The Demon's Song (11 page)

“We need to pick up where we left off. Soon,” he said, his voice a soft growl that
had every nerve ending in her body singing. “I’m not going to forget.”

Flustered, aroused, it was hard to muster up any kind of an argument. She wasn’t going
to forget, either. But there were a couple of things that she wanted—no, needed—to
know from him. This wasn’t the time to ask, but it couldn’t wait long. Not after tonight.

“I—”

Then she looked beyond him, realized what she was standing in the middle of, and forgot
every word she might have said.

She would never have believed it if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes. Phenex had
brought her into some kind of dark fairy tale.

They stood at the top of a rise, the dark mouth of the tunnel behind them, a cobblestone
street rolling away in front of them. Sofia’s eyes widened as they moved over every
detail of the city spread out before her. An entire city. In a cave. At least, she
thought that’s where they were. Rough stone walls stretched upward above her and in
the distance, eventually vanishing into darkness. It was incredible...and yet not
as incredible as the homes and shops that the walls encased. Each building that lined
the bustling street in front of her looked to have been carved from the stone itself,
gothic masterpieces straight out of fantasy. Narrow doorways and arches, sharp peaks
and spirals, gingerbread details that were somehow menacing—it was creepy perfection.
Sofia thought she even saw a gargoyle or two leering over the rooftops. This place
was beautiful and strange, and full of people besides. They walked beneath the gaslights
that lined the streets as though there were nothing unusual about it at all, most
as pale and gorgeous as the place they inhabited.

A lot of the people, Sofia finally realized, were looking at her.

“Damn it, Phenex, what is this?”

The voice that sliced through the air was more of a snarl. Sofia turned her head to
see Justin bearing down on them, his red eyes glowing. He looked—and sounded—furious.
Sofia watched him approach, noticing that Phenex kept his hands protectively on her
shoulders when she tried to step back.

Some of the vampires—they had to be vampires—wandering around were grabbing friends
to get closer and watch. Justin’s shouting had attracted a crowd.

The vampire king stopped only a couple of feet away from her, dressed smartly in an
all-black suit and tie. He looked as if he wanted to bite someone as his eyes moved
from Phenex to Sofia, and back again.

“She can’t be here.”

“She has to be here,” Phenex replied, and though his voice was calm, Sofia could hear
the steel running beneath it. He had no intention of losing this fight. Though neither,
from the looks of things, did Justin.

“No. I put up with a lot of the shit you and your brothers do, Phenex, but this is
beyond—”

“Belial is behind the problems at the club,” Phenex said, smoothly cutting Justin
off. “He paid us a visit just a little while ago. I’m going to suggest you worry more
about that than one small human invading your space. Sofia has nowhere else to go
until this is taken care of.”

Justin had gone very still. He stared for a few seconds, then cursed viciously. “Damn
it, where is Uriel? We should have been warned about this! I don’t care if this doesn’t
threaten the Balance, it threatens
us
! It’s important!”

“The archangels have their own priorities. You know that,” Phenex said. In response,
Justin tipped back his head and made a sound of complete frustration. Sofia tried
to cling to the fact that it was a reassuringly human reaction, even in the middle
of all these things and people that had nothing to do with humanity.

“Okay,” Justin finally said, glaring off into the distance. “Just this once. She stays.
With you. At all times, Phenex.”

“
She
is perfectly capable of understanding instructions,” Sofia said. That drew Justin’s
eyes to her, and he looked irritated for a brief instant before relenting.

“Yes, I see you are. Okay, then, Sofia, here’s the deal. This city, my city, is full
of the kinds of creatures you only read about. Vampires, werewolves, witches and warlocks,
a handful of Fae. We’re here because this is a safe place, away from humankind. Safe
for
us
. That doesn’t make it safe for you. If you wander off by yourself, I can’t guarantee
nothing will happen to you. There are rules here, and offenders are dealt with, but
that’s not necessarily going to stop someone who decides you look like an entertaining
target. Stay with Phenex.”

Sofia nodded, relieved that this hurdle, at least, had been passed. “I can do that.”
The gentle squeeze Phenex gave her shoulders was reassuring. Still, as fascinating
as this all was, she didn’t think she was going to be able to forget that she wasn’t
exactly welcome here. And there were other issues—her job, for one thing. She was
supposed to work for the next two days. And her parents… God, her mother was going
to freak out if she couldn’t get hold of her, and they talked pretty regularly. But
naturally, her cell phone was in her purse. Which had been left at the apartment,
along with everything but the clothes on her back. At least Phenex had said he’d get
someone to bring her stuff…she hoped. But this couldn’t last long.

“Justin,” Sofia said just as he began to turn away. He stopped and looked at her,
one eyebrow raised.

