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

by Avril Sabine

  Remedy pulled her to him, one hand cradling the back of her head. “Why the tears, Iulia?”

  “I don’t want you to leave me.”

  Remedy smiled at her, a finger wiping away tears. “Then stop crying. How many times must I say I will never leave you?”

  “But the terms set by my husband are nearly ended. What if you are returned home?”

  “It will not happen. Your husband is a fool and didn’t say what was to happen to me once the contract was ended. I am free to roam where I please when your child is born. But I have no desire to stray from your side, Iulia. And even if something was to happen to send me home, you have my name and can call me to you.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, her smile radiant as she rose on tiptoes. “I cannot stop thinking that it wasn’t until you become my lover that I fell pregnant.” She pressed her lips against his, cutting off any words he might have uttered.

  His arms tightened around her as he returned her kiss. He’d been thinking the same thing.

  When the scene faded and reformed it was Remedy and another man.

  “What do you want of me, Castigate?”

  “To end the favour I owe you.”

  “What do you offer?” He wished Castigate would hurry. He had an errand to tend to so he could return to Iulia’s side. This close to the birth he’d hated to leave her, but her husband had ordered it and he was bound to follow his orders for a little longer.

  “Information about your human lover.”

  Remedy showed no emotion, but wished he could rip Castigate’s tongue from his head for even mentioning Iulia indirectly. Instead he inclined his head. “If it is of sufficient value I will call us even.”

  “Her husband has found out that you are her lover and plans to have you murdered. She will be put to death once the child is born.” Castigate paused. “Providing it looks human the child will be allowed to live.”

  “When.” Remedy had never felt fear before but he had a feeling it was the emotion that now filled him with an almost paralysing power.

  “Demons have been called to rend you to pieces. They wait by your lover’s bed.”

  “And where is the human woman?” He couldn’t bring himself to speak Iulia’s name in Castigate’s presence.

  Castigate shrugged. “Her husband’s soldiers took her away about an hour ago. That’s why he sent you on this errand.”

  Remedy nodded. He had no time to haggle over the worth of information like he should. “Your debt is settled. We are even.”

  Castigate began to move away when a scream seemed to pierce the air around Remedy. He turned back in time to hear Iulia’s voice scream, “Ibaelcaurzanon, run.”

  Remedy fell to his knees as pain filled him. His hands dug into the dirt, fingers becoming claws as he threw his head back and roared.

  Castigate stared down at Remedy. “She is yours? The human? You made her yours? Gave her power over you?”

  Remedy rose to his feet, his eyes meeting Castigate. He spoke no words before he pictured Iulia in his mind and transported himself as close as he could. It wasn’t close enough. Her and her husband were in the middle of a salt circle. Two guards with them, holding Iulia up between them. Remedy roared when he saw the sword driven through her stomach, the child dead at her feet, furled wings at its back.

  “Do what you must, my love.” Her voice faded as she slumped, only held from the ground by the guards.

  He knew she meant run and survive, but more than that, he needed to avenge her. And needed to hold her in his arms. Remedy’s eyes sought out the man who’d called him to this world. He was no longer his master. The child had been born. “You will die. Slowly. Painfully.”

  “You broke the contract,” the man screamed at him.

  Remedy shook his head. “No man but you touched her in all the years I protected her. And if it wasn’t for the contract I would have cut your hands from your body the first time you did.”

  “I have called demons to deal with you. They will tear you into shreds and scatter you from one end of Rome to the other. I will feed parts of you to my dogs for daring to ever touch my wife. For forcing her to bear your unnatural progeny.”

  Remedy felt the demons the moment they entered the room and turned to face them, pain and anger filling him with their power. “I give you fair warning, brothers. What has been asked of you I shall do instead. If you left an escape in your contracts use it now.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  The demons launched themselves at Remedy, laughing at his words. Remedy relished their choice. He wanted to tear the room apart. He made do with tearing into the demons instead. When he finally turned back to the circle of salt he was covered in demon blood. His anger and pain were not diminished in the slightest.

  His gaze was drawn to Iulia who now lay on the floor with their child. He strode to the edge of the circle of protection. He yearned to cross it and take her in his arms. She still lived, barely. He turned his attention to the two guards who stared at him, wide eyed with fear. He pointed at each of them.

  “I have marked you for death. There is only one means to escape my punishment.” His gaze fell to the salt before returning to the guards. “Break the circle.”

  The two fought to be the first to comply, dusting away at the precious commodity with trembling hands. Behind them Iulia’s husband screamed abuse at them, trying to pull them away from their task. Remedy watched as they ran from the room, leaving a path to Iulia.

  He knelt at her side, gently pulling her into his arms. “Iulia.”

  She looked up at him, reaching out with a blood stained hand to touch his face. “I love you, my protector.”

  “I failed you.”

