Personal Guardians

by Rachel A. Collett

  I caught Jonathan before he could hit the ground, and I screamed. I screamed watching blood pool through his gray shirt, my heart seizing in panic.

  Laith ran through the veil. “Ava?” He froze on the spot.

  Elisa, Cedric, and Fiona followed. Elisa paled at the sight. “Ava, what in the world—?”

  “He wasn’t attacking me,” I said, my voice hoarse and panicked. I growled at Darius as he rose slowly from the ground. “He was helping me, you bastard!”

  Jonathan watched me. Confusion marked his brow. He lifted a hand to my face. “You seem so concerned, my Ava.”

  I ignored him, lowering him to the ground. He grimaced in pain.

  Cedric sank to his knees, his eyes narrowing in concentration. “His lung is punctured. He is bleeding internally.”

  “No shit.” Grabbing Jonathan’s knife, I carefully cut through his shirt. Upon contact with his blood, the Demon’s Eye reopened, casting him in its light. Frantically, I ripped off the pendant and threw it at Darius. I balled the gray material and shoved it beneath his back to stop the bleeding. I pressed my hand against the second opening on his chest. “Don’t you dare call to your damn Destroyer,” I threatened.

  “But Ava, he will live if he does,” Cedric said.

  I shook my head. “No. He can’t. He will be the Destroyer’s again. And you’re not, are you, Jonathan?” I wrapped a hand behind his head, forcing him to look at me. I drew closer, feeling his breath against my mouth. “You’re mine, aren’t you, Jonathan. My personal demon—you said it yourself. I own you.” And when I said it, I felt the truth of my words. I swallowed back raw emotion. “You are not dying. I won’t let you die.”

  Jonathan lips twitched into a weak smile. “It’s okay, Ava. I lied about the whole self-preservation thing. I would rather die now than live forever without you.”

  “Shut up,” I said through clenched teeth.

  “I love you, Ava.”

  “I said shut up, you fool!” I pushed against the hole in his lungs. Jonathan grunted in pain, but he obeyed. His breathing grew shallow.

  “Heal him, already!” I commanded Cedric, but he didn’t respond, or even look at me. Fiona watched from the veil, sorrow in her eyes. I clenched my teeth, cursing something foul to whatever god was listening. “Heal him, or I swear… if he dies, you will never see me again.”

  Acknowledgments

  This book would not be what it is today without the encouragement and support of my loved ones.

  To my husband, Dan, who continues to support me in all my many endeavors. Your good opinion and high praise means so much to me.

  To my boys who are my inspiration for everything I do. I love you with all my heart.

  To my critique group, Jill Burgoyne and Kate Stradling. Your knowledge and inspiration keep me going especially during the hard patches of authorship. You are irreplaceable and so I’m sorry, you two, but you’re stuck with me for life.

  To my favorite Beta-readers (listed alphabetically):

  To Becky Chatwin, Brandon Fuller,

  Marjie Mattison, Rohndia Bretz, Sarah Goit, and

  Tamara Goodman: You are all amazing and have made this book better because of your input.

  Thank you.

  Sneak Peek

  Read on for a glimpse of

  PERSONAL WARRIORS

  The conclusion to the

  Personal Demons Trilogy

  1

  Reunited

  The frigid English air nipped at the raw skin of my fingertips as I reached for the demon’s threadbare coat. My lungs seared with each panted breath, and I cursed when he turned a sharp corner, catching me by surprise. I pumped my arms and legs even harder and pursued him down the cobblestone alleyway. The creature’s shadow blended with the gloom that seeped from the overcast sky.

  Overcast—always overcast.

  The haunt mocked me and remained just out of reach, quicker than any demon I had yet chased.

  Run faster, my Defender. You must run faster.

  “Shut up.” I growled at the souls within the Demon’s Eye. My mother’s inky, black pendant buzzed in anticipation, eager for its new arrival—if I could ever catch the bloody thing.

  “Ava, where are you?” Elisa’s worried voice came over the mic in my ear.

