Infernal Hunt Complete Set

by Holly Evans

  "Oh, Evie, it's so good to see you."

  She pulled back and pulled Lysander into a hug. "And you, Lysander, mustn't leave you out."

  The hint of a blush crept across his cheekbones; he stood a little taller and acted as though it never happened. She took my hand and led me into her little living room. I soon had a cup of white tea in my hand with Lysander sitting on the floor, his shoulder resting against my hip.

  "How have you two been?"

  I took a deep breath and started with the imps. Elise narrowed her eyes at me; Lysander looked down and away. I stroked his hair, running my fingers down the back of his neck.

  "Azfin spoke to us, he bitched about tremors from the infernal realm. He felt we should be doing more."

  Elise's entire face drooped. Her eyebrows knitted, and her mouth tumbled into a deep frown.

  "I'd hoped we'd never need to worry about that again."

  "So did I," Lysander whispered.

  I rubbed behind his ear to try and soothe him. His eyes remained fixed on the floor; tension ran down his back, while his hands kept moving in his lap.

  I chewed on my bottom lip. "I felt like I was on fire a couple of times earlier, too. Kadrix said it's the bond deepening."

  Elise looked at me, one corner of her mouth twitched in contemplation of a smile.

  "It was terrifying. I didn't know if I was actually on fire, if I was hallucinating..."

  "Oh, Evie," she said softly.

  Her hands wrapped around my spare hand and squeezed gently. "I trust Lysander looked after you."

  A weak smile formed on my lips, more out of embarrassment at needing him. “He did."

  She smiled. "You're a good pair, you were thrown together for a reason."

  She finished with a stern nod.

  The air temperature dropped precipitously. It quickly shot back up. I looked around, unsure what had just happened. A cool breeze fluttered along the floor before the celestials swanned into the room, with Zair leading and Tiel close behind him, still in his jeans and T-shirt.

  "The hellmouth has been shivering again," Zair said matter of factly.

  "Close it then,” I said.

  He ignored me and focused on Elise while Tiel walked around the sofa to look at Lysander on the floor.

  "He's not a bad little pet, is he? Where can I get one?"

  Lysander bared his teeth at him. I rolled my eyes and said nothing.

  "Why are you here?" Elise spat.

  Zair lifted his chin to better look down his nose at us. "There is a small problem, that you are required to help with."

  "And why would we want to do that?" Elise snapped.

  Zair took a long deep breath and exhaled slowly through his nose. "Because you are a priestess."

  "I work with my lady. Not you," she replied.

  Tiel leant down and went to touch Lysander's head, Lysander almost took his hand off. Tiel laughed with delight. I stroked down Lysander's neck to shift his focus back to me. Giving the celestials what they wanted led nowhere good.

  I focused entirely on Zair, hoping that Tiel would give up his foolish games if no one paid him any attention.

  The celestial shifted his weight and huffed quietly before he said, "It seems one of our number has gone rogue. On this plane."

  I narrowed my eyes at him. "Gone rogue...?"

  "He got bored of the uptight shit and decided to come and play on this plane. The borders between this plane and ours is rather delicate at the moment. I can't blame him," Tiel said.

  I glared at Zair.

  Elise said, "And what are we supposed to do about this? He's your problem."

  Zair shuffled his feet a little and tucked his hands in his pants pockets before he lifted his chin and said, "We do not have that power on this plane."

  The pain riddled its way through his words.

  "What is the threat posed by this rogue?" Lysander growled.

  The celestials ignored him. My desire to grab onto Zair's shirt and pull his face to mine built within me.

  Elise snapped, "Answer Lysander's question."

  Zair sniffed and looked at Lysander with disdain. "He is a hot-headed individual, not yet through his training."

  "Brain-washing," Tiel added helpfully.

  Zair's eyes narrowed, but he continued. "He has strong opinions, and does not understand the rules of this plane. That could lead to unpleasant situations."

  "Unpleasant situations?" Elise snarled.

  "He hasn't figured out that you can't just kill people that piss you off yet," Tiel said with too much joviality.

