The Audacity of Demons Read online

  Falon happened to be Circle of the Veil elite, like me. Not that such a title meant much in the grand scheme of things. Though he’d fallen from grace, he had yet to fully embrace the dark. As far as immortals went, he had to be among my least favorite.

  “I heard about your big demotion. Congratulations on that by the way. So which one of your recruits is making your dick hard?” Silver eyes flashing with mischief, Falon took a drink of tequila. “My money is on the redhead.”

  On the outside I affected an expression of mild irritation. On the inside, I was ready to tear him limb from limb if he said the wrong thing. “Do you have absolutely no class at all? How do you even know about her?”

  It didn’t surprise me that he’d heard about my assignment to the rogues at Mayhem House. The asshole had a way of knowing everything before anyone else.

  “Oh please. I know a lot of things. It’s what I do. It’s why The Circle keeps me around. You know that.” So smarmy and conceited, the angel sat there grinning like he’d caught me red handed.

  “I sincerely doubt that’s why The Circle keeps you around. If anything it’s to keep Alexa on a leash.” Taking a jab at the vampire queen behind her back felt wrong. I didn’t have anything against Alexa. She was the most powerful succubus I’d ever known. She also happened to be Falon’s lover.

  Perhaps it was more accurate to say that he was one of hers. She did have a harem of them, as succubus and incubus types were wont to do. I’d had my share of harems over the millennia, but since I didn’t actually love my lovers, they’d all run their course in time.

  I might have tried to get Alexa into bed a time or two, more so out of sheer curiosity about her power than true interest. Once I’d seen Falon become ridiculously smitten with her, I’d changed my mind. I was used to being the addictive one, not the addicted, and I intended to keep it that way.

  “Ok, so it’s definitely the redhead,” Falon laughed with wicked delight. “Didn’t take much for you to get all defensive. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you why it’s a bad idea to fuck her.”

  “Shut up,” I snarled, grip tightening on my glass. “Enjoy it while you can, dick.”

  It wasn’t so long ago that I’d spoken with Falon in this very bar, warning him about getting in too deep with Alexa. Now he had an opportunity to throw that back in my face. Couldn’t blame him for taking it or for enjoying it.

  “Do the powers that be merely frown upon you getting involved with the rogues, or was it expressly forbidden?” Falon asked the question already knowing the answer. He just wanted to make me admit that I’d fucked up too.

  “Do you really have to sit here? There are several other free tables available.” I waved a hand to indicate the near empty bar.

  Falon nodded. “Forbidden then. As I thought. The bartender is trying to get your attention.”

  I glanced over to find the blue-haired demoness behind the bar winking at me as she wiped down the counter. Women were rare among our kind. Most demon men would fall all over themselves to be with her. She had her sights set on me because I could offer her something they couldn’t, an experience that transcended everything the others thought they knew about sex. Usually I’d be all over her invitation.

  Leaning back in my chair, I shrugged. “She’ll have to get someone else’s attention. I’m not interested.”

  Falon gaped at me, a hand going to his chest in mock surprise. “Not interested? You, an incubus, turning down sex? Tell me about this redhead, Nova. What makes her so special?”

  I couldn’t help the scraps of memories that surged to answer his question: The fire in those eyes. The curves of those hips. That sassy, kissable mouth. Her ridiculous moral code.

  “You’ve made your point, Falon.” I finished my drink, frowning into the empty glass at the thought of having to speak with the woman at the bar to get another. Maybe I’d just head home.

  Slamming his empty glass down on the rickety table, Falon got up to leave. He clapped me on the shoulder, harder than necessary. I clenched my teeth.

  “Your secret is safe with me.” He was enjoying this way too much. “But I’d watch my back if I were you, my friend. Take the same advice you gave me, and don’t give The Circle a reason to look too closely in your direction.”

  He left me there to stew on my own poor decisions. The whiskey might have washed the taste of Blaze out of my mouth, but it couldn’t purge her from my thoughts.

