Page 59 of The Demon's Fire
Damn. Quick study.Sexy and savvy.
“See what I mean. I was about to use her condition to my advantage, but you came along and ruined a good time.” Chay grinned. “Nothing better than imbibing in horizontal refreshments with an ylve-struck female. So sweet.” His knees wobbled as he pushed to his feet. He pumped his hips forward. “They can handle a pounding and keep on purring. What can I say? ylves are ylves, and an ylve-struck human is a sure bet.”
The incubus paused, studying Margo, who continued to sniffle as she strained toward Chay. “Take him along. We can’t risk it. Humans who are ylve-struck die if they are separated from their obsession. But keep him weak until we get to the compound.”
“What’ll we do about them.” The sloth demon pointed to the two bodies on the floor.
“They’re worthless. Leave ’em. The mage will probably live, but the demon is done for.”
When the incubus released Margo, she sprinted to Chay. “You’ve hurt my ylve, bastards.”
“Not yet. If you must have this male, help him walk.”
Chay looped his arm over her shoulders, struggling to stay upright. He whispered, “Touch me often. Get hysterical if I am parted from you.”
Margo’s eyes widened, but she nodded.
Chay hoped his smile reassured her. He would save her even if it meant his life for hers. It was the honorable thing to do. Besides, he had a fondness for the spirited, brave, smart redhead.
****
Reinwaited in his father’s office, twisting his neck from side to side, trying to relieve the strain. “Galena and Chay tagged along with your healer to Cleveland. The Amazon said they got the follow-up specimen from Margo Hunter, but she was difficult. Chay apparently stayed behind to monitor her since the healer used a triple whammy. Problem is, he hasn’t reported in yet.”
“Her blood sample is being examined now. As for the young ylve, is it unusual for him to be late?” Rein’s father shuffled papers on his desk while watching Indigo dance barefoot around his office. “Perhaps he succumbed to the human’s charms and stayed the night.”
Rein grinned at his aunt. Her braid bounced rhythmically, probably keeping time with the music coming through her earbuds. Her hands punched into the air as her long skirt tumbled around her ankles.
He returned his focus to Alarik. “Though it would be like him to charm a human into a sleepover, he would contact us. What’s worse is we can’t get a definite trace on him. His D-chip behavior is erratic. Whenever we’re near a fix, it fizzles out. Any reported problems with our devices?”
“None. They are highly reliable. Your own Logan oversees production. They cannot be turned off. We are aware of only one way to block the signal, but we will never reveal the secret. Of course, if the chip were dug out of your wrist, it would not function.”
D-chips, or Digital Implant Communication Chronometers, were prime tech. Healers embedded them in a Firebrand’s arm, wiring them to the brain so the warriors could talk to each other without moving their lips. They had other uses. Portal jumper. GPS. Restraint. Shadowflasher. Hell. They told the time, gave the weather, took selfies, played music.
Rein glanced at his technological marvel. “There’s more. Kole should have reported in from Darque by now. Can’t reach him either.”
“What’s he doing there?”
“He’s playing tour guide for the Alliance’s chief legal officer.”
Indigo interrupted with a Willie Nelson song. “On the road again. Just can’t wait to get on the road again.” She removed an ear bud. “Anyone want to join the sing-along?”
Both males shook their heads.
“Why would he take her to Darque?” Alarik resumed the convo when Indigo shrugged and replaced the listening device, continuing with her dance.
“When she demanded to go, Cadmon backed her.”
“Any possibility Kole is giving her a special tour? He is a demon with a strong need to feed.”
Rein growled. “With the commander, it’s duty first. If he decided to fuck her, he’d wait until the assignment was over. Besides, his chip isn’t sending a signal either. We’re also pinging her portal jumper, but no response there.”
Indigo stopped dancing, pulling out both ear pods. “You two need to worry less and dance more.”
“Do you know something, Auntie?” Rein crossed his arms over his chest.
“I think so. I’m a little foggy on quantum physics, and calculus always stumps me, but beyond those I think I know something.”
“Auntie, that’s not what I mean.”
