attention.
“There is widespread demonic activity in Washington State and New York City,” James said. “But most of the activity is within a thirty-mile radius of here. This home.”
Madison flinched at the final sentence, her nails ticking a nervous rap-tap-tap on the tabletop.
“They’re trying to separate us.” So they could weaken them. The strategy pissed Nix off. “Fuck, I hate demons!”
James nodded. “Or force us to withdraw our protection of Madison and Amos completely, since they’re targeting states on opposite sides of the country.”
“Or both,” said Gage.
“I’m not leaving.” He’d made a promise, and Nix would be dead before he’d break it.
“It’d probably be best if you left,” she said, her voice reed thin.
“And let him have you? Let him win?” Nix rose to his feet, angry she thought so little of him. Frustrated that she expected him to leave just because she suggested it or because a demon chose to play hardball. “No fucking way, Madison!”
“I agree with Nix.” James spoke in a calm tone. “The choices suck, but we have to split up. Zoe and Gage will go to New York City, and I’ll head to Washington State.” He contemplated Madison a moment. “Nix will remain with you.”
A half-chuckle exited her lungs, and she shook her head. “Tell me the truth. Do you really think you can help me? Or are you assigning Nix to a suicide watch? No way do I want that on my conscience.”
No way would Nix let his uncle answer such a loaded question. “As long as I have breath, there is a chance of defeating this demon.”
“You’re a liar, Nix.” Their gazes locked, and Madison added, “And a colossal fool.”
He shrugged. “I’ve been called worse. Two-headed cow springs to mind.”
“Don’t!” She slammed her palm on the table, smacking it loudly, hard enough that Amos ceased to play and blinked wide-eyed up at her. “Don’t you dare make a blasé joke about this situation. We’re dealing with a terminator demon. He won’t stop until he accomplishes his goal or until he’s dead. The way I see it, staying here with me guarantees your death. You all should leave now and save your lives.”
“Madison.” James’s voice turned soothing, and Nix knew his uncle geared up to deliver one of his famous pep talks. Madison glared, her stubbornness reminding him of a militant insurgent. “The likelihood of any of us surviving if the demon gets what he wants from you and Amos is zilch. Half the world will die from the outcome. We’re dead win or lose.”
So much for pep talks. Nix rolled his eyes.
“Nix said the demon would be back.” Before continuing to speak, Madison waited for James to nod in agreement. “So, teach me everything I need to know to be ready to kill it when he returns. I refuse for either of us to be a demon’s trophy, not without a fight anyway.”
Nix watched her fingers curl into a tight fist and thought again how gutsy she was. A normal person would be cowering beneath the table, praying for a fast and swift death.
“There’s no way you can teach her everything she needs to know,” Gage said.
“None of us knows how to kill a King.” Zoe leaned forward in her chair. “But giving her any skill is better than none.”
Nix agreed. “I’ll show her the basics, hit all the highlights.”
“But?” Madison crossed her arms beneath her breasts. He ignored the way they swelled to the edge of her tank top.
But…we’re out of our league . No way would he say those words aloud though. No sense in worrying her more.
James spoke, eliminating the dead silence as she waited for Nix to respond, “Familiarize her with the standard weapons, too.”
“Weapons?” Her voice broke on the second syllable. “I’ve never even held a gun.” She shook her head and glanced between them. “You really think all this is necessary?”
“Hell, yes” Nix said.
“Madison, you either step up to the plate, or you become a demon’s unwilling
“There is widespread demonic activity in Washington State and New York City,” James said. “But most of the activity is within a thirty-mile radius of here. This home.”
Madison flinched at the final sentence, her nails ticking a nervous rap-tap-tap on the tabletop.
“They’re trying to separate us.” So they could weaken them. The strategy pissed Nix off. “Fuck, I hate demons!”
James nodded. “Or force us to withdraw our protection of Madison and Amos completely, since they’re targeting states on opposite sides of the country.”
“Or both,” said Gage.
“I’m not leaving.” He’d made a promise, and Nix would be dead before he’d break it.
“It’d probably be best if you left,” she said, her voice reed thin.
“And let him have you? Let him win?” Nix rose to his feet, angry she thought so little of him. Frustrated that she expected him to leave just because she suggested it or because a demon chose to play hardball. “No fucking way, Madison!”
“I agree with Nix.” James spoke in a calm tone. “The choices suck, but we have to split up. Zoe and Gage will go to New York City, and I’ll head to Washington State.” He contemplated Madison a moment. “Nix will remain with you.”
A half-chuckle exited her lungs, and she shook her head. “Tell me the truth. Do you really think you can help me? Or are you assigning Nix to a suicide watch? No way do I want that on my conscience.”
No way would Nix let his uncle answer such a loaded question. “As long as I have breath, there is a chance of defeating this demon.”
“You’re a liar, Nix.” Their gazes locked, and Madison added, “And a colossal fool.”
He shrugged. “I’ve been called worse. Two-headed cow springs to mind.”
“Don’t!” She slammed her palm on the table, smacking it loudly, hard enough that Amos ceased to play and blinked wide-eyed up at her. “Don’t you dare make a blasé joke about this situation. We’re dealing with a terminator demon. He won’t stop until he accomplishes his goal or until he’s dead. The way I see it, staying here with me guarantees your death. You all should leave now and save your lives.”
“Madison.” James’s voice turned soothing, and Nix knew his uncle geared up to deliver one of his famous pep talks. Madison glared, her stubbornness reminding him of a militant insurgent. “The likelihood of any of us surviving if the demon gets what he wants from you and Amos is zilch. Half the world will die from the outcome. We’re dead win or lose.”
So much for pep talks. Nix rolled his eyes.
“Nix said the demon would be back.” Before continuing to speak, Madison waited for James to nod in agreement. “So, teach me everything I need to know to be ready to kill it when he returns. I refuse for either of us to be a demon’s trophy, not without a fight anyway.”
Nix watched her fingers curl into a tight fist and thought again how gutsy she was. A normal person would be cowering beneath the table, praying for a fast and swift death.
“There’s no way you can teach her everything she needs to know,” Gage said.
“None of us knows how to kill a King.” Zoe leaned forward in her chair. “But giving her any skill is better than none.”
Nix agreed. “I’ll show her the basics, hit all the highlights.”
“But?” Madison crossed her arms beneath her breasts. He ignored the way they swelled to the edge of her tank top.
But…we’re out of our league . No way would he say those words aloud though. No sense in worrying her more.
James spoke, eliminating the dead silence as she waited for Nix to respond, “Familiarize her with the standard weapons, too.”
“Weapons?” Her voice broke on the second syllable. “I’ve never even held a gun.” She shook her head and glanced between them. “You really think all this is necessary?”
“Hell, yes” Nix said.
“Madison, you either step up to the plate, or you become a demon’s unwilling
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