Hellhound Born (Kasadya #3) (14 page)

“Now!” I yelled and threw four balls at the demons.

They shot up into the air as black smoke permeated the scene around me. But the bombs only worked for a short while. Ballen must have sent every demon on the other side forward, there were just too many, and soon the hand to hand battle began.

Crap! I saw this before. The moment hadn’t been changed. I looked around frantically, desperate to find more clues.

“Nina!” I yelled.

What? Stopping, I looked up at myself. I was nodding to Nina and she was nodding back. With a burst of speed she ran and threw the silver net balls around the Fallen. More accurately, around Chax. My eyes caught movement to my right, and I turned to watch myself storming forward. I knocked the demons back with my new found g punch and tore through them. A few yards away from the hole, my hellhound roared and pushed forward with everything she had. She tackled the demons coming through the hole. When she hit the ground a huge blast went off, sending everyone flying. I stood there, shocked to my core.

The hole was gone; there was no sign of it. But as I looked around there was no sign of me either.

“NO!” A scream filled the air, and I turned to see Chax running to where the hole had once been. He slammed into the invisible wall and pounded his fits against it. The air rippled from the g-force punches he threw. But nothing happened. Michael and Raphael grabbed him and secured him.

“I am sorry, my friend. I am so sorry,” Michael said, his arms pinning him to the spot.

Chax’s eyes were huge and he was more than just pissed off, he was heartbroken. I looked back at the battle and knew. Fate was a funny thing; it creeps up on you, and then bites you on the ass. The rest of the Fallen were swiftly taking care of any stray demons and soon only smoke remained. Chax had calmed down, but still looked at the wall. I stepped over towards him and collapsed on my knees in front of him. He was looking at the wall with so much hope, but there wasn't anyone coming back through that hole. Acting on instinct, I reached and smoothed my hand over his face. His hand came up and tried to grab it, but I was nothing but air.

“Kasadya,” he whispered, his eyes closing in pain.

“Kasadya?” Chax’s voice brought me back to reality.

This time I wasn't surprised. I opened my eyes and his green eyes were there to greet me.

“Hi,” I said, smiling at him. He frowned at me.

“Are you Okay?” he asked hesitantly.

Am I Okay? Hell no, but relieved
.

I now knew what my real destiny was. And for once, I didn't have a problem with it. I would gladly offer my life in order to save those that I cared for. And the rest of the world. I smiled at him, my hand reaching out to trace the lines that his frown caused.

“If you frown so much, it’s going to become permanent. You don't want to look like an old man, now do you?” I teased him.

His mouth was hanging open, and then his head snapped backwards.

“Fix her,” he said to someone.

Maia’s blue eyes peered over him, “Kas, how do you feel?”

I laughed at her question.

“I feel super Maia, don't stress,” I replied.

Sitting up, I surveyed the room.

Well now, another room fully packed.

“Hey guys,” I greeted the rest.

“Does she have a concussion or something?” Raphael asked, looking at Maia.

“I don't have a concussion. So what did I miss?” I waved off several pair of hands that tried to help me out of bed, instead raising up on my own.

Looking down, I could see my clothes were covered in blood.

“Please tell me they are dead?” I asked, remembering what I had just lived through.

“All of them,” Chax said next to me.

I looked up at him and nodded.

“Good. No more surprises then. And with that, I hope Ballen gets a really nice message. So what are we going to do today?” I turned and looked at everyone.

Some mouths gaped open while others greeted me back. I was going to prepare for the battle. I was going to make sure each and every one of them walked away unharmed. But more than that, I was going to make sure that all demons, regardless of rank, would know my name.

“You ready for the next round?” Raphael asked.

I swore I could hear Chax hiss next to me.

“You bet I am. Let’s get this party started. A nice prince’s head would be mighty fine right now,” I replied and walked out of the door.

“Are you mad?” I heard Chax yell behind me, but I didn't stick around to watch him dish it out to Raphael.

