Harlee POV
"I won't leave here without you!" I stomped a foot, aware that it was childish, but I couldn't help myself. Zeev grinned slightly.
"No seriously Zeev-you're mine and I'm tired of everybody trying to separate us, I'm done with this nonsense!" I stomped towards the door. Where did this possessive streak come from? Was this really all about my soul anymore? As I reached the door it was yanked open.
"Ah, good morning, what was it-Harlee?" Josh's father stood in the doorway.
"Yes. We thank you for your hospitality, but we need to leave now. I have to work and Zeev's got to find us a place to stay." I said curtly.
"Indeed." The man remarked looking over my shoulder at Zeev. "And what guarantees do I have that once released, your Demon won't cause any more harm to innocent human lives?" The man's sharp gaze settled on me. I snarled.
"Zeev and I have only ever done what we needed to survive. He tries not to attack people anymore. We even rescued most of the people from the Hotel fire last night!" I objected.
"A fire that only started because you were there, correct? And killed thirteen people...who were otherwise not fated to die." Josh's father shook his head sadly. I clenched my fists.
"You might as well blame God and Heaven for that one-an Angel started that fire." I hissed through gritted teeth.
"That just makes it sound like you and your Demon are dangerous creatures and shouldn't be allowed to roam." He tsked.
"You mean like that?!" I flung a finger at the cat sitting on the cabinet behind me. "You keep a Contracted Demon here in your house disguised as a cat, who is obviously fed human souls to survive and have the audacity to lecture me about an Angel that sacrificed the rest of his Grace to save me and is now Bound to me for eternity? I guarantee you I have much tighter control on my 'Demon' than you do! Would you like me to show you the diet I put MY 'pets' on? Zeev-you see that Demon? Destroy him and devour his remains." I snapped, pointing a finger a the cat. Zeev's surprised look turned wicked and he bowed slightly.
"With pleasure, my Lady." He said.
"No!" The man in front or me shouted as Zeev advanced on the cat. It yowled and raced towards the door as Zeev shifted to his shadow Form.
"Better take down that warding-your Demon can't get out either, since it's strong enough to hold a Fallen." I sneered.
"Fine! Call him off and I'll remove the barrier. Now!" Snapped the man. Zeev's shadow swarmed around me and I held up a hand.
"Zeev." I said gently and he settled into his human Form, arms wrapped around me, chest pressed to my back, chin resting on my head. I could sense his wicked smile. The man ran a hand along the outside of the door frame rubbing something with his fingers. The cat cowered in the doorway, trembling, and then tumbled over into the hall as the warding at the door fell. "Thank you." I told the man and stepped forward, but he refused to move.
"That Demon is dangerous." He spat. Without thinking, I threw a punch that landed solidly on his nose. I immediately saw blood run down his face and the cat yowled again and took off running.
"That Demon is the only one that has not yet tried to lie to me, deceive or harm me, since we've been Bonded, and has gone out of his way to make me happy even though I've been half scared and half angry with him half the time. He's continued to care for me and love me, even when I don't deserve it and all of you 'good guys' keep trying to kill me, kidnap me, abduct me, brainwash me or abuse me. Fuck. you. all." I snapped. I turned and held out a hand.
"Zeev, do you think you can.." I began, but he nodded before I could finish the statement.
"Yes, My Lady.." Zeev gripped my hand and when he stepped us forward, we were standing outside another swanky hotel.
Zeev POV
I scooped Harlee up in my arms and squeezed her tightly against me. I thought my chest would explode from all the emotions-pride, love, happiness.
"Need to breathe Zeev!" Harlee gasped and I set her down. She laughed.
"What's got you all silly?" She asked me with a smile and I lifted her chin.
"You." I replied leaning in to kiss her. She shuddered. "Take time off work today." I urged.
"I can't." She moaned.
"Do it." I growled.
"I've missed too many days." She whined. I nipped her bottom lip with my teeth and sighed in exasperation.
"Ok fine, let me get us a room-and you some decent clothes from the shop-and I'll take you in." I told her. She smiled brightly at me and I leaned in to nibble her lip again before kissing her softly. Her face was flushed as I walked inside.
Harlee POV
I wondered how long Zeev would take as I wrapped my arms around my waist and huddled against the building. There weren't too many people about, thank God, but I was still standing around outdoors in a borrowed nightgown. I was just lucky it came down passed my knees.
"Lady Harlee." Zeev spoke from beside me, extending a hand. I rolled my eyes at him, but took his hand with a grin. He pulled me into his arms and into a room within the hotel.
"Show off." I muttered. He had clothing waiting for me on a chair by the bed.
"And there's breakfast in the other room." Zeev said softly and then kissed me gently again.
"Zeev, I don't really have time for this, I have to get to work." I moaned as he kissed down my neck.
"I'm a Demon, I'll make time." He purred seductively against my skin. I moaned again, torn between my work commitment and Zeev.
"I have to shower and change, and eat.." I pointed out. He tugged the nightgown up slightly and traced a thigh with his fingers.
"You have a Demon at your beck and call, and still insist on doing all of that by hand." Zeev tsked, dropping to his knees.
"Now come on, you can't eat for me." I argued, then squealed as he nipped my inner thigh with his teeth.
"No, but the rest is doable." He replied. "Besides, I haven't had time.." He licked me and I nearly toppled over. "..to thank my Mistress properly yet." He grinned up at me lasciviously, Demon eyes glowing as he parted my thighs.
"Zeev, you're gonna make me fall! Eep!"
Zeev POV
As promised, I had Harlee to wok on time, properly bathed, fed and clothed, if a little more flushed than usual. To be safe, I decided to stay at work with her.
A few minutes after we arrived, Josh came bolting around the corner into the customer service area. He gulped and heaved a sigh of relief, then bent over, gasping for breath. He still had on a pajama top and looked like he'd merely thrown on the first pair of wrinkled denims he'd found with a pair of sneakers, one of which was untied.
"Oh God. I'm so glad you're ok." He panted. "What did you do to my dad? You royally pissed him off! He tried to ban me from ever seeing you guys again." Josh wheezed, holding his knees.
"Did you.. run here?" Harlee asked.
"Just from the bus stop." Josh answered and slid down to the floor. "So what happened-my dad's nose looked bloody-did you do that?" He looked at me. I turned to Harlee with a smirk.
"YOU?!" Josh gaped. "You did that? But you're so.. little and girly, and soft.. and round.."
"Zeev.." Harlee growled.
"My pleasure." I said with a wicked grin.
"No offense, no offense! I always thought you were cute." Josh backtracked quickly. "I was actually really jealous of Zeev before I knew he was a Demon." Harlee blinked.
"What?" She looked at me and I smirked.
"Told ya." I mouthed. She sent a mental slap through our link, so I whined back at her through it.
"So what did you do? Did you hit him?" Josh asked.
"Yeah, I kinda punched him after he insulted us. Didn't wanna let Zeev go." Harlee shrugged lightly and Josh gaped, then burst out laughing.
"Ah man, I wish I'd seen that! What'd he look like? Did he cry? That's why he wouldn't admit what happened! He didn't wanna say a girl bloodied his nose!" Josh crowed. Harlee blinked again and looked at me. I shrugged.
"But anyway, you guys are ok though, right?" Josh asked after he stopped laughing, running a hand through his hair.
"Uh yeah." Harlee replied and I shrugged again.