Hunter's Blood (5 page)

Chapter Seven

Luka crushed Gina to him, this wonderful woman he'd waited so long for, and as the last spasms of their shared pleasure spent themselves, his heart ached afresh.

She was everything he'd dreamed. More. Her courage humbled him. Her power thrilled his soul. Her beauty stopped his breath. And the raw, sensual way she abandoned herself to her passion… she was truly a goddess. His goddess. And as he'd adored her body with his, he'd drowned so completely in the wonder of her touch that there'd been no room for nightmare flashes of hell. Pure delirium. And he wanted more.

He wanted to worship her, body and blood. Feed her. Pour out his life for her. He'd thought he could take her magic and forget her. So, so wrong. The miraculous words—Gina, I love you—swelled like warm sweet nectar on his tongue, and he struggled to swallow them down.

Because he couldn't keep her. They could never be together. It was impossible.

She murmured in his arms, sleepy with pleasure. He buried his face in her glorious dark hair, inhaling her intoxicating scent until his eyes burned. Alaliel would never rest until it owned Luka's soul. The foul creature had tempted and tortured him with every cursed wile at its disposal, and he'd resisted, thanks to the memories of Gina he'd fought so hard to keep secret.

But now Alaliel knew.

Luka couldn't hide his love for her any longer. He'd fallen for her at a distance, but the reality of her surpassed anything he'd imagined. Seeing her again had been too much. Hells, his passion for this woman blazed across the stars. And hellcrusher princes didn't take sweetly to humiliation. Alaliel would hurt Gina just to get at him, and the wretched hellbeast would delight in every second of it.

Luka clutched her tighter, kissing her hair, anger and sorrow racing like fire through his veins. He'd condemned her to a demon's torment by caring for her. To have his love put her in danger was more than he could bear. For her own sake, he had to cut her from his heart before it was too late.

If it wasn't already too late.

He whispered in her ear, his voice cracking. "Gina. Listen. I…" His voice trailed off. What could he say that she'd believe? We can't be together. I don't love you. Get away from me before you get hurt. He sucked in a deep breath, searching for the right words.

And his nose tingled, sharp with ozone and the foul fleshstink of hell.

Alaliel.

His magical reflexes ignited in a heady rush. "Gina, wake up!" He jerked to his knees, shielding her with his body, and grabbed his sword.

But too late. The air already hung heavy with poisonous hellsmoke. A cruel demon cackle split the air like rotten fruit, and fresh black blood dripped smoking onto the sheet.

Gina yelled and jerked aside, igniting her protective aura, but the demon thrashed out a barbed stinger like a giant scorpion's tail, and her glowing bubble screeched and popped in a sizzling splash of venom.

Acid burned Luka's lungs, choking him. Desperate, he flung out a spelltrap, a spider's web of sticky magic to catch the demon's hex. But the demon dived with dripping teeth bared, and crunched the web to pieces.

"Too slow, you pathetic worm," it gloated. "She's unmanned you. Word to the wise. You and she? Go off like a fucking supernova. Next time you're trying to hide from me, try keeping your dick in your pants."

Luka's limbs tingled, numb with hellpoison. His blade fell from nerveless fingers, and the last thing he saw before sliding into unconsciousness was Gina's stricken face.

Chapter Eight

Gina sighed, and wriggled closer, dreamy. Luka still wrapped her in his arms, his hair silky warm on her shoulder. She still couldn't believe they'd made love. Her flesh still tingled from the insane pleasure. Her soul sparkled, overflowing, like an empty hole within her was now filled. She felt… complete.

He stirred, kissing her shoulder. She murmured in protest as he started to rise. "Luka, stay."

"What for?"

Her heart skipped. "Huh?"

He pulled his trousers on and tightened the buckles, his magnificent body shimmering with magic in sparkling moonlight. "No need to pretend. Thanks for the pick-me-up. We can keep it our secret, if you like."

"Our secret? Luka, what are you…" Her voice died. At his throat, his bloodstone shone, dazzling. More alive than she'd ever seen it, the deep red color throbbing with power, electric blue sparks crackling over its facets.

Her sparks. Her magic. She'd shared with him, and now he was more powerful than ever.

Her hand flashed to her throat, and her heart clenched. Her own bloodstone stung her palm, cold. Barely pulsing.

