Demon Underground: Kyra Bell Book Three Read online

  I’d taken William and Celeste shopping for a few Earth outfits, but not a full wardrobe, we’d be taking these kinds of trips rarely, every couple of months or so for sanity’s sake, and the clothes the mound provided were good enough for there. I’d also taken the time to scout out the place myself to make it easier to gateway near to the park in an out of the way area that would go unnoticed.

  It seemed safer that way, as opposed to all of us crossing a huge distance, raising the risk of running into random supernaturals.

  Who’d have thought, half demons hunted by every council on the planet, and on government watchlists, and we were going to a theme park. Most of the others were thrilled, I thought it was a little insane, but they needed a break to keep their minds sharp, and so they would stay motivated and focused on learning. I’d never had to worry about burn out, but then I’d always enjoyed brewing potions and it relaxed me, so maybe that was both my learning and destress time for the rest of it.

  Cindy was working, and Maria took a pass on it, so it was just me, William, Celeste, Karl, Sabine, Carlos, and Linda going for the day. Since none of them were in school, we went on a Tuesday when the park wouldn’t be as ridiculously crowded. Karl and Sabine wanted to go off on their own, their first outing as a couple, while Carlos, Linda, and Celeste hung out, which put me with William all day while I worried and would no doubt keep checking my phone for any messages from the kids.

  It was mind-boggling, when did I become that person?

  Regardless, they were ordered to stay together in their chosen groups and were also given times to come back together for lunch and dinner and where in the park. I figured there was a fifty-fifty chance they’d listen and follow the simple rules. Linda and Celeste butted heads as much if not more than I did with both of them, but Carlos was a peacemaker and I knew he’d keep an eye on them both.

  Then of course, there was hanging out with William all day, which was something I’d been avoiding doing outside of my weapons training and practice. Spending time with William alone, I mean. Oh, I trusted him, I just wasn’t sure I trusted my own mind or desires, he was easy on the eyes, sexy even, and his easy confidence and raptor’s gaze drew me in like a fly to honey. He was a distraction, and a temptation better avoided.

  It was just… a bad idea.

  I was in my redhead quarter witch disguise, with gray eyes flecked with green. I had on faded gray jean shorts, a clingy off-white halter top, and my favorite boots. It’d be a hot June day in the sun, and I was dressed for it.

  I’d thought about using my human disguise, but I didn’t want to risk it in case something went sideways. Replacing my redhead persona which I risked every time I investigated, would be much easier and I wouldn’t lose anything. The risk of a quarter witch hanging with a human male also wasn’t one, it was a common enough occurrence, that’s where quarter witches came from after all, a mixing of the races.

  Point being, if a shifter sniffed me out, he wouldn’t think twice about the fact I was hanging with a human. He looked entirely too good himself, in a pair of blue jean shorts and a gray t-shirt that was tight enough to show off his athletic form without being obnoxious.

  “Anyone not understand the rules, or have a question about today?”

  Linda rolled her eyes, “Don’t worry mom, we won’t take candy from strangers.”

  I laughed, “Good to know, no burning strangers either.”

  Linda smirked, insinuating that was up for debate, but I knew she wasn’t serious about it, she was just being a bitch to piss me off. It didn’t work, which frustrated her to no end. I never thought anyone would think I was too peaceful, but it took all kinds.

  Celeste said, “Stop worrying, we’re not children. If we run into a problem, or feel any supernaturals, we’ll gateway home and text you.”

  Linda rolled her eyes, but she didn’t say anything. Only Carlos’s steady calm gaze was at all comforting. Despite the antagonizing, I could tell they were excited about the day. As for Karl and Sabine, I wasn’t worried about them starting trouble at all.

  I opened the gateway, and they followed me through. I had a bad feeling about the day, but I wasn’t an air witch, so I chalked it up to being stuck around William all day. As I said, not that he was bad person, my worries came from the fact he wasn’t. It was a bad idea, but I wasn’t sure my heart would listen to my mind. I already liked him far too much, and our chemistry was potently apparent when we weren’t focusing on training.

