Detective Vincent DeTello
“IS that a challenge?” I asked as I looked at the woman with midnight-colored hair and violet eyes. “Probable cause is pretty easy to come by these days.”
“What do you need Kiriana for?”
“You know her?”
“No, but you seem pretty invested in this one woman.”
I measured out a calculated response. “I think she may have escaped the guy who’s killing the women.”
“Really?”
“She’s his type. He likes blondes.”
“That’s what you meant when you pointed out my hair.”
“Yes.”
I raised my hand and stroked her cheek, tucking a strand of hair loosened by the strong wind. When I pulled back I dug in my pocket for a sucker. Jesus, she’d just scolded me for placing my hand on her back. She’d probably deck me for touching her face.
My thoughts were so jumbled around this woman. Calling her a hooker, then the insults kept coming. My ability to speak or process was sidetracked by violet eyes and a face I couldn’t look away from. Her skin was pale with a pink bow set of lips now obscured by thick flurries of snow cutting between us. In truth I wanted to go in the barn so there was nothing between us. Pulling out two suckers I offered her one and her head cocked to the side.
“Trust me, it’s okay to have candy, even if I am a stranger.” She reached hesitantly for the confection, then tucked it away while I unwrapped mine and popped it in my mouth. Pina colada…and I’m caught in the snow. Not the rain, get your head on straight, man, I scolded myself. This woman was dressed in what could only be described as a flour sack with tiny flowers on it. Her sweater was made of a thick gray wool and had wooden buttons. She seemed so fragile, yet could exude confidence when challenged. My only thought was, why challenge her?
“You’re not going to let me leave until I get in my car are you?”
“We could stand out here until we turn into popsicles.”
“Why do you need to see my car so badly?”
“I don’t know why you’re here with Mr. Kertz, but something about this place feels…off.”
“I’ve heard that before. When I was younger. Police coming around demanding this and that with no real cause.”
“Was it here or at your home?”
She paused. “Mine.”
“Did you live in Mount Pleasant?”
“No.”
“Where then?”
“Why do you want to know so much about me? Am I a suspect? I can assure you I know nothing of a woman named Kiriana or her husband and I haven’t had anyone try to attack me.”
Esther bit at her bottom lip and kept her eyes down. This time I couldn’t stop myself from placing my crooked finger under her chin and lifting her eyes to mine.
“Say that again?” I asked, closing the distance between us and catching the soft scent of warmth from her. “But look me in the eyes.”
Licking her lips, then sealing them, Esther told me everything I needed from one look. She knew Kiriana George and was protecting her. I fished out another card and placed it in her hand that wasn’t soft like she was. It was callused as if she’d never seen a day without hard labor.
“Do you have access to a phone?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” she asked plainly as we stayed locked in a tight gaze.
“I’m not sure, but, Esther, if you need anything, anything at all. Call me.”
“I need for nothing.”
She broke away from me and crossed her arms. Still holding my card, she watched as I got into my car and turned around in the gravel driveway, then left. Did she go into the barn? Did she leave? Something was wrong here and until I knew what it was I was keeping Esther in my investigation.
My next stop was Benny’s to talk to Fred. He may not be open, but I was sure he was there and had heard all the scuttlebutt around town. Two hours after clearing the scene hopefully any evidence in the bar might still remain. Knocking hard on the dark business entry way with only a small circular window brought Fred to the door. He gave me a queried look, then unlocked the door.
“Hey, Vince,” he said as he ushered me in. “I figured you’d be here soon.”
“Did you know the victim?” I asked.
“Um…a blonde who drank here last night.” He flopped a dishtowel over his shoulder and crossed his arms. “It was ladies night. Can you show me a picture?”
Taking my phone out of my pocket I pulled up the quick picture I’d taken and showed Fred. He turned away sharply. Death wasn’t my favorite thing and the pictures of victims on my phone didn’t make me happy either.
“Renee. She wasn’t a regular, but I knew her. I don’t know her last name.”
“Was she a professional? You know, a hooker?”
“No, I think she had some kids. Divorced. She only came in when the ex took them for the weekend. I was surprised when she showed up last night. I mean it’s a Tuesday. Ladies night never really got crazy.”
“Did it last night?”
