Eban (8 page)

“The angel. We saw him. Or Wystan did. He looks like a man to me. Well, maybe not a man. He could be Seere's twin. I assumed he was another demon, but Wys was wary of him from the second they laid eyes on each other.” Rhia picked Beryl's crumpled dress off the floor and wrinkled her nose. “We should get you into a bath. You'll feel better. Then you can explain why the town is suddenly falling apart again.”

An hour later, dressed in clean clothes and nursing a cup of strong coffee, Beryl had recounted most of the details over the week. There was no sign of the Heckmasters and she couldn't decide if that was good or bad.

Rhia's brow furrowed as she listened. “So the angel, Eliakim, is here to help Eban with a problem he won't tell you about. And Tell thinks Eban's…one of them now.”

“I think so. Everything is a mess.”

“Wys will get it straightened out.” But Rhia didn't sound sure. “I feel like half of this is my fault. I drove Eban away from him. If he's acting strange, it's because of me.”

“That's not true.” Beryl laid her hand over Rhia's. “Maybe he'll change his mind and things will go back to normal.”

It seemed unlikely. Eban had more cause to want to go now that he had yesterday. With Tell raging at him and his jealousy over Wystan's good fortune, Eban might pack up the second he returned to the clinic.

If he returned.

“I don't like to see them fighting. This town won't survive without all of them united.” Rhia took a long drink from her cup.

Beryl stared out the kitchen window, hoping to see the three of them walking down the street with smiles on their faces. It was a foolish hope—the kind of scene they might never see again. Her headache was beginning to recede and her nausea was gone, but she didn't like the idea of trying to explain the parts of her past she'd remembered to her friend.

“Rhia, do you think people can change? For the better?”

“I think Berner's proof that anyone can turn over a new leaf. What are all these demons doing here if that isn't the case?”

“I think…I think I wasn't a wholesome person in the past. That I did bad things to get by. I don't want to go back to that kind of life. I want to start fresh, but all this trouble in town makes me wonder if that's possible.” She stared at the tabletop. “I don't know if I deserve a second chance.”

“Don't say that. You're my friend. We've stood together during a lot of bad times. You'll always be like a sister to me.” Rhia leaned over and hugged her. “Nothing in the past matters anymore.”

Grateful for Rhia's support, she closed her eyes and returned the hug. “I'm not sure the future looks any better. If Eban leaves and Astaroth escapes, we might not have much of a future.”

She knew she shouldn't mention it since Rhia was newly wed and looking forward to making a life with Wystan, but the undeniable truth glared at Beryl.

Rhia drew back and gave her a long, serious look. “Does Eban leaving have something more to do with feelings for him than worries about what a certain prince of Hell is up to?”

“I don't want him to go.” She drew in a deep breath. “I even offered myself to him, but he was too noble. It was dumb thing to do. I think I've been in love with him since the first day. He doesn't see me like that. I wanted to die of embarrassment when I woke up this morning. He was typical Eban, taking care of me, but he never has the look in his eyes like he wants to be more than friends.”

Rhia laughed. “There are plenty of worse places to wake up than Eban's bed. He does care about you. It's just a matter of getting him to see it. Sometimes men are too stubborn for their own good. Now, Sylvie's going to start wondering where I am and she'll irritate the Yues so much that they'll never let her stay again. I want to show you what I got her in Santa Fe for her birthday.”

“Her birthday party is still on for tomorrow?” Beryl hoped she wouldn't wander off and have another night like the previous evening. It wouldn't do to show up at Sylvie's party with a splitting headache and smelling like a liquor den.

“Unless Wys decides differently.” There was a note of worry in Rhia's voice. She covered it with a smile. “Besides, I might have gotten you a present as a thank you for looking after the school while I was gone.”

“You didn't need to do that. They're good kids, and I even had fun.” Except for the day she'd dismissed class early.

“I wanted to. Come on, let's go see and then I'll release the Yues from Sylvie's clutches.” Rhia rose and pulled Beryl along with her.

Things had been strange since Rhia and Wystan left for their honeymoon and Beryl was relieved to have them back. Rhia's bright, bubbly presence made everything seem less frightening.

