Demon Hunting In a Dive Bar Read Free Page B

was one reason she hadn’t wanted to sell the bar and move into town.
    The stunned look on Conall’s face as she poured out of his arms was priceless, almost worth the aggravation of being around him.
    Almost.
    She glided across the wooden floor and resumed her former shape, taking care to place the table between them before she re-shifted.
    “Out.” She pointed to the door. Her chest heaved and angry tears burned the back of her eyes. She would not let him see her cry. She refused. “And this time don’t come back.”
    “We must talk.” He stepped around the table. “You remember Ansgar?”
    She edged away from him. Distance, she needed distance.
    “Yeah, I remember him,” she said. “Big, blond guy. Carries a bow and arrows. Here a couple of weeks ago.” With you, she wanted to add. The night you found out what I am and acted so disgusted. “What about him?”
    “He was attacked and wounded nigh unto death a few days later. He has recovered, but the wound pains him still and has left a scar.”
    “He’s a demon hunter. I’ll bet he has lots of scars.”
    Conall shook his head. “You are wrong. Death comes seldom to the Dalvahni. We heal quickly and we never scar. Do you not see the import of this?”
    “Can’t say as I do.”
    “Someone has developed a weapon against the Dalvahni. If this weapon falls into the hands of the djegrali, it could be disastrous. I need your help.”
    “Guess you should’ve thought about that before you made the ‘You don’t stink bad for a demon girl’ crack, you narrow-minded ass.”
    His dark brows rose. “My words were careless and spoken in haste. ’Twas not my intent to anger you.”
    “Mister, just the fact that we’re sucking in air on the same planet pisses me off.”
    “What can I do to make amends?”
    “You can get the hell out of my sight. That would make me feel loads better. Other than that, I can’t think of a thing.”
    Conall moved closer. “That I cannot do, not until I make you see reason.”
    “You can’t make me do anything.”
    To her astonishment, he smiled. “A challenge,” he said. “I like that.”
    A part of her, the female, horny part she generally tried to ignore, sat up and took notice when he smiled, the shameless hussy.
    Oh, no. She would not go there. She’d dry-hump a stump before she had anything to do with that stuck-up, sanctimonious, speciesist SOB.
    To her relief, Toby interrupted them. Nudging the screen door open with his nose, the dog trotted inside. The silver chain around his neck jangled as he shook himself and resumed his human form. Like his doggie self, Toby was restless and energetic and never still for long. He wore his usual attire on his wiry frame: jeans and a faded T-shirt. His gray hair hung in a long braid down his back.
    Toby shot Conall a curious glance. “What’s he doing here? Thought we got shed of him weeks ago.”
    “I thought so, too,” Beck said. Something was wrong. Toby looked alert, excited even. “What’s up?”
    “There’s a dead guy on the landing,” Toby said. “Thought you’d wanna know.”

Chapter Three
    “W hat?” Beck hurried for the door. “I was just out there.
    WI didn’t see anything.”
    Fwppt. Conall was in front of her, barring the way. Beck was used to beings with supernatural speed, but this guy was fast.
    “I will deal with this,” he said. “I am no stranger to death.”
    “I didn’t ask for your help.” Beck tried to push past him, but no matter which way she went he blocked her. Frustrated, she shoved her hands against his chest. He was solid muscle and about as pliable as a steam shovel. “Get out of the way.”
    “No. You could be in danger. It could be the work of the djegrali.”
    “Djegrali? You think I’m afraid of demons?” Beck laughed. “Get real. I’m a demon, remember?”
    “You are but half demon.”
    “Same difference,” Beck said. “No good demon but a dead demon. That’s the Dalvahni motto, isn’t it?”
    Conall’s