Demon Hunted

by H. M. Sandlin

  I guess she didn’t want a mean sounding name. I thought for a minute. There had been a cute girl in my college class who looked super innocent until you pissed her off. She reminded me a little bit of my hellhound.

  “Molly?” I asked. This time she sat down and nodded. “Ok then. We’ll call you, Molly.” I reached down and put my hand out for her to shake. “Hi, Molly. I’m Serena. Thank you for protecting me.”

  She put her paw in my hand and pushed her muzzle in close to me to rub her head. Her leathery skin was softer than I expected, and she pushed closer to me so I could rub her more.

  “Ian, come say hi to Molly. She won’t hurt you, right?” I asked Molly. She tilted her head at Ian and gave a sniff before shaking her head. “See. I think she approves of you.”

  “So you speak hellhound now?” he snorted.

  “No, but I’m trying. Stop being a baby and come shake hands or paws or whatever. Just do it.” He tentatively walked toward Molly and stopped to put his hand out. She put her paw in his hand but quickly turned away to come back near me. She rubbed against the back of my legs, and I laughed.

  “Are those your friends outside the compound?” I asked. She nodded. “Why are they so big?”

  She locked eyes with me again, and I saw that she was actually the leader out there, and she had shrunk down in size so she could come in here to find me. When I told Ian he didn’t believe me at first.

  “Look at her eyes,” I told him, and she showed him the same images.

  “I can’t believe this is happening. Why are they here to protect you?”

  I looked at Molly, but she wouldn’t look at me.

  “I guess I’m not getting an answer to that question today,” I said, and she let her tongue hang out the side of her mouth. She looked like she was laughing at me. “I don’t think this is funny,” I told her.

  She immediately sobered up, but then she opened her mouth and huffed three times. I heard nails on the front door and looked around, startled. Molly walked to the door and sat down, waiting for me to open it. When I did, two more hellhounds were there. Molly looked at them and made a series of yips, huffs, and growls before they disappeared back into the darkness around the cabin.

  I shut the door and sat down on the couch. “Are you staying with me now?” I asked Molly.

  She nodded and curled up at my feet, closing her eyes.

  Erica

  “You do realize something is wrong with this, right?” Ian asked me.

  “Why?”

  “I’ve never heard of hellhounds helping someone. It isn’t done.”

  “Obviously, you haven’t been taught the truth. The hellhounds are definitely here to protect me.”

  “Yes, but why? That demon shouldn’t be enough to get the hellhounds involved. I’m worried something much worse is after you.”

  “Let’s hope not. I have enough problems in my life,” I told him, meaning every word.

  Before I finished speaking, Jabari knocked on the door and was met by a snarling hellhound when he tried to enter the cabin.

  “Stop that, Molly. He’s a friend. He’s helping me,” I admonished her. She gave one last growl before turning and walking away.

  “What was that?” Jabari asked, cautiously putting his sword away when he realized he wasn’t in any danger.

  I let Ian explain while I finished getting ready. When I came back out, both guys were waiting for me. Jabari took a step away from Molly when she stood up to walk toward me, and I gave him a cool look. “You can’t really be worried now that you know everything. She isn’t here to hurt you.”

  “I still can’t believe a hellhound is here. The council is going to have a field day.”

  “They aren’t going to know about it,” Ian said coldly.

  “Oh yeah, right,” Jabari said. “Sorry. Don’t worry. I won’t tell, but how are you going to keep her hidden?”

  “She can stay here while I train,” I said, but Molly’s growl stopped me, “or not.”

  I looked at the guys helplessly. Molly might not try to hurt me, but I couldn’t make her stay here if she didn’t want to. She was a hellhound for goodness sake. Nobody could stop her.

  “I guess we’ll have to train here,” Jabari said.

  “She needs to practice her magic first. Jabari, why don’t you come with us. Both of you, meet me at the path to Kellan’s house in twenty minutes. I need to take care of something real quick.” Ian gave me a kiss and a listen to Jabari lecture before he ran out the door.