  What the hell did I think I was doing with her? And how could I ever possibly believe it would end well?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Makeup was hardly a concern on a night like this, but the routine motions normalized my preparations. Like I wasn’t about to go intercept a prisoner transfer with a ragtag crew of rogues. So I drew on my eyeliner, adding a dramatic flourish to the wing of each. I could be heading to my death, so dammit, I might as well look good.

  A brief visit to the always-busy vampire blood den downtown had supplied what I needed. From what I could tell the overly eager man was a first timer. I left him dazed and disappointed that I didn’t want more than blood.

  But I did though. I wanted the kill.

  Since returning to the Mayhem House, I’d alternated between pacing my room and flopping restlessly in the bed in an attempt to sleep. At one point I’d considered going down to Dalyn’s room to see if she was awake but decided against it. I didn’t want to disturb someone else’s sleep.

  I watched my reflection in the mirror release a held breath while tugging my long hair into a braid. Somehow I was both nervous and calm. I knew there was a high chance we wouldn’t all make it back from this job, and although I hadn’t been here long, I’d come to care about some of these people. Yet I believed in the message we were about to send the FPA. If I had to select a cause to die for, I’d have chosen to put the fear of monsters into the arrogant and callous agents.

  I finished dressing in tight, stretchy black pants and a form-fitting, long-sleeved shirt. My attire hugged my body, making it easy to move in a fight. I pondered if I should skip down to the gym to grab some forearm blades or a thigh sheath.

  A knock summoned me to the door.

  Nova stood on the other side, a few feet from the threshold. He held a scabbard containing the dagger I’d been training with. “I thought maybe you could use this. It’s been spelled with demon magic. It will help you cut down the bullets and crossbow bolts the FPA have been using.”

  My stomach flipped at the sight of him. Behind the door, I clutched the knob tightly. “Um, ok. How does it work?”

  Did I sound as dumb as I thought I did? God, I hoped not.

  Nova withdrew the dagger from its sheath and raised it in a fast swoop. Immediately the blade glowed a soft gold. “The magic creates a shield-like effect, giving you broader coverage if something is fired your way. I can’t really demonstrate but trust me, it will work.” He put the dagger away and handed me the scabbard, extending it like he was afraid to get too close.

  I quirked a brow and laughed as I accepted the weapon. As I leaned toward him, it hit me: a sudden dizzying swell of lust. I had the immediate urge to rip my clothes off and throw myself at him. Snatching the dagger’s leather strap, I jerked back.

  Out of reach.

  Nova winced apologetically. “Yeah, about that. Sorry, Blaze, it’s the incubus gift. Or curse. Depends on how you look at it.”

  “So it’s true what they say?” I nodded, swallowing hard as the warm arousal slowly receded. “You’re addictive.”

  “Every time I touch you, you will want me more.” Nova glanced down at his booted feet, scuffing one along the floor. When he dragged his gaze back to mine, a fire burned within it. “The flip side is that it makes me want you more too. Maybe I shouldn’t have touched you, but I’m not sorry that I know what you sound like when you come.”

  My face burned. “Um, Nova, I honestly don’t know what to say to that.”

  He waved a hand to dismiss anything I might have mustered. “Don’t say anyth
ing. If The Circle found out anything happened, it would be seen as a conflict of interest. A shitstorm would rain down on both of us. There are so many reasons why it shouldn’t happen again.”

  I got it. Nova was my superior. I was a rogue who should’ve been wiped out for killing in public, the very activity that alerted the FPA to our existence. Though I’d never left a trail for the Feds, The Circle saw it all as black and white. I was a rule breaker.

  “Right. Of course. I agree.” Nodding vigorously, I spit out tiny sentences at random. The awkward tension rose as I racked my brain for something normal to say. Failing miserably, I indicated the dagger. “Well, thanks for this. I appreciate it.”

  He took a step back and turned to go. “I’m not going to be there tonight. I’ll be creating a distraction to keep their backup teams busy. Stay safe out there. Whatever you do, don’t let the FPA get their hands on you. And don’t be afraid to bleed if it will save your ass. You’ll learn to control your power, cherry bomb. I promise.”

