Picking up a framed picture, Jared smiled at the image, then put it back on the shelf. He turned to the other person in the room. “Your Hunter has some… issues.”1
“Vaughn’s not as bad as Zarek, or a few others, but yes, he has his moments,” Ash admitted. 2
“As long as ‘his moments’ don’t totally screw over Helen, then whatever.” He looked at another picture. “Care to tell me why you had this Vaughn spend the day here?”3
“Why ask when you’ve already gone through my mind for the reason?”4
“Same reason why you’d ask one of your minions even after you’ve gone through their mind,” Jared answered easily. “Saying something adds a tangible aura to it that thinking doesn’t contain.”5
“Typical reasons,” Ash said with a shrug. “Boy, girl, tab a, slot b, he helps her, she helps him, and we all live happily ever after.”6
Snorting at the description, Jared shook his head. “If it were only that easy. Chances are that Helen will completely kick his ass if his current attitude continues.”7
“She’s not exactly the blessed ray of sunshine, either,” Ash pointed out. “I can’t see them together in the long run, or even the short run, really, but they’re needed in this too keep Asya from gaining her ultimate power.”8
“Asya’s nothing.”9
“She’s a conniving witch who makes Artemis look like a neophyte at deception.” He looked at Jared “Just why is she hunting Helen?”10
“You know the goddesses and their need to exploit,” Jared pointed out easily. “This particular one wants to prolong her life while vastly shortening Helen’s.”11
“It always comes down to greed,” Ash muttered. “Speaking of greed, planning on taking a shot or twenty at Nick while you’re free?”12
“Unfortunately not,” Jared said. “Killing Mr. Gautier will kill you, which will free your mother, which will piss off Savitar, which will force him to stop her, which will make something bad happen to Stryker, which will in turn annoy Zephyra. I’ll be dead anyway, but she’s vindictive enough to find some way to bring me back just so she could torture me over it.” Shaking his head, Jared laughed. “The domino effect in full bloom. Beyond me why your ilk has to tie their life forces to completely worthless individuals.” 13
“Your life force is tied to Nick’s,” Ash reminded him.14
“Yes,” Jared nodded. “But unlike the rest of you, I welcome the finality of death.”15
Knowing that there was nothing he could say to get Jared to change his mind, Ash stared at the wall just past him. Two parts of a whole, Nick Gautier and Jared were the pieces needed to keep things from spiraling out of control. Only problem was that Jared’s one true goal was to kill Nick. With Nick dead, Jared would die, and his lifetime of torture would come to an end. 16
Unfortunately, Ash had promised Nick’s dead mother that no harm would come to her son. If Nick died, Ash’s promise would also force him to die. The result would literally be the end of the world, since it would release his mother Apollymi from her unearthly prison. 17
Deciding to switch topics, Ash’s silver gaze flicked back to Jared’s red-rimmed eyes. “Why are you hanging around instead of off doing god knows what with god knows who?”18
“I could spend the whole week between the legs of women,” he said, then stopped with a longing sigh. “But I don’t want to give Zephyra anything to hold over me. I don’t need her dredging up sex as a way to control my actions. Spending time with Helen is something I need, she needs, and apparently your Hunter needs.”19
“And when Zephyra finds out about Helen?”20
“She won’t,” he assured Ash. “And she never will. Helen is my own little illusion in an otherwise scary fucked-up universe, and no one beyond you, Nim, and this Vaughn knows that she exists to me.” 21
“What about Brin?”22
“What about him?”23
“He knows, too.”24
”He’s insignificant. Any knowledge that comes from him will do no one any good.” 25
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~26
A shirt flew across the room, landing on a pile that grew larger by the passing minutes. Moving from the now empty drawer, Vaughn pulled open another one and started sorting through the contents. 27
“Damn it,” he hissed. “It’s gotta be here somewhere!” 28
“What the hell?”29
Looking at the voice, he went back to the search he was on. “Where’s the pendant?” he demanded.30
“Which one?” his squire Peter asked as he eyed the growing mess. 31
“My pendant,” Vaughn said as if it answered everything. Moving to another dresser, he pulled a small box off the top and looked through. Growling, he tipped it over and looked on the floor. “Damn it.”32
