by Rose Pressey
He stared me straight in the eye and said, “I did lose my best friend to a demon.”
I couldn’t really come back with any witty quips about that. It looked like I had my demon-hunting partner back. Lucky me. Had he really lost his friend or was he just saying that? I didn’t know what to believe anymore.
We were headed down the sidewalk when Cole stopped me. He was doing a decent job of keeping pace with me. We hadn’t said much to each other since we’d left my building. Enough with the small talk with this guy—find Jennifer and he could be on his merry way.
Without warning, he shoved me into the alleyway, pushed me against the wall, and held his arm across my chest. The action had caught me off guard and knocked the wind out of me. One minute we were walking along, and the next, we were smashed up against each other next to a brick building. He didn’t look at me, but instead he poked his head around the corner of the building. As if this was an everyday occurrence. Heck, maybe it was in his world, but I wasn’t having any part of it. Cole wouldn’t get away with treating me that way. He could do that to demons all day long, but not me.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I asked with a growl.
My skin prickled and I felt the familiar sensation when my eyes began the change. A pull tugged inside of me. Hair would be sprouting on my arms at any second if he didn’t back off immediately. I’d hate to have to jam my knee into his nether regions repeatedly.
He answered me with a shush.
The man actually shushed me. Did he cherish his family jewels? I thought not, based on his behavior. This guy had some nerve. If he thought he could push me around like he did the demons, then I’d show him a thing or two. I shoved his arm off me with a not-so-friendly push.
He didn’t respond to my actions. It was as if he didn’t even notice. Like this was his everyday behavior. What a bully. Probably it was his everyday behavior, but it wouldn’t cut it in my world.
“You touch me again like that and you’ll be on your way to hell with a one-way ticket,” I said.
“You see those men there?” He pointed out toward the street.
I peered around the side of the building as he pointed out three men walking in our direction. There was a ton of people walking. How the heck was I supposed to know who he was pointing at? I assumed it wasn’t the group of elderly men, so I looked past them.
“Are you talking about the ones wearing the suits?” I asked.
“Yes, they are demons. And I think they are looking for us. Call me crazy, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that they’re walking this way.”
Ah, the demon hunter was being hunted. Oh, the irony. That was what he got for being bad at his job. It served him right for trying to be the tough guy.
“They look pretty normal to me. Where are the horns? Where are the pitchforks?” I smirked, proud of my little quip.
Okay. I was no standup comedian, that much was obvious, but I thought it was pretty humorous. He didn’t smile, so I assumed he didn’t find it funny. Tough crowd.
He glanced at me. “Very funny. No, they look like humans. Like any average Joe. Well, almost except for the occasional glowing eyes.”
Jennifer had the glowing eyes. What other symptoms did she have that he wasn’t telling me about? I doubted it was as simple as glowing eyes, as exemplified by her strange behavior. Based on his track record with keeping details from me, I knew he wouldn’t tell me any more so I didn’t bother to ask.
“Oh, so that’s why you man-handled me?” I focused my attention on the men.
The demons wore suits and were stylishly dressed. They stood out a little in the crowd, but they just looked like business-men instead of tourists. Attractive businessmen, I might add. I expected demons to be ugly hideous creatures with warts, scaly skin and horns. As I studied the men’s faces, I realized that I recognized one. It was the man who had chased me on my way back to the apartment.
“That man followed me,” I said.
Cole looked at me with wide eyes. “What? When?”
“Yeah. Earlier when I gave you the slip.” I mentally patted myself on the back.
He scoffed.
Obviously that was a sore spot for him, so I continued. “He followed me, but I lost him too. I thought there was something strange about him.”
His expression tensed and he didn’t speak for a second. Finally, he said, “Why would they follow you? This isn’t good. They already have Jennifer, so why would they follow you too?”
“Do you know them?” I asked.
“Yeah, I’ve been helping another hunter track these three for a while. We’ve almost got them where we want them in order to get them back to hell.” His brows drew together as he studied the demons.
“Do you think the one who followed me is the one doing this to Jennifer?”
“It’s a very real possibility,” he said, looking across the building again. “Which one followed you?”
“The blond,” I said.
“I’m not prepared to fight them right now,” he said as he stepped in front of me and leaned close as if he was shielding me from them.
My heart beat a little quicker. He still smelled all orangey and spicy. It was a nice combination, whatever it was. His eyes were bluer in the light. I should have pushed him away, but something was stopping me from doing that.
“We’ll let them pass by for now. We have no other option,” he whispered.
“Do you really need to stand so close?” I asked.
His breath was minty fresh. I felt the bulk of his muscles as I placed my hands on his arms. His gaze met mine and he looked as if he was enjoying this way too much. His lips were practically touching mine and I could have sworn I heard his heartbeat.
“They won’t see us if we stand together.”
That was a lame excuse.
“How long do we have to wait like this before they’re gone? Won’t they sense you if they’ve been following you?” I asked breathlessly.
“They can’t track me like a bloodhound. They’re not that good.”
I rolled my eyes.
