CHAPTER 4
Pyx wandered aimlessly. She needed to put a plan in order. If the Fallen wasn’t interested in finding his muse then she may have to find the muse and bring her to him.
How in Beneath would she recognize a woman even the Fallen wouldn’t know until he got right next to her? And if what he’d said was true, he wasn’t anywhere near her right now.
“Shouldn’t be my job. Why is this Fallen able to resist the compulsion to his muse?”
The Sinistari were usually summoned right before the moment when the Fallen would attempt its muse. Demon arrives with sharp, pointy blade. Shoves it in the Fallen’s heart. Muse saved. No nephilim is born. Deed done.
“Do others of my breed have this same problem?”
She wasn’t going to think because I’m a woman. But she did consider her past mishap. She’d walked the earth in complete demon form then, so that didn’t apply now.
“Well, I can handle it.”
She shrugged up the tight-fitting blue jean coat she’d purchased from a woman’s store. The wrists were trimmed with thick fox fur. Along the sleeves the fabric was tugged together military-style with gold buttons and chains. She’d exchanged her male jeans for some skin-hugging black leather pants. The sales clerk had tried to convince her a corset would look stunning on her but Pyx had opted for a comfortable gray T-shirt. High heels had looked a bit dangerous, so she’d opted for a two-inch heel on some pointy-toed black crocodile ankle boots.
She could have easily assumed the costume with a thought, but the shopping part had been—fun. And it had given her clues to what women wore.
She wasn’t sure about the makeup thing, but the sales clerk had directed her to the cosmetics department where a commando clerk had attacked her with a free makeover, brushing, spraying and stroking on various types of smelly products. Now Pyx toted a bag full of more smelly stuff with the promise it would enhance her ability to attract a man.
“As long as the man is Fallen,” she muttered. “And not a bloodsucker.”
She veered down a street before a grand railway station and read the name of the building. “The Gare du Nord.” Hundreds of people filed in and out, destined for other cities, or returning from trips.
“Try Germany,” she called to a passing family of five lugging suitcases. “The schnitzel is awesome.”
The father shuffled his kids away from her as if she’d said something obscene. Pyx just smiled. She nicked a wallet from the back pocket of a man arguing with his girlfriend and inspected the contents as her path led her away from the busy area.
A hundred euros and a bunch of credit cards. She picked out the gold credit card because she liked it best, then tossed the wallet into a nearby trash can.
Eyeing a restaurant across the street that advertised wine from the Rhône river valley and fresh scallops, Pyx was distracted by a shadow moving across the street. It had been a blur, a person moving much more swiftly than mortals were capable of doing.
Feeling a twinge of instinct, Pyx decided food could wait. Striding onward, bag full of makeup banging against her hip, she angled toward the alley where she’d seen the blur go.
At the end of the alley she noticed it again. It stopped long enough so she could plainly see it was a man. He exposed fangs and chuckled, then took off to the right.
Stuffing the credit card in a back pocket, she took off after him. He moved in a zigzag pattern farther away from the city center. Eventually he blurred into a brick building where all the lower windows had been broken out.
Pyx stomped across broken glass and debris of boards into the darkness. “Here, bloody vampire. Come out, come out, wherever you are.”
She shoved off her jacket and tossed it aside, dropping her bag of makeup on top. Cracking her knuckles, she strode to the center of the empty three-story room. “You wanted me to follow? Well, here I am!”
Slammed bodily from the side, Pyx took the brunt force of the vampire’s hefty frame with ease. She twisted at the waist and pushed him away from her. The vampire stepped through the shove, circling toward her and chuckling maniacally. His blue eyes were bloodshot, and his thin lips curled.
Did he think a little flash of fang was going to intimidate her?
Pyx didn’t have to touch him; she had a few tricks up her sleeve.
She made a shoving-away gesture through the air before her. The vampire gasped and went flying, his shoulders hitting the wall, but he landed on both feet and immediately marked a determined stride toward her.
“You’re strong for a girl,” he said.
“Yeah? You’re an idiot for a vampire. Oh, wait. All vampires are idiots. My bad.”
