A Demon's Work Is Never Done: Latter Day Demons, Book 2 (2 page)

"You're Anita?" the woman lifted her eyes to Anita's face.

Yes, I was terrified that she and Anita would fight one another for Watson, who needed medical treatment instead of a catfight.

"Yes," Anita nodded slowly.

"I'm Watson's sister," she said. "Can you help me get him to bed? He challenged Claudia and killed her. That's when my bastard husband attacked him, so we both killed him. It's all legal, according to Pack law."

"Let me," Kory offered. Watson hadn't lifted his head—that's how bad off he was. I could hear his labored breathing from several feet away. I watched as Kory lifted Watson in his arms and carried him easily down the hall, while Anita and Watson's sister followed.

It wasn't time to ask questions—Watson needed help and fast.

* * *

Kordevik

"I hope one of you has medical training," I said when I answered the door and found Davis, Thomas and two others on the porch.

Thomas and one of the strangers nodded. "I have an injured werewolf," I said as I led the way toward Watson's bedroom. "Got beat up pretty bad. I think he has a broken leg, too."

* * *

"I'm Opal Tadewi," the only woman in the group introduced herself to Watson. She was American Indian, with lovely, dark eyes and long, black hair she'd braided down her back. Her last name—
Tadewi
—meant wind woman.

Watson blinked at her; he was in pain—that was easy enough to see. Anita and Watson's sister, Sandra, were still cleaning away the blood and assessing the damage. Sandra moved aside when Opal stepped toward the bed.

"I hope you can set a broken leg," Watson hissed as Anita cleaned out a deep bite on his shoulder.

"I can, with some help," Opal said. "I'm the Director of the Joint NSA and Homeland Security Department," she added.

"Shifter," Watson grimaced as Anita cleaned debris from the bite.

"Yes. What do you have in the way of pain relief?" Opal turned her dark eyes on Lexsi, who stood nearby.

"I have ibuprofen, but that's it."

"Davis, get on the phone and get Mel over here. Quick. With his med kit and supplies."

"I can pick somebody up," I volunteered.

"I have the address," Davis said.

"Good. Let's go."

* * *

Lexsi

Mel turned out to be a physician who worked for the paranormal division of the Joint NSA/Homeland Security Department. He was a shapeshifter, but didn't elaborate past that as he went to work on Watson's broken leg.

Opal, who'd identified herself as the Director of the Joint NSA/Homeland Security Department, helped the physician set the leg, after giving Watson something to dull the pain.

"He'll heal fast." Sandra, Watson's sister sighed as she, Anita and I watched Opal and Mel pull on Watson's leg to get the bone back in place. Watson's eyes rolled in relief when the bone was finally positioned properly.

"Felicia was the one who broke his leg," Sandra snorted.

"Felicia?" Anita turned toward Sandra.

"His so-called girlfriend. He tried to get her away; she didn't want to go. She and that dickhead she married tried to kill my brother, then took off toward the vineyards. My guess is they got fried when everybody else did. Still don't know what caused the explosion, but good riddance to that pack of dog shit."

"She caused the explosion," Anita jerked her head in my direction. "You're lucky you got Watson away."

"I didn't," Sandra shrugged. "Somehow, we were standing on a small island on the eastern edge of the crater. Other than the wounds we took in the fight, we were untouched by the blast. When it was over, I hauled him away as best I could—found a car parked on a nearby road. Belonged to a werewolf. Keys were in the ignition, so I got Watson inside and drove where he told me to drive. Went to my house first, but I knew I couldn't set his leg and he needed help. That's why we're here."

Aunt Bree
, I sent to Anita.
She came to him when he was in that wreck. She wouldn't just let him die after that, I don't think. Still, we shouldn't press our luck
.

Agreed
, Anita replied.
I'm just glad he's still in one piece. Sort of
.

He'll be okay, and you can baby him after they get the splint on his leg
.

Hmmph
, she replied, but I saw the edge of her mouth curl into an almost-smile.

* * *

"So you're really James Rome," Opal studied Jamie. Her unblinking, dark eyes assessed him as she drank a cup of coffee at the kitchen island. I'd put the flatbread pizzas in the oven to bake while Kory and I explained about the Rome house in the LA area and how we'd found Jamie in the closet there, half starved.

"Yeah." Jamie wasn't happy to be placed under such scrutiny. Opal didn't appear surprised that he was a victim of an unwilling brain transfer, and listened closely as he described Laurel and Berke's questioning during his confinement.

