Chapter Nine

 

“One hundred dollars for a pair of jeans? You’ve got to be shitting me?”

The saleswoman gasped and looked to Christoff for, what he suspected was support. He tried to hide his amusement. Neither he, nor the woman had any chance of besting Evangeline in a battle of wits.

“The price is quite reasonable for the quality, Miss.”

Evangeline turned to Christoff. “She’s trying to rip you off, Chris. I could buy five pairs for the same price on the other side of town.”

The woman opened her mouth to speak, but Christoff silenced her with an ice-cold stare. He’d spent a fortune in this store over the years. Is she wanted her commission, she’d better remember … the customer is always right. Forcing a smile, the saleswoman excused herself under the premise of finding more clothes for her belligerent customer to try on.

When she’d left, Evangeline continued her protest as she tugged at his sleeve.

“Seriously. Let’s go.”

“We’ll go, after we’ve replaced all of your old clothes.” He crossed his arms, hoping that she’d give up and accept her fate. They’d be leaving with new clothes.

“Fine.” She leaned in close, her eyes wide, her chin jutting forward. “If that’s the case, you’d better take me to Old Navy or Ross’s. Better still, a Goodwill store. That’s where I bought my old clothes.”

“Humor me.” He caught her chin between his finger and thumb and pulled her in for a short kiss. “I had to pull a few strings to have the store open late. At least try on some of the clothes.”

Before she could answer, the saleswoman returned with an armful of clothes and disappeared into the changeroom.

Evangeline rolled her eyes and mouthed an expletive at him before joining her.

He sat back in the large, comfortable guest chair and contemplated his future. The last few days had been joyful and, thankfully, uneventful. Other than complaining about the fit of the borrowed clothing, Evangeline had seemed happy and untroubled. They’d made arrangements to collect her mother’s remains from the funeral home and find a suitable place for her ashes. If the demon had contacted her, she’d kept the information to herself. Still, he worried. Why had the attacks on Evangeline suddenly ceased? What was it planning? When asked, she’d told him that she didn’t expect to see the demon again, but she refused to elaborate. He’d watched for signs and saw none. Why then did he have a sinking feeling that the worst was yet to come?

****

“That saleswoman must rub her hands together in glee when you walk in her store.”

Despite her annoyance, she couldn’t help but feel excited about her new clothes. Finally, after three days of agony, she’d be able to wear something without little flowers or animal patterns. Meaghan had a heart of gold, but the fashion sense of a ten-year-old.

Evangeline could hardly wait to show Christoff what was under the denim skirt and tank top, although the price of the underwear irked her. Where did the store get off charging three hundred dollars for the flimsy scraps of lace and satin? Still, she’d make sure he got his money’s worth with the sexy striptease she’d planned for later. Better still, she might even slip out of the panties at the restaurant and pass them to him during dinner as a hint of what to expect for dessert. Smiling to herself, she clung to his arm as they walked down the street to where they’d parked the car. He raised an eyebrow and smiled.

“Why do I have the impression that you’re planning something?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see—”

“Hey. If it isn’t Lurch. What are you doing in this neck of the woods?”

She recognized them immediately. Terry Palmer and his soon to be wife, Susie.

“Looks like you’ve been shopping.” Susie patted her belly as she spoke. “I’m going to have to do that soon. My clothes are getting a bit tight. Maybe you’d like to come with me, Evangeline? I don’t think this one will be any help.” She tilted her head towards Terry who looked slightly annoyed.

“Sure, I’d be happy to.” She tried to ignore the exchange of looks between the two men as they reacted to Susie’s invitation. Did they doubt her choice of clothes or was it more than that?

Susie’s melodious voice interrupted her train of thought.

 “We’re heading out to dinner.”

“Yeah, she’s not only got her appetite back, it’s doubled.” Terry interrupted.

His remark earned him a scowl before Susie turned her attention back to Evangeline. “Would you like to join us?”

Damn. There goes the panties under the table idea. As she prepared to agree, another voice interrupted. One that she’d hoped was gone forever. One that raised every hair on her body and churned the contents of her stomach.

