Betrayal (14 page)

She’s not dead.

The female’s words affected Cyn, but he fortified himself not to ask more about Emma.

“Now come with me Protector. It will just be sex between a man and a female. I want that thick cock of yours inside me.” Her pheromones encircled him, its tendrils of temptation wrapping around him.

He forgot to block her affect.

Arousal assaulted him and his pulse quickened. His jeans grew very snug.

When his breathing became labored, Gia moved closer, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

He drew strength and took a step back to avoid the draw.

With a loud growl, Cyn swung his sword barely missing her throat. Her eyes flashed with fear.

“I won’t miss next time Succubus. Leave me be.”

“Fine, suit yourself.” She maintained eye contact for a few more moments then finally gave up and turned on her heel.

Cyn spotted a businessman exiting a building across the street. Gia made a beeline toward the man.

Cyn watched Gia’s retreating figure as the effects of her seduction attempt diminished. He shook his head to clear it. He felt bad for the man who had already put in a long day. He was going to be much later getting home now.

Had Gia lied to him? Was Emma really alive? It was too much of a coincidence, Kieran thought he saw her and now the succubus told him she hadn’t died.

And with Gerard.

Did it matter?

An hour later, still on patrol, the hair on the back of Cyn’s neck lifted.

Demons.

He took off at a slow jog, turned a corner, and saw them.

There were three of them behind a restaurant. The demons fed from the neck and wrists of a man who lay on the ground. From his lack of reaction, Cyn figured him to be passed out from blood loss.

He pushed Kieran’s number into his earpiece and ran toward them.

The demons were slow to react. Apparently they didn’t expect to be confronted by a Protector. As soon as one sprung up, Cyn swung his sword. The demon’s head flew across the pavement and landed next to a dumpster. One of the other demons pulled out a gun and aimed it at him. The first shot narrowly missed his head. The second bullet hit him in the shoulder.

If it were possible, his glare would have bored an actual hole into the demon’s face. Before he could pull the trigger again, Cyn flew toward the demon that turned to run. He didn’t get far before Cyn cut him down.

The third low-level drew out a sword although he appeared hesitant to use it. “Hey, we weren’t going to kill the guy.” The demon whined. “We were just hungry.”

The buzzing of his fury barely allowed Cyn to hear the words clearly, he wanted to kill him now. But he paused and looked over at the passed out man. His chest moved, he was breathing. The fresh bites on his neck and wrists no longer bled. Cyn turned back to the demon that continued to hold up his sword, but looked less afraid.

“Next time, order a pizza idiot. Go ahead. Get the fuck out of here.” The demon took a step back. “Next time I will not hesitate to kill you,” Cyn snarled.

The demon dropped his sword. The cheap metal clanged noisily on the pavement. As fast as his legs could carry him, he disappeared around a corner.

Cyn bent and drew the unconscious man’s cell phone out of his pants’ pocket. He dialed 9-1-1 and dropped the phone back on the man’s lap. With the demon’s discarded sword in hand, and the other’s gun shoved into his waistband, he waited a few yards away, for an ambulance to arrive.

“I guess you didn’t wait for me.” Kieran walked toward him.

“They were low level demons, I handled it.”

“Why did you kill them? We are just supposed to warn them.” Kieran’s eyes widened. “Oh Shit.”  Kieran mouthed ‘Julian’ and motioned to his earpiece, when he realized their leader overheard them.

Cyn’s earpiece beeped.

It was Julian.

A very pissed off Julian.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The next evening, Cyn lay on the couch and watched a Rugby game. He’d been unable to sleep and hadn’t gone to bed. A hard punch to his shoulder startled him from sleep. Instinctively his fist flew out and hit the person so hard it knocked them down.

Fully awake now, Cyn jerked up in time to catch the look of shock on Blue’s face. The boy scrambled to his feet and ran to his bedroom slamming the door behind him.

There was a crumpled piece of paper on the floor next to the couch. He picked it up and scanned it. It was Blue’s report card.