"Do they have access to all your accounts?" Opal asked after a moment.

"They don't have information about one of my Swiss accounts," Jamie said, letting his shoulders droop while attempting to hide his shame.

"Good," Opal said. "I'd hate for you to be penniless while we have everything else that belongs to you tied up." She smiled at him, then. "Don't worry, I've met your brother," she said and reached out to pat his shoulder. "You can probably figure out how and why."

"You worked with him, didn't you?" Jamie's eyes lit up.

"Yes. We didn't always agree, but he did a creditable job when he held the Director's position."

"Thank goodness," Jamie released a sigh. "I thought I would have to jump through hoops just to prove who I really am."

"I'll see to it that you have a new identity," Opal said. "One you can live with while we're tracking down your wife and her lover. I have a feeling they're in deep with a crowd of undesirables, and we want all of them arrested and brought to justice."

"Thank you. That means a lot," Jamie said. "At least I'm alive—if Kory and Lexsi hadn't found me, I would have starved to death in that closet."

"You're not going to starve if we have anything to say about it," I declared, setting an entire flatbread pizza in front of him before cutting up three more for the others. "I can make more if this isn't enough, but I'll have to go to the store, first."

"Do you have a name you'd like to use?" Opal asked Jamie, whose mouth was full of pizza. He shrugged an answer.

"I say keep the first name and change the last name," Kory suggested. "That way he won't be confused when somebody yells at him."

"Why would they yell at him?" I frowned at Kory.

"Not like that—like if he's across the room or something." Kory wrinkled his nose at me. At least he felt like teasing.

"Food?" Farin wandered into the kitchen, yawning.

"Flatbread pizza," I said, setting out a plate for her. "Where's Tibby?"

"He's on his way," Farin said, pulling a piece of pizza off the pan and setting it on her plate. "He has a fight scheduled in two weeks in Vegas, so he went to the gym."

"Are you kidding?" I gaped at Farin. "He almost gets killed and he's worried about a fight in Vegas?"

"Who?" Jamie Rome perked up.

"His fighting name is Snark Demonio," Farin sounded proud.

"I have a bet on him," Jamie grinned. "He's coming here?"

"She said that," I pointed out.

"I'd love to meet him," Jamie said.

"Watson's asleep," I told Farin. "His sister brought him in—he's pretty banged up."

"He's alive?" Farin's eyes grew round and she stopped eating for a moment.

"Yeah. I really need to go to the store—they'll be hungry, too," I said.

"I'll have somebody pick up what you need," Opal lifted her cell phone off the island.

The Director of the Joint NSA/Homeland Security Department was going to help run my errands?
I stared at her for seconds in shock.

"You make good pizza," she grinned at me. I couldn't help but grin back.

* * *

Kordevik

Opal explained why she'd come after conveying Lexsi's grocery list to a nameless agent on the other end of a cell-phone conversation.

"I want to hire both of you," she said. I wasn't surprised by the request, but Lexsi was. If I were honest, I wasn't sure I wanted Lexsi involved in this any further than she was already, but I realized soon enough that it was my Thifilathi expressing the desire to keep her safe.

That's why I chose to ignore it—Lexsi had saved all of us two nights earlier, and Opal understood that as well as anyone.

"We have no idea what or who was firing at us the other night," Opal explained, her dark eyes unblinking and sincere. "We really need to investigate this, as you can imagine. We can use your unique talents, I believe, if we expect to have any success at it. Besides, we pay well and I hear you're out of a job at the moment."

Her last statement was spoken in a teasing manner—she probably knew that Lexsi could get a job as a field reporter with any news station in the city.

"I'm willing," I said. "I won't mind working with Davis, Thomas and the others."

"What about you, Lexsi?" Opal turned to her. I watched as Lexsi worried her lower lip with her teeth—this was new to her, and she felt uncomfortable and out of her depth.

"Whatever you want to do, baby," I reached out to cover her hand with mine.

"I don't know what to do—not really," she said.

"We'll get you through it," Opal reassured her. "I think you have more than enough natural talent, and you'll have good people around you if you have questions."

"Are you sure?" She asked me.

At that moment, my Thifilathi wanted to skip her away and make sure she was protected. I fought it back; she'd protected us two nights ago with no qualms as to what it could cost her. I nodded and gave her a smile.

