Demon Moon

then. And listen around, see if anyone’s talking about these guys.”
    “Yes. You don’t want to engage or approach them,” he said. “This isn’t typical behavior for a vampire community. If a demon is directing them, they may disregard the Rules.”
    She looked up at him. “You mean he might have them kill. Kill humans.”
    “Yes.”
    Letting go a long breath, she nodded again and said, “How will I know him from you?”
    It hadn’t occurred to Colin. He was unaccustomed to being mistaken for anyone else. He stared at her blankly before remembering, “Miss Murray has been working on a gadget. I’ll request that one be sent to you.”
    “We can’t ask her now?” Taylor looked through the window again.
    He hesitated; then he heard Savi’s laughter, the echoing rumble from the suitor. “No.” Taylor might not respond kindly to his draining the sod dry. Savi likely wouldn’t, either.
    Her eyebrows drew together, but she nodded. “There’s Joe anyway.”
    She gripped the door handle, pulled it open.
    “Detective Taylor.”
    She paused, glanced back at him.
    “I know you are not on the best of terms, but Milton and Castleford have answers, if you seek them. More answers than Miss Murray and I do.”
    Taylor sighed. “I saw an angel drop Castleford out of thin air into the middle of Savi’s apartment. His throat had been torn out. I saw kids who’d been ripped apart by something neither Heaven nor Hell wanted. Then I saw what Lucifer did to that dog…right in front of us, after the poor thing had saved our lives.” She gestured toward Sir Pup; her fingers shook. “Considering that both Milton and Castleford chose to be human, I don’t think the answers they have to give are what I want to hear.”
    He smiled without humor. “I’ve had a similar experience of late.”



CHAPTER 16

    Anyone who enters into a bargain or a wager with a demon can get out of it, until the demon fulfills his part. If either party dies with the bargain incomplete, then the human or demon—whichever still owes something to the other—is sent to Hell, and their soul frozen in eternal torment. A pretty bad deal, imho .
    —Savi to Taylor, 2007

    She could have been happy with him.
    Manu Suraj was exactly the type of man she’d have chosen for herself—that Nani might have chosen, as well. So attractive—and with his dark hair and eyes, his unpretentious eyeglasses and clothing, intelligence, and fantastic laugh—the type of man she’d always been with in the past.
    He should have been perfect. He probably was. The problem lay with Savi; she shouldn’t have allowed herself to fall for someone completely unsuitable.
    As long as she didn’t fall any deeper, she’d be okay. Or she hoped. Was there an event horizon or a point of no return for such things? Would a person traveling through an event horizon know it? But she could still pull herself out.
    She could .
    “You don’t live with your nani ?” Manu sipped from his cup, his gaze steady on hers.
    Shaking her head, she said, “No. I couldn’t do it anymore.” Her lips curved in remembrance. “One day, I’d rented Bend It Like Beckham , thinking that it would be a nice change from the Bollywood movies she always brought home. And something I could watch without falling asleep halfway through a dance number.”
    Manu began laughing softly, and Savi was certain he could see where she was heading before she finished her explanation. Perfect.
    “So, we got to the part in the car…you remember that?” At his nod, she grinned and continued, “They weren’t even naked, but she made me cover my eyes—and I decided that living on my own might be a nice change. God, if I’d rented Monsoon Wedding I’d probably be living in another state right now.”
    She looked down into her cup, swirled the tea at the bottom. It hadn’t been that simple, but it had been a different point of no return. Though one of her own making. “I think she enjoys living alone, though. Her friends come over quite a bit—and it’s the first time that she hasn’t had to take care of someone in…” Savi blinked in realization. “Well, her entire life. But she still nags, of course.”
    “‘ Beta , did you eat today, or was it only junk?’”
    “Your parents, too?” She glanced at him in sincere sympathy, though her smile tempered it with humor. “College, food…riding the bus. She’s certain I’ll be killed on it.”
    “Yes. God forbid I walk outside without a