Drop Dead Demons (20 page)

In the middle of the night, murderer’s mansions-turned-insane-asylums-turned-high schools were creepy. Go figure.

Aunt M had dropped us off at our Gothic manor of a school only once so she could check their security. She had been…unimpressed, to say the least. Which wouldn’t have been so bad if she hadn’t gone on a very loud rant in the office about all the security flaws. Embarrassing at the time. Super handy when I decided to go all cat burglar. 

Although, the beginnings of my journey were less than pleasant.

Slogging my bike through fog thick as slime was bad enough, but halfway through my ride a light snow had started falling. The flurry seemed to deaden sound, adding an eerie edge. A damp freeze eked through my clothes and stung my face. I skidded on slushy puddles on the slick asphalt and blinked frozen condensation off my lashes, the headlight on my bike struggling for enough visibility in the filtered moonlight to keep me from crashing. 

Fun times.

But at least the air smelled fresh, and after nearly hurtling into the fifteen foot tall iron high school gates, because my paranoia of being followed had me looking over my shoulder way too often, I’d stashed my bike in the shrubs lining the stone wall. Then before my fingers made official popsicle status, I pulled out the lock pick set Aunt M had given me for my twelfth birthday and popped open the padlock on the chain holding the gates closed. Since Ayden’s handcuff routine in the storage room under the concert hall, I’d been practicing. Nice to see it pay off.

Hands tucked underneath my armpits for warmth, I raced down the driveway, snow crunching underfoot, breath puffing out in pale bursts.

I only went down twice going up the slippery stairs before making short work of the pins and tumblers on the front door lock, then shoved through. I cringed at the loud squeak and
thud
as it closed, but the place seemed empty. And was oh-so warm. I pulled off my gloves to alternately blow on my hands and rub them together. 

The three-story entrance foyer had an expanse of marble that spread to the grand staircase. To my right and left the room disappeared into shadows, but through the massive round window above the doors, moonlight flickered from behind ghostly tendrils of clouds and cast a bright circle of silver on the stairs. The place smelled of disinfectant, like the floor had been washed after the grunge of high-schoolers had left for the day. Now it was just me and a heavy silence echoing off the walls and high ceiling. 

Something cut through the moonbeams. A dark shadow flying outside landed on the bottom ledge of the window, forming a predatory silhouette. I flattened my body against the door.

The shadow moved. A gargoyle? There were tons of them located along the upper perimeters of the school, and I always thought of them as protective. But perhaps tonight I was the enemy and one of the grotesque sculptures had come to life to strike me down. An unwelcome intruder to be slayed without mercy.

The gargoyle made a sound. “Hooo-hooo.”

I sagged with relief.

On further study, the “gargoyle” might have been an owl. Two more shadows banked in and landed next to the first, the forms melding together as a trio of eerie hoots floated through the night. Then something with an impressive wingspan glided across the light and let out a shrill screech.

Every one of my hairs stood on end. Time to go.

I kept the flashlight flickering over the walls and floors, and when no goblins fell into the spotlight, I headed up the stairs, feeling the weight of the owls’ stares on my back as I climbed through the silver shadow of the moon. Navigating through the endless hallways, I wondered if any of Flint’s victims managed to escape his torture only to get lost in this labyrinth and recaptured again. What a psycho. How many more secret doors were hidden?

The illumination from my light kept a constant vigil, but any threat could burst without warning from the surrounding darkness. For an empty building, it made a lot of creaks, squeaks, groans, and moans.

Nerves on hyper-alert, I jumped and twitched so often I looked like a Mexican jumping bean. Which would mean I had some sort of squiggly worm trying to pop out. Not a great analogy. Especially since it reminded me of that sci-fi movie that made me scream every time when the wormy alien pops out of the guy’s stomach and then the wormy alien thing grows into a giant slime alien thing with a hundred-and-one mouths full of a million-and-one pointy fangs and—

Oookay. I was way more freaked out now. Didn’t think that was possible.

Heart pounding like it was ready to crack a rib, I picked up the pace. As I passed by the alcove where the walls inside had turned metallic and attempted to cage me in, I tried the door. Just for kicks. The handle resisted, was locked, and I moved away, figuring I didn’t have time for side trips.

Behind me, something clicked. I whirled. And watched in rising horror. With a long, grumbling creak, the door to the alcove opened. All by itself.

