8. Alex
Chapter 8
Alex
Getting through the day was agony. Alex wanted nothing more than to rush to In Extremis as soon as the sun fell. He could barely sleep. He was too jittery to properly eat. He told himself the only reason he wanted to go back to the demon club was to follow up on the lead Talon mentioned, but last night’s dream had felt different . Talon’s presence in that dream had unlocked something inside him he hadn’t known was there.
For so long, he’d been focused on his training and the burning need to find the demon that killed his family. He’d pushed everything else down. His grief and his loneliness didn’t help him hunt demons, so he ignored them. But Talon’s presence in his dreams, the sensation of his warm arms around Alex’s body, had awoken his appetite for companionship. He was downright starved for it.
After he’d woken, he’d cursed himself for waking so much earlier than his alarm. It wasn’t uncommon, but he’d never been so desperate to stay asleep. The way Talon had held him, the promises he’d made… No one had ever treated Alex like he was precious before. Something to be protected.
‘Come back to In Extremis,’ he’d said. ‘Come and see the real me.’
And then when he’d dared to reach out for the first time in days, what did Talon say?
‘Come to In Extremis tonight.’
Alex couldn’t resist. Maybe it was stupid, but he needed to know if the real Talon was anything like the one from his dreams. There had to be a reason why he kept seeing him, why he was so drawn to him. He knew there was nothing in the library about halflings being able to dreamwalk, but these dreams certainly didn’t feel normal.
The unusual urge to blow off the night’s patrol was almost overwhelming. He’d never wanted to skip a patrol before. It was also tempting to grill Talon for more information about this potential lead, but Talon had made it clear Alex would have to come to the bar in order to learn whatever it was. He had a feeling the demon wouldn’t be swayed.
He drove to HQ that evening to begrudgingly report for duty in a daze, signed in and met the rest of his squad in front of the admin building.
“All right, folks,” Nathan said when the last one arrived. “Our orders are the thirteenth sector. Let’s head out.”
Alex’s heart lurched. The guild had split the city up into a grid of different sectors and sent patrols out based on that. The thirteenth sector was temptingly close to In Extremis. It was almost the same damn neighborhood. There was no way he’d be able to slip away early and actually go there , but knowing he was so close and yet still so far away was maddening.
William and Aidan took the backseat, so he was forced into the front with Nathan again, who glanced speculatively at him as he guided the car down HQ’s long drive.
“You okay? You look a little off.”
Alex gulped. “I’m fine. Just hope we find something tonight.”
Nathan didn’t look appeased. “How are you doing? You’ve been especially quiet since…”
“Since we found a family who was butchered exactly like mine was?” he asked coldly. “Yeah, it was a bummer.”
“Alex,” Nathan chided.
He couldn’t bring himself to apologize, and heavy silence descended in the car. Even William and Aidan didn’t dare to break it. As far as he knew, Michael’s squad hadn’t found any leads. The demon that killed his family was still out there, and he still wasn’t allowed to do anything about it. Not officially, at least.
“I’m doing my best, Nate,” he finally said. “I can accept the orders, but I’ll never…” His throat tightened, eyes burning.
Nathan sighed. “I really hope that when this is all over and the demon is gone for good, you can finally put your anger to rest. I’m afraid it’ll get you killed one day.”
Alex let his head fall to the window. There was nothing more to say. He wouldn’t rest until he killed that demon, but he couldn’t tell Nathan that. It would just get him suspended. The most he could do was let them see him following orders. They wouldn’t expect him to be happy about it, but as long as he complied, they wouldn’t look too closely at what he did in his free time.
Half an hour later, the pair of black SUVs parked side by side in a mostly empty parking lot beside a metal-working factory.
“We’ll split up into pairs and patrol the area,” Nathan said as they all strapped their weapons to their person. “Radio if you have any trouble. Keep the channels clear unless it’s an emergency.”
They branched off. They’d patrolled this sector before, so they already knew which teams would go where. Alex fell into step with Nathan, praying the patrol would pass quickly.
The distant sounds of the city kept the darkness from feeling oppressive. The hum of cars on a distant highway, the whisper of the breeze. The partial moon was mostly hidden behind clouds and light pollution, and the street lights created intermittent pockets of yellow. Billboards up above provided a watery white glow. They took an alley between two factories, away from the lights of the road and into uncharted darkness.
