Demon King: Summoner Trilogy, #2

By M.L. Devereaux

Can Cassandra prove Alexey's innocence in time and save his life?

 

After being deceived and tricked by Ashmedai, Cassandra's had it with demons and their scheming. She refuses to be a pawn in their games any longer. It's high time she lived a normal life. 

 

But then the Vampire Tribunal accuses Alexey—the vampire who helped her escape Ashmedai's clutches—of high treason. If found guilty, he'll die the Sun Death! Cassandra has no choice but to ask the newly crowned demon king Nysrogh for help. After all, he is the demon Alexey supposedly summoned, an action that could now put him on death row. Only he can prove Alexey's innocence.

 

When Nysrogh refuses to heed her call, she finds herself in a deadly race against the clock.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.L. Devereaux
• Release date: Mar 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215544303

Book preview

He is strong, mighty, and appears with three heads; the first is like a bull, the second like a man, and the third like a ram; he has a tail like a serpent, and out of his mouth come flames of fire. ¹

1. From the work of Mathers & Crowley (1995). Goetia, the Lesser key of Solomon (1st ed.). Red Wheel/Weiser.

Chapter 1

Hello gorgeous.

I looked up from the report I was typing out for my boss. Before me stood a sporty man in a gray suit that, much to my regret, covered up his well-trained body. I knew but all too well what was tucked away beneath the layers of cotton and cashmere. One greyish blue eye—the color of his suit did bring out the gray more—sparkled. The other eye lay hidden behind a long fringe. Sophie, a childhood friend of his as well as his in-house hairdresser, had cut his long hair shorter so that it now fell partly in front of his eyes.

Ruben?

How are you?

Good. I’m good. What are you doing here?

He smiled. I have an account here, remember?

That’s right. I’d even opened it for him. Or I’d better say, I’d opened it for Ashmedai, the former demon king.

In addition to being a stinking rich real estate mogul, Ruben was also a demon master, which means he can summon Higher Demons, unlike normal mortals like you and me. A few weeks ago, however, he’d made the mistake of trying to summon the demon king himself. As a result Ashmedai had taken possession of his body and seduced me. To this day I still don’t know why. But seeing as Ruben and I have destroyed him together, I suspect his motives don’t matter all that much anymore.

Your boss said he had a bone to pick with me, he added, gesturing to the closed door behind me. A gold plaque that had J. Price printed in ornate lettering was the only thing that gave away whose office it was.

I’m sorry—

Why? It’s not your fault. He leaned over and placed his hands on mine. I pulled back and dropped my hands in my lap. Yet he didn’t stand up again. A hint of his perfume drifted into my nostrils and I inhaled deeply. God, he smelled good. A delicious mix of warm herbs and leather. Will you still be here in an hour?

I glanced at the clock. My lunch break was in fifteen minutes, but since I didn’t have any wild plans, I could just grab a sandwich real quick and eat at the office. So I nodded.

Perfect, Ruben smiled and straightened. I’ll see you later. And with a wink, he disappeared into Price’s office. I stared after him. When I was about to focus on my work again, I felt the weight of three pairs of eyes on me. My three colleagues—the voluptuous Stephanie, the cheerful Frieda, and nearly retired Gerty—looked at me, mouths agape.

What? I mouthed to them, and unable to withstand my stare of steel they quickly went back to work. I shook my head. Damned vultures. And Gerty was the worst of them. She was the biggest gossip of the bunch. Undoubtedly her brain had already kicked into gear, fabricating some fable about the kind of relationship Ruben and I had. She could weave stories to her heart’s desire, I wasn’t going to spill the bucket on the true nature of my relationship with Ruben.

Not as long as I hadn’t figured it out for myself.

Just when I found the spot where I’d left off, Stephanie plopped her shapely buttocks on my desk. Without making any effort to hide my irritation, I looked up. She grinned.

So?

So what? I had no intention of hanging out my dirty laundry.

What’s going on between you two?

Stephanie had been a prime witness of Ruben’s flirtations last summer. And ever since, she couldn’t let the subject slide. He’d flat-out ignored Stephanie, who was a thousand times more popular than me. She wasn’t angry about it, Stephanie wasn’t like that, but she was dead set on finding out what exactly was going on between Ruben and me. And when I hadn’t shown up for work without notice for a whole week—something that would normally be cause for immediate dismissal—and then just returned to work without repercussions, I’d only added fuel to the fire. And Gerty was set ablaze.

It was a public secret that the CEO of the Independent Bank of Kansas had secured a seat in parliament thanks to Ruben. And unfortunately Stephanie had run her mouth and told her—our—colleagues that I’d had an appointment with Ruben the night before I disappeared. So the fact that I was allowed to return back to work after my disappearing act simply had to be Ruben’s doing. Since then I’d become one of those employees who slept their way up the ladder.

