I ripped myself out of the demon’s grip, but he reappeared in front of me. I hadn’t killed him — just aggravated him. A desperate growl tore from my throat.
I’d never slain a demon before, and I wasn’t sure what I’d done wrong. Maybe it had to be a fatal wound. Maybe I needed to drive the blade through his heart. But did demons evenhavehearts?
Before I could act, the demon’s fire flared, and a wall of flame erupted all around me, forming a ring around the shop. A smoke detector blared from overhead, making my ultra-sensitive hunter ears ring.
My panic mounted. The heat of the fire was already unbearable. Flames licked up the walls, burning hotter and brighter than any mundane fire. Sweat stung the burns I’d sustained in the struggle, and the heat aggravated them even more.
My eyes watered as I looked left and right, searching in vain for an escape route. There was no way out but through.
Just then, a spit of water sprayed my cheek as the automatic sprinklers turned on, filling the room with smoke. The fire demon’s gaze flicked to the ceiling.
That was all I needed.
I lunged with all my preternatural speed, driving my witchwood blade into the fire demon’s heart. To my shock and horror, my blade met no resistance. It sank right through the burning core of hellfire, and a chute of black smoke engulfed us both.
A cacophony of wails and screams joined the blare of the smoke alarm, and through my haze of tears, I saw their faces. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of them contorted in agony. Shrieking as they pressed through the smoke to escape.
I lunged for the door under the emergency exit sign — the door leading to the alley. Twelve copies of the other demon swarmed me at once, trying to herd me back toward the center of the shop.
I burst through the illusions as though they were nothing — ripping a table runner off a nearby display tocover my face and neck. I howled into the fabric as the hellfire licked at my exposed hands, but the noise was swallowed by the whoosh of flames.
The smell of scorched hair filled my airways, and I fumbled blindly for the door handle. I yelped as the metal blistered my palm but tightened my grip and forced my way through.
Cool air lapped at my skin as I stumbled into the dark alley. I sucked it in with great heaving gasps, even as my lungs burned from the smoke. It felt like breathing in shards of broken glass, but my whole body sang in relief as I drank in air that reeked of exhaust and rotten meat.
I collapsed on all fours, still clutching the witchwood blade. A low menacing chuckle reached my ears, turning my bowels to liquid.
More of the same voice joined in the laughter until twelve copies of the hooded demon surrounded me. Behind him, I could see Julian standing in the doorway to the shop.
My nostrils flared in irritation. These guys just didn’t give up.
Stifling a whimper of pain, I pushed myself up onto one knee. The palm of my free hand was covered in weeping blisters, which now had little bits of dirt and gravel stuck to them.
Gritting my teeth, I launched myself toward the wall of demons and plunged my dagger into the nearest one’s heart. My blade found its home, but the demon just laughed before vanishing and reappearing on my left.
I swore. I’d stabbed a copy, not the actual demon.
A chorus of evil laughter echoed off the brick walls around me, scraping against my mind. I glared from one copy to another, but they were all identical. And the waythey shifted and circled me in the alley, it would be impossible to keep track of which ones were the copies.
A loud thud drew my attention, and I looked over my shoulder to see Julian’s body slumped on the ground. It didn’t move. I couldn’t tell if the real Julian was still alive or not, but half a second later, I ceased to care.
I felt a caress along my mind, and a chill shot down my spine. The touch was light but sinister in nature, and everything inside me recoiled.
Then a low, seductive whisper filled my ears, its tone gentle and persuasive.
Don’t worry, pet. I’m here now.
My gaze flickered to the twelve copies of the hooded demon, but none of their lips were moving. More beguiling whispers joined in with the first voice, and I realized they were coming frominsidemy mind.
My, what a pretty little huntress.
So determined, and yet so fragile.
I could shatter your mind in an instant, but what fun would that be?
Hand over the blade. That’s a good girl.
We won’t hurt you . . .
