Demon Hunters 3: Tainted (Stand Alone Series) (Demon Hunters.) (14 page)

Cassidy lay beside Gabe, staring at the ceiling as she listened to him breathing. She rubbed her thumb over the ring, feeling it turn slightly. Tonight. It would have to be tonight before she chickened out. If she left it too long she might come up with excuses of why she shouldn’t go after him. There were certainly plenty of them to choose from. The one that came to mind first was that he was far stronger than her.

Gabe rolled towards her, pulling her close. “Do you have to think so loud? I was trying to sleep.”

“I’m going after Castigate tonight.”

“I know.”

“Yeah, right.”

Gabe smiled at her. “We’re going after Castigate tonight.”

She pulled away from him so she could sit up. “You don’t have to come and how can you say you know. Are you a mind reader now?”

Gabe rolled onto his back, still smiling. “No, but I’m starting to be able to read you. All your sighs and restlessness just now. And who were you saying goodbye to last night?”

“None of your business.” She slid across the bed and swung her feet over the edge. “And who says I was saying goodbye to anyone?”

“I rang my family and talked to them last night. Then Riley took me to see our priest before he dropped me off at the gym.”

She couldn’t risk him. There was no way she was going to let anyone else she cared about die. “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t need help.” She rose to her feet, backing away from the bed.

Gabe hopped out of bed following her until she stopped near the door. “We’re not going to lose. I’ve got an idea.”

“It’s not one of your religious fanatic ideas, is it?”

“No. Just one of the few family rules I haven’t gotten around to breaking before.” He grinned. “I knew you were going to be a bad influence on me.” He took another step closer.

Cassidy held up a hand, pressing against his chest to prevent him from coming any closer. “I thought all your family rules were important to you lot and to do with the way you fight demons.”

“Some things are more important than others.” He stepped to the side, brushing her arm out of the way so he could close the gap between them. “I’ve been thinking about what you told me about the night you and Remedy became inseparable. There’s no easy way to break the bond between you, not without a really high chance you’ll die. You did a good job of that binding. So we have to deal with Castigate before he destroys Remedy.” His hands slid across her back. “I don’t want you to die.”

“I don’t want you to die either.”

“Good. We agree on something. So come on, off to the kitchen.”

Cassidy frowned as Gabe led her to the kitchen, tugging on her hand when she slowed. “No matter how many times I replay your comment it still isn’t a logical conclusion to that conversation.”

Gabe glanced towards her with a fleeting grin as he stopped at the kitchen sink. Letting go of her hand, he picked up his blade that lay on the stainless steel sink, beside the clean dishes in the draining rack. “Grab out the cling wrap for me.”

Cassidy pulled the roll of cling wrap from a drawer and gasped when she turned to see Gabe run the blade lightly across his arm. “What are you doing?”

“Tear me off a piece of that, will you?”

Cassidy handed him a length of cling wrap and watched as he smeared it with blood before wrapping it in on itself. “What am I meant to do with this?” She stared at the bloody cling wrap he handed her.

“Put it in the fridge until we hunt. Wrap it around your wrist when you need an extra boost. But I’d really prefer you didn’t use it when I’m occupied since it’s going to be painful for me.”

“You’re giving me your blood to use?” Cassidy stared up at him. When he nodded, she threw her arms about him. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”

“In that case you’ve definitely been hanging with the wrong people. I’d say a single rose would have to be nicer. This is practical.”

“I know what your blood means to you. Don’t joke about what you’re doing. Thank you.” She rose on tiptoes to press her lips against his. Warmth spiralled through her as her arms tightened around him.

It was Gabe who ended things this time. He pulled back, a slight smile as he stared down at her. “As much as I’d like to continue this, I think we should prepare for a visitor.”

“I need to see him. I’ve got something to ask him.” She headed for the fridge, putting the bloody cling wrap in the shelf at the top of the door. She stared at it a moment longer before she closed it to turn and meet Gabe’s eyes. “Do you really think we’ve got a chance?”

He held her gaze steadily. “Yes.”

“This is nice to see. Some distance between the two of you for a change.” Remedy strolled into the kitchen.

Gabe grinned. “I know. It surprises the hell out of me too.”

