Ask the Oracle (2 page)

police.

Oracles were very rare. There were only six known in the entire United States, each

with a varying level of talent. Gray was right at the top of their ranks. He was able to see the

past, present and all possible futures. It had been speculated that he was one of the most

powerful Oracles in the world, but he couldn’t care less. His only concern was helping as

many people as he could with his ‘gift’.

It had taken him a long time to see his abilities as a blessing, and not the curse that had

tortured him for more than half of his life. Abandoned as an infant, he’d spent his childhood

in orphanages and group homes where his visions had tormented him to the point where

he’d almost taken his own life. He’d been an open channel, allowing everything to come

through but without the benefit of a shutoff switch. It had been a chance meeting with

Stephen Jurgens, a well-known psychic, when he was eighteen that helped him understand

that he was an Oracle and not mentally deranged, as he had previously believed. The older

man had become both a friend and mentor, saving his life in more ways than one. Stephen

had taught him how to both strengthen and control his power. The lessons he’d learned from

his friend had been invaluable. With his newly gained control, he was finally able to choose

what visions and information to see, and ignore the rest. The ability to know everything truly

made Gray appreciate the novelty of a real surprise, good or bad.

Now, almost eight years later, Gray had truly come to grips with what he was. He had

his own consulting firm, Revelations, and business was booming. The company was small by

design, made up of himself, Sarah, his accountant, Drew, and his security team. They were

like a family, which was something he didn’t have much experience with, but found he

loved.

Sensing his approach, Sarah looked up, flashing him her usual megawatt smile. “How’s

it goin’, handsome? Any news on the little girl?”

“Yes, ma’am. She’s going to be fine. Detective Branson just left and should be on his

way to get her now. With any luck, she’ll be back home with her family tonight.”

“Oh, thank God!” Sarah breathed. “Will they catch the guys that took her?”

“Yes,” Gray growled, dangerously. “Even if I have to
See
them for the next month

straight. They won’t walk away from this, I promise you.” Gray didn’t tell Sarah that he had

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Seen
what they would have done to the little girl, even after they had got the ransom they

were demanding from her family. Sarah didn’t need that kind of knowledge. It was never a

good idea to let her get too curious about some of the things he had
Seen
. The what-ifs would

drive a person mad. Better he be the only one to suffer the burden of knowing what could

have happened.

When Sarah gave him a knowing look, he did his best not to appear guilty. Gray hated

that she could see through him so well. At times, it was like she had a VIP access to his soul.

She always knew when he was keeping things from her. “So, what do you have lined up for

me for the rest of the afternoon?”

Sarah threw him one last suspicious glare, making it clear that he wasn’t pulling

anything over on her, before turning her attention back to the paperwork on her desk.

“Luckily, we’ve got a pretty light afternoon. Just case review and billing verification.

You know…all that boring stuff that helps keep us in business.” Gray’s immediate scowl had

Sarah laughing. Gray hated both activities and she knew it. He usually put them off as long

as possible…or found a way to con Sarah into doing it for him.

He was about to try to beg off, when Sarah’s phone rang. Giving her a pout, he batted

his eyelashes playfully at her.

“Don’t even think about it,” she scowled at him sternly. “You’re not getting out of it

this time,
Mr Muir
. I’m not buying the cute face. Go clear off some space on your desk so we

have room, while I get this call. I’ll be there in five minutes and you better be ready to work,

mister.” Pointing her finger towards the hallway for emphasis, she answered the call with

her free hand, still giving him a piercing look.

Reluctantly admitting defeat, Gray made his way back to his office. He had just started

to sort through the mess that covered his desk, when his door burst open. Expecting to see

Sarah, he looked up, ready to tease her about her over-the-top entry. When his eyes lifted, the

sight before him left him speechless.

Instead of finding his five-foot-nothing, blonde-haired, blue-eyed assistant, he was

treated to the sight of an olive-skinned, raven-haired god. The man in his doorway had to be

close to seven feet of dark, dangerous and delicious. His broad, powerful body was covered

in layers of thick, corded muscle that Gray had a strong desire to explore with his tongue.

Long, onyx hair fell well past the middle of his back and his almond-shaped, mocha eyes

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were mesmerising in their intensity. The colour was amazing, like melted chocolate, but it

was the hint of hellfire flickering in their depths that truly caught Gray’s attention.

Demon.
Fuck! Of all the luck.

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“In civilised society, it’s considered polite to knock,” Gray stated sardonically. He

chastised himself for his initial attraction towards his Demonic intruder. It was a well-known

fact that Demons were not to be trusted. He should know better. “Can I help you?”

“You are Grayson Muir.” It wasn’t a question. The Demon’s voice was a deep, rich

baritone. It brought with it thoughts of silk sheets and sweat-slick skin. Gray’s breath caught

and his pants became uncomfortably tight. Lust Demon.
Damn it!

“I’m not in the mood for this shit today, Demon. If you just came here to screw with me,

then you can show yourself out. I’ve got stuff to do.” Dismissing the Demon, Gray turned his

attention back to the mess that was his desk.

“My name is not Demon,” the man growled, obviously insulted. “My name is
Andreo

Demos, but you may call me Dreo.”

When Gray failed to respond, he felt the Demon’s gaze on him, his appraising look so

intense it was almost like a physical touch.

“You’re not afraid of me?”

The disbelief in the Demon’s voice was amusing, so Gray didn’t bother to hide his

laugh. Andreo Demos was not the first ‘monster’ he had met and far from the scariest.