 Miss me?

As the temperature of her skin rose and sweat began to bead on her forehead, Evangeline tried to remain calm. She’d fought him before and won. She could do it again. He’d admitted that he needed permission to take over her body and that sure as hell wasn’t going to happen any time soon. Christoff frowned his confusion while Terry and Susie looked uncomfortable as they waited for her answer. What could she do?

“Sure. That’ll be great.”

****

As she slipped her hand into his, Christoff gave it a squeeze and led her after the others as they hurried to the restaurant. Apparently, Terry hadn’t exaggerated about Susie’s appetite because they almost had to run to keep up. The décor seemed a bit kitsch for his taste, but then again, he rarely ate out and never in a group. Somehow, he didn’t mind the new experiences or the company.

After the waiter took their orders, he noticed the flush in Evangeline’s cheeks and leaned in to whisper his concern.

“Are you unwell?”

“I’m fine.”

Neither her forced smile, nor her words convinced him. What was she hiding? He closed his eyes and sighed. Of course. Her last experience in a restaurant had ended badly. It’s only natural that she’d have reservations about dinner, especially with people she hardly knew. He slid his hand over her thigh and squeezed, hoping his smile might reassure her.

“So.” Susie chirped, from her seat apposite Evangeline. “Can I pencil you in for a shopping trip next week?”

“Wouldn’t Anna or Meaghan be a better choice?” She’d seen photos of the women in the living room of the mansion. Photos taken before they’d been turned. Both women were gorgeous and dressed like the covers of Vogue magazine.

“They’ve gone away for a romantic weekend with their hubbies. Besides, I don’t feel comfortable in the stores where they shop. Please, please, please come with me?”

Evangeline shrugged. “I guess so, but are you sure you want me to help you choose?” she motioned to her ensemble. “I’m a bit rough around the edges.”

“Rubbish.” Susie scowled. “I love your fashion sense. Besides, I’m going to be the hippest, coolest mom in town with your help.”

“Hip? Cool?” Terry choked on his drink of water. “Not using those outdated words, hun.”

Christoff listened to the playful banter with amusement. Despite the back and forth of what seemed to him to be insults, he sensed the affection in both the tone and rhythm of the words. Moreover, he enjoyed the way the conversation brought a smile to Evangeline’s lips. She, too, found amusement in the conversation and even joined in at times to defend Susie.

He leaned back in his seat, crossed his arms over his chest and drank in the joyfulness as his companions worked like a tonic to his broken soul. According to Evangeline, the demon was gone, which usually meant it was time to move on. Somehow, he could not contemplate leaving Azure Waters or his new friends. Friends? Is that what they were? He’d never stayed in one place long enough to know how it felt. Even David was more of a brother than a friend, until now. Now … he had no compulsion to leave any of them, especially Evangeline.

Another roar of laughter drew his attention back to the conversation. Evangeline wiped away tears as she composed herself. At first, he assumed the obvious and smiled to think she’d grown comfortable with their companions. However, behind the joyful tears, he saw real sorrow and reached to touch her hand. She turned to him, rewarded him with a half-smile, then excused herself from the table.

“But our food’s just arrived,” Susie protested, as the waiter placed the meals on the table.

“I won’t be long.” Evangeline promised. She took one step away from the table, then turned back to Christoff. With a hand on each of his cheeks, she drew his face to hers and kissed him deeply. “I love you,” she whispered, leaving before he could reciprocate.

****

Christoff’s key in hand, she hurried back to the car while the demon reminded her how he would punish her if she changed her mind.

“Alright, you fucker, you’ve won. I’m on my way. At least give me some time to myself and my own thoughts until we’ve sealed the deal.”

Beside the car, she froze. Would she be strong enough to pull this off? The deserted street only added to her pain. Alone again. She’d lived most of her life on the road, trying to make the money to save her mother. If only she’d tried honesty instead of trickery. Maybe if she’d asked Christoff for the money, her mother would be… No. Chris’s doctors had said that there was nothing to be done. What could conventional medicine do to counteract demon blood? Anger bubbled up from her core. The demon might think he was going to win, but she had other plans.

