Free Fallen by Michele Hauf

reply, he led her in a mock waltz, there on the street corner. Their steps were not on the beat at all. Didn’t matter. Holding Pyx close to him was all the music he needed.
    â€œThat’s not the way to dance to this music,” she said, but followed his steps. One of her ponytails bonked him on the forehead. She laughed and popped a big pink bubble of gum. “Street waltzing. I can dig it!”
    Cooper twisted her under his arm, spinning her once. The move tore out the earbuds as he hooked her over his arm into a dramatic dip. Pyx stretched one arm highover her head in a ballroom-worthy finale and kicked up one leg.
    Behind them, clapping erupted from a singular source.
    Drawing his partner up to stand, Cooper turned to find an older woman with gray hair and sensible shoes performing enthusiastic applause. He and Pyx exchanged winks.
    He bowed grandly, then offered for the woman’s hand. “May I have this dance, madame?”
    The old woman giggled and allowed him to dance her side to side with only the rhythm of traffic to guide their steps. He moved slowly, allowing her careful steps, then ended in a grand-yet-painfully-slow twirl. The woman pealed out a bright giggle as she spun up to his chest where her eyes were level to his diaphragm.
    Cooper could feel her delight deep in his chest. It felt damn good. Humanity was all he’d expected it to be. He kissed her cheek and thanked her.
    When Cooper turned to Pyx the demon stood with arms clasped before her, a smile softening her tilted face.
    â€œSorry,” he said, splaying out his hands in surrender. “I like to dance.”
    â€œApparently.” Though her tone sounded more appreciative than blaming. “This world has gotten under your mortal skin, Fallen one. That can’t be a good thing.”
    â€œIt’s not good. It’s awesome.”
    â€œTo each his own.”
    â€œYou liked the dance. Admit it.”
    â€œI’ve a plan,” she said, ignoring his ribbing. “Let’s go to your place.”
    â€œMy place?” he offered. “I’d rather hunt vampires. I need to test my new weapons.”
    â€œSo would I. More action.” She snapped into a fighter stance and punched the air between them a couple times.“But what you don’t understand about me is that I have a goal. And that goal won’t be met until you’ve found your muse.”
    â€œLet me guess. Your goal is to kill me.”
    â€œYou got it, buddy.”
    The light changed and they began to walk, arm in arm, a strange couple if only the world were aware.
    Cooper couldn’t fault her for wanting to do her job. But she was going to have a tough time of it trying to convince him to do his job. It wasn’t even a job, it was some kind of freaky innate compulsion.
    â€œWhy does a demon have to prove herself to her fellow Sinistari?”
    A shrug of her shoulder and her pace moved faster. “Maybe it’s a girl thing. Just never felt I fit in,” she called back. “Always.”
    He joined her and grabbed her hand again to hold her closer. “Always?”
    â€œNever felt as though I’ve been in place, if that makes sense. Look at me. I’m a chick who thinks she should be a guy. And Beneath! Don’t get me started on that place.”
    He could only imagine Beneath was as dismal and menacing as the Ninth Void. Had he not been summoned to earth he would still be there, awaiting final judgment. Why had he been summoned? The question niggled, but not enough to worry about it. He was free. He was not going to question that.
    â€œSo your goal on earth is to prove yourself to the Sinistari,” he guessed.
    â€œYep. What’s your goal?” she asked.
    â€œFinding my halo.” He strode up the street. His apartment was ahead. As was hers.
    â€œYour halo? I’ve never heard of a Fallen looking forhis halo. You need it because it’s a mighty weapon in your