Seducing the Demon Huntress (7 page)

“Tell me,” he commanded, like a lord unused to being denied.

“What would you do if you were me?” she asked. “How would you tell what is real?”

Some unnameable emotion flickered in his eyes. He stepped closer, wrapping one hand around her waist. Kerilyn inhaled sharply when he pulled her up against his chest.

“If I swore your life mattered to me, would you believe it?” he asked her in reply.

She opened her mouth but no words emerged. All her instincts, her years of training, urged her to say no. Her family would be horrified she was even considering lowering her guard around a spirit.

“Keri?” he prompted.

She had no answer. And staring up into his unreadable eyes she realized it didn’t matter. Whether or not she could trust him, it was too late to go back. Sarah was waiting. Abaddon no doubt knew she’d come. She couldn’t leave now even if she wanted to. No matter what Arawn was planning, she had to get her niece back.

But if she was going to go down, at least she could enjoy the perks.

Rising on her tiptoes, she cupped his face in her hands and pressed her mouth to his. She could never ask him what he felt for her and trust his reply. But perhaps she could feel it. Surely there was a difference between a kiss filled with only lust and one with real emotion.

She kissed him softly, savoring the feel of him. He was so impossibly perfect under her hands. Tilting her head, she slanted her mouth over his.

The arm around her waist tightened as he parted his lips under hers. She moaned as his tongue touched hers.

He took control of the kiss, touching her with burning passion. Kerilyn had no complaints. She kissed him back with everything she had, reveling in his desire.

As Arawn plundered her mouth she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. They fit together perfectly, as if made for one another. Kerilyn decided she liked the feel of his silky braids flowing over her fingers. She liked the taste of him, the heat of his touch and the dizzying desire burning low in her stomach. He was a man she could grow used to wanting. A dangerous thought.

A hissing sound broke through their passionate embrace.

Kerilyn whirled to face the threat, stepping back against Arawn’s chest automatically.

He wrapped a comforting arm around her as they looked at the demon before them.

The creature hunched over, his long arms nearly dragging on the ground. Bright red eyes regarded them as he shifted from foot to foot, his claws scraping lightly on the cement.

“Excuse me, your majesty,” the demon hissed, his gaze darting between them. “I have been instructed to escort the hunter to my king.”

“I shall accompany you,” Arawn replied coolly.

The demon’s red eyes flashed with worry. “My lord is not expecting you,” he tried to explain.

“I have not seen my brother in quite some time. He will be pleased.” Arawn drew himself up regally, looking every inch the terrifying king he was. “Lead the way. Now.”

Even Kerilyn stiffened at the unmistakable command in his voice.

The demon bowed low and quickly started to shuffle away.

Drawing a deep breath, Kerilyn followed the demon. With the spirit lord at her back and a demon king waiting for her, she’d passed the point of no return.

Chapter Five

The demon led them to an old warehouse facing the dark water. Kerilyn had often come to this area of the city on her hunts but she had never been inside this particular building.

Its walls stained with years of dirt and grime, the red brick structure stood several stories high. In the dim moonlight the entire setting was uncomfortably eerie. Kerilyn had no desire to go inside.

Touching the dagger on her hip, she forced herself forward. Sarah was in there. If it was the last thing she did, she’d make sure her niece survived the night.

The demon held the door open for them as they swept inside.

A large empty room unfolded before them. Weak lights failed to banish the shadows, but the high windows lining the top of the walls were large enough to let in the faint glow of the moon. It was enough to allow Kerilyn to see the room was filled with demons.

The creatures were the height of a man, though their longer arms and spindly legs gave them a misshapen appearance. But there was nothing human about their glowing red eyes or the pointed teeth that barely fit in their mouths. Most held weapons even though their claws alone were deadly enough. Kerilyn swallowed hard as she took in their numbers. There were far too many for her to fight.

In the center of the room sat Sarah. Kerilyn wanted to run to her but Arawn gripped her arm in warning. Slowly they approached the waiting party.

Kerilyn had never met the demon lord, but staring at the group she knew there was only one man he could possibly be.

