GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

J.D. BLACKROSE

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melia placed her hands on her hips and gave Lissa the beady eyeball. "You're thinking about Mike again, A aren't you? You could have anybody if you put your‐ self out there, but you squirrel yourself away in a corner office. There has to be more to life than work and your cat." "And my dad." "And your father," Amelia conceded. "But I don't understand why you're hiding. You're beautiful and smart. You're the head of Fall City Hospital's entire Communications and Public Relations department, and a confident, professional woman, but one man looks at your big blue eyes and lovely blonde hair with interest and you flinch. Why?" “You forget that love fades quickly, Amelia.” She kept her voice mild. "Bullshit, if you'll pardon my bluntness. Mike left to pursue his passion, and he was always honest with you about that. He’s embedded in some military unit reporting under fire and that’s all he ever wanted. Besides, it would have been cruel to marry you and then take off for months and years as a combat reporter. You’d spend all your time worrying.” “You’re right, but…” “Arizona.” 1 J.D. BLACKROSE

Lissa dropped her head to stare at her desk. “Arizona.” She and Mike had shared an experience in Arizona that she still couldn’t explain to this day, but she’d hoped that it had been enough to keep him stateside, with her. She’d been a fool. It had been a good kick in the pants, she thought now, for the millionth time. She’d learned to be self-sufficient, fought and earned a great job and paid her own bills. Being used and discarded was not on her to-do list. "You meet lots of nice guys who want to date you, Lissa. You just turn them all away," Amelia's voice was kinder this time, understanding that her friend didn't see how beautiful she was, or how attractive to men. "It's just that I don't want "nice." I want exciting. I want a main course of gorgeous with a side of molten desire." "Whoosh. That's hot. Let's add, "And a dessert that smolders all night long." Lissa grinned. "Now, that's what I'm talking about." Besides, how could she get involved with someone, go to bed with them, and then wake up screaming? That would scare them off for certain even if they attracted to a curvy woman who worked all the time. The dream was always the same. The swirling vortex of red and black that sent whispers to her mind, murmurs of words she couldn’t understand no matter how hard she listened. She'd had this dream as long as she could remember. It was as if the words were just out of earshot and if she could get closer, she might be able to make the words out, but something always held her back. Call it instinct, call it intuition, but when she shifted closer, her gut roiled, and her subconscious screamed "Danger!" Lissa tossed her Montblanc pen on the desk and rubbed her eyes with the palms of her hands, tired from her restless, dream- filled sleep. She swiveled her desk chair to face the windows of her office on the fiftieth floor of the Cromwell Tower, the tallest building in Fall City. “What are you going blind over now?” Amelia asked as she finished fixing a steaming mug of coffee which she put on her boss’ desk before she flopped down in one of the cushy chairs in 2 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE the office. Amelia crossed her arms and waited for Lissa to turn back around. “Is there anything I can do? Office assistant and all, remember? It’s my job to help.” Still facing the window, Lissa said, “It’s the budget again. Things have gotten so busy here that we need to hire a media relations director, but we don’t have the funding for it yet. It’s hard to prove the return on investment from, good media rela‐ tions but convincing the Board that I can’t do everything by myself is a challenge.” “But the Board won’t hesitate to point out the damage a negative story brings,” remarked Amelia, crossing one long leg over the other. Lissa swirled back around, smiling when she saw the coffee. “That’s exactly my point.” “What are you going to do about it?” Lissa admired Amelia’s hair, which her friend wore short and natural because it showed off her dark eyes and exquisite cheek‐ bones. At six-feet tall Amelia intimidated a lot of men, but Amelia used her height to wean out the keepers from the losers. If you couldn’t handle a tall woman, then step out of line, and there was always a line where Amelia was concerned. Not for the first time, Lissa wondered about her friend. No doubt about it, Amelia was beautiful, kind, intelligent, and yet… Amelia had secrets. Also not for the first time, Lissa dismissed the thought, believing that if Amelia wanted to share, she would. Lissa sipped her coffee, grateful Amelia knew how she liked it, with heavy whipped cream and two sugars. Sweet and calo‐ rie-filled. She knew she shouldn’t drink it this way, her hips being a little too wide and her bosom a little too buxom, but she worked hard, dammit, and if she wanted sweet coffee, she was going to have it. Besides, there was always hot yoga. She’d sweat it off. “Nothing, now. I’ll go before the Board again next month and hopefully have some more data to back-up my requests.” Lissa inhaled the coffee’s deep aroma and sighed in happiness. Amelia lifted an eyebrow at Lissa. “In God we trust. All others bring data?” 3 J.D. BLACKROSE

“You got it. Especially at a research hospital. Data is king.” “You’ve been working yourself too hard. Let’s go out and get some drinks tonight. I heard that new club down on Sixth Street is pretty happening.” Lissa rolled her eyes at her friend. “On a Wednesday? You know I have my standing meeting with Joe on Thursdays.” Amelia shuddered. “I can’t believe you have to meet with that bald, misogynistic egotistical maniac every single week. He doesn’t force the other department heads to do that. You don’t see Clarence meeting with him every week and you would think Finance would be Joe’s top worry.” “Joe Thomas may be a pain in the ass…” Amelia interrupted. “Joe S. Thomas, you mean.” Lissa acknowledged the correction with a slight tip of her chin and a rueful smile. “Joe S. Thomas may be a pain in the ass, but he is the administrator of this hospital and I report to him. He’s second only to the CEO. I just have to bear it.” Amelia grimaced. “He gives me the creepy crawlies. I don’t know how you stand him.” Lissa closed her eyes again. “I try hard to make sure there’s at least one seat between us at all times. His hands are known to wander.” “Yeesh. Does he still have those long nails?” “Yup, and they’re just as disgusting as the first time you saw them.” “Come on. There’s nothing more you can do here tonight. Let’s go get a drink at that new bar.” Amelia rose and grabbed Lissa’s rain jacket. Lissa sighed at her friend. She didn’t feel like partying especially with the meeting she had the next day, but she knew Amelia wouldn’t take no for an answer and would stand over her like a mother hen if she didn’t at least go for an hour. “One hour,” she intoned, holding up her index finger. “One hour,” Amelia agreed, crossing her fingers behind her back. They left the office, taking the stairs to get those extra steps in and walked out the side door near the Emergency Room. 4 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

“Wow, the ER is busy this evening,” noted Amelia, as she pressed her back against the wall to avoid an oncoming stretcher carrying a young woman. Two medics pushed the stretcher inside and the doors closed. “You’re right, it is busy, especially for a weekday,” Lissa said, stepping off the curb. She stopped suddenly as another ambu‐ lance came roaring in. “Do you see who that is over there?” Lissa pointed to three people rushing in the hospital, two men, both running so fast their ties were flying and a woman who wore a skirt with sneakers, moving just as fast. “Is that Dr. Steele, Dr. Mercer and Dr. Hoffman?” “Yeah, they don’t usually work nights, given their seniority and administrative duties. I wonder what’s got them riled up.” Lissa chewed her lip. “I hope there isn’t a crisis.” “It’s a hospital,” said Amelia. “There’s always a crisis. Let’s go.” Amelia tugged on Lissa’s sleeve. Lissa allowed herself to be pulled to the parking lot but her mind was preoccupied with the hubbub at the hospital. Her spidey-sense was tingling. “Maybe I should go back and see what is going on,” Lissa said. She hesitated at the entrance to the parking garage. “Do they have your cell phone?” Amelia said, sighing in exas‐ peration. “Of course.” “Then, forget about it. It’s a medical issue if they are calling in all the doctors, and you know that neither of us are compe‐ tent to handle anything that has to do with bodily fluids. Besides, if they need you, they can call you.” “I think bodily fluids are interesting,” Lissa said, giving Amelia a wry smile. “I only like one type and that isn’t what they are looking for in the hospital, except maybe the fertility unit. Come on, let’s get a move on.”

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hat’s this bar’s name?” Lissa asked. “ “The Handsome Devil.” W Lissa rolled her eyes. “Really? That’s not pompous or anything.” “It’s good marketing.” “It’s arrogant, but okay, sure, let’s get a drink. I could use one.” They found a parking spot, a miracle, and walked the three blocks to get to the crossroads of Sixth and Cypress. Lissa couldn’t have missed the bar if she tried. It wasn’t the line around the block or the glitzy clientele. It was the glowing red outline of a devil’s head, complete with horns, flickering above the door, announcing danger as clear as a sign saying Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here. Lissa slowed as they passed the entrance, a frisson of uncertainty gathering in her belly followed by a quiver of excitement that surprised her. She gave herself an internal shake. Wow. I haven’t been out in a long time. She squashed her excitement when she saw the long line of people waiting to get in. “I’m not sure this is worth it, Amelia. The queue runs around the corner. I can’t imagine any reason good enough to wait. Let’s go to Harvey’s.”

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Amelia shook her head. “I’m tired of Harvey’s, Lissa. Wait a moment, let me see what I can do.” Amelia put a little sway in her hips and approached the bouncers working the door. Lissa wasn’t sure but Amelia may have opened another button on her blouse as well. Lissa pinched the bridge of her nose. What was she doing? It was the middle of the week and she had a meeting with Joe the next morning. She needed to be home drinking a glass of wine, petting Reina, her Siamese cat, and watching something stupid on television. This entire exercise was a waste of time. “Hey! Miss. Party-pooper, let’s get going. I got us up to the front of the line.” Amelia was grinning from ear-to-ear. “How on earth did you do that?” “I gave my best smile and… well, to be truthful. I don’t know. I gave them our names, and they said something into their earpieces and the next thing I know the bouncers are ready to usher us in. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Accept the gifts of fate.” “I’m not sure this is fate,” Lisa scrunched up her face, deciding whether to go in or not. Amelia placed both hands on her hips. “Whatever do you mean by that?” “I don’t know but I have this weird feeling.” Amelia grabbed Lissa left arm and pulled her toward the entrance. “Buck up, sister, there are drinks in here with our names on them. Let’s go find them.” Lissa trotted after Amelia, jumping to the head of the line, receiving dirty looks from the scores of attractive women waiting to get in. She couldn’t fathom why she and Amelia made VIP status, but the bouncers were solicitous and held the crowd back, so they entered unmolested. They were greeted by a leggy blonde wearing a tiny silver dress. Lissa gasped when she looked at the woman’s eyes. They were cat eyes, green with slit pupils. “Aren’t those contacts uncomfortable?” Lissa asked, side- stepping Amelia’s elbow.

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The woman smiled. “No, not at all. It’s like I’m not wearing any.” They followed the cat woman to a table close to the bar. She gestured for them to sit, handed them drink menus and leaned across the table, her breasts on display. “I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Let me know if there is anything, anything at all, that I can do for you.” She licked her lips and ran one index finger down Amelia’s left sleeve, touching her skin at the wrist. Amelia recoiled from the touch as the cat woman jumped back in surprise, shaking her hand liked she’d been shocked. She shot Amelia a dirty look and hurried away. “What was all that about?” Lissa asked Amelia. “No idea.” Amelia buried her face in the drink menu. “What do you suppose is in a Hellfire? Or a Fallen Angel?” “Alcohol?” Lissa wasn’t paying much attention to her friend. She was taking in the scenery. The bar glowed in red, oranges and yellows, creating the illusion that the building was on fire. The music was sensual, rhythmic and its low bass beckoned Lissa to the dance floor, begging her to come and play. The mirrors, strategically placed, caught the ambient light, reflecting it so the fire seemed to surround the dancers a full three hundred and sixty degrees, top and bottom, side-to-side. It was easy to get lost in the refraction. Lissa glanced at one of the mirrors and caught her own reflection, jaw dropping as she did so. The mirror reflected her face, she knew it was her face, but the face was somehow more luminous, like a soft-focus camera had caught her at the perfect moment of sunset. She was beautiful. She jerked her head away, knowing the image wasn’t real. “Great mirrors here,” she muttered. “Wonder what brand they use. Gotta get one for my apartment.” “They are ordinary mirrors, no tricks,” said a voice behind her. Lissa’s belly clenched tight at the sound. The man’s voice was low, dangerous, pitched just right, and a thrill to ran up her spine. 8 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

The voice moved to her side. “They only show the truth.” The most gorgeous man in the world stood next to her. He was over six-feet tall, with dark wavy hair worn slightly long and the most beautiful bronze skin. His suit fit him exactly right, as if it had been made for him, which it probably had been, she realized. It was impossible to tell the color of the suit inside the bar, but it was dark, and he wore it with a stark white shirt and a silver tie with matching pocket square. His shoulders were so broad, they eclipsed her view of the dance floor. He held himself with assurance and ease, one hand extended, waiting for her hand, the other resting in his pants pocket. Lissa didn’t react because she was too busy looking at his eyes. They were deep gray. Not chocolate brown, but gray, and staring into them was like staring into an abyss. She fell into them, lights blinking around her as she plunged into their depths, swirling in a never-ending descent. She swayed towards him. “Whoops. Wait a minute. You okay?” he said, catching her as she wobbled. “Too much to drink?” Lissa’s face flushed and sweat trickled down her back. “No,” she said, holding her hand to her throat. “Dehydrated, I think.” Amelia shot her a concerned look. “You need water. Sasha!” the man called to their waitress. “Please make sure these guests have some water. Also, their drinks are on me.” Lissa belatedly realized he’d been offering his hand. She held out her own, and he took it into his own, sending a jolt of elec‐ tricity through her. His touch was bold, sensuous, yet gentle. She wanted to keep her hand there forever. “Nice to meet you, Mr.….? My name is Lissa. Lissa Byrne.” The man – was he a man or a god – raised her hand to his lips. “Kamal Wade.” Lissa burst out laughing, earning a shocked look from her wing woman. “You are certainly well named.” “You know Arabic?” Kamal tilted his head at her, an amused smile on his lips. 9 J.D. BLACKROSE

“Only a basic familiarity. I like languages. Kamal means perfect.” “Yes, and I got teased about it as a child. You have no idea what it was like running around with such a pretentious name.” “I think it’s appropriate. Even your teeth are perfect. Ow!” Lissa jumped at the stabbing pain in her foot as Amelia stopped her from making a fool of herself. Or, more of a fool of herself. Lissa took the opportunity to take a deep whiff of the man beside her. His scent was sexy, a combination of musk and something earthy, like a wood-burning fireplace on a snowy night. Did she also detect a note of cinnamon? “I think your name is exotic,” Amelia said, capturing Kamal’s attention so Lissa could collect herself. “Amelia Young.” “Enchanted,” he said, reaching for her hand. He kissed it, but released it quickly and touched a finger to his lips. Before Lissa could ask what was wrong, Sasha appeared with two waters. She handed the waters to Kamal who placed them on the table, and asked, “What else would you like to drink, ladies?” Amelia asked, “What’s in a Fallen Angel?” “Tears and sorrow,” Kamal said. Amelia blinked at him. “I’m kidding. It is a secret recipe, but I think you will like it.” Amelia laughed. “I’ll try one.” “What about you, Lissa? What would you like?” Lissa managed, barely, to not say, “You.” “I’ll have a glass of chardonnay, thank you.” Kamal grinned. “Nothing more adventurous tonight?” “Afraid not. I’ve got meetings early tomorrow.” “Understood. I have a day job too.” “What do you do?” Lissa asked, gulping her water like a parched shipwreck survivor. “I own this club, but I do other things as well. This is a hobby, really.” “So, you’re the handsome devil the club is named after?” Amelia teased, always more prepared with a quip than Lissa. Kamal shook his head in a good-natured rebuttal. “The devils

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I’ve met aren’t all that handsome, actually, but it’s a good marketing name.” Sasha delivered their drinks while another waiter arrived and whispered in Kamal’s ear. “Ladies, I must depart. I hope to see you again, soon.” He gave a short bow and left. Lissa and Amelia watched his departing form with appreciation. “What the hell was that?” Lissa said. Amelia shook her head in slow motion. “Trouble. That’s what he is. Trouble. And I think he’s trouble for you, my friend.” “Why would you say that?” “I saw the way he looked at you. Like a tiger circling his prey. He wants to take a bite.” “That’s ridiculous.” “No, it isn’t.” “Forget it. Let’s go dance.” Lissa’s toes were tapping to the beat. “If I’m here, I’m going to have fun.” “Lead on, sister. I’m with you.” The women made their way to the dance floor, and the crowd shifted to make room. Lissa felt a hand on her back and whirled around. The hand belonged to a nice-looking guy, sandy hair, brown eyes, nice build, but she flinched at the leer in his eye. “Hey baby, let’s dance.” “I was just about to return to my table. Thanks, anyway,” Lissa said, turning her back to him so he’d get the hint. His hot breath tickled her neck along with the unmistakable smell of whiskey. He rubbed his pelvis against her back and she jumped at the feel of his hard length pressing against her ass. “Come on, little one. I like your friend too. She can join us. I’d like a vanilla and chocolate swirl milkshake.” Lissa turned toward him. “Look. I’ve made it clear I am not interested, and even if I had been, that last comment would have killed it. Go back to your buddies and leave me alone.” “That’s the thing,” he said, with a shy smile. “My buddies bet me that I couldn’t get you to dance with me. Let’s show them

11 J.D. BLACKROSE they’re wrong. Please? I won’t do anything improper. A quick dance and that is all?” She thought about it and figured this was the best way to get rid of him. “Okay, but no touching. Keep it casual.” “Good for me,” the brown-eyed man said, as he undulated to the music. Lissa did a little sway back and forth for about a minute, gave a thumbs up to his buddies watching from the bar, and stepped away. “Your friends know that I danced with you, so you should be good, whatever the bet was. I’m going back to my friend now.” She turned to walk away, noting Amelia was on the far side of the bar. He caught her right arm and pulled her back toward him. “No, you’re not. I’ve changed my mind. I’ve got plans for us.” “You can plan all you want but nothing is happening. Now, let me go.” “Make me.” He grasped her other arm and slid up her shoul‐ ders. “Now, I’ve got you,” he breathed. Lissa brought both her arms up and around his elbows, slamming down on the joints hard and fast. He lost his grip and staggered backwards. His lips pulled thin and his eyes glinted with anger. A couple of people their hands on him, pulling him back. His friends swarmed the dance floor but Lissa didn’t care. Her eyes were on her attacker. “Settle down. No one needs to get hurt,” she said. Cries of “Yeah, stop this,” and “Let it go, man,” echoed on the dance floor. One of his friend, jerked his chin at Lissa. "She's a bitch and a tease, Rick. Give her what she really wants and she'll settle down." The rest of the pack thought this was hilarious and hooted. Three big guys moved to the front of the pack. They stood there, muscled arms crossed, ready for a fight but trying to talk Rick down instead. The leader, the guy in the middle, spoke softly. "Dude, give it up. Don't make a fool of yourself. Just walk away." 12 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

Rick didn’t hear him, or if he did, he didn’t care. With his buddies at his back, he rushed Lissa, hands extended. Lissa brought her right leg up and executed a perfect side snap kick at his knee, connecting right at the joint and that was it. He went down screaming but no one could hear him because the rest of the crowd was cheering for Lissa. The whole episode had taken maybe a minute. A second later, all his friends threw down, fists flying, inno‐ cent bystanders running for the exits, the three muscly guys giving as well as taking. A warm hand grabbed Lissa and pulled her out of the melee with the command, "Stay here." Kamal waded into the swarm, grabbed Rick by the back of his head, and tossed him to a waiting bouncer who promptly ejected him out the door in an unkind and most forward fash‐ ion. Lissa couldn't help but giggle. It was like a cartoon; the bouncer hauled Rick by the belt and practically kicked him in the ass as he sent the man flying. Her defenders backed away, palms forward to show they were retreating. Rick's crew, three of them left, rushed Kamal as one. "Kamal, behind you!" Lissa yelled, ready to charge in herself. Kamal swept one huge fist in a back strike that knocked the attacker out and dropped him to the floor, so the bouncer could throw out that trash too. The two remaining were more cautious, both bleeding, but they squared off with Kamal like lambs for the slaughter. The bouncer joined his boss so that he and Kamal were side-by-side, and Lissa felt sorry for the two men left. Kamal and the bouncer together were a wall of muscle and sinew, both with their weight on their toes, ready to fight if they had to but giving the guys a chance to leave on their own. The smaller men came to their senses and left, the bouncer on their heels. Lissa felt a rush of satisfaction that was followed by nausea and a wave of fatigue. She looked up and saw Kamal striding toward her, pushing everyone out of the way, his eyes aflame with anger. His shoulders were tight, and both of his hands were curled into fists. 13 J.D. BLACKROSE

“Did he hurt you?” Kamal demanded, seizing her by the shoulder so he could get a good look at her. “No. I’m fine, really.” “You certain?” Kamal gave her a once over, from the top of her head to her toes. It was both thrilling and uncomfortable. “I’m certain, Kamal. Really.” Kamal’s eyes relaxed a little. “You don’t have to worry, Kamal,” Lissa added. “I’m capable of taking care of myself.” “I saw that kick. Nice move.” he said, and his eyes warmed in appreciation. “But, I’m pressing charges against those guys.” "Do you know who they are?" "No, but we'll find out. I can be quite persuasive." “I noticed. You've been trained in hand-to-hand. Very impressive." Lissa’s world spun. “I’m going to sit down.” Kamal was at her elbow, holding her arm with his right hand, his left at her back. “You’ve had a scare, and the adrenaline is wearing off. You’ll be tired for a while.” He helped her sit in a lounge chair, bending on one knee so he could look in her eyes. “Lissa, I’m so sorry this happened to you at my club. I promise I’ll make it up to you.” Amelia made it to Lissa’s side. “I wasn’t near you! I’m sorry. I’m a terrible wing woman. This is all my fault.” Amelia bent at Lissa’s other side. “Are you okay to drive home?” Kamal jumped in. “I’d be happy to pay for a cab.” Lissa shook her head. “I’m fine. I’ll drive myself, and both of you should know this was no one’s fault except the creep who attacked me and his flunkies. Don’t blame yourselves.” “Oh, I blame him alright,” said Kamal, and Lissa did a double- take at the ferocity in his voice. “But, he won’t be back.” Kamal checked her one more time and said, "You sure you're okay? I need to calm my other patrons, call the police, and get the drinks flowing again, but I won't leave you if you need me." Lissa didn't say, I'll always need you, because it sounded stupid and she didn't want to come off as a weak, demanding, female. Besides, she'd just met the man, her reaction to him made no sense.

