A Demon Does It Better (16 page)

Jared shook his head. “I don’t know much about the place. I’ve only visited there a few times because I feel…” he paused, “safe. I stay away from any place where I’d run into too many demons. It’s just better for me in case it’s someone I know.”

“I don’t understand it. If you can wrap yourself in shadows and leave the hospital, why don’t you just make the ultimate escape? Personally, I can’t see Dr. Mortimer sounding an alarm because that would mean he’d have to admit he couldn’t hold you. That wouldn’t look good for him.”

He absently rubbed the edge of his wineglass against his lower lip. “My shadows only allow me to go a short distance. So far Inderman is the furthest I’ve been able to go,” he said finally. “My strength also diminishes when I leave the hospital for too long a period. I can only be gone for so many hours before I’m pulled back there, and then I can’t leave for several days while my power recharges.”

“What do you hope to accomplish by leaving, even for a short while?” she asked, even though she already had a pretty good idea what his answer would be.

His smile was tinged with sorrow. “A chance to breathe air that’s not tainted with sickness. To feel free.”

Lili was hungry to know more, but she saw that time was racing. And Asmeth didn’t appreciate less-than-punctual guests.

“While I’d love to find out more, we need to go to Asmeth’s. Luckily, he doesn’t live far from Inderman, so you should be fine.” She set her glass down and stood up.

“I wouldn’t have all that much more to tell you anyway.” He did the same.

Cleo strolled out of the bedroom and sniffed. “Oh, you’ll take
him
but not me?”

“He’s invited and you are not.” Lili went into the closet and pulled out a soft wrap, woven of dark purple wool, and draped it around her shoulders. She led the way through the house and into the small attached garage. “I’ll suppose you have no demon macho attitude about a female driving?” She didn’t wait for his reply as she opened the driver’s side door.

“Not at all. I like being waited on. Plus, I haven’t seen the need to get a driver’s license.” His teeth flashed white in the darkness.

Lili always enjoyed her SUV and the room it offered, but it suddenly shrunk to the size of a toy car when Jared filled the passenger seat. She was grateful the drive wouldn’t be a long one.

“You’re pretty calm about all this,” he commented as she drove toward the freeway.

“Why shouldn’t I be?” She caught his nod out of the corner of her eye. “I’ve seen strange things over the years. A shadow demon isn’t all that unusual for someone in my line of work.”

“As compared to what?” He twisted in the seat, resting his arm across the back of her seat.

“A forest druid suffering from termites is one of my favorites.” She shifted in her seat, recalling the days she was ready to claw her skin raw after treating the itching patient. “We’re talking oozing rashes and bites all over, especially in sensitive spots.” Her gaze flickered southward while the tiniest of evil smiles touched her lips.

“Damn, you are one wicked witch,” he muttered, shifting in the seat.

“I’m surprised it took you this long to figure it out.” She sped up, managing to breeze past traffic lights that always stayed green.

Lili found a parking space near the entrance to Inderman. She frowned when she noticed faint shadows surrounding Jared.

“Are you all right?”

He nodded. “Protective coloring in case someone who might recognize me is around. No one will notice me walking with you, so act as if you’re alone.”

As they walked toward Asmeth’s shop, Lili noticed that Jared not only kept darkness around him, but he also managed to change his appearance. Nothing overt, but enough that if she looked quickly, she wouldn’t think she was with the same man.

She walked toward a narrow alley next to Asmeth’s place of business and knocked on a bright turquoise-painted door.

“There you are!” Asmeth opened the door and hugged her tightly. He looked past her and smiled broadly. “Welcome!” He rapidly spoke in the guttural sounds Lili first heard Jared make.

Jared smiled back and replied in the same language.

“But I am rude to my beautiful Lili,” Asmeth said, ushering them inside. “We must speak so she can understand us.”

She stepped in and inhaled the rich spices of food that made her mouth water. She wasn’t able to snatch more than a quick lunch that day, so by now she was starving.

