Demon Hunters 3: Tainted (Stand Alone Series) (Demon Hunters.) (7 page)

Scarlet stared at him a moment before she nodded then turned to Cassidy. “Be careful and call us if you need help.” When Cassidy opened her mouth to speak Scarlett held up a hand. “Help we can give.” Her gaze darted to Gabe then back to Cassidy. “Gabriel has my number if you need it.”

Cassidy nodded and walked to the front door with Scarlett and Jesse. When she returned to the lounge room, she found Gabe draped over one of the armchairs, tossing a dagger into the air and catching it.

“Is that one of mine?”

Gabe caught the dagger and turned to her with a grin. “How many have you got hidden around this place?”

She shrugged. “A few.” At his raised brow she shrugged again. “Maybe a bit more than a few.”

“Paranoid much?” He swung his feet to the ground and stood up.

“Why were you checking out my place anyway?”

Gabe chuckled. “Paranoia.”

Cassidy turned away before she let a grin escape. She returned the dagger she held to its hiding place. “Put that back where you found it.”

Gabe returned the dagger to the small space between the floor and the armchair he’d been using. “Anyone else live here with you?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because there’s no one.” The image of her father lying in a pool of his own blood came to mind.

“Got a spare room?”

Cassidy stared at him, hands on her hips. “You did not just invite yourself to move in, did you?”

Gabe chuckled. “Yep. So what do you say? I’m a good cook.”

“And what about the dishes? Do you do them?” When Gabe strode across the room towards her, Cassidy forced herself to stay still, fighting the urge to take a step backwards. She regularly found his gaze unnerving. It felt like he could see inside her to all the secrets she wanted to keep hidden. Every single blood soaked sin.

“It’s not like I’m asking to marry you. I’m looking for a bed for a few weeks until I can get a job that’ll fit in with hunting.” He grimaced. “There aren’t that many of them. I’ll cook the meals and whatever else needs doing. My family will give me food, but they won’t give me money. It might not sound like much of a bargain, but I will hunt with you.”

She was beginning to rethink his offer. She hadn’t known he’d want to move in with her. “I hunt alone.”

“Really? What about last night?”

“You have a bad habit of inviting yourself along, don’t you?”

Gabe chuckled. “You’re not the first person who’s tried to tell me I’m pushy. So what do you say? I’ll get you more of this.” A vial of holy water appeared in his hand.

Cassidy stared at it. “You won’t push your bible crap on me?”

His voice lowered. “Religion is the last thing I want to share with you.”

Cassidy’s eyes met his and held. Her lips parted and she tried to think of something to say. Anything. Then heat flared through her mark and she spun to see Remedy enter the lounge room.

“How many times do I need to tell you she’s mine?” Remedy stepped up to Gabe who met his gaze without flinching.

“Does Cassidy feel the same way?”

“Do you think I care how she feels? She chose this. Her words, her actions made her mine. Now she must live with her choice.” He jabbed a finger at Gabe’s chest. “You leave her alone.”

“We were just about to go out looking for a ring.” Gabe’s lips slowly curved into a smile. Remedy roared, swinging at Gabe who ducked and spun, coming up to the side of him.

Cassidy yelled at them, throwing herself between them. “Enough. Are you freaking crazy?” She stared at Gabe, her arms around Remedy who vibrated with energy. “You want to move in with me and yet you keep baiting my demon. Are you suicidal?”

“If that’s my two choices I’ll go with crazy.”

“Stop calling me your demon like I’m some possession,” Remedy growled.

Cassidy looked up at Remedy. “You back off. I’ve got this under control. Or I did before you arrived. And how the hell did it get to sunset already?” She pushed Remedy away from her, making sure the direction was also away from Gabe too. She sighed and pointed a warning finger at Gabe. “No more baiting or you can sleep in the gutter for all I care. You can’t kill him, not without killing me.” She turned back to Remedy. “And I need to buy a ring to bind our enemy.”

“No. You’re not to throw your life away on a useless task.” Remedy’s voice boomed through the room.

Cassidy winced, barely stopping herself from covering her ears with her hands. “What am I meant to do? Wait for him to kill you? Us?”

Remedy shook his head. “I have kept one step ahead of him for centuries. I can continue to do so. You’ll have to leave here. I’ll find somewhere safer for you to hide.”

“No. This is my home. I’ve spent my entire life here. No one’s chasing me from my own home.” Cassidy’s hands went to her hips and she glared at Remedy. Hadn’t he taken enough from her already?

