"Sure. Thanks, Chris. I appreciate you leaving mesome backup."
We all stood when Billy did, and he gave a quick wavebefore heading toward the back. Mal followed, pulling out his phone and theyquickly exchanged numbers.
"Ready?" Ezra asked once Mal had rejoinedus.
"Yeah, I guess."
"Take care of her," Aaron ordered. "Wewant her back."
Ezra studied the taller man for a moment beforenodding. "I will do my best to keep her from harm."
I noticed he didn't promise to bring me back to them,but protection was important at this point, too.
"We want Sabian back, as well," Mal addedsoftly.
"So do I," Ezra grumbled. "Hence the entireexpedition."
"Speaking of, what does Chris get out of all ofthis?" Mal asked.
"Sabian," Ezra said with enough finalitythat I hoped Mal didn't push him any further.
"Assuming we can rescue him." I shoved myhands in my pockets and hunched my shoulders. We had to get him back.
Ezra nodded. "I do not believe the ones whocurrently have Sabian will expect me to bring an exorcist when I come tocollect him. You will have some real advantages that they won't be able toeasily counter."
"Such as?" Mal crossed his arms.
"She will still be able to banish demons, ifnothing else. It simply won't send them as far away."
Mal glared at Ezra.
I took a step back until I was leaning against Mal'ssolid strength. He was coiled tight, and I hoped he would relax a little.
"I believe we have a flight to catch. Be assured,I will help her discover what she can do in my realm. I do not want Chrisharmed any more than you do."
Before they could argue any further, I twisted aroundand wrapped Mal in a hug. He put his arms around me, kissing me every bit aspossessively as he had the night before, taking my breath away and speeding myheart. I melted into his touch, trying to memorize the way it felt just in caseI didn't make it back.
I really hoped they weren't watching us from the back,but oh well.
Aaron claimed me for a much more chaste kiss next,though Mal let his hand linger on my shoulder.
"Like I said, Chris Price, be careful." Aaronclung to me, as if he might not let go.
"I will," I choked out. Then before I couldlose my nerve and run and hide in the walk-in freezer in the back, I headed forthe exit. Ezra followed close behind and Mayhem trotted along at my side.
"I just need to grab my bag," I said once wewere out in the desert heat.
Ezra didn't answer, just followed me over to my car. Inoticed he didn't touch me, either, which was good since right now the need tohave my skin against his was somewhat manageable.
He took my bag when I got it out of the back of my carand gestured toward the black sedan he was driving. I opened the passengerdoor, slid in, and Mayhem jumped on my lap. I waved at my guys, Aaron and Malboth leaning against my car, nearly identical concerned expressions on theirfaces.
Ezra put my bag in the trunk and got in the driver'sside. Blessed cool air blasted us when he cranked the engine, and then we wereheaded to the airport.
"So, please tell me you got us good seats?"
Ezra chuckled. "How's a private jet?"
"Really, mate?"
"Do you really think I was going to fly on acommercial airline?"
"Uh, well, yeah, I guess. Private jets are alittle out of my league."
Ezra was quiet for a moment before he shook his head. "Theyshouldn't be."
I frowned. "Say what?"
He didn't answer and I dropped it.
"Who's going to be at this meeting?"
"A few people I want you to meet. Some otherdemons. Possibly some of the fae folk. Maybe a few mortals."
"Okay then." He wasn't going to tell me anymore. I could tell by the set of his shoulders. "Is it safe?"
Ezra just looked at me for a moment before refocusingon the road.
"Right, mate."
We made the rest of the trip in silence, though mymind was churning. There were so many things I needed to know and yet I couldn'tbring myself to voice any of them. Ezra was heading out to the regionalairport, not down to the big one in Albuquerque, and it didn't take us long toget there.
The demon prince, who was a surprisingly sedate driver–howdid he learn to drive anyway–pulled into one of the short-term parking spots.
"They got driver's ed in hell?"
"What?" Ezra frowned at me, obviouslyconfused. "No."
"I'm under the impression Sabian doesn't know howto drive. How'd you learn?"
"Sabian has spent most of his life in hell otherthan when he was forced to come to this plane a few times. I, on the otherhand, have spent a fair bit of time here in the past."
I wasn't sure I wanted details, and he didn't offerany.
We got out and Ezra grabbed my bag. He didn't haveone.
"Mayhem, you got this under control?" Iasked the hellhound.
He wagged his fluffy tail, and I took that as a yes.
"I'm getting used to having him around," Iadmitted as I followed Ezra toward the terminal.
After a few steps, the demon prince dropped back so hewas walking next to me and I didn't have to trail after him. It took me amoment to realize that was a deliberate move on his part. Interesting. I wasn'tsure how to take his thoughtfulness. Though, to be fair, he hadn't ever shownme anything but kindness. He either wanted something from me, or he actuallydid like me. I supposed time would tell which it was.
He took a step ahead of me and grabbed the door and westepped out of the blazing heat. Ezra slipped off his sunglasses and theyjust...vanished from his hand.
Okay, demon tricks. Nice.
"This way." He gestured, still walking nextto me.
Mayhem trotted along on my other side.
I hadn't been in an airport in a long time, but itfelt reasonably familiar. He led me straight to the security lines. Shit, I wasgoing to have to fess up to the knife because that wasn't getting throughsecurity.
"Ezra," I whispered.
"Don't worry about security," he replied.
"But..."
"Yes, I know you've got all sorts of interestingthings in your bag. I can feel the energy they give off.