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hat the hell?” Lissa stared at her alarm clock which “ lay on the floor in pieces. She vaguely remem‐ W bered hearing it buzz and winced as she recalled sweeping her arm over the nightstand to stop the annoying noise. She’d rolled over and gone back to sleep, snuggling up to Reina, who preferred when her human stayed home. Crap. The events of last night returned to her, and she remembered that Kamal had said the adrenaline rush would leave her tired for a while. She'd never seen a brawl like that close-up, much less have it start over her, and while she was grateful for her past martial arts classes, she’d never had to use those techniques in real-life before. The whole thing was a mess. She knew she should have come home and had a normal, calm evening. But then you wouldn't have met Kamal. True, but she wasn't going back the Handsome Devil, so there was no chance she'd see him again, anyway. The thought left her inexplicably sad. She stepped into a hot as she could get it shower and recalled Kamal's beautiful body as he battled of three men at once. He'd moved like a fencer, or a dancer, so gracefully that she almost couldn't believe he was striking anyone at all. That one back fist 15 J.D. BLACKROSE

... wow. Lissa shook her head as she played it again in her mind. One clean move, that's all it was, and the guy was unconscious before he hit the ground. The hand that fought so well was also the warm, inviting hand that had pulled her out of the way. She could imagine Kamal's hands on her body, gentle but strong, sweeping up her hips to her breasts, somehow knowing that he'd kiss her neck at the same time, while she traced her nails on his back. She touched herself as she threw her head back, feeling the excite‐ ment growing, the heaviness in her thighs and lower belly. She was almost there... "Argh!" The water had turned cold, and not just cool, freez‐ ing. How long had she been in there? She stepped out, toweling off with brisk strokes and checked the time. Holy crap. She was already five minutes late for her meeting with Joe. She ran a comb through her hair, threw on the first clothes she could lay her hands on and rushed out the door, sans coffee. “Where have you been?” Amelia hissed as Lissa burst through the office door. “Joe is looking for you.” “It’s your fault for keeping me up so late and getting me involved in a brawl.” "I didn't get you involved in a brawl. That creep started it, and then you took him out, and Kamal finished him and the others off. Oh my God, wasn't he amazing? If he can fight with so much finesse, he can probably dance with finesse too, and that means he can make love..." Amelia stopped as she caught Lissa's look. "What? Going from fighting to dancing to sex is a perfectly rational thought process. Think it through, you'll see." Amelia retrieved a folder of documents from a side table and picked up a mug of steaming coffee she'd made fresh. Oh, thank you.” Lissa took the printed budget papers from Amelia’s hands, as well as the coffee, and walked to Joe’s office. She took several deep breaths to calm herself down and plas‐ tered a smile on his face. She opened the office door as if nothing was wrong and smiled at Joe’s secretary. The man raised his eyebrows at her. “I’m not sure if he has time to see you today. 16 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

You missed your window. You know how he is about being prompt." “That’s okay,” Lissa said, thinking she might have dodged a bullet. “I’ll send him an email.” “Is that Lissa?” a nasal voice shouted from the back office, “Send her in.” Crap, thought Lissa. Missed it by that much. “You’re late for our meeting,” Joe said as she entered. "As you well know, I expect you to be on time. Punctuality matters.” “I know. I’m sorry. There was some traffic coming in this morning.” Lissa held her head high. “But if you have an opening on your calendar, I’m ready to meet now.” She sat in one of his guest chairs, scooted up to his desk and lay the spreadsheets on the desktop. “I’ll let it go this one time, but you need to plan better. There’s always going to traffic.” Joe muttered, grabbing another guest chair and positioning it next to Lissa. He scanned her up and down making Lissa clench her teeth and inch her chair away from him, a totally different feeling from when Kamal had swept his eyes over her. "You look nice today," he said, after he finished his once-over. He moved his chair, closing the space between them and took her hand. "Lissa, I don't understand why you aren't married? Why hasn't some guy snapped you up?" Lissa jerked her hand away. "Haven't met the right guy yet, Joe. Let's focus on business, shall we?" He was dressed in a pair of tan pants with a leather brown belt and a tucked in short-sleeve button down. He looked presentable until you looked at his hands. She would never understand why he didn’t file his nails down. Maybe she should give him a manicure gift certificate for next Christmas? No, that wouldn’t go over well. She pointed to the spread‐ sheets in front of her. “As you know, Joe, my biggest concern right now is hiring a Media Relations Director to handle the influx of media requests. Our hospital has dozens of experts in their areas of research and 17 J.D. BLACKROSE we field requests from reporters all over the world who want to interview them. We need…” “We don’t have the money and you know it,” Joe said, placing a hand on her knee. “You’ll have to handle it.” "I am handling it, Joe," Lissa said, plucking his hand off her knee. "To do the best job, however, we need someone dedicated to media only, someone who can pitch news stories, not just juggle incoming requests." Joe was about to say something but was interrupted when his door flew open and his assistant barged in. Lissa took the opportunity to maneuver away from Joe’s hand. “Excuse me, but Cobie Costello is looking for you, Lissa.” “Cobie Costello is looking for me? The hospital CEO Cobie Costello?” Lissa hopped to her feet. “The one and only. She said to meet her in your office, and to hurry.” “Joe, excuse me.” Joe wrinkled his nose and pursed his lips. “If it was anybody but Cobie…” Lissa didn’t give Joe a second thought and ran out of his office, wings on her feet. She reached her office in record time but stopped at the door, smoothed her slacks, tucked her hair behind her ears and took a breath. Amelia held the door open, eyes wide, finger pointing in the direction of Lissa’s corner. Lissa crossed the room, hand out. “Ms. Costello, what can I do for you?” Cobie Costello sat in a guest chair, legs crossed in an elegant drape, her cream-colored suit, peach blouse and pearl necklace the very model of a modern-day CEO. The peach blouse was lovely with her strawberry blonde hair, and while Cobie had done a good job of making everything look thrown on and casual, Lissa knew better. Everything about this woman was calculated. Lissa couldn’t imagine how a busy CEO kept the light-colored pantsuit so clean. Maybe she didn’t eat? Or drink coffee? Maybe she stayed in a hyperbaric chamber when she wasn’t seeking Communications Directors for unknown reasons? 18 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

“Lissa, you and I have met several times. You may call me Cobie.” The CEO shook Lissa’s hand and then gestured for Lissa to sit, which she did, immediately feeling better with the desk between them. “We’ve met at mandatory all-staff meetings and a few required social gatherings, Cobie. I didn’t want to presume.” Cobie waved her words away. “I need you to get involved in a serious matter that has unfortunately reached the press.” “What matter?” “You must understand that people die in the hospital all the time. They die of disease, old age, trauma, you name it. But unfortunately, we have had three deaths that are all unex‐ plainable.” Lissa leaned forward, rolling a pen between her fingers. “I didn’t hear of this.” “We’ve kept it quiet while our team investigated. We thought at first we had an unknown virus and were about to call the Centers for Disease Control, but autopsies on all three patients showed no sign of disease.” Cobie ran her fingers through her hair, her light blue eyes clouded and her face grim. “So, what happened?” “We don’t know. They each experienced sudden heart failure. Their hearts stopped. The first of the patients, a man who broke his leg, did have a history of atrial fibrillation, so he his death didn’t raise any eyebrows even though his cardiologist said his arrhythmia was well controlled. Heart failure can follow arrhythmia, even when well treated. But the second patient was an otherwise healthy teenager in for an appendectomy and the third was a mother of two with gallstones.” Cobie tapped her left foot on the ground as she recited this. “Do they have anything in common?” “Only that they all came in via the emergency room.” Lissa shook her head. “So why do you think they are related?” Cobie took a deep breath. “Because they all died about forty- eight hours apart to the minute, and…” “Yes?” 19 J.D. BLACKROSE

“They all had black thumbprints on their heads, right at the temples.” Lissa’s stared at Cobie, her face incredulous. “That can’t be right.” Cobie ran her fingers through her hair again. “I assure you it is true. Look at the folder I placed on your desk. The third died last night.” Lissa thought of the stretcher she’d seen last night and wondered if that was the third victim. This would explain why the ER was so abuzz and why the doctors were rushing into the building. If whatever this was had a cool, collected Cobie Costello riled, it was a big deal. Lissa hadn’t noticed the plain manila folder in front of her but now she opened it. One look made her gasp. Three different faces. Three different people. Nothing in common but one thing. Each had greasy dark purplish black marks on both sides of their heads. Lissa gulped at the close-ups of the wounds, or marks, or whatever they were. She swallowed to ignore the pasty skin that comes with death and studied the stains. “They do look like thumbprints. Can the police get a copy of them off the skin or is that TV CSI stuff?” Cobie shook her head. “They are trying but something is going wrong. The prints are too elongated, and the distortion makes it impossible to run through the system. The craziest thing is they can't identify the type of ink used.” "That sounds impossible. I mean, how many kinds of ink are there?" "Obviously one more than they know of." Lissa bit the inside of her cheek. “You said the media got ahold of this?” Cobie turned to stare directly at Lissa, her eyes boring in. “Yes, and they are downstairs. You need to speak to the press right this minute.”

20 4

ow?” Lissa repeated, feeling her pulse quicken as she “ regarded her CEO. “You must be joking.” N “I never joke. The media are storming the castle and we need you to stop them.” Lissa rubbed her hands over her eyes. “They’ll wait. We need to figure out what we want to say to them.” “I don’t care what you say. Just hold them off.” Lissa noticed the shadows under Cobie’s eyes. “This started two weeks ago. We called in the authorities immediately. We’re trying to iden‐ tify the cause. No one is in danger. You go do your job and I’ll do mine.” “What’s yours?” Cobie pinched the bridge of her nose. “Trying to figure out what killed these people and keeping major donors happily ignorant of the situation.” Lissa crossed her arms. “Cobie, I’ll hold them off, but then we are going to sit down and work out a formal statement. I’ll need to talk to the doctors involved and the police.” “That’s fine. Come to my office when you get the jackals off our backs.” Cobie left and Lissa took a moment to check her makeup,

21 J.D. BLACKROSE write down a few notes and take a quick look at her clothes. Not terrible for having grabbed at random. Black slacks and a white (no iron!) blouse and a black blazer. “How do I look?” Lissa asked Amelia, who stood in the doorway. “Why are you wearing one black shoe and one blue?” Lissa clapped her hands to cheeks, shaking her head in disbe‐ lief that she had left the house that way. She flipped her mismatched comfy shoes off and slipped into the emergency pair of sky high heels she kept under her desk. “Better?” “Much. Go get ‘em.” Lissa rounded the corner of the main hospital building, step‐ ping into a modern atrium of white and steel gray with natural light streaming through the glass ceiling. Plants thrived in the space, and the lush foliage made it feel as if she was entering a greenhouse, not a hospital. She stopped for a moment when she saw the throng of media. All three local television stations, a stringer for the Asso‐ ciated Press and the health reporter from the Fall City Post were all visible, as were a few other folks that she didn’t recognize. Taking a deep breath, she walked into the swarm. “Ms. Byrne, do we know what caused these mysterious deaths?” “Why didn’t the hospital tell the public about this?” “Is Ms. Costello going to speak?” “Have the police gotten any leads?” A low voice near her right ear whispered, “Is this murder?” Lissa turned her head to the right and sucked in a breath. He was just as beautiful in the daylight as he had been last evening. Kamal Wade cocked his head at her and repeated the question. “So, was it murder?” “What are you doing here?” Lissa hissed, her face blushing red at her reaction to seeing him again. “I came to see how you are doing, and I report for Medical Health Today. It was a twist of fate.” “You write for the online health site?”

22 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

“Three million subscribers and growing,” Kamal grinned at her with his perfect white teeth and lush lips. Lissa wanted to trace her hand over his jaw, caress his cheek and lean in for a kiss… What was she thinking? My God, girl, stop yourself. Get it together. She ignored Kamal’s question and stepped to the third step of the grand staircase so that she was above the cameras and reporters. A guard held the throng back, keeping them from ascending the stairs. Now she held a position of power and no one could claim they couldn't get a good picture. She held up her hands for quiet. “I’m going to make a statement and that is all I will be saying today. Three patients, all of whom appeared healthy, died from causes unknown approximately forty-eight hours apart. There is no sign of contagion and no sign of foul play. The public is not in danger and the hospital is running as normal. We are working with medical specialists to determine the cause or causes of death, but keep in mind, people die in the hospital every single day, despite our best efforts. Right now, these three incidents appear to be completely unrelated deaths with unrelated causes. We will have more tomorrow. You may meet me here at two o’clock, which should leave everyone ample time to make a five o’clock broadcast or print deadline.” “Why are the police involved?” yelled out the local channel five reporter. “Police are notified as a regular part of protocol. Again, the public is not in any danger. Now, I have a question. Three deaths in a hospital is not unusual in any way. How and why did this become of interest to the press?” “We follow the police scanners, Lissa,” replied the AP reporter, who elbowed her way to the front of the press gaggle, “Plus, I’m a friend of one of the families. The one who lost their son after a simple appendectomy surgery. How does a young, healthy man die of such a common procedure?” “I cannot say, and even if I did know any details, privacy laws

23 J.D. BLACKROSE would keep me from sharing them. It is always hard to lose young people and we send our condolences.” "Are you bringing in the FBI, Ms. Byrne? Maybe local authorities aren't enough?" "What are you telling the families? They are demanding answers." "Why should someone trust this hospital when healthy people come here and die?" Lyssa held up a hand, repeating, "I have nothing more to say," while she elbowed her way out of the mob but stopped as she smelled the scent of a musky, sexy man only a step behind her. Without turning she knew it was Kamal. Taking a single whiff made her think of cuddling on a couch in front of a fire on a long winter’s night, mulled hot cider steaming in her hands. She imagined his arm around her, holding her tight against him while his other hand massaged her leg from knee to hip, teasing toward the heat of her, but not going all the way, much to her frustration. She would put down the mug and lift her head for a kiss as he used his arm to hold her head where he wanted it, positioned exactly right for him to plunder her mouth with his tongue. “Lissa?” She rocked back as his voice brought her to the present. She had to stop doing this. She couldn’t fantasize every time she saw him. He may own a club, but he was also a reporter. She would have to be careful. She looked at her watch and faced him, pulling back into the shade of one of the large floral sculptures that dotted the huge atrium. “Did you know who I was last night?” Kamal’s gaze darted away from her face and he licked his lips, making Lissa want to lick them too. Down girl! “You knew that I was the Communications Director at the region’s largest and most prestigious hospital and you didn’t think to mention to me that you are also a health reporter?” Lissa was pleased to see Kamal wince.

24 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

“We didn’t have time. You were kicking some guy’s ass across my dance floor, if you remember. I did tell you I had a day job.” “I kicked one guy's ass, you kicked the rest of them, and yes, you said you had a day job, but you might have mentioned what that job was!” Kamal tugged at his ear. “I should have. I apologize.” He didn't look a bit chagrined. Handsome devil, indeed. Lissa rubbed her temples, trying to forestall the headache she could feel gathering the base of her neck. “Fine. I accept your apology, lame though it was, but for now, you need to back off. I cannot talk off the record to reporters.” “I’m not here to talk off the record. I’m here to warn you. You said the public isn’t in danger, but I think it is.” “Why? Three deaths in a hospital of this size? There is no reason to believe it is anything more than coincidence.” Lissa closed her eyes, staggering backwards as the migraine’s first wave hit. “I have to go,” Lissa mumbled. She wanted to get to her office where she could sit and turn off the lights. Migraines were a part of her life, ever since she was thirteen, and medications did not help. Through trial and patience, Lissa had learned to use meditation, acupuncture and other alternative paths to control the pain and frequency. “What’s wrong? Lissa? What is it?” Kamal’s voice was low and urgent, a deep, worried tone that almost cut through the pounding in her head. “Should I get a doctor?” “No. Thanks. I need to sit down that’s all.” Lissa tried to open her eyes but the pulsing pain was too much and the light in the atrium blinded her, leaving spots in her vision. Kamal took her elbow into his large hand and guided her to an out-of-the-way bench. His touch was warm and soothing and Lissa leaned into it, welcoming his comfort, forgetting her annoyance with him from a moment before. “Sit,” he commanded, and she did, wanting nothing more than for him to take charge and make the pain go away. She

25 J.D. BLACKROSE breathed in a deep yoga breath, into her belly and let it out in one long exhale. “That’s it. Breathe.” Lissa did as he directed, continuing her breathing, imagining the pain dispersing on each exhale, as she had been taught. His hands moved to her head, and she almost moaned with pleasure as he rubbed her temples with his thumbs, his fingers circling slowly, his other fingers pressing on acupressure points on the back of her skull. The second wave crested earlier than the first and the third still earlier, until the monster waves became ripples in a pond, small, continuous, but bearable. Lissa let her head fall back as her equilibrium returned. She knew she’d feel hung over later, but this was shorter than any episode she’d had before. Her vision cleared, and she was grateful for the fast reduction in pain. Kamal’s eyes bore into her, bright with worry. “Are you alright?” He kept his thumbs on her face, shifting his fingers so he could entangle them in her hair. “That looked like a bad one,” he whispered, leaning down, drawing his face to hers. "Do you get these often?” These and nightmares of swirling read and black vortexes. Lissa could no more have stopped him than she could have stopped gravity. Kamal hesitated a moment, giving her the opportunity to pull away, but that thought never entered her mind. His mouth was so close, his scent intoxicating. She tilted her head up to make it easier for him to reach, a small mewling sound escaping her lips. He responded with a low growl. Lissa reveled in the sensation of Kamal’s mouth on hers, his pressure gentle at first but then becoming more demanding. He nipped her lower lip, and the sensation traveled throughout her body, her breasts tightening, begging for his touch. His scent enveloped her and they both shifted closer, his chest against hers, entwined. Lissa gave herself to the kiss, and in doing so found herself somewhere else, outside of the hospital, deep in the darkness. She knew she should have been scared but instead felt secure, cared for, and precious. The slide into the dark was easy and as 26 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE she descended, she saw that the dark wasn’t black. Sparks and embers burned around her, touching her skin, whispering of something more, something she needed. Something she’d never had and didn’t know she craved. It reminded her of her dream but instead of being terrifying, she felt strong, supported. “Am I interrupting?” the voice cut through the vision and the two pulled back, Lissa’s face red with embarrassment. Her stomach sunk as she looked at Cobie, who was standing there, arms crossed, mouth hitched in a grimace. “Uh, sorry, Cobie… We were…” Lissa floundered for words, embarrassment leaving her, a communications professional, at a loss for words. “I know what you were doing, Lissa, and any other time and any other place, I’d leave you alone, but we have work to do, and necking in public isn't great PR. What would happen if one of the photographers caught you? You'd be on the first page of the paper and the lead on the local news.” “Of course.” Lissa smoothed her shirt, standing as she did so and caught Kamal’s cocky grin out of the corner of her eye. She recalled the feeling of his fingers on her temples and the back of her head and plopped back down. “That’s it,” she said. “What?” Cobie and Kamal said at the same time. “The temple marks are thumbprints and the fingers were at the back of the head. These are important acupressure points.” “There were fingerprints on the deceased’s temples?” He asked, his gaze suddenly intense. “Yes. You aren’t supposed to know that, so keep it secret,” Cobie snapped. “What are you talking about, Lissa? It better be good since you just told a reporter about our one good clue.” “It’s the pressure points. Some people believe that putting too much pressure on the temples, neck and head can cause almost instant death by cutting off oxygen to the brain.” Kamal sat still. Cobie and Lissa noted his strange lack of movement. “What is it, Kamal?” Lissa asked. “It is called dim mak in Cantonese.” 27 J.D. BLACKROSE

“Which means what?” Cobie crossed her arms, impatient. “The Death Touch.” Kamal looked at both women. “I have to talk to some people. You don’t know what you are dealing with and I don’t have time to explain.” With that last parting shot, Kamal was up and out, running through the revolving doors before Lissa or Cobie could stop him.

28 5

hat was that about?” Cobie demanded, staring “ with fury at Kamal’s disappearing back. “What W does he mean, ‘we don’t know what we are dealing with’?” Lissa was equally baffled. “I have no idea.” “Let’s get to your office.” “Yes,” Lissa rubbed her forehead. “I need tea. I have a special blend.” Amelia was waiting at the door when Cobie and Lissa arrived. “What happened? How did the presser go? Oh, you have that look. You have a migraine, don’t you?” “Had a migraine. Now I have the hangover. Come on in, we’ll get you up-to-speed.” Lissa boiled water in an electric kettle she kept for such occasions and related the events of the last thirty minutes to Amelia. Cobie paced, four steps to the right, four steps to the left. “All of that happened in the last half-hour?” Amelia uncon‐ sciously put her palms together in a prayer position and brought her hands to her mouth. “Kamal is a reporter? And he kissed you? Was it great? It had to be great. I mean, look at him. Gorgeous. That jawline alone…” Cobie interrupted. “I think you’re missing the part where 29 J.D. BLACKROSE

Lissa had a theory of what happened to our deceased patients and Kamal fled out the door. That bastard knows something. I’m going to tell the police to question him.” “I don’t know what Kamal believes but I don’t think he is a criminal himself, and certainly not a murderer,” Lissa said. “I’m not saying he is, but he knows something. You saw the way he reacted when he heard about the thumbprints. In any case, he’s a health reporter who now knows our most important clue. I’m going to have to tell the police that, and that won’t make us any friends.” Cobie’s gaze was unrelenting. “I’m sorry about that,” Lissa said. “But please, let me talk to him before you turn him over to the police.” Cobie squared her shoulders and walked to the door. “I’m going to talk to the medical people about your theory. It is out there, waaaaay out there, but it’s better than anything else we’ve come up with. You,” she said, pointing to Lissa, “find out what Kamal knows. I’ll hold off telling the police for one day. After that, no promises.” She exited, closing the door behind her with a soft click. Amelia sat in front of Lindsay, who was sipping her tea. “What are you going to do?” she asked. “Cobie is right about one thing. That rat bastard knows something, and he used me to get the inside information he needed. That kiss wasn’t about me, it was about softening me up, pretending he was interested, that he cared. It worked too. As soon as I had an idea, I blurted it out without thinking. Now he knows the one clue we wanted kept from the public and seems to know something about what it could mean.” “So, again. What are you going to do?” Lissa placed her mug on the desk, taking care not to let her trembling hands spill a drop. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. That man had played her like a fiddle. Well, she wasn’t going to fall for that again. “I’m going to see the handsome devil in his den.”

30 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

issa knocked on the club’s door, noting that the unlit neon L lights looked sad in the daytime, their magic dimmed by the natural glow of the sun. Sasha, the cat-woman, answered, but her mussed clothes and hair indicated that she’d just gotten up. “Oh. It’s you. Look, he’s not here now and I doubt he’s looking for a girlfriend so don’t hang out knocking on the door. He was only flirting. Come back in the evening.” Sasha closed the door a couple of inches. “You shouldn’t sleep in contacts.” Sasha reopened the door, a blank look on her face. “What?” “Your contacts. You still have your contact lenses in. It isn’t good to keep them in all the time like that.” Lissa slid through the door, brushing past Sasha before Sasha’s sleep deprived brain could stop her. Neurons starting to fire, Sasha shook to clear her head and said, “Hey, you can’t come in here!” “And yet, here I am. Where is Kamal’s office? I’m going to wait for him.” Sasha looked outside. “You’re alone. Fine. Whatever. I’ll show you to his office, so I can go back to sleep. Just don’t touch anything.” “Cross my heart.” “Oh, don’t do that here.” “Do what?” “Cross your… forget it. Here’s his office.” Sasha opened the door and waved her hand in a sleepy flick. “You wait here. Don’t go anywhere else. And I don’t know how long he’s going to be.” “I’ll wait.” “Your choice.” Sasha yawned, turned, opened a door at the end of the hall and let the door close behind her with a thunk. “Wonder what I can find in here,” Lissa said out loud. The office was large with dark mahogany furniture, the deep gray paint on the walls only coming chair rail high to contrast with the tufted wall panels covered in red silk. A couch the size of a

31 J.D. BLACKROSE bed was flush to the far wall made of something soft and invit‐ ing. Bookshelves lined the other wall and most of the books looked old. No science fiction or mystery books here, just tomes wrapped in leather. Lissa was afraid to touch any of them for fear they would disintegrate in her hands. Most did not have titles, but the ones that did were in Arabic and Hebrew. The room’s lighting was soft and golden and reflected off the sconces placed at regular intervals on the walls. Sconces were a strange office light fixture but for this office, they seemed perfect. Kamal’s desk hosted a lamp with standard light bulbs, which Lissa discovered when she sat at it. I shouldn’t snoop. I really shouldn’t snoop. The urge to pry was too strong and before Lissa knew it, she was fingering the docu‐ ments on Kamal’s desk. Okay, I’ll just look at the papers on the desk. I won’t go into any drawers. If he didn’t want anyone to see them why would he leave them out? Most were boring receipts and invoices, except one, a letter scratched out in script with a nib and ink. Lissa touched the corner and lifted it out of the pile so she could read it. “My dear Kamal, I write with sad news. Your father passed yesterday and now the burden falls to you. I know it wasn’t something you wanted but your family’s business is important, and you are the only one who can take up the mantle. Expect your first visit soon. Yours, Yael” His family’s business? Lissa looked at the date and realized this letter was only a few weeks old. She picked up the letter in two hands and sat on the couch to study it some more. A short letter, and it didn’t say anything about what kind of business Kamal now needed to take on. His first name was Arabic, but Wade was about as American as you could get. Would he leave Fall City and take over a store or something? He'd just gotten here, as far as she knew, and it must have taken months to plan and open a club. Most importantly, who exactly was going to pay a visit? And who the hell was Yael and what did she mean to Kamal? Acknowledging her completely absurd, uncalled for jealousy, 32 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

Lissa wrapped herself in an afghan she drew from the back of the couch and pondered the letter some more. Who was this man?

