MySoultoSave (15 page)

“Why not?” The little Shepherd cocked its head. “Anyway, you
do not look much like a demon. I suppose that’s because you’re no longer a
demon, are you?”

Blasted creature. When he was restored, he would make it a
point to seek this one out and utterly destroy it.

The Shepherd’s brow arched. “You do not speak much. Are all
demons as unfriendly as you? You are the first I’ve met, personally.”

Jaeryth gaped at it. “Of course we are, you foolish insect,”
he whispered harshly. “We’re
demons.
” Hell’s flames, what was wrong with
this Shepherd? It was an embarrassment to all of Citadel.

There was a slight change in the air, a subtle diminishing
of sound. The muffled hiss of running water had stopped. Logan would return to
this room soon. “Get out,” Jaeryth said, loud as he dared. “You cannot have
her.”

The Shepherd blinked, and then smiled. “I am not here for
her.”

Jaeryth’s jaw dropped. Why would a Shepherd seek him out?

“I am on a mission to…oh. Are you doing that, demon?”

“Doing
what
?”

Jaeryth’s confusion cleared when he caught the scent of
brimstone and saw black shadows drawing together before the entrance to the
house. With understanding came further anger. Had the whole of the Otherworld
decided to converge on Logan’s house this morning?

The slender male Tempter that stepped from the curling smoke
paid him no mind, and went straight for the Shepherd—who let out a fearful
squeak and vanished. So it was an embarrassment
and
a coward.

Jaeryth sighed, then stood slowly and watched the Tempter.
If the lesser demon was doing his job right, he would approach the nearest
human—in this case, him—and try to reverse whatever damage the heavenly pest
might have done.

But the Tempter bypassed him and headed farther into the
house, passing through the couch as he moved. That was not right.

Just as Jaeryth turned to follow him, Logan stepped from the
back hallway and came to a jerking halt. Her eyes focused immediately on the
approaching Tempter. She swallowed once and a shudder moved visibly through
her. She looked so fragile. Painfully vulnerable.

Without thinking, Jaeryth called out, “Stay away from her!”

The Tempter whirled, his snarl drowning Logan’s shocked
gasp. His eyes narrowed to gleaming slits. “
You
,” he spat.

“Leave her alone.” Too late to pretend he saw nothing now.
He strode around the couch toward the lesser demon. “Don’t come here again.
You’re not welcome.”

The Tempter laughed, a low, bubbling sound that grated like
coarse sand. And then he bared his fangs and lunged straight at Jaeryth.

Though he knew the demon was no more substantial than the
smoke he’d arrived in, Jaeryth threw his arms up to block the passage. But the
Tempter phased right through him, filling him briefly with cold revulsion, and
was gone.

Shivering a bit, Jaeryth turned his attention to Logan—only
to find her eyes rolling back as she slumped toward the floor.

He managed to catch her just before she collapsed
completely. When she did not try to stand on her own, he carried her to the
couch and settled her there. She was beginning to come around. He wasn’t
certain how she would react to his acknowledgment of the Tempter’s existence,
but he suspected it would not bode well for his efforts to win her over.

Hell’s flames. How could he have been so foolish? The
impulse to protect her had overridden all thought. He could not let that happen
again—his mission was to corrupt her, not save her. An eternity of torment
awaited his failure. And now, with a single act, he may have already consigned
himself to Tartarus.

She opened her eyes and fixed him with a hollow stare. “You
saw it,” she said in halting tones. “The black-eyed…thing.”

He flinched. “Yes. I did.”

“It knew you.”

Damn. He’d been hoping she hadn’t noticed that.
“Apparently,” he muttered in the direction of the floor. Now would come
accusations and anger. She would tell him to leave. Perhaps she’d even realize
what he was—she was Nabi, after all.

She stared at him a moment longer with what seemed like
deliberation, and then let out a shaking breath. “So, those things are what’s
after you,” she said.

Shock kept him from responding immediately. Could it really
be this simple? “Yes,” he said slowly. It was true, more or less.

“And you didn’t want to tell me because it sounds crazy.”

He nodded. Again, mostly true.

“Well, I must be crazy too.” A hesitant smile broke across
her face, flooding him with inexplicable warmth. “Don’t take this the wrong
way, but I’m glad you see them. I thought they were hallucinations or
something. But if we both see them, they must be real. Right?”

