Demon's Kiss by Devereaux, J. (best sci fi novels of all time .TXT) 📗

increased too, althoughAsmodeus didn’t know how that had happened.

Understanding flashed between him, Gabriel and Ash, mind tomind, in an instant.

Templeton thought he had the upper hand here and it waveredonly slightly at the revelation about the bullets.

Their next move was imperative as it was the other part ofthe reason for their visit and yet Asmodeus must be careful here. Templeton hadto remain unaware of Asmodeus’ true relationship to Gabriel. Nor couldTempleton become aware that the Daemonae had returned to this world. It wouldgive him too great a weapon. He had only to inform the church and the Daemonaewould find themselves hunted once again. That would give Templeton an importantand powerful ally.

More importantly, his Gabriel, as capable as she was, wouldbe out there in that world, vulnerable. That worried him, even more so now,although Asmodeus did not let that show.

“We wanted to let you know we will be watching you,Templeton,” Asmodeus said.

Smiling tightly, Gabriel said, “I don’t like beingkidnapped, Mr. Templeton. Just so you know. My superiors know that I’m here andwhy.”

No one knew that Asmodeus and Ash were with her, but thatwent unspoken.

“We can’t touch you, Mr. Templeton, but my superiors wantedto let you know that we will be watching you, also.”

The explosion had eradicated any evidence that Templeton hadheld her and Asmodeus but a blast that large didn’t go unnoticed. It leftevidence behind.

Using the date and time when she returned to this plane, shehad been able to determine roughly where they had been held—on a property ownedby one of Templeton’s subsidiaries. The building had been condemned after asudden “gas leak”.

That, along with her abrupt disappearance and equally abruptreappearance, had been enough to convince her superiors at the Bureau, if not acourt of law, that something had happened.

The Bureau had given her a great deal of leeway, hadpermitted her to pursue her obsession with Templeton quietly and carefully,given his wealth and connections.

Now she was running checks on all of Templeton’s holdingcompanies, cautiously searching for and identifying everything he owned.

No one liked the idea that he thought he was above the law.

Stopping him was another matter.

Gabriel looked at Asmodeus, at Ashtoreth. “Are we donehere?”

With a look to Ashtoreth, Asmodeus nodded.

Both Daemonae vanished.

There were murmurs of shock and surprise from Templeton’smen. None of them liked the idea of an enemy that could disappear and reappearat will. Several of them looked around quickly.

Looking at Templeton, Gabriel smiled with a confidence shedidn’t feel and said, “Remember, Mr. Templeton, we’ll be watching.”

Turning on her heel, she strode out of the room. Even withAsmodeus only a thought away, her back still felt vulnerable but then given thevisual daggers Templeton was probably boring into her that was understandable.

It was a relief to have the doors shut behind her and hercompanions fall in around her.

As they walked out of the building onto the street, one ofthem asked, “So, how did it go?”

She sighed and shrugged. “Hopefully he got the message.”

Privately she didn’t think so, but they had at least givenTempleton something to think about. It might only make him more cautious.

“Thanks, guys, for the backup,” she said sincerely. “Sincemy husband is in town, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to see if I can meet himfor lunch.”

All four of them grinned. “No problem, Gabriel.”

Their amusement at her expense was a little embarrassing.Everyone at the Bureau had been startled at the sudden announcement of her marriagebut to her surprise they seemed happy for her. She couldn’t help but grin too,especially with the picture of Asmodeus bristling with rage still in her mind.He was sexy when he was angry. A flash of heat went through her.

With a wave, her coworkers climbed into the car and pulledout into traffic.

Even as she turned to walk down the street Asmodeus and Ashin their human guises stepped out of the alley beside Templeton’s building.

As she joined them Asmodeus slid an arm around her waist,tightened it possessively.

The knowledge was there between them, it took only a glance.

“He knows.”

“Knows or guessed,” Asmodeus said. “It doesn’t matter.”

Asmodeus looked at his brother, his trusted right arm andfriend.

As was his habit when he spoke of emotions Ashtoreth lookedoutward, across the busy street and the throngs of people there.

He glanced only briefly at Asmodeus and then at Gabriel.

“This world is different from what we knew. The church isnot as strong as it was. There are laws to protect those like us. We have achance, finally, to return to this world. You have found your mate. For thefirst time in centuries we have hope.” Ash’s haunted and shadowed dark eyes metAsmodeus’. “And yet, Templeton still seeks the Book of Demons,” he saidgrimly.

With a sigh, Asmodeus nodded. “Something will have to bedone about that but there is nothing that can be done about it now.”

He looked at Gabriel. That prim suit, with the crisp whiteshirt taut across her breasts, and that skirt… He loved that she wore them butshe went through a lot of them. The thought made him grin. Already his cock wasrigid beneath his slacks at the thought.

“So,” Gabriel said with a smile as she turned in his arms tolook up at him and he swung her up into them. “Where would you like to havelunch?”

Looking into her blue eyes with a smile and a glance at Ash,Asmodeus said, “Home.”

Gabriel laughed and shook her head at him.

It took only a thought and they were there on the porch oftheir cabin in West Virginia, surrounded by the lush green mountains. Above thebirdsong the rustling of the grasses could be heard. And the distant sound ofhammers.

Shaking his head, Ash said with a tight smile, but a smileall the same, “You’d think he doesn’t see enough of you.”

Impatient, Asmodeus shifted his fated mate and tossed herover his shoulder, despite her mild protest.

“You wouldn’t think so,” she said and laughed.

“Wait until it’s you, Ash,” Asmodeus said, and with a pangsaw Ash’s expression shutter, saw the pain there and grieved for his friend.

But there was Gabriel over his shoulder.

Asmodeus smacked her bottom sharply and saluted Ash, whosaluted his king in return.

Gabriel