"All right." She still didn't sound sure of herself or her decision.

I'll be with you, baby
, I sent.
We'll get through it together
.

"Good. I'll get IDs for you. Do you think Anita will be interested in a job, too? We could use her and her werewolf friend, when he's back on his feet." Opal slapped the island, as if that finalized everything.

"Ask Anita if she wants the job," I said. "She needs work, too, and Watson just killed his boss, or so I hear."

"It's Pack law," Opal shrugged. "He's the rightful Packmaster of San Francisco, now, but there's not much of a Pack left for him to govern. He'll have to rebuild."

"The money will be nice," Anita walked in on our conversation. "If you want us, I think we'd both be interested. Sandra, too, if you want."

"Watson will have to make that decision—Sandra and a few others are the only pack members he has at the moment," Opal nodded. "I'll get the paperwork put in, but I'll need information from all of you. Davis and Thomas can give you the necessary questionnaires to fill out. We'll have you onboard by tomorrow, although Watson will have to stay off his feet for at least three days."

"Hear that?" Anita swatted Lexsi's shoulder. "We'll be special-friggin'-agents."

"I don't feel so special," Lexsi sighed. "I feel sick."

"Baby?" I was on my feet immediately.

"I'm not going to barf on your shoes," she held up a hand. "I just feel unsure of myself. That's all."

"I'm meeting with someone this afternoon who has been sent here to help," Opal stood and nodded to us. "If he fits in, he may be working directly with you. If what I've heard is correct, he has extensive experience in this sort of thing."

"Shapeshifter?" Anita asked.

"Vampire," Opal shrugged. "Somebody I haven't worked with before. We'll see how good he is."

"What's his name?" Anita asked. "Will he fit in with Klancy and Mason?"

"His name is Kell, and I have no idea."

Chapter 2

Lexsi

"Farin, I think you can get hired by any station you want," I said.

"Chica, you don't have to look for a job," Tibby said. "At least not right away. I know how much you love your work," he held up a hand. "Abuela says she likes your weather reports online, too. It's up to you if you want to wait awhile; I want to take you to Vegas with me."

"Your gran watches weather online?" I blinked at Tibby.

"My abuela is very knowledgeable. She has to be—she is the Packmaster of our kind in San Diego. She will also come to watch me fight in Vegas."

"I never imagined you'd be a shapeshifter," Jamie said, lifting an open bottle of beer to salute Tibby.

"I never imagined you would be so accepting," Tibby nodded. "I am grateful."

"I'm all for it," Jamie said. "I've been following your career since you started."

"Who knew one of the richest men in California would like boxing," Anita said. "Or even know that there are shapeshifters and vampires."

"Someday, I'd like to introduce you to my brother," he grumped and lowered his eyes. "We just don't look like brothers anymore."

"Look at it this way," Kory observed. "You get a chance at youth again. Not many do, or so I hear."

"I'm still trying to figure out what you are," Jamie lifted an eyebrow at Kory. "I hear the house in L.A. is burned to the ground and the fire department couldn't make a dent in the flames."

"I think of them as the good devils," Tibby grinned. "Set against the bad ones, who tried to kill us the other night. I wouldn't argue—they saved your culo."

"I know they saved my culo," Jamie grinned for the first time. "I'm not hungry anymore because that woman can cook like nobody I've ever met," he nodded to me. "I'm grateful."

"You're welcome. Just be glad somebody sent the message that you were trapped in that closet," I said. "I knew I had to get you out after that. Sorry for burning your place down, but I got one look at all of Laurel's expensive clothes and jewelry and lost it."

"Don't worry," Jamie said. "That's exactly what I wanted to do, too—burn all her things because I've been faithful to her all these years, and she does this."

"I'll do worse than burn her things," Anita grumbled. "Sorry if that offends you, but she may not survive—she's caused too many innocents to die."

"I get that," Jamie said and pushed his beer bottle toward me, silently asking for another. "Is it terrible to say I don't have a problem with it?"

Kory's phone dinged while I grabbed a fresh beer from the fridge for Jamie.

"Davis and Thomas are on their way back—they want to talk about prisoners in jail that may not be the originals," Kory's dark eyes held mine.

I knew what that meant. He and I—we'd nullify any spells placed on those people while I could tell whether they were lying.

"How many prisons?" I asked.

"A lot," Kory frowned.