“ hat the devil are you doing here!” that same man W growled at her, yanking the afghan off Lissa’s waking body. She’d fallen asleep on the couch, still holding the letter in her hand. Lissa’s groggy mind snapped awake, and she rose to her feet. “I came to see you, you sneaky bastard! You pretended to like me, be attracted to me, and it was all to get the inside scoop on the deaths. I know you know something and I have the right to know what it is. Spill.” Kamal loomed over her, his eyes a glittering black. “Unbe‐ lievable! I should never have kissed you.” “I agree.” Lissa stood her ground even though she had to crane her neck to see his face. She poked him in the chest. “I see through your game. The VIP treatment last night. Your behavior when my migraine came on. The kiss. It was all a ruse. You are nothing but a liar and a sneak!” “Sneak? Me, a sneak? Look who’s talking? I walk into my own office and find you asleep on my couch holding my personal mail!” “And about this,” Lissa shook the letter in his face before he grabbed it from her. “Who is visiting? Why does it sound so conspiratorial? And. What. Do. You. Know. About. The. Deaths?” Kamal whirled from her and ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know anything. I guess. I conjecture, and you won’t believe me.” Lissa rolled her eyes. “Try me.” Kamal planted his feet a few feet in front of her, his big body a wall of muscle, power and heat. She could feel him across the room and despite everything, she wanted to be held in his arms so much. So, very much. 33 J.D. BLACKROSE

“The patients were killed by a demon who has escaped from Hell and it is my job to get it back.” Disappointment flooded Lisa’s body. For a moment, she had thought he would tell her the truth. “Funny. Not.” “I’m serious.” “Really. You’re a demon hunter.” Kamal scratched his ear. “Yes. I don’t kill them though. I return them where they belong. This has been my family’s job for generations and when the oldest in the family dies, the next oldest inherits the position. I’ve only had the position for a month, so I’m sort of newbie.” Lissa crossed her arms and plopped down on the couch. “You’re telling me that your father was a demon hunter, but he died and now you are the demon hunter, and the patient deaths are caused by an escaped demon?” “Yes.” Kamal clapped his hands. “Brava! You understand. I’m so glad. I thought it would be much harder to explain to you.” Lissa gave him a baleful stare. “Forget it, Kamal. Don’t confide in me. But you will have to talk to the police because Cobie is going to sic them on you.” “The police! The police cannot be involved. They have no idea what they are dealing with.” “And neither do you since you are obviously delusional or lying. I don’t know which.” “I’m telling the truth. I understand this is hard for you, but you must believe me.” Lissa stalked past him, their arms brushing as she did so. That one touch almost undid her. She swallowed her attraction and opened the office door. “I work in a hospital, Kamal. A place of science. Go spin your wild fantasies elsewhere.” “Lissa!” Lissa closed the door and was gratified by the sound of something heavy hitting it from the other side.

34 6

e was, without a doubt, the most frustrating man she’d ever met. Who did he think he was, telling her a H cockamamie story about escaped demons? He must think she was stupid and gullible. Well, she’d show him that she was neither. Lissa huffed her way up the stairs, specifically not taking the elevator so she could work off some steam by pounding up the steps. She hadn’t changed out of her high heels before she left so she’d taken off her shoes altogether and was running up in bare feet. She’d better not be caught because going barefoot in a hospital was a no-no. The office was dark and quiet, the door locked, so she used her card key to get in. It was peaceful in the administrative wing after closing time, but she knew that in the rest of the building and on the rest of the campus everything was humming along, a day without end. Illness and injury didn’t stop for nightfall, in fact, sometimes they got worse. Hopefully, no one was dying of unknown causes. She tossed her heels under her desk and slipped on her blue and black mismatched comfy shoes. She heated water in the electric kettle and dumped the boiling water on a stiff, crackly rectangle of ramen noodles. She didn’t add the flavor packet 35 J.D. BLACKROSE because it had monosodium glutamate in it, which exacerbated her headaches. She munched plain noodles and mulled over her next move. She had to face the press the next day, and she wanted to tell them something that would assuage the public and lessen the press corps’ interest. Maybe God could whip up a hurricane or something else, larger and messier, to distract them? She felt guilty the moment she thought it. Different ages, different maladies, not one sign of contagious disease. Mysterious smudges that looked like fingerprints using a mystery ink. She flipped through the reports again. Each patient had been alone when they passed. Nurses or family members had checked on them, found them to be fine, and left. Next thing they knew, the patient was dead of heart failure. The more she considered it, the more she was convinced that they did have a murderer on their hands, someone who knew how to use pressure points to kill. Who could she talk to about it? She needed someone with an open mind, a person who worked with evidence. An analytical mind. What she needed was a scientist. Luckily, she knew where to find one, and he was only a few floors away. She walked to the research wing and took the elevator to the sub-basement. The subbasement wasn't dark, but it was dimly lit, but it was clean and only a few people ever went down there. In contrast, the person she sought practically lived there. “Dr. Shu?” “Who’s out there?” “Dr. Shu, it is Lissa Byrne.” “Ah, Lissa. Did we have an appointment? Come in, come in.” Lissa pushed through the door and smiled at what she saw. He looked the same, every day, rain or shine. Same basic navy slacks and a blue shirt. Same sweater. Same lab coat. He always looked slightly startled like he'd forgotten the world existed and other people lived in it and was pleasantly surprised to see you there. His glasses were low on his nose and he peered over the top of the lenses. 36 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

“No, Dr. Shu. You didn’t forget anything, don’t worry.” Lissa grabbed a tissue from his messy desk and wiped an ink smudge from the scientist’s cheek. She wasn’t sure how old he was, but he had always seemed to be a part of the hospital’s research team. Brilliant but ornery to those who wouldn’t listen to him, he’d moved to the sub- basement by choice, so he could have privacy. He’d won numerous awards for his groundbreaking work merging the best of Western neuroscience with traditional Chinese medi‐ cine. The only problem for Lissa is that he never showed up to receive those honors. It was hard to publicize the successes of a scientist who didn’t care about anything but the science itself. “What can I do for you, my dear Lissa? Sit, have some tea.” Dr. Shu swept papers off his desk and gathered supplies for his special tea that he had created for Lissa personally. He blended it himself; Lissa didn’t know if he did it at home or in the lab. Come to think of it, she wasn’t sure he had a home. He lived in the lab. “When was the last time you saw sunshine?” Lissa asked, sipping her tea. “That isn’t what you came to talk to me about,” Dr. Shu replied, sitting back in his chair so the front two legs came off the ground. He balanced in that precarious position, smiled and waited, patient as always. Lissa dipped her chin in acknowledgement. “That is true. We have a mystery and I am hoping you can help solve it.” “How exciting. What kind of mystery?” “Three deaths, all dying about forty-eight hours apart. The last one died last night.” “The timing is odd but that could be coincidence.” “All three had odd shaped thumb-prints on their temples.” That made Dr. Shu sit forward, the front legs of his chair rocking to the ground. “Tell me everything.” Lissa handed Dr. Shu the folder and let him examine the pictures. She recounted everything she knew about the deaths. 37 J.D. BLACKROSE

“I think we have until midnight tomorrow to figure this out,” she finished. Dr. Shu removed his glasses, pulled a grungy handkerchief from his pants pocket and rubbed his lenses in a futile attempt to clean them. “It kills every forty-eight hours, but it is likely feeding in between.” Lissa sat up straight. “What do you mean, it feeds?” “You are dealing with a mid-level demon called a Shadun. They feed off life energy by placing their hands on a person’s head, thumbs at the temples, fingers at pressure points and pulling the energy out. I’ve never seen it happen, but I’ve heard the stories.” “You believe this is a demon?” Lissa’s mouth hung open. “You, a scientist, a rational mind?” Dr. Shu spread his arms wide. “It is like the great detective said, once you remove the impossible, what remains, however improbable, is the truth. And to quote the Bard, there are more things on heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” “I’m having trouble understanding this. A friend told me that this was a demon, and I thought he was making it up. Demons don’t exist, much less escape from Hell.” Dr. Shu waved his hand in a so-so movement. “Existence is so existential, isn’t it? What you believe in depends on what you see, hear and feel. What you perceive. Until you see something completely novel. That’s what science is all about, looking for the explanation and accepting something new. Demons and the existence of Hell are simply something you’ve never encoun‐ tered before.” “I’m still not believing this.” Inside, she was pushing a memory away because she had, in fact, encountered this. “Lissa, if I may suggest, you should probably check the Emer‐ gency Room. That’s where the Shadun will be if it is here. They'll steal from anyone, but if someone is hurt or dying, it's easier. Like a smorgasbord of souls.” Lissa shot to her feet. “Ew. That’s disturbing. Well, I’m not sure what I believe, but if someone else is going to die by tomor‐ 38 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE row, I’ll go with it. But, I promise you Dr. Shu, that this isn’t a demon.” "Lissa, be careful, please. Even if you don't believe in demons, you must believe in villains, bad guys, monsters who run around in human form. Don't face this alone."

39 7

espite her protestations that this wasn’t a demon, Lissa’s mind traveled back to that extraordinary D camping trip in Arizona with her former boyfriend, Mike, before everything had gone off the rails in their relation‐ ship. Hadn’t she seen something that she couldn’t explain? Arizona at night was stunning, with deep blue-black skies and more stars than she had ever seen before. The air was cool at night, even during the summer and the red rock shimmered at sunset like it was made of gold and rubies. It had been so mesmerizing that she promised herself a visit the Kitt Peak National Observatory one day in the future. She wanted to see the heavens as up close as she could. They’d been laying on their backs, staring up at the stars. “How many do you think there are?” Mike had asked. “Billions, but I feel like if I squint and try hard enough, maybe I can count them.” “You’re silly, but I like that.” Mike rolled on his side to face her and stroked her arm. The brightest stars twinkled in the night like they were singing directly to her, to her soul, and she scrunched her eyes trying to figure out what they were saying. Like the vortex

40 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE below, the heavens spoke, but in tones she couldn't hear and a language she didn't know. Her boyfriend’s arm wandered across her waist and he leaned in, putting his face and lips just on the edge of her cheek, so she could sense him on her skin even though he wasn’t touch‐ ing. Her breath sped up at the thought of making love in the wide open and she smiled to herself. She was more than willing but she was going to make him work for it. He moved his lips across her cheek and to her mouth, not kissing, but simply being there, making her ache for a kiss. But to kiss him would mean breaking first, so she stayed still, staring into his eyes. He was propped up on both of his arms at this point, doing a push-up over her body and she wanted to wiggle with anticipation, but she kept still. Her mind appreciated the self-control; her body objected mightily. He used his eyes to travel her chest, and she noticed when they flared as her nipples grew tight against her t-shirt. His smile said he knew he had her where he wanted her, and he was going to tease her. Well, she thought, two can play at this game. She ran her finger tips up his arms, the barest of touches, and he shivered in the warm evening. His eyes darkened, and she raised an eyebrow and bit her lower lip. He stared, his breath rough now, and she took advantage of his discomfort by sliding her palm against his hardness and was rewarded by his shudder of pleasure. With a growl, he closed the distance between them, lying flat, his body to hers, and kissed her hard, biting her lower lip hard enough to draw blood, but she didn’t even notice, all she knew was that she had to get her clothes off. She grabbed Mike’s belt and opened it, unbuttoned the top of his jeans, yanked the zipper and held him with both hands, managing to control herself just enough that she could caress him with exquisite care. He bucked against that touch and with a speed she didn’t know was possible, shimmied out of his jeans and removed his shirt, falling back on her like a dying man who only had one more moment on this earth. Now it was her turn to growl,

41 J.D. BLACKROSE and she placed her palms against his chest, rolling him to the side, slipping out of her top and capris pants. Though big busted, she wasn’t wearing a bra because he’d asked her not to, preferring her free and natural. His hands fondled them, and he brought his mouth to the sensitive spot right in between them and licked her. She rolled on top of him, spreading her legs so that she could rub herself up and down, up and down, until his eyes glazed over and pulled at her arms to tell her he was close. She toyed with him a little more, lifting her body from his so he groaned at the loss of her heat. She lowered her head and kissed him, all lips and tongue, ferocious with her arousal. In the middle of the kiss, she plunged down and encased him in one smooth motion. He gasped in her mouth and they rode together until they were spent. Afterwards, they lay sky clad, side-by-side, fingers entwining as they caught their breath. To Lissa, it was one of the most perfect moments she’d ever had, and she drifted off, completely relaxed. She dreamt of floating while sinking, like a feather on a breeze, until she saw the spinning red and black flashes, flick‐ ering like fire. Usually there were the distant voices but, in this dream, there was a shadow that studied her with childlike delight. The figure clapped like a toddler opening a present, utterly mesmerized by what it saw. It reached for her, extending a long arm, touched her hand and howled in exhilaration. Lissa woke to see the dark figure in front of them. She and Mike shot to their feet, grabbing at their clothes, their initial feeling one of embarrassment that they’d been caught naked on the cliff side, but that turned to anxiety when they realized the shape wasn’t normal. “Get back!” yelled Mike, pulling at Lissa’s hand, shoving his feet into his pants. She tossed her shirt back on and grabbed her capris. Mike once again pulled at her hand, but she shook him off. “Wait,” she said to Mike, turning toward the figure, “Who are you? What are you?” She snatched up a stick and stuck it in the campfire, lighting it and holding it aloft like a torch. “What the hell…” Her voice was a whisper. The figure in front of them was something from a horror 42 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE film. It stood about nine feet tall and even in the dim light Lissa could see that its skin was midnight black, so black that the flames didn’t reflect but were absorbed like the creature was a black hole. Its head was the shape of a serpent and stringy mucous drooled from its nose, scorching the ground where it fell with a sharp sizzle. Scales lined its side and back, cresting at the top of its head. This was no man or animal normally seen on Earth. A primi‐ tive part of her brain urged her to run, and she took her brain up on the offer. The two of them ran into the night, tripping over rocks and scrub, driven only by the wild fear that there was a demon in the dark. They were followed by a voice on the wind, “What in Hell, indeed… my little cross-walker. It's so nice to see you at last. You've been knocking on my door for a long time.” Lissa had no idea what that meant or what a cross-walker was but she didn't care. She was smart enough to know this was related to her dream, but that's as far as she could go, logic failing her. Later, sitting in a diner in daylight eating pancakes and eggs, they’d had a laugh about the whole thing. They’d waited on the road before venturing back, grabbing their stuff and high tailing it out of there. Now that the sun was out, the fear was fading. “What do you think that was?” Mike had asked, wiping his hand on a napkin. She noticed he’d done this repeatedly since they sat down. He signaled the waitress for more coffee although his cup was more than half full. “I don’t know but we sure let our imaginations run away from us, huh?” she’d replied. She was stuck on the words cross- walker, trying to puzzle out its meaning. "Guess we saw Sasquatch?" She laughed. "If only we'd gotten a picture. We'd be rich." “I’ve gone camping a million times and I’ve never freaked out like that before,” Mike said. "It makes me worried about my plans.” "You mean on-the-ground in an embed? Reporting from live fire zones?" This was her chance. "So, don't do that. Do inves‐ 43 J.D. BLACKROSE tigative journalism stateside. We could move to Washington, DC, if you want politics, or maybe Chicago or New York. I'll follow wherever you want." He didn't reply, staring down at his plate, wiping his hands with a new napkin. She shouldn't have pushed it. She changed tactics and turned to teasing. “Maybe we shouldn’t have consumed so much rum,” she said, stabbing a home fry off his plate. “That’s got to be it. No more rum and cokes for me.” He’d reached over and absently played with a lock of her hair before forcing a smile and tucking into the rest of his breakfast.

issa brought her mind back to the present. She hadn’t L dredged that memory out in a long time, but she viewed it now with a speck of uncertainty. She’d chalked it up to the alcohol and their imaginations, but what if there were demons, or some such thing running around? What if her nightmares were somehow related to them? She’d wanted to get closer to the heavens but had no desire to go in the other direction. She dismissed these ideas as fast as they came to her. Grow up, Lissa, she thought. Kamal and Dr. Shu made you think of the past and you need to be focused on the present. “Demons, for goodness sake! Ha!” She said this out loud and wondered if she’d done so just to convince herself. Out of the corner of her eye, Lissa saw a pink twinkle, like a light that on the blink, but there were no pink lights in the stair‐ well or even in the whole hospital. She peered at the ceiling and — there! There it was again. She followed the pink sparkle and could have sworn she heard singing coming from the same direction. “American Woman, get away from meeeee. American Woman…” “Who’s there?” she demanded. “And you, you shook me all night looooong…” “Okay, we have an AC/DC fan here, I get it. I owned “Back in 44 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

Black” back in the day, but come on out where I can see you. This is ridiculous.” The voice switched to Beyoncé. “Do you like the Skittles, it’s the sweetest in the middle…” “Now you’re just being gross.” She was standing in a base‐ ment by herself and she should have been scared, but for some reason, the singing voice didn’t frighten her. It made her giggle. Pink glitter drifted down from the piping, but as hard as she looked she couldn’t see its residue. She’d see it fall, but it evapo‐ rated by the time it hit the floor. “I’m losing my mind,” Lissa said, hands on her hips. “I’m starting to believe in demons and magical voices that dribble pink sparkles. It’s the headaches. It’s got to be the headaches.” The voice crooned Bing Cosby, “You’re a sweet little headache…” “Whoever you are, I’m out of here. Have your sing-along alone.” She walked toward the elevator, but stopped, turned, and laughed. “I will say, you can carry a tune.”

45 8

issa pushed the silly singer out of her mind, ground herself in the here-and-now, and shook her head at L what Dr. Shu had said. She’d trusted him to bring a rational approach to the problem, but instead he chose this moment to go off the deep end, popping off something about a demon called a Shadun and making her think of that weird experience in Arizona. She’d dreamed of the swirling red and black vortex many times but had never seen the shadow crea‐ ture again. Besides, she’d always woken up, her purring cat on her chest making her feel safe. She’d chalked them up to stress and dismissed the nightmares as nothing important. Still, if Lissa was honest with herself, she was troubled by the consistency between what Dr. Shu had said and what Kamal had tried to tell her. How could both people, who didn’t know each other, come up with the same theory? And, did it relate to the thing she saw on her camping trip and her recurring dream? The voices called to her, but she had no desire to go to wherever they were. Striding through the hallways, Lissa decided she would be open-minded. Maybe there was something about a murderer that made people think of a demon. She was sure there was a logical explanation for all of this. 46 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

The emergency room was buzzing, doctors and nurses moving with quick assurance from patient to patient, ordering tests, checking on vitals and moving two victims of a car acci‐ dent into surgery. Nothing seemed abnormal, in fact, it was exactly what she had expected. She stopped a nurse as he flew by on his way to examine a new patient. “Have you had anything weird happening down here this evening?” “You mean, has anyone died that shouldn’t have?” he said, staring at her with a frank expression. “No, no one has died from sudden heart failure for no reason. Thank God.” He rushed away, leaving Lissa in the middle of the ER with no idea what to do or where to look next. A gurgling sound from a nearby bay caught her attention, and she peeked in to see the patient. It was an older man with an oxygen mask, his face pale, his skinny arms lined with blue veins. Lissa felt a pang of sorrow for the man’s suffering and exchanged a look with the nurse entering the bay. The woman smiled a sad smile and held the man’s hand, speaking to him softly. A twenty-something young woman on a stretcher caught her eye. The staff was moving her to a bay near the back. The elevator to the surgical units was just outside the last bays and Lissa knew they tried to put patients there who required emer‐ gency surgery. The woman’s arm was at an odd angle and the team had secured it, so it wouldn’t bounce or move as they transported her. She was being brave, but her face was laced with pain. A doctor stepped in to examine the patient and a mere two minutes later came out giving orders for an x-ray. Lissa heard the doctor giving a call to the orthopedics depart‐ ment, requesting consult. Just another busy day in the ER. Lissa decided it was time to go home. She needed sleep. Maybe an idea, other than demons, would occur to her when she was fresh. She certainly wasn't getting anywhere now. A soft moan from the twenty-something’s bay caught her attention, and she thought she would lean in to give the woman some encouragement. The woman was at the best hospital in the 47 J.D. BLACKROSE region and she’d get the best treatment. Maybe Lissa could reas‐ sure her. She made sure her hospital badge was facing front and knocked on the wall next to the bay before entering through the curtain. My name’s Lissa, and I work in the hospital. May I come in?” The only response was a strangled noise that put Lissa on guard. She pulled back the curtain an inch and peeked in. And blinked. And blinked again. A monkey sat on the woman’s chest, its hands on her head as it stared into her eyes. Its tail was long, too long, and had a spike at the end. Its skin was a deep burgundy and when it turned to look at Lissa, it hissed, a forked purple tongue hanging from its mouth. “What the fu…” Lissa didn't even finish the sentence. In confusion she hesitated before jumping out of the way and the monkey thing leapt off the patient and flew, arms outstretched, toward her. She scampered back but not before one long nail scratched her cheek. She slapped her hand to the cut as a searing pain racked her body. The usual controlled chaos of an emergency room turned into pandemonium. The chief resident yelled, “Who brought a monkey into a hospital?” and called 911. A nurse tried to grab the monkey, but it slid between her legs like a runner taking third. Other staff surged to protect patients, screaming orders that no one could hear or follow. The monkey ran up a bay curtain, jumped to the ceiling and hung there upside down looking right and left for an avenue of escape. It scuttled across the plaster tiles, head hanging down, talons dug in so deep that plaster dust fell on the patients and staff below. Lissa tried to follow the monkey with her eyes as it dropped onto the curtain rails and leapt from bay-to-bay, chittering in a high-pitched tone that rose in volume as its anxiety increased. Finally, the police arrived with a cage, dragging a veteri‐ narian behind them, who was yelling, “I do cats and dogs, not zoo animals!” One of the police pointed a tranquilizer gun at the

48 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE monkey but before he could get off a shot, a resident jumped on him, yelling, “Not with patients in the room. We need to clear the area first. Try to contain the monkey.” The automatic ER doors opened, and the monkey dashed toward them. Waiting patients and loved ones jumped on their chairs and pulled their children back as the deep red monkey with its long, spiked tail scurried toward the exit doors. Lissa ran after it, pulling people to safety but was unable to get to the doors in time to close them. The monkey was going to escape. At the last second, the monkey reversed course, his feet slip‐ ping to a stop. Lissa, feeling faint, was flabbergasted to see Kamal standing in the doorway looking like a dark-haired Thor. His eyes snapped black in the light and his face was set in a grim mask of determination. His muscled arms and chest were visible under his white t-shirt, his legs muscles bulging under his jeans. The tendons in his forearms were taught as he dove for the monkey, grabbing it around the waist. The floor twirled in a sudden whirlpool of darkness, there but not there, like that part of the building had turned to soup and Kamal and the monkey were falling into it. It glowed with red and black flames. It made her stop short with fear, and in alarm, Lissa yelled, “Kamal!” The demon hunter turned his head and saw her, now listing against the wall, her hand still holding her cheek as she tried to hold back the blood that was streaming from the monkey’s scratch. “Lissa!” Kamal bellowed as he reached for her with one arm. The other arm released the monkey who scrambled out of the whirlpool and fled out the door. Kamal dragged himself over to Lissa, who was now sitting the floor, half unconscious. “Lissa!” She heard his voice but a weight, a deep, dragging fatigue, pulled her down and away. She was barely aware of being picked up and rushed to a car, voices calling to Kamal to bring her back. She heard Kamal say, “Don’t worry, Lissa. I’ve got you,” and that was all she knew. She sank into darkness. It was like being swallowed in quicksand, circling in a gentle spiral but suffocating at the same time. She couldn’t breathe, her

49 J.D. BLACKROSE chest unable to move up and down but instead of feeling panic, she was detached, noting absently that she didn’t have any air, and that was probably bad. In her current state, she didn’t care. A deep red monkey thing jumped in front of her, only a few centimeters away from her face. She jerked back to avoid the purple tongue that was snaking toward her neck and bumped into another monkey who screeched in her face, mouth wide so she could see his sharp teeth. It reached for her head, placing its thumb on her temples, fingers on the back of her skull and it pulled. It pulled at her soul, tugging on it, stretching it like a rubber band. She held on with all her might. And then the fact that she couldn’t breathe hit her. She tried to drag in a breath and a sharp pain lanced her head. She writhed against the soul sucking demon and tried to inhale, all the while getting weaker. A burning sensation in her chest told her that the end was near, either she would suffocate, or her soul would be ripped from her body. The black, scaly figure she saw in her Arizona vision came out of the darkness and slammed the monkey with a giant, misshapen fist, allowing her to breathe again. “She’s mine!” it yelled. Lissa avoided its outspread arm and surged upwards. “Huhhhhhh!” she gasped, aware of a mouth on hers, a soft, sensual mouth that should have made her tingle to her toes, but she was preoccupied with taking in air, sweet air, at the moment. “Lissa! Are you back with me?” Kamal held her tight in his arms, his face drawn with strain, the bags under his eyes telling her how afraid he had been. She didn't know where they were or why he was there, but she was certain about one thing. She wanted his mouth back on hers and without thinking, reached up to cup his head and bring it to her lips. At first the kiss was languid, Kamal’s relief that she was alive making him gentle, but Lissa wanted more. She nipped his lower lip and felt his manhood stiffen against her body where he held her. He issued a deep rumble from his chest and shifted so he could hold

50 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE her completely, one hand on her injured face, stroking her jawline. He deepened the kiss, pulling at her like the soul eating monkey but giving as well as taking so that she was never empty. It was a union of energies, a frisson of electricity that jolted between their mouths and bodies. She couldn’t stop. She almost exploded when his tongue touched hers, and she moved her arms to his broad shoulders dragging him to her, holding him closer, rubbing her groin against his so she could feel him twitch in response. He moaned into her mouth and rolled so he claimed her from top to toe, and her body gloried in his touch. She ran her hands down his spine, stopping at his hips, then shifting them to his lower abdomen, just above his hairline. She traced the outlines of his lower abs, loving the way his flat stomach felt in her hands. He stared at her, propped up on his hands, his eyes wild with desire, hers a match for his. She arched up to him, trying to join to him once again, but he pulled away. “Oh my God, Lissa. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you like that. You’ve only just come back from a trip to Hell and here I am behaving like an uncontrolled teenage boy.” “Come back to me,” she sighed, clutching his arms. “I need you.” Kamal’s face convulsed with repressed ardor, and his arms tightened around her for a moment, but with a deep breath, he let her go. “It wouldn’t be fair, honey. You’re clinging to anything that means life, right now.” He leaned to her ear and whispered, “But I promise, when I know it is your choice, we are finishing what we’ve started.” Lissa body tingled at that promise and she almost fell into a deep sleep, but awareness, not just carnal desire, broke through and her brain rebooted. She jerked away, sitting up with a start. Kamal jolted back in surprise. Lissa scooted so her back was against the wall, realizing that she was in his office on the floor. She placed her hands on her

51 J.D. BLACKROSE hips and narrowed her eyes at the gorgeous man’s face, trying to forget how good his mouth felt on hers. “What exactly did we start here? What in the hell is going on, Kamal? Start talking. Now.”

