Between the Bleeding Willows (The Demon Hunters Series Book 1) (21 page)

I hated leaving only Casper to help Cassidy, but he cared deeply for her and that would fuel his desire to keep her safe. Hank stayed with him as we left. Would I see either of them again? Was Cassidy hurt? Was she alive?

But my people needed me now. They were my first responsibility, not Cassidy.

We broke multiple human laws to get to the gate. After we illegally parked, Jackson ran ahead and prepped the gate. One by one, we crossed.

We crossed into devastation.

Chapter Twenty

We emerged in the Center. All the candles were knocked down with pools of wax beneath them. Through a haze of dust, I saw a figure leaning over a body along the side wall. I ran closer, dagger drawn.

“Show yourself!” I shouted at the looming figure.

It ignored me.

I advanced quickly ready to strike.

The figure turned toward me. Jace’s demonic face shrieked an animalistic sound. A lifeless Angeline lay at his feet. He had consumed her soul and all her powers. I could feel them radiating off of Jace as I’d always felt with Angeline. He stood, and although we were matched in height, his new powers amplified his presence.

“I got what I came for.” He shoved past, slamming Liam against the wall. He crossed over without any assistance, like an apparition disappearing into thin air.

We scattered. Lena ran to Angeline, I ran to Liam, and Jackson and the rest ran to inspect the colony.

“Killian,” Lena called to me. “She’s gone. He’s got her powers.”

I didn’t look in their direction. I couldn’t. My eyes remained focused on Liam. “Liam, are you hurt?”

“I’m okay. Just some cuts and bruises.”

“Lena, Liam will need care. Take him to the med unit.”

The two left the Center, leaving me with Angeline’s body.

Angeline was gone. One of the most vital members of our Clan—my friend—was no more. Worse, they’d taken her soul. Knowing this physically hurt. “I’m sorry we weren’t here to defend you, good friend.” I touched my fingertips to her forehead and closed my eyes, saying a silent prayer over her soul. I knew Jace had consumed it, and no matter how innocent or how wonderful Angeline had been, I knew it now would belong to the demons. But praying for her and holding on to hope felt better than giving up on her.

I stalked out of the Center, only to be frozen with the sight of the ruins before me. Tunnels were partially collapsed, various rooms were caved in, and countless Clan members walked toward the med unit, blood-soaked and weary. I don’t know how many demons had helped Jace and Rya attack, but they maimed us, taking out our Caster. The injuries, the destruction…this could be the single act that won the battle for them.

Stepping over rocks, debris, and dead bodies, I felt the anger surge inside of me. They had captured Cassidy and lured us away so they could attack the Clan. Rya was guiding Jace, and Jace was after power, Angeline’s power, and we were in the most dire situation the Clan had ever faced since the Great Battle. I raked my hands through my hair, not knowing what else I could do. Another attack from the demons would destroy the Clan and unleash Hell on Earth.

Letting out a deep breath, I headed to the medical unit. The beds were full, and people sat on the floor along the wall waiting for care.

“Killian, are you here to help?” Lena asked.

I nodded. I may be boss of the Clan, but she was boss of this room.

“Start on that end and assess each patient. Serious ones are sent to Sean, and the others remain along the wall.” Sean had makeshift beds of blankets and pillows on the floor with a handful of horrible-looking patients. He trained to be a Medic, but chose the warrior rank as his primary role.

It was hard to be here, to look into these people’s eyes, to see their pain, their worry. They had relied on me to protect them, and I had failed them. Some of their loved ones were lost, and there was no way we could stand against Rya like this.

But I walked to each person, assessed them, and reassured them that we would have our revenge. This was not over.

Chapter Twenty-One

Cassidy

Once I stopped crying, I had time to think about my situation.

Why did Tyler bring me here, and why did Rya want anything to do with Tyler and his dad or me? Was she gonna use me as bait to lure Killian away from the Clan, then take him or kill him? I paced back and forth. What was their next move? Were they keeping me here till Rya came or were they going to transport me? Either way, they would have to come through that door. The room was stark, and there was nothing here to fight with except my round-tipped scissors, which were pretty useless. All I had was a few Krav Maga techniques which were beginner at best.

The lock unlatched and Tyler snuck into the room. In one hand he held a mechanical gun with a long tube and some wires hanging from it. His other hand clutched a small vial of red liquid.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

I nodded. “What’s that?”

“Something that I hope will help.”

“How am I supposed to believe you?”

“I don’t know. You’ll just have to. I care a lot about you, Cass, and whether you believe me or not, the feelings still exist.” He rearranged the items in his hand. “Now, I need you to listen to me. I don’t know what the next part of the plan is, but I know that if I tattoo you with some of my blood, you will have some of my healing strength. At least for a few days before it sickens you again. And if Rya crosses you over, it might keep you alive long enough to get away. I don’t have a better plan, so I need you to let me do this.”

“But you aren’t one of the Clan.”