The demons passed by the alley. I held my breath waiting for them to notice us, but they didn’t even look our way. It still sent a chill down my spine. I felt like they’d turn around as soon as they’d passed and realized that we were there right under their demonic noses.
“If you are looking for one of them, then why don’t you catch him now? And for that matter, why are you only looking for one? If they are demons, don’t you need to send all of them back to hell?”
“It’s not that easy,” he said. “The timing has to be right. I can’t just do it anywhere. It could get really messy.”
I clucked my tongue. “Yes, I suppose it could.”
“I think the coast is clear though. We can get out of here.”
Cole still stood way too close. He didn’t move.
“You don’t have to be this close now since they are gone then, huh?” I said, looking him in the eyes.
He stared for a beat, then leaned back. “No, I guess you’re right. I think we’re safe now.”
He didn’t sound all that confident in that statement. This guy didn’t know what he was doing. Leave it to me to get involved with a half-ass demon hunter.
“Take your hands off her,” a male voice echoed down the alleyway.
I glanced to my left. Jack was zooming down the alleyway toward us in fast-forward speed. He grabbed Cole with one big swoosh and slammed him against the wall. Wow. I had no idea Jack had that much strength or that he was that jealous. The situation didn’t look good though. How would I explain myself and would Jack believe me? Of course he would. Jack was a rational man. Although that was a tough argument to make at the moment considering he had his hands wrapped around Cole’s throat.
They tumbled to the ground and I ran over, pulling at the back of Jack’s shirt. Finally, I grabbed his arms and pulled him off Cole. I had no idea where I’d gotten that strength from. Jack felt as heavy
as a tank at the moment. Anger would do that to a person though.
Cole jumped up. “Get that vampire away from me,” he demanded.
“Just calm down, both of you,” I yelled.
“Rylie, you are coming with me,” Jack said with steely determination.
I didn’t care for his tone.
“She needs to come with me,” Cole said slowly, adding emphasis to each word.
Okay, I didn’t like his tone either. I expected them to each grab one of my arms and start pulling in opposite directions at any moment.
Cole and Jack stared at me, waiting for my decision. Would it be Jack or Cole? Turning away Cole could mean not finding Jennifer. But he claimed he didn’t know where the demon was taking her, so what good was he? I kept saying that… now I needed to get rid of him for good. I’d go with Jack and use the book to find Jennifer on my own.
I didn’t have time to deal with their fighting. There already wasn’t enough time and I was no closer to finding Jennifer. It wasn’t a choice, so I walked away with Jack. Leaving Cole standing there wondering what had just happened.
“What are you doing here, Jack? I thought you had the conference with Quinton. Why are you back again?”
Had they killed each other?
“I don’t know what was going on back there, Rylie, and we can talk about it later, but right then I had to get you away from him.”
“Nothing is going on with him if that’s what you think. We were hiding from demons.” Okay, that sounded ridiculous. “You just happened to come along just as it happened. I hadn’t had time to push him away, which by the way, was exactly what I was going to do.”
That statement sounded way more convincing in my mind.
He didn’t answer. Instead he gave me a sad look.
“Is that why you want me away from him? Because you think something is going on between us? I thought you trusted me more than that.”
“It isn’t that, Rylie. I tried calling you, but you didn’t pick up. Apparently, Sophie is somehow involved with the demons. She sent Neil to Jennifer to take her soul. He paid for Jennifer’s soul so he wouldn’t have to go to hell.”
Sophie had wanted to use Jack’s blood to kill vampires. It was toxic to vampires at a certain level. When she’d discovered this hidden gem, she wanted to use it for her evil ideas. Luckily, we’d foiled her plans and she’d been captured by the vampire clan.
“That doesn’t make sense. Neil is a demon hunter. Cole can vouch for that.”
Or could he? Maybe Jack’s instincts were right. No, he was probably just being paranoid. A worried boyfriend.
“I’m just passing on the information that I got and it seems pretty credible to me. There are some people susceptible to the demons and Jennifer happens to be one of them.”
“But she was acting strange before Neil came along.”
“That was because one of Sophie’s other minions had been to your place—a vampire who had a demon attached. He had tried to get Jennifer, but it didn’t work. When Sophie found out about this she wanted to get revenge, make money, and have a little evil fun along the way.”
I hated that bitch. I’d thought I’d gotten rid of her.
“None of this makes any sense. This seems hopeless. I’m like a rat caught in a maze and I can’t find my way out. I’m just going around in circles.”
“That guy was holding you back. Once you’ve gotten rid of him we’ll be able to find Jennifer,” Jack said.
Chapter Seventeen
How to Date a Demon, Rule #17
Don’t play the devil’s advocate.
Jack and I needed to have a serious conversation. We walked down the alleyway. I assumed Cole walked in the opposite direction, but I didn’t turn around to find out.
“Quinton’s trying to find more information for you as we speak,” Jack said.
I was thankful Jack spoke first. The silence had been awkward.
“I appreciate that,” I said softly.
“Look, I’m sorry for the way I acted. Do you forgive me?” He cast a glance at me.