She waited for him to charge and took the impact full force, his shoulders barreling into her chest. Okay, that one hurt. Felt like something broke, but her insides were metal so that couldn’t be. Still, this mortal flesh was too damned tender.
The two of them stumbled, Pyx backward, the vampire pushing her. They landed on the concrete floor in a grappling roll. He managed to kick her in the gut, which hurt even more. She punched his jaw, which sent spittle of crimson puddling across the floor.
“Don’t you know what I am?” she demanded, furious this insolent creature dared not show her the reverence she deserved.
“Sinistari.” He jumped up and brushed the dust from his leather coat sleeves. “I’m not much for demons. You do not deserve the respect you demand.”
“We are the kings of the demon realm,” she stated, defying him with the entitlement. She snatched Joe from the sheath under her arm—no matter the new clothing, she never went anywhere without Joe. “You will die for your insolence.”
“Whatever. You look more a princess than a king. Your lipstick is smeared.”
Pyx touched her mouth. Really? But the color she’d chosen was so pretty….
The vampire pulled out a gun and fired.
Pyx took the bullet in her shoulder. It burned like hell’s fire, but it was not going to kill her.
And if the vampire didn’t watch it, he’d piss her off. And she did not play well when pissed. She swiped at the corner of her mouth, frustrated more by the greasy smear of red.
Screw the lipstick.
“Why are you playing with me? Got an itch you need to scratch, buddy? Just to let you know, I don’t do bloodsuckers.”
“I wouldn’t touch your damned ass with haz-mat gloves on,” the vampire replied.
Pyx lifted a brow, fighting a wince from the pain. “Anyone ever tell you that charm will get you a stake in the heart?” Not that she’d remembered to bring along a stake…
“It’s my business to keep an eye on you, Sinistari.” He waved the gun menacingly. “Keep you away from the Fallen one.”
“So it was me those idiot vamps were after last night?” And here she’d been sure it was Cooper.
“You and the Fallen. You catch sight of the muse yet?” he asked as he paced before her. A swipe of his sleeve wiped the blood from his mouth, leaving a smear she figured resembled her mouth.
“If I had seen a muse, I wouldn’t tell you. I’m tired of this conversation. You need to be gone.”
She flung out her hand, directing her energy toward the vamp, but he ducked and managed to fire the gun again. This time the bullet pierced her outstretched hand.
Pyx gripped the searing pain. “Now you’ve pissed me off.”
Letting out a throaty growl, she began to shed her mortal costume with a shake of her shoulders. The Sinistari were forged from fluid metal as sinuous as flesh but stronger than any known mortal substance. They were virtually indestructible, unless a stronger opponent faced them down.
Vampires were not stronger.
The shift complete, she stood a head higher than when in mortal costume. Her black metal body pulsed with the vicious desire to do some damage. Tightening her fists and twisting her horned head, Pyx eyed the vampire.
The bastard didn’t even flinch. In fact, he smiled and tore open his shirt to reveal a tattoo emblazoned across his abdomen. From waist to under his nipples a bizarre sketch of ancient sigils covered every inch of flesh.
Demon wards. And it looked as if he wore a sigil for every demon that stalked this realm and all the other realms.
The vampire wasn’t an idiot after all.
“Points for you,” Pyx growled.
She felt the ward’s repulsive force scream out toward her and shiver within her metallic frame. It squealed, high-pitched and sharp. The noise was unbearable.
Clamping a hand over one ear, she struggled to face her opponent, but knew it was fruitless. Pyx turned, snatched her coat and bag with a talon, and ran. Before she reached the door, she flashed…
…and landed in her apartment living room, naked and resumed of mortal flesh.
“That vampire was not playing fair,” she muttered, pressing her forehead into the soft fur edging the coat sleeves. “And he’s after me.”
And if properly warded, which he had been, he stood a chance at defeating her.
“Damn it. I’ve got to find that bloody muse, and quick, before he comes back.”
* * *
Cooper wasn’t sure why vampires were tracking him, but he wasn’t about to stand with arms wide open and welcome them to do as they pleased. It wasn’t smart to rip out their hearts when an innocent bystander may witness—not to mention the mess—but damn, it had felt good.