It was dark inside. And silent. I froze, shaking with anticipation of some imminent attack. Blood pounded in my ears. My flashlight’s trembling beam washed over the room. It was empty. But was it?
Something
opened the door. Could be hiding behind it.

I backed up, step by freaked-out step. When I was almost running, I turned and booked it to the library, pulling off my backpack and digging out the library door key I’d taken from Luna’s room. Hands shaking, it took several rattling attempts to insert the shiny skeleton key and turn the lock so I could burst in and slam it shut with a thundering
thud
that shook the floor beneath my feet. 

I raced around flipping on desk lamps because I’d had enough of the scary dark, then I headed toward the back and almost made it to the Flint section when something darted in my peripheral.

Stomach fluttering, I dropped and hunched against a bookcase then peeked through the volumes. A shadow slunk a couple rows over. I wiped my sweaty palm on my jeans and tightened the grip on the flashlight.  

A demon? No, because then my Divinicus senses would be tingling. In
theory
anyway.

Rose? Wasn’t sure. Flint’s ghost? These days, it was possible.

Anyway you sliced it — just hoped I didn’t bleed — this was turning into a very…

“—bad, bad idea.” I whispered the end of my scary thought because hearing the sound of my voice was supposed to make me feel better. Still waiting for that to kick in.

I hunkered low and backed up. Slowly. If I could make it to the secret door —

A hand clamped on my shoulder. I screamed.

I threw an elbow back. It connected. I heard a grunt, then turned with a kick to his side. Came back for a punch, the flashlight gripped in my hand for extra power. He blocked, caught my wrist and twisted. The flashlight clattered on the shelf behind me. He slammed me back against the bookcase, my body pinned by the length of his, one of his hands holding my wrists above my head.  

“Nice. But faster follow through next time.”

“Ayden!” I wheezed. “What in the wormy alien world are you doing here?!”

“I’m not even going to pretend I understand that reference. But hey, you attacked me.” The glow of the fallen flashlight highlighted his sly grin. “Gotta say. It was kind of hot. Ready for round two? Or shall we take a break.” He nuzzled my neck. “You smell so good. I vote break.”

“Oh, no.” I shoved him off. “You don’t get to do that ‘
I’m so sexy and adorable you can’t be mad at me
’ thing.”

His look turned to pleasurable astonishment. “You think I’m sexy and adorable?”

“No!” I lied, then slammed my palms into his chest. Ow.

His grin widened. “Oh, no. You said it. You meant it. You can’t take it back.”

“Get away.
Go
away.” I grabbed my flashlight and stormed off toward the Flint section.

Ayden groaned and followed me. “No, this is good news. Besides, I’m not letting you walk away again. Let me explain, because earlier, at your house, that wasn’t what I meant.”

“Don’t worry, I got the message.”

I came to the door at the entrance to the Flint section, yanked on the handle and pushed. Then thumped into the door. Of course it was locked. I tried Luna’s key. Didn’t work. Ugh! Life clearly didn’t want to give me the satisfaction of a dramatic exit, ending with slamming a door in Ayden’s face.

I knelt, withdrew my lock picking set and got to work. Diving into a serial killer’s maze promised to be a lot more fun than letting my heart fall to pieces.

Ayden leaned against the doorframe. “You know how our emotions are tied to our supernatural ability.”

“You get angry, you catch fire. I’ve seen it. Old news. Leave.”

I paused my work to shove him, but he just sidestepped and paced a half-circle around me. He swallowed audibly before continuing.

“Not just angry.
Any
intense emotion. Most of which I’ve trained extensively to deal with, but this particular…circumstance hasn’t come up before, and I don’t want to hurt you.”

“What circumstance would make you hurt me?”

He wiped a hand down his face and muttered into his hand something I couldn’t decipher. Then he smiled so tight it was almost a grimace.

“When I
want
you, when things get
hot
between us, I get…” He lifted his hands in front of himself, and they burst into flames.

I felt the heat from his hands, caught the burning scent. There was a beat of silence. Then as the last pin on the lock pinged to unlatch the door, gears of logic clicked into place inside my brain. 

I stood, dropping my tools as I let out a long, expansive, “Ohhhh. Huh. So you’ve been avoiding being alone with me because—”

“Because I have a hard time controlling myself when I’m around you.” He jerked his fiery hands to emphasize the point. “Got it?”

Yes. Yes, I believe I did. As I processed the news, a warm feeling trickled over me, healing together some of those fissures in my heart. I felt myself smiling.