  I huffed. “Alleyway.”

  “Alleyway? Make your way back to the group,” Laith said.

  “Can’t.” I considered chucking the earpiece, as it distracted me from my pursuit, but I needed it to find my way back, and it would make Darius very upset that I had done so—again.

  Another turn, and the demon ran to a blocked road. Trash cans lined the locked swing gate. The demon lost time as it grappled with finding its footing, then scampered over the top.

  Stop, the Demon’s Eye warned. We sense something foul beyond the barrier. Wait for reinforcements.

  But I didn’t listen, didn’t hesitate. I leaped over the wall, my immortal strength catapulting me within grasping distance of the demon. I landed on the balls of my feet, pulling my blade from the holster on my side . . . then halted to a stop.

  I had jumped into the back yard of a small local shop. The patio light was smashed. A mixture of glass and evening dew glistened from the lawn.

  The lesser demon laughed and backed away, his expression smug. Then the shop door creaked open.

  You stupid, stupid girl. The Demon’s Eye hissed and cursed my folly as a shadow peered from the unlit building. His transparent stare seized my lungs and sent a tremor down my spine.

  Clad in black, my mother’s ex-Guardian emerged from the darkened shop. Platinum-blond locks and a pale face glowed despite the lack of moonlight. His eyes, an almost crystal color of blue, stood the hairs on the back of my neck on end.

  Blue eyes—not black.

  Demon or immortal? I didn’t know what he was other than totally wrong. My mother’s pendant pressed against my skin in fear.

  Thought to be dead, Nikolaos was far from it as he cocked his hip and his hands slid into the pockets of his designer pants. “Ava.”

  He spoke my name as if each letter was dessert to him. His gaze took in every detail of my face, and traveled the length of my body. His rapacious stare churned my stomach.

  Despite my growing unease, I lifted a careless brow. “Nikolaos.”

  “Nikolaos?” Elisa gasped over the earpiece. “Dear heavens above.”

  “We’re on our way, Ava,” came Laith’s heady voice. “We’re coming.”

  “But we don’t know where she is,” Elisa said.

  My head twitched against the additional voices that blended with that of the Demon’s Eye. My gaze shifted to the other demon panting in the corner. His greasy hair hung down covering most of his face, except his eyes.

  Nikolaos glanced to him as well. “That’s right,” he said as if he had all but forgotten about his quick little friend. “Thank you, Philip. You’ve been most helpful.” Faster than a snake, his hand lashed out. Metal flashed—the demon’s scream was cut off as Nikolaos plunged his blade into his heart. His body became no more than the sand that fell between the cracks of the cobblestone.

  I jerked, my gaze tightened at his hands. “Is there a reason you killed your little helper?”

  Laith swore over the mic.

  Nikolaos smiled, unaware of the flow of dialog inside my head. With the flip of his wrist the knife flew, impaling the fence. The tip of his blade imbedded into the grey brick mortar. “I hope you don’t mind, but I set up this little meeting,” he said.

  “Ava, can you reach out to me? Can you connect with me?” Elisa’s voice was frantic.

  I pressed against my powers, casting my energy outward, but my nerves were focused on the threat in front of me and my energy snapped back like a thick rubber band.

  “Not at all,” I answered them both, while drawing a second knife. I glared at Niko. “I will enjoy filleting you open with the knife my father gave me.” I offered him a feral grin. “But you never did tell me, why di
d you kill your friend? He might have slowed me down.”

  “Dang it, Ava,” Laith hissed over the mic. “You cannot take him.”

  Niko tittered. “You’re adorable. Did it bother you that much, me killing a lesser demon?” When I didn’t answer, he shrugged. “Can’t have word of our little conversation getting back to my love.”

  My upper lip lifted. “What do you want?” I asked, lowering into a crouch. I was already tired of this conversation.

  Elisa sensed the eager lilt to my tone. “Laith, we won’t reach her in time. Ava, call your demon. Call to Jonathan.” My stomach twisted at the thought.