Watching as the box was tossed to the bed, the squire took a step back to the relative safety of the hallway. He’d been startled when Vaughn came home to change his clothes, especially since the Hunter had been in a bad mood. Usually staying away all day ended up with Vaughn having spent the day in someone’s bed, and garnered enough of a good mood that it lasted for days. Now standing in his bedroom in only a pair of pants, he looked anything but relaxed. 33
“No one has been in your room since yesterday,” he said. “When did you last see the pendant?”34
“It’s always on the top of the dresser,” Vaughn insisted, “with my wallet, cell phone and keys.” He stopped suddenly with a jerk and looked at the dresser. “Ah, shit.”35
“What?”36
“I know where it is.” Grabbing the phone book from the nightstand, he quickly flipped it open and read down the list of names. Pulling out the cell phone, he dialed a number and waited. 37
“Hello?”38
“Is this Helen?” he asked, trying to sound polite.39
“Yeah?”40
“This is Vaughn.”41
“What do you want?”42
“I think I may have left something in the bedroom,” he told her, closing his eyes when he realized the squire was still in the doorway. “Would I be able to come check?”43
“My mind’s not really geared for putting up with you right now,” Helen said. “Call me in a couple-“44
“Please,” he interrupted, panic seeping in to his voice. “I only live a few miles away, and it’ll take me five minutes, tops, then I’ll be gone.” 45
“Okay,” she finally relented, something in her voice softening slightly. 46
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~47
Dinner finally over, Nim sat at the table and looked at the woman who sat opposite him. He’d tried to ignore her while he ate, but curiosity kept poking in on his feeding. 48
“Thank yous,” he said quietly. “For the food.”49
“You’re welcome,” she said, smiling. Getting up, she took the plates from the table and walked in to the kitchen area. When she came back out, she stopped at the stare he was giving her.50
“How you know Jared?” he asked.51
“I’ve known him for a long time,” she said. “About seven thousand years.”52
“Long time.” Nim stood. “Do you hurt him?”53
“Never,” she said. “Not even when he’s being an insufferable jerk."54
“He does that lots,” Nim agreed, then took a step towards her. “Why don’t you have powers?”55
Had it been anyone else, Helen would have been annoyed… but Nim was young, and asked the normal questions of youth. “A long time ago,” she said, “someone managed to permanently bind my powers.”56
”But Helen doesn’t have a band,” he pointed out, referring to the common practice of a bound demon wearing some sort of restriction band on the arm or neck that made their powers the property of the owner.57
“I know,” she said kindly. “It’s more of an internal thing.”58
“Then Jared can fix you.”59
If only it were that easy. “He can’t.” Turning, she motioned to the living room area. “I have a Wii game system if you’d like to play.”60
Brightening, Nim nodded, then headed off. Picking up the controller, he turned on the system like a pro, and sat on the couch as he got down to the serious business of destroying a demon army.61
Suddenly tossing the game controller on the coffee table, Nim was to his feet an instant before someone knocked on the front door. Helen raised an eyebrow at just how vicious the sweet looking kid could be when prompted. Motioned for him to relax, she went to the door and looked out.62
“It’s okay, Nim,” she said, and opened the door. “Hello.” 63
Vaughn went to talk, but instead took a step forward as a figure appeared behind Helen. His hand shot out, producing a gun at the same time his other hand landed on her arm and moved her to the side. 64
“No!” Helen yelled, moving back in between the men. “It’s okay!”65
The gun was immediately lowered and Vaughn took a step back to show that he meant no further actions. “Sorry,” he said, then looked beyond her to the man that was glaring at him with barred fangs. “I’m sorry,” he repeated to the man. “Your appearing behind her startled me.”66
Helen blinked at the soothing tone that Vaughn was using. She glanced at Nim, and nodded to him. It would have been very bad had she not been able to stop Vaughn or Nim in time. Having a Dark-Hunter killed in her house would probably piss Acheron off and mess up her karma even more than already, while having Nim killed would probably hit Jared very badly. Even though he feigned indifference for the young demon, Helen could tell that he looked upon Nim as sort of family.
