dimensions.
Cain was the head incubus, and this was his territory. He stepped out of a nearby tent, a big goofy grin on his face.
“Cole! Buddy! You missed the action. I found the most delicious Georgia Peach.”
Cole’s face turned stony. “And you killed her.”
Cain smirked. “My territory, my rules. I let your pack use the dimensional portals. Besides, I’ve told you before . . . ”
“I know, I know. Nobody really dies, they just come back in a new body. But I don’t see things that way. You’re separating people from those they love, causing heartache, making them start over when they could break the cycle and go someplace better.”
“Heaven? Oh God, don’t start with that. Trust me, you don’t want to go there. It’s highly overrated as final destinations go.”
Cole shrugged. He knew it was best not to get Cain out of a good mood, so he changed the subject. “How’s Luc?”
“The house is standing empty at the moment, but as soon as there’s a buyer, I’ve found a way to free him. I just can’t tell him about it.”
“Cain . . . ”
“Look, it’s not your business. Luc has been trapped in that house for half a century now because he fell for his food. Stupid little witch. Never trust magic users. And . . . speaking of trust, you need to keep a better eye on your pack.”
Cole arched a brow. “Oh?”
“One of them was hunting in Golatha Falls. Hunting a human.”
Cole growled. “Who?”
“Now, now, that would be telling. You’re smart. Figure it out yourself. I rescued the woman before any damage was done.”
“Was that the Georgia Peach you just killed?”
“No, another one. I fed her to Luc. And he won’t kill his dinner. Don’t worry, I memory wiped her, and she’s safe in her little bed.”
“I don’t get you.”
“Not many do.”
A cute blonde popped her head out of the tent giggling. “Cain, where did you go?”
“I’ll be back in a minute, my love; go amuse yourself with something.”
She shrugged and drifted down the street toward the marketplace, her eyes lighting as a street performer swallowed fire on a stick.
“I thought you said you killed her.”
“No, you said that. This one is mildly interesting. I might keep her a few days.”
“You’re disgusting.”
“Yes, I’m a demon. These humans all have a death wish anyway. Do you see how they live?”
“Thank you for the information about my pack. I’m sure you’ve got a tab running for me. I’ve got to go hunt.”
Cain’s chuckle trailed down the street behind him.
Chapter Five
Jane turned over in her sleep. Suddenly she was sixteen again with her first boyfriend. The name on his birth certificate was Richard, but everybody called him Rich. That is, until he and Jane started dating. Then everyone at school had started calling them Dick and Jane.
She was standing on the second story balcony of the frat house when she saw the monster. He looked like a demon from hell, all black and shiny with claws and fangs and glowing eyes. And he was staring right at her. A drunk and laughing frat boy stumbled into the monster then looked up at him.
“Oh, excuse me, dude.” He was drunk enough to have lost his inhibitions and sense of self-preservation, but not yet drunk enough to be slurring his words.
“Not a problem,” the monster said, his eyes still boring into Jane’s.
A rush of memories, long buried and forgotten came back to her as the monster held her gaze. New York City. She was four and out with her parents after dark. Her mother had been anxious about having Jane out in the city at night, but her father had brushed off the concern.
As they’d crossed the street to grab a taxi, Jane had seen him. She’d been haunted by nightmares of the monster for months, her parents not knowing what to do for her. This wasn’t normal, even for a child her age.
They’d taken her to a specialist in California, and after a while she forgot what she’d seen. Now it was back,