Demon Hunters 2: Retribution (Stand Alone Series) (Demon Hunters.) (4 page)

Scarlett brushed away the critter that wandered across her cheek. She tried to open her eyes, but it was too much effort. She rolled onto her side. There it was again, on her shoulder. She waved her hand near her shoulder but it was already gone. She turned onto her back again, trying to get comfortable. Now it grazed her lips. Scarlett froze, a sudden indrawn breath. Her eyes flew open to see Des centimetres from her face. His lips curved into an inviting smile.

She pressed against his chest and sat up as he moved back. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Waking Sleeping Beauty.”

“Don’t you ever do that again.” Scarlett stressed each word.

“Even when you’ve tempted me for the last four hours as you muttered in your sleep. Must have been some very interesting dreams.”

“Four hours!” Scarlett looked around for the book she’d been reading. She spotted it on the floor beside her with a dry leaf marking her page. “Why didn’t you wake me earlier?”

Des reclined on the gazebo seat. “I was bored.”

“Meaning?”

Des grinned. “Did you enjoy your dreams?”

Scarlett felt her cheeks heat. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d blushed and didn’t like the sensation. “You came to me for help. Stay out of my mind.”

“You keep it too well guarded when you’re awake. I was curious about the sleeping state.” Des chuckled. “And Scarlett, you now owe me six answers, but that will change the moment you respond to my last question.”

“I-” Scarlett’s words became an unintelligible growl and her hands clenched as she resisted the impulse to throw the book at him. Leaving it on the floor, and out of temptation’s way, she clenched her teeth. “You will have to repeat the question.”

Des sat up so he was closer. “Did you enjoy your dreams?”

Scarlett opened her mouth, then shut it again. She momentarily closed her eyes and rejected each thought that came to mind. They were all questions. “Rules for answering questions weren’t set.”

“You don’t get to pick and choose the questions you answer. I ask, you answer.” Des moved even closer, his dark eyes on hers. “Truthfully.”

Scarlett tried to think how to answer the question truthfully. It wasn’t something that could be responded to with a yes or no. “Give me a period of grace. The first half an hour I’m awake in the morning doesn’t count. I can’t cope with these games straight away.”

“The price is a kiss.”

“You’ve already stolen one.”

“That wasn’t a kiss. Our lips barely met.”

Scarlett closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she met Des’ steady gaze. “Parts of them. Some of the dreams made me feel uncomfortable and during some of them I was appalled by my behaviour. I’m glad to know it was you sending them and not a product of my own mind.”

Des moved back from her. “You disappoint me, hunter. I thought you more fearless than that.”

“Don’t try your mind games on me. I’m not going to listen or talk to you. I don’t want to fall into any more traps.” Scarlett bent and picked up her book. She opened it to where the dry leaf marked her place. She guessed Des has put it there. She looked over at him. He winked at her. She clenched her teeth together on the question she refused to ask and turned back to the book. It was unimportant who had saved the page she was up to.

A couple of hours later, Scarlett closed the book she’d finished reading, stretched and looked over to Des. A feeling of panic rushed through her. She was the only one in the gazebo. Rising to her feet, she stepped onto the path. When she saw Des come around the corner of the house towards her, relief made her knees feel weak. She opened her mouth to ask where he’d been, then closed it again.

Des stopped a metre away. “You look like you missed me.”

“Don’t wander off. I won’t have you messing with the neighbours.”

“Maybe you should have some breakfast. It might help your disposition.”

“At least mine can be helped.” Scarlett spun on her heels and stalked to the back door. She turned before she stepped inside. “Stay in the gazebo.”

In the kitchen were two of her aunts and a third cousin she hadn’t seen in a while. An aunt, making bacon and eggs for breakfast, dished up a plate and handed it to Scarlett saying, “Gran wants to talk to you. She’s in her room. Said for you to see her the minute you came inside.”

“Thanks.” Scarlett grabbed cutlery and headed for Gran’s room. She tapped on the closed door and waited.

“Enter.” As Scarlett swung the door open, Gran placed her pen next to her notebook. She leaned back in her chair with one arm resting on her desk when Scarlett stepped into the room.