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ell,” Kamal drawled, pulling her to her feet and “ gesturing to his desk chair. “A Shadun demon W escaped from Hell and took up residence in the hospital. I arrived to bring it back to Hell where it belongs but lost him when I saw you bleeding. A scratch from a Shadun means death for you as well, with no opportunity for judgment. It’s an express to the underworld.” Lissa decided to go with it. “Okay, given what I’ve seen, and what I’ve dreamed, let’s say I believe in a Shadun and the whole demon thing. What happened to me? How did you bring me back?” Kamal rubbed his eyes and walked to his desk. “I have an ability to transfer between both worlds, just as my father did before me, and his mother before him. The oldest child inherits the capacity to travel cross-dimensionally, and the responsibility that comes with it.” “I still don’t understand how you brought me back.” “I wasn’t sure I could do it. Usually we send demons to Hell, not retrieve innocent souls. I pulled you back. I reached in with both arms and lifted you by the shoulders, finally releasing you from the Shadun's grasp. Did you feel your soul stretching out of

53 J.D. BLACKROSE your body?” He opened a small fridge and handed her a bottle of water. Lissa hadn’t realized how thirsty she was. She drank half the bottle in one long pull. “That's what I felt? That stretching feel‐ ing?” She shuddered at the memory. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.” Kamal gave her a sympathetic look. “I imagine that it wasn’t pleasant.” “That is an understatement.” Lissa sipped her water. “How did you know the Shadun was in the hospital?” “I got a message.” “That letter said to expect your first visit soon. Who is it that is visiting? Was that the messenger?” “The writer of the letter is a friend. The messenger is a Lualor, a guardian demon. Not bad people, really, but a little raunchy. Their whole job is to monitor the barrier between dimensions and make sure no one gets through that shouldn’t. My Lualor is named Steve.” Lissa stared at Kamal. “Steve?” “His real name is very long and unpronounceable to humans, so he introduces himself as Steve.” Lissa tapped her foot. “Okay, so Steve arrives, tells you there is a Shadun demon on the loose. You capture the demon and send it to another dimension, aka, Hell.” Kamal smiled wide. “When you put it that way, it seems unbelievable, but yes, that is exactly it. Notice how the word ‘dimension’ is related to “demon.” It is really a “demon-ension.” “As I fell, I saw a figure that I’ve seen once before. It called me a cross-walker and now, as the Shadun tried to steal my soul, it batted the smaller demon away, telling it that I was his.” Kamal couldn’t have looked more shocked if he tried. “You’re a cross-walker?” “I don’t know what it means.” “It means you can cross dimensions mentally, just as I can physically. That talent is extremely rare, usually inherited from your mother’s side.” 54 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

“I never knew my mom. She left when I was small. My dad raised me.” Kamal rubbed his forehead. “What happened?" Lissa wrinkled her nose, not wanting to dreg up her past and the feelings that came with them. "My mom left when I was young. I don't know where she went, or even is she is still alive. I cried for months, but my dad did the best he could to be both mother and father, and we settled into a routine. The sting of my mother's abandonment faded to an ache I mostly ignore." "How awful for you. She never sent a letter or communicated in any way?" Lissa shook her head. "No, she didn't." She took a breath and continued. "I've had a recurring nightmare my whole life of a swirling vortex of red and black. It beckons me with voices that are on the edge of my hearing, like I can hear them but not hear them? I always wake up, Reina or my previous cats on my chest." She didn't look at Kamal but sensed that he was paying rapt attention. "When I was in Arizona, a... demon...I guess, appeared to me and told me I was a cross-walker and that he'd been grooming me for years. I didn't understand it at the time and I've never seen the demons since." Kamal took a seat, rubbing his hands over his eyes. “You're lucky you have a cat. She guarded you, kept you from falling into the vortex. That demon wants to possess you.” “Possess?” Lissa’s voice raised at the end of the sentence as she gaped at him. Kamal let out a deep breath, blowing his own hair up over his forehead. “A demon wants to ride you, mentally speaking. A cross-walker can be a vehicle for a demon; it can get out of Hell by taking over your body.” “Ick! Why would anyone want to be a cross-walker?” Lissa paced the room. “A cross-walker can shove a demon back where it belongs if she is strong enough, without having to physically cross the boundary like I do. That’s a nifty trick.” Suddenly, he cackled 55 J.D. BLACKROSE and clapped his hands together. “I bet the demons are wetting their proverbial pants now that you and I met. A cross-walker and a demon hunter, together. We’ll make quite a team.” Lissa ignored the assumption that they’d be a team. “What is Sasha?” Kamal tapped his nose. “Good. You put it together. Sasha is my cat, and friend.” As if on cue, a black and white cat shoved her way in the office door, gave Lissa a haughty glare and rubbed against Kamal’s legs in a sensual caress. “Sasha, I presume?” Lissa cocked her head at the cat, noticing the bright green eyes. She couldn't believe she was buying all of this, but she sure didn't have another explanation. The cat licked a paw. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Lissa said. Kamal squatted and pet the cat. “Yes, this is Sasha. She could turn back to human form if she wanted to, but given she’s a cat and all…” “She’ll only do it if she wants to?” Kamal let out a chuckle, showing is perfect white teeth. Lissa caught her breath just looking at him. His eyes were bright with mirth when he stood and approached Lissa. “You understand cats.” Lissa inadvertently stepped forward, closing the gap between them to a few inches. “I've always owned cats, and Reina is a Siamese, so naturally haughty, although Reina can't turn into a human or anything.” Sasha let out an amused huff. Lissa gave the cat a suspicious look. “Or hasn’t let me know she can turn into a person.” Sasha licked her other paw, stretched in an elegant arch and left without a look back. Kamal stepped an inch closer. Lissa could feel his body, his energy and heat, his strength coupled with his kindness. How could this be happening? She finally found the perfect guy, and he came with a shape changing cat, a demon ambassador and a very unusual job. Plus, he said she could walk mentally between 56 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE dimensions herself, which sounded dangerous and about as pleasant as doing yoga on nails. She placed a hand on his chest and felt his heart beating under her fingers. Her heart’s rhythm synchronized with his simply through that one touch. He closed the circuit of energy between them by placing his hand on her neck, stroking her cheekbone with his thumb. The energy of their souls twined, mingling their spirits in an endless loop of exquisite awareness, as if every nerve ending was on fire. That awareness gradually transformed into desire, which blossomed into a raging passion that took them both by surprise but was undeniable. Kamal dragged Lissa to him with a groan of surrender, a drowning man who had stopped flailing for shore and given in to the inevitable tide. Lissa twined her arms around his neck and the two met in a kiss that threatened to swallow them both. Lissa raised her arms around his neck as he created enough space between them to unbutton her blouse and caress her breasts. Lissa nipples pebbled and her breath came out in a rasp. Kamal bit his lip and leaned his forehead against hers. “Tell me you want this, Lissa,” he said with a gruff voice that made Lissa know he was as on edge as she was. “I want this.” That was all she said, but it was enough. He hung onto her assent like a lifeline and stripped her shirt in one move. She grabbed the bottom of his t-shirt and tugged it up, begging for him to take it off. He obliged with a quick sweep of his arms, returning to her to remove her bra with an experi‐ enced hand. Their chest met, her breasts to the broad expanse of his torso. The passion flared in a hurricane of desire and before either of them knew how, their pants were off, and they were naked on the throw the rug on the floor. He stroked between her legs and Lissa thought that was the end right there, shocked that she could be taken even higher when he inserted a finger and gently swirled his fingers inside her. He rubbed that most sensitive spot with his thumb and the combination was enough to bring Lissa to a glorious climax, her world splintering in a tornado of sensation. She had to catch her breath and was thrilled to discover she 57 J.D. BLACKROSE was far from done. She forced him to flip so that he was on the bottom and she stroked his manhood with her right hand and fondled his balls with her left. Kamal gasped at her touch. “I can’t hold on much longer, Lissa. Please, have mercy. Now, now, Lissa.” She positioned herself above his penis and rubbed her slick‐ ness against his tip. Kamal’s eyelids flitted with his effort to maintain restraint. Lissa slid down halfway and was rewarded by his sudden intake of breath. She sank all the way and Kamal lost control, pulling her forward so he could suck on her breasts while he bucked up and down, Lissa was right with him until they both collapsed, sweaty and spent. Kamal stroked Lissa’s back while she lay on his chest as they recovered. They lay like that for several minutes, returning to the present one millisecond at a time, not rushing, just enjoying each other. Finally, Kamal spoke. “Lissa?” “Hummm?” “Why do you have two different colored shoes?”

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issa groaned and rolled to a stand. “Two different shoes! Right, that reminds me. I’ve got to get home. I L need to feed Reina and thank her for protecting me from cross-walking, it seems.” “I’m sure Reina will appreciate the acknowledgement.” Kamal’s voice was dry. “I’m still not sure I totally believe all this, which is good because if I did, I’d probably be freaking out. We’ll deal with that later. We’ve got to catch this Shadun thingee tomorrow. Dr. Shu said the Shadun would need to kill every forty-eight hours.” Kamal put his shirt and pants back on. “Who is Dr. Shu?” Lissa explained while they finished getting dressed and walked to Kamal’s car. “It could be helpful to know Dr. Shu. Will you introduce me to him?” Kamal asked, slipping into the driver’s seat of his old model Land Rover. “Sure.” Lissa buckled up as they veered out of the parking space and onto the road. “Take this exit,” she said, pointing to the sign ahead. “You live close to the hospital.” “I hate traffic.”

59 J.D. BLACKROSE

Kamal sent her one of his devastating smiles. “That’s some‐ thing else we can agree on.” Lissa cocked her head. “And what are the others? “That we appear to be singularly well-matched sexual part‐ ners.” Kamal smirked. Lissa couldn’t help but smile back. “I agree that is an inter‐ esting hypothesis, and one which I would like to explore, but right now, I need sleep and we need to stop a demon thingam‐ abob before it kills again.” Kamal sighed. “Okay, no more nookie until the demon is returned to Hell. Got it.” Lissa clapped her hand to her forehead. “I can’t believe that sentence actually makes sense to me. Turn right and that is my building over there.” Kamal drove to the entrance and Lissa hopped out. “Lissa, wait.” Kamal placed the car in park and slipped around the back to where Lissa stood. His eyes were intense, predatory and held a flicker of fire like he burned from the inside for her, only her. He ran his thumb over her lips and Lissa shivered with his touch. Skimming his hands down her arms to her waist, Kamal pulled her in and kissed her, deep and completely, reminding her that no mere demon was going to get in his way. “Good night, Lissa,” he whispered. Lissa stood stock still as he drove off, a smug look on his face. Lissa shook her head at the doorman who had looked away during their kiss but gave her a quick grin now. “Oh, not you too,” she said. The doorman smiled wider. Lissa took the elevator to her door and let herself in with a grateful sigh. She needed a shower, and as much sleep as she could manage. Thoughts tumbled in her head, spinning around but never alighting anywhere. She stripped out of her clothes, dropping them on the floor on the way to the shower. She was down to her bra and panties when she heard a voice. “Yummmmm. I can see what Kamal sees in you.” 60 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

Lissa yipped and whirled around, grabbing an afghan from her love seat to hold in front of her. “Who’s there? I’m calling the police!” “No police, sweet cheeks, and I do mean sweeeeet, from what I’ve seen. If you get tired of Kamal, maybe you’d consider giving me a try? You know what they say. Once you go demon, there’s no other semen.” Lissa stared at the creature in front of her. He floated over a swirling pool of iridescent light laced with shocks of flame that spurted up here and there like volcanos, belching smoke. His whole body, all six inches of it, glistened with pink sparkles, like a mini-ballerina with buttonhole black eyes and a tail that ended in a puff of pink fluff. “What the hell?” Lissa demanded, while wrapping the blanket around her body. “You betcha baby. Literal Hell. I’m Steve.” “Kamal’s Steve? The Lualor?” The demon grinned with its tiny sharp teeth, his equally pink tongue lolling out. Drool hit the carpet, turning a penny-sized area into ash. “Hey, I have a security deposit! Watch it with the caustic spit.” The little pink guy had the grace to look chagrined. “Oops, sorry.” “It’s hard to picture you as a demon.” “Why?” Lissa stammered a bit, “Well, because you’re pink and sort of stuffed-animal like, minus the drool.” The tiny demon pulled up to his full height. “I am as much demon any of the big ones, and pink is deceptive. It makes us look trustworthy.” He stroked his chin like a stereotypical villain. He added, “Besides there’s no need to insult my demon- hood; what did I ever do to you? Did I make fun of your womanhood? Or, your human-hood? No. I am respectful of other species, and you, are not. You are a bigot,” he said, and stomped a tiny foot, which made no noise because he was still floating in the air. 61 J.D. BLACKROSE

“I’m not a bigot!” “Really? Could have fooled me with your racial prejudice and your hatred of the pink demon ethic group.” Lissa could not believe she’d been dragged into this conver‐ sation. She decided to change the subject. “Why are you in my apartment?” The demon cleared his throat. “I, uh, we, wanted to let you know we are sorry for your unfortunate trip to the, uh, deep south, this past evening. As a cross-walker, you are welcome to visit, but your physical form shouldn’t follow. That’s just all kinds of wrong.” “Who’s we?” “The other Lualor. We should have seen you and pushed you back.” “What about your boss?” “Eric?” “Who’s Eric? No, I mean The Big Boss.” The pink demon turned a deep red. “We do not mention his name, and this was a minor problem that Kamal dealt with. No need for it to go higher up. None whatsoever.” The poor demon shook so hard his wings extended and the fluff on his tail stood on end. Pink sparkles sifted to the ground. “Hey, were you the one singing in the basement?” The Lualor brightened. “Yes, that was me. I wanted to see who had Kamal so upset. Did you like my song choices?” “AC/DC? Beyoncé?” Steve grinned and shrugged his tiny shoulders. “I like the classics.” Lissa held the afghan closed with one hand and pointed with the other. “Out.” “But I’m here to help you! We, the Lualor, owe you a favor.” “All I want is sleep, and I’m not going to get it since it is almost time to go to work.” “I can help you with that.” Steve bounced up and down on his iridescent cloud. “How?”

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“I’ll hold time still for a bit. You won’t get a full night’s sleep but better than none.” “You can do that?” The Lualor shuffled his feet. “Not usually, but I think this is a special circumstance. “Fine. Whatever. Please leave and don’t pop in unannounced next time.” Steve clapped his hands. “As you wish.” Lissa took a lukewarm shower and fell asleep on top of her quilt, pulling the afghan over her pajamas, ensuring extra coverage in case Steve decided to make another visit. As she drifted off something Steve said rebounded in her head. “Once you go demon, there’s no other semen?” “My Lord, that is disgusting.”

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espite being exhausted, Lissa tossed and turned. Her mind raced with thoughts of Kamal and feel of his D lips, and she was aroused at the mere thought, but that got dashed by an image of her soul stretching from her body, the deep red monkey demons called Shadun and the large demon that swore she was his. Eventually, she drifted off, and she dreamed of a shifting lake with a vortex of dark slashes and fiery red circles. A voice called to her, “Almost had you, Lissa. I let you get away in the desert, and the Shadun was an annoying inconvenience, but I think it is time for you to come down and help me.” “Why do you want me?” she asked, her dream-self more courageous than when she was awake. “You, my little cross-walker, dimension dreamer, whatever you want to call yourself, can cross dimensions in your mind, which makes you a useful tool when I want to visit your world.” “I’m working with Kamal now.” The demon chuckled and moved closer to her, so she could see its eyes, orange flame without pupils, voids of fire. “Kamal.” The demon snorted smoke. “His family has been a nuisance for a long time. It’s delicious that he likes you. I didn’t see that coming, but it makes taking you even sweeter.” 64 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

The demons stretched its enormous arms, cracking joints where no joints should be. “No, Lissa, Kamal can cross physi‐ cally but you can cross mentally, and with proper training, you can be my host.” A chill ran through Lissa’s mind as she realized the implica‐ tions. He meant her holding his consciousness in hers, letting him invade her mind and control her body. Possession in the truest sense of the word. There was no telling what deeds a demon would do in a human body and the damage it could cause to her life and friends. “No. I won’t let you. Kamal won’t let you, and if you try to invade my body, I’ll kill myself just to spite you.” “I’d like to see you try,” the demon snickered. “I feel the time is approaching. We’ve already had a longer conversation than ever before. You’re sliding, cross-walker.” A fierce yowl and a stinging swipe of claws drew Lissa out of her slumber. She held Reina to her chest, panting and sweating, wondering why and how her whole world had turned upside down so fast.

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espite her fear, Lissa had fallen back to sleep, her cat by her side. She took another shower and threw on a D pair of navy slacks, chose a particularly flattering light blue blouse and ensured she had two navy shoes. Blue was always a good color on her. She draped a cream-colored knit shawl around her, fed Reina, thanking the cat again, and left for work. No car. The events of the last twenty-four hours came rushing back. She’d left her car at the hospital. Kamal had driven her home after they had… Oh God. In the last day, she’d tried to capture a monkey-demon, fallen into Hell, had amazing sex with a gorgeous man, met a six-inch pink demon named Steve and been taunted by a demon who wanted to use her as a meat suit. And she wasn’t even tired. She was more than a little pissed though. The main question was how was she going to get to work? She extracted her phone from her bag, thinking to call Amelia to come and get her, but stopped when Kamal’s Land Rover entered the parking lot. Kamal pulled to a stop, in almost 66 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE exactly the placed he’d parked last night, and rolled down the passenger window. “Need a lift?” “Actually, I do. Good morning.” Lissa entered the car and without thinking leaned in for a kiss, which Kamal provided on the top of her head. “I'm trying to be a good boy, so don't come any closer. You're intoxicating, and I can't hold myself responsible if I need to kiss you. By the way, you look gorgeous in blue. The blouse sets off your eyes.” “Oh, does it? Never thought of that. Thank you for the compliment.” Inside, Lissa was couldn’t help but do a little squee of happiness at his words. She sobered up thinking about the night before and the day ahead. “I had another dream visit with that demon I told you about. Reina woke me, but I’ve never spoken to him, it, whatever, before.” “He’s getting cocky, thinks you are strong enough now to hold him but not strong enough to fight him.” Kamal’s face was grim. “We are going to have to work on building up your mental defenses.” Lissa’s face went pale, but she rallied. “You can do that? What does it involve?” “Meditation mostly, but there are a few other things we can do to help. We’ve got to keep you anchored here and not let your mind wander off. I’ll help you.” “Also, I’ve got to hold another press conference this after‐ noon and I have no idea what I’m going to say. I can’t tell reporters that a monkey-demon is loose in the hospital.” “A Shadun. They’re very sensitive about being called monkeys.” Lissa threw him a look. “Well, that’s too bad. Maybe that’s something this one should have thought of before coming to our hospital and sucking the life out of people.” Kamal’s voice was mild. “I just mean that we might want to agree on a story.” “Right. Let’s go talk to Cobie.” Cobie was in her office drinking what looked to be her 67 J.D. BLACKROSE second cup of espresso. “Lissa! I heard about the ruckus last night. I watched the security tapes. What was that you were chasing and what happened to the floor, and was that man…?” “Kamal Wade, Ms. Costello. Medical Health Today. We met yesterday.” Kamal held out his hand for a shake which Cobie ignored. “Kamal Wade. Right, I've wanted to talk with you. You ran off on us. Don’t you also own that new nightclub, The Handsome Devil?” “Yes, ma’am. I report by day, party by night.” Cobie rolled her eyes. “Really. That’s a terrible line.” Kamal did a so-so bob with his head. “I just made it up.” “Make up a new one.” Cobie turned her back. “Lissa, what happened last night?” Lissa took a deep breath. “A mid-level demon, called a Shadun, escaped Hell and set up shop in the hospital. It feeds on life-energy and every forty-eight hours it kills. We need to find it, capture it and send it back to Hell.” Kamal broke in. “You mean I have to find it, capture it and send it back. I’m the demon hunter. You need to stay away from demons until we get your mental barriers up and working.” Cobie was silent. She made a steady, deliberate and controlled beeline for her espresso machine, made another without offering any to Lissa or Kamal, blew on it, and slugged it like a vodka shot. “Okay, we can work with this. There is an animal—a rare chimpanzee—loose. We’ve brought in a special animal expert to capture it. We’ll get the zoo director to play ball. He doesn’t know what it is either. That explains the emergency room. Otherwise, all the deaths have proven to be unrelated, you hear?” She paced. “That should hold the press for now, but only if we do not have another death tonight. I’m upping security in the E.R., and on all patient floors.” “You.” Cobie pointed to Kamal. “You’re the demon hunter? “Yes, ma’am.” “Then what are you doing here? Go and hunt! Send that 68 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE creature to wherever it came from, be it Hell or a menagerie, and fix this.” “Yes, Ms. Costello.” She ushered them out the door, closing it after them. “Do you think she’s adding rum or brandy to that espresso?” Kamal asked Lissa as they headed back to her office. “Irish whiskey. She’s got a lot on her shoulders.” “Lissa! Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you.” Lissa stiffened at the sound of Joe’s voice. Kamal reacted to Lissa’s body language by instinct, setting himself in front her, an audible rumble coming from his chest. Lissa placed a reassuring hand on Kamal’s shoulder but he didn’t move, his eyes focused on the approaching figure who seemed oblivious to the danger in front of him. Lissa pulled on Kamal’s elbow and he ratcheted the animosity down a few levels but stayed close to her body. A part of Lissa thrilled at his possessiveness. Another part was annoyed. “Kamal, I’ve got this.” Lissa plastered a smile on her face. “Hi Joe. What’s up?” The administrator shook his finger at her. Lissa recoiled at his skinny hands and longish nails. Why didn’t he trim them? “I hear there was an event last night in the E.R. and that you were a part of it. How come I don’t have a report, an email, a voicemail or any other type of communication from you explaining what happened?” “I’m sorry, Joe. I spoke to Cobie just now. I made my report directly to her.” Lissa knew this would piss Joe off. “I am your direct supervisor and you need to go through me. If necessary, I’ll bring it up to Cobie. I know she asked you to handle the press yesterday, but everything else comes to me. Got that?” “Yes, Joe. It seems we have an animal in the hospital. It looks like a rare type of monkey. No one knows where it came from, but Mr. Wade is here to help capture it along with members of the zoo.” Joe sneered at Kamal, who loomed over the small man. “Mr. Wade? Aren’t you a reporter with Medical Health Today? And a 69 J.D. BLACKROSE bar owner, I Amelia tells me? What on earth can you do to help trained zookeepers and veterinarians capture a wild animal?” “In my travels, I’ve encountered similar creatures. I have some experience to offer so I offered it. It seems you could use all the help you can get.” Kamal crossed his arms so that his muscles bulged under his shirt, drawing the sleeves tight. Joe ignored Kamal, turning his gaze to Lissa. “Any news on the deaths?” “They don’t seem to be related to one another.” “Great. Mysterious deaths and a monkey on the loose. This isn’t going to look good for our US News & World Report ratings.” Joe shook his head in disgust. His shoulders rose and lowered in a kind of shrug although it looked more like the beginning of a seizure to Lissa. Stiff and unnatural, she almost asked if he was okay. But then he placed a hand on her upper arm, stroking her through her shawl. “Come and update me later this afternoon, Lissa. I want to hear from you personally. Hey! What are you doing?” Kamal’s hand had plucked Joe’s off Lissa’s arm while his other hand pulled the man back by the collar, tossing him back‐ wards like an unwanted rag doll. “Inappropriate physical touches are sexual harassment, Joe. You don’t want Lissa to talk to human resources, do you?” “Watch yourself, Mr. Wade. I’ll be watching you — that you can count on.” “I’m shaking.” Lissa held both hands over her eyes, impatient with the men’s posturing. “If you don’t mind, Joe, please excuse us? Kamal, don’t we have a monkey to catch?”

