Lust clawed at the insides of the stupid witch whod had the audacity to venture into Daemonia and steal. Lust would not be expelled without causing as much damage as he could to the thief. Clinging to the muscles, plasma and bone that fashioned the feeble witch, the demon fought against the dazzling corpse light moving through skin, sinew and the witchs very heart. One intangible claw hung on, and then...
Brightness exploded upon him and pushed him out of the body. Unable to survive in the mortal realm without a host, and not having been summoned to this realm, Lust was immediately sucked to Daemonia.
Certainly fell to his knees, catching his palms on the tarmac. Sweat beaded his brow, and he gasped in exertion. Hed felt the soul enter through his chest and leave out his back. The lust demon had torn at his heart, unwilling to relent. His muscles felt shredded, damaged inside.
Barely aware of his surroundings, the brush of fabric dusted his arm. Vika moved about him. Looking for something. And then she declared, I got it!
He rocked to the side and sat, legs sprawling before him and arms falling forward to rest his hands on the ground. Exhausted from the expulsion, Certainly could but nod and manage a loopy grin.
The demon is gone from you? Yes, I think so. I knew it was a demon when you pushed me against the wall. Youre not that kind of guy.
He winced. Wasnt he? Shouldnt he strive to be some kind of guy?
Your voice was different, too. Deeper, kind of raunchy.
Lust, he gasped, and smirked regretfully. A demon had attempted to seduce the woman he was only just warming up to. The demon wanted to do things with you. Things I...
Wanted, but wasnt sure how to ask for.
She kissed him on the cheek and pressed a finger to his lips. I dont need an explanation. All that matters is it worked. I expelled the demon from you and I managed to capture the werewolfs soul again. I have it inside me. The soul bringer will get his due.
She hugged him, and he pulled her onto his lap and nuzzled into her silken hair, losing himself in her eager excitement. Shed done it again, had now successfully defeated two of his demons. He couldnt let this woman go. He had to keep her.
Because she made him feel light amid the weird absence of darkness.
His fingers curled about her hips possessively and he pressed his lips to the nail at the base of her neck while the demons inside him cackled.
Lets head to my place, she said. Reichardt usually senses when Ive souls for him. Hell be there, Im sure.
Do I recall seeing a chandelier in your living room?
She gave him a reassuring squeeze. You did.
The prismatic light from the elegant chandelier mastering the center of the St. Charleses living room was just enough to send the demons prodding at CJs edges cringing into the dark nooks and crannies pocking his soul. CJ relaxed and blew out a breath. Safe here. For now.
Alone while Vika had disappeared up the curving marble staircase, CJ watched as a black cat curled about his ankles, and he bent to scratch the critter behind the ears. The cats tail was interesting, striped with thin white bands, while the rest of its body was grayish-black.
Oh, hello, Monsieur Jones. The sister sallied into the room in a flirty white skirt and purple top. I see youve met my sisters ex-boyfriend.
CJ straightened, the cat in his arms. Her what? Pausing midscratch, he turned the cat to study its intent gold gaze.
This is Salamander, Libby said, giving the cats tail a tug. Vikas ex.
Vika used to date a cat?
Libby nodded negatively.
He held the thing out at arms length. The feline stared accusingly at him, flicking its tail angrily. Seriously? A familiar?
Nope.
Well, that only left You mean he was once human? Isnt that kind of cruel?
Libby laughed heartily. Dont worry. We dont believe he remembers anything from his former life. It wasnt Vikas fault. Sal ran into a nasty warlock, and thats what you get when you play with the big boys, isnt it, you silly thing? she said in baby talk to the cat.
The cat flicked its tail and would not look at Libby, showing her its disdain.
Vika dated a man named Salamander? CJ didnt know what disturbed him more. The name, or to learn the cat used to be No, he wouldnt think about it.
His name was Sal, Libby explained. But it felt weird to call him that, so Salamander it is.
Right. Because theres nothing whatsoever weird about naming a cat Salamander. He tried to hand the thing off to Libby, but it wrapped its tail around his wrist and clung like a...lizard.
Libby managed to snag the cat and sent it scampering. So, youre looking fine today, CJ. And not so desperate.
Thanks. I think. Not desperate, but tired. Your sister exorcised another of my demons.
Ah, so thats why shes beaming. Good for you. I bet its a real riot inside there, eh? She tapped his chest. But more important, did she find the soul?
Ah, so thats why shes beaming. Good for you. I bet its a real riot inside there, eh? She tapped his chest. But more important, did she find the soul?
She did, and its stuck to her soul right now.
A man suddenly materialized in the living room near the kitchen door.
