Page 61 of Shadow & Stars
He brought his gun up again, pointing it at his fellow agent. “I expected better from you.”
Michelle didn’t seem too rattled. “Likewise. Put the gun down. These people are trying to put things right.”
He laughed, some of the other agents echoing him. “Whatever you say.” He smiled, revealing a gold tooth in his even set of gnashers. “Let me show you what happens to demons who can be killed. Guys!”
At Clive’s call, the agents riddled the demon’s body with bullets. It was supposed to be shocking, an act to rattle me. I didn’t even blink, so over this bullshit.
The dickhead offered me a smirk.
I kept up my indifference, shrugging for good measure. “What do you want me to say?”
His smirk dropped, and he took a swipe at me.
I folded my arms. “Uh-huh.”
His glowering could burn a hole in the planet’s atmosphere. “You lucked out, mate.”
“I’m not your mate. I’m your hope. Now stop pissing around and leave us to our business. Because our world is going to hell in many handbaskets, and I’m the only one who can stop it.”
I think…
“That right?” he answered. “How do I know you’re not one of those witches in league with the demons? So many are coming out of the woodwork.”
Seriously? “Believe what you want. But there are demons who don’t want this, either.”
He spat on the ground. “Fuck demons.”
I shrugged again. “The more time you waste, the more damage will be done.”
Man, I really hated it when I made a point, only for something to crop up to illustrate the damn thing.
Another flying demon tore across the sky, a dragon fresh from an epic fantasy novel. Ruby red, eyes like white fires. On its back rode another monarch—a pale-skinned queen with hair to match her mount. Her copper crown set with rubies looked like spiky fire on her head.
“What the fuck?” Clive bit out.
My thoughts exactly, Clivey.
“Prepare to burn!” she screamed.
What was with these breakaway monarchs all of a sudden? Had there been a sudden mutiny over in the demon realm? Unless this queen acted on Ismael’s orders.
The ADU agents fired, the queen flattening herself to the dragon’s body. Bullets bounced off the scales as the dragon turned, positioning itself at the other end of the street.
Shit. Here it comes…
“Time to run,” I said to Michelle and Eric—for their benefit more than mine.
“Fire the fucking bazooka!” Clive bellowed.
The demon queen howled with delight as fire bloomed in the dragon’s mouth. Michelle and Eric barked orders to run, the pair of them dashing into an alleyway between two houses.
I followed, glancing over my shoulder to see the fire exploding down the street in a wave of terrible heat.
18
XAVIER
Despite the balmy summer night, a comforting warmth wafted out from behind the blue door. It came laced with the smell of baked goods, every part of it whispering of home, of comfort, echoes of happiness from days long gone.