  Far too soon, we were in the park, and the kids disappeared so fast it was like they’d evaporated away. William and I started to walk in a random direction, or maybe he knew where we were going, and I was just following?

  William said, “They needed this.”

  “How about you?”

  He shrugged, “I’m used to working for long periods between vacations, and I don’t have a death mark on my head or wild magic to master.”

  I nodded, “I suppose I’m just jaded, and used to it.”

  He smirked, “More mature too, kids need to be kids, they’re growing up too fast as it is.”

  “Me? I don’t have a clue what I’m doing.”

  He laughed, “None of us do, I feel totally out of my depth in trying to finish raising my little sister, not to mention advising her on a life I could never fully relate to. You have their respect, except maybe Linda’s. Mine too, you saved our lives, and gave me a job I really enjoy. I never did properly thank you for that, my suspicion was in the way, but I think I understand you now. At least, as much as I can understand a female. So, thank you.”

  I snorted, which was a deflection, and said softly, “You’re welcome.”

  He smirked at me, “You’re a better woman than you pretend to be, even if part of your motivation in saving us was merely to piss off our enemy.”

  Maybe, but I was also a remorseless killer when it came to the enemy. I felt guilt for the innocent deaths in my past, the nightmares still hadn’t slowed down any, but it was what it was. I never shed a tear or even batted an eye for the Nephilim I’d put down. He was also right, I took a great amount of petty enjoyment at thumbing my nose at the council as I saved the half-demons. Five so far, and I was just getting started.

  That petty enjoyment helped in resisting the urge to go on the offensive, instead of hiding and merely rescuing others of my kind. One thing was for sure, I was done with running and hiding merely to preserve my own skin.

  “You’re a great help, I enjoy our sparring.”

  He nodded, “But I’m getting paid, you aren’t. That said, it’s a good feeling to be helping my sister and the rest of you in that way, and in being a part of something so much bigger than I am. After three months, I’m more than positive I’m on the right side. You are the farthest thing, from being evil.”

  I smirked, “Want to ride,” then blushed as I nodded toward the coaster as the alternate meaning to those words came to me. What the hell was wrong with me?

  He pretended it didn’t happen like a gentleman, which I appreciated, as he changed course toward the ride. It was going to be a long day, and I was starting to enjoy myself despite myself.

  He said, “The red hair is weird, you look better as yourself.”

  “Weird?” I asked a little sharply.

  He shrugged, “You’re still gorgeous, but it’s not as stunning as the real you, it’s not you.”

  Oh, he thought I was gorgeous? And stunning?

  I turned my head away as I struggled to contain a girlish smile, which was strange in a way because I knew I was attractive. Which meant it was his opinion of me that brought it on, not an empty compliment that I’d have received from half the men in the park.

  Maybe part of the problem was I’d had nothing between my legs in six months, and while I didn’t sleep around or do one-night stands, I missed being in a relationship and the pleasures shared within those confines. My thoughts weren’t usually in the gutter, I mean.

  That thought reminded me of the last wild night of lo
ving I’d had with Vic, which killed my smile. But… it was also a lot less painful than seemed right. I’d mourned Vic, maybe it was time to move on and try again. Just… not with a human, and not someone I had to see every day that trained me on weapons. It would be stupid to risk the drama and angst fallout if it didn’t work out.

  Or so I kept telling myself.

  Of course, what were the chances in meeting another supernatural that would pursue a relationship with a half-demon? I imagined the only reason Vic had accepted me despite the truth was because he’d been raised human. He’d been bitten. Born supernaturals would never accept us, they’d been too thoroughly brainwashed from birth about us being evil and likely to start the apocalypse.

  Humans were told that too, but not to the level of religious zeal. It was why humans were part of my long-term plans, if they accepted us the councils would have no option but to back off on their stance, or they’d risk war with humankind.

