Demons Are a Girl’s Best Friend (22 page)

“And marry me off?”

“More like use you for a ritual sacrifice in order to bring that god back. He’s the god of destruction, and his return would mean pretty much the end of the world as we know it. We need to keep you safe past the night they plan this ritual.”

She watched the girl closely. “Are you going to hyperventilate again?” Courtney shook her head. “Throw up?”

“Seriously thinking about that,” she said shrilly.

“Well, don’t. Mal hates messes,” Maggie told her. “Courtney, I know it’s been a lot to take in.”

“There’s more,” Declan spoke up.

“
More
? Some crazy priest is going to kill me, and there’s more?”

Maggie leaned over and took her hand, squeezing it gently.

“Is this why you’re here?” she asked Declan.

He nodded. “My father summoned me today. After Mal heard what was said in the meeting, he felt I should come out.” He looked at Maggie. “Victorio knows all about Courtney. He was the one who sent Mick to her. I heard what happened to Mick here, and my father set that up, too.”

He took a deep breath, clearly not wanting to continue.

“He… has a deal with the Mayan priests in the works. They gain the god of destruction, and he gains power.” He glanced at Courtney with sorrow giving his eyes a charcoal sheen. “I’m sorry, Courtney. He arranged your parents’ deaths. He figured if you had no one, you would be an easier target for them when the time came.”

If Maggie hadn’t been holding Courtney’s hand so tightly, she feared the girl would have slid off the chair.

“Your dad killed my parents?”

Even Mal looked uncomfortable with the pain that emanated from the girl.

“He made the arrangements. He prefers not to get his hands dirty.”

“But why? He didn’t know them, did he? He doesn’t know me.
Why
?”

Declan looked at Maggie, now clearly at a loss.

She shook her head at the stupidity of the male sex. She stood up and pulled Courtney to her feet, hugging her tightly.

“Everything that happens to us has a reason behind it,” she whispered, keeping her firm hold even as Courtney struggled against her. “You lost your family, but you went on. You developed that tough outer shell and, think about it, you even had a psychopathic boyfriend and survived that. You are a great kid.”

“You’re only saying that because you have to. Because it’s your job.”

Maggie paid no attention to her mumbles. “No, I’m saying it because it’s true. I really like you, Courtney. Yes, at the beginning I wanted to throttle you, but you’ve managed all these twists and turns without freaking out. Most adults couldn’t even do that.”

“Everyone’s gone.”

Maggie shook her head and framed Courtney’s face with her hands. “No, you have us.” She cut a quick warning glance in Mal’s direction. “And you have more than Mayan blood. You have demon blood.”

Declan shot to his feet. “What? She couldn’t. I would have sensed it.”

“Shayla ran the tests, and it’s very minor. Less than the Mayan connection,” she replied.

“Okay, overload now.” Courtney released herself from Maggie’s hold and dropped into her chair. “I’m a demon like Mick? Euww!”

“There are all kinds of demons,” Declan explained. “Trust me, you’re nothing like him.”

“Does this mean I can’t be sacrificed? I mean, I’m part demon, and your dad wouldn’t want to sacrifice a demon, would he?” Her words slowed as she read the truth in his eyes. “Okay, he would.”

“Did he say how they planned to snatch Courtney?” Maggie asked.

“The kid doesn’t need to be here for this,” Mal said.

“The kid does,” Courtney insisted.

“I promised her the truth from now on,” Maggie said. “If Courtney wants to stay, she does.”

“She does,” the girl said.

Mal puffed away on his cigar. “What are Victorio’s plans, Declan?”

“He didn’t implant some kind of booby trap on you, did he?” Courtney questioned.

Declan shook his head. “I’m to convince you that the ritual is a sham and Courtney is in no danger. The ritual is scheduled for a week from now during the night of the blood moon.” He looked tired.

“Victorio has been doing a lot of planning over the years. Not just Courtney, but he arranged my gaining the club, and he even sent the Bloater into the club so the Guard would show up. I can’t imagine he made sure Maggie would be the one who would come in, but the way things are going, anything is possible. He loves to play puppet master, and he will do what it takes to make sure the ritual is carried out.”

