. Dad needs clothes.”
A touch of amusement in his voice, Fabian said, “You can look now.”
I peeped through my fingers. Dad was wearing a suit and tie.
Serafina gestured at Fabian. Presto. The princess gown was replaced by a tuxedo.
“What’s up with the tux?”
“He needs it for the wedding,” Serafina said.
Did I even want to ask? I bit the bullet. “Let me guess. Our wedding?”
“Yes, we agree with your father. We don’t want our grandchildren to grow up as bastards.” Grams waved her hand.
Presto! I was the proud owner of a hideous pink wedding dress straight out of the Civil War era. It even had a bustle and hoops. “Gee, thanks, Grams. The wedding dress of my dreams.”
“Something borrowed, my dear,” Grams answered.
Fabian grinned. “All that’s missing are ringlets.”
An instant later I sported an updo with ringlets.
I gave Fabian the stink eye. “Not helping.” I turned my attention back to my father. “Can’t we talk about this?”
“No,” Dad said emphatically.
Didn’t thin
k so. “You have a church picked out?”
Grams smiled. “We do. The Vizzini clan chapel.”
“That trashy place in Vegas?”
There was a flash of black, and we were standing in the wedding chapel. Elvis in a red sequined jumpsuit stood at the podium.
“Oh, dear God! Have you all lost your tiny little minds? There’s no way in hell Elvis is marrying us.”
“The sooner we’re married, the sooner we can start our honeymoon,” Fabian pointed out.
True, but… “Elvis?”
Fabian swept me into his arms and took my lips in a devastating blend of hunger and gentleness. “Marry me. Now. I love you.”
“I love you too. Okay, let’s get it done.” We walked up to the podium.
“Love Stinks” suddenly blared from the loudspeakers.
The giggles hit me. “Demon guts, zombies, purgatory, and a rotting Apache god, and we still fell in love.”
“Don’t forget the hell breath.” Fabian laughed.
Dad studied us. “Are you two drunk, or did the witch put a spell on you?”
“Drunk on love. No magic involved,” I assured him.
Fabian motioned to Elvis. “We’re ready.”
Elvis beamed. “Today we have come together to witness the joining of these two lives. Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, shush!”
Grams threw a warning glare around the room.
Dad shifted uneasily, but kept his mouth shut.
Elvis looked at me. “Please repeat after me. I, Mariah Smith, take you, Fabian Dragos, to be my husband, my partner in life, and my one true love.”
I said my vows.
The minister turned to Fabian. “Repeat after me. I, Fabian Dragos, take you, Mariah Smith, to be my wife, my partner in life, and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.”
Fabian recited it obediently.
My father grudgingly handed Fabian my mother’s wedding ring.
“She wanted you to have it,” Dad said, kissing my cheek.
Fabian placed the diamond eternity ring on my finger.
“Mom was the best.”
Tears formed in my father’s eyes. “She was the love of my life.”
Serafina’s power filled the room, and a yellow light danced over Fabian’s left hand. A simple gold ring appeared on his finger.
I linked with my mate. “Your father’s ring?”
“No, my great grandfather’s. He was killed keeping a horde of Drak demons from invading Paris.”
“These wedding rings are an unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this couple in marriage. By the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride,” Elvis proclaimed.
Planting a quick smooch on Fabian’s mouth, I whispered, “Let’s blow this joint.”
We ran out the doors.
Chapter Sixteen
Fabian owned the Tahitian island of Hiva Oa. A tropical paradise complete with white sand beaches and a turquoise-blue lagoon. His glass villa was furnished with colorful rattan furniture in an airy blend of outdoor and indoor living. Potted hibiscus in a variety of colors dotted the red tile patio. From the upstairs balcony I could admire the tranquil seas or a waterfall tumbling down a fern-covered cliff.
“This is perfect. No grandmothers or demons or things that go bump in the night.”
“Or gun-toting fathers,” Fabian added.
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I’ve always wanted to do it on the beach.”
“Anything my bride wishes.” His mouth claimed mine in a long, lazy kiss.
Xero suddenly asked, “What you doing?”
“I’m showing Mariah how much I love her,” Fabian answered, releasing me.
“Love me too?”
“We do, but in a different way.” I scooped Xero and ruffled her fur. “What are you doing here?”
“Brought present.”
I noticed a chewed-up box on the floor. “Gee, a wedding gift or something else?”
Fabian picked it up and removed the card. “It’s from your grandmother. She says, Open in case of an emergency.”
“That’s a bit ominous.”
“You are a slayer.” Fabian plucked Xero out of my arms. “Go to Grams.”
Xero stared up at him with big, sad eyes. “Me want stay.”
“No. This is our special time.”
“Be very quiet. Not know me here.”
“Xero,” Fabian growled.
Our little demon vanished.
“You do know she’ll be back?”
“Probably with our grandmothers and your father in tow.”