Remedy pointed a finger at him. “Don’t start, boy.” He turned to Cassidy. “Why did you want me?”

“I didn’t call you.” She frowned. “At least I don’t think so.”

“You’ve been tugging at me for the past few minutes since the sun set. So again, why did you want me?”

Well that was handy to know. She’d only been trying to figure out where he was. “I need you to teach me how to fight. Without weapons.”

“And what will you give me in exchange?”

“I didn’t have to give you anything last time.”

“And see what happens? Now you expect to make more demands on me and have them met.” Remedy shook his head. “Nothing comes without a price for a reason. I am not your slave to be at your beck and call. Now what will you give me in exchange?”

Cassidy stared at Remedy, then her eyes dropped to her demon mark before falling on Gabe who hadn’t moved position. She was going to do it anyway, so why not call it a payment. She rubbed at her wrist, feeling the scab beneath her palm, wondering if it would ever have a chance to heal. As she watched him, Gabe ran a finger across the cut he’d made earlier, his brows raised. Cassidy nodded. Gabe stared at her a moment longer before he slowly nodded, his lips curving into a grin.

Cassidy turned back to Remedy who had quietly watched the exchange. “I will give you some of his blood before sunrise.”

“You will offer me blood from the hunter. Why would he agree to this?” Remedy looked between each of them. “Hunters never give their blood to demons.”

“I’m not giving you my blood,” Gabe said. His gaze returned to Cassidy. “I’m giving it to Cass. It’s her choice what she does with it.”

“How much blood are we talking and how do you plan to give it to me?”

Cassidy touched her demon mark again. “Through me.”

“Will it be more than that pathetic little splash of new blood you gave me last night?”

Cassidy nodded. “Yes.”

“More than the smear you stole from the boy last time?”

“Yes.” Again Cassidy nodded.

“You’re going after Castigate tonight, aren’t you?”

What else could she say? He would hear any lie she spoke. “Yes.”

Remedy crossed the short distance between them, stopping right in front of her. “You cannot call me. Castigate would have control of me, of us, within seconds of me arriving. No matter how you pull and tug at me or what you say, I will not join you.”

“Actually, if you called him by his true name he’d have to come. Immediately,” Gabe said.

Remedy turned his gaze on Gabe. “Silence, or I will silence you.”

Gabe strolled across the kitchen to stand toe to toe with Remedy. “She needs to know. Without the correct information she could make a mistake. Would you prefer she accidentally called you?”

“I would prefer she flee with me. Although I can say we are the same power, there are minor differences. After all this time he has known my name, he is the stronger one. It takes very little to tip the scales in battle.” Remedy turned to Cassidy. “We can bring your boy. I will let you have him if you agree to leave this very minute and each time I say we must move to another place.”

“Run for eternity?” Cassidy shook her head. “Not going to happen. Now do we have a deal? Blood for knowledge.”

Remedy stared at her, flames flickering in the depths of his eyes. He gave a sharp nod then reached for her face. Even though she was prepared, the bombardment still hit her like a physical blow. Image after image, as she learned how to move in a fight. Centuries of knowledge crammed into her in the space of minutes. Then she was released and she leaned gasping against the door of the fridge.

Gabe handed her a glass of water and she shakily wrapped a hand around it to bring it to her lips. The cool liquid helped centre her body and she stopped feeling like it belonged to someone else. She smiled slightly at Gabe before she turned to Remedy. “Thank you.”

Remedy shook his head. “I have done you no favour. If you reach the point where you have no weapons but your own limbs then you might as well give up.”

“You should know I don’t give up.” Cassidy grinned. “Ever.”

Remedy nodded. “You do surprise me at times.” He lifted her right hand to look at the gold ring. His gaze returned to hers. “If you manage to do this, never lose the ring. He will still know my true name and that can be used against us in the wrong hands.”

“Okay.”

“Call me when it is done.” Remedy spun on his heels and strode from the kitchen.

Cassidy watched him go before she turned to Gabe. “How can we stop Castigate from leaving an area?”

Gabe shrugged. “A circle of power I guess.”

“Salt?”

He nodded. “It works the same way as when you keep them out. They can’t cross over whether they’re on the inside or outside. What are you thinking?”

“I don’t know.” She frowned. “How much power will your blood give me?”

