Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Seline knew where Sam lived. She’d staked out his place shortly after arriving in New Orleans. So when he drove right past the exit leading to the Quarter, her palms began to sweat.
“You never told me the guy’s name.” Sam’s voice was quiet, but held an edge that had her tensing in the leather seat.
“J-John Moorecroft.” She thought the stutter in her voice was a good addition. Because a woman who’d nearly been stabbed would be stuttering and trembling, wouldn’t she?
He glanced her way. “John Moorecroft is in prison. His drug ring was busted up six months ago, and the bastard is rotting in a cell because he took out a cop during the bust.”
All true, and all facts that had made the New Orleans news. Yet there were details that hadn’t made the papers. “He might be in jail, but he’s still got plenty of power.” She licked her lips. “He took out a hit on me from his cell. Even inside, he still has men ready to jump for him.” For the right price. “You don’t cross him and get away clean.”
They were on the interstate now, and he was driving too fast. Everything passed her in a blur.
“I don’t know any other names,” she admitted, keeping her voice low. “I don’t know who came after me tonight. Probably just some flunky looking to cash in on the bounty that’s on my head. I-I just want it all to end.” Her breath expelled in a rush. “How do you think the cops knew to make that bust? I was the one who tipped them off.”
“So you killed John’s friend, and turned him in?” He gave a low whistle. “Now he’s jonesing for your death.”
Not like it was the first time. “I was working at a bar.” The cover always worked. It was easy enough for her to get hired at places like that and to work the owners and staff. “I met a man, his name was Philip Drew. Philip was?—”
Insane. The madness had pushed to the surface so easily when he drank. She cleared her throat. “He and John grew up together. They were friends.”
The city lurked behind them. A glittering trail of hazy lights reflected in the water. She swiped her hand along the door handle. “Where are we going?”
He glanced her way, and a faint smile curved his lips. “Don’t worry. I’m just taking you someplace safe.”
She tried a weak smile in return because his words should have been reassuring.
They weren’t.
His gaze returned to the road before them. “Do you trust me, Seline?”
No. Not even for an instant.
“I mean, you came to me, a man you don’t really know, and you asked me to kill for you.”
She swallowed to ease the dryness in her throat. “I asked for your help.”
“Because I’m such a fucking helper.”
Not exactly. “Because I didn’t have anyone else to turn to.”
Sam pulled off the interstate, and the car began to rush down the twisting, snaking highway that led into the swamps. There was no light in this area. Just darkness and predators waiting.
Uneasiness skated down her spine. The plan had worked just as she’d planned, but…
Something’s wrong.
His low laughter filled the car. “Do you think I’m an idiot?”
No, she didn’t, and that was why she was trying to play the game so carefully.
They turned off the main highway. The car bumped along a thin dirt road. The headlights cut a path through the black night.
Finally, finally , a light appeared up ahead. The hunched trees parted and a graveled drive waited. “I’m going to run a check on everything you told me,” Sam told her. The Jag braked in front of a faded antebellum home. Weathered, but still strong against the swamp. And what the hell was that place doing out there, with its lights shining? It looked creepy. Like something out of a horror movie. Being what she was, Seline should love horror movies.
She couldn’t stand them. There were enough monsters in her real life. She didn’t want to sit and watch them terrorize people in a movie theater.
“Run the check,” she said, her voice too soft.
He killed the engine, and she immediately became aware of the chirping of what sounded like a hundred insects. She knew gators and snakes waited in the shadows. Those were the predators she didn’t fear, well, not as much as the Other beings that could wait in the night.
Sam turned his head toward her. She could only see darkness when she looked at his eyes. Sam rasped, “If I find out you’re lying to me, if this is all some kind of setup…” He didn’t finish the sentence, but a threat hung between them.
She didn’t flinch. “I need your help. There’s a death warrant on me.”
His fingers trailed up her arm. “I’m not a good enemy to have.”
Neither am I. She tried not to shiver at his touch, but his fingers were slightly rough, and she liked that hint of danger and strength. She had a dark side, too, one that he seemed to arouse too easily. “I don’t want you for an enemy. I only want to get my life back.”
“If you’re telling the truth, I’ll give you that life,” he paused, “for a price.”
Because everything had a price. She’d never gotten anything for free in this world. Even her birth had been at the price of her mother’s life. “What do you want?” she asked. “Sex?” Taking her would be his mistake. Sex would simply give her power and give him a fast trip to hell.
“Eventually.” His fingers were still on her arm, and the interior of the car seemed small and tight. The scent of leather and man permeated the air. “But for now, I’ll start with a simple trade.”