Yay!

Not.

So you can blab about it again? I asked prickly.

Stephanie’s face clouded. I’ve already apologized for that. How was I supposed to know you’d get into so much trouble for it?

I rubbed my eyes. Yes, I’m sorry, you’re right. But I don’t want to talk about it, Stephanie. Okay?

She held up her hands in defense. Fine. but if there’s any news, you’ll tell me, won’t you? Her usual enthusiasm was back. It was Stephanie to a T. She couldn’t stay angry for long.

I promised her.

Will you join us for lunch? she asked as she got up and took her handbag.

No, I’m going to eat at my desk. I’ll grab a sandwich from around the corner.

Her gaze fell on the closed door with the ornate plaque and she grinned.

And I suppose that decision has nothing to do with a certain visitor of Price’s? she asked slyly. I glared at her, which only provoked a burst of laughter. Alright, I get it. But I won’t tell anyone. Promise! And as if to reinforce her words, she held her index finger to her lips. Shaking my head, I took my purse and stood up. Vertigo overtook me, and I flopped back into my chair. I laid a hand on my fluttering stomach. I hadn’t eaten anything yet today, not feeling all that well this morning. Apparently I had to pay for that now.

I stood up again, more cautiously this time. That went better. I threw my purse over my shoulder and followed the cackling of my three colleagues outside.

image-placeholder

Jeffrey Price’s door opened and Ruben came out with our branch director. They were still talking and didn’t see me.

So everything is settled? Ruben asked.

Price nodded, his thinning head of hair bobbing up and down. He was about fifty years old and one of those men who thought that if he brushed all of his hair to one side, no one would notice that he was balding. The effect was the absolute opposite.

Then we have a deal. The men shook hands and Price moved to escort Ruben to the front door. I need to speak to someone, Ruben said and he gestured at me. Price’s face spoke volumes, but he wisely kept his mouth shut. After one last goodbye, he went back into his office and closed the door. Ruben headed in my direction. My breath hitched. Quickly, I focused back on the magazine I’d found in the waiting area. And for lack of any other interesting occupation, my attention was soon drawn to the shocking testimonies of some famous person, whom I, seeing as I barely watched tv, didn’t know. I did feel sorry for him, though. I knew what it was like to be a victim of false accusations without a chance to defend yourself.

Leather creaked, and the couch I sat on sagged deeper.

Anything interesting? Ruben asked. I flipped the magazine back on the low table and shook my head.

Not really.

Ruben unbuttoned his jacket and leaned back on our uncomfortable visitor bench, draping one leg over his knee.

So how did it go? I asked just to have something to say.

Better than expected, he grinned.

I heard something about a deal?

Ruben nodded. People cannot resist power.

I looked at him, expecting more to come, but he remained silent. The topic was closed. For Ruben anyway. For me? Not so much.

And?

And what?

What does Price want?

One corner of Ruben’s mouth curled up. That’s between my client and me.

I had a hunch what it was about. In exchange for a new, higher, position at the bank, our branch manager would sell his soul to a demon. Oddly enough, no demon had ever asked me for my soul. Maybe they’d just liked to taunt me by keeping the information I needed at the time to themselves? Or maybe they really hadn’t known, as they’d always claimed, which made their price redundant?

It didn’t matter anymore. That was all water under the bridge. And luckily so. The less I had to deal with demons, the better.

But that didn’t change the fact that a certain demon master still haunted my thoughts.

Would you like to have dinner with me tonight? Ruben asked, pulling me out of my musings. To celebrate.

Not if you don’t tell me what Price wants, I teased him. And without waiting for an answer, I added, Actually, I already have an appointment.

With Alexey? He spat out the name. I kept my gaze fixed on the cover of the magazine I’d been reading. Last August Alexey had come to Antwerp as a representative of the Vampire Tribunal. His job at the time was to make sure I stopped summoning demons. And in a way he had succeeded. For weeks now, my summoning objects lay at the bottom of my closet, gathering dust. I hadn’t yet dared to throw them away, though. I was too afraid they’d end up in the wrong hands. But it was my way of saying I’d completely broken all ties with anything that had to do with demons. But Alexey had had no influence on my decision. I’d achieved my goal. My parents and sister were free from Ashmedai’s clutches. Not quite as I’d envisioned it, but gradually I was starting to find a certain satisfaction in what had happened. Ashmedai was destroyed. He couldn’t hurt anyone anymore.

Good riddance.

