The Demon Hunter (18 page)

He pulled on his shoes. “We can’t do it again.”

“Okay.” She had agreed readily. Too readily, in his opinion. She pulled her shirt over her head, covering her lovely body. Although she was now fully clothed, he still noticed the odd glow around her. Her aura was different, brighter, bluer. From their lovemaking?

“We’ll return to Terri’s for supplies, but we can’t stay long.”

“Why?” she asked.

He blinked, confused. “Because it’s dangerous.”

“No.” He could see her flush even in the moonlight. “Why can’t we…
do it…
again?”

He stiffened, startled by her question. Was she merely trying to upset him by her bold question? “The only reason….” He raked his hands through his hair. “When a person does magic, it can leave you feeling…”

She sighed. “Devon, I had sex with you because I wanted you.”

His hands curled. “It’s not good to get attached.” Damn it all, if lust didn’t surge through his body at the mere thought of having her once more. She certainly seemed willing enough. Their bonding had strengthened him like no food or rest could. So
why
not take her again?

He turned away, needing a moment to compose himself. The snow had melted already. Gone, no indication it had been there. Much like life. So unique, yet gone within a blink. “I can’t do it again.” He must keep his mind focused on the goal. And the goal was not to fall for a woman. He could not become reliant on her.

“You can’t have sex again?” she asked softly, her face showing her confusion.

“No. I can’t… become attached.” His back to her, he didn’t dare turn around. There, he’d admitted it, admitted that he felt something for her. He was a bloody poet, indeed.

She was quiet for a moment. “You’re afraid you’ll become attached to me and I’ll die?”

He didn’t respond. He couldn’t. Just the thought made him ill.

She gave him a small, half-smile. “Everyone dies, Devon.”

He finally looked at her, turning to face the woman who had burrowed deep into his soul within a mere few days. “This won’t be a natural death, Ellie. If you stay with me, if you fight this demon, it will be painful… torture.”

She swallowed hard and tilted her chin high, that stubborn look he was coming to know so well flashing across her eyes. “I’m not afraid.”

He drew his knuckles down the side of her face, a gentle caress. “You should be.”

Chapter 10

Crossroads, England

“Ashley. Ashley, wake up.”

Someone tapped her shoulder, pulling her from slumber. But Ashley didn’t want to wake. Cristian was warm and comforting at her side, so very comfortable. And sleep was nice… so very nice. She snuggled closer to Cristian’s hard body and started to drift into oblivion once more.

“Ashley,”
the voice whispered.

This time she was unable to ignore the urgency in the tone. An odd voice, hollow, soft, echoing. Reality doused any lingering exhaustion and Ashley came awake with a start. For a moment she merely lay there, staring up at the ceiling, almost afraid to move. She knew that sort of voice well, but hadn’t heard it in some time.

A ghost.

She thought she’d gotten rid of any lingering spirits six months ago. Apparently not, or they were back for more fun. With a groan, she rolled away from Cristian and searched her dark room. There, in the far corner was a small, blue light that flickered in and out of focus like a bad connection on a T.V. set.

Ashley bolted upright. She recognized that small form, that blue dress, but it couldn’t be. The child had gone onto the afterlife.

“Maggie?” Ashley whispered.

The child ghost nodded, her golden curls bouncing as her round face came into focus. Ashley searched the child’s features, all the way to her little black boots. Last time she’d seen Maggie, the ghost-child had been a skeletal looking creature, her energy sucked dry from the demon who had been buried in Ashley’s home. Now, she looked healthy, vibrant, almost like a normal child. Yet, she couldn’t ignore the pure energy pulsing from her form, an energy that swept through the room in waves and produced a peace within her she hadn’t thought possible.

“I’m dreaming,” Ashley whispered, shoving aside her cotton duvet. She had to be dreaming. Cristian had sent Maggie to the afterlife over six months ago.

