Seeing no reason to refuse when she’d be able to see more clearly without the mask, she pulled it from her face and pushed back the hat.
Abaddon studied her in silence for a long moment. “Such a delicate face,” he said, “to do such evil.”
Kerilyn bared her teeth at the unfair attack. “I am not the one doling out evil,” she replied. “I only kill demons who have attacked humans. Your son must have been preying on mortals.”
The demon king stiffened. “You don’t even remember him?” he asked in horror. “You killed my son and you can’t even recall his face?”
Kerilyn stayed silent, knowing nothing she could say would help.
“Monster,” Abaddon charged.
“You are the monster,” Kerilyn argued. “Arawn’s subjects are confined to the Netherworld all but once a year. Demons, however, slip through the cracks. You give your people free reign to wreak terror on mine. Do not cry over the consequence your own actions put into motion. You started this war, demon lord. Hunters merely try to even the score.”
Abaddon stepped toward her, murder in his eyes.
“Hold,” Arawn charged, stepping in front of Kerilyn.
His brother drew up sharply in surprise. “You cannot be defending this creature,” he said, aghast.
For a moment Arawn didn’t reply.
Kerilyn held her breath. Would he try to help her? Or would he help his brother instead?
“She is mine,” he said finally.
Now wasn’t the time to protest the antiquated wording, she decided, feeling a burst of pleasure at his defense.
“She’s a mortal. And a hunter.”
“I am well aware.”
“She has killed dozens of my subjects, and her family has killed even more.”
“She is the last of her line,” Arawn argued. “Surely one hunter is no great threat to you.”
“I will have vengeance for my son,” Abaddon snarled.
Arawn looked away for a moment before replying softly, “You have other sons.”
A roar of rage escaped Abaddon’s mouth. “You dare to side with a human against me, your own brother?”
“I ask you, as my brother, to let this be. This woman is mine, Abaddon. When have you ever heard me claim such a thing?”
Abaddon paused for a moment. “She is special to you?”
Arawn nodded sharply.
The demon lord sighed. “Then I am sorry this shall cause you pain. You will forgive me eventually.”
“Not for this,” Arawn denied harshly. “This does not get forgiven, brother.”
“She is only a human,” Abaddon said. He lifted a hand before Arawn could protest.
“Hell,” Kerilyn swore as the demons around them started to move in. She ducked around Arawn, racing for Sarah.
The path between her and her niece narrowed as the demons converged on her. Memory surfaced of her father tossing her a piece of advice one afternoon as they’d trained. No matter how many enemies were coming at you, one always arrived first, he’d told her. The thought brought a grim smile to her lips. All she could do was take them as they came and pray she’d be the one left standing in the end.
Kerilyn timed her attack as she ran. When the first monster reached her she was more than ready.
A clawed hand swung at her and she ducked beneath the limb, slashing upward with her dagger. Heat coated her hand, sticky and wet. She had a brief glimpse of the creature’s red eyes glazing over before she jerked her hand back. It had been a clean blow and Kerilyn knew exactly where the strike had landed. The demon’s heart would be in shreds.
The corpse crumpled at her feet and she never looked back. Demons flashed before her eyes, all claws and teeth. She fought with trained precision. Striking out with her blades, her hands were quickly soaked with dark, oozing demon blood. Unlike humans, these nightmares didn’t bleed red. Instead the liquid pouring from them was tinged green like slime. It was a sight she was more than used to.
A demon leaped before her and Kerilyn drove her dagger into its chest without hesitating. The creature fell back in surprise, its red eyes widening as she jerked the blade from its body and pressed onward. There was no time to stop, no time to think. All she focused on was reaching Sarah. Her niece was so close. She just had to hold on a little longer.
Her heel slipped on the bloody floor and Kerilyn staggered for a moment. With a roar of triumph a demon launched itself at her. The large body hit her head, nearly toppling her to the floor. She drove her dagger into its thick skin but the beast never faltered. Unable to get a good enough grip to retrieve the blade, she let the dagger go and focused on staying alive.