The frightening king stood as tall as Arawn. Indeed, the resemblance between the two brothers was striking. Both had the same midnight hair and angelically beautiful faces. But whereas Arawn’s eyes were black, Abaddon’s were an unsettling dark red. The color of blood, Kerilyn realized with a shiver.

“Brother,” Abaddon greeted. “I wasn’t aware you’d be joining us tonight.”

“It’s a night for celebration,” Arawn replied. “You didn’t think I’d miss the biggest party in town?”

Abaddon smiled coolly, his gaze landing on Kerilyn. “You brought me my hunter, I see. Present?”

Ignoring the question, Arawn drawled, “Since when do you pick on lone hunters, Abaddon? And stealing children? This is a little overdramatic, even for you.”

“Her family greatly wounded me.”

“And they’re dead.”

“But not all.” Abaddon watched Kerilyn with cold eyes. “She drove a blade into my son’s heart.”

Arawn stiffened beside her. Kerilyn felt ill. She had? She hunted demons almost every night. She had no idea who she was killing most of the time. If they hunted humans, they were her enemy. Case closed. It was possible she’d come up against one of Abaddon’s sons, but she had no memory of the encounter.

“Did she?” Arawn murmured.

Would this change his mind? This meant she’d killed his nephew. It would be poetic justice for him to help kill her niece.

“Now you see why I am ‘picking on a lone hunter,’” Abaddon snapped. “Do not interfere.”

Kerilyn looked at Sarah, who was watching her with wide eyes. She seemed unharmed, for the moment, but absolutely terrified. One demon held her securely in his grip, making sure she couldn’t run.

Kerilyn tried to summon a reassuring smile. Discreetly she slid her hand into the duffle bag at her side. The weapons felt comforting to touch.

“Remove your mask,” Abaddon ordered. “Let me see the woman who took my son from me.”

Seeing no reason to refuse when she’d be able to see more clearly without the mask, she pulled it from her face and pushed back the hat.

Abaddon studied her in silence for a long moment. “Such a delicate face,” he said, “to do such evil.”

Kerilyn bared her teeth at the unfair attack. “I am not the one doling out evil,” she replied. “I only kill demons who have attacked humans. Your son must have been preying on mortals.”

The demon king stiffened. “You don’t even remember him?” he asked in horror. “You killed my son and you can’t even recall his face?”

Kerilyn stayed silent, knowing nothing she could say would help.

“Monster,” Abaddon charged.

“You are the monster,” Kerilyn argued. “Arawn’s subjects are confined to the Netherworld all but once a year. Demons, however, slip through the cracks. You give your people free reign to wreak terror on mine. Do not cry over the consequence your own actions put into motion. You started this war, demon lord. Hunters merely try to even the score.”

Abaddon stepped toward her, murder in his eyes.

“Hold,” Arawn charged, stepping in front of Kerilyn.

His brother drew up sharply in surprise. “You cannot be defending this creature,” he said, aghast.

For a moment Arawn didn’t reply.

Kerilyn held her breath. Would he try to help her? Or would he help his brother instead?

“She is mine,” he said finally.

Now wasn’t the time to protest the antiquated wording, she decided, feeling a burst of pleasure at his defense.

“She’s a mortal. And a hunter.”

“I am well aware.”

“She has killed dozens of my subjects, and her family has killed even more.”

“She is the last of her line,” Arawn argued. “Surely one hunter is no great threat to you.”

“I will have vengeance for my son,” Abaddon snarled.

Arawn looked away for a moment before replying softly, “You have other sons.”

A roar of rage escaped Abaddon’s mouth. “You dare to side with a human against me, your own brother?”

“I ask you, as my brother, to let this be. This woman is mine, Abaddon. When have you ever heard me claim such a thing?”

Abaddon paused for a moment. “She is special to you?”

Arawn nodded sharply.

The demon lord sighed. “Then I am sorry this shall cause you pain. You will forgive me eventually.”

“Not for this,” Arawn denied harshly. “This does not get forgiven, brother.”

“She is only a human,” Abaddon said. He lifted a hand before Arawn could protest.

“Hell,” Kerilyn swore as the demons around them started to move in. She ducked around Arawn, racing for Sarah.