“Yes,” he said. “They are real.”

Her smile faded slowly, and her gaze unfocused. “What
are
they?” she murmured.

“I have no idea.”

“Jaeryth.”

When she spoke his name, fresh heat infused him. How long
he’d waited to hear that—though he would have preferred different
circumstances. The gentle recrimination in her tone was unmistakable. Still, he
managed to meet her gaze and waited for her to continue.

“You lied to me.”

Blood flushed hot along his neck. Had he been that obvious?
He’d always prided himself on his ability to lie convincingly.

A slight smile turned the corners of her lips. “You don’t
really have friends you can call,” she said. “If you did, you would’ve tried to
get in touch with them by now.”

He let out the breath he’d been holding. “You’re right,” he
said, and attempted a smile himself. “I am currently friendless.”

“Not any more.” She stood, took his hand and gave a brief
squeeze. Her touch was fire. “I think…I mean, would you like to stay? Just
until we can figure out how to get these guys off your back. And mine.” She
couldn’t hide the shudder that went through her. “Us crazy people should
probably stick together.”

Jaeryth could scarcely credit this fortunate turn of events.
For an instant his thoughts flashed to the meddling Shepherd and he wondered if
the heavenly maggot had anything to do with her offer. But it was not here now,
so it could not be influencing her.

His smile was genuine this time. “I would be honored,” he
said.

“Honored?” She raised an eyebrow. “Well, you’re still a
little weird. But I forgive you.”

“And I appreciate your forgiveness.”

“You’re welcome.” Shaking her head, she stepped aside and
gestured. “I’m going to make some coffee. And then we’re going to get you some
clothes that fit. Sound good?”

“Perfect.”

He watched her move into the kitchen and then he settled on
the couch to avoid staring at her the entire time. One day, he would have to
inform Ronwe that his Tempter had helped him achieve his goals. The thought
nearly made him laugh. He looked forward to rubbing Ronwe’s nose in his triumph
when he was made a demon again.

And he ignored the tiny part of him that was beginning to
protest his mission. He had to turn Logan. Eternity was far too long to spend
in constant agony. And besides, once Logan was firmly on Hell’s side, he would
be free to spend as much time with her as he wished. Provided Samael deigned to
allow it.

He would not think about that, either.

Chapter Thirteen

Apparently, it didn’t matter whether Jaeryth wore clothes or
not. He was dangerously attractive either way.

Logan had to force herself not to keep staring at him—if she
didn’t, she’d probably walk straight into a telephone pole or something. Taking
him on a bus would’ve been a bad idea. He’d had to wear the Tweety shirt after
all, and a pair of foam-soled sandals, to cover the whole no-shirt, no-shoes
thing. She didn’t have anything else.

At first she’d offered to get him to his place, but he said
he wasn’t from around here. Still, he had to have clothes, so she’d sprung for
a cab to the local thrift store. It was smaller than the Philly locations and
she’d worried they would strike out on decent threads for him.

But it had been weirdly easy to find clothes, almost as if
they were waiting there for him. He wore half of his new wardrobe now—black
riveted pants, a long-sleeved black Under Armour shirt that conformed to his
muscles like skin and black engineer boots that were similar to the ones he’d
worn the first time they’d met.

He was sex on legs. And he was going to stay at her place.

She didn’t regret asking him. Okay, maybe she did, a little.
She still didn’t know anything about him, not even his last name. And the
simple fact of her strong physical attraction to him would make for some
uncomfortable nights. But she couldn’t just turn him over to those black-eyed
freaks, especially since he could see them too. Yeah, she’d passed out like a
wuss when he confronted the thing in her house—but it had been from pure
relief.

She wasn’t crazy. She wasn’t alone in this any more.

They’d walked back to save the cab fare and they’d just
passed the Wawa. It wouldn’t be long until they got to her place. And then
what? The two of them could sit around and make awkward small talk, but that
would get old pretty fast. They could discuss the freaks, but he didn’t seem to
know much more than she did about what they were, or what they wanted.

Maybe they could ask one the next time it showed up.
Wouldn’t that be fun.

She decided to concentrate on getting home first. Two more
blocks. There was a small park ahead on this side of the road, with an open
field and a few swings and slides beyond that. She’d never seen any kids
actually playing there. Right now, it was deserted as usual.