Scarlett glanced at the perfectly made bed and wondered if Gran had managed to have any sleep. “You wanted to see me?”

“Sit down Scarlett.” Gran gestured towards the armchair near her and picked up a plain gold ring off her desk. She stared at the ring as she turned it in her fingers. “Life can be rather ironic at times.” She turned her stare on Scarlett. “I met Desire when I was young enough to think rules were for other people. I could face any demon and send it home. I soon learned I wasn’t as clever as I thought. Desire ended up saving my life.”

Scarlett finished her mouthful. “Is that what this is? We’re repaying a debt?”

Gran shook her head. “He asked for nothing in return. He might be a demon, but I’ve always had fond memories of him. People once considered demons to be gods. Not all of them were happy to be demoted to demons. But some of them could not have cared either way. Nor do they involve themselves in all the power struggles.”

“We’re talking B.C. here?” Scarlett asked.

“Yes. Demons have been around longer than people.”

“Des too?”

Gran smiled. “Yes, Scarlett. Your demon as well.”

“He’s not my demon!”

“He seems to consider himself to be.”

“No, he’s not. Look, I made a mistake. Even you said you’ve made mistakes. I just want to deal with it and get rid of him.”

“And you’d consign him to the tortures of the damned?”

“No!”

“It’s either that or his sins become greater and he turns to violence. I wouldn’t like to see a demon who has managed to resist great temptation give in now. Not after all these centuries.”

“So, a bit of fornication, adultery and lust is fine?”

“No, Scarlett. And there’s no need to take that tone of voice with me. What I’m trying to say is we should be doing all in our power to make sure he isn’t forced into worse sins.”

“Great! Now we’re going to save a demon’s soul, is that it?”

“You know demons don’t exactly have a soul. Close, but not quite. But that term will do. It’s the closest one for the situation. And yes, Scarlett. Everyone can ask for forgiveness and repent. Even demons.”

Scarlett rose to her feet, leaving her empty plate behind. She paced as she ran her hands through her hair. “This is madness.”

“Scarlett.”

She paused at the serious tone of Gran’s voice, looking at the ring held out to her. “What’s this for?”

“Take it, child.”

Scarlett reluctantly took it. She noticed a faded inscription inside it. “Latin?” When Gran nodded, she asked, “What does it say? It’s too worn away to read all of it.”

“When you bind another to you, you are responsible to and for them.”

“Bind?” Scarlett’s voice was filled with uncertainty.

“It was a wedding ring that belonged to my mother. Put it on, Scarlett.”

Scarlett slid it onto her right hand. The ring was loose. “Gran, why are you giving me this?”

“Don’t let him lose this battle Scarlett.”

“Gran? What are you asking of me?” A note of hysteria crept into her voice.

Gran reached out her hand and took Scarlett’s. “I love you, child. We’ll protect you from whichever demon is sent against you.”

“Gran! Tell me what you’re asking me to do.”

“I can’t tell you to do anything, Scarlett. What you choose to do is your concern. You know what’s right and wrong and you’re the one who will have to live with your conscience.”

“You’re asking me to bind him to me.”

“You know I can’t ask you to sin, Scarlett.”

Scarlett held up her right hand. “No, but you’ll give me the means to do so.”

“If someone places a gun in your hand, does that mean you must pull the trigger? We all have free will, Scarlett. Now, don’t forget to take your plate with you.”

Scarlett stared at Gran for nearly a full minute as she tried to control the churning mass of emotions that threatened to swamp her. “I can’t believe you’d force this choice on me,” she said softly.

“You’re old enough to be able to cope with this. I’ve told you the possibilities. It’s up to you to choose a path.”

“I’m going to find the information on how to unmake him.”

“I hope you can, Scarlett. But I should warn you we’ve had thirty-seven people reading non-stop throughout the night. More are due in shortly and those with copies of relevant books in their own homes have been ringing to let us know which ones they can read. Some needles blend in too well in the haystack.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to find a large enough magnet.” Scarlett grabbed her plate and strode from the room. Her anger carried her all the way to the kitchen and then to the lounge room where most of their books were stored. She took one look at the crowd gathered there, grabbed a book and fled to the gazebo.