“Have they told you how a demon is bound to an object?” When Cassidy shook her head, Remedy continued. “You need to mingle your blood and press that object between the two of you where the skin is broken. The hand is the part usually chosen. It’s easier to clasp hands than anything else.”

Cassidy’s mouth dried and her heart felt like it paused. “How long?”

“As long as it takes to say the ritual.”

“How long?” She stepped closer to Remedy. “Tell me how long.”

“It would be like holding a dozen tigers for endless minutes. Do you think you can mange that?” Remedy’s gaze flickered with flames that leapt higher when Gabe stepped forward.

He put a hand on Cassidy’s shoulder and met Remedy’s glare. “She has help.”

“Why? What’s in it for you, boy?”

“A lot of things.”

“She’ll never be yours, no matter the outcome,” Remedy warned.

“If we do this she gains free choice. You don’t own her or force her to do anything against her will.”

“Neither of you will gain power over me. My name will not be used against me.” Flames almost filled Remedy’s gaze. “Or that will be the end of all of us. I will be no one’s slave.”

Cassidy suddenly realised what Remedy meant by being able to taste the truth of her words. She had never believed a statement more in her life. She licked her lips, swallowing past the lump that formed in her throat. “Equals. Partners.”

Remedy’s gaze dropped from Gabe’s to hers. He held her gaze momentarily before he gave a sharp nod. His lips curved into a smile that would give nightmares. His teeth became sharp points under her gaze. He pressed them against his lip and broke the skin. “Sealed.” His head lowered to hers.

Cassidy had no chance to step away before his lips were on hers, a sharp sting as the skin of her lip was broken, followed by the flare of pain as their blood mingled. She felt Remedy’s hand at the back of her head, but still she tried to pull away. Then he released her and she staggered backwards.

Remedy turned his gaze on Gabe, his teeth even again, the smile remaining pure evil. “She’s still mine. Don’t forget that, boy.” When Gabe nodded, Remedy strode from the room.

Cassidy’s eyes closed when Remedy was gone and she swayed in place. When an arm encircled her waist her eyes flew open and she met Gabe’s intense green stare. “Don’t-” she pressed a hand against his chest.

“Shh. Sit down.” He guided her to the lounge suite and sat beside her. “You okay?”

Cassidy stared at him a moment before she nodded. “Yeah. I think so.”

Gabe grinned. “Not your boyfriend, huh? If you have a habit of randomly giving away kisses what happened to mine?”

Cassidy shoved Gabe away with a glare. “I didn’t kiss him.”

Gabe continued to grin at her from where he’d landed back against the cushions of the lounge suite. “I know. But at least now you don’t look like you’re going to pass out. Anger’s better than running and hiding.”

Cassidy took an unsteady breath. “Didn’t you say something about taking me shopping for a ring?”

He rose smoothly to his feet, holding out a hand to her. “That’s my girl. Come on then.”

“Don’t call me that.”

He continued to hold out his hand. “Cassidy?”

“I prefer Cass.” She took his hand and let him pull her to her feet. He was close enough she could feel the heat of his skin.

“Cass.” The word was soft as his lips curved into a smile. “Want to go clubbing with me the night after we bind the demon?”

Cassidy stared at him a moment, then laughed. “Sure, why not.” She pushed at his chest to make him step away from her. “Now about that ring.”

“In a minute.” He reached out and ran a finger across her bottom lip. “Blood.” He wiped his finger on his jeans. “Now we can go.”

Cassidy stared at him, wondering what Remedy would do if she gave into her current impulse. She blinked and looked away from Gabe. Remedy would probably kill Gabe before she could even think about stopping him. “I’ve got a spare helmet in the garage.” When he nodded, she grabbed it and headed for the front door where her boots were kept. Once there’d been three pairs of shoes lined up by the door. One of them had been rainbow sneakers. They hadn’t been rainbow coloured after she’d met Remedy. First they’d been red, then a rusty brown. They’d been burned along with the rest of her clothes. She stared at her boots.

“You okay?”

Giving Gabe the helmet, she pulled on her boots. She didn’t have an answer for him. She didn’t even have one for herself.

Cassidy stared at the case of rings in front of her. None of them seemed right. She was going to be stuck with the ring for a very long time. Forever. How could she pick one she’d always want to wear? It wasn’t like she could swap it if she grew bored with it. She shook her head, turning to Gabe.

“None? Not even one?”

She heard the begging undertone in his voice, but ignored it to shake her head. She didn’t blame him since she’d dragged him to five jewellery shops already. “No. There’s nothing wrong with them, but they’re just not…” she shrugged.

“The right one?” Gabe asked.

