Blood of the Demon

by Lario, Rosalie

  The sound of her own heavy cry jarred her awake. She sat up, chest heaving.

  Disoriented, she glanced around. Enough light streamed in from the large windows for her to see that no one else was in the room. She peered down—her clothes were in one piece, and on her body where she’d left them. The sheet lay in a tangled mess at her feet.

  “What was that?” she whispered, still panting. She’d just had the most intense, mind-blowing orgasm of her life, and it had all been a dream? A dream?

  She threw herself backward onto the pillows, trying to calm the erratic beating of her heart. The dream had just exploded on her and her heart felt like it was about to burst in her chest. In retrospect, she should have immediately realized it was nothing more than an illusion. She’d barely uttered a word in protest, and she’d known Keegan for less than twenty-four hours. She would never be that slutty in real life.

  Would she?

  “Oh crap,” she moaned, thumping a fist on the bed. She was in trouble. Here she was, dreaming about a man who might very well be a total nutcase. After all, he actually believed there was a book that contained a spell to create zombies. It was laughable. Totally absurd.

  Or was it?

  Most people would never believe in someone who could drain energy with a simple touch. Or someone who could control others with hypnotic eyes.

  Maybe, just maybe, this Book of the Dead really did exist.

  Arghh, this was all so confusing. It would be easier if she could trust that the men were here to protect her, rather than imprison her. But the locked door definitely wasn’t a good sign. Were they being truthful with her, or was there something else going on here? Something far more frightening than a madman searching for a magical book?

  On top of all that, she had nothing other than the clothes on her back, and that was just damned annoying.

  Brynn kicked at the sheets until they dislodged from around her ankles. “That’s it.”

  Tomorrow morning she was going to demand that they either let her go home to get more clothes, or accompany her there. After all, Keegan had insisted she wasn’t a prisoner here. If they weren’t willing to do something as simple as that, it didn’t matter that her powers didn’t seem to work on them. She’d find a way out of here, regardless.

  Chapter Six

  Mammon reclined on the four-poster, king-size bed in his luxury Egyptian hotel suite. He crossed his arms under his head as he contemplated the Book. It seemed to be the only thing he thought of these days.

  What a discovery that was, to learn the fabled Book of the Dead did, in fact, exist, the culmination of his many years of research. It was utterly exhilarating.

  When he found it, he would bring to life creatures so indestructible they’d tear apart man and demon alike. And every one of them would answer to him. Finally, he would have the wealth and power he deserved.

  First, he would take over Earth. He liked this world, with its abundance of vices. Once he’d exhausted those resources, he’d move on to another world. And then another.

  Nothing and no one would have the power to stop him. Not even the damned Council. After decades of having to obey their commands, they would finally bow to him. Oh, and bow they would. Right before he broke them.

  As for Keegan, Taeg, Ronin, and Dagan, well, they had their part to play in this, too. And they would. All he needed was the Book. That, and the heir.

  But it was simply a matter of time until he discovered the heir. His resources were paralleled only by the Council’s, and they were many while he was just one. Clearly, he was the superior creature.

  Loud rapping sounded outside the door leading into his room.

  “Enter.” Mammon didn’t bother covering his unclothed form. He didn’t give a fuck who saw him naked, and the woman lying next to him was too unconscious to protest her own nudity. Not that it would’ve mattered.

  The door opened and Leviathos entered. With his good looks and suave demeanor, it was sometimes difficult to believe his second-in-command was, at heart, a simpering fool. But if he could be counted on for one thing, it was for his resentment of others’ good fortunes. Jealousy was what made him such a good lackey now—and the reason Mammon would have to kill him as soon as he came into power. Leviathos was such an idiot that he didn’t even realize what his future held.

  “What is it?” he asked Leviathos.

  “I’ve brought the daily report as you requested, Lord,” Leviathos said, using the title Mammon had commanded of all his minions. “Our Egyptian scholar is still tracing the priest’s genealogy.”