* * *

Kordevik

Lexsi busied herself in the kitchen—I understood she was occupying herself with something she felt confident doing. Being thrust into a job with the Joint NSA/Homeland Security Department had made her temporarily uncomfortable.

I wanted to wrap my arms around her and tell her that every new job or assignment came with that same uncertainty—until you went to work and built up confidence in your abilities all over again.

I wanted to tell her that she was young and hadn't dealt with this—but that could be taken the wrong way, so I kept that thought to myself.

I was fighting a battle with my Thifilathi, too—one it was determined to win. It demanded that I make her mine.

Immediately.

Fuck off
, I informed it sternly.
You'll have to wait
.

"What are you making?" I rubbed Lexsi's back while she worked at the island.

"Salmon croquettes," she said. "Sandra says they're one of Watson's favorites, so I'm hoping to feed him when he wakes."

"He's still asleep?" I turned her toward me and pulled her into an embrace.

"Yeah," she muffled against my shoulder. "That doctor gave him plenty of pain medication so he'd sleep while his leg, the deep bites and cartilage tears heal. I'm grateful werewolves recover so fast. If he were human, it could take weeks or months for him to get over these injuries."

"I'm grateful werewolves are so damned hard to kill," I said softly. I wasn't ready to let go—Watson had been the first to befriend me on an unfamiliar planet. Mason, Klancy and the others—I was grateful for them, too.

Most of all, though, I was grateful for Lexsi. I kissed her forehead before she pulled away.

"He's waking up," Anita arrived in the kitchen. "How close are we to having food ready?"

"It'll take about five minutes, once I put them on to fry," Lexsi said, placing a skillet on the burner and turning it on.

"Great. What else do we have?"

"I still have some bacon—you can microwave that until these are done."

"Let me," I grinned and placed my Thifilathi's hand on the skillet, heating the oil before the flame underneath could do its job.

"Nice work, dude," Anita grinned at me and trotted toward the fridge for the bacon.

"Yeah, what she said," Lexsi laughed and placed the first of six salmon croquettes in the skillet.

* * *

Kell

I'd been asked—in such a way that I understood my refusal wouldn't be accepted. Earth would never have been my choice for a visit—it was constantly at war with itself, with so many countries and factions within countries it could make anyone wary.

The inhabitants often shrugged it off—they'd seen so much discord in their lives it became familiar. Commonplace. Any move to change was always met with opposition—money was king and all were its servants.

I had a meeting scheduled with the Director of one of several security agencies tasked with protecting the same country—unlike the ASD, which covered everything for many, many worlds combined.

In the country known as the United States, these agencies vied with one another—for funding, power and resources. Yes, I'd done research on Earth and its various countries after accepting this assignment. Frankly, it baffled me.

I was grateful I knew the languages now—Queen Lissa gave them to me before I left Le-Ath Veronis. Rigo smiled encouragement before I was transported to Earth by the Queen's Falchani mates.

I was left in a hotel room, which had been prepaid for two days. A car was scheduled to arrive momentarily, so I stood in the hotel lobby, waiting for someone to call for me.

The English language felt awkward on my tongue as I told a hotel employee that I waited for a ride and didn't need assistance. He nodded—he found me attractive and was more than willing to put forth an extra effort.

At least the clothing was comfortable, although a bit more casual than what I'd have worn on Hraede for a meeting.

Black jeans and boots, a pale yellow, long-sleeved button-down collar shirt and a belt that matched the boots. No need to explain my true feelings about carrying a wallet—in the Alliances, the chip beneath my wrist was the only ID and funding needed. On Earth, I realized quickly, things were very old-fashioned and mostly inconvenient.

"Kell Abenott?" A man strode into the lobby. He was tall, dark-haired and a werewolf; I could tell by his scent. I knew I'd be working with vampires and werewolves in a special division of the designated agency, but hadn't expected one to drive me to my destination.

"Yes," I nodded and held out my hand—it was proper protocol for the United States.

"Good to meet you. I'm Jorden Billings," he grinned. "Special agent and sometimes driver for the boss lady. Come on, I'll get you there in time for your meeting."

"Is your boss lady also werewolf?" I asked as we walked out of the hotel toward a dark-blue vehicle nearby. I'd softened my voice—the humanoid inhabitants of Earth were still very much in the dark as far as the supernatural community was concerned.

"Nah. She's a shifter, though. Won't tell any of us what kind."

"Where are you from, Jorden Billings?" I asked.