Flickering light up ahead caught his eye, and Alex nudged Nathan, who nodded. They eased closer. It was a fire in a metal barrel, the scent of burning cardboard and plastic pungent here where the breeze couldn’t reach. A lone figure in a long coat stood beside the fire, with scraggly hair and fingerless gloves. A homeless man, most likely, and it was doubtful he would care about their presence as long as they left him alone.
Alex wondered if Talon was already at In Extremis. The club was only a couple of blocks away. He was closer now than he’d been all week. Was he waiting for Alex? Did he feel the same eager anticipation Alex did? It was doubtful. Alex had been waiting for a lead all his life, it seemed like, and Talon couldn’t possibly know about the strange dreams he’d been having.
He’d responded so readily to all of Alex’s texts, and the realization bloomed like sunlight in his chest, bright and warm. Just like the Talon from his dreams, he’d bathed Alex in attention and asked him to come to the club. Because he wanted to see Alex, too?
“Alex, watch out!”
He whirled. The thing they’d thought was a homeless man was right on top of them now. Long, painfully strong fingers wrapped around his throat before he could lunge away. Sharp claws cut into his neck as he raised both arms to fend it off. Milky white eyes and jagged, blackened teeth grinned wickedly at him, opening wide as though to swallow him whole.
Nathan swung, cutting open the demon’s back. It arched, and Alex twisted away, raising a hand to his throat. His fingers met hot, sticky blood as Nathan lunged, piercing the demon’s back. The tip of his sword came out of the demon’s chest, and it spasmed.
“God, are you okay?” Nathan asked, pulling his sword free and stepping over the quickly disintegrating body. Dead demons decomposed quickly.
“Yeah. I think so.” He tilted his head back to let Nathan inspect the wound.
Strong hands grabbed his head, angling him toward the fire behind them. A moment later, Nathan slumped with relief, nodding. “Yeah, these are shallow. You’re okay.” He clapped Alex on the shoulder, and they shared a breathless laugh. “Are you okay to keep going, or should we double back for the first-aid kit?”
Alex pulled his collar up to press to the wound and absorb the meager blood. “No, I’m good. We can keep going.”
Luckily, the rest of the patrol was routine. Another team found a demon near a waterway, and by the time they met back at the cars, Alex had forgotten all about his brush with the white-eyed monster.
It was almost time.
He was lost in thought for the ride back to HQ. At just after three AM, he signed his name under Nathan’s and turned to go.
“Hey, Alex,” Nathan called.
Alex turned, resisting the urge to growl in frustration. He just wanted to go .
“Are you sure you’re okay? Maybe you should go by the medical wing, let somebody take a look at that scrape.” He squinted at Alex’s neck skeptically.
Alex shrugged one shoulder. “Nah, I’m really fine. Doesn’t even hurt anymore. I’ll put some ointment on it after a shower. I just want to head home and get some rest.”
Reluctantly, Nathan nodded. “All right, if you’re sure. But you know you can call me if you need anything, right?”
“Right, of course. See you, Nate.” It took all he had to keep a slow and steady pace out of the admin building and across the parking lot.
He couldn’t bear to wait any longer. He dumped his tactical vest in the backseat before he left HQ, leaving him in a T-shirt, cargos, and military boots, all black. He was sweaty and dirty, but it didn’t matter. Every halfling there knew he was a paladin. It wasn’t like he was giving away a big secret. All that mattered was whatever lead Talon had for him.
The drive back to the thirteenth sector passed in a blur. In the parking lot across the street, he left his sword in the backseat, and after a moment of deliberation, stowed his knives there, too. There was no need to defend himself last time, and he hoped tonight was more of the same. He was halfway across the deserted street when he remembered the jewelry, tugging the ring and crucifix off and slipping both into his pocket.
The same blond bouncer was waiting at the door. He cast Alex an appraising look and opened the door for him. “I’ve been instructed to tell you to go to the bar.”
Alex blinked in surprise. “Oh. Okay, thanks.”
The club looked exactly the same. It was late, but the dance floor was still crowded with people. He didn’t hesitate on the stairs this time, descending into the pit and weaving his way through the crowd toward the bar. Plenty of red eyes still tracked him across the room, but he didn’t feel gawked at like he had last time.
