Demons of the Sun (25 page)

Mara’s gaze moved to Jax. “I wish you the best of luck. You’re certainly going to need it.”

Until now, Persephone had thought of Mara as a friend. That’s probably why her harsh words cut so deep. “Why would you say that? All this time, I thought you and I…” She shook her head, unable to finish.

Mara folded her hands in her lap. “You came to me asking for help, remember?”

“With demons,” Persephone said, narrowing her eyes at Mara.

“Well, in order to survive them demons, you’re going to have to make some difficult decisions.” She turned to Jax. “And so will you.”

“I don’t understand what that has to do with me and Jax being together.” Gritting her teeth, Persephone pushed herself off the couch. “I guess we’ll have to figure out what to do all by ourselves. Don’t worry, we won’t bother you again.”

Mara stood. “I’m concerned about the decisions you make. In case you forgot, they affect us all.”

“Do you have any idea how much pressure that puts on me?”

“Yes. That’s why I need you to sit down and hear me out.”

Persephone glanced down at Jax. He shrugged, apparently leaving it up to her. She returned her attention to Mara. “Fine. But leave my love life out of it.”

“For now we’ll concentrate on demons.” The way Mara said
for now
was unsettling, but Persephone decided that since she was here already, she might as well sit back down and hear Mara out.

Jax sat stiff, his usual easy manner gone.

Mara settled back into her seat. “Word is, in addition to the higher than usual amount of demons, there is some kind of super demon out there, passing out orders from Hades.”

“That must be what I felt last night,” Jax said. “I could feel the evil was stronger, more powerful.”

“I’ve been looking into rituals that use hearts and heads, but when it comes to the Underworld, there are a lot of them that call for items like that.”

Six stones from members of the Order, six hearts, six skulls. The unwelcome images filled Persephone’s vision. “What if they’re gathering objects from their victims, too? Like something valuable? Something they always keep on them?”

Jax and Mara both stared at her, and Persephone feared she’d been too specific.

“Personal effects usually have some kind of revenge meaning. Or a drawing of power. I’ll look into it.” Mara scooted to the edge of her chair. “Guess we should get started on a demon locating spell, then we can figure out where to go from there.” She stood. “Jax, you remember that box I had you put up high last time?”

“The black one with the silver symbols on it?” he asked.

“That’s it. Can you get it down for me and bring it back in here?”

“Sure.” Jax crossed the room and disappeared down the hall.

Mara whipped her head toward Persephone. “Look, I think you misunderstood me earlier. This thing with you and Jax, I sense trouble ahead for you two. And since he’s your protector, and you protect the dagger, do you really think it’s wise to start a relationship with him?”

“It’s not like I meant for it to happen,” Persephone said. “But I’m better with him. He keeps the nightmares away. He’s stronger than I am.”

“He’s going to need to be. And what about Adrastos?” Mara’s eyebrows shot up. “Have you thought about what’s going to happen when he comes for you?”

Persephone’s fingers automatically went to her tattoo. “I…It’s not…I’m not sure what I’m going to do about him yet.” She dropped her arm and lifted her chin. “All I know is I tried to resist this thing with Jax, and I couldn’t.”

“I think you should’ve tried harder.”

“Are you sure you’re not just jealous? The way you were eyeing him the other day made it pretty clear—”

“I’m not jealous, Persephone, I’m scared.” Mara ran a hand through her braids. “You don’t seem to be thinking clearly, and I’m scared what that means for you, for Jax, for our future.”

Heavy footsteps sounded out, growing louder and closer.

Persephone’s chest tightened. “You think I’m putting him in danger?”

For a moment, Mara simply stared back. Then she blew her breath out. “I’m pretty sure we’re all in danger.”

Jax gripped the handle of the Mazda’s driver side door, planning on opening it for Persephone.

She put her hand on his arm. “About what Mara said…I think she really thought she was helping, but she shouldn’t have…” Her eyes lifted to his, the gray filled with worry. “I’m just sorry.”

Jax would be lying if he said the mention of her boyfriend—make that
ex
boyfriend—didn’t bother him. But she was here with him now. Something about the way Mara had wished him luck, though, as if he didn’t have a chance, ate at him.

“Maybe she’s right. Maybe getting further involved…” Her voice cracked. “I don’t want you in danger because of me.”

After all the progress he’d finally made with her, he wasn’t going to let her over-think everything and pull away again. He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Don’t start that again. Whether you dump me or not, I’m going to care about you, and I’m going to protect you.” He shot her a grin. “You might as well get some good make-out sessions out of it.”

The hint of a smile hit her lips. “It’s your humility that draws me in the most.”

He leaned down and kissed her. He loved how little she felt in his arms, the way she sighed when she gave in and kissed him back.

Grayness settled over the sky, snuffing out the blue, so as much as he wanted to stand here kissing her all night, it wasn’t safe.

