Demons Are a Girl’s Best Friend (18 page)

“A lot of kids fall off the grid. Get fake IDs so they can do their own thing. He could be one of those.”

“I told Mal I wasn’t up for this gig,” Maggie muttered. “I don’t deal with humans if I absolutely don’t have to, so it’s not easy for me to get into their minds. To understand them well enough. Jazz interacts with humans all the time. So do Stasi and Blair. Lili is a doctor and treats them. Some of us have lived among them all the time. Others stay away from them.”

“And you stayed away as much as you could,” he guessed.

She nodded. “When I could, but it wasn’t easy when a lot of my bodyguard jobs dealt with humans. You can’t show emotion in my work. Emotion can get you killed. When I protected someone, I thought of that person as my charge. Not even as a name. Now my charge not only has a name but a personality that gets under my skin, and the knowledge that if I fail…”

“You won’t. It’s not in your genetic makeup not to succeed.”

“Are we eating soon?” Courtney called out. “Starving kids here!”

“It won’t be long,” Declan told her. He looked down at Maggie. “Think you can be subtle with him so you can find out about the raves?”

“He’d be too suspicious. Courtney’s been a little open about it, and if I step carefully, she’ll tell me enough. Or I’ll just activate the tracker necklace when she does the expected and sneaks out of the house.” She fingered the bracelet on her right wrist.

“Witches and their jewelry.” He eyed her ankle bracelet with its emerald winking brightly. Like Courtney, Maggie wore shorts, hers the color of ripe watermelon, with a white tank top edged in dark pink.

“Girls gotta have their bling.” She felt unease wash over her like poisoned water. “You know what? Let’s get this over with.” A wave of her hand, and the food was done cooking. “I should have known I couldn’t do the family barbecue thing.”

“Come on, Samantha, no using magick,” he teased.

“I really hated
Bewitched.
What witch refuses to use her magick? No wonder she couldn’t do what Darren wanted.” She looked at the young twosome. She was beginning to think dinner couldn’t be over soon enough.

Maggie forced herself to laugh and smile, talk as if nothing was wrong, and eat food that held no taste at all for her. She was fairly sure that Courtney and Mick had no clue, but she couldn’t hide her feelings from Declan. He didn’t betray her worries, but a dark look in his eye told her he saw through her mask as the perfect hostess.

This is why I go to parties, not host them. I have no idea how to do this.

But for just a moment, a tiny spot deep inside her whispered that she could have a different life if she wanted it. A normal one like they show in TV sitcoms, complete with a white picket fence, a dog, and a minivan in the driveway.

The question was: Did she want a life like that, or were her hormones just telling her that was what she wanted?

Maybe hitting that 700-year mark meant it was the time for a midlife crisis.

***

Courtney was positive something was up. She was really glad that Maggie had invited Mick to dinner. She wanted to know about him. And Courtney wanted her to see what a nice guy he was.

Sure, Mick had his dark side. She’d seen it a few times, and while it scared the hell out of her, it also excited her. He was hot, and he loved her. He’d even said so. How many guys are willing to use the L word? Plus, he hadn’t pressured her into anything she didn’t want to do.

She enjoyed sitting next to him, feeling his thigh brush against hers under the cover of the table.

While they’d sat in the swing, he’d whispered to her that he knew of a party the next night—and could she sneak out to go with him?

She wanted to tell him the truth about Maggie and Declan, even if she still didn’t know what the dude was. But after that whopper of whatever junk (she couldn’t even think the words because they never came out right) Maggie threw at her, she couldn’t say a word without sounding like an idiot.

She had thought about texting Mick, but she quickly learned that didn’t work, either. Luckily she deleted the message before sending it out. She didn’t know what Maggie had done, but she sure wanted to learn. Knowing that would be better than anything she’d learn in a school; that was for sure.

“Mick asked if I could go to the movies with him tomorrow,” she announced, smothering a giggle when he nudged her foot. “Can I go?”

