And then the recoil of Blake’s will.
The room was harshly lit, with a black vinyl platform anchored to the floor and metal poles on all sides. Attached to those were leather cuffs and chains. Similar instruments were mounted on the walls along with an array of tools meant for both pleasure and pain. Some of them I recognized from my own past endeavors. To think Blake might use these instruments on you in the state you were in made my spirit shiver with fury.
The deadbolt behind you slid into place.
“What the hell…” you began weakly, taking it all in. You looked stunned and confused as your head swiveled slowly. “I don’t feel so good.”
“Maybe you should lie down,” Blake suggested in mock sympathy, nudging you toward the platform. You stumbled and sat on the edge of it, using your hands to guide you. You then dropped your head in your hands and moaned.
I drove into Blake’s body with all the strength of my spirit, but he again repelled me. The man chuckled as if knowing the nature of this battle.
“I think your demon boyfriend’s here,” Blake said to you in a merciless voice. You called for me, but the sound was muffled.
I pummeled at Blake’s spirit as though engaged in a bar fight, but I could only catch snatches of consciousness—Blake pushing you down on the bed, ripping your shirt, calling you all manner of crude names. Every time I tried to take possession of his body, I succeeded in gaining only a few seconds of command before I was driven out again.
Now, you were shouting my name in a panic.
Now, you were wide-eyed and twisting away.
Now, my hand was clamped over your mouth as I ordered you to be still.
All the while, Blake laughed cruelly. I gave up on trying to inhabit him and took bodily control of the bouncer outside the door. I smashed the glass on an emergency box with my elbow and grabbed the axe within it. It took only a few solid hacks at the knob for the lock to break and the door to swing open. Blake was forcing you onto your stomach when the handle of the axe made contact with his temple. He fell to the side, then boxed blindly with his fists. I shoved him with my boot so that he stumbled backward and crashed against the wall. I placed the pointed edge of the axe against his neck.
“You must be the demon boyfriend,” Blake sneered. “Henri, is it?” He glared at me with unmasked hatred in his eyes. His mouth twisted into a derisive smile.
By this time a crowd had gathered with Bruno among them. I ordered Bruno to take you home, and he and another man carried you out. I wanted to dismember Blake one appendage at a time, but two other bouncers were already trying to restrain me.
Blake didn’t seem all that concerned for his life. I recalled how he’d laughed throughout our battle for dominion. I had my suspicions about Blake’s true nature. Some demons made very convincing humans.
“Who is your master?” I asked. Even Belial demons answered to someone.
“None of your business. Keep your slutty jailbait away from my hunting grounds,” Blake spat. “Next time he won’t be so lucky.”
I studied the man’s face, cataloging every mark and feature. I drank in his energy until I’d committed him to memory.
Demon or not, if I ever encountered this being again, I’d eviscerate him.
I spenta long night watching over you while you slept off the effects of the drugs. I debated involving the human authorities, but Blake would be a difficult one to pin down. Perhaps a better route would be to notify Santiago and let his people take care of it.
In the meantime, you and I needed to have a talk.
Bruno had already risen and gone out for a morning run when you finally awoke. You immediately gripped your head in both hands and winced from the pain.
“Henri?” you called.
“I’m here.”
“God, I feel like shit.”
I mentioned the glass of water and medicine at your bedside table that Bruno had left for you last night. You took both pills with a few swallows of water.
“My head hurts like a bitch. What the hell happened?”
“Blake drugged you.”
It took you a moment to recall the name. “You mean the blond guy with the ponytail?”
“Yes.” I tried so very hard to be patient with you, but you had taken too many risks.
