Page 26 of Fallen

The newcomer was a halfling, red-eyed and smirking at them. His long black hair was shaved over one ear, and he wore an old Metallica shirt with the sleeves cut off. He held an amber bottle in one hand, his fingers decorated with gleaming silver rings. “Did you want to know what I’ve heard, or no?”

“Be quick, Malachi, lest my patience run dry,” Talon said, dangerously even, but the long-haired halfling only smirked at Talon’s ire.

“You know something about the mozgoran that kills families of five?” Alex prompted, taking a long sip of water in the hope of cooling himself off.

“I do. I heard about his last kills. Out in Santa Ana, right?”

Alex shifted nervously. His foot brushed Talon’s under the table, and he struggled not to outwardly react. “Yeah.”

The halfling nodded. “They like to take their time with their kills. Always very gruesome, and I hear this one is no different. He’ll strike near the same place. I wouldn’t expect him any further than Irvine.”

Alex waited for more, but none was forthcoming. “What, that’s it? You can’t tell me anything about how to find him?”

“They aren’t like the halflings, holy man. They don’t pop up for recreational time. When they appear somewhere, it’s to kill.” He paused in consideration, then added, “They like dirty, abandoned places, or so I’ve heard. They only venture to populated areas to kill. I’d look for abandoned buildings. Places with basements. Nice and dark.”

Alex sighed. “Do you have any idea how many abandoned places there probably are in that area?”

“Sure. Lucky for you, you’ve got the manpower to do the footwork with your guild, don’t you?” Malachi rocked his dark brows up. “I’ll see myself out. Best of luck or whatever. Talon, always a pleasure.”

Alex’s eyes fell to the table, his stomach roiling with nausea. He wouldn’t be able to stop this demon. It would just keep killing. He had no resources at his disposal, and he was out of ideas. If the demons couldn’t help him find this monster, what hope did he have alone? Michael’s squad would kill it eventually, and Alex… Alex would never get his revenge. How would he live with himself, knowing someone else had done what he couldn’t?

His gut twisted with nausea. “I… I should go,” he murmured.

“No, little bird, don’t go,” Talon entreated, fingers grazing his arm as he stood.

Alex didn’t listen. Didn’t stay.

He was almost home when he finally gave in and let the frustrated tears fall, silent and hot, down his face.

Chapter 9

Talon

In the wakeof Alex’s hasty departure, Talon slid from the booth and strode to the bar. The crowd parted for him like a school of fish moved away from a passing shark.

Wolf wordlessly handed him an unlabeled black bottle. “Didn’t go well?”

“Malachi didn’t know enough to sate him. The boy is starved for vengeance.” He ripped the cork from the bottle and took a long drink. Dark and sweet. Liquor and blood. He wondered what Alex’s blood tasted like. He wanted to find out.

“And you want to help him feast,” Wolf deduced, casting a sly look at him.

Talon inclined his head. He did. Alex was full of life, full of passion and fiery righteousness. He didn’t sling insults at the demons. It was almost like he recognized Talon and the others as something akin topeople, not the animals most paladins considered them. It was refreshing. Intoxicating. He wanted to take Alex apart and see what made him tick.

The feel of his body, the taste of his mouth outside Alex’s dreams had been more than he ever could’ve imagined. It felt as though he’d been frozen for centuries, and Alex’s touch thawed him. One taste and he was addicted. He had to find a way to bring the human back to him. He wasn’t ready to give him up.

“I haven’t seen you so interested in a human before. What’s so special about this one?”

Talon toyed with the cork absentmindedly. “He’s perfect,” Talon said. “I want him to be mine.”

Wolf met his eyes, as calm and assessing as always. Not much swayed the steadfast demon. It was one of the reasons Talon liked him. “He’s a paladin.”

“He doesn’t have to be.” It was a long shot, but Talon didn’t believe in absolutes. If his immortality had taught him anything, it was that things were ever-changing. Even things like the Paladin Guild.

Wolf bobbed his head. “I just hope you know what you’re getting into. If they find out you’re sniffing around one of their people…”

“I’d like to see them try.” They weren’t the first demon-hunters to exist, and they wouldn’t be the last. He was far older and stronger than they knew.

“They’ll most certainly try, if they find out.” He looked thoughtful. “But it sounds like the boy has an agenda of his own outside the guild. That might be your in with him.”

---