Libby clutched CJs hand. Hes here. Vika, Reichardt is here! And for once Im not holding the toilet plunger. Can life get any better? Hello, Monsieur Reichardt. She shook her hand from Certainlys and made a nervous little curtsy to the soul bringer. My sister will be right down.
The man, silent but seeing all, CJ suspected, gave him a nod and waited, hands calmly folded before him. Hed never met a soul bringer before, but he knew they were not conversationalists or social. They lived to ferry souls. Day and night, all hours of the day. Must be a boring life. Yet, being angelic in origin, they were some of the most powerful beings to tread this realm, and he respected the mans silent strength.
Vika sailed down the stairway and greeted the man. CJ, this is Reichardt, the soul bringer.
A pleasure to meet you. CJ offered his hand, but the stoic soul bringer merely nodded as if a bored bouncer standing guard before a nightclub door.
The soul bringer looked to Vika. Remove your clothing.
What?
Vika cast CJ a sheepish glance. Its a requirement.
I dont think so. He stepped before her, putting himself between her and the soul bringer.
Is there going to be a problem? the soul bringer asked.
No problem. Libby tugged CJ away from her sister, and he only reluctantly followed. You two go into the kitchen.
Yes, the kitchen. Vika shook her head admonishingly at CJ and directed the soul bringer through the swinging kitchen doors. You stay under the light, she called back to CJ.
Uh-huh. The light. The French doors swung shut with a snap. CJ looked to Libby. What the hell?
Its routine, Libby said, still holding his arm, as if she had enough strength to hold him off from storming the kitchen and making sure his woman did not strip for the brutish stranger.
His woman? Far from it. But wouldnt he like to make that claim, and mean it? Not if she got naked for every man who passed through her front door, or her ether, as the situation was.
Is that how its always done? She gets naked for him. Every time?
Well, she usually has on her bra and undieswhich Im sure shes wearing today. Maybe. Rarely is she completely naked. Though there are occasions. Its all cool. Reichardt is... Libby sighed heavily. Emotionless.
Doesnt mean hes not copping a feel.
Oh, I think it does. He doesnt actually touch her to scrub the souls. He uses a form of catoptromancy, but the mirrors he uses are his eyes. They go all silvery when hes performing the scrub. Im not sure he sees the nude body in the same manner a normal man would. Again, another sigh. I wouldnt let it bother you. Trust me. Itll only screw with your head.
Less than five minutes later, Vika breezed through the kitchen doors, followed by Reichardt. Vika tugged at the neckline of her dress and flipped her hair over a shoulder. CJ eyed the soul bringer warily. He didnt look overly satisfied to have just felt up his girlfriend.
Shes not your girlfriend!
Still.
Libby, the soul bringer said.
Libby perked.
Have you another of those cookies?
Really? Yes! With a delighted squeal, Libby headed toward the kitchen, grabbing Reichardts hand as she did and tugging him bodily through the swinging doorway.
Vika approached CJ with a smirk. Shes a crush on the guy.
That explains the wistful sighs.
Sighs and fantasies that will never come true. Poor girl. Of all the paranormal breeds in this universe, she had to fall for the one completely lacking in emotion. Im not sure his glass heart beats. How sad is that?
The sad part is, he just got to see you naked, and I did not.
I was wearing panties. And he doesnt see me. He goes into some weird trance and I think he only sees the souls. He got the soul, by the way. Im safe.
Safe, but still not naked, CJ said teasingly. Just panties? So he saw your...?
Is that all you men think about? Getting a woman naked?
It is a favorite thought, but not exclusive to the male brain. We also think a lot about food, entertainmentusually of the sporting kindsex, cars, magicin my casesex, and yes, more naked women. Tell me you ladies dont undress we men with your eyes?
Well. She let her eyes travel down his chest, and CJ suddenly felt very naked. It was not an undesired feeling, either. Yes, I suppose we do.
She turned and walked off, turning to crook a finger at him. Want me to show you my spells?
Thinking hed rather see her panties, CJ cast a look to the chandelier above. Out the window the sky had brightened, and the clouds had moved away. Safe, for now. He followed the witch into the spell room.
Chapter 7
Inviting CJ into her spell room was putting her trust out there as far as she dared. This room was personal to Libby and her. Most witches did not eagerly invite others to peruse their spell rooms, but she had snooped over CJs domain. This wasnt so much an I owe you a peek offer, as an I need to get to know you better show of trust. And he had once already been inside, not at her invitation, so to now wrest control put her in a place of power.
Vika stood in the doorway, arms crossed and hip against the door frame, as Certainly strode about the room, studying the glass drawers for ingredients. She liked the contrast now of dark and light. Wherever CJ went he insinuated darkness. Not purposefully, but merely by being. His was a complicated darkness, woven with strands so twisted and complex Vika wondered if he could ever become untangled.