Nothing was ever simple. She had to bite back a flippant, “ Am I the one who looks like an idiot now? ” Seline wanted out of that car. He seemed too big and strong, and right then, he had her at a serious disadvantage. Her power was low, and she needed a serious recharge—a recharge she planned to get from him at the earliest opportunity. “When I first asked for help, you said no.”
His head inclined.
“You were going to let me die.” Heartless bastard. Or he would have been, if her story had been true.
“I’m not here to save the fucking world.”
Very true. “But you saved me in the alley.”
“Did I?” he murmured. “Guess that is how it appears.”
This wasn’t going the way she’d planned at all . Usually, her plans worked so well. He should have taken her back to his place—that nice apartment in the Quarter—where they would’ve been under surveillance, and she should have been well on her way to seducing him.
Not. Good.
“I’ll get rid of this problem for you, Seline, but when the time comes, I’ll need you to do a favor for me.”
Offering a deal—wasn’t that the way the devil worked?
“What kind of favor?” Not that she’d ever have to hold up her end of the bargain, but it still would be helpful to at least know what he expected.
“Does it matter?”
She reached for the door handle. Locked. “It does. I’m not trading in one psycho for another.”
He laughed, and her head whipped around at the deep, dark rumble. Wonderful. Even his laugh was sexy. The job got worse every minute.
“I know you’re not what you pretend to be,” Sam said as he leaned toward her. “You’re not a stripper, even though you came into Temptation to dance for me.”
For me. She’d danced twice. Twice. There’d been no choice. She’d worked at Temptation for two weeks as a waitress, and, during that time, Sam hadn’t even glanced her way. She’d needed his attention, and the stage had been her only option at the time.
Seline hadn’t realized what a bonus she’d get from the stage. She’d known just how to shield her body and to tempt, a rather inborn trait for a demon like her. But when the crowd had focused all of their energy on her, she’d gotten a wild hit of power. The rush of energy she’d stolen had been incredible.
And she’d finally caught her mark’s attention. Talk about a two-for-one score.
But Seline hadn’t gone back on the stage. Not because she was modest. Modesty was something she’d long ago sacrificed. She hadn’t gone back on that wooden stage with the bright lights because she was afraid that she’d steal too much energy from the humans. If she did that, then Sam might start suspecting the truth about her.
“Does it really matter what I am?” she asked him, her fingers still on the door handle.
There was a soft snick of sound as he released the lock. “Everything matters.”
She hurried out of the car. Yes, fine. She jumped and nearly fell. So what? Only a sprinkling of stars lit the dark sky so maybe he hadn’t seen her less-than-graceful exit.
“The black van didn’t follow us.”
Crap. “What van? Someone was following us? Why didn’t you say something sooner?”
He slammed his car door shut and shook his head. “You have to do better than that.” Then he started walking toward the house. Gravel crunched beneath his feet.
Seline stood there a moment and figured there was no option other than giving chase. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop. “What van?”
He moved in a blur, just like he’d done in the alley. Rushing too fast for her to see the full motions of his body. One instant, they stood a few feet from the car, and in the next second, he had her up the steps leading to the house, with her back pressed against the wall and his fingers holding tightly to her arms. “The black van that was watching us, sweetheart. The one I know you saw, too. Now if you want to keep lying to me…” His breath blew against her cheek. “You’re really gonna piss me off.”
She shoved back against him. He didn’t move, and she’d even used a bit of her enhanced strength. Fine, if he wanted to play rough, she’d show him rough soon enough. “I’m not trying to piss you off,” she gritted out as she kept her chin up. “I’m trying to stay alive. I came to you for help, but you told me to get my ass out of your bar and to take care of myself.”
The moonlight showed her his slow blink.
“I got out of Sunrise, and I was jumped in the alley.” She pushed against him again. This time, he eased back a bit. “You’re the one who came charging out of the club. You didn’t have to save me.”
“No, I didn’t.”
If she hadn’t already been hired to kill him, she really would have thought about doing it for free right then. Jerk. “Then why did you?”
He shrugged. Shrugged.
Time for some payback. “It’s been a really long night for me.” Seline let her voice tremble. “Please, I just want to go inside and get some sleep.” Dawn would come within a few hours.
Perhaps only one of them would make it to see that sun come up.
His hands dropped to his sides. “Go to the top of the stairs. You can take the first room to the left.”
“Is this your place?” The surprise in her words was real. No one had scoped out this location. Big mistake on their part. Someone on the team had been sloppy.
