The Price of Exorcism by Dakota Brown (sneezy the snowman read aloud .txt) 📗

"Sure, why not." I wasn't tired enough to goto sleep, and I wasn't sure I was ready to face a suite with just Ezra and Mayhemfor company.

"I believe some of the others are here. Perhaps youcan meet some of them early."

"That might be good, since I don't know anyone."I tensed, the relaxed feeling gone as the purpose of this delay in New York cameback to me.

Ezra touched my hand where it rested on his arm. "Itwill be okay, Chris. This won't take long, and then we'll get Sabian back."

I took a breath and nodded. "I wish we could dothis in reverse order. Get Sabian, then play nice with all the others."

"So do I."

Glancing at Ezra, I could see the sincerity in hiseyes. I wasn't sure if it was because it bothered him that another demon hadsomething of his, or if he truly was worried about Sabian, but either way, weboth wanted the incubus returned to us.

Together, we walked into the restaurant and bar areaof the hotel, Mayhem on my heels. It was just as fancy as the rest of the place,nearly feeling like a classy night club instead of a hotel establishment. Ezraskirted around the restaurant area and headed for the bar.

"Ahh, Prince Ezra," a voice called,commanding our attention.

Ezra stopped and we both looked toward the voice. Fourpeople sat at a square table, drinks before them. Looked like they were allwhisky drinkers. The man who had spoken to us had unnaturally pale skin, as ifhe'd never seen the sun, and black hair. I could barely meet his eyes. WhereEzra's seemed to contain the universe, his seemed to devour everything theylooked upon. He was average height, and average build and not unattractive,just unnerving.

"Hello," Ezra dipped his head in a slightbow to the one who had spoken. "And what are you going by these days, oldfriend," Ezra asked.

I studied the four seated at the table. The woman–ablazing redhead–seemed to alternate between wide-eyed amazement and some sortof knowledge that grounded her in the moment and reassured her. She had paleskin and a dash of freckles across her nose, as if she spent as much timeoutside as the strangely pale man did not. One of her other companions wasAsian, with dusky colored skin, average height, and rather plump, with acheerful, amused smile on his face. The last was a tall, thin black man withskin darker than Aaron's and a contemplative but not unfriendly expression onhis face.

"Azrael is fine for the time and present company,"he replied. "You know Famine who is going by Jin at present, and Plaguewho you can call Sefu. This is War. Her name is Cáit."He gestured to the woman, a pleased smile on his face.

The four horsemen? No shit. I shivered, feeling wayover my head. Of course, if the others there were War, Famine, and Plague, thatwas Death. Holy crap. Fear sent tendrils of ice down my spine.

"You found your War then, Congratulations,"Ezra replied.

"Yes, thank you. And who is your companion?"

I wasn't sure if I wanted Ezra to introduce me or not.I'd never expected to meet the horsemen. Not even Death, really. I'd alwaysassumed I'd rate a minion to drag me off to whatever hell I'd earned when mytime was up. Mayhem pressed up against my leg as if to offer support. Shit, Ihadn't even really known they actually existed.

"This is Chris Price. Exorcist," Ezraanswered, saying the last bit with a great deal of irony, acknowledging theabsurdity of a demon prince running around with an exorcist.

Azrael studied me, eyes narrowing. I simply could notfathom shaking hands with the literal angel of death, so, hoping I wasn't beingrude, I kept my hands at my side. Were they all angels? Or just Death?

"Howdy, mate," I greeted them, not sure whatelse to say.

He inclined his head politely before turning hisattention back to Ezra.

"Where did you manage to find a mage with the oldblood?"

"Exorcist," I corrected before cursingmyself. Being a smart ass to Ezra was one thing, but Death? Also, what the hellwas he talking about? Old blood?

"New Mexico," Ezra replied.

Azrael raised his eyebrows. "Even more curiousthat she allowed you to bind her."

Ezra blanched when I turned to look at him. That wasnot an expression I'd ever thought to see on a powerful demon prince's face.

"Say what?" I practically growled at him.That was not anything I liked the sound of.

"You didn't know?" Azrael turned hisattention back to me.

I crossed my arms, and wished I had access to my holywater. I could stab him with my knife if I really needed or wanted to.

"Might want to talk fast, Ezra." I glared,clenching my fists as my heart thudded in my chest. Fucker.

"Surely you didn't let him possess you? Thatseems unusual but is the only way he could have marked you without yourknowledge and permission. I can sense your protections. They would have stoppedhim."

Ezra cleared his throat and shifted his feetuncomfortably.

"Yeah, I was dead," I said, still glaring atthe prince, who wilted under my stare.

"Oh. That is why you seem familiar."

That brought my attention back to Death. Familiar?Chills ran down my spine and I forgot to breathe for a moment.

"I see. Ezra is the one who pulled you from mygrasp." He narrowed his eyes as if displeased before he shrugged. "Justas well. We are going to need someone like you in the coming conflict."

I gaped. What the fuck?

Ezra finally let out the breath he'd been holding.

"I will explain," he said softly, putting a warmhand at the small of my back.

I didn't shrug him off only because his touchdispelled some of the soul chilling cold that had frozen my limbs.

"Talk fast, or I'm going to send your ass back tohell," I growled.

"You can't," Ezra replied just as softly.

"Want to try me?" I replied darkly.

"You bear my mark." He winced as he said it."You can't banish me."

"Want to try me?" I repeated, more force inmy voice.

Ezra took a breath. "No, because if anyone couldfigure it out, it would be you," he answered.

Azrael, the angel of freaking death, laughed. "Ilike her. Tell me, Chris Price, can you ride