****

“Hello, again.”

Evangeline sized up the middle-aged man who waited for her on the private beach and recognized him as the guy from the library. His clothes still reeked of menthol and body odor.

“You’ve sunk to a new low,” she told the demon. “Couldn’t you have found someone less repulsive?”

The man shrugged. “This one accepted me without hesitation. You see, my dear, killing is in his nature.” The corner of his mouth curled into a sneer and he winked. “If you do not comply, he will take great delight in slicing up your pretty friend and her fetus.”

“If you touch her…”

“You’ll what? Face it. If I want her dead, there’s nothing you can do to stop it. She’s human and vulnerable while her vampire friends are sequestered in their home during the day. All I have to do is—”

“Stop it.” Evangeline took a deep breath. “I’ve agreed to your terms, now, give me what I asked.”

The demon opened his hand and held his palm out flat to reveal two metal scrolls.

“You’re a clever little gypsy. I can’t wait to start our journey together.”

She snatched the scrolls from his hand and carefully unrolled them one at a time. The first was the new contract, promising that he’d never hurt Susie, the baby, or anyone else in the group. The second made her sick to her stomach. How could her father give her away to a demon? With one final look, she spat on the offending object and threw it to the sand.

“Destroy it.”

He smiled as blue flames shot from his fingertips, hitting the scroll with a force that left nothing but a haze of yellow dust in its wake. “Satisfied?”

She held out her hand, palm up.

“The locket.”

“Ah, yes.” He reached into his pocket and produced the locket. “I was hoping you’d forgotten.”

“I’m sure you were.” She seized the locket and placed the new scroll inside before turning her attention back to the scruffy meat suit. “What about him? When you leave him to hijack my body, what’s to stop him hurting my friends?”

The demon chuckled. “There’s nothing left of him. He is but a shell. Once I am gone, he will die. More’s the pity. He could have been useful. Ah, well. Let’s get on with it. Did you bring the dagger?”

Reaching behind the band of her jeans, she produced the weapon. For a moment, she considered driving it into his chest, but reconsidered. He’d warned her what he’d do to Susie and her baby if she tried to back out of her agreement. Told her in graphic detail. There was no escaping her fate. She had to obey him or risk the lives of people who had shown her kindness.

She held out the dagger with both hands. “What do you want me to do with it?”

“I only need a little blood.” He told her breathlessly, making the hairs on her neck stand at attention. He couldn’t hide his excitement. She wondered if her own expression mirrored her feelings of revulsion as he leaned closer. “Just a nick at the wrist will be sufficient. When I merge with your blood, I will enter every organ in your body.” Pinching her chin between his finger and thumb, he forced her to face him. “Don’t fret, it will all be over soon.”

With no other choice, she raised the dagger and drew the blade across her wrist. Blood immediately trickled from the wound and the demon’s eyes widened as he licked his lips.

“Good girl.”

The meatsuit closed its eyes and dropped to the floor as Evangeline felt the demon enter her body. Pain surged through her, driving her to her knees as she fought his control. Their spirits clashed in a power struggle while she waited for the exact moment to strike. Blood dripped onto the medallion as she held it beneath her open wrist. The seal snapped shut. Binding the contract inside. Forcing the demon to keep his end of the bargain.

“Stop fighting me.” He screamed inside her head. “I am part of you now. You cannot drive me from your blood.”

“Wanna bet?”

With a quick, accurate sweep of the blade, she sliced from wrist to elbow on her left hand before swapping the dagger to her other hand to repeat the action. Blood pooled by her sides as the demon roared. “What have you done? Fool. You have killed yourself for nothing. I will return in another form once you have bled out.”

****

“No, you won’t.” Christoff caught Evangeline as she slumped to the sand, kneeling beside her. “Will you let me help you, min dyrebare?”

She stared up at him through hooded eyes and smiled. “It’s over, Chris. I had to stop him from hurting anyone else through me. I only wish I could have destroyed him altogether.”

“It’s not over.” He lifted her, holding her tight against his chest. “There is a way to defeat him, but it comes at a cost.”