“It belongs to a friend.”
He had friends? Doubtful.
“He owed me, and this place was part of the payment.” Sam turned away and opened the door. “Get inside, Seline. My men will check your story tonight, and if I find out that you’re lying, if you’re trying to set me up, there will truly be hell to pay.”
“Does that happen a lot?” Seline wanted to know as she brushed by him. “Are people always lying to you?”
“Yes.”
Her chin lifted as more lights flooded on inside the house. “Then that’s sad. You should be able to trust someone in this world. I mean, don’t you even have any family that—” Seline broke off.
Oh, yes. Wrong thing to say.
She glanced back and saw his face harden as he slammed the door shut behind them. “Get upstairs.”
Wow. That was a barely human growl.
“You know, you really should work on trying to be polite,” Seline chided him. “Try asking instead of snapping at people all the time. Charm can work, honestly it can.” She shook her head and headed for the stairs.
“Seline. ”
She didn’t stop. Her hand curled around the smooth wood of the banister.
“My brother wants me dead.” His rumbling voice followed her. “And the feeling is more than mutual.”
Okay, now that made her stop. Frowning, Seline darted a fast glance back at him.
“It’s a race,” he muttered. “We’ll see who gets shoved into the ground first.”
What was she supposed to say to that? “I’m sorry.”
He smiled at her, and the sight wasn’t reassuring. “Don’t be. It’s long past time I ripped Az apart. The world will be a whole lot better once he’s gone.”
“Why?” She shouldn’t ask, but she did anyway. “What’s he done? Why would you turn on your own family?” His words hit too close to home for her.
Turn on your own family. She’d been there, done that, and had the scars to prove it.
“Az sent me to hell,” he replied, voice flat.
She laughed. A nervous, rough sound. “Ah, you mean it felt like he did?—”
“ No. The bastard actually sent me to hell.”
All the moisture in her mouth dried away.
Sam stared at her. “What? You don’t think it’s real?” His lips tightened. “News flash. Heaven’s there, so is hell.”
Her heart slammed too fast and too hard into her chest. “With the devil guarding the gates.” She tried to make the words sound flippant.
“Not quite. Not anymore. He’s been out of hell for a while now.” His head tilted toward her. “But you’ll find out the truth soon enough. In the end, we all do.” He held her stare a moment longer, then eased out a slow breath. “Get some sleep. Tomorrow, we take care of the bastard after you.”
She stared at his dark head. Tomorrow.
Seline hurried up the stairs and found the empty room on the left. She quickly pushed the door closed behind her and even flipped the lock.
The bastard actually sent me to hell.
This job wasn’t turning out like she’d thought. Not at all. But there was no going back now. Your brother isn’t the only one who wants you dead, Sam. She strode to the bed and stripped off her clothes. If he wants you, then he can just get in line.
Because Sammael was a wanted man, and when it came to the killers on his trail—well, she was the one he needed to worry about the most. He’d let her get close and that was an error that could prove fatal for him.
She climbed into the bed, naked, and closed her eyes. Sooner or later, Sam would have to find a bed for himself. Even an all-powerful badass had to sleep sometime. She’d know when he slept, she’d feel it. And the instant his eyes closed…
You’re mine, Sam.
“Cole, how much have you turned up on Seline O’Shaw?” Sam held the phone to his ear as he glanced up the curving staircase. No sound came from Seline’s room, and the silence seemed to press onto him.
Sexy. Close.
Dangerous.
“She came to town about six months ago, boss. She went to work at Temptation.” Cole wasn’t telling Sam a single thing he didn’t already know. “She’s got an apartment in the Quarter, and her neighbors say she never has any visitors.”
Okay, that last bit stopped him. “No men?” A woman as sexy as Seline would have lovers. Probably lots of them. Men willing to kill for a taste of her.
Or maybe that’s just me.
“Not a single one.”
Odd, but good, because he wasn’t the sharing sort, and that meant he wouldn’t have to kick ass as he cleared territory. Yet... something’s off. “She said that she’s on the run from John Moorecroft.”
A soft whistle carried filled Sam’s ear as Cole made the connection. “The drug dealer?” Even though he was human, Moorecroft had been able to make some of the Other nervous. “What’d she do to piss him off?”
She killed his best friend and turned Moorecroft over to the cops. Set him up and walked away. If her story was true, Seline didn’t play nice. Fair enough. Neither did he. Nice didn’t usually enter his vocabulary. “Find out, and see if any hits have been put on her.” In this city, a strong demon could make anyone talk. Cole was strong and very good at his job. “Pass the word that I’m the one looking for the information.” The Other world was all about exchanging favors, and a lot of people owed him.