Eliakim wasn't in sight as they exited the building. Maybe Wystan had demanded he go with them, or the angel had wandered away on his own. Between the three of them, she was sure they could get Eliakim to leave and whatever problem Eban had called him for would vanish with the Heckmaster brothers together again.

Chapter Eight

Eban folded his arms and met Wystan's hard stare. The silence surging between them made his ears ring, but he kept his jaw clenched. Tell picked his teeth with the short silver knife he'd threatened Eban with the other night. He appeared unconcerned about the silence as he pulled the blade from his mouth and examined the tip.

“I'm sure your reasons for summoning an angel were noble, but it was pretty damn stupid.” Wystan's bowie knife lay on his desktop, sheathed in its timeworn leather case. Lost in the battle weeks ago, it had turned up again at the same time Seere brought Eban's repaired blade back. “How do we know if we can trust him? Nothing we have here can banish him. He'd laugh in our faces if we threw a vial of holy water at him.”

“Maybe we could focus on the fact that Beryl is still demon possessed? Eliakim is the least of our problems. If we don't get Rosemar out of her head, Beryl isn't going to be with us much longer.” He squeezed his fists, letting his fingernails dig into his palms. The physical pain was no match for the sadness he felt when he thought about losing her.

Wystan rubbed his temples. “I'm thrilled that you've decided to save Beryl. She's a great girl, Eb, but sometimes the other side wins. You know that.”

Their sister's name hung in the air, unspoken.

“And I appreciate that you're still glowing from your honeymoon, that everything is perfect in your world, but there are other people here too. Some of them deserve our complete attention. If Rosemar destroys Beryl, that's letting the other side win. I realize neither of you cares about her, but I'm not allowing that thing to destroy her.”

“Never mind that Seere could send you on a death mission because you just had to have that book.” Tell flicked the blade Eban's direction. “We think it's mighty fine you want to save humans, but we have to look at this on a bigger scale than the one you went and fell in love with.”

Heat like the waves the Pit put off scorched Eban's flesh. “I'm not—for God's sake, it's not about love. It's about common decency.”

Wystan was silently studying Tell.

Tell shrugged. “Whatever you say.”

“I'll be damned,” Wystan muttered. “He doesn't even know.”

“I'm not—” Eban glared at them. “She's my friend. I don't care about her past, or how Rosemar got in her head. All I care about is getting her well and then leaving this rotten little hellhole. If that means taking her with me so neither of you can hurt her, so be it.”

“It's serious.” Tell waved the knife in a circle. “He's completely gone, it just ain't hit him yet.”

“What's that supposed to mean?” Eban snapped.

Wystan smirked. “Means you have a thick head.”

Tell sobered. “We'd better figure out how to help him. If he realizes he's in love with a woman who's not going to last the year in her current condition, he's liable to go full demon.”

“Will you two stop talking about me like I'm not here?”

Wystan rubbed his chin. “You're right. Bad enough he wants to leave, we'd have to lock him up and throw away the key if he lost her.”

“Enough,” Eban growled. “I'm not in love with Beryl.”

“Seere won't do anything, this Eliakim's got no ideas. I don't know what kind of options we have. Tie Rosemar up and threaten her until she breaks? She's smarter than that and it'd rankle Seere to no end.” Tell tapped the blade against his leg. “Sad fact is, we might need Rosemar in a fight. She's handy to have around.”

“Never mind that. We can make do without her.” Wystan pulled a toothpick from his vest pocket and slipped it between his lips. “There's got to be another road we can explore.
Ars Notoria
was useless. The rest of the Key isn't going to tell us anything except how to raise more demons. We could always bring in a different consultant.”

Tell looked up, his brow furrowed. “You really think that's a good idea?”

“If it helps, then yes, it's a good idea. It's better than sitting around here twiddling our thumbs,” Eban pointed out.

Tell put the knife away. “Wys, I haven't been out to the Pit. For all we know, Eban's stunt last night popped another seal. We can't keep risking it. Not when none of us knows how to fix it.”