Yet, Alexey hadn’t traveled back to Russia, his home country. He’d asked me out a few times, but I’d always refused. My feelings for a certain demon master might have had something to do with that. But I hadn’t seen Ruben in a while. The last time was when I’d kissed him on a whim. After that it had been all quiet on the Western front. So when Alexey invited me for the umpteenth time to have dinner with him, I’d finally given in. Partly also because Riika—my vampire mother so to speak, although I did really see her more like a sister—had insisted on it. It would do me good, she’d said. She thought I could use some TLC. Right at this moment, of course, I regretted listening to her.

Ruben heaved a deep sigh. He leaned forward, put his elbows on his knees and rubbed his face. Can you cancel?

I don’t even know how to reach him, I said truthfully. He has no landline, no cell phone, no computer.

Stand him up then? he tried. I looked at him, shocked.

I can’t do that!

Ruben shrugged. Apparently, according to him, I could do exactly that. Behind me, a door opened. Then I heard Stephanie’s high alto voice. I looked at my watch. Lunch break was over. Ruben put his hand on my knee and I startled. My eyes flew from his hand to my colleagues and back. Suddenly I felt nauseous. He gave my knee a short squeeze and stood up.

Let me know if you change your mind? he asked.

I broke out in a cold sweat. My stomach bobbed up and down like a ship in a tropical storm. I jumped up and with my hands over my mouth I bolted for the restrooms.

My half-digested lunch ended up in the toilet bowl.

Surely he’s not that ugly?

I looked up. Stephanie stood behind me, a concerned look on her face. When had she come in? I hadn’t heard her at all. Quickly I flushed the toilet.

Still on my knees, I pulled a foot-long of toilet paper off the roll and wiped my mouth. Then I got up and plopped down on the toilet seat. Drops of sweat beaded on my forehead and I let my head fall into my hands.

He’s head over heels, Stephanie continued. Why won’t you go out with him?

I considered whether it was a good idea to go home and brush my teeth—my apartment wasn’t too far—but decided I didn’t want any more trouble with my colleagues.

Do you have a mint? I asked and my voice cracked. Apparently I’d strained my vocal cords when my sandwich had come out in bits and pieces.

Stephanie reached into her pocket and handed me a whole box of Altoids.

Keep it, she said and I muttered a thank you as I put one in my mouth. Finally I felt able to stand up, and, legs still wobbly, I made my way to the sink. I splashed water in my face and patted it dry with a paper towel. I looked at her through the mirror. A questioning look stared back at me.

I already have something to do, I answered her earlier question.

With someone else?

I nodded.

With Sam?

No! I said, maybe a little too quickly. Sam has never been on my list of potential partners. He’s my best friend. A father figure. He and Riika raised me after my parents had been kidnapped by Ashmedai. Somewhere along the years, his feelings for me had changed, whereas mine had stayed the same. I thought they’d pass if I just ignored them, but that hadn’t been the case. It wasn’t until last summer that I’d admitted to him that I’d known all along. And shortly after that I’d started developing feelings for Ruben. Not my best move ever. At least according to Sam.

Are you afraid of the age difference? How old is Sam again?

About two hundred years. Her questions distracted me from my upset stomach and my dilemmas, so I didn’t mind answering them.

She whistled. He looks good for his age! He wouldn’t have to ask me twice.

Stephanie! My cheeks burned with vicarious shame. She giggled. It was a contagious sound and soon we were both holding our stomachs and our jaws ached.

Are you feeling better already? she asked. In an instant the seriousness returned.

Yes, thank you. I needed that.

She gave me a tight hug.

So who’s the mystery date? she whispered in my ear as she held me.

Alexey. I didn’t see the point of keeping it a secret.

A vampire?

Yes, but please don’t tell Gerty and Frieda about that!

She let go of me and grinned. Does he have a handsome single friend? Then we can probably arrange something.

Friend yes, single no.

Damn. She smiled as she said it. I smiled too.

Is he cuter than Ruben?

I knew she only half-heartedly meant the question, but I still thought about it. The two men were such opposites of each other, it was hard to make a comparison. One was dark, the other blond. One was rich and had all the luxuries he could afford. The other didn’t even have a cell phone and I had to go pick him up in my own second-hand car. But they were both handsome. And they’d both launched a charm offensive, which certainly stroked my undervalued ego. After living in Riika’s shadow for years, a small spotlight suddenly appeared on me and I was basking in it.

Don’t get me wrong. I never blamed Riika. She was never even looking for attention. And I could do without at the time as well. My search for my parents and my sister took up all my spare time. Men came last. The few childhood crushes I’d had didn’t even count in my book.

Stephanie looked at me very intently. I gave her a small smile.

Is the choice really that difficult?

I nodded.

You’ll figure it out. She put an arm around me and together we walked to the door. Just enjoy the ride. And uh, she said conspiratorially, make sure to test the merchandise.

