Read Online A Demon Does It Better by Linda Wisdom - Free Book Online Page A

two opposite worlds. Upstairs is up-to-date, light, airy, and filled with so much healing magick, you feel energized just by being there. But if you go below, it’s like being transported backward to a dark, ugly past, where mundanes viewed insanity as a sign of evil and locked their family members away in attics, cellars, or worse. If they had the money, they’d put them in an asylum where the patients were treated no better than something you’d scrape off your shoe,” she said grimly. “No wonder I preferred treating the usual diseases of the supes. Just being down there for a short time was draining.” She emptied her wineglass and refilled it. She didn’t believe in finding courage in alcohol, but there were times it pacified the agitation that made her feel so antsy. This was one of those moments.
    Over the next two hours, the three friends ate and talked and laughed. For the first time in the past week, Lili felt well and truly relaxed.
    She looked at the couple and saw a relationship that weathered storms and only grew stronger from their trials. She knew that Maura, Adam’s mother, hadn’t liked Rea in the beginning, thinking the gentle-hearted empath wouldn’t be a good match for determined, rigorous-thinking Adam. She was glad they proved the old witch wrong. What Lili saw was a love that only grew over time.
    After her friends helped her clean the kitchen and left, Lili settled in bed with her Nook, as Cleo stretched out on the other pillow.
    However, the book she’d begun with such anticipation didn’t hold her interest. Visions of the demon Jared kept her attention wandering. She finally set her e-reader on the bedside table and snuggled down under the covers.
    Even after all these years, was Jared still as dangerous as Dr. Mortimer claimed he was—or was there something else going on?
    ***
     
    The world was wild and desolate, and the village was quiet save for a few restless dogs housed near the living quarters.
    He’d been at this place once before, when earlier generations had played and lived here. The girl he took at that time had been tasty and provided him with his sustenance. But, over time, his hunger had increased, and he moved among the world and all its planes more often.
    Magick was strong here. He could feel his pores taking it in the way dry skin soaked up water. The strongest came from one house, where a young girl radiated it like the sun.
    He stole through the cottage entrance and made sure that everyone inside would sleep soundly while he took what he required.
    Perhaps he would use the shadows, so he could remain for the days he needed to view their death rites, to send the girl into the next world.
    It was always sad when a young one perished, but she also had much power in her blood. Power he needed. The way he saw it, her demise was really for the greater good.
    ***
     
    “I’m glad we’re finally able to have time for a chat, Dr. Carter.” Director of Nursing Arimentha Garrish occupied the large chair behind her desk in the same way that the queen of the universe commanded her royal throne. “It has seemed that every time I’ve requested your presence, you have managed to find something to occupy your time.”
    “Well, as you know, it’s been very busy lately. Full moon and all.”
    Lili mustered up a brief smile while wishing for mega air-conditioning. Due to the head nurse being a dragon-shifter, she preferred keeping her personal space at a toasty 110 degrees, unconcerned if her visitors roasted in the process.
    The dragon-shifter fingered the file folder in front of her. “I like to have some time to chat, Dr. Carter—a chance to get to know our doctors here.” Her dark eyes glimmered.
    Ah, there’s that royal we. Lili kept a brief smile on her lips. Never let them see you sweat, even if the room is like a damn sauna. “Of course, and I’m always happy to help in any way I can. As you know, we’ve been very busy in the ER, not to mention my work below,