Chapter 4
“A prince, you say?” I clapped my hands. “Is he handsome? Tall? Muscled? What color is his hair?”
The demon-killing elf frowned. “Why do his looks matter?”
“Because I was summoning my one true love, and given your ornery ass isn’t a contender, I’m thinking maybe this other elf might be.”
His brows lifted so high I worried they might join his hairline. “Gryvak is not here to become your husband.”
“Whoa. Slow down. Who said anything about marriage? I mean we’d have to date first, see if we’re compatible, and likely do something about his name because how the fuck do you spell Gree-vack.
How’s his middle name?” I shook my head.
“Doesn’t matter. I’m sure I can figure out a better nickname for him, but only once I determine if there’s chemistry.
You know, run a few bases and, if all is good, enjoy a sweaty home run if you know what I mean. ” I winked.
The dark elf didn’t crack a smile. “Gryvak is a threat to Earth, and you should not be taking his presence lightly. He might want you, but only so he can use you for nefarious purpose.”
“Says you.”
“Yes, says me,” the elf exclaimed, losing his cool composure. “I’ve been tracking him for months. My king tasked me with retrieving Gryvak and returning him to face justice.”
“Ooh, a bad boy. What did he do?” I asked while Flo and Cedric watched me and the elf trading barbs.
“Tried to assassinate the king and take over the Eastern Territory for starters.”
“So he’s a guy with motivation to improve himself.”
“He’s a menace,” spat the elf. “Who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.”
“If he wants your king’s job, then what’s he doing here?” I countered.
“Your portal opened just as I was closing in on his location. Seeing an opportunity, he passed through, along with the demons following his command. I had no choice but to follow.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean, why? To capture him of course,” he retorted.
“To do what? It’s not like you can return him to your king anymore, unless you’re like a magician who can open a doorway too.”
I thought I’d killed him he went so still. His mouth opened wide. It seemed like he wanted to speak but couldn’t. When he finally did manage to find his voice, it was to growl, “You dare insult me after I saved your life?”
“What insult? Magicians do magic. Or do you prefer the term wizard?”
“I am Prince Ulseere, a wielder of all the arcane elements, not some petty charlatan.”
“Well excuse me,” I drawled. “I didn’t know I was dealing with royalty, but I should have guessed given you’re an arrogant ass.”
A tic jumped in his cheek. “Pack your bag.”
“Or what?”
“Or I will put you over my knee and teach you the obedience you lack,” he snapped.
“Kinky. If you wanted me naked, you just had to say so.”
Rather than reply, he turned on his heel and left the kitchen. I smirked. Bossy elf kept thinking he could order me around. Then again, in this case, he might have a point. Two demons made it inside my house with barely any effort. What would I do if a swarm of them attacked next?
Flo must have come to the same conclusion. “Maybe we should find another spot to spend the night.”
I glanced at Cedric. “Are there more demons coming?”
“If the dark prince claims there are, then you should listen and stop wasting time before it’s too late.”
“Fine. I’ll pack a bag and we’ll go but not because His Bossiness is ordering me to. I obviously can’t stay here with a broken kitchen door.”
I headed to my room with one of the flickering candles and dragged out a duffel, debating what I should pack. One day’s worth of clothes? Two? Lingerie in case I ran into the other prince and he turned out to be charming and not an asshole?
Apparently, I didn’t struggle alone. “I can’t decide what to bring.
” Flo popped her head in and held up two outfits.
“Sexy gothic slut or sultry vixen?” She held up a leather skirt, which she usually paired with fishnet stockings and a red bustier, alongside a slinky and sparkly mauve dress with a slit that flashed goodies if not careful.
“Who are you trying to seduce?”
“That hunter ain’t hard on the eyes,” she murmured, rousing a little green monster in me. Weird since I didn’t want the rude elf prince. I just enjoyed yanking his chain.
“I get the impression he’s all business, no fun. But you never know. Pack both.”
Me, I went for hot biker chick rather than hippie witch.