“Anything. I’ll do anything to stop him.”

Tilting her head to the side, he tenderly kissed her throat, briefly savoring the sweet perfume of her skin before sinking his fangs into her carotid artery. Instantly, he felt the power struggle as he drew the demon into his own body. The woman in his arms flailed a little before going limp. He prayed she would survive the experience. Without her, life as he knew it would end.

As the demon merged with his blood, it encountered another foe. One that had resided in Christoff’s blood since the day he first became a vampire. A demon as old as time, who did not take kindly to sharing its host with another.

Christoff fell backwards on the sand, still cradling Evangeline in his arms as he fought to hold her demon at bay. The pain cut through him like a knife as the demons battled, each wanting to control his body. When the latest intruder surrendered and tried to flee, he was forced to endure the wrath of both. No way could he let it loose, not until—

“We’re here.”

He opened his eyes and sighed as David and his family formed a circle around him and his love. As they joined hands, Anna nodded. Her sign to release the demon did not go unnoticed. With a roar, he expelled the demon from his blood. A dark cloud hovered over their heads. Christoff ignored it, leaving Anna to deal with the demon. Evangeline’s heart fluttered its last beat as he gnawed a gash in his wrist and held it to her mouth. The blood trickled down her chin, but she did not appear to drink. Overly cautious, he’d taken care to ensure there was no trace of the demon in her blood before attempting to turn her. A vampire with her power and a demon soul would have been disastrous. Had he waited too long? Was it too late?

The sounds of thunder drowned out Anna’s chant. Lightning forked through the night sky and rain began to fall as the demon showered their heads with sparks of electricity. Christoff covered Evangeline with his body when Anna’s voice rose in volume and her body glowed with ethereal light. Pressure around them built, the mass above them pulsed and deepened in color.

Beneath him, something stirred. A soft groan spoke volumes to his heart. Evangeline.

“Help me up.” As she rose with his assistance, she took the medallion from her pocket, skimmed some of the blood from her wrist and smeared it over the embossed locket. It sprung open in her hand. “Are you ready?”

Anna nodded in response to her question, although her focus remained on the object floating above their heads.

“Let my blood seal your fate.”

A gust of wind drew what was left of the demon into the locket. As it snapped shut, Anna clamped her hand down over Evangeline’s. A blinding red light burst from between their fingers as their combined power permanently sealed the locket.

“Is it over?” She gazed up into his eyes, expecting an answer. He had none. He asked the same question of Anna.

“Yes. It’s over.” She smiled, turning her attention back to Evangeline who was placing the medallion into her pocket. “I think I have something else that belongs to you.”

They gripped forearms, sparks flying as something mystical seem to pass between them. Even the Corels appeared to be surprised by the phenomenon.

“Phew. I don’t know whether to be relieved or depressed about giving that back. I’ve never felt anything like that. You’re more powerful than I ever imagined.” Anna leaned against her husband for support. “Thanks for the loan.”

****

“It’s me who should be doing the thanking.” Evangeline told her. “If it wasn’t for you, all of you, I’d be dead.” She gazed at the faces of her saviors. Every one of them had risked their necks to save her.

Anna gave her the warmest of smiles. “It’s the least we could do. Susie and the baby are precious to us. You gave your life for them. There’s no greater sacrifice.”

“Holy shit.” Evangeline’s hand shot to her mouth. “So, I really am dead?”

“Technically, you’re undead.” Meaghan informed her. “It takes a while to get used to it.”

“I think I need a drink.” She slipped her fingers between Christoff’s and squeezed, grateful for the opportunity to do so.

“Umm. What about this fellow?” David tilted his head in the direction of the discarded body on the beach. “Should we let the sharks have him?”

“Let me clean up my own mess.” Evangeline pointed her free hand at the man who had blackened her eye at the library. The man whose soul was as black as the night’s sky. With a flick of her wrist, she set his body alight. Within seconds, not even a speck of ash remained.

“Geez. Remind me never to upset her.” Derrick told his wife as they all headed towards the house.