“This might be what we need. Astaroth was forced to tell Father how to construct the barrier. A host of demon lords could fix it, put it into place for good. We'd never have to worry about breaching it again.” Wystan plucked the toothpick from his mouth. “Tell, you find out if there are any new seals broken and get me names. They'll be the easiest to summon. We'll figure out sigils and circles later.”

“You really think this'll work?” Tell leaned back in his chair. “Sounds like trouble.”

“Shut up,” Eban growled. “At least Wystan's willing to try.”

He had his measure of doubt as well, but the faintest flicker of hope burned on. Summoning more than one demon would require tremendous power and might end badly, but with the seals broken, those they could call would have an easier time breaking through the barriers of Hell and Earth. The three they knew of were wise enough that they might come up with a solution for banishing Rosemar before the Heckmasters could blink.

“You could rip the barrier apart doing this. I don't know how it works. You realize that.” Tell folded his arms. “We might find a solution for sealing it permanently, but Astaroth could escape before that happens. It's no easy feat. Father didn't wave his hand and wish it into existence.”

“Are you afraid?” Eban leaned forward. “You'll stand on the edge of the Pit and gut lesser demons as they crawl up the sides, but you don't think the three of us can handle a couple of royals from Hell?”

“It's not them I'm worried about. It's Astaroth. The barghests and changesteeds crawl out of the Pit with death on their minds. It doesn't affect them the same way it affects higher demons. If the barrier breaks, there's nothing to weaken Astaroth. He'll be here, as real as you or me or Seere. Father was full demon, he could battle that. But us, we're half-human and we're weaker.”

“Not together,” Eban argued.

Tell pushed himself out of the chair. “Have it your way. Guess we're having a powwow with a duke, a prince and a president. Can't wait.”

He strode out of the jailhouse, then slammed the door behind him.

“Not how I saw coming home. I'd hoped things were quiet while we were gone.” Wystan ran his hand through his hair. “Too much to hope for in Berner.”

“Must have been nice to get away from reality for a while. You probably didn't encounter many demons in Santa Fe.” Eban tried not to let the bitterness creep into his voice.

Wystan sighed. “Actually, I did run into a couple and they weren't up to any good.” He laid his hand over his bowie knife. “Blood was spilled, but Santa Fe's streets are safer tonight.”

“Did Rhia see it?”

He shook his head. “She doesn't know. I'd like to keep it that way.”

“I suppose I have to thank you for pushing the idea on Tell and…not beheading me.” Eban shifted in his seat.

“What you did was selfish and dangerous. You could have done something wrong and gotten yourself killed. If Eliakim hadn't realized there was a treaty between the Gray Side and Heaven, he might have slaughtered the entire town.” Wystan's cool blue gaze hardened. “Even you and Tell couldn't have held him off.”

“I know,” Eban muttered.

“But I understand what you're thinking. Beryl's special and she deserves the right to live out her natural life without a demon hounding her. I don't like Rosemar any more than you.”

“Tell thought you'd agree with him.” Eban picked at his thumbnail, avoiding Wystan's gaze.

“He's a smart kid, but he doesn't know as much as he thinks he does.” Wystan shuffled some papers on his desk. “You know Rhia and I are happy? This isn't the ideal place for a man and a woman to raise a family or grow old together, but we're going to do the best we can.”

Eban glared at his thumb. “Yeah.”

“Someday you'll find happiness. If we survive this. Maybe with Beryl, maybe with another woman, but I'm asking you to be happy for us. I never meant to steal her away from you. I never meant to fall in love. It's one of those things that happens like seasons changing.”

Eban looked up. “That's pathetic.”

Jealousy nagged at his heart, but it was tempered by disbelief.

Wystan turned his hands palms up. “I love her.”

“I mean, it's pathetic that you're talking like that. For as long as I can remember, you walked around town with a scowl and a glare. Now you're spouting romantic words.” He shook his head. “I think there might be a parasite in your head.”

“Love does strange things to a person.” Wystan folded his hands over his stomach. “Stop looking at Beryl and seeing a friend. She's a pretty girl.”

Eban swallowed the knot growing in his throat. “Even if that was the case, what if I can't save her?”

“You didn't quit when you said you couldn't save her the first time.”