"California," he said. "That's where you'll be headed soon enough, if my guess is correct."

"I've researched the recent events in San Francisco, but have had to rely heavily on human news programs for the information," I said as Jorden opened the passenger side door for me.

"None of those programs will give you an accurate description," Jorden sighed as he slid onto the driver's seat of the vehicle. I shut my door with a nod. "I thought as much," I replied as he placed the vehicle in gear and drove away from the hotel. "What can you tell me about it?" I continued as he navigated his way through heavy traffic.

"I'll let the boss lady do that—she knows more than I do. If she sends you to the West Coast like I think she will, you'll get firsthand accounts from a few who survived the whole, nasty mess."

"That's good, I suppose," I said.

"Where are you from?" Jorden asked.

"Hraede," I said with a shrug and a smile.

* * *

Opal

All I heard from Bree was this vampire was some kind of super spy, who'd been so deep undercover for centuries on Hraede that even his vampire child thought him dead. I had no idea how he could help me with this problem. Every time I considered it, I broke out in hives. A velociraptor shapeshifter
never
broke out in hives about
anything
.

Laurel Rome had thrown her lot—and her husband's considerable fortune—in with those from other worlds. A drug—drakus seed—was probably their intended cash crop and they'd pretty much taken over the country of Peru to grow the stuff.

Laurel believed she was in charge.

I believed she was anything but.

Warlocks and witches tended to be in charge, because they held the power. If they worked for someone else, then that someone else might believe they held the power because they paid the witch and warlock.

"See previous statement," I mumbled to myself as I scooted a tablet to the side of my desk.

Kell Abenott was scheduled to arrive at any moment, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that. "See previous statement," I repeated. After all,
I
was supposed to be in charge. Kell Abenott was older than I, and I was ancient. Would he attempt to take over? I anticipated a struggle of some sort, and wasn't prepared for it to be with an old and powerful vampire.

"Ms. Tadewi?" my assistant knocked on the door before opening it.

I lifted an eyebrow at Chaya as she stood in the doorway.

"They're here—Jorden and Mr. Abenott."

"Send them in," I said, squelching a sigh.

Jorden grinned at me when he walked in first, followed by—
wow
.

* * *

Lexsi

"Honey, if you eat any more, it'll make you sick," Anita cautioned as Watson held up his plate for a refill.

"Woman, are you telling me no?" he turned a frown in her direction.

"When it's for your own good, I'll tell you no, twenty-four-seven," she said.

"I agree with Anita," Sandra said. "I've cleaned out your bites and cuts. I really don't want to clean up your barf, too."

"When's breakfast?" Watson handed his plate to Anita and settled back against his pillow. We'd fed him in bed—which he appreciated greatly.

"I think you can have a snack in an hour or two," I said. "Give your dinner time to settle, first."

"Fine."

"Dude, you're lucky to be alive," Kory pointed out. "Food takes a back seat to your life."

"Sandy," Watson turned to his sister, "Do we have anything on Claudia's bank accounts?"

"She emptied them," Sandra replied. "Sent everything, including the Pack funds, to a South American bank. There's no way to get to any of that back. Plus, I think Opal would order any accounts frozen due to Claudia's involvement in this entire fiasco with Laurel Rome."

"That's what I was afraid of," Watson let his head sink farther into his pillow and closed his eyes. "How can we rebuild the San Francisco Pack when there's nothing to rebuild it with? Which Pack members are still alive—besides us?" His eyes popped open again.

"Only a few—a couple of old ones and the few who'd pulled their membership out of the Pack because they didn't agree with Claudia's recent decisions."

"Damn." Watson's eyes closed again.

"I know you licked her shoes for me," Sandra said, taking his hand. "I appreciate that."

"I'd do worse than that to keep you out of Jack Pitt's hands," Watson mumbled. "This one was bad enough. Jack—a thousand times worse."

"Can we ask your agents to investigate Jack Pitt?" Sandra turned pleading eyes on Kory. "I have a feeling he's in this to his ear tips with Claudia."

"Where is he?" Kory asked.

"In Ohio. His whole family is big in martial arts. They claim to be the best fighters anywhere," Sandra said. "Jack likes to abuse women. Claudia tried to sell me to him." She turned her head away. It troubled her deeply—that Watson, in some way, had made a deal with Claudia to keep his sister away from a monster. It wasn't just Watson's girlfriend, as I'd imagined before.