Demon Moon

One finds oneself utterly disappointed.”
    Savi couldn’t discern much difference between demon and vampire, but from the subtle tightening of the demon’s face, Colin had outclassed him.
    Savi took it as her cue. Many demons didn’t handle insult well, and they were more likely to talk when angry or defensive. “Lilith would’ve had you jumping from a bridge at this point, and she was only a halfling.”
    “Not a bridge. That passed out of fashion years ago.” Colin shuddered facetiously, then raked his gaze over the demon’s form, the pinstriped three-piece suit and red tie, the fat diamond pinkie ring. Apparently satisfied he’d made his point, he eased back into his hybrid accent. “With that in mind, I should lend you access to my closet. I can hardly allow you to go about impersonating me dressed as an oversexed gangster. Neutered, indeed. People will begin to think me all mouth and trousers.”
    Though his eyes briefly flared red, the demon’s lips tilted in amusement. “You do well to enjoy yourself now. You have not much longer to live.”
    “That is unfortunate. Though time is relative when one is immortal; ‘not much longer’ can mean so many things: a day, a year, a century,” Colin said easily. “Pray do not keep me in suspense, and tell me which it will be.”
    “I believe your suspense will not come from anticipation of your demise, but of hers.”
    Savi’s eyes widened, and Colin’s fingers tightened on her knee.
    “Then I shall have sixty years, at the very least.” His lazy tone didn’t change, but steel lay beneath it now.
    “I rather doubt it.” The demon’s gaze shifted to her. “Your continued existence is a thorn in my side, Savitri Murray. I intend to pluck you out.”
    “A human?” Colin mocked him openly. “You concern yourself with a human?”
    “Who has inconvenienced me to an intolerable degree. I am not above revenge.” He smiled to himself. “I’m far below it.”
    But what could have—“The nosferatu on the plane,” Savi realized.
    “Yes. It promised to be such a rewarding alliance. You cannot imagine how limiting it is to be bound by the Rules. We cannot kill humans, we cannot go against their free will. One would have thought closing Hell’s Gates would have given us a reprieve, but alas, no.”
    “But the nosferatu had been a convenient way around that,” she said.
    “And now vampires are,” Colin said. “Also less bother, as we do not pose a threat to you as the nosferatu might have done.”
    Most vampires wouldn’t, but Colin probably could; was he downplaying his strength? His difference?
    The demon leaned forward, placed his elbows on his knees. His voice lowered conspiratorially. “Oh, but you cannot imagine my pleasure in coming into this community, searching for the woman who caused me such distress, and finding that she was connected to a vampire such as yourself. The vampire who had caused such a stir in the London community when he came searching for me . The vampire whom those in San Francisco looked to for leadership, but who denied them—and left them in disarray. The vampire who could keep me in the lifestyle I prefer, with little effort on my part. It’s a very convenient setup; all it wanted was my initiative. I attain the wealth I need and the sycophants I desire.” He steepled his fingers, pointed at Savi. “And they are all too willing to carry out a minimal task to prove their fealty—the one task I cannot perform.”
    Asking the vampires to kill her. Savi glanced quickly at Colin’s face. Anger whitened his lips, drew his skin tight over his cheeks and brow.
    “Why are they waiting?” she wondered aloud. There had been plenty of opportunities to take her out—and for the demon to attempt an attack on Colin, as well. She narrowed her eyes. “And why are you warning us?”
    “He cannot help himself, sweet,” Colin said, his mouth curling into a thin smile. “He’s a living cliché; there is no one to congratulate him but himself, and his villainous monologue allows him the pathetic comfort of self-aggrandizement.”
    Savi nodded. “Next he’ll be killing his henchmen.”
    “Laugh between yourselves, if you must; it only increases my pleasure. This disgusting relationship you have developed is ripe with entertainment value.” The demon gestured between the two of them. “How gratifying his fear will be, anticipating the moment he fails to protect you. His anguish when he sees your lifeless body.