Burned Read Free

It probably would have been more effective if he wasn’t blurry, but I worked with what I had. “Why did you save me?”
    “Mac, I need to help you.” He looked down at his shoes like they were the most interesting thing in the world. “I can’t expect you to understand it, but my bosses,” he gestured vaguely upward, “have informed me I’m supposed to help you rescue your family.”
    “Uh, huh,” I said, resisting the urge to ignore him completely. Was he seriously implying God and His Holy Angels were telling him to help me? I’d fallen out of an airplane, not a turnip truck.
    I glanced at Ricky, and even though I expected her to be as skeptical as I was, she looked like she believed him. Well, that was weird. Had I gone loopy? I must have because what he’d said sounded bat shit insane.
    “Ricky?” I asked, waving at Danton. “What do you think about that? You’re the resident supernatural expert.” I left the “I’ll trust your judgment,” part of the sentence unsaid. I wasn’t sure what it was about Danton that bugged me, but something about Danton was off in a “sandals with socks” sort of way.
    “I think he’s probably telling the truth.” Ricky shrugged. “His kind aren’t known for lying.” She looked at Danton. “Are you lying?”
    “No,” he said, making eye contact with her as he said the word. “I’m not lying. I need to help him save his family.”
    “He doesn’t smell like he’s lying,” Ricky said, putting her hand on my arm. “He will probably help you.”
    “But why would a demon hunter help me?” I asked, holding out my black as pitch arm. “You told me I’m not allowed to live because I sold my soul to a demon for power. I’m your natural enemy.” I let out an angry, annoyed breath. “What’s next, cats and dogs living together in harmony?”
    “As amusing as that would be,” Danton said, turning away and walking toward the overpass. “You’ve surely heard the saying ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend.’ Right now, the demon who has your family has been marked for death by the Heavenly Host.” Danton shrugged like that made perfect sense. “I mean, he has been marked since the falling, but now you’re going after him, and for some reason, the Host thinks you might win, so I’m the short-straw-drawing bastard who has to help you.” He grinned stupidly. “It’s probably because we get along so well.”
    Ricky laughed. I didn’t. I just glared at him.
    “Well, if you want to help, you need to start pulling your weight,” I said, letting out a sigh. “Charming personality isn’t going to do it for me.”
    “You should enjoy my company while it lasts, Mac. After this is over, my number one priority will be putting you ten feet under.” He glanced from me to Ricky. “Even dogs won’t be able to smell you that deep underground.”
    “If you think I’m going to let you touch even one hair on his head, you’re in for a big surprise,” Ricky said, stepping in front of me and baring her teeth in a way that made me think of a guard dog defending its owner.
    “Down girl,” he said, holding up his hands and taking a step back. “There’s no need for that now.”
    “Let’s everyone just take a step back and pretend we’re on the same side,” I said, putting a comforting hand on Ricky’s shoulder. “After my family is safe, we can see who has the bigger dick, okay?” I shot Ricky an apologetic look, you know, because she wasn’t a guy.
    “Sounds like a plan,” Danton replied, spinning on his heel and walking back toward the overpass he’d come from.
    I wasn’t sure where he was going, but I followed behind him anyway. For the moment he was on my side. I could work with that, but the second this was over, I was putting him ten feet under. Until then, getting my sister and nephew back from that demonic son of a bitch was my only goal, and right now, I didn’t have time to be sidetracked by Danton and his stupid antics. I just had