He had to be careful. If this realm were to become his permanent home, he must learn to play by the rules, and respect mortals.
But that didn’t mean he had to play nice with the vampires.
Elbows to the glass counter, he looked over the bowie knives as the store owner observed him. This little shop was tucked in the fifth arrondissement at the end of a street that catered to tourists with video stores and T-shirt shops.
“The handle is pure silver,” the owner said. “Pretty thing, isn’t she?”
Cooper stabbed the weapon into the wooden beam stretched floor to ceiling, designed for such purpose. He knew a blade wouldn’t stop a vampire, but it might slow one down.
What he needed was a fancy stake like Pyx had sported. But he suspected she wasn’t the type to share, unless he begged. And put chocolate and bananas on top.
He did love her appetite. But that was obviously the gluttony shining through. If the girl weren’t careful she might have to let out her snug-fitting leather pants a bit.
On the other hand, eat away, pretty demon. It may slow her down if he ever did stumble across his muse.
“You have any crosses?”
The owner tilted his head quizzically. “There’s a religious shop down the street,” he said, pointing. “You buying that?”
“Yes.” Cooper laid the knife on the glass counter. “And give me a couple of those, too.” He gestured to the fourpointed throwing stars on the wall behind the counter.
“That’ll be seven-hundred-fifty,” the owner said, sliding the weapons toward him.
Cooper placed his palm on the owner’s forehead and put into his mind the image of him handing over a stack of euro notes. After he’d berated Pyx for stealing the apartment, he should look to his own actions and stop throwing stones. Yet he had no means to employment or an ID card or driver’s license. He was off the grid and intended to remain so until he’d found his halo.
It wasn’t stealing when he planned to use the weapons to destroy something that could harm or even kill humans.
Tucking the blade at the back of his jeans and the stars in the pockets of his black wool pea coat, Cooper walked out onto the sidewalk and almost tripped over a spunky redhead.
Pyx hooked her arm in his and together they went down the sidewalk. Perky ponytails sprang out at either side of her head. Rouge brightened her cheeks and gloss shimmered on her lips. She smelled…fruity.
“Is this a date?” he asked.
“No, it’s a walkby kidnapping. I’m taking you to find your muse.”
“Ain’t gonna happen, Pretty in Pink. I haven’t sensed her at all in Paris. That’s why I’m here. What’s with the fur?”
“I like this jacket. It’s fun. And so is the pink T-shirt. It’s a girl color, isn’t it?” she asked with strange hope.
“You trying to be feminine? Why is it so difficult for you?”
“I don’t know. It’s just…weird. How would you feel if you suddenly had these?” She cupped her breasts.
Cooper whistled. “I think they’d feel pretty good. Can I touch?”
“No. I mean, it’s taking time to adjust. But I thought the lipstick a good move.” She pursed her lips and puckered like a fish. “You think?”
“Watch who you make that face at, Pyx, you just may find a boyfriend.”
“No time for that stuff.”
“There’s always time for letting others into your heart.”
“Didn’t you used to be some kind of warrior?”
He felt the dig all the way to his gut. Yes, a warrior on a path of righteous glory. Such glory is never pretty.
“You’ve softened, buddy,” Pyx continued. “Letting people into your heart? Our hearts are adamant and they don’t beat.”
“Just because the blood doesn’t flow in and out doesn’t mean we can’t feel.”
“Says the guy who ripped out a vampire’s heart without a second thought last night.”
“That was different. You don’t want to go and fall in love with a bloodsucker.”
And he suspected Pyx could feel emotion too, because right now she was uncertain about his mention of boyfriends and hearts. She was experiencing the same emotions all mortals felt. It was impossible not to when treading earth. Compassion and empathy and love and admiration were weird though, he had to admit.
Violence had always come easily to him. Still did. Only now he must take a second to think it through before doing something rash, and usually that second changed his mind. It never would have before, when he’d served the angelic ranks.
That had been his past. Violence and aggression was the one part of humanity he despised. If he wanted to move ahead, he had to embrace a new mindset.
