She pulled him toward the door, letting him go past her to lead the way, her hand now switching to the small of his back.

He was first into the dingy living room and three heads, two male, one female, turned his way. All three had dirty, greasy hair that hung about their faces, all three had sallow skin, sunken eyes, and a hungry, druggie sort of look. And all three averted their gazes as soon as Lilly came into view behind him. Like unruly students brought before their teacher.

A shudder hit Mack, reflexive and uncontrolled. He was skilled with weapons, of which more than a few were hidden in his clothing, and had learned a great deal about hand-to-hand combat from deadly experts. Not sport martial arts, but the science of breaking down a human body and rendering that body helpless. Still, something about the three roommates made him glad that Lilly was with him. And that realization made him ashamed.

No one said a word as she escorted him to the front door—that is until one of the males uttered a single word under his breath. “Rabbit.”

It sounded like an insult and his fear and shame came together, producing a sudden need for a violent response. He stopped and started to turn—only to stumble forward as Lilly pushed him steadily, her hand at the small of his back. Again, he was shocked at the beautiful girl’s strength.

“Ignore that idiot,” she said, her voice at an unconcerned full volume. “I will see to him,” and the cold certainty in her voice almost made him pause again. But her other hand came up and touched his bare forearm and he found himself nodding at her words. Sure, let her deal with her grimy roomies.

He opened the door and turned to her, just as she leaned forward, her hand grasping his sweatshirt and pulling him close for a lingering kiss that left his mind a quivering mass of jelly.

“Goodbye, sweet Mack. I will hunt you down later. Oh, and you will take a thorough shower at the gym before any classes,” she ordered, pulling back into the dark shadows of the creepy house and gently closing the door before he could speak, protest, or otherwise respond.

A second later, he heard her voice rise up inside, he words indistinct, her angry tone clear as a bell. His mind curiously fuzzy, he turned and headed toward the campus, suddenly thinking that a shower in the gym locker room was in order.

Chapter 19

Lilith, Baroness of the Seventh Circle of Hell, strode back into the living room and grabbed Hobal by its throat, lifting the demon off the ground like it was wearing a cardboard shell rather than the meat and bone suit of human flesh.