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

"No standing in line?"

He laughed. "No. Not for us."

Just like in the movies, a small window slid open, andsomeone looked out before it snapped shut and the whole door opened.

A man wearing smoked glasses stood inside. I suspectedif I could see his eyes clearly, he'd have the classic redness of possession rimmingthem. Hell, I could sense the demon he carried. Probably because of myconnection to Ezra. Damn, that was weird.

"Prince Ezra, we expected you tomorrow."

"Change of plans," Ezra replied curtly.

"Very well." He glanced at me then gesturedfor us to follow him inside.

Once the door shut, he led us down a hallway andthrough another door. Once this one opened, we were blasted by loud dance musicfrom the club.

"He'll see you in the back. The bouncer will letyou through," the possessed man said and gestured for us to go out intothe main part of the club.

I bent over and grabbed Mayhem, putting him under myarm. The hellhound woofed appreciatively, and I again shook my head at hischosen dog shape. Although, it did make it easier for him to go aroundundetected. We threaded our way through the patrons. They were laughing,drinking, shouting conversations over the loud music. I tucked in behind Ezra andlet him push through the crowd for us.

We skirted around the edge of the dancefloor and cameto another door with a possessed bouncer. He also wore smoked glasses, but Icould feel the demon. I was curious about the arrangement, though I itched tofree the humans and send the demons back to hell. I doubted that would win meadmittance to hell, however.

Ezra glanced at me over his shoulder, an amused smile curlinghis lips. Obviously, he'd caught that thought.

The bouncer took a look at us and let us in withoutmaking us shout over the loud music. It was much quieter back here, and thiswas obviously the private area. The music was still loud but talking wasmanageable and my ears didn't feel like they were under assault any longer.

I followed Ezra, content to be led at the moment.Mayhem squirmed in my arms, so I put him down.

We went through the hallway into another smaller room.It was strangely devoid of people. It was set up something like a lounge, witha large piano off to one side, a full bar along the back, some leather couchesscattered about, and an open area for dancing.

I ran into Ezra's back as he stopped suddenly. Isensed his shock before he took a knee and bowed his head.

"My liege, I was not expecting you."

The man, or should I say demon, Ezra addressed was reclinedin a leather armchair, a drink in his hand, legs crossed, and an interestedexpression on his face. He did not have a red ring in his eyes indicatingpossession, so he had to be manifest on this plane instead. A hellhound sat athis feet, this one wearing the form of a Doberman. I glanced at Mayhem andarched an eyebrow. As if he knew what I was thinking, he simply gave me a doggysmile and wagged his tail. I shook my head. Anything to distract me from thevery real fear trying to worm its way into my limbs and freeze me in place.

"So, this is the one that's captured your heart,"the demon said, standing. His voice was smooth, enticing, and all togetherterrifying. If I hadn't just seen Ezra drop to his knees, and hadn't known thisguy was a demon, he'd be a walking wet dream, but as it was, mostly I justwanted to either run away or throw up a protective circle and hide inside it.

I wasn't about to let any of that show, however, so Imet the demon's gaze and refused to look away. I was a fucking exorcist, and hewas in my world. He could go fuck himself if he thought I'd back down.

I could feel his power brush against mine, as iftesting me. I pushed back, carefully not drawing on Ezra's well of demonicenergy, just using my own.

His eyebrows rose, and his lips curled into aseductive smile. "I can see why you like her." He sauntered overtoward us, stopping a short distance in front of Ezra. "Rise."

My demon prince did so, looking a little pale when hestepped next to me.

"Tell me, exorcist, if I let you into my domain,what will you do there?"

His domain? Oh, double fuck. Was this Lucifer? Well,in times of great duress, let the snark fly.

"Probably cause a lot of chaos, mate."

Ezra's lips twitched as he fought a smile.

The demon chuckled. "I suspect so. Come here."He gestured for me to join him.

I took a breath and went over to stand in front ofhim. I wasn't super tall, but I wasn't short enough that I usually felt short.He made me feel short, even though he wasn't any taller than Sabian was. It washis power.

"I want to see this mark that you allowed Ezra tobind you with."

I didn't correct him and turned obediently when hetwirled his finger.

He laughed out loud when he saw the upside-downpentacle on the pizza on the back of my jacket. "Oh my, this is priceless.I want one."

"Uh, sure, mate. I'll have the shop send you oneif you get me your size and an address." What else was I going to say whena ruler of hell said he wanted a jacket like the one you wore? I mean,really…Kind of a complement, even if it was a bit terrifying.

"I'll do that."

My back lit up with sensual heat as he activated themark.

"Ezra, do you realize what you've done?"

"My liege?"

"She's a mage of the old blood. There's a reasondemons don't typically bind mages. Mark them, yes. Possess them and do allsorts of other interesting things with them, of course, but bind them in thismanner? Oh, you've given her such power. Have you discovered that yet?"

I got the idea that the last was addressed to me. Iglanced at Ezra, but he kept a solid poker face, not giving me any clue as towhat I should say.

"Uh, yeah, think