Demons of the Sun (23 page)

But he didn’t.

Because it wouldn’t.

The neglected dishes in the sink seemed like a good place to start. Turtle had licked them mostly clean, but Persephone figured she’d take that next step and make them sanitary as well. She turned the water as hot as she could stand it, filled the sink, and got to work.

All she saw, no matter how hard she tried to focus on the dishes was that headless, heartless body.

Which head from my nightmare used to be connected to that body?

She should’ve gotten Isadora’s phone number. Now she could only wonder if the woman had listened.
Or is she destined to end up dead no matter how hard I try to stop it?

Arms encircled her and Jax tucked his chin on her shoulder. “You doing okay?”

“I don’t think I’ve been okay for years. And I don’t think I have a chance of being it anytime in the near future.”

He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her toward him. Concern filled his eyes, and she wanted to be tough. But he’d ruined her tough façade shortly after he arrived, and she didn’t think it was in her to get it back again. He cupped her cheek. “I wish I could say something to make you feel better.”

Unfortunately, nothing he said would change what had happened. For the past few hours, she’d tried to talk herself out of the horrifying thought that the scene in her nightmare could still happen. That she was the reason it all would happen.

I should tell him. I should tell him about my nightmares, about the evil inside of me, and how it’s causing the demons to call me their queen.

The adoration in his eyes would fade, and he’d never look at her the same again. The thought was enough to cause her heart to knot.

I can’t risk it.

“Make it go away,” she whispered. “Make everything go away, like you did earlier today.”

He hugged her to him, and she squeezed back. It wasn’t enough, though. Her mind needed more of a distraction. She tipped onto her toes and kissed him.

The kisses started slow and soft, but gradually increased in intensity. He boosted her on the counter, and kissed her neck, sending pleasant chills down her spine. He brushed kisses on her jaw, her cheek, then recaptured her mouth.

The lightheadedness set in, and she wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer.

Something sharp dug into her shoulder. “Ouch!”

Turtle looked up at her, his claws still embedded in the sleeve of her shirt, and mewed. She nudged him away. “I’ll feed you in a few minutes.”

Jax took up the kissing again.

Then her phone rang, vibrating against her hip.

She ignored it.

It beeped to tell her she had a message, then immediately rang again.
You’ve got to be kidding me.

She pulled away from Jax. “Sorry. Just let me check…” She dug her phone out of her pocket. Rose’s name flashed across the display. Persephone was tempted to ignore it, but her fill-in-grandma had helped her this morning. Not to mention Rose would come over if she got too worried, even if she was in the middle of dinner rush.

“I better…” She held up the phone.

“Seriously?” Jax asked, his voice husky.

Turtle jumped between them and ran his tail across Persephone’s nose, giving an annoyed mew.

With a groan, Jax pushed away from her.

Persephone cleared her throat and answered the still-ringing phone. “Hey, Rose.”

“Do you know how worried I was about you when you didn’t pick up, especially since you seemed so down this morning? You’re going to give me a stroke over here worrying about you.”

Persephone assured Rose she was fine. She also had to swear up and down she’d be on time to school tomorrow. Turtle was making a big fuss, too, mewing and rubbing against her legs. Persephone filled his bowl—full enough he wouldn’t interrupt her and Jax again.

By the time she wrapped up the call, Jax was starting dinner. She perched on the counter and watched him move around the kitchen. The muscles in his arms flexed as he stirred the sizzling hamburger meat. His blond waves hung down, hiding his eyes as he added spices to the skillet. No wonder she hadn’t been able to keep herself from falling for him. He was perfect.

He glanced up and caught her staring. A huge smile spread across his face. “You think you can get away with sitting there while I do all the work?”

“Mm-hm. Besides, we both know you’re the better cook.”

“I’ve had to learn to work with what I can find. I’ve eaten some pretty disgusting things when I was on long hunts. Squirrels, lizards, anything I could find.” He set down the spatula and leaned against the counter, facing her. “You ever have demon meat?”

“Ugh. You’ve eaten demon?”

He shrugged. “Tastes like chicken.” The corners of his mouth quivered as he fought a smile. He lost the battle and laughed. “I’m teasing you. I’d never eat one, touch one, do anything but kill one. I don’t want evil like that inside me.”

Persephone’s heart dropped. Not even a hint of demon, that’s what he was saying. Guess that ruled her out.

Brow furrowed, he stepped closer to her. “Hey, what’s wrong? This is usually the part where you smack me, or tell me you’re going to take me out, or something like that. That’s why I like teasing you so much.”

She didn’t feel like teasing, or smacking him, or doing anything but crying. “Guess I’m not in the teasing mood.”
Because I don’t deserve you. I’ll always have that evil inside me, that demon side constantly threatening to take over, and if you knew, I’m afraid you wouldn’t want me anymore.

Jax blinked the haze of sleep from his eyes.

