Page 27 of Dead Air
“Sure,” Niall said with a dismissive shrug. “Why doyoudo it, though? How do you live with that?”
“Ah.” Chance fell back against the sink and crossed his ankles. “I don’t have a soul,” he said simply. “All the things that make you a good and kind person—your empathy, generosity, patience, honesty, forgiveness, courage… Every bit of that was stripped away when I gave up my soul.”
“That’s terrible, Chance! I’m so sorry.” Niall was heartbroken for him but Chance waved it off.
“That’s like being upset for a jellyfish because it doesn’t have a spine. It’s part of the deal and why demons can still sleep at night.”
“What about all the innocent people you’ve probably hurt?”
Chance grinned. “I don’t see many of those in my line of work. You’re a rare exception. Most people who deal with demons are looking to wiggle out of something evil of their own making and I’m often the consequence of something sinister.”
“Why are you here, then? What did I do?” Niall asked and Chance’s grin faded.
“You haven’t done a damn thing wrong, Niall. I’m here to protect you.”
He laughed, baffled again. “What would I need protecting from? Barely anyone knows I exist.”
“Roger Tompkins knew about you. He was on his way to hurt you. I saw what he had planned and it was vile!” Chance said in a rough growl, pushing away from the sink and kneeling in front of Niall again. “Those poachers knew you’d be up here and they planned to kill you and leave your body where the animals would pick it clean. Steven Hyland was going to frame you for murdering his wife.”
“Oh, flick! Steven?Wanda?You…” Niall was dizzy again. “You killed those people!” he choked out as his vision puddled and a sob built in his chest. “How could you do that, Chance?” he asked and received a rough shake.
“They were going to kill you! I heard their thoughts and saw what they wanted and I stopped them. No one will ever hurt you again. Ever,” Chance vowed, his eyes now blue and burning.
“But did you have to?—?”
“Yes.”
Niall took another slow, cleansing breath. “Look, Chance. I appreciate that— Wait. Is Chance your real name? Are you really a biologist?” he asked, receiving a hard wince from Chance. “Of course you’re not. Demons can’t be biologists. Can they? Is that your real name?”
He shook his head. “It is not and I am not a biologist. Although, I could be if you wanted me to be. I can be as real as you want.”
“Awesome,” Niall said sarcastically. “Does my not-a-make-believe-boyfriend have to be a psychopathic murderer?”
“He does if someone else tries to hurt you. Those men would have framed you for murder or raped you or killed you if I wasn’t here. Especially those poachers. They were ready for you and I don’t think a black bear was the only thing they were hunting.”
A chill passed through Niall as he recalled the moment Buck Fulton aimed his gun at him and the way the walkie-talkie was knocked out of his hand, despite having a firm grip on it. Reality and mortality collided with his feelings for Chance—or whatever the heck his name was—and Niall understood that he had a choice to make. But he wasn’t making it blindly.
“Okay.” Niall stifled a nervous laugh, unable to believe that any of this was actually happening and surprised he wasn’t screaming at the top of his lungs. “Tell me your name and promise you won’t lie to me again.”
Thirteen
Niall had to be the bravest fool on the planet or desperately delusional, demanding a promise from a demon. He didn’t know why he still trusted Chance after all he had confessed to but Niall had to draw a line and hold firm or he wouldn’t be able to live with himself.
“I can learn to lovesomeof your darkness, because I see that you can be fair and I understand that there are certain evils that can only be stopped by evil. But I won’t hide from this or close my eyes to what you are. Promise me you’ll never lie again.”
Chance stared at their hands for a long moment, then sighed at Niall. “I won’t make a promise because I’d be starting with a lie, but I will do my best to change and be as honest as I am capable of being. Demons invented the art of double speaking and omission. Skirting and stretching the truth are our specialties.”
“Fine. We’ll see if you can change but I can’t promise I won’t send you packing if I catch you lying again…?” Niall’s brows lifted expectantly. “That name is a lie too.”
“Cenn. My true name is Cenn,” he said as he stood, his eyes blazing blue. The cabin rattled as it was hit with a hard gust of wind, causing the candles to shiver and the dishes to rattle.
“Cenn,” Niall repeated and felt a tremor within as heat flooded his chest and his boxers. But he was more interested in the way Cenn had shuddered and his eyes had rolled. Gathering his courage and compelled by ravenous curiosity, Niall rose and extended his hand. “Your name is Cenn,” he whispered as he petted Cenn’s beard.
He seemed to melt and grabbed Niall’s hand. “My name is Cenn and I amyoursto command.” He kissed Niall’s palm, sending a current of heat straight to his core.
“Mine? Why?”
Cenn’s gaze flared bright, flaming blue as he pulled Niall’s lips to his, kissing him with unbridled possessiveness. “I have never seen a soul as pure and beautiful as yours. It is the softest, most immaculate thing I have ever touched andyouintoxicate me. You are mine, Niall, and I will keep your sacred soul safe until your time here has passed.”