Sharp teeth snapped far too close to her throat. Reaching for her bag with one hand while holding the demon with the other, she blindly searched for another weapon.
Her fingers brushed over the butt of a gun and she grabbed it with relief. Pressing the muzzle to the snarling demon’s forehead, she pulled the trigger.
Blood and brains splattered the floor as the demon sank to its knees. Not taking any time to savor her triumph, Kerilyn pushed on.
Black fire flared before her, blasting away an oncoming demon. Kerilyn smiled grimly without bothering to turn to see where it had come from. If Arawn wanted to take out a few demons, she was all for it.
Everywhere she looked she saw blood-red eyes and vicious claws. Kerilyn fought for her life, slicing through the flesh before her. A clawed hand raked down her back and she cried out in pain. Agony burned through her as she staggered. Five lines of fire trailed down her skin and she had no doubt the wounds were deep. With shaking fingers she pulled the ties of her cloak, leaving it hanging in the demon’s hands as she darted away. Red blood rained down to mix with the demon green washing the floor.
Snarls filled her ears, and the scent of blood hung in the air. Everywhere she turned she saw more and more monsters wanting nothing but her broken, lifeless body. Despite her body burning for rest, she grit her teeth and forced herself to push forward. Her shirt was quickly slick with blood, making her wonder just how badly she’d been injured. Hopefully the adrenaline in her body would keep the worst of her injuries at bay until she had the time to deal with them.
Another shot rang out as she fired at the demon before her. It reared back in a shower of blood and Kerilyn wasted no time jumping over the corpse. Something infinitely precious waited on the other side.
Sarah huddled on the ground, wide-eyed and terrified. Dark green blood splattered her and a demon held hooked claws to her throat.
Kerilyn didn’t even hesitate. Raising her gun, she shot the demon between the eyes.
Sarah screamed as the creature collapsed behind her. The little girl’s terror ate at Kerilyn—she knew it would get worse before it got better. But at least she’d be alive to deal with those fears.
Black fire flashed around them as she dropped her to knees and grabbed the salt from her bag. Trusting Arawn to cover her, she worked as fast as she could. Shaking a thick line of salt onto the ground, she drew a circle around Sarah
“Aunt Kerilyn?” the child cried.
“Listen to me,” Kerilyn said quickly, knowing she didn’t have much time. “This circle will keep you safe. No matter what happens, don’t leave it until the sun is up. Okay, Sarah? Nod for me, baby.”
Sarah nodded jerkily, tears streaming down her young face.
Kerilyn smiled in relief, reaching out to touch her niece’s cheek. “I love you, Sarah,” she said softly. “Remember, don’t leave the circle. The salt will protect you. Okay?”
Black fire flared and silently she thanked Arawn for giving her the necessary moments to say goodbye.
“Okay,” Sarah whispered.
Kerilyn felt bittersweet pain as she gazed at the last of her family. Sarah was safe. She’d accomplished her goal. Now she had to ensure the damned king didn’t live to undo her work. Her body was tired and battered but she still had fight left in her. Arawn needed her.
“Don’t live my life
,” she whispered to Sarah, pressing the box of salt into her little hands. With a last look at the girl she’d risked her life to save, Kerilyn forced herself to turn away. She’d be safe in the salt. No demon would be able to touch her.
Kerilyn, however, had no such protection.
Shots rang out as she emptied her clip on the demons standing between her and Arawn. The spirit lord was battling his brother, just as he’d promised he would. The sight made her chest tighten. Here she’d been doubting him and he’d come through, giving her the time she needed.
The demons gave the fighting brothers a wide berth and Kerilyn could see why. The pair were evenly matched. They even moved the same. Every time one attacked, the other moved to deflect the blow in perfect symmetry. Watching them was almost like watching a dance. A bloody, brutal dance.
Evenly matched, she thought, slamming a new clip into her gun. But Arawn had one thing Abaddon didn’t. Her.
Slicing through the last demon in her way, Kerilyn raced toward her lover.
“Stay back,” Arawn ordered, blasting his brother with more fire.
