Wicked Whispers (30 page)

For the first time, Ivy saw Murmur stumble. He managed to control his music, but the thing dragging him toward oblivion wasn’t reacting to his death song.

“The cursed snake is deaf. And it doesn’t have a head to get into.” Bain’s voice was tight with worry.

Terror froze Ivy. What good was she? She couldn’t even save the man she loved.

“Do something.” Sparkle grabbed Bain’s arm. “You’re the damn Destroyer. Okay, destroy something.”

Bain stilled. Ivy held her breath.

The snakelike creature had dragged Murmur almost to the edge of the fissure when the arch demon spoke for the first time.

“I’m torn, Murmur. How to destroy your mortal body? So many wonderful choices. You can fall to your death. Rather anticlimactic, though. Or I can tear your body apart. Much more dramatic, in addition to being a cautionary tale for any other demons who might think to defy me. Perhaps I’ll combine the two. Yes, I like that.” He smiled.

Ivy had never seen anything so horrible in her life.

“Do you have any final words?” The Master glanced over Murmur’s head to where Klepoth still fought on. “The illusion maker won’t last long once I’ve taken care of you.”

“Go to hell.” Murmur’s voice was a rasp of defiance.

“Oh, I will. But you’ll be going with me.”

Ivy felt Bain tense a moment before he struck.

The tear in the earth snapped shut, cutting the thing wrapped around Murmur’s ankle in half. It writhed in its death throes, releasing him.

Murmur didn’t waste the opportunity. He struck at the arch demon.

The earth shook with the force of their coming together. They moved too quickly for Ivy to see more than the flash of Murmur’s music or the sizzle from the Master’s energy.

The demon armies stopped fighting and backed up. They clapped their clawed hands over their ears. Even with Sparkle’s earplugs, Ivy caught the faint notes of something so terrifying that for a moment she couldn’t breathe. Murmur’s death song was growing louder, gaining power. How long could he keep it up?

This then would decide all of the demons’ fates. Klepoth was trying to reach Murmur, to help with the fight, but he staggered and almost fell.

Ivy bit her lip. Klepoth was injured. Murmur would have to defeat his master by himself. She glanced at Bain.

“I can’t help. They’re moving too fast.” Frustration lived in his voice.

Ivy’s heart felt as though it would explode from her chest. Her breaths came in short gasps. Was it just her imagination, or were the flashes from his music growing dimmer, slower?

How could she help? She clenched her hands into fists, not even feeling the pain of her nails digging into her palms.
Do. Something.

Her puny little puff of faery power wouldn’t help. She had no physical way of saving Murmur. But… If he could get into
her
mind, would she be able to do get into
his
? Would he hear her if she concentrated on sending a message to him? Zane had explained a little of how it worked. She had to try. She wouldn’t stand here and watch him die.

Closing her eyes, she pictured him, the way she’d first seen him—his long hair lifting in the breeze, his smile that had left her breathless, the strength and mystery of him. Once the image was fixed, she imagined sinking into him, reaching for his mind. She spoke to him.

“I’m here, Murmur. Keep fighting. You can’t give up. If you lose, the demons will turn on me.”
Okay, so she was lying shamelessly. But if it revived his flagging energy, she’d lie like a rug.
“I love you. Come back to me.”
Ivy would think about flinging the word “love” around later.

Ivy opened her eyes. She’d done all she could. But had it been enough?

“Yes!” Sparkle pumped her fist into the air.

Ivy held her breath and dared to hope. Murmur was beating the Master back. The arch demon stumbled, and that was his first and last mistake. Murmur swung his death music in a powerful arc and cut the Master in half.

Ivy turned from the carnage. Relief made her weak. She sank to the ground. The rest of the demons stood waiting. What did they expect to happen? She threw Bain a questioning glance.

“If Murmur chooses, he can take the Master’s place. He’ll add the arch demon’s legions to his own. He’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the Underworld.”

And gone from the mortal plane forever.
Ivy felt his words stab her in her all-too-vulnerable heart.

Bain looked intent for a moment, and then seemed to relax. “Murmur’s shut down his death music.” Bain turned and started to walk away.

“Wait. Where’re you going?”

He looked back at Ivy. “I don’t want him to know I was here.”

“Why not, for heaven’s sake? You saved him.” Ivy couldn’t hide her frustration.

