Page 25 of Forever Found
“I’ll take another beer, Barbarella,” Diego called to the waitress.
Lyndsey removed her coat, then sat back as several of David’s friends joined them.
Looping an arm around David’s, she tugged him closer. She pressed her lips to his ear, whispering. “What kind of creature is he?”
“Wolf shifter,” David said softly.
Diego angled his body closer. “I can hear you,” he said in a sing-song tone, then added, “Leader of the pack, at your service.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks heated. “Sorry. I meant no disrespect. This is all very new to me.” She sat up straighter.
“Got it, sweetie.” Diego took a long drink of his beer.
“And the waitress?” she said softly to David again. “She seems different, too.”
“Neko Demi-Cat.”
Lyndsey made a mental note to look that up when she got a chance.
Diego nodded his dark head. He clapped one hand against the other. “Okay, let’s take on this demon,” he shouted so everyone in their group of nine could hear. No doubt, most of the people in the next room could hear him, too. He was an enthusiastic guy who seemed to live life on the edge. He owned a motorcycle repair shop.
“Okay, I think everyone is here who could make it,” David said, giving Diego a warning look. “When a demon enters our town, everyone is at risk. No matter whom he’s after.”
Nathaniel Newburg smirked, showing his fangs. “I know this won’t be a popular suggestion, but the demon is after Lyndsey… If she leaves town, that will solve our problem.”
David glared at the vampire. “Demons anywhere are our problem because they will eventually end up here.” He glanced around the table, meeting everyone’s gaze. “I invited you here to inform you and place you on alert. No sense getting the entire town in a panic, but we should be prepared.”
“He’s already caused trouble for Solis and her animals,” Val said.
Nora, the matriarch of the McGuire family, nodded, then flipped her black-and-gray hair from over her eyes. “Let me remind you of some things about demons. Many times, you don’t know they’re even present. They can possess objects and animals, turn brother against brother. And they have no morals. They consider what they do a game.”
“How do we stop them, then?” Lyndsey asked.
“You trick them. And kill them face to face,” Nora replied.
“Sometimes, they’re not as smart as they think they are,” Diego chimed in.
“But sometimes, theyare,” David stressed. “It helps to be aware and watchful. Do that, then call for help if you see anything. There is power in numbers—especially our numbers.” He grew thoughtful. “Val, can you research the demon in your system? His last name is Diamond or Dexter, I think. Maybe his history will give us some insight into him. His strengths, weaknesses.”
“Thanks for letting us know,” Luna said. “Maybe Mom and I can put our heads together with the other witches to come up with a spell to send him back to hell.”
Her mother, Nora, chuckled. “Good idea.”
“In the meantime, we can come up with something to protect Lyndsey,” Twyla said.
Solis, Luna, and Twyla gathered around Nora as she approached David. “Yes. We’ll need a picture and information about Caleb while he was human. If you can get that, then send it to us. We’ll use his birthdate, birthplace, and astrological sign to develop a protection potion for Lyndsey.”
“Great. I’ll send you the information. Or Val may beat me to it. Whoever digs it up first,” David said, sending a nod to Val, then eyeing his friends. “Thanks. Anything that will help is appreciated.”
“Thank you,” Lyndsey said. “It’s so kind of you to help a total stranger.”
“We’re all on the same path,” Twyla responded. “We must help one another.”
Lyndsey nodded, appreciating their kindness. Yet, at the same time, she was apprehensive. She didn’t know if she wanted to rely on some witches’ potion for protection. Her gaze shot to David. Now,heseemed far more reliable.
* * *
David roamed the halls of the mansion, checking the doors were locked. He had a thing about the angels and other residents coming and going into the house after he went to bed, but he worked to control his anxiety over it.