  So, maybe a human was my best bet after all, for a happy relationship, even if it ended in me mourning for him while I was still young. But I was still pretty sure I was an idiot to even consider William, since I was stuck with him for another year and nine months at the very least.

  He asked, “What are you thinking about?”

  I shook my head, “Worrying and planning, like usual. I don’t think I know how to relax and clear my mind, outside of fighting, spell-craft, and alchemy. What relaxes half-human teens seems to be a source of stress for me.”

  Yeah, chances were that it was him that had me on edge, wanting what I knew was foolish, than the park that had me stressed out. Deep breaths, Kyra. He was just a man, and I could have fun with him without losing myself. Couldn’t I?

  He laughed, “It’s too early for a drink, but it’s far too nice a day to worry.”

  I bit my lip, I’d do better in the forest, kind of sink myself into the nature around me was calming as well, if not to the extent of the focused calm that my work and hobbies engendered. But this place was all concrete and metal. Well, except for the crowds.

  I smirked, “I could drink a potion.”

  He snorted, “Or you can just relax.”

  I rolled my eyes, but my voice was amused, “Never tell a woman to calm down, or relax.”

  He said, “Noted.”

  “I’m enjoying the company regardless.”

  He smiled, “Maybe it would help to talk about, what are you worrying and planning about?”

  My love life, and how much his nearness makes my body tingle, makes me feel alive? Yeah, not saying that. No big deal, I had plenty of other pertinent worries to share, even if those weren’t really on my mind in that moment.

  “I’m not sure what the next step should be. Sure, we’re looking for more… teens in need,” we had to be a little circumspect, given the huge crowds anyone could be listening, “and the community is off to a decent start. But I feel like I should be doing more to shift public perception than a website and memes. I know it will take time, be a slow evolution if it works at all, but is there more I can be doing.”

  He asked, “What if it doesn’t work. Will saving teens and training them to lead full lives in secret and safety be enough for you?”

  I nodded, “That is a big thing, in and of itself, something I can be proud of and am. But I won’t settle if I don’t have to, and I want to shoot for more. Acceptance in the mainstream, if nothing else, wi force change over time.”

  “Open to advice, or should I just shut up and be a good sound board?”

  I snickered, “Share your wisdom, sensei.”

  He grinned as we got on the ride. The rollercoaster had a few loops, and a lot of twists and a corkscrew or two, so the conversation paused. By the time the ride was over, my heart pounded, and I had a grin on my face. Maybe today would be fun after all, and I should just give in. Oh, not to the lustful chemistry we shared, but at least to the point of simply enjoying the company. Sure, it was a bad idea to date him, but holding him at arm’s length just wasn’t working, it worried me but we could focus on friendship maybe, or I could.

  Or I was fooling myself, I already cared about him too much for my own comfort, and random thoughts of intimacy between us sent warmth through my body. I also very much enjoyed the feeling of his body against mine, as the wild ride pushed us back and forth in our seats. Strangely, it was more of a rush for me than battle, even if I was far, far safer on the ride than in a fight to the death.

  I supposed the latter was what my mind was accustomed to, I’d never been on a roller coaster before.

  My body and heart were obviously unimpressed with my intellectual arguments against my attraction to William. Sure, I had a strong will, wasn’t a slave to my body, but I was starting to wonder if it was worth the fight. I wanted to be in a relationship, no one wanted to be alone. I would feel cowardly if I let fear hold me back from enjoying my time with him, which was the counter argument. Was it really stupid, or was I just being overprotective of my heart after losing Vic?

  Wisdom, or cowardice? Maybe a little bit of both, like most things in life, it was complicated.

  He continued our conversation as we got off the ride, “Something in the public eye, a charity of some kind that will give us a platform and make them see who you and the others are instead of what you are. At the same time, we can’t expose ourselves to attack by the councils which is still accepted by almost everyone, where others are in the line of fire.”