Straight A’s.

His gut clenched. He’d forgotten all about Blue’s parent-teacher conference that evening, and to make matters worse, he’d just broken a promise he made to Blue. That he would never strike him.

God knew the boy pushed him on that pledge, testing him over and over. But Cyn never hit him.

Until now.

It was a great week so far — enduring Julian’s wrath for killing the low-level demons, and now this.

He got up and went to find his son.

Cyn opened the door to Blue’s bedroom to find the boy in front of his blank computer screen. When Blue noticed Cyn entering the room, he squared his shoulders and glanced at him. Without a word, he looked back at the monitor.

The glistening in Blue’s eyes shot a sharp ache square into the center of his chest.

He was a Protector. He never planned to be a parent. But now that he had Blue, he couldn’t imagine his life without the boy in it.

For over two centuries, it had just been him. He didn’t have to worry about anyone else. But things were different since Blue, and he loved it. He stepped closer to him and reached for the boy’s shoulder, Blue shifted away from his touch.

“I’m sorry son. I didn’t mean to hit you. You caught me off guard.”

Blue shrugged and tried to act nonchalant, but his voice shook, “It was my fault.”

“No Blue. It was not.” Cyn took him by the shoulders and lifted him out of the chair. Blue looked up at him. “It wasn’t your fault. I should have been with you at the parent-teacher thing. I forgot. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay Dad.” A sigh of relief escaped Cyn as the boy threw his arms around his waist and hugged him. Blue moved away, his face flushed. “Uncle Roderick and Aunt Rachel were there. Afterwards, they took Brock and me out for pizza.”

“Let me see your face.” Cyn inspected Blue’s face closely while he squirmed. Thankfully, there was no bruising or swelling.

“How about I make it up to you? We can go dirt biking Saturday.”

Blue’s eyes widened, a wide grin spread across his face. “I don’t have a dirt bike.”

Cyn smiled at him. “After that report card, you will.” Blue hugged him again, this time not letting go right away.

Blue ran to his bed, plopped down and picked up his cell phone. “Wait till Brock hears about this!”

The security alarm chirped to let him know someone had arrived. Since whoever it was knew the code, it was either Roderick or Kieran.

When he walked into the kitchen, the site of Roderick’s backside greeted him. The Spartan was bent over digging in his refrigerator.

Cyn let out a breath. “I know I fucked up. I forgot all about the school thing tonight.”

Roderick straightened with a beer in each hand. He handed Cyn one, then opened the other and drank from it.

Cyn put the bottle aside and leaned on the counter in wait, sure Roderick was about to give him a stern lecture. Instead, his friend gave him an amused grin and shrugged. “You know, I never thought we would be discussing parent-teacher conferences. I was more comfortable killing Nazi demons during World War II than I am sitting down, listening to a teacher telling me that Brock can add well.” Roderick looked toward Blue’s room. “You should have been there.”

“I know — what can I say? I just apologized to Blue. Thank you for being there for him.” The Spartan nodded, his discomfort was palpable.

“What else is up Roderick? I know you didn’t just come over to bust my balls about the school conference,” Cyn asked.

Roderick took another swig from his beer but his eyes did not quite meet Cyn’s. The large man rubbed his chin as if in thought. “Okay...it’s like this. I’m worried about you, so is Kieran. We think that woman, Emma, got under your skin.” Concerned eyes met his. “Cynden, if your head is not where it’s supposed to be, you can die.”

Before Cyn could answer Roderick held up his hand. “I’m not done.” He pulled out a chair turned it around and straddled it. “Let’s talk this through." He counted off on his fingers. "For one thing, Protectors don’t develop feelings for a female unless it’s our mate. Secondly, there has to be a reason why you feel tied to her, if she isn’t your mate. We need to figure this out because we can’t afford for you not to have it all together, up here,” Roderick jabbed at his temple with his forefinger.

