When Hunter Meets Seeker: (An Arcane Society Novel - Paranormal Demon Romance)

by Betty Shreffler

  His eyes whipped to her face. “Yes, you would have. Dillon had enough reasons to turn you against me. The Arcane Society was originally created as a safeguard for half bloods, but it’s evolved. We don’t just keep track of demons and cancel the ones that are too powerful. We control them. They pay us to protect them, to remove any obstacles in their way. We pick and choose who we let play in the field.”

  Dex and the night club slammed back into her mind. She swallowed as fear consumed her.

  Leo’s eyes transitioned to demon green. His split tongue slid out between his parted lips. “That was one strong dose of fear.”

  He leaned in, licking across her bare back. He hissed with pleasure. She cringed, turning her head away from him.

  “What about Donatello’s? What’s the club got to do with anything?”

  He grabbed her face firmly and turned her head toward him.

  “Turn your head away from me again and you’ll regret it. Don’t look at me like I’m a monster.”

  “You’re hurting me,” she managed to murmur under his death grip. He released her jaw.

  “I don’t care about Carl’s club. You’re right, it is a functional way for succubi and incubi to survive. Carl and Chris were Dillon’s recruits. I’m going through the list eliminating them, one by one. You’re on that list, sis.”

  “What if I give you a feather? Will you let me live? I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want you to hurt me either.”

  He laughed deep from his belly. His hand grazed her swollen, tender cheek. “I want to hurt you. Your very existence caused me pain. I was punished on a regular basis because of how you look, because of your talents. Talents that I was reminded often that I lacked. No matter how hard I tried to do well, you always did better, always caused me pain. I hated you then. I still hate you now.”

  His hand ran over her feathers and then fisted them. She cried out.

  “These wings of yours. They’re dangerous if turned against me. When father told me about what he’d done I realized how I could do it better. I need all of your feathers, but unfortunately for you, you have to be alive when I cut each of them from you.”

  A fist pounded on the outside of Dex’s door. He opened it to find Greg and Al standing on the other side. Greg outstretched a tablet in his hand.

  “Take a look at this.”

  Dex moved to let them in.

  “I pulled up the feed from outside the club. This was twenty minutes ago.”

  He hit play and Dex watched several men, captured by the video camera, arrive at the club. They barreled out of their SUV, surrounded the club, broke down the door and searched the place. One spoke into a walkie and then they convened by the empty bar, where one made a call on his cell phone. They returned to their SUV and left just as quickly as they came.

  “Where’s Carl?”

  “At home.”

  “Call him. Tell him to leave immediately and get a hotel with cash.”

  Greg stepped away and made the call.

  “What about Anya and her brother?” Al asked, concerned.

  “I’ll send a text and see how she’s doing, then we’ll go to her house. She should’ve contacted me to tell me she’s on her way by now.”

  Leo leaned back in the chair, taking another drink of whiskey as he twirled the long blade in his hand.

  “Your fear is like sweet nectar, Awn. The more fear you feel, the more it pours out of you. Each kiss with my tongue collects the fear. I can sense you’re feeling more than fear now. You’re angry too. Otherwise I’d be soaking up that fear, milking it off your skin. I guess I’ll have to work on that, won’t I?”

  Her cell phone dinged on the counter. His eyes shifted to it. “Who might this be?”

  He walked over and clicked on the message.

  “Well, I’ll be, sis. Your boyfriend’s not dead.”

  Her whole body relaxed. She turned her head when a smile raised her lips. Relief and joy filled her, lifting away the fear.

  “How about we tell him you’re fine and staying home tonight? You want more time with your big brother. You’ll see him tomorrow.”

  He thumbed the keys and then carried her phone to her bedside. It dinged again. He read it and laughed. It sounded awful, cold, calculated. He slid the blade across her back. Its sharp steel sliced a layer of skin. She hissed from the pain.

  “He said he’s looking forward to it. Also wants to know if you enjoyed the breakfast sandwich he made you this morning. Is this guy for real? What should I tell him, Awn? And be honest, or I’ll dig this knife a little deeper.” He pressed it down on her back.