“Kind of. There was this guy that showed up…um…” Fred went behind the bar and dug out a disc. “I pulled this from my security system. It might help you. It’s been glitchy though.”
“What about the guy?”
“I don’t know…he was, different.”
“Not from around here?”
“I swore I remember seeing him before, but it must have been a relative.”
“Why?”
“It was years ago when I was in Vegas.”
“Vegas? You know you’re not supposed to talk about what happens in Vegas.” I chuckled and leaned against the bar.
“I guess, I was probably too drunk to remember what was going on.”
“Besides the déjà vu is there anything else about him?”
“He seemed like a hunter. Just scanning the room looking for the right woman to pounce on.”
“And you let him leave with Renee?”
“She was drawn to him.” Fred seemed to be caught in a daze as he spoke. “It was like the moment he settled on her she turned in her stool and walked to him.”
I sat back on the stool and watched Fred as he became more distant during his recollection.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. No other woman noticed him. I’m not even sure why I did.”
“Why shouldn’t you?”
“He wasn’t drinking. Just standing in that corner.” Fred pointed to a dark corner next to the door to the alley. “I don’t remember when he came in or if he even spoke.”
“What did he look like?”
Fred shook his head as if all his memories of the night suddenly evaporated.
“I don’t know.”
“You just said he looked like a guy in Vegas, what did that guy look like?”
“I’ve never been to Vegas.” Fred rubbed down the bar, then looked at the clock behind him. “Why are you here, Vince? I’m not even open.”
* * * *
Pivane
Fucking princess. The moment I get to have any fun or find relief she beckons me like a lapdog. I will not fall prey to her whims anymore. I cannot just abandon my sluts when I haven’t climaxed at my highest level if she will not allow me to have sex with the Deumos to recover from the pain of being on this disgusting plane.
“Are we done?” I snapped as my cock swelled against my pants. Damn, what I could do to her holiness. Worse yet I could smell the arousal emanating from her. “Or is there some other reason you have me locked away in your office?”
“You need to get yourself together. Half the time we cannot locate you and the other half you are gardening as if you were a servant.” She drummed her fingers on the desk and her nails clicked against the wood. “What are you growing? Especially in this cold.”
“Nothing now. The ground is solid and I have to make other arrangements.”
“Arrangements for what?”
“It’s none of your concern.”
“I’m the Yahweh in this coven.”
“Nepotism aside, I’m the male of the coven. My job is protection—”
“I could kill you with a snap of my fingers.” LaDressa rose from her chair as her black eyes glared at me. “What protection could you possibly offer me?”
“I do not let love cloud my judgment, dearest Princess.” I stood also and placed my hands on the desk so I could lean in close. “One encounter with me and you’d run this coven better than any male, but as long as you are still in lust with Damarion he will be your weakness.”
“You overestimate your prowess in bed.”
“Says the woman who’s never experienced it.”
“I’ve heard tales.”
“You want to grab my dick again? You held it quite nicely last time.”
“It took all my control to not rip it from your body.”
“Sweetheart, attached it can do much…” I let out a gasp so she could feel my breath tickle her lips. “Much more to you.”
“Didn’t we already have this conversation? Mutilating you gives me pleasure.” She cocked her head to the side. “Isn’t that your goal?”
“To pleasure you?” I made sure I was close enough that my lips brushed against hers. “Oh, Princess, it would take but a word.”
“Out,” she said as she stood straight up. “It is the time I speak to Damarion and the last thing I want—”
“Is him to know I get you wetter than he ever did.”
“I have no—”
“Doubt that if I were to stick my tongue in between your legs they’d have no resistance.”
“Pivane, I’m going to be as diplomatic as I can. You still breathe because somehow you’ve been able to convince my brother I’m not here. If that waivers in any way, then so will your heartbeat.”
“You’re not really mad,” I teased and winked. “I can tell when you’re really mad.”
“Say one more word,” she warned. I took the bait. Couldn’t help it—she was so darn cute when her pale skin flushes just a bit.
“Does—”
Instantly I was cut off as her hand rose and I could feel it around my throat. Sure there was a desk between us, but with her powers there was nothing that could stop her. My body crashed against the door and when her hand rose so did I. Without my actual neck to stop her, if she wanted to she could crush my larynx. Gasping I reached for her, but it was no use. She was across the room glaring at me with her all-black eyes and silvery white hair. No longer adorned with diamonds of protection she’d begun to have a short temper. The world became fuzzy as my head swam. Her lip quirked up and I dropped to the floor.