“That was different.” He braced his feet against the floor. “There was a clear and obvious solution for that. Science and medicine, not archaic drawings and chanting.”

Wystan stood, then strapped his bowie knife to his hip. It looked out of place with his fancy clothes.

“We've never had experience with this. Probably something easy behind it too.”

“Nothing's easy when it comes to us.”

His brother grinned. “You got that right. Most complicated sons of bitches in New Mexico Territory.” The grin faded. “You keep believing we can do this. Don't give up yet.”

While he'd hoped Wystan might be more reasonable than Tell, he hadn't expected it. In the last few weeks, Wystan's temper had mellowed. It was almost frightening. They probably wouldn't find a solution to rid themselves of Rosemar, but the fact that Wys was willing to allow a consultation with three powerful demons meant a lot to Eban.

They'd have to be careful to keep Rosemar from getting wind of it. She'd do everything in her power—not to mention Seere's—to prevent her banishment. Eban tugged at his shirt collar as he followed Wystan out of the office. They had no choice but to keep Beryl in the dark as well. She already knew something was amiss, but he'd have to cover it up with a few white lies.

Rhia was gone by the time Eban returned. Beryl had curled into a chair by the window in Eban's study, a book on her lap, though her gaze was turned to the window.

Her eyebrows were drawn together, her fingers folded over the edges of the book. She looked lost in thought, so serious, she might have been concerned over the demon conference she wasn't supposed to know about. Beryl's tongue ran over her full rosy lips. Her skin color had returned from the slightly green cast to pale ivory.

Eban watched her, trying to figure out if anything Wystan and Tell said was true. Did he have feelings for her?

She turned as though she'd heard his thoughts. A smile blossomed over her face. “You're back in one piece.”

She laid the book aside and came to meet him. Her blonde hair was pulled away from her face, making her look younger than he knew she was.

“Wys was more understanding than Tell. Did Rhia head home?”

“She went to get Sylvie. To liberate the Yues, she said.” Her smile widened. “Well, I'm glad Wystan decided not to behead you for…whatever it was that you did with the angel.”

She wanted answers, but he had no idea what to tell her.

“I'm sure he'll come up with some form of punishment when I'm least expecting it.” He tucked his hands into his pockets so he wouldn't pick at his fingernails. “We're not sure how to banish Eliakim, but Tell's looking into it. Is Sylvie's party still scheduled for tomorrow?”

He wasn't sure how he felt about talking to Rhia, but Sylvie would be disappointed if he didn't make an appearance. Seeing Wystan wasn't as bad as he'd imagined. Of course, Wys hadn't given him much of a choice in the matter.

Beryl nodded. “Wait until you see what Rhia brought her. She must have spent a fortune on dresses and shoes. Sylvie won't know what to think when she sees them all. And a music box that plays seven tunes. I've never seen anything like it.” Her mouth twitched. “She brought me something too.”

“Oh?” He cocked an eyebrow, pretending interest. Wys—like most demons—had money coming out of his ears, so it was no surprise he'd let Rhia have run of his wealth. Maybe it made them greedy, but money seemed to come to demons and they all tended to be hoarders rather than spenders.

“I'll show you tomorrow.” A faint blush colored her cheeks.

He didn't have to be a mind reader to know it was probably a dress. Something to match her eyes, or offset her coloring. She could use a new one, that was true. The three she owned were practical, but somber colors.

“I'll go with you, but I probably won't stay long.” He'd ordered a book for Sylvie, knowing she might not expect a gift from him, but he didn't feel right not getting her anything. She read faster than he did, so he felt sure she'd like it.

“Nonsense. Lois is making her a cake and Rhia's got gifts for her that'll take all day to open. You'll have fun. I'll make sure of it.”

Her eyes were wide, pleading with him.

“Tell and I aren't exactly seeing things in the same light right now.”

She waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “He won't do anything to upset Sylvie. He adores her.”

Eban frowned. “What?”

Beryl giggled. “He told me he has his ‘eye on that Yue kid'. I thought he got along with most of the children, especially Thomas Jefferson. I guess he caught TJ teasing her one day and now he's Papa Bear.”