  “Still?” A tide of rage surged within him. He rose and stalked toward Leviathos, taking perverse pleasure in the way he winced and inched backward. “The search has taken too long as it is.”

  “We are getting closer, my Lord,” Leviathos stammered. “The scholar has been working round the clock, but this world is full of billions of humans. It isn’t an easy task.”

  “Then tell him to work harder,” Mammon snarled, poking his finger into Leviathos’s chest. “In fact, I suggest you aid in the search yourself. If we fail to uncover the heir, it will be on your head.”

  Leviathos nodded and turned to leave the room.

  Mammon waited until he was almost to the door before asking, “How goes the search for the Book?”

  Leviathos paused, and then turned. A flicker of fear crossed his face. “We have an army of men searching every inch of the Valley. It cannot be much longer now before it is found.”

  He had better hope so. If the Council discovered the book before he did...

  Life on the run held no appeal for him, but he faced a lifetime of it if he failed in this mission. That wasn’t about to happen. He would die first.

  “You know what I would do to you if you ever tried to double-cross me, don’t you?” he asked in a silky voice.

  Leviathos flinched. “I would never do that, Lord.”

  Mammon chuckled. He believed him. His minion might be stupid, but he wasn’t suicidal.

  Turning, he motioned to the woman in his bed. He didn’t know her name. He didn’t care. She was simply an object to slake his lust. Given that she’d been unconscious the better part of his session with her, she was likely a drug addict. That, or Leviathos had slipped her something before bringing her to him.

  “Take her out of here,” he said. “But keep her handy. I may have use for her again.”

  Leviathos walked to the woman and hoisted her into his arms. Her head rolled to the side at an unnatural angle, and he examined her closely. “The woman is dead, my Lord.”

  “Dead? Pity. She was a tolerably good fuck.” After a moment’s thought, Mammon gave a careless shrug. “Hold on to her, anyway. She’ll keep for a few more hours.”

  §

  Much as he’d done just a few hours before, Keegan rested his forehead on the door leading into Brynn’s room. He’d barely slept last night, his mind consumed with thoughts of her. And if she’d had any idea of the sorts of dreams he’d had about her, she would have blushed clear into next week. He was pretty sure more than a few of the things he’d dreamt about were illegal in some states.

  Clearing his throat, he unlocked the door and pushed it open. Brynn was already up, her bed made. She sat on it, running a silver brush through her hair. Damned if she didn’t turn bright red when she saw him.

  “Good morning.” Keegan fidgeted, fighting off the uncomfortable feeling she knew what he’d dreamt about. That was impossible.

  Brynn averted her gaze, and she set the hairbrush down beside her. “Wish I could say the same.”

  “What’s wrong?” The question came out far more clipped than he’d intended it to.

  “What’s wrong?” She let out a bitter laugh and met his eyes with a haunted look. “I’m a prisoner here, that’s what’s wrong.”

  They were back to this? “I thought we already covered that it’s for your own good—”

  “Yeah, you’ve told me before. You’re not holding me prisoner—you
’re protecting me.” A flash of temper sparked in her eyes. “Well, whatever. All I know is you won’t let me leave. How am I supposed to feel safe and secure in a situation like this?”

  “I’m trying to protect you,” he answered gruffly. “Not make you feel safe.”

  “How can you expect me to calmly sit here when you haven’t given me any evidence of what you claim? All I have is your word.”

  She had every right to be angry. He would be, too. But he sure as hell wasn’t going to let her go. “My word will have to be enough for now, Brynn. I won’t risk letting you loose and having something happen to you.”

  Her lips twisted into a frown. “So, what? I’m just supposed to pretend I’m happy with this whole scenario? I mean, I don’t even have any clothes to change into.”

  Shit. She was right. He hadn’t considered that.

  “Look.” She tugged at her hair, her eyes darkening with exasperation. “I just... I don’t do well locked indoors. And you can’t blame me for being a little concerned. You expect me to believe what you’re telling me, but you haven’t given me any proof that you’re the good guys.”

  Good guys. Yeah, right.

