by Rose Pressey
“That’s why I didn’t tell you. No one wants to be involved with a demon hunter. It’s too dangerous.”
“Well, now you know why. She could have been killed.”
“So tell me what happened to her outside,” I said.
“Why did you ask what I did when I came home?” Jennifer asked.
At least she’d found her tongue again. Her voice sounded normal, but she sure didn’t look well still.
“Look at her,” I yelled.
“What’s wrong with me?” Jennifer asked with panic in her voice.
Okay. I didn’t want to freak her out, but lipstick was smeared across her face and I was pretty sure it wasn’t from a make-out session. Why in the hell did Stephen have to be married? Heck, even Jennifer’s old flame Todd sounded like a good option at the moment compared to the crazy demon hunter in our living room.
“There’s no easy way for me to say this.” Neil paced across the floor again. “So I guess I’ll just have to come out and say it.”
“That would be peachy.” I sneered at him.
Jennifer gripped the sofa with both hands. It looked as if her head might start spinning and pea soup might come spewing out of her mouth at any second. I motioned for Neil to get on with it.
“I think Jennifer is possessed now. One of the demons is trying to take over her body.”
“What the hell?” It felt as if I’d been sucker-punched. “What are you talking about?”
“When I was fighting with these men, they took advantage of Jennifer and jumped into her body.”
“You’re crazy.” Jennifer snorted.
I wasn’t so sure that he was crazy—not about this anyway. But he couldn’t be right because she had been acting weird before he came along. Though something had happened when she’d gone outside and talked with him.
“How do you know this happened?” I asked, afraid of what his answer would be.
“Because I saw it happen,” he said matter-of-factly.
I swallowed hard, but Jennifer just laughed. It sounded menacing, now that I thought about it, and not like her usual chirping laughter. This was like an evil villain laugh and it sent a chill down my spine. Was she slipping away again?
“How is that even possible? What kind of scam are you trying to pull?” she snapped.
“It’s like the perfect storm,” he said. “She was in the right place at the right time.”
“That’s it? That’s the only explanation you can give?” Jennifer asked.
He threw up his hands. This guy was really starting to rub me the wrong way. Maybe I needed to call Lily and sic her on him. He’d regret messing with us when he got a load of her. He’d probably rather run into demons any day of the week than deal with her.
“It can’t be that easy,” I said.
“Oh, it’s not easy. I never said it was.”
“You sure make it sound that way.”
Jennifer stood. I felt her agitation. I couldn’t say that I blamed her. This guy was getting on my last nerve too. And to think he had duped me into thinking he was a good guy. How wrong was I?
“The heightened emotions, the time of day, the right person who is susceptible to being possessed. Heck, she may even have a link with this demon.” Neil shrugged his shoulders.
“That’s it.” Jennifer picked up the fire poker from the fireplace and pointed it at Neil. “I am not connected to a demon, thank you very much. I may be a little nervous on first dates and ramble, but I am not an evil person. Now take that back.”
I eased the fire poker from her hand. After seeing her glowing eyes, I wasn’t sure I trusted her with that thing.
“I know this is a lot to take in at the moment, but I’m telling the truth and I’m really sorry that this happened. If she comes with me then maybe I can speed up the search and find out what this demon wants and get rid of it before anything bad happens.”
Jennifer snorted and crossed her arms in front of her chest. I knew exactly what she was thinking.
“If you think she’s going anywhere with you, psycho, you have another think coming. Do you honestly think she would leave with you? It’s not happening, buddy. So you can just put the chloroform away. You won’t need it tonight.” Irritation raced up my spine.
He stared as if he was all out of things to say. As well he should be. I’d heard enough from this guy.
Jennifer jumped up. “I’m not listening to any more of this. There is nothing wrong with me.”
She did have a point. Jennifer did seem fine now. Maybe it was a temporary thing. She’d go to bed and everything would be back to normal in the morning. Well, as normal as things could be when you were around me.
“I think we should call the police, Rylie. They can drag his ass to jail.”
“Jennifer’s right. I think it’s time you left, Mr. Allen.”
“You’re making a huge mistake.”
I picked up my phone. “Don’t make this any harder than it has to be,” I said, pointing the phone at him.
He threw his hands up in the air. “Fine. But call me when things get out of control and you don’t know what to do, because I can guarantee that things will go bad and you will need me.”
I snorted. “In your dreams, buddy. In your dreams.”
Jennifer reached for the fire poker again. This time I didn’t stop her. He was on his own. Maybe he’d take the hint and leave.
Neil held his hands up in surrender. “Okay. I’m leaving. But like I said, you have my number. You’re going to need it.”
Jennifer and I stared in disgust at his cockiness.
When he sauntered out the door, Jennifer looked at me. “Can you believe that guy? He had some nerve.”
“Jennifer, I am so sorry for fixing you up with some sleaze-ball like that. I had no idea.”
She shook her head. “Everyone makes a mistake once in a while. Just know that I will never let you fix me up with anyone ever again.”
“Duly noted,” I said.