I shifted to my room and headed straight for the shower. Nearly done, I heard the door open and someone calling my name.

“I'll be right there, just finishing up,” I called out. I sure hoped it wasn’t a guy.

Getting out, I made sure.

 “Who’s waiting to see me naked?” I asked whoever was waiting for me.

I grabbed the towel and wrapped it around my body.

“Oh, hell no! I don't want to see your ass,” Nanini moaned on the other side.

I smiled and opened the door. Nanini, Lada, Abby and Raven were waiting for me.

 “Hey squirt,” I greeted Raven, messing up her hair as I walked past her.

A few curses followed.

“Why are you so freaking happy? Did you hit your head or something?” Lada asked when I reached my wardrobe.

I flashed her a smile then said, “Yeah, I think a few million times since I started to serve.”

“Did you miss the part where Fallen kidnapped you and tried to kill you?” Raven asked.

“Nope, I can’t miss details like that. But you know what?” I asked, smiling at her. Confused, she shook her head.

“They won’t be a problem anymore.” I finished and put on some underwear.

“I am sorry about Seth,” Nanini blurted out and I stopped to look at her.

Only then did I notice the red puffy eyes.

“Nanini, I didn't even see that one coming. How could you have known?” She nodded, but still didn't look miserable.

I reached for my pants and remembered that my top was ruined.

“Ah crap,” I muttered to myself.

“What’s wrong?” Lada asked, looking at me.

“My top was ruined; I need a new one,” I complained, trying to think of a solution.

“Why not try this pair?” Abby said, her finger pointing to a heap of leather standing on my table.

Well hello! What do we have here?

I walked over and grabbed the first piece, unfolding it to take a peek.

“Wow,” Raven replied and I smiled.

My new pair of leathers looked like the others I had, and I couldn’t help but think of Chax. He was getting me these clothes, wasn’t he? Smiling, I got dressed and the girls chatted about what happened before and during my unconscious stage. According to Abby, Chax was off his rocker and almost took down the house looking for me.

We walked down the stairs and found the rest waiting outside.

“You girls ready for some fun?” I asked them.

Raven was mad. Apparently, she still couldn't go on these expeditions, and I had to admit, I totally agreed.

 “Kasadya,” Chax said behind us, stopping me from stepping outside. I turned to look at him

“Yes?”

“Are you sure you are up to this? Maybe some rest would be advisable.” He regarded me, as his eyes traveled over my body seeing me fully dressed for battle.

“Chax, evil doesn't rest. I am fine. Don't worry.” I turned and marched outside before he could stop me. The Fallen started to shift in, many coming to greet me and give their sympathies concerning the betrayal of certain Fallen. I saw Nina standing a few feet away and walked over to her.

“Hello,” I greeted her, expecting her to be her usual self and trying to pick a fight with me.

Instead, she smiled at me and said, “Hey Kas. Glad to see you up and ready for the next session.”

My mouth dropped open, but I quickly snapped it shut before she could notice.

“Are we like, Okay now?” I asked, the need to know pressing me forward.

She smiled and nodded. “After all that, we are tight.”

Okay, well, then that’s better, I guess
.

“Fallen!” Michael yelled and everyone turned to look at him.

“Let us battle!” With that battle cry, we all shifted and I walked over to my spot.

A hand grabbed me and spun me around. Green eyes, both furious and concerned, caught hold of mine.

 “You focus in there, and this time, try not to get killed,” Chax ordered.

I smiled and replied saucily, “Yes Sir.” I taunted him with a salute.

He wasn't pleased at all, but took his place. I grabbed my swords and readied myself. Luxuria came into view, then immediately shifted out, leaving an angry and spewing demon prince in her wake. Swords blazing, he attacked, but I was able to block his attempt and counter with my own weapons. We continued on for a while, until both of us got tired of the swiping and blocking. The ground gave way under my feet, but with a smile, I lifted myself up with my wings. But this time I had a new move of my own. I pressed back and let my hellhound take over. With a huge bang, the prince flew back into the net. He got up, shook his head and looked for me. But I was already at his back, my swords aiming for his neck. I hit the target, but my swords ricocheted off of him. I was spun around by my own force. Stunned, I turned to look at him.