There was no peace to be found in the gazebo either. She paused in the entrance and glared at Des. She turned away and dropped down to sit on the edge of the gazebo and let her head rest against the post next to her, placing the book on the timber floor behind her. Des sat beside her.

“Wh-” Scarlett clenched her fists. A growl in the back of her throat ended the word. “I can’t talk to you. Leave me alone. All I have is questions. I’m trying to sort this problem out and I can’t. I just can’t.”

“Twenty minute’s grace. Don’t waste it. And it’s mutual.”

Scarlett stared at Des in surprise.

Des grinned. “You’re wasting it.”

“You have to promise to tell me when the time’s up.”

Des shook his head. “And take away part of the fun? Not likely.”

Scarlett pulled out her mobile phone and set the alarm to go off in seventeen minutes, just to be on the safe side. “What happens if we can’t find the information on how to unmake you?”

“Then I have to answer Retribution’s call when Nathan makes his sacrifice.”

“What kind of sacrifice?

“Human of course. But Nathan is being smart this time. It’s an assisted suicide. He’s promised them they’ll feel no pain, only bliss.”

Scarlett stared at Des and her mouth fell open. She swallowed hard. “But that’s terrible. We have to talk to them-”

“You can’t save the world, Scarlett. They only have a couple of months left to live. I don’t blame them not wanting to live their final days in agony.”

Scarlett shook her head. “You won’t convince me. It’s wrong. They-”

“Lady Knight, not everyone wants you to protect them.”

“I’m not-” Des pressed his fingers against her lips and she pulled away from him.

“That’s the way I see you. Your Gran, she was a great hunter in her day, well and truly lived up to the family name. But you, you’re a protector.”

“No, that’d be Alex. Or even Blake.”

“Is there a reason you find the idea of being a knight and a protector uncomfortable?”

“There are no knights in this day and age.”

Des chuckled. “You may have packed away the armour, but I noticed you’ve kept the sword.”

Scarlett sighed. It was so easy to get off track when you talked to a demon. “What are you going to do when Retribution calls you?”

“Nothing.”

“But Des-”

“I will not torture you.”

“He’ll torture you if you don’t.”

“Concern for me, Lady Knight?”

Scarlett shook her head. “I don’t want your pain on my conscience.”

“If I hunt you, what will happen?”

“My family will protect me.”

“And what are my chances of getting past your family to you?” Des smiled wryly. “Even you can see I’m still going to end up being tortured no matter which path I take. So why go to the trouble of hunting you just to postpone the inevitable?”

“If we don’t unmake you in time, I can’t help you in any other way.” Scarlett twisted the ring around on her finger as she tried to get it to sit comfortably.

“I haven’t asked anything else of you.”

“How long will he torture you for?”

The silence stretched out. Des finally answered, his voice toneless. “At least a century.”

Scarlett stood up abruptly. “I can’t… you can’t…” her eyes closed and she tried to swallow the lump in her throat. “You’re a demon!”

Des chuckled. “I fail to see what you’re trying to get at.”

“How-” the alarm on her phone cut her question off.

Des rose to stand beside her. “I warned you not to waste time.”

“There must be another option. You can’t tell me we have only the one.”

“It’s the only option that will fit in with your black and white view of life and sin.”

Scarlett’s hands tightened into fists. “Don’t you start on me about sins. When you make a commitment for life, it lasts for life. You don’t discard it when it’s inconvenient.”

“Don’t tell me about commitment. I have committed to staying a minor demon and not performing acts of violence. I have spent centuries committed to my decision and I will spend a century being tortured for staying committed to my choice.”

Scarlett took a step back from Des. Even though he said he didn’t perform acts of violence, his anger made the air around him crackle. “I’m sorry. It’s just that… well-”

“If you mention once more I’m a demon, I might make an exception regarding my rules on violence. And stop reciting prayers in your head. I’ll start to think you enjoy causing me pain.”

“Sorry.” Scarlett turned away. She had no idea what she should do. She felt Des’ hands rest on her shoulders and didn’t bother to pull away. His body temperature was warmer than hers and comforting like a fire on a cold night. “I’m lost.” She tensed when she realised she’d spoken the words aloud.

“That makes two of us. But I’ve been lost far longer than you.”