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he zoo director was happy to wash his hands of the hunt and give it to Kamal. “I don’t know what that T thing is, but it isn’t a chimpanzee. It isn't even a primate. You want to capture it, be my guest. I spent time in parts of Peru as a grad student and I saw some things there that I couldn’t explain either. And you know what? I’m comfortable not knowing.” He put his feet up on the table. “I’ll be here with the tranquil‐ izer darts if you need them. Otherwise, I’m drinking coffee and reading the latest issue of The Journal of Insect Science. Fasci‐ nating stuff in here.” He tapped his page with his finger. “Right-o,” Kamal replied. “Where should we look?” Lissa asked, anxious to get started. “The Shadun is holing up somewhere dark, most likely where it’s warm. Demons hate the cold.” “Heating pipes, furnace…” Kamal shook his head “Wouldn’t be inside a furnace or a pipe. They’re fireproof but claustrophobic. Maybe near one though.” “Demons are rather high maintenance.” “True. At least the low and mid-level ones are straightfor‐ ward. The higher-level demons are a complete pain in the ass.” 71 J.D. BLACKROSE

“Kamal, how many times have you done this?” “I’ve assisted my father on at least twenty captures,” Kamal said, quickening his steps. “This is the first time taking the lead?” Lissa came to a stop, forcing Kamal to halt as well. “I inherited this position last month. It’s not like I’ve had time to do anything. Demons don’t escape Hell every day. Thank goodness.” “What do you do when you catch one?” Kamal recited his answer. “I open a portal to Hell and throw it in. If it struggles, I take in in personally and leap back out.” “Have you opened a portal to Hell before?” Kamal squirmed a little. “Technically, once. Yesterday, but Steve assisted.” Lissa held her hands together in prayer and was silent. Then, she asked, “How will you hold it? Won’t you get scratched or bitten?” “Ah! I know that one. I’m immune to demon spit.” “That’s good because Steve visited me last night and drooled on the carpet. It burned the rug.” Kamal’s mouth hung open. “Steve. My Steve, visited you?” “Little pink guy, dirty mouth, floats on an iridescent pool of nothingness?” “Yeah, that’s him.” Kamal put his hands on his hips. “Why did he visit you?” Lissa walked again, Kamal stepping in beside her. “He wanted to apologize for my almost fall into Hell. He said he and the other Lualor were sorry they weren’t there to push me back. He seemed quite anxious that it not go up the food chain.” “I can imagine. Punishment down there is unforgiving. Did he say anything else?” Lissa nodded. “He owed me a favor. I said I needed more time to sleep. Hey!” “What?” “He said he’d slow down time for me, so I could get enough rest. He must have done it because despite my nighttime chat with scary demon guy, I woke up feeling fine.” 72 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

Kamal scowled. “Good. I won’t have to knock the pink fluff ball in his little pinball head. We’re running out of time. Let’s get going. The sooner we take care of this, the sooner we can get to your training.” “We’ll head down and examine the utility rooms where the furnaces and backup generators are. That seems like a logical place to begin.” She had butterflies in her stomach and was anxious to finish this thing and figure out how to protect her own mind and body. She didn’t like the idea of a being a person costume for something evil. She’d been flippant about it so far, but last night’s experience worried her deep in her gut. She’d never known her mom and wondered if this ‘ability’ was why she’d left. What if she’d been possessed or was afraid she would be and left because she didn’t want to endanger Lissa? Her father refused to talk about mother, but it was time to end that silence. Swallowing hard, Lissa stopped in front of an elevator. When it arrived, she and Kamal stepped in and pressed the button for the sub-basement. “We’ll start in the research wing. I’ll introduce you to Dr. Shu.” “He does research in the sub-basement?” Kamal squashed the button again as if that would make the elevator doors close faster. “He’s quirky.” Other people got on and off the elevator at multiple floors. Three people on at the tenth, getting off on the ninth. Four more on at the ninth, getting off at the sixth. They stopped at every floor. Lissa could feel the tension rolling off Kamal’s body. She knew how he felt. Take the stairs, people, and stop the idle, inane chit-chat. “What do you want for lunch today,” asked one nurse to another. The two nurses got on at the fourth floor and were headed for the cafeteria off the main lobby. “I was thinking soup. Do you know what soups they have today?” “Maybe chicken noodle?” “I hope it’s not tomato. I hate tomato.” 73 J.D. BLACKROSE

Lissa focused on breathing. In and out. In and out. Kamal closed his eyes, whispering, “One hundred, ninety-nine, ninety- eight…” “I weighed myself this morning and I’ve put on a whole pound,” the first nurse complained. “I think I should have a salad. No croutons, no dressing. Well, maybe a light dressing. No blue cheese.” "I love blue cheese," opined the second nurse. The second-floor door opened, and a mother got on with her teenage son. They pressed for a higher floor. “We’re headed down,” Lissa informed them through clenched teeth. “Oh, we’ll get out at the main floor and catch one up,” said the mom. “I’m going to start a low-carb, high protein diet next week,” said the second nurse. The elevator bell dinged, and the passengers exited. “… eighty-two, eighty-one, eighty, seventy-nine.” Kamal’s eyes were still closed. “They’re gone, Kamal.” Kamal let out a whoosh of breath. “Thank God. Don’t they know we have lives to save, demons to vanquish?” “Probably not.” The elevator made it to the subbasement without further interruption. Lissa stepped off the elevator and headed toward Dr. Shu’s lab. “Dr. Shu? It’s Lissa again.” “Dr. Shu? Dr. Shu!” The scientist lay on the ground in the midst of chaos, his arms and legs akimbo. His lab, normally messy but orderly, was in shambles. Liquid puddled on the floor and not knowing what it was, Lissa pointed to it so Kamal wouldn’t accidently step in it. Lissa knelt next to Dr. Shu and felt for a pulse. He was alive, but his breath was shallow and unsteady. Lissa used his office phone to call the ER directly. Kamal bent down. “Lissa, look. Fingerprints on his temple.” 74 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

“He encountered the demon. How come he’s alive?” “Don’t know. At least we know that the demon was down here. Maybe it still is. I’m going to go hunt. You stay with Dr. Shu.” “Kamal! Wait.” Kamal’s voice was hard as he looked over one broad shoul‐ der. “No, Lissa. It is time I shouldered my heritage.” Lissa watched his back as walked away. “Lissa?” The voice was weak and raspy. “Dr. Shu? Don’t talk. Help is coming.” “Have to stop it. Getting stronger.” The scientist coughed and grabbed her arm. “The babies…” “The babies? Dr. Shu, what do you mean? Is the demon having babies?” She shook his shoulder, but Dr. Shu was uncon‐ scious. The ER team arrived and pulled her away. “Dr. Shu!” she said one more time, shaking his shoulder. A resident turned to her and hissed, “He’s barely hanging on. Get out of the way. If you want to help, call his department chief and get someone who knows what Dr. Shu was working on to close this lab and protect it for the police as a crime scene. They also need a biohazard team in here to clean up. God knows what any of these chemicals are.” The police! Lissa’s stomach dropped as she realized that the police call would bring the reporters in droves. Two p.m. was looking less and less like a party. Knowing Dr. Shu was in good hands and having no clue as to where Kamal was, Lissa hoofed it back to her office and called Dr. Shu's department head to tell him what had happened. Amelia stuck her head in and offered Lissa a bottle of sparkling water. “No, thanks, Amelia.” “Want to tell me what is going on?” Amelia stood at her door, hands on hips, face stone cold, an unusual look for the normally bubbly woman. Lissa scrunched her brow. “I’ve left you out of a few things, huh?” “You might say that.” Amelia strode in and sat in a guest chair 75 J.D. BLACKROSE with a look that said she wasn't moving until Lissa told her the details. “Okay, let me catch you up.” Lissa relayed everything that had happened, leaving out the sex with Kamal part. “I know it is hard to believe but I swear I’m telling the truth,” she added as she finished. “Hard to believe? Hell, yes, it is hard to believe. You’re telling me that Kamal, that gorgeous man, rescued you from a trip to Hell by pulling you up by your shoulders and gave you mouth- to-mouth and you didn’t sleep with him? That is implausible.” “That’s what you find implausible? Not the demon stuff?” “I totally believe that.” Amelia said with a wave of her hand. “But spill. I know you're hiding something important.” Lissa flung her hands in the air in defeat. “Fine. Yes, we had sex, and yes, it was amazing, and yes, I can’t wait to do it again. Happy?” Amelia grinned. “Yes, much happier. I knew he was trouble for you. I’m glad he’s the right kind of trouble.” "On a related topic, how come you aren't phased at all about demons?" Amelia gave her a blank stare and said, "Oops, forgot to do something. Talk to you later." "Now who knows something and isn't telling?" Lissa called out to Amelia's back.

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y unspoken agreement, the two women went back to the work at hand, but both knew that conversation B wasn't done. “What are you going to say to the media?” Amelia asked. “You’ve got about thirty minutes.” “I just got an email from Cobie. The hospital is keeping the details of Dr. Shu’s attack under wraps for now, with the hope that he will regain consciousness and tell us what happened. That makes things a little easier.” Amelia and Lissa brainstormed a few talking points and then Lissa put on fresh blush, a little lip gloss, brushed her hair and headed down to the madhouse that was, is, and always will be, a press conference. Lissa was pestered with questions as she made her way to her staircase. “Why were the police called here today?” “Was it related to the other deaths?” “Someone said this was the work of a demon. Do you believe that?” Lissa stared at the reporter using her best withering gaze. “We are a place of science and research. What do you think?” She continued. “The police were called today because one of 77 J.D. BLACKROSE our longtime staff was found unconscious and his office was disturbed. As a part of normal procedure, in the absence of other facts, we called the police in case they could find any signs of foul play. As of now, we are treating this as a medical condition.” “Who was it?” a reporter called out. “Really? People, you know I can’t and won’t answer that. They are a patient in this hospital and their privacy is protected, just like yours would be if you were a patient. Don’t waste my time asking useless questions.” “Do we know anything else about the attack in the ER department?” “We know that a rare chimpanzee somehow made it into our hospital. We have specialists here to capture the animal. Let me use this opportunity to remind our citizens that personal ownership of exotic and dangerous species is illegal.” “What about the three mysterious deaths?” “We have no evidence of any type of infection, virus or danger to the community-at-large. Again, we will not release details to protect the privacy of the patients and their families. That is all I have to say.” Lissa stepped down and a security guard held the throng back, so she could leave. The reports continued to call out questions. “Are you are saying that nothing is amiss in this hospital? That you aren’t hiding something? “Patients from the ER said the creature wasn’t a monkey. Why aren’t you telling us the truth?” “Nicely done,” whispered Amelia, meeting Lissa at the eleva‐ tor. “Other than the monkey part, everything else you said is completely true.” “I make it a habit not to lie to the media, but I can’t tell people a demon escaped from Hell. Has Kamal come back?” Amelia shook her head. “Haven’t seen him.” “I’m going to look for him,” Lissa said as they got to her office. She slipped out of her work shoes and tied on sneakers. “Are you sure that is safe?” “Nope, but the man did save my life. I owe him.” 78 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

Amelia winked. “And you want to sleep with him again.” Lissa nodded and tapped her own nose. “Exactly. I finally find an amazing guy and what happens? He wanders off to find a demon. It couldn’t be a love child from his past, or a secret weakness for bacon? It had to be demons?” “Good luck, Lissa.” “Thanks.” Lissa took off for the sub-basement. The place felt empty without Dr. Shu in it and she wished she’d brought a weapon with her, even her car keys or a metal nail file. Anything would be better than being completely defenseless. Patting her pockets, she realized she didn’t even have her phone. Stupid, stupid, stupid. She spied a flashlight mounted next to a fire extin‐ guisher. It was a heavy-duty industrial flashlight and carrying it made Lissa feel mildly better. Lissa crept along holding the flashlight tight. Sounds echoed in the dim recesses, creaking pipes, flushing water, and some‐ thing that sounded like breathing. Did demons breathe? Could it be Kamal? Lissa didn’t dare call out, but she approached the whooshing noise, inhalations and exhalations, the sounds of somebody, or something waiting around the corner. Lissa took a deep breath and jumped around the corner. “Ah ha!” she yelled, holding the flashlight like a bat. Nothing. Only a vent whistling with the flow of air. A hand clamped down on her shoulder. Lissa screamed and whirled around, flashlight at the ready and swung toward her attacker’s head. “Lissa! It’s me.” Kamal ducked in time, avoiding a certain concussion. “What are you doing down here? I told you not to follow.” “I was worried! We hadn’t heard from you. Where have you been?” “Doing exactly what I said I would do, traveling the sub- basement looking for the demon. Trouble is, I can’t find any signs of it. Not a nest or a track or anything. It isn’t here.” “Could it be in any of the other buildings?” “Possibly,” Kamal agreed. “But the sub-basements are linked 79 J.D. BLACKROSE by tunnels and I’ve searched them all. I think it has to be near the ER since that is where all the deaths were.” “Yeah, but Dr. Shu…” “How is he?” “Unconscious” Lissa stopped speaking, her mouth open in an oh of realization. “Oh, God. I think I know where the demon is.” “Where?” “Dr. Shu managed to tell me something. I didn’t understand it at the time.” “Lissa, what was it?” “The babies. He mentioned the babies. I thought he meant that the demon was having babies, which is awful enough but now I think…” “Preemie unit! The incubators. Low light and warm,” Kamal finished for her. They exchanged a horrified glance and the two of them ran, praying they weren’t too late.

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he Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was one floor above the Emergency Room, next to the maternity T ward. The NICU was a quiet place where premature babies received care in incubators and on warming tables. The lights were carefully controlled to cycle with circadian rhythms but there were areas with low lighting, blue light and even amber light, based on what a baby might need and the necessary amount of light for nurses, doctors and anxious parents to see. The temperature in the nursery was also carefully controlled. In other words, a perfect place for a Shadun demon. Lissa and Kamal burst into the NICU and a receptionist shushed them with a single finger. “What are you doing, barging in here like that? Ms. Byrne, you know better.” “I know Cecilia. I do. But we need to examine this floor. We believe that, uh, monkey, is hiding somewhere here.” “There are no monkeys in my NICU, Ms. Byrne.” The voice came from a doctor behind them who was wearing blue scrubs. Her hair was mussed, and she yawned, but her eyes were hard and direct. “We have had a tough night and day here in the NICU, Ms. Byrne,” Dr. Reynolds, the NICU Chief, said. “I’ve lost two babies in the last twenty-four hours. Two! I will thank you

81 J.D. BLACKROSE to leave now and not cause any further stress on our patients, parents and staff.” Kamal stepped forward. “Dr. Reynolds,” he said, reading her name tag. “How did the two babies die?” “Not that it is any of your business, whoever you are, but honestly, we don’t know. Their vitals were good. They seemed to be thriving and then, suddenly, they stopped breathing and their heart rates slowed.” Dr. Reynolds blinked back tears. “We couldn’t save them.” “Dr. Reynolds. We are very sorry. This is heartbreaking to hear, but we think that the creature that we are chasing may have something to do with that,” said Lissa. “What? Like it’s a carrier for a virus?” Dr. Reynolds’ eyes snapped with anger. “Someone should have told us!” “Please let us look around. We believe we can stop it.” Dr. Reynolds planted both feet and crossed her arms. “How?” Kamal held his arms out, palms up, begging for understand‐ ing. “Dr. Reynolds, please? We are running out of time.” The doctor’s mouth twisted with anger, a pulse throbbing in her forehead. “Fine,” she snapped. “But I’m bringing this up with the medical board. An animal running around a hospital, possibly a carrier of disease, getting near our most vulnerable patients! When you catch it, we need to test it to see what it might be spreading. Make sure you take proper precautions.” “You got it. Thanks, doctor,” Lissa said, running after Kamal, who’d taken off like a shot. Kamal took the lead and while Lissa knew she should be worried about the demon, she couldn’t help but notice Kamal’s butt. “Stop staring at my ass and look around for signs of the demon,” Kamal said. “I think we should find a nest of some kind. It can’t be directly in the NICU since someone would have noticed a sleeping Shadun demon, but it can move fast. Any clue might help.” They searched the entire area and found nothing until Lissa noticed a supply closet whose door was slightly open. She 82 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE grabbed Kamal’s hand and pointed. Kamal moved closer and sniffed. He nodded. It was here. “It smells smoky in there,” he whispered. “With an undernote of stank and a top note of sulfur. I’m going in. Stay here.” Kamal slid into the closet making as little noise as possible. Lissa slipped in right behind him. He shot her a disgusted look and ground his teeth in fury when she shrugged. The closet was large, holding equipment of all kinds, most wrapped in plastic to keep them sterile. There were also towels, sheets, and other paraphernalia that a hospital needed all the time. None of these items were disturbed, but the smell was stronger toward the back. The Shadun demon appeared out of nowhere, springing from the top of a shelving unit onto Kamal’s back. Kamal slammed his body against the wall, back first, trying to dislodge the creature. It took the punishment without a second thought. Again, Kamal crashed into the wall and once again the demon hung on tight, leaving a greasy smear on the wall. It was larger than Lissa remembered and its tail swept the ground. Kamal reached over his head and yanked the demon up and over until he held it in front of him, one hand around its neck, another around a foot. His muscles bunched with the effort and his normally gentle, teasing eyes were solid black. “Steve! I’m opening a portal!” Kamal yelled as the Shadun thrashed about. It managed to dive forward enough to bite Kamal on the bicep. Lissa was grateful that Kamal was imper‐ vious to demon saliva, but realized he was not immune to the pain of being bitten by several hundred pointy teeth when he bellowed in agony and lost grip of the slimy thing. Lissa grabbed a broom and poked at the demon, herding it into a corner. Kamal dove in again, grabbing the demon by the waist. It spit in Kamal’s eyes and the acrid saliva must have burned because Kamal released the demon to place his hands over his eyes. The demon jumped over him, landing on Lissa’s shoulders, where it stood upright, holding out a seven-fingered hand in a stop motion. Kamal skated to a stop, blinking furiously. He'd found some 83 J.D. BLACKROSE saline and ripped it open to wash his eyes. Lissa stood stock still, frozen with the fear of being scratched or bitten. She was surprised when the demon spoke. Its voice was grating, like a rusty hand saw on metal, but its intent was clear. “Stop, mortal! Or I will send this woman to Hell again, and this time, she’ll stay there forever.” “Which higher demon do you belong to, Shadun? Does he know you are wandering in places you don’t belong?” “Not he, you idiot. She.” “Sekhet?” “What does it matter to you, human?” The Shadun spat on the ground, creating a fissure on the concrete that hissed and smoldered. Kamal moved one step closer, and the Shadun pointed a claw at Lissa’s face. “Not one step more.” Kamal’s face darkened with rage. “Don’t you dare hurt her, Shadun.” “Or what, human?” The demon huffed with laughter. “You can’t do anything here. I’ve already won.” “I’ll go to Hell myself and find Sekhet. I’ll be very interested in what a goddess demon of battle will think about one of her minions going topside without permission.” “If you go to Hell, demon hunter, you might not make it back.” “For her, that’s a chance I’m willing to take.” Lissa closed her eyes and pushed with her mind, for the first time seeking passage to the Hell dimensions. She concentrated on the image of the whirling red and black lights, mentally whis‐ pering Sekhet's name over and over. The spinning entrance to Hell appeared and Lissa cast her mind down. Screams, so loud and high pitched she knew she'd never forget them. Cackles and giggles of the insane, burning lava, caverns where light couldn't reach, small cages of confinement. Isolation areas where individual souls were trapped, alone forever. Black wings, and glittering forest green appendages never seen in nature, knobby and awful. 84 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

Demons flocked to her consciousness, reaching out to touch her. Lissa viewed the scene, working hard to be unemotional and analytical. Each demon had a corner, or a nook, or a cranny which they called home. As she descended, their abodes got bigger and more detailed. She ignored the clamoring of the lesser demons and announced, "I am looking for Sekhet." The smaller demons hissed and retreated at the sound of Sekhet's name. One, with tiny wings, as if he were a demon in training, approached. "What do you want with my mistress?" The demons voice scratched at her mind like sandpaper. She steadied herself, imagining she was in a house and the demon was speaking through a telephone. That pushed the demon back and made his voice easier to bear. "I hear she is responsible for the Shadun that is terrorizing a hospital in the land of the living. I thought she should know that a minion has escaped." "Nonsense! My mistress keeps tight control of her House." "Okay, maybe it's not her's, then we'll send him down here on his own, without any protection. He's feasted up top; maybe you other demons would like a piece. I bet he's tasty now." "YOU!" The voice bellowed from a distance but Lissa could tell it was getting closer. She shook in fear, struggling to send her mind upwards. The large demon of her nightmares caught her consciousness in its fist, and it cradled it like a precious diamond, but its eyes glared at her too, and its mouth opened into a mockery of glee. "I've got you at last!" The demon jigged with joy. "I will return with you in your body and own you. I will bring pain, and everyone will think it is your fault. It was nice of you to come down and fetch me yourself." "Kek!" Another voice rang out from the darkness beyond, followed by a demon with rubbery wings and head of a lion, if a lion was made of smoke and ash. Kek turned toward the voice. "Sekhet. You're too late. I've got the cross-walker, and she's mine." "That's interesting, because I heard she came looking for me 85 J.D. BLACKROSE personally. You know that if a cross-walker comes with a patron, you cannot claim her." "You are not her patron! You've never seen her before, much less followed her mind, grooming her for this exact moment." Kek rolled out his shoulders, his great joints making popping noises and what served as his hands turned into monstrous claws. "I have been patient, invading her dreams, calling to her, dragging her down little-by-little, and you will not deny me." "Nevertheless, she called for me and I claim patronage." Sekhet's body glistened with the points of razor-sharp gold spikes that lined her spine. Her mane stretched and writhed like snakes on a Gorgon's head. "Stay here, pretty one," said Kek, and he placed her consciousness on a small crag in the Hellscape rock. Lissa strug‐ gled to gain control and rise to the surface, but she couldn't, held by the power of both the higher demons. Kek and Sekhet cornered off and the lesser demons surrounded them, screeching and honking, placing side bets with some sort of coin. Only a few looked scared. The rest were ready for a cage match. The pressure in the cavern rose and Lissa felt as if her mind was being squished and pulled like taffy. She hadn't known her consciousness could feel nausea. Drums pounded from above and below, and Kek cracked his neck. Sekhet simply folded her arms. As Kek readied to charge, Sekhet raised one talon. "Wait." "Afraid?" "No, our Master would like a word." "He would speak to me himself if he wanted to..." A crashing cymbal rang out and the lesser demons scam‐ pered away, hiding behind anything that could give them cover. A red haze settled around them and reminded Lissa of blood spatter from a shotgun. The pressure on her mind increased and she strained and struggled to bear the compression. A sound unlike any other coursed through her, touching her in the deep places where she'd put things she longed to forget. It shuffled through her memories and no matter how she cried 86 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE out, she couldn't stop it. The sound withdrew, and she was left aching and abused, crying in shame. A voice spoke within the cloud, muffled and unintelligible, but both demons bowed their heads. The blood cloud withdrew, and the crushing sound went with it. Sekhet approached Lissa as Kek stormed away. "I guess I am officially your patron, now, little cross-walker. It may have been the better of the two choices for you, but I'm still a demon." Sekhet whistled like an asthmatic in a strong wind when she laughed.