She swallowed, rough like broken glass. Normally, this was what she wanted. A good time and good-bye. So why was this different? "But you… I thought we…"

He laughed, a hard, calculating edge that tore her heart. "Look at you, trying not to hurt my feelings. I'm a big boy, Santangelo. You don't have to pretend there's anything between us. That demon is one nasty son of a bitch. I needed your magic. Now I've got it. And we both enjoyed the hell out of it. Am I right?"

"You stole it." Her heart cracked, and bled dry, and stupidly she cursed, her magic flickering only weakly. What an idiot. To think a man like him would ever want her for herself. "You stole my magic! How could you?"

"You gave it to me, remember?" Luka laughed at her expression, the hot green eyes that had ignited such desire inside her now cruel and cold. "Come on, Santangelo. What did you think? That I just wanted to sleep with you? No offense, but sexy girls like you come in six-packs around here. Your power's all I ever wanted. If we'd only had the chance to finish five years ago, I wouldn't be in this mess." He shrugged, and reached for his leather chestplate, blue sparks showering from his hair. "Still, never too late. And I've gotta say, that was a world-class screw. No hard feelings, huh?"

Tears burned Gina's eyes. She scrambled up, fumbled on her shirt and pants, and ran.

He didn't follow. Didn't call after her. Didn't even look up.

Outside in the darkened street, heat scorched her skin, and even at night the hot pavement burned her bare feet. The moon glared in her eyes, making her head ache, and the acrid city pollution made her retch. But the pain paled compared to the agony in her heart.

Her mind tumbled, torturing her with images, sensations, the memory of his touch, the way her heart melted when he whispered those words in her ear.

All lies.

He'd never wanted her. Never cared for her. Even that story about his captivity in hell was probably bullshit. He'd just lied so he could steal her magic. And like an infatuated schoolgirl, she'd believed him.

For a few precious moments, she'd thought she'd known his love. And now it was gone, ripped from her soul by his lies.

Acid tears blinded her, and the remnants of her magic howled in anguish, deafening.

She barely noticed when the air split open above her like a ripe orange thrown against a wall.

Vile demon laughter caressed her. Horror crawled cold over her skin as the monster snaked down and yanked her off her feet.

She struggled weakly, yelling, but too late. Her magic had failed her. Luka had abandoned her. She couldn't fight anymore. Didn't want to fight. Not without him…

The air rippled, and the monster crawled its tentacles over her, dragging her through the torn hellflux into hell.

Brimstone stung her nostrils raw, and she screamed, her reflexes springing at last into action.

But the creature's horrid suction pulled at her limbs, pinning her arms, inescapable. She struggled, scrabbling for her knives. But she'd left them at Luka's. She couldn't break free.

"Stupid girl," the thing hissed as it dragged her under. "You should never have left his side."

Chapter
Nine

Hot metal bit into Gina's wrists, and she jerked awake.

Stone, rough under her back. Appalling heat. Acrid smoke stung, watering her eyes. Flickering firelight dazzled her, and a horrid stink turned her stomach. Coughing, she started to rise.

But chains yanked her wrists and ankles tight. Her heart skittered, and she looked down.

Chained to a slab by rusty manacles. Crimson staining her clothes. Rusted iron walls, splashed with blood, looming into the distance where a huge fire burned in a vast red-hot pit. Angry red flames leapt, and evil shadows danced like ghouls.

And over her leaned a monster shaped like a man.

Lank white ringlets, streaked dark with ash. Sullen red eyes. Plump cheeks, wobbly jowls, sallow unhealthy skin and a muscle-run-to-fat body in a garish white suit.

Gina inhaled his rank stink, unwashed flesh and rotting food, and gagged. The demon prince of gluttony, in its human form. She was in hell. Literally.

Instinctively, she strained for her magic, but Luka's betrayal ached fresh in her heart, and doubt wracked her soul. Her bloodstone sputtered, and its light died.

Chill spidered down her spine. No magic. No weapons. Helpless.

The demon grinned, sickly, showing decayed teeth. "Hello, Hunter. Alaliel, at your service. So pleased you could join me."

She spat in his face, fury burning in her belly. "Eat crap and die."