  Elise's hands balled into fists. Her eyes took on a silver glow. She took a long deep breath and calmed herself.

  "How did this happen?"

  Zair's mouth tightened. "I may, perhaps, have forgotten to close the barrier fully."

  She exploded off the sofa and had his throat firmly in her small hand before he could think about moving. She balanced precariously on the back of the sofa, her nose touching his while she squeezed his airway. The celestial's eyes bulged, but he didn't dare move.

  "You put my city in danger? And you dare look down your nose at us and make demands?"

  He tried to swallow, but her hand tightened further.

  "She's quite a little firecracker isn't she?" Tiel asked.

  She released Zair and turned her gaze to Tiel, who gave her a mocking little smile. Once more she calmed herself and settled back down on the sofa.

  "How do we find this rogue? And how do we kill him?"

  Zair paled. "Kill him?"

  His eyes had managed to widen even further.

  I gave him a dark look. "You didn't think we were going to give a slap on the wrists, did you? Someone needs to teach you assholes consequences."

  He gave a slight nod. "He er... he has managed to master the art of stealth. We er... we can't track him."

  I squeezed my eyes tight.

  "You're really quite pretty when you're this angry," Tiel said lightly.

  "One more inane comment and I'll remove your balls," Elise said calmly.

  Tiel simply grinned at her, clearly thoroughly enjoying himself.

  Zair began looking quite uncomfortable when Quin and Kadrix showed up. They were outnumbered, and we were increasingly frustrated. I idly pulled my blades from their sheathes and enjoyed the feeling of them connecting with my energies once more. I trailed a finger down the centre of one, watching Zair’s face as I did so.

  He paled and swallowed hard before he said, “Where did you get that?”

  I smiled sweetly and gestured to Kadrix. “He was kind enough to give them to me.”

  Kadrix smirked at him. “I understand that it’s rather painful for celestials to be plucked, I’d quite like to experiment one day. Your feathers are particularly useful.”

  Zair took a step back, almost colliding with the wall. I stepped forward, pushing him back.

  “Now, how do we track down this rogue?”

  A bead of sweat formed on his forehead; Tiel chuckled to himself.

  Zair stood a little taller and puffed his chest out. “It can’t be done.”

  I looked over to Kadrix and tilted my head a little, running my tongue over my lips. “You tracked the hound with some of Lysander’s essence… and you would love to pluck a celestial…”

  Kadrix grinned at me. “I love the way you think sometimes, Evelyn.”

  Zair vanished; I pouted. “Spoil sport.”

  We turned our attention to Tiel; Ioel had already fled.

  Tiel opened his arms wide. “Come and try, I love it rough.”

  Lysander grinned at me, his teeth sharpened. I gave a small shake of my head. The celestial wouldn’t be that confident if we were going to succeed. I narrowed my eyes at him.

  He grinned back at me and said, “Sorry beautiful, but you really can’t track him.”

  He blew a kiss and left.

  Lysander growled. Elise threw her teacup at the wall. We all stood in shock; we’d never known her to b
e destructive before. The white porcelain lay on the floor in shards. I looked around the room trying to figure out what I was supposed to do. Elise stood with her back to the rest of us, her hands balled into fists, every muscle tight. She began trembling. I walked up to her and wrapped my arms around her gently, pulling her head down to my shoulder. She leaned into me and slowly relaxed.

  “Oh, Evie. It’s one thing after another. I wasn’t cut out for this.”

  I put my hand on her cheek. “Yes you were. You’re the strongest, bravest person I know.”

  Her mouth pulled up into a small smile. “We’ll do it together.”

  “Always.”

  Kadrix pulled me to one side once Elise has calmed down. His delicate hand on my wrist was an odd sensation. The magic rippled from him. He led me to a quiet corner of the main area of the church where he stopped and crossed his arms, a stern expression on his face.

  He huffed quietly before he held my gaze and hissed, "When are you going to stop hurting that hound and accept your feelings for him?"

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “When are you going to treat my twin like he deserves?"

