by Emma Shade
Fuck. Holy fucking shit.
My face must have shown absolute panic because Death asked, “Did I cut you?”
I shook my head quickly, and he finished and pulled the bandage away. My eyes swung to Coren for a second, and he tilted his head as my cheeks flamed as hot as a Las Vegas sidewalk. Sure, I had heard that demon from the other day mention he cared for me, but I figured he had goaded Coren for the sake of being evil. Now that Raven had spelled the word on my palm, and Death had obviously noticed something, too, I felt unsure about myself.
Did Coren really love me, or was it a ruse to distract me? I didn’t know and didn’t know if I cared. Okay, I lied. I cared about staying alive, and I cared about him. But was he a recovered demon or a devious one?
“Let’s break you out of here,” Coren said.
I nodded, but I avoided his gaze like a criminal avoiding his parole officer. I felt his stare like a fiery brand, but I focused on the feeling of my skin prickling as Raven grabbed my arm to transport me out of the hospital.
As soon as we both arrived in my living room, I stared in shock. The sliding door to the balcony had cardboard where the glass should be and glass peppered my hardwood floor. Huge puddles of blood shone on my floor—and a lot of it, too. The blood pooled in the spot the demon had pinned my body. Some was in smears that I had slipped in trying to get up, and then they dripped along my home similar to paint splatters on a canvas. I scratched my arms as I remembered the claws carving through my flesh. The demon was long gone, and I presumed Death had taken care of it.
Raven rubbed my back in a friendly gesture. “We’ll get this cleaned up for you, okay?”
I nodded, but continued to stare at my drying blood, the glass, and my overturned, clawed couch. Finally, I asked, “What’s an amdonny?”
She blinked at me in confusion and then nodded. “Oh, you mean âme damnée. The word is pronounced Ahm Dah-ney. I don’t know if you want to know what that thing is.” When I gave her my best death stare, she sighed. “Okay, maybe I don’t really want to tell you what they are. The real question is—why one was sent to your apartment?”
“Tell me what they are, Raven.”
Looking over my trashed apartment, she nodded slowly. “They’re a damned soul. Or, in other words, a person whose soul belonged to the Devil. He collected their debt and turned them into that thing. But they rarely escape Hell, as your boss keeps a tight leash on them.”
Blinking in disbelief, I scratched at my arms again. “Is that... is that what I would become if... if I don’t save my soul?”
“No, I don’t think so. No matter what, we’re not going to let him take you, Mara. We’ll save you. You know that.”
“If you can’t, is it possible I become one of those winged assholes?”
When she didn’t answer, I looked at her. Raven’s face appeared crumbled in defeat. That had been my answer. Somehow, someway, I was going to stop the Devil from trying to kill me and trying to take my soul in the process. My boss wanted me dead and his reason was beyond me. So what if I talked to shadows? So what if I hunted demons? I refused to give up, and every demon he sent my way would die a slow, painful death from now until eternity.
“I want to practice my sword skills and defense against deadly demons. I think I need it now more than ever.”
“I think that’s a fabulous idea,” Coren said from behind us.
I hadn’t heard him arrive, but I swung around to face him. Then I turned my attention to Death. “Will you all teach me different ways to defend myself?”
“Of course.” Death nodded. “Once you’re rested.”
“I rested for three days,” I countered, but Death shook his head.
Letting out a puff of air from between my lips, I turned and headed to the bathroom to shower.
*****
While the repair crew worked on my balcony door, I relaxed on the bed and read a book.
Coren, Raven, and Death took care of me the entire day, and I was sure they were the ones doing a lot of the cleanup, mostly because I didn’t want to see the mess anymore. If I saw my blood staining the floor again, I’d have to move for good.
Lor popped in with pizza and breadsticks. I hadn’t known pizza could survive a fade, but here I was, eating another breadstick. I chuckled. I’d have to remember that for Raven and Coren in the future.