“I appreciate the help. Really. But when can I go back to my life?”

His expression wasn’t reassuring. Not at all. “When we manage to kill another Fallen,
apparently. It shouldn’t be long before Belial shows his face again, now that he knows
we know. I just hope we’re not too busy fighting his horde when he does.” He shook
his head. “We’ve had three vampires killed just in the past week, all near entrances
to the basement. Four bitten humans, one serious enough to have to go to the hospital,
and, of course, one new and very unplanned vampire. And there was a murder in the
alley behind the building just two nights ago. The poor woman was literally torn to
shreds. Do you know how many moving parts we have to deal with so that nothing is
tied to the club, to us? I can’t thrall the whole city, Phenex, but I swear sometimes
that’s what it’s going to wind up taking. People are nervous. Last night we had empty
tables for the first time in memory. Humans are fascinating that way…their instincts
are stronger than they know. And right now, I can’t complain about it.”

“We’ll get him,” Phenex said softly.

“We’d better hope so,” Justin replied. “I knew what to expect when we agreed to harbor
you and the others. To most of Hell, you’re nothing but traitors. The Infernal Council
knows better, but they still want you dead. I thought that after Raum killed Mammon,
Hell would let us be for a while and think twice about trying to punish my people.
I should have known better. But if the archangels think that Terra Noctem is acceptable
collateral damage in their war, they have another thing coming.” Justin closed his
eyes, features tight as he shook his head. “Never mind. This is a talk for later.
Get settled.”

Justin turned and stalked away, leaving Sofia to stare after him, feeling more helpless
than she ever had in her life. Her self-defense skills weren’t going to help her against
a demon that had it in for her. And she wasn’t sure how much help they’d be in a city
full of vampires.

She was suddenly, horribly homesick.

“By the way,” Justin called, his voice thick with irony, “welcome to Terra Noctem.”

Chapter Fourteen

Bringing Sofia down here had seemed like a great idea.

Unfortunately, like most of his great ideas, this one had repercussions he hadn’t
thought through. At all. Like the fact that she probably wouldn’t be able to go home
until Belial had been turned into so much soulless dust. That could take a while.
Or the fact that she was going to be staying with him the whole time. In his small,
unfriendly house. Which was unfriendly because he made it that way. Visitors were
not his thing.

Actually, people in general were not his thing. Sofia seemed to be, at least for now.
But it was one thing to be aboveground with her, invading her space, wedging himself
into her life until he no longer felt like being there. It was another thing altogether
to have the tables turned.

Now that he didn’t need to hide them, Phenex let his wings unfurl and become solid
and visible. It wasn’t exactly uncomfortable to hide them, but it wasn’t what he’d
call comfortable, either. But he’d gotten used to it. Like a lot of things he didn’t
care for.

Sofia was quiet as he escorted her away from where they’d come out of the tunnels,
which was unfortunately one of the busiest sections of Terra Noctem. There were bars,
restaurants, and shops, all teeming with life—nocturnal life, at least. The air was
cool without being cold, and slightly damp, the way it always was here. Far above,
he knew there were openings where the air got in, allowing it to move through the
city. Still, even after more than a year in Terra Noctem, Phenex hadn’t been able
to shake the feeling that he was living in one really big crypt. Great for vamps,
but for him, not so much.

He thought again of the little Florida town where Justin had met his new wife, a place
he’d gone as a favor because Justin had wanted a little romantic music for his planned
proposal. It had turned into a big-ass battle with a bunch of vampire hunters instead,
but that had been okay, too. The place, though, Mirage…he hadn’t been able to shake
the memory of it. Warm breezes, the ocean, and a sweet, lush scent in the air that
was unmistakably tropical.

Sofia reminded him of that place. He didn’t know why. Maybe that was why he couldn’t
seem to shake her, either. She looked way too alive to be down here, too colorful,
too vibrant.

He curled one wing around behind her, shielding her as much as guiding her. He saw
her glance at it curiously, then at him, but she didn’t say anything. He got the feeling
that she’d had about enough of everything tonight—his world, his wings, all the attendant
bullshit. He couldn’t blame her. When all was said and done, she’d probably run back
to the surface and put about twenty locks on her doors. She’d probably be thrilled
to see him go.

The thought filled him with panic that was as undeniable as it was nonsensical. She
was just a human. Just a human. Maybe if he repeated it to himself enough times it
would start to sink in.

They walked a few blocks in silence. Phenex glared at anyone who stared, which was
everyone, and they stayed away. The vamps had a weird love-hate relationship with
his kind, vacillating between bitching about them and treating them like minor celebrities,
so maintaining some distance wasn’t hard if you wanted that—and he did. He didn’t
see any of his brothers, which was probably best.

