Mysteria Nights

He gave her a strange look. “Slipper.”

“Right.” She bit her lip before she revealed more of her ignorance. There were many details of being a modern human that she didn’t know. She’d never thought she’d be staying here as long as she had. She hadn’t banked on meeting Quel Laredo.

He shook his head at her. “If it takes me the rest of my days, I’m going to figure you out.”

She was going to use the rest of her days to make sure he didn’t. Not that she had many days left.

The fountain was the centerpiece of the town square. This time of night the area was deserted. The sky was growing light already. If she’d been human, she’d be greeting the sunrise with all the excitement of having spent the first night with a lover she wanted to see again and again. Instead, the coming dawn brought a feeling of dread.

Oblivious, Quel wrapped his arm over her shoulders, holding her close as they walked. “That was one hell of a night. I’d like to see you again. Though if the good reverend figures out you’re no longer a virgin after one date with me, she might not let you.”

“That might not be such a bad thing, Quel.”

His steps slowed as her heart banged hard in her throat. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“I don’t know if seeing each other is a good idea.”

Now he stopped, holding on to her hand as he searched her face in disbelief. “Are you giving me the brush- off?”

“I can’t see you anymore,” she blurted out. She had to sever ties with Quel before Lucifer discovered her attachment. It was what she’d failed to do all those thousands of years ago with Swift River. Then, she’d made the one, unforgivable mistake: she’d underestimated Satan. She might not be the smartest demon, but she did have a learning curve, and she was going to prove it tonight. She’d put Quel’s welfare over her own desires. “It’s over. I’m sorry.”

Quel swore under his breath. “I don’t frickin’ believe this. Shay—”

He’d stopped speaking midsentence. Reaching for his pistol, he peered into the shadows, his nostrils flaring. “Hell stench.”

The thunder of small hooves drew their attention to the far side of the square. A herd of billy goats trotted toward them. Fluffy and white, they looked like the ones in Harmony and Damon’s pen. Glowing red eyes gave away their origins.

“Subdemons,” Quel growled. He sprayed silver BBs into the herd, decimating it. The goats sizzled and popped, dissolving before their eyes.

A shriek sounded overhead. Something whooshed past, blowing Shay’s hair. Quel took a shot. An owl fell to earth, its red eyes fading as it flapped at their feet. Even as it vaporized, the sky filled with other creatures, hundreds of them. Their flapping wings rustled like dry leaves. “Bats this time,” she said. The subdemons swooped and squeaked.

Quel hauled her close, letting her bury her head against his chest as he blasted away at the beasties. More varieties appeared to replace what he destroyed. Evil soaked the very air. Malevolence, she could feel it.

And so it begins . . . Lucifer’s patience had run out. Her time of freedom was up. The time to act was upon her. She twisted around. “Quel, protect yourself before me. When the time comes, you cannot hesitate. You must save yourself.”

He jerked back. “Woman, you’re definitely babbling now.”

“Promise me you’ll do it.” She gripped his arms. His eyes were wide with denial. He’d rather die himself than hurt her, she knew. There was only one way to get him to do as she said, and that was to tell him what she was. “I’m a monster, Quel. A demon. Your instincts were right about me.”

“Bullshit,” he growled. His blue eyes were blacker now. He was angry.

“I came to kill the Faithfulls’ baby. Lucifer ordered me here. He thinks the child will grow up to rival him, even defeat him. He sent me to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“And you couldn’t do it.”

Her throat constricted. “No,” she whispered. “I can’t.”

“You’re human, that’s why.” Quel grabbed the cross hanging from her neck, pulling the chain taut. “A demon couldn’t wear this. You can. You’re mortal, Shay. You’re one of us, not them. You’re human.”

Human . . . could it be? Yes. She was already halfway to believing it. Quel’s conviction pushed her the rest of the way. Her soul, her immunity to silver, her virginity, it was obvious. “I crashed into that wishing fountain and came out mortal.”

“You wished to be mortal, to have a soul, and it gave you what you wanted.”

A soul. The chance to really live. For a finite period, she realized. “I’m no longer immortal.”

“Quality over quantity, we humans always say.”

She laughed at that until reality returned. Her new status meant she was even weaker than she’d thought. She had no powers at all to fight anything Lucifer threw at her. And these subdemons were only the tip of the iceberg.

“Go, Quel.” She shoved at him. It was like trying to move a brick wall. “Get out of here. It doesn’t matter what I am now; Lucifer will kill you if he finds out I love you.”

For all his hardness, he gave her the classic double take.

“Yes, I love you. We go back, Quel, way back. It was during the Ice Age. You were a hunter, even then. I was a demon, but I fell for you. Lucifer didn’t like it. He had me kill you. He’ll do it again —”

“Hold on. I smell a demon.” His voice sounded a little too calm, a little too steady. A glance at his face revealed alarm. Damnation, the demon hunter was nervous. Not a good sign. Whatever was on the way frightened him. “It’s powerful, Shay. Ancient.”

Who was it? She glared into the shadows. The oldest demons were few; she knew them all. “See? You’ve got to get out of here.” Why couldn’t he understand? She knew! She’d lived this all before. “Forget all that crap about protecting me. Go. You’re in over your head.”

“You got the wrong man if you think I’m going to cut and run, angel.”

“I’m not an angel,” she screamed in frustration.

“You are to me.” Quel made a stifled groan and hauled her closer, crushing her against him. Sliding her hands under his coat, she soaked in his body heat. It didn’t help her shivering. It was like the night of the crash all over again. “It doesn’t matter what you were,” he said in her hair. “I don’t frickin’ care.”

A quiet laugh interrupted. “I’m jealous, Shay. I’ve missed you down in Hell, and here you are, once again keeping company with mortal men. What do they have that I don’t? Feelings?”

The familiar deep, lilting voice chilled her to the core. Nevin, she thought. Lucifer hadn’t sent just any demon after her. He’d sent the most feared high demon lord of them all.

Eight

With a tornado of bats spinning overhead, Nevin advanced on them, his eyes glowing red. “Down!” Quel shoved her to the ground and took aim.

Nevin flicked his wrist. A burst of black energy sent Quel flying backward. He hit the ground hard, his boots scraping over the dirt.

“Quel!” She bit her lip. Too late. She’d revealed her feelings.

Nevin appeared absolutely delighted by her outburst. “Master wanted me to see what was taking you so long. How quickly I found my answer. Our little mortal wannabe has found herself another man. Is she in love?”

“He’s nothing but a bit of sport, Nevin. You know how much I enjoy sex.”

“That I do.” Nevin was heartbreakingly handsome. When he smiled, broad and perfect, he could bring a woman to tears. And he had, many times; she’d been witness. “You always did prefer me to the humans, dear Shay, didn’t you? A real lover. A dark lover.” You want me, Shay. You desire me above all