Working for the Devil

Jace shrugged. "Di

I swallowed dryly. My left shoulder gave one last spiked flare of pain; then a wave of warmth slid over my body, my neck easing its aching. "I guess so," I said. "Look, I didn't want this."

He nodded, his eyes holding mine. "I know. It's okay. Come on, let's get something to eat. It's been a long day. I've cleared my calendar for the next month or so, and there's a few contacts we can start on tomorrow—"

"You're inviting yourself in on my hunt, tool." My jaw clenched.

Jace's mouth curled up into a half smile. It was his «I-know-best» expression, and the sight of it tightened my hand on the hilt. "Why not? You're a hell of a lot of fun to work with, Da

I looked down at Gabe. Her hair fell forward over her face, unsuccessfully hiding her smirk. Eddie still stared at me with narrowed eyes. He was tense, too tense. Eddie expected me to go after Gabe.

That managed to hurt my feelings.

I took another step back, bare feet shushing against the Persian carpet. If I'd been wearing my boots, I might have stalked out of the house. "If everyone's finished having some fun at my expense," I said tightly, "I think I'll excuse myself."

"Di

"Not hungry," I countered.

"You don't eat, you start seeing ghostflits without wanting to," he reminded me. "Come on, Da

I kept my temper with a physical effort of will, my hand clenching on the hilt. Gabe scooted back and made it to her feet, hooking her arm through Eddie's. "Come on, Eddie. Let's let these two have a moment alone." She looked enormously pleased with herself.

"No need," I said. "I'm leaving."

"Don't." Jace said. "Come on, Da

I shrugged. "I was never very good at that, was I? That's why you left."

Gabe all but dragged Eddie out of the room, whispering something to him. The shaggy blond Skinlin cast a doubtful look over his shoulder. Gabe kicked the door to the hall closed behind them. And for the first time in three years, I was alone with Jace. His face was interested and open, his eyes now bright blue. His tattoo shifted a little, thorny lines twisting.

"Dante—" he began.

My sword leaped half free of the scabbard, my arm tensing. "Don't."

His own hand drifted down, touched his swordhilt. "That's what you want?"

"I won't hold back," I warned him. "Don't push me, Jace. I'm on a hunt, and Gabe seems determined to bring every halfass mercenary in the world in on it. And I've been dragged through Hell for this, I even have to have a demon tag along with me." I resheathed my blade, then reached up and dragged my shirt down, exposing a slice of the branded mark on my left shoulder.

"Fuck," Jace breathed. "Dante—"

I let go of my shirt. "So don't push me, Jace. Got it?"

The ceiling fans turned lazily, drafts of cooler air sliding across my skin. "I never did," he said. "You were always the one pushing."

"We're old news, Jace. Get over it." I turned away again, but was unable to resist a final parting shot. "At least the goddamn demon can't betray me."

He grabbed my arm, sinking his fingers in hard, his weight perfectly balanced. I recognized the stance—he was ready for me to attack him. I wondered grimly if I should. "I didn't betray you. I would never betray you."

I shrugged. My rings crackled in the tension, reacting uneasily with the Power in the air. "Get. Your. Hand. Off. Me."

"No."

"Get your—"

There was no warning. One moment I was yanking my arm away from Jace's grip, screaming, and the next Jace stumbled back, sword ringing free, Japhrimel's right hand up, arm outstretched, the shining gun held level. The demon was between us, his long black coat fuming with Power, the rumbling thunder of his arrival shattering the air inside the room. Jace's defenses resounded, humming into life, crackling with Power, gathering like a cobra gathers itself to strike.

"Stop!" I yelled, and the demon paused, though the gun didn't move.

"Are you injured?" he asked, and his eyes didn't waver from Jace. I thought for one lunatic instant that he was asking Jace if he was injured.

"Call him off, Da

I curled my left hand around Japhrimel's shoulder. The subliminal hum of that much Power in such a confined space roared through me, heady whine like the kick of a slicboard's speed against my stomach. "It's okay," I said. "Really. Stand down, Jaf, it's all right." It was an effort of will to keep from using more of his name. When had I started to think of him as human!

Japhrimel considered Jace for a few moments, then eased the hammer down with his thumb. The gun was bright silver, glittering under the lights. "You're all right?" he asked again.

"I think so," I replied, taking another deep breath. "Where were you?"

"Returning from my feeding," he answered, still not looking at me, his eyes glued to Jace. "I felt your distress."

"I'm not distressed. Just pissed off and tired and hungry and wishing this was all over." I kept my hand on his shoulder. If he dove for Jace, what would I do? Stab him in the back? "Okay? Thanks, Jaf. I mean it. Easy, okay?"

The gun disappeared. Japhrimel half-turned, examined me with one laser-green eye. His mouth turned down at both corners. "You have no further need of me?"

My chest tightened. "Thank you." I meant it. "I'm going to go do some recon."

Japhrimel's shoulders tightened slightly. If I hadn't been staring at his throat, I wouldn't have seen it. What's with him? He looks ready to explode. "I will accompany you, then, as is my duty."

I decided it would be wiser not to fight over this one, set my jaw. My head rang with the tension and Power humming in the air. If Jace moved on Japhrimel, or if Japhrimel decided Jace meant to hurt me—

"Da

"Good," I slid my hand down Jaf's arm, found his elbow. "I'll do that. I'll be back in a few hours."

"Hey, demon." Jace's chin tilted up. "Take care of her."

Japhrimel studied him for a bare second, then nodded once, sharply.

I don't need anyone to take care of me, Jace, shut your stupid mouth. I hauled on Japhrimel's elbow. "Shut up, Jace. Just shut up. Have a nice fucking di

He didn't respond. Japhrimel followed me obediently out into the hall, then pointed to the right. "The front door is that way."

"I need my boots," I said, harshly. My throat hurt, for some reason. As if there was a big spiky lump in it.

"The stairs." Japhrimel pointed, again. I was grateful, even though I had Jace's house mostly figured out. I've deciphered enough city street grids that one overblown Nuevo Rio mansion wasn't a hassle.

I nodded, and we set off. Just to be sure, I kept my hand on his elbow. He didn't object.