Read Online Kela's Guardian by B.J. McCall - Free Book Online

back with a stretchy band. “You’ll draw less attention.”
    When they walked back to her vehicle no one stared at him, but men noticed Kela who looked good in her tight jeans and a red top that clung to her curves.
    Ansara settled into the passenger seat. “Do you know where Andre Karr lives? If Vakkar’s been using his place, I can smell his stench.”
    “Karr lives above his gallery in the theater district.”
    “Take me there.”
    After a short drive, Kela pulled over and parked. She pointed at the four-story building across the street. “He lives on the top floor of the building with the gargoyles on the corners. Those ugly faces have always made me uneasy.”
    Ansara looked at the gargoyles. “With good reason.”
    “Roland’s apartment is on the third floor. He might be home.”
    “It’s likely he’s in a low, dark place hanging by his toes with the rest of his friends.”
    “What about Vakkar?”
    “He’s not a vampire. Demons can inhabit a human body and take over the mind. They don’t like bright sun, but using Karr’s body, he can move around the city day or night.”
    “Is Karr dead?”
    “Not as long as Vakkar has need of him.” Ansara looked at Kela. “Let’s see if he’s home.”
    They climbed out of the vehicle and crossed the street. Ansara glanced at the gargoyles. The large stone heads moved. Ansara couldn’t blow them up without drawing attention, but the lesser demons inhabiting them had to be destroyed.
    Kela had great instincts. Most humans wouldn’t have sensed the demons skulking in the gargoyles.
    They walked into the gallery. A thin young woman with a shaved head and long dangling earrings greeted him with a brilliant smile framed by blood-red lips. “Welcome to the Karr Gallery. I’m Elisa.”
    Ansara stepped up to the shiny black counter. “Is Andre available?”
    “Mr. Karr isn’t in today. May I take a message?”
    Ansara noted a doorway leading to the back. He lifted his hand and flicked his fingers, showering Elisa’s face with tiny flashes of white light. “Is there a back stairwell leading to the penthouse?”
    “Yes.”
    “I’ll just go up the back way.”
    Elisa blinked. “Okay.”
    He and Kela hustled up the four flights, stopping at the back entrance to the penthouse. Ansara focused on the door, hitting it with a blast of white light. The door flew open, banging against the interior wall.
    “Wow. I guess guardians don’t knock,” Kela said.
    “It’s best to destroy any energy protecting the door before entering a demon’s lair. That’s why I chose not to use the street entrance to the apartment.”
    Ansara clenched his right fist. With a flick of his wrist, he opened his hand and shot a ball of light into the corridor. The ball exploded into a million diamond-like light particles. The bright particles dispersed, filling the hallway.
    “What’s with the fairy dust?”
    “Fairy dust?”
    Kela pointed at the flashing light particles.
    Ansara opened the two doors accessing the apartment. The particles flashed and spread. Within seconds every inch of Karr’s penthouse would be purified. “Demons leave traps for the unexpected.”
    “What kind of traps?”
    “Hellfire that will burn off your hair and sear your skin,” Ansara said, stepping into the apartment. “I’ve destroyed the traps. It’s safe.”
    Wrinkling her nose from the stench, Kela followed him inside. “Smells awful.”
    Ansara moved through the kitchen and dining areas, following the stench of blood and demon. He entered the living area and looked around. The furniture was stained with dark splotches that explained the stench of blood. The walls were painted red.
    “Let’s take a look around and see what Vakkar’s been up to.”
    He crossed the room and turned down a hallway. The door at the far end was marked with a pitchfork demon sign. He lifted his arms and focused his energy, white flame shot out of his fingertips, hitting the door. The demon sign