“And what about you? What will you do?” Maggie asked, feeling her hackles rise. One hand rested against her favorite blade.

He captured her eyes with his. “I’ll kill him along with anyone else who tries to hurt Courtney.”

“Good answer.”

***

“So where did Mal get an office that looks like one of those old Greek temples?” Courtney asked after Mal threw the three out of his office. “It sure doesn’t fit his personality. The guy seriously needs a new decorator.”

“It
is
a Grecian temple. Aphrodite learned the hard way not to play poker with him,” Maggie replied. “I admit the cherubs fluttering around are pretty much overkill.”

“Maybe you could add some gremlins,” Declan suggested. “I can hook you up with a few.”

“Guys, there aren’t any more surprises, are there?” Courtney smiled when Maggie conjured up a Tootsie Pop and handed it to her. The teen immediately unwrapped it and stuck it in her mouth.

“Of course, what more could there be after finding out I’m Mayan and demon—and a Mayan priest wants to kill me?” She paused. “That
is
it, right?”

“Well, there is the part where you’re naked and covered with snakes,” Declan said with a straight face. He laughed and danced out of her way as she threatened him with her sucker.

Maggie smiled, watching Courtney chasing him.

“There’s nothing like those Kodak moments.”

“Are we eating soon? Lunch was forever ago.” Courtney bounced up with Declan behind her. She looked back. “Do demons have fast metabolisms? I never seem to gain weight, although my friend Brooke said it would eventually catch up to me. She could just look at a salad and gain weight.”

“If I was a truly cruel person, I’d send her to The Library to gain an education,” Maggie told Declan with a wry smile. “Although The Librarian would probably bar my entrance for the next thousand years.” She looked at the girl who walked briskly ahead of them. “Look at her. She’s so resilient, even with all that’s happened to her.”

“It’s probably the demon blood. We tend to bounce back quickly. Even with her having that small amount, a family would take her in. I could find a good one for her.”

She skidded to a stop and pulled on his arm so hard, she almost dislocated his shoulder. “You’ll
what?
”

“Find a family for her. Not all demons are like my father or Wreaker,” he said, confused by her anger.

“Oh, no, she’s staying here.”

“Hey, are you coming?” Courtney stopped and started back toward them.

“Go on and get us a table in the dining hall I took you to,” Maggie ordered, not taking her eyes off Declan. “We’ll be there in a minute.”

“She’s not an abandoned puppy, Maggie,” he said fiercely. “Even with a tiny amount of demon blood, she could have latent power. If so, she’ll need to learn to control it. You’re a witch. You have no idea what to do. She’ll need to be with her own kind.”

Her fingers twitched, power sparking off the tips. “Guess what. She’s with her own kind. If Courtney shows some power, I’ll work with her on it. And just maybe I’ll let you work with her. But no way am I handing her over to any other demons. Get it?” She poked her finger in his chest, setting off tiny fireworks.

Declan yelped and jumped back, extinguishing the heat that seared his shirt.

“You’re not being rational.” The moment the words left his mouth, he knew he’d made one of the biggest mistakes of his life.

“Rational? So because I’m female and a witch I’m not
rational
?” Her entire being started to glow with a yellow-orange light. She snatched his visitor medallion from his neck and crushed it in her hand. Two large males appeared on either side of Declan. “Escort him out,” she ordered.

Declan didn’t say a word, just stared at her with a mixture of confusion, frustration, and anger. Maggie’s expression was pretty much the same.

“And to think I fell in love with you,” she confessed.

He opened his mouth, ready to say something, but the Guards winked him out of sight.

Maggie stood there, unsure if she was going to scream or cry. She thought about settling for both, but she knew she couldn’t appear upset when she joined Courtney.

Instead, she walked slowly toward the dining hall, feeling about as sick as a witch in love with a stubborn half-demon could feel.

Declan didn’t know who he was angriest with: Maggie for telling him she was in love with him right before she had him tossed out of the compound; Victorio for ruining his life when he thought he was finally free; Wreaker for helping Victorio: Or even Courtney for showing him what a normal life could be like.

