The Demon in Me

convinced that the girl had nothing to do with anything other than being involved with the wrong man.

But was Richard simply a man who lived a double life? Or was there more to him than met the eye?

“Darrak!” she called again. “Where the hell are—?”

A hand came around her throat and she was dragged around the corner of the strip club. Before she could register what was going on, someone slammed her up against the brick wall, knocking the wind out of her.

CHAPTER 14

Richard Morgan glared at Eden, his hand fisted in the front of the V-neck sweater she wore under her thin black wool coat.

“Who are you?” he demanded. “Why are you spying on me?”

Eden gasped for breath. “Spying on you? I was here for an interview.”

“To be a stripper?”

“I prefer the term exotic dancer. And, yeah. I’m Sugar LaCroix. Nice to meet you.”

“Bullshit.”

“It’s true. I have my feathers and sequins in my trunk ready to go.”

His eyes narrowed. “You’ve been following me since I was at Starbucks this morning.”

“What? A girl can’t indulge in a morning caffeine infusion without being accused of spying?”

“Stop lying to me.”

She grabbed hold of his arm to try to push him away from her. “Let go of me right now.”

“Maybe after you tell me the truth.” He bashed her head against the wall, which made her feel like a woozy rag doll. “What the hell do you know about me?”

“Other than the fact you’re obviously a complete asshole, nothing at all.”

She looked into his eyes to see that the irises were as black as the pupils — unnaturally black as if he was wearing contacts. And there wasn’t the slightest bit of friendliness there. It took all her strength to hold him back from her at arm’s length.

He still managed to lean closer. “You don’t want to know anything about me. It would be hazardous to your health as well as your ability to sleep soundly at night. Got it?”

She tried to knee him but he twisted her around so she was facing the wall, bringing her arms up sharply and painfully behind her back.

“Will you leave me alone?”

“Yes,” she hissed, feeling like a fool to have allowed this cheating bastard to get the upper hand.

“I don’t believe you. You don’t sound very sincere.”

“I’m the definition of sincere right now.”

“I don’t think so. I think you like sticking your nose into other people’s business a bit too much. You need to be taught a lesson.”

She gasped as she felt the sharp tip of a knife trace down the side of her face and she flashed back to being at the serial killer’s mercy the day before yesterday. She didn’t like knives.

“Let go of me,” she snapped again, sounding much braver than she currently felt.

“You don’t need this nosy little nose of yours, do you? It might be a nice reminder for you to lose it.”

Who was this guy? Was he just making threats or was he really going to hurt her just for following him? She felt pathetically helpless at the moment. It didn’t feel good. She struggled against the tight hold he had on her.

And where was Darrak?

The moment she thought his name, Richard let go of her. The demon in question had grabbed him and pulled him off her. Darrak stood in front of Richard, his eyes a bright, flickering amber as if he was burning with fire from the inside. He grabbed Richard by the lapel of his jacket, and with his other hand on Richard’s wrist, Darrak bashed it against the wall hard enough to make him drop the knife.

“Don’t you dare touch her,” Darrak snarled.

Richard cocked his head to the side. “Interesting. Didn’t expect to meet up with a real live demon today. I would have worn my Sunday best if I had.”

Darrak narrowed his fiery gaze and studied the man for a moment. “You’re a drifter. That explains everything, actually.”

“Good guess.” Richard smiled thinly at him. “Obviously we have tons in common. So why don’t I leave and we can forget about this little incident.”

“We have nothing in common.” Darrak’s eyes flicked to Eden. “You okay?”

“Fabulous. Really.” Although she’d come very close to being sliced. Eden tried to keep her teeth from chattering. “Thank you for the intervention.”

“Sorry it took me so long. I was observing.”

Her eyebrows raised. “Observing?”

“I was trying to figure out what this guy is. Now I know.”

She glanced at Richard with distaste, then back at the demon. “What is he?”

“Drifters are disembodied earthbound spirits. They travel from human to human to survive.”

“Possessing them, you mean.”

Darrak’s attention was still focused on Richard, whom he held prone against the wall. “They don’t have to wait until their host dies before they can move, but that’s right.”

Sounded chillingly familiar, actually. No wonder the drifter thought he had something in common with Darrak.

She glanced around to see if anyone could spot them, but this side of the strip club was shielded from the road and there was a high fence to their left blocking off the sight line from other local businesses.

“Is the real Richard still in there?” She peered at the drifter warily. She and Darrak were able to talk to each other when he possessed her. Was Richard okay with this? Or was he fighting to get his life back?

“No,” Darrak replied. “Drifters are able to put the consciousness of their hosts into a psychic coma so they can take over completely. That way, if they want to, they can take over the human’s entire life.”

“Uh… what exactly are you doing?” Richard’s expression had turned bemused during Darrak’s explanation. “Helping a human? Educating her on Netherworld factoids? Must say, it’s the first time I’ve ever witnessed something like that. You sure you’re okay, friend?”

“I’m not your friend.” Darrak didn’t loosen his hold.

The drifter’s black eyes moved toward Eden, taking a moment to leisurely inspect her from head to toe.

Darrak bashed him against the wall. “Don’t look at her.”

“Sorry, can’t help myself. She’s kind of hot. Is she yours?”

“You need to leave this shell today.”

Richard shrugged noncommittally. “But I like this body. This guy’s got a lot going on. Good job, pretty fairy wife… and she’s filthy rich, too. My current host probably didn’t even know he had access to her bank account or the secrets she’s been keeping from him.”

“That’s her business.”

“Maybe.” Richard grinned. “Have you seen my new girlfriend? She’s so hot it burns. Who made the rule you’re only allowed one woman these days? Not fair at all.”

Eden watched their exchange cautiously. She didn’t like this guy’s attitude, and not just because he threatened to cut off her nose. She was very fond of her nose exactly where it was, but even aside from the violence she now sensed something else. Something… Other about this guy. Was it only because she knew there was more than meets the eye about him or was she starting to get more sensitive about that sort of thing?

“You’re in way over your head,” Darrak told him. “If you don’t release this human’s body it will not end well for you, I can promise you that.”

Richard’s brow creased. “Why are you so pissed off about this? I’m playing with a few humans. So what?”

Darrak clenched his jaw but didn’t respond to that.

“I was about to carve some sense into this one”—he jutted his chin in Eden’s direction—“until you stopped me. Humans need to know they’re inferior to us.”