  Hope filled her. Dex was testing the situation, testing her safety. Bless him for being good at his job.

  “Tell him the ham was a little burnt. Just the way I like it. He’ll get a kick out of that.”

  “You should’ve tried to find someone that can cook.” He thumbed the screen. “Not that it matters now. All right. It’s sent.” He set her phone on the nightstand. “If he texts again, I’m sending a hunter to his house.”

  Dex read the text. Pressure swelled in his chest.

  “What is it?” Greg asked him.

  “It was a simple test. I knew she’d pick up on it. Her response tells me she’s not okay. Let’s go.”

  “What’s the plan?” Al asked.

  “Anya said her brother is a vuall demon. That means he heals fairly quick, can take a beating, and is stronger when he transforms. They feed off fear. He’s likely doing that to her now. When we get there I’ll play it off that I wanted to stop by and meet him. I don’t know what condition she’s in, or if she can fight, so we can’t count on her. We’ll have to distract him and take him down.”

  “What if there are more?”

  “I don’t think we have to worry about that. He wants it intimate. He’s after her for something.”

  “Your swelling’s gone down.” He ran the blade across her cheek. Her eyes widened. “You seem to heal pretty quick too. Looks like you got banged up in that car accident, yet you’re almost healed.”

  “Please, Leo. We can work something out. I’ll give you feathers. You don’t have to kill me.”

  He ran the cold, silver blade along her feathers. “By the time I’m done, you’ll wish you were dead. Taking a feather from your wing is excruciating and I’m going to do it…over and over. Your fear will be off the charts and I’ll savor every ounce of it.” The last words hissed off his lips.

  He sat beside her, his green eyes fixed on hers as he lifted a feather and placed the blade deep down to the base. The sharp steel rubbed against the shaft of the feather, cutting slightly into it. Pain trickled through her wings, shoulders and back. She flinched.

  “You know what, Awn? We share our mother’s eyes.”

  The blade cut through the shaft, separating feather from wing. She screamed as excruciating pain swept over her entire body. It was as though a limb had been cut from her. The pain ripped through her, making her tremble. Tears streamed down her face. She couldn’t possibly endure this repeatedly. She’d surely pass out. She wished she’d pass out now. It would be better than feeling the excruciating pain seize her body, alerting her to her injury.

  Blood trickled down her feathers onto her lower back and bed sheets. She sobbed into the pillow as Leo secured her feather in a case.

  He returned to her bedside. Fear swelled in her chest. He brought the blade to her face. His green eyes brightened as his tongue slipped between his lips. He leaned down and licked along her cheek, taking her tears with his tongue.

  A moan of pleasure escaped his lips. “I love these kind of intimate moments. The ones where I can draw out the fear. You’re taking it better than other females have.” He lifted her hair with the blade and pulled it back so her long, wavy hair fell away from it. The sharp blade cut a strand and it slowly danced through the air, landing on her back. “I know you’ll last longer than they did and that pleases me.”

  He placed his finger along her blood-covered back
. He raised his finger to his lips. His split tongue licked the blood away. The sight sent a chill down her spine.

  “This is new for me, Awn. You’re special. I usually take pleasure in a woman before I draw out her death. This is the first time I haven’t been pleasured.”

  He reached for the glass and swallowed the whiskey down, emptying his fourth glass. He slid his hand over her backside. His grip tightened. “Maybe…”

  She bucked beneath him. “Don’t touch me, you sick bastard!”

  He fisted her jeans and put his weight into his arm, holding her back down. “Speak to me like that again and I’ll change my mind about not touching you. Do you understand me? I’ll hurt you, Awn. I’ll torture you in unimaginable ways.”

  She lay still as best she could, even with her body trembling with fear.

  A fist pounded on her door and hope seized her.

  “Damn it! Who’s coming to visit you at this hour?”

  She knew who. She hoped with all her heart they could both get out alive.

  The sharp blade pushed against her neck. She eased back from it and he pushed it closer, cutting into her skin. Blood trickled down her neck.