The path between her and her niece narrowed as the demons converged on her. Memory surfaced of her father tossing her a piece of advice one afternoon as they’d trained. No matter how many enemies were coming at you, one always arrived first, he’d told her. The thought brought a grim smile to her lips. All she could do was take them as they came and pray she’d be the one left standing in the end.

Kerilyn timed her attack as she ran. When the first monster reached her she was more than ready.

A clawed hand swung at her and she ducked beneath the limb, slashing upward with her dagger. Heat coated her hand, sticky and wet. She had a brief glimpse of the creature’s red eyes glazing over before she jerked her hand back. It had been a clean blow and Kerilyn knew exactly where the strike had landed. The demon’s heart would be in shreds.

The corpse crumpled at her feet and she never looked back. Demons flashed before her eyes, all claws and teeth. She fought with trained precision. Striking out with her blades, her hands were quickly soaked with dark, oozing demon blood. Unlike humans, these nightmares didn’t bleed red. Instead the liquid pouring from them was tinged green like slime. It was a sight she was more than used to.

A demon leaped before her and Kerilyn drove her dagger into its chest without hesitating. The creature fell back in surprise, its red eyes widening as she jerked the blade from its body and pressed onward. There was no time to stop, no time to think. All she focused on was reaching Sarah. Her niece was so close. She just had to hold on a little longer.

Her heel slipped on the bloody floor and Kerilyn staggered for a moment. With a roar of triumph a demon launched itself at her. The large body hit her head, nearly toppling her to the floor. She drove her dagger into its thick skin but the beast never faltered. Unable to get a good enough grip to retrieve the blade, she let the dagger go and focused on staying alive.

Sharp teeth snapped far too close to her throat. Reaching for her bag with one hand while holding the demon with the other, she blindly searched for another weapon.

Her fingers brushed over the butt of a gun and she grabbed it with relief. Pressing the muzzle to the snarling demon’s forehead, she pulled the trigger.

Blood and brains splattered the floor as the demon sank to its knees. Not taking any time to savor her triumph, Kerilyn pushed on.

Black fire flared before her, blasting away an oncoming demon. Kerilyn smiled grimly without bothering to turn to see where it had come from. If Arawn wanted to take out a few demons, she was all for it.

Everywhere she looked she saw blood-red eyes and vicious claws. Kerilyn fought for her life, slicing through the flesh before her. A clawed hand raked down her back and she cried out in pain. Agony burned through her as she staggered. Five lines of fire trailed down her skin and she had no doubt the wounds were deep. With shaking fingers she pulled the ties of her cloak, leaving it hanging in the demon’s hands as she darted away. Red blood rained down to mix with the demon green washing the floor.

Snarls filled her ears, and the scent of blood hung in the air. Everywhere she turned she saw more and more monsters wanting nothing but her broken, lifeless body. Despite her body burning for rest, she grit her teeth and forced herself to push forward. Her shirt was quickly slick with blood, making her wonder just how badly she’d been injured. Hopefully the adrenaline in her body would keep the worst of her injuries at bay until she had the time to deal with them.

Another shot rang out as she fired at the demon before her. It reared back in a shower of blood and Kerilyn wasted no time jumping over the corpse. Something infinitely precious waited on the other side.

Sarah huddled on the ground, wide-eyed and terrified. Dark green blood splattered her and a demon held hooked claws to her throat.

Kerilyn didn’t even hesitate. Raising her gun, she shot the demon between the eyes.

Sarah screamed as the creature collapsed behind her. The little girl’s terror ate at Kerilyn—she knew it would get worse before it got better. But at least she’d be alive to deal with those fears.

Black fire flashed around them as she dropped her to knees and grabbed the salt from her bag. Trusting Arawn to cover her, she worked as fast as she could. Shaking a thick line of salt onto the ground, she drew a circle around Sarah

“Aunt Kerilyn?” the child cried.

“Listen to me,” Kerilyn said quickly, knowing she didn’t have much time. “This circle will keep you safe. No matter what happens, don’t leave it until the sun is up. Okay, Sarah? Nod for me, baby.”

Sarah nodded jerkily, tears streaming down her young face.

Kerilyn smiled in relief, reaching out to touch her niece’s cheek. “I love you, Sarah,” she said softly. “Remember, don’t leave the circle. The salt will protect you. Okay?”