Finally, they hit the street where he and the other Fallen had been given homes, as
far away from everyone else as possible. It was a dead end, and quiet as the grave,
the lamplights giving the place an eerie glow. The cobblestone street was lined with
tall, skinny stone houses like something out of a Tim Burton film. Not ideal for spreading
your wings, but the ceiling of the cave was so far up that he could soar if he wanted
to. The seven of them had gotten varying degrees of comfortable here. The only one
who didn’t seem to have taken to the houses at all was Meresin, but the former commander
of all Hell’s aerial powers had issues above and beyond his electricity fixation.
Phenex was pretty sure he’d been tortured. He just didn’t know why. Asking, though,
would be a great way to commit suicide.

“Here,” Phenex said, his wing gently pressing into Sofia’s back to steer her to the
left. “This one’s mine.”

It was the only one with flower boxes. Full, at the moment, of some sad-looking dead
flowers.

“Shit,” he muttered. “I knew they’d forget.”

“Forget what?” Sofia asked. The warm sound of her voice was a welcome distraction.
He looked at her, at her curious green eyes and the tightness around her mouth that
he doubted she was even aware of. Her hair was tangled around her shoulders from being
tossed around to get down here. Yeah, she’d been through it tonight.

She was still the best thing he’d ever seen.

Phenex shoved the mushy thought aside as quickly as he could, appalled. That was it.
He was damn well making himself sleep tonight. He didn’t need to sleep that often,
but it was obviously time.

“My flowers,” Phenex finally answered her, struggling to focus. “They, uh, died. Again.”

Sofia was staring at the wilted plants as though they were some exotic thing she’d
never seen before. “Um. I would think that the lack of sunlight would be a problem.”

Phenex tipped his chin down and gave her a look. “Yeah, that’s why they have these
things called UV lamps. I pull in the boxes for part of every day when I’m around
and get the plants under the lamps. My asshole brothers were supposed to take care
of it while I was gone, but as usual, they probably sat around, drank, and watched
them wither. And it’s not like I can get a vampire to handle it. They’re all burn
risks.” He shook his head, irritated all over again. “I’ll get new ones. Wait a sec.”

He spread his wings, flapped once, and landed on his roof, where he pulled the heavy,
ornate key from beneath a loose shingle. Phenex leaped back down lightly, then unlocked
the front door.

Sofia followed him inside, and he quickly set about lighting the oil lamps that were
scattered about the space. Soon enough, a warm glow filled the downstairs. He looked
around, shrugged at the state of mild disarray, then turned to look at Sofia.

“So this is— What? Hellfire, you didn’t see a spider or something, did you? Those
suckers get in here all the time.”

Sofia shook her head slowly, her eyes wide as she looked around her. He couldn’t figure
out what the problem was…and as it turned out, it wasn’t actually a problem.

“The instruments,” she said. “I’ve just never seen anything like this before.” Her
voice was soft, almost reverent, or he would have been insulted. As it was, he tried
to see his place the way she might. Her apartment was a very human space, a cozy nest
full of warm colors, pictures, seats to sink into around the TV. It was a home. His
place was…well, “home” might be a stretch, but no one could say it wasn’t his. There
was a cast-off couch from Justin, some overstuffed velvet monstrosity that the vampire
king hadn’t liked, either. Comfortable, though. A rug that didn’t match, which he’d
lifted from a store aboveground. A couple of mismatched end tables, and his bird of
paradise plant, an impulse buy that now looked like complete shit.

Mostly the house was just a place to hide from the rest of Terra Noctem and to store
his instruments. He’d had the finest collection in Hell when he’d lived there, from
pianos and harpsichords to guitars and violins and sitars, from the everyday to the
exotic. He’d played and cherished them all. Well, apart from the occasional one he’d
used as a projectile. But he’d left them all behind when he’d fled Hell. He didn’t
want to think about what had probably happened to them. Demons were not exactly known
for their appreciation for the arts.

“I’ve been picking up a few things here and there,” Phenex said. “It’s not much, so
far, but I look for things when I have time. I, uh, like to collect instruments. I
always did.”

He mostly had guitars right now, but he’d found a gorgeous baby grand that was filling
up what was probably supposed to be the dining room, a Stradivarius violin that he’d
liberated from some crusty old bastard’s safe, and a sax. He’d always loved the sax.
He doubted Bowie would even miss the one he’d taken. And it wasn’t like the guy couldn’t
afford to replace it. Plus…he loved having an instrument David Bowie had actually
played. Not that he’d admit it, for fear of the others calling him a fangirl.

“Can you actually play all these?” Sofia asked him, still looking as though she couldn’t
quite believe what she was seeing. She traced a finger down the mother-of-pearl inlay
on a twelve-string acoustic, and he felt that light stroke as though she’d touched
him instead of the guitar.