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amal watched as white smoke floated from the fissure, followed by soot the color of coal. The crack K widened and issued spouts of flame. The Shadun leapt off Lissa’s shoulders and ran for the door but Kamal got there first and held the door closed. “It looks as if Sekhet may have already gotten word,” he said to the demon who was now scrambling in circles trying to find a way out. The crack continued to widen, flame and smoke leaping to the ceiling. An oily black molten lava seeped over the crack’s edges, blackening the floor. The smell of sulfur intensified and was followed by an enormous belch of gaseous fumes. A wing appeared, rubbery black like a bat, and the tip pointed at the Shadun. Sekhet's lion head appeared next, flowing and diaphanous, with golden eyes. Her spikes shone bright, and her tongue flicked in an out as if she were scenting her prey. She shot Lissa a glance who nodded mutely. “Shadun, you left without permission,” her voice thundered, deep and harsh, like a two pack a day smoker. Lissa crouched in a corner and covered her nose and mouth with her hands. Kamal approached the wing and went down on one knee.

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“Sekhet, we have trapped him here, but we ask that you take him back where he belongs,” he said, keeping his head bowed. “Oh, I will, demon hunter. I will. My thanks for corralling him for me. Shadun! To me!” The Shadun squealed in defiance but couldn’t resist the power of his mistress. He shot across the room like Sekhet’s wing was a magnet. A huge black hand emerged, snapped the Shadun out of air and shoved the screaming demon into the pit. “Demon hunter!” Sekhet’s voice filled the room. “Sekhet.” “You will need to review with your soul mate what happened in the last few seconds. She's experienced something life-chang‐ ing. It seems," Sekhet wheezed, “that I am her new patron.” Kamal jolted to his feet and stared at Lissa in horror. Sekhet continued. "Take this as a warning, Kamal. Because you trapped my errant servant today, and introduced me to my new slave, I will let you go. But the next time I see you, I will kill you as easily as breaking a twig. You do not have the power of your father.” Kamal clenched his fists. “I’m growing into the role, and Lissa is no slave.” “We shall see.” Sekhet withdrew her wing, the black pit closing behind her. Nothing remained on the floor to indicate what had happened. Kamal flew to Lissa's side. “You okay? What happened?” Lissa popped up, brushing off her pants. “Of course, I’m okay. Never better. Fit as a fiddle. High on life and all that.” She patted her hair. “Well, now that we have that all wrapped up, guess we can go home.” “Lissa.” Kamal held out both arms and Lissa fell into them, grateful for the hug. “We'll have to talk about your new relation‐ ship with Sekhet. It's a serious situation and I don't understand how it occurred.” "Yes, but not now," Lissa replied, burying her face in his shirt. “No, not now,” Kamal said, breathing in the scent of her hair. “That was so exciting!” came a new voice. Kamal and Lissa

89 J.D. BLACKROSE turned to find Steve there, floating like a minute pink yogi on his cloud of nothingness. “Where were you when I called?” Kamal demanded, walking toward the sparkly guardian demon. "And what do you know of Sekhet's becoming Lissa's patron?” Steve backed his cloud back. “Hey, hey. I was there, ready to help you open the portal when I overheard, through that crack the Shadun so conveniently opened, that he was threatening Lissa. I called Sekhet, only to find that Lissa had crossed and told her herself! Let’s not do that again, though. Sekhet’s a testy one. She yanked my wing.” The little guy sniffed and pulled himself up to his full six inches. "And the patronage?" Steve wriggled in the air. "Lissa used her powers to descend and Kek tried to claim her. Sekhet called patronage. They were about to throw down when the Lord of Darkness Himself arrived and made the decision that Lissa belongs to Sekhet. Of the two, Lissa got the better deal." "She's indentured to a major demon!" "Indentured is a hard word. Owes a favor or two. Or three. Or one hundred." Steve looked down at his cloud which turned deep blue. "These relationships are always hard to pin down."

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t’s good to have the Shadun demon taken care of,” Lissa “ said, “Even though I apparently owe a demon some favors? I Is that true?” “I don’t totally understand demon patronage, Lissa, but favors are a part of it.” “What does that mean? What kind of favors? Oh. My. God. Would I have to kill someone?” Lissa heard the fear in her own voice and pressed her lips together to keep from leaking any more distress. She didn’t know much about her situation except that displaying weakness wasn’t going to help. Inside, she was castigating herself for walking into a situation so unprepared. “There have been other cross-walkers who got caught in a patronage agreement and gotten out. We’ll ask Yael to help and get Steve to poke around and we’ll figure it out. Together.” He said the last part softly, angling so he could catch her eyes, and caressed her chin as he said it. Lissa relaxed, knowing she wasn’t alone. Whatever came, she knew that Kamal would be there to help her. There was a relief that came with this knowledge, a burden lifted, and she realized that she’d never understood how very lonely she had been. “Before we do that, though, there is another mystery to

91 J.D. BLACKROSE solve,” Kamal said, holding her hand as they got on the elevator to go back to her office. “What?” “Demons can’t just pop up on the plane of the living. They need a conduit.” “You never mentioned this before, and Steve seems to be able to pop up wherever he wants,” Lissa said, stepping off onto her floor when the elevator dinged, and the door opened. “Steve’s different. A Lualor is given that right to execute his or her duties, but in truth, the Grand Master of Hell would like them to catch every demon that makes a run for it before they get to our plane.” “He’s Luci… I mean, the ruler there. Why can’t he stop demons from fleeing?” Kamal opened her office door and held the door for her. She walked in and headed directly for her tea-making supplies. “Coffee?” she asked. “Please.” Kamal sat in a chair and closed his eyes. “Are you going to answer my question? How come he can’t stop demons from sneaking out of Hell?” “Oh, right, forgot you asked. Demons don’t escape on their own. They have help.” “From whom?” Lissa asked, handing him a steaming mug with only enough sweetener to dampen the coffee’s natural bitterness. “Someone up here. Someone has to summon them.” “Are you saying the Shadun demon was brought here on purpose?” Kamal nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. “That’s what we have to figure out. Who brought it here, and why?” “Why would anyone want to summon a demon, even a minor one?” “They want something so badly that they are willing to strike a bargain.” “They willingly enter into an agreement with a demon to get something they want here on Earth?” “Yup, but there is a cost. They give away a splinter of their 92 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE soul. Not much, but the demon gets a taste of living, which is like crack cocaine to demons, and the human gets to cheat.” “Demons eat souls?” Lissa’s eyes opened wide in horror at the thought. Kamal waved his hand side-to-side. “Not eat, exactly. It’s more like they absorb them, seep them up like a sponge sucks up water. They get to feel, even for a moment, what it’s like to live again, to feel the sun, to walk on soil and smell flowers, hear birds, to eat delicious food. They hold on to that feeling as much as they can, as long as they can, but it eventually goes away and then they’re ready to make another bargain. A person can sell his soul piece-by-piece this way.” “Wait.” Lissa held up a finger and took a sip of her tea. “You said to be alive again. Do you mean that all demons were once people?” “Every one of them, but new souls start as minor demons, like the Shadun and fight their way to the darkest areas of Hell, scratching and clawing, sometimes literally, their way to power.” “Does that mean Sekhet is really old? She’s been there a long time and sunk to new depths of power over time?” Kamal tapped his index finger to his lips and drained his coffee. “I think it does.” “Could Steve know who Sekhet was? It doesn’t change anything, but I’d like to know.” Kamal considered this. “He might.” Taking a deep breath, Kamal commanded in a deep voice, “Steve! We have a question for you.” Pop! Steve appeared on his floaty cloud, his tiny pink body wrapped in a towel, and his tail tuft was covered in bubbles. Water streamed to the floor. “What? I was taking a bath.” Lissa sniffed and gave Steve a narrow look. “Where exactly were you taking a bath?” Steve massaged the shampoo into his tail. “Your apartment, of course. You have that lovely apple shampoo and sensitive skin soap. All this,” he gestured to his body, “doesn’t happen by acci‐ dent, you know.” 93 J.D. BLACKROSE

“Okay, fine. Just don’t leave a mess,” Lisa warned. “Or, I’ll revoke all bath and shower privileges.” The tiny demon blew on his tail tuft, releasing a small cloud of bubbles into air. “Got it. No mess, promise. What did you call me for? I need to get back before the water gets cold and my fur dries frizzy.” Lissa asked the question. “Kamal tells me that each demon used to be a person.” “Correct.” “Who were you?” The amiable, silly demon surrounded by the glittery cloud, wearing bubbles and a bath cap, suddenly turned gray, fading from Technicolor to black-and-white in a split second. His voice was solemn. “Why does that matter?” “I was curious…” Lissa’s voice trailed off. “Asking that question is serious for a demon. If you don’t absolutely have to know, I’d rather not answer it.” The cloud sprinkled cinders onto the carpet, and his cheeky smile was gone. His body rippled in agitation and the room got a tad darker. “Okay, okay. Don’t worry about it,” said Lissa, alarmed at Steve’s reaction. “We don’t have to know.” The color sprung back to Steve’s face immediately and he let out a breath. “Great, did you want anything else or can I go back to my bath now?” “We do need to know one other thing,” said Kamal, certain in his speech but he leaned forward slowly so as not to spook the tiny guy. Steve looked at him sideways. “Okay, shoot. What is it?” “Who was Sekhet?” This time Steve turned a flaming orange-red. “You really want to get me in trouble, don’t you? Make me work in the lava pits? Be stewed and eaten so that what’s left of me disappears forever? Is that what you want? Because that is what is going to happen if you keep asking me these things.” “Why is this so personal?” Kamal asked. “We don’t like to be reminded of our pasts.” Steve crossed his 94 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE arms over his chest, which meant he was still apprehensive but Lissa noticed with relief that he was returning to a normal pink color. “I’m cold now so I’ll tell you this. I can’t tell you specifi‐ cally who Sekhet is or was, but she’s been in Hell longer than anyone I know can remember. She’s really, really old.” “What does her being that old imply, Steve? You can use my conditioner if you tell us.” Lissa said. Steve perked up. “I was going to use it anyway, but it’s better with permission. Sekhet being that old implies that she has a lot of mojo, which means the Prince of Darkness likes her, trusts her, and she can do almost anything she wants. You already saw that he favors her over Kek.” Lissa rubbed her eyes and exhaled. This was so bad. All she’d wanted to do was stop killings in the hospital and now she belonged to a demon. What would she tell her father? Her father. That’s exactly who she would talk to. He would have information about her mother that he never shared. It was time to bring that genie out of the bottle. “Thanks, Steve. Go back to my place and enjoy your bath. There’s a candle on the window shelf if you like lavender.” “Can I use your vanilla-almond body lotion?” he countered. “Sure.” “Lavender, apple, vanilla-almond, so many scents. I'm going to smell like a garden made love to fresh-baked cookies." Steve shimmied a towel over his small backside and wrinkled his nose at as he checked his fur. He exhaled a deep sigh and threw his hands in the air. “Now look at what you’ve done. My fur is impossible. I’m going to have to start all over with my grooming routine. Don’t blame me if you are all out of hot water, Lissa. Oh, and I'm using your comb.”

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issa called her father and said they were coming to dinner. L "Tell me about your dad." Lissa was driving and Kamal was in the passenger seat. "He's a wonderful person. Still likes to fish, occasionally plays golf, although he is terrible at it. He used work as a pipefitter, so a lot of manual labor, but when it got too much, he retired. He's still active in the union though and keeps in touch with his buddies from work. He tinkers with cars His main hobby is driving me crazy." "In what way?" asked Kamal with a grin. Lissa made a face. "Lissa, it's time to find someone. Lissa, get married. Have babies. It's just the two of us left in the family. I want grandchildren." "Does he ever talk about your mother?" "No. It's the one subject he will not speak about, and I never pushed it because the few times I tried, he became so agitated. I got the idea that she left, and he was devastated but focused on raising me as a single dad. He never went to college, so he was thrilled when I went, and happy when my career did well, but now," Lissa rolled her eyes, "it's all babies." Kamal held back a laugh, but he couldn't keep the amuse‐ 96 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE ment out of his voice. "Well, I, for one, am looking forward to meeting him. I hope I pass his scrutiny." Lissa gave him a half-hearted glare. "You'll be scrutinized, alright. Prepare yourself." She pulled the car into a driveway. "Look, there he is. I see he's gone full plaid flannel over his union t-shirt. He's always cold so he'll wear that year-round and, please, could you remind me to get him a new pair to sneakers? Those have holes." "Hey, Daddy." Lissa held out both arms for a hug and the gray-haired man with the wiry frame embraced her with aban‐ don, then, immediately turned his attention to Kamal. "Who is this that you’ve brought to my door, Lissa? Could it be you have a boyfriend?" His voice was gentle and teasing but his brown eyes were laser focused on Kamal. "Kamal Wade, Mr. Byrne. It’s a pleasure to meet you." Lissa's dad froze and Lissa frowned at the silence. Her father swallowed and resumed talking. "Kamal Wade. That's a modernized version, isn't it? Your ancestors were Wahid?" Kamal nodded, brows knitted in confusion. "Some still are, distant family on my father's side, but my brothers and my parents come from the American side and use Wade." Lissa’s dad closed his eyes and his shoulders slumped. When he spoke, it was in a small, resigned voice. "Well, that explains a lot. You should have told me, little girl. Kamal, you can call me Charlie. Never did take to Charles, no matter how old I got. You like whiskey?" Without waiting for Kamal to respond, Charlie took Lissa by one arm and Kamal by the other. "Let's chat in the house, shall we?" Kamal whispered to Lissa, covering his mouth with his hand. "What's that all about? "I have no idea. You have brothers, plural?" "Yes. One is my literal brother, and the other is one of my cousins who was raised with us, so I think of him as a brother too. They're about the same age and were raised as twins." "Oh my God. There are three of you?" Kamal waggled his eyebrows. Lissa clapped her hand to her 97 J.D. BLACKROSE forehead. "Women will never be safe until the three of you are claimed, chained and locked up." Kamal gave her a wicked grin. "You mean that? Because I'm liking the sound of it." "I mean it, and you are accounted for, so those other two are the only ones left on the prowl." "I'll have to have them visit. They share an apartment in San Francisco." "I'm looking forward to meeting them." Lissa kept her voice light, not wanting to think about losing Kamal and everything she'd built due to her foolishness. She should never have descended voluntarily until she understood the stakes better. Lissa took Kamal for a short tour of the small family home. "When was this taken?" He asked, pointing a picture of her dressed for Halloween in a witch's hat, holding a broom. "You were adorable." "My neighbor's mom made that for me so we could go trick- or-treating together. Dad doesn't know how to sew. He suggested welding some pipe together to make me the Tin Man, but I wanted to be a witch." "And this one? What were you doing here?" Kamal pointed to a snapshot in a small square frame on a bookshelf. "High school play. Little Shop of Horrors, and yes, I was Audrey." "You played the plant?" "Yeah, it was super fun. My dad was pretty far back so you couldn't see my costume well, but I had this gigantic green hat with leaves coming out of it, so I could sit in the middle of the plant on stage." "Who's this?" Kamal pointed to a shadow at the edge of the picture. "No idea. Another parent, probably." "That might have been your mother." Charlie's voice was behind them and when they turned he held two tumblers with whiskey and ice. "What?" Charlie said, looking at Lissa's stunned face. "That's what you want to talk about, isn't it? I've heard of the Wahid, 98 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE excuse me, the Wade family before. Has your father passed, son?" "You the oldest?" "Yes, sir." Kamal took a glass, handed it to Lissa, took the other one, and they both swallowed a big gulp. "Come on in, set a spell, and I'll tell you want you want to know, Lissa. It must be meant to be if the two of you found each other." Lissa moved like in a dream, not completely attached to her body, such was her surprise. She sat on the brown and yellow weave couch and stared at her dad. "What did you mean, that was my mom? She's alive? How do you know this? Why wouldn't you tell me before?" Charlie ran a handkerchief over his forehead. "Don't be mad, Lissa. I had hoped the cross-walking ability might have skipped you or stopped with your mother." He sighed. "Let me start at the beginning." "I met your mother at a party held by a mutual friend, and that was that. I never had eyes for another woman. You look like her, you know." Charlie wiped his brow again, and crossed his legs, right over left. "I was smitten, and your mom seemed to like me well enough, which was unexpected, at least to me. I wasn't college educated like she was, and I worked a blue-color job. Didn't think I'd measure up to her standards, but that was Evelyn, always surprising everybody. I never took much stock in the Heaven and Hell thing but the night I got up the nerve to ask her to marry me, she sat me down and told me everything about cross-walking and demons and what she saw as her responsibility to work with demon hunters like Kamal here to keep the demons inside the Hell realm. I was so in love with her that I didn't care if she said she was part bunny rabbit on her father's side. Nothing she said scared me off, so we married and had you." Lissa's voice was a whisper. "What happened?" Charles crossed his left leg over his right. "Cross-walking allows you to travel between the realms psychically, which I 99 J.D. BLACKROSE guess you have already found out, given that you hooked up with Kamal." Lissa nodded. "That's good. You'll have more protection than your mother. I had no idea what to do." "Dad. What. Happened." "Your mom got caught up in something complicated. I never did learn the details, but she gave a piece of her soul to a demon in exchange for someone's life. She'd earn it back when she did a favor for the demon." Lissa opened her mouth to speak, scooching forward to the edge of her seat. "Ah." Charlie held up a finger. "Don't ask me which demon. I don't know that either." Charlie uncrossed his legs and placed both feet on the ground where he bounced them in place. Lissa wasn't sure he knew he was doing it. "Here's the thing. When a demon owns a part of your soul, they get first dibs on it if you die before the favor is completed." "I don't understand what that means." Charlie closed his eyes for a moment. "Your mom was involved in an accident and supposedly died before she could buy back her soul." "She died? You told me she went away!" Lissa's voice was tight and angry. "Before you get mad, she did go away. She went to Hell. Slipped right down there not as a spirit, but as a cross-walker, connected to a demon and, without a way to do a favor, she’s stuck there although she'd done nothing wrong and had only tried to help." "How do you know this?" Kamal asked, his attention glued to the old man in front of him. "Evelyn got me a message, saying she wasn't truly dead, but was in Hell, and wouldn’t be coming back. A little pink demon, kinda cute, was sent to tell me." Kamal and Lissa shot to their feet. "A pink demon, about six inches high, with sparkles?" Lissa demanded. 100 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

"That's the one! Have you run into him?" "I'm going to kill that little bastard," started Kamal. "He never told me." "No, don't go all crazy. Demons play by rules, sometimes obscure rules. If he didn't tell you, it was because he couldn't. He wasn't allowed, I imagine." Kamal snorted and rolled his eyes. "I begged the little guy for more information, but he couldn't tell me, or maybe he didn't know. It didn't matter. Your mom never returned. She's down there with no way to come up or move on. But she did what she could to keep an eye on you, Lissa. I noticed that at some of your performances, or other important occasions, I'd feel a little heavier, like I was carrying a few extra pounds. Then I noticed the shadow. If you look closely, it’s in a number of pictures. I'm sure that was your mom using her cross-walking abilities as much as she could, hitch‐ hiking through my body. I used to love that feeling, knowing she was with me." Charlie's eyes welled with tears. "I haven't felt it in a long time." Lissa knelt in front of her father and held his hands. "Dad, tell us about the accident." "Your mom was walking on the side of the road, probably picking up trash. She hated litter and people threw stuff out of their car all the time. A driver lost control and skidded off the road, hitting your mom. By the time I found her..." Charlie trailed off, tears threatening to fall again, and he choked as he finished his sentence. "I found her when I came home from work and called an ambulance, but it was too late." Kamal grimaced. "What about the driver?" Charlie shook his head. "Long gone." Charlie brushed his eyes with the back of his hand. "Lissa, now it's time for you and Kamal tell me what is going on. How did you meet? When did you start cross-walking?" Lissa poured out the story, getting little help from Kamal, who she noticed was lost in thought. She liked that he had that cute smushy face he got when he was puzzling out a problem although that wasn't something she'd tell him. 101 J.D. BLACKROSE

"Why didn't you tell me about your dreams?" "You had enough to worry about. I thought it was a regular nightmare." "The cats kept you from cross-walking?" "It seems like it." Kamal suddenly broke in. "Cats are quite powerful. They see things we can't." "Why didn't the cats protect Evelyn?" Charlie mused. "She entered an agreement willingly." Kamal gave Charlie a sad smile. Charlie exhaled and slapped both knees. "Enough. Let's eat dinner and talk about something else. Last thing I'm gonna say is this: Lissa, be careful. Don't get caught up with a demon. If you can help Kamal, then fine, that's great, but keep your mind on the surface. Nothing good can come of you traveling down there." Lissa nodded and didn't tell her father that she already had.

inner was over and Lissa and Kamal stood on Charlie's D doorstep. They'd talked about little things over the food, but they couldn't escape the underlying reason for their visit any longer. Lissa studied her dad. He looked thinner, sadder, and she was certain he had more worry lines on his forehead. "Dad, I'm going to be okay. I've got Kamal and we'll work together." Charlie patted her arm. "Yes, and I'm very glad you found each other. Together you are stronger than either of you are alone. Your cross-walking abilities allows you to hold a demon at the entrance of Hell so that Kamal can jump in and shove it back where it belongs. That's how your mother explained it." "I've got a lot to think about, Dad. This thing with Mom? I always thought she left me on purpose, and these abilities that I have? They're overwhelming." "Just stay safe." 102 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

"I'll keep her safe, Charlie," said Kamal. Lissa rolled her eyes. "What if I protect you, Kamal? Hummm." She shook her head. "Men." Charlie and Kamal shared a glance and Kamal shrugged. "She's right." Later, in Lissa's apartment, with Reina curled in her lap, Lissa asked Kamal about Steve's role in all of this. "What do you think he knows, Kamal? That shifty little pink piece of demon fluff knows more than he's telling." Kamal was leaning his head over the back of the couch, rubbing Lissa's feet while she lounged long-ways. "I know he does but I'm so tired. Can't we just move on to better things and deal with it tomorrow?" "What other things?" Lissa asked with a smile. "Like this." Kamal dug his fingers into Lissa's arches and she gasped in pleasure at the instant relief in her foot, but that was nothing compared to her calves, which Kamal massaged like an expert. Kamal shifted and slid his body over hers, earning a nasty look from Reina, who hissed and jumped off, stalking away, tail up. "I think she's disgusted at our behavior," Lissa said, running her finger down Kamal's jaw. "She licks her own butt, she can get over it." "You have a point." Kamal lowered his mouth to hers and Lissa let the kiss take over, not thinking about anything else, not her mother, or Steve, or Reina, focusing only on the kiss. It was so relaxing that it made her drowsy. Kamal moved down to her neck and décolletage, murmuring his appreciation as he inhaled her unique scent. "Lissa, you smell so good...Lissa, Lissa?" "Fmmslmlglrsrrrrff?" "Go to sleep, Lissa. I'll be here all night." Lissa's dreams roiled through her mind, competing thoughts crashing into one another as her body begged for rest. This time she saw the swirling matrix of red and black and knew she 103 J.D. BLACKROSE should not go. She pulled back, heels locked into the earth like she was tugging on a rope, but the rope kept sliding closer, and closer, pulling her with it. In the background, Kamal was urging her to drop the rope, let it go, not fight the fight, but she knew that her mother was on the other end and she needed to be strong enough to pull her mother up. "Lissa, go back! Go back! Don't try to rescue me. Promise me you won't risk yourself to save me." This voice, the first time she could remember hearing her mother's voice, rang up from the depths of Hell and the rope went slack. "No! Mom! No!" Lissa's eyes popped open at one a.m., and she choked back tears of frustration, loneliness and abandonment. "I will get you, Mom," she said to the darkness. She walked into her bedroom, changed to jammies, and snuggled up to Kamal, the only man that had ever made her feel safe. She drifted back to sleep, wrap‐ ping her arm around his torso, and knew the dream would not come again that night.

