Authors: Unknown
She nodded but didn’t look his way. “Fine. Let me go.”
He did, but he stayed close behind her, drawing his dagger.
…
The demon sat at the base of the wall, a line of green demon blood marring the bricks above him, the ax still embedded in his middle.
Tegan crouched in front of the demon who nearly killed her and haunted her dreams. “How did you find me?”
“Why would I tell you that?” He stopped struggling to free the ax and met her eyes. “I did not come this far to lose.” He growled some words in a language she’d never heard before, and suddenly the alley was surrounded with glowing, golden eyes. He laughed and yanked the ax from his abdomen. “Yes, my children. Feed!”
“Fuck you!” Tegan pulled the trigger on the candle lighter and lunged forward, thrusting the flame at the end of the long tip into the demon’s wound. His body erupted in hot, blue flames. Demon blood stung her skin like sizzling bacon grease, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the writhing husk of the Hingo demon.
“Tegan!” Gabe’s voice pulled her away from the visceral scene.
She stood up and picked up the flail from the ground beside the demon doorstop. Rushing to Gabe’s side, she took up her defensive stance at his back. His coat was in a pile on the side of the alley, soaked in a puddle of demon blood.
He had his battle-axe in his hands, swiping at the demon army to keep them back.
“You all right?” He grunted, swinging again.
A demon reached for her leg, and Tegan cracked his shoulder with the flail. “I think so.” Igniting the lighter with her other hand, she set fire to two of the wounded demons. “Why are they still fighting? I thought you said they’d stop without a leader.”
The inhuman screech of the demons on fire hurt her ears, but she couldn’t cover them with more demons lurching in.
“They should be running away,” Gabe shouted over the noise. Sweat ran down his flushed face, but he kept up the fight. “Unless they have another leader…”
Tegan did her best to protect him, but the battle she’d waged against the bartender inside the Eden Club caught up with her. Exhaustion tugged at her muscles as she whacked another demon with the flail. She tried to tighten her grip on the slippery handle and noticed it was wet with her bright-red blood.
The gash in her arm still bled. Had the demon cut an artery?
Gabe reached around her waist, pushing her back behind him again while he fought the next demon coming at him. “Talk to me, Tegan. You have to stay awake. I’m going to get you out of here.”
She narrowed her eyes, trying to focus on Gabe. His attacks were fluid, as though he moved in slow motion. The noise dulled to a low rumble, and shadows closed in on the edge of her vision.
“I got her!” Lago flew toward them, pulling Tegan back from the edge of exhaustion and shock. Hanging from the talons on his feet, dangling by her now not-so-gorgeous blond hair, was Tina.
Chapter Eighteen
Lago dumped his prisoner beside Tegan and landed. “This one was scrying, seeking visions of the future with blood and bones. She helps to open the portal for the dragon to enter.”
“Tina?” Tegan fisted her hands at her sides.
Tina wrapped her arms around her waist, eyes wide, staring at the demons closing in. “Get me out of here, and I’ll explain. Please.” Her lower lip trembled, and she finally made eye contact with Tegan. “Help me.”
Tegan punched her in the nose and watched her legs wobble until she toppled over face-first into a puddle of demon blood.
“Bitch,” Tegan said. The extra burst of adrenaline kicked her senses back to high alert. “I’m back with you,” she shouted to Gabe.
He turned just long enough to catch a glimpse of Tina on the ground while Tegan lit a couple more wounded Hingo demon minions on fire.
“Lago, why’d you bring her here?” Gabe sounded winded. Tegan’s heart sank. There were still so many left to fight.
Lago answered, “She seeks visions of the future for her sister.”
“So?” Tegan landed a solid strike into a demon with the flail, trying not to feel bad about knocking out a woman who might’ve just been attempting to find her kidnapped sister.
Lago took a step behind them, away from the action. “Her sister is of demon blood.”
“Shit.” Gabe growled, stumbling back a couple steps. “Her sister.” He spun around, slashing two demons with one move. “Tina’s sister is directing this army, isn’t she?”
Tegan cracked a demon skull with the flail and followed it up with the lighter flame, sending another demon to hell. Lago’s words slowly sank in. Tina’s missing sister was a half demon? And was helping to open the passage from hell?
Lago shot up in the air. “The portal!”
Tegan followed his pointed finger. Fifty yards down the alley, the air rippled and a circle took shape, outlined in fire. The demons stopped attacking, their focus shifting to the portal.
“Oh shit.” Gabe lowered his battle-axe and stood beside her, chest heaving. “It’s starting. Get out of here, Tegan.” He met her eyes. “I’m serious. Go. Now.”
“I’m not leaving you here.” Her gut twisted at the thought. Even a slayer wouldn’t survive. “Either you come with me or we’re both staying.” She glanced at the ring of fire taking shape. “How is this possible when I’m still alive? I thought they couldn’t open it without—”
A moan interrupted them. Tina sat up and groaned. “You hit me.”
Tegan choked up on the flail. “You had it coming.”
Gabe grabbed Tina’s upper arm and hauled her to her feet. “We don’t have much time. Tell me what the hell is going on.”
