[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Amarinda Jones
Vulcan arched one eyebrow up at her. Are you ever wrong?
Rarely when it comes to men. Though Decatur was different. Seething at her side,
but different. She knew he wanted to lash out at the demon but they needed him for the
moment. Marduk reached over and took Decatur s hand.
I bet you burn like fire, Marduk. Vulcan s voice was teasing as if he was enjoying
the moment.
And I bet you can be a real pain in the ass.
Stop pissing around, Vulcan, Decatur snapped, his patience limited. Clearly you
are not at Archimedes side because you believe in his cause.
No, as demons go he s one of the more megalomaniacal.
So what do you want, demon?
Vulcan straightened up. Archimedes will be dead in two weeks.
Decatur looked at him in suspicion. How?
Never you mind, vampire. What I want is something only Marduk can give me.
She stepped back on hearing that. Giving something to this man, er, demon was not
anything she wanted to do. I m not having sex with you.
Vulcan smiled. I never offered.
Strangely enough, Marduk wasn t sure whether to be offended or not. What do
you want then?
Your purity.
Marduk snorted with laughter. I m nowhere near pure.
I m not talking sexually. It s about who you are in your mind and soul, Vulcan
explained. And before you say it, all humans think they have impure thoughts but few
really do, at least not the sort a demon does.
What is it you want from my woman? Decatur stood squarely in from of the
other man.
My woman. I like that. In turn, Marduk moved closer to Decatur.
104
Decatur the Vampire
Her essence.
My what? What the hell was that?
Decatur sighed. Why that of all things?
It is one of three things I need to get what I want.
And what is that? Decatur growled, not in the mood to play games. Come on,
demon. If you ask something of us we have the right to know why.
The angel Gabriel will give me the power to go back in time.
Marduk was impressed but confused. I thought demons can do everything.
Everything but that. It is the one talent I lack and need.
Decatur looked thoughtful. Is this about Sumerian? It must be if Gabriel is
involved.
Vulcan declined to answer. So can I have it?
This was going way over Marduk s head. They had come to Vulcan for help. She
had not expected a demon to want something from her. She had no power. If I give
you my essence and I have no idea how to do it does it hurt? Marduk was no wuss
but she wasn t into the whole sadomasochistic thing either.
No.
A simple answer was a good answer. Will it change me? Do I lose part of myself?
Vulcan shook his head. No and you have more essence than you will ever use.
Okay, time to get down to tin tacks. How do you free us from Archimedes?
Like most ambitious men, Archimedes has a one-track mind.
Marduk had to agree with that. He does appear to be hell-bent on killing one or
both or us.
So use the angel, Vulcan told them. I can guess what Sumerian offered.
Decatur pondered this for a moment. Even if Sumerian weakens him for a while,
he will still come after us. I m not concerned for myself. It s Marduk I worry about.
105
Amarinda Jones
She smiled softly at him. I could just eat him with a spoon.
No, Archimedes won t because when he is sufficiently weakened I will place a
spell on both of you that will make it impossible for him to find you.
Demons did spells? Why hadn t Vulcan mentioned this before? You bastard! Marduk
let fly one hand and slapped him hard in the chest. It was like slapping steel. Why
haven t you done it before this?
That would be no fun for me. Besides, the more Archimedes has to occupy him the
more time I have to do what I must undetected.
And I used to think the intrigue at work was complicated. You people beings,
whatever are just painful to deal with.
Vulcan did not seem the slightest bit offended. It s up to you, Marduk. Live or
die.
What a great choice. How do I do this essence thing? She could see Decatur was
not happy about it but it appeared to be their only choice.
Very simply. I kiss you.
Really? Marduk looked at him in distaste. It wasn t what he looked like. It was
who he was. I m picky who I kiss.
It would take but a moment.
Decatur s hands were in fists at his side. I m not happy about this.
I m not going to bed her, vampire. It s just a kiss.
This kiss transfers essence or something? Marduk asked, partly stalling, partly
trying to build up courage.
Yes.
She turned to Decatur. Do you feel that when you kiss me, Dec?
Decatur s eyes softened on hers. Oh yes.
And this will save our asses?
Yes.
106
Decatur the Vampire
Marduk blew out a deep breath. Okay, as long as you save us.
I promise.
Is he good for that? She only trusted Decatur s word.
Oddly enough, he is, Decatur replied, his eyes now fixed on Vulcan. Demons
have a strange code of honor when it comes to giving a promise.
Uh-huh, right, okay. How do we do this?
Vulcan moved toward her. Just stand still.
No tongue. The demon laughed at her. Before Marduk knew what was
happening, she was in Vulcan s arms and his lips were on hers. As kisses went it was
pretty average especially considering the power he was supposed to draw from it.
Thank you, Vulcan murmured as the kiss ended. He stepped back from Marduk
quickly, his eyes on the vampire.
Is that it? While she didn t expect to feel lust, Marduk had expected to feel
something. She edged closer to Decatur, comforted by the arm he wound around her
waist.
Yes, Marduk, you transferred a part of yourself to me, Vulcan explained. You do
that with any kiss you give but most mortals don t realize that. If they knew they could
do that then they would harness the power of something so simple and use it to their
advantage. The demon s eyes focused on Decatur. Now may I suggest you call on
Sumerian?
I m here. The angel appeared in the blink of an eye.
Always the eavesdropper. Vulcan s voice was droll.
The angel scowled at him. Whatever.
Marduk could tell there was history there and if it was any other time she would
have wanted the gossip. How do we go on from here?
At midnight tonight
107
Amarinda Jones
Why is it always midnight with supernatural people? In the movies it s always the
graveyard at midnight or the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]