The Demon Hunter (29 page)

A thumping pain flared at the base of her skull. Ellie flinched. Too much, they were too strong and together, they were too powerful for her body.

“Ye’ve got them,” Rose said, her voice echoing inside Ellie’s mind, mumbled words that it took a moment for her brain to decipher.

Ellie didn’t bother to respond. She wasn’t even sure if she could respond. Sweat sprung out on her forehead and her muscles felt on fire. How could this happen? How could she not be able to control her own body? Would she forever be forced to hide for fear of taking on too many powers? She’d been sick so often as a child; colds, the flu. Maybe it hadn’t been a virus at all.

“Such a weak, ill child,” her first foster mother had said.

“Alright then,” Rose called out, her voice like cymbals in her head. “I need ye to slowly build that mental wall, bring up your own essence, your own powers, and shove their powers back at them just like ye did with Devon the other day.”

Easier said than done. She felt like she was drowning in quicksand. Her lungs heavy, her breathing harsh. Mentally, she clawed her way through the murk and darkness of their powers, but she felt like she was dying in tar. Panic set in.

She opened her eyes, the world so bright she actually cringed. “I…I can’t!” She gasped for air as she searched for the crystal.

“It’s all right.” Devon suddenly appeared, the necklace in hand. Without pause, he placed the cool crystal around her neck.

Instant relief washed over her as the piece fell between her breasts. It was like a cool winter breeze on a hot summer day. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Her mind cleared, her body grew light. Pure heaven.

She sank into Devon’s hard form, pressing the side of her face to his chest. “I can’t.”

“Rest for a moment.” He led her toward the stone bench near the tree line.

Knees weak, she sank onto the seat without argument.

“That’s all right,” Camile called out, strolling toward them, Miranda at her side.

Even in her exhausted state, Ellie noticed the two women were close, a little too close for people who had just met a week ago. Were they dating? The thought brought a grin to her lips. Lord, she needed something else to think about other than impending doom and destruction. And she liked Camile and her ready smile, even if Devon seemed leery.

“Try again,” Camile urged.

“She’s exhausted,” Devon snapped, his annoyance almost palpable. She would have been touched by his protectiveness, but she knew he was merely trying to pick a fight with Camile. “She needs a break.”

“I’m just trying to protect her too, Devon,” Camile returned. “If she can’t control her powers, she’ll not survive!”

Miranda started across the back lawn toward Ellie. “They don’t seem to like each other,” she whispered, settling on the bench.

Ellie had been thinking the same thing. What was Devon’s problem with the young witch? They stood about a foot from each other, both practically foaming at the mouth as they argued about what to teach her next. While she, the person who should care the most, cared the least. Blocking their powers was exhausting, drained her body of energy. Sure, she wanted to win this battle, but she needed a break.

“The way she talked about him, I assumed they were friends,” Miranda said. The brilliant morning sun turned her dark hair into polished ebony. She looked happy, in love. At the least, in
like
. It was amazing what mutual attraction could do to a person. Did she look as glowing around Devon?

“He doesn’t trust her, for some reason,” Ellie explained.

“That’s ridiculous,” Miranda rushed out, her defensive attitude a bit telling.

Ellie grinned and slid her friend a sly glance. “What else did you talk about?”

Miranda glanced surprisingly at her. “What do you mean?”

“Well, it was quite a long drive here.” She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “Just wondering what you chatted about during those many, many hours.”

Miranda flushed. “Nothing.” She was silent for a moment, her dark gaze pinned to Camile. “Honestly, I’m not even sure if she’s straight or gay.”

Ellie smirked. So funny how Miranda was oblivious to the way Camile acted around her. “She’s gay.”

Was that hope that glistened in her friend’s eyes? She scooted closer to Ellie. “Why do you say that?”

A warm, spring breeze swept across the garden, sending pink petals from a nearby apple tree through the air like confetti. “Because of the way she keeps looking at you.” Of course, right now the only one Camile was looking at was Devon, and she looked as if she might like to kill him.

“You…you think she likes me?”

Her friend might seem hard on the outside, but Ellie knew the truth. Miranda was as soft as caramel in the center.

Ellie leaned down, picking a brilliant yellow daffodil growing in crops around the bench. “I know so.” She smelled the rich perfume, then handed Miranda the flower. Of course, what did it matter if Camile and Miranda fell in love? What did any of it matter? If they didn’t stop the demon, no one need worry about silly things like dating.

“So,” Miranda sighed, staring up at the gray clouds that loomed low on the horizon. “You’re magical or something.”

Ellie shrugged. “Or something.”

“When did it start?”

Ellie laughed. “When I was born.”

Miranda smelled the flower, then tucked it behind her ear. “It’s why you were so closed off about your past.”

Ellie paused for a moment, letting the breeze cool her sweaty skin, giving herself time to gather her thoughts. “I believed I was insane. I thought there was something wrong with me. Then finally, I thought everyone else was crazy. How could they not see what I saw? After I grew older, I was more worried about self-preservation. I needed to learn how to protect myself from those who didn’t understand. I certainly couldn’t explain to anyone.”

Miranda nodded, there was no judgment on her pretty face.

“I’m just so happy to finally have a name for what I am. To know that there are others out there,
somewhere
, like me.”

Miranda rested her hand atop Ellie’s and squeezed her fingers. “You’ve never been alone, El. I’m here, and always will be.”

Ellie smiled, a rush of warmth racing through her body. For years she’d been searching for a place to belong and now she knew, this place, these people, were home. “Thank you.”

They were silent for a brief moment, watching Camile and Devon argue, as Kipps tried his best to play referee.

