A casual shrug of his shoulder. “I’ll leave them with memories that you’d worked out your notice, makes it easier all round.”
“Mind-control?”
“It’s the only way.”
She didn’t like that, but knew it was for the best. “Okay... But what do I tell my family?”
“For now, I suggest you let them know you’re working for a private collector.” He reached out and stroked her face. “It will be okay. Later, we’ll figure out something more long-lasting. If you need to go see them, and I’m not available, Hedori will take you. Until the threat from my old world has been dealt with, it will have to be this way. If you’re alone for some reason, make sure you’re among people then call me.” Blaéz’s expression grew cold. “They won’t get a chance at us.”
A sliver of unease skittered along her spine. She prayed he was right.
Chapter 15
Blaéz leanedagainst the eaves of the gabled roof of the warehouse, an arm braced on his bent knee. Somewhere in the distance a church bell rang twelve times as his rift duty drew to an end.
The day had passed astonishingly fast for the first time in his endless life. He’d taken Darci to her brownstone, which it appeared her godmother had bequeathed to her and her brother. She’d packed clothes and things she needed, then he’d taken her back to the castle. Only after he’d dropped her off did he deal with her boss. It had been easy enough to insert the knowledge in her co-workers’ and boss’s minds that she’d worked out her notice.
The blonde, Irina, had given him an invite and said to remind Darci about her engagement party. Guess he’d have to take Darci to that event.
The still night air stirred near him. Blaéz didn’t bother to turn. He knew exactly from whom aggression rolled out in waves.
Dagan dropped down beside him. A faint coppery scent drifted from the warrior.
A quick scan revealed the male wasn’t hurt. Demoniis didn’t smell of fresh blood when stabbed, they stank like decaying eggs since their blood turned black when their true souls died.
“Trouble?”
Dagan sent him an unreadable look before turning to stare down into the dingy alley. “Depends on how you see it,” he muttered. Pulling out a half-smoked cigar, he lit it.
Blaéz shifted and his arm brushed the warrior’s. At the touch, that timeless haziness appeared…
Night gave way to a barren landscape…heat…endless heat and no sun. Birds, bloody, torn apart…the warrior amidst them drenched in blood—
“Anything?” Dagan’s voice yanked him back.
Blaéz glanced at the warrior. He could make no sense of what that vision was supposed to mean. He didn’t know if it was a forewarning, or if he’d merely picked up a past thought. If it were the past, well, no one wanted their shit aired.
Before he could answer Dagan, the air below shifted. The serration where the rift had ruptured tore open again. Several dark figures stepped out.
Blaéz eyed the demons checking out the alley. In the bright moonlight, he’d recognized Maloch’s minions, the invisible branding marks on their faces glowed—indeed, he could see those clearly, since he’d seen them up close far too many times.
Dagan blew out a ring of smoke and flicked the cigar butt away.
One of the demons glanced up to the rooftop and bared his stained teeth in a snarl at Blaéz. “My lord will have what he seeks—”
Blaéz shoved into the demon’s mind as he leaped all twenty feet to the ground, and let loose his power. The shithead exploded.
Dagan flashed down from the rooftop, his sword shimmering into his hand and flew into the ones charging him.
Blaéz let fly a brutal kick and sent another demon crashing into the wall. He thrust into the scourge’s mind, turning him to ash seconds later, as well. A dark miasma seeped into him. Blaéz shook his head, tried to clear it. The pure evil triggered his own darkness.
A pale-faced demon grinned. “You’re so easy. Come along,pet.”
The insult barely registered. Voices trickled through Blaéz’s shields.You can’t resist me, warrior, you know I have what you want…the familiar words slithered through his mind. The flickering rift slithered around him, tugging at him. Blaéz took a step forward—
“Celt—” With a vicious yank, Dagan slammed him against the grimy walls, pulling him back from the ominous hold. “Get your damn mind back on the job!”
The job? He shook his head to clear it. Right, he had to finish these fuckers.
