That sounded like a good opening for a snappy comeback from Darrak, but he didn’t crack a smile at Andy’s attempt to lighten the mood. Instead he gently peeled back the corner of the bandage.
His lips thinned. “That’s what I thought.”
“That bad, huh?” Andy said.
Eden had forgotten to breathe again. She’d braced herself to see horrible wounds, but instead, the only thing under the bandage were three faint red scratches. The wounds had almost completely healed.
“Oh, my God.” Her voice was hoarse.
Andy cringed. “Hey, no reason to rub it in. I used to be very vain, you know.”
Eden’s hands trembled as she reached into her purse and pulled out a hand mirror, flipped it open, and held it in front of Andy. It took him a moment before he forced himself to look at the damage, his face tense as if bracing himself for the worst.
He blinked in disbelief. “That’s not half as bad as I thought it would be.”
“It was as bad as you thought,” Darrak said. “You’re healing.”
“This fast? How’s that even possible?”
“It’s possible because the wounds came from a werewolf.”
“So what? That means they heal up faster than if it was a regular wolf? Like they’re magic wounds?”
“No, it means your healing ability has now improved since you’ve become infected.”
Andy frowned. “Darrak, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Infected with what?”
“Lycanthropy is the proper term,” Darrak said. “Shifters can change whenever they like, with effort and practice. It’s only on the night of the full moon that they lose any ability to maintain human form. Luckily, the next full moon isn’t for a couple of weeks. You’ll have time to do some research. You should meet some other shifters and ask for their assistance, although I’d probably suggest you stay away from the one who infected you, at least temporarily.”
Andy stared at him.
Eden was still in too much shock to say anything for a moment. When she found her voice, she said, “Andy, it’s going to be okay.”
“Are you . . . trying to tell me . . . I’m a—a werewolf now?” he choked out.
Darrak nodded. “I’m afraid so.”
Andy’s cheek twitched. “I’m not even a dog person.”
“It’ll be okay.” Eden touched his arm. She’d already said it, but she didn’t know what else to say. She’d never dealt with something like this before. Andy wasn’t the only one going into shock.
He struggled to sit up. “I’m—I’m a werewolf. A man who can turn into a wolf. With fur. And fangs. And the ability to howl at the moon. Paws and claws. And flea baths. And . . . oh, my God.” He was breathing so quickly now Eden worried he’d hyperventilate.
She searched her brain for something to say to help make this a little better but came up blank. She wanted to cry. “It doesn’t change anything. You’re still my partner at Triple-A. This doesn’t give you the right to flake out on me.”
He gasped for breath. “It . . . it doesn’t?”
“No. You’re the main investigator. I’m the girl Friday.”
“Like Rosalind Russell.”
“Exactly like that.” She nodded. “And if you flake out, you won’t be able to take on any new cases and . . . and you won’t be able to make the lease payments on your Porsche.”
“I love my Porsche.” He nodded. “I have to keep her.”
“Of course you do.” This was working. She squeezed his hand harder. “Your Porsche loves you, too. So you see? It’s going to be okay. Darrak and I are here for you, no matter what.”
“I’m going to shed,” he said. “Did you see the werewolf that did this to me? He was very hairy. And . . . and he drooled.”
She managed to grin at that. “You’re already really hairy, and I’m sure you drool more than your share. Really, the only difference is your love of cigars. You’ll be a cigar-smoking werewolf.”
He laughed, despite still looking panic-stricken by this life-altering news. “That’s helpful. Thanks.”
“And there are plenty of cases that I need your help on.”
“Oh? Like what?”
“Well,” she chewed her bottom lip and scanned her mind for something to tell him. Something he could latch onto as a reason to get back to normal life as quickly as possible. Darrak stood by with his hands clasped behind his back. “There’s something strange going on at Luxuria. You know, that new singles’ club that opened up recently? A friend of mine was murdered outside there the other night. You must have heard Ben asking me about him yesterday. And six other women have gone missing. My friend Graham was a reporter investigating their disappearances. We’ve been there a couple of times, and I sensed something strange about the place.”
“You sensed it?”
“Yeah, I can do that. Sense things.”
“That’s because you’re sort of psychic.”
“Right.” She didn’t think this was a good time to discuss the potential of her having angel in her background. Or the black-witch thing.
One paranormal species at a time. Today would be Official Werewolf Day.
“Sounds intriguing and definitely worth investigating even though it seems like pro bono work.” He swallowed and touched his rapidly healing face. “I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. Were you close?”
“No. I hadn’t seen him in years, but it still hurts to lose him.” She grabbed Andy’s arm and squeezed so hard he flinched. She loosened her grip a little. “That’s why I can’t lose you, too, you hear me?”
“I’m still here.”
Darrak went to the door and glanced at the hall outside. “We’ll have to get you checked out. If the doctor checks your wounds again, she’s going to wonder what’s up.”
“I’m a werewolf,” he said.
“You are,” Eden confirmed.
“Well, shit.”
That pretty much summed it up.