“Not as much as it would give you if you were a true demon. Or even if you accepted a demon inside you.”

“Inside?” She stared at Gabe, waiting for an explanation.

“Like he was wearing your skin. Feeding you his power, helping control your body, and if you’re very unlucky taking it over completely.” His lips twisted into a smile. “Most people are unlucky when it comes to demons.” He hesitated. “Are you really sure you want to do this? You don’t want to take Remedy’s offer?”

“To kidnap you and run?”

Gabe chuckled. “I can’t say I like the kidnap part.” He lowered his voice. “But he did say you could have me. Now I’m all for that part of the plan.”

Cassidy tried to hold back her smile, but it was impossible. She reached out and drew him to her, resting her head against him. “You don’t have to stay.”

“I know. I choose to stay.”

“Why?” She lifted her head to stare at him.

“Someone has to stick around and cook you breakfast. Dry cereal can’t be too appetizing.”

She hit his chest. “Why?”

“Idiot. Why the hell do you think?” His lips met hers and questions were forgotten as bodies pressed close and hands slid over skin. He finally pulled back to stare down at her, a hand pressed against her back, her shirt bunched over it. “Don’t you dare take on Castigate unless you’re sure you have a chance of winning.”

Cassidy stared at him, lips slightly parted. She eventually nodded. “Are you sure you want to come with me? I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Then I guess we’ll just have to look out for each other. Now what’s the plan?”

“To see sunrise?”

Gabe laughed. “Sounds good to me. So how are we going to go about that?”

“Really good question. I’ll tell you when I know all the details.”

“Okay, flying by the seat of your pants. Not a perfect plan, but at least we’ve got one.”

Cassidy returned his grin. “Yeah. Better than none at all.”

Gabe laughed again, this time throwing his head back and spinning her around the kitchen. “Bring it on. I love a challenging hunt.”

“Then let’s go arm ourselves.”

Lowering her to her feet, Gabe shook his head. “Breakfast first. Something more filling than dry cereal.”

She slowly drew away, reluctant to break contact with him. “You make breakfast and I’ll shower and start getting ready.” She wanted to take more than just her daggers with her. An entire arsenal might be enough. If they needed more than that, then Remedy was probably right. If it got down to hand to hand combat there was a good chance they were going to lose.

“Need someone to scrub your back?”

She laughed, glad he’d drawn her away from her depressing thoughts. “Then who would cook breakfast?” Turning, she left the room, the sound of his laughter following her to the bathroom.

Cassidy met Gabe’s gaze as she helped him hide the salt circle they hadn’t quite completed. She dusted the leaf litter from her hands. “Are you sure this’ll work?”

Gabe nodded. “As long as you bring him in from the correct side. We don’t want him realising it’s here. Then I can close the circle with the rest of the salt. Can you feel him coming yet?”

She shook her head. “I keep tugging at him like I’m hunting him, but maybe he knows I’m not really trying.”

“A pity you don’t know his true name. Demon’s can’t ignore that call.”

“What if he doesn’t come?” Cassidy slipped the tips of her fingers into her pocket to check that Gabe’s blood was still there. Although she didn’t really need to touch it to know it was. She could smell the blood and it made her demon mark writhe in anticipation.

“Then we try again tomorrow night.”

She didn’t think she could do this two nights in a row. The waiting was killing her. “I might have decided to run by then.”

Gabe smiled. “Where are we going to first? A beach?”

Cassidy started to open her mouth to answer when she felt Castigate move towards them. She clasped her hands together in front of her chest. “I think he’s coming.” Her voice was soft. Yes, he was definitely headed their way. She tugged on his signature once more, wanting to make sure he knew they were looking for him.

“Are you ready?”

Cassidy mentally catalogued her weapons. Daggers in her boots, sword on her back, a leather case on her right arm with several blades and a bow with a quiver of arrows hidden in a tree nearby. Several vials of holy water were tucked into various pockets, the blood was in a pocket nowhere near the holy water and the ring was on her finger. “I hope so.”

“You’ll do fine. How far away is he?”

