Demon Hunters 2: Retribution (Stand Alone Series) (Demon Hunters.) (9 page)

Scarlett sat on the couch with her feet tucked under her and a book in her lap as her eyes stared sightlessly ahead. Her blurred view was broken by Des as he stepped in front of her. She looked up at him and noticed he wore no shirt and had a sword slung across his back.

“What’s going on? Where’d you get that sword?”

Des grinned. “It’s mine, I summoned it. Grab your sword.”

“Why?”

“I’m curious.” He held out his hand and dragged her to her feet when she took it.

She picked up her sword that had been on the couch beside her and left the book in its place, making sure she only touched the leather scabbard. “Are you going to tell me?” She walked beside him to the back door.

“How about I show you instead?” He flicked the switch to turn the spotlights on in the backyard. “Come and play.”

Scarlett returned his grin. “I had planned to get an early night.” She took the hand he offered and followed him to the middle of the spacious backyard. The perimeter of the yard was filled with shrubs and plants that pressed up against the wooden fence and several large trees were scattered around the edges, stretching towards the large grassed area in the middle.

“You’re fooling yourself if you think you can sleep yet.” Des drew his sword.

Scarlett pulled the glove from her jeans pocket and slipped it on her left hand before she drew her sword from its sheath. She tossed the leather scabbard towards the closest tree. “And you think this is going to help me sleep?”

Des shrugged. “Does it matter? At least it’s better than sitting there brooding.” He attacked and she blocked. “Put some effort into it, Scarlett. It’s not like you can kill me.”

“This is a blessed sword. A cut from it will be painful.”

Des attacked again, Scarlett blocked each one, not attacking back. “You draw blood and you can take one of the questions from me. It’ll be yours to ask.”

“No. I’m not hurting you.”

“I’ll fight you,” Alex said from the back door.

“No. Alex!”

Alex shrugged at his sister’s words. “He’s asking for it. Are you mad, Scarlett? You can’t like him. He’s a demon.”

Des smiled triumphantly. “You fight me or I fight your brother. And you fight to win.”

“What if I lose? And what are the rules that govern my losing? You’re not cutting me.”

“Disarm.”

Scarlett stared at him. “If I win, we’re at even questions. One each.”

“Done!” Des attacked immediately.

Scarlett blocked and attacked back. The sword felt a part of her, whistling through the air to clash against Des’ sword. The rest of the world faded and it was only the two of them. She met his eyes and looked in them for clues. There were none. She circled him and attacked randomly. He blocked each time.

Excitement rushed through her as she came close to his arm. He twisted away at the last minute and brought his sword down on hers. She had to step back to keep her grip. She grinned at him and swung high, then she changed direction at the last second. He barely managed to block.

Time became meaningless, measured by the clash of swords, the pounding of hearts and quick breaths from exertion. A trickle of sweat went down the side of her face, but Scarlett ignored it. There was no time for distractions. She went back to blocking as her shoulders started to feel the weight of the sword. They circled each other warily.

Scarlett was driven back under a barrage of attacks and she stumbled on an exposed root. Des reached out to save her as Scarlett gained her balance and attacked. He brought his sword up too late and Scarlett managed to catch his side, a line of blood instantly welling.

Des staggered and swore. Scarlett lowered her sword and wrapped her arm around him in support.

“I told you it’d hurt. And what was that? I was fine. I didn’t need your help. Didn’t you hassle me earlier for not playing properly?”

Des laughed. “Instinct.”

Scarlett frowned. “Saving me from being hurt is instinct?”

“Apparently.” He drew his breath in sharply. “What did you do to that sword? Douse it in holy water?” When she nodded, he swore again. “Now you tell me. I thought it was only blessed by your priest. I didn’t know you’d dipped it in holy water too.”

“You’re the one who wanted to play.”

“I obviously don’t think clearly around you.”

Scarlett met his eyes. “Neither do I,” she said softly.

He leaned forward, his lips a breath away from hers.