“While I’m new at this guardian job, I know I should ask what movie.” Maggie looked at Mick.

He named the new Hugh Jackman action-adventure film.

“I can’t fault your taste in movies. And while it’s a school night, yes, I know you’re not in school right now.” She glanced at Courtney, who made sure to keep a small smile on her lips and no expression of triumph. “I won’t say no if you go to an early show and come back right afterward.”

Courtney nodded and almost stomped on Mick’s foot with her excitement.

Declan started.

Crap, wrong foot!

He looked at her but said nothing.

“I think we could be out by nine,” Mick said.

“Maggie!” she whined, because she knew it was expected of her. “Do we have to go to an early show? It’s not like we’re driving into Houston for the movie. We’re just going here in town. We could stop for pizza or something afterward, couldn’t we? I’d be back before curfew. And my cell phone would be on all the time,” she promised. “You’ve met Mick, and you can see how nice he is. And he makes me wear a helmet when I ride with him on his motorcycle.” Surely that was the clincher.

She waited with bated breath while Maggie and Declan exchanged that silent conversation that adults seem to share. The two might not be married, but they might as well be, with the way they were always in sync. She also thought if Maggie concentrated more on Declan, she’d focus less on her.

“The show lets out at nine?” Maggie asked Mick, who nodded. “Fine, you can grab something to eat afterward, but I want Courtney home by 10:30.”

“We can do that.” Mick smiled at Maggie and then grasped Courtney’s hand and squeezed it.

Courtney felt a smidgen of guilt that she’d lied to Maggie. Sure, she and Mick would go to the movies, but later tomorrow night she’d be sneaking out to go to a rave.

Maggie had talked to her about the raves, hoping Courtney would tell her where they were. No way she’d do that. The last thing she wanted was Maggie showing up at one. Besides, Maggie and Declan were too old for the kind of parties Courtney and Mick went to. If Declan wouldn’t let her go inside his club, she wasn’t going to talk about where she went.

She’d already scoped out the house and knew the easiest ways to sneak out. It was a good thing Maggie didn’t have an alarm system. And so far Declan hadn’t stayed over, although Courtney was positive they’d done
it.
There was something about them that said so.

But she’s a kitten. She knows plumbing. What if she’s put something on me so she knows where I am all the time?

Great, now Maggie’s got me feeling paranoid. She seems to like Mick, so she must see he’s okay. She said yes to the show and our going out for pizza afterward.

Courtney decided to just relax and enjoy the moment. And tomorrow night, Mick had promised, they’d attend the rave of the year.

***

Maggie exhaled a breath of relief after Mick left with a polite thank-you for dinner. Courtney immediately disappeared upstairs. Maggie was positive the girl was up there calling or texting him.

“It wasn’t as difficult as you thought it would be, was it?” Declan settled on the couch next to her. “Now it’s just us old folks,” he told her, turning her around and draping her legs across his lap. “I could get to like this.”

“No, you wouldn’t. You like the edgy life in your club.” She noted the fleeting change in his expression. She straightened up. “What’s wrong? It has to do with Damnation Alley, doesn’t it?”

“It’s something I’ve had to keep quiet,” he said in a low voice.

“Such as something the Guard should know?” Her voice took on an edge. “You need to tell me, Declan.”

“You can’t let anyone else know,” he told her, his eyes turning a dark silver.

“No promises, and you
will
tell me.”

Witch and demon personalities warred, thickening the air in the room.

“There’s a portal in the club’s subbasement.”

Maggie sighed. “Sorry, Declan, but that’s old news.”

He nodded. “It’s always been under strict control. A guard is on duty 24-7 and keeps a log on who comes through.”

“What kind of control?” she asked tautly.

“Heavy restrictions, but not the kind you’d appreciate. Don’t forget we’re talking about demons. Remember, Anna’s talent makes her exceptional. There are no warm and fuzzy demons around. Just mean and meaner. Then you move up to psychotic. Coming through the portal is a privilege, but bribes are nothing new if you want to go through badly enough. There are no visas given, but time limits can be enforced.”