Taking a step back, she allowed Vaughn to enter. “Go check to see what you lost,” she said, unsettled by what had just happened. 67
Vaughn walked past her and in to the bedroom. Looking around, he frowned when he didn’t see it. Walking to the bed, he bent low and looked under. 68
“Need help?” Helen asked from the doorway. 69
“No.”70
She was ready to walk away but something in his demeanor made her want to stay. He seemed almost worried about whatever it was he was looking for. It seemed a foreign mood to him. Although she’d only known him for less than a week, worried was not one of the emotions she thought he was used to. 71
Catching something out of the corner of her eye, she took a few steps towards the chair that was by the bed, and pulled a golden chain out from between the cushions. “Is this what you’re looking for?” 72
Snatching it from her hand, Vaughn closed his fist around it. She watched as something close to relief crossed his face. Then it was replaced by the arrogance she was used to. 73
“Yeah, thanks,” he said, trying to sound casual. 74
“Must be valuable,” she said. 75
“Not really,” he said. “But it is important.” Looking at her, he stared into her nearly amber eyes and slowly held the chain up. 76
Helen looked at the small turquoise stone at the end of the thick chain. “Very pretty.”77
“I gave my sister this stone on her last birthday,” he found himself saying. 78
“I’m glad you found it, then.”79
He nodded. “Me too.” Folding it gently, he placed it in the zippered pocket of his jacket along with his wallet and cell phone. “I should go now.” 80
Nim glared at him from the couch, tensing as Vaughn switched direction and walked over to stare down at him. Helen blinked in surprise as Vaughn slowly held his hand out for Nim to catch his scent. Calming slightly when he realized this man meant no real harm, Nim went back to the game controller and the video game he was playing on the television.81
“Wait,” Helen said as Vaughn reached the door. 82
“Yes?” he asked, his arrogance apparently back. 83
“What just happened?” 84
Rolling his eyes, Vaughn leaned against the door and stared down at her. “I can sense demons and other ‘non-humans’,” he said. “Since you stopped me from drilling him, and you stopped him from ripping my head off, thanks for that by the way, then he’s obviously here to protect you. I just wanted him to know that I meant no harm earlier.” 85
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~86
Feeling trapped by his own decisions, Brin paced from one end of his house to the other, then back. Stopping halfway, he opened the door to his left and entered the area where he kept his office. Sitting at the computer, he logged in to the internet and turned on all the chat programs he had. 87
Glancing through the list of online friends, he looked for Helen’s name. Sighing when she wasn’t online, he clicked to access the offline messages that were sent to him. Raising an eyebrow at one, he read it slowly. 88
Asshole. I should come over there and completely kick your ass. How you could do something like that to me is just too frigging hard to comprehend. Hope you’re happy in your choices. Dickhead.
Snorting at the tone Helen had used, and her always perfect typing, he sent back a reply, hoping to goad her in to doing something that would pull him out of this predicament.
may b a dickhead, but at least i have powers.u don’t.haha. Knowing that text speak would annoy her about as much as the message, he turned the speakers up so he cold hear any response, and pushed back from the computer.
Hopefully it would prompt her in to meeting him, and he could get this over with. Small guilt filtered through him at treating her this way, but they were banished by his desire to return himself to the upper echelon of the demon hierarchy. His unique powers were still sought after and since he had a few thousand years of hard knocks behind him, he could negotiate a fairly impressive package for his services.
The only thing that bothered him was what Asya wanted with Helen. As far as he knew, the goddess had been rather low-key for the past while, with some rumors even floating around that she had died. How Helen fit into this, he didn’t know… but maybe he’d make that part of the deal before handing her over.
