You should know by now that Sam is persistent. Give her something or she’s going to drive us into a ditch…
“Oh, wait. I have an idea! Why don’t we find ourselves a witch? Maybe she could do a spell, find the rock, and poof! We can all go home.” Sam tapped the side of her head. “Oh. Hang on a sec. Dealing with a witch worked out so well for us before…”
“Speak ill of my mate with caution, Samantha Merrick. Malphi is impulsive and headstrong, but she is mine. She will return to me long after you are nothing more than dust and bone.”
I could tell by the quirk of Sam’s lips that she wanted to say more on the subject, but I was happy when she didn’t. Malphi was a sore subject for the demon. Every time the demoness was brought up, rage swelled. I felt it twitch in every limb, felt a bubble build in my gut.
“So what I don’t understand about all of this is how that bi—Malphi—got hold of the stone to begin with.”
“We knew exile awaited us,” Azi said. A swarm of images filled my mind—hundreds of demons facing off on a battlefield soaked in blood and gore. “We’d gotten word from a spy in Lucifer’s innermost circle, and we prepared.”
“I don’t get it. How the hell do you prepare for exile?”
“Each royal has a Brim Stone. It is not only the symbol of our status, but also an amplifier for our clan’s magic. Presented to us by Lucifer himself at the moment of our creation, the stone holds a piece of the very essence of hell.”
“So then how did it get out of hell?”
“As I said, we had warning. I took my stone.”
“So how did Malphi end up with half of it?”
“I have no way of knowing. I believed the stone to have been destroyed upon my entry to this world. I was obviously mistaken.”
“Well, why wouldn’t she—” A loud wail filled the air. Sam glanced into the rearview mirror and cursed. Flashing lights filled the rearview window, and her foot lifted from the gas pedal. “I was barely speeding!”
The demon was annoyed by the interruption, but said nothing as Sam slowed and pulled the truck to the side of the road. Azi turned, and I was able to see the officer as he emerged from his patrol car and sauntered over. Both of them.
This doesn’t look good…
No sooner did they get to the front of Kelly’s truck than another patrol car pull up alongside, boxing us in.
Yep. We’re fucked.
“I’m begging you,” Sam whispered. Thick gray smoke filled the cab, and her shoulders gave the smallest hint of a tremble. “Don’t do anything suspicious. If you can’t be him, then just be quiet.”
Amusement settled over me. “I can be him,” the demon replied.
Sam’s doubt was like a sledgehammer to the nuts, but she didn’t say a thing. Instead, she rolled down her window and flashed the officers a smile. “Something wrong?”
“Please step out of the vehicle,” the one in front said. He took a step back, and it was impossible not to notice the way his gaze flickered from her to me, or how the fingers on his right hand stayed paused at his holster.
Sam complied without question as another officer came around to the passenger’s side door. “You, too,” he demanded.
One of the men that arrived in the second car came forward, eyes trained on me. His tag read Officer Lang—which was slightly familiar. It took a second, but I realized it was Keith Lang, a guy we’d gone to school with.
Oh, yeah. We’re seriously fucked.
Keith and I had never been buds. In fact, I’d kicked his ass twice for spreading rumors about my brother Chase—which was stupid in hindsight. Especially since the rumors were true.
Keith’s lips twitched, and he didn’t try hiding his grin. “A Mrs. Kelly Merrick reported this vehicle stolen. Would you like to explain what you’re doing with it?”
“Kelly is my aunt,” Sam said. “This is a misunderstanding. We borrowed the truck.”
Lang lifted his eyebrows and turned to Sam. “She also said you were taken from her home against your will.”
“Again,” Sam said. Her voice was deceptively calm, but the gray in the air, mixed with the smallest tint of red, told me otherwise. “A misunderstanding.”
“She told us you might say that.” Lang glanced back in my direction. “Your aunt says Mr. Flynn is manipulating you.” He leaned toward her, and my muscles tightened. Azi didn’t like him being so close. Neither did I. “You’re safe now, Miss Merrick. I promise.”
“I was safe before you showed up, too.” There was an edge to her voice. She glanced at me then sighed. To Lang, she said, “I’m guessing you’re not going to take my word for it, though, huh?”
“I’m afraid I’ll have to take you both back to the station. I’m sorry.”
She grumbled something about him not looking sorry and allowed Lang to show her to his patrol car. The two from the first squad car, their tags reading Mitchel and Franke, stepped up on either side of me. “Are we going to have a problem, Flynn?” Mitchel asked. Something in the tone of his voice made me think he desperately wanted me to say yes.
What an asshole…