“You said it’s guarded,” she reminded him.

“Alexi, Anton’s brother, was the guard.”

“Was?”

He nodded. “He’s gone. No trace of him at all.”

Maggie’s mind whirled. “Do you know when he disappeared?”

Declan shook his head.

“Or who could have come through after he was gone.”

“Amazing how your mind works.”

Maggie resisted the urge to scream. “Can’t I have just one piece of good news?”

“How about that I think you’re as sexy as Hades, and I’d enjoy hauling you upstairs to your bed?” he quipped. “I told you about the portal, something you’re not supposed to know, and I have someone checking into this.”

“And it’s common knowledge that demons don’t like the Guard messing in their business.” She blew out a deep breath and drummed her heels against the couch cushion. “Fine. It’s your headache, not mine. I’ll have mine tomorrow night when Courtney sneaks out of the house to go to a rave.”

“Do you want some company?”

“I think I’ll take this on myself.” She slid over until her butt settled snugly in his lap.

“Looks like you’re doing that already.” He rested his hands against her waist, edging his fingers under her white cotton top until they met bare skin. “Think you can make sure the kid doesn’t sneak downstairs? We wouldn’t want her receiving a live version of adult education.”

“Easy peasy.” Maggie looked upward. “Lullaby and good night. No ears, no sight. Just slumber and sweet dreams for young girls. Do it now.” She threw her power upstairs. She waited a moment. “She’s probably sound asleep in that pile of clothing she never cleared off her bed.”

“Good.” He pulled her closer to him and angled his mouth over hers.

Maggie realized she was quickly getting addicted to Declan’s kisses, the hot taste of his mouth, and the way he made her insides tumble around like an Olympic gymnast.

She pulled his shirt out of his waistband so she could spread her hands over his heated skin, feel his taut abs, and listen to the rough sounds of his breathing, aware his reaction was all for her.

“We.” She nipped the corner of his mouth. “Have.” She moved to his ear. “All.” She sucked on his earlobe. “The.” She returned to his tempting mouth. “Time.” Then down the rough underside of his jaw. “In the world.”

She returned to his mouth and licked the seam of his lips. “I can’t make time stop,” she whispered against his skin. “But I can slow it down a bit. Make it all ours.”

Declan moved his hands up her bare back before bringing them around to cup her breasts, his thumbs circling her nipples, which peaked under his touch. The tune he hummed under his breath was familiar and a bit haunting.

Maggie smiled, recognizing the Rolling Stones’ hit “Time Is on My Side.” “Do you think that’s possible?”

“Sure, if we want it to be.” He nuzzled her throat. “We’re a powerful team. I knew you were trouble the minute you first walked into the club.”

“The Bloater was trouble. I was just the catalyst.” She combed her fingers through his hair. As spiky as it looked, it felt soft as silk.

It would have been so easy to suggest they go upstairs and finish what they were starting here. But the idea wasn’t perfect with Courtney in the house, even if she was now sound asleep.

Maggie felt greedy. She wanted a large space of time where nothing mattered but the two of them. Where they could indulge in each other and feel the intimate connection tighten between them. No teenagers. No Mayan priests looking to take over the world. No Mal ruining her day.

Maggie pulled back just enough to look at Declan’s face.

Fates help me: I’m falling in love with a demon.

It should have been easy.

Maggie acted the part of the clueless guardian when Mick arrived the next evening to pick up Courtney for the movie. She even thanked him for adhering to her rules when he returned the girl at ten-thirty on the dot. The witch pretended she didn’t notice Courtney whispering something to Mick as she hugged him good-bye. She nodded when Courtney yawned and said she was going upstairs to listen to music before going to sleep.

Maggie settled in the family room with the TV on. She knew to the second an hour later when Courtney crept out her bedroom window. A moment later, the medallion on her bracelet lit up.