  His nostrils flared and his eyes flicked away from mine. "Your brother increasingly means more to me. I treat him with a great deal of respect."

  "Do not hurt him, Kadrix. Nothing on any plane will stop me from hunting you down if you hurt him."

  He ground his teeth. "Stop deflecting the topic, Evelyn. Your feelings for that hound are as clear as day, and yet you insist on torturing the poor beast because you're too weak to act on them."

  I stepped closer to the elf standing almost toe to toe.

  "How dare you speak to me like that," I growled.

  "I am looking after you, and your hound. Do you think we haven't noticed how miserable you've been? The way you light up when Lysander is close to you? For your own sake, Evelyn, fuck him already."

  Heat crept across my cheeks.

  "This is not an appropriate conversation," I said before I walked away.

  Kadrix grabbed onto my wrist and held me firm. I balled my other hand into a fist and contemplated ruining his pretty face.

  "Evelyn. I am trying to look after you. You may not always appreciate my insight, but it is for your benefit. I hope to keep Quin for a long time, and that would make you family."

  I smirked and turned to face him. "You're really falling for him, aren't you?"

  He refused to look at me.

  "Then do not hurt him again," I snarled and walked away.

  Elise was fussing over the tiny bits of dust left from the remains of the cup; she brushed at the area on the floor with a determination I hoped never turned against me. I ran my hand down her back and crouched next to her.

  "It'll be ok."

  She sighed and stood up slowly. "I know, truly I do, but it's so hard sometimes. It can be lonely up here in the church alone. I watch you and Lysander, and I can't help but want it for myself."

  I stroked her hair and pulled her into a hug. "Your lady will give you everything you deserve."

  I didn't know how true it was, but I chose to believe it, for her sake.

  I looked around the room for Lysander; there was no sign of the hound. I frowned and tried to recall if he'd gone past me while Kadrix was being himself.

  "Where did Lysander go?" I asked Elise.

  She gave a small shrug. “He muttered something, I didn't quite catch it. I assumed he needed a little air, he's a sensitive creature."

  I snorted. “Given his past, he certainly is that."

  Elise narrowed her eyes at me. “He is a good soul, Evelyn. He had no choice in his past actions, you've seen and felt his scars. He's a gift, cherish him."

  I pursed my lips and walked away. I was growing weary of people interfering in my non-existent love life. As if on cue, Azfin and Haeyl stormed into the church. Just the distraction I didn't want.

  "The hellmouth was supposed to be fixed," Azfin shouted.

  I raised an eyebrow and pulled my blades. "We did everything we could. Now respect the space you have entered."

  The Sidhe both glanced at the altar to the moon goddess and bowed their heads, muttering something foreign.

  "Our apologies," Haeyl said quietly.

  Azfin scowled and composed himself before he said, much more calmly, "There have been more shivers from the infernal realm. Is your hound screwing around? Trying to bring around some of his underlings?"

  I glared at him. "No. Lysander is not involved in this."

  He strode over to me. "Are you sure, Evelyn? Can you tell me honestly that your infatuation with the creature isn't clouding your mind?"

  I punched him. Hard. He rubbed his jaw and glared at me while bundling energy in the palm of his hand. I set my shoulders back and prepared my blades for the ensuing violence.

  Elise screamed, "Enough!"

  I bowed my head and tucked my blades away; I knew better than that. I should have restrained myself better. Azfin swallowed hard and backed away from me.

  "My deepest apologies, priestess."

  "What is this about the hellmouth?" she asked coldly.

  "There has been movement from the infernal realm. The energies are flexing and shivering. Something is trying to find a way through."

  I ground my teeth, we were supposed to be done with that.

  Haeyl said, "What are the celestials doing about this? Surely they know."

  "Nothing," Elise spat.

  I waved my annoyance. "The celestials are nothing more than pathetic messengers, they have no power here."

  "They fucked us," Kadrix growled.

  I laughed, a harsh unamused laugh. "They allowed a 'rogue' through."

  Azfin raised an eyebrow at me. "A rogue?"

