Something had been nagging me. “Why hadn’t you defended yourself before I came along? It’s not like you’re weak.”
She shrugged “Nothing they could have done to me would have been worse than I already have been through.”
I shook my head. I didn’t understand her at all.
Wes was still stroking her hair, lost in thought. “Why did you leave in the first place? You’re safe here.”
“Lex isn’t.”
Her light blue eyes never left my face. Her over-protectiveness made little sense to me.
“I’m a big girl.”
She shook her head. “You’re in over your head. Leab wouldn’t hesitate to kill you if he knew you were helping me. And Killian?” She shuddered. “He’d be worse.”
“I thought you liked the guy.”
She moistened her lips, her eyes unfocused as if she were caught in some memory. “His kindness to me wouldn’t extend to you. He wants you, Lex and not in the way an incubus wants a woman.”
Her words caused my stomach to tighten, not unpleasantly. Why did the thought of him wanting me give me a lady boner?
Flora’s eyes narrowed. “I know what you’re thinking, sweetie. He’s a hard demon to resist, but trust me, he’d use you up.”
Wes’ arms tightened around Flora’s body, but his eyes were on mine. “That’s not going to happen.”
“Demons are not capable of caring for anyone but themselves. Killian isn’t an exception.”
“What about you? Are you an exception?”
She smiled sadly. “As hard as I try I can’t change my nature. My presence is a danger to you in more ways than one.”
She sighed, pressing closer to Wes’ body, in need of the comfort in his arms.
I felt sick watching the two of them. It’s not like I don’t want the best for Wes, I do. And I know I’m not it. It was still hard to see, though.
Maybe I just felt left out.
“Killian isn’t the only one who’d use you up. It is taking all my willpower not to claim you.”
That was confusing. “I’m not special. Why am I suddenly catnip to every demon?”
She shrugged. “I can’t speak for Killian, but to me you are special. You’re the only person to ever show me kindness without expecting something in return.”
I scoffed. “That isn’t rare.”
She laughed. “Have you met people? Not just demons, but people in general? Very few would risk their life for a stranger. Most would turn me over for the reward.” She looked up at Wes. “The others would use me for their pleasure.”
Wes’ cheeks reddened, but he didn’t deny her words.
The thick blanket of tension sucked the air from the room. Time to lighten this shit up. I faked a smile and gestured to the back room. “What do you think just happened?”
She gave me an incredulous look. “We all know why. And it had nothing to do with wanting me.” She chuckled. “That was the first time my lover was so…” She paused to think of the word. “Begrudging.”
She pulled away from Wes and walked over to me. I stood my ground. I no longer feared her.
She clasped my hands in hers, smiling gently. “If anything, I used you. If I had known the pain it would cause, I would have gone hungry.”
“You could have just fed from me,” Wes said, gruffly.
She turned her head. “I know, darling. But it wouldn’t have lessened Lex’s pain.”
I didn’t like where this conversation was heading. Time for a redirect.
“Can I talk to you, Wes? Alone?”
He raised an eyebrow then nodded. My heart hurt as I followed him back into my room. This might just be the hardest conversation I ever had. But it was necessary. Keeping him here would be selfish. I just had to convince him that he deserved more.
I glanced over at the rumpled bed. Forget running the sheets through a washer. I was going to burn the whole thing.
I shut the door and kept my voice low. I don’t know why I bothered. Flora’s hearing made it a moot point.
I folded my hands in front of my lips, trying to summon the courage needed. “You should go with Flora.”
He looked confused. “What do you mean?”
“Leave with her. You can make sure no one gets hurt. And she’ll be safe with you.”
His hands clenched into fists, but he kept the rest of himself relaxed. “And what about you? I made promises, Lex.”
“I need you gone,” I whispered.
The hurt on his face was unmistakable. “You don’t mean that.”
“Yes, I do. It won’t be safe here.” My heart ached.
“We’re a team. We watch each other’s backs.”
I shook my head. He wouldn’t go easily. I hated that his hesitation warmed my insides. “Killian will try to take you back to Sheol. It’s his job.”
“I’ll take my chances. What do you think Killian will do to you if he finds out you helped Flora disappear?”
“He won’t find out. I’ll just tell him I couldn’t find her. He can’t punish me for failure.” I didn’t believe that, but he’d never leave if he thought I’d be in danger.
“He’s a demon. He’ll do whatever he wants.”
I shrugged. Nothing Killian could do to me compared with all the other shit that had happened. Losing Lucas. Losing Damian.
Now, I was losing Wes, too.
Don’t get me wrong. I wasn’t just going to roll over and show my belly. I still had fight in me.
Wes’ eyes were wet, but his cheeks were dry. “You’re my best friend, Lex.”
“Flora can’t go alone. She needs someone. Needs you.”
Wes chuckled. “I think she has made it clear who she needs and it isn’t me.”
“Maybe, but you need her.”
He looked like he was about to argue but didn’t. That last shred of hope that I was wrong about his feelings snapped.
He sighed and ran his fingers through his thick, brown hair. “Come with us.”