“You better clean that blood off your sword, just in case it’s corrosive,” Alex called out.

Des grinned. “Saved by the bell,” he murmured.

Scarlett laughed and pulled away, her eyes drawn to the cut. She reached out and ran her fingers through the blood. The wound was closed. It hadn’t been very deep, but it should have taken much longer to heal.

“Scarlett! What are you doing? Finger painting?” Alex strode across the lawn to her.

“He’s healed.”

“He’s a demon.” Alex glared at Des.

Scarlett looked at the red smearing her fingers. She held them up towards her brother. “Funny how our blood is the same colour though.”

“Scarlett. Don’t argue with your brother over me,” Des said.

“I don’t need you to defend me, demon,” Alex snapped.

“I’m not. I’m protecting Scarlett.”

“I wouldn’t harm her.”

“Not physically.” Des stared at Alex a moment before he turned and walked back to the house.

Alex looked sick. “I’m sorry, Scarlett.” He reached out his left hand.

She had to lean her sword against her leg so she could clasp her left hand to his arm so their wrists touched. The familiar action said more than words could. It reminded both of them about what was involved in gaining their demon marks and how their family always stood together. “I’m sorry too. I know how hard you’re finding this. I wish I could make it easier.”

“That should be my line.”

Scarlett smiled at him. “How about we share the line?”

“Sure.” He reached out and took her sword. “I’ll clean it for you.”

“Thanks.”

Alex fetched the scabbard and they walked side by side into the house. Alex moved to the sink and grabbed a rag from the cupboard beneath. He ignored Des who poured a glass of juice.

“Here.” Des handed the juice to Scarlett.

She checked the clock as she drained the glass. “We were out there nearly two hours.”

Des chuckled. “Think you might be able to sleep now?”

“Like the dead.” She put her glass on the sink and washed the blood from her hand, watching as it swirled down the drain. Not wanting to take any chances that the blood could be used against him, she pulled the vial of holy water from her jeans pocket and tipped some down the sink before she returned the vial to her pocket. She turned back to Des who had already cleaned the blood off himself. “How do you feel?”

“Fine. It hurt a hell of a lot longer than I expected. Nasty surprise that holy water.”

“I wasn’t the one who decided to play.” She took her sheathed sword Alex handed her. “Thanks.” She turned back to Des. “You even set the rules.”

“I’m not complaining. Just stating a fact.”

“I’m going to bed shortly,” Alex said to Scarlett. “You going?”

“Yeah. I need to shower first.”

“Night, Scarlett.”

“Night.” Scarlett watched as Alex left the room. She was glad he was no longer angry with her, but she guessed with the way he’d ignored Des he was still unhappy with a demon in the house. She turned back to Des to find him watching her. “What?”

“I’m glad you and your brother are no longer at odds.” He moved closer. “And it was worth the pain to see you have fun.”

“You’re mad.”

Des grinned. “I see things differently to you.” He took another step towards her.

Scarlett moved away a step. “I need to have a shower.”

“You going to come hunting, Lady Knight?”

“It barely seems like hunting when I’m only a spectator.”

“It makes it easier to send them back when you help. It would take much longer to completely defeat them. Are you coming hunting with me?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll wake you just before three.” Des grinned before he walked outside.

Scarlett stared after him and wondered what he was up to. In the end she yawned, shrugged and went to get some clothes so she could shower.

“Lady Knight.”

Scarlett shivered at the words whispered in her ear. She opened her eyes to see a shadow leaning over her. She reached out and her hand touched the heat of Des’ skin.

“If you have other plans we can postpone the hunt.”

Scarlett smiled. “And you call me predictable.” Climbing out of the swag, she grabbed her phone and wallet. She stood, shoving them in the pockets of her jeans she’d been tired enough to fall asleep in. A rattle of keys in the doorway made them both turn towards the sound.

Blake stood in the doorway of the lounge room. “Looks like we’re ready to go. I’m driving.” He held his sword in one hand, his keys in the other.

