Demons are nothing but monstrous hybrids cast out by the Fallen that sired you, Michael hissed, suddenly getting a better understanding of what a demon really was. He had never noticed the faint traces of Fallen blood within the demons before but now he knew what they tasted like.
The Fallen and the Sun Gods were similar in this manner creating monsters of their choosing. The only difference was in the way they sired them.
Morgana reached back for the arm holding her hair and sank her right claws into the flesh she found. She gasped when she suddenly found herself hovering above the floor and staring down into angry amethyst eyes. The cheap stilettos fell to the ground below and she wrapped her other hand around the back of his neck hoping to sever his spinal cord and free herself.
Feeling that amethyst gaze penetrate her, she couldn't stop herself from going limp now hanging from only her hair.
Let me go, Morgana whispered suddenly afraid. She was strong, one of the strongest in this part of the Slums, but this vampire shed thought was an easy kill was by far stronger than anything shed ever encountered.
Let you go? Michael asked as though the concept were foreign to him. You killed all of these humans and demons for food based on their appearances and you want me to let you go?
Ill give you all the human blood you want, Morgana half whimpered half hissed. Ill be your servant Ill lure them in and bring them to you.
I do not need help in catching my next meal, Michael said sardonically. His voice abruptly softened, but my dear Im willing to bet demons taste better than humans.
Morgana gasped when a sudden excruciating pain erupted from her shoulder and the feel of the vampire pulling the life out of her made her emit an inhuman wail. Her struggles renewed and she clawed at him with zeal but the true darkness was beginning to climb around the edges of her vision.
Who are you? she whispered with her last breath.
Michael held on and drew in the last drop of Morganas life force before dropping her. He smirked when he heard the dull thump of her corpse. Who knew he could kill a demon by draining them he bet even the demons didnt know that little trick since the soulless vampires only craved human blood.
He gazed down at the shriveled demon in disgust, You can call me Michael.
He landed lightly on the floor and stepped toward the door. Using his sleeves, he wiped at the remnants of blood on his lips then stared down at the black blood tainted blood. Opening the door, he stepped out onto the sidewalk and arranged his jacket so the rips in his shirt wouldnt be noticed.
Michael then turned and started back the way he came, noticing that a large group of demons had now gathered near the entrance of the building. They must have been Morganas underlings coming to gaze upon the man that had killed their master. These creatures showed no sign of human life and Michael paid them no heed as he calmly walked past them.
Hed done what he set out to do and no other creatures here could hold his attention their low-level power wasnt worth his time. The more power a demon had the more they would taste of Fallen blood he was sure of it.
The rush Morganas blood had given him was now pulsing through his veins in a warm and fuzzy thrum. It heated him and heightened his senses this he remembered from the times hed drank from Aurora.
Michael froze as he fully realized his train of thought. Panic immediately joined the high he was on and the thought of Aurora made a mass of fear settle in his belly accompanied by a bone deep chill. He remembered Kanes warning on the roof top after killing Samuel. Hed pointed out to Aurora the dangers of letting him taste her blood.
Looking for a reason, he latched on to the memory of Samuel taunting Aurora by telling her about the demons loose in the city that were strong enough to easily kill a Fallen demons that already held a Fallen body count. These demon masters were a danger to Aurora Samuel hadn't lied about that.
A slow smile caressed Michaels lips. He now had a valid reason to feed off the demons that had been released into Los Angeles. Not only would he be protecting Aurora, he could also fulfill his craving with the diluted blood of a hybrid. By taking such small amounts he could keep better control over the unwanted side effects like earthquakes and death by Syn.
A win-win scenario, Michael mused and buried his hands in his pockets as he enjoyed his high and searched for his next victim.
Chapter 4
Micah sighed for the hundredth time since calling Alicia. So far Tasuki had gone to check on the she-wolf six times, Titus had run off three more officers when Phillip started having trouble keeping them out, and the captive guard had started gnawing on his wrist in an attempt to get out of the chair.
Of course it wasnt exactly the guards fault he was suddenly desperate to escape. They had gotten bored and started taunting him on the intercom about the things Lucca would do to him when the mob found out he was a snitch.
