Free Elven Blood (Imp Book 3) by Debra Dunbar Page A

up and lops your head off.”
    The succubus shot over to my side for protection, looking nervously around at the dark shadows cast by the trees.
    “The barrier will protect against servants of Rada as well as Petro,” the aunt assured me. I looked to Michelle for translation.
    “Angels as well as demons,” Michelle helpfully chimed in. “I didn’t have her do mine against angels, but with Wyatt as your boyfriend, I thought protection against angels might be a good idea.”
    I hadn’t thought of that. I knew Gregory didn’t particularly like him, that he often claimed to wish Wyatt dead, but I didn’t honestly think he’d take any action against him. In fact, I kind of got the impression he would protect Wyatt, even though he disliked him. Still, it was a good idea.
    “Thanks,” I told her. “And thank you,” I said to the aunt.
    The aunt waved her hand dismissively. “I like this boy,” she said. “I think my niece should date him.”
    Michelle looked horrified. “Auntie, I’m already dating someone. And Wyatt is Sam’s boyfriend. I mentioned that before.”
    I kissed Wyatt, just to emphasize the “my boyfriend” part. Demons wouldn’t care, but I was starting to have very un–demonic, rather possessive feelings toward Wyatt. Michelle was my friend, and if Wyatt wished to be with her, I wouldn’t stand in his way, but it would bother me. I was beginning to want him all to myself. Mine. In every way shape and form.
    “Lock up your place and meet me in the barn in ten,” I whispered to him. “I’ll bring breakfast and we’ll watch the sunrise together.”
    He cupped my face with one hand, brushing his thumb across my cheekbone. His eyes were warm with passion and a kind of gentle emotion. “I’d like that,” he said, and those words set every nerve in my body alight.
    “She said I could mount her,” Leethu confided to me as we walked back toward my house. “She is so soft and round. I find her irresistibly attractive. I can’t wait to fuck her.”
    “She doesn’t mean ‘fuck’,” I explained. “She’s talking about something entirely different.”
    I quickly told her about horses. She sighed with regret.
    “That does not sound as much fun as fucking,” the Succubus whined. “I am so disappointed. I’ll bet I could change her mind though.”
    Yes, I’m sure you could, I thought as the pheromones flowed in a velvety caress over me. They soothed me and added to my rather satisfied mood. Wyatt was safe, rents were in, and I was confident that I’d soon have Haagenti off my back. At the moment, I was relaxed and sleepy from the late hour and Leethu’s presence. I couldn’t wait to see Wyatt, to glory in both the sunrise and the feel of his skin against mine, then fall asleep wrapped in the tight embrace of his limbs, but as I poured coffee into a thermos, my doubts returned. Wyatt was safe, but for how long? What if the barrier failed? What if he was ambushed while grocery shopping or pumping gas one day? This last demon was smart and strong. Wyatt wouldn’t stand a chance. I needed to resolve this issue with Haagenti, and resolve it fast. Before it was too late.

6
    I’d hauled the trailer with the Surburban to Dargan’s Landing early afternoon. Wyatt and I had eaten microwaved bacon and mini donuts in the barn, then slowly explored each other as pink lit the morning sky. I hadn’t wanted it to end, but with a defensible barrier around Wyatt’s house, it was time for me to see about a more permanent solution to my Haagenti problem. So here I was, hauling my horse to the safest gate to Hel that I could think of.
    It wasn’t unusual to see various trailers at this particular access point to the C&O Canal. There was a boat launch; but not just the rafters, kayakers, and fishers put in here. Cycling groups, joggers, and those who longed for a nice easy trail ride with their horses also used this spot. Of course, there weren’t as many horses on the towpath as there used to be.