Scarlett felt the warmth of his breath against her cheek and considered pulling away again. Not only was she feeling lost, but also alone. She tried to tell herself that as long as she didn’t turn to face him she could imagine he was one of her family offering comfort. She sighed heavily. She wasn’t going to lie to herself. Having her family’s hands rest on her shoulders, and their body so close to her she could feel their warmth, had never made her heart skip a beat. She forced herself to step away and turn to face Des.

“I don’t know which path to take. I always know. Normally everything is so clear. I thought it was this time, but there are certain facts I can’t get my head around.” She shook her head. “No, not can’t! Try impossible.” She fell silent as she tried to figure out what she was meant to do next.

“You’re trying to make me ask a question.” Des chuckled. “One question that answers exactly what you can’t get your head around, both minor and major facts and why.”

“If you’re wanting why, that would have to be a separate question.”

Des nodded. “First part of the question stands then.”

“Just last week, life was simple. Demons were the enemy. Today I’m talking to you and trying to help you. That makes me uneasy. It’s like the Earth suddenly decided to travel around the sun in the opposite direction. But that’s not the worst of it. If I choose the correct path, I’ll be choosing the wrong one. The only other option I can find is binding you to me. And I can’t. That’s wrong on so many levels. It’s also a sin. If we can’t find the information on unmaking you and I do nothing, I’m letting you be tortured. I don’t know how I can stand back and do nothing. Yet there’s nothing I can ethically do. I keep having that saying of ‘between a rock and a hard place’ play over and over again in my mind. Tell me what other choices I have, Des.”

“Nathan’s death will bring an end to it.”

“See. Wrong. Only wrong choices.” Scarlett threw her hands up in the air and turned away. “I can’t choose, and yet not choosing is a choice in itself.” Scarlett tilted her head back to stare at the wispy clouds. “I’d like to give the decision to someone else, but I can’t. It’s my responsibility. Now I can’t help wondering why you bothered coming to me with this problem when finding out how to unmake you is so impossible. I’m also wondering why you didn’t know that when you knew about Retribution calling you to answer Nathan’s request. I hate not being able to ask questions and having to watch every word I speak.” She tilted her head forward and rubbed at her eyes. “I’m so tired.” The last words were a whisper.

“I can’t see the future. The information was given to me by one who can, in payment of a favour owed to me. I’m sorry, Scarlett. I didn’t mean to put you through all this. I truly thought you’d be able to find the information.”

“I’m sorry I can’t give you what you want.”

Des brushed his knuckles across her cheek. “I’m glad I got to meet you.” He grinned. “I can’t say you’ll be worth the torture, but there are moments I’ll relive.” He turned away.

Scarlett stepped forward and grabbed him by his shoulder, turning him to face her. She opened her mouth to ask a question then snapped it shut.

“Let me guess.” He stepped close. “You want to kiss me goodbye.”

Scarlett shook her head, her eyes focused on his. “I-” She ran her hand through her hair and closed her eyes momentarily. “Add them on,” she growled. “What are you doing?”

“Walking away. I can’t return home from here. Your place has been blessed so many times it’s impossible to travel to or from hell to here.”

“You can’t go.”

“Yes. I’m taking the responsibility out of your hands and back into mine. If you find the information on unmaking me before Nathan disappears, you have only to call for me and I’ll come. But I didn’t count on this. I’m truly sorry. I didn’t mean to cause you all this pain.”

“Count on what?”

“Your compassion for an enemy. It surprises me. Why do you care if I’m tortured?”

“I don’t know,” Scarlett whispered. “All I know is it makes me ache to think of you in pain.” She pressed her hand against her chest. “I guess I won’t make the mistake of getting to know another demon again. I can’t remain objective about the prey when they become a… I don’t know what you’ve become. To use the word friend makes all sorts of alarms go off in my head.”

“I guess that would have to make me an alarming friend.”

Scarlett smiled weakly. “Don’t go, Des.”

Before he could answer. The back door opened and Blake stepped outside. He looked between each of them. “What’s going on?”

“I’m saying goodbye. Call me if you find the information. Your cousin is safe from me no matter what happens.”

“No!” Scarlett shook her head. “You’re not going to be tortured. I won’t allow it.”