The tall bartender spotted him and set a bottle on the bar for him. A sealed bottle of water.
“What…” Everyone was being much more accommodating this time, and he had a feeling it had nothing to do with him .
The bartender pointed at something to Alex’s right. “He’s covering your tab tonight, and he thought you might like this better. If I can get you anything else, let me know.”
Alex followed his gaze to the same booth as last time, where Talon was sitting once again, sprawled like a king on a throne. He raised one hand in greeting, drumming his fingers in the air in a lackadaisical wave.
Warmth bloomed in Alex’s gut. It was such a small thing for someone to do for him. Didn’t they both have more important things on their minds? Why did Talon care if Alex had a drink? Why did he care ? It shouldn’t matter, but a small, traitorous part of Alex’s brain was flattered by the attention.
The bartender was smirking at him, so Alex quickly adopted a scowl and dragged the bottle off the bar. If his bark of laughter was any indication, he didn’t fall for it.
He unscrewed the cap as he made his way over, and he didn’t think he imagined the satisfied curl of Talon’s mouth as he turned it up and drank long and deep. It was reassuring that they’d left the bottle sealed for him. He probably wouldn’t have drank it if they’d given it to him already open. Did they know that, too? Is that why the bartender gave it to him that way?
When he reached the booth, Talon slid over and gestured for him to sit. It felt like a challenge, and Alex was just stubborn enough to rise to it, sitting stiffly beside the demon and ignoring the way he preened at getting his way.
He needed to focus on the problem at hand. He was here for a reason, and he couldn’t lose sight of that. “You said you had something for me?”
Talon adopted a pout. “Not even a hello? That’s not very nice.”
Awareness prickled through Alex. Talon gazed at him like Alex was something fascinating, like blinking would take too long. Alex found it hard to look directly at him. No one had ever regarded him with such careful attentiveness. “Hello?” It came out as a question rather than a statement of greeting, and Talon’s smile widened.
“Hello. I like the look. It’s very military chic.”
Alex flushed. “I came straight here from patrol.”
“Did you miss me, too?” Talon purred softly, and Alex’s mouth went dry.
There was no way to answer that without sounding crazy or defensive. He lifted the bottle to his lips again instead, taking a long drink. Heat burned through him when Talon’s eyes tracked the movement of his throat. He needed to find his footing in this conversation, and fast.
Talon turned bodily toward Alex, draping an arm along the booth behind him and bracing the other on the table. It was a heady feeling, to be the sole focus of such a dangerous creature.
“So?” he prompted, putting the top on the bottle and pushing it away so he wouldn’t fidget with it. “You said there was someone who might know something?”
“There’s a halfling coming later. I thought you might want to question him yourself. Just be patient.”
“If he’s not here yet I’ll… come back later.” He’d waited so long to get here, he wasn’t sure he’d retain his sanity if he had to leave and wait longer .
Talon put a staying hand on his forearm, his skin tingling under the touch. “And risk missing him? No. Stay here, drink your water. No one will bother you.”
Alex looked down at the bottle. Right. The water Talon had made sure was waiting for him. He doubted many people here asked for plain water. He turned the bottle with one hand, wondering what Talon’s angle was.
A warm finger brushed the back of his ring finger. “I see you took my advice and removed your shackle.”
Shackle. Talon firmed his touch, brushing over the pale outline where his ring normally sat.
“It’s not—It’s not a shackle,” he said, wondering why he sounded so hoarse. “It’s a symbol of the pledge we take to serve?—”
That hand shot up, covering Alex’s mouth, and his breath caught in his throat. Talon’s hand barely brushed against his lips, but it burned , sending fuzzy sparks shooting through Alex’s body.
“Don’t say that name here,” Talon warned, his tone deceptively light. “I’d rather not have to endure all the hissing and spitting.”
His hand was warm and dry, cupping Alex’s mouth almost gently despite the warning in his tone.
Alex put the barest amount of pressure on Talon’s wrist, and he let his hand fall away reassuringly easy. “Would they really?” he asked doubtfully, glancing around the room.
Talon’s mouth twitched. “I don’t know, but I’d rather not find out.”