On all fours, I looked up to see her body bristling as her eyes closed. She was holding something back. Possibly her wings that could kill me when she’s mad. Maybe I’d read her wrong.
“You’re mad.” I coughed as I held my hand up in apology. “I will leave. I have things to do.”
“What things?”
“Cleaning up the mess you pulled me away from.”
“Does this have to do with your drug business?”
“No.”
“Can you improve your business? We live in squalor.” Her voice had an even keel to it as she drummed her long claws on the top of the desk. Perhaps she’d calmed down.
“Why not ask your brother for some money?” I snipped. “Princess, you don’t understand how things are here. We need to keep a low profile. What I do is illegal which means police get involved and right now I don’t have the ability or approval to scrub human’s minds.”
“Approval? Is that all I need to give you?”
“Yes, but I still don’t have the strength.”
“What would give you the strength?”
I raised an eyebrow at her, and she understood immediately. Being on this plane weakens male demons. They need a body to deposit the toxins that build up in their systems. The suction from a female demon’s orgasm could remove prostate cancer. Of course, it would probably also remove most of the skin on the penis if the being penetrating her was human, but I digress. Masturbation was all but useless. Humans were a poor substitute, but can be used in a pinch. The one from last night was probably rotting in the alley where I left her. Speaking of that…
“I must take my leave, Princess, and you have an incoming call.” I pointed to the computer beeping to signify it was time for the princess’ weekly meeting with Damarion.
What I’d feared would happen did. There was no way the humans hadn’t found the woman’s body. Approaching the place where I’d left her, I parked and walked along the street to hear the conversations inside nearby buildings. A voice from a closed business caught me.
He was different.
Closing my eyes I let my mind reach into his. I couldn’t dare remove too much. My stomach lurched and I braced myself on the brick wall beside the door. Digging deeper I found some blurry images of Las Vegas, but then saw the ones from last night. He tried to grasp them. My only hope was to remove them all.
Stumbling, I rounded the corner and slid to the ground as my legs gave out. Every muscle burned as I regained focus on the road in front of me and the businesses across the street. I held my stomach as my memories comingled with the man in the bar. There was a lot of collateral damage on the way out.
“Are you okay?” a woman’s voice asked from above.
“Just a dizzy spell,” I explained as I cradled my head in my hands. “I’m a little hypoglycemic.”
“I took an early lunch. How about you come with me?” she offered.
A smile crossed my lips as the blonde stranger extended her hand to me.
* * * *
Esther Benson
At the back of the barn was a panel where I placed my hand. To those walking through the barn they would see an older motorcycle, a blue muscle car, a large black pick-up, a higher end foreign car, and three SUV’s. None of which I knew how to drive. I knew at some point in my life I should learn how to drive a car. Half of those in our compound were born before the first car was designed, let alone built. Still, women were not trained in driving on my father’s commune. I was not an exception.
The panel appeared to be one of the boards on the barn, but if you looked closely you could see it had a slight sheen to it. Once the panel scanned my hand print there was a beep and the door opened into our foyer. A large area with cherry and pine flooring with alternating patterns of boxes spread out until they came to one in the middle. Along the stairway were pictures of all the active members of our compound painted by the Heavenly artists at the time of our commitment. Those who’d passed in this location had been repainted with their heads down. Mine had me looking off to the sunset over a mountain as I stood in a field. Perhaps I was too simple then.
Tearing off the sweater I went into the bowels of the large compound that couldn’t be seen from outside. Crossing through the workout area, I reached a second set of stairs that ventured deeper inside. The curved staircase had sensors that needed to be shut off before attempting to travel down them. Once the code was entered I took off down the stairs and came to a halt at the bottom to reactivate the sensors.
I heard Kiriana’s voice at the end of the hallway. There were five cells on each side of the hall and the worst and most secure was the last one at the end. Kiriana sat just outside the cell with its glass wall.
“It’s the kindergarten teacher,” Damarion said. Each of the few encounters I’ve had with him resulted in a new nickname.
“Kiriana, we need to speak.”