“No, I’m something entirely different. But it’s your only chance.” He paused and stared at me. “I’m going to tattoo you now.” I sat near the door and rolled up the sleeves of both arms. He set up the tattoo gun and began hammering the skin of my inner wrist, the opposite arm from where I had the Clan tattoo. The dull burn intensified as he continued. He worked the ink and blood into a dark crimson image of a star, the same star he wore on his wrist beneath the runes. It was a rush to feel the initial surge of his mystical blood mixing with mine, humming to life in each and every cell. While Killian’s had been soothing and protective, Tyler’s seemed to sizzle and crackle.

“What are you? It feels so different.”

“I’ll tell you one day, but I have to leave before we’re both caught.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. “And remember, I’m on your side.” The euphoria caused by the tattoo made me carefree. I did not fight him off; I did not care, I felt elated. He left, closing and locking the door behind him. I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes, enjoying this feeling of weightlessness and pure calm.

Many minutes later, a creak drew my attention to the door. The bottom hatch swung open and a plate of food was pushed through. I didn’t trust it.

“I don’t want your crappy food,” I yelled, though there probably wasn’t anyone around to hear me.

My fingers fiddled with my mom’s ring, spinning it around and around my finger. I took it off to admire the cursive words engraved within.

Strength and Power.

I could use some of both right about now. I tilted it toward the ceiling light, watching the words turn blue—the same blue hue that once glowed from my tat. This ring had powers; it could heal people, just like the Clan tattoos. I’d seen it work for Jace when he was recovering from the knife wound.

The door swung open and Tyler’s dad entered and assessed me. “Cassid…whoa, what’s that you have there? Give it.” He motioned for me to pass him my ring.

But I wasn’t giving up this ring; I slid it onto my finger. My new tattoo warmed. My heart beat faster. And then I flew at Tyler’s dad, knocking him against the wall. Rage. I wanted to him to feel pain. Wrapping my fingers around the base of the scissors, I swung them toward his neck but my hand was caught midair and pinned behind my back.

“Cassidy. Calm down,” Tyler whispered in my ear. I tried to shove out of his hold, but he pinned me firm against the wall. “Drop the scissors. Breathe.” He shoved my arm harder till I released the scissors.

“What the hell? The nut-job went crazy on me,” Tyler’s dad complained as more of his goons filed in. He smoothed his hair back into place and straightened his shirt and tie. He held the scissors up for me to see, then closed his fingers around them and put them in his pocket. “Now. Give me the ring.”

I thrashed in Tyler’s arms, and he tightened his hold of me.

“Give it willingly or I’ll take your finger with it.” Tyler’s dad pulled out a serious-looking pocket knife with a three-inch blade. Tyler released me, and I reluctantly took off the ring and put it in his dad’s palm. He held it to the light and studied it. “Unbelievable. We hit the goldmine with this one!”

“What is it?” Tyler walked toward his dad while two guards took posts on each side of me.

“Your little pet here had Rya’s ring.”

Tyler took the ring and examined it. Appearing as surprised as his dad, he asked me, “Did you know?”

“Know what? That ring belonged to my mom. When she died, I inherited it. Now give it back.” I’d had no idea the ring was Rya’s.

“Is she looking for it still?” Tyler asked his dad.

“I don’t know. She searched for years, but I think she gave up and switched her focus. This alone would be a prize big enough to forgive our debt
and
get us multiple runes.” He looked back at me. “Best keep this one safe, though, in case I’m wrong. Load the cars.”

Two guards grabbed my underarms and led me up to the garages where two black Suburbans waited. Tyler and his dad went back to collect items from the house. The suited guards sat on each side of me, while Tyler and his dad would ride in the car behind us with more guards.

It was my funeral procession, and if my hunch was correct, our trip would even end in a cemetery. We drove silently toward the south suburban area that I called home, past the strip malls and subdivisions that made up the landscape. They slowed as we approached Blaylock Grove. Yep, my hunch had been correct. Two black sedans were already parked at the base of the cemetery path, strange since most who visit this place park across the street. The members of our car were suspicious as well. One guard stayed with me, and the other went to speak with Tyler and his dad.

After a moment, the guard returned and opened the door. “Boss says to scope the area so me and Johnny are gonna do that. Sit tight.” He shut the door and headed down the path with the other suited guard. Suits looked out of place in the suburbs, especially walking down an abandoned dirt path.

Ten minutes passed, and one of the guards returned with a thumbs-up.

“We’re clear. Stay with the vehicles,” the guard next to me instructed the driver. “This shouldn’t take long.” We exited the car and waited as the other Suburban unloaded. Tyler’s dad spoke quietly to him and put something in his hand. Tyler closed his hand around it, shoved it in his pocket, and nodded in agreement.

They approached. “Ladies first,” his dad said. My guards took their positions on each of my underarms and walked me down the path toward the clearing. I half expected a welcoming party because of the cars, but it was as empty as it had been most times I visited.

“Set up the invocation ritual,” Tyler’s dad instructed. All the guards, except one who remained at my side, gathered twigs and arranged them into a pentagram. Tyler set the candles at the points of the star and lit them. His dad took out a dagger and slit his wrist just enough to get the blood flowing. He anointed the blade with the thick red blood that oozed out of the wound. Holding it high, he began chanting words that I had never heard before, perhaps Latin or Italian. The only word I understood was “Rya”.