  His cold, deadly eyes narrowed on hers. “You make a sound and I’ll slit your pretty throat.”

  He held the blade there waiting for the visitor to leave.

  She knew how much he wanted her feathers. It was worth the risk.

  “Dex!”

  Dex heard her scream. He stepped back. Putting his weight into it, he kicked in the door. The knob broke and a busted door swung open.

  He stepped in. His eyes immediately went to Anya tied down to the bed with chains, blood covering her back and neck. Her wings were spread wide under some kind of contraption and were wet with blood.

  His body tightened with anger. Rage bubbled beneath the surface, ready to explode. His eyes narrowed, surveying the demon holding a blade to her neck. His eyes were glazed and bright green. He was a few inches taller with wider shoulders and chest, but that didn’t matter. He’d tear through a brick wall to get to her.

  “What kind of sick fuck are you? She’s your sister. Why are you torturing her?”

  “You must be the incubus boyfriend? The one she spreads her legs like a whore for.”

  Dex’s eyes darkened. He motioned his head. “Step away from her.”

  “Did you think you could come here and start barking orders? No, incubus. I’m the one holding the blade to her throat and with one quick motion, your precious Anya will be gone.”

  “You’ve gone through a lot of trouble to get something from her. You obviously still need it or she’d be dead.”

  “You’re right. I do need something from her.” He lowered the blade, and the knot in Dex’s chest loosened. “I’ll just have to kill you and then get back to what she and I started.”

  Dex could smell the alcohol as Leo charged, blade held high. Dex twisted his body, slammed his hands over the blade and turned. The blade left Leo’s hand, but it didn’t stop him. He smirked and swung, contacting Dex’s shoulder as Dex dodged the blow to his face.

  Dex shifted the blade in his hand and lunged it forward. It grazed Leo’s arm, blood poured over his skin and onto the floor. A growl rumbled from Leo’s chest. The transformation came quickly. His body and hands enlarged. His skin grew dark and uneven. Claws extended and his horns pointed upward. His split tongue slithered in and out of his mouth, tasting the fear in the room.

  Dex’s eyes burned green as he held the blade steady, prepared for another attack. Leo’s clawed hands tore at him, catching his arm and peeling back skin from bone. Dex grunted from the burning sensation, but didn’t bother to look at the wound. Leo was circling him, looking for a weak spot. He wouldn’t give him one. He heard Anya thrashing behind him, yanking on the chains.

  Leo glanced at her and Dex lunged. The blade pierced shoulder, slicing through tendons and muscles. Leo’s arm came up, knocking Dex’s grip on the blade away. Leo growled and spit from his lips as he pulled the blade from his shoulder.

  In his peripheral, Dex saw Al and Greg enter and rush toward Anya’s bed. Chains rattled and came undone. Leo’s clawed hand swung at Dex’s face. He twisted his body to avoid the blow and steel sliced through his stomach.

  He heard Anya’s gasp behind him as he dropped to his knees, clutching the blade penetrating his abdomen.

  “No!” Pain and fear filled every inch of her body. She trembled at the blood pouring out of Dex.

  Anya’s eyes shifted to Leo. He was readying another blow, aimed for Dex’s face. She lunged after him. He turned and caught her by the throat. He held her off the ground, her feet dangling beneath her. She flapped her wings and Leo rose off the ground. She kicked at his chest, knocking him to the floor. Al went to Dex’s side, dragging his body away from them. Greg charged Leo’s side. Leo kicked out his leg, knocking Greg out when his head hit the edge of the counter. His body crumpled to the floor.

  Leo sprang forward and she enclosed her wings around her. His clawed hands tore at her wings. She pushed them outward, slamming Leo’s body through her dining table and into the wall behind it. He growled and charged again. She turned her body, slamming a wing into him, throwing him across the counter and into the kitchen. He rebounded and leapt over the counter at her. She flapped her wings and raised herself. His claws tore through her jeans and skin as he reached out for her. She hissed out a breath as blood soaked her jeans.