Moving the paper plate to the side, I plopped the book down on my bed as I sat up. I was antsy. My back hurt from lying on my bed the entire day and I itched to stretch my legs. The hammering and vacuuming had stopped over an hour ago, but the smell of bleach was still strong. I assumed it was safe to come out of my bedroom.
I slowly opened the door, went down the hall, and peeked outside. I let out a sigh of relief when there was no blood. The floor was pristine and the replaced glass to the balcony revealed the normal landscape. Sure, I had no replacement couch yet, but I’d get one eventually. Still, I stood unmoving right at the threshold to the living room.
I couldn’t help but feel violated. A demonic creature had entered my apartment and ruined my arms and my couch with its razor-sharp claws. My small home was supposed to be sacred, free from the evils on the outside. Yet, one came in and left its tarnished mark on the place.
Coren came out of the kitchen and noticed me frozen in place. “Are you okay?”
Being the strong person I was, I wanted to lie to him, to tell him everything was fine. “No. I’m not.”
He strolled over and wrapped me in his strong arms. “I’m sorry. What can I do to make it better?”
“Just hold me for a minute.” I enfolded my arms around his muscular waist and leaned my head on his chest.
We held each other, the only sounds our soft breathing and Coren’s heartbeat in my ear. As he pulled away, he searched my eyes for something.
Holding out a hand, he said, “Take a step forward past the hallway. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Neither will we,” Raven murmured.
Noticing Raven and Death standing near the front door, my chin rose an inch. All I had seen in that moment was Coren, and I hadn’t turned to Raven or her father for reassurance. Guilt sparked to life as I gave Raven a weak smile. I took Coren’s hand in mine.
Taking one big step into the room, I let out a shaky breath. I took another, and another, until I was standing in front of my balcony window looking out the evening glow of the city. The sound of claws grating against glass filtered through my memory, but I shut it out. Three people who cared about me stood directly behind me with strength and support, and that outshone any bad memories at the moment.
“Is it time for my training now?” I questioned quietly.
Death cleared his throat. “Are you sure you’re ready?”
I turned to face my friends and straightened. “Yes.”
“Okay.” Death produced his scythe out of thin air. “To the roof?”
CHAPTER 20
Don’t fear the reaper.
Death circled me in the fading yellow light from the city around us. His cloak fluttered in the breeze as he whirled his scythe in his hand.
“Charge me,” he demanded.
I hesitated, because, well, this was Death. The Grim Reaper. One nick of his scythe would send me straight to Hell. No stops at “go” on my way down.
With a deep breath, I twirled my sword in return, never taking my eyes off him. I knew he’d never hurt me, but I felt outmatched like I had brought a spoon to a knife fight.
Without a warning, Death took a step forward and swung his blade. I held up my sword and blocked his an instant before he would’ve sliced my head clean off. The metal clanged and reverberated through my shoulders. My arms shook, and he used his weight to push me back a few feet. I was strong for a woman, sure, but his brute strength alone would beat me down. I lifted my knee and hit him right in the balls. Grunting, he fell forward and I used that momentum to punch him in the nose.
“Son of a bitch,” he muttered, still bent over. He step
ped back to lift his free hand to his nose because the other hand was still holding his weapon.
Instead of letting Death overpower me again, I took that opportunity to swing my blade and stopped short of his throat.
He smiled, but his eyes were squinted in what I assumed was pain. “Good girl.”
I beamed at him and turned around to wink at Raven. I had bested Death, and I let go of my sword similar to a mic drop. Pain exploded along my scalp as I flew backward and was flipped upside down by my hair. In about a second flat, I landed on my back with a blade pressed against my sternum.
He had produced a wicked-looking dagger and pushed the metal tip of the weapon against my skin. “Never trust a demon. Never turn your back on your enemy.”
Wincing at the pinch of my skin on his blade, I scoffed. “Did you pull my fucking hair?”
Removing the metal from my chest, he shrugged. “Evil doesn’t play fair, mi cielito.”
