Demon Kissed (11 page)

I released the breath that I didn’t realize I was holding, looking at his face. Sapphire eyes watched me, before Collin broke the gaze. He possessed a melancholy nature that I was too shaken to notice. I’d seen it in his mind. No I
felt
it in his mind. It weighed on him, baiting him, making him reckless. Collin’s arms folded over his chest, as his hair slid into his face. He pushed it back, eyes darting between me, and the floor.

Swallowing hard, I thought about him doing the mind speed-read to me. The idea made it feel like someone poured ice down my back. I closed my eyes slowly, not knowing what to think, too afraid to move.

His voice broke the silence, “That’s why I couldn’t kiss you.”

Shock washed over me, overriding my fear. I looked straight at him. That was the last thing I expected him to say. “What?”

His eyes were so blue, and his expression was tormented as he spoke. “Ivy, your emotions flood through me when we aren’t even touching. A slight caress from you, something I would barely notice from other girls, is so intense that
… ,
” his words trailed off. “I don’t know what’ll happen—with a kiss.” He shook his head, almost ashamed of what he’d said.

An odd sensation snaked through my body. I wanted to consider what it was, and tell him it was okay. But it wasn’t. I had a deadly secret. He’d see it, Hell, he’d feel it if we kissed. He’d learn what I was, and about the Martis. If he stuck around after seeing that, there was no way he’d stay knowing about the prophecy. I was damned, destined to destroy everyone.

Looking down, I heard myself agreeing with him. “You don’t have to explain. You’re right.”

Silence filled the air until I couldn’t take it anymore. Emotions swirled relentlessly inside my chest, filling me with regret. My voice was weak, “I’ll see you around, I guess.” Careful not to look him in the eye, I turned and started walking away. No voice called after me. No footfalls came running up behind me. My stomach sank in the deafening silence, realizing that my fear came true.
I lost him.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Cold air blasted me in the face, as I pushed open the metal door, and headed across the parking lot. My steps smacked into the pavement fast and hard. It was such a stupid mistake. Why couldn’t I leave things alone? I cut through the empty alley, as my feet carried me past the blaring horns and noise on the street. My brain sorted through jumbled emotions. I could think about it later. Eric was waiting for me at the diner. I sucked in cold air, and let the chill flood my body. A crisp burst of wind tore through my hair, peeling my jacket open. Clutching my coat tighter, I leaned into the biting gust.

When the breeze died, I looked up. My dark hair was tangled across my eyes—and I saw him. Pulse racing; I stopped dead in my tracks. Jake was staring at me through the blur of traffic across the busy street. He leaned against a storefront—watching me. My heart jumped into my throat. Startled by a car horn, I glanced away, and that was all it took. Jake disappeared.

Frantically, my eyes raked the street looking for him, but he was gone. That was it. Knowing I couldn’t risk staying still for another second, I ran until I reached the end of the block. The silver beacon stood on the corner. Big neon letters said DINER. It was circa 1950 on the outside, complete with shiny silver siding. The interior was more modern, but still had a counter with bright red stools and gleaming chrome legs.

I jumped through the door, looking for Eric. He sat at a table in the back corner. I slid into the booth opposite him, utterly freaked. An overhead lamp just missed crashing into my skull. Eyes wide, I said, “I saw him.”

A waiter slapped down two glasses of water. Condensation beaded on the clear glass, and ran down the sides.

“Where?”
Eric asked.

“When I came out of the school.
He was across the street. I saw him between the cars, but he disappeared.” I felt my face falter. “I didn’t see where he went.” Panic was rising in my throat.

Eric’s amber eyes narrowed. “So, he’s still alive. I tracked him, and found where he lived, but he was gone. There was no way to tell if he survived the night he attacked you.”

I shook my head, rubbing my hands up and down my arms. “What do we do?”

“Hey, it’s okay. There are a few places where Valefar can’t attack. One is a church—holy ground. The other, as weird as it sounds, is your home.” Eric leaned back.

“My house?
Why? Is that like, some weird vampire thing? Do I have to invite him in or something?” I wanted to lay my head on the table. Instead I slumped forward, holding my head between my hands.

Eric smiled slightly, “No, it’s a magic thing. You have a parent—someone who loves you. It’s a natural ward against demon magic. They can’t enter your house, because your mom lives there, too. That’s why I kept telling you to stay home. It sounds weird, but it’s true.” He sipped some water, and then said, “Now, the best way to catch him is to wait for him to take another shot at you.”

His words choked the air out of my lungs. How did my life spun out of control so quickly? I summed it up in one word, “Suck.”

“Yeah.”
Eric watched me as he spoke. He leaned forward, with his arms outstretched across the table. He spoke softly, “He won’t hurt you again. I promise, Ivy. I won’t let him. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.” His fingers clutched the edge of the table.

I desperately wanted to believe him, but my twisting gut was telling me otherwise.
“How?”
I asked. “I know you mean well, Eric, but can’t protect me from him. You don’t even know where he is. I’m a walking target. It’s only a matter of time.”

“Ivy, look at me,” Eric’s hand gripped mine, and my gaze slowly lifted to his face, “He won’t hurt you again. I swear. I won’t let anything hurt you.” His eyes were earnest, but he was promising something that I knew he couldn’t deliver. Even if he could protect me from Jake, I couldn’t expect him to keep his promise if he found out what I really was. Pulling my hand back, I leaned back into the booth.

“Eric,” I sighed, not knowing how to say what I felt. “You can’t protect me. You just can’t. Things are…
bigger
than they seem.”