Getting back on his feet, the demon smiled at me. Then, using his finger, he showed me his neck. He was protected by a metal plate necklace. He resembled the girls in Africa with golden rings that stretched their necks, usually for beauty.

Okay, new plan.
How to kill the prince?

He sprung forward and an invisible force slammed into me. I stepped back two steps and stood my ground.
Hellhound?
There was only silence. Clearly, this would be up to me. I was slammed back again and hit the wall of the net. Getting up and stretching my wings, my eyes caught sight of a demon screaming on the other side of the net. He cradled his injured arm against his chest, the lower half missing. My eyes whipped back to the demon prince, who was advancing on my quickly. I searched for my swords, spotting them just behind the prince.  I bolted forward and slammed into him with all that I had. His blades missed me by inches. I leapt away and hit the ground rolling, picking up my swords before rising to my feet. The prince was already up and headed towards me. First, I had to take care of the swords and then I would work on that damn necklace of his.

Our swords engaged, the sound of metal on metal ringing through the air. I quickly ducked backwards, as one of his swords nearly took my head. I quickly battled back, and, with a quick swipe, I sliced his left hand off just above the wrist. He roared with fury, as he dropped the sword in the other hand to clasp his now bleeding appendage.

“You will pay for that!” he bellowed.

I could tell that he was fully concentrating on me now. I lifted my wings and wrapped them around me. Another force hit me, but this time I didn’t go flying backwards. Opening up my wings a little so that I could see him, I sent him my own little message. With my own g-force punch he was flying backwards into the net.

Right, that damn necklace!

I quickly thrust my wings back behind me as I dropped both my swords and advanced towards him. Stunned, he had no time to react as I wrapped both my hands around the necklace.

“Now, watch me use your pretty collar to rip off your head!” I roared, sneering down at him.

Then, pressing both my feet into his chest, I pulled with all the strength I had. He screamed and yelled, grabbing me with one hand, the other nothing more than a useless stub.

I need more power!

I opened up my wings and started to flap backwards.

Slowly, after what seemed like freaking forever, I felt the first tear of his flesh.

I need to rip it
.

I bent forward a little, giving it a little slack, then pushed back and used my wings. The bands of the necklace tore into his flesh, but hadn’t removed it yet. He kicked and screamed, spitting all over my face in the process. I repeated the move once more and finally, I felt the bands rip free. Third time was the charm. His screams were cut off, and as I opened my eyes on more, so was his head.

“Idiot, never use metal to try and protect your neck.” I grunted and threw the head away.

I turned and gazed at the battle around me. The others had formed a circle around Chax, trying to protect him from the demons attempting to get to him. And he looked a little pissed about it. He pushed Max out of the way to try and get to a demon, but Max just pushed him back into the circle. My laugh was cut short as the first divinity bolt hit me.

I couldn’t believe it! It was even more powerful than the last one. I dropped to the ground, blowing dust in front of me as I tried to breathe through it.

This part is really starting to suck big time.

Another bolt ripped through me and I roared with pain. I felt it move through me, and for a moment, I panicked. It was focusing on my wings this time. I could feel it run up the bones, to the tip of them. Then, finally, a huge bolt hit me. I tried to scream, but mercifully, the darkness claimed me just as I opened my mouth.

Chapter 12

I felt the softness of a bed under my body, and smelled the familiar scent of peaches.

“Kasadya,” a voice whispered and I could feel a hand stroke the side of my face.

I didn’t want to open my eyes; I could tell it was going to hurt. I groaned really loud, starting to dislike waking up from these episodes.