A Girl's Guide to Demon Hunting (19 page)

Chapter 36

"Less talking, more punching."

                                     -Allie

    Okay so maybe we should have been a little more focused on the approaching Demons than our fight. I blame Max.
    The one who’d spoken was tiny and puny looking. However he was standing between two Demons who looked like they ate ‘Roid Flakes for breakfast so maybe my perspective was a little skewed.
    The small one came to stand directly in front of me. He was skinny, with black hair and eyes. The other two looked like warped sides of the same Demon coin. One was black, the other white, both tall and bald. It looked like even their muscles had muscles. Great, this was going to go well.
    “I miss this.” Puny said with a wave toward us. “Fighting with my lover. She was so good at insults.”
    I felt Max lean toward me, his shield beginning to wrap around my hand. I gave a small shake of my head and the warmth fell away, leaving a chill in its place. I brushed my leg against his, hoping he’d feel the knife I’d hidden earlier. I couldn’t get to it, at least not without alerting the Demons.
    “We’d been together for nearly thirty years; never bothered anyone, just living our lives.” He said, looking at Max and me. “I haven’t killed a single human since the day I met her. Until tonight that is.”
    “Do you realize who you’re talking to?” I asked, “We all know what happens when you break their laws. You understand I’m going to have to send you back to Hell, right?”
    When my threat didn’t get the standard reaction of them running away I began to get a little worried.
    “I know exactly who you are, Ms. Montgomery. I also know who and what your friend here is. I bet he won’t last a day once she takes him into her little white room.”
    At his threat yin and yang snickered. During all this, Max was slowly moving his hand until I felt his palm brush the handle of the knife through my skirt. Moving my leg forward so he could get to it, I tried to keep the Demon talking.
    “So that’s your plan? Kill me and deliver him to Peaches? You really think that’s smart?  
   The Guardians are going to find out and trust me, they will stop at nothing to defend one of their own.” This seemed to be my night for speeches.
    “I doubt they would defend you,” said the Demon, “They’d probably thank me for getting rid of you.”
    Pushing my skirt out of the way, I felt Max’s hand brush my thigh and pause as he found the knife. Just as I felt the knife slip free, the big white Demon grabbed my arm, his nails going right through my jacket and skin and deep into bone before he hurled me through the air. My body reacted faster than my brain (it usually does) and I brought my arms up to protect my head as I slammed into the ground. I came to a rolling stop next to a dumpster, the skin on my hands and legs on fire from road rash.
    Pissed and in pain, I got to my feet and pulled hard on my power. I saw Max in the midst of fighting the two larger Demons but I was focused on Puny, whose eyes burned red as he ran straight at me.
    My power rushing through me, I gave him a bright smile as he struggled to maintain his human form. Hearing the sickening sound of bone slammed against concrete, I turned to find the Demons had pinned Max. 
   I charged them as I let go of all the restraint I had on my power and plowed into the nearest one, knocking him off Max. We came to a very painful sliding stop next to a dumpster and I scrambled to my feet, just in time to see all three Demons in mid-morph and totally focused on me.
    Max was still on the ground and I realized with a sick feeling that he wasn’t moving. I could run for it and probably make it at least out of the alley and, well, they probably wouldn’t kill me in the middle of the street. But that would mean I’d have to leave Max and even as much as I currently hated him, that wasn’t an option.
    “You don’t even know who I am, do you?” Puny asked once it finished morphing into its Demon form. Wow, not so small now.
    “Uh…nope.” I said, trying to stall while I came up with a plan.
    “We really mean so little that you don’t bother to learn who you’re killing? Well, let me tell you about one of the hundreds that you killed. Her name was Carol and she liked knitting and growing cacti.” He said, ending in a half sob-half snarl.
    “Whoa, the little old lady who worked at the DMV? You and her...?” I asked, trying not to puke at the thought of them together.
    Wow; I even felt a little guilty. A little. Oh for shit’s sake, a heartbroken Sloth was out to get me. I was actually impressed he got off his lazy ass long enough to track me.
    A movement from behind the Demons caught my attention as Max silently got to his feet. I saw the flash of my knife in his hand an instant before the black Demon screamed and fell to its knees.
    Not even a full second passed after the screaming started but it was long enough for me to lose the upper hand as a blur of grey skin, wings and burning red eyes tackled me to the ground.
    Landing hard on my back, all the air rushed out of my lungs. His clawed hands wrapped around my neck and he squeezed, cutting off my air. I may be super strong and stuff, but I’d still die without air. My heartbeat slowing; I directed my power into my hand and pushed on his face. He screamed and jerked away. I took a deep breath and gagged as the smell of burning flesh filled my mouth and nose.
    Still, gagging, I got to my feet and spared a glance for Max, who was bent over a Demon, his feet planted in middle of its back, hands wrapped around the base of its wings. With one quick jerk and a sickening pop, the screaming stopped and the Demon laid still, no longer a threat. The other Demon had managed to wiggle my knife free and made a break for the exit. Max leapt off the Demon and went after him. Seeing he had everything under control I turned back to my Demon, who was now whimpering in pain.
    Lying on his back, his whole body trembling in shock, the side of his face was burned clear off, revealing bits of bone and burnt muscle tissue. Standing over him, I placed the heel of my stiletto right in the center of his chest. I saw gratitude flicker in his eyes as I drove the spiked heel straight down. I felt his marker crack and he was gone, straight back to Hell and his precious Carol. Ah, true love.
  