The child gave her a sad smile, one that worried her, gave her pause. “You’re not.”

Ashley stood, her legs trembling with some unidentifiable emotion she couldn’t quite understand. If she wasn’t dreaming, if Maggie truly was here… she knew, without a doubt, Maggie’s return couldn’t be good. “What is it? Why are you back?”

“I’m only here for a moment.”

Ashley hesitated, it could be a trick. It had to be. Maybe it wasn’t really Maggie, they’d been fooled before. But never before had she felt such pure energy in the child’s presence. Ashley pressed a hand to her racing heart. It had to be her.

“You’re… happy now?” she couldn’t help but ask.

Damn it all, she’d had a special fondness for the child and seeing her once again was bringing back unwanted memories and emotions. It was no secret Maggie hadn’t exactly been an angel on earth. Were they treating her well in the afterlife?

She gave Ashley a genuine smile this time, one that bespoke of contentedness, one that put Ashley at instant ease. “Yes, all has been forgiven.”

A smile so pure, Ashley knew, deep down, it truly was Maggie. Her heart clenched, her throat tightening. “Good.” She swallowed hard. “I’m glad.”

She’d grown fond of the little devil-child and had mourned her absence when Cristian had sent her to the afterlife. So many nights she’d worried about Maggie. “But if all’s well, then why are you here?”

The child’s smile fell as she floated toward Ashley. “To warn you.”

Even though she wore a t-shirt and shorts and the room was warm, a shiver ran over Ashley’s body. She’d known, hadn’t she? The moment she’d seen Maggie floating in her room, deep down she’d known something was wrong. “Tell me.”

“You released the demon and Devon.”

Ashley nodded.

“But they didn’t go to the afterlife Ashley, they’re here… on earth.”

Shock and horror combined, leaving Ashley frozen in place. No, it couldn’t be. Devon, alive once more? The demon… here? Why hadn’t she listened to her instincts? The spell hadn’t worked right the first time, why would it have worked right the second time? “Where are they?”

Maggie flickered. “They went home.”

Ashley stepped closer to her, afraid she wouldn’t get the answers she needed before the child vanished as quickly as she had arrived. “Home? What does that mean? Where did they go?”

“I don’t know.” Maggie wavered, her light fading so she was almost opaque.

“No!” Ashley surged forward, as if she could keep the child ghost with her. “Please, don’t leave!”

“I have to go,” Maggie whispered, disappearing. “I’m sorry.”

Just like that, the child was gone, only the echo of her voice remaining. Silence grew pressing, heavy. Ashley stumbled backwards and sank onto the edge of the bed. The demon had returned to earth. Would they ever be rid of him? Who the hell knew what he was doing even now. And Devon… where was he?

“What’d she say?” Cristian asked, his Scottish burr familiar and comforting.

Ashley turned. The duvet was around his hips, his muscled chest deliciously bare. How she wished she could crawl back into bed with him. Pretend she hadn’t received Maggie’s message. Take comfort in his warmth and strength. But they’d had six months together. If they could get rid of the demon, they would have the rest of their lives in relative peace.

She sighed, realizing that she should have known he’d be awake. Even though he’d become human, his instincts had not dulled. He watched her with those steel colored eyes, waiting patiently for answers. Answers she was reluctant to give.

She reached over and flipped on the bedside Tiffany style lamp. “You saw her?”

“No. Just… felt ye move. Heard ye talking.” She knew it was hard for him, not having the full use of his powers since he’d become human. There were certain things he could still do, but they weren’t even sure if those powers would last.

“It didn’t work,” Ashley admitted in a rush of words.

He rested his hand on her thigh. “Slow down.”

She took in a deep breath. “The spell sort of worked. Devon and the demon… your father…were released.”
His
father. It was still difficult for her to say the words and even though he didn’t react, she knew it was hard for him as well. She stood and went around the bed to his side.

He quirked a dark brow. “But?”