Probably the sexiest, but Gray wasn’t going to tell him that. Lust Demons already thought

enough of themselves—no need to throw fuel on that fire.

“No, I’m not afraid of you,” Gray responded, not bothering to stop his cleaning efforts.

“Now, is there something I can help you with or were you just passing through?”

The Demon frowned, confusion clouding his expression. “There is some trouble in the

Underworld. Due to recent events, we have found ourselves in need of an Oracle. On behalf

of the Demon Council, I would like to retain your services.”

Gray stopped shuffling papers, shock rendering him frozen. He couldn’t imagine what

type of situation would cause a Demon to need help from an Oracle. Demons were known

for being the snobs of the paranormal community. They liked to claim that they were all-

powerful and therefore superior to all other paras. Gray would have assumed there was

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some type of Demon out there capable of
Seeing
. Well, that was just too bad for Andreo

Demos. Grayson Muir didn’t take on jobs for Demons.

“Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll pass.”

“Excuse me?” Dreo’s brow rose in disbelief.

“I said, thanks but no thanks.”

“But I haven’t even told you what the job is—”

“Oh, it doesn’t matter,” Gray said, waving a dismissive hand. “I don’t take on Demon

cases.”

“Are you joking? Why the hell not?”

“It’s a personal choice and none of your concern,” Gray snapped, his voice surprisingly

rough. “Just like any business, I have the right to refuse service to anyone. Therefore, I won’t

be working for any Demons. Now, if that’s all, I have work to get back to.” Gray turned away

from the gorgeous Demon, hoping he would take the hint and leave before Gray’s raging

hormones made him do something he knew he’d hate himself for later—like beg the man to

ride him into the floor.

The room went quiet. The silence was so complete, Gray was sure Dreo had left. Letting

out a breath of relief, he turned—and practically jumped out of his skin at the sight of the

dark-haired Demon, sitting casually on the corner of his desk. How the man had got so close

without Gray hearing him was both baffling and terrifying.

“What are you still doing here?” he stammered, trying to calm his racing heart.

Dreo tilted his head to the side but said nothing. He stared at Gray curiously. His

smouldering gaze was unsettling and filled Gray with nervous energy. He felt naked under

that scrutiny, stripped bare, all his secrets on display. He didn’t like the feeling—some things

were private for a reason. Lips pursed, he scowled darkly at Dreo before storming over to his

door. He glared pointedly at the infuriating man.

“I think it’s time for you to leave.”

“Why do you distrust Demons so strongly?” Dreo asked, his dark brow arched. “Make

me understand so I can attempt to repair this rift between us.”

Gray’s body went rigid as his muscles tensed. “As I said before, it’s a personal matter

and nothing for you to worry yourself over. If you’re in the market for an Oracle, Opal

Vasquez has an office off Pearl Street. I know for a fact that she takes on Demon clients. I can

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write you a referral, if you’d like.” Gray made a move towards his desk but was stopped by a

hand on his shoulder.

“Do you think I didn’t fully research Oracles before coming to you? I didn’t randomly

pull your name from the phone book. I chose you because you are the best. The situation is

delicate, and discretion is a must. By all accounts, your skill is rivalled only by your

professionalism. I am in dire need of both.”

Gray knew he should refuse outright. No good ever came from working with Demons.

Unfortunately, his inherent sense of curiosity grabbed a hold of him, driving him to delve

deeper into the mystery that surrounded the man before him.

“What’s the job?” Even as the words crossed his lips, he knew he was going to regret

asking. Sadly, he knew better than anyone that a bell can never be un-rung.

The smirk that tugged at the corner of Dreo’s sensuous lips immediately made Gray

nervous. When a Demon looked at you with victory in his eyes, it was a good time to be

concerned.

“The Lord of the Underworld has been murdered,” Dreo stated, his expression

becoming serious in the blink of an eye. “Whoever is responsible was able to mask their

presence. We have no idea who the guilty party is or even where to start looking. This is why

we are in need of your particular skill set. The first part of the job is to identify the murderer,

so they can be apprehended and—”

“Executed?” Gray asked, his tone sharp.

“Brought to justice,” Dreo continued, brow arched.

“Yeah, right,” Gray scoffed. “I have a pretty good understanding of how Demons

administer
justice
.” Grabbing a stack of papers, he began to shuffle through them angrily.

Dreo grabbed his wrist, stopping Gray’s jerky movements with his steady grip. He

applied gentle pressure, squeezing gradually tighter until Gray looked up, effectively

trapping him in the Demon’s smouldering gaze.

“Explain yourself,” Dreo demanded, his tone calm yet firm.

“I don’t have to explain anything to you,” Gray growled. He jerked his arm, trying to

break free of Dreo’s grip, but found himself to be no match for the Demon’s superior

strength.

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“Oh, yes you do,” Dreo snarled, pulling Gray in tighter against his body. “You don’t get

to make a blanket statement like that, without any explanation. What have my people ever

done to you to cause such distrust and animosity?”

“You’re Demons,” Gray sneered. “Your mere existence causes distrust and animosity.

Your entire reason for being is to encourage others to give into sin. I’m just confused as to

why you claim to need my help with this. I would assume if someone did murder your

leader, you guys would be throwing them a party or something. Aren’t you guys all for

killing, stealing and corrupting the innocent?”

“You know nothing of a Demon’s true purpose!” Dreo roared angrily, his eyes glowing