The assistant slid the case of rings back into the glass cabinet. “I don’t know if this will help, but we have some estate rings out the back.” He looked her up and down. “They might be a little out of your budget though.”

“Cass?” Gabe prompted when she continued to stand there staring at the rings in the cabinet, rubbing her wrist.

She met his gaze. “We have other things we should be doing.” She glanced at his mark.

Gabe nodded. “I know. But this is important too.” He turned to the assistant. “Bring them out. No harm in looking.” He grinned. “If I’m lucky she might even find one and stop dragging me to every shop in a hundred kilometre radius.”

Cassidy lightly hit his arm with the back of her hand, glaring at him. “Liar.”

“One moment,” the assistant said before he stepped out the back.

Cassidy rubbed her wrist again, annoyed with the heat that continued to build. She looked up at Gabe, taking a step closer to him and dropping her voice. “What is out there?”

“I think the question is probably going to be how many are out there.”

Cassidy’s eyes widened as she stared up at him. “What are we going to do? And why don’t they come in here?”

“They like to keep a low profile. Less hunters that way.”

“Here we go.” The assistant placed a case of rings on the counter between them.

Cassidy forced herself to pay attention and was glad she did. She reached out to lift a simple gold band that had open work vines twisted together between a narrow, solid border. The width of the ring was a centimetre and when she slid it on her finger it fit perfectly.

“Looks like we have a winner.” Gabe grinned. “Finally.”

Cassidy nodded and pulled out her EFTPOS card to pay for the ring. When she heard the price she was relieved her weekly income was so large. Then she instantly wished it wasn’t.

Gabe linked his arm through hers as they left the shop. “That’s not going to run you short is it?”

Cassidy shook her head. “I wish.”

Gabe stared at her a moment as they continued to walk towards the shopping centre exit. “You say the oddest things sometimes.”

Cassidy’s jaw tightened. There was no way she could tell him about her father. If he’d still been alive she wouldn’t have been able to afford the ring. If he’d still been alive, she wouldn’t have needed to buy it. She forced the thoughts from her mind. There were other things to deal with. “What are we going to do about our welcoming committee?”

“You could always call your boyfriend.”

She sent him a pointed glance, ignoring the comment. “How do we figure out how many there are?”

“We don’t. We get on your bike and get the hell out of Dodge.”

“And what? Leave them here?”

Gabe shook his head. “Lead them somewhere else.” He mentioned an old graveyard. “Do you know where it is?”

“Yeah.”

“Then that’s where we head. And pray to God we get there before them and you can enter hallowed ground.”

She didn’t bother pointing out to him that she couldn’t pray. “Your plan has a lot of maybes.” Cassidy came to a stop at the exit and stared through the open doors at the car park, stepping to one side as other shoppers came towards her. Heat from the night air wafted over her and she swore. “We’re screwed.”

“I don’t suppose you have a spare key for your bike.”

Cassidy nodded, unable to take her eyes from the demons scattered throughout the car park. She’d worried about what would happen if she’d ever lost her key during a fight. “It’s taped between the seat and fuel tank.” She couldn’t stop looking at all the demons. Some of them looked human, but others looked very much like demons. “Why can’t people see them? They should be running, screaming.”

“Demons can hide themselves. It takes effort and it’s usually easier for them to look human. Well, it is for those that have that ability. Some can’t hide or look human. But obviously those ones aren’t out there.”

“Why?”

Gabe laughed. “Because people would be running, screaming.”

“You’re so annoying sometimes.” She shot him another glare, her gaze instantly drawn back to the demons.

“Does that mean you’re not going clubbing with me?”

“Focus, Gabriel.” She grinned when his own faded at the use of his full name. “What are we going to do other than serve ourselves up on a platter with apples in our mouths?”

“The apples would be a waste of time, they wouldn’t appreciate the effort.”

“Gabriel.” She ground his name out through clenched teeth.

“You head to the right, I’ll go left. First to the bike picks up the other and then we get the hell out of here.”

“Do you have a license?”

Gabe shook his head with a grin. “I think that’s the least of our problems.”

“A pity. It would have been nice if at least one of us had a license.” She smiled at his expression. “Can you ride?”

“Like Evil Knievel.”

“Isn’t he a stunt rider?”

Gabe laughed.

“There’s no way in hell you’re getting to my bike first.” She picked at the scab on her wrist and smeared the blood across her demon mark. She breathed deep as the energy rushed through her. “I’ll pick you up soon.” Then she was off, dashing through people, avoiding cars. She skidded to a stop at her bike, pulled on her helmet as she threw her leg over and started the engine, her helmet straps undone.