Together that made the three of them a werewolf, a part-angel witch, and a demon. Sounded like the beginning to a really scary joke.
Ben paced back and forth in his living room. He wanted the phone to ring. He wanted Eden to call and ask him about last night. Hell, it was okay if she demanded to know about last night.
He just wanted to know she was okay.
Oliver had told him not to leave the house. It felt as if he’d been out drinking the night before. Apparently that’s what black magic did. It knocked you out and left you with some lasting pain. Oliver had originally been wary of the demon, which is why they’d had Sandy dampen him, but he’d had no idea they had to be wary of Eden as well.
It would be amusing if it didn’t scare the hell out of him.
There was a knock at the door, and he went directly to it, swinging it open, half expecting to see Eden. Instead it was Sandy.
He was strangely pleased to see her instead.
That pleased feeling departed when he noticed the fresh bruise on her cheekbone.
“Can I come in?” she asked.
“Sure.” Ben stood aside, and she swept past him smelling pleasantly of vanilla. He’d met her shortly after being inducted as a member of the Malleus. She’d applied ointment to his brand. He’d called her Florence Nightingale at the time.
“I probably shouldn’t be here, but I wanted to see you,” she said, wringing her hands.
“What happened to you?”
She looked confused for a moment.
“Your face,” he clarified.
Sandy touched her bruise and flinched. “Somebody’s not too happy with my job performance.”
A line of fury ripped through Ben. “Oliver did this?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Damn it, Sandy.” He closed the distance between them and moved the long blonde hair off her face and tucked it behind her ear. Then he gently touched the light purple patch of skin. “He had no right to hit you.”
“I tend to agree, but what’s done is done.?
??
“What is his damn problem?”
“He thinks I was keeping things from him. Like I should have known Eden was a black witch.”
“Should you have?”
“Yes.” She swallowed. “Actually, I did figure it out before I said anything.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because . . . because Eden isn’t evil. And the way they deal with black witches, well, it’s not always a good thing.”
“It’s the demon inside her forcing her to do these things.”
“No. I think Eden’s going through a lot right now, but the Malleus . . . and you . . . are looking at things from the wrong angle. I honestly don’t think the demon means her any harm.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because she’s convinced he isn’t.”
Ben sighed with frustration. “Deception only.”
“I think Eden needs help, but as far as your single-handed mission to save her . . . well, I think it’s extreme, and as you can see, it doesn’t go over that well with her.”
“You think she’ll continue to kick our collective asses if we get close to her?”
She managed to grin a little at that. “Yes. Without a doubt.”
It was nice that one of them could see the humor in this. “So what do we do?”
“Quite honestly, I think we should leave her be. The Malleus has enough things to worry about other than her.”
“I can’t just forget about this.” He clenched his fists and turned away.
“She doesn’t want your help, Ben.” Sandy frowned and looked closer at him. “Hey, did you hit your head last night when you fell?”
He touched his forehead at the hairline. “I got a bit of a bump, but it’s no big deal.”
“Let me see.”
“Sandy, it’s really not necessary.”
“Are you going to argue with me or be a good boy?”
He smiled despite himself. “If I’m a good boy do I get a lollipop?”
“We’ll see. Sit down.”
He sat on the edge of his leather sofa. It was the same spot where Eden had been magically restrained twelve hours earlier. Sandy pushed his hair back so she could see the small cut better.
“Am I going to live, doctor?” he asked.
“Luckily, you seem to have a mutantly hard head to take any blows.”
“Thanks. So what’s required? A Band-Aid?”
Sandy’s fingers slid farther into his hair. “No, but I think I can help a little.”
He was about to protest. He didn’t want her to use any magic on him, even if it was just to heal a cut. It felt wrong to him. But then he felt her lips brush against his forehead and a breath caught in his throat.
“Sandy . . .”
“See?” She smiled. “All better.”
“Strangely it does feel much better.”
“I’m very good at my job.”
“And how about this.” He touched her bruise.
“The same treatment might help,” she said.
He nodded, then took her face in his hands and brushed his mouth softly over her cheek.
“Much better,” she managed.
“First aid is a good thing.”
“It is.”
He’d noticed her mouth before—couldn’t help it, really. Full lips. Lush, in fact. And she never wore any bright lipstick, just a touch of gloss to bring out the naturally pink color. He couldn’t help himself. He pressed his lips against hers and kissed her. A small moan escaped her throat as her mouth opened to his.
A moment later she pushed him away, her cheeks reddening.
“Whoa, we can’t do that,” she said, scrambling back from him.
He touched his mouth, surprised by what had happened as much as she was.
“Why not?” He stood up from the sofa feeling a bit unsteady on his feet all of a sudden.
“Malleus members are not allowed to . . . well, not with other members. It’s unprofessional and distracting. That’s why it’s against the rules.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Ridiculous or not they’re very strict about it.”
“You’re not even a member. You’re a consultant.”
“Still. If Oliver found out, he’d . . .” She swallowed hard.
“He’d what?” Anger returned to Ben right on schedule.