I hoped Jennifer didn’t change her mind and picket my office like Lily had. Or worse, they might form an alliance against me. That was the last thing I needed. I locked the door and grabbed Jennifer’s arm. “Come on, you need to go to bed. Sleep this off and in the morning you will feel like a new woman.”
Would that woman be a she-devil? I mentally shook off the thought. No, nothing like that could happen. I wouldn’t allow it to happen. I was just glad that slutty Jennifer had disappeared. Should I tell her how she’d been acting? Maybe I’d wait until the morning. She’d had enough information for that night.
I escorted Jennifer to her door and she paused. “What do you think he was talking about when he said I was connected to a demon?”
I shook my head. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I wouldn’t lose an ounce of sleep over it if I were you.”
She sighed. “You’re right.”
“Again, I am sorry for everything.”
She hugged me. “Don’t worry about it, Rylie. Let’s not even mention his name again.”
I nodded. “Okay. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I padded off to bed, relieved that Neil had gone without a fight. But something didn’t feel right. A nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach told me that something was off. I told myself that it was just my usual neurotic thoughts at work and that everything was fine. Now if only that were true.
I slipped into bed and pulled the covers up close. I’d just started to doze off when something caught my attention. A growling noise came from the foot of my bed and something told me it wasn’t a little mouse.
I flipped on the light. Nothing was there. I scanned the room, but saw nothing. I must have imagined it.
The next morning, I was sitting at the table, eating my breakfast, which consisted of bacon with a side of even more bacon, when Jennifer sashayed out of her bedroom wearing an outfit that was even more absurd than the attire she’d worn the evening before. If that was even possible.
Her white s
horts were impossibly low-cut and very short, showing her ass cheeks. She looked at me with a smirk, crossing her arms in front of her chest. This didn’t look good. I thought she’d be better as soon as the sun came up, not worse. She had been fine when she went to bed.
“Are you going to say anything about my outfit?” she asked, spinning around.
“Are you going to work dressed like that?”
She huffed. “I’m not going to work today.”
“What do you mean you’re not going to work today?” I pushed my plate away.
Her eyes narrowed. “I said I’m not going.”
It was growing increasingly hard to keep my cool. Maybe Jennifer had the right idea though. She’d scare the animals. Jennifer was a great veterinarian, but calling in sick today was probably the best idea she’d had in a long time.
“That’s probably for the best. You’re obviously still not feeling well. Maybe you should go back to bed,” I said.
“So you don’t like my outfit?” she asked curtly.
She wasn’t going to let me out of this one.
“No, as a matter of fact I don’t like your outfit. Why are you dressed like that?”
She blinked in surprise. “Hey, don’t you worry about what I’m wearing. My clothes look good. I’ll wear what I want, when I want.”
Okay, I wasn’t going to argue about this with her. I had to talk with her about her behavior. “Honey, don’t you think you’ve been acting a little bit strange? I mean you know the way you’re acting and dressing isn’t normal for you. If you dressed like that all along, fine, but this isn’t typically how you are. It’s uncharacteristic. Can you see why that would worry me?”
“There’s nothing wrong with the way I’m acting or dressing. But there’s a lot wrong with you and, in fact, I’m sick of your shit. Now leave me alone.” Jennifer turned around, flung open the door and marched out.
The door slammed shut, rattling the walls. I thought the door might fall off the hinges. Yep. Something was definitely wrong and I had to figure it out what it was before I lost my best friend forever.
I hurried out the door, down the steps and out onto the sidewalk. I looked around the street for Jennifer, but she was too fast. She was nowhere in sight. Where did I go from here? How did I begin to find her? I couldn’t allow her to roam around like this, not in her current condition. I had to do something, but I had no idea what.
I let out a deep breath and looked from side to side. With Jennifer nowhere in sight, I turned around and went back inside. I’d just entered my office and sat down, tapping my fingers against the wood and trying to think of some way to help Jennifer, when a knock sounded on the door. I rushed over, praying that Jennifer had snapped out of it and returned home. It wasn’t safe to leave Jennifer out there acting like Lily’s slightly-less crazy relative. If she was still acting the same way, well, I’d find a way to make her right again.
When I opened the door, a man was standing in front of me—another extremely handsome man. What was in the water around here? Not that I was complaining, but it was weird. The guy had blond hair and arctic blue eyes and he smelled like oranges and spice. Had he been eating orange slices? Whatever. I stared at him expectantly.
“Are you Rylie Cruz?” he asked.
I didn’t know whether I should answer yes or no to that question, but I had to do something right today, so I said, “Yes, I’m Rylie Cruz. What can I do for you? Do you need an appointment for matchmaking?”
“No, I’m looking for Jennifer Matthews.”
He took me off guard with that statement. It wasn’t what I’d been expecting him to say. No one ever came in and asked for Jennifer. Was he the police?
“She’s not here. What do you want with her? Is she okay?”
I looked over his shoulder. I didn’t open the door any further. I had to know who he was first.
“I haven’t seen her, that’s why I need to talk to you. Can I come in?” He gestured toward the space behind me.
I contemplated saying no, then finally relented and said, “Fine.”
