A Demon Made Me Do It(37)

“Thanks. So’s yours. It sounds like the name of my favorite Japanese beer.”

He laughs, wiping away any awkward tension. We sink back toward each other and stare at the sky, admiring the billions of diamonds twinkling high above us. His arm is still snugly wrapped around my shoulders, and even though I’m beginning to feel very hot, I hope he doesn’t move it.

“So, Lucky, tell me. What’s a bad girl like you doing in a nice place like this?”

Smiling, I lean in closer.

******





I hate watching the sky change from grey to lavender; I want my time to last forever. But I’m tired and still weaker than I should be.

It’s been so nice, sitting here in silence, beside my new friend. Despite the horrors of the evening, something good came out of it.

“What are you thinking?” Kieron asks, breaking the lull.

“That I could seriously use some drinks right now.”

He laughs. “Funny, you must be reading my mind. Let’s head back to Dryndara, shall we?”

I let out a long sigh. The nearest Portal to Thiberoux is several miles away. Normally this isn’t a problem, but right now even walking to the outskirts of the park seems daunting.

“I’m parked near the entrance,” Kieron says, as if he can read my mind.

“You have a car?”

He chuckles. “Well, no, not exactly. A car isn’t really doable for navigating the woods. It’s more of, well, it’s a motorcycle. Actually, it’s a Ducati.”

I don’t know what a Ducati is or why he feels compelled to mention it. All I care about is not hiking all the way to a Portal. “Oh, you don’t know how relieved I am to hear you say that. I can’t imagine walking right now, forget running…”

He has an apprehensive smile as he holds out his hands and helps me up. Together we make our way toward the south gates, passing by the corpse of a slain Altrumina. Like the others, it is rapidly decomposing and will be nothing more than a pile of dust within the hour. This doesn’t stop me from giving it a swift kick to the head.

My relief at being chauffeured to Thiberoux is cut short when Kieron stops next to a sporty racing bike. My jaw drops, and I scowl with disappointment. “How are we both supposed to fit on that?” I ask, incredulous. “Am I supposed to sit on the handlebars or something?” The seat is only big enough for one, and the bike’s sleek, aerodynamic design clearly isn’t intended for passengers.

“I think the only way for us to do this is for you to sit on my lap. I’m tall enough to see over you, and my arms will reach around. Unless you have a better idea…”

I don’t. And I have to admit, as long as I don’t fall off and break my face, his idea isn’t entirely unappealing. Until I remember what I’m wearing.

Great. Of all the nights to hop on a motorcycle, it has to be a night I’m wearing a gown? For riding Diablo it’s fine, as the generous material has plenty of room to flow freely over his back. But on this tiny thing? Why couldn’t I be wearing my leather pants?

Again, Kieron reads my mind. “Just sit here,” he says patting his lap. “Use one hand to hold up your dress and cloak so they don’t get caught in the wheels. Hold on to this bar here with your other hand. I’ll have one arm wrapped around your waist, so don’t worry about falling off.”

I do as he says, and soon his arm locks into place around me. Gathering up the folds of my dress, I rest my legs on his. From behind me he chuckles softly. “Okay, this is a new one for me, so I’m gonna take her slow.” The engine roars to life, and I feel a thrill shoot through me.

“Just to a Portal, I’ll summon Diablo from there.”

“You got it.”





Thank Sweet Satan we reach a Portal in less than ten minutes. Even with Kieron holding me tight, I felt as if we were on the verge of toppling over at any second. Definitely not my favorite form of transport.

I dismount from the bike, blow a sharp whistle, and wait for my proper ride. Kieron stares at me as I straighten out the crinkles of my gown, and I happen to catch the quizzical look in his eyes.

“What?” I ask, not unkindly.

He shakes his head. “Nothing, just glad you’re doin’ better is all.”

Diablo charges from behind the trees, stopping beside me. I softly stroke his neck as he nuzzles my face. “Hey, boy,” I whisper.

Seeming to sense my exhaustion, Diablo lowers his body to ease my mount…as if he knows I had some trouble earlier and feels bad he wasn’t there for me.

“Meet you at Demon Bar?” I ask as Diablo rises to his full height.

Kieron revs his engine. “Yup.”