Moonlight Captivation [Moon Shadows Book 1] (8 page)

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"You dare enter my domain, Belshazzar?” Jezebel charged her powers, ready for any sudden moves the King of the Shadow Realms and his entourage might make. Her guards stood around, tense and ready to attack on her order to kill the trespassers.

"As unpleasant as it is to be in your presence, Jezebel, I believe we have a common problem."

Jezebel narrowed her green eyes, looking at the tall creature in flowing, black robes, his piercing, red eyes glowing out from his hooded face. Although she was not directly at war with him, hostilities over border territories were always keeping them on edge. Belshazzar had been pouring his energy and resources into his war with Lord Derkin for longer than she cared to remember. It was never a wise move to stretch resources between two wars, when one was taxing enough.

"I have found the Chosen One,” he said.

Jezebel's rage boiled to the front, and she could feel her blood heat and knew her eyes glowed red with her anger. Why had her sources not been quicker to find the Chosen One than Belshazzar's? “If you're here, then your own attempts at destroying the Chosen One have failed,” she hissed at him.

"I sent sniffer demons to track her down,” his deep voice said calmly. “We found her dwelling, so I sent five shadow warriors to kill her. Unfortunately, Neman was already there, and he killed three of them, then took her before the others could complete their task. Neman now hides her. I know you've been attempting to track her yourself and your pre-emptive strikes have failed."

"Neman cannot hide her forever—it is only a matter of time before she is found again—but she will die,” Jezebel said confidently, taking several steps down from her platform to approach the Shadow Realm King.

"Neman will hide her well. So I am here to propose a little, shall we say, mutual venture on behalf of our own interests."

Jezebel would agree to just about anything to gain the upper hand, even if it meant breaking her word afterwards. “I'm listening.” She mimicked the same calm tone as Belshazzar.

"Now that we have the woman's image and scent, tracking her will not be difficult in the Human Realm. I can even use humans to aide us, but Neman is a different matter. I hear you were once able to subdue him."

Jezebel laughed malevolently, pulling the glowing, blue amethyst from under her dress. “I stole his godly powers and killed his weakling family. I have leverage over the former god. Just because I cannot use his powers doesn't mean I should give them back."

"With our resources combined, we should be able to kill both Neman and the Chosen One."

Jezebel thought about it. It wasn't a bad idea, as long as she didn't have to listen to the dreadful, hollow voice of Belshazzar's for too long. She raised her chin to the Shadow Realm King.

"Very well, I agree. We can get this mess sorted out and go back to killing each other, and I know just the place to restart the search.” Jezebel turned to one of her demon soldiers. “Bring me Slazzamar the Sneak."

Now this was something Nessa could get used to. She let out long sigh of pleasure sinking down into the heated water and bubbles of an overly massive bathtub. The water helped soothe away her current troubles and ease some of the aches from last night's misadventures. When she awoke, for a brief moment, she thought it had all been one long, crazy dream, but the satin sheets, smoothed over her sensitive, naked body, made her open her eyes.

She was still in the large bedroom Neman had left her in, and everything came flooding back with full force. She yawned and stretched like a feline before sitting up and crawling to the side of the opulent bed. As she stood up, she swayed a little on her feet; a fleeting feeling of nausea swept over her before subsiding. Relieved she wasn't going to puke anytime soon, she went in search of a bathroom—she needed to pee a lot lately. Upon seeing the bathroom's huge bathtub, Nessa couldn't resist filling it up.

How had her life turned from normal and mundane to inside-out, upside-down and every which way from Sunday? Gods, demons and perhaps even Santa Claus, for all she knew, truly existed and, from what she understood, a good portion of them were out for her and her baby's blood. As fucked up as the whole situation was, she wasn't one to let things drag her down—such was her nature. “Roll with the punches,” her dad always said, “and keep on rolling till you can kick them in the gonads, then run for your life.” She missed her father's offbeat humor and his ever-present, cheery smile. He had been gone for over six years now, passing from a sudden coronary. Her mother she barely remembered, as she'd passed away from breast cancer when she was two. Her father more than made up for the lack of a mother. She couldn't have asked for a more caring and nurturing parent.