This is not how I wanted to spend my day, Tasuki complained.
I hear that, Micah muttered wishing Alicia would hurry. Shed said Damon wasnt with her and that made him want to see her even more.
Tasuki glanced over at Micah, Im curious, how many cougars and jaguars are in this city?
A few hundred at least, Micah answered. But not all of them hang around with the pack. Some of them are satisfied with their mates and try to live a normal human life. I even know of several who try to act completely human to the point that their mate doesnt even know they are shifters.
Dont you guys get urges or something like that? Tasuki asked with a shrug.
Micah smiled, Yeah, its one of the very few things Hollywood got right. At least once every few months, we need to get out of the city and run wild. All that the shifters that are pretending to be human have to do is say that they are going rock climbing for the weekend or something like that. We can survive just fine on regular food and a regular life, but if we dont follow our instinct to shift and run once in a while, we tend to get a little snappy or worse.
Tasuki grinned, I take it that its been quite a while since you went for a run on the wild side.
Micahs retort died on his lips when the main door opened and he heard two people walk in to the building. He went over to the observation room door and cracked it open to see. Some of his excitement faded seeing that Damon had decided to tag along.
Dont get your hopes up on a Sun God being awe inspiring youre about to meet one, Micah said with a touch of sarcasm. Im still under the illusion its just another name for Dickhead.
Tasuki cocked an eyebrow, Is it smart to call someone with the sub-title God a dickhead?
If the shoe fits, Micah shrugged.
Damon smirked wondering how long the uniformed cop outside the door would continue to stand on one leg. Thats what the punk gets for telling Alicia she couldnt enter. Seeing Titus striding toward them, he silently wondered what an Alpha werewolf would look like walking around on his hands issuing orders to his pack. Damon sighed deciding he was already bored.
Alicia, glad you could make it, Titus said then gave Damon a weary nod of acknowledgement. He had to keep himself from rubbing his chin in remembrance of the force Damon had put behind that punch on their first meeting. Turning his attention back to Alicia, he noted the black leather duffle bag she was carrying. Is that the stuff you brought for her?
Alicia nodded and handed him the duffle bag, Yeah, I even packed a brush and a little bit of makeup for her just in case.
Titus smiled, Im sure anything at this point will be appreciated. I put her in the only cell we have that has a built in shower. Shes not a prisoner, but when we rescued her she was showing signs of being feral so we had to tranquilize her. he said skipping the speech about her being in heat. Hopefully, finding this stuff when she wakes up will calm her down. Let me take this back to her and then well get started.
The muscles in Damons jaw jumped as he gritted his teeth. He looked down at the top of Alicias head wondering just what Titus had meant by well get started.
Alicia bit her lip remembering shed never told Damon about the other reason shed agreed to come. Wanting to stall Titus she quickly asked, Can I see her?
Titus shrugged, I dont see why not.
He led Alicia and her imposing mate through the doorway leading back to the holding cells. When they approached the cell, Titus quickly took out the keys and unlocked the door. Placing the bag on the floor next to the bed, he carefully backed out.
Shes lovely, Alicia whispered feeling sorry for her. It looks like shes been in her wolf form for weeks thats dangerous isnt it?
Yeah, Im hoping shell feel safe enough to shift back when she awakens, Titus said.
Shes barely out of her teenage years. Damon observed slipping his arm around Alicia when he felt her sadness.
Boris guessed around twenty, Titus responded.
Poor girl, Alicia said under her breath and was suddenly looking forward to putting that man under her thrall. If he was responsible for this her eyes narrowed a fraction trying to think of a punishment to fit the crime.
Micah timed it perfectly and came out of the observation room just as they arrived near it. He even let his eyes widen with surprise as if he hadn't known shed showed up several minutes ago.
Theres my elusive sister, he said playfully and was rewarded with a tight hug. She hurriedly released him much to Micahs disappointment but he figured Damon would get jealous if they held on to each other too long.
How are you? Micah asked while brushing her blonde bangs out of her eyes.