Cyn held a finger up to stop his friend’s lecture. “Roderick, I appreciate the Dr. Phil talk, but I’m okay. I am fine, up here.” He pointed to his head.

Cyn looked over his shoulder to make sure Blue wasn’t nearby. “Maybe it’s just that I haven’t gotten laid in a while and well, you know.” He ran his hand through his hair.  “Shit I don’t know.”

Roderick chuckled, then sobered. “Nope that’s not it and you know it.”

Cyn huffed and gave in. Then he grabbed a chair and sat opposite his friend. “Okay, she’s been on my mind. A lot. I don’t know how I feel about her, to be honest. Kieran said he saw Emma, or someone that looked just like her, walking into Inferno the other night. That same night a succubus mentioned her. I think she’s still alive. In all probability, she’s fully embraced her demonic side now.”

Cyn reached back for his beer, popped it open and took a long swig. “Maybe I need to visit Inferno and find out for myself.”

Roderick’s eyebrows shot up and he laughed. “That will go over well. Sebastian will have a fit if a Protector goes in there and scares the shit out of his demon patrons.” A grin split across Roderick’s face. “Actually, that sounds like fun, mind if I come along?”

Roderick looked as though he was relaxed and at ease. Cyn hoped he was getting back to normal.

“How are things with you and Rachel?” he asked.

“Great. With her, its great.” Roderick’s eyes clouded, his lips pressed together.

Cyn nodded. “What about with you?”

“It’s like a slow lifting fog. The first couple of days we hardly left the bedroom, I can lose myself in Rachel and not think. I’m back at work and moving toward a normal life. It gets better day-by-day. I’m working on it. And I got my old friend now." Roderick motioned to his broad sword, attached to his belt. "You should see the looks I get at the hospital.” He downed the rest of the beer and stood up.

“You wear your sword in the hospital?” Surprised his friend could get away with it.

Roderick shrugged. “No one has had the balls to tell me it’s against policy yet. Rachel thinks it’s hilarious.” His loud laugh filled the room. “Well, speaking of Rachel, she was drinking a glass of wine when I left. I better get back and take advantage of that.”

The Spartan looked down at his boots for a beat then back at him. “I had to talk to you. I know that you can handle yourself, Cyn. Just make sure you think about what I said. I’m not sure what course of action needs to be taken, maybe you need some time off or something.”

Cyn remained in the kitchen after Roderick left. Emma’s expressions, when they made love, came to mind. The picture of the curve of her neck when she turned to give him access to her throat made him bite back a groan and close his eyes.

Roderick was right. The woman was playing havoc with his mind.

Could a half-demon actually be his mate?

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“Here kitty cat….” Emma held a bowl of cat food and tried to coax her cat out from under the bed. The orange tabby moved further back and hissed, its yellow eyes tracking her every move.

“Fine suit yourself, but you can’t stay under there forever.” Emma put the bowl down and got up. “I don’t know why I even try.”

Months earlier, she’d brought the cat home after she found him on the side of the road. He’d been hit by a car. He wasn’t hurt bad, and recovered fast.

When she got home from work the day after, she found him stretched out on her couch. As soon as the cat spotted her, he hissed and darted under her bed. Like most animals, he sensed the demon in her which made him skittish. Maybe she’d find him another home.

“It’s strange that the kitty doesn’t like you. He hung out with me while you were gone,” Wendy called out to her.

Emma went into Wendy’s bohemian inspired living room. “Why don’t you keep him? He hates me. He’s been around me for weeks and is still scared of me.” Emma sat on the floor next to Wendy’s denim upholstered couch and picked up her glass of wine.

“Yeah I might just do that,” Wendy told her with a laugh. “I think the cat may not like you because you haven’t taken the time to even name him.”

Emma nodded. “Yes I did, his name is Kitty Cat. Right now I have a new name for him, but it’s not nice.”

Things were almost back to normal. Emma was glad for Wendy’s easygoing company. More times than not, she would find a way to cheer her up.

“I think it’s safe for me to go back to my apartment now.”