Asmeth wasn’t just a wizard with clothing but also with delectable foods that tempted her palate. They sat in a room filled with sumptuous silk cushions, low, highly polished black lacquer tables, and elegant bowls filled with a variety of foods.

“I have dragon egg soup, roasted griffin breast, seasoned greens, pickled frog legs, sugared almonds, and many other treats,” the wizard continued, naming the foods arrayed before them.

“How many guests are you expecting, Asmeth?” Jared laughed. “There’s a feast here.”

“Asmeth never does anything by half measure,” Lili said, accepting Asmeth’s hand as she arranged herself on a cobalt blue silk cushion.

“And one of my special wines.” The wizard poured a golden liquid into three goblets. “To a meal that befits us.” He toasted them.

“How did you two meet?” Lili asked curiously.

“The boy needed sanctuary,” Asmeth said as he met Jared’s frown with a smile. “You cannot tell me that Lili does not know all about you.”

“Not everything,” he muttered, reaching over to refill his goblet.

“Their calling you dangerous is a travesty,” the wizard huffed. “The only danger you cause is to the females who lust after you.” His portly belly rolled with his laughter, which gradually subsided. “First, we will speak of the children you sent me.” He speared a look at Lili.

“Cassie grew up very quickly when she became Kevin’s mother,” she reminded him.

“Yes, I saw her maturity and that she is different. Oh, not a preternatural.” He waved his hand, smiling as red-and-gold sparks floated off his fingertips. “More as a…” he looked upward as he searched for the right word, “a receiver. She is someone who would easily attract someone from our world. And her son shows great promise as one who sees past illusions. Sees us for what we truly are.” His fingers hovered over the bowls until he chose a sugared almond, popping it into his mouth. He spooned dragon egg soup into three bowls and passed two to Lili and Jared. “Of course, I could only perform a few cursory tests on the boy.” He clucked under his tongue. “They have very little in their lives,” he informed her.

“That was easy to assume,” she said, sensing what was coming next.

“I invited Cassandra to stay in my other residence and told her she was not to worry about any form of rental payment. I assured her she and her son would be perfectly safe there. That I would not be living there, and it would be solely for her own use.” He chuckled. “Kevin told her I spoke the truth, and if they stayed there, he could have a puppy or kitten. They will move in this weekend. The girl needs more schooling, but she is too proud to accept much help. She requires a higher-paying position than where she is now. And I will look into Kevin receiving proper education. He is a very intelligent boy, and I know he will learn quickly.”

Lili felt her entire body warm. She also knew the little boy would have a pet before the week was out. “I knew I could count on you, Asmeth, and I thank you for all your kindness. After talking to Kevin, do you have any idea what his father is?”

“Besides his obviously being a demon?” He shook his head. “I am not certain, but I will be doing some sleuthing. You might also want to contact your friend Margit. Perhaps she can provide you some additional protection charms for the young man. We must do what we can, so Cassandra will not have to fear that the sire might return to steal the boy away. I am sure his full powers will flourish once he has reached puberty. He needs to learn shielding as soon as possible.” He glanced at Jared. “I feel you could assist me with that.”

“If there’s a way I can, I’m happy to help,” Jared promised, realizing as he looked at Lili that he would do anything to receive the bright smile he just received.

He couldn’t remember the last time someone looked at him as if he wasn’t a rabid animal or treated him even worse. Lili was the first in a long time who showed him any form of kindness. He looked her way, staring into her coffee-brown eyes. Her olive skin, wildly curling hair, and dark eyes gave her a wild, striking look and revealed her Mediterranean heritage.

He knew little about her magickal heritage other than she was a witch talented in the healing arts and had obviously been a doctor for many years. He overheard the other inmates—there wasn’t any way he could think of any of them as patients when they sure weren’t treated like such—discussing her, their surprise at how compassionate she was. Nothing like Dr. Mortimer, who preferred to deal with a more painful way of
treatment
. He wasn’t sure what the doctor wanted from them, but he was at the point where he intended to find out one way or another.