Kerilyn snorted at the command. Like hell she was letting him do all the heavy lifting. Aiming for Abaddon’s heart, she squeezed the trigger.
The demon king jerked as bullets hit his chest. He turned away from his brother and set his sights on her. An inhuman roar thundered through the warehouse as he bared sharp, pointed teeth at her. With a wave of his hand, her gun flew from her grasp.
She shrugged off her bag. Before it hit the ground she grabbed two more daggers and prepared to meet the oncoming king.
Abaddon charged at her with frightening fury. Every time she tried to attack he was there, anticipating her movements. Every blow was deflected. Arawn fought his brother with magic while she tried to use her knives, but neither of them made a dent. Abaddon’s rage added to his already considerable strength.
One of his brutal blows caught her in the stomach and she doubled over, dropping to one knee. Only a quick roll saved her from being torn to shreds by the king’s bare hands.
But demons had far more tricks up their sleeves than physical prowess and Abaddon was the strongest of them all. His royal blood gave him all the demons’ strengths with few of their weaknesses, both physically and magically. And against magic, Kerilyn had no defense.
Abaddon grinned, a vicious twist of his lips, and reached for her. The air froze in her chest as his fingers stretched toward her like claws. She tried to breathe but her lungs refused to work.
The panic was overpowering. Clawing at her throat, she fought to take in air. Her vision dimmed as she sank to her knees.
Wicked pleasure lit Abaddon’s eyes as he suffocated her. She tried to think of something, anything, she could do to save herself but drew a blank. Her time was running out.
Arawn, however, hadn’t left her alone. Rounding on his brother, he wrapped a powerful hand around Abaddon’s throat.
Kerilyn gasped as air rushed back into her body. The king obviously needed his powers to best his brother. For a moment all she could do was pant as her oxygen-starved body came back to life. She looked up at the fighting brothers and realized just how out of her depth she was.
Fire flared around them. Wind tugged at their hair as they fought. Both men were wounded and bleeding. Even without weapons, they were doing more damage than she’d ever be able to inflict.
Kerilyn narrowed her eyes. She couldn’t attack head on. Abaddon had proved that if he saw her, her attack was finished. But maybe she could use Arawn as a distraction.
Slipping one dagger back into the sheath at her hip, she crept to her feet. She’d have one chance, one blow. Had to make it count.
Arawn’s dark eyes met hers for a moment as she sidled behind his brother, careful to keep out of his line of sight. She met Arawn’s gaze, knowing all it would take was a slip on his part and she was done. Looked like she was trusting him to choose her after all.
She stepped quickly to the side, moving with Abaddon like a shadow. Closer and closer she crept.
When she was in position, she wasted no time on second guessing.
“Abaddon!” she called.
The king whirled toward her just as she struck.
Her dagger sliced through the air to lodge itself in his throat. Red eyes widened in surprise. It’d be a killing blow on any other creature, but this was a lord of the Netherworld. It’d take more than this to put him down.
But Arawn leaped forward. His hands pressed against the sides of his brother’s face as magical words dripped from his lips. He closed his eyes, concentrating on his spell. Weakened as Abaddon was, Arawn had all the advantage he needed.
Kerilyn watched the blood trickle from Abaddon’s lips. She couldn’t look away from the hatred in his eyes but even that terrifying emotion couldn’t stem the smile of triumph curving her lips. They’d done it. Arawn would send him back and they’d be free. She’d actually survived the night.
Red eyes narrowed even as wind whipped around them. Even Kerilyn could feel the rising magic playing across her skin. Every hair on her arms stood on end as Arawn’s power flooded the room. Abaddon started to flicker like static on a bad television set. Soon he’d be out of her life for another year.
She should have stepped back, should have broken the king’s mesmerizing gaze and moved away. If she had, she never would have been close enough for his hand to strike out.
Pain flared in her side, so sharp and encompassing it stole her breath away.
Satisfaction filled the red eyes she couldn’t look away from. Blood ran down Abaddon’s ruined throat, but he smile anyway.