I’ll collect from them all. He always did, sooner or later. “Write this down,” Sam ordered, and he rattled off the license plate number of the black van he’d spotted. “I want to know who owns this van, and I want to know before the sun comes up.”
“Boss, just what the hell is happening?”
His gaze was still on the staircase. “I’m trying to decide if I’ve got a victim in my house.” Victim or predator.
“I’ll call you back by dawn.” Cole’s voice was abrupt, and Sam didn’t doubt the demon’s word. Cole was still busting ass as he tried to prove just how useful he could be.
Demons. Always out to prove themselves. When would they get it? It didn’t matter how “good” they pretended to be, they’d always be hated. Always.
Monsters were always feared.
And they were sure as hell not trusted.
Sam ended the call and slowly climbed the stairs. He had another room ready across the hall from Seline’s. The better to keep an eye on her. She wouldn’t move without him hearing her. If she decided to pay him a little late-night visit, he’d be ready—whether that visit was for sex or something far less pleasurable and far more sinister.
Don’t trust her.
He knew better than to trust any demon, especially an unknown quantity like her. Maybe he should have just let her die in that alley, but?—
Not her.
He’d seen enough women on the ground, with blood spreading like wings beneath them. When he’d heard her scream, rage had burst inside of him, and he’d been at Seline’s side before he even realized what he was doing.
He’d taken the knife for her. Bled for her. What would she do for him? He’d find out.
Sam hesitated near her door. He could hear no sounds from inside her room. She hadn’t balked at being brought into the middle of nowhere, but then, if her story was true, she was hiding from a killer. Maybe being tucked away in the middle of a swamp was just where she wanted to be.
Or maybe not.
His fingers curled around the doorknob. He twisted lightly. Locked. Sam almost smiled. Like a locked door would keep him out. If he wanted in her bed, nothing would keep him away.
But though he did want Seline, now wasn’t the time for fucking. Screwing a demon with unknown powers would be a great way for him to get killed. No, better wait until he knew more.
Just a few hours until dawn . He went into his room, stripped, and hit the bed. Maybe he’d get lucky and catch two hours of sleep. Perhaps three. Then a new day would start, and the hunting would begin. Hunting for the man after Seline and—more importantly—for his brother.
Because Sam knew Az was close. After centuries, Az had finally gotten his lily-white ass kicked out of heaven. How does it feel to fall? Payback was going to be hell. He’d make sure of that.
Sam closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and tried to shove the past away. For once, he’d like to dream of something other than death and fire. Was that so much to ask? Just one time.
His breath eased out. As he drifted into sleep, the fire came.
As always, it burned, searing his wings away and charring his flesh as he fell from the sky.
With her eyes still closed, Seline smiled as she felt Sam drift into sleep.
Time to take a walk into his dreams . Unlike others of her kind, proximity mattered to her. The closer her prey, the easier it was for her to slip into his dreams.
Her heartbeat slowed. Her being centered completely on him. Sam. Then, slowly, he came into focus in her mind.
Sweat dotted his skin—a naked, strong body—and he twisted against the dark covers on his bed. Faint lines appeared between his brows, and a growl broke from his lips.
It looked like he was in pain. Poor killer. Not having a nice dream, huh, Sam?
“I can make the pain stop,” she whispered.
His eyes opened. Flames danced around her for a moment. She could actually feel the heat on her skin. Her kind always had such powerful, incredibly vivid dreams. This time, though, the dream wasn’t really hers. Not really his, either.
Ours.
Yet she had the ultimate power here. The things she saw now, the things they did—they would all be from her command.
She climbed onto his bed. The mattress dipped beneath her, and everything felt real. Because in a dream-walk, it was real to the spirit.
“Seline?” Sam’s voice came out as a deep, sexy rumble. “What the hell?—”
She put her finger against his lips. “It’s just a dream.” Perhaps saying the lie would make what was to come easier. She forced a smile as she leaned closer to him. The rich scent of man and the harsher scent of fire filled her nose. “Nothing can hurt you when you dream.”
“Bullshit.” Then he did something a man had never done before in a dream-walk. He ripped control away from her. He grabbed her arms and rolled fast, so that in a second’s time, she was beneath him and trapped under his powerful body.
Seline’s heart nearly stopped. No, no.
“Dreams can kill you,” Sam muttered. He stared down at her with eyes that were far too aware. “But this is a much better way to go than the fire.” Sam crushed his lips to hers.