“Of course I can. No sense having them if you can’t play them,” Phenex replied. “It’s
what I do.” What he
was
. How did you explain that to someone?

Sofia stepped slowly into the middle of the room, eyes moving over his small collection.
He’d hung things on the walls, set them on stands. He guessed, to her, it might look
like an orchestra was ready to set up in here, but what else was he supposed to do
with this place? Buy more couches? He only needed one.

Then she turned and looked at him. “You said you were an Angel of Song,” she said.
“I don’t think I really understood what that meant until just now.”

“I was
the
Angel of Song,” he replied quietly. “The only one.”

She smiled, though he didn’t miss the hint of sadness in it. Phenex shifted uncomfortably.
He didn’t want pity, but he didn’t think that’s quite what it was with Sofia. She
seemed to want to know him. That was a recipe for disappointment, but telling her
that wouldn’t make any difference. Stubborn woman.

“And when you fell?” she asked. “What were you then?”

He hesitated. It was a question he’d asked himself plenty of times. Then he said what
he had finally settled upon as the truth, some time ago.

“I guess you could say I became the Demon of Song instead. I couldn’t change what
I was. What I am. I was made for music. But…I lost some things in the process.” And
that was a detail he hadn’t meant to share. He fought back the strange urge he had
to just tell Sofia everything. He didn’t talk about this stuff. Not ever.

Whatever she saw in his face told Sofia that he’d said as much as he wanted to. She
smiled instead, the brightness of it like the sun breaking through the clouds after
a storm.

“I thought you’d have a bunch of weaponry. And maybe booby traps. You’re pretty good
with that sword.”

He couldn’t resist the opening. “You have no idea.”

“Hmm,” was all she said, her lips curving before she turned her attention back to
his instruments.

She was so quiet. Phenex wasn’t used to it, and he decided he didn’t like it. He was
the quiet, surly one. She needed to stay sunny, the opposite of the world he’d been
living in. Yeah, it was selfish of him to want to bask in that, but that was the least
of his vices. Maybe if he showed off a little.

“I could play for you,” Phenex said, trying to keep the excitement out of his voice.
Playing at the club filled his need to make music for people, but the audience itself
only mattered collectively, not individually. With Sofia, he wanted to know how she
felt. He wanted to make music for
her
. The impulse was strange but welcome. It was something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

“Yeah, I’d like that,” Sofia said, looking surprised but pleased.

“Get comfortable on the ugly couch, then,” Phenex said, “and prepare to be entertained.”

When she laughed, Phenex thought, it was its own kind of music. It was beautiful.

Right then, it was everything.

…

He was amazing.

Sofia couldn’t think of another word for it as she watched Phenex pick up any instrument
she chose and immediately launch into a virtuosic rendition of whatever song struck
his fancy. There was a playful, boyish side on display that she hadn’t realized a
creature like him could have, and it was a delight to see. All she had to do was relax
on what really was a very ugly couch and enjoy him.

She couldn’t figure out what had triggered the change in him. Was it being down here
where he didn’t have to hide? She wasn’t sure. But she loved that his wings were on
full display, big and beautiful, covered in ebony feathers and carried high over his
shoulders. The light from the lamps played over his auburn hair, catching every highlight,
while his eyes glowed softly. He was, Sofia thought, the most beautiful thing she’d
ever seen. Beautiful enough to make her heart ache.

The fascination she felt with all of this—the city, Phenex’s home—was enough to keep
much of the terror of earlier at bay. But it was so...dark. Sofia loved the night,
but not so much that she would ever be able to turn her back on the daylight. She
didn’t belong here in this strange and lovely and darkly magical place under the ground.
And after seeing Phenex’s attempts at growing flowers down in the eternal night of
Terra Noctem, his sad flower boxes, she was convinced that he didn’t really belong
here, either.

Another thing to make her heart ache for him. Not that he would probably appreciate
it.

Phenex finished a shimmering run of notes down the neck of the twelve-string she’d
noticed immediately when she’d walked in, let the final chord echo for a moment, and
then, with a faint frown, began to play something different. It was sweet and intricate,
rising and falling in a way that reminded her of summer dances in the moonlight. Sofia
listened, completely entranced as Phenex lent his voice to the melody. His song was
wordless, his voice curling around every note like a lover. Her breath grew shallow
as something in the notes connected deep within her. Phenex lifted his eyes, and their
gazes caught and held. Something rippled right through Sofia in that moment, something
warm and unexpected and perfect.

And then it was gone, as Phenex tore his eyes away. The music stopped abruptly, the
unfinished song hanging in the air before he moved to the empty guitar stand and set
the guitar on it.