My nickname again, the one he rarely used. Apparently, I’d hear it often now. Death extended a hand and I took it. He helped me to my feet, only to knock me right back down on my ass with a swipe of his leg.
Letting out a sigh, I waited until he extended his hand again. I yanked his hand with all my strength and I pushed my feet into his solar plexus. He toppled over my head but landed on his feet easily. I barely heard his feet scrape in a counter-attack when I rolled out of the way. A metal ping hit the ground next to me and pebbles from the asphalt roof peppered my face. I rolled to a standing position, barely missing his blade for the second time.
Death kept coming, his skills beyond anything I’d ever seen. He moved fast, but efficiently. His cloak swirled in the wind, the hood flapping around his handsome face. With a smile, he took a few steps in my direction.
Lifting my sword, I deflected blow after blow, each attack ringing with a metal hiss. My arms shook, and my fingers throbbed from the vibration each time the sharp metal connected. The next time he swung, I ducked and rammed my shoulder into his stomach. We toppled, but I landed on top of him this time, my sword aimed at his Adam’s apple.
“Is it my turn yet?” Raven asked.
Death smirked and grabbed my blade gently in his fingers to move it from his throat. “Play nice with her.”
I rolled my eyes and stood. I knew Raven wouldn’t hold back—not that Death had. Stretching my arms with my sword, I readied myself.
She handed her sickle over to her father. Raven pointed to my hand. “No sword this time. You use it as a crutch.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yep. As serious as the dead.”
Her father walked over to take the sword, but my hands on the hilt tensed. He held his hand out. “Let it go, Mara. You can do this without your blade. I have faith in you.”
His black eyes were tender and full of understanding. I had a feeling he didn’t like giving up his scythe any more than I wanted to give up my sword. But I knew he could kick ass without either of the two. I nodded once and handed it over to him.
When I turned to face Raven, I spread my legs and stretched my shoulders. I had to do this, not only for my own pride, but to prove to them that I wasn’t helpless.
Raven bounced on her feet like a seasoned fighter, her hands up for a boxing match. After a few seconds of intimidation and her stupid bouncing, she winked at me and faded, only leaving a wisp of black smoke in her wake.
“Cheater!”
“So are demons,” Raven whispered in my ear from behind me.
When I spun around, she was gone again “How can I fight you when I can’t see you!”
“Figure it out,” she murmured from behind me.
“Asshole!” I screamed, my blood steaming at her trickery.
I swung my fists blindly, and of course, hit nothing but air. Coren caught my attention with a snap of his fingers. He pointed to his eyes, ears, and nose. I frowned. See no evil, hear no evil, smell no evil? I finally got his point and my mouth opened in surprise. I would’ve never thought of this method on my own because most of the time I used brute force instead of brains. This was something I had to learn since the higher demons were able to fade in and out easily.
“Boooo,” Raven singsonged next to me before she vanished.
I took a deep breath to focus on my senses. The faint smell of sulfur from the underworld, the soft swish of her clothes, and the small tendrils of smoke as she moved. As I focused, I began to anticipate her appearance. First to the right, then to the left. Finally in front of me.
Pulling my fist back, I smashed it right into her face.
She instantly became visible, dropped to her knees, and let out a groan. “You punch...like...a bitch.”
Grinning, I helped her to her feet. She stood and punched me square in the jaw. I flew back a few feet, landing on my back. The air was knocked out of me, but she wasted no time transforming into her reaper form.
A skeletal hand reached down, but I rolled out of the way and jumped to my feet. I still struggled to breathe a bit, and I dodged her attacks to the best of my ability. I had no idea what she had planned next, but I wasn’t waiting to find out.
“I give!” I cried out as I spun out of the way of her grip again.
“No,” she growled, her voice deep and creepy.
“Fine,” I said reluctantly.
Raven anticipated my next step and snatched me up by the throat. My feet dangled as I struggled for air. Panic set in and my eyes went wide as I looked to her father and Coren for help. Death was holding Coren back, his voice low and unintelligible.
