“You already intimated you’d scheduled my exorcism. I assume it’s through the boy wonder.”
When she didn’t say anything he must have taken that to be a confirmation.
“Why didn’t he already do it?” he asked.
Eden tried to think of a reasonable explanation for everything but decided that the truth was the best idea, all things considered. Otherwise, she’d be a bit of a hypocrite, wouldn’t she? “He couldn’t do it when you were dampened. And then when he found out you’re an archdemon he had to go ask his superiors how to…”
“How best to squash me like a cockroach from Hell?” he finished.
“He didn’t put it that way, but that was the general idea.”
“Call him and tell him he doesn’t have to ask anybody anything. I won’t fight him. He can come over right now and we can finish this. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to bag an archdemon. He might get a medal or something for his efforts.”
She exhaled. “I’m so glad to hear you feel that way. Could you please be a doll and bring me the phone?”
He stiffened, then walked over to the dinette table, grabbed the cordless phone, and brought it over to her.
She took it from him. “Thanks so much. I wonder if he’d mind picking me up a coffee on his way over?”
Darrak shrugged. “I don’t know. You should ask him.” She glared at the demon. “You don’t really think I’m going to call him right now, do you?”
His jaw was tight and there was no humor in his expression. “I can’t think of a single reason why you
“To say it’s been a goal of mine would be putting it mildly.”
“So do it, already. This is your chance.”
She placed the phone down on the dinette table and put her hand on her hip. “You saved my life.”
“Then I almost sucked it out through your mouth. And I’m draining you of energy every single day you’re possessed with me. Everything I am, everything I do, is killing you.”
She cringed. “We’ll figure out another way.”
“There is no other way. Call Malcolm. He wants to help you. He
She looked down at the phone. “Are you saying I need to make out with him? He’s a little too young for me.”
He grabbed the receiver and pointed at her with it. “This isn’t funny.”
“Darrak, let’s talk about this.”
He sighed with frustration. “What’s there to talk about? I lied to you over and over. Shamelessly. I’m an evil archdemon from the belly of Hell who turns nice girls into black witches. And I’m killing you, little by little, even without trying just by my very existence. What’s the problem here?” He thrust the phone out to her.
She didn’t take it from him. “What happened to your self-protective instinct?”
“I’m fighting it as we speak. I might start crying like a baby in a moment if you don’t take this phone from me. But I know this is the right thing to do. Just do it, would you?”
That made her actually laugh out loud. It was a small burst of hysteria that surprised even her. “The badass, evil archdemon is demanding that I call somebody to exorcise him so he doesn’t hurt me anymore. Is that it?”
He glowered. “That’s pretty much it.”
“What happened to the whole ‘I’ve been infused with humanity and I’ve changed to be a good boy now’ story?”
His face was expressionless. “All lies, of course. I’m evil incarnate. You saw what I look like in demon form. Did that look like a fluffy, helpful bunny to you?”
“No, it certainly did not. Bunnies don’t have horns or hellfire going on.”
“Then… there you go.”
“There’s one problem with what you’re saying, though,” she said.
He sighed again. “And what’s that?”
“I believe that you’ve changed.” She stepped closer to him and put her hand on his chest and looked up at his tense face. “Because you have. I don’t know what you were really like before, but you’re not evil anymore. And the fact that you’d be willing to sacrifice yourself to save my pathetic little life is all the proof I need.”
He swore. “Fine. I’m going to have to call him myself.” “I’m not giving you Malcolm’s card.”
He smiled thinly at her. “You don’t have to. I memorized the number.”
He started dialing.
“I can stop you if I use your real name, can’t I?” she said.
He looked at her. “You can. But just remember I’ve killed all but one human who ever had that sort of power over me.”
“I already used your name earlier, remember?”
“You did.”
“So kill me.”
He jabbed his index finger at her. “You’re crazy. I think I get it now. You’ve gone completely nutty as a fruitcake. I’m surprised it took this long, actually. There have been humans who’ve seen my demon visage and gone insane with fear at my greatness.”
She rolled her eyes. “Okay, you’re obviously very full of yourself. It was impressive, sure. But let’s not get carried away.”
“Crazy.” He shook his head and started dialing again. “So are you going to use my real name to stop me?”
“No.”
“Then you’re going to let me do this?”
“No.”
“Then what are you—?”
She kissed him.
Darrak dropped the phone.
It had been the reaction she’d hoped for.
He grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back from him, his expression filled with confusion at her strange behavior. “What the hell was that for?”
“I had to stop you from making a serious mistake.”
“A mistake?” he repeated, eyeing her warily. “Maybe I’ll drain you of the rest of your energy. That would be a mistake. For
“I don’t think you will.”
“Then you’re very naive. And you’re asking for trouble.”
She tried to touch him but he grabbed her wrists firmly, pushing her easily back up against the wall, effectively trapping her in place.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Eden,” he whispered in her ear. “Now that you know the truth about me. Now that you know what I’m capable of. Are you feeling reckless all of a sudden? The brush with death wasn’t enough for you?”
She inhaled sharply at the feel of his extremely warm body pressed against hers. It made it difficult to think straight.
This was the same demon who’d been seven feet of horns and fire only hours ago. The one who had, admittedly, nearly drained her of all of her energy. Sure, he might have changed somewhat since his archdemon days, he might be charming and handsome and easy to talk to in human form, but he was still dangerous. She knew it.
He could hurt her so easily if he wanted to.
But she truly believed he didn’t want to.
There was one way to find out for sure.
“Darrak…” Her mouth was only inches from his.