  “I’m not asking for much,” she said, her pleading making him feel even guiltier. “Just let me go home and get some clothes. If what you’re saying is true, then I’ll come back here with you of my own accord, and not as a prisoner.”

  “I can’t let you leave,” he told her. “Even if you promise to come back. It’s too dangerous. What if... what if I go buy you some new clothes?”

  Devil, had he just volunteered to go shopping for her?

  Brynn stepped toward him, a plaintive expression on her face as she touched his arm. He forced himself not to fidget at the spark of electricity. For all he knew, she didn’t feel the same way.

  “Keegan, I appreciate that. But please, let me go home and get some of my own clothes. You can come with me. Think of it as a show of faith. You do this, and I’ll come back with you, okay?”

  He gritted his teeth, knowing what his brothers would say if he agreed to this. To put it mildly, they wouldn’t be pleased.

  Screw it. She wasn’t asking for much, and with the four of them there, they could protect her. “Fine. Okay. Just give me a few minutes. I’ll be right back.”

  Brynn sighed, her shoulders relaxing with relief. “Thank you.”

  With a brusque nod, Keegan stepped into the hallway and closed the door. He hesitated for a moment before walking away, leaving the door unlocked.

  He found Ronin and Taeg in the kitchen. Ronin sat at the counter, surfing his laptop, while Taeg scarfed down a huge bowl of cereal at the table with an open beer next to him.

  “You’re a fucking drunk,” Keegan muttered.

  Taeg shrugged, taking no offense. “I think better when I’m not sober.”

  “Hey, man,” Ronin said without looking up, “I’m researching Egyptian tombs.”

  “Yeah,” Taeg added, “we can’t just sit around on our asses waiting for the Council to find the Book.”

  Ronin nodded. “It’s a needle in a haystack, but we might as well start searching for where this Egyptian priest was burie—”

  “Get dressed,” Keegan interrupted. “And wake Dagan up, too.”

  That got their attention.

  “Where are we going?” Ronin asked.

  “We’re gonna take Brynn to her home so she can pick up some clothes.”

  Taeg sputtered, choking on his cereal. “Are—are you out of your mind?”

  Chapter Seven

  “I love this deli. They have the best croissants,” Brynn said to Keegan as she inhaled the mouthwatering scent of baked goods. Her fear and doubt had begun to melt away as soon as she hit the sidewalk, especially since he’d let her use his phone to call her assistant, Amanda. She’d made up an excuse for why she’d left in such a rush and wouldn’t be back for a while. Amanda seemed suspicious, but Brynn didn’t want to involve her in any of this. Not if there really was a madman stalking her. In the end, she’d told Amanda she’d be keeping the gallery shut down until further notice.

  Keegan’s willingness to let her call someone backed up his claim that he wasn’t keeping her prisoner. Hell, the man had even volunteered to go shopping for her, and she hadn’t missed the look of distaste on his face when he’d said it.

  His brothers walked several feet behind her, though none of them appeared particularly happy to be taking this trip and Taeg kept mumbling to himself. Earlier, she thought she’d heard him grumble to Keegan, “Why don’t we take her to Disney World next? The Taj Mahal?”

  “Shut it,” Keegan had snapped.

  Dagan joined them, and he was just as good-looking as his brothers. Not that she hadn’t already expected it. She’d met him back at the apartment when he staggered into the living room, clearly hungover. He’d barely said two words to her, though his words had sent a shiver down her spine. His voice was the most amazing she’d ever heard, the kind that could coax a woman into doing pretty much anything. Right now, he stayed as far away from her as possible. She didn’t know what she’d done to make him dislike her, but it was clear that he did.

  Whatever. She had bigger problems. Like the fact she couldn’t even look at Keegan without the memories of last night’s dreams flooding into her mind, leaving her aching for things she shouldn’t desire. The man was far too distracting.

  “Thanks for bringing me back to my place,” she said.

  “You’re welcome.” The beauty of Keegan’s smile blinded her for one heart-stopping moment. Lord, he was gorgeous.