“I have less than five minutes before he gets to talk with the princess,” she said as she powered on a laptop.
“It’s important.”
“If he doesn’t talk to her she’ll attack and I’m not sure we can keep up with her when she does.”
“You handled her well last time.”
“Nye won’t let me take a chance like that again.” Her hand instinctively rubbed her swollen belly. She was the first Frozen on record to carry a child…children according to Dr. Ashworth.
“How long do you give her for communication?”
“Thirty minutes.”
“Fine, I’ll change and meet you in the training room.”
With that I returned to my bedroom and stripped off the rough muslin fabric of my dress. Flipping through my closet I found my leather pants. Sliding them on then the corset I used that had compartments perfectly designed to conceal two twenty-five caliber Rugers. Not the most effective in a fight, but they did slow down a charging bantling. Even with a black tank top you couldn’t see the bulge from the weapons.
Going into my en suite I undid my braid and brushed out my hair. With more precision than before I made sure every strand was accounted for and my hair was arranged tightly on my head. Then I wrapped a bun at the base of my neck. Satisfied, I returned to my room and strapped my claustranima to my hip. With a whirl I pulled on my leather coat with the extra lining for the cold. The hat and gloves could wait. I don’t need to fight until midnight, but if I was asked to help with the noon hunters I could use the distraction.
I calmed once I pulled on heavy boots that went to my knees. I was safe in my fighting gear. Vince had caught me in such a vulnerable situation. Unarmed and unprepared. Digging in the pocket of my skirt I pulled out the sucker he’d given me.
Sugar is the pathway to the devil.
My father’s words hit me. I placed the candy on my dresser and headed back to the training center. Kiriana was lumbering up the last stair and saw me waiting.
“Although I love the cardio, I really think we need to move him closer,” she said. “How dangerous could he really be?”
“You tell me. He’s your friend.”
“Friend is a stretch…well, not really, I guess.” She crossed to where a bench was set up with weights. “So, what’s the problem?”
“I was at Bruce’s—”
“You know Bruce? You just got here. Am I the only one who didn’t know he existed?”
“Screens have made a huge sacrifice for us. They are not immortal like we are, but still they dedicate their life to protect us.”
“Didn’t he just get back from a week in Dubai?”
“Yes.”
“Before that, he was in Bora Bora?”
“I believe so.”
“He’s a saint,” Kiriana scoffed.
“His travels aside, a detective came to the house. He named you. Saying you may be the only survivor of someone who’s hurting women.”
“Who? My dad? He never laid a hand on me.”
“Your father? Who is he?”
“No one, I wouldn’t worry about the detective.” Kiriana started to push up, then stopped. “Was his name DeTello?”
“Yes, Vince DeTello. Why?”
“Shit.” She settled back on the bench. “What else did he say?”
“That I was a prostitute for some reason I couldn’t understand. Bruce introduced me as his niece and I wasn’t in provocative clothing.” I held my hand to my heart. “My sweater was off, but my dress covered my chest. He kept going on about Bruce not having siblings.”
“You became Frozen in the seventies, right?”
“Yes, at twenty-four.”
“Did you watch TV?”
TV and the arts are a pathway to Satan.
“No, my parents felt books were a better way to spend my time.”
“What about at school?”
“No, never.”
“Right, well, in movies and what not, the older man always checks into motels with his niece.”
“And?”
“She’s not his niece. It’s a running joke.”
“That is just wrong. And to think that man thought I would have relations with Bruce.”
Kiriana looked back at the door that housed the hallway leading to Damarion. Nibbling on her bottom lip, she began rubbing her belly as if it were a crystal ball.
“Why are you dressed like that?” she asked when she came out of her trance.
“I wanted to be ready if the noon hunters needed me.”
“How about a therapy session instead?” she offered.
“My job is to hunt demons, not talk.”
“Mine is to hunt demons too, I just hunt them in the compound.”
I looked at the floor in shame. Were my demons that plain to the naked eye? I did not believe Kiriana had the ability to destroy the demons that possessed me, but she was a member of the House of Ryeal. Her gifts might be greater than that of the charlatans who attempt to drum up business by promising to stop one’s hatred of their parents. Butterflies unsettled my stomach and I turned sharply.
“I think I’ll go check in with Kiyoshi,” I called behind me as I exited.