Demon by My Side(53)

He growled at the demons creeping up on her and they immediately moved back to give them a small circle of space.

Tightening her grip on her daggers, she wondered how she could survive this. If Jaral meant business, all he’d have to do was land a single finger on her to send her up in flames.

As she stared at him now, pain warred with her rage. She wanted to hurt him the way he’d slayed her but what dent could she possibly make on the untouchable demon?

She shook her head. No, all she had was one last attack. She had to make it count. There were too many lives riding on her to fail now.

With a cry she launched herself at her lover.

Jaral twirled out of her reach at the last moment. She swept around, dancing back out of distance. She searched for a weakness just as she’d been taught, but the man had none. There was nothing she could exploit.

Except maybe his heart, if he’d ever had one.

“So is this your standard play, Jaral?” she taunted. “Tell women your sob story and get them to lower their guard so you can use them however you wish?”

“That’s not what we were.” He lunged forward.

Was it just her, or was his attack slower than what she knew he was capable of? She frowned as she parried the blow.

“All I see is a man who tricked me in the worst way.”

“Of course you do,” he replied, blocking her thrust. “Because you’re incapable of trusting me.”

“With good reason, apparently.”

Darcy surged forward, feinting left at the last second. She circled around him and drove her dagger at his back.

Jaral spun faster than she could follow, catching her wrist before the blade could make contact.

“Predictable,” he said.

She froze, well aware of how fast he could torch her if he wanted.

“Every move you make. You are always the same. A hunter willing to sacrifice anything for her beliefs.”

“You said you admired my determination,” she snapped.

“I do.” Quick as a cat he pulled her forward. One arm snaked around her waist to hold her immobile. “You’d give up everything to protect those you care about.”

“Yes,” she seethed, trying to wrestle free.

“Why do you think I’d be any different?”

Darcy stilled against him.

“Such little faith in me, my hunter.”

“He’s offering everything you’ve ever wanted,” she said, staring at his chest to avoid his gaze.

“You’re everything I’ve ever wanted.”

Her breath hitched. Slowly, she raised her eyes to his.

“Trust me,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “It’s the last time I’ll ask.”

Before she could reply, he kissed her.

The battle fell away around her. In his arms, she knew she was safe. No matter what he’d done, his kiss still felt like coming home.

And then a familiar heat rushed through her. She inhaled flame that didn’t burn. It filled her body, banishing the pain from her injuries.

Darcy jerked back, looking up at him in question.

“You have flames in your eyes, love,” he told her. “Don’t waste them.”

He was gone before she could come to terms with what he’d done. He’d healed her, shared his magic with her again. Why?

The second he disappeared back into the fray the demons began closing in again. Darcy would have to ponder his actions another time. Right now she needed to fight.

With new strength she launched herself back into the battle. Every parry and thrust was more vicious. She landed fatal blows more often that she had before, as if she could sense the beating hearts around her and knew exactly where to strike to make them stop. A feral rage swamped her and she fought almost mechanically. Block, hack, stab, repeat. Bodies littered the floor around her until her opponents were coming more slowly, giving her more time to prepare.

Darcy raised her blades to attack her next target when a small dark body swept by her. Spirits rushed past, decimating the demons in their path. For a moment she wondered if she needed to defend herself but the creatures seemed to be leaving her alone for now.

Glancing around, she tried to get a picture of what was happening. She caught sight of Cailin in the corner, covered in blood and fighting for all she was worth. A demon lumbered up behind the hunter but before she could call out a warning, a man drove a sword through the monster’s heart. Darcy blinked, recognizing the demon as the one she’d seen days ago in the Rex’s lobby. What was he doing here?

Cailin nodded her thanks to the man before returning to her fight. Grateful that her friend had an ally of sorts, Darcy looked for Kerilyn.

The spirit queen was fighting tooth and nail against Abaddon, her mate by her side. But the demon king was stronger, especially with his minions around. Every time the pair tried to press their advantage, the demons fought them back.