Alex snorted. Talon guided his left hand flat onto the table, stroking the tan-line on his finger again as though intrigued by the sight. Maybe he was. Maybe the concept of being in the sun long enough to get a tan line was foreign to him. Alex’s stomach rolled with something not entirely unpleasant as Talon’s gentle fingers spread out, exploring the scars on his knuckles and the freckles on the back of his hand.
“Talon,” he croaked, only aware he’d spoken when those dark eyes met his with hunger . Alex felt the same hunger igniting in his blood. No one had ever touched him so reverently, and the fact that it was a demon doing it now seemed entirely inconsequential.
“Say it again,” Talon growled, pressing closer. Their legs lined up from hip to knee, and the scent of leather and spice filled his nose.
“What?”
“My name. Say it again.” Talon leaned in, his nose grazing the shell of Alex’s ear, and Alex’s breath hitched. Hot breaths puffed against his neck as Talon angled his head down. “Oh, little bird, you’ve been bleeding.” His hand curled around Alex’s jaw, guiding his head back to expose the claw marks on his neck. Talon’s teeth bared. “Something hurt you.”
Alex had trouble finding his voice. “Just a demon.”
“A dead one, I hope.” Black eyes met his, waiting.
He licked his lips. “Yeah. My captain handled it.”
Talon relaxed. “Good.” He leaned in, his nose grazing the delicate skin of Alex’s neck. “It smells exquisite,” he moaned.
Alex swallowed hard. He opened his mouth?—
The noise in the club dipped. It was an abrupt enough change for Alex and Talon both to notice. Alex’s gaze scanned the crowd for the source of the strangeness.
The entrance to the club was open at the top of the stairs, and three people entered in a row: Michael and two of his squad members, John and Paul.
Adrenaline flooded his system. If they saw him here, what would they do? This was unprecedented. They’d probably haul him out by force and take him back to HQ. He would definitely be suspended, and maybe even removed from active duty altogether. He would never be allowed the freedom he needed to track down his family’s killer. He’d never understand why he felt so drawn to Talon.
Talon.
He twisted to face the demon. “I have to get out of here right now . They can’t see me here.”
Talon glanced over Alex’s shoulder at the paladins. His spine prickled with unease. He couldn’t risk turning and letting them see his face.
“You can’t get up now or they’ll see you for sure,” Talon said, his midnight gaze calculating. “Do you trust me?”
What kind of question was that? They’d met exactly twice so far.
You’ll always be safe with me, little bird, I swear.
“Yes.” The answer shocked him, but he didn’t have time to question it, because Talon was gathering him into his arms and dragging him against him.
“No offense intended to you in particular, little bird, but you paladins have delicate sensibilities,” he said quickly, the words spoken right up against the shell of Alex’s ear.
“Meaning what?” Alex asked, gripping Talon’s shoulders so he wouldn’t fall straight into the demon’s lap.
“The sight of two people in the throes of passion would make you very uncomfortable.”
His face heated. “Y-Yes, it probably would.”
Fingers trailed heat up his back, pushing his shirt up. “So kiss me, and you’ll be all but invisible to them.”
Alex gaped at him. “Will that work?”
“Mm-hm. They’re busy at the bar with Wolf. You’re wearing black in a dark corner of the bar. They’ll look right past us.” Talon leaned in, nose brushing Alex’s. It was so reminiscent of his dream that it made his heart lurch. His hands slid up Talon’s neck to cradle his head just as he’d done on the beach, and he swore Talon’s eyelids fluttered in ecstasy.
The first touch of Talon’s lips on his own outside the safe fantasy of his dreams was like a spark on gasoline. Alex was ignited. He couldn’t hide the helpless sound that left him, swallowed eagerly by Talon, nor the way his fingers tangled in Talon’s dark hair to move the demon how he wanted him. And Talon, the fearsome black-eyed demon, let himself be moved, bowing to Alex’s whim.
One of Talon’s hands trailed down his body, cupping his ass and pulling him more firmly into Talon’s lap. Alex opened his mouth on a gasp only to be invaded by Talon’s tongue, and he was driven to new and frenzied heights.
He’d never done anything like this before, and the rest of the world fell away. He never wanted this to end. It felt too good. There was no anger here, no blood or pain, just him and Talon and heat .