Tina pointed toward the ring of fire, her jaw slack.
Gabe shook her until she looked at him instead of impending doom. “Lago said you were scrying with blood and bones. That’s black magic, Tina. What did you see?”
Her voice hiccupped with sobs. Tegan wanted to punch her all over again. “My mother died giving birth to Mara. I raised her to be a good witch, but when her powers never manifested, something happened.” She trembled. “She was angry, dropped out of school. I didn’t understand what was going on with her. I needed to see her future.”
Tegan listened while she watched the center of the fiery ring start to shimmer. Luckily, the portal seemed to have distracted the demons.
“Tell me what you saw.” Gabe still sounded out of breath, but it didn’t stop the malice in his tone.
Tears spilled down her cheeks, and she pointed at Tegan. “I saw her kill Mara.”
Tegan turned slowly. “What?”
“Mara was fourteen, without powers and full of rage. I saw into her future, and Tegan was there. She killed her. I had to protect my sister.” Tina’s teary-eyed gaze met Tegan’s. “I didn’t know who you were.”
Gabe shoved her backward. “You cast a spell for Tegan’s name, didn’t you?”
Tina stumbled, hitting her back against the wall of the club. “She had a unique name. It was simple to find her.”
Disbelief swam through Tegan’s gut. This woman basically signed her death warrant without so much as a second thought. She’d never seen her or her sister before.
“The future is always unclear. Free will changes things. You taught me that, and you were the one who said looking ahead was black magic, but you did it anyway.” He spat blood on the ground. “Shit. You sent the Hingo demon after her four years ago, didn’t you?” Gabe rushed toward her and slapped the bricks right beside Tina’s head. She squeaked.
“I thought I was protecting my sister from a killer. Once the demon tasted Tegan’s flesh, he knew she carried the red dragon’s bloodline. I had no idea you’d be affected by any of this, Gabe. You have to believe me.”
He jerked back from her. “Did you know Mara was a half demon?”
“No.” Tina shook her head. “Not until the demons kidnapped her. They said they were taking her home, and if I didn’t help slow you down they would kill her.”
The portal grew, shimmering in the middle, shadows moving on the other side. Tegan took a step toward Gabe. “I’m still alive, so nothing should be able to get through that portal, right?”
“I thought they needed to end the bloodline, but…” He looked at her, his eyes full of regret. “The book said the
blood of the dragon
was the key. You’ve been dripping blood from that wound all over the alley.”
“Oh shit.” She glanced at her arm, her chest tight.
Gabe brushed a kiss to her temple and then turned to his informant. “Lago, fly her out. Now.”
The demon fluttered up into the air, and Tegan swiped Gabe’s battle-axe off the ground, eyeing the demon. “Don’t you dare.”
…
Gabe ground his teeth. “Do you have a death wish? We can’t win this one!” He pointed at the portal. “When the white dragon walks through that portal with his thirty-three legions of demons, nothing is going to stop him.”
She kept a tight grip on the battle-axe. “If I’m the last of the red dragon’s line, then he’s coming for me. How can I run? He’ll find me eventually, right?”
“At least
try
to stay alive.” Gabe swallowed the bile burning the back of his throat. She couldn’t die. He wouldn’t let this happen. “Lago can get you away from here.”
The battle-axe didn’t lower. “I’m not leaving. Let’s stop wasting time.” She narrowed her eyes at Tina. “Which team are you playing for?”
Tina flinched and wiped her nose. “Mara isn’t evil. They’ve done something to her.”
“I’m not talking about Mara.” Tegan took a step toward her.
Tina turned to Gabe. “Get me out of here, and I can help. I could cast a protection spell or healing—”
Gabe shoved Tina aside. “You’ve done enough damage. We don’t need any help from you.”
Tina stumbled away, racing back into the club.
Good riddance.
The portal wavered like summer heat rising from pavement, and a carbon copy of Tina stepped through. Only her eyes were different. Instead of blue like her older sister, Mara’s eyes glowed violet.
She raised her arms. “I call the mighty white dragon. Haagenti, the Great President of Hell, I offer you the last of the red dragon’s bloodline. Lift the curse, and open the gates.”
Tegan’s fingers entwined with his. “We can’t let him through.”
“No, we can’t.” Gabe squeezed her hand. “I’ve got an idea.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’ll distract the Hingo minions. You get to Mara and shut her up before she brings the big guy through.”
It was the only way they would be able to stop Haagenti from entering. It was also the only way he could see Tegan getting out alive.
“There are at least thirty of the minions left.” She looked up at him. “You can’t take on that many alone.”
He cupped her cheek, memorizing every curve of her face. “I’ll keep them busy for as long as I can.”
“The plan was to
live
through tonight, remember?” Her eyes welled with tears, but she didn’t let any fall. “She’s a half demon. Tell me how to stop her.”
He handed her the dagger with Celtic carvings. “This dagger in the chest should stop the human half of her. Then get her through the portal. Without any human tissue, she won’t be able to cross over into our world again.”