Maybe he could use Pyx’s emotional confusion to his advantage. He knew he’d never get a demon to trust him, but perhaps he could interest her in the sensual delights, maybe a little seduction. If it changed her mind about slaying him, he’d give it a go.
It was either that or rip out her heart. And right now, he kind of liked where it was, inside and behind those gorgeous breasts.
“So did you kill many when you were a real angel?” she asked suddenly.
“A real angel?” It was difficult not to take offense at every other word that came out of her mouth, and yet, Cooper found he preferred Pyx’s rough edges to someone who would speak only to please him. Humans did that a lot. “I served in Puriel’s ranks. I guess you could say we participated in much smiting.”
“And you chose to fall because you weren’t into the smiting?”
“I can smite with the best of them,” he said defensively. But his anger cooled quickly. The need to not smite had surfaced thanks to an angel friend who’d made him see more than just the holy light. “Smiting serves no purpose now.”
He wouldn’t tell her it had taken a Fallen one to point that out to him. He wondered what had become of Kadesch. When they’d Fallen, each of the two hundred angels had touched earth in different areas of the world, some—because of the length and velocity of the fall—even in different time periods.
She stepped off the curb. Cooper tugged Pyx’s arm, stopping them at the street corner where the light flashed red. She would walk against the light if he let her, but if she were going to hang with him, the woman had better start learning the law, if only not to draw attention to the demon and angel standing on the street corner.
“What are you doing?” Cooper swept a long look down her bopping figure.
She shifted her hips from side to side and snapped a finger near her ear. “Jiving.”
“To what?” He now noticed she wore something in her ears. The small devices that played music were everywhere. Cooper popped one of them out and put it in his ear. He liked the funky tune. “Nice.”
She nodded, working her shoulders into her impromptu shimmy. The demon had no grasp on her sexuality. Men walking by stretched their necks watching her movements.
Casting a sneer at one man who stared far too long, Cooper then clasped Pyx’s hands.
“May I have this dance?” Instead of waiting for her reply, he led her in a mock waltz, there on the street corner. Their steps were not on the beat at all. Didn’t matter. Holding Pyx close to him was all the music he needed.
“That’s not the way to dance to this music,” she said, but followed his steps. One of her ponytails bonked him on the forehead. She laughed and popped a big pink bubble of gum. “Street waltzing. I can dig it!”
Cooper twisted her under his arm, spinning her once. The move tore out the earbuds as he hooked her over his arm into a dramatic dip. Pyx stretched one arm high over her head in a ballroom-worthy finale and kicked up one leg.
Behind them, clapping erupted from a singular source.
Drawing his partner up to stand, Cooper turned to find an older woman with gray hair and sensible shoes performing enthusiastic applause. He and Pyx exchanged winks.
He bowed grandly, then offered for the woman’s hand. “May I have this dance, madame?”
The old woman giggled and allowed him to dance her side to side with only the rhythm of traffic to guide their steps. He moved slowly, allowing her careful steps, then ended in a grand-yet-painfully-slow twirl. The woman pealed out a bright giggle as she spun up to his chest where her eyes were level to his diaphragm.
Cooper could feel her delight deep in his chest. It felt damn good. Humanity was all he’d expected it to be. He kissed her cheek and thanked her.
When Cooper turned to Pyx the demon stood with arms clasped before her, a smile softening her tilted face.
“Sorry,” he said, splaying out his hands in surrender. “I like to dance.”
“Apparently.” Though her tone sounded more appreciative than blaming. “This world has gotten under your mortal skin, Fallen one. That can’t be a good thing.”
“It’s not good. It’s awesome.”
“To each his own.”
“You liked the dance. Admit it.”
“I’ve a plan,” she said, ignoring his ribbing. “Let’s go to your place.”
“My place?” he offered. “I’d rather hunt vampires. I need to test my new weapons.”
“So would I. More action.” She snapped into a fighter stance and punched the air between them a couple times. “But what you don’t understand about me is that I have a goal. And that goal won’t be met until you’ve found your muse.”
“Let me guess. Your goal is to kill me.”
“You got it, buddy.”