Spending the rest of my life watching him fall in love with another woman would be worse than dying.
“I can’t. You know that.”
“You can open shop anywhere. There are always people in need no matter the zip code.”
The business could rot for all I cared. It was simply a means to an end, and so far it had only led to dead ends. “Damian could come back. If I’m not here…”
“It’s been over a year.” His voice was sharp as Gladys.
I narrowed my eyes. “He isn’t dead. I’d know if he was.”
“I loved him like a brother. But if he were going to come home, he would. He’d never willingly leave you.”
I wasn’t so sure about that. He had raised me like his own for eighteen years, but I couldn’t shed the feeling that he’d decided his responsibility had ended when I turned into an adult. He had been eager for me to leave for college after graduation. For his freedom back.
Maybe it had been easier for him to sever all ties.
“I know what you’re thinking, Lex. It’s written all over your face.” He walked over and folded me in his arms, not unlike he had with Flora. I let myself disappear in the comfort he offered. He rested his head on top of mine. “You were his world.”
“Past tense.”
“I want nothing more than for him to walk through that door like no time has passed. And if he could, I have no doubt he would.”
I pushed him off me, not wanting his false comfort. “I won’t abandon him. I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to find him if I have to.”
“Then I’ll be by your side the entire time.”
This wasn’t working. He was stubborn as hell. His responsibility and promises to my brother took precedence to his needs. I had no illusions I was holding him back.
I needed to drive him away, make him hate me. Make his disgust with me greater than his loyalty.
I swallowed, my mouth dry, searching for words that would hurt him permanently.
I pushed
away from him. My body went cold. I yearned for his warmth again. “You need to go. If not with Flora, then anywhere. As long as it is far from me.”
He sighed. “I know you are just trying to protect me, but gods, Lex, pushing me away is not the answer.”
“This isn’t about your safety. I can’t stand to be in the same room as you.”
His fists clenched. He looked ready to punch something. “You’ll get over it.”
“Flora is right. You use people, use me. I’m sick of it.”
His mouth opened like a fish flopping on a dry dock. “I don’t use you. I care. Gods know, I care too fucking much sometimes.”
This wasn’t working. I needed to go for the coup de gras.
I smirked and injected as much venom in my voice as I could. “I use you. I keep you around because I don’t want to be alone. But I realize now that you can never replace Damian. Could never replace Lucas either. You’re not even half the man they were.”
His expression told me I’d hit the mark.
I kept going. “You’re holding me back. If you really cared for me, you’d leave in peace like I’m asking you to.”
“I leave, and I’m not coming back. Is that really what you want?”
I nodded, forcing myself to look in his eyes so he’d believe my words.
“I don’t believe you.” Doubt crept into his voice.
“How about this then? You’re fired. Clean out your desk on the way out.”
His shoulders shook. “Stop being a fucking child.”
I turned and left the room, swallowing the tears that threatened to break my facade.
I kept my head held high and my face dry.
Flora gave me a look of concern. I didn’t want it. All I wanted was to fall into a deep hole.
But life goes on, and I still had shit to do.
“You’ll be leaving with Wes.”
She raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She’d probably heard the whole exchange. If she had any argument against Wes leaving with her, she didn’t voice it.
Wes walked around me to Flora. His body and face were relaxed as if we just hadn’t just had a friendship-ending fight.
He stroked Flora’s cheek with his thumb. “Don’t worry, love,” he whispered to the siren. “I’ll keep you safe, no matter what.”
They left together, his arm around her shoulders, her body pulled close to his.
He turned back to look at me right before walking out the door. “Just get rid of the stuff on the desk.” His mouth tightened, and he looked to be holding back. “There’s nothing for me here anymore.”
I closed my eyes as the door shut behind them. It wasn’t his leaving that hurt so much.
It was how easily he went.
Chapter 16
I called the number Killian had given me. It rang twice before he picked up.
“Hope I’m not interrupting anything,” I said.
“It’s always good to hear your voice.”
“I found her.” There was no emotion in my voice. I felt hollowed out, dead inside.
“Wonderful. Leab will be so pleased.”
“Leab can come get her. I’m not going to him.”
Killian laughed. “He’ll be at a disadvantage.”
Good. “No need to have an advantage if he plays nice. He gets the girl. I get my fat bonus.”
I wasn’t sure he believed me, but I was far past caring at this point. Flora would be gone, but that didn’t mean she’d be safe. I needed to take care of Leab. Not only for Flora, but for the other slaves he kept as well.
Plus I really wanted to kill something.
“How do I know this isn’t a trap?” He didn’t sound worried, more amused than anything. I felt like a mouse being played with.
I didn’t keep the edge out of my voice. “Thanks for the warning me she’s a siren. She nearly killed me. The sooner I’m rid of her, the easier I’ll breathe.”
“Your ignorance is what saved you.”
“How’s that?”
“Sirens are submissive creatures but back them into a corner, and they turn deadly. The best way to capture them is through the heart. Trust is a demon’s weakness.” He paused. “It’s the reason we don’t trust anyone.”
