Dark Hunt

by Kim Richardson

  17

  “Can someone please tell her this is crazy talk!” yelled Tyrius as he leaped up on his four legs, his body a crazed fluff of beige and black fur. “What’s wrong with you mortals?” His blue eyes flashed with his demon magic, and my nose wrinkled at the smell of rotten eggs. “Can’t you see how dangerous this is? No one in their right mind wants to summon a Greater demon! It’s too dangerous. It’s like putting a bunny inside the lion’s cage and expecting it not to eat it. It’s madness—”

  “It’s brilliant,” said Jax, and Tyrius rolled his eyes back into his head and keeled over.

  Pam, surprising me, was right next to him in a matter of two seconds, carefully stroking his fur and massaging his shoulders and back, which I suspected was why Tyrius stayed down longer than was necessary.

  Shock shifted through me at Jax’s reaction, and I didn’t care that it showed all over my face. It was not what I’d expected, not even close. I looked at him and saw the silent understanding and eagerness to join in my mad plan.

  Jax’s smile was a promise of terrible things to come. “It’s brilliant because the creature will never expect it. And when its lesser mind makes the connection, it’ll be too late.”

  “Exactly,” I answered, feeling a little smug at my own brilliance.

  “And where do you plan on doing this crazy stunt?” expressed Tyrius, still lying on his side enjoying Pam’s expert hands. He looked from me to Jax, his eyes bright and his face worried.

  My self-satisfaction puffed out a little at the concern on his face. I bit my bottom lip. “My place—”

  “The priest’s attic?” laughed Tyrius, and he slowly came up and sat. Pam looked a little put off at not touching him anymore, and she began to fold the edge of the sheet. “Just because he’s a priest,” expressed Tyrius, “doesn’t mean his building is sanctified and will protect you. Because let me tell you… it won’t.”

  “I know that,” I said, “and it’s a risk I’m willing to take. I know what I’m doing.” Adrenaline pumped through me. “I’m doing this tonight.”

  “Tonight?” inquired Tyrius, his eyes narrowed into slits.

  “Yes. Tonight.”

  Tyrius shook his head, mumbling in some demonic language.

  Jax clapped his hands together making me flinch. “Then we better start preparing.”

  “You?” I looked at Jax’s face. He was still a little pale and his voice a little too hoarse for my liking. “You’re not ready—”

  “No, she’s right.” Pam’s tone gave me a clear indication she didn’t approve of Jax’s decision. She hovered over the bed looking like a concerned parent. She reminded me of my grandmother. “You’re not completely healed yet. You need to rest for another couple of days at least—”

  “No way.” Jax lifted the bed sheet off his legs, covering Tyrius with it, and swung his legs over the edge. He was wearing only a pair of black briefs, and my eyes traveled down muscled, golden legs that were practically hairless. Those were some damn fine-looking legs. I knew I should have looked away, but I didn’t. So sue me.

  My gaze pulled up to Jax’s face, his smile confident at knowing I had liked what I’d seen. It sent flutters through my chest. My face warmed as Tyrius fought his way out of the sheets.

  “Not cool, man,” the cat said angrily as he jumped off the bed. “Not cool at all. No respect. None. You’d think I was a street mutt and not a pure-bred, treated in this fashion.”

  “I can’t allow it, Jax,” said Pam, her eyes filled with terror. The amount of concern for him touched me. “You were almost killed just last night. I know you… I know you’re doing something gallant here. No one’s disputing your bravery. But use your head. Please, just this once. Your body isn’t ready. It’s too soon. Why would you put yourself in danger again?”

  “I’m fine, Pam. I swear,” said Jax, looking between her and me. “I’m not passing up this chance to kill this demon before it kills again.” He raised his hands in surrender at the sudden anger on Pam’s face. “I promise if I didn’t feel up to it, I’d tell you. You know me, Pam. I swear I’m fine.”

  I had a feeling he was lying, and Pam knew it too. He wouldn’t give up the chance of finding his sister’s killer, even if it wasn’t the same demon. Jax was up for the opportunity of slaying any demon.