“Master, we have discovered what happened to Alexi,” Snips announced, coming into the office.

“What?” He prowled the room, unable to stay still for too long. Even with the dampening spells, he was convinced he could hear the music and laughter coming from the club.

“His body was found in the lower depths.” The imp placed something wrapped in black silk on Declan’s desk. He unwrapped the fabric to reveal a wickedly sharp blade. “This was found beside him, and his heart was missing.”

Declan placed his hand just above the curved blade that shimmered with color in its depths. Something dark and menacing seemed to cover the weapon. He was loath to pick it up, since some metals were dangerous to demons. “Not gold or brass.”

“It is
Quetzalitzlipyollitli
, the
stone of the bird of paradise, otherwise known as fire opal,” Snips said. “The Mayans use it for rituals and mosaics.”

“Mayans again.” Declan flipped the scarf back over it. “Does Anton know?”

“He was the one who found Alexi. Anton slipped through the portal every chance he got. He should be punished for breaking the law. I can arrange for him to be lashed.”

Declan shook his head. “No. He’s had enough sorrow. Close the portal.” He took no notice of his assistant’s astonishment.

“But Master—”

“
Close it
!” he barked. “One of our own has been taken and viciously killed. I have a perfect right to close it. I should have done so in the beginning.” He poured himself a whiskey and downed the contents in one gulp, savoring the burn traveling down his throat. “I’m not Ratchet. I won’t take bribes to allow just anyone through it. It’s been a headache from the beginning.”

Snips’s dark eyes widened with shock. “There will be repercussions.”

“Right now, I don’t care. Just do it. Tell the trackers they aren’t to stop looking for that drone until they find him. After that, they can do whatever they wish with him as long as there’s nothing left. His death is to be slow and agonizing. And leave the knife here,” Declan ordered when the imp started to pick up the silk bundle.

Snips turned away and then spun back around again. “I have served many masters during my thousand years,” he said. “You are the only one who has been… kind to me. Who hasn’t punished me for being what I am.” His purple claws flexed. “I realize I have been distant with you, almost hostile. But I have come to see you are an honorable male.

“There have been rumors. Words of blood and sacrifice. That your sire plans a coup that could destroy many of us. I will keep my ears open and inform you of anything else I might hear. If there is any way I may assist you, Master, please let me know.” He bowed his head and slipped out of the office.

Declan looked at the closed door, still processing the imp’s speech. “And here I thought I couldn’t be any more surprised.”

He closed his eyes, sensing dark and dangerous words flowing through his mind. He heard promises of violence, rich with flowing blood and power, while his inner eye viewed images of a huge moon, tall stone temples, and rhythmic chants. For a moment, the rich taste of copper filled his mouth.

He was positive the sensations were coming from the knife lying not all that innocently on his desk. It wasn’t something he wanted to keep here any longer than he had to.

Maggie might not want to see him, but he was damn well going to see her.

***

“I thought school was over for a while,” Courtney whined as Maggie guided her into a classroom furnished with desks and chairs. “And why do I have to come here at night?
Smallville
is coming on.”

“That’s what DVRs are for,” Maggie said with a lack of sympathy. “You’re here at night because it’s the only time he would agree to come—and it wasn’t easy to get him here as it was. And he is coming because there’s a lot you need to learn about your heritage.”

“Is this the one?” The imperious voice from the front of the room brought Maggie to attention. She wasn’t afraid of much, but The Librarian always seemed to stoke the fear in her heart.

As always, he wore old-fashioned, bottle-green knee britches, a faded brocade waistcoat over a linen shirt the color of old parchment, and a bottle-green long-tailed coat. The front desk he presided over was covered with ancient scrolls and leather-bound books and even a few stone tablets. Narrowed black eyes peered at her over the rim of ancient half-spectacles perched on his beaklike nose. His scant brown hair held a neat comb-over.