“Thank you for wearing the necklace,” she whispered, fearing the girl would take it off. But Courtney had loved it the moment Maggie gave it to her and hadn’t taken it off since.

Maggie went out to her car ten minutes later and used the tracking medallion to keep tabs. She cursed when the tracker flickered in and out a few times—and cursed even more when the light dimmed and then died. She felt as if she was driving in circles and was ready to throw out a locator spell.

“Not now,” she snapped when her cell rang and she activated her Bluetooth.

“Yes, now.” Declan’s voice came out of the speaker. “We’ve got trouble.”

“I’m following Courtney and Mick to the rave.”

“There’s no rave.” A tone in his voice alerted her that what he had to say was very bad. “Or if there is, they aren’t at it.”

She pulled a one-eighty in the road and sped off with a squeal of tires. “Do not tell me she’s at Damnation Alley.”

“Fine, I won’t tell you, but she is.” Anger coated his voice.

“How the Hades did she get past Anton?” She pounded her dashboard as she increased her speed.

“Anton’s not on the door. He’s on portal guard duty. Believe me, someone’s head will roll for this.”

“Not if I get to him first. I’m on my way. And if anyone claims I’m not fitting the club dress code, I will turn them into a boggart.” She ignored that she had just blown through a red light.

Declan sighed. “I’ll alert the door. Or maybe I won’t, after what happened.” He disconnected without saying good-bye.

Not that Maggie’s feelings were hurt. She had other things to think about. Such as dragging Courtney out of there before something happened. The only thing that kept her temper in check was the knowledge that Declan was there to make sure the girl was kept safe.

Mick was another matter.

In record time, Maggie was at the club’s parking lot, leaving the car in a No Parking zone as she moved toward the entrance.

“You are not allowed inside, Guard,” the troll sneered when she reached the door. “No one in there has need of your aid, nor would we call you if trouble happened.”

Her smile grew wide with anticipation of a good, old-fashioned knockdown drag-out fight, if need be. Yep, she was in that bad a mood.

“Oh, good, Declan didn’t tell you I was coming. I could just kiss him for that because I’d like nothing better than to cause a few bruises. Someone in there absolutely needs my aid because you were a bad boy and committed the ultimate no-no.

“You allowed a human girl and boy in there. That’s about as illegal as you can get. Automatic death sentence, in fact. So,” she drew out the word, “you don’t give me any crap, and I won’t tear your gullet out.”

The troll growled and started to reach for her but froze in place. His eyes rolled frantically as he struggled to move.

“Be grateful I let you breathe.” She brushed past him and entered the dark interior.

Nothing had changed since her last visit. Even Seether screaming “Fake It”
out of the speakers in the walls was enough to turn her deaf.

She ignored the vampire that snarled at her as he passed by and the trio of imps who looked at her as if they’d like to kill her but still kept a careful distance.

“They’re in one of the back rooms.” Declan appeared at her side.

“Did they see you?”

He shook his head. “Everyone’s been told that if they ask about me, they’re to be told I’m not here tonight. So far, I’ve managed to keep an eye on them without them seeing me.”

“Why did they come here?” she ground out, feeling her blood boil. “Courtney knows she’s underage and this isn’t the place for her.”

“Because it’s forbidden and Mick obviously talked her into breaking the rules big time.” He steered her around the edge of the crowded dance floor. “I understand you threatened Paxil.”

“Paxil? He named himself after an antidepressant?” She laughed. “I know many races refuse to allow their real names to be known because of the power the names hold, but you have to admit that’s more than a bit much. There are plenty of baby-name books out there, so why go through a pharmacology textbook?”

She looked up and saw humor flickering in his eyes. “You know what, Sparky? Talk to the wand. Right now, I’m so pissed at Courtney that I’m surprised the club hasn’t gone up in flames.”

He held out his cupped palm, a tiny flame flickering. “That’s my job. Come on. Let’s surprise the kids, shall we?”

She shook out her hands, ignoring the magick that filtered out. “Surprise will be the least of it. Right now, I want to take the punk down.” She looked down to find Declan’s fingers threaded through hers.