I nodded. “Yes, of course. I know you are just worried about me.”
My thoughts were muddled at the moment and I wasn’t sure what else to say.
Jack’s cell rang and he picked up. I knew it was Quinton even though I could hear only one side of the conversation. Quinton was undoubtedly telling Jack to get his ass back to the conference. I didn’t want to be the one who got Jack in trouble with the vampires. Sure, he could ignore the vampires, but what if someday he really needed their help? It was best if he went to the meeting, no matter how much he wanted to stay and help me. Once again, I had to send Jack away. Now that Cole was gone for good, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Jack hung up and stuffed his phone back in his pocket. He didn’t look over at me or speak.
After a couple seconds, I said, “Why don’t you go back to the conference and stay this time?”
His eyes widened. “No, I have to help you.”
“It’s important that you attend this event. Once again I will say: I can find Jennifer on my own. I have information from a woman that I think will lead me to Jennifer. If I need you I promise to call. The demon hunter is gone and there’s nothing to worry about.”
I didn’t want to tell Jack about the demon that had followed me. He’d only freak out. Besides, I wasn’t some damsel in distress. I could handle myself. Granted, it wasn’t always pretty the way I handled things, but I made do.
We turned the corner and our building was in sight.
I held up the book. “See, I’m just going to my apartment and looking at the book to see what I can decipher.”
Luckily, he didn’t see my crossed fingers. It was entirely a lie. I was going to look at the book, but I didn’t intend on doing nothing else like I’d just implied.
We stopped on the front steps.
“Okay, against my better judgment I’ll go back. But you’ll call if you need me or anything happens.” He gaze was fixed on mine.
I crossed my heart with my index finger. “I promise.”
“And be on the lookout for the demon hunter. If he comes back call me.” He caressed my cheek.
Jack always managed to lift my spirits, even in the most dire situations.
I nodded with a smile. “You know I will.”
He kissed me on the lips and I lingered in the warmth of his arms. Even my toes tingled when Jack kissed me.
I waved as he walked away. A pang of guilt settled in my stomach. I hated to see him go. I wanted to run after him and ask him to stay, but I knew this was for the best.
I had made it back to my apartment with the book. It was a miracle that I hadn’t lost it. Anna Maria had made a wise decision not to lend me the other one because at the rate I was going, she’d never see this once again. But what information was in that other book? Why hadn’t she let me look at it? If only I could get my hands on it.
My foot was on the first step when a familiar voice spoke from behind me.
“I waited until he walked away.” Cole stood in front of me with his hands shoved in the front pockets of his well-worn jeans.
I rolled my eyes. “For the love of werewolves, why are you here again?”
He was like a bad rash that wouldn’t go away. Did they make an ointment to remove demon hunters from your side?
“I came back to help find your friend.” He looked at me like I’d lost the last remaining part of my mind.
“But you said you were going away.” I sighed.
“I just said that for your boyfriend. Come on, you knew I didn’t mean it.” He chuckled.
I didn’t return his laughter. “You wouldn’t happen to be related to Lily Friedman, would you? Neither one of you know when to stay away.”
He frowned. “It’s for the best. Now let’s go check out that book.”
“I don’t think having you around is going to help me in the least. As a matter of fact, it will hurt me in the end.” I picked at the edge of
my shirt, trying to ignore his stare.
“Look, you’re a big girl, I know you can do things on your own, but there’s nothing wrong with accepting a little help every now and then.” His expression softened.
Before I answered, he grabbed my hand and pulled me into the alley again. Okay, it had been kind of cute the first time, but now he was just asking for trouble.
“Have you ever been for a psych evaluation?” I asked.
He looked out onto the street again. “I don’t see them anywhere. We should get going before they come back.”
Cole had moved a little but he still stood dangerously close.
“I thought you said they wouldn’t come back.” I tried to breathe normally.
“I never said they wouldn’t come back.” He shook his head.
“Well, then yes, by all means, let’s get the heck out of here. What are we waiting for?”
I shoved him away and took a couple steps. He grabbed my hand and whirled me around, pulling me to his chest. Without warning, he took my face between his hands and planted his lips against mine. The shock of his touch had knocked the air out of my lungs. The warmth of his body radiated next to mine. The feel of his callused hands against my cheeks was strangely exhilarating. His lips were soft and his tongue teased my bottom lip. For a brief moment, I forgot everything around me, then I came to my senses. I shoved him away and glared at him.
“Thought I saw the demons again.” Cole’s voice was low and husky as a grin slip across his lips.
“Is that right?” My words came out as a squeak.
“I had to do something.” He looked around, but avoided my stare.
“By the way, don’t ever kiss me again either,” I said through a fake smile.
“I’m sorry. It was the heat of the moment and you smelled good. And your lips are all shiny with that goop on them.” He pointed at my mouth and wiggled his index finger.
“Well, just because I have goop on them, as you call it, doesn’t give you the right to kiss me. A lot of women wear this goop and you can’t go around kissing them.”
“I don’t want to kiss them,” he said while looking straight at me.