He stepped inside the room and looked at the chair. “Do you mind if I have a seat?” he asked.
I gestured toward the chair. “No, go right ahead.”
I sat behind my desk and watched him, waiting for this man to tell me what the heck he wanted with Jennifer.
“So, you’re here for Jennifer.” I stared him straight in the eyes.
He was going to give me the answers I wanted one way or the other.
“Yes, I need to talk to you about her.” He looked at his wristwatch.
“Do you know her?” I asked.
“I don’t know her.” He didn’t even blink when he said this.
“If you don’t know her, then why are you looking for her?” I crossed my arms in front of my chest.
What kind of weirdo had I attracted this time?
He folded his hands in his lap and met my gaze. “She’s in danger.”
He seemed awfully calm for such a statement. He was a complete wackadoodle. “Danger?” I tried to keep my voice calm. “Again, if you don’t know Jennifer, then how do you know she’s in danger?”
“You just have to trust me on this. Have you seen Jennifer today?”
“Of course I have. She’s my roommate.” An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.
“Well, I have to find her.” He looked around the room, then focused his attention back to me. “Like I said, she’s in danger.”
“First off, maybe you should start with telling me your name.”
He gaze remained on me as he smiled. “My name is Cole Palmer.”
“Okay, Cole Palmer, that’s a start. Now can you tell me what it is exactly you are doing. Why you want to talk with her?” My eyes narrowed.
“I’m a demon hunter and I need to talk her about her demonic possession.”
I swear it was as if someone had punched me in the stomach. It hadn’t been what I wanted to hear. Another demon hunter? So he had to know Neil. “What are you talking about? The demonic possession thing?” If I ignored his words would that make everything okay?
I knew something was wrong with Jennifer. But if this guy was making up stories about Jennifer, I’d be highly perturbed. I’d jump over my desk right there and strangle him with my bare hands. Cole had spiked hair and a boyish face. He wore jeans and a white t-shirt. Hunting for demons must have been a good workout because he was in good physical shape. He had a little scar on his forehead and I wondered if he’d gotten it from fighting the demons.
“What have you done with Jennifer?” I demanded.
“I haven’t done anything. I’m here to help her, don’t you understand?”
“No, I don’t understand. All of this is just come out of nowhere. You tell me she’s possessed by demons, but it’s so hard to accept. I don’t want it to be the truth.” I gave him an exasperated look.
“Unfortunately you have to accept it. She’s possessed by a demon. Thank heavens it’s only one.” He glanced at his watch again.
“So, tell me how you know she’s possessed by a demon.”
“I know because one of my incompetent demon hunters screwed up last night.”
“And because of his screw-up my friend is in danger?”
How was that possible? She had been acting weird before Neil came along. As much as I didn’t want to defend the guy, facts were facts.
“A demon got hold of her.”
“Well, I don’t understand how this demon got hold of her.”
“During this fight that should have never happened.”
“So you think last night when she went outside to help your lame-ass demon hunter she was possessed? She was trying to help break up a fight.”
“I’m aware. One of the men was possessed and got a hold of Jennifer’s soul.”
“I don’t know about all that because…”
I hesitated and he studied me.
“Because?” he pushed.
“Becau
se she was acting strange before this happened. The other night, when I came home her eyes were glowing red and she felt feverish. She’s been doing a lot of uncharacteristic things.”
Before we could discuss this more, a knock sounded on the door frame. I glanced over and saw Jack standing there with the funniest expression on his face when he saw Cole sitting in front of me. How long had he been listening to our conversation?
It looked like he was jealous, but he had nothing to worry about. It wasn’t like him to be like that.
I met him at the door. “Jack, this is Cole Palmer. He’s looking for Jennifer. He wants to help her.”
“What does she need help with?” he asked while staring at Cole.
“Jennifer left this morning and she wasn’t feeling better, if you know what I mean.”
“Did you try calling her cell phone?” Jack asked.
I nodded as he entered the room. He sat on the edge of my desk and fixed his gaze on Cole. A nervous vibe hung in the air.
Chapter Nine
How to Date a Demon, Rule #9
Your date has probably already heard every hotter-than-hell joke ever told.
Cole shifted in his seat as if he was tiring of Jack’s macho stare-down. What did he want with me? Why had two demon hunters shown up at my door all of a sudden?
“So, who was this guy that Jennifer had a date with? A demon hunter? What is that?” Jack asked.
Cole moved his gaze to mine, not taking his dark, piercing eyes off of me. There was no way he’d let me out of answering our questions.
I leaned forward and attempted my most professional posture. “I fixed her up with a Neil Allen. He just came in here the other day and wanted to find a date. Are you telling me that was a coincidence?”
“That was all you knew about him and you fixed the guy up with your friend?” He frowned accusingly at me.
Jack’s body tensed. I felt as if he might pounce at any second.
How dare this guy come in and question me like this. I didn’t owe him any answers. “I don’t know where you found me or why you want me to answer any of your questions.”
He frowned as if he was growing increasingly annoyed with me. “I’ll explain soon, but right now I think we need to find your friend. Or do you not care about finding her?”