  “You guys are always in such a rush. You need to learn to calm down a little.”

  “We’re guardians. We can’t be too relaxed.”

  “Maybe you should try. Then some of you wouldn’t be so grouchy,” I said, thinking about a couple of the guys I had passed my first week here who were very rude.

  “You mean McCal and Timmy? They’re always grouchy. Don’t mind them. Just give them a wide berth.”

  “Uh huh,” I said. We headed out the back door, and I followed Jabari through the woods down a different path than I used with Ian. “Are you sure you know where you’re going?”

  “Yes. I’m taking a less used path so no one sees the beast running next to you.”

  I looked down and smiled at Molly. She hadn’t left my side. I saw glimpses of another hellhound running through the woods next to us. They really did seem to want to protect me.

  We made it to the portal without anyone seeing us. Before I stepped through, I looked at Molly. “Will you be able to come?” She nodded and nudged me forward. I stepped through, and she followed right behind me.

  “We need to wait here,” Jabari said. “Ian’s going to meet us.”

  We didn’t have to wait long. The portal shimmered, and Ian stepped through, followed by Kellan.

  “Jabari, it’s good to see you working with Serena too,” Kellan said. “I need to add you to the protection spell around my house so you can train here with her.”

  Jabari looked between us but didn’t say anything. Kellan walked toward the path to his house, and we followed. I looked down to check on Molly, but she wasn’t with me. I didn’t see the other hellhounds either. I started to ask Ian but thought better of it. If Molly didn’t want to be seen, she must have a reason. Jabari and Ian knew about her, but Kellan didn’t.

  I looked at Kellan uneasily. Why wouldn’t Molly want him to know? I tried to imagine Kellan doing something to hurt me but couldn’t picture it. I trusted him even if Molly didn’t. Once Jabari could enter Kellan’s property without issue, Kellan headed back to the portal.

  “Let’s see what you can do,” Jabari said to me. “It must be interesting if you’re practicing at Kellan’s under his protection spell. What is it he doesn’t want everyone to see?”

  “You may want to step over here,” Ian told him, walking behind a few barrels that had been strategically placed to keep any debris from hitting him. “This isn’t as pretty as you’re thinking.”

  I ignored them and walked to the center of the training area. Everything looked exactly as it did yesterday. Kellan or someone he trusted came by every night and fixed his yard and house from whatever damage I caused practicing my magic.

  I closed my eyes and raised my hands, trying to form a small fire. I had been practicing this but still couldn’t seem to contain it. The fire started easily, just as I knew it would, but then the wild magic took over, and the flames grew. It didn’t burn me, but I couldn’t control it either. It continued to grow until Ian yelled my name.

  “Breathe, Serena. You can do it. Remember to relax. Think of water or dirt smothering the flame.”

  I did what he said, and my magic took over, except I wasn’t concentrating hard enough. I was still trying to decide which would be better to use, water or dirt, when I let my magic go. A torrent of water fell over me while dirt rose up around me and slammed over my fire with enough force to rock the ground and shoot little rock projectiles everywhere.

  “Dammit. Why can’t I get this? Everyone
else can do something simple like this. Why can’t I?”

  “What the hell?” Jabari said, coming out from behind the barrels. Ian followed, laughing.

  “You should’ve seen the look on his face, Serena. It was priceless.”

  I lifted my eyebrow and waited for him to calm down. “Are you done now?” I asked when his laughter stopped.

  “Yes.”

  “Then help me figure out what I’m doing wrong.”

  “That’s why I brought Jabari. He may be able to help us figure this out. His magic was hard to control when he first started using it.”

  I looked at him hopefully. “Well,” I said when he didn’t say anything.

  “I’m not sure. I’ve never seen such raw power before. What kind of magi are you?”

  “No idea. That’s why I need your help. Remember?” I said quickly. He didn’t need to know I was part demon.

