Demons Are a Girl’s Best Friend (8 page)

“Came out for a break and found you sawing logs. You’re also looking a little pink.” He touched her bare shoulder, but even his gentle touch was enough to elicit a wince. “Even witches aren’t immune from sunburn, ya know. Later, babe.” He hopped off and scurried away.

Maggie sat up and flinched. The tautness in her skin was twofold. Sunburn and arousal.

Wow, if he’s like that in a dream, what would he be like in real life?

Declan didn’t need anyone to tell him that Maggie had stepped into his territory—for real. He sensed her presence immediately.

Moments later, the expected telepathic message from Anton rippled through the air.
The witch wants to see you, boss.

He smiled at the grumble in the bouncer’s voice. Maggie.
She’s a member
of the Guard, Anton. As much as you wish to, you can’t keep her out
. He shook his head upon hearing a meaty grunt in reply that sounded a little pained. He counted to ten and started to wave his office door open, but there was no need. A blonde-haired whirlwind threw it open and stalked inside.

Maggie advanced on him with fire in her dark-emerald eyes and the expression of a witch ready and willing to create mayhem. He wasn’t worried about her temper as much as surprised by the bright patch of pink skin marring her nose and the somewhat stiff way she moved.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you had too much sun,��� he said mildly. He arranged his features into a somewhat confused frown and leaned back in his chair. He continued to study her; pleased to see—more than just her temper—that hint of attraction she couldn’t hide. He couldn’t help but remember how kissing her had felt, even if it was in his dreams. Damn, he was getting hot just sitting here thinking about it, and that had nothing to do with his genetics.

“I didn’t know witches could get sunburns. Don’t you have ointments to treat that?”

She started to scowl but seemed to reconsider when her sunburned forehead wrinkled.

“To what do I owe the honor of your visit?” He leaned back, his fingers steepled in front of him.

“It has to do with Anna. What she needs, and what we can do for her.”

He waved his hand in dismissal. “We will not have this discussion.”

“No doing the talk-to-the-hand bit,” she argued. “For once, think of her, not your macho demon ego. I need to talk to her. Better yet, Sybil needs to.”

“She’s an interrogator,” Declan bit out. “Someone trained to inflict pain and nightmares if you lie. Your prisoners leave there bloody and damaged in the mind.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell me, page forty-five of the demon manual on what to do if you’re captured by the enemy. You know what? That sounds more like what happens on your turf than on mine.

“We have a thing about turning our detainees bloody. Namely that it’s a bitch to clean up blood and guts. The brownies who live in our compound may enjoy cleaning and keeping our quarters neat, but they’re not too keen on the crime-scene cleanups.”

She softened her tone. “So will you bring Anna? Will you let us help her? If not to Sybil, let her talk to Ravenna, one of our Seers.”

“I’ll think about it.” He leaned forward. “Would you care for some lunch?”

“Lunch, and you’ll bring her to the compound.” She didn’t budge.

“No one bargains better than my kind,” he reminded her.

Maggie shifted in her chair, the hem to her top rising and revealing a hint of gold as her belly ring winked at him.

“You should see me when I visit the bazaars,” she quipped.

Declan continued gazing at her with his hot dark eyes. “We could visit the Babylon Gardens or the Great Pyramid of Khufu. Visit Pompeii when the city was known for its culture and decadence. I could take you to places that existed long before your ancestors walked this earth.”

Maggie prided herself on her ability to refuse any dip into temptation. Looking into Declan’s dark eyes, with the hint of flames in the depths, was about as enticing as you could get. She didn’t need to look south to know he was aroused. She could see it in his face. Judging by the way her breasts felt tight and full, she knew they were on the same hormonal wavelength.

“No thanks. My frequent-flier miles don’t cover time travel.” She smiled. “Shall we get back to Anna?”
Keep your mind on business, Mags. No thinking
about that kiss in the dream realm
. “Listen to reason. Anna needs to come to the compound. She needs help with her gift. Ravenna can do that for her.”

“She doesn’t
need
to do anything she doesn’t want to do. I’m in charge of Anna, and I will say what she does and doesn’t do.”

“Ooh, macho demon. Come on, Declan. You already admitted you don’t rule Anna, so you can’t spin that tale now. For once, be willing to do what’s right,” she insisted.

“And I am.”