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hen was the morning ever so sweet? Lissa gave this question a moment of thought and then the idea W evaporated as Kamal traced his finger over her breast, circling closer and closer to her nipple. Just one finger with a feather touch moving closer to where she wanted. She arched in frustration, trying to get him to move faster, but Kamal used his other hand to hold her shoulder down and keep her in place. Not to hurt her, but to tell her that this was his time and he would play as he deemed fit. He finally brought his hand to where she wanted and followed it with his mouth, his other hand moving from her shoulder to her other breast. Panting, even at those small touches, Lissa groaned and used both palms to keep his head where it was. Kamal was not going to be controlled so easily. He took his right away from her breast, and she mewled with the loss, but she inhaled again, a sharp gasp as his hand gathered hers and pulled them upwards, over her head, keeper her where he wanted, dominating in the most sensual way. His mouth finally moved to hers and she reveled in his taste. She tried to accelerate their pace, pushing up into the kiss, demanding more, but Kamal growled a warning and she 105 J.D. BLACKROSE complied, perfectly happy to do as he demanded. He teaser her with lips, tongue and teeth until she was crazy with desire and knew if he didn’t enter her soon, she’d explode. He granted her mercy, at last, when he positioned himself between her legs, still restraining her arms and pushed in… an inch. She cried in frustration but all he did was withdraw, rub her on the outside with his tip and then push in again, another inch. She thrust her hips up to urge him onward, but he insisted on her patience. Moving out again, he rubbed her again, circling her most sensitive spot and, without warning, plunged in all the way. She’d never felt such pleasure in her life and now she knew he was as gone as she was, so she exacted a little revenge by bending her knees and encircling his upper thighs, so he had to stay on her, unable to create the friction that he needed, but where she could press into him to all her delight. He murmured one word. “Please.” That’s all it took. She released her legs and let him move in and out, matching his rhythm until they both let go, freezing in the place to allow the waves of their orgasms to take them for as long as possible. They collapsed on the bed, Kamal’s body partially on hers, but not enough to hide the clock. “Kamal! It’s nine already. I’ve got to go.” She shoved at his heavy, sex-drunk body until he rolled over and she could get up. She dropped her pajamas on the floor, took a cold shower and brushed her teeth in less time than it takes to sing “Happy Birth‐ day,” cringing in guilt as she thought of her childhood dentist. She grabbed a simple, navy pantsuit, a butter yellow blouse, gold earrings and was ready to walk out when a large, male body stopped her at the door. “Lissa?” “Kamaaallll?” She dragged out his name in a long questioning drawl that meant, “You’re awesome, thanks for the fantastic sex, but I gotta go, so move please.” Kamal obviously didn’t understand subtext because he continued to stand there. 106 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

“Kamal, I have to leave. What is it?” “We have to figure out who summoned the demon, or have you forgotten the last couple of days?” Kamal crossed his arms. “You can’t leave now.” Lissa stared at his beautiful eyes and said, “The hell I can’t. I have a job, and a slice of normalcy is what I need right now. Don’t try to stop me.” Then, more gently, she said, “Meet for lunch at one o’clock?” Kamal grumbled but got out of her way, but not before laying one more toe-tingling kiss on her. Dizzy, happy, but mildly annoyed at Kamal’s self-satisfied smile, she departed for her office. It wasn’t until she got in the car that she realized she’d left without any makeup. She scrounged in her bag to find the concealer, lipstick and mascara she kept there in case of emer‐ gency. Usually, when she imagined an emergency, she’d think of a media crisis. She never thought “sleep-deprived, demon wrassling, good sex, gorgeous man,” would constitute a make-up predicament. She snorted at the thought. Showed her what she knew. Her life was upside down and all she could think of was, “Where’s my eyeliner?” A girl needs priorities. By the time she got to work, she’d managed to cover some redness on her cheeks, hide the eye circles, get lipstick on and mascara, all without poking out her own eye. She felt very accomplished. Entering the building was the most normal thing she’d done in a while. She said hello to the coffee stand guy, waved to a jani‐ tor, and made her way to her office, all without a single demon sighting. Determined to continue that streak, she made herself a cup of tea and sat at her desk to review the zillion emails she’d gotten while preoccupied with the hobgoblins of the Underworld. She’d only answered three emails when Amelia rapped on her door. She knew it was Amelia by her specific rat-a- tat-tat knock. “Come on in,” she called. 107 J.D. BLACKROSE

Amelia wore a striking bright blue skirt suit with a white shirt, sky-high heels, and a lot of bling. As always, Lissa was mesmerized by the sheer physical beauty of her friend, made even more noticeable by… her newly shorn hair? “Whoa! Look at you. You look amazing!” Lissa said to her friend, walking around her desk to take a good look. Amelia’s head was almost shaved, with only a half-an-inch or so of hair left. On anyone else, this style would be unattractive. On Amelia, it brought out dark brown eyes and exquisite facial architecture. Amelia’s smile alone was enough to make her stand out but when coupled with her proud carriage and height, Amelia was a knock-out. Lissa knew Amelia had turned down multiple modeling contracts. When Lissa asked why, Amelia said, “I enjoy food.” “You like it? I wanted something daring.” “On you, it’s stunning.” Amelia blushed a little, a tiny bit of flush creeping into her face, almost unnoticeable on her dark skin, but Lissa knew her friend well and caught the extra glow. She peered at Amelia with suspicion. “What’s going on? Who is he?” Amelia waved a hand in front of her face, shooing the inquiry away. “It’s not like that.” “Uh huh. Spill.” “A new doctor who joined the vascular surgery department.” Lissa put her hands to her temples. “Amelia, you know how doctors are, especially surgeons. It’s all about the ego and the work.” “I think he’s different. He’s a family guy. He talked last night about his sister and his parents.” “You had a date?” “Three,” said Amelia, brushing off imaginary lint from her suit. “Well, sort of three. Two were coffee and breakfast in the hospital café, but we had a dinner date last night in a real restaurant.” “That’s promising. How did it go?” 108 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

Amelia gave Lissa a wry glance. “Fine until his pager went off.” Lissa made a face. “I’m sorry.” “Yeah, well, he’s cute. We’ll see, but I get your warning.” “You need someone more stable.” “I need someone smart, and exciting, and romantic. I think I want too much.” Amelia changed the topic. “Speaking of too much, how’s Kamal?” Now it was Lissa’s turn to blush which she tried to hide by spinning around to walk back to her desk. “He’s good?” Amelia held her palm up and made a ‘tell me more’ movement with her fingers. “He’s very, very good?” Amelia grinned and sat, waiting for the juicy details. “But I’m not so good,” Lissa added. Amelia studied her friend. “Why?” “Remember when I told you that it was a demon in the hospital and you said you had no trouble believing that?” Amelia nodded. “Well, it much more of a story than the bit I told you.” Lissa told Amelia everything that had happened, from banishing the Shadun demon to her ability to cross-walk, to being entwined with Sekhet. Amelia didn’t say a word the whole time. When she got to the end of the story, Lissa said, “I know this is a lot to take in and it is hard to believe, but it’s the truth.” Amelia gave her friend a wan smile, wiping both hands on her skirt. “Not so hard to believe. You’ve never had a dream here, right? Even those times that you dropped when we were working late?” “I didn’t drop off. I snoozed ten minutes,” Lissa protested. “Usually for an hour.” “Fine, whatever. What’s the point?” “I’m a magical null.” Lissa’s jaw dropped open as she stared at her friend. “You’re a what?” Amelia rolled her shoulders, her posture slightly off from its normal regal state. “I’m a null. It means that magic, or supernat‐ 109 J.D. BLACKROSE ural abilities, don’t work around me. I suck up spells, witchcraft, and other sorts of unworldly powers and make them inert. I think that by being with you when you conked out, that I blocked the dreams.” Lissa chewed on a fingernail, deep in thought. Between her cats and Amelia, she’d been shielded somewhat from the pull of cross-walking. She was lucky the shit didn’t hit the fan sooner. At least now she had Kamal on her side. If her cross-walking had progressed earlier, she’d be in Hell with her mother, and then what help would she be? “Lissa? Say something.” “I had no idea, Amelia. I was thinking about how lucky I’ve been to not have cross-walked into dangerous territory before this. You and Reina kept me from falling before I had back up.” “You’re not scared of me?” Amelia looked down at the floor as she said this. “No! Oh, my goodness, no! Thank you for confiding in me.” Lissa once again rounded the table to give her friend a hug. Amelia stood and when they embraced, Lissa’s face was in her friend’s chest. “You know, you have really nice boobs,” Lissa said. Amelia broke out in laughter, pushing her friend away. “Get back to those emails.”

110 20

issa reread the email message. “Lissa, we need to discuss the announcement of our new hires, and Dr. L Tourney’s retirement. How can we get an internal memo out?” Lissa’s patience was thin and her normal, polite, reserved answers flew out the window. It wasn’t particularly professional, but she answered with the truth. “If you want to make sure everyone knows, throw a party with free food to celebrate Dr. Tourney’s retirement and introduce the new hires at that time. No one will read a memo, but everyone will show up for cake.” Who summoned the demon? That was the question on Lissa’s mind. Next email: “Lissa, I’d like to get a press release out about our research that shows that increases in blood pressure increase risk for stroke even in young people.” Lissa sighed and replied, “This is not news.” Blunt, but true. Who would want something so much that they’d make a deal with the devil? Email: “Lissa, we’ve been waiting and waiting for you to give us a date for shooting the video about our new technology. When are we going to do that?” Answer: “Just as soon as you tell me how you envision using 111 J.D. BLACKROSE the video, and, is the equipment working consistently yet? I can’t spend money on a video that won’t be used, won’t be seen, and features technology that function erratically.” She added a “Thank you,” to the end of that one, hoping it made the tone a touch more civil, and hit send. She clicked a pen while waiting for inspiration when her email dinged. Email: Lissa, this is Joe. I’m looking for that briefing.” Bloody hell. Answer: “Of course, Joe. I’m creating a memo on the matter and will present it to you shortly, for your approval.” A pink sparkle floated down from the ceiling and landed on her keyboard. Lissa looked up. “You!” Steve shrunk as small as possible and stayed as high in the air as he could. His tiny head brushed the ceiling. “I didn’t do it. Whatever it was. I don’t know. What are you talking about?” Steve’s anxiety had him shedding pink glitter in buckets. Lissa couldn’t feel sorry for him. She pointed her index finger straight at the miniature demon, her anger obvious. “You knew about my mother and didn’t tell me! You told my father that she was stuck in Hell, but did it ever occur to you that I might like to know that information?” Lissa jumped for Steve’s tail but missed. He retreated to a corner. Lissa grabbed a chair, pulling it over to the corner so she could stand on it and reach the little bugger. He moved again, sprinting out of that corner to another. Lissa threw a pencil at him. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she demanded. She threw another pencil. Then a pen. Then a stapler. Steve dodged each one, but when the scissors flew they caught the tip of his tail. “I’m sorry! I couldn’t. Bad things happen when I say things I shouldn’t. Just ask the china shop.” “The what?” “The china shop. When I joked that it would be funny to see a bull in a china shop, and poof, suddenly one was there, and he destroyed everything. I was cleaning up shards for months.” 112 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

Lissa cocked her head at him. “You’re the cause of the phrase ‘Like a bull in a china shop?’” Steve turned lavender and hung his head. “Yes. Also waking up on the wrong side of the bed, but I’d rather not go into that one. If I had told you, you’d reach out to your mother, and bad things,” Steve’s eyes opened wide and he pointed in the general direction of down, “would use the conduit between you and your mom to pull you to the deep south, and it’s hot there. Truly hot. You wouldn’t like it. You don’t have enough sunscreen for that kind of hot and the tour guides are terrible. I couldn’t risk that. Kamal would butcher me.” “I may still butcher you.” Kamal walked in for their lunch date and stared at the pink demon like he was contemplating which way to rotate the spit. “Hey! I’m too small. I wouldn’t even make a meal.” Steve was a dull purple by this point and Lissa decided to take pity on him. “Okay. Kamal, relax. Steve’s got a good point.” “Not any more, I don’t. Look what you did to my tail.” Steve held out the blunted tuft for her to see. Lissa dug into her purse. “I have some thickening hair spray. Go fluff.” She handed the travel-sized bottle to the demon, and he retreated to wherever he came from to floof his tail. Lissa turned back to Kamal. “Go to the cafeteria?” “After you,” said Kamal, opening the door. As they walked, Lissa asked, “Have you thought about who summoned the Shadun?” “It’s all I can think about, except you, of course.” Kamal shot her a smile. “Yeah, yeah, yeah… thank you, but we have a job to do.” Inside, the butterflies that had lived in her stomach since the day she met Kamal fluttered in happiness. They each grabbed a sandwich and a bottle of water, munching while talking. “The thing is,” Kamal said with his mouth full, “the summoner must be on the premises of the hospital, so we need to work out who might be suspect. I have a suggestion for one, 113 J.D. BLACKROSE but you aren’t going to like it.” He swallowed and followed up with a sip of water. Lissa removed the top layer of bread and bit into the open sandwich. She answered Kamal’s inquiring glance. “Gotta watch my carbs.” She wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Who do you suspect?” “Dr. Shu.” “What? That’s impossible. That man has never been anything but nice to me. He’s the one who made me my special tea. He works in the sub-basement. He’s a recluse and a genius, not a murderer. Besides, he was attacked himself.” “Or, he made it look like he was attacked to put us off his trail.” “This is absurd.” “Is he still hospitalized?” “I haven’t heard otherwise. Let me place a call.” Lissa whipped out her cell phone and punched in a number. “Hi Ava, it’s Lissa. Sorry to bother you but I wanted to check on Dr. Shu. How’s he doing?” Lissa pushed her sandwich aside as she listened. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll check in again in a day or two.” “What is it?” Kamal asked. “They’re keeping him in a medically induced coma. He got hit on the head hard and developed swelling on his brain. It required emergency surgery.” Kamal sat back in his chair, chewing his last bite. When he finished, he said, “That does change things. I can’t imagine someone volunteering for that kind of injury.” “I can’t either. Can we remove him from our suspect list now, please?” “Our suspect list only had one person on it,” said Kamal, exhaling a long breath. “Let’s go back and puzzle this out,” said Lissa. “We know the person has to be present on hospital grounds, most likely someone who works here, so that pushes patients down on the list and leaves us with staff and faculty.” “Right, but that is a lot of people.” 114 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

“Maybe look at emergency room staff first? Do a little digging on the doctors, nurses, and medical assistants that work there?” “Can you get me a list?” Kamal asked. “Yes.” “Great. It is a good idea to start there, but I’ll also need any security, maintenance or sanitation employees who have access to that department as well.” “Would a person who’s given away pieces of his or her skull behave differently? Look different?” Kamal tapped his index finger to his lips. “It’s possible. They might be angrier, meaner, a little unkempt. That’s not for certain, but it is something to look out for.” “Let’s go to my office and I’ll get you that list. I’ll take a quick tour of the emergency department to see if I see someone who might fit the bill.” “Perfect. Then we’ll meet up tonight.” Back in her office after Kamal left with the list, Lissa gazed at Lake Erie’s horizon and let her mind wander all that had happened in the last few days. She’d wished for excitement and she’d gotten it, along with a handful of troubles. Maybe she would have been better off alone and boring. This relationship with Kamal was thrilling yet concerning. So much had happened so fast she didn’t know how she felt. On one hand, she never wanted to let him go. On the other, she wanted to slow down, take their time. This could all be adren‐ aline-fueled sexual tension and once the fires banked, she’d discover he picked his teeth in public or had gruesome foot fungus and the ardor would die. Her mind turned toward Sekhet and her “patronage.” There was going to be a heavy price for her freedom from Sekhet’s hold, and Lissa was terrified of what that price would be. Plus, there was her mother, trapped down there with no way out, and part of her was still that little girl that missed her mother and wanted her back. She needed to know she hadn’t been rejected and the only way to finally close that door was to talk to her mom. 115 J.D. BLACKROSE

Email: Lissa. Update. Now. She pulled her thoughts together and stuffed them some‐ where in the back of her mind where they could marinate all on their own, then she typed her notes as quickly as she could, printed out a copy and made her way to Joe’s office. His assistant rolled his eyes when she walked in. “Where have you been? Joe is quite testy because of you, and I’m the one who gets the brunt of his bad mood. Get your ass in their girl, and make nice, because I’m planning on going out tonight and I don’t want Mr. Itchy Pants to give me additional work at 4:45 pm.” “Got it.” Lissa entered the office and found Joe pacing the length of the room. He’d closed the blinds and the only light on was his desk lamp. “Why,” he said, his voice low, “Am I the last to know about your activities when you report to me?” The last part of his sentence was drawn out and angry. “Let me tell you everything now, but please keep an open mind. The world is a much larger and more dangerous place than I realized. Some of this will be quite hard to believe.” Joe’s eyes glittered, and he tapped his nails together so made a disturbing clickety-clack sound. “I will have no problem believing it.” “Uhm… okay, so there was this…” Lissa struggled for the words. “This bad animal that snuck its way into the hospital and was killing our patients…” Joe stopped pacing and stood behind her chair, so he could place both hands on her shoulders. “Joe, that isn’t appropriate and I’m not comfortable with this…” Lissa looked at his nails, noted the muted light in the office and grasped the truth all at once. “Ah, the light dawns. Why don’t you tell me the truth, Lissa? A demon stole souls of the living, a demon I summoned in exchange for a favor that was never delivered because you and your muscle-bound friend sent him back to Hell before he could fulfill his promise.”

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Lissa froze as Joe’s hands encircled her neck. “What favor was that, Joe?” Her voice squeaked in fear. “Joe, I’m leaving for the night,” his assistant said through the closed door. “Please lock the door on the way out,” Joe responded, tight‐ ening his grip. “Will do. Have a great night.” Joe leaned down and buried his face in her hair, inhaling as he did so. “You,” he said. “The Shadun promised you, delivered to my home, to my bed, to do with as I wished. I had so many plans. Do you realize you have a full month of paid time off still available to you? I’ve saved up my vacation as well. We’d have had at least thirty days to get to know each other better with no one the wiser.” Lissa shivered at the thought and tried to think of a way to get out of this. Joe’s hold on her neck was solid and steady, tight but not yet painful. If she moved a muscle, she was certain he’d choke her without hesitation. Without moving his hands, he slid in a semi-circle around her so that he crouched, facing her. “The first thing I’d do is force you to your knees, much as I am going to do soon. I’ve always wanted to see you at my feet, along with that bitch Cobie. After you, I’d have sacrificed another slice of my soul to have her, naked, bleeding and willing, if that is what it took. The two of you are too tempting to resist and humiliating you both would be glorious.” He released her neck with one hand and reached back with the other. Lissa saw an opportunity and rose to her feet twisting away from the hand that was holding her. She slipped from his grasp and ran toward the door, but Joe moved with a preternat‐ ural speed and got there before her, sliding between her and the door with a sly grin. “Oh, no, you don’t Lissa. I’ve done too much to let you go now.” He reached for her breast but never made it as Lissa punched him hard in the nose. Blood spurted everywhere, and Joe’s eyes opened in surprise as he brought his hands to his face. “Bitch!” Joe pushed her to the floor, and leaned over her, his

117 J.D. BLACKROSE blood dripping onto her shirt. Lissa struggled against him and when he lifted his hips to bring them to her, she kneed him in the groin will all the strength he could muster. Joe fell to his side with a grunt of pain. “Lissa? Lissa!” Lissa heard Kamal’s voice from the hallway, faint but recognizable. She shuffled away from Joe and found her way to the door, opening it to find Kamal had literally torn the outside door from its hinges. He stood like a crazed animal in the office entryway, his shirt ripped at the seam, a mixture of fear and rage in his eyes. “Lissa, are you alright? What did he do to you?” Kamal hugged her and ran hands over her body looking for wounds. “Is this your blood?” he demanded, pointing to her shirt. “No, it’s his.” Kamal’s breathing was ragged, and he took a breath to calm down. “What did you do?” “Punched him in the nose.” Kamal grinned from ear-to-ear. “That’s my girl.” “How did you know I was here?” Lissa asked, only then real‐ izing that she was crying. She leaned into his arms and sobbed. “That’s okay, Lissa. It’s okay. The police are on the way.” Kamal stroked her hair and continued to whisper words of assurance in her ear until Lissa was torn from his grasp. Joe stood there, her neck encircled by one clawed hand, the result of his continued bargaining with whatever devil was answering him. “No!” Kamal’s mouth opened in a primal scream and he rushed toward Joe and Lissa, grabbing Joe’s hand and with one squeeze, breaking what was left of his fingers. Joe howled in pain but still attacked, shoving his shoulder into Kamal’s stom‐ ach. Kamal shuddered from the hit but didn’t go down, using his elbow to strike the smaller man on the small of his back. A crack reverberated through the room as Joe’s spine fractured. “Lissa! You need to use your powers to hold him tight, so I can open a portal.” “What?” You’re going to send him to Hell?” “He’s more demon than human now. It’s what he deserves.” 118 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