After all, one never knew when certain information could become more valuable than all the world’s riches. 89
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~90
Looking down at her as she slept on the bed, Jared smiled slightly. Eyes traveled from Helen’s face to the gentle rising and falling of her chest, then down to one leg that was poking out from the blankets. 91
Slowly lowering himself to the mattress beside her, he moved slightly so he could lay down, and closed his eyes. Although they had known each other for centuries, and had shared a bed on many occasions, they’d never been physical. She was someone he could lay beside for the absolute reassuring sensation of actually being with someone on lonely nights. 92
He felt the bed move beside him, and opened his eyes as she raised her head and gave him a bleary stare. 93
“Hey,” she said, her voice heavy with sleep. 94
“Hey,” he replied in a whisper. “Any problems with Nim?”95
“Not really,” she said. Sitting up a little further, she checked to make sure he was still sleeping on the couch across the room. He hadn’t wanted to sleep in a room alone, so Helen suggested the small couch in the corner of her bedroom. Squinting as she tried to make out his form, she shook her head when she realized he had his legs on the couch while the rest of him was on the floor. “Sweet kid.”96
“Thanks for getting him for me,” Jared whispered. “He’s not used to being in public without someone he knows.”97
Nodding as she moved over to lay her head on his chest, she snuggled in as an arm curled around her. “Any time,” she mumbled as sleep tried to claim her again. 98
Staring at the ceiling as she started to gently snore, Jared started to relax. She had been right when she said that he could do a million things while on his basic week free, but he found that he really didn’t want to do anything. Just chilling when he wanted to had rewarded him with the most pleasure. 99
Chained to a wall and tortured would be hard to accept after freedom, and he knew that was what Zephyra had counted on. It was also that reason that kept him from experiencing all that he could. There was no way he’d give the Bitch Empress the satisfaction of holding his deeds over him. 100
Glancing down at Helen as her head rested on his chest, he smiled slightly. He’d been worried about her over the past few thousand years, and if everything turned out the way it was supposed to, he could go back to Zephyra with one less worry on his mind. 101
Helen deserved happiness after what had happened to her, and deserved to be with someone that had no hidden agenda. 102
Content for one of the few times in his long existence, Jared closed his eyes and fell into a peaceful sleep.103
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~104
Standing in an alley, his back against the wall, one of Vaughn’s hands clasped through the hair of the woman who was kneeling in front of him. She’d basically picked him up in the nightclub they were behind, although she didn’t have to try too hard in seducing him outside. He thought she said her name was Kelly, or Karen, or maybe Kathy…not that it actually mattered to him. 105
Hissing as her head quickened in its bobbing, his hand clenched tighter and all thought vanished from his mind as he groaned in release. Shoulders pushed harder against the wall to support him as she worked even more magick with a mouth that he would rate as a definite ten. She was by far one of the better blows he’d received during his patrols, and wondered what she would be like spread out under him as he rammed into her over and over. Just the thought was enough to make him hard again.106
Looking up at him, she licked his tip, bringing a shiver from him. Tensing as another sensation crawled over him, he grimaced and looked around. Although he couldn’t see the Daimon, he knew there was one someplace close. Since killing the bastards took precedence over him receiving prolonged fellatio, he took a step back and easily removed himself from her mouth. 107
“That’s enough,” he said as he zipped his jeans. “Why don’t you go on back in and I’ll be there in a few.”108
About to argue, she shrugged and sashayed past him. “Your loss.”109
“My loss,” he repeated with a sigh. Watching until she was safely back in the nightclub, he headed towards the sensation with a predator’s grace. “Come on out,” he called in a sing-song voice.110
“Didn’t want to interrupt your little play,” a voice from the shadows said. “Figure you might as well get your rocks off before I kill you.” 111