“No, you’re not when I’m talking about one of those ‘Her words could save the world’ situations.” She nodded as he sat up at attention. “You got it, fireball. She knows something super-important, as in what I just said. Anna ‘Saw’ something important, and we need to make sense of it. I know someone who can help her do just that.”

“You’re only saying that to persuade me to send her with you.” Except he had a sinking feeling that Maggie wasn’t talking just for the sake of it. Anna’s nightmares continued, and he had no way to stop them. What if someone at the compound
could
help her?

“You know what, Maggie? You could stand there and strip naked, and I still wouldn’t go along with it. My people come first.”

“Terrific, fine, whatever. They come first, but there are so many others we both need to consider. No matter what animosity goes on between the realms, there are times we all need to work together. It looks like this is one of those times.”

Maggie shifted from one foot to the other, highlighting her agitation. “Don’t you really want to know what troubles are in the air? Just tea and a chat with Ravenna,” she assured him. “Would you be willing to go along with that?”

Declan knew that if he didn’t agree, Maggie would do her best to make life hell for him. No telling what she’d do to him, since he was positive she could use her determination to make life miserable for him both here and in the dream realm. “I want to be present the entire time.”

“That’s up to Ravenna, but knowing her, she’d agree as long as you didn’t try to interfere.” Maggie surveyed him. “I could be wrong, and that so very rarely happens, but now you sound as if you’re willing to go along with this. Wouldn’t it have been easier if you’d just agreed way back then?”

“I don’t know. We wouldn’t have had as much fun.” He leaned forward and tapped a hidden button on his desk. “Have Anna come in here.”

“Jeez, Declan, rude much? Where are your manners? You can’t say please? Or is that against the demon code?” Maggie plopped into one of the visitor chairs and propped her feet up on the top of the desk’s smooth black surface.

“Feet on the floor, if you don’t mind. Where were you raised? In a barn?” He leaned forward and brushed her feet to the floor.

“I grew up in the Witches’ Academy,” she said, “and believe me, they believe in discipline. So I understand the importance of feet belonging on the floor and not on the furniture, but that doesn’t mean I won’t tweak you when I can. Every witch has to have a hobby.” She looked over her shoulder when the door opened.

“You wish to see me, Declan?” The soft voice was hesitant as if afraid she would disturb something important.

“Come in, Anna.” His voice softened at the female demon’s entrance, meant to reassure her.

She started in and then almost bolted when she saw Maggie.

“It’s all right, Anna.” Declan stood up and walked over to her. He curved an arm around her shoulder in a protective manner and guided her inside while Maggie turned her chair around to face them.

“Hello, Anna.” She greeted the visitor with a warm smile.

The young demon shot a look filled with panic at Declan. “Is she here to take me back there? Did I do something wrong?”

“You’ve done nothing wrong, Anna.” Maggie kept her voice low and soothing. “Are you still seeing things? Perhaps having bad dreams?”

Anna sat on the very edge of the couch Declan guided her to but still looked as if she’d bolt if one wrong word were spoken.

“I still see things, but I also hear them.” She flinched as Maggie and Declan focused all their attention on her.

Declan slowly lowered his body into the chair next to the couch. “What do you hear?”

Anna ducked her head, her hair flowing down to cover her face. “Chanting. Words in a language I don’t understand. An old tongue. Not preternatural,” she explained. “Human, yet not human. As if ancient magick is being used.”

“Used for what?” Maggie asked.

Anna took a deep breath and shook her head. “Blood. Beating hearts eaten.” She clasped her hands so tightly her knuckles turned white.

“Anna, would you be willing to talk to someone at the Guard compound?” Maggie said, then hurried on. “Not an interrogator. This is someone who can understand what you’re feeling right now.”

“No one can understand.” Her hands tightened even more.

“Ravenna can because she’s a Seer.” Maggie abandoned her chair and moved over to Anna, kneeling down in front of her. She placed her hands over Anna’s and squeezed lightly. “I spoke with her, and she knows you’ve seen horrible things. She can help you deal with it.”

“Why would a Guard’s Seer be willing to help a demon?” Anna’s lips twisted in an ugly smile that warred with her delicate features. “I know what you think of us. You look at Declan and see a handsome male, but you also think of what’s beneath the skin and you despise him.”