Alaliel laughed, razors on glass, and stroked her hair with a fat greasy finger. "So wild. I can see why he likes you." He licked slavering lips in anticipation. "I did so enjoy making him scream like a girl. For all my colleagues he's killed, woe is me, blah blah. I'm sure you could fill in the excuses. Maybe I just fucking felt like it. And you've been so willing to help lure him back to me. You Hunters have such predictable weakness for friends in pain."

Her nerves quailed at the threat, but she forced a laugh, struggling in her chains. "You're a joke. Luka will never surrender. He doesn't care about me, you thick-headed scumball!"

"You think not?" Alaliel leaned closer, stinking. Blue sparks showered from his hair to singe her face. "You really should pay more attention."

Gina's pulse thudded cold. Blue sparks. Like the ones on Luka's bloodstone when he broke her heart.

But Luka's magic was green. Like his eyes.

Realization stunned her blind. Luka hadn't said those things. Hadn't betrayed her. None of it was real. Just Alaliel, impersonating him, dragging her darkest fears into the light.

Her heart screamed afresh. She'd been so ready to believe Luka didn't love her that she'd walked straight into Alaliel's trap like a fool.

Alaliel crowed and danced in delight, clapping his hands, his fat body jiggling. "Ha! Perfect, isn't it? And so much better now you know it's your fault!"

Gina thrashed, chains rattling furiously. "Burn in the sun, you nasty little squidfucker—"

And the hellflux above her split with a crack like thunder.

Flames roared, and Luka dived through, swords flashing.

Alaliel squealed happily, his fingers morphing into wicked talons, and hurled a blistering curseball that chewed the air ragged.

Luka dodged and rolled, slashing at Alaliel's face. Black blood splurted. Alaliel howled. The curse hit the wall and sizzled, molten metal dripping.

Gina swore and fought, but she couldn't break free. Luka, get out of here!

Not without you. He was still shirtless, wet-haired, wearing only his torn leather trousers. No armor. Only swords. Like he'd left in a hurry. Alaliel growled, saliva splashing, and dived for him, and he leapt and somersaulted, the demon's teeth missing his throat by inches. The demon thudded into the wall, crushing Luka's body against the metal.

Gina's heart leapt. But—

Luka slammed a sword hilt into Alaliel's face, staggering the demon back a few steps. But his chest bled freely from the quadruple slashes of poisoned talons, and his breath hitched shallow, sweat already pouring from his skin. He fired her a hot green glance, loaded with unspoken emotion, and despite his pain, a smile curled his lips. Don't argue, Santangelo. For once in your life. I'm not leaving without the woman I love. Live with it.

Delight bubbled in her heart like sunshine. She felt like laughing, or sobbing. Luka, I'm so sorry. The demon, it…

I know, angel. It's my fault. I should never have let you doubt me. Alaliel struck again, and more blood dripped from six-inch talons. Luka leapt backwards, slashing and missing, his bare feet bleeding on the rusted floor. He coughed, spitting blood. Damnation. He's too powerful here. I can't beat him without you. You have to believe, Gina.

His words pierced her heart, overflowing it. His bloodstone flashed, dazzling her, and its warmth shone on her face, wonderful like his caress. He loved her. He'd never steal from her. She knew that now.

Believe.

She stretched, feeling for her power, and her darkened bloodstone erupted into light.

Magic sizzled through her body, hotter and fresher than it had ever been. She'd never lost the power. That was just Alaliel's lie. It'd been there all along, waiting for her. Delight coursed through her veins, and deftly she rolled a bundle of burning energy tight like a whip and let it explode.

Iron shattered, and her shackles fell away. She rolled to her feet, muscles aching, and let her magic spread.

Luka responded, spidering the air with neon green webs.
Sparks
crackled, scarlet and green. Her aura touched Luka's, and the two melded in a burst of blinding light.

The hellflux ripped open, and sunlight poured through.

Alaliel screeched, his skin bubbling, and the cursed air rained ichor with his fury. But the drops fell on their magical shield, sizzling harmlessly away. And Luka dived under Alaliel's flailing claws, spun in midair and slashed twin swords through the demon's flabby throat.

Alaliel's head fell, and splattered on the stone like a ripe pumpkin. His body jerked, melting to smoking black goo.

The air screamed its wrath. The flames in the pit roared higher, threatening. Heat seared Gina's face. She sprinted, and grabbed Luka's arm, and together they dived amid leaping flames for the sunlight.