Vaughn’s eyes slowly traveled to the source of the voice. He could make out two figures, and continued to scan for more when he heard more than two breathing. “So, uh, we gonna do this, or did you just come here for a little voyeurism?” he asked. “’Cause if you coulda waited a few more minutes, it would have been a better show.”112
“Oh, don’t worry,” the voice said. “You’ll still get fucked.”113
“Big talk for someone willing to hide in the shadows,” Vaughn said, ready to fight. “Oh, and you’re so not my type, so stop fantasizing.” Taking a step back as one of the shadows moved, he sighed in annoyance. “Not you again.”114
“Didn’t I kick your ass last week?” the Daimon asked, then looked around. “No female to help you this time?”115
“Less talk, more die,” Vaughn said, raising his hand and pulling the trigger on the gun he had. A small whiffing sound from the silencer was the last thing the Daimon heard before he exploded in a puff of gold dust. “Guess that answers your question.”116
Like one being, the remaining Daimons attacked. Shooting at one in the chest area, Vaughn moved to the side as the number was lowered slightly. Grunting as a fist slammed into his side, he kicked out, then hopped back. 117
Punching out as a Daimon approached, he placed his arm closer to the demons mouth than warranted. As hoped, the Daimon lunged to bite, not willing to pas up the opportunity. Grimacing as fangs sunk through the material and into his arm, he head butted the Daimon and pulled away. 118
The Daimon paused for a moment, then gurgled in pain as he fell to the ground. The others looked at him, then Vaughn.119
“Guess he forgot my blood is poison to him,” Vaughn said as he arched an eyebrow. Pulling two knives out, he motioned. “So, let’s just kill you two, and then I can hopefully get back to screwing what’s-her-face in some dark corner of this alley.”120
As hoped, his goading prompted the pair to attack at the same time. Fighting the urge to roll his eyes at their stupidity, he waited until they were in range, then simple raised his arms and pushed out. The knives landed mid chest, right in the black marks that signified the stolen souls that were now free thanks to Vaughn. 121
Inhaling deeply in satisfaction, Vaughn walked to pick up the spent shell casings, put them in his pocket, and turned for the nightclub. Checking his watch, he sighed in annoyance when he realized it was closer to dawn than he’d thought. There’d be no way to go back in, find the hot… whoever she was, get himself off again, and make it home before frying his ass. 122
“Damn it.” Turning, he walked through the alley towards his car, muttering about the inconsiderate nature of Daimons and demons in general.123
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~124
“Jared!”125
Jumping at the noise, Jared mumbled an apology to Helen for knocking her off his shoulder, then looked at Nim. “What’s up?”126
“Jared is, now,” Nim said, happy to see him. “Where’d you go, what you do, why couldn’t Nim go, and…” He trailed off and cocked his head as he looked at the bed. “Should Nim come back later?”127
Resisting the urge to laugh at him, Jared shook his head. “It’s okay. Helen and I are just friends.”128
Standing from the bed, Helen grabbed her housecoat and pulled it on over her nightclothes. “I’m going to make breakfast,” she told them as she headed across the room and out the door. 129
“She’s nice,” Nim said, sitting on the bed. 130
Creating clothing on his body, Jared dressed below the sheets, then stood. “I need you to stay with her for one more day.”131
”No.”132
“Nim,” he sighed. 133
“Nim stays with Jared,” the young demon pouted. “You know that.”134
”I know you do, Nim-rod,” he said, making the insult a friendly sort of nickname. “But sometimes I have to do things where you can’t be. I need you to look after Helen for me until this business with Asya is settle.”135
Hissing in anger at the mention of the goddess’s name, Nim snarled. “Asya is a biotch.”136
Blinking in surprise at the modern phrasing, Jared nodded. “Yes, she is. And if she has her way, that nice lady,” he pointed to the door that Helen had gone out, “will die.” 137
“Nim won’t let that happen.”138
“Then stay with her and protect.”139
Realizing that he’d been talked in to the situation, Nim hissed lightly, then vanished from the room.140
Sighing as the weight of the world seemed to push on him, Jared eyed the bed. Sleeping in was something foreign to him, but the surface beckoned him like a silken siren. 141
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~142
Answering the cordless phone on the fourth ring, Vaughn brought it to the general area of his face. “Yeah?” he mumbled.143
“This is Jared.”144