“He’d be mad. Besides, you’re in love with . . . with Eden. Right?” Sandy looked away. “I get that. It’s why you want to save her so badly. It’s okay, really. It’s easier that way for me.” She grabbed her purse, which had fallen to the floor. “Look, I need to go. Let’s just forget this ever happened.”
“Sandy . . .”
But she wasn’t sticking around to discuss their kiss, or the fact Ben suddenly wanted to kiss her again.
“I’ll see you later,” she said.
Sandy went out the door and shut it behind her. A second later he opened it, but he didn’t chase after her. She was in a hurry to go, and he wasn’t going to stop her from doing what she needed to do.
He wiped a hand over his forehead, which had suddenly started to ache again. And his forearm itched. He wished the brand would just heal up, already. He’d refused any and all magical remedies. Just because he’d chosen to become a member of the Malleus, didn’t mean he necessarily believed in some of their practices.
Especially when some of those practices including striking women like Sandy for not living up to expectations. As a cop, Ben had witnessed his share of abused women, and it never got easier. Abusers, to Ben, were as bad as demons. Unfortunately, the most you could do with a wife beater was to throw him in jail. Couldn’t exorcise him, even though that would solve a whole lot of problems.
Damn it. He couldn’t just stay here and do nothing, waiting for Oliver to get in touch and give him permission to leave his house. It was his life, after all. And he would do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. And he wanted to make sure Eden was okay.
He scratched his brand again. It allegedly gave him extra strength, the ability to sense the otherworldly, and the power to exterminate them easier than the average Joe.
Ben wasn’t sure what he’d do the next time he was face-to-face with Eden’s demon, but he was damn sure he’d do the right thing. Whatever the hell that was.
After staring down his share of murderers, rapists, and arsonists, Ben knew he could tell the difference between good and evil. Darrak was evil. Ben had no doubt about it.
He grabbed his keys and left through the front door, locking it behind him. His old black Chrysler LeBaron was parked in the driveway. He slid a key into the lock.
“Excuse me,” a voice said from behind him. “Are you Ben Hanson?”
“I am.” He turned to see a tall man who looked to be in his late twenties standing there. The man had tanned skin and sleek black hair tied back from his face. “Who’re you?”
“I’m a friend of Darrak’s,” the man said with a grin.
Ben frowned. “You’re a—”
Pain suddenly washed over him, and a moment later he felt nothing.
SIXTEEN
Eden was concerned they wouldn’t be able to get Andy released without a lot of questions. Darrak had a funny feeling she might try to use some of her magic again to “persuade” the doctor.
He wouldn’t let that happen. She’d used enough black magic for one day. More than enough.
He had his own way of persuading the doctor.
It did help that she was a woman—and one that was remarkably susceptible to his charms.
He still had it. Good to know.
Eden just shook her head as Darrak wheeled Andy out of the room after a five minute chat with the doctor.
“Ex-incubus,” he said simply.
“And that explains everything?”
He shrugged, and grinned a little wickedly at her. “It’s a miracle you can keep your clothes on around me. I’m usually impossible to resist. As was just proven with Dr. And
erson. Monica Anderson. She gave me her number.”
“Congrats. You know, I did introduce you as my husband. It’s so wonderful to see she didn’t have a problem with that.”
“I guess humans and werewolves are similar when it comes to their views of infidelity.”
“Not all humans.”
He couldn’t really read her expression at the moment. Sure, he had a way with women, but it wasn’t as if he’d proved it time and time again. Since he’d possessed Eden, he’d barely looked at anyone else.
Some ex-incubus he was.
Andy had nothing to add to the conversation, although Darrak couldn’t blame him. He’d just discovered he was the latest werewolf citizen of the greater Toronto Area.
Andy would deal. After all, he had Eden helping him.
Darrak had been mildly surprised by the depth of her concern over the guy. Sure, they worked together and seemed friendly enough, but her reaction to his phone call and then the pain in her eyes earlier as he learned of his condition—well, she cared about him a lot. It was obvious.
Eden’s compassion and distress had stirred something inside Darrak. It had made his feelings for her grow even deeper.
And that could not be more annoying to him. He was messed up enough as it was, without falling any harder for her.
So damn inconvenient.
Especially when he knew she probably hated him now after what happened with Theo. How was he supposed to know Theo planned on sucking the celestial goodness out of that angel right in front of her? Darrak had to say, he was torn. Theo now had the weapon he would use to destroy Lucifer. Hooray. But the whole thing felt kind of . . . wrong to Darrak, and he wasn’t really sure why.
Boo.
He attempted to summon some enthusiasm, but he felt drained. Using his power in the alley to scare off the werewolf had taken it out of him. There were two ways he could recover this energy. He could just give himself time, and he would eventually recover naturally. Or he could absorb some of Eden’s energy. This had two downsides to it—it would exhaust Eden for hours at a time, and the act also ran the risk of Darrak taking too much and accidentally killing her because she tasted so good he couldn’t stop himself.