Gabe grabbed the spare helmet as he reached her side, pulling it on as he mounted behind her. “Go. Now.” When she took off, he yelled. “Faster.”

“The cops-”

“Forget the bloody cops. Your boyfriend can deal with them.”

“You call him my boyfriend one more time and I’m going to punch you.” She accelerated rapidly, dodging traffic, heart racing as her eyes darted everywhere.

They reached the graveyard in record time and Cassidy ran towards the gates, Gabe on her heels. She tried to cross, but felt like she was slammed backwards as Gabe sprinted past her. She gasped in pain and stared at Gabe who turned to face her.

He swore, pulling a handful of fine, finger length blades from behind him. “Guess you’re too demon for here.”

“Where’d they come from?” Cassidy nodded towards the blades then glanced towards the horde of demons headed their way.

Gabe lifted a corner of his shirt to show a narrow leather band with more blades sticking up out of the pockets that ran the length of it. A few of them were a little larger and wider. “I told you I’d bring my own this time.”

She held out a hand for one and weighted the slim blade in her hand. “How do you use them?”

“Throw them.” He took it back with a glance towards the demons. “You sure you don’t want to call your boyfriend?” He threw one of his blades as he stepped back into the sanctuary offered by the graveyard.

Cassidy didn’t have time to answer. Drawing a dagger from her boot, she attacked the demon that launched itself at her. The night became a blur of attack, parry, blood and movement. She drew on all the demon energy she could, determined not to call Remedy. She could do this. She needed to do this. Then thought was impossible. Only action and reaction.

Swing, parry, block, dodge. It was like a dance. One that left her cut in several places. Each time she brushed her wrist over the blood and attacked harder with every new burst of energy. She was surrounded, attacking in all directions. When one demon disappeared, another one took its place. The ranks began to thin, but the attacks didn’t slow down.

The demon in front of her exploded into nothingness and small blades fell to the ground where he’d stood. She spun around, looking for the next one. There were none. She staggered, and reached out to smear more blood on her wrist.

Gabe grabbed her hand before she could. “Try now.”

“What?” She stared at him, trying to figure out what he meant.

He looked towards the graveyard. “I can barely feel the demon in you. Try again now.”

Cassidy nodded and struggled to place one foot in front of the other. A shiver went through her and it felt like her skin was attacked by a thousand biting insects, but she was able to enter the graveyard.

Gabe grinned. “I thought so.”

Cassidy punched him in the stomach.

Gabe swore, doubling over. “What was that for?”

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

Gabe burst out laughing, dropping to the ground. Laying back he stared at the stars that were starting to fade in the lightening sky. His laughter faded away and he rubbed his stomach. “Be nice or I won’t teach you how to use my blades. If you’re lucky I might even show you how to use a few of my other favourites.”

Cassidy dropped to the ground beside him, stopping herself from rubbing the burn in her wrist when she saw the blood on her hand. “Which ones.”

“Bow, crossbow and shuriken.”

“What’s the last one?”

“Ninja stars.”

Cassidy eyed him. “I didn’t hit you that hard.” It had been more about making a point, not hurting him. Or at least not hurting him much.

Gabe lifted his shirt. “Is it bruised?” He sat up slightly and checked his stomach. “It feels bruised.”

She stared at the expanse of skin above the leather band. She tightened her hand into a fist, keeping it at her side. There were no blades at the front, but she could see a few tucked in the sides of the band.

“You going to kiss it better?” Gabe’s lips curved into a smile. “Your… friend can’t get me in here.”

Cassidy looked away, bitting the inside of her lip to hold back her smile. “Grow up.”

Gabe rolled to his side, reaching out to wrap his fingers around her arm. When she turned to look at him he appeared serious. “You okay?”

Cassidy nodded.

“Why didn’t you call him?” He sat up.

She looked away as he pulled his shirt back into place. “I didn’t need him. I had everything under control.” Although there had been a few moments where she hadn’t been sure about that.

“We had everything under control.” Gabe stressed the first word as he took her left hand and turned so he could see her inner wrist that was smeared with blood. He ran a finger over the wound. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Cassidy nodded, tugging her arm away from him.

“Do you know you’re feeding him every time you do that? It’ll be making him stronger.”

Cassidy shrugged. It didn’t make any difference. She couldn’t manage without it. She forced her legs to work and rose to her feet. “Ready to go home?”

“Home. Sounds good.” He smiled down at her once he was on his feet.

“My home,” she corrected before she spun and left the graveyard, relieved to have an end to the sensation of biting insects. Gabe’s laughter followed her as she pulled on her helmet and buckled the strap. Then she was forced to wait while he gathered his blades from the ground.