She sighed and her thoughts turned to Neman. Sure he was a stud muffin with abs she could do her laundry off of, but from what he told her about being anointed, his attraction to her was purely due to this anointing business. His heart didn't enter into the equation. He didn't love her—she didn't love him. Or did she? Could she tell the difference between lust for Neman and love? Although she'd never admit it to him, she liked when he got all macho and possessive over her. Maybe there was a spark of something else other than this anointed stuff. Probably not—of course he'd be nice and caring toward her because this baby mattered a great deal to him.

Nessa frowned. There was another issue making them incompatible; he was immortal. She would simply keep growing old and frumpy and then eventually die while he continued looking young, vigorous and mouth-watering. Still, he was her baby's father. Even if he was more certain the baby was his, she would always do the right thing by her child. And love him, no matter who the father was.

Hunger compelled her to leave the comfort of the bath. She wrapped herself in a white, fluffy bathrobe she'd found hanging on a stand and left the suite in search of food. After taking more turns than a Twister board, she found a stairway and went down into a huge reception area. An elderly, Hispanic-looking woman, neatly dressed in a pale casual skirt and blouse appeared. Seeing Nessa, her brown eyes widened with a smile while she approached her.

"Ahhh, Miss Myles, glad to see you awake. You slept so long, we feared you would never get up. I am Ana, housekeeper for Mr. Neman. He left us with very strict instructions to take the very best care of you."

"Um, thanks, where is he?"

"Mr. Neman had to go see to his business. As you know, he's a very busy man."

Nessa wondered if the housekeeper knew of his ex-god, demon-hunting status.

"But come, come, you must be hungry. It's not often I get to prepare meals here for anyone other than Mr. Neman's employees. A real guest is a rare treat. You must mean a great deal to him—never has he brought a woman as lovely as you here.” Her smile held genuine warmth, and she never seemed to draw breath as she spoke. She made Nessa look like an amateur in the speed-talking department.

"So he does bring women here?” The question was out of her mouth before she could stop it.

Ana smiled, leading her into a large kitchen with dark marbled benches and stainless steel appliances.

"Oh, no, no, you are the first, my dear."

Ana's statement comforted her—Neman didn't bring women home. The cooking smells assaulted Nessa's nose, and her stomach growled.

"Oh, you must be starving."

Ana pushed her into a chair, setting a large glass of orange juice in front of her.

"I could eat a horse and chase the jockey. I swear this baby is eating more than me."

Ana's eyebrows shot up. “
Embarazada? El bebe
?"

"Sorry, I um, don't speak any language other than English and Australian slang."

"You are having Mr. Neman's baby?” Ana was quick to translate with a curious gaze.

"Aaahhh, I, um, well, yes.” Nessa's face flushed from embarrassment. It was a bad habit of hers to let her mouth run away before her brain could catch up. She was unsure if she should have let it slip that she was pregnant, but, on the other hand, if Neman trusted this woman with his home, surely knowing about the baby wouldn't matter. “Sorry, I'm not sure if I should be telling anyone."

Ana simply grinned broadly. “No, no, this is wonderful news. Congratulations, my dear."

The woman gripped her into a bear hug, wobbling the stool she sat on.

"Oh, now I understand Mr. Neman's instructions to take very special care of you.” Releasing her, Ana busied herself beating eggs, frying things on the stovetop, slicing and dicing. Within ten minutes, she made pancakes, fluffy eggs and crispy bacon and placed a large plate of fresh fruit before her.

Nessa happily tucked in. “This is my first trip to Los Angeles,” she said between bites. “I don't know how to explain it, but I kind of don't have any clothes with me. My, um, clothes kind of got destroyed.”
Along with my whole apartment
.

"No need to explain, Miss Myles. I have already been instructed to get you anything you wish. I'll get you some of my clothes for now. But you cannot be in Los Angeles without going shopping. Lots of pretty maternity clothes will be needed, I think.” She walked to an intercom, pressed a button and fired off instructions in rapid Spanish. A male voice replied.

Nessa was getting more excited by the moment. By the eager gleam in Ana's eyes, so was she. Nessa always wanted to travel, and who could turn down a shopping spree? She figured if Neman was footing the bill, why not enjoy the experience?

