Sherrilyn Kenyon - Invincible

Then, he excused himself and took his change so that he could drop it in the trombone case for the street musicians. He didn’t keep a single cent of it.

She arched a brow at that as he rejoined her and took a seat. “I thought you were really poor.”

He blushed profusely. “I am, but I’ve got a new job that pays well, and I believe in sharing my good fortune whenever I have some. Lucas helps his daughter at school, so … I figured he needs it more than I do.”

“That’s really sweet of you.”

“I have moments of that, but don’t tell anyone. Let that be our secret.”

She smiled at his sincerity. He was so different from the Malachai she’d once battled. How could this generous boy have come from the most evil of all powers? It was inconceivable, and yet there he sat.…

Caring. Joking. Precious.

But for the fact she knew better, she’d swear they had identified the wrong person. And yet, somehow this boy in front of her would grow into a demon who would one day end the world.

A demon she’d have to kill.

If she had any brains, she’d do it right now, before those powers grew stronger. But she had protocols to follow. There was still a chance that he could be saved.

A bargain made …

She had to honor that bargain, even though it went against every part of her being. Like him, she’d been born a soldier. Her sole duty to protect the natural order and to put down any and all enemies.

Including charming teenage boys.

The wealth of a soul is measured by how much it can feel … its poverty by how little.

Right now, in this time and place, Nick’s soul was rich and pure. If they could keep it this way, he wouldn’t be lost. A tool they could use and a power they could harness …

That was the landscape they were painting, and failure wasn’t an option.

Nick had the sudden feeling that Kody was dissecting him like some mutant lab experiment. “Did I sprout a new head?”

She blinked. “What?”

“You look like you’re trying to figure me out. I probably shouldn’t say anything, but it’s making me really uncomfortable.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just … Never mind. Some things a woman has to keep to herself.”

“Hey, good quality people! What are you doing out and about in the daylight?”

Nick grinned at the high-pitched, singsongy voice that belonged to Simi. Another newbie he’d met last night. She’d shown up to help them all out, and boy had she ever. “Hi, Simi. Want to join us?”

Her hair was jet black with red streaks running through it. Today she had it pulled up in pigtails that were held with spiked bands that matched the spiked collar around her neck. A good six feet tall, she also wore stacked boots that added another four to five inches to her height. Her short skirt was a purple plaid that matched her purple fishnet top and black tank.

She plopped down in the chair next to Kody and opened her coffin-shaped purse. Nick exchanged a frown with Kody as Simi pulled out a lobster bib and tied it around her neck. Next came a small bottle of hot sauce.

Their waitress came up with a big smile on her face. “Hi, Simi. Your usual?”

“Absolutely, Tracy. Keep ’em coming till the Simi pops.”

The waitress laughed. “Girl, I don’t know where you put it. I swear you have hollow legs.”

“Ooo, the Simi wishes. Then she could eat even more. Yum!”

Laughing, the waitress headed back to kitchen.

“How often you eat here?” Nick asked.

Simi pulled out several napkins from the silver dispenser and put them in her lap. “Whenever we’re in town and Akri lets me.”

Akri. She kept mentioning that name last night, too, but Nick had no idea who it was, even though Simi acted like he should. “Who’s Akri?”

She huffed in irritation. “The Simi’s daddy. Silly partial human, don’t you know nothing?”

Nick opened his mouth to respond, but the moment he did, he saw …

He wasn’t sure. It was rapid-fire images. Him and Simi. Only it wasn’t him. It was … Another time and place.

No, it was here. No … he saw her as a demon with wings and horns. His head spun as he tried to sort through the kaleidoscope that left him feeling sick to his stomach.

“Nick?” Kody asked in a concerned tone. “Are you all right?”

Simi answered for him. “He’s fine. Just freaking out ’cause the Simi’s a demon and he didn’t know until now. He’ll be all right in a few.” She held his glass of milk out to him. “This’ll help.”

Nick blinked as he tried to calm down. “Am I dreaming?”

Kody hadn’t reacted to Simi’s news at all. In fact, she acted as if she hadn’t heard it. Maybe she hadn’t. Maybe Simi was like Grim, and he and Tracy were the only ones who could see and hear her.

Still, the images tore through his head, making it hard to focus on anything. He could barely catch his breath.

I have to get away from here.

His head pounding, he looked at Kody. “I need to … I got to leave. I’ll catch you later, okay?”

“You sure you don’t need me to help you?” Kody asked.

“No. I mean yeah, I’m sure.” He got up and stumbled away from them. He didn’t know where to go, so he headed toward the only safe place he could think of.

His mom.

Kody arched a brow as she watched Nick hurry away from them. “Was that you or me who spooked him?”

“Pretty sure it was me.” Simi grinned. “The Simi has that effect or is it affect on people? Affect. Effect. What is this difference between those two words and really, does it matter? Some people get so testy when you misuse a word. But I likes doing it. Language should be fun and so long as people know what you mean, what difference does it make? Really. Really. Really.”

Kody shook her head at the Charonte. Simi belonged to an ancient race of demons who’d been created to protect the Atlantean gods. Now, she was assigned watch duty to only one of them.

Acheron Parthenopaeus.

While she knew of the ancient god, she’d never met him. For many reasons. One being the fact that Acheron didn’t want anyone to know about his godhood. It was a well-kept secret, and she could respect that. The only reason she knew of his identity was that they had a mutual friend. One who, like Nick, could see the truth no matter how hard someone or something tried to hide it. The waitress returned with ten plates of beignets and a large milk for Simi.

“Ooo, the Simi’s favorite person is always the one who brings her food. Thank you, Tracy.”

“You’re welcome, Simi.”

Simi pulled out a handful of cash and handed it over. “You keep the change and have fun with it.”

By Tracy’s expression, it was obvious Simi had seriously overtipped her. “You sure about that?”

“Absolutely.” Simi drenched the beignets with her hot sauce.

“Thank you.” Tracy went to wait on another table.

Nekoda cringed as Simi took a bite. And on that note … “It was nice seeing you again, Simi. But I think I need to be going.”

Simi wiped at the powder on her face. “Okay, but Nekoda-Akra needs to know something important.”

“That is?”

“They something evil done come to town and set up shot … no, shop. That’s the word the Simi needs.”

“What kind of evil?”

Simi licked her lips before she answered. “Akri not sure. Can you not feel it?”

Nekoda snorted. “In this town? There’s all kinds of spirits here, and quite a few of them are hostile.”

“True, which is why the Simi likes to come here. I eat the evil, and akri all happy. There’s no ‘no, Simi’ if it’s something that preys on people. The Simi can eat all that she wants to.”