There must be something. Some spell?
I havent had a lot of free time to research in the Council archives, though I wonder if the answer isnt there.
Vika stopped before him, crossing her arms over her chest. The position emphasized her small breasts and revealed the hard peaks of her nipples beneath the thin fabric. Sexy, yet controlled, and perhaps a little curious. CJ entertained mussing her up. She would be a challenge he wasnt prepared to take on because his record with womenwell, he hadnt established much of a record over the decades.
You need to change that, buddy. But probably not with a witch who called him a derelict and couldnt even utter the name of Daemonia. Much too uptight for him, though hed seen glimpses of the sensuality she probably tried very hard to keep under control.
On the other hand, he needed intimacy, plain and simple. Dare he imagine he could find it with this beautiful creature?
Youre staring at my breasts, she said drolly. A shadow passed over her face as the sky darkened.
I am. He spread his hands before him. Theyre nice and neat. Just like you.
Thats the strangest thing a man has ever said about my breasts.
You prefer suckable? Lickable? Her eyebrow lifted. Sorry, that was vulgar. Im not up to speed with accepted comments on a womans anatomy. But isnt that what most men think? Hell, its what Im thinking, but I thought we were still on polite terms.
I think youve moved on to lewd and tasteless.
Woman, get off your broom.
Seriously? Did you just say that?
Before he could retract the callous comment, she marched to the drivers door and opened it. Were finished here, Monsieur Jones. Do not return to my home, because I warn you, it will be warded against asshole witches from this day forth.
And she drove off, leaving Certainly shaking his head and laughing. Yet deep inside, he felt the gang of demons curl their fists and shout triumphantly.
Once the hearse reached the end of the alleyway, Vika stepped on the brake and slammed a fist against the steering wheel. I will not let that arrogant man get to me. He doesnt know a thing about me.
And she drove off, leaving Certainly shaking his head and laughing. Yet deep inside, he felt the gang of demons curl their fists and shout triumphantly.
Once the hearse reached the end of the alleyway, Vika stepped on the brake and slammed a fist against the steering wheel. I will not let that arrogant man get to me. He doesnt know a thing about me.
So why did she feel as though the dark witch had peeled away a layer from her, and what hed exposed beneath was still as pin-neat as the top layer? Uptight? She was not. And she was hardly a prude. Men had spoken much more vulgar things to her, and often she warmed to the dirty talk. Let it not be said she didnt enjoy a lusty make-out session with a sexy man.
But she was not aroused or interested in Certainly Jones. Because he was wrong. Tainted by devious demons.
Someone has to keep a tight grasp on sanity around here.
She checked the rearview mirror. The dark witch stood at the end of the alley, hands in his jeans pockets, looking her way. She couldnt see the expression on his face. Was he waiting to see if she would back up? Or was he laughing that hed sent her running with her tail between her legs?
Maybe it was the demons? Had it been a demon spouting crude comments about her breasts back there?
He said he was fine in the light. Most light, anyway. Prismatic light protected him best? Interesting.
Everything about the man tweaked at her curiosity. He was scruffy and pale, while she preferred her men neat and sun-kissed. When she looked in his eyes, she couldnt see beyond the flat jade there. Most mens eyes gleamed and gave away their thoughts before they had them. And his unabashed willingness to say what he thought offended her, but only because she was taking offense.
If she did not take offense, then he had no power over her.
Vika shifted into Reverse but didnt take her foot off the brake.
Certainly Jones. What a name. Must be English. He did have the slightest hint of a British accent. Accents did appeal to her carnal passions, as they did Libby. Yet she was calm and cool when around an attractive man. A wise woman never let loose and gave away too much too soon.
She didnt need him to find the missing soul. She could attract a wayward soul on her own, thank you very much. Not that shed been successful at it thus far.
Hed turned, and the silhouette of him, head bowed and arms slack at his sides, looked pitiful. A lost boy trying to fight off the real demons in his life. The Catholic Church couldnt help him? She was surprised hed set foot on holy ground. She didnt know for sure, but she guessed he must have worked extremely foul magic to have been able to set foot in Daemonia.
He deserves whatever hes gotten, she whispered.
And yet, hed pleaded for her to help him. He was desperate. The man couldnt go into darkness for fear of a demon taking over his body.
There must be some spell, she mused. And if there is, I want to find it. She eyed him in the rearview mirror. You ready for me, CJ? Because I always accomplish what I set out to cleanI mean, help.
Uh-huh. Shed meant clean.