Tegan turned to go, but he caught her arm. “Wait a second.” He handed her the flail. “Hold this.” Gabe pulled off the ripped, demon blood-soaked remnants of his shirt and wrapped it around the end of the flail. “Can you give me a light?”
Tegan tucked the dagger in her belt and pulled out the lighter. The fabric burst into blue flame, fueled by the demon blood.
He gripped the battle-axe in his other hand. “Ready?”
She nodded and raced off to stop Mara. Gabe let out a battle cry and raced into the center of the distracted army. Two wounded demons erupted in flames, causing the others to jump back before attacking.
Gabe spun with the ax, lighting one more demon, before pain stabbed into his leg. He kicked the demon in the head, bringing his ax down onto his shoulder. Before he could light it up, another demon sank his teeth into Gabe’s back.
He ran backward, slamming the demon against the brick wall of the alley. The others followed, clustering around him, the scent of his blood sending them into a frenzy. More bites peppered his body. His arms felt heavy, exhaustion and blood loss taking their toll, but he caught a glimpse of Tegan. She’d made it to Mara.
His body weakened, but his spirit kept fighting. More bites, more blood, and finally fire.
The demons kept coming.
They yanked at his legs, dropping him to the ground. One of them bit his wrist, prying the burning flail from his hand. Gabe kept struggling, fighting through the pain with his last breath. He had to buy Tegan more time.
***
When the demons chased Gabe to the wall, Tegan made her move. She charged Mara, knocking the younger girl to the ground. The portal flashed, and shadowy figures on the other side moved closer. Tegan forced herself to stay focused on Mara.
One fight at a time.
Mara got back to her feet, her eyes still glowing violet, but at least the hit had stopped the chanting. Tegan drew the dagger from her belt and took up a fighting stance. Mara wiped her hands on her jeans, looking like a typical high school senior, except for the glowing purple eyes. Tegan wet her lips, wincing a little at the sting in her split lower lip. Could she really stab a girl who could be one of her karate students? This was someone’s sister.
Over her shoulder, the demons descended on Gabe. Tegan steeled her resolve.
Think later.
Now she had to act.
Mara met her eyes and started to raise her arms again.
“Mara, if you bring these demons over, they’ll kill Tina.” Tegan circled to her right, keeping her right eye toward her opponent since her left was in dire need of an ice pack.
“You lie.”
At least she was talking. Tegan took another step. “Call the demons off. Let’s talk.”
“How do you know my sister?” Mara lowered her arms, but the demons were still beating the crap out of Gabe.
Shit.
“Call off the demons, and I’ll tell you.”
Mara’s violet eyes shifted toward the mob on top of Gabe. “He’s the slayer. The one who dumped my sister.”
“Call them off, Mara.” She prayed her stern sensei voice would reach the teen.
She yelled something in another language, and the Hingo minions straightened and stepped back. Gabe lay on the ground unconscious, his bare chest bloody and broken. Tegan swallowed the sob that tore inside her. Was he dead?
She couldn’t check now or the demons would be on her.
Taking a deep breath, she focused on Mara again. “Gabe brought me to your sister. She’s been searching for you. The demons have been using her to get to you.”
Mara narrowed her eyes. “Did she tell you what a disappointment I was? How I’m not a witch or a psychic?”
“She’s not disappointed.” Tegan tightened her grip on the dagger. “She loves you. But if you bring the white dragon across the portal, none of it will matter because Tina will be dead.”
“They’ll protect her.” Mara rushed her, and Tegan dodged to the left, shoving Mara to the ground as she passed.
“You trust their word? Tina told me you didn’t even know you were a half demon until they kidnapped you.” Behind Mara, Tegan noticed Gabe’s fingers twitch. A spark of hope fired through her belly.
Mara got up, frowning. “They’re my blood.”
“So is Tina, and she’s loved you much longer.”
“Tina is jealous of my power.” Mara’s violet eyes brightened into a red color.
Tegan smelled smoke and glanced down to find her shirt smoldering. “Shit!” She ripped off the sheer shirt, leaving her in only her black tank top. “She won’t be jealous much longer. She’ll be dead.”
Mara screamed and ran at Tegan. This time she spun to her right but not quite fast enough. Mara’s arm caught her shoulder, knocking her off balance. They both tumbled to the ground. Tegan instinctively rolled to lessen the impact and came up on her feet. Demon blood burned her skin, but it was better than a broken bone.
Mara crawled forward, climbed back to her feet, and called out something Tegan couldn’t understand. The meaning quickly became apparent.
The demons lurched toward her, surrounding both of them. Tegan swung the dagger, slicing through a wrist, but another demon was right behind it. A jolt of pain shot up Tegan’s arm, and she jerked her elbow free of a demon’s jaws.
Suddenly a demon flew backward and a mangled, bloodied Gabe took his place behind her. “I’ve got your back. Send her to hell.”
Gabe’s battle-axe cracked through bone, and Tegan strove to keep her focus. Mara was at the portal, arms raised, chanting. Tegan’s eyesight wavered. She needed to finish this before she passed out. She bit down hard on her split lower lip, pain jolting her senses back to attention.