“Just don’t destroy anyone. I do have a business to run.”

“Be happy I don’t feel like blowing something up. Yet.”

***

Declan felt Maggie’s anger flow through her body. She fairly smoldered, with her power threatening to erupt like Mount Vesuvius. He looked at her, seeing the sharp gaze of a Guard, her form tight, ready to fight if need be.

It was easy to remember the first time he saw her. Sexy as hell in a skimpy clubbing outfit, with high heels that showed off the golden tanned legs that he fondly recalled having wrapped tightly around his hips. But her smile was what had caught him that night. The way she smiled at the Bloater, drawing the rogue creature in until there was no escape.

Just as there had been no escape for him. That was fine. He had no desire to leave her. She was already imprinted in his blood.

He cocked his head to the side, listening to a telepathic message from Snips, whom he’d ordered to stay a safe distance away while still keeping an eye on Courtney and Mick. The imp’s words weren’t what he wanted to hear.

Declan guided Maggie toward one of the back rooms that offered private tables and booths.

“Just how many private rooms do you have in this place?” she asked, noting the hallways and couples making their way down them. She doubted they were looking for the restrooms.

“More than you’d like to know about. Her human blood won’t allow her to enter any of the more clandestine areas. I can’t keep an eye everywhere,” he said by way of an excuse that he knew wasn’t going to fly with her. Judging by her expression, he was right. “What goes on there is nothing illegal, since humans shouldn’t make it past the front door.”

“And since Courtney did, you have no idea how many others have in the past,” she argued, pushing past him.

Declan swore under his breath when he saw Snips standing by a filmy curtain that opened to a room he would prefer to shut down, but keeping the room available at all times was an ironclad clause in the contract he’d signed to get the club.

The imp looked at Maggie as if she was a piece of filth he’d find on the bottom of his shoe. A warning rumble moved up Declan’s chest and left his lips before he could think twice.

Snips looked from Declan to Maggie and back to Declan. His knowing look was also a warning.

Demons and witches didn’t mix, and now Snips had figured out that Declan had mixed very well with Maggie.

“The human girl is in there and looking very uneasy,” Snips reported, ignoring Maggie’s presence. “The boy with her appears to be content to stay there. So far, there has been no trouble, and Elena has been instructed to serve them no drinks.”

“Who else is in there? Or should I say, what else?” Maggie demanded.

Snips hesitated.

“Tell her,” Declan ordered harshly. “Who is in there?”

The imp’s response was reluctant. “Wreaker is there with several ladies. Otherwise, the room is empty.”

Declan looked away in hopes Maggie wouldn’t see his reaction, but he wasn’t fast enough. Her eyesight was more than good enough, even in the dark surroundings.

“Who is Wreaker?”

“My cousin.” He gestured for Snips to get out of there fast. He didn’t know what the witch might decide to do to the imp if she believed in the axiom
Kill the messenger
. Snips wasted no time disappearing.

“Your cousin the incubus?” Her moonstone pendant started gleaming with an eerie light that lit up their little corner.

“Let me go in first.”

But she already had her hand on the curtain and was pushing it aside. “Ladies first, remember?”

“Please remember my request not to wreck my club again, okay?” He followed her in.

Declan was familiar with this room, although he preferred to stay out of it unless there was trouble. Unfortunately, trouble erupted in here more frequently than in any other room in the club.

Large privacy booths along the walls gave couples, or more, seclusion to indulge in their wildest fantasies. Healers were kept on call for when the games got out of hand.

He kept close to Maggie’s back while scanning the room for his cousin.

Red filmy curtains sectioned off the booths and tables, while almost naked waitresses circulated with trays of drinks, most of them mixed with potent aphrodisiacs.

As he expected, Wreaker held court in one corner, his large body sprawled on a red velvet couch while several females watched him with rapt attention. Mick sat nearby, looking as if he were mentally taking notes of what the incubus was saying. A very unhappy Courtney sat next to Mick. He shrugged her off every time she plucked his sleeve and said something to him. Clearly, she wanted to leave and he didn’t.