"It will be so enjoyable. You are going to love the shops here in Los Angeles. Nothing but the best for Mr. Neman's lady."

Nessa popped a strawberry into her mouth with a smile. Maybe belonging to Neman had more perks than just having his hot bod.

Neman teleported back to Sydney to personally check on this so-called friend of Vanessa's, yet he was unable to find any sign of him. He also wanted to check the residue traces of the demons that attacked them last night. Any good hunter understood that knowing your enemy makes you better able to kill them. The human police and fire department sectioned off her apartment. From what he'd heard from people who lived in the area, they blamed a gas leak for all the damage. Neman sniffed the singed areas the energy bolts damaged. Not many species of creatures could cause this kind of destruction.

From the sulfuric odor, he knew they were Shadow demons, which meant Belshazzar was after Vanessa and they would have pilfered her image from some of the photos around the room. Neman picked up a small photo in a broken frame, Vanessa smiling her mischievous smile with her arm slung casually around a tall, dusty blond man. This must be the Darren she was so fond of. Neman bit back the jealous rage brewing inside. Gay or not, he didn't like the idea of her being around other men.

He thought back to their first meeting in the alley, his lips twitching at the corners at remembering Vanessa's drunken state. His amusement vanished when he remembered the Gorlon Kat demon. It all made a twisted kind of sense now. The string of women the demon murdered—he was willing to bet it was searching for the Chosen One before Neman got to her. He was now thankful he found her in time. This conclusion counted Jezebel in on the hunt as well. The odds were starting to stack against them. Neman flipped open his phone. It was time to call in the troops and prepare them.

"A week's holiday is more than two days, Neman,” Mark answered on the second ring.

"Sorry, Mark—something has come up which warrants the cancellation of vacation time. I need you to head back to the Zigg and send out a code red to the rest of the agency. Warn all of our contacts about heightened demon activities. Oh, and prepare for extra company, so stock up on food. Make sure there are plenty of strawberries, vanilla ice cream and some kind of chocolate, the good kind.” The line went silent for a moment.

"Chocolate? You bringing a kid back to the Zigg?” Mark's tone held a touch of suspicion.

Neman didn't answer the question. “Watch your back, Mark—there's more than a few creatures out to nail my ass to the wall and they won't let a few mortals get in the way of their target."

"Sure thing, boss. If it's that bad then watch your own back, okay?"

Neman didn't say any more, he just snapped his phone shut. He had two more places to visit before he could return to Vanessa. Leaving her alone for this long, protected only by mortals, made him edgy. The intensity of his desire for her continued to amaze him. The effects of the anointing should have been fading by now, so why did he still want her? It was more than just a want—it was a need deep within him. For a very long time, he denied himself carnal pleasures for the thrill of the hunt, taking pleasure in the kill. Vanessa was very different from his first wife, Ningal. Vanessa was strong-willed and light-hearted. Vengeance seemed less important now; all he wanted was Vanessa. Her pale blue eyes, heart-warming smile, even her little ramblings touched a place within he'd never thought could be touched again. He let his lust turn into a dark rage upon thinking of those who wanted to kill her and his child. No, not this time—he would protect her, no matter what the cost. It was time to go kick down a few doors and beat the shit out of a few demons. When Neman wanted answers, he got them.

Nessa had to hand it to the woman—she knew how to shop. Fabulously dressed in the most expensive maternity clothes Nessa had ever seen, she wore a pale blue, ruffle wrap dress, complete with a new bra giving her a plunging neckline, which made more than a few male heads turn to gaze at her best assets—her generous breasts. But Nessa never glanced back.
When you have the best, why look at scraps?
She smiled in amusement. The shop assistants were falling over themselves to help her spend Neman's money. Nessa figured he owed her after getting her knocked up and destroying all her earthly possessions. The limo was loaded up with everything Nessa could ever need, and she was now feeling a little tired, yet satisfied with the result of their shopping trip and also finding a friend in Ana. She sat with Ana, alfresco in a crowded cafe, watching the crowds shuffle past. She sipped her decaf mocha latte, feeling like a movie star after being pampered at a salon, even without an appointment. Ana showed the color of her money and they ushered her right in.