And while her attention was on the park, she abruptly
collided with something solid that knocked her breath out.

She pitched back, catching a glimpse of a startled face
before Jaeryth’s arms went around her. That was the second time he’d saved her
from a painful meeting with the ground. She’d have to thank him for this, when
her head stopped spinning.

“I’m so sorry.” A male voice, unfamiliar. “Are you all
right, miss?”

She shook herself, tested her legs and reluctantly eased
away from Jaeryth. “I’m fine,” she said and focused on the speaker. Vague
recognition set in—the stocky, middle-aged man in the tracksuit, with the scar
under his eye. She’d seen him a bunch of times at the Wawa, enough that she’d
given him a nickname. Neighborhood Jogger Guy. But they’d never spoken, so she
hadn’t heard his voice until now. It was mellow, tinged with a faint British
accent and pleasant enough.

“I should really turn this down while I’m running.” With a
sheepish smile, the man held up a dangling earbud. The other one was still
seated in his ear. Music oozed from the loose bud, loud enough that she could
make out the tune—Stone Temple Pilots’ “Interstate Love Song.” The one she’d
auditioned for Ruined Soul with. “Are you sure you’re okay?” the man said.

She summoned a smile. “Yes. Just a little winded, is all.”

“Good. Because your friend there looks like he might punch
me, and I’d rather not be punched.”

She glanced back at Jaeryth, who was glowering at the jogger
with almost frightening intensity. It wasn’t easy to ignore the rush of heat
that his obvious jealousy sent through her. Smirking, she laid a hand on his
arm and said, “Down, killer. No harm done. It was an accident.”

Jaeryth snorted. “It had better be.”

“I assure you, it was.” The man wiped a hand on his thigh
and held it out, smiling crookedly. “Nick Bridges. I believe I’ve seen you
around the block, but haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you. And I’m truly
sorry we’ve met like this.”

“Likewise.” She took the proffered hand. “Logan Frost. And
my friend, Mr. Cranky, is—”

“I
knew
it!” Nick beamed at her.

Her brow furrowed. “Huh?”

“Ruined Soul. You’re the new singer.” Releasing her hand, he
dug in a pocket, pulled out the iPod connected to the headphones and thumbed
the touch screen. “I’ve got one of your songs in here somewhere…”

A torrent of butterflies erupted in her gut. “You do?” she
stammered.

“Yeah. Friend of mine sent me a link. There’s a bunch of
videos from the Eight Spot up on YouTube. I think I have—ah, here it is.” He
unhooked the headphones, touched the screen a few times and turned it toward
her.

A startlingly clear image of herself on stage appeared,
smiling at the roaring crowd while the opening riff of “Hotel California”
played. She stared, mesmerized, as mini-Logan cradled the microphone, drew it
toward her and closed her eyes, then began to sing.

“Bloody fantastic performance.”

Nick’s statement snapped her from the trance. She breathed
out and hot blood rushed to her face. “Um. Thanks,” she managed. “I didn’t
know…”

“That you’re famous already?” Nick mercifully jacked the
headphones back in and shut the device down, and she could almost breathe
again. “I’m guessing it’s only local, for now,” he said. “But I think you’ll be
big, very soon. You really are incredible.” He looked down and a flush spread
over his face as he cleared his throat. “Actually, I’d planned to catch your
show tonight. Er. That is, if you don’t mind.”

Logan swallowed. This was too weird. “Of course I don’t
mind,” she managed. “Thanks. For, you know. Coming. To the show, I mean.” Oh,
Christ. Could she sound any dumber?

“Great!” He grinned again. “Well, I’d better be off, then.
Wonderful meeting you, and your…oh, I’m sorry. I broke off your introduction.
You are?” Nick extended a hand.

Jaeryth glared at it and folded his arms. “Jaeryth,” he
rumbled.

Logan elbowed him. Grudgingly, he relented and shook—one
quick, hard pump.

“Now I’m very glad you didn’t punch me.” Nick flexed his
fingers, as though he wanted to make sure they were still attached. His slight
grimace morphed into a smile. “Cheers, Logan and Jaeryth,” he said. “Looking
forward to the show tonight.” He offered a strange sort of salute, plugged his
earbud back in and jogged off.