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

"And you? Ezra mentioned that the others hadfound you?" I was inferring that from their earlier conversation, anyway.

"Yeah. I guess I'm a descendent of the originalWar's bloodlines. She was killed and the others have been searching for mesince." Her pale skin reddened in a blush.

"So, how's that treating you?"

Her blush deepened. Seems I wasn't the only onesleeping with interesting people. I wondered if she was with all of them, orjust Azrael.

"Ah, good." She took a drink, glanced at theother two and looked back at me, seemingly embarrassed.

I grinned at her. "Hey, I got an incubus, avampire, a half angel, and a demon prince. No judgement."

Her eyebrows rose and she glanced at Ezra. He wascarefully ignoring me right then. Still not happy about sharing then. Tough.

We fell into companionable chatter for a bit beforeEzra touched my arm. "Ready?"

I glanced at War, but her attention had returned toher men.

"Sure."

"We're leaving now," Azrael said as we allstood. "Chris Price, I suspect we'll be seeing you again very soon."

I widened my eyes and cleared my throat. "Um."

Death hesitated as if realizing what he'd said beforechuckling. "Not like that. Hopefully."

"You're not very reassuring, mate." Ezra'sfingers tightened on my arm possessively.

"I do not see your death in the near future, butthe future is always in motion. I meant in my capacity as one of the horsemen,not as the angel of death."

"That's a bit better." That didn't stop mefrom stepping into Ezra's warmth. He put his arm around me.

"It was nice to chat with you all," I saidand let Ezra lead me away, Mayhem following behind us.

"We're leaving tonight," Ezra stated once wewere on the elevator.

"Won't they miss us tomorrow?"

"Not my concern."

"Right."

He pulled me against his chest, and I leaned into hisembrace.

"If they're truly trying to start an apocalypse,then we don't have any time left. We need to get Sabian so he can't be used asleverage."

"And then what?"

"I don't know," Ezra replied grimly.

Chapter 12

Price

The elevator dinged and let us out on our floor. Mayhemtrotted off the elevator first and Ezra stepped in front of me. I couldliterally feel him gather his power around himself, as if expecting to beattacked again.

Fortunately, nothing bothered us in the hallway. Wewent into our room, and after a quick sweep, Ezra returned to my side.

"Is it normal for someone with a demon mark to beable to sense things from the demon that marked them?"

Ezra stepped closer and I tilted my head back so Icould meet his gaze. I slid my arms around his waist and pressed up againsthim. He cupped my cheeks with his hands, running a thumb along my temple.

"No. I gave you the ability to call on my powersso you could protect yourself, but it shouldn't let you sense anything from me."

Standing this close to him, my body burned withdesire. His did, too, and it was surprising him.

"Yeah, think you did something more than youintended, because it's getting easier."

He smiled, and I let myself get lost in his dark eyes,imagining I was standing amongst the universe they always seemed to contain.

Ezra pressed his lips to mine, and we kissed, hisinitial tenderness changing to ferocity as we lingered together. I curled myfingers into his shirt and held him tightly, needing his strength to reassureme. I couldn't believe I was really doing this.

"It'll be okay." He wrapped me in a hug.

"It works better when I can't tell you're asworried as I am."

Ezra held me. "I'm worried about a lot of things,my dear exorcist. I'm not worried about rescuing Sabian and getting you safelyin and out of hell. If nothing else, the sheer force of your attitude will keepyou safe."

I blinked a few times, taking his words in, before Iburst out laughing. "Is that why you like me?"

"It certainly adds to your charm." He kissedmy head and pressed his cheek against me.

"War said you didn't like anyone."

"Not quite accurate, but true enough. I do mostlysee the negative side of humanity, and demons as a whole are unpleasant. I'vedone what's required of me and worked to be in a position where the things I'mnow expected to do are less unpleasant." Ezra tightened his arms aroundme. "Still, you are an unexpected prize, and I don't mean that in apossessive way."

I let him hold me like that for a few minutes, justabsorbing his warmth and listening to his heartbeat.

"So, I'm good in bed, hmm?" Ezra murmuredwhile he held me.

"Uh, yeah, mate."

He chuckled. "I won't lie, I enjoyed hearing yousay that to everyone at the table."

"Wasn't sure what else to say. Wasn't going tolie about sleeping with you. Hell, I've done shadier things for an orgasm. Although,it also wasn't rare that I'd have to get myself off in the process. So, that'sa nice change."

Ezra shook his head. "You're something else,Chris."

"Yeah, well, remember that."

"I promise, it will be impossible to forget.Okay, are you ready to go?"

"What about my stuff?"

"Ahh, good point. The way to get your holy waterand that handy knife of yours past the gates is to send them directly to myhome. You should be able to do it yourself, but I'll help, to make sure you getyour belongings to the right location."

"Handy."

He kissed me one more time before releasing me fromhis warm embrace. "Yes. I know you've seen me doing it. It should beexactly the same for you, especially since you'll be drawing on my power."

"You know, giving me access to your power mightnot have been the best idea."

"Why?"

"I might just use it."

"That's why I gave it to you."

"True, but what if I take it all and leave youwith nothing?"

Ezra tilted his head as if considering my words beforeanswering. "Unlikely. I think you'd do yourself harm before it got to thatpoint."

"Could you stop me from using your power?"

Ezra frowned and his eyebrows raised. "I'm notsure."

"Point I'm trying to make is, probably shouldn'tmake sharing your power a habit. I'm unlikely to abuse that, but someone elsemight."

"Trust me, Chris, it is unlikely I'll ever be ina position to be willing to share with anyone else."

"You