Leaning forward, he asked, “What do you mean?” A large Greek woman cut off our conversation. She stood at our table, and cocked her hip, waiting. She wrote our order onto her pad, then left, leaving us alone again. Lowering his voice, he repeated, “What do you mean,
things are bigger than they seem
?”

Swallowing hard, I answered, “Just that… Things aren’t simple. Not anymore. It’s complicated, Eric.” The desperation that clung to the sides of my stomach all day slid up my throat, choking me. I knew I was saying too much, but I needed to confide in someone. I might have said more if Shannon hadn’t planted the seeds of distrust in my mind. But she did.

The expression on his face was soft, and concerned. “Is it Collin?” he asked.

“Not really,” I paused, reconsidered then said, “A little bit.” I wanted to tell Eric that my mark was tainted, but I couldn’t risk it. I didn’t know enough about him or the Martis to decide yet. Besides, boy problems would be overlooked as normal teenage drama.

 
Eric leaned back into his side of the booth. Looking down at the white table top, he said, “You know
,
I wasn’t sure if you were still gonna come before.”

“Why’s that?” I asked.

Eric shrugged, “Well, you spend a lot of time with that guy. And he doesn’t really like me, so I thought he’d talk you out of it. What’d he think about you hanging out with me anyway?” His chin tilted up enough to catch my eye.

“Actually… He doesn’t like it.” I felt the smile pull my lips.

Eric picked up his glass and took a sip. “Why’s that? Do you think?”

I shrugged, “He’s just protective. That’s all.
‘Til
now, he’s been the big brother I never had. You know, always poking his nose where it shouldn’t go.” I smiled, thinking about it.

Nothing escaped Eric’s notice. Tilting his head, he asked, “
’
Til
now?
So something changed?” Leaning forward in the booth, he added, “You didn’t tell him that you’re a Martis, did you?”

I scoffed. Shaking my head, I answered, “No. I’m not stupid. He doesn’t know. I didn’t tell anyone. Except… ” The approaching waitress silenced my words. Eric looked appalled that I told someone, but I knew he wouldn’t care once he knew who I told. The waitress slapped down white plates with fried food. The scent of grease filled the air, reminding me that I was hungry.

After she left, Eric leaned forward, asking, “Who? Who did you tell! I told you not to tell anyone.”

“I found a Martis last night. I told her. Shannon McClure.”

Eric visibly relaxed, and I could see the tension flow out of him. “That’s okay. She’s okay. How’d you know she was Martis?”

“It was an accident,” I replied. “She saw my mark, and then revealed herself as a Martis.” I told him the rest of what happened—well, most of what happened. I left out the part about my mark turning violet, Shannon attacking me, and my involvement in the prophecy. I peered over my plate, considering Eric. If I could tell him everything it would make life so much easier. Maybe he could help me un-defile my mark, and wiggle out of the prophecy. But, if I was truly damned, there was nothing he could do about it. And he’d turn on me. “Can I ask you something?”

A smile tugged the corner of his mouth, “Sure, what do you want to know?” He leaned back into the booth, arms spread wide. He was as confident as Collin, but carried it differently.

“It’s kind of personal. Can I ask anything?” I grabbed a couple of pink sugar packets to occupy my hands while I spoke, flipping them around between my fingers.

He pressed his lips together, “Personal? Sure, I’ll answer. And, Martis can’t lie,
ya
know. I’ll answer anything you ask.” A playful look crossed his face.

“Tell me about you. I don’t really know you. What you like. What movies you watch. What stuff you like to do. When you think about it, it’s really weird. I don’t even know how old you are.”

The expression on his face shifted from confidently amused to surprise. “What do you mean? I’m seventeen, like you. You know me, Ivy.”

Smiling, I leaned forward, saying, “Huh. Apparently Martis can’t lie, but they can dodge questions.” I waited for him to speak, but he just smiled at me. “You are
not
seventeen, Eric!” I laughed. “You just look like you are. Martis are immortal, right? So, what year were you born, seventeen-year-old?” His smile grew. The right corners pulled tighter, revealing dimples that were normally hidden. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. “Stop looking at me like that. Answer the question, Mr. Question Evader.”

Eric let loose a loud laugh. It was a wonderful deep rich sound. “So you figured that out fast. We can’t lie, but we don’t have to answer.”

I made a mental note that the lack of lying was supposed to include me, but obviously didn’t since I’d been lying like crazy since the attack. “But you said you would.” I leaned back, watching him. He was enjoying this.

Nodding he said, “I did. I’ll tell you anything you want to know, if you’re sure you can handle it? And remember, I can ask the same of you. We’re both bound by the same magic to speak the truth.” Taking the ketchup bottle, Eric whacked on the 57 mark until his chicken looked like it was shot on the plate.

The corners of my mouth twitched, “I can handle anything. So, whatever I ask, you’ll answer?” I picked up a fry. He nodded, popping a piece of chicken into his mouth. Questions buzzed in my head, “You mentioned magic. And I saw how strong Jake was,” I shuddered. I couldn’t help it. “He pinned me to the ground. That was magic, right?” Eric nodded. “So, what can we do? Do we have magic like that?”

He dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “Yes, we have our own abilities, unique to the Martis. We have immortality, strength, speed, but we have different manifestations of power. We can conjure the physical form of light—that’s pretty cool. Some of us can heal, see the future, and others are great warriors who survived millennia of horrific wars.” He spoke like he was remembering something.