Paper Stars by Devon Monk

Author:Devon Monk [Monk, Devon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781939853080
Publisher: Odd House Press
Published: 2017-12-02T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Six

“You promised.” I wiped at my stinging eyes and straightened my shoulders.

I was not going to lose him before Christmas. I was not going to lose him at all.

“Delaney?” Jean said. “Myra should be there in a minute.”

As if summoned by her voice, there was a knock at the door. Myra must have been close by.

I jogged over, glanced through the peep hole, then let Myra and the demon who stood beside her into the house.

“Bathin is going to find him and bring him back,” Myra said before I’d even shut the door.

“This is news to Bathin,” he said. “We do remember Bathin is a demon and doesn’t like to do helpful things?”

Myra’s eyes went hard and glittery while her eyebrows lowered. “We know Bathin will do this because it’s an order and requirement if he wants to remain in Ordinary.”

“As if you would let me leave, Myra Reed. I own your pretty sister’s very pretty soul.”

Yeah, like I said, sometimes the supernaturals named a high price for a favor. I still hadn’t found a way to get my soul back, though I was working on it, and so was Myra.

“Don’t care,” I cut in.

“Ryder is injured, in his truck, somewhere near Three Fingered Jack. The highway’s blocked, and Jean hasn’t had any luck getting hold of search and rescue. Name a price, Bathin. Let’s get this rolling.”

Finding people and moving them was one of Bathin’s powers. He’d already rescued a kidnapped vampire who’d been sunk beneath the ocean in a crate.

Finding a truck in a snow storm shouldn’t be nearly as difficult.

“What will you give me if I do this little favor?” he asked.

“No,” Myra said.

“A favor in return,” I offered.

“No,” Myra said again.

The corner of Bathin’s mouth slid up into a sexy grin. “Choices, choices ladies. Yes or no?”

“One favor,” I said again, “from me, to be collected within one year’s time. It can be anything you want, as long as it doesn’t break any of Ordinary’s laws, nor go against my own moral code.”

“Anything I want?” His grin turned a little predatory.

I had to wonder how I always ended up bargaining away parts of myself for the good of others. I’d like to say it came with the job of being Chief of Police in this oddball little town, but I knew better.

I would bargain away almost anything for Ryder.

“Don’t.” Ryder’s voice was distant, but still clear. I pressed the phone harder against my ear.

“It’s okay,” I said. “Myra’s here. She won’t let me break the don’t-do-anything-stupid rule.”

“Bargaining with a demon is the reason we made the rule,” he reminded me.

The last few words faded a bit, as if he was having trouble getting enough breath in his lungs to speak. “It’s stupid.”

“I know. But it’s going to be okay. You just stay awake and keep breathing. You’re going to be home soon.”

“I’ll do it,” Myra said. “For you.”

Bathin straightened as if everything in him was suddenly awake and laser focused. Then he turned, all fire and heat and wide shoulders and muscular body crowding into her space.

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