  Focus on something else. Anything else.

  “I would think the government could afford a private driver rather than having us take the subway,” she half-joked.

  “I usually just fly”—he hesitated—“never mind.” He slid a hand across his hair, an awkward silence hanging between them.

  Eager to dispel it, she jumped on the first thought that came to mind. “You never told me what it is that you can do. Is it the same thing as Taeg?”

  “Charm others?” Keegan laughed. “No.”

  “So, what is it?” she pressed when he didn’t go on.

  “I… I’d rather talk about you right now. How long have you known about your powers?”

  Ah, so he was uncomfortable with what he could do. Well, she knew all too well what that was like, so she let it slide. For now.

  “I’ve been reading memories off objects for as long as I remember. I think my father could do something like that, too, though he never admitted it. To be honest, I never thought I would find others with abilities.”

  “You sound relieved,” he said.

  “It’s hard being around normal people when you aren’t.” She shrugged. “I guess you know all about that.”

  “I suppose so.” Keegan chuckled, and then hesitated for a fraction of a second. “So there’s no one waiting for you at home, then?”

  “No.” Definitely not. “It’s hard to date when you can read a man’s memories. Even a simple brush of his shirt might coax me to learn more, and that’s not the sort of compulsion I can always fight. A lot of times I see stuff I’d rather not know.”

  He gave her a curious look. “What sort of stuff?”

  “Oh, you know, stuff they’ve done.” She laughed to cover her embarrassment. “Usually, I find out a lot more than I’d like to know about their love lives. It tends to be a turnoff.”

  Keegan nodded and arched a brow. “I can understand that. What about your ability to drain other people’s energy?”

  The memory of the day she’d discovered that particular power came back to her in one big rush, threatening to choke her with its heaviness. Sweeping the panic aside, she locked the memory back into her mental vault. She wasn’t ready to talk about it. Might never be.

  “You know, it’s weird,” she said instead, turning her gaze to him. “What I can do—the energy draining thing—it’s worked on everyone except you and your brother. I wonder why th
at is?”

  Keegan hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “I—”

  “Don’t mean to interrupt your little heart-to-heart up there,” Taeg shouted, his voice sarcastic, “but isn’t this where you live, Brynn?”

  She glanced at the building next to her. Whoa. They’d almost passed her apartment building. Taeg, Dagan, and Ronin had stopped right in front of it, close to twenty feet behind them.

  “Oh, yes it is.” Heat burned her cheeks. How was it possible that being with Keegan made her forget what was happening in the world, even if just for a moment?

  §

  Keegan was screwed, and the icy glares his brothers lobbed at him as they climbed the stairs to Brynn’s apartment only reaffirmed that conclusion. He liked Brynn. Liked her to the point that he wondered how he’d be able to off her if the Council ordered him to.

  Damn it. How had he allowed himself to get into such a bind? He thought he was above this. But a few vulnerable looks from her, and all he wanted to do was please her. Brynn’s demon ancestry was clearly on full display here. Only a woman with succubus in her blood could bring a grown man to his knees like this.

  He ran a hand through his hair, willing himself to calm down. In all honesty, that wasn’t fair. Brynn didn’t know what she was, and any mystical powers of seduction had likely diluted, along with the bloodline, in the 3,000 years since that Egyptian priest had mated with the succubus. Anything he felt for her was on him, a hundred percent.

  He couldn’t forget their true mission. Wouldn’t. She was just a job, and a very important one at that. If he had to destroy her to save the world, he would.

  “Here we are.” Brynn’s nervous smile quickly dimmed. “Oh crap, I don’t have the key. It’s in my purse back at the gallery.”

  Keegan exchanged a glance with Taeg, who muttered “Be right back” before walking down the hallway and turning the corner.

  She turned to him with an apologetic look. “I guess we have to go back to the gallery first.”

  “No we don’t,” Dagan responded flatly.

  Brynn tilted her head in Dagan’s direction. “What? Why?”