Page 5

BEAU

M y insides twist. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t mean I murdered her.” Poe pushes to his feet and paces. “She summoned me. Her beloved—Edward—was dying of cancer twenty years or so ago. She offered up ten years of her life to cure him. She was powerful and tried all she could as a witch, but nothing worked. Cancer is usually one of the things witches can’t heal, and she was desperate.”

“I’m glad you saved him for her.”

“No one passes up years or souls,” Poe says as if in a daze. “That’s the rule.”

“But you’re the king.”

“Doesn’t matter.” He shakes his head. “Enough about that. I want to help you.”

“ Why do you want to help me?” Why now ?

“It’s what I do. I help.”

My insides twist and I have to force myself from reminding him that he hadn’t helped me when I needed it the most. He must sense it in me, though.

Poe picks up Creamsicle and nuzzles in her fur. He’s so... vulnerable right now. What’s happening?

Finally, he looks up at me again. “I am a cupid.”

I blink back at him. “What?”

“More specifically, a chaos cupid.”

“I thought you were the king of the crossroads demons.”

“I am. I’m also the original of the crossroads demons. I’m the most cursed of us all. It’s my fault we were all cursed, and it’s because of what I am. A chaos cupid demon. I pissed off the wrong person, and they punished me. All I’ve ever wanted was to help. It’s in my nature.”

Creamsicle purrs in his arms and he pets her while gazing at her lovingly. “I just want to help.”

I nod. “I don’t think I understand, but I don’t understand a lot.”

“Give me a few days and I’ll tell you my story and answer all your questions. But until then, I’d like to help you with your storm problem. I think a bit of exposure therapy can help.”

I suck in a breath. “Does that mean what I think it means?”

“Exactly what you think it means. But I can do it in a safe way. I can create the illusion of a storm and stop it at anytime.”

“Do you think it’ll really help me?” I fist my hands and rub them over my thighs. The idea is both thrilling and terrifying. “Edward was amazing, but I know it frustrated him when I freaked out during storms and hid in the basement. But the basement was the only safe place I knew of in his house, even if it was scary down there.”

“I think we should try. But only if you’re willing. We can use the stoplight system.”

I cock my head as I search for the meaning. “What does that mean? I know what stoplights are, but...”

Poe grins and I swear his red eyes glow. “We’ll start the experiment and if at any point you want it to end, just say red. Or yellow if you need some space to breathe and we’ll talk things out. Green means you’re good to go.”

I nod. “Simple enough.” I nibble my thumbnail. “But not tonight.”

“We’ll start when you’re ready.” Poe plops back on the couch and sighs. “This makes me happy.”

A warmth rushes across my cheeks. I’ve made this incredibly attractive demon happy.

“Why are you blushing over there?” He teases me.

“Nothing. Just thinking.”

He cocks a brow and tips his head. “About what?”

I chew on my bottom lip. “I’m glad I made you happy,” I whisper.

“Like I said, I love helping people. And kitties.” He plants a kiss on Creamsicle’s head. “How about we go gather a few things from your place? I have plenty of guest bedrooms, but lack guest clothing.” He smacks his thighs and pushes to his feet.

“But it’s storming,” I whisper again.

“And I’ll be there to keep you safe.” He holds out his hand. “Trust me?”

“Okay.” I take his offering.

He pulls me closer and the scent of jasmine fills my senses in such a delightful way I don’t notice we’re in my apartment until the first clap of thunder startles me from my sniffing.

“There you are!” Sparkle jumps up from my small table and rushes to me. Before I can stumble back anymore, he pulls me into a hug.

Poe growls beside me.

“What’s your problem, Poe?” Sparkle pulls away and drops his hands to his hips.

Poe shakes his head. “Nothing. Nothing.” But there’s still that sexy growly timber in his voice. Is it possible this demon is maybe attached to me? Already?

“Sure. Sure.” Sparkle eyes him before turning back to my table. “Anyway, I had to go back to the store because mama forgot something on her list. I was going to visit you, but you weren’t there. Your phone was, though. Randy gave it to me to give it back to you. He said he wasn’t calling Poe back.”

I turn to Poe. “Were you mean to Randy?”

Poe holds up his hands. “No? Maybe a bit rude and short? I don’t know.”

Thunder rattles the windows, and the wall of my beloved teacups and saucers shake. My stomach flops. My heart races.

Sparkle says “BB” at the same time Poe says “Beau”. I only slightly catch Sparkle’s reaction to my real name before I shift.

My clothes drift to the floor as I flap my wings, trying to get who knows where. I cry out. Searching for no one. Seeking shelter.

“Beau. Hey, sweetheart can you calm down for me?”

No. No. No. Only panic and fear flood my system. RED. RED. RED. But this isn’t a test. This is real life. Real storms. Real thunder. And worse of all, real lightning.

“He’s not calming down,” Sparkle says as he rushes to my bedroom. He knows what to do and how to help. I showed him, but I’m not sure it’ll be enough.

I screech at the next boom. I soar around the apartment trying to find some place my bat deems safe, but my mind won’t calm. Fire flashes behind my eyelids, the scent of burning infiltrates my memory.

Someone grabs me, and I flap in their arms trying to be bigger, intimidating. I need a way out. I snap and snap. Blind fear spurs me to act out. Pressure from the storm squeezes me and I don’t know if it’s my imagination or simply my anxiety playing with me. Someone throws something over me, closing off my sight. I can’t see around me, but instead of panicking further, I take a deep breath. A rumble of thunder gets cut off.

“Beau, sweetheart, you’re safe. I got you.” Poe’s voice is so soft and gentle. If I were human, I’d be pink from head to toe. Instead, I refuse to shift back. Bat it is for the rest of my life because I just embarrassed myself.

“Rest, Beau. Creamsicle will probably investigate shortly. I’m going to go back and have Sparkle help me pick out clothes for you, okay? Any special requests?”

I squeak and stay bat snuggled in the blanket I find myself wrapped in.

“I’ll take that as a no.” The shimmer of energy that Poe exudes, leaves the room and I know he’s gone. Why does my heart feel so heavy because of it?

Soon Creamsicle muprrphs as she hops on the bed. I stay as still as possible, hoping she doesn’t see me as a toy while I’m bat. She snuggles close and her purrs calm my nerves so much I fall asleep.