Demon Hunters 3: Tainted (Stand Alone Series) (Demon Hunters.) (10 page)

Cassidy slowly woke, pressed against a warm body, an arm flung over her. She stilled as she realised she was beside Gabe who was dressed only in boxers. Moving her head, she found the bed was empty of everything but them. Even the bedding was missing, except for the fitted sheet beneath them. Recalling last time she’d tried to wake Gabe, Cassidy wondered if it was safe to move. She tried to inch away from him and his arm tightened on her. She froze.

Gabe’s head lifted and he stared blearily at her. “What’s wrong?”

“No daggers this morning?”

“No.” He frowned. “You were worried about that?”

“You have to admit that last time I woke you wasn’t exactly a typical event.”

“Sorry. It’s different if I’m expecting someone in my personal space.”

“How do you know that?”

Gabe laughed. “How do you think I know?” He grinned. “Remember, I’ve never aspired for sainthood.”

“You could have told me instead of leaving me to worry you’d murder me before I could get out of bed.”

“Do you think I can claim a kiss under the heading of comforting and not die a horrible death?”

“You still want to kiss me?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Gabe leaned over her. “Well?”

“I’m a murderer.”

“I nearly killed my sister when I was ten-years-old.”

“It’s not the same.” She paused, then asked, “You have a sister?”

Gabe nodded. “Two of them. And it is the same. I wanted to go on a school camp.”

“You tried to kill her on a school camp? Around other people?”

“Will you shut up and let me tell the story?”

“Fine,” Cassidy muttered.

“She wasn’t on the school camp with me. But there was a demon in the area who thought it’d be entertaining to play with a demon hunter’s child. Luckily my mum had sent someone to keep an eye on me. I would have protested if I’d known because at ten-years-old I knew I could look after myself. Afterwards,” he fell silent for a bit. “Afterwards I had nightmares for years.”

“What has that got to do with your sister? She wasn’t even in the story.”

“Not very patient are you? I can relate to that sometimes.” Gabe grinned at her. “Like when someone makes me wait days for the kiss they’re going to give me.”

Cassidy’s heart leapt and she wanted to tell him to stop talking and just do.

“Whoa, demon girl. You’re eyes are doing that flame trick again.”

Cassidy closed her eyes. “Get on with the story then.”

“You’re the one who interrupted.” He ran his finger along her nose, over the tip and stopped when he reached her lips.

“Gabe.” Her voice was a whisper as she opened her eyes to look up at him.

The intensity of his gaze increased before he moved away, lying on his back beside her. “You’re right.”

Cassidy sat up so she could see his expression. “About what?”

Gabe shook his head. “I was telling you a story. About my sister.”

“Who isn’t in the story,” Cassidy pointed out.

“You know how I attacked you when you woke me?” Gabe waited for her to nod before he continued. “Joanna is a year younger than me and a couple of months after the school camp she came running into my room to wake me. I’d taken to sleeping with a knife under my pillow and when she jumped on my bed I attacked her.”

Cassidy waited for him to continue. He didn’t. “What happened?”

“There was blood everywhere. And she screamed so loud the neighbours probably heard her. They lost her on the operating table. Twice. And she was in hospital for months.” His lips slowly smiled. “And she made me her slave for years. Every time I wouldn’t do what she wanted she’d say it was only fair since I’d nearly killed her.” He chuckled softly. “She pulled that trick on me when I didn’t want to go to Charlotte’s wedding. So in a way it’s her fault I’m stuck in Brisbane.” He reached up to run a finger down the middle of her lips to stop on her chin. “I’ll have to thank her for that.”

“This happened eleven years ago.”

Gabe nodded. “Yeah.”

“And you’re still expecting to be attacked in your sleep. What did the demon do?” Cassidy squealed when Gabe rolled, pushing her back so she was again below him.

The silence stretched out. “I was the only person who walked away from that camp alive.”

“Gabe-” her voice broke as she imagined what that must have been like.

“Shh. It’s in the past.” His lips brushed across hers and he pulled back with a smile. “Maybe those demon eyes aren’t so bad after all. I think I’m starting to learn how to read them.”

“Stop staring at me.” She closed her eyes.