The light changed and they began to walk, arm in arm, a strange couple if only the world were aware.
Cooper couldn’t fault her for wanting to do her job. But she was going to have a tough time of it trying to convince him to do his job. It wasn’t even a job, it was some kind of freaky innate compulsion.
“Why does a demon have to prove herself to her fellow Sinistari?”
A shrug of her shoulder and her pace moved faster. “Maybe it’s a girl thing. Just never felt I fit in,” she called back. “Always.”
He joined her and grabbed her hand again to hold her closer. “Always?”
“Never felt as though I’ve been in place, if that makes sense. Look at me. I’m a chick who thinks she should be a guy. And Beneath! Don’t get me started on that place.”
He could only imagine Beneath was as dismal and menacing as the Ninth Void. Had he not been summoned to earth he would still be there, awaiting final judgment. Why had he been summoned? The question niggled, but not enough to worry about it. He was free. He was not going to question that.
“So your goal on earth is to prove yourself to the Sinistari,” he guessed.
“Yep. What’s your goal?” she asked.
“Finding my halo.” He strode up the street. His apartment was ahead. As was hers.
“Your halo? I’ve never heard of a Fallen looking for his halo. You need it because it’s a mighty weapon in your hands?”
“Something like that.” Sure, it was a weapon, but Cooper wanted to find his halo for reasons he could never explain to a demon who’d marked him as a target. “Got a means to track an angel’s halo?”
“Maybe.”
He smirked and slowed to allow her to catch up. “You have no idea how to track a halo.”
“I didn’t say that. I’m just not willing to do something for you until you do something for me.”
“Sweetie, the something you want me to do involves my death. My halo won’t hold much importance after that.”
“Yeah well, life is tough.”
Cooper stopped before his building and gripped her by the upper arm. She didn’t struggle, because his sudden move made her barge into him, and she tried to hold her balance. He preferred her unsure and not so cocky. “Let’s make a bargain, shall we?”
“If you think you can trade sex for favors…”
“I didn’t say a thing about sex.”
“You were giving me that look.”
“What look?”
“That hungry look. The same look you were giving every woman in the club. The same look you had on your face after kissing me. You have no shame.”
“I like kissing, is all. Kissing is an art form. It is a pleasurable means of exploring touch, taste and smell. Aren’t you indulging in the senses, Pyx? After my imprisonment I can’t get enough of it all.”
“Don’t have time for silly stuff.”
“You like to eat.”
“Food keeps my energy up.”
“You like clothing.” He stroked a palm down her arm, his fingers clicking the gold buttons. “Tell me what it feels like, the fur about your wrists. Is it soft? Sensual?”
“You are the strangest angel I’ve known.” She moved around to his right.
Cooper dodged to block her escape. “Know a lot of angels, then?”
“Actually, no.”
“Well, then. I think you need to let your freak flag fly.”
“My what?”
“You should be indulging in all the mortal sins,” he said. “That is what the Sinistari do.”
“I have been. I steal. I eat. I…put art on my body. I take great pride in the vanity of looking good. I haven’t stopped chewing this delicious gum since I got here. It’s full of sugar and I’m sure it’ll rot my teeth.”
“Ohh, you are a rebellious one. But no interest in sex?”
“Is sex a sin?”
“Yes. No. It’s a beautiful act between a man and a woman in love. But lust can be sinful.”
“Oh, I’ve been lusting.”
“Have you?”
About who, he wanted to know. But he’d hit a nerve in the demon. A nerve so new to her she couldn’t process the uncomfortable sensation. He liked that she wasn’t so sure of everything. That meant she was learning, becoming more human.
And, that she wasn’t on top of her game.
“It’s because I’m a girl, right? You think I can’t be tough and all in your face like a Sinistari should be? Well, try this one on for size.”
When he felt the prick of a blade at his spine, Cooper put up his hands in surrender.
She was tough. Tougher than she realized. And he did have a healthy fear for what she and her blade, Joe, could do to him. But she was new to this world. He had at least two weeks on her. And he must use that to his advantage to stay alive.
Even if it meant seducing the enemy.