Cassidy stilled as she tugged at his signature. She waved Gabe away. “Hide. Quick. He’s moving faster than I expected.” She strode forward, not wanting to start in the circle and have him check out the surroundings too carefully. And then he was before her, crackling with power. She drew her sword, wanting more distance between them than the daggers gave her.

Castigate laughed. “You think you can fight me? If I had realised this what you wanted I would have been here sooner. I can’t wait to kill you.” He brought his hands together and a sword formed in them. He advanced on her.

Cassidy retreated, watching Castigate warily. She was nearly at the salt circle. He needed to follow her just a little further. Why didn’t he rush at her or something?

He stopped advancing. “Where is your master?”

“Not here.”

“If you call him I won’t kill you slowly. I’ll make it quick and painless.”

Cassidy retreated some more. Castigate continued to stand still. “I’m not about to call him. I’m going to be too busy killing you.”

“Come and try, girl.”

“Why don’t you see if you can get me first?”

Castigate laughed. He raised his hand and a breeze rushed through the clearing, chasing leaf litter away to reveal the salt circle. “I am not an idiot. Don’t treat me like one. It annoys me and people tend to get hurt when I’m annoyed. Call the boy out too.”

“No.”

“Call him out or I’ll tear him apart if I have to drag him from his hiding place.”

Gabe strode out from amongst a clump of trees. He held a bow in one hand and there was a quiver on his back. “No need. I’m here.”

Castigate looked from one to the other. “What did you think you were going to do? The circle would not hold me forever.”

Cassidy shrugged. “It was worth a shot.” She continued to hold her sword ready.

“Come face me, little girl. Unless you wish me to start with the boy.” Castigate glanced towards Gabe.

Cassidy shook her head. “Leave him be.” She slowly walked forward. She had barely cleared the edge of the circle when Castigate attacked. The sound of swords clashing rang out in the night air. Arrows came flying towards her, sinking into Castigate. But even after all their planning, they weren’t prepared.

Castigate had her on the ground within minutes, the sword pressed against her heart. “Call him. Use his true name and call him here.”

“You call him.” Cassidy stared up at Castigate. There was no way she was going to do his bidding when he would kill her anyway.

“He can’t,” Gabe called out. “He can’t summon him with the name, only use it against him when he’s near. Only a human can summon.”

“I can’t summon him,” Cassidy said. “He’d kill me.”

Castigate pressed a little harder against her chest. “I will kill you.”

“Then what’s it matter? I’m dead either way.” Cassidy met Castigate’s gaze. “Go ahead. Kill me.”

“No.” The word was torn from Gabe. He ran towards them, stopping just out of arm’s reach. “Give me his name. I’ll call him. Don’t give in like this, Cass.”

She couldn’t let Gabe call him. That’d be a death sentence for him. “Let me up. I’ll do it.” Cassidy turned her gaze on Gabe. What was he thinking? If Castigate killed Remedy, she was dead. “You’re to stay out of this.” She rose to her feet the moment the sword no longer held her down, facing Castigate. “He’ll leave the moment he arrives. He’ll see you standing here. Calling him won’t help you.”

“Not if he’s wearing my skin,” Gabe said.

“No.” It was Cassidy’s turn to cry out. She crossed the space between them, grabbing hold of his arm. “No, Gabe. Don’t even think it.” Hadn’t he warned her about the dangers of letting a demon in?

Gabe looked past her to Castigate. “If we do this, you will set us free and not harm us in any way. You may wear my skin and Cassidy will call him.”

“It won’t help,” Cassidy said.

Gabe continued to stare at Castigate who finally nodded. “Then give me a moment with Cassidy. I can convince her.”

Cassidy shook her head, letting go of him and taking a step away. Gabe followed her. “No. You’re crazy. Insane. We’re going to die.”

Gabe wrapped his arms around her. “We’re not going to die. You will do this. Look around you.”

Cassidy did, finding they were in front of the salt circle opening. She frowned. What was he trying to tell her? “Gabe?”

“How can you want to leave this world behind? Don’t give up.”

“This will kill us. Both of us.” Why couldn’t Gabe understand? He should run. There was no way she could walk away from this, but he could.

“You will need strength for what you have to do. You will manage.” He pressed his fingers against the pocket with his blood. “Your strength sometimes humbles me. Knocks me right off my feet.” He touched her face lightly beside her left eye. His other hand tucked the small bag of salt into her back pocket. “Complete this.”