A sound behind me drew my attention. Killian stood with Jackson by his side at the gate.

“What is going on here, Tegan? Come to make another deal with the devil?” Killian looked like he had been dragged through crap and wanted his revenge.

“Killian, you’re looking…well. Have you come across Rya today?”

“No, just her aftermath.”

The gate opened again. Rya and Jace appeared. The demons resembled the Demon Hunters with their attire, both wearing leather pants and tight-fitting shirts. But while the Demon Hunters wore leather jackets for added armor, the demons did not, leaving their folded wings visible. Rya also had a long black tail curved behind her like a whip. Jace no longer resembled the boy I fell in love with. He was twisted and drunk on power, his facial features set with anger and malice.

Killian and Jackson backed up so they were equidistant from both offending groups, daggers drawn.

“Killian, did you like my little present? You had quite the little colony going over there.” She tsked at him. “We can’t have that now, can we? So I thought I’d even it up a bit. Break up your happy Clan, let Jace have your precious Caster’s soul, and release a few demons. Now I feel better about things. It’s more even, you see.”

Jace killed Angeline? I looked to Killian for confirmation that Rya spoke the truth. He said nothing; his expression said enough. I’d thought I’d come to terms with the loss of his soul before, but it felt like my heart plummeted once again. Worse, because it was Angeline. Now the demons had her soul as well.

“Now, this business does not concern you,” she continued. “Why don’t you take your fool and go run off?”

She walked toward Tyler’s dad, Tegan. Jackson flung two throwing stars at Rya. Jace lifted his hand and pointed at them. They stopped inches from Rya’s back and dropped to the ground. Jace shot a cautionary glance at Jackson. His ability to control energy was something the other demons I’d fought hadn’t seemed to have.

“Tegan I was surprised to hear from you so soon.” Rya turned toward me and smiled. “And here she is, Cassidy Kavanaugh, the sweet young girl who’s screwin’ with my demons.” Her welcoming facade faded into a hard glare. She grabbed my hands and looked at both sides then dropped them. “What are you wanting in exchange for her?”

“My debt to you paid off,” Tegan said firmly. “In full.”

“No. I’ll give you ten years of payoff, that will leave you with five more years of servitude.”

“I know she’s worth a lot to you,” Tegan countered.

“And so are you. You appear to be more resourceful than any of my human spies and at least half my demon legion. I’m not ready to be done with you yet.” Rya set her hand on Tegan’s chest, her tail wrapping around his waist in a caress. “I’m impressed. But ten years is my limit.”

Tegan’s breathing increased; he seemed uneasy with Rya so close. “I have something else to offer you, something you won’t refuse.” Footsteps ran up the path. Casper and an old and out-of-shape man appeared in the clearing. It was a relief to see Casper again. He stopped just two feet away from me.

Rya raised an eyebrow. “You brought me more Demon Hunters? How nice. But I am not in the market for any. Keep them, and I will take the girl. Now I just need to decide if I should keep her as a prize or torture her for years to ripen her soul and feed her to Jace as a reward?”

Rya came over and grabbed my arm. Her skin was icy cold, her grip firm. Killian lunged for Rya and managed to nick her upper arm with his dagger before she released me and took flight. I tried to run, help somehow, but two of Tegan’s goons grabbed me again, pinning me where I was. Jackson and Jace squared off while Killian threw a throwing star at Rya. She moved and the throwing star sliced through the edge of her wing. She dove at Killian and grabbed him with ease, hissing at him in anger. They wrestled to the dirt, then Rya lifted him and slammed Killian to the ground. He lay there stirring slowly, shaken from the blow.

“Jace, come hold him,” Rya commanded. Jace ran and put his left hand over Killian’s upper chest and his right over his thighs. Killian’s body unfolded with arms and legs stretched out. He struggled but seemed to have lost any control over his limbs. Jackson threw his dagger at Jace, but Rya caught it. In two steps, she reached Killian and knelt beside him. Using Jackson’s dagger, she sliced at his arm inhumanly fast. Killian writhed in pain silently, fighting against his invisible bonds.

Jackson and Casper ran at Rya, trying to save Killian. Jace looked at the fallen throwing stars, then looked at the approaching Demon Hunters. The stars flew at them. Casper dodged, while Jackson got a nick in his thigh. Jace then looked at the roots on the ground. They flew up, tripping Jackson and even making Casper stumble.

Rya’s black forked tongue licked up the side of Killian’s cheek. “This will only hurt a little, sweetheart.” In a swift movement, she pulled his tattooed skin off, leaving a bloody coating over the tissues and muscles.

“Release him,” Rya ordered. Jace removed his hands from the space above Killian’s body and stood next to Rya. Killian attempted to get up from the ground but was slow and dazed.

I shot Rya a venomous look, and she smiled at me, her long serpent tongue snaking out to lick the bloody skin she held in her hands. “Angel blood tastes even better when it’s warm.”

Her macabre spectacle drew everyone’s attention. But during her theatrics, I noticed a slight gesture. The old man looked ready to spring into action; he’d have likely gotten killed. But Tyler had grabbed the out-of-shape man’s arm, halting him. Then he placed something in the older guy’s hand.