“Scarlett?” Des asked.

“That’s good. My car’s still out of action.”

Des took her hand and guided her through the dimly lit room. Once they were in the four-wheel-drive, that was parked in the driveway, Blake turned the key to accessories. The clock in the dash sent an eerie glow through the front of the vehicle. They sat in silence and waited for the few minutes that still had to pass before it was three o’clock.

The moment the clock changed to three, Des said, “Go left.” For nearly an hour he gave Blake terse directions until he finally told him to pull over.

Scarlett looked around as she climbed out of the four-wheel-drive. They were parked in front of a building site in an industrial area. Regularly spaced spotlights created large pools of light. The street was deserted, but she guessed that would change in about an hour when daylight broke and the businesses started work for the day. The lights of the vehicle flashed as Blake locked it and they followed Des onto the building site.

Des pulled off his shirt and handed it to Scarlett.

She glanced at the shirt. “Couldn’t you just make it disappear and reappear?”

Des nodded. “Why waste energy that could be used for something else? Luck?”

Scarlett couldn’t help smiling. She touched her fingers to her lips then lightly to his. “Where’s the demon?”

Des laughed softly. “Coward.” He turned away and looked around. “There,” he pointed slightly to his left, “And there.” He pointed straight ahead.

“Two,” Scarlett gasped.

“Then let’s get this over with.” Blake drew his sword from the scabbard that was now slung across his back.

“You can have the demon straight ahead. Scarlett and I will take the one to the left,” Des said.

Blake stared at Des for a moment. “Return her in one piece.”

Des nodded before he strode away. Scarlett followed him, patting Blake on the shoulder in reassurance as she walked past him. She paused as Des suddenly sprouted wings and leapt into the air. It was an amazing sight Scarlett had to admit. Grace and power.

She watched as Des fought the smaller demon, it’s almost skeletal body equally as quick as his. Des faltered and the skeletal demon took advantage to shove him into scaffolding. It crashed down around them. Des clutched his side where she’d cut him earlier and stumbled away from the demon who let out a manic cackle.

Scarlett started to run towards Des.

“Stay back, Scarlett.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Must still have holy water in my system. I thought I’d burned it all out. Your cousin’s praying makes it burn like hell.”

“We’ll move away from him.” Scarlett backed towards the street.

Des launched himself at the other demon and his momentum pushed them further away from Blake. Scarlett was on the footpath now and hurried to the corner of the street. She turned around to see if Des followed. She saw the skeletal demon point at her before Des leapt at it again.

Scarlett heard the roar of an engine off to her right and turned to see a car heading straight for her. She heard a shout from behind and as she started to move, she looked over her shoulder in time to see a leather clad man running towards her, pushing her out of the way of the car.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion, before Scarlett hit the footpath. There was a sickening thud as the car hit the man who had saved her, tossing him aside like a rag doll. The car raced down the street without pausing to check on the man it had hit. Scarlett heard a scream and realised it was hers.

She cut it off in mid sound to hear Des frantically calling her name. She couldn’t answer. Her whole being was focused on scrambling to her feet and getting to the man. She dropped to her knees beside him. He was too still. Blood stained the footpath beneath his head. One of his legs was at an unnatural angle and his chest was still.

“Please,” Scarlett whispered as she pressed her fingers against his wrist to find a pulse. Nothing. She unzipped his leather jacket, which it was far too hot to be wearing, and felt for his heartbeat. Still nothing.

“No!” Scarlett frantically began CPR. She prayed as she worked and then recalled Des still fought a demon. A tear splashed on her hands as she worked on his chest and she realised she was crying. She started mouth to mouth again. Nothing.

With trembling hands, she dialled emergency and set it to speakerphone before she went back to working on the young man. As soon as she was connected, she yelled, “I need an ambulance.”

She looked around hysterically when she was asked for a location and sobbed. “I don’t know.”

“Scarlett!” Des yelled.

