Angels of Darkness

blah . Neither Radha nor Marc was worried about the influence that book might have on someone who picked it up, because it had probably been written specifically to exploit the girls’ individual vulnerabilities—but it might have information that would expose the local vampire community.
    She guessed, “So you wrote something like instructions or a revelation, then left it for them to find. Or maybe you dropped it out of your cache, and it seemed to appear by magic to them. Did they think a Guardian was doing it? Watching over them, guiding them?”
    The demon’s lips drew back in a sneer. “They all loved the Guardians. Pathetic.”
    The insult was probably as close to a confirmation as they’d get. Good enough. They’d search the library afterward, just in case, but if the demon kept the book in his cache, it would be destroyed when Marc slayed him.
    Not in here, though.
    â€œPathetic, but they almost took us out,” Marc said. “I have to appreciate that. And since you didn’t do any killing, I’m prepared to let you go. But you have to promise to leave now, today—to fly out of town and never return.”
    The demon laughed. “Lies.”
    â€œNo. I’m prepared to offer a bargain. If you walk out this door now and fly away, we’ll let you leave, no fighting or blood drawn. Neither of us will fly after you. You just have to agree to go without fighting or drawing blood.”
    â€œWhy?” The demon’s wary gaze ran from Marc to Radha. “There are two of you. Though mistaken, you must believe you’ll defeat me.”
    â€œI just want you out of this town,” Marc said. “You’ve done enough damage; I won’t add to it now by destroying half the library while we fight. I’ll hunt you down another day.”
    â€œAnd you will back this up with a bargain?” The demon all but licked his lips. Anyone who broke a bargain would find their soul trapped in Hell for eternity—and so that meant Marc couldn’t lie. It was a free pass out of Riverbend. “I leave, then. None of us draws blood while I go out. I fly away, and you don’t fly after me. Is that the agreement?”
    Marc nodded. “Yes.”
    â€œThen it is done. Fools. I know your scents now, but you will not know mine. I will kill you so quickly that you will still be screaming while your head rolls on the ground.”
    Would the bastard ever stop talking and just leave? Demons were even worse than fanatics. Irritated, Radha asked, “Kind of like this?”
    Whimpering, a double of the demon’s head rolled across the library floor, bumping along over its black curving horns.
    The demon bared its teeth at her. “I’ll hunt you down first.”
    â€œBack off, demon.” Marc’s expression hardened. “If you don’t leave in a few seconds, you’ll be breaking your bargain.”
    And the demon wouldn’t risk whatever diseased thing passed for its soul, either—not when it meant eternal torture in Hell. Swords held at ready, it came around the desk, backing toward the door on cloven feet.
    â€œI’ll keep you hidden from human sight until you’re out of mine,” Radha said. “So fly away, demon.”
    Its huge, membranous wings formed as it passed through the door. Marc followed it out, vanishing his sword.
    As soon as it stepped onto the sidewalk, the demon smiled. “I didn’t draw blood on my way out. I’m out now. I could kill you.”
    â€œYou’d be a fool to try,” Marc said. “Because this is all an illusion, and I’m really standing behind you.”
    The demon whirled. Radha grinned while Marc shook with silent laughter. No one stood behind the bastard. Still, it wasn’t sure. Carefully, it extended a sword, poking the air.
    â€œHe said he’d let you fly away,” Radha reminded it. “So, go.”
    It hissed. “This isn’t over, Guardians.”
    â€œâ€™Bye,” Radha said. “Before I remember that his bargain doesn’t stop me from slaying you.”
    With another snarl, it flapped its giant wings. Radha watched it climb. When she glanced back at Marc, he’d already left her side, heading toward a small strip of bare earth at the end of the street. She followed him, tracing the southbound flight of the demon.
    â€œWe should have slain him in the street.”
    â€œThat’s not as