  Niko continued. “To let you know that my offer still stands. The Annihilator is tripling her efforts. She will stop at nothing to take you down. Don’t get me wrong, I am an advocate to her cause—”

  “I bet you are.” My smile mocked. “Tell me, when did you start believing the crazed spouting of a lunatic? Is the Annihilator the reason you left my mother?”

  The earpiece whined loud in my ear causing me to grimace. Someone had removed their equipment without turning it off.

  Niko’s eyes narrowed at my reaction, confused, but then he shook his head. “You would think that, of course, but you are young, so I forgive you your insolence.”

  “The Annihilator is insane.” Anger rose to my chest. My insides swirled with energy and emotion. My breathing grew heavy. My thumb rubbed the molded rubber grip of my father’s knife. Energy buzzed into my hand and radiated with extended power.

  “The Three are past their expiration date, their time of usefulness. But I would be willing to offer them peace, to halt my love’s building crusade against The Three. I could give them ten years’ time to train up another in your stead. Time to recover from their wounds. Time that you would never have to become as strong as my Rachel ever was.”

  I spat on the cobblestone, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

  Niko grimaced. “Charming.”

  “My mother, commissioned by God, gave me this calling.”

  Ava, what are you doing? Where are you? I flinched as my demon’s voice came through to me. Moisture built within the corners of my eyes. He hadn’t spoken to me in almost two months.

  Niko flicked his wrist as if shooing away a bothersome fly. “You were given a calling you never asked for and a calling you don’t even want.”

  I narrowed my gaze. “What makes you say that?”

  Ava, where are you? I could sense Jonathan’s probe—knew he was tracking me down.

  I had seconds, if that. I shook my head, trying my hardest to ignore him.

  “How long has it been, and still you wait to take a mate?” Niko’s mouth lifted to a condescending grin. “You are terrified to bind yourself to someone, as you should be. The position of Defender is a taxing thing.” He held out his hand. His long delicate fingers reached to me. “Come with me, Ava. I will look after you. You will be my—”

  “Lower you hand before I rip it off. She will never be yours.”

  Straight to my soul, my personal demon’s deep voice growled, rattling me to the core. My heart rate quickened, beating at a sporadic, irregular rhythm, but I didn’t turn to face him. My pendant calmed, its vibrations lessened, as if curious to the change.

  Darius was going to be pissed.

  Jonathan’s proximity pushed against me—then drew me in. His shoulder grazed mine, shooting a tremor down my side. “Damn it, man. Don’t you know how creepy you sound?”

  Nikolaos snarled. A terrifying ripple of breath vibrated the space around us. “Traitor.”

  Jonathan laughed, one short burst. “Pot—kettle.”

  Nikolaos tipped his head to one side studying his new opponent. “It’s curious to me that both Defenders would have their own demons, don’t you think? The Three are supposed to be God-sent and yet a powerful Fallen was so attached to my Rachel—and Rachel to her, that I could not separate them.” He sniffed in revulsion. “Now you—one of the upper ranking elite to the Destroyer, are here defending Ava. I bet that doesn’t make your boss very happy.”

  One of the upper ranking elite? Jonathan had never given me that bit of information, but he ignored my mental question. I risked a peek at my personal demon and nearly gasped.

  He never changed.

  Any light emitted from the low-level glow of the sky seemed to be absorbed by his presence. His dark grey shirt fit snug against what I knew was a sculpted chest and toned stomach. His black eyes examined me from the side. Worry wore deep within that single glance before flashing back to Nikolaos. My self-proclaimed personal demon; once a plague in both life and sleep, had turned to informant, and then something even more than that. He was now my friend.

  A friend that had confessed his love for me, as he was near death, two months before.

  I flushed red as the memory flooded the recesses of my mind.

  Niko side-stepped to the back door. “You will not get this opportunity again, Ava. I cannot stop the tempest that will come if you choose to stay your course. She will rain damnation upon you, your new family, and any mortal that falls within her path. I am ready to make a deal.”