  So the demon had found a favorite nickname.

  This time Nova walked away, taking the stairs down to the main floor where we were all to meet on the front porch. I watched as he descended out of sight, wondering why the thought of no repeat encounter between us bothered me so much.

  His parting words left me shaken but encouraged. And wary. I didn’t want to rely on my blood magic. It was always my absolute last resort.

  When all nine of us were gathered on the front porch, Nova gave us the rundown of how things would go: We would travel in three teams. Team One would be driving the beat-up old ice cream truck that materialized in the driveway. Where it had come from was beyond me. Team Two would wait while the truck forced the FPA transport vehicle off the road. Then they would swoop in, fight off the agents, and grab the prisoner. Team Three would pick up the first team after they crashed the truck and join the fight.

  Yeah, it sounded easy the way Nova told it. I wasn’t naïve enough to believe it would go off that well. My naivety had died ages ago.

  “This will take place on the outskirts of town. The watchdog team will be tracking and relaying the transport’s every move, so if their route changes, we’ll know immediately. Wolves, aside from Rayne of course, prepare to get furry. I want you in wolf form. It’s far more intimidating.”

  “Hell no.” Tavi’s hand drifted to the simple straight-edge dagger on her thigh. “I make that call when I feel it’s time. If the moon’s not full, then the wolf stays caged unless I deem it necessary.”

  Werewolves didn’t only shift during a full moon. That’s just when the urge was strongest. They could shift any time they chose. It was almost like Tavi wanted Nova to kill her for being a high-risk pain in the ass. Did the woman have a death wish?

  “That so?” Nova snapped, having no patience for her argument. “Is that why the wolf just so happened to tear the throats out of an entire family on their home security camera? Because you deemed it necessary?”

  Could it feel like the air had been sucked out of the room when we were standing outdoors? If so, that’s what it felt like as Tavi and Nova glared daggers at one another. I admired her fierce nature on a deep level. This world hardened people like us. Women like us.

  Personally, I wouldn’t have tested him, or any demon for that matter.

  Though a part of me wanted to rebel against all of this too, I’d come too far to risk a quick death now. I was a survivor. First and foremost. Sometimes that meant being a fighter and a rebel, but sometimes it meant waiting for your moment and playing the long game.

  Tavi wanted to gut Nova with her claws. It was written in big bold letters all over her face. For a moment I believed she might lunge at him. He seemed to think it too. Taking a step toward her, Nova flared black wings, a silent and terrifying warning.

  Uncertainty flickered across Tavi’s face. Her pupils dilated as her eyes turned wolf. She was scared alright, but she wasn’t willing to back down. Whatever kept Tavi from shifting, she planned to go down protecting it.

  “Tavi is good on her feet, and I’m sure she’s just as ruthless on two legs as four.” I hoped to draw their attention to me by interrupting, but neither wanted to relent. “The others can shift now. Tavi can make that call when we get there.”

  Tight lines around Nova’s mouth and deep furrows in his forehead didn’t stop him from being so perfectly gorgeous. Try as I might, I couldn’t stop gawking at him. Was this part of the thrall? Or was I just a traitor to myself?

  “Fine,” Nova relented, his voice sharp enough to cut. “Tavi can do whatever the fuck she likes. Everyone else, try to be a team player. You all have a better chance of surviving that way.”

  As we headed to the black SUV, Tavi leaned in close to me and hissed, “I don’t need you doing me any favors just because you’re screwing the bossman.”

  “Excuse me?” I did a double take, offended and shocked. “I most certainly am not doing him.”

  “If you expect people to believe that, then don’t fuck around in the garage where anyone can come along and smell the sex on the air.” With a snide smile Tavi tapped the end of her nose and got into the SUV.

  I didn’t bother with a reply. If we both survived this, I might find time to care what the werewolf thought. Still I wished that Rayne was with us in Team Two. His calming presence had become a source of familiar comfort in the house. Instead he was driving the third vehicle.

  Like he’d read my mind, Rayne called my name. “Want to ride with me? I need a partner.”