Wendy’s eye widened. “I don’t know, maybe you should ask Sebastian what he thinks. He wasn’t too thrilled about you refusing to stay at his place and moving in with me.”

“I couldn’t stay there. Sebastian saved my life and I owe him. But he wants more from me than I’m ready to give,” Emma replied. “You know Wendy, as attractive as Sebastian is, I can’t even think about being with him. It will take me a long time to get over Cyn.” Her throat constricted. “Shit, I can’t even say his name without losing it.”

Sebastian deserves more than that.

As if on cue, Emma’s phone rang. It was Sebastian.

“Your sister is here.”

# # #

Emma strode into Inferno with a purpose. When she spotted Briana dancing, she pushed through the swaying crowd. Her sister danced with a human male who was already entranced by her. Emma hurried onto the dance floor and shoved the guy aside. She stood in front of her sister, hands on her hips.

Caught by surprise, Briana didn’t react at first; she just stared at her blankly, as if she didn’t remember who she was. Recognition sparked and she stalked off the dance floor.

Emma grabbed her arm.

Briana glared at her. “Wow! You’re willingly hanging out at Inferno? I can honestly say I’m surprised. You’ve changed sister.” She made her way toward the bar at a leisurely pace. Once there, she signaled the bartender for a drink. “I hope you have a good reason for interrupting what would have been a great meal for me.” She looked back toward the dance floor as if trying to locate the guy she’d been dancing with.

“Come back to Sebastian’s office, I need to talk to you. It’s important.” Emma tugged on Briana’s arm and her sister reluctantly followed her.

When they entered the office, Sebastian stood up and motioned for them to sit. With a reassuring look at Emma, he left them alone.

Emma took her sister’s hands in hers. “Leave with me Briana. We can move away and start all over. Gerard is pure evil. He will kill you.”

Briana jerked her hands out of Emma’s hold. She went to stand by Sebastian’s desk and gawked at her. Her skin had a darker blue undertone than before and her eyes were red-rimmed. She was a full demon now. Her hands shook with the need to feed when she fidgeted with an errant strand of hair.

“I am not going anywhere with you.” Briana let out an exasperated breath, “Emma, we have to accept who we are or should I say what we are. I don’t want to go through life pretending to be human. I won’t do it anymore. Gerard has shown me so many things. Things I never thought I could experience. I can’t imagine life without him. I need him. I love him.”

Her sister would lose more and more of her humanity the longer she remained with the Master demon. In desperation she grabbed Briana by the shoulders and shook her. “He doesn’t love you Briana. He is not capable of it. He gets off on torturing people and watching them suffer. Don’t you see his wickedness every moment you are around him?”

Briana shrugged her hands off. “Perhaps, but it’s still worth it.”

“A good man I love died trying to save you.” Emma’s voice shook.

Briana’s expression remained bland and aloof. “Gerard assured me no one would get hurt.” She stepped away from her. “Look Emma, I didn’t ask you to save me. If you want to go back to that pathetic little life, work nine to five at that bullshit job at the bank, then go ahead. Forget about me. I don’t want that, I want what I have now.”

“I’m begging you Briana, just come to my place. We can hang out like we used to and talk,” Emma pleaded.

Sebastian entered again. He spoke through an earpiece.

Briana’s red-rimmed eyes stared back at her. She shivered at the emptiness in them. Her sister huffed with irritation and headed toward the open door.  “Don’t try to come after me again. If Gerard tries to kill you, I won’t step in next time. I’ve chosen my path. Now leave me alone.” She left without a backward glance.

Dejected, Emma sank into a chair and covered her face with her hands. When she looked up, Sebastian was at his desk.  He read information on a piece of paper in his hand to someone through his earpiece and disconnected.

“She’s right you know,” Sebastian told her, as he inched his hip onto the corner of his desk and regarded her. “She has turned. Briana will not leave him now.”

“What about you Sebastian? Have you turned as well? Have you given yourself over to your demonic side too?” Emma shouted at him, taking her anger out on him.

