“I’ve heard that line before, handsome. I’ve realized the hard way that the only person who’s ever going to help me out of a jam is myself.”
“That’s not true.”
“It is.”
“Hard life?”
“It’s had its moments.”
“No knights in shining armor?”
“I’m not the type who believes in them.” She swept her gaze over him. “Why? You offering to suit up?”
“No. Not me.” He extended his arm to show her the brand that bound him to the Malleus body and soul. “My choices are limited when it comes to rescuing damsels in distress these days.”
“Too bad.”
“Just tell me one thing…”
“What?”
“Darrak… he’s bad news, isn’t he?”
She hesitated, but then her jaw clenched. “He’s an archdemon. That’s the worst kind of demon there is.”
“What about any changes to do with him absorbing Eden’s celestial energy? Did you ever notice any change in him because of this?”
“Not really. He puts up a good front that he’s a decent guy now, but I don’t believe it. I’ve seen too much in my life to believe he’s in this because he really loves her. Call me a cynic.”
Oliver thought she had more answers than that. He was fixated on the nephilim energy potentially changing the demon. This bit of info wouldn’t be enough to satisfy him.
“I need to go,” he said. “I’m sorry I can’t help you. Really.”
She let out a long shuddery breath. “If you can’t rescue my sorry ass, then do me a favor and rescue Eden. Before it’s too late.”
“I’ll try my best.” He turned from her and rapped on the door to get the guard’s attention.
The door opened a moment later, and he felt the woman’s warm hand on his shoulder. He glanced back at her warily, but this time she didn’t look ready to claw his eyes out. She looked sad and vulnerable.
“That mark on your arm? It’s just a scar unless you believe differently.”
“I wish you were right.”
He left her, feeling like hell that she didn’t know enough to save her own neck and knowing he’d likely have to see her again later that night under less than pleasant circumstances. But one thing the beautiful shifter had reminded him about was his original goal.
If he could save Eden from the demon who possessed her, then everything else in his life just might start to make sense again.
Eden peered through the fence at their first stop, where Andy said they’d find the only confirmed Brendan Franks in Toronto. After this, all they had was the lead on the address at the Manulife Centre downtown.
“That can’t be him,” she said.
“I disagree,” Darrak replied. “He looks like someone Lucifer might want to have a chat with.”
Brendan appeared to be about six years old and was currently on recess at a local elementary school.
“I don’t think so.”
“Come on, Eden, don’t be naive. Demonic children are a dime a dozen in the Netherworld. Need I mention Children of the Corn? Damien? Justin Bieber?”
Brendan ran toward the entrance to the school when the bell rang and succeeded in tripping and falling. He sat there for a stunned moment before he started to wail. A teacher came over and helped him to his feet, patting him comfortingly on the top of his head.
“Well… maybe you’re right,” Darrak conceded. “Lucifer isn’t a big fan of crybabies. I know this from personal experience.”
The other location was looking more promising with every passing moment.
Eden knew she had to concentrate, but her mind kept wandering. Why did this have to happen today? Couldn’t Lucas wait till next week? Next month? Exactly what kind of conversation did he want to have, and why hadn’t he been more forthcoming with the details?
She could ask a million questions, but it wouldn’t change a damn thing. She had to come through on this. Lucas hadn’t specifically threatened Darrak, but the prince simply had too much control over her demon in residence. After how close she’d come this morning to losing him, she hated that Lucas could use him as punishment if she messed up a job for him again.
“We do need to see Maksim again,” she said. “First thing tomorrow. I don’t want to put it off any longer after what happened earlier.”
“No harm done.”
“Wrong. Harm
He nodded as they returned to the Toyota. “Fine, if you absolutely insist. I’ll stifle my dislike of that guy for another day. But don’t get your hopes up. He already told you what the other option is if we can’t break the curse.” He said it lightly, but his expression was tight.
Her stomach twisted with part flu, part nerves. “That’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid.”
He didn’t reply.
“And we’re
“Of course we are.”
“Nothing bad is going to happen to either of us. I promise.”
He eyed her. “You’re still after that happily ever after, are you?”
“I’ll settle for nothing less.” She did wish she could coax a bit more confidence into her voice. “Tomorrow is another day.”
“Yes, Scarlett.”
She’d felt as if she’d been close to breaking the curse this morning.
But maybe she’d been wrong. Maybe that black blob she’d seen wasn’t anything more helpful than one of Nancy’s malformed chocolate donuts.
A mere fifteen minutes later they walked into the lobby of 55 Bloor Street West, a shiny office building and shopping mall.
“Andy’s probably right,” she said. “Brendan could definitely work here.”
“Then why didn’t that come up on his search? I mean, he was able to find the location of a little kid, but not some guy with a job right in the heart of the city?”
She shook her head. “No idea.”
“So slap that bracelet on this guy’s wrist, send him directly to Hell, and we head back and deal with Andy.”
She froze, nearly going over on her high heels on the shiny floor. “Excuse me?”
Darrak looked at her. “What?”
“Did you say, send him to Hell?”
He frowned as if not understanding her confusion. “Well, yeah. What do you think that set of handcuffs there does?”
“These are handcuffs?” She yanked her hand out of her pocket where she’d been touching the cold silver of the bracelet again. “I–I didn’t really think about it.”
He grimaced. “Well, forget I said anything.”
“How am I supposed to forget about that? I’m going to send someone to…” She lowered her voice. “To
“Likely the reason this dude has the cloaking spell on him so Lucifer can’t find him and drag him there before