  Nova had already left to keep the rest of the FPA crew hopping for the night, so nothing was stopping me. As I got in the gray BMW, I had to resist the urge to check if I’d left fingerprints, an ass print, or any other telltale sign on the hood.

  While Rayne backed the sedan out of the garage, I fussed with my braid. Realizing how uneasy it made me look, I abruptly stopped. He paused with his foot on the brake to stick his phone in the holder attached to the dash. He tapped in a number that was immediately picked up with a click and then silence.

  “Head south toward the highway two exit,” a female voice said. “Don’t get onto it. Once you’re closer, I’ll get back to you with directions to a secondary road nearby.”

  The call ended.

  Rayne nodded toward the phone. “That was Smudge. Head watchdog keeping tabs on the city. I don’t know how she does it.”

  I couldn’t imagine shouldering the burdens of such a task. She had to have been just one person in an extensive web of people all connected, all watching and reporting around the clock. Talk about pressure.

  We followed the ice cream truck and the black SUV down the driveway and out of the ramshackle neighborhood. When we emerged at a main road, we went in different directions, following whatever orders Smudge had given us based on the route she’d obtained for the FPA transport. I assumed we would all approach the scene from different directions as well.

  “Keep an eye out for a tail.” Rayne glanced in the rearview mirror. “Why are you so quiet? You’re not freaking out on me, are you?”

  I flashed a wry smile across the dark interior of the luxury car. “Trust me, if I freak out, you’ll know.”

  At this time of night the streets were calm, with the traffic light and in some places non-existent. Rayne drove along like a perfect law-abiding citizen, maintaining the speed limit and obeying traffic laws. He did nothing to draw attention to the unremarkable gray sedan.

  I didn’t know our exact destination. Even so, I grew calmer with every passing street that brought us closer. I was ready. That itself felt foreign. I should be alarmed. This should be scaring the hell out of me. Yet as we drew closer to whatever lay ahead, the heady rush of adrenaline flooded me, and I rode it like a surfer grabbing a wave.

  I was eager for what we were about to do. Excited to have a task that not only allowed me unleash the violence that lived inside every one of us but encouraged it. Still not loving the forced aspect but it could be worse; I could be dead. Nova could
’ve left me in that strip club as nothing but a pile of ashes to be scattered underfoot.

  “Is it wrong how much I’m actually looking forward to this?” I glanced over at Rayne, noticing the tension in his knuckles as he gripped the wheel.

  The winged lion inked on one forearm stiffened like it too felt our tension as Rayne held himself rigid. “Not at all. Honestly, I get a charge out of it. The FPA likes to paint us as the monsters, but they’re the ones with the mad science labs. My money says they’re trying to create some kind of supernatural super soldier.”

  “Or find a way to control us,” I added, theorizing along with him. “Or wipe us out entirely. It all gives me the fucking creeps. I’m not sure if the FPA has always been this bad with the testing. As far as I know they used to be more of a shoot to kill and take no prisoners kind of organization.”

  “They’ve changed?” The phone on the dash rang, and Rayne hit a button on the steering wheel to answer. “Let me have it.”

  A different female voice came through the speakers this time. Melodic and musical, it had a soothing quality. “I’m sending GPS coordinates to you now. Park in the entrance to the farmer’s field there. You’ll have a view of the intersection where the accident will happen. You have seven minutes to be there.”

  “Got it. Thanks, Jez.” After ending the call, Rayne punched the GPS screen on the car’s dash, and the location appeared. “Jez is Smudge’s girlfriend. They work as a team. More often than not, if you get a watchdog call, it’s one of them.”

  “Noted.” I glanced at the clock numbers that glowed in the dark above the GPS screen. “Seven minutes, huh?”

  The time passed in a blur. We pulled off the main street onto a gravel side road. As Jez had said, the farmer’s field had the perfect little entryway for us to back in and watch the small backroad intersection. It didn’t even have lights, just a stop sign on two sides.

  The Feds thought they were smart to take a side road and avoid main routes. They didn’t want their activity being made public any more than we did.