“Use your head,” Raven instructed. “Let go of the panic.”
So nice of her to offer pointers while she choked me. I stopped fighting her hold and thought of a way to get out of the situation. She was a reaper, a collector of death. What could I do to stop her? Raven was at least seven feet tall at this point.
I started swaying my legs until I was able to put my booted feet against her chest. Stars twinkled in my vision, but my right leg connected with her arm repeatedly until there was a snap. She dropped me and I once again landed on my ass. This time from several feet in the air.
Letting out a groan, I observed her transform back into her light-haired beauty. Only this time she cradled her arm and bit her lip in what I assumed was pain.
“Shit.” She winced. “That’s going to take a while to heal. Good job.”
“I’m sorry, Raven.”
“Don’t worry about it. You had no other option and I want you to fight dirty.”
I took a deep breath, mostly to refill my lungs some more. “I know.”
“Let’s take a break for a few minutes,” Death requested, finally coming forward to inspect his daughter’s arm.
Still spread out on my back, I breathed in and out in an attempt to get oxygen back to my brain. Sweat beaded along my hairline, and I wiped it away.
“Are you okay?” Coren sat next to me. He looked up at Raven and back at me. “She took it a little too far.”
Wiping my brow again, I said, “No, she didn’t. Raven wanted to teach me how to get out of an attack with a stronger demon, especially if I lose my weapon. She’s right, you know. I do use my sword like a crutch.”
Coren shook his head. “Your sword is... special. I’ve never seen one as unique as yours. It’s who you are, a part of you. Don’t ever think it won’t protect you when you need it the most.”
I frowned. “My sword is special and unique? What makes it that way?”
Coren appeared to struggle for words, but Death interrupted whatever he might say. “Okay, are you ready to get started again?”
“Are you ready for me?” Coren smirked.
That devilish smirk almost sent me over the edge of oblivion, but I reined it back. Barely.
“Is that an innuendo?” I asked, my voice breathy and rough.
He winked and helped me up from the asphalt roof. “Give her the sword back, please.”
Death did. He and Raven leaned up against the brick wall near
the exit to watch us.
I took a few steps away, knowing I had been outmatched all night. Coren was a high demon. A very high demon. Maybe even one of the highest I’d ever met. My gaze traveled over him, pausing at his crotch before I met his eyes. I had wondered what he had in his pants. Shit. Stop thinking about his crotch and sex, I chided myself.
Coren moved forward, not a weapon in sight. He rolled his neck and stretched his arms.
“Are we doing this without swords?”
Popping each one of his fingers, he replied, “Keep your sword. I don’t need one.”
“If you say so.”
Raven laughed and Death shushed her. Coren stared at me, his gaze unwavering. He gave me a “come here” motion with his fingers. Of course, my mind went dirty with the two-finger gesture. What I wouldn’t give to have his—
Coren’s eyes blazed like he knew exactly what I was thinking. Ignore it, Mara. Ignore his amazing body, his beautiful face.
I darted forward with my blade lifted, but he used my momentum against me. With a shriek of surprise on my part, Coren tossed me up and over him. I landed on my feet and spun to counter him. Every time I attempted to best him with my sword, he outmaneuvered me, either by catching the wrist that held my weapon or by knocking me flat on my backside. Fucker was good at this. It infuriated me.
With a swift move, I lifted my leg to kick him in the face, but he caught it and spun me in some sort of karate move you’d only see in the movies. I landed flat on my back and he took that moment to grab my ankle and drag me across the roof. Using my nails, I tried to stop his motion, tried to get free.
Raven yelled, “You have a leg free. Use it!”
Death hushed her.
Using her advice, I kicked him with my free foot anywhere I made contact. His wrist, his hand, his stomach. But it was the back of his knee that was the winning ticket. He collapsed and let go of me. I scrambled away and gained my footing again.