Gabe’s lips brushed her cheek, stopping near her ear. “Why? At least your eyes aren’t afraid to tell me what you want.”

Cassidy pushed him away and he let her. She sat up, glaring down at him. “You must be crazy. This,” she pointed to him then her then him again. “Isn’t going to happen. Not when Remedy could psych out and kill you. And regardless of what you think my eyes are telling you I’m not about to put your life in danger for a stupid bloody kiss.”

Gabe grinned. “I guess that means sex is out of the question then.”

Cassidy growled in frustration and looked around for something to throw at him. Instead her eyes noticed the time and she yelped, leaping from the bed. “It’s almost dark.” She backed away from Gabe, an accusing finger pointed at him. “Don’t you dare get yourself killed in front of me. I’ve seen more than enough death.”

Gabe rose from the bed, stepping forward each time she stepped away. “I know what time it is. I don’t need a clock to tell me. And you shouldn’t either.” He pointed to her wrist. “That should be telling you that you’ve got about an hour left till sunset.”

Cassidy frowned as she stared at her wrist. “How?”

“You need to be more aware of what’s happening. Not just around you, but in you. A hunter only survives by developing all their abilities, including instinct.” He took one last step and reached out to put a hand on her back, tugging her forward. He smiled. “I won’t tell if you don’t.” His lips met hers and time slowed to a crawl.

When Gabe pulled away, Cassidy stared up at him. “Crazy,” she whispered, but her lips curved into a smile.

Gabe matched her smile. “Your eyes are nearly all fire. How about we skip clubbing once we bind Castigate and spend the night at home?”

Cassidy laughed as she pushed him away from her. “Nice try.” She spun away, heading for the bathroom. When she closed the door behind her, she was surprised to find she was still smiling. Thoughts of her father crept in and stole the smile, but it slowly returned as an image of her father swinging her mum around the lounge room came to mind. Her father elated he’d gotten a promotion. Her mum wanting to go out to celebrate. He’d suggested staying in. Years later she couldn’t remember who’d won.

She stepped forward to the sink, gazing at the painted mirror. She scratched away some of the paint, glimpsing a flicker of flame. A little more scratching revealed hazel to go with it. Her father’s eyes. Her eyes. No accusation. Just eyes. She stared a moment longer before she turned on the tap and leaned forward to splash water over her face. After she’d dried her face, she checked which direction Castigate was in. She wanted to see if she could track him. Obviously she wasn’t ready to take him on, but she needed to know if she had the skill to find him.

Leaving the bathroom, she headed for the kitchen where she could hear Gabe preparing food. If he didn’t want to go with her, she’d go on her own.

Cassidy pulled over to the side of the road to focus on checking the direction again. He’d moved east this time. Didn’t Castigate ever stay still?

“Let me ride. We’ll never catch him if you’ve got to keep stopping to find him,” Gabe said.

“We’re not trying to catch him tonight. How many times have I got to tell you that? I still haven’t learned the ritual. I just need to figure out this tracking thing. And stop asking to ride my bike. You don’t have a license.”

“So? Neither do you.”

“Fine. Get off and let me swap places with you,” Cassidy snapped. “And if you get caught don’t go whining to me.”

Gabe chuckled as he hopped off the bike, quickly swapping places with her. He looked over his shoulder at her. “I bet you could Remedy the problem.”

“You’re not amusing you know.” She placed her hands on his hips. “Now move it. He’s headed east.”

They fell into a pattern, Cassidy’s hand tightening on his hip when she wanted him to turn that way. Both hands finally tightening as she yelled, “Stop.”

“What’s wrong?”

“He’s changed direction and headed this way. Move. Now.”

Gabe turned the motorbike and gunned the engine, leaning forward.

“Faster.” Cassidy’s arms encircled his waist as she plastered her body against his. “He’s moving quicker than us.” She felt the motorbike speed up and closed her eyes. She didn’t know what would be worse. Coming off a motorbike at high speed or the demon catching them. Dark energy tracked her and she figured out that coming off the motorbike would be preferable. The demon following them was after her, hunting her in the same way she’d hunted him. She swore. Why hadn’t Remedy told her Castigate would feel her hunting him? She felt the motorbike slowing and opened her eyes, about to demand what he was doing. The graveyard was ahead.