  “No. We were betrayed.” Her eyes closed as her hand fell to her side.

  Remedy roared as he felt her life slip away. He pulled her tight against him, pressing his lips to hers before he laid her gently on the ground, drawing the sword from her body. He turned to face the man who cowered in the corner of the room. Remedy strode towards him, the sword dripping blood onto the floor. Losing control of his human shape, his wings snapped out around him.

  “Please. It wasn’t my plan. Castigate came to me. He offered me the information only if I promised to do something with it.”

  “Castigate.” Remedy shook his head. “No.”

  “It was your own fault, brother.”

  Remedy turned to face Castigate who had entered the room at the sound of his name. “Why?”

  “How many times did I try and offer you something to make things even between us? None of it was good enough. You would have kept me in your shadow for a millennium. Now though,” his lips twisted into a smile. “I can keep you in my shadow, Ibaelcaurzanon.”

  Self preservation warred with revenge. “This is not over.” Remedy spun, dropped the sword and lifted Iulia’s husband, snapping his neck. He raced into the night, wishing he could have taken Iulia and the child with him. But he didn’t have time, not if he wanted to live. He held the signature of Castigate in his mind. He’d be able to find him anywhere. If he could overcome the problem of a true name in the wrong hands. Somehow he would avenge Iulia and their child. Hate burned in him as he continued to flee, putting as much space as possible between him and Castigate.

  Cassidy came back to herself, with tears and Remedy’s hands still on her face. She met his gaze, the pain still filling his eyes. She placed her hands over his. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” It was a relief to finally be able to speak the words. Even if they were spoken to the wrong person.

  Remedy pulled away from her like he’d been struck, then Gabe was there, wrapping his arms around her. “Are you okay? Cass? What happened?” He brushed at her tears with his palm. “Cass?” His green eyes stared at her intently.

  She blinked, unable to speak. Instead she slid her arms around him and pressed her head to his chest. Remedy watched her from where he stood beside the bed. Flames flickered in his eyes and energy crackled in the air. I’m
sorry. The words echoed over and over again in her head, the taste of Remedy’s truths on her lips. She squeezed her eyes shut and bit back a sob as she felt both her loss and his. Iulia! Dad! She wanted to scream for both of them.

  “Cass.”

  The concern in Gabe’s voice pulled her away from the overwhelming grief as she struggled to gain control. “I’m okay. I’m okay.” She shuddered as she tried to convince herself. Her eyes opened and she looked up at him, pulling away slightly. “I’m okay.” She drew away from him, still sitting on the bed. She could feel Remedy behind her, his gaze still on her. She had no words for Gabe, but she did need to speak to Remedy. Sliding off the bed, she held a hand out to him.

  Remedy stared at her hand for a moment before he took it and tugged her forward. He remained silent, staring intently at her.

  “I can’t forgive what you did. But I hate him too. For both of us.”

  Remedy’s fingers tightened on hers before he nodded.

  “But don’t expect me to like you. If I ever liked you I’d have to hate myself.”

  “Sometimes the one you blame isn’t the one who deserves it.”

  “You were still partly responsible.”

  “So were you.” He released her hand and walked away.

  Cassidy watched him go, her feelings for him a confusing mess. As she felt him leave the house she became aware of another sense. Castigate’s signature burned within her. She could tell exactly where he was. The direction. The distance. Anger rushed through her, demon energy on its heels. She turned to face Gabe. “I can find him.”

  Gabe swore, crossing the room in seconds. “Don’t lose yourself, Cass. You have demon eyes.”

  She pulled away from him, turning to the mirror that was painted over, refusing to believe his words. She ran fingernails over the paint but it didn’t help enough.

  “Here.” Gabe handed her a shaving mirror, a toiletry bag and contents now scattered on the bed. He pushed it towards her. “Take it.”

  Cassidy’s fingers hesitantly touched the mirror. It had been so long since she’d wanted to look in one. And she’d only used a mirror once since painting over them the first week after… her world had changed. She slowly raised it, noticing her jagged reddish brown hair, pale tear-streaked face and the blood at her throat. She took a deep breath and forced herself to meet her own eyes. In the hazel depths was a flicker of flame. She jumped back, dropping the mirror as if it had burned her.

  Gabe leapt forward and snatched the mirror from the air before it hit the ground. He tossed it onto the bed before he pulled her towards him, wrapping his arms tight around her. “Shh. It’s okay.”

  It was then she realised she was crying. “No. It’s not. It’ll never be okay.” Her voice broke on a sob. “I killed him. I killed my own father.” And then she told him everything, through sobs and tears and gasps of pain.

  He drew her back to the bed, his arms still tight around her, and told her over and over again that everything would be okay. But she didn’t believe him. How could anything ever be okay again? She fell asleep in his arms, exhausted.

  Chapter Nineteen

  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. “W
hy? 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.