“Well, before that happens, I’m hitting the beach.” I pulled off my T-shirt and jeans, revealing an itty-bitty, yellow polka-dotted bikini.
Fabian grinned and shucked off his pants. He was wearing a yellow polka-dotted Speedo.
I burst into laughter. “God, I love you, you crazy man.”
“Do you remember our first dance?”
“How could I forget?” I giggled as Fabian picked a hibiscus and placed it between his teeth.
“Dance the tango with me, tesoro.” He hit a button on the wall, and tango music played from hidden speakers.
I removed the flower from his mouth and stuck it in my hair. “They say the tango is a mating dance.”
“It is.” Seizing my right hand, Fabian spun me around him and pulled me into a tight embrace. His lips brushed mine.
I slid my right leg between his thighs and rubbed it across his crotch. He rose to the occasion.
Fabian grabbed my hips, and up I went. He twirled me across his shoulders.
Our eyes locked. I cradled his head. My mouth hovering a scant inch above his, I was aware of his strength, of the gentleness of his grip, and of an unbearable ache building in my belly.
With a wicked smile, Fabian lowered me slowly, letting my body skim his. Everywhere he touched, sparks of pleasure shot through me.
I ran my tongue over his left nipple.
With a groan, my demon hunter promenaded me down the sand. “My body, my soul, is yours for all eternity.”
Fabian’s mind connected with mine. The intensity of his hunger, his need to possess me, inflamed my senses.
“I will never stop wanting to feel your cock deep inside me.” I fondled his penis and whirled away before he could stop me.
His face set in harshly sensual lines, he stalked me. “I’m going to fuck you blind.”
“That’s my line.” I ran into the water.
He caught me up in his arms. Our lips met in a series of slow, carnal kisses.
A humongous wave crashed over us, sending us tumbling.
The water spat us out on the beach.
I laughed. “So much for sex on the beach.”
Fabian crawled over to me. “You want sex on the beach. You get sex on the beach.” He nibbled, sucked, and tasted me as if I were a delicious treat.
My body arched as he stroked my sensitive spots. Fabian pressed the swollen head of his penis against my most sensitive place. I thrust upward, and the pure joy of his body inside me drove me wild.
With a growl of triumph, Fabian pistoned into me, fucking me faster and faster until the water exploded around us.
I gasped, “What in the hell?”
Another series of gargantuan waves battered us.
We ended up facedown on the sand. Coughing up a lungful of water, I struggled into a sitting position and carefully studied the calm seas. “Has this ever happened before?”
“Never.”
Through our link, I could feel Fabian mentally scanning the area. Something evil lurked nearby.
“Yeow!” I leaped to my feet and pulled a crab off my ass. The little pincers snapped wildly. “Mean sucker.”
Dozens of crabs surged out of the water.
Not goo
d.
Fabian grabbed my hand. “I think it’s time we looked in the box your grandmother sent us.”
“Great idea.” We retreated down the beach.
The crabs swarmed after us. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click.
“Is it me, or do they seem really pissed off?”
Alarm widened Fabian’s eyes. “Run.”
I looked over my shoulder. An enormous cloud of mosquitoes was heading right for us. “It has to be Rossi. How many of those fucking artifacts does he have?
“Sergei has been investigating Rossi, and there are rumors he knows where Lucifer hid the Bastille stone.”
“Whoa! The rune stone gives the owner absolute power over the hells. If Rossi got his hands on that—”
Fabian finished, “He could take on the devil and win.”
“That does explain why Rossi is so desperate to get the medallion back.”
“Without it, he can’t open a portal into hell,” Fabian groused.
As we tore up the walkway, a flock of seagulls shit all over us.
“Goddammit! You are not ruining my honeymoon.” We bolted through the protective wards. “Pretiosa eadem.” A sparking, crackling curtain of energy sprang up, zapping the mosquitoes.
The earth rumbled.
Cracks appeared in the grass.
Black smoke shot from the fissures.
“Shit! Rossi’s here.”
“I’ll go get the box.” Fabian ran into the house.
A badly battered Rossi stumbled out of the gaseous black fog.
Zap! Rossi hit the wards face-first. He staggered back; the few tufts of hair he had left were burning nicely. He frantically patted out the flames.
Guess he wasn’t the biggest badass on the planet anymore.
“Give me the medallion, and I’ll let you live!” Rossi shouted, keeping a safe distance from the wards.
I snorted. “Really? And I have some oceanfront property in Arizona I’d like to sell too.”
With a shriek of rage, Rossi hurled a puny energy bolt at me. It bounced off the wards and struck him in the chest, knocking him flat.
Fabian opened the box and pulled out the tarnished hell gate medallion. “Ready to send him back to hell?”
“Oh, yeah. Only this time, I’m sending him directly to Lucifer’s lair.” I took the medallion from him. “Transferam succinte potuero quilbusdam ut aiunt.”
Rossi screamed blue bloody murder as the swirling black vortex swallowed him whole.
