A Demon Made Me Do It Read Online Free PDF Page B

gone. You don’t even know
with all certainty that your curse would be broken upon their
deaths. All you will accomplish by hunting them is getting yourself
killed. And maybe others you care about, if you start a war and
we’re forced to take sides.”
    Fiery rage boils up inside me as I
stare him down. If Bones had been even the slightest bit human,
he’d be dead by now under my vicious glare. But as much as I hate
what he’s saying, I know he’s right.
    I don’t care.
    “ You’re my friend.
My best friend.
You’re supposed to support me no matter what—”
    An urgent howling in the distance
diverts Bones’ attention from my futile argument. The same one
we’ve been having for over five years. “That sounds important.
Sorry, I gotta go…you gonna be okay?” He looks at me with concern.
He is so sweet when he wants to be. Damn him.
    I nod. “I’ll be fine. Boring night,
collecting taxes. Not gonna start any demon wars, I promise.” I
give him a shaky smile and a quick a peck on his cheek before
stepping away.
    His body convulses violently for a few
seconds until he falls forward on his two large paws. He gently
nudges my leg with his long nose, and then takes off
running.
    I cross the river of fire to join my
family.
    ******
     
    The entrance to Demon Bar looks like
an ordinary boulder to anyone who doesn’t know better. Located deep
inside the inner forests of Dryndara, directly above the nexus of
the Source of Energy, it’s the one place where all demions and
demons in the territory come to replenish.
    The rock protects those who enter it,
and as I press down on the hidden lever I take several deep breaths
to calm myself down. Violent demons looking for a fight aren’t
allowed inside the enclave, and even though my anger isn’t directed
at anyone there, the guard won’t care. Only passive demons are
allowed in. And I need to drink, badly.
    A small door opens, and I pass on
through. I descend a flight of steps to another door, this one
guarded by a young demion named Ivy.
    Ivy looks sweet enough; her petite
build and pale blonde hair give the impression of a helpless
ingénue turned cheerleader. But she has the power to stun her
victims into submission with one painful glare of her baby-blues.
And if she’s in a less-than-generous mood, she’ll leave them in a
permanent vegetative state.
    “ Hey, Lucky. Damn girl, you
look hot,” Ivy says with an approving grin. “I’m surprised Bones
even let you past him.”
    “ Hey, sweetie…thanks.” I
lean against the doorway and casually glance inside the smoky room.
“Bones had to bail on me…”
    Ivy flips her golden mane
over one shoulder and leans closer. “Well, if you are looking for some fun,
our mystery guy from the other night is inside playing cards with
the Deveni brothers. Go check him out and give me the
scoop.”
    I raise an eyebrow. “What about Cody?”
Ivy and Cody have been an item for as long as I can remember. With
the exception of their occasional nuclear battles, they’re perfect
for each other. She shrugs to hide the wry smile spreading across
her lips. “Someone’s being naughty.”
    “ No harm in living
vicariously through my single friends, is there? Besides, I’m
curious about him. He shows up from out of nowhere, and no one
really knows anything about him. But he always seems like he’s
looking for something or someone. He tries to act all nonchalant
but I can tell he’s doing it.”
    I have to laugh at her suspicious
tone. Despite the fact that the Bar is swarming with demons, it’s
probably one of the safest places in the realm. But I figure she
must get so bored standing out here just watching all of us all
night. Nothing like a good mystery to fuel the fires.
    “ Hmm. Better not let Cody
know you’re spying on a sexy stranger, and with him standing just
twenty feet away.”
    Ivy shrugs. “Can I help it if these
eyes see everything?” she asks innocently, as they turn a startling
shade of sapphire.
    I quickly