“And this is Vaughn,” he replied in a tired voice. “What you wakin’ me for?”145
“Need a favor.”146
“Will it end up with my ass being kicked?”147
“Not if you keep your mouth shut.”148
Still half asleep, Vaughn stared at the ceiling in the dark. “Yeah, sure.” He listened as Jared spoke, and blinked a few times. “What?”149
“You heard me.”150
“Yeah, but, damn.”151
“Will you do it?”152
“Will you let me go back to sleep if I agree?” Vaughn asked, his eyes closing again. 153
“Sure.”154
“Then yes, I’ll do it,” Vaughn agreed. “Be there around ten, baring any Daimon’s showing up before then.”155
“Appreciate it.”156
Leaning over, Vaughn clicked the phone off and aimed for the nightstand, only succeeded in dropping the phone to the floor. “Good enough,” he muttered as sleep claimed him again.157
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~158
Jared exhaled at the way the evening was about to turn out. He’d left Helen’s earlier, telling them both to meet him around ten. Nim had wanted to see another movie, and Helen, a little more relaxed with the young demon, had agreed. Standing in an alley behind a busy nightclub, Jared waited for the pair to show up. 159
Turning as Helen, along with Nim walked towards him, he gave her a smile and then looked at Nim. “Tattoo form.”160
Blinking at the command, Nim looked from Jared to Helen, then back. “But Jared said-“161
“I know what I said, Nim,” Jared told him as he held a bare arm out. “It’ll be all right. Tattoo form.”162
Shrinking, Nim’s body transformed into a shadow of himself, then floated towards Jared’s bare arm. Lying over the skin, he joined with it, transforming in to an intricate tattoo of a glowering dragon. 163
Looking at Helen, Jared smiled slightly. “I need Nim for something, but I’m not about to leave you without protection.” Nodding to a figure that stood in the mouth of the alley, he waited for Helen to look.164
“Aw, geeze,” Helen groaned. “What the hell did I do to piss you off that you’re leaving me with him?”165
Smirking as he approached, Vaughn nodded a brief greeting to Jared. “Well, it’s like this, honey buns,” Vaughn said, then ignored the snarl that Helen gave him. “When someone that has the power to absolutely kick my ass asks me to do a favor, then chances are that I’ll do it.”166
“I can kick your ass,” Helen said. “So do me a favor and go away.” 167
“It’ll be fine, Helen,” Jared said. “I’ll only be gone for about a half an hour, but I didn’t want to give Brin any window of opportunity. “ He nodded to the building hey were standing behind. “This is a Sanctuary. I’d prefer you stay out of it so that it won’t bring any demons inside to hurt, but if anyone shows up, get your ass inside.”168
“But you just told me not to.”169
“She argues about everything, doesn’t she?” Vaughn said. 170
“Behave, Hunter,” Jared warned. 171
Rolling his eyes in response, Vaughn leaned back against a box that sat by the back door to the lamina and brought up his hand to study his fingernails.172
Pissed off at his demeanor, Helen gritted her teeth as she looked at Jared. “Thanks,” she said. “Appreciate you leaving me in the care of someone that got their ass kicked by some Daimons the other night. He should hold up real well with Brin.”173
Snorting in amusement, Vaughn turned his hand over. “As I recall, you didn’t do too well against him, either.”174
“Why you-“ 175
“Quit your chattering,” Vaughn interrupted. “The quicker he leaves, the quicker he gets back.” He looked at her. “And the quicker I can be in the company of someone that doesn’t want to use my entrails for armbands.” 176
Jared looked from one to the other and shook his head. Although both talked a rather intense game, both were using it as a shield to keep people at bay. “I’ll be back before you know it,” he said. “Try not to kill each other while I’m gone.” 177
Watching as he vanished, Helen turned back to Vaughn. “Why are you here?”178
“I was asked to watch you.”179
“Why?”180
Vaughn sighed as he let his arrogance slip away for a few moments. “Because someone wants you dead for some stupid reason, and I’d prefer to keep you alive.”181
“Why?”182
“I don’t like seeing innocent people being punished for something they had no part in,” he replied. 183
“What would you know about this?”184
“I know nothing about this,” he admitted. “Only that someone wants your soul, and I can’t let that happen.” 185
“Wow,” Helen said, trying to cover the discomfort she felt at his words. She didn’t like to be indebted to someone like him on a level like that. “Who woulda guessed that underneath that asshole persona there was someone willing to look beyond his own needs.”186