Maggie refused to back down. “I’m a witch who’s been judged for the last 700-odd years. Nothing fazes me now. I’m just asking you to meet with Ravenna.”

Anna looked up at Declan. “What do you think? Do you wish me to do this?”

“It’s up to you. You know I’ve always given you the freedom to make your own choices.”

“But you think I should.” Her dark eyes glimmered with moisture. She continued staring at Declan as if Maggie wasn’t there.

Declan exhaled a deep breath. “Yes, I do. For all we know, the horrors you’re dreaming could take over your mind and render you insane. And there may be bigger issues involved. Perhaps this Ravenna can help you.”

“You will go with me.” She looked at her demon lifeline.

“Of course.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Could we do it now?” Her request likened to wanting to get dental surgery over with as fast as possible.

“I’m sure we could, and knowing Ravenna, she’s already readying the tea for your visit.” Maggie smiled.

Anna looked down at the skimpy silver skirt and strapless top that comprised her barmaid’s uniform. “Let me change first.” She left the office, closing the door behind her.

“So the visions have moved into nightmare territory?”

Declan nodded.

“I hope you let her catch up on her sleep,” Maggie remarked a bit too casually.

His expression was grim when he faced her. “Maggie… Anna is my half sister, although as far as I’m concerned, she’s full-blood to me. I brought her with me because our father wanted to mate her with someone who would pay a hefty price to own her. Someone Victorio considered appropriate. Namely anyone who could offer him enough power and money.”

He felt satisfaction at her startled look. It wasn’t easy to surprise the witch, and he could see his sudden revelation had thrown her off balance.

But Maggie merely stood up and said, “I’ll alert the front gate to let you through.”

Declan also rose to his feet. “You’re not following us to make sure Anna doesn’t change her mind?”

She shook her head. “I’d say from the look on her face she’s hoping Ravenna can help take the horrors from her.”

“Do you think a Seer can do that?” He had trouble believing someone could do what he feared might be impossible.

“If any Seer can, Ravenna can. She’s incredible.”

“And you’re allowing two demons to get close to one of your Seers? Many Guards wouldn’t allow that.”

“If I were you, I’d worry more about Ravenna than me. She may seem like a pussycat, but she’s a real tiger underneath.” The moment her hand cupped the doorknob, Declan came up and covered her hand with his.

“I’m curious, Maggie,” he whispered against her temple. “What’s the name of the perfume you wear?”

She was quiet for so long that he didn’t think she’d answer him. “Euphoria,” she finally replied and then was out the door and down the hallway before he could blink.

“Euphoria. A very appropriate name for a woman who inspires strong feelings.” Declan closed the door.

***

Maggie left a scowling Anton with a cheery “Bye now!” and a wave of the hand and then crossed the parking lot to where her Viper waited. She hadn’t worried about her vehicle’s safety when she was inside the club. The bouncer might hate her, but he knew better than to allow a Guard’s car to be vandalized. Plus, the wards on the sports car meant some serious pain to anyone who approached it with threat and violence on their mind.

In the bright light of day, the part of town surrounding the club looked full of despair and anger. To call it seedy was an understatement. The alleys between buildings were narrow and filthy, more storefronts were abandoned and boarded up than were open for business, and the beings that walked the sidewalks hadn’t known the meaning of the word “comfort” for years. Many who lingered near the street had the cold, dead eyes of humans with no soul.

Judging by the dark, empty eyes of the others, she’d bet that they were on the Hellion Guard’s Most Wanted List. An excellent reason to do a sweep late one night. It wouldn’t hurt to come down here during the day as well. She ignored one gnome who turned around and pulled down his pants to show a filthy, bony ass with springy hairs popping out of the leathery skin.

“Guard whore!” he shouted.

“Yeah, yeah, like I haven’t heard that one before,” Maggie muttered, settling into the Viper’s soft leather seats. “No one is original anymore.” She made the calls to the front gate and to the Seers’ Pavilion. Then she sat for a moment processing all she’d just learned.

She could hardly believe that Declan had diffused her anger so easily when she’d marched into his office. Or that he’d volunteered that Anna was his sister. And Anna was now willing to speak to their people, after previous exclamations that she never wanted to see them again. Although if Maggie were having the horrific nightmares and visions Anna was, she’d pretty much do whatever it took to make them go away.