He was ignored by all.
“Gram and Candy make fine points,” I said, smiling at the gorgeous ghost of a woman who’d raised me with love. “I think it’s time to assess what Jennifer can do.”
Of course, we had no clue how powerful Jennifer might be, but we needed to find out and to train her to defend herself. I thought back to my own training with Charlie, Heather, Gideon,Tim and Candy Vargo, and winced. It had been a day that had blown my mind and covered me in blood and bruises. I hoped that Jennifer’s training would be a little less violent.
My guess was that her gifts would be similar to Alana Catherine’s and Shitty Ritchie’s, but we’d find out soon enough.
“First, I’d like everyone to come outside,” Gideon announced. “The extra protection has arrived. Zander and Catriona have let them in through the ward.”
As we stepped out into the sunny but chilly afternoon, I scanned the front yard. Unbeknownst to me, Candy Vargo had repaired the damage that the zombies had caused. My property was back to its majestic glory. Armed to the teeth and dressed in black combat clothing, Catriona and Zander were getting a small army of Demons up to speed as to what was going on. The extra protection was impressively terrifying. The Demons, however, appeared incredibly bored. Not a single expression changed as the group was filled in on the details. The entire scene was a bit unnerving. Not one of the Demons had come willingly. That much was made clear by their attitudes. They came to repay a favor. Gideon had promised that none of them would turn on us. I chose to believe him. There were thirty—each one stunningly beautiful. Both male and female Demons stood shoulder to shoulder, silently examining their surroundings.
I looked at Candy Vargo. She wasn’t too excited, but she seemed resigned that the Demons were here.
“Let the fuckin’ games begin,” she muttered.
And begin they did.
CHAPTER SIX
Gideon’s commandswere directed to the new arrivals in a tone that left very little room for questions. Fifteen were to patrol the perimeter inside the ward. The other half were to guard the Trinity. Five on Shitty Ritchie, five on Alana Catherine and five on Jennifer. Zander and Catriona would be Gideon’s acting generals. Although any decisions to be made or changes of plans went through the Grim Reaper.
While the Demons still appeared somewhat apathetic, it was obvious that there was great respect mixed with a healthy dose of fear of Gideon. I was wildly curious why this particular group owed my husband—especially the three females who were not-so-covertly eyeing my man like they were starving and he was lunch.
Whatever. He was mine. There was no doubt about that. But… he’d been alive for a gazillion years and had a past. I didn’t fault him or judge him for that. However, I did hope the trio of hot Demon babes were not former bang buddies.
Charlie left the porch and strode to Gideon’s side. All thirty Demons took a wary step back. The Enforcer’s reputation preceded him. While he appeared all squishy and sweet, especially with June and their kids, the man was a badass with acapital B. He slowly made eye contact with each of the Demons. While the Enforcer regarded them, not one dropped their gaze. Finally, Charlie gave a curt nod of approval.
“If the reanimated dead come back, which I’m sure they will, the only way to end them is to kill the leader. They all go down if the kingpin dies,” he said. “Unfortunately, they’re all identical and fight like no other foe I’ve encountered. Which means, finding the leader is a process of elimination.”
There was some concerned muttering from the Demons. One of the horny, hungry gals stepped out of the line and waited to be addressed.
“State your name and speak,” Charlie said.
She nodded respectfully. “I am Dogthirag.”
It took all I had not to laugh. Yes, it was petty. No, I didn’t care. What the hell kind of name was Dogthirag? I knew my green-eyed little monster was dancing in my frontal lobe, but I didn’t like the way she-Demon looked at my guy. I might be the Angel of Mercy—full of compassion and all that jazz, but I was still a woman.
“Are we tasked with ending the present Higher Power?” Dogthirag questioned.
Charlie looked over his shoulder and deferred to Candy Vargo on that inquiry. I thought they were alarmed when they realized the Enforcer was here. When the Keeper of Fate joined Gideon and Charlie, they collectively paled and looked like they wanted to be anywhere but where they stood at the moment.
Candy chuckled as she witnessed the reaction. Since I considered her a friend, it was easy to forget how high she was in the Immortal food chain. The Keeper of Fate was right up there with the Grim Reaper, the Enforcer, the Goddesses of the Darkness and the Higher Power. Heather—the Arbitrator, Tim—the Courier, my brother Gabe—the Archangel, and myself asthe Angel of Mercy came in close seconds, but Candy Vargo was practically in a class of her own.
I adored the profane mess of a woman, and she adored me. Most Immortals did not feel the same about her as I did, though. Candy Vargo was known as a loose cannon with a short fuse. Basically, attack first, ask questions after kind of warrior. That wasn’t accurate, but dispelling a reputation that had been in place for millions of years was futile. Plus, I think she liked her rep.
“If the opportunity arises and it looks like a sure thing, kill the fucker. But lemme tell ya, that ain’t nearly as easy as it sounds. That beeotch is wily and powerful, but I’ve found that no-fuckin-body is without a weak spot.” she said with a toothpick hanging out of her mouth. “So, sure. If you got a shot, take it. Now that the Trinity is in place, ending that shit stain won’t bring on Armageddon.”
A male Demon stepped forward and joined Dogthirag.
“I am Kogzin,” he stated flatly. “With all due respect, why are we to believe there is a new Higher Power?”
Gideon growled. His eyes turned blood-red and narrowed to slits. Charlie began to glow silvery-blue and the air grew thin as his power swirled around him. Catching my breath was difficult. Candy Vargo sparkled a dangerous glittery orange. Kogzin didn’t back down. The guy was either brave or batshit crazy with an intense death wish.
“Because I said there was,” Gideon ground out.
That wasn’t the best or most satisfying answer if the perturbed reactions of the Demons were anything to go by. I was apprehensive about them being here, but Kogzin’s question wasn’t out of line. At all.
Before a powder keg of magic exploded and a whole lot of people died, I realized someone needed to be the voice of reason. I would be the voice. Gideon had called in favorsbecause we needed back up. Killing the enemy was one thing. Ending your own army was stupid. As I moved to join Charlie, Candy and Gideon, I felt a hand lightly touch my arm. It was my daughter. She smiled and winked. She reminded me so much of her dad.