  Her feet met floor as Leo raised himself into a stance. She swung her arm, burying her fist into his face. Blood spattered from his broken lip. His fist swung at her. She closed her wings. His hand impacted, knocking her back a step. She regained her stance, flapped her wings and raised herself from the ground as he came at her again. She kicked out, contacting his face. His body jerked sideways, falling to the ground. She pulled the bead from her belt. It swam through the air. She grabbed the other end and came down on his chest. Her wings held down his arms as she shoved the gold cord through his neck. His stench and residue spread across her floor. Sorrow seized her chest.

  The feeling faded as she spun and rushed to Dex’s side. Al had removed the blade and was helping Dex hold his shirt against the wound. Dex reached out, taking her face in his bloody hand.

  “Don’t you dare leave me, Dex.” She took his hand in hers and kissed it as tears rolled down her face. “Please hang on.”

  “I’ll never leave you,” he rasped. “It hurts like hell though.”

  She leaned in and kissed him. Her wings wrapped around them both. She held him close against her body, kissing him softly.

  “The paramedics are on their way,” Al told her.

  “Get me a shirt and help me get him outside. They can’t see this place.”

  Chapter 21

  One Week Later…

  Anya stepped up to the red brick Victorian and tapped the door knocker. The door opened seconds later revealing Rose's pleasant smile and thin proper frame on the other side.

  “Miss Carlisle. What brings you in today?”

  “I’m here to see Emerson. I have a report to make.”

  “Of course. I’ll see if he’s available.”

  Anya waited, hands folded over her chest, leaned against the archway of the living room, waiting for Rose’s return. Rose padded down the hall and motioned for Anya to join Emerson.

  Anya smiled at Rose. “You might want to stay back today, Rose. It might get a little heated.”

  The corners of Rose’s mouth twisted into a frown. “I’ll be in my office.”

  Anya gave a nod of approval before walking to Emerson’s door. As she stepped in he raised his gaze to meet hers. His usual aloofness was vacant, instead coated by surprise. He adjusted in his seat before folding his hands in front of him on the desk.

  “Rose tells me you’re here to make a report. Have you canceled Chris Donatello as ordered?”

  Anya walked around his desk and sat on the edge, looking down at him. “You know, I never did like you, Emerson.
You were always an ass toward me. I’m guessing it’s because you were on my brother’s payroll?”

  Emerson cleared his throat as he leaned back in his chair, putting space between them. “I’m not sure I understand.”

  Anya clicked her tongue against her cheek. “Of course you don’t.” She reached down to her boot and pulled the blade from it. She twisted it in her hand before looking down at Emerson. His eyes nervously followed the blade.

  “Anything you want to tell me?”

  He attempted to stand. Anya’s palm gripped his shoulder and shoved him back into the chair.

  “It’s fine if you don’t want to talk. I imagine anything you say will be a lie anyway.” She touched the blade to his chest. He leaned his body back in the chair as far as it would allow. She pressed the blade farther into his skin. Blood soaked through his button-down shirt. He grimaced. “I want you to do something for me. I want you to tell the board that Leo is dead and I’m coming for them…one after the other. The Arcane Society can either die with them, or they can step down. Their choice.”

  Emerson’s lip curled. He shoved the blade away from his chest. “You don’t stand a chance.”

  Anya’s eyes flickered green as she swung the blade back and shoved it into Emerson’s chest, piercing him near his shoulder. His eyes widened, his shock and pain evident.

  “I’m not working alone. I’ve made a few new friends, thanks to my father.”

  Anya wiped the blade on his shirt as he clutched at the seeping wound. He buckled over in his chair as she walked out of his office. She heard him collapse to the floor as she approached Rose’s open door.

  “Emerson is going to need medical attention. Better make it quick. He has a message to pass on for me.”

  ***

  Anya lay in bed with Dex, the sun streaming through his window, as she ran her fingers slowly over his chest, admiring the toned muscles beneath her hand. She lowered her finger and traced around the stitched and healing wound on his abdomen. His lips curved upward into his devious grin. His eyes fluttered and then settled on her. Their demon green bright and focused.