“You thought I’d make her think I was a friend and then betray her?”
“Isn’t that what you did?” He paused. “It’s why I chose you, Lex. Your empathy is my greatest weapon.”
Disgust filled my body. “You’re an asshole.”
“One day that empathy will get you killed. I hope it isn’t today.”
He knew what I intended. He had to. The question was what he would do to try and stop me.
I wasn’t about to back down. Killing Leab would mean I wouldn’t be able to talk myself out of Killian’s wrath. One way or another he’d have to face my blade, too.
Good thing two for one was all right with me.
But I’m also not stupid. Taking them out would be easier if I faced one at a time. “Leab comes alone or no deal.”
“That doesn’t sound like a good idea.”
“He’s a demon. I’m not much of a threat.”
“Not a good idea for you. Leab isn’t the most stable. For your safety, I will be your backup.”
“Thank you for your concern, but I’ll bring my own backup,” I lied. I didn’t have anyone to watch my back anymore.
“If that’s how you want to play it, I won’t interfere.”
I gave him the address of the waypoint closest to my office. “This happens today, within the hour.”
He chuckled. “Demanding, aren’t we?”
“He wants his damn siren back, he plays by my rules.”
He laughed. “Your bravado is a bit of a turn-on, Miss Trenton. I can’t wait to see how this plays out.”
He hung up, and I went to prepare for the showdown that would probably take my life.
As long as I took the mother fucker down with me, I would die with a smile on my face.
Chapter 17
He was late.
My gaze darted around the brightly lit, deserted alley near my office. This was the most likely entrance Leab would use to get to the mortal realm. No one generally lit this alley, but I had brought a couple of spotlights I had lying around pointed directly at the waypoint. Leab would enter, be blinded and I would attack.
No unnecessary exposition, no bargaining, no mercy.
It was my only shot.
Shivering, I pulled my leather trench tighter. It had been over an hour from the time I had told Killian. I felt as if time was running out. The longer I waited, the more the nerves threatened to get me.
Perhaps the smarter move would have been leaving with Flora and Wes.
The wall connected to the waypoint shimmered. I white knuckled Gladys’ hilt, slowed my breathing and readied myself in a back stance.
Leab was only half through the portal when I leaped.
I plunged my blade into his neck and then ripped it to the side. Blood sprayed against the brick.
He roared, smashed his arm against my body and sent me flying into the bloodied wall. Something inside me cracked from the impact, and I slumped to my knees, seeing stars.
With one hand wrapped around my throat and the other pressed against his wound, blood pouring through his fingers, he lifted me from the ground.
Clawing at his hands, desperate for air, I panicked.
Ripping out half his throat had only pissed him off. He was far stronger than I expected.
It was a mistake I couldn’t make again.
My vision darkened as he continued to crush my larynx.
He turned me over, facing the wall, and pressed my face against the rough brick. It scratched my cheek.
My pants and underwear were around my ankles before I could blink. He pressed his still clothed erection against my ass, rubbing against the crack.
On the bright side, he wasn’t going to choke me to death.
Considering what he planned, it wasn’
t a very bright side.
His hot breath, stinking of blood and brimstone, caressed the side of my face. I choked down the vomit threatening to spill from my mouth.
“You’re not going to enjoy this, half-breed.”
He didn’t have to use Charm to feed off me. Images of that sentinel in the alley flashed in my mind. His broken husk, nothing left, lifeless eyes staring at me, judging me, laughing at me because now I would know the same fate.
His fingers pressed against my back door, readying me for the coming violation. I was powerless to stop this. A quick death would be preferable to this. Hell, a slow death would still be better.
I hoped he bled to death really hard.
“Let her go,” a familiar voice rang out.
Flora kept her head held high as she addressed the demon who’d tortured her in the name of pleasure.
“There you are, pet,” he crooned. “I missed you.”
“Let her go, and I’ll come with you.”
He barked out a laugh like a demented seal. “You’ll come? Oh yes, you will, my pet. After I squash this insect.”
Leab smashed my face against the unforgiving brick, splattering my blood against his drying blood. It wasn’t enough to make a connection between us, though. I’d need another way.
I blinked back tears as I crumbled to the ground. Leab turned his attention to Flora who stood with hands on hips further down the alley.
He stalked toward Flora, ignoring me completely. I tried to get back to my feet, but a wave of dizziness drove me back to my knees.
I could do nothing but watch as he smashed his fist against her face, knocking her into the wall. She crumpled to the ground, eyes closed.
He pulled her up by the hair and even at this distance I could hear her whimper.
Slamming his lips against hers, he devoured her face, taking what she wasn’t willing to give.
She didn’t fight back.
My heart lurched. Hatred choked me. I had failed her, and we would both suffer for it.
Fire licked my face. I focused on the heightening sensation. It was as if the fire itself was screaming ‘Get the fuck up’.
I stood, quietly as I could, pulling up my drawers at the same time. Gladys laid between his exposed back and me. I dashed toward her, gripped her hilt and leaped across the distance between us.
Descent: A Trenton Investigations Novella Page 7
