Chapter 42 Never Sucker Punch a Demon #2
Disdainfully prying Jaxon’s fingers from his arm, Malachi rolled his eyes.
“I don’t have a choice; it really wasn’t you.
Someone stole your image to deflect the blame and send us on a wild goose chase.
Just like Terry was using Nick’s image and voice.
Jaxon, after you left us at the station this morning, where did you go?
Who did you meet with? Tell us everything you did today. ”
Sitting back with a puzzled frown, Jaxon studied him. “Us? I didn’t see you at the station. And who’s Terry? Nick? Someone please explain this to me?” He glanced at Bennett and pointed at him.
“Look, Raifson,” the other officer sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose before continuing.
“This is going to be hard to believe, but there’s a lot at stake here.
You’re better off not knowing the details but just understanding that larger forces than our local precinct are at work, and you’re being drawn in as a pawn or distraction of some sort.
Let’s just start from this morning when you saw Chuck and Malachi in the parking lot.
Tell us your movements, who you spoke with until about five this evening.
Anything stand out? Anyone new? Different? ”
Slowly, Jaxon shook his head and pulled on his lower lip with his thumb and forefinger, thinking hard.
“I just worked my regular shift today. I saw everyone who’s in the shop as usual.
And spoke with a few family members about ongoing case statuses.
No one new there. Umm, wait.” He snapped his fingers.
“There’s the new neighbor upstairs. She was unloading her car when I got here and trying to lug a giant box up the steps.
I offered to carry it for her. She was grateful and offered me a glass of wine, which I declined, and then she asked if she could take my picture.
Said she was an artist and liked to collect interesting faces.
” He shrugged. “I didn’t see any harm in it, so I agreed.
She snapped two photos on her phone and thanked me.
That was it. Couldn’t have been more than a few minutes. ”
Glenda rummaged in her oversized handbag and pulled out another sketch. “This wasn’t her by chance, was it?” She held out the drawing of Amaryllis from earlier.
Gingerly pinching the paper in his fingers, as if afraid it would bite him, Jaxon stared at the image and groaned. “Shit, that is her.”
Launching himself off the couch, Malachi grabbed Jaxon’s shirt and yanked him nose to nose with him. “Which unit?” he growled.
“The heck, Evan?” Jaxon sputtered.
“Which one?” Malachi snarled, his eyes filling with Hellfire before he shook the other man.
Jaxon’s head snapped back and forth as he was tossed on the couch.
“Tell me!” roared the demon, growing more impatient with each second delaying him from confronting the Knight of Hell who wanted his Chuck dead.
A pair of strong arms wrapped around him from behind to keep him from grabbing Jaxon again.
He could easily break Nathan’s hold, but his awareness of Chuck’s panicked shouts broke through his red haze of anger.
Wilting in Bennet’s arms, head dropping, chest heaving, he waved him off.
“Sorry, I got a little crazy. I know better than to confront her head-on. But… we’re so close.
I won’t let her hurt you, Kelly.” He lifted his head and stared forlornly at her, the pain and fear bright in his gaze.
Closing the distance, she put a hand on his cheek. “I know, Malachi, I understand. But we have to be level-headed about this. And if you kill Jax, he can’t tell you, can he? And you’re not about to take on a Knight of Hell alone, are you?”
Shaking his head and dropping his gaze to the carpet, he pouted and grunted one salty word. “No.”
“What the hell, Chuck? Why is your boyfriend attacking me? And what is this about a Knight of Hell? And,” Jaxon’s voice wound up both in volume and pitch until he nearly shrieked, “why did you call him Malachi? You got some sort of weird obsession with that dog!” He crawled upright on the sofa, looking ready to spring away from them any second as his eyes rolled wildly between them all.
“Ah fuck,” Malachi muttered. “Guess we might as well read him in before he loses his shit.” Glancing at Chuck, she nodded wearily.
“Okay, listen close and shut up, Jaxon. This is going to be hard to follow, but you need to stick with me here, alright?” Rubbing his chin, he closed his eyes and thought about where to start.
“My name isn’t Evan, and I’m not Malachi’s former owner.
I am Malachi. I’m the dog, and the person.
I’m actually a demon, and I was trapped in that dog’s body and was Chuck’s K-9 partner until Glenda, who is a witch…
” He paused and pointed at the bubbly woman who waved cheerfully from the chair where she perched, watching the drama unfold.
“Yeah, the good witch freed me from the spell, and I got my human form back. Actually, you saw this version of me the next day. That’s why she was getting me clothes. And she gave me that awful name, Evan.”
Malachi paused and glared at Chuck for that, and she rolled her eyes before throwing her hands up in disgust. Chuckling, he turned back to Jaxon and studied the man.
He looked a little green, but was following along quietly so far.
“Right, so anyway, we figured out I could change between the dog and human, so I kept up my appearance as the dog.”
Suddenly jumping to his feet, Jaxon moved closer to Malachi. “You were the dog the whole fucking time?” His voice was low and quiet.
“Yeah, dude, I was.” Malachi grinned unrepentantly. Which was short-lived, as Jaxon reared back and punched him in the mouth. “What the fuck?” he sputtered through the blood that was dripping now.
“That’s for pissing on my shoes!” Jaxon yelled, pointing at Malachi before laughing. “I knew there was something off about that damn dog. Always rolling his eyes and shrugging his shoulders like a smart ass.”
Waving a hand and healing his injuries, Malachi glared at Jaxon. “Never, lay another finger on me unless you want me to bite your head off,” he warned on a low growl.
Scoffing, Jaxon curled his fingers in a ‘come on’ gesture and held up his fists, snapping, “Bring it, bark boy!”
“Jax, don’t—” Chuck tried to warn him, but she was too late.