Lissa closed her eyes, trying to do what Kamal wanted, but opened them again as she heard Kamal’s cry. Impossibly, but happening right in front of her, Joe had made his way to a stand and was literally gnawing at Kamal’s arm. “Lissa, now would be a good time.” Kamal was trying to shove Joe backwards but the half-man, half-demon didn’t give an inch. Lissa reached out with her mind and found that when she looked, she could see filaments from Joe’s body descending into the red and black vortex. She grabbed hold of them mentally like a hand gathering balloon strings and tugged. Joe’s body jerked away from Kamal’s arm which was now bleeding freely. Kamal focused his gaze on the floor and called out. “Steve! Delivery! Help me open a portal.” A shadow appeared on the floor and that shadow spun in lazy circles until it became the swirling vortex from her dreams. Her consciousness hurtled toward it as Joe turned his attention to her, captured the filaments of his own soul and pulled. “Kamal, he’s fighting me!” Kamal seized Joe’s body and jumped into the vortex yanking the soul filaments from her mind. She stumbled with the force of her effort and wrenched her shoulder as she fell to the ground. “Kamal!” Lissa screamed his name, trying to reach in with her mind to find him. “Lissa!” Amelia ran into the room, her face pinched and worried. She grasped her friend by the shoulders. "Are you okay? What's happening? Where's Joe?” The vortex faded, and the floor solidified. “Nooooo!” Lissa scrambled at the floor, scratching nail marks in the carpet as she tried to retrieve the vortex. “Amelia, you trapped him! Get out of here!” Lissa shoved her best friend away, who careened backwards, banging her head on the edge of the assistant’s desk as she fell. The police streamed in, a sallow Dr. Shu tottering behind them, and Lissa stared at the floor, whimpering. 119 21

melia was carted off on a gurney, semi-conscious and bleeding, and the doctors were puzzled when she kept A repeating, “I’m sorry, Lissa. I’m sorry.” One of them brushed the hair off her forehead and said, “You have nothing to be sorry for, sweetheart. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of you.” Meanwhile, Cobie, who had followed Dr. Shu, and a nurse helped Lissa to her feet and guided her to a chair. Lissa cried out as they touched her shoulder. “Lissa, what happened? Where’s Joe?” Cobie asked. Lissa’s brain teetered from one thought to another, from Kamal being trapped in Hell to Joe’s attack, to Amelia’s uninten‐ tional nullification of the vortex. She had no idea how to answer Cobie’s question. The nurse did a cursory examination of Lissa and shook her head. “She has laceration marks around her neck and her shoulder might be dislocated. We need to get her admitted. After she’s stable, we’ll let you talk to her.” When Cobie protested, the nurse held up her hand, “I know you are the hospital’s CEO, but patients first, and this patient needs treatment and rest.” A police officer spoke up. “We’ll need to document her wounds.” The nurse said, “Of course, Officer. We know the protocols.” 120 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

Numbed but distantly aware that her shoulder would soon be screaming, Lissa nodded to all of this mutely. She had no idea what to do first. Should she try to open a vortex herself? Would Steve be able to do it? What was happening to Kamal, a demon hunter, in the hands of demons? She bit her tongue to keep from crying. She should call his brothers, she thought, but she didn’t even know their names. All she knew is that they lived in California. Amelia was good at hunting people down, but she was injured as well. Being as gentle as she could, the nurse maneuvered Lissa into a wheelchair and rolled her down the hall to the elevator while the police marked off the crime scene. She was moved to a gurney in a curtained off section of the emergency department and lay there, staring at the ceiling while people came and went. Someone took an x-ray of her shoulder and the pain stabbed and then washed over her like a tidal wave. She panted with the torment. “Lissa?” “Yes?” Lissa answered trying to count to one hundred in her head to keep herself calm. Sasha tip-toed into the room and gazed at Lissa with her green cat eyes. “Did Kamal fall?” she whispered. Lissa nodded, her eyes again welling with tears. “I’ll have to tell Devin and Malik.” “Who are they?” “His brothers in San Francisco.” “Oh, good. I was thinking about that, but I don’t know how to get in touch with them. If you can take care of it that would be helpful.” Lissa placed her good hand on Sasha’s arm. “Can Kamal come back? Can he make a portal from the other side?” Sasha bristled and Lissa could all but see the fur rising along her spine. “If it is possible, Kamal will do it.” Lissa cocked her head at Sasha. “But, is it possible?” Sasha’s gaze was far away, and she wiped a hand across her lips, like she was in cat form and was cleaning a paw. “It’s never been done, but that does not mean it is impossible.” 121 J.D. BLACKROSE

“Miss, we need you to leave now. We need to attend to Ms. Byrne’s injuries. You really shouldn’t be in here.” Two medical assistants and the attending orthopedist gathered in the bay. Sasha stalked right toward them, forcing them to move out of the way for her, and left with a sniff. “Is she always like that?” asked one of the assistants, speaking to Lissa. “That’s her nature.” “She’s haughty. I dig it.” Lissa managed a smile. “I wouldn’t go after her, not unless you like scathing rejection.” “Oh, my ego can take it,” the man said and Lissa noticed his bulging biceps and perfectly white teeth. “Probably.” “Maybe you could…” Lissa stopped speaking as a roaring, excruciating pain wracked her body. While she was distracted by the cutie-pie medical assistant, the orthopedist had placed one hand on her shoulder in the front, the second wrapped around the back, and in one move, he had snapped the dislocated shoulder back into place. Lissa let out a yell she didn’t know she had in her. “Why didn’t you tell me you were going to do that?” she demanded, once again panting. “We find that if we tell you, you’ll tense up and it makes it harder to get the shoulder in one go. Sorry for the duplicity, but it was necessary.” The orthopedist patted her hand. “Now, it’s all about the sling.” The medical assistant gave her an embarrassed smile, step‐ ping toward the exit. “I’ve changed my mind,” Lissa called after him, her voice a hiss as she fought off the residual waves of pain by gritting her teeth. He turned slightly to look at her. “You should go after her. I’d like to see her get teeth and claws into you.” The medical assistant blinked at her. “Hope you heal soon," and left, crossing paths with an infuriatingly cheery nurse, who

122 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE pushed a syringe into her IV. “This will help the pain," she said. "Get some rest.” Lissa's eyes got heavy and the pain in her shoulder became distant, as her body fell asleep. Her mind did not. The drugs only accelerated the process of sinking toward the Underworld, and the pull of the vortex was strong. Down, down she went, plummeting through the entrance to Hell, her mind tumbling in an uncontrolled descent, passing demons on the right and left, leaving some peering down at her as she toppled deeper into the abyss. She flipped and twisted, careening ever downward. She came to an abrupt halt, her consciousness contained in something like a small snow globe. Eyes of different shapes and sizes peered at her with interest as she and Sekhet passed, including one set of eyes she remembered. Kek was there, and he followed her with his eyes, hungry and furious. "My little patron. What are you doing down here so soon after our last meeting?" Lissa recoiled at the sound of Sekhet's voice, realizing that she sat in one of Sekhet's taloned hands. Sekhet's giant head stared at Lissa, waving back and forth as she considered her prize. "I'm looking for Kamal," Lissa replied, trying to sound calm and collected. Sekhet snorted. "Are you now? Anyone else you're looking for?" Lissa's mental voice was small as she whispered, "My mother." "Well cross-walker, I'll show you them both." Sekhet brought her hand around to the other side of the flickering cavern and dove in a straight line, like a hawk going after prey, the laws of gravity not applying to her as she plunged into deeper and deeper darkness. Lissa's consciousness was paralyzed with fear as she lived a universal nightmare, falling into the murk without control, knowing she was going to die. They skidded to a halt and Sekhet unrolled her fingers so Lissa

123 J.D. BLACKROSE could see. Green and yellow lights waved across her vision like an ocean rolling in on the tide. It was hard to see but if she pressed closer, she could hear voices. Gathering her courage, she leaned closer, forcing herself to surrender to the sounds completely. Kamal was there, his physical being, bound and still on his side. A woman bent over him and with a quick turn of her head, she saw Sekhet. The woman rocked back, grabbing Kamal by the feet to drag him further into the inner workings of Hell and out of Sekhet's eyesight. "Is that my mom?" Lissa asked. "Yes." "I need to take them back." Sekhet brought her palm up to eye height, her gigantic head taking up all Lissa's vision. "You can't take both, only Kamal. I don't have patronage of your mother. She belongs to someone else." Lissa's mind wept as she understood that one glance of her mother's face was all she'd get to see. "Fine. Kamal then." "What will you give me for him?" "I… I don't know." "Silly girl, coming down here without a plan. I'll tell you what I want. I want a day in your body." "A day in my body? Do you mean you'll come to the living plane and inhabit my actual body? Possess it?" "Yes." "What are you going to do there?" "Live. Laugh. Love, or have fun, meaningless sex, it's all the same to me. I get twenty-four hours in your body with total control." "Name something else." "A slice of your soul, perhaps? You have so much, a tiny bit won't hurt you." Lissa shuddered. "No, thanks, I've seen what that does to a person." "Ah, yes. Your former boss, Joe. He got himself into a pretty pickle, didn't he? Half-human, half-demon by this time, he belongs nowhere or anywhere, but he gets to stay here with us." 124 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

Sekhet held Lissa higher and pointed toward a purple haze that flickered with black lightning. Lissa stared and saw nothing, but eventually, she made out a figure, a figure tied to a rock, his back stretched at an impossible angle, his mouth wide open in a never-ending scream. Sekhet purred. "Isn't he delicious, still so much soul left. He's reliving his nightmares, you see. They play like an unending movie before his eyes while we suck what remains of his life away." Sekhet returned her attention to Lissa. "Choose, little cross- walker. My possession for a day or a slice of your essence? Otherwise, I'll send you back, but without Kamal." "You can't kill anyone when in my body." "Hummm, interesting bargain," Sekhet crooned. "I agree, but you can't tell anyone what is happening, especially not Kamal." Lissa was torn. She had to bring Kamal home, but Sekhet could do terrible things while in Lissa's body and everyone would think it was Lissa who did it. Sekhet could do deep harm to Lissa's life in one twenty-four-hour cycle, but Lissa had nothing else to bargain with. "Come now, cross-walker, you know there is going to be cost. It's just a choice of what cost you can bear." Lissa gathered her courage, stared Sekhet in the eye and said, "Possession, one full day, no killing anyone." "Agreed! At a time of my choosing." Lissa hung her head but gave a short nod, knowing what she was doing was a terrible choice, but it was the only choice she had. "Agreed." Lissa heard a thundering laugh from deep below her, from the depths of the nether world and that sound reverberated through her. She'd made a deal with the devil. Sekhet cackled and said, "Upsy-daisy we go, Lissa. Kamal will follow." She tossed Lissa's consciousness high in the air. Lissa sailed up and up until she landed back in her body with a mental thunk, the pain in her shoulder back on full-steam. A vortex opened on the ground beside her, a swirling spiral about the size 125 J.D. BLACKROSE of a frisbee. The vortex stretched, elongating and widening and when it as about the size of Lissa's hospital bed, it expelled Kamal, unconscious but breathing. "Kamal!" Lissa tried to get out of bed to reach him but her IV was connected to a pole and she fell, wrenching the needle in her arm. A machine next to her beeped, then beeped again, and again, sounding an alarm that had her cheery nurse running. "What's the matter? Ms. Byrne, you can't get out of bed without our help. What were you trying to do?" The nurse looked at the floor. "Holy Jesus! Where did you come from? Lissa, who is this?" "My boyfriend," Lissa said, weak as a kitten. The nurse placed Lissa on the bed. "I'm going to have to re- do your IV. Let me get someone to help your boyfriend first."

" issa, what did you do?" Kamal had asked her this a billion L times in the last week since being released from the hospital. "You're going to have to tell me, eventually." Lissa turned to face him, a spatula in her hand. Her other arm was still in a sling. "I've told you that I can't tell you any details." "You made a deal, Lissa. A deal with a major demon. You shouldn't have done that." "And let you languish and suffer in Hell like my mother? That was not acceptable." Kamal grew quiet. He hadn't told her much about his trip to Hell, only that it made him more aware how important it is to be a good person while alive, to earn the right to go up, not down, after death. "I appreciate what you did, Lissa, but I don't want your soul at-risk." "We don't have to worry about this yet, Kamal. Can't we just eat together, calmly and quietly, like normal people?" "Discuss the weather? Pick a movie to watch? That kind of thing?" Kamal circled the counter and took Lissa in his arms, taking care of her shoulder. 126 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

She snuggled into his chest. "Exactly that kind of thing. Wine, dinner, small talk. Cuddling." "I do like the sound of that." Kamal started to say something else but stopped when a little pink head appeared mid-air, just the eyes and forehead showing. Tiny eyebrows raised in querying arches. "Is it safe to visit?" asked Steve. "Ah. Speak of the devil. That depends," growled Kamal, "Where have you been?" The tiny demon popped out of his equally tiny whirlpool of air, brushing off his fur. "I was hiding." "From what?" "Pretty much everyone and everything. I was right there, ready to hold the portal open and then wham! It shuts down all by itself and I couldn't open it again. You," Steve pointed to Kamal, "are falling sideways into the depths of Hell where I don't go. I can't reach Lissa, and so I hid, like any Lualor should do...and did, actually. We retreated. Why did the portal close?" He said this while turning to Lissa, pink arms crossed, pink toe tapping. Lissa sighed. "My friend, Amelia..." Steve's eyes opened wide. "Oh, you mean the sexy one with long legs? Do you think she could be interested in me? Oppo‐ sites attract, after all, don't they?" "I don't think you want to hang out with her." "Why? Is she racist against demons? Maybe she hasn't met the right one." Lissa paused to consider that. "Not sure how to answer that one, Steve, but she’s a magical null. When she walked into the room, the portal snapped closed, nothing I could do." Steve's mouth was a wide "o." He stepped back a few inches. "I don't know if she'd affect me, but I'd like to avoid her for a while." Kamal said, "Smart move." Then, to Lissa, "Have you talked to Amelia yet?" Lyssa's mouth corkscrewed, and she studied her toe as she dug it into the carpet. "She's not ready. She'll be back to work 127 J.D. BLACKROSE next week and I'm hoping we can talk then. I didn't mean to push her so hard and I feel terrible about it. I tried to pay her medical bills, but the hospital picked up the tab. I sent flowers. She didn't send them back, so that's a good sign? Right?" Kamal looked straight ahead, and Steve looked anywhere but at Lissa, whistling a jaunty tune. "I'll figure it out. She can't be mad at me forever."

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issa was back at work, her shoulder healing well enough that she could type with both hands. The L spreadsheets were the same, the emails a repetition from before, but she wasn't the same. Her whole life had changed, and she wasn't sure what to do with this new normal and the demonic agreement hanging over her head like a sword of Damocles. At least she'd made up with Amelia. They were still tip- toeing around each other but Lissa was confident that they could find their way back to what they had. There was a knock on the door, not Amelia's usual rat- a-tat-tat. "Come in." Dr. Shu entered, pale as always but now also using a cane. "Dr. Shu! Please sit down. Let me help you. Tea? Would you like tea?" "No, thanks, Lissa," Dr. Shu said, waving her mothering away. "I came to see how you are." "I'm fine, why?" Lissa didn't let Dr. Shu see her face. "You are a terrible liar, Lissa. This can't have been easy for you. Your boss summons a demon in an unholy exchange for you, attacks you physically, kills patients, and if I'm guessing 129 J.D. BLACKROSE right, you were scrambling at that rug trying to get a portal to open." "Fine," repeated Lissa, her voice matter-of-fact. "It was a lot but I'm facing it well and the main thing is that we move on." "Can you move on?" "What do you mean?" "These things usually leave a scar, or a burden that must be shouldered. No one comes through this kind of thing unscathed." Lissa rotated her shoulders before looking at Dr. Shu. "I'm fine. What about you? How's your back? Are you doing okay with the cane?" Dr. Shu toggled his hand in the air. "I'm so-so. Joe threw everything he had at me. I was lucky that he got scared off." "What scared him?" Dr. Shu pulled his ear. "Joe thought someone was coming because we could hear singing. Whoever it was had terrible taste in music. They were belting out a horrible, screeching rock song, even voicing the guitar parts. It was hideous, but I can't complain. It saved my life. We never figured out who it was." "Maybe a radio?" It was a real voice, and it left me with a puzzle." "What is that, Dr. Shu?" "What does, 'Back in black, I hit the sack,' even mean?" "It means a demon was heaven-sent." "Excuse me?" "Don't worry about it, Dr. Shu. When will you be back in the lab?" "Next week, I hope. They're giving me a graduate student to assist and I'm moving into a lab space upstairs. Maybe I shouldn't be alone anymore." "I hear you. None of us should be alone anymore."

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t was their first date in weeks, Lissa busy with work and therapy for her shoulder, and Kamal occupied with his I club. No more demons arrived, and Lissa pushed Sekhet's bargain to the back of her mind. They ate at The Handsome Devil, steak, potatoes, some merlot. Steve joined them, so they sat a private table. "Steve, you ordered a ribeye. Do you have any idea how much that is?" Lissa studied her little friend with concern. His face furrowed with apprehension. "You're right, Lissa. Kamal, can I have two baked potatoes? With sour cream, bacon bits and butter? I don't need the broccoli or salad. Demons don't eat greens." "If that's really what you want?" "Yes, I can't wait." The confused waiter delivered three plates of food to the table, not saying anything because Kamal was the boss. "This smells soooo good," Steve let out a huge breath. "Lissa, could you tie my napkin?" Trying hard not to laugh, Lissa tied a napkin around Steve's neck. It was so long that it draped over him like a blanket, and she laughed at his tiny pink form covered in a black cloth, but she stared in disbelief when that same tiny pink form hoovered 131 J.D. BLACKROSE up a twelve-ounce ribeye, two baked potatoes, three rolls and a full glass of Coke. Sitting back with bloated tummy in the air, Steve asked, "Can I have an ice cream brownie split?" "No!" Kamal was as astonished as Lissa. "What about an after-dinner margarita?" "Absolutely not! "Fine. I'm leaving." Steve made a drunk circle in the air, formed a portal the size of a coffee mug and squeezed through. "Is he going to be okay?" Lissa asked. "He'll be fine. People food isn't good for their tummies, but occasionally, he can have a treat. Not all the time or we'll have him begging from the table." Kamal winked, snatched the bottle of wine off the table and said, "Come on. Let's go somewhere more private." He led Lissa to his office and then into the back rooms which were his apartment. “I didn’t know you lived here too.” Lissa studied the place. It was done in warm colors, and the lamps shed a golden glow, making the rooms feel cozy and welcoming. Kamal settled the bottle of wine on a side table and swept Lissa in his arms, but she put a palm on his chest and he paused. “What is it?” “Why did you move to Fall City?” “It’s in the middle of the country. It seemed like a good base‐ camp in case I needed to travel to either coast. I didn’t know when I’d inherit the mantle, but it was eventually going to happen.” “Where did you grow up?” “San Francisco. I love the water and the whole vibe of the city.” “What about the rest of your family?” My brothers are still there, but my mom moved back to Egypt to be her family for a while. Why all the questions?” “Things have been so frantic, I realized I don’t know very much about you.” “You know all that you need to know, my sweet. Now, if you don’t mind, it is time to stop talking.” 132 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE

He didn’t wait for her to say anything, his lips on hers telling her that the time for conversation was over, for now. She moaned into his mouth as his tongue touched hers, light strokes that only made her want more. He placed both of his large hands at her back, pulling her in, holding her against him, making certain she couldn’t back away, not that she wanted to. Lissa let her hands roam, running over the butt that she had admired before, stroking his back and pulling him even closer. Kamal released her body, grasped her hands and captured them above her head. He held both of her hands in one of his and used the other to unbutton her blouse, one button at a time. Lissa thought she was going to explode, and he hadn’t touched skin yet. Kamal pushed her blouse out of the way, reached back and with expert fingers, released her bra. He pulled her hands back down and in one furious sweep, dragged the blouse and bra off her and claimed another kiss. Lissa almost collapsed from the heat, the fierceness, of his touch. Kamal broke the kiss and lifted her, pinning her against the wall so he could kiss her breasts, the cool wall against her back and rear a stark contrast to the heat on her front side. He circled her nipples with his tongue, slowly, then fast, sucking until she sighed with pleasure. She tried to remove his shirt, but he brushed her hands away. He unbuttoned her pants and dropped them to the floor, her shoes and socks abandoned at some moment prior, she couldn’t remember when. What was happening? Lissa’s mind was a swirling mass of emotion. Never, never in her life had she been loved like this, wanted like this. Could it last? Would it? My God, girl, stop worrying about the future and accept the present. She dragged her mind away from her anxieties and focused on the feel of his hands on her skin. In seconds, she couldn’t have done anything else. Kamal slipped his fingers under her panties, almost ripping them with his urgency. He took a strangled breath and slowed down, turning her to the face the wall. Using three fingers, he stroked her from behind, back and forth, over-and-over again, 133 J.D. BLACKROSE until she threw her head back with the building pleasure. He nibbled at her neck as he circled her most sensitive center. “That’s it sweetheart, come for me. Don’t hold back. I’ve got you. I’m never letting you go.” Lissa’s breath came hard and fast. The feeling of being naked while he was fully clothed, of him holding her in place, her nipples chafing against the cold wall in shocks of pleasure as he caressed her in a building rhythm, was too much. She orgasmed in a shuddering release, her mind going blank as she rose the crest with a sob of pleasure. Kamal was just getting started. He picked her lax body up and strode to his bedroom, kicking the door out of the way. He placed her on the bed, face down and stripped his clothes, Lissa watching from the side. He lay his front side to her back and Lissa’s whole body tightened with the feel of it. He was so hard she knew it must pain him, but he mastered his desires and stayed in control. With one hand, he lifted her hips, wrapping his other arm around her to rub her stomach in small circles, making his way back down to her wetness. She didn’t believe it was possible, but his touch made her want him all over again, the sensations building a second time, more intensely as he rubbed his length against her rear end, sliding in and out of her cheeks, slipping easily with the lubrication from her earlier orgasm. Finally, he used both hands to lift her hips and placed the tip of him where she had wanted him to be the whole night. On a groan, he plunged into her from behind, leaning forward so he could press one thumb against her mouth. She drew the thumb into her mouth, sucking it in and out to mimic his rhythm below. She felt wetness on her back and realized that he was crying. They both came at the same time, his cry echoing hers and they collapsed on the bed, spent and exhausted. They stayed there, not moving, until Lissa could ignore the call of nature no longer. She eased out of bed and Kamal, almost asleep, reached for her unconsciously, trying to reclaim her warmth. She returned to bed and faced him, studying his features. The 134 GORGEOUS WITH A SIDE OF DESIRE aquiline nose, the long lashes and the lush mouth impressed her on an artistic level. He was handsome in so many ways, but what held Lissa was his heart. He went to Hell for her, cared for her, wanted to shield her from harm, and the thought of losing him rent her heart in two. The handsome devil before her had become something more. He was the man she loved. Kamal opened one eye to watch her studying him. “I’m not really a reporter,” he said. “I’m a nightclub operator and a demon hunter. I’m not terribly good at the latter position yet, but I promise I’ll get better, get stronger, and be able to protect you.” “We’ll learn together, Kamal. And I knew you weren’t a reporter. Medical Health Today folded a month ago.” She stroked his surprised face, loving the feel of the stubble that was growing in. “You didn’t double check your cover story. It was easy to figure it out, and I almost said something, but I decided you were, you know, sorta, kinda, cute and I liked having you around. By the way, I feel it is only right to inform you that I’ve decided I’m not letting you go.” He rolled on top of her. “I’m not letting you go either,” and his mouth crashed down on hers. Lissa noticed a flash of pink in the upper corner of the room as Steve blinked in and out, giving her a thumbs up. She laughed and pulled Kamal into an even deeper kiss. They'd face what was to come together.

135

AFTERWORD

Sasha pranced into the bedroom without so much as a knock, batting at Kamal's nose to wake him up. "Hurry, wake up. Devin and Malik will be here by this afternoon." Kamal opened his blurry eyes. "What are you talking about? They're in California." "Not any more. Now they are somewhere over Nevada." "What? Why?" Kamal shoved his legs into jeans and ran his hands through his hair. "I called them when you went to Hell and back. I think they’re coming to yell at you and to scope out Lissa. They'll be here in a couple of hours." Kamal washed his face and brushed his teeth, already calcu‐ lating how much time he had to set things up before they got there. He couldn't keep the grin off his face. The Wade Brothers, back together. He wondered how much hell they could raise.

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