    By the time I’d taken care of Puny, Max had already sent the other two Demons back to Hell. He stood waiting for me, blood running from a gash on his head, the cuffs dangling from his hand. Great, and here I thought we’d shared something, what with me not letting the Demons kill him and all. With nowhere else to go, I walked towards him.
    “So this is it, huh. I save your puny ass twice now and you're going to lock me up.”
    “I’ll testify at your trial,” he said tiredly, “maybe saving me will get you a reduced sentence.”
    I came to a stop in front of him.
    “Ass.” I mumbled and held out my arms. I waited until he reached for my wrist then kicked him right between the legs. Hey, it’s not like I didn’t try the mature approach.
    I didn’t stick around to see what happened, just sprinted out of the alley.
Time for Plan B.

Chapter 37

Tip 111:
Well armed friends is better than well meaning family.

    I should have taken his keys or at least slashed his tires,
I thought as I unlocked my storage unit. My arms shook as I pulled on the handle of the roll-top door. This place was only a twenty minute walk from where I’d left Max but I’d spent the last hour running in circles to throw him off my trail, just in case he’d recovered sooner than I expected.
    This was my last safe place or as dad would call it, Plan B. I rented it after I made the deal with Peaches. It takes a chunk out of my monthly allowance from The Council but it’s totally worth it. It was the smallest unit they rented and it had exactly enough room for a cot, sleeping bag and supplies. I pulled a black backpack from under the bed and closed the door all but a crack. I was sore and a little woozy when I sat down on the cot.
    In the sliver of light that came from the crack in the door I unzipped the backpack and took out a first aid kit and a bottle of water. Slowly I peeled my jacket off, wincing at the sting in my upper arm. After using some of the water to clean the blood off my arm, I could make out the punctures from the Demon’s claws. They wept blood when I poked at them and I had a sinking suspicion I was going to need stitches. With no needle and thread laying around, I settled for bandaging myself up and drinking the rest of the water. I stretched out on the cot, happy for the rest.
    I’m not sure how long I laid there trying to ignore the pain radiating down my arm as thoughts of tomorrow swirled around in my mind. There was so much to do. I needed come up with something to tell my friends. That is if Max hadn't already told them where I'd been. I couldn't stay here for long and home was out, so I was going to have to find a new place to live. But most importantly I need to figure out what to do about mom and Mary, I had a feeling it was time for a new city for all of us.
    What were my friends doing in this dream? I was having my normal freaky dream where I’m stuck in a room with all the Demons I’d ever killed when I heard Shooter and Father Henry arguing about numbers. “What do you mean you can’t remember the number?” Shooter said in a really loud whisper.
    “Give me a break, she only told me about this once. Now it’s either 58 or 59.”
    “Hey, you two.” Jenny said, sounding like she was far away and really annoyed. “How about you check the one that’s open?”
    A crashing noise shook me from my dream and I woke to find a bright light shining directly in my eyes. I first thought it might be Heaven calling but let’s be honest, my odds of getting there were quickly diminishing. I smacked it away, sending the light crashing into something soft that made a painful grunting sound.
    “Allie, stop! It’s us.” Father Henry said from somewhere near me.
    Another light was turned on and I saw Father Henry holding a camping lantern, illuminating the inside of my little space. Shooter was standing off to the side clutching his nose, a flashlight at his feet.
    “Oh…sorry.” I said groggily.
    “Guys, can we save the apologizing for a better time, like when Allie’s not being hunted?” Jenny barked.