  I snorted, “You just summed up that worry, very well. I have no idea how we can meet both of those requirements. We have to hide, or we risk those around us, which makes it hard to get in the public eye to influence perceptions.”

  He encouraged, “You’ll figure it out.”

  I glared, but he appeared to be serious, not joking at all, which was a little flattering. The faith he had in me. Damnit, the man kept disarming me. I felt like I was on a date, reluctantly, but that’s what it felt like.

  I decided to just push the worries away for the moment, and enjoy the day. Otherwise I’d be in a straight jacket by the end of the day. Easier said than done, but it was what it was.

  “Thanks, Billy. So, it seems a little self-serving and cynical. But I did have the thought of donating potions for those too poor to afford them. Focus on sick children maybe?”

  William said, “That doesn’t sound cynical at all, I can even tell you want to do that for the sake of doing it. You know suffering, and violence in your life, and it hasn’t hardened you.”

  I looked at him in disbelief, then said, “You’re a great guy, but a horrible judge of character.”

  Seriously, I was as hot as he thought, but I was far from the wonderful giving person he saw when he looked at me. That first part wasn’t arrogance talking, I didn’t lead on men or abuse my power over the opposite sex, it was a simple acknowledgement of fact. I’d never draw every eye when I walked into a room, but I was above average in beauty of face, and had the kind of body men loved to look at. Athletic, but generously curvy in all the right places.

  William laughed off my observation, but didn’t argue with anything but his eyes, which told me I was an amazing woman. Damn, I wanted to touch him, maybe climb him like a tree and nibble on that bottom lip, but I kept my hands firmly at my sides.

  I said, “The cynical part comes in next, when we toot our own horn for recognition. We can’t risk publicity while doing it, it would draw the council to attack, even if we were in a damned cancer ward for children. But we could post our own videos on YouTube after the fact, to raise awareness for the charity we choose to back and of course to prove we aren’t evil psychopaths bent on destroying mankind like the Nephilim makes everyone believe.”

  William shrugged, “That sounds reasonable to me. The only thing unreasonable is how easily everyone falls for their lies.”

  I nodded, “It’s the children of angels part. It gives them instant credibility of a goodness they don’t deserve, being born in the shadows of holy beings, especially for rel
igious people, and of course their greater power keeps the councils and weaker supernatural races firmly in line. On the other side, children of demons automatically lose any credibility, as we’re judged by our evil parents who are known for lying and destruction. Again, especially with religions.

  “It also doesn’t help that it’s always our power that causes collateral damage and death, even if it’s their fault for attacking someone that hasn’t learned to control their magic yet in a crowded place. It’s easy to spin, and to claim we do it on purpose.

  “All three of those things are powerful emotionally charged levers, so it’s hard for most people to see the truth through logical eyes. It’s much easier, to believe the lie. To believe that half-demons are evil than to consider the fact the children of angels might be so ate up with ambition and corrupted by power that they couldn’t care less about the collateral damage in human lives. That they even consider it a good thing that innocents die, since all it does is reinforce the lies they tell through the emotional outrage of the victim’s families.”

  He blew out a breath, “You’ll fix it.”

  I laughed, “I’d settle for partially fixed and a ceasefire under the duress of human opinion if we can change it. Really, that’s the best we can hope for, everyone has enemies in life, or they’re doing it wrong.”

  He nodded, “Again?”

  I shrugged, and we got back in line for the roller coaster. I’d like to say that I shed all the stress and just had fun, but I didn’t, wasn’t sure that I could. It would take time to get used to the new stressors in my life, I don’t remember ever having so much anxiety about just myself, except that chase across America when I was sixteen. At the same time, for the rest of the morning I did loosen up a bit and enjoyed the rides, the atmosphere, and William’s company.

  Point being, the stress was multi-faceted, it wasn’t just about me and my love life. I felt responsible for the people I protected and in my care.