Bain shrugged. “If he knows I helped him, he’ll think he owes me a favor. It’s a demon thing. But I didn’t come for any damn favor. I came because…” He seemed lost for a moment. “Because he’s my friend.” He seemed amazed by the revelation. With a parting grin, he disappeared.

Sparkle laughed. “I like Bain a lot more now.” She glanced down. “I think I’ll hit up Murmur and Klepoth for two pairs of shoes.” She studied her nails. “Hiding in the weeds didn’t do my nails any good either. I’ll add a manicure to my bill.”

Ivy wasn’t listening to her. She had remembered Klepoth. He was hurt. Now that the fighting was over, she ran to where he lay. The other demons looked startled, but when they moved toward her, Klepoth held up his hand to stop them. She leaned over him. “Are you okay?”

Klepoth shook his head. “Not right now, but I’ll heal fast.” He grinned up at her. “We kicked ass.”

She smiled back at him. Somewhere during the battle, her distrust of him had vanished.

Ivy didn’t get a chance to say anything, though, because suddenly someone grabbed her arm and spun her around. She looked up.

Murmur glared down at her. His eyes were still red, and fury gleamed in them. “What the hell are you doing here?”

He and Bain must have memorized the same lines.

“Don’t you know better than to be anywhere near a demon battle?” He looked behind her. “I thought you had more sense, Sparkle.”

Ivy had no idea what she would have said in reply, or even if she would have bothered answering him. She probably would have just flung herself into his arms. She didn’t get the chance.

An unfamiliar voice spoke. “I hate to interrupt your justly earned celebration, but I really have a few things to discuss with Murmur.”

They all turned. A new portal had opened, and a woman stood in the opening. She was the most beautiful woman Ivy had ever seen. Something inside Ivy shrank away, understanding without being told what she was.

Long black hair rippled down the woman’s back. Her eyes were large and so blue they made Ivy’s eyes seem like muddy water in comparison. Her lips were full and parted slightly in a smile no man would ignore. Ivy hated her.

He nodded. “Hello, Naamah.”

16

“You were magnificent, Murmur.”

“I didn’t do it alone. Klepoth helped me.” Murmur would have to thank him for saving his butt. He’d been inches away from a one-way ticket back to the Underworld when Klepoth had closed the earth. He glanced at his partner. The other demon was healing, but he wouldn’t be much help if things got ugly.

Naamah didn’t move from the portal opening; still, Murmur could feel her seductive power touching him. He remained unmoved. Coldly, he took stock of the demons behind her. Not enough for a full assault, but…

She laughed. It was a laugh meant to seduce, tempt, and conquer, right before she destroyed the object of her attention. “I only brought a few of my demons as bodyguards.” Her smile hinted that he could guard her body in any way he chose.

He glanced at Ivy. She stared at Naamah with narrowed eyes and lips pressed tightly together. Something in her expression made him smile. Jealousy. He recognized it in Ivy because he’d felt the same emotion when he’d seen her with Zane.

He returned his attention to Naamah. “Why are you here? And don’t tell me it’s just so you can congratulate me.”

Naamah dropped her gaze to the scattered remains of the Master’s physical body. She wrinkled her beautiful nose. Yes, he could admit that everything about her was amazing. He felt nothing, though, because he knew what lived inside her. But he was at ease with her. He understood her, and he could use her.

She met his gaze. “We’ll be neighbors. And I must admit to looking forward to a few… neighborly visits.”

She was trying for coy, but it wasn’t working. He would respect her more if she just acted like herself—vicious, gorgeous, and deadly.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us, Murmur?” Sparkle had evidently reached her limit for silence.

“Sure. This is Naamah. She’s the arch demon who controls the territory beside the one that used to belong to my unlamented master.”

Naamah smiled at Sparkle. “I’m the demon of seduction.”

She might have been smiling, but her eyes dismissed Sparkle as being beneath her. Murmur thought she’d made her first mistake on the mortal plane.

“A demon seductress?” Sparkle raised one brow. “If you’re going to stay on earth long, you’ll need a complete makeover.”

Naamah’s smile died. “I’m perfect just as I am. Ask any man here.”