Gabe stopped just before the entrance. “Hurry up. Try. Your demon energy isn’t that strong right now.” He tugged her towards the graveyard the moment they were off the motorbike, one hand pulling his helmet off.

“I can’t.” Pain shot through her when she reached the edge and she recoiled from it. “Damn it.” She pulled away from him, yanking her helmet from her head to drop it on the ground. Then Castigate was behind her and she spun to face him, pulling out her daggers.

Castigate laughed, the sound echoing through the night. “You think you can face me with those bits of metal?”

Cassidy tended to agree with him, but she wasn’t about to tell him that. She tilted her chin and smiled. “I wouldn’t have pulled them out if I didn’t think so.”

Castigate launched himself at her and at the same moment Gabe wrapped his arms around her waist and dragged her into the graveyard. Castigate’s howl echoed her scream of pain. She fought Gabe, struggling to leave the graveyard and the pain it caused.

Gabe swore, twisting one of her blades from her hand. “Cass. Enough. You’re safe.”

She smelt blood, then saw it, a thin line on Gabe’s arm from one of her daggers. Reaching out, she instinctively pressed her demon mark against his blood. Pain exploded through her and she was able to pull away from Gabe who echoed her earlier scream, rubbing the rest of the blood from his arm with the edge of his shirt.

Cassidy stared at him on the ground, pain radiating from him. Her own pain causing her to sway on her feet. She wanted to run. To stay. She was torn between escaping the pain and helping Gabe. Under her skin she felt her demon mark twist and writhe, sharp blades of pain striking her with every movement.

Gabe staggered to his feet. “Cass. Please.” He reached out his hand. “Drop your dagger.”

She looked down at the blade, blood staining its surface. Gabe moved and her gaze returned to him. Behind her she could hear Castigate demanding she face him. Gabe’s hand touched her and she let the dagger fall to the ground with a dull thud. Then his arms were around her.

“Let go, Cass. The energy. The blood. Let it go. You’re safe here.” His hand rubbed her back, the other pressed her head against his shoulder. “You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

Cassidy shuddered, pain slowly ebbing until it was only a million little stings against her skin. Her arms came up to hold him closer against herself. “Your blood. I didn’t m-”

“Shh. Don’t worry about it.” His hand continued to stroke her back. “It’s over now.”

Cassidy pulled away from him. “No, it’s not.” She turned in his embrace to see Castigate waiting for her.

“What does he want?” Castigate demanded the moment Cassidy’s attention was on him.

“Who?”

“Your master.”

Cassidy didn’t bother correcting him. It wasn’t any of his business. “Nothing. I was curious when I saw his memories.”

Castigate grinned. “He was always a fool. Are you his new love to replace the last one I took from him? Tell him your days are numbered too. This time it will be by my hand, not a human’s.”

“Why? What did he ever do to you?”

“He tried to keep me from my full power. No demon can fully grow in power when they have obligations to others. He stole power that should have been mine by not releasing that hold over me. Now I will steal his when I tear him apart. But you,” he pointed at her. “Will be first. I will leave you to slowly die in a pool of your own blood. Bit by bit as I take your blood and power for my own. He weakens himself sharing some of his power with you. But it won’t help. You’ll still die like the last one.” Castigate laughed. “You will all die.” He spun away, leathery wings stretching as he took to the air.

Cassidy pulled away from Gabe and staggered to the edge of the graveyard. She dropped to the ground just outside the sanctuary. Gabe joined her, his hand reaching for hers. They remained silent, staring at each other. Cassidy started to tremble.

She swore, wiping a hand across her face. “What have I done? I am so dead.”

Gabe’s fingers tightened on hers. “We’ll figure something out.”

There was another rush of air above them and Remedy landed on the ground near Cassidy. “What were you thinking?”

“I haven’t got a clue.” Cassidy tilted her head back to look at him.

Remedy reached out to drag her to her feet, a hand around her arm. He put his face close to hers. “Then how do you think you’re going to win against him if you don’t think? Are you trying to get us killed?”

