Deals With Demons by Victoria Davies

demon controlled light? Definitely not good news.
    “Stay by the car,” Devlin told her, casting a last glance her way. When she nodded her agreement, Devlin rewarded her with a slight smile before he sauntered forwards.
    “Greetings, Saleel,” he called.
    “Greetings, Devlin,” a disembodied voice replied. “I have no fight with you. Step aside and give me the human.”
    “Sorry,” Devlin shrugged. “She’s mine.”
    “We do not court death so lightly.” The demon sounded truly surprised.
    “Nothing I do is ever done lightly,” Devlin replied. “Will you withdraw?”
    “I cannot. My failure to kill her has haunted me for years. Her death will be my solace.”
    The voice sounded calm as he talked about her impending death. Talia shivered in dread.
    “It appears we are at an impasse,” Devlin said. “Remember, Saleel, it was you who started this fight.
    We do not attack humans under other demons’ protection.”
    “I found her first,” the voice said. “If anything, I have the prior claim.”
    Without any warning, Devlin twirled around with a snarl, shooting a laser of light from his palm. The light hit the shadows and a dark figure leapt out of the way, rolling on the ground.
    Talia gasped in surprise as the man who murdered her family rose to his feet and shook out his coat.
    “How unsporting,” he said.
    He looked so…normal. Saleel was a tall man, loose brown hair curled around his face giving him an almost boyish charm. He smiled easily, and if Talia hadn’t known who he was she would have thought him handsome. It made her sick. A man as evil as he was should look the part.
    The demon strolled towards them. His black eyes flickered past Devlin and met hers.
    “Hello, darling,” he said with a twisted smile. “Have you missed me?”
    Devlin moved to stand before Talia, using himself as her shield. “Don’t talk to her.”
    Talia gripped Devlin’s coat with shaking fingers. She remembered the way Saleel felt in her head. It was as if the night her family died were happening all over again.
    “I’ll do more than talk to her,” Saleel replied with his boyish smile. “Once you are dead.”
    Devlin hissed, baring fangs that hadn’t been in his mouth a moment ago.
    “Come now, Devlin, such passion over a human? What if I promised to get you a new pet?”
    “You won’t live long enough to fulfill any promises.”
     
     
    37
     

    Saleel hissed viciously, his charm dropping away. “Do not tangle with me,” he warned.
    “Get back, Talia,” Devlin said, ripping off his coat and crouching defensively.
    Talia stumbled back to the car, knowing she’d only be in Devlin’s way if she tried to fight Saleel.
    Devlin changed before her eyes. Razor-sharp claws elongated from his fingers, coupled with the killer fangs in his mouth. He grew taller, filling out with muscles her Devlin didn’t normally have. Pointed ears peaked from his now-wild hair and black tattoos trailed over his skin in a language long dead. The green of his eyes bled pure black, no hint of white showing in his gaze. He looked feral and vicious. Even to Talia’s eyes, he was completely terrifying.
    She’d never seen this side of Devlin before. He’d been very careful to keep it from her. This form was one demons changed to when they needed every drop of their power. Usually Devlin was more than a match for his enemies in his human form. Judging from his complete change, Talia knew Saleel posed a real threat.
    She turned her stunned gaze to their enemy and saw Saleel going through a similar transformation.
    Gone were all hints of the boyish, charming man. In his place there stood a monster ready to fight to the death.
    Without warning, Saleel charged.
    Talia held her breath as the demons clashed. Claws flashed before her eyes and terrifying snarls rent the air. They moved almost too fast for her eyes to follow.
    Saleel slashed at Devlin with his vicious claws, trying to sink his fangs into his opponent’s jugular.
    Talia