  I gave a shrug and smirked. “Yea, you know. A hot-tempered, wrathful, arrogant, asshole who hasn't learnt he's not supposed to kill us. The usual."

  Azfin growled and dragged his fingers though his hair. "I tire of this."

  "You and me both,” Elise muttered.

  Kadrix snuck up next to me, I made a note to tell Quin to put some bells around his elf.

  "Standing here complaining about life isn't going to fix our joint problems," he said coolly.

  I was a little surprised to hear sense coming from him. Azfin eyed him darkly.

  "And what do you suggest we do, alchemist?" he growled.

  Kadrix rolled his eyes. "Does my position in the world matter so greatly?"

  "You're an elf from a strong bloodline. You bring shame to that," Azfin said with a sniff.

  Kadrix shook his head. "I am an alchemist. I bring pride to my family via a very profitable business and a strong connection to the city."

  Azfin narrowed his eyes and looked the elf up and down. "You have too many secrets, elf."

  "And you don't?" Kadrix replied lightly.

  I cleared my throat. "And how are we stopping the next wave of infernal bullshit from hitting my city?"

  They all looked at me sharply. I smiled sweetly. I didn't care what their views were; the city was mine. I was the one protecting it, therefore I was the one claiming it.

  Lysander had appeared after a short while of poking at the fae; I needed to vent. If I couldn't be violent, and I had no one to screw, then I saw no reason why I couldn't rile the fae. A smile played across Elise's lips as she finally relaxed and laughed at Azfin, who became more and more uptight.

  A splatter of blood marked Lysander's cheek; I narrowed my eyes at him and dragged him back outside.

  "Where were you? What were you doing?"

  He held my eye-contact and said, "I was solving a small problem."

  I sighed but didn't press the topic any further. I couldn't help but run my fingers over his silver collar; it fit him perfectly.

  "Do I hurt you, Lysander?"

  I couldn't look at his face. His fingers brushed my cheek, his warm breath soon followed.

  "Sometimes, mistress."

  His lips were dangerously close to mine. Panic
filled me, I took a step back and took a deep breath, relishing the crisp air of spring. He thrust his hands into the pockets of his jeans and leaned back against the wall, trying to look casual despite the hurt that marked his face.

  A yowl came from inside, an almost feline noise that cut through the air. I ran into the church to see Haeyl pacing around the room while the others looked at the smashed phone on the floor.

  Azfin said, "Enough, Haeyl. Speak."

  Haeyl's eyes took on a golden glow, claws extended from his fingers, his ears pointed. I hadn't seen a Sidhe change into their natural form before. He calmed himself before it took hold entirely; the temperature of the church kept fluctuating as he did so.

  "Marielle. She has been found."

  "Found?" Azfin said sharply.

  "What remains of her."

  A knot of dread formed in the deepest pit of my stomach.

  "Who is Marielle, Haeyl?" Elise asked gently.

  "A nymph, my dear nymph."

  Azfin stood taller and said, "Marielle was under our protection. A nymph that no one had wanted. Haeyl had a tenderness towards her."

  Elise vanished, leaving us to deal with the distressed Sidhe. She re-appeared within a minute in tight jeans and a fitted shirt.

  She pulled a blazer over the top and said simply, "Take us to her."

  The Sidhe gave small nods. Azfin's hand fluttered to Haeyl's shoulder but quickly left it again.

  Strahov park is very popular with nymphs, so it was hardly unexpected to find her remains weren't far from the church. We wove our way down the winding and complex paths for a few agonisingly silent minutes before we cut into the trees and were confronted by the mess. An elf and a Sidhe, neither of whom I recognised, were standing watch over her remains. Her head remained entirely untouched, her long pale hair flowing out behind her as though caught in an invisible breeze. Her face betrayed nothing of the pain she must have endured, her expression one of peaceful resignation.

  Her body, the remains of it at least, was scattered across an area half the size of my living room. An arm was caught in the lower limbs of a tree, her legs were strewn on the bare earth, while her internal organs were very firmly external in a heap near her pelvis.