Okay, that’s enough. I said, too uncomfortable to pursue the subject. Stephanie laughed and the sound filled the whole room.

What? she asked, playing innocent. It’s important.

Is Ruben still there? I asked as I remembered I’d left him alone on the visitor’s bench. Stephanie pulled the door open and stuck her head out.

No, he’s gone.

Oh.

What had I expected? For him to come beg for my attention like a lap dog? He was a businessman. He had better things to do than hitting on a poor, sick bank clerk.

Stephanie sat back down at the front counter and I returned to my own boring report. A yellow post-it note stuck to my keyboard.

Call me!

R.

With a broad grin I resumed my work.

Chapter 2

My fork made little tick-tick-tick sounds as I mashed into my food. I hadn’t even been able to eat half of the plate they’d served me. But I knew that if I dared to take another bite, I’d only be rushing to the restroom again. Feeling guilty, I eyed the food left on my plate. It looked like I’d hated it.

Alexey sat across from me, his chin resting on the back of his hands. A half-full glass of blood stood before him on the table. The dark red mass slid down the inside of the glass like a thick slurry. It was already cooling down and steadily changing into solid goop. The metallic smell stung my nostrils. I swallowed and turned my attention back to my plate. I didn’t know what was making me gag more, the blood or my own food. It made no sense to me. I should be able to handle this way better. Numerous times, I’d sat at the dinner table with Sam and Riika, me with normal, human food, and they each with half a gallon of blood in a large cup. They each had their own preferred blood type.

Vsjo charasho? Alexey asked, a sentence I understood perfectly well by now, seeing as he’d asked it many times already this evening.

Everything alright?

Well, no, not really. But I couldn’t say that out loud, could I? He’d only make me go back to the doctor if he knew that, for weeks now, I still couldn’t keep my food down. The last time the doctor examined me he’d been too close to labeling me ‘depressed’. I think there was even a prescription for antidepressants gathering dust at the bottom of my desk drawer. Where it belonged, I thought. I took a deep breath and plastered a broad smile on my face.

Yes. Just not that hungry.

There, perfect reason. And I would use the same explanation when the waiter would come to pick up our plates. So what if he didn’t believe me? It wasn’t like this was a place I visited often.

So, you used to be a farmer? I asked, wanting to move the conversation away from my health and lack of appetite.

The blond vampire nodded, his shoulder-length waves bobbing along .

Did you like that? I twisted a strand of spaghetti around a fork, then put it back down. Enough was enough. I’d rather be ill-mannered than straight-out sick.

Alexey stared at his glass, although it looked like his mind was back in the past.

It brought food to the table. My wife and I… Then he blinked and was back in the present. Ah, what am I thinking? You don’t want to hear about my former marriage. That was centuries ago. Literally.

The sparkle reappeared in his eyes as he looked at me. I didn’t mind hearing about his former human life. Did he really think I would be jealous of a woman who had died hundreds of years before I was born? Then he didn’t know me very well. But I didn’t want to offend him, or reopen old wounds, so I decided to broach another subject.

How did you become a vampire? I took a sip of my red wine. Bad idea. It fell like a brick on my stomach. I pushed the glass away from me and leaned back. Would anyone notice if I unbuttoned my pants? The waistband felt like an iron bolt that had been screwed on too tight.

Alexey’s serious look returned. Kuzma passed through our village.

Kuzma?

"My sire. He was on his way to the West, to Finland, as he passed our village. We offered him shelter and food. We didn’t know at the time that we had invited tsjort ... the devil himself. Alexey stared off into the distance. His eyes stood haunted, as if he was reliving it all over again. It started with the cattle. First the telyata … the calves. Their necks had been ripped open, and they had bled out. Yet no blood could be seen anywhere. We thought there was a wolf pack hunting nearby so we kept our livestock closer to the farm. At night we checked the stables and took turns patrolling. It happened during one of those patrols. I listened open-mouthed. I heard strange, squishy noises coming from our barn. Then I saw him—Kuzma—bent over a newborn calf. His fur coat smeared with krov… blood. Those sucking noises… He shook his head as if to shake off the memory. When he saw me he attacked. He was like a feral beast. I didn’t stand a chance. I realize that but all too well now. Yet, at the time, I resisted, survival instinct kicking in. But it was no use. Before long he overpowered me and drank almost half of my blood. Then he offered me a new life. By his side. My wife, she was… berjemennaya… pregnant… I…"

His voice faltered. Full of pity, I placed my hand on his. He startled, as if he’d forgotten he was at a restaurant in the twenty-first century. I regretted my question. Becoming a vampire had been a liberation for Sam and Riika. I’d forgotten that this wasn’t the case for every vampire.

You had no choice, I said, hoping to