Doing good, Alicia answered then gave Damon a sly look hoping to put him in a better mood before they dropped the f-bomb by blurting out the other reason shed come to the station. Sorry about the disappearing act but my mate tends to keep me a willing prisoner for days on end.
Damon smirked at Alicias choice of words then looked over Micahs shoulder when he noticed another man come out of the same room Micah had been in. A slight frown crossed his features at the mans strange aura. While he couldnt read souls like the Fallen, he could usually see the aura around people if he tried. He didnt have to strain to see this guys aura he was glowing a florescent blue from the inside.
This is Tasuki, one of our human detectives, Micah introduced. Trevor accidentally found out Tasuki here knew about the existence of the paranormal, so he got stuck with us.
Human? Damon smirked at their ignorance. That man was so much more than mere human.
You must be Alicia, Tasuki said with a disarming smile and then extended his hand toward Damon after hearing about Damons temperament from Micahs rants. Its a pleasure to meet both of you.
Damon stared at the hand for a moment and finally took it. This man was no threat to Alicia so he would let him pass.
So wheres the werewolf you want me to enthrall? Alicia asked. I take it hes one of the SOBs who kidnapped the girl?
Damon again looked down at the top of his mates head and glared. You said nothing about putting a werewolf under your thrall.
You didnt exactly give me a chance, Alicia accused. And you owe me by the way.
I didnt accept the bet, Damon said with a devious smirk.
Thats too bad, Alicia said sympathetically and almost laughed when she saw Damons eyes narrow on her. She returned her attention to the matter at hand before Damon thought of a way to stop her. Ill have this creep singing like a jailbird if youll just lead the way.
Tasuki moved aside and gestured toward the observation room. Your target is right in there.
Alicia stepped into the small room with Damon and Micah right behind her.
Tasuki sent a knowing grin toward Titus at their protective behavior before joining them inside the room.
Titus merely smirked and shook his head. Those two would probably never change but at least it was entertaining to watch.
The five of them looked through the two way mirror at the werewolf in the interrogation room on the other side of the glass. The damned idiot was still trying to fight his way out of that chair. Both of his wrists were in the titanium restraints and his ankles were manacled to the chair legs. At the moment, he had loosened the chair from its floor bolts and was now rocking back and forth trying to tip the chair over.
Five bucks says hell fall over and hit his head, Tasuki said out of the blue.
Damon smirked at the humans attempt at humor.
Ten bucks says hell just fall over and try kicking his way toward the door, Micah challenged and the two men settled in to watch.
Damons smirk widened and he decided to help out a little. When the wolf tipped his chair again, it fell over and the man hit his head on the floor hard enough to knock himself out.
Tasuki snorted and held out his hand for the money Micah now owed him.
Yeah, yeah, you got lucky rookie, Micah said good naturally as he flipped his wallet open and plucked a ten.
Nice doing business with you, Tasuki said and pocketed the bill. Want to bet on how long he stays out?
Alicia had been calmly watching the werewolf. She thought shed at least be a little nervous but amazingly the emotion never came. Feeling brave, she took a deep breath knowing Damon wasnt going to like what she had to say.
Let me have a few minutes alone with him, Alicia said.
I dont think so, Damon growled not at all amused.
Alicia pouted up at him, How do you expect me to learn anything if youre always there to help me?
Ill always be there to help you, Damon corrected.
Oh really, Alicia put her hands on her hips deciding that batting her eyelashes wasnt going to get her what she wanted so she again tried the truth. What if we somehow become separated and Im left to face something dangerous alone?
You will not go into that room by yourself, Damon insisted and crossed his arms over his chest.
You know, it would be nice to be trusted enough to do something on my own for once instead of having a damn nursemaid. She turned her back on him. Youre worse than my brothers.
Damon narrowed his eyes at Alicias back while Micah looked at her with a hurt expression.
Couldnt you go in with her and let her at least try it alone before you attempt to help? Micah asked, for once trying to make peace with Damon.
Alicia looked over her shoulder at Damon liking Micahs compromise.
We really need every ounce of information we can get from him. I know for a fact that the girls we rescued tonight arent the only girls needing our help, Titus offered as an incentive. This guy might know where more are hidden.