Demonicus (Overworld Underground Book 2) by John Corwin Page A

it, and tucked it under his shirt. "I just hope they're right."
    We went into the den just as George reappeared from the balcony. He put the rug covering the blood into a bag then narrowed his eyes and peered around the room before walking to a small hole in the drywall. He poked a rod into the hole and withdrew a flattened slug.
    "What kind of magical device did you use to get that out?" I asked.
    He held up the rod. "We call this a magnet, Miss Glass."
    I pursed my lips and glared at him. "Very funny."
    George switched subjects. "I'll see if I can find a qualified Arcane who knows how to banish demons to the Abyss. Failing that, I believe Daemos can do it as well."
    Tyler shook George's hand. "Thanks for helping us with our little emergency."
    "Not a problem, Mr. Rock."
    "You can call me Tyler."
    "Oh no, George likes to keep things formal and professional," I said. "I'm sorry, I meant to say, Agent Walker."
    "Your quick wit is always appreciated, Miss Glass." He put a bottle of blue liquid on the counter. "Use this potion to clean the blood from the floors." With that, George picked up the bag with the bloody rug and bade us farewell before getting into his invisible car and flying away.
    It was a very strange day indeed when someone flying away in an invisible car was the most normal thing about it.
    Tyler dropped into a chair, a melancholy look on his face.
    "What's wrong?" I asked.
    He shook his head. "Barboar just reminded me of what I am."
    "How in the hell would that creature remind you of anything? You're nothing like him."
    Tyler threw up his hands. "I'm a demon, Em. Somewhere deep down inside, I'm every bit as depraved and evil as that son of a bitch."
    "No, you're not." I squeezed his hands. "You're special."
    "Special?" He blew out a breath. "Sometimes I wonder what I really am. I'm not a Daemos, and I'm not sharing space with a human's soul. I'm in a dead man's body all by myself, pretending to be what I'm not."
    "Tyler Rock, you have nothing in common with Barboar." I pressed my hands to his cheeks and made him look at me. "You are a good man, a good demon, and I happen to think you're special. Otherwise, I wouldn't be madly in love with you."
    His shoulders straightened, and he gazed into my eyes. "I absolutely adore you, Em. Even if I am evil at heart, I want to be good just for you."
    "Then do it." I couldn't bear the insecure look in his eyes, so I embraced him tightly and wished I never had to let go.
    Barboar and Tyler's previous demon associates had left deep scars. I would do whatever it took to help him heal.
     

Chapter 6
     
    I almost hugged Sandra when I saw her at work the next day, despite the arch of her imperious eyebrows. She was just so bloody normal, I wanted to kiss her. As usual, she wore a professional blouse and skirt that made her look more like an executive than a receptionist. I'd opted for jeans, a T-shirt, and flats. I'd done too much running around in high heels for this company already.
    "Good morning, Sandra." I smiled and opened the box of doughnuts I'd brought with me.
    Her right eyebrow climbed to the same altitude as her left. "I'm on a diet."
    I was envious of her hourglass shape. "Oh, one or two won't hurt. Try the cream puffs. They're delightful."
    She hesitantly took one and placed it on a napkin. "Thank you, Miss Glass."
    "Emily. Remember, we're all on a first-name basis here." That had been one of Tyler's first rules, but Sandra seemed uncomfortable with such familiarity.
    I walked into the programming department and left the doughnut box there. A man with a horseshoe pillow around his neck crawled from beneath a desk, nostrils flaring. Stan saw the doughnuts and grabbed two before vanishing beneath his desk again. According to Sandra, Stan's wife had kicked him out of the house so he'd lived here ever since. Unless someone complained, I wasn't going to make him sleep elsewhere.
    The lift doors dinged as I walked down the hall back toward the main reception area. Jack