Free First And Last by Stacey Kennedy Page B

started.
     
    “What do you think?” I asked Kyden. I was at a complete loss. My familiarity with demons was only what I’d seen so far. Runes and such were very much not in my knowledge base.
     
    Kyden sighed. “I’ve never seen anything like this. We need to discuss this with Misa. Of anyone, she should know what this is all about.”
     
    “Just what I want to do,” I sighed. “Take another trip down under.”
    * * * *
     
    The moment I stepped foot in the spectacular glass home, a horrible feeling in my gut formed. Misa’s home once belonged to Magnus. Being back here was a big fat reminder of him and quivers shot straight down my spine.
     
    “It’s all right, Álainn.” Kyden leaned down and kissed my lips softly.
     
    It settled the tremors, but I still didn’t like being in the house. It only solidified my need to get on with this.
     
    Three times, I had repeated the story of what we saw, and Misa was having a hard time processing it. She stood, mouth wide open. With an action that looked forced, she clamped it shut, but the bemused expression never left her face.
     
    We all stayed that way for a total of fifty breaths—I counted.
     
    “Soooo…” I finally said. “Are you going to say something?”
     
    Misa’s mouth slowly parted, then to my annoyance, she repeated, “You saw what?”
     
    “Please do not make me repeat it.” I rubbed my temples. For Christ sakes, did I really need to go over this again? The story had run dry and to me it didn’t seem all that bad anymore probably because I’d told it for the umpteenth time.
     
    Kyden chuckled.
     
    Misa gave her head a little shake, I suspected to clear her surprise. “Let me get this straight. A human was in the center of a pentagram. There was a tribal-looking design in the center with other symbols at each point. The demon used the human’s blood along the pentagram, then poof, the human and demon disappeared. Is that right?”
     
    I gave a tired nod. “To put it simply, yes.”
     
    She stood from the couch we sat on and began to pace. Her expression tight, her jaw even clenched a few times.
     
    Oh, this was so not good. Suddenly, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know what all this was about. If a demon was worried, shit was about to go down. I mean really, what could a demon be worried about?
     
    “What does it mean?” Kyden demanded.
     
    Misa stopped pacing and glanced back to us. “I have no idea. I’ve never in my time heard of a human and demon who just poofed into nothing.”
     
    “You haven’t?” I gasped.
     
    She shook her head, very slow. “It’s not a normal occurrence. We drain life forces, not kill the human entirely. It’s not a normal thing for a demon to do a ritual. Warlocks, yes. Witches, yes. But demons don’t need to.” She spun on her heels and headed for the front door. “Let’s go to Quinney. She is older and may know what this is about.”
     
    Kyden and I quickly jumped up to follow her. I just wanted the hell out of this house. Returning here, with no good memories, was still too new. The moment we stepped out into the night, I inhaled deeply and sent all those memories back to the place I never go to. Hidden deep within.
     
    Kyden took my hand, smiled down to me and a blast of love coursed through me. Ah yes, happy memories, those were the ones to focus on.
     
    As we walked past the houses, it was still hard to accept that it resembled a gated community, but in a large pentagram. Demons glanced out their windows at us and bowed as we walked by. My body shivered. It still gave me the hebejebes at just how normal this all appeared.
     
    The homes however were fantastic. The American dream.
     
    Quinney’s home was no exception, with its white limestone walls, cast-iron gates, limestone arches, massive courtyard and sculptured fountains.
     
    Before we could even reach the door to knock, the door opened. “My Lady. My Lord.” Quinney bowed.
     
    “Hello, Quinney. It’s nice to see you