  “Jax,” I breathed, not wanting to be responsible for another mishap of his. He was unpredictable. “Maybe Pam’s right. Maybe it’s too soon for you.” I shook my head as I took a step back.

  “No, Rowyn, listen to me—” He reached to grab my hand, and his fingers curled around my right wrist before I realized what he had done.

  My wrist flamed. I wrenched my hand away and flinched back, holding it against my chest.

  “Rowyn?” Jax’s stare dipped to my right hand as I clutched it, his brow furrowed in worry. “What’s wrong with your wrist?”

  “Hmmm?” I said, trying to rid my face of the pain. God, it still hurt like hell. Pam was right up next to me before I could blink.

  “Is it a reaction from a vampire bite?” asked Pam, her face shifting abruptly to fear and worry. “I never checked your wrists. Were you bitten there?”

  I dismissed her with a shift of my shoulder. “It’s not from a vamp bite.” Then I added, because I knew what she was about to say, “and this is not from a scratch of their claws either.”

  Pam reached out. “Let me see. Maybe I can help—”

  “No!” I shrieked as I jumped back. Crap. Now I just made it worse by not letting her examine my wrist. All they’d be focused on now was what was wrong with it. I could see the same conclusion in Tyrius’s knowing expression. He cocked his head and tapped his foot, yes, he could actually do that.

  Flustered, Pam put her hands on her hips. “I’m a Healer. If you’re hurt, I’m obligated to do everything in my power to help you heal and mend you.” Her eyes moved to my hands. “What’s wrong with your wrist?”

  I pressed my lips together. I’d hoped to avoid this conversation and the embarrassment of what I’d done. At the time, I hadn’t been completely sure it was forbidden to summon an angel, since I’d never even heard of it until I overheard an old dark witch bragging about it to another witch on one of my jobs down in a New Orleans pub. I’d followed her home and stolen her grimoire.

  But it had been clear by Vedriel’s face that I’d broken one of the most sacred rules. Crap.

  “Are you going to tell them,” asked Tyrius, “or do I have to tell them.”

  “Tell us what?” Jax hadn’t moved from the side of the bed. His half-naked body was very distracting, but so was the worried expression that marred his face. Pam looked more exasperated than worried that I had refused her help, as though I was the very first person to do so.

  “Rowyn?” pressed Tyrius, and anger flashed in me. I started to regret that I let him tag along with me.

  “Fine.” Seeing as I knew they wouldn’t drop it, I pulled my sleeved up and showed them the ugly red and purple bruise that plagued my wrist. “This,” I said, slightly irritated, “is what you get from summoning an angel.” I pulled my sleeve back down. “I don’t recommend it.”

  Silence. They were both looking at me like I was nuts. Okay, so maybe I was a little nuts. You had to be in my line of work. Nuts kept you thinking outside the realm of possibilities.

  Shoulders slumping, I sighed heavily. “I know it was stupid, but it’s too late for that. At least we got the name of the Greater demon out of it.” My throat tightened, knowing all too well that my motivation had been more selfish. I looked at the worried faces of Pam and Jax. “It doesn’t change anything. I’m still doing this tonight.”

  This time Pam moved towards me and raised her brows. “I want to see,” she ordered, and I reluctantly obeyed. I eyed Jax, but he was thin lipped, staring at me as though he’d never seen me before. Great.

  Pam carefully grabbed my elbow as to not touch my wrist and turned it, her brows low, close to the bridge of her nose. “I’ve never seen this
before. But if it hurts, it can’t be good. Especially from someone who’s immune to vampire bites and I’m assuming other demonic viruses and curses.” She eyed my wrist again, and Jax folded his arms over his chest. “I thought only demons could leave a mark like that on a mortal?”

  “That’s exactly what I thought,” said Tyrius. “Apparently not.”

  Pam let go of my elbow, and I didn’t like the nervous look that passed between her and Jax. “Which angel did you say did this?”

  “Vedriel,” I answered, suddenly feeling more stupid, if that was even possible. But when I saw the horror on Pam’s face, I felt I deserved the stupidest-person-in-the-world award.

  “What?” I said, looking from her to Jax. “What!” I said again, goosebumps rippling my skin.