“The Librarian.” Maggie inclined her head in respect, even if the grumpy old wizard refused to acknowledge it. “This is Courtney Parker.” When the girl didn’t move, Maggie gave her a strong enough shove to move her forward. “We are grateful you are willing to help us educate her in the ways of her ancestors.”

The Librarian frowned. “Speak up, girl,” he snapped. “You must have a voice.”

“Uh, hello?”

“It is a good thing I appreciate a challenge, since I can see this girl will need a great deal of work.” He gestured toward the empty desk. “Sit. We have much to do and little time in which to do it. I only hope you have the intelligence to follow what I have to say.”

Courtney had a frantic look on her face as Maggie pushed her into the chair.

“Don’t leave me with him!” she pleaded.

“Just show respect, and you’ll get along with him fine.” Okay, she was lying, since The Librarian didn’t like anyone. “I’ll be back later.” She stiffened her spine and walked out, feeling as if she’d left her chick with the fox.

“Do not bother returning until I send for you,” The Librarian called out after her. The door closed with a final click.

“O’Malley,
now
.” Mal’s voice echoed from the walls.

Shoot me. Shoot me and put me out of my misery.
Maggie wasted no time making her way down to her superior’s office.

“Hey, Maggie!”

She spun around at the sound of a familiar voice. “Zouk!” She almost ran over to the team leader then stopped short at the sight. “No offense, dude, but you look disgusting.” She grimaced at his yellow, leathery skin covered with red spots that oozed a nasty-looking pus. His three team members didn’t look any better. “And smell worse.” She pinched her nostrils with her fingers. “What happened? Mal said you and your team disappeared.”

“We did. Fuckin’ building was a portal to a plane world populated with a goblin nest,” he explained. “They were the ones sucking the life out of the teens then popping them back to this plane.” He shook his head in disgust. “We managed to capture the leader and brought him back. The rest didn’t need to come along. Mal took one look at us and told us to get out of his office.” He grinned.

Maggie nodded, understanding his unspoken words. The rest were killed and, as far as she was concerned, good riddance. She would have done the same.

“You think there’s more out there doing this?” she asked, figuring that’s why Zouk brought back the leader.

“Oh yeah. We want to know where so they can be taken care of.” He winced at another spot popping with the putrid-smelling pus. “We gotta get to the healers. This shit itches like a son of a whore.”

“I’m glad to see you back,” she told him before moving on to Mal’s office. Knowing there was a good outcome to her fellow team leader’s situation put a spring in her step.

“I just saw Zouk and—” her words to her boss halted when she saw who else was there.

Seeing Declan was a welcome surprise, although she schooled her features not to betray her. After thinking about it, she knew she might have overreacted the last time they were together, but being the stubborn witch she was, she wasn’t anxious to apologize.

His offer to find Courtney a family of her own wasn’t unusual among demonkind. Many times, demon families had fostered children who lost their parents. Except Maggie already saw Courtney as one of her own. The teenager might chatter like a magpie and might as well have her iPod surgically grafted to her ears, but she also showed an inner strength that Maggie admired.

She was positive she saw warmth flash across Declan’s face when she walked in.

“Declan,” she said quietly.

“Maggie.”

Mal looked at them and shook his head. “This is why I remain single,” he muttered, finishing one cigar and lighting up another. “Declan brought us a present.” He pointed his cigar at a lump of black silk on his desk. The object was encased in an iridescent bubble.

Maggie walked over, feeling the strength of the protection spell as she looked down. The fire-opal blade winked multiple colors at her while darkness tried to sneak into her mind.

Drums, chanting, the wet smell of vegetation. The musky scent of skin anointed with herb-infused oils. All of it overlaid with the metallic smell of blood.

She shook off the vision before it overtook her and stepped back from the knife. How could it do that even with the protection spell on it?

“What is it?”

“It’s called
Quetzalitzlipyollitli
, the
stone of the bird of paradise,” Declan replied. “Fire opals are used in Mayan rituals. This one was found near the body of my missing portal keeper. His heart had been cut out.” His eyes turned silver. “You felt it, too, didn’t you?”