She glanced up in his direction and he yelled GPS co-ordinates to her. She sobbed in relief as she passed on the information. Scarlett had no sooner disconnected the call when Des yelled out to her again.

“Scarlett! Now!”

She paused long enough to grab her cross with her left hand and braced herself for the jolt of pain. Then Des was beside her and lifting her out of the way.

“Save him,” Scarlett begged.

He ran his hand over the leg and it straightened. The bleeding stopped at the back of the head. He held his hand over the heart and the forehead. He looked up at Scarlett and shook his head.

“No! Save him.”

“It’s too late, Scarlett. He’s already gone.”

Des tried to wrap his arms around Scarlett, but she struck out at him with her fists. He pulled her close. “It was too late the moment the car hit him.”

“No,” Scarlett sobbed. “I was the one who was meant to be hit. Not him. Me.”

“Don’t even think it,” Des ordered. “I would rather a dozen people died than have you die.”

“That’s horrible.” Scarlett tried to pull away from him.

“It might be. But it’s the truth.”

“I could have gotten out of the way in time if he hadn’t been there,” Scarlett whispered.

“No you couldn’t. The demon forced that car after you. It wouldn’t have stopped until a life was taken. Someone had to die.”

“We shouldn’t have gone hunting.”

“You think it would have been better to let them run loose and do more damage?”

Scarlett’s voice broke. “They were after me, no one else.”

“They would have created havoc everywhere they went while they looked for you. Conflict and Dissention. They couldn’t have helped themselves.”

“I don’t want to be the cause of other people’s pain,” Scarlett whispered. She looked down at the man lying on the footpath. She pulled away from Des and felt his arms tighten before he let her go. She knelt beside the body. The man wore black jeans, motorbike boots and a leather jacket. Under it was a shirt printed with a heavy metal band. She reached out to touch his cheek. His face was angular with prominent cheekbones, a sharp jaw line, narrow nose and light brown eyes that stared at her sightlessly. His hair was close cropped and he had a row of earrings up both ears and in one eyebrow.

“You can’t help him, Lady Knight.”

“He looks like he was only my age. He had his whole life ahead of him.”

Des lifted the man’s hand and showed Scarlett the scars on his wrist. “Yet he didn’t want it.”

“It still doesn’t make it right.”

Des stared at her a moment. “Bind me to this youth, Scarlett.”

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“I can’t.” Scarlett shook her head, her mouth opened to speak again and then closed as she looked at the young man. “I can’t,” she whispered.

“He’s dead. There’s nothing more that can be done for him.”

“It’s a sin.”

“And binding me to an object wasn’t? Scarlett!”

Tears streaked down her face. “If I could, then I would. I won’t take one step further down this path. Please don’t ask it of me.”

Des looked at the body, then back at Scarlett. “Please. Before it’s too late. Before everything breaks down too much to be of use.”

Scarlett could only shake her head as silent tears continued to course down her cheeks.

Des grabbed her by the arms. “I’m begging you, Lady Knight. Please.”

“Don’t ask this of me. Des! I can’t do it. It was hard enough to bind you to the ring. This isn’t necessary.”

“Scarlett-”

“No. Aren’t you the one who said you were averse to change? This would be a major change.”

“No, it wouldn’t. All that would change would be the shell. I’d still be myself. Please, Scarlett.”

Scarlett shook her head. Her words were soft and broken. “I… can’t.”

Blake ran towards them. “Scarlett!” He dropped beside her and wrapped her in his arms. “You’re unhurt?” When she could only nod in answer, he looked between her, Des and the body. “What happened?”

“He saved my life. The demon forced a car to run me over. And he saved my life. I don’t even know his name.” Scarlett shook her head. “I don’t even know his name.”

Des met Blake’s eyes. “Do you want me with her forever, bound to the ring she wears on her hand? The moment I’m no longer bound to her, I’ll be Retribution’s plaything. I’m not a fool. Do you think I’ll let her break the binding? There’s another option.” Des glanced at the body and then back to Blake. “It’s an empty shell. Bind me to it.”