They both knew he’d won.
Abaddon winced in pain, dropping his eyes from hers, and the connection broke. Finally able to look down, Kerilyn saw the demon king’s claws embedded in her flesh. A killing blow if she’d ever seen one.
A metallic taste filled her mouth and she knew it was blood. Her body was faltering.
Nothing felt real as she raised her hand and grabbed her dagger. With a last vicious twist she tore it from his throat, slicing through muscle and skin in the process.
Agony to match her own filled his eyes as he flickered from view. With a spray of blood the demon king vanished, banished back to his own realm for another year.
Without his support, Kerilyn crumpled to the ground.
“Kerilyn!” Arawn thundered, leaping to catch her.
She forced herself to keep her eyes open. Time was not something she had in spades and she didn’t want to waste a second of her last moments.
Arawn looked wild in a way she’d never seen before. The lord she knew was calm and collected. He never wore the panicked, desperate look she now saw in his eyes.
“You fought with me,” she whispered, coldness creeping into her body. “I didn’t really believe you would. Sorry.”
“Fool,” he charged without heat.
Kerilyn raised a weak hand and touched his perfect face. As last sights went, this one wasn’t bad.
“Looks like it’s our last Halloween after all,” she told him.
He caught her hand, pressing a kiss into her palm. “You’re going to let a demon get the best of you?”
She laughed painfully. “Don’t think I have much choice this time.” Blackness edged her vision but she didn’t want to close her eyes. Not yet. “Sarah,” she said, trying to force her lips to form the words. “Help her. Please.”
“Your niece has nothing to fear from me,” he promised her solemnly.
She tried to smile her thanks. There was so much she wanted to say. Apologies for not trusting him as she should have. Confessions of feelings she’d kept secret for too many years. But her tongue felt heavy in her mouth.
“Cold,” she whispered weakly, unable to express herself better.
Slowly the panic in his eyes was replaced by something else. His face filled with a strange expression of determination.
“I rule the dead,” he told her. “And I refuse to let you cross t
hat line.”
Laying her on the ground, he grabbed her shirt and ripped it open, exposing her wound.
“I’m human,” she forced herself to say.
“I know,” he assured her. Turning his attention to her wound, he laid a cool hand over the torn flesh.
“What...?” Kerilyn tried to ask.
“Shhh,” he whispered. “Sleep.”
Kerilyn saw his hand start to burn with black fire before she lost her fight with unconsciousness and slipped into the darkness.
* * *
When she opened her eyes the first thing she realized was she was warm. The dead weren’t supposed to be warm. Her vision was still hazy, but she dimly made out the installation tubing running across the ceiling. Kerilyn twitched her fingers to make sure she still could. Surprisingly, there was no pain. Instead she felt someone’s arms wrapped around her as she was hugged tight against a chest.
Slowly, she twisted her head until she could make out the outline of black braids hanging beside her face. Raising her eyes, she saw a familiar face.
Arawn’s head bent toward hers, his eyes closed as if in pain.
Kerilyn had to swallow twice before she forced out one word. “Arawn.”
The arms around her stiffened and his dark eyes opened in shock. For once, his thoughts were not a mystery. Kerilyn had never seen such incredible joy before. Relief relaxed his face as a true smile curved his lips.
“I thought I’d lost you,” he whispered.
Weakly, Kerilyn smiled. “Me too.”
The memory of her wounds flooded back to her and she glanced over his shoulder. But instead of the army of demons she expected to see, the warehouse was empty.
“Sarah,” she breathed in panic.
“Shh,” Arawn replied. “She’s right here.”
With Arawn’s help, Kerilyn managed to sit up. Arawn had moved her closer to her niece and when she turned, there was Sarah huddled in her salt circle. The little girl watched her with large eyes, the salt container clutched to her chest. Kerilyn could only imagine the nightmares the child would suffer after this night.
“You’re alive!” Sarah exclaimed, scrambling to the edge of her circle. “Aunt Kerilyn, you’re alive!”
Seducing the Demon Huntress Page 6