Chapter 38
"There's no reason to die with bad hair."
                                                
-Shooter

    We were in the back of Shooter’s van. Ace was driving with Jenny and Pancake in the passenger seat keeping a lookout for any sign of Max or the other Guardians. Shooter, Father Henry and I were sitting in the back.
    “How’d you guys know I was in trouble?” I asked in a whisper to Father Henry.
    “Max called, told me about the fight; both of them. I figured you would run and I remembered you telling me about the storage unit. It seemed the best choice when you didn’t show up at home or Jenny’s.”
    “So how long do you think until they track me down?” I asked, checking to see if Shooter was listening. His eyes were closed as he examined his nose for breaks. I know I didn’t mean to hit him but still, I suck.
    “He didn’t say, only that we’re officially off the kidnapping and for us to lay low until they finish up here.”
    “You’re kidding! He was hell bent on sending me straight to The Council before I escaped.”
    “Change of heart I guess. I’d suggest you consider doing the same and tell
them
the truth.” He said, glancing at my friends.
    Just the thought of telling them made me want to puke. I couldn’t, I wasn’t ready for them to hate me. Plus all Max knew was I went into a Demon club. Yeah, it was bad but it could be so much worse.
    “Did you tell them anything?”
    “Didn’t have to. Jenny’s under the impression The Council suspects you in the rash of Demon killings and thats why you ran. Despite my better judgment I didn’t correct her.”
    I sighed in relief and did my best to push my guilt away. I was getting better at it.
    “Is it bad?” I asked Shooter as he threaded a needle.
    We were back at Jenny’s; I was against it but I’d been outvoted. I’m pretty sure even Pancake had voted against me, the little traitor.
    “No but you still need stitches. I’m trying not to leave a scar, thought I’d use a smaller needle. Did you take the pills Father H gave you?”
    At my nod he raised the needle, poised to poke.
    “Wait. Before you begin I want to say again that I’m really sorry about your nose.”
    “I know you are.” He said and stuck the needle through my skin, the sharp pain causing me to suck in my breath.
    I’d thought tonight's pain-fest was over after Jenny finished pouring alcohol on my road rash. How wrong I was. I was getting used to the feeling.
    “So, how’s Amy?” I asked through gritted teeth.
    “Good, she invited me to a Christmas costume party.” He said with a smile that crinkled the corners of his green eyes.
    Aside from working at the café, Amy was also Shooter’s latest crush. She was actually kind of sweet.
    “What are you going as?” I asked after he stuck me two more times.
    “I was thinking of going as Goth-elves but she mentioned something about a sparkly vampire.”
    I giggled as I thought of Shooter trying to make himself sparkle, knowing Ace he would be there to help and that somehow superglue would be involved. I was still giggling when the sharp pain turned into a dull ache and Shooter suddenly appeared in front of me. Leaning down he looked in my eyes.
    “You have pretty eyes, like slime on top of a pond.” I said, and patted his cheek.
    “Looks like Father H finally found a pain pill that’ll work, huh? Can you stay upright for just a few minutes longer while I bandage you up?”
    “Phssst, of cuuurrse.” I slurred as the bed rushed up to smack me in the face.