Sparkle shook her head. “How sad. You’ve obviously lived a sheltered life. You’ll have a lot more competition on the mortal plane: women who understand how to create that certain look no man can resist. You have a few problem areas, sister—wrong hair style, wrong clothes, and definitely wrong shoes. Oops, no shoes. My bad. Sweetie, the barefoot look is embarrassingly out of date. And…” She widened her eyes. “Oh. My. God. No makeup. Never ever step outside without putting on your face.” Sparkle brightened. “But anytime you want me to help you upgrade your look, stop by Sweet Indulgence, my candy store, and we’ll see what we can do.”

Naamah looked puzzled.

Murmur stepped into the silence before the demon realized Sparkle had insulted her. “We have things to talk about, Naamah. I’ll contact you.”

Naamah cast him a considering look before nodding. “I’ll be waiting.” Without another word, she turned and disappeared back into the portal. It closed behind her.

Klepoth released the breath he’d evidently been holding. “What’re you going to do about her?”

“I don’t know.” He had a few options to consider. “I’ll have to think about it.”

Murmur chanced another glance at Ivy. The excitement in her eyes had dimmed since Naamah showed up. The arch demon’s timing sucked. He was considering how to put the shine back in Ivy’s eyes when Ganymede appeared.

“Yo, I’m here. Where’s the battle? Point me toward the demon hordes and get out of the way.”
His ears were pinned back, and his claws were out.

Sparkle sighed. “The fight’s over, sugarpudding. The good guys won.”

Ganymede wilted.
“Well, crap. I was in the mood to kick ass, stomp heads, and crack ribs.”

“Maybe another day.” At least the cat hadn’t made the same mistake
he
had by demanding to know why Sparkle was here. Murmur had seen the look on Ivy’s face when he’d gone all protective on her. “Give me a minute to dismiss the demons, and then we can get Klepoth back to the castle.”

Murmur didn’t wait to see if they agreed. He called Goloth, his second in command, to him. Then he walked over to where Klepoth had managed to sit up. He made no comment when Ganymede, Sparkle, and Ivy crowded around him. Let them hear if they wanted, it wouldn’t affect what he had to say.

He turned to Goloth. “You and Klepoth’s second will be taking all the legions back with you. The Master’s demons are ours now. Keep in touch with us. We’re responsible for the defense of our new territory. Report all abnormalities.” He suspected there’d be a lot. Demon legions were never a peaceful bunch. “Also monitor any unrest among the souls we guard.” The Master had ruled with a heavy hand. The souls imprisoned in his territory would see anything less as weakness. “Make sure you leave nothing here for the humans to find.” Translation: get rid of all body parts. He looked at Klepoth. “Anything you want to add?”

Klepoth was still in obvious pain. He shook his head. “Sounds good to me.”

Goloth simply nodded and got to work.

By silent agreement, Sparkle and the others headed back to her car. Ivy chose to ride in the passenger seat beside Sparkle. Murmur helped Klepoth into the backseat with him. Ganymede plunked his ample bottom between them.

The cat made a big deal of grooming himself. Murmur stared out the window. The rain had stopped outside, but there was still a storm brewing in the car. How could he explain to Ivy that he’d avoided her for three days so she wouldn’t be involved in the war with his master? Not that it had done any good.

“The faery host is only two nights away.”

Ganymede knew how to drop a bombshell. Murmur glared at him. “Why didn’t you say something before this?”

The cat paused in cleaning his paw to give Murmur an unblinking stare that said “dumbass” loud and clear.
“Because you were busy doing other things.”

Ivy turned to look at Ganymede, alarm in her wide eyes. “What will we do?”

“I’m on top of it.”
Now satisfied with his total awesomeness, Ganymede laid down on the seat.
“Holgarth and Zane will make sure the guardian gargoyles are ready. I’ve already called Edge and Passion back from Washington. We don’t have many guests in the hotel at this time of year, but just to be safe, Zane will slap protective wards over the doors of all humans staying there. The faery host will show up around midnight. And then we’ll kick butt. Did I miss anything?”
His self-satisfied expression said he knew he’d thought of everything.

Ivy shifted her gaze to Murmur, but he looked away. Now might be as good a time as any to reveal the little detail everyone had kept from Ganymede. “We have a plan to avoid a war with the faeries.”

“It better be good.”
The cat’s tone said he hoped it was lousy so he could make up for what he hadn’t done tonight.