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

neutral expression on his facethat I was sure concealed a measure of disgust. He was right, though. I was indeep and there was no getting out at this point. At least my soul would stayintact.

While Mal prepared something for me to eat, I launchedinto an edited version of the last few weeks.

Darius' eyes got wider and wider as I talked until hefinally shook his head. "I know you're not lying, Price, but that'scompletely unbelievable."

I'd left out the craziest bits.

"Yeah, well, you haven't even heard the goodpart. Nicki and Daed are back. They're hanging with some mage with a seriouschip on his shoulder named Brennan, and the biggest part I haven't told youyet…Lott, yes, that Lott, he's dead."

Darius collapsed back into the chair Aaron normallysat in. "Lott being dead is a good thing. Not just banished, but actuallydead?"

"Very completely dead."

"And what are Nicki and Daed up to?"

"Nothing good. And Tif is dead. I think theykilled her or got her killed when they got into demon summoning years back. I'mpretty sure that's how we ended up with Lott in our lives."

Darius crossed himself and muttered a quiet prayer.

"So, guess you need to think on all that," Isaid once I'd finished. "Don't know if you have to pick a side, but if you'renot going to choose ours, I'd ask you to stay out of this."

Darius nodded, but didn't give me an actual answer. Ihadn't expected one right away at any rate.

We stood and I walked him to the door.

He gave me one last undecipherable look before headingto his car.

Mal put his arms around me from behind, and Sabiantouched my shoulder.

"Think we lost him?" Mal asked.

"I don't know. Thought you were the one with thesuper senses."

"I can't tell, either." He kissed my neck,and I tilted my head, giving him access and almost hoping he'd just bite me andlet me finish the rest later.

"Okay, so, tell me the rest," Mal whisperedagainst my skin.

"Damn it," I grumbled halfheartedly.

He chuckled. "Is it that bad?"

"Not bad. Just even more bizarre. I'll have tointroduce you to the nightstallion."

"What?" Mal straightened, though he kept hisarms around me.

Sabian chuckled. "One of the spirit horses likethe horsemen ride."

"Okay, then. So, you have a nightstallion. Whatelse?"

"Uh, well, um…some demon marks, and a few otherthings. Also, I killed Lott, and I need a new knife. Also, Mammon might be veryspecifically pissed off at me."

Mal swore and led me back into the living room where Itold him the rest. Sabian added in a few details, and then we waited for hisreaction.

"Can I see them?" he finally asked.

I pulled off my shirt and his eyes went to the markLucifer had left between my breasts. Mal leaned forward, tracing it gently withhis fingers and sending chills through me.

"That's intense," he said after a moment. "AndEzra's?"

"I think I can get it to glow," I answered,twisting so Mal could see my back. I concentrated, and after a moment my backwarmed.

Mal's fingers ran along my back and I guessed I'd beensuccessful. I'd explained to him as best I could what Ezra had done, and how theold magic in my genes had twisted it to my favor. He'd liked that. He'd alsosaid that explained why my blood tasted so good. He'd never admitted thatbefore, but with everything else that had happened, there was no way thatlittle bit of information was going to freak me out.

"So, how'd things go at the shop while I wasgone?"

Mal's hand stilled on my back and I twisted around tocatch a guilty, slightly panicked look on his face.

"Oh?"

"Uh." He cleared his throat. "Yourentire staff knows I'm not human, and Aaron is a half angel, and, well Mandyknows most of the rest."

"What the fuck did you do?"

"We were finishing up after quote wars and theangels came and tried to get Aaron. I fought them off."

"Whoa, wait a minute, you fought off angels?"

"That's badass," Sabian whispered, awe inhis voice.

"Yes. And now your house, the cars, and the shopare all warded against angels and demons."

"Thanks," I said. "And Mandy?"

"Well, she was down in the city visiting herparents and apparently went out looking for a hookup. She found the wrong sortof guys and got herself into some purely human trouble. When she didn't show upfor work, and no one could find her, Billy asked me for help. I was able tofind her right away and rescue her. Then we were again confronted by one of theangels, who basically told her I was a vampire. Not that she hadn't guessedthat already. I filled her in on the rest and she swore not to go looking forsupernatural trouble, and not to tell anyone else, so I left her memory alone."

"Fuck, Mal. Is she okay?"

"Yes. I checked on her the other day. She's okay."

I groaned. "Poor girl."

"Yeah," he agreed.

"By the way, Sabian, I'm really glad to see you.I didn't have a chance to say that with everyone else here," Mal said.

Sabian lit up with a brilliant smile. "I'm veryglad to see you, too, Mal."

The vampire stood and pulled the incubus into a hug andmy heart melted a little more.

"Okay, so things are what they are," Malsaid. "We'll adapt and prepare as best we can. Ezra seems to have changedhis tune about sharing?"

"Yeah, mate. Mostly. He's still not happy aboutit, but he's dealing."

"Good. So, Sabian informed me that you want bothof us in your bed for an entire week."

I raised my eyebrows. When had they had thatconversation?

"Yeah, starting now." I stood, letting myshirt fall to the ground.

"I don't know if we can manage an entire week."Mal grinned. "You'll need to head over to your restaurant and reassureeveryone that you're still alive, and you are going to make it to the pizzaparty after all, but outside of that, we'll do our best."

"You'd better at least keep me up all night,"I said.

"That, we can certainly do," Sabian repliedwith a matching smile.

"And we won't even make you get up earlytomorrow."

"No. But when I do get up, I want early afternoonsex, since we won't be awake in the morning."

"Any time you want," Sabian assured me.

They took my hands and