“You can’t protect everyone, Lady Knight.”

“Are you mad, Scarlett?” Blake demanded.

“Probably. But I can’t have his torture on my conscience. There has to be some way around it.”

“You know all the options. You weren’t happy with any of them. I’m taking it out of your hands.” Des turned to go again but Scarlett reached out and grabbed his arm.

“Scarlett-” Blake’s warning was interrupted by his phone ringing. “Let him go.” He answered the phone, turning away as he did.

Scarlett felt Des grow tense under her hand. She glanced between him and Blake. “No.” She shook her head. Des looked at her, silently. “Tell me no. Tell me that isn’t the phone call.”

“Unless Nathan dies, Retribution will send demon after demon for you. Ask me to kill him. It will end both our problems.”

“No. I can never ask that of you. It’s one of the commandments, Des. I can’t break one of the commandments.”

“You wouldn’t be. I would. But I can’t kill a human unless it’s asked of me.”

“Thou shalt not kill. There’s no leeway. It’s clear and concise with no way of misinterpreting it. If I asked it of you, the sin would be on me too. And I thought you didn’t want to commit a major sin. That you didn’t want to change.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t be so stubborn.” Des placed his hand over Scarlett’s hand that was still on his arm.

“You’re not going anywhere. You’re not killing anyone and you’re not going to be tortured. I’ll figure this out somehow.” Her tone was one of no compromise.

“Well you’d better hurry up. You’ve only got six hours to do it in,” Blake said from behind her.

Scarlett whirled to face her cousin. “They lost him?”

Blake nodded and turned to Des. “Is that six hours from when they last saw him or from when I got the phone call?”

“Six hours from the phone call give or take a few minutes.”

Scarlett’s hands shook as she pulled out her phone to set her alarm. Blake took it off her to key in the time. She stared at the digital numbers. Six hours wasn’t very long.

Blake put an arm around her shoulders and drew her close. “Will you be fine if I go and let Gran know?”

Scarlett could only nod. When Blake had gone inside, she stared bleakly at Des. Her mind was blank.

Des smiled wistfully. “Sometimes you have to admit defeat and walk away.”

“I never admit defeat. I always think there must be something more I can do.”

“Not this time, Scarlett.”

“Wait the six hours. Please, Des.”

“It won’t help matters any, only make them harder for you.”

“And why should you care? Better yet, why are you willing to kill for me?”

Des stared at her. His dark eyes were a swirl of emotions that Scarlett couldn’t fathom. The silence between them seemed full of words. Unspoken words that when she tried to grasp them, popped like soap bubbles.

Des reached out and lightly touched her temple. “Because I know you.”

Scarlett frowned. “Because… no! You didn’t.” She shook her head. “Tell me you didn’t wander through my mind when you were playing your games this morning.”

“You have nothing to be ashamed of Scarlett.”

“I don’t care. I didn’t invite you to help yourself to my memories and thoughts.”

“Then I’ll invite you to wander through mine and we’ll be even.”

“You have got to be kidding. I couldn’t do that. You’re a-” she recalled his earlier comment and cut off her words.

“Demon! Go ahead. Say it, Scarlett. I’m a demon. I’m the enemy. Don’t concern yourself with how I’ll be spending the next century or two.” He turned abruptly and started to stride away.

Scarlett hurried after him and pushed herself in front of him, placing a hand on his chest to stop him from brushing past her. “You are a demon. And you’re meant to be the enemy. You annoy me so much I want to throw things. But it doesn’t matter. None of it seems to matter when I think of you being harmed. I keep telling myself it’s part of your power, the ability to charm people, but it makes no difference. I can’t let you be tortured. Please. There must be some other way to deal with this.”

Des captured her hand against his chest and stepped closer. “After those first minutes, I never bothered to try and charm you. I thought it would be a waste of time.” His lips slowly curved into a smile. “Interesting.”

“No it’s not. I can’t be friends with you. We’re meant to be enemies. It’s like expecting a mouse to sit down to a meal with a cat. In all likelihood, the mouse will become the dessert.” Des laughed and she felt his laughter rumble in his chest under her hand. She tried to pull away from him but his hand tightened.