Miranda nodded toward Devon. “So, he’s an angel?”

Ellie grinned. “Yep.”

Rose shoved her way between the two, having apparently had enough of their fighting. Even when he was angry, Devon looked gorgeous. The wind had ruffled his hair, the t-shirt he wore was tight over his muscled torso. Those biceps bulged as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“An angel,” Miranda sighed. “Very interesting. What’s it like?”

“What’s
what
like?”

Miranda grinned wickedly. “Having sex with an angel.”

Ellie flushed and looked away. Fortunately she was saved by Rose’s bellow.

“Enough!” the old witch snapped.

Miranda leaned closer. “You supernatural beings are pretty dramatic.”

“Devon,” Rose said, shoving her weathered hand into his chest and pushing him back with surprising strength. “Camile did the spell as she was supposed to. We haven’t a clue why it didn’t work as it should have. It could have been any number of reasons. A shift in the wind. A drop in temperature.”

“Thank you,” Camile grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.

“And ye,” Rose snapped, turning toward her niece. “As a witch, ye must look to yerself to find the answers. Only ye can make it work, only ye are responsible.”

Camile flushed and looked away. Ellie didn’t miss the smug look on Devon’s face and almost laughed. Even angels could let their egos get the better of them.

“I suggest ye figure out how to work together. If ye want to destroy that demon, ye need her powers in full working order.”

This, of course, made them all turn toward Ellie. She shifted, incredibly uncomfortable under their attention. She felt like a piece of prime meat.

“Wow,” Miranda whispered. “Nothing like feeling the pressure. Have I mentioned how glad I am that I’m a normal human?”

Ellie frowned. “I don’t know what they expect me to do. I’m so new to all of this. Hell, I don’t even know what I’m capable of.”

“Ellie, are you sure about this?” Miranda rested her hand on her arm. “If this is all real…” She looked at the group of supernatural misfits across from them and shook her head. “This…
craziness
. If this demon is real… you could die.”

Ellie gave her a wavering smile. “We have to die sometime, right?”

She sighed. “Ellie, say the word and we take the next train out of here.”

She held up her hand, stopping Miranda. “I can’t leave now. They’re counting on me. They need my powers. I have to protect them.”

“Yeah, but who will protect you?”

The words startled her for a moment, left her fumbling for the right response. Unwillingly, she glanced at Devon. She knew when it came down to it, he would pick the better good over her life. He had to, he was an angel. She tore her attention from Devon and focused on Miranda.

“I’ll protect myself. I’ve been doing it for twenty-eight years now.”

“She won’t need protection,” Devon stated from too far away for a human to possibly hear, yet he wasn’t human and his hearing was obviously above subpar. Ellie frowned, not at all liking the fact that he was eavesdropping. What else had he overheard?

“Devon,” Rose warned.

Devon held his hands up, warding her off. “No, we’re putting this to rest now. Ellie is not going with us when we confront the demon. She’s too important.”

Shocked and irate, Ellie surged to her feet. “What?”

“End of discussion, you’re not going with me.” He swept past them all and started toward the pub, dismissing them. Apparently, he thought his word was God’s and no one could argue. Okay, maybe it was God’s word, for all she knew. Still, he was a stubborn man.

“Then why am I training?” Ellie demanded, scurrying after him.

He wrapped his fingers around the brass handle of the back door. “So you can learn how to protect yourself.”

“When you’re gone,” she added, moving up the two steps to the back stoop.

He didn’t respond, merely pulled open the door and moved into the large, outdated kitchen.

“Devon, don’t be ridiculous! No one knows what happened to Ashley and Cristian. You only have Camile and Kipps, you need more help!”

He moved around a pea green refrigerator with sure steps, ignoring her.

She would not be ignored. “Devon, damn it, stop!”

He paused in the hallway, hidden in the shadows, his back to her.

“You need me!”

“That’s the problem,” he said softly.

Ellie froze. She heard the emotion in his words, knew there was more to his statement than first implied. He wanted her, but he didn’t
want
to want her. A myriad of feelings swarmed through her. Pain, fear, happiness and…love. Damn it all, she cared about him more than she should, more than she wanted to and apparently he felt the same way about her.

For a moment they were silent, allowing the importance of their feelings to truly sink in. When she could take it no longer, she stepped forward, hoping to appeal to his rational side. “Devon, you need all the power you can get. If this demon escapes, who knows what will happen. I’m safer with you, than without.”

He spun around so fast she couldn’t prepare. Suddenly, Ellie found herself pressed up against the wall, Devon’s hard body holding her immobile. “Listen to me.” He cupped the sides of her face, his gaze imploring. “I won’t have time to watch your back and I’m not sure I can trust Camile and Kipps.”

“I can protect myself.”

“You’re a novice!”

“I’ve kept myself alive for twenty-eight years.”

“You’ve been
running
for twenty-eight years.”

Her ego fought with the truth. As much as she wanted to be angry, she knew there was honesty to his statement. There was a time to argue with him, but now wasn’t the time. “And who will watch your back?”

That hard gaze softened ever so slightly. “I’m not afraid of dying. I’ve done it a couple times before. The only thing that scares the hell out of me is losing you.”

For a moment she thought she’d misheard him. But the words pierced her heart, sent a shiver of awareness over her skin. “If you die, you will lose me.”

He was actually admitting he cared. Words she’d been hoping for but never expected to hear. The realization that he liked her so much more than she could have ever hoped for, made her only more determined to be by his side.

“I don’t want a ghost for a boyfriend. Makes it hard to cuddle.”

He rested his forehead to hers, his breath warm on her lips. “You don’t understand what you’re getting into. What he’s capable of.”