“That son of a whore.”

Declan didn’t miss the dangerous magick thrumming through Maggie’s body. “Umm, Maggie, could you dial it back just a little?” he murmured. He tried to loosen his hand from her tight grip but was unable to do so. “Even demons need to breathe.”

She took a deep breath. “I’ll kill him.”

“Things will get out of hand fast if you make a scene, so don’t kill him until after you leave the club.” He didn’t like that Wreaker noticed their entrance. Judging by the avid interest on his face, trouble could easily follow.

There was nothing his cousin liked more—other than willing female flesh—than creating trouble. A pissed-off witch would be the perfect target for him.

“Cuz! Good to see you. Our lovely Elena over there said you weren’t in tonight, but I found that hard to believe, since the club is so important to you.” His obsidian eyes glowed with dark light. “Come join us.”

Courtney’s head snapped around, her face a mixture of pleasure and relief followed by a hint of guilt. “Maggie! Declan!” She started to get up, but Mick grabbed hold of her hand.

“Hey, you’re with me, remember?” he reminded her with a snap in his words. He stared at Maggie with open threat. “You don’t need that bitch anymore.”

Declan shook his head. “Boy, you’ve done it now, because if I don’t take you apart, she will.”

Mick threw back his head and laughed, an edge of howling in the sound. “Her? All she’s good for is spreading her legs. I bet you’ve had her more than once, haven’t you?”

Courtney gasped and struggled to free herself, but she could only cry out in pain when he tightened his grip.

Declan looked at Maggie. “It’s my club, my rules, so feel free to hurt him first.”

***

The witch lit up like a Christmas tree. “Do you know that is the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me?” She rolled her shoulders and shook out her hands again.

Wreaker straightened up more, watching the two. “Is there something I don’t know?” He flashed Maggie a dazzling smile.

She rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Declan, I can’t believe that Neanderthal is related to you. I’d sure hate to see the rest of your family tree.” She dismissed the other demon and advanced on Mick, who stood up and stared at her with menace in his manner.

“I knew you’d try to mess up her mind,” he told Maggie.

“I didn’t want to come here,” Courtney cried out. “Last night, Mick said we were going to a rave. But when we left tonight, he said no, we’d come here. Declan had said we couldn’t get in, but Mick said he could get us in.” She stared at what was her former boyfriend with fear in her eyes, “I—he took my cell phone so I couldn’t call you.”

Maggie stared at Courtney’s bare neck. Now she knew why the tracker had failed. Mick had taken it from Courtney and somehow managed to dampen its use. Did he know what it was for?

This close up, she could see the beginning of a bruise on Courtney’s cheek. Oh, yeah, she really hated this guy. She was looking forward to making sure he’d never hurt a girl again.

“You might want to stay out of the way,” she advised Wreaker, who straightened up and watched her with an odd look in his eyes. While he knew she was a Hellion Guard, he obviously hadn’t taken her very seriously. Until now. He moved off to one side, taking his harem with him. The women wasted no time exiting the room.

Declan spoke quietly into the air. A moment later, a familiar giant guarded the doorway. “No one gets in or leaves,” Declan told him.

Maggie smiled. “I could really get to like Anton.” But for now, her target was the asshole in front of her. She stared at his hand, which still held Courtney’s wrist in a bruising grip. “Release with pain to him and none to her.
Now
.”

Mick yelped as fire encircled his hand. The moment he let go of Courtney, she ran to Maggie, who gently pushed the girl behind her.

“What the fuck are you?” Mick started to advance on her.

Maggie’s smile just got wider. “Oh, honey, I’m the witch your mother, if you even had one, would have warned you about.”

She walked forward until she could wrap her hand around his throat. She kept her hold just tight enough and kept walking until she had him up against the wall. Mick’s words gurgled deep inside his throat as he struggled against her.