She scowled. “It’s Halloween. There’re all kinds of humans in here.”
“Fine, but what’re you going to do with her after midnight? And don’t even think about throwing down with any demon types in my place. Not tonight. Any of them followed you in here and go after her, I’m kicking all your asses out the door.” He let his eyes fall almost shut. “Unless you want to make it worth my while not to do that.”
Eva growled under her breath, and I could hear the frustration. I licked my lips and stood taller, beginning to creep away.
“Listen, why don’t I solve everybody’s problems by going back to my hotel? My boyfriend’s probably freaking out waiting for me.”
Both of the blondes turned as though they’d forgotten about me until I spoke. Eva started to reply, but Soren interrupted her.
“I have a better idea. Why don’t you just come back to my office? I can protect you . . . in privacy.” He smiled at me, and the light glinted off dangerous white teeth. A chill ran down my back.
Eva sucked in a breath, but before she could say anything else, a hand closed around my arm. “Jackie. Thank God.” Lucas folded me into his body, and I sagged against him in relief.
“How did you know where to find me?” My words were muffled against his chest.
He sighed. “It’s a long story, but basically, this was a set-up. I could tell from the beginning something was wonky with the Reckoning. The advocate for the dark kept hemming and hawing, long after I knew what the outcome would be. Finally, the advocate for light accused him of stalling, and we managed to find out what was going on.” He looked grim. “The light advocate told me where you would be.”
“Eva saved me.” I glanced at her over my shoulder.
Lucas’s arms tightened around me. “Thank you.”
She shrugged. “Right place, right time.” Her lips pressed together. “But I need to go. There’s someone else I’m supposed to be with right now. You got this?”
“We’re good.” Lucas nodded.
Eva started to leave and then stopped, looking back. “It’s coming. It’s getting closer. You’re right the hell in the middle of this, and there are forces that would do anything to stop you. You need to know that. There’s no such thing as safe anymore.”
With that, she turned and disappeared into the crowd. Lucas watched her go and then took my hand.
“Let’s get out of here.”
We threaded our way through the crowd and out into the uncertain darkness.
Scene Two: (Takes place after DEATH OVER EASY)
Dried leaves skittered across the stone steps of the mausoleum. The sky was cloudy tonight, but as Nell and I approached the edge of the cemetery, there was just enough moonlight to read the name chiseled over the two heavy doors with their brass pulls. Dead vines teased the top of the word, but I could see enough to make it out.
“Hover.” She murmured the name, squinting in the darkness. “That’s the one, then?”
I nodded. “I think so. I don’t see any other bone mansions around here with that name.”
“We’re a long way from San Francisco.” Her pale blue eyes roamed over the overgrown grass of the old burial yard. “How did the talisman end up in Virginia?”
“After those five men tried to open the dimensional door for the aliens—who turned out to be demons—they all had mental breaks. Our guy was brought back here to his hometown. As far as we know, they put the necklace in his coffin when he died.”
“Lovely.” Nell shrugged. “Well, let’s get started. The sooner we get this, the sooner we can get out of here.” She glanced over her shoulder. “There’s . . . unrest here.”
“No shit,” I muttered under my breath. Nell didn’t pay attention to me; she’d already closed her eyes and lifted her hands. I knew the hands were more for her own focus than anything else, as all the power came from her mind.
At first, nothing happened beyond the wind picking up a little. And then there was a low groaning, and ever so slowly, the huge doors began to scrape and creak open. As soon as they did, the odor of decay poured out, making me gag.
Nell wasn’t affected at all. She dropped her hands back to her sides and climbed the steps, leaving me to follow behind her.
“Rafe, do you have your flashlight? I don’t think it’s likely that there’ll be electric lighting in here.”
“Got it.” I clicked on the button and pointed the light into the pitch black of the burial chamber. Shelves lined both sides, and caskets had been slid onto each one. I hesitated, not sure which would be the most likely to be the one we needed, but Nell moved unerringly to the top coffin on the right.
“This one? You sure?”
She cast me a wry look. “We’ve got to start somewhere, and I think it’s most likely to be one of the more recent ones, which means a top shelf. If you let me climb on your shoulders, I should be able to open it up and see inside.”
I obliged, kneeling so that she could toss one jean-covered leg over my neck. Rising, I grasped her thighs, eliciting a soft hiss from Nell when my fingers strayed too far off course. Well, who could blame a guy for taking advantage of his hot girlfriend in this position?
“Almost got it open.” She sounded strained and breathless, and I was just opening my mouth to tease her about that when a small noise behind us made me freeze. An icy-cold hand closed around my arm, and a low voice growled near my ear, sending a chill of dread down my spine.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing with my coffin?”
Keeping Score
When We Were Us
Hanging By A Moment
The King Series
Fearless
Breathless
Restless
Endless
Crystal Cove Books
The Posse
The Plan
The Path
The Perfect Dish Series
Best Served Cold
Just Desserts
I Choose You
The One Trilogy Box Set
The Last One
The First One
The Only One
12 Christmas Romances to Melt Your Heart
Always For You
Always My Own
Always Our Love
The Seredipity Duet
Undeniable
Unquenchable
Recipe for Death Series
Death Fricassee
Death A La Mode
Photo by Heather Batchelder
Tawdra Kandle writes romance, in just about all its forms. She loves unlikely pairings, strong women, sexy guys, hot love scenes and just enough conflict to make it interesting. Her books run from YA paranormal romance through NA paranormal and contemporary romance to adult contemporary and paramystery romance. She lives in central Florida with a husband, kids, sweet pup and too many cats. And yeah, she rocks purple hair.
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