  “Well, whatever you are, your magic is strong. You’ll need to be able to control it, or you could hurt someone.”

  “What do you think I’m trying to do?”

  Jabari looked at Ian, who shrugged. “Maybe you can help her. You needed extra help with your magic too.”

  “Yes, but that was because I was angry. Serena isn’t. It seems like she has too much power to control.”

  “How did you finally get control of your magic?” I asked him.

  “I had to learn to be at peace with it. I wasn’t sure I wanted my power after everything that had happened to me because of magic. To me it was a curse. I hated it. Once I learned to let go of my anger and fear I was able to start using it. Eventually, I learned to trust my magic, and since then, I have been able to control it.”

  “So, how can I be at peace with it?”

  “It’s different for everyone. Are you scared of your magic?”

  “Of course. I could kill someone. Plus, I’m still trying to believe in magic and all this other nonsense. I didn’t grow up knowing any of it was real.”

  “Then we need to start there. You need to accept your magic. It’s a part of you. Close your eyes and let it flow through you slowly.”

  I did as he said and let a trickle of magic in. I loved the way it made me feel when I only used a little. Powerful and strong. If this was all I had, I would probably be ok with it.

  “Now, let your magic flow around you and out into the sky. Make sure you don’t let it go though. Feel it. Know where your magic is at all times.”

  I did as he said and tried to let it flow around me, but I couldn’t make it work. The magic was attached to me. It didn’t want to flow away from me.

  “She’s only using a fraction of her magic. She cut the rest off,” I heard Ian say.

  “Quiet, Ian,” I shushed him, but Jabari heard.

  “Serena, let all your magic flow through you. If you don’t allow it in, you won’t be able to use it fully.”

  I sighed and let more magic in. It kept dumping into me until my body was shaking.

  “Oh shit,” I heard Jabari say. “Serena, cut off your magic and let it slowly trickle into the ground.” He spoke slowly and softly to me.

  I was having trouble listening to him. The magic was so strong inside me. My teeth were chattering, and my hands started shaking, but I tried to slowly release the magic into the ground. It started out as a trickle but turned into a flood of magic.

  “Run,” I yelled as the magic slammed into the ground. Ian and Jabari were thrown back, and I fell to my knees as the ground shook beneath me.

  When the dust settled, I looked up, worried about Ian and Jabari. They were getting to their feet and didn’t look hurt. I tried to get to mine but stumbled. Ian was beside me in an instant.

  “You tried, sweetheart.”

  “But I couldn’t do it.”

  “Serena,” Jabari said, “you used your magic when you helped defeat the demon. What was different?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe because I knew I had to win, or it would kill me and everyone else. My body took over. It knew what to do even if I didn’t,” I said sleepily.

  “She won’t be able to do any more today,” Ian said as I closed my eyes. I knew he would get me back to his place if I passed out, so I didn’t worry as my eyes shut.

  “What do you think? Any ideas on how to help her?” I heard Ian say before everything went dark.

  I woke up as the sun was setting on Ian’s bed. I got dressed and walked into the living room to see Ian lying on the couch with a book on his lap.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m trying to figure out how to help you.”

  “Any luck?”

  “Not much. There are a few things we can try. I’m hoping Jabari will be able to help.”

  “I hope so,” I told him, sitting on the couch and laying my head against his chest. He tightened his arm around me.

  “We’ll figure it out. At least we know when you feel threatened, your magic can help you.”

  “That’s true,” I told him, angling my head for a kiss. I had become quite comfortable with our routine in Ian’s cabin. He treated me like his live in girlfriend, and I kind of liked it. I still wasn’t sure about the whole mate thing though.

  In the morning, I left to go train with Jabari. When I got to the training ground, someone stepped into my path. It was the girl I had seen with the throwing stars.

  “Excuse me,” I said, trying to move around her. She followed my movements, blocking me again.

  “You don’t belong here.”

