The Demon Within (12 page)

The slight, derogatory emphasis on the word
human
gave it a whole new meaning. But that term didn’t really apply to her. She wasn’t completely human anymore, but damned if she would admit it to him though.

“Technology has given us great advances. Each day we learn more, and the more knowledge we gain, the more power we have over your kind.” This time, Caly deliberately allowed her gaze to rake his body, purposely lingering at the front of his jeans…

…and was rewarded to see him not as unmoved as he wanted her to think.

Tingling swept through her body, heating the cold that had long since settled in her bones. What was she doing? Even if he was attracted to her, there could never be anything between them. The infection she’d received when she merged with a demon years ago made sure she would never have anyone to call her own.

They were enemies.

She shifted, and he mimicked her movement.

She studied his hands. Smooth hands with no calluses. No scars. Hands that could cleave a human in two by strength alone. She shivered. She’d hoped the image would’ve been enough to warn her away. Instead, she imagined what they would feel like on her skin.

She was drowning in her fascination.

They circled one another like wary animals. Her boot heels crunched glass. She stopped when her boot landed on the only picture of Oscar and herself. The past. A past she had to put behind her or become lost in the nightmare.

She bent and retrieved the photo, careful to keep her unwanted guest in within her peripheral vision. In the background, the doorbell rang.

At this time of night in her line of work, that could only mean trouble.

Without lifting her head, she stared down at the old image and came to the conclusion that if he’d wanted her dead, he could’ve easily finished her off.

No, he was more dangerous. He wanted something from her, and she had no intension of making it easy for him, not when she would ultimately pay the price after his mission was complete.

“Leave before I change my mind and make your exit from my life permanent.” Not waiting for a response, Caly tossed the picture into the cold grate and strode out of the room. Everything inside urged her to turn around, that he could have the answers she so desperately needed. But if she did that now, she’d be condemning her friends. Until the issue with the Fallen has been handled, her search for a cure was on hold indefinitely.

* * *

He’d never understood humans. They were the chosen people. They literally had the world beneath their feet. Sure, they had their weaknesses, but they also had so much more.

And yet most threw an eternity of happiness away for selfish wants and needs. They lied to themselves and the ones they professed to love. Hate, greed. The list went on and on.

Ruman stared at the doorway where she disappeared. Instead of following as he should, his feet took him to the fireplace. Unable to explain his reasoning, he removed the damaged picture. He blew off the dust and stared at the younger version of Caly. Running his thumb across the smooth surface, he caressed her face, only to feel the cool image below, not the vibrant, hot-blooded woman he’d touched moments before.

She obviously thought the past was unimportant.

The past would be the perfect place for his search. His mission to protect her was proving to be more trouble than he’d anticipated. He just hoped it was worth it, and they both got what they wanted.

His freedom.

Her life.

And for some reason, her life mattered to him.

She was unique. He’d never run across anyone like her. The way she moved, the way he reacted to her touch, threw him off balance. She was something more than human, but damned if he knew what. Not something Other. She wouldn’t have been able to wake him if she were evil.

Women’s voices reached him. Unabashedly listening, Ruman folded the picture with painstaking precision, taking care to ensure the image of Caly remained unblemished before slipping it into his pocket.

“I’m sorry about your loss.”

Caly snorted. “Get over yourself, Juliet. You knew about the trap from the beginning. Only it didn’t go as planned. I survived.”

“Don’t be stupid. I gave you a heads-up when I sent the messenger to you a day early. It should’ve been enough notice. I didn’t know about the tragedy until I read the papers.” She shrugged. “I did what I could.”

Unable to resist, Ruman slipped into the hall and hugged the shadows. Composed, standing tall and proud, Caly held her anger tightly leashed. The diminutive woman was obviously Juliet, a pale washout to Caly’s vibrant color.

“I told you once and I’ll tell you again, those men are not your friends. They don’t mean you well.”

The blonde tossed her head back and laughed, a tinkling sound that scraped against his nerves. “They’re not angels, but that’s what I like so much about them. You and I were taught to use what we have to get ahead. You’re so strong you don’t need anyone. I’m not like you. All I have is my beauty to get what I want.” Juliet adjusted her gaudy jeweled watch with a self-satisfying smile. “I’m willing to pay their price.”

Even if it cost Caly her life. The abrasive words had his hands curling into fists as if to defend Caly from this tiny scrap of a woman. It took an effort to restrain himself and just listen.

As if Caly would welcome his interference.

His overreaction didn’t make sense since he detected no overt threat. His protective instincts shouldn’t have kicked in.

“They’re using you. In the end, they’ll suffer for their actions and so will you if you don’t cut and run now.” The words were harsh but true.