“I’m a full-blood demon Emma. I don’t pretend to be anything else. Unlike you and Briana, I didn’t get a choice.” His voice held a hint of envy when he continued. “Not all of us have that luxury.”

“I’m sorry. I’m upset. I had no right to yell at you.” Emma stood. “I’ll go home to my
pathetic
life now.” She held her hand out to him and he took it in both of his. He was a good man, regardless of his bloodline.

“Thank you Sebastian, for everything.” She kissed his jaw.

Her steps heavy, Emma trudged through the throng of people and kaleidoscope lighting without noticing any of it. The weight of sorrow threatened to consume her and she prayed she’d make it home before losing it. The hum of traffic lulled her somewhat when she exited Inferno and headed around the back of the building to her car.

Without any warning, she was slammed against the building and held firmly in place. A muscular demon pressed his body against hers and pinned her arms to her sides.

Red-rimmed eyes zeroed in on her throat.

He was hungry for blood.

Emma attempted to scream, but his strong hold on her throat impaired her ability to breathe. Her vision began to fade as she gulped for air.

“Gerard sends his regards,” the demon told her nuzzling her neck. “Since I have to kill you anyway, I might as well get a taste before I do.” His fangs snapped down and she tried to scream, but it came out like a hoarse cough.

Emma struggled to shove him off of her, but he was too strong and didn’t budge an inch. He bit into her and began to feed. The metallic smell of her own blood filled her with panic.

His hold on her lessoned and she was finally able to shriek.

“Step away from her.” The Protector’s voice vibrated with rage.

Emma collapsed to the ground when the demon turned away to fight.

“Cyn” her whisper went unheard when the swords clashed. She held her hand to her neck. Blood seeped through her fingers so she applied pressure on the wound, her eyes trained on the combatants. Was he really there?

He was alive.

She couldn’t see his face for they fought in the shadows. But she knew it was him. As soon as the demon fell to the ground and disintegrated, she got up and ran toward him. She stopped a short distance from him. 

“Cyn! You’re alive!”

She went to take a step toward him but stopped when he backed away.

His expression was stoic and he regarded her without even the slightest flicker of emotion. Obviously, he was not happy to see her. She wasn’t surprised.

He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Sorry to disappoint you.”

Emma’s shaky legs threatened to give out from under her, but she forced herself to remain upright. She understood why Cyn would despise her. “Regardless of what you think, I’m glad you are all right.”

Cyn’s face remained vacant. “Let me check your wound.” His warm fingers pressed into her neck. Tears sprung to her eyes at his touch, the touch she thought she’d never feel again. But unlike before, there was no intimacy in this contact. He was just doing his job.

When he bent to check her neck, she inhaled his familiar musky scent. She ached to reach out and touch him, for his arms to be around her.

“The bleeding is slowing. You’ll heal,” he told her, his eyes flat. If he noticed her shakiness, the only indication he gave was when he wrapped his arm around her waist to support her as he led her to the car.

At her car, he opened the door for her. Emma didn’t get in, not ready to say goodbye to him just yet.

“I see that you have picked a lifestyle.” Cyn told her and motioned over toward Inferno with his head. He propped her up against her car and then moved away from her. When they locked gazes, she drank in the sight of his beautiful ice blue eyes.

She couldn’t let him leave. She wanted to tell him how wrong she had been. Needed him to know that she loved him, but instinctively she knew he wouldn’t believe her.

“I’m sorry Cyn. I thought I was saving my sister. I want--”

Cyn moved so fast she was shocked when he yanked her against him. “Stop lying to me demon.” Both froze at the effect of their proximity, her eyes locking on his lips.

His mouth came down on hers. Immediately his familiar taste overflowed her senses. She went to put her arms around his neck but he jerked away from her.

“Good bye Emma.”

Emma watched him walk away.

The elation at knowing he was alive was overshadowed by the hurt that he would never trust her again.

She remained in the same spot, not moving until long after he left.