  Pam pushed up her glasses with her finger. “Rowyn, Vedriel isn’t just an angel—”

  “I know, I know,” I cut her off. “He’s probably one of the originals—” I stopped at the shake of her head.

  Pam’s expression was tight. “He’s an archangel.”

  Ah, hell. I did deserve that award. How could I have been so stupid? His clothes and the way he looked should have tipped me off from the beginning. I was in deep shit.

  This was what happened when you didn’t complete all your schooling at the Sensitive academy.

  My eyes met Tyrius’s. “Don’t look at me,” he exclaimed. “I can’t keep track of all the angels and archangels in Horizon. That’s your job.”

  Pressure rose to my head, and blood pounded in my temples. I looked at Jax, his silence only making me feel worse. I could sense his tension, his wire-tight reactions balancing on the possibilities of what was going to happen to me.

  “How you were even able to summon him is scary—but remarkable,” expressed Pam, the skin around her eyes tightening. “Dark witches can channel that kind of energy… but you’re not a witch… you shouldn’t have been able to do it.”

  “I shouldn’t be able to do a lot of things,” I said, my eyes still on Jax. “But here you have it. It’s done. I can’t take it back.”

  “How did the archangel leave you that mark?” Jax asked finally, his jaw clenched with a mix of determination and unease.

  My gaze shot to his, dread in my gut. There it was. The question he wanted answered, the one they all wanted to know.

  Pam exhaled, her hands on her hips again. “With the basic summoning I know from reading, you should have been far enough apart during your encounter. He shouldn’t have been able to touch you. It’s why the summoning circles are drawn at least six feet away from the summoner.”

  Stomach roiling, I said, “I fell, all right? Yes, it was that stupid. I fell, and he grabbed my wrist and then he was gone.”

  “That’s it?” Jax’s tone told me he knew I was holding something back. “He didn’t ask for anything? A piece of your soul?”

  “You’re confusing angels with demons,” I answered. “Demons would have required payment. But this wasn’t the case.”

  “No, it wasn’t.” Jax raised his brows. “And the archangel Vedriel answered all your questions without you giving him anything in return? He gave you this freely with no attachments? Nothing at all?”

  I nodded, lips tight. “Yes.” It wasn’t a total lie. I let out a breath. I was getting annoyed that he wasn’t letting it go. I looked at Tyrius. He was smiling as though he was enjoying this. I was going to give him a bath when we got home.

  I put my hands on my hips, scowling. “Forget my wrist, all right? Because I have,” I said, my voice harsher than I intended. “I’m doing this. Are you with me or not?”

  Jax slipped off the edge of the bed, looking healthier and stronger by the minute. “We’re doing this.”

  “Good.” My eyes went everywhere but to Jax’s very tiny, tiny briefs.

  Pam’s face was red, her lips in a tight line. “I’ll get the bags of salt,” she said. “You’re going to need a lot of salt to trap a Greater demon. And I must have some silver pendants somewhere that you can use for protection… just in case…” She never finished her sentence, but I knew she meant if I screwed up again. Her gaze moved to Tyrius. “I’d offer you one, but I think you can’t wear silver?”

  “No, milady,” said the cat, “but I’d kill for some milk, if you’ve got some.”

  Pam’s shoulders relaxed a little, happy to be of service to the baal demon, and she headed out the door. Tyrius trotted happily behind her, his tail up in the air.

  I would have smiled if I wasn’t so tightly wired.

  Soon this will all be over, I thought. I would kill the demon, and my life would be back to normal. The hair on the back of my neck pricked. My angel mark pulsed, as if to tell me this was only the beginning.

  18

  Holding the twenty-pound bag, I poured salt over the pre-drawn circle I’d made with the chalk earlier. The amount of salt was excessive, but I wanted a solid circle, and some of the salt might get accidentally rubbed off. I couldn’t take that chance.

  The Seal of Solomon was a circle within a closed triangle, with three additional demonic symbols drawn inside each triangle corner. It was the usual sigil to summon all demons and I drew it from memory. That was the easy part. That I had used this sigil to summon demons before didn’t fill me with any confidence.