Cassidy shook her head. “I didn’t know he’d be so powerful. You said he was like you.”

“He is like me. Can’t you see?”

Cassidy gasped as power blazed forth from Remedy. More power than she’d ever seen him display. “I didn’t know.”

Remedy’s head came up as his power dropped to a hum. “I hope you liked that little display because every demon within the city is now headed this way. Hold on you fool.” His wings snapped out and he sent a look to Gabe. “You’re on your own, boy. You’re nothing to me.” He launched himself into the air, Cassidy held tight in his grasp.

With a squeal, she wrapped her arms around him at they streaked through the night. It seemed only minutes before Remedy landed outside her window and let her go.

He gestured to the house. “Get inside before they track you down. I should have known you’d be trouble.” His hands reached out and tugged on a strand of her hair. “What could I expect with colour like that?” He took to the air again, leaving Cassidy staring up at him.

She felt the energy in the night. Demons seeking the power that had flared out over the city. Sliding open her window, she climbed in, dropping to a heap on the floor. Her arms wrapped around herself and she nearly screamed when the house phone rang.

Staggering to her feet, she checked the time on her bedside clock. Who’d be ringing at two in the morning? Making her way unsteadily to the lounge room she picked up the phone. “Yeah?”

“Thank God you’re safe.”

“Gabe?”

“Who else rings you at this time of the morning?”

“Oh, Gabe.” Her legs gave out and she dropped into the closest armchair. “I’ll drive over-”

“Don’t be an idiot. You’re safe. Stay there.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll be right if I don’t die of boredom. Now if these demons would come a little closer I could use a few more of them for target practice. A pity I don’t have my crossbow with me. That’d get the ones hanging back.”

“I didn’t want to leave you. I didn’t have a choice.”

“I know. But it’s better he took you home. Although I can tell you those first two times I rang and no one answered were the longest minutes of my life.”

Cassidy had no clue what to say. Apologise again? Yell at him for being stupid enough to want to go hunting with her?

“You still there, Cass?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll be home after dawn.” He paused a moment. “It’s probably time I got my own motorbike license.”

“And your own motorbike?”

“Why would I want that? Riding together is about the only time Remedy lets me have my hands on you. Stay home, Cass. I’ll be there soon.” He disconnected.

Cassidy dropped the phone on the floor, a smile lingering on her face. She shook her head as she rose to her feet, unsteady legs barely holding her up. “I swear he’s got a one track mind,” she muttered, heading for the bathroom. Maybe a shower would make her feel better.

It did, but not by much. Dressed in a pair of soft shorts and a singlet, both black, she wandered to Gabe’s room with the ritual clutched in her hand. She read it over and over again, drifting off to sleep some time before Gabe arrived home.

She woke to find him kneeling beside the bed, staring at her. His skin was still a little damp from a shower and his chest bare. “Gabe?” The expression on his face scared her. He looked haunted.

He reached out and gently touched her face, running his hands along her neck, shoulders and arms. He ran them back up again, cupping her face. “You’re safe.” He dragged her against his chest.

Cassidy felt the pound of his heart against her and slid her arms around him. “Yeah. I’m safe.” She felt his arms tighten on her and she pulled him towards her. “Sleep. We’ll worry about it all in the morning.”

Gabe lay down beside her, still holding her tight against him. “I didn’t know if he was trying to save you or had finally lost control and was going to kill you.”

“Shh. He’s not suicidal. Yet. Go to sleep. You look like crap.” She heard the rumble of his laughter through his chest.

“Thanks. I appreciate the compliment.”

“I think your ego is big enough without me feeding it.”

“How about tomorrow night we stay home and I teach you how to use some of the toys in my toolbox?”

“Hiding?”

“No. Come on, Cass. One night. It’s not hiding. Learning is just as important as going out there and letting them all think you’re fearless.”

“You’ll teach me how to throw your shuriken?”

“Yeah. If you want.”

“I should practice the ritual.” She suddenly realised she’d fallen asleep reading it. She tried to pull away from him. “My ri-”

“I put it on the bedside table.”

She relaxed against him. “Thanks.” He didn’t answer. The only sound she heard from him was the beating of his heart against her ear. She fell asleep to that sound.