Instead they were going to go do something even less safe.

***

The last rays of sun outlined the row of rundown warehouses—broken windows, wood planks nailed across doors. Not exactly the kind of place you wanted to be at night. Or during the day.

According to Mara’s finding spell, there was a heavy demon concentration here. Persephone pulled her car in front of one of the dark buildings.

It’s time to show the demons whose side I’m on.

Adrenaline pumped through her, heating her veins and readying her for battle. She pocketed her keys and took a deep breath.

As she gripped the handle of the sword Gran had given her, Gran’s voice echoed through her mind:
You leave the fighting to the Warriors, dear. You fight if you have to, but the only way to ensure the dagger doesn’t fall into the wrong hands is to keep yourself safe enough to protect it.

That day, Persephone had promised she’d only use the sword to defend herself. Guilt crept through her, squeezing at her chest.

I’m sorry, Gran.

Jax put a hand on her knee; his other held his sword, thumb hovering over the button that would send out the blade. “You sure you want to do this?”

Gran’s words kept running through Persephone’s head, tugging at her. She remembered all the times Mom had told her the same thing—all she’d risked to make sure Persephone was safe.

But I’ve got to do this before more people die. And I’ve got to prove to myself I can stand up to evil.

“I’m sure.” Her surety didn’t keep her hand from shaking as she reached for the door handle. Her fingers wrapped around the handle, and froze there.

Go ahead. Open the door.

They didn’t listen. She closed her eyes and tried once more to pull the handle, and still, she couldn’t get her fingers to go through with it.

“I can’t do it.” Persephone dropped her hand and looked at Jax. “I want to—you have no idea how badly I want to go and kick some demon ass. But everything in my body is telling me I’m making the wrong decision, that this isn’t my mission.” With a groan, she rested her forehead on the steering wheel. “Stupid freaking instincts. Or maybe it’s all the years of brainwashing catching up. Either way, I can’t do it.”

“Praise Zeus,” Jax said. “I wasn’t sure how I was going to concentrate on fighting while trying to keep my eye on you, and I knew you wouldn’t listen to reason if I tried to talk you out of this horrible plan.”

Without taking her head off the wheel, she twisted her face toward him and gave him a dirty look.

“That came out wrong. Your plan’s just…” He put his hand on her back. “I know you’re intentions are good, but putting yourself in danger isn’t going to help anyone. The best thing you can do is keep the dagger safe, and the best thing
I
can do is keep
you
safe.” He glanced out the window. “Even if all my instincts are telling me to go in there and kill them.”

Jax ran his fingers up and down her back, calming her, but she could tell from his clenched jaw it was as hard for him to stay as it was for her. Maybe even harder. He would do it to ensure her protection, though, and she had a feeling it was about more than his so-called mission. He cared about her. She could see it in his eyes, feel it in his touch. It was amazing to have someone like that—someone who could be here with her.

“I’ll make a couple calls,” he said. “See if I can’t get more Warriors out here to help.” He offered her an encouraging smile. “We’ll find a way to stop them.”

Unless we’re already too late.

Negative thinking wasn’t going to get them anywhere, so she decided to shake it off, go home, and figure out what they could do next.

Jax’s posture stiffened and his eyes widened. “If we’re going to avoid a demon battle, I think you better start the car and get us out of here.”

She straightened and saw several pairs of red eyes moving toward them.
Good job, Persephone. You and your brilliant plans.

She dug into her pocket for the keys. Her fingers gripped the ring, but the keys caught in her fabric. Jerking hard, they finally pulled free.

And fell, landing near her feet.

“Persephone,” Jax said.

“I know, I know.” She retrieved her keys, jammed them in the ignition, and looked out the windshield.

The demons moved toward them, weapons drawn, teeth displayed.

She fired up the car and threw it in drive.

Well, the least I can do is take some out from the safety of my car.
Persephone slammed down the gas pedal. She barreled into the three in front of her. The right side of the car lifted as the tire ran over one.

More demons came at them. Jax rolled down his window, extended his sword, and hacked at them.

Glass shattered, spraying across Persephone. A large hand gripped her arm. She yanked, trying to get free. Another demon lunged onto the hood, blocking her view of the road.

The demon clamped onto her arm and tugged. Even though she tried to clutch the steering wheel, her hand slipped off and her toes lifted off the gas pedal. “Jax! A little help!”

Jax retracted his sword and twisted it toward the driver side window. He pressed the button and the blade shot out in front of her, piercing the demon’s neck.

With a shriek, the demon let go.

The tires squealed as Persephone slammed the gas pedal to the floor. She jerked the wheel right, then left, and finally shook the demon from the hood. Only to ram into another. She screamed when it hit the windshield, its gaze boring into hers. The car hugged the curb as she made a sharp right. The demon rolled off, and she accelerated away from the rundown buildings, toward the lights of downtown.