“I knew I did the right thing to send them to you, Asmeth,” Lili said, accepting more wine and a slice of griffin breast, along with some seasoned greens. “For all I knew, someone could try to steal Kevin away from her, or he would end up in a mundane institution where no one would understand how to help him. I want to show you something.” She dug through her bag and pulled out the drawings Kevin made. She fanned them out and moved aside some of the serving dishes so she could set them down.

Asmeth looked distressed as he leaned over the table to better study the pictures. He shuddered as he carefully examined each one, barely touching the paper with his fingertips.

Jared moved in closer, looking from one to the other until he picked one up. He settled back on his cushion and held the drawing up.

“Dark demon,” he pronounced. “Pure predator. They like their meat young and soft.”

Lili grimaced. “And they impregnate them?”

“They will when they feel the need for young,” he replied. “This probably isn’t a picture of the kid’s sire. Just another one he saw. Looks like he can see past their glamours now.” He dropped the paper back on the table. A flick of his fingers turned the picture to ash. Another twitch, and they were all reduced to powder. “Not a good idea to keep them around. Even these pictures can allow the subject to backtrack.”

Asmeth steepled his fingers in front of his chin. “I have heard gossip that there has been an increase in demon activity in the past few years. That they wish to encroach in our territories.”

“That kind of info I can’t help you with,” Jared said, looking at Lili with a regretful expression. “I haven’t had a letter from home in years.”

“The boy and his mother will be protected,” Asmeth vowed.

“You can do it?” Lili asked.

“Of course I can.” He laughed as if there was never any doubt. “I have many contacts, dear Lilianna, just as I know you do with your friend in the Hellion Guard.”

Jared swiveled around to stare at her. “You have friends in the Hellions? Wow, Doc, you’re just full of surprises, aren’t you? I may have been out of the mainstream for a while, but I have heard of the Hellions and what they can do.”

“It always pays to stay on the right side of the law,” she quipped.

“Or at least allow them to think you are,” Asmeth joked.

“And here I thought you only bothered with outfitting us with proper robes,” Jared teased the wizard.

“That is a very large concern with me.” He waved his hand, a ruby ring glinting vividly in the candlelight. “Some magick folk have no idea what they should wear for formal functions.”

“How long have you two known each other?” Jared asked, looking from Lili to Asmeth.

“I first met Lilianna in the spring of 1573,” the wizard replied. “At the time, she worked for a vile apothecary in Athens. I was there to purchase some fine lamb’s wool from a merchant I’d known for many years. Eccentric fellow, but he always provided a wonderful repast.” He patted his belly. “I was taken ill, and Lili arrived with the apothecary. The latter was drunk and could do nothing, while she silently mixed a potion that fixed me right up.” His lip curled. “Naturally the apothecary took the credit for my return to good health and slapped Lili for insolence.”

Jared felt his neck bones crack as he swiftly turned in Lili’s direction. “I gather he’s been dead too many years to exact vengeance,” he growled.

She didn’t look up as she nibbled her food.

“Lili was too softhearted when he mistreated her,” Asmeth also growled. “I was not.”

“Asmeth doesn’t believe any female should be abused.” She reached over and touched his hand. “Diokles wasn’t the best employer in the world, but he gave me a chance to do what I loved. And he especially enjoyed utilizing my skills in stirring up healing potions and growing herbs when he couldn’t. But he didn’t appreciate being shown up or having his customers start asking me for my help, since women weren’t considered all that useful in the medicinal arts. And it wasn’t safe for witches to advertise their skills,” she said. “Diokles’s son took over the apothecary shop, and I was out of work, since his son’s wife didn’t appreciate my working so closely with her husband, even if he looked like the back end of a goat.” She wrinkled her nose.