  “Most of these spells are illegal,” said Jax, his eyes never leaving the large leather-bound book. Jax was sprawled on my couch, reading the dark witch’s grimoire attentively. A strange smile appeared on his face. “Now this is interesting—there’s a spell that can make your… you know…” his face reddened, “… parts a little larger.”

  He looked much better after tearing into two Big Macs and a helping of fries and washing them down with a large soda. I’d offered to drive, seeing as he was still on the mend, but Jax wouldn’t hear of it. I had the feeling he felt like I was about to wreck his sparkling Audi or—God help us—scratch it. But it could be that he didn’t want anyone to see him being driven around by a female.

  It was hard to concentrate with him here, with him looking like that, like an edible piece of male perfection. From what I could tell, he was giving off the singles vibe, and not once did he mention that he had a girlfriend. Not that I was interested. Still, Pam would have said something, right? Or maybe not. Maybe Jax asked her to keep his personal life private after she dropped the dead sister bomb. Who knows? Maybe he had a secret fiancée in France somewhere, waiting for him, a gorgeous voluptuous one like Amber.

  Jax had warmed up to Tyrius too, offering him some fries. Crap. If he was going to start being nice to the baal demon, I was going to be in trouble…

  “You missed a spot,” informed Tyrius as he pressed his paw next to a sharp point on the sigil. He shrugged. “Just saying.”

  My face burned as I realized that Tyrius saw me looking at Jax. I’ve been single way too long. I said nothing as I moved to the spot. I exhaled through my nose, keeping my arm steady, and dumped some salt over the stroke of chalk. I was glad to have another pair of eyes on my sigil drawing skills, but I wouldn’t tell Tyrius that.

  The spilled water from my botched summons ritual with the archangel Vedriel had wiped away any trace that I had ever drawn a seven-point star. The only proof that it ever happened was the fingerprints around my wrist.

  I cursed myself for being so clumsy. What were the odds of that happening? I lit three candles and positioned them on top of the three demon symbols near the tip of the triangle corners.

  Unfortunately, after going through the entire dark witch’s grimoire three times, I didn’t find any summoning spells for a Greater demon. There were only the usual incantations for the lesser ones—imps, shadow demons, morax demons, even hell hounds. I didn’t have time to look for another dark magic spell book. I was doing this now. I had the demon’s true name. The rest was just inconsequential.

  Most witches used all sorts of trappings to summon and contain a demon, but seeing as I already had its true name, I could easily summon it by s
imply saying its name and willing its presence.

  I wiped the sweat from my brow with my forearm before it dripped into my eyes, and I took a breath, my temples pounding.

  “You look a little pale,” stated Tyrius, and I flinched. Damn that cat was too observant. “And you’re sweating. You never sweat.”

  “I’m fine,” I lied, just as my vision blurred and I blinked until I could focus. “I’m nervous. It’s normal to be nervous, for God’s sake. I am about to summon a Greater demon, so sue me if I’m a little sweaty.”

  I wasn’t sweating because I was nervous, though I was nervous… I was sweating because I felt ill. The truth was, I woke up with a light fever this morning, and as the day progressed, it was getting worse. Now my fever had married itself with a pounding headache. Great. My heart was pounding, and I hadn’t even done anything yet. Super-duper.

  “You forgot the mirror,” muttered Tyrius. Then he made an annoying sound as though he was clearing his throat. “Mirrors are essential when it comes to summoning demons, ghouls and wraiths. Without the mirror, they can’t cross over into our world. Mirrors are portals, like water is to angels—”

  “I didn’t forget the mirror,” I snapped. “And I know what mirrors signify in the supernatural world. I’ve done this before, remember?”

  “I don’t actually,” said the cat. “I wasn’t there. Because if I was, I would have stopped you from doing something so utterly stupid… like what you’re about to do now.”

  “By annoying the hell out of me?” Huffing loudly to show him how annoying I thought he was, I reached behind me and grabbed an oval-shaped mirror, which I had taken down from the bathroom. I placed it in the middle of the triangle, careful not to break it. Not that I was a superstitious person, and I didn’t believe in the whole seven-years-of-bad-luck thing. I just didn’t want to spend the money to buy a new one.