  “What?” I asked.

  “You don’t belong here. You aren’t one of us. You should leave before you get kicked out.” She glared at me as I tried to come up with a response.

  “She does belong here,” Jabari said, walking up to us. “Just because you want Ian and he wants her doesn’t mean you get to be rude to her, Erica.”

  “He’s mine, and this girl isn’t going to stop me. The pack will agree.” She turned on her heel and stormed away before Jabari could say anything else.

  “What was that all about?”

  “Don’t worry about her,” he said. “Let’s start training.”

  I tried to put the incident out of my mind, but it really bothered me. After training for the day, I asked Ian about her, wondering if she was right. When I mentioned her name, he tensed up and told me not to worry about her. I didn’t think there was anything romantic between the two of them, but there was definitely some tension there. I left it alone, knowing I would find out more eventually.

  My days started to run together until Beth came to Ian’s cabin one day before I left for training.

  “Serena, I’m so glad I caught you before you left,” she said. “You’ve been so busy lately that I never get to see you.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I don’t have any time with all the training they have me doing.”

  “I know. Especially with the extra stuff going on. I just wanted to tell you I’m going to be heading home.”

  “But what about the demon? What if he comes after you?”

  “Micah thinks I will be fine. He said enough time has passed that the demon shouldn’t be looking for me, and nothing at my apartment has been disturbed.”

  “I don’t know,” I started to say, but she cut me off.

  “I want to go home, Serena. It’s been over a month. If I don’t go back to work I’m going to get fired. Thankfully, Kellan has people at the hospital that swore to my boss that I have some kind of virus, and I haven’t been able to make it to work.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah, I know, but that’s the story Kellan came up with to keep anyone from asking too many questions about where I’ve been.”

  “And no one tried to visit you at the hospital?”

  “Supposedly, it was a contagious virus, so I was in quarantine.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said again.

  “It’s not your fault. I would do anything to help you. Plus, I didn’t want to be killed by a demon. Now, I want to go home,” she said deter
minedly. I felt something off in the way she said it and stared at her. She didn’t have her usual smile on her face. It looked forced.

  “What’s really wrong?” I asked. “You seem upset about something.”

  “It’s nothing. I’m just tired of this place.”

  “This place or someone?” I asked, getting an idea. She looked away, and I grabbed her hand. “You can tell me, Beth.”

  “It’s Micah. We seemed to be hitting it off at first, but for the last week he’s been really distant. I’m not sure why, but I know he’s uncomfortable with me around.”

  “That’s why you really want to go home. You can stay here with us instead.”

  “No. I really do want to go home. Even without the Micah issue, I would want to leave.”

  “Ok,” I told her. “Ian can take you when he gets back.” I wasn’t going to argue with her. If she really wasn’t happy, I wouldn’t stand in her way of leaving, but I would ask Ian to make sure it was safe first.

  I skipped training and spent the morning catching up with Beth. I was surprised Jabari didn’t come get me, but I figured he found something else to do when I didn’t show up. Ian still hadn’t returned after I made lunch. I caught Beth looking at her watch and did the same.

  This wasn’t like Ian. He should have been here hours ago, and Jabari would have checked on me. I checked my phone, but Ian still hadn’t responded to me. I looked around for Molly, but she had made herself scarce when Beth knocked on the door. Molly didn’t want to be around nary’s, I guessed.

  “I’m sure he’ll be here soon,” I told Beth, starting to worry. When a couple more hours passed without Ian showing up, I finally snapped. “Let’s go. We need to head to Kellan’s office and see what’s going on. Something’s wrong.”

  “Do you think we should go out there?” I could hear the strain in her voice. She wasn’t used to this world. Neither was I, but at least I had my magic to help protect me. Beth had nothing. I hesitated but then looked around. Even though I couldn’t see Molly, I could feel her eyes on me. She would watch over us as we made our way to Kellan.

  The Council is Rotten