Gritting his teeth when her insult hit far too close to home for comfort, he pushed himself off from the box he was sitting on. “You are about the most annoying person I’ve ever met,” he spat. 187
“Right back atcha,” she told him. 188
Infuriated, he inhaled through his nose as he tried to calm down. “Why do I even bother?” he asked, the breathing not working. “Save your life, and I get insulted.”189
”I’ll go inside and wait for Jared,” she said. ”So why don’t you just scurry along, vampire wannabe.” Turning, she took one step before something grabbed her arm and spun her back.190
“’Scuse me?” he asked, his tone low. 191
“You heard me,” she replied, raking him with an impolite stare. 192
“Of all the rude, sarcastic, ignorant, rude-“193
“You already said rude,” she interrupted. 194
“You are such a bitch.”195
“Yeah, but I’m really good at it.” 196
Before Vaughn knew what he was doing, he took a step forward, bent low and placed his lips firmly against hers. There was a moment’s hesitation, then her arms snaked around his shoulders and pulled him close as she took a step back. 197
Feeling the wall behind her, Vaughn hoisted Helen up slightly, his hand going between their bodies to rub the area between her waist and the top of her pants. Pulling him even closer, Helen shifted her body so that her middle was against his hip. 198
His fangs occasionally scraped against her lips as they kissed, and just when she started to feel light-headed from both the situation and lack of oxygen, he pulled back with a start. 199
“Holy shit,” he muttered. “I’m sorry.” 200
Looking down as she remained in his embrace, she could feel the battle he was waging within himself. His body showed definite signs of wanting to be with her, while his eyes avoided her gaze.201
“What’s the matter?” she asked, trying to sound nonchalant. “Finally remember that I’m a demon?”202
Anger passed through his eyes at her implication, and he took a step back. “Know something?” he asked, “I may be willing to screw a demon, but there’s no way I’ll fuck a bitch.” 203
Turning, he stormed away, punching at a dumpster as he passed, leaving a huge dent in the side. Stopping just past the dumpster, he remained where he was, glaring at her with enough malice that it made her skin crawl. Helen would have been completely pissed off at his actions had she not noticed that although he’d been cruel with his words, he hadn’t quite been able to hide the hurt in his voice.
In a list
Comments
-
“Less talk, more die,” Vaughn said, raising his hand and pulling the trigger on the gun her had. 117
'her' should be 'he'. That's the only typo I found in this chapter so good work. And man was that kiss hot. Reminds me of something that I wrote a little while back. It just came out of nowhere. One thing I really like about Vaughn is that he uses guns. Nice, effective, quick way to off a Daimon. Keep it up!
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
-
"Anger passed through his eyes at her implication, and he took a step back. “Know something?” he asked, “I may be willing to screw a demon, but there’s no way I’ll fuck a bitch.” "
i would have kicked in the nuts for that. be like 'bitch oh hell no.' XP
surprising kiss though. I still love Nim. HE is all cute with his - " “Jared is, now,” Nim said, happy to see him. “Where’d you go, what you do, why couldn’t Nim go, and…” He trailed off and cocked his head as he looked at the bed. “Should Nim come back later?” "
I sooooo want huggles him. he ish all cutie-kins and stuff. i want to be in the wolrd of dark0hunters
my life would be complete if i could...
be like 'hi i know real dark0hunters, demons, and gods that have nasty tempers, how r u.'
i would be put in the wacky shack but it would be worth it.
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
-
neophyte ... favorite word?
The pendant adds another facet to Vaughn. Is he one of those jerks that is really a good guy?
Never been pysical with Jared even when they share a bed? Barb, Barb, Barb
... platonic just seems so out of place in the Dark-Hunter realm.
Um, okay... next scene makes up for it. Don't think I can ever recall a Dark-Hunter getting a blowjob while on patrol. Vaughn's a perv, ain't he.
Oh, he does use knives, too.... an all around weapon user. And, awwww... that took up all his time, so.... no quickie in the alley. Poor Vaughn. There, there.
"honey buns"? wow, he sure likes to piss people off.
What? Kissing? And rubbing? " “I may be willing to screw a demon, but there’s no way I’ll fuck a bitch.” okay, um... ouch.
These two are at each other like horny enemies.
Adding your comment:
