Mayhem growled softly, but I put a hand on his fluffyback and he quieted.
"Any idea if there are more demon charms outthere?" Deputy McClellan asked.
"I don't know," I answered. "Maybe. IfI come across any, or find out there are more, I'll take care of it."Just, not for a week or two. I wasn't even sure if I could exorcise a willingdemon right now, let alone one that might fight me.
"Well, Ms. Price, we certainly appreciate yourhelp in all of this," Deputy McClellan said.
I stood when she did, Mayhem jumping to the groundfrom my lap, and shook her hand.
"You're welcome."
Darius studied me for another moment before he alsogot to his feet. "Stay in touch, Price," he said.
"Yeah, mate. If I need something, I'll be sure tolet you know."
He winced but nodded, accepting the jab that he onlycame to me these days when he wanted help. I wasn't sure if we'd ever even tryto bridge the gap that the years and bad experiences had built between us, but hewould probably be there if I did need him. And I'd be there if he needed me. That'swhat best friends did, even ones with our fucked up relationship.
Darius exchanged a slightly strained goodbye with Maland Deputy McClellan gave them both an appraising look before giving him a nodand they left the house.
Mal put his arm around me and I leaned into him as wewatched them pull out of the driveaway and hopefully out of my life. At leastfor a while.
"Are you okay?" Mal squeezed his arm.
We hadn't had much of a chance to talk since lastnight.
"No. But I will be."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
I turned until I could bury my face against his chest.He held me, not speaking, just waiting on me.
"I don't know. I didn't expect to lose Sabian. Imean, I almost banished him once, but I guess I just didn't think."
"We did the best we could, Chris. Hell, I wasunconscious for most of it." He sounded a bit chagrined.
"We wouldn't have gotten in without you, and Iwouldn't have survived that hit, so thanks for taking it for me."
Mal rubbed small circles on my back. "Any time."
"I am surprised at how much I miss Ezra." I didn'twant to admit it, but if I could tell anyone, it would be Mal.
"He seemed like a decent sort, for a demonprince."
I chuckled. "Yeah. He was kind of growing on me."
Mal returned my laugh. "Yeah. I hear that's whathappens when you're possessed."
I snorted. "Guess so. Hoping to avoid that again,but he did save my life and all. Guess, if I do run into him again, I hope it'sunder slightly different circumstances. What are we going to do about Sabian?"
"Get him back, of course," Mal replied. "I'vegot a few ideas. Your aura has gone to shit though, and I'm guessing you're outof energy, so let's give it a couple of weeks."
"Seriously?" I tilted my chin so I couldlook him in the eyes.
"Yes, Chris. He's good for you. I like him, too. Wejust have to figure out the best way to go about getting him back."
I grinned, but then I remembered we needed to talkabout the two of us as well and my expression fell.
"What about us?" Best to just get theemotional stuff over with.
Mal smiled. "I'd like to officially call you mygirlfriend, if you want." He traced his fingers along my cheek, and Imelted a little.
"Yeah, mate, that sounds great. You over thewhole Chris is a fragile human thing?"
"No, but you've got a properly bonded hellhoundnow, you'll have your incubus back in a few weeks, and a half angel living inyour guest room. Between them and me, you're as protected as you can be. Not tomention, you are pretty badass on your own, if you can avoid getting stabbed orshot."
I grinned. "Yeah, don't you forget I'm a badass,either."
"Trust me. I won't."
"So if I'm your girlfriend, am I still allowed tohave Sabian?"
Mal blinked as if he hadn't even considered that as anissue. "Of course, Chris. Honestly, you should see if you can snag Aaron,too. He likes you."
I raised my eyebrows. "You know, you might beopen minded about sharing me with other guys, but the thought of sharing you ismaking me see red."
Mal's grin widened. "You're the only exorcist forme, Chris. Trust me, you won't have to share my affections and I'm fine withsharing yours with Sabian and Aaron, if he decides to join us. They all bringsomething to our group, and to be honest, I would be very surprised if thismess with the demons is over with."
"So, surround myself with powerful men?"
"Just run them by me and Sabian first." Malwinked before pulling me back into a tight hug. "You are extremely badass,but if my gut feeling is correct, we are going to need all the help we can get.We're on the radar now, and I very much doubt we're going to be left alone. Thestronger we are as a group, the better chance we'll have to be able to standagainst forces no mortal, or vampire, should truly have to face."
I shivered at the seriousness in his voice. He wasworried, and if he was, I probably should be, too. "Okay, mate. We'llstick together and build ourselves a nice roleplaying group in the process."
Mal sputtered. "That's not..."
I cut him off with laughter. "Side benefit,right?"
He sighed, then chuckled. "I suppose."
"All right, Mal. It's a plan. So, we've got a fewhours before I should go check in at the restaurant. Care to entertain me for awhile?"
Mal's lips curled up into a seductive smile.
I thought about making a joke, but before I could, heswept me off my feet and was striding toward my bedroom.
Whatever was coming, I wouldn't face it alone. I knewMal, Sabian when I got him back, and Mayhem would never leave my side. Andthere was a chance I'd be able to add Aaron to that