I changed into snug jeans with strategically places holes and an off-the-shoulder top before packing skintight, leather pants, another pair of denim, a few tank tops, and my cutest undies.
My hair and makeup products took a bit longer, as I hemmed and hawed over what I might need.
“What are you doing?” His Majesty abruptly intruded, as abrasive as before.
I held out two lipsticks. “I can’t decide between Cocksucking Perfect and Harlot’s Crimson.”
“They’re both red.”
“Men. Elves. All the same. Women can see the difference,” I grumbled as I packed both.
“Let’s go. We’ve dallied too long. I swear it’s like you want to be trapped here.”
“I’m coming,” I huffed, heaving my heavy duffel since he obviously wouldn’t be a gentleman and offer to carry it.
As I hit the living room, where Flo straddled her own bulging bag, I noted Grams’ Grimoire on the living room chest table and, despite the extra weight, snared it as well before we headed out the door. Cedric led the way with this tail held high.
“If I remember correctly, your world no longer uses horses and carriages for transport,” the princely elf remarked.
“Not for a century. Say hello to modern conveniences.” I swept my hand in the direction of my car. A 2009 Toyota Camry with a half-million clicks to the motor, but it still ran like a dream. Most of the time. As for the rusty spots? I liked to think of them as car-thief deterrents.
His Highness didn’t look impressed as we tossed our gear in the trunk but said nothing.
Cedric suddenly growled. “I smell a demon.”
I didn’t, but I did notice a glow in the distance. The electricity remained out, the houses on my street showing few signs of life, given most windows remained dark instead of candlelit. Then again, it was rather late for most folk to be up. After midnight last time I checked.
“What is making that light?” Flo asked, standing on the sidewalk staring.
“An augue demon. We have to go now!” Ulseere barked.
Before I could tell him to chill, the distant glow suddenly grew bigger and brighter as it rapidly approached. A fireball hit Mrs. Jenson’s front yard and ignited the grass.
“Holy cow.” I gasped, knowing it was probably meant for my weedy lawn. “Time to go,” I yelled as I scrambled to get in the car. Everyone piled in, even Cedric, who ended up in the back window running a commentary as I reversed out of the driveway.
“Second missile incoming,” he notified.
Left unsaid? You were told to get moving faster. The unspoken rebuke stung because it turned out Ulseere was right but I’d been too stubborn to listen. In my defense? Who the fuck expected to be the target of demons?
I slammed my car into Reverse, punching it into Drive as soon as the tires hit the street. Rubber squealed as I jammed the gas pedal to the floor. I sped away, white-knuckling the wheel because I saw in the rearview mirror the second fireball hitting the spot where I’d just been parked.
Close. Too close. Maybe I wouldn’t ignore the prince’s warnings anymore.
Maybe… It would help if he could try and not be such an asshole when speaking.
I screamed up the road and turned, barely slowing down, sending everyone lurching. I wanted to put distance between me and the demon who could launch fire.
Only when Cedric stated, “I think we’re out of range,” did I cast a quick glance at Ulseere in the passenger seat, his jaw tight as he stared straight ahead.
“Guess you were right about us needing to leave,” I muttered in apology. I know, magnanimous of me.
“Remember that the next time I give you an order.”
Rather than agree, I asked, “So anyone have a suggestion on where we should go?”
Flo proved to be of only a little help with her, “Somewhere with firemen and water hoses.”
“Not the time to be looking for a date,” I muttered.
It was Cedric with his now all-too-familiar sigh who had an answer. “As I told the prince earlier, I know a place. Get on the 417 and head toward downtown.”
We ended up exiting well before the city center, with Cedric having me park outside of Ottawa’s LeBreton Flats.
However, we didn’t enter any of the closed shops or buildings.
Nope. Cedric led us into an alley, where Ulseere heaved up a grate so we could descend underground, not my idea of a fun Saturday night, especially since I’d recently seen the movie, IT.
In good news, no sign of any red ballons or clowns. Usually once you saw either, it was too late.
The bad news? Years of watching horror had taught me that not everyone who went underground emerged alive. With any luck, it would be the elf or the cat.