Vika took her foot off the brake and backed down the alleyway. Shadows glanced off the white hood of the car sandwiched between three-story buildings. When the hearse sidled alongside the man, she rolled down the passenger window.
Get in. I have a lot of work to do, and the day isnt getting any lighter.
He slid inside but didnt offer a gregarious Ive won smile, as she had expected. Instead, he winced. In fact, he struggled to keep his jaw from opening, or maybe he was fighting a shout. And when he turned a frown on her, his face looked different. Not so slender.
And his eyes glowed red.
Vika heard the lightning crackle the air before darkness swept the sky.
CJ grabbed the steering wheel and slid his boot over on top of her foot. Lets go for a ride, sweetie.
Chapter 4
Vika struggled to control the hearse as it careened down the street and toward the main avenue, where there would be hundreds of tourists in danger should CJ manage to steer against herso farfirm grip. His foot pressed over hers on the accelerator, and though they were going only about twenty kilometers an hour, it was too fast for the looming touristy area.
And it wasnt CJ. Some kind of demon controlled him. Didnt matter. She had to fight them both to maintain control.
The demon hissed and slid closer, cramming her body against the car door as it tried to take over the seat. It gripped the steering wheel and wrenched the car sharply to the right. Vika kept her eyes on the road, and both hands were still on the wheel. So far, theyd hit nothing.
A hot tongue licked up the side of her face, and CJ chuckled in a breathy, evil rumble. Strong witch. But driving down the middle is not fun at all. Obstacles must be crushed!
CJ jerked the steering wheel to the left. With her vision blocked because his body was in the way, Vika didnt see the parked car. The hearses bumper scraped along the side of the vehicle, the noise crunching and loud. She elbowed CJ in the gut, connecting with hard muscle, and he flinched. His foot left hers, but his hand remained on the wheel.
If she could find a well-lit area, the demon may flee. It was day. Though the sky had suddenly darkened, there was no rain, and no streetlights had flickered on yet. Ahead lay the main avenue and, beyond, the River Seine.
Attempting to brake was impossible because the demon-possessed witch tugged her out of the seat and, switching places with her, shoved her onto the passenger side. Now she lost track of where they were headed. In a last effort, Vika scrambled upright, grabbed hold of the shift and shoved it into Park.
The hearse squealed and spun, the engine making an awful hissing noise. The back of the vehicle swung around. A car horn honked. Vika braced for impact against the chest of the man, who hooted and beat the ceiling of the car with a triumphant fist.
The hearse stopped with a dull, crushing metal noise. Stretched across the front seat, Vika landed flat upon CJs chest. She winced, anticipating a crash from another car. What a horrible way to die, sprawled across a man she barely knew and trusted not at all.
When the impact didnt come, she immediately opened the glove compartment and took out the flashlight. Clicking it on, she shone the bright light at the dark witchs eyes. Get out, you bastard!
Crawling backward and kneeling, yet keeping the light aimed on the witch, she shoved at his knee as he struggled to untangle himself from under her. When he was free and gave a hefty exhale, she did not relent with the light.
CJ put up a palm to block the light. Its okay now. Its gone. Im me again, thanks to your quick thinking with the light.
Yeah? Well, get out! Right now, dark one. I dont need your kind of trouble. We could have harmed innocents!
Vika, Im sorry, I had no control
Damn you! She slapped his shoulder with the flashlight. My car is probably totaled. Get out!
Okay! CJ opened the car door, which slammed against the concrete barrier fronting the river. He had to ease his way out through the narrow space.
Around them, a crowd had started to gather to assess the situation. Smoke hissed from the hood of the hearse.
It was the menace demon, CJ said, bending to offer the weak explanation. At his temple a streak of blood glistened. The shadows in the alley were enough to give it control. Vika, please, let me help you with this. Can you start the car? Let me drive it off the street and deal with the authorities.
I said to get away from me, she said firmly, directing the light at his eyes again for the annoyance factor. I dont want your kind of mess in my life. Please, walk away. I can handle this myself.
He put up his hands and stepped back. A bystander approached him and asked if he was hurt.
Vika settled in the passengers seat and blew out a breath, anticipating dealing with the concerned mortals outside. She could hardly tell them a demon had been in control of the car.
Goddess, I hope its drivable. I do not need a repair bill right now.
Opening the door, she nodded she was fine, but when the ambulance arrived on the scene, she realized it would be better to submit to their triage than try to walk away, as Certainly had.