The Last Slayer Read Online Free Page B

use except in the most extenuating circumstances, because it could kill the one with the damaged psyche. The firm would have to send a horde of lawyers to deal with the paperwork and outraged Federation enforcers who would undoubtedly want my head on a silver platter. But I had to get out of the demon’s dream. There were no standard procedures for a situation like this, and I was sure they would understand.
    Once they talked to the firm’s attorneys, that is.
    The demon’s wail rose unbelievably high, then mercifully went beyond my hearing. What was left of the dreamscape wavered and then vanished with a pop like a soap bubble. The demon collapsed, and even though I felt my usual sensual, visceral thrill when an enemy fell, it was kind of too bad—I’d wanted to ask the thing about that “marked” comment.
    I found myself back in the dark bedroom. The demon was curled under the covers, its face contorted in death.

Two
     
    My booted feet trampled the early summer grass as I went to my car. Somewhere a dog barked. A lot of the residents in Selena’s neighborhood probably owned pets, and I could just imagine a family of four with apple-cheeked children and a big golden retriever. It wasn’t the kind of family I know from experience, but from nauseatingly wholesome Disney movies and holiday propaganda. My foster family can be many things, but they’re not exactly all-American.
    I tossed the hunting gear into the trunk and called Valerie. “How did it go?” she asked after the first ring.
    I didn’t have to hear more than that. “You knew.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Don’t insult my intelligence.” The lilac-scented late evening wind was cool against my heated skin. Too bad it couldn’t cool my temper. “ Referred client , my ass. You set me up! What the hell are you trying to pull?”
    Her voice changed registers slightly. “A big deal with lots of money. What I always try to pull for the firm.”
    When Valerie did business, possible negative consequences were rarely given much consideration, especially if everything turned out fine. What, her worry? She was a warding specialist and had never fought a battle in her life. I was wasting my breath yelling at her and knew it, but I was too pissed off to care.
    “Look, why don’t you come back to the office?” Valerie said, her tone smooth. “I’ll explain everything. We’ll talk.”
    “No shit we will.”
    I snapped the phone shut and reached into the trunk to get an ax. Gripping it tightly, I stalked back to the townhouse and entered the bedroom where the body lay on the bed. The demon’s multiple eyes stared blankly at me. Valerie wanted to talk? Fine. I’d give her something to talk about.
    The blade cut through the demon’s neck like a carrot. Thick black liquid squirted over the mattress. I picked up the head by its hair and wrinkled my nose. The blood was going to stink up my car.
    I wiped my ax on the sheet and went to the master bathroom for a shower curtain. Naturally, the stall was made of glass. I glanced at my reflection, wondering what that “marked” comment had meant. A tattoo maybe? Everything looked normal, but for some reason I felt like I was covered with slime. I put the demon head on the floor and ran a hand down my torso. It was probably the psychic fluid from the demon’s dream still clinging to me. I’d never exited a dream that way before.
    “A sensation remarkably like mucus, wouldn’t you agree?”
    I whirled around, the ax coming up. A tall stranger was watching me, leaning against the bathroom door. The tight pull of his ponytail accentuated the sharp angles and planes of his face. Long platinum hair and keen emerald green eyes drew me in, a trap for any animal dumb enough to miss the substance beneath the pretty package. Layers of glamour wrapped around him, trying to disguise his true nature, but it was obvious that he wasn’t human. Maybe an incubus? I couldn’t tell for sure, which was worrisome. Normally I