I remember quite vividly how I came to be here at this Supernatural Smackdown. I was working in my home office when Damien showed my visitor in. I glanced up briefly, intending to tell Ms. Day that I didn’t have time for her that afternoon when the brilliant red of her pants caught my eye. Flannel, I noted, before looking out the window at the beautiful Southern California weather. I returned my attention to her as she helped herself to one of the chairs facing my desk. My gaze narrowed and I tried to figure out what the atrocious pattern on her pants was.
Frosty the Snowman, I realized with more than a little horror. The woman had come to see me in her pajamas.
“Ms. Day,” I said, leaning back. “I know you spend an inordinate amount of time occupied with writing your books, but surely someone told you it’s September.”
She blew a stray strand of hair out of her face. “I know what month it is, Adrian. That’s why I’m here.”
I took in the haphazard way she’d clipped up her hair and the lack of makeup, and sighed inwardly. She could be moderately attractive when she chose to be. Apparently, I wasn’t worth the effort. “Well, fill me in, then. I’m busy.”
“Don’t take that tone with me,” she retorted, foolishly believing I wouldn’t hurt her if I had to. She’s always been too confident because I sought her out. She probably thinks that means I need her. “You have an appointment, and if you don’t leave now you’ll be late. They’ve already emailed and asked where you are.”
Setting my elbows on the armrests of my chair, I steepled my fingertips together, as if in prayer. I do occasionally make an attempt to update the Creator on the status of my mission, but it’s been a very long time since he’s paid any attention to me.
“I’m never late,” I reminded her. “At least not when I’m aware I need to be somewhere.” She, however, is rarely on time. In the nearly two years we’ve been working together, I’ve waited on her countless times.
“Don’t tell me you forgot the Supernatural Smackdown. I know Lindsay reminded you.”
The event sounded vaguely familiar. My head fell back into the headrest as I thought about it. “Ah, yes. I remember now.”
“Good. Now, go kick some ass.”
I savored the savage rush of bloodlust. I’d been agitated for days and was still working on seducing Lindsay Gibson into my bed. With sex not yet an option, a death match was the second best stress reliever.
“I know that look,” Ms. Day said with narrowed eyes. “Don’t forget this is an exhibition match. No killing.”
I stilled. “Beg your pardon?”
“You can’t kill anyone. It’s just for sport.”
“Oh, no,” I crooned softly, pushing leisurely to my feet. “If you think I’m going to put on a show for you, you’re as mistaken as I was when I came to you with my story instead of Kresley Cole or J.R. Ward.”
She tried to hide it, but she pouted a little. “That was mean. It wasn’t easy working with you, you know. I did my best. I’ve never worked harder on a book.”
I rounded my desk with an unwelcome twinge of contrition. For all her faults and foibles, she wasn’t half-bad as far as mortals went. There were times I found myself… liking her. “I’m sorry.”
She blinked. “Oh my god, I have to write the date and time down for posterity.”
The moment of affection faded as quickly as it had come. “Send Lindsay.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not? She’s an expert with knives, a brilliant marksman, and she’s too fearless for her own good. She’ll have a blast.”
“I love Lindsay,” Ms. Day said. “I would’ve broken you two up if I didn’t.”
I was infuriated by the mere thought and my wings materialized in a visible manifestation of my irritation. They emerged as ephemeral wisps of smoke before solidifying into alabaster feathers with crimson tips. I stretched them out, flexing them to shake off my increasingly volatile mood.
“See?” she breathed, her gaze soft and dreamy. “That’s why you have to go.”
I snapped my fingers in front of her face. “Ms. Day. Focus, please. Mortals aren’t supposed to know we’re here among them, remember?”
“This is a special circumstance. Everyone’s coming out of the woodwork for this event. They’re all showing off their signature moves. You’ve got to show them how you deflect bullets with those beautiful wings. And how they spin around you so fluidly, like a cape, when you’re in battle.”