Juliet rolled her eyes. The perfectly coiffed hair barely shifted when she shook her head, unemotional as a statue. “You’re overreacting. I’m having fun. Maybe you should try it sometime.” She checked the time and touched the chain link straps on her purse again as if she were already gone. “I only stopped by to pay my respects.”

She turned to go, but Caly wouldn’t let the matter drop, willing to fight for someone who’d left her to die. “And it didn’t bother you that they used your name to kill my friends and almost took my life as well?”

Guileless blue eyes glittered back like sapphires but without the spark of fire that made the stones so precious. “Not at all. You can take care of yourself, and I needed a favor. Everything worked out fine.” She shrugged, “Well, almost. I thought you’d have taken better care of your friends.”

Juliet departed, and Caly glared after her like she would pounce. Finally, she padded up the stairs, soundless in the dark. Ruman hesitated a second then followed Juliet. He needed information, and a girl like that always had a price.

She carried the stink of demon on her, a mark only other demons could detect. A too sugary-sweet smell, almost like honey, that stated ownership of the human and warned others they were off limits.

Once outside, Ruman gave one last look at the house, unable to repress the unease that surfaced at not having Caly in his sight. Which was silly. She’d be fine on her own while she slept.

It was time to investigate, even if it meant stirring up the hornet’s nest. He had to know more about her.

Chapter Ten

T
he dream grabbed Caly by the throat, dragging her under as she hovered between awareness and sleep. Heat burned in her lungs as if she were standing in that damn jungle again. The battle echoed ahead, men’s screams of terror as they begged for help. When she reached for her weapons, she grabbed nothing but air.

“Ah, hell.” She took off running, but no matter how hard she pushed herself, the temple remained stubbornly out of view. Tangled branches blocked the path. Spidery vines clung to her, tugging on her legs and arms. She swiped them aside and stumbled, landing on her hands and knees.

The sound of the fighting moved off in the distance, and guilt crushed her throat in its brutal grip. She couldn’t let them die again. She’d been doing unbelievable things all her life. This would be no different.

Determination hardened her resolve. A deep pit in her gut gapped open as the demon she’d always denied slowly drained away everything but the demand to hunt. Senses heightened. Smells intensified. The forest sharpened into minute detail.

Scrambling to her feet, she took a step only to come face to face with her statue.

The urge to hunt changed focus, shifting to him. The battle sounds faded as he sauntered toward her. His muscles flexed in a way Caly couldn’t resist ogling.

The man was fricken’ gorgeous.

The panic tearing apart her chest eased at his nearness, and her anxieties vanished. The only danger that lingered was her need to touch him.

The darkness in her retreated a tad, purring in pleasure. Caly closed the gap between them, lured by the invitation in his sable eyes. Heat enveloped her in a protective cocoon. No one would hurt her again; he’d make sure of it. When he leaned down, she tipped back her head, let her eyes drift closed, almost able to taste him.

Thunder boomed in the background, startling a yelp out of her. Bolting upright, Caly surveyed her surroundings, surprised to see the four walls of her room.

No intruders or jungle.

And no sexy statue.

She nearly whimpered.

What had she been thinking? Caly scrubbed her eyes with the palms of her hands, wishing she could brush the incident out of her mind as easily. Despite the way her body tingled, the kiss hadn’t happened and never would if she had something to say about it. Searching inward, she breathed a sigh of relief to find her demon resting peacefully, awake, waiting, but content.

Shoving off the cover, she shivered, the shock of cold air harsh on her oversensitive skin. The dream faded, taking with it the last bit of warmth. Caly yawned and glanced out the window. The majestic storms she’d expected didn’t appear. There wasn’t even a hint of a cloud in the pale rose streaking the horizon.

The sound came again, like a car backfiring, shattering the silence. Before it faded, she shoved her legs into her jeans.

Company had arrived early.

The pounding continued to rain down on her door. She clattered down the stairs, slipping a shirt over her head. She paused with her hand on the knob, unable to prevent herself from stealing a glance over her shoulder to the parlor, her heart in her throat.

He was gone. She’d know otherwise.

A pang of regret rippled through her at the thought of not seeing him again, and she frowned at the reaction. If she ever came across him again, she’d have to kill him. It was her job.

Everything inside her protested the logic.

Sometimes her job sucked.

Distracted, she pulled open the door mid-knock, almost taking a fist to the face. Reacting instinctively, she twisted aside and yanked on the arm. Momentum sent the man sprawling across the floor. The harsh curses that followed let her know exactly who was her would be attacker.

“Good morning, David.” A smile crept into her voice.

“That’s a good place for you, sugar.” Kelly strode forward, stepped over her disgruntled boyfriend then ruffled his hair. A smirk covered her lips as her dark eyes met Caly’s gaze. “I take it you missed your morning coffee?”