Free Another Way To Bleed (Midnight Assassin) by Susan Harris Page A

recruited an army of sorts, becoming an unofficial ruler in the city.” Lilith spoke softly, but under the cautious tone was a lick of pride. “Did you look over the list of gifts I ga ve you last night?”
    Archer snarled at the demon as if it was a gut reaction to her presence. “Yes, I did. Quite impressive list I have to say. No doubt he inherited quite a few from his father’s side.”
    “Yes, he did, but his most dangerous gift is his ability to turn your nightmares into reality. Twist your memories. Where I can give you a glimpse of your possible future, Cole can manipulate your deepest, darkest fears and make you believe you are living them. I like to think I give hope, whereas my son feeds off hopelessness.”
    Cassie stiffened, her anger bubbling at her crass choice of words. As she stood up, Archer moved to her side, as if he knew she was about to explode. She closed her eyes and tried to relax like, he had shown her, but images of the dream only infuriated her more. “Hope? HOPE? Fuck you, Lilith. What do you think sending me that dream would achieve? Like mother, like son I say, 'cos you manipula ted the fuck out of me.”
    Lilith rose to meet Cassie's glare “I do not know of what you dreamt, Cassandra dear. I just weave the spell to let you see it. Whatever you saw was of your own desires and wants, moulded into a possible future. I do not dictate your dreams, nor would I wish to have you feel any discomfort because of them.”
    Magic swelled all around them as both females squared off in the female equivalent to a pissing contest. Cassie felt the first tingles of flames on her fingertips, yearning to lash out at the demon queen.
    “ ENOUGH! ” The roar bounced off the walls. “We do not have time for all this posturing. Lilith, sit down, and Cassie, relax please, or I will ask you to leave.”
    Cassie gave Luka the evil eye, but did as she was told. Coming to sit on the chair beside Lilith, she threw her feet on Luka’s desk and went back to eating her apple. “So let me get this straight, we drive to the city and then meet up with your informant? All I need to know is do I get to kill some shit, or is this jus t a bag and tag mission?”
    “Princess, you read my mind. Can’t wait to get my hands dirty – been awhile.” Cracking his knuckles as he changed his stance, Archer’s face seemed to glow at the mention of an impending kill.
    Luka shook his head. “We need to be weary in Abandon City. Cassandra has sent a lot of rogues there, and they will be out for her blood. Stealth is a must.”
    “Subtlety is my middle name, boss,” Cassie retorted, causing him to snort. She shrugged her shoulders b efore continuing, “Now, while you lay out the plans, can I go do something useful and load the car up with weapons?”
    “Yes go... You know what to bring. Load up the jeep. We’ll head out as soon as we are loaded up.” Luka sighed as she rose from the seat, nodded at him, flipped Archer off and ignored Lilith altogether. Hand on the door handle, she paused and walked back to Lilith. Both men tensed as she faced the demon Qu een, but Cassie was calm.
    “I will find your son and try and bring him back in one piece, but keep your dreams to yourself, bitch . And remember your other promise - you will tell me who my father is, or so help me Goddess, I will slit your throat and feed you to a flesh eater. You hear me?”
    Lilith stood to face her and extended her hand, “You have my word, Cassandra, no more tricks. Just bring me my son, and you will have what you want.”
    Shaking her hand, she spun around and headed for the door. All eyes were on her as she sauntered out the door and left it open behind her.
    Walking down the long hall, she could still hear the words that Lilith spoke as she addressed Luka. “That girl is truly one of a kind, my dear. You should try to keep her.” Before she turned the corner she felt a whisper massaging the inside of her mind. She is and I will.
    Heading down