A moment later, a door slammed, and the crowd cheered. Talon groaned as Alex pulled away, like parting from him was physically painful. He turned his head. Michael and the others were gone. But his relief was drowned out by disappointment. His excuse for this moment of insanity was over, and his good sense was kicking back in.
He’d kissed a demon .
He shifted his weight only to have Talon tighten his arms around him.
“Talon,” he protested, crushed against the demon’s chest once more.
“Not just yet, little bird,” he replied, his smile disarming. “It’s been a long time since I’ve let anyone this close. It’s quite nice.”
It really was, but his heart still pounded with fear.
“But they’re gone.” Anxiety pulsed through him. “Did they look this way? Did they see me?”
“No. They asked Wolf a few questions and then stormed out when they didn’t get the answers they wanted.”
“Wolf?” Alex asked, his curiosity overcoming his better sense.
“The bartender.”
“Oh, yeah. He wasn’t very forthcoming with me, either.”
“Eh, he’s not supposed to be. That’ll change now that I’ve vouched for you.”
Alex relaxed against him. Talon was right, this felt far too good to give up. “Why did you?”
Dark eyes met his. “I told you, little bird. You’re safe with me.”
He’d heard that in his dreams, too, hadn’t he?
“You’re a demon,” he said breathlessly, fighting some fragile emotion he didn’t dare put a name to. “I’m a paladin. We’re supposed to be enemies.”
Talon’s mouth tugged up into a smile, and his strong fingers scraped through Alex’s short hair, dragging along his scalp. “I’ve never liked doing what I’m supposed to. I think a part of you can appreciate that. You’re here, disobeying orders, too, aren’t you?”
“For revenge. It’s not like I’m here just to stick it in their faces.” It was the reminder he needed. He pushed against Talon’s chest insistently, and this time his arms reluctantly fell away, letting Alex scoot back onto the booth seat.
Talon took a breath to reply, but a new voice spoke first.
“Am I interrupting?”
“ Yes ,” Talon snarled, turning a poisonous glare on the newcomer.
For one horrified moment, Alex thought the paladins might’ve come back. But when he turned, he relaxed.
The newcomer was a halfling, red-eyed and smirking at them. His long black hair was shaved over one ear, and he wore an old Metallica shirt with the sleeves cut off. He held an amber bottle in one hand, his fingers decorated with gleaming silver rings. “Did you want to know what I’ve heard, or no?”
“Be quick, Malachi, lest my patience run dry,” Talon said, dangerously even, but the long-haired halfling only smirked at Talon’s ire.
“You know something about the mozgoran that kills families of five?” Alex prompted, taking a long sip of water in the hope of cooling himself off.
“I do. I heard about his last kills. Out in Santa Ana, right?”
Alex shifted nervously. His foot brushed Talon’s under the table, and he struggled not to outwardly react. “Yeah.”
The halfling nodded. “They like to take their time with their kills. Always very gruesome, and I hear this one is no different. He’ll strike near the same place. I wouldn’t expect him any further than Irvine.”
Alex waited for more, but none was forthcoming. “What, that’s it? You can’t tell me anything about how to find him?”
“They aren’t like the halflings, holy man. They don’t pop up for recreational time. When they appear somewhere, it’s to kill.” He paused in consideration, then added, “They like dirty, abandoned places, or so I’ve heard. They only venture to populated areas to kill. I’d look for abandoned buildings. Places with basements. Nice and dark.”
Alex sighed. “Do you have any idea how many abandoned places there probably are in that area?”
“Sure. Lucky for you, you’ve got the manpower to do the footwork with your guild, don’t you?” Malachi rocked his dark brows up. “I’ll see myself out. Best of luck or whatever. Talon, always a pleasure.”
Alex’s eyes fell to the table, his stomach roiling with nausea. He wouldn’t be able to stop this demon. It would just keep killing. He had no resources at his disposal, and he was out of ideas. If the demons couldn’t help him find this monster, what hope did he have alone? Michael’s squad would kill it eventually, and Alex… Alex would never get his revenge. How would he live with himself, knowing someone else had done what he couldn’t?
His gut twisted with nausea. “I… I should go,” he murmured.
“No, little bird, don’t go,” Talon entreated, fingers grazing his arm as he stood.
Alex didn’t listen. Didn’t stay.
He was almost home when he finally gave in and let the frustrated tears fall, silent and hot, down his face.