“Anyway…” Ayden, actually blushing, snuffed out his hands and leaned against the frame again, looking equal parts uncomfortable and relieved. “Enough about that. Let’s get back to me being sexy and adorable.”

“Not a chance,” I said. “You should have told me.” Yeah, Aurora, because you’re always so upfront about everything. Shut up, Aurora. No,
you
shut up. “Why are you here?”

“So glad you asked,” he said with a sly wink before hurrying off.  

“How did you find me?”

“Please,” he said with disdain from somewhere in the shadows. “One, you had that look in your eye.” He sauntered back into the light carrying two metal traveler coffee mugs and handed me a shiny lavender one. “And two, Matthias told you not to. So, of course, you’d head for the caves via the library’s secret door. I made coffee, drove over, waited outside your house, and followed you on your bike.”

I hated being so predictable.

“So you’re here to stop me?” Uh-oh. I’d have to ditch him. Make a run to the secret door. But first, I needed an energy boost. I clutched the warm mug and took a sip. Yum. “Is this—?”

“Your favorite? Why, yes it is.” He
clinked
his mug against mine, looking very pleased with himself. “White chocolate raspberry with extra whipped cream. I made it with the new machine. Jamie gave me the recipe.”

“Jamie, the cute blonde who giggles every time you walk in?”

He raised a brow. “Jealousy? That’s promising.” He tipped his mug in a gesture of triumph. “But I only know her as Jamie, the kindly barista who helped me impress my girlfriend. In a bold move of creative genius, I added a pinch of freshly ground cinnamon —did you know it came in sticks? — and sprinkled white chocolate shavings on top. What do you think?”

That this guy couldn’t be for real. But I took another sip and said, “Bold, creative genius paid off.”

“Excellent,” he beamed. “And no, I am not here to stop you. Simply lend support in my official bodyguard capacity.”

My expression was wary. “Then you should’ve offered me a ride. I was freezing my butt off on that bike.”

“Your backside looked perfect…
ly
fine.” From under his thick lashes, he gave me a mischievous look. “I made a point to watch closely. It’s one of my favorite parts of your body to guard. Along with your chest, let me add, before I get accused of further neglect.”

I rubbed my eyes to help cover the blush. “No excuse. Should’ve picked me up.”

“And miss all the sexy intrigue? Not a chance.” He reached to trace a finger along my jaw. The gesture was unexpected and hit me like an electric charge. I choked and almost snorted coffee. A smile tugged at his mouth. “I love this secret late night meeting in the romantic library.”

I swallowed down the coffee snot and smirked. “I was getting a more creepy vibe.”

“Work with me.” He glanced around and turned his voice all smooth and mysterious. “Bathed in a magical glow, you overwhelm me with your stunning beauty, making me forget all reason and lending just the right atmosphere to bear my soul and entice you into a compromising position.”

“Or set me on fire.”

He sighed with dramatic disappointment. “You’re not helping me set the mood. I have so much to teach you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Bring it, oh masterful one.”

“Bring it?” He cocked a brow. “Wow. That’s almost on par with your earlier use of the term ‘strumpet’. But I’ll have to ‘bring it’ another time.” He leaned in and slowly brought his mouth to hover over mine. He spoke in a low rumble that slithered fire underneath my skin. “Because as much as I’d love to kiss you, right now, deeply and
ever
so thoroughly...” He brushed back my hair and stroked my cheek softly. “I’ve learned my lesson. Slow is the name of the game. We’ve got all the time in the world. And I plan to take advantage of it.” He licked his lips, his voice husky and full of promise. “Very big advantage. Later.”

He dropped a light kiss on my forehead then swung open the door to the Flint section and strolled toward the back, swirling his mug. 

Waiting in the doorway, I breathed in deep then exhaled to clear my head, trying to steady…everything. As I watched him move with such easygoing grace, well, let’s just say that speaking of backsides, I was a serious fan.

I found myself staring.

“Quit ogling me, Lahey,” Ayden ordered over his shoulder. “We’ll deal with your licentious thoughts later. Right now, we’re burning daylight, and first period waits for no one. Follow me.”

I laughed. Follow him? Not a problem.

“By the way,” he paused to sip his coffee, “you said the tunnels won’t hurt you, but I’m Mandatum, so how do you plan to keep them from trying to kill me?”

Oh, right. That might be a problem.