Page 1 of The Music Demon

CHAPTER ONEFree Ride

“How did you know it would be so beautiful today?” Shivaun looked up at Lyric with the open, curious expression of a child. The persimmon-colored shirt she wore enhanced the flamelike effect the day’s last rays of sun had on the deep red of her auburn hair. “The air. ‘Tis like a caress on my skin.”

The sentiment was innocent but talk of skin and caressing still caused the demon’s gaze to drop to Shivaun’s mouth before returning to her eyes. Her irises had always been an exceptionally fetching shade of green, but now, after her transformation, they shone with a delectable combination of supernatural beauty and unsophisticated delight in every new thing. For a moment he forgot the question that had been asked just seconds before.

“These flowers…,” She began. “They make the whole world look blue. Or purple? Which is it really?”

With a slight shrug, he said, “They’re called bluebonnets. Do you like them?” She nodded enthusiastically. “You can make any kind of flowers you want.”

She’d stooped to run her fingers over the tops of the blooms but stood abruptly and regarded Lyric with a little scowl. “What do you mean? You’re havin’ me on. Right?”

When Lyric shook his head, some of the dark silky hair fell over his forehead. He smiled the devilish smile that had captured her interest the first time she’d seen him.

“Close your eyes and picture a different kind of flower growing right here.”

“I’m sure you’re plannin’ to make me look foolish. I know boys like to play games. But I’ll go along this one time.”

Lyric barked out a laugh. “I’m not a boy, Shivaun.” His grin resolved into the sexy smile that seemed both constant and easy and said, “I’m not a boy, but I like that you called me that. I also like games, but have no interest in amusement at your expense.”

For a few seconds she studied his face as if trying to mine for sincerity. Then, closing her eyes, she whispered, “I like red valerian.”

Lyric came close enough to hear the air hitch in her lungs when she felt his breath near her ear. “Your flower grows at your command, Shivaun.”

Eyes fluttering open, she looked around. Half of her expected to see a sea of red valerian stretching into the distance. The other half expected to find the scene unchanged except for Lyric laughing at her.

Shrugging, she said, “Very funny. Next time I will no’ be so gullible.”

Lyric took a step back and pointed to the ground in front of Shivaun.

She followed the direction of his finger and lit up like a child on Yule morn.

“Oh! Look!” A single red valerian plant in full bloom grew directly in front of the toe of her brown, suede boot. An expression of joy so acute and singular that it had to escape burst from her mouth. Lyric chuckled but grew serious when he saw her expression change. “Did you do that, demon?”

“I did not, Shivaun. That little girly pink flower isallyour doing.”

She pinned him with a stare. “So. I can really make wildflowers?”

Nodding, Lyric said, “Yeah. You really can.”

“Flowers. Out of thin air. Am I a goddess?”

Lyric laughed. “You are divine. But not in the way you probably mean.”

Looking around at the sea of blooms, she said, “It can no’ be like this all the time,” she added. “Too perfect.” She waved her arm. “Did you create it?”

Shivaun was the farthest thing from ‘worldly’ when she signed on to train as a demon hunter for the Order of the Black Swan. She’d still been in the process of adapting to the alien environment of modern life when she’d been transformed. That meant that she was the farthest thing from a creature who matched his perspective. Still. The attraction was as irresistible as a mountain-sized magnet.

When she’d asked if he’d known the day would be beautiful, he’d skillfully redirected the conversation. But she remembered and circled back. That was the first indication that she was not just beautiful, but smart as well.

At length he replied, choosing his words carefully. “Perfect dates are rarely accidents.”

“Is that the demon double-speak we learned about in training?”

Lyric laughed. “No.” He cocked his head. “Maybe.” Pause. “I don’t know.”

“Well, can you give a straight answer or no’?”

“I can. I’m just not sure you’re ready to hear it.”