“I can’t believe it,” Persephone said, sitting up. “Two whole nights of good sleep.” She stretched and flashed him a smile that made his insides turn to mush. “I think you’re my good luck charm. Bigger than a dream catcher, and way more maintenance, but totally effective.”

“Guess you better keep me then.” He sat up and kissed her shoulder. She didn’t pull away, so he tested his luck, kissing her neck, then those lips he’d never get enough of.

“Jax.”

“Mm-hm,” he muttered against her lips.

“Late for…” She gave in, melting into his kiss. Her fingers twisted in his hair, and he wrapped his hands around her tiny waist, drawing her closer. She pulled back, putting a hand on his chest, and he despised those few inches that suddenly separated them. “We can’t do this right now,” she said, her voice coming out slightly breathless. “Yesterday over the phone, Rose made me swear I’d make it to school today.”

He ran his thumb along her jaw. “We can be a little late.”

She hesitated for a moment, biting her lip, and looking at him in a way that made his heart rate skyrocket. Then she shook her head and climbed out of bed. “I’m going to go shower. I expect you to be out of my room by the time I’m out of the bathroom.”

“I think my legs are broken.”

“I’ll break them if you’re not out of here when I come to change.” A quick smile, and she exited the room.

I think I’m going to need a cold shower before we go to stupid school.

At least she hadn’t pulled away or gone back to being cold or indifferent. Not only had she kissed him back, she also looked happy again. And as long as she was happy, and he could hold her and kiss her, he could deal with whatever else the day brought him.

Turned out he spoke too soon. He couldn’t deal with World History today, even though Persephone was by his side. He couldn’t talk to her while class was going, and kissing was definitely out of the question, which was a damn shame.

When the boredom got to be too much, he picked up his pen. He drew two black circles, eight spindly legs, and two vicious fangs. Once his masterpiece was complete, he tapped Persephone on the shoulder and handed her the page.

The glare she shot him might have been scary if she wasn’t so freakin’ cute. She thrust his notebook back at him, shuddered, and swiped at her shoulders, like she thought a spider might be on her right now. Meeting his eye, she ran a finger across her neck.

Now this was much more fun than listening to Mr. Ramsey’s lecture. Jax turned the page in his notebook and scribbled a note. “I think it’s time to see Mara.”

Getting her to look at it wasn’t easy, but after a quick glance—assumedly to make sure he wasn’t showing her any more offensive spiders—her gaze ran down the page, her lips moving as she read it to herself.

Her eyebrows drew together, and she gave him a glare he was sure he didn’t deserve.

Then he remembered all the flirting Mara had done with him. He scribbled an explanation. “You know I’m crazy about you. I meant see her for information.”

He held it out to her, her hand gripped the notebook—

“Jax and Persephone,” Mr. Ramsey’s voice boomed out. “Care to share your note with the class?”

Several heads swiveled to stare at them.

Jax cleared his throat. “Yeah, I was just telling Persephone that I’m crazy about her, and I’m sure she was about to tell me the same. So, if you know any other guys who are interested in her, tell them they’re out of luck.”

If he’d been in school with all the other Warriors, they would’ve tormented him about how whipped he was. All he got here were a couple chuckles and a few dreamy-eyed stares from the girls.

“Well, as exciting as that news is, it doesn’t belong in World History.” Mr. Ramsey pointed to the desk front and center. “Now come sit up front, so you won’t be tempted to send any more love notes during my lecture.”

Jax supposed arguing that someday he and Persephone would be part of history would be useless. Just when class was getting interesting, too. He grabbed his books and looked at Persephone, planning on giving her his most charming grin before being banished to the other side of the room. All thoughts of a smile faded when he saw her face. She didn’t look happy. She didn’t even look present. That faraway look was in her eye—the one that came with a concerned expression.

I hope that’s not because of me and my big mouth.

“Mr. Nikas,” Mr. Ramsey said. “We haven’t got all day.”

Not being able to ask her if she was okay—even if she’d lie and say she was, regardless of how she was really feeling—sent an awful heaviness through his chest. As he walked toward the front of the room, he wondered if she was mad at him, or if something demon-related was on her mind.

Or worse. What if she was thinking about that other guy? She was probably thinking that Mr. Perfect never would’ve embarrassed her with a public announcement like the one Jax had made.

A cold lump settled into his gut, and he wished he’d kept his big mouth shut. Glancing at the clock, he saw over half of the class period still remained.

A torturous eternity.

***

Jax was waiting for Persephone by the door, worry lines creasing his forehead. “Did I
embarrass you?”

She probably should’ve been embarrassed by the public declaration of his feelings, but the way he’d said it, so proud, had actually made her stomach go all tingly. Then came the reminder he only felt that way because he didn’t know the truth about her.

Working to mask her emotions, she attempted a joke. “Cut down my dating options maybe, but embarrass, not so much.”

Relief softened his features. “Well, to keep you from thinking about your other options, I’ll throw in some poetry next time.”