She dived for the lamp on her bedside table. The corner he’d walked into boasted no windows or doors. He had to be there.
But when light flooded the bedroom she was all alone.
“Till tomorrow,” she sighed, leaning back against her headboard. Unable to help herself, she drew one finger along her lips and tried not to think of Jared’s mouth on hers.
Chapter Five
Darcy stared at the report in her hand. From the moment she first read it she’d been wondering what to do.
The knot in the pit of her stomach was testament to the fact she didn’t have a clue. All day she’d been on pins and needles. Sooner or later she’d come face-to-face with Jared. She wasn’t sure how to handle the situation.
She’d kept quiet about her nighttime visitor, despite the fact that Cailin kept sending her puzzled looks. Made her wonder what sort of psychic vibes she was sending off.
She’d spent the day at the docks with a whole host of hunters. They’d brought in every professional they could find, witch or otherwise, to get a reading on the rift, and all that information was carefully typed out in the report in her hand. All she needed to figure out now was what to do with it. Give it to her would-be partner or try to scam a demon?
Jared might be a bastard setting her up for his own purposes but he was also right. As a demon he had access to information, to options, she wouldn’t be able to get near. He could be a useful asset.
Of course, he’d no doubt try to double cross her the second he could.
If he truly wanted the portal closed, Jared at her side might be the key to getting through this mission alive. But if he was lying to her, this file might destroy the hunters’ chances of winning this war.
Decisions, decisions.
She paced down the walkway heading deeper into the park. Just for a moment she needed a breather without her colleagues, or lustful demons, pestering her. For a few minutes she could enjoy the snow and not think about the coming apocalypse.
Tucking the file into her backpack, she veered off the path. The sound of bird calls filled the air. The snow hanging from the tree branches transformed the forest into a winter wonderland. Without much thought she started toward the field to her right and the pristine snow covering it. Ice crystals crunched under her step as her footprints left a stain on the perfect ground.
The hairs rising on her nape, however, destroyed her pleasure over her few minutes of peace. Twirling in a slow circle, she scanned the clearing. Nothing.
“Jared?” she called.
There was no reply. She wasn’t surprised. Jared might be capable of inspiring fear but her reaction to him was far different from the one gripping her body. Something was out there, and it wasn’t a being on her side.
Darcy unzipped her coat, every movement careful and precise. She slid a hand over her knives as she waited.
Around her the forest was quiet. The winter birds had ceased their songs and not even wind rustled in the trees. Everything was still until a shadow moved along the edges of the woods.
Spirits, she realized with dread. Not the higher-level ones capable of mimicking human shape but the misshapen, beaten-down creatures who flooded the dark realm. They looked like the ghouls and goblins one read about in fairy books. Small in stature but horrific nonetheless. Solid black eyes with no hint of white watched her. Monstrous teeth too big to fit comfortably in their mouths gnashed as they edged closer. Black claws tipped every skeleton finger, the nails embedded with toxins. One scratch and she would be helpless. Their limbs were spindly, giving them the appearance of frailty, but she knew from experience what power spirits were capable of. Backed into a corner, she’d rather fight demons than spirits. Usually freed only one night a year, they saved up all their viciousness for when they could catch a human unawares.
Like her.
More shadows moved along the edge of the trees, reminding her that spirits rarely traveled alone. One by one the monsters stepped away from the tree cover and into the clearing. Ten, she realized with dread. About six more than she could handle on her own.
Drawing her daggers, Darcy made the only move she could.
She ran.
Her feet pounded on the frozen ground as howls filled the air. The spirits launched themselves from the trees in pursuit. They were faster than her, she knew, and stronger. Darcy fought down the panic threatening to overwhelm her. A panicked hunter was a dead one. She’d need all her wits about her to survive this.
Darting to the left, she flew down the forest paths. Dark shapes flashed through the trees lining the road. Giggles rose from the creatures, high-pitched and chilling. The monsters were merely toying with her. When they lost interest in the chase, they’d attack as a unit.