Cassidy nodded, staring up at him. Hoping she had understood his message. When he started to pull away, she drew him back to her and threw her arms around him, holding him close. Then their lips met and power crackled around them as Cassidy fought not to run, dragging Gabe with her. Beneath her skin she felt the demon mark twist and turn as if it too might break free and flee. She pulled back from Gabe, her hands cupping his face. “Don’t you dare leave me.”

Gabe grinned. “We’ve got a date tomorrow night.” Pulling away he took another step closer to the incomplete circle. He met Castigate’s gaze squarely. “You may now use me to hide.”

Castigate turned to Cassidy. “You agree to this?”

“You can wear Gabe’s skin and I will call Remedy. In return you may not harm either of us in any way.”

Castigate stared at her a moment longer. “The non harming will last for a year and a day. No longer. After that if either of you seek me out it will be your last action.”

“A year and a day.” Cassidy nodded in agreement. Hopefully his promise would make it easier for her.

Castigate strode towards Gabe and stood in front of him. Then he seemed to step into him so that only Gabe stood there. “Call.” The voice that came from Gabe’s mouth was strained.

Cassidy nodded sharply, stepping closer to Gabe. She took a deep breath and turned her back on him, dropping her sword. “Ibaelcaurzanon, come here now.” She felt power crackle in the night air and Remedy formed in front of her. She pulled the bloody cling wrap from her pocket, unwrapping it.

“How does it feel to be betrayed again?” Gabe spoke from behind her in the strained voice of earlier.

Remedy roared, Cassidy pressed the blood to her demon mark and behind her Gabe screamed as power rushed through her and Remedy. She rubbed the cling wrap over her wrist, trying to get every last drop. Some of it smeared across her hand. Letting the cling wrap fall to the ground, she spun, pushing Gabe back into the circle. When he landed on the ground, she hurriedly completed the circle with salt. There were now two bodies on the ground, only Castigate was moving as he struggled to get to his feet.

“Get out of here,” Cassidy yelled at Remedy. “Now.”

“You have much explaining to do.” Remedy pointed an accusing finger at her before he disappeared.

Castigate was on his feet when Cassidy turned back to face him. “You lied to me.”

Cassidy shook her head. “No. I called him. Gabe let you wear his skin. That was all we agreed to do.”

“I will kill you.” His voice was low and threatening.

“You can’t.” Cassidy wanted to enter the circle and check on Gabe, who lay motionless on the ground. But she couldn’t risk it. Not yet.

“In a year and a day I will hunt both of you down and kill you. And I will take days doing it. Each of you will beg to die before I finish with you. Your cries will be music that I will enjoy listening to over and over again.”

Cassidy’s lips slowly curved into a smile of triumph. He couldn’t harm them. But there was nothing stopping her from harming him. She pulled a dagger from her boot and ran it across her right hand before removing the ring and holding it tightly in her bloodstained hand. She crossed the barrier, feeling like she was pushing through heavy air.

“You would not be in here with me if you hadn’t tricked me,” Castigate said. “Gloat while you can. It will be short lived.”

“I don’t think so.” She strode up to him, her smile becoming a grin. “I think life’s about to suck really badly for you.” She struck out at him with her dagger, drawing blood on his lower arm. She dropped the dagger and grabbed hold of him before he could realise what she did. The ring was pressed between them and she wrapped her other arm around his arm, holding the hand with the ring tightly in place.

Castigate roared and tried to pry her from him. “You will not do this. Do you hear me? Stop now.”

Cassidy ignored him, reciting the words she’d learned off by heart, struggling to hold onto him. He twisted and turned, but she clung to him as she spoke the words to bind him. Then Gabe was at her side, helping her hold on. As she reached the last line of the ritual, her eyes met those of Castigate’s. “Forever bound to this ring I hold between us, in service to the one who holds it.”

Power filled the air and Cassidy felt like she was struck by lightning. She was flung back to the far edge of the circle. Castigate disappeared and the ring dropped to the ground, the energy of it drawing her attention. She struggled to her feet, stumbling to where she’d held Castigate.

Gabe reached the spot first, picking up the ring and holding it out to her.