“Blake! No! Don’t take that path. Don’t listen to him. Please.”

Blake let Scarlett pull away from him. “No binding. A soul. To become human with all the frailties that involves.”

“Blake?” Scarlett looked between the two and worry filled her eyes.

Des hesitated and then looked at Scarlett. “Willingly.”

“Give me the ring, Scarlett.” Blake held out his hand, his eyes still on Des. “Hurry. I can hear ambulance sirens.”

“No.”

“We don’t have time to debate the morality of it. Think of it as a heart transplant,” Blake said.

“Please, Scarlett,” Des pleaded when Scarlett continued to hesitate.

Blake turned to look at Scarlett. “I will have that ring, Scarlett. Now hand it over.”

“This is wrong.” Scarlett took the ring from her finger, giving it to Blake.

Blake shook his head. “We’re giving this demon the chance to redeem himself. We’ll see if he wastes the chance or not.”

“You’re not a priest, Blake.”

Blake grinned wryly. “No, and I’ve never wanted to be one. But this is right. I know it is.” He turned to the man lying beside him. Des moved to the other side of the body. “Is it still viable?”

Des nodded. He ran his hand over the body and paused in a few places. His eyes became flame streaked. “The damage is minimal now. I’ll leave the rest for the doctors.”

Blake placed his left hand on the man’s forehead. He turned to Scarlett. “He’s left. This body’s an empty shell.”

Scarlett watched the procedure. Blake seemed certain about the ethics, but she wasn’t sure. She should have been worried about the life that had been lost, but what bothered her most was Des’ chance of survival. He was a demon. She should be glad he might not live through this. But she wasn’t.

Blake turned to Des. “You will be the man. You will be human. Your soul will be judged at the end of your days. Even if those are only moments from now because the body might not survive or it rejects you.”

“I know the risks. I welcome them.” Des again looked towards Scarlett. When his eyes met hers, he mouthed the words, Lady Knight.

Scarlett pressed her hands to her mouth and tried to hold back the sobs that threatened to weaken her. She watched as Blake slipped her ring onto the lifeless hand, the gold stretching to fit. He then pressed his hand against the dead man’s heart while his other hand went to the same place on Des.

“Are you willing to take on the responsibilities and obligations this body has left behind? To become him?”

“Yes.”

“Do you renounce being a demon? Do you willingly give it up to become human?”

“With all my being.”

“Do you renounce Satan and wish to find forgiveness for all the sins you have committed in the past?”

“Yes.”

The air seemed to pulse and shimmer, then Des was no more.

“No,” Scarlett sobbed, reaching out to touch the body. She stopped at the last second. “Tell me he lives. Please tell me he lives.”

“He lives.”

“Thank you, God. Thank you,” Scarlett whispered and crossed herself before she placed her head on his chest to hear for herself.

The ambulance pulled up near them and two men rushed towards them with a gurney. “Make room,” one of them called out. A third man joined them, bringing the equipment he needed to save the injured man’s life.

Scarlett watched as the three men from the ambulance worked over Des. When they had him on the gurney and were starting to wheel him away, Scarlett leapt forward. “Please. Take me too.”

“And you are?” One of the men asked while the other two put Des in the ambulance.

“He saved my life. There was a car. I just need to thank him. Please. Can I come too?”

“I’m sorry. You’re not family,” the man said gently. “You’re welcome to go to the hospital. Once he’s stable you’ll probably be able to see him. It won’t be today though.”

“Which hospital?” When they told her, Scarlett wailed, “But I don’t even know his name.”

“We found his license.” One of the men called from inside the ambulance. “Jesse Finley.”

“We have to go.” The man turned and hurried to the driver’s seat.

Scarlett buried her face in her hands. “What have we done?”

Blake dropped his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. “It’ll be fine, Scarlett. Shh. Let me take you home. You’ll feel better then.”

“Can we go by the church first? I need to talk to Father Joe.”