Page 23 of Blood and War
His own home—Eden—was a place of natural, wondrous beauty. Those that resided there took pride in their home. They hadn’t plowed through the wildlife to build bigger homes and cities. They knew better. Understood the importance of keeping it raw. It was just another reason he hated the human species. Destroying themselves well before they even got there.
Despite the hatred that fought to take hold, he pushed on into the nightmarish trees. The air still reeked of smoke and ash. He could feel it burning his senses, dulling them as if a thick fog had taken hold of his brain. The flames no longer blazed, but it was as if they had only just been put out with how badly it smelled.
The Demons were wretched creatures. The angels too, in fact. If they hadn’t been so damn greedy, he wouldn’t be here. Neither of them thrived on Earth, and he didn’t see the allure. Not to mention… a world infested with humans…
“We—” Kellan had opened his mouth to tell the human that they’d be stopping to give the horses a break when something moved ahead. Fast. Too fast for his liking. Slinking through the shadows as it weaved around them in a taunting manner. He cursed aloud, the smell had done more damage than he’d thought. Hadn’t even noticed that the world around him had gone quiet. He’d been hearing creatures scurry for miles, but nothing moved. The only sound had been the beating heart of the human before him, and the drag of hooves in the dirt.
The girl finally stopped, catching on to his hesitation. Her eyes met his, looking to him for an answer. Kellan didn’t have one for her.
His eyes darkened as it neared, and his fingers inched toward his blade, itching to grab hold and swing just as the familiar stench finally hit his senses head on.
“Run.” He told her, not taking his eyes off the moving shadow that slithered around them.
The human stood frozen in place. He shouldn’t have been surprised, but it angered him nonetheless. They never do as they’re told. Never listen. Her body stood frozen in fear. In one swift motion Kellan leaped from his mount, his boots touching effortlessly to the ashen ground below. His blade was already drawn, ready for whatever hellish creature was rushing in. The hair stood along the back of his neck. Something from the Underworld, that much he knew. Angels and the Underworld were mortal enemies, and with the traces of angel blood flowing in their veins, heightening their abilities, it was a normal reaction when in the presence of the creatures. It made his job easier time and time again.
The demon was shadow incarnate, with a humanesque body as black as the abyss. Swallowing up the world around it like a void. Crimson eyes tore through him. Searching. All he could see was death. Rage. This creature brought nothing but the end ofdays. Lived for it. Enjoyed it. Just the thought of it sickened him. Worse than humans, demons were nothing more than scum beneath his boots.
Its clawed hands sharpened to deadly points, a thick substance near oozing from the tips. Poison. If it hit true, he’d be imbued with a deadly toxin that would incapacitate him within minutes. Upon its head sat two horns, curving up toward the sky.
All color was gone from the human’s face as she stared at the demon in front of them. She’d gotten as far as dismounting from her horse, but hadn’t moved since. If he hadn’t wanted answers so badly, he would have tossed her at the demon himself. Be done with it. He’d have to protect her. Again.
She’d just made his day a hell of a lot harder.
Thirteen
DEMITRIA
Guilt.
Fear.
Demitria couldn’t lift a limb even if she tried. She’d lost all control. Like her body had ceased to exist. Nothing lived around her except the demon and her. A demon she would recognize anywhere. An array of emotions coursed through her for the millionth time in a sheer moment. Terror. Anger. Regret. Guilt. Always back to guilt.
“I know you.”
Its voice rumbled through her. Her entire body shook violently at the sound of it. Taloned fingers pointed at her, so still she felt as if they pierced through her chest. The demon, no more than a few feet away, could reach her within steps.
“I remember the taste of their flesh.”
The tears exploded before Demitria could stop them. Streaming from her eyes in a rush, like a dam bursting. She fought for control, but it was a pathetic attempt. A courage she just couldn’t bring herself to muster as the lifeless eyes of her mother flashed before her. Her father. She pulled the dagger from its sheath at her thigh, but her feet stayed rooted to the spot.
“I said run, dammit!”
The movement didn’t register until it was too late. The Horseman’s blade collided with the demon inches from her body as he put himself between them. He grunted, as if having been hurt, but didn’t falter, his weapon colliding with its sharpened talons. He swung at the demon, but its lean, lanky body slithered just out of reach each time as if it was nothing more than a game.
“Who sent you?” A familiar growl left the Horseman’s lips as he eyed the demon. Kellan gripped his sword with one hand, his other held firmly to his chest to staunch the wound. She could see the blood pooling beneath, dripping to the ashen ground below as it seeped through his fingers in a trickle of dark red.
“You hide this girl, but he knows. He always knows.”
The sound of the creature’s voice ran a shiver down her spine. Demitria tried to move. To lunge at the monster that tore her life apart with her dagger held steady, but the Horseman stepped into her once more. Blocking her from advancing any further. The screams of her father echoed in her mind, like that last thread pulling apart before the seams came undone. She felt as if the ground was shaking beneath her as everything began to crumble around her. Every wall she’d built up to safeguard that ache deep within her chest.
“He will come for her.”
“How do you know her?” War demanded. He swung his sword in its direction, but the creature evaded easily. The Horseman was fast, but the demon was faster.
“There are many things you do not know, Horseman. Things you have not been told.” The demon toyed with him, a wide grin brimming with razor, shark-like teeth taunting him. “Join us if you wish to survive.”
“Who sent you?” Kellan sounded angry now. Before he just looked determined. His own teeth bared in a snarl as even moreblood pooled between his fingers. He swung again, and that rage deepened. Even wounded, he was dangerous. Murderous.