She settled on his lap and pressed her lips to his for a quick, comforting kiss. She savored that brief moment. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she breathed in his scent…leather and musky male. “But… they were released onto earth, not to the afterlife.”

“Bloody hell,” he muttered, lifting her and setting her on the edge of the bed. He tossed the duvet aside and stood completely naked. He had no shame in his body, but then why would he? He was an angel, for god’s sake. Well, had been six months ago.

He grabbed his jeans and T-shirt from the chair near the bed. “I thought something was wrong. I could feel it in my gut.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she demanded, grabbing her own clothing. She supposed she couldn’t be annoyed when she’d had the same feeling, yet kept her mouth shut as well. Wishful thinking for a happily ever after, she supposed.

“I didn’t want ye to worry.” He dressed quickly and she knew his mind was already on the plan ahead. The warrior had returned. But Cristian didn’t have the powers of a warrior any longer and she feared he’d get his stubborn ass killed.

“We need to slow down… think things through.” Ashley reached out, grabbing his hand, desperate for his touch. She didn’t want this time with him to end, not yet, not ever.

His steel eyes met hers. “We don’t have time to think things through.”

“Cristian, please—”

He jerked her forward, into his hard embrace, for one brief moment she savored the feel of his arms wrapped tightly around her. When he held her, she felt as if nothing could taint them. “I know yer worried, but we can’t have a normal life until I destroy the demon.”

He was right, but it didn’t make it any easier. “Maggie said they had returned home.” For a heartbeat, he didn’t speak, mulling things over,
planning
. She pushed away from him and headed toward the dresser. She couldn’t think rationally when they touched.

“Makes sense, I suppose,” he finally muttered.

She pulled open the top drawer and glanced back. He was rubbing the dark scruff along his chin, deep in thought.

“So… where were they born? Are we headed to Devon’s home?”

“No and no,” Cristian said.

Ashley frowned. “What do you mean?”

Cristian sat on the wing back chair near the bed and pulled on his black boots. “No, we’re not going to Devon’s home. He isn’t the threat. If yer worried over his welfare, send Camile to check on him.”

“And what was the other
no
for?”

“Yer not going with me.”

“Hell I am.” She snatched the anointed dagger Camile had given her as a gift for Christmas and wrapped the sheath around her thigh. “You’re not leaving me behind.” She strolled toward him, chin high, daring him to deny her.

Cristian surged to his feet and crossed his arms over his chest, glaring down at her. But she saw the softness in his eyes. He might pretend to be gruff and uncompromising, but she knew he’d rather have her safe with him, than on her own, doing only God knew what.

With a grin, Ashley stood on tiptoe, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Won’t work anymore, that glare you do so well.”

He growled low in his throat. She pressed a kiss to his lips, soothing the beast.

“So, where are we going?” she asked, dropping to the flats of her feet.

He drew her close and pressed his mouth to hers for another kiss. “To find my father. The prodigal son is returning home.”

Surprised, she stepped back. “We’re headed to your family estate?”

He nodded as he moved to the closet.

Hell, they were truly going to confront the demon. Cristian had tried to destroy his father twice now without success. Her heart hammered madly, fear bitter on her tongue. Now, he was human, his powers weakened. What the hell did he expect to do? She watched him open the closet door and pull out that silver, highland sword that had been his since he was born. He meant business.

“He’ll kill you.” She whispered her fears so low he shouldn’t have been able to hear her, but some of his powers had obviously remained.

He sighed as he pulled out another sword, this one gold and silver. Devon’s sword. The very sword Devon had sacrificed himself with. Slowly he turned, the sword flashing under the low light of the lamp.

There was a hard determination in his gaze. “Not if I kill him first.”

****

The sun was just rising as Camile pulled onto the property of Crestmoore Manor. Slowing toward the edge of the circular drive, she studied her surroundings with wary eyes. Nothing looked suspicious. Typical quiet estate catering to the rich.