The Demon in Me

She drove back to the office, struggling to keep her attention on the road. She was still shaken by the events of the long day. Between figuring out what Darrak was trying to hide from her to being attacked by another possessed person, it was a bit too much to process. So she focused exclusively on the demon.

He’d protected her. Fiercely. Did he do that because he was defending his current host? Or for other reasons? Last night he’d admitted to being fond of her. Was that the truth?

She hadn’t been lying when she told him she believed he wasn’t evil. He’d been a pain in her ass so far, but he hadn’t done anything to make her feel overly threatened. And he was her guardian angel, although she agreed there was probably a better term for it.

Eden didn’t think he was evil, but he still scared her. The last time she’d had this much drama in her life was when she’d gone out with Zack in college. She’d repressed most of those memories but they’d all come flooding back when talking to Vanessa about her situation.

If there was one guy in the world who had the ability to hurt her in more ways than one, it was Darrak. Good or not, he was a literal demon, while Zack had only been one in theory.

Was he fond of her? Maybe.

Was she growing fond of him in return?

She couldn’t help it — she was.

But no matter how much he tried to protect her, at the end of the day she knew he was using her. How could he not? This was his chance after so many years to finally break his curse. If she was in his position, she’d do whatever it took to find the answers she needed.

And how much did he trust her in return? He wouldn’t tell her his real name because that would give her power over him. He wouldn’t tell her how to dampen his presence because ditto on the power. He wouldn’t admit to using any kind of glamour to make himself more attractive and disarming, but she had a strange and chilling feeling that he did.

So what did that leave her with?

The man she’d been passionately kissing and attempting to undress that morning so they could do more than just kiss? Or an energy-draining creature of darkness who was using her to get what he wanted?

Place your bets, she thought.

— They arrived back at Triple-A and Eden was surprised to see that the small parking lot outside of the Hot Stuff coffee bar and the detective agency was busier than she’d ever seen it before. Two people brushed past her as she entered through the front door with Darrak right behind her.

“Hi there,” a balding man said. “It’s so wonderful to know you’re here for us. We appreciate it more than you can imagine.”

Before she knew what was happening, he grabbed her into a tight hug. She didn’t hug him back, instead opting for feeling awkward and confused.

“Uh… great,” she managed when he released her. “Thanks, I guess.”

Before she could ask who he was, or who the beaming woman next to him who gave her a big thumbs-up was, he left and they made their way to the VW Beetle parked next to Eden’s Toyota.

She looked at Darrak, who was frowning deeply. “What?” she asked.

“That’s strange.”

“What?” she repeated.

“Nothing.” He shook his head. “I’m sure I’m just imagining things, but…”

“But what?”

“I could have sworn those were a couple of werewolves.”

“Were—?” She clamped a hand over her mouth to keep from shouting. Then she whispered, “Werewolves don’t exist.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You’re not slipping into denial all of a sudden, are you?”

“No, I wish. But werewolves?”

He waved a hand. “They’re just shifters like your werecat. Only I sensed wolf in those two.” He grinned. “You are so lucky I’m around. I’m like your guide, or something.”

“Or something.” Her stomach felt queasy. Could she not just have a couple hours of normal to help balance out the not-so-normal? Was that too much to ask for?

“Andy?” she said, tentatively, hoping that he wasn’t freaked out or terrified by being visited by Others. Maybe he had no idea. Come to think of it, if they were all over the place and looked human, it was very possible she herself, back in her blissfully ignorant days, had met more than her share of them and never been the wiser.

The good old days.

There were a couple of people standing in front of Andy’s desk, and he shook their hands. “That’s Eden right there,” he said. “Speak of the devil.”

There was an expression that wasn’t as innocent as it used to be.

They turned to look at her with smiles on their faces. “Wonderful,” a woman with short brown hair said. “Then I take it my case is in good hands.”

“The best,” Andy assured her.

“You’ll be in touch?” she asked.

“In a few days at the most. Thank you for choosing Triple-A.”

She smiled. “It’s as if it chose me, not the other way around. I was compelled to come here.”

“Our ad in the Yellow Pages is eye-catching.”

“Yes.” Her smile held. “I’m sure that’s what it was. Come, darling.”

She and her companion left the agency.

Darrak leaned toward her. “That was a white witch and her shifter lover.”

She tensed. “Please stop.”

“White witches are all nature- and animal-loving vegetarians. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried, I just want you to stop talking.”

They were alone in the agency. Andy looked at her with a huge smile on his face. “You are not going to believe my day. I texted you! I wish you’d been here!”

She cleared her throat nervously. “What happened?”

“A phoenix has risen from the flames.”

Her eyes widened. “Literally?”

He looked at her strangely. “Uh, no. But my business — well, our business — has been revitalized by a ton of new cases. It’s been nonstop since I got here this morning. I might even have to hire an assistant.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “And the strangest thing is what that woman, Mrs. Larenby, just said. They all were compelled”—he made air quotes—“to choose Triple-A.”

Darrak leaned over to whisper in her ear. “I think I figured it out. The reason why Others are attracted to you and this place.”

“Do tell,” she whispered back.

“This is where you forced me to take form the first time. The amount of psychic energy you expelled, added to what I am, was enough to create a hot spot. I’ve heard of that sort of thing happening before. Works like a magnet for Others. Now they think this is the go-to agency for paranormal clientele.”

Shit. That wasn’t good. Was it?

“That’s great,” she said then to Andy, smiling though her face felt very tight. “And the cases are… uh, is there anything unusual about them?”

“Unusual? No. The usual stuff. Surveillance, another potential cheating spouse, white-collar crime, background checks.”

Only for werewolves and fairies and witches, Eden thought. Oh my.

“Great,” she said, not liking the pitched, slightly hysterical tone of her voice.

“We should celebrate. I need a cigar. Why don’t I keep champagne on hand around here?”

“No idea.”

“I ordered some fresh coffee from next door. Nancy is going to bring it over.”