She didn’t need to ask him what he meant. “It’s almost as if it’s looking for more death, and by winding its way into someone’s mind, it can tempt that person into killing someone.”

“That’s how I felt, too. That’s why I brought it here. I knew I couldn’t keep it secured at Damnation Alley.”

“And you don’t trust your father not to find out you have it and come for it,” she guessed.

He inclined his head. “Victorio would love to have this knife. It’s obviously been baptized in blood and seeks more.”

She watched the bubble as if the knife would find its way out. “Such as Courtney’s.”

“I’ve had scouts down in Central and South America,” Mal said. “A few of the temples are suddenly not available for visitor tours. Signs are up stating they’re closed while restorations were going on, but there’s no hint of anyone working there. There’s also a dark cloud covering a temple well-known for sacrifices. The time is fast approaching, you two. That means the kid can’t even step one toe off this compound. And we need to go down there and take out the trash.”

“Take out the trash?” Maggie parroted. “Sheesh, what movies are you watching, Mal? Fine, my team will head down there the day before the sacrifice is scheduled,” Maggie said. “We can take care of it.”

“I’m going with you,” Declan said.

“No civilians allowed. I can’t afford to be worrying about you,” she retorted.

“You won’t be.” He leaned forward. “I didn’t have to bring this to you. I’ve been a part of this situation from the beginning. You’re not leaving me out of it now.”

“He’s going with you,” Mal said. “And he’ll look after himself. Something tells me you’ll need someone with demon blood down there. Where’s the kid now?”

“She’s with The Librarian. He’s giving her a crash course in Demonology 101.”

“Someone she won’t be able to talk the ears off,” he muttered. “Fine, go set up the mission. And Declan sits in on the planning session.”

“What about that?” She nodded toward the knife.

“Someone will be here to pick it up.”

“I hope you like the tropics,” Maggie told Declan as they walked out into the courtyard.

“I’m half fire demon, remember? The heat doesn’t bother me a bit.” He was quiet for a moment. “Did you mean what you said?”

“Yes.” She didn’t bother to pretend to misunderstand him. Without warning, she was spun around and into his arms.

Declan’s kiss said it all. The way he felt about her—whether it was aggravation, lust, or the other L word that turned a male upside down and caused a female to see stars and hearts—was all mixed up in the heat of his mouth.

Maggie embraced it and returned the emotion.

“Get a room, Mags!’ someone hooted.

Applause soon followed.

She pulled back, shook her head at the grinning audience, and pulled on Declan’s hand.

“Tell me we’re getting some privacy very soon.” His words tickled her ear.

“Oh, yes.”

“No Courtney?”

“I doubt The Librarian will release her until close to dawn.” She almost dragged him along. “Plus, she has her own quarters now.” She laughed when Declan looped his arm around her waist and hugged her against him. Then realized something was different. She stopped and took a close look from head to toe.

“You’re not wearing a visitor medallion.” She touched his chest, savoring the heat of his skin through the silky cotton of his shirt.

“Mal seems to think I need open access.” He flexed his arm. “He didn’t tell me it required an implant. Hurts like a son of a bitch. But I was even able to spend a few minutes checking on Anna. She’s completely absorbed in being a Seer-in-training.”

“Then let’s get going, so I can kiss your boo-boo, along with a few other places,” she added with a significant look further south.

“I’m yours.”

Maggie liked hearing that and made sure they wasted no time going to her quarters.

Elle looked down from her computer surfing, realized she wasn’t needed, and returned to her task.

“Very nice,” Declan commented, admiring the rose-pink wall behind the bed that echoed the rose in her bedspread. The room was deep rose and cream, sparked here and there with jewel tones, and adorned with paintings and a few figurines that reflected a life of travel to exotic locales.

His attention was caught by the blonde Barbie doll dressed in fatigues and armed to the teeth, and he had to smile.

“Blair gave her to me last Yule,” Maggie said. “She gave us each one that reflects us. I guess she sees me as a Lara Croft type.”

“Our worlds are so different. Even with what you do, you have color in your life,” he commented, picking up a pillow and setting it back down before fingering the silken spread.