  I rolled my eyes, but for a split second, I believed him. For a split second, I considered his offer—until the image of my father flooded my thoughts and I remembered the deal he had made that ended his life. A deal with the Destroyer. To keep me hidden from the supernatural world and the Annihilator—the Destroyers embittered mate and eternal competitor. A bargain sealed with my father’s last breath.

  My hands shook remembering his lifeless body in my arms, the blood stain on his shirt growing larger from the fatal stab to his heart.

  “You know this is a good deal, don’t you, Ava?” I could hear the satisfaction in Nikolaos’s words. “A deal struck in the best interest of—”

  My lips twitched as my blade flicked from my wrist. The eerie light from the moon glowed upon the knife, but then disappeared just before the steel blade impaled the wooden door at the side of Niko’s head. Niko’s eye narrowed, but he did not flinch.

  “That is your answer and your warning, little Nikki.” My breath was deep and ragged. “The next time I see you, your heart with be on the receiving end of my blade.”

  “Do not engage him, Ava,” Laith commanded over the mic. “I repeat, do not engage him. We’re coming.”

  When Jonathan prowled forward, Niko stepped back.

  “Don’t go.” Jonathan cocked his head to the side, watching the small retreat. “I just got here.”

  He smiled. “You do not frighten me, Demon. I have killed your kind, and more.”

  “Show me.” Jonathan flashed his teeth, his voice a lover’s caress.

  But Nikolaos pushed the back door with the tip of his Italian leather boots. I squinted past the gloom that encased the opening of the home, then a form took shape. A large woman tied to a chair, sat slumped against her bindings. Her head drooped to her chest.

  Anger flared, but Nikolaos interrupted the growing rage. “Meet the owner of this charming shop. She sleeps in the upstairs room of her flower business. Now, I know what is happening within you, my Defender. I know the power you draw to defend the ones you think you are called to protect, but there is nothing to worry about, yet. We’ve sedated her. She will remain uninjured, unless...”

  “Unless what?” I asked with barely suppressed rage.

  Another shadow grew behind that of the mortal woman. Faceless within the dark, only the blade of a dagger shone at the side of the woman’s neck.

  Niko tsked, then retreated another step. “I think you know.”

  Jonathan glanced back. His gaze rolled over my face, as if he pondered whether this was a good enough threat to stop his attack. I placed my hand on his shoulder, guiding him to me. My skin zinged with fire—pain I knew to be the produced warnings of his unnatural touch.

  I chuckled low and menacing. “Does your accomplice know you’re going to kill him, too?”

  But Niko didn’t pause in his retreat
. With pointed glares, we watched as he receded into the home, past the woman, and out of sight with his demon.

  After a few seconds, I finally managed to speak. “Make sure they are gone, then untie the woman and take her to her bed,” I commanded.

  Jonathan’s brows raised, but when I said nothing more, he obeyed. I walked the fences trying to lower my heart-rate, but without success.

  A minute later Jonathan returned, shutting the door behind. “The shop is clear—”

  I turned on him. My arm whipped out, my open hand cracked against the skin of his cheek. I inhaled a shocked breath as pain cut across my palm. I hadn’t expected Jonathan to allow the assault, but he didn’t even stir. Unsettling heat spread across my face and frustration infused my words.

  “Where have you been?” I asked.

  Again, unwanted and traitorous moisture built in my eyes. A red shadow, in the shape of a hand, settled upon his face. His black eyes examined me as I lifted my hand once more but this time pressed my fingertips against his afflicted cheek. He allowed the ministrations for a moment before clamping down on my wrist, holding it in place.

  “I have called you, Jonathan, and yet you won’t come? You almost die. My aunt heals you and then you just ... you just, disappear?”

  A breeze tousled his dark mane, but his gaze remained vacant.

  “I’ve had enough people in my life disappear, Jonathan. Isn’t it enough that those around me leave or die because of who I am?”

  I tried to wrench my hand from him, but his grip tightened. Ever the seducer, he prowled a step closer, towering over me. His lethal appeal, grown in potency from being away too long, hit me strange and intense.