The Demon Hunter (21 page)

A shiver of awareness tiptoed down her spine. A feeling she couldn’t ignore.

“Excuse me,” a deep voice called out.

Ellie froze as realization hit her. Oh dear God, they weren’t alone.

Devon sighed against her lips, then pulled back, his gaze shifting from her, to the area beyond her shoulder.

“Yes?” he queried in a way that made it seem as if he wasn’t in the least bit surprised to see whoever it was behind them.

She wanted to bury her face into his shoulder. Instead, Ellie tucked her chin to her chest and peeked behind her. A tall man with a long, gray beard, stood alongside the road. He wore faded blue jeans and a white t-shirt. His facial hair hid most of his features, but she could tell by the crinkle of his blue eyes that he was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

“You two need a ride?” He hitched his thumb over his shoulder, pointing to the rumbling truck parked alongside the road. She hadn’t seen a pickup truck since leaving the U.S. and she hadn’t heard this one approach. How weird.

Ellie leaned closer to Devon, pressing her lips to his ear. “I know you don’t understand the concept of the cinema, but this is a total horror movie in the making.”

Yet, even as she said the words, she didn’t actually feel them. Why weren’t her instincts warning her away? He had a kind, weathered face, but so did some serial killers. Still, she only felt this odd numbing peacefulness. When his gaze shifted to her, his eyes crinkling, she smiled back.

“We don’t really have any other choice,” Devon replied.

“Sure,” she said, wondering why she so readily agreed, when rationally she knew she should have her misgivings. There was just something so damn trustworthy in the man’s sparkling blue eyes.

“A ride would be very helpful, indeed,” Devon said, but she read the hesitancy in his voice. Reluctantly she looked away from their visitor, to Devon. He seemed more annoyed than relieved at the intrusion.

“Come along.” Devon latched onto her arm and escorted her toward the truck, following the driver.

Ellie got in first, sitting between the man and Devon. It might be old, but the vehicle was clean and smelled strangely of warmth and spring. She sank back against the cracked vinyl seat, her body practically melting into the truck, so relaxed.

“Devon, how have you been?” The man’s arm brushed hers as he put the vehicle in drive and took off. At the contact, an unfamiliar tingling awareness swept over her body, a buzzing hum that was ethereal. The sensation was so odd, she almost didn’t notice the way the driver called Devon by his given name.

Almost.

Blinking the foggy sensation away, she jerked her gaze toward Devon, awaiting his response.

“I’m quite well, obviously,” Devon ground out between clenched teeth, a pulse ticking in the side of his jaw. “Want to explain to me what the bloody hell is going on?”

Confused, Ellie glanced between the two men.

“The heavens,” the driver said with a grin. “Are very annoyed with you, my boy.”

****

Devon wasn’t sure which angered him more, the threat from Michael, or the fact that the angel had purposefully interrupted while he was doing a very thorough job of kissing Ellie. His fingers curled against his thighs. He didn’t have time for explanations, didn’t have time for interruptions.

“I’ve had nothing to do with this.”

Michael laughed, his blue eyes crinkling. “You should have been in heaven over one hundred years ago. You let your need for revenge get in the way. Don’t tell me you have nothing to do with this when we know you do.”

Was he forever to pay for what happened? “If I hadn’t sacrificed myself, that demon would be wreaking havoc on a world of unsuspecting humans.”

Michael turned left, onto a one lane road. “And yet… he is, isn’t he? So your bravado was for naught.”

Devon swallowed hard. He’d suspected the demon had escaped, but hearing it from Michael made it much too real. He hadn’t been able to bind the beast. He could only pray Ashley and Cristian had discovered something in the six months he’d been dead. “Shite.”

“You can say that again,” Michael said.

Ellie’s attention jumped back and forth between them. He knew he owed her an explanation, but was loathe to tell her the whole truth. An explanation for Michael’s sudden visit, an explanation as to why he’d made love to her. Hell, he could barely look at her without remembering the feel of her body pressed to his. He certainly didn’t want to have a conversation in front of Michael. The truck rumbled down the road and for a few minutes he managed to keep his mouth shut. He was a bloody angel, for God’s sake. He wasn’t supposed to feel this way toward another. This feeling of being connected in a way he couldn’t understand, couldn’t explain.

“What do you want with me?” Devon finally demanded. “Why are you here?”

“To take you home.”

He’d known, hadn’t he? Why else would an angel come to the earthen plane? Still, the words sank into his gut, and his denial was instantaneous. “I can’t leave yet.”

“Wait a minute,” Ellie finally interrupted, holding her hands up between them. “Where you belong? What does he mean? Who is he?”

Damn it all, he couldn’t think straight this close to the angel. Their powers combined, flaring so a loud buzz vibrated through his very mind. And he needed to think when he was near Ellie. “This is Michael. He’s a….” How the bloody hell did he explain?

“An angel.” Michael smiled down at her, charming as you please. “Lovely to meet you.”

“As in an angel from heaven?”

Michael nodded.

Ellie merely stared at the man, the shock on her face almost comical. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

Michael chuckled. “Quite.”

“Pull the automobile over,” Devon demanded. He had to get out of the truck. Had to get away from Michael. He even needed space from Ellie and the confusing emotions she stirred within. Michael didn’t argue, but slowed, pulling to the side of the road. Devon shoved open the door before the car came to a complete stop. He stumbled out of the vehicle, taking in a deep breath of cool, morning air. Ellie scrambled outside, following him.

“You’re leaving me?” she demanded, irate, but there was something else in her tone… an emotion that tugged at his heart and made him care when he didn’t want to. Underneath the anger, she sounded scared. He turned and looked at her, that beautiful, innocent face. She’d been alone most of her life. She would be alone again, once he left. But he wasn’t leaving now. Not if he could help it.

She latched onto his wrist, a tingle of awareness whispering over his skin at her touch. “You’re not serious?”

“He doesn’t really have a choice,” Michael said, suddenly appearing next to the truck, without having stepped a foot outside.

Ellie sucked in a surprised breath, but managed to stand her ground. She even had the audacity to glare at the angel.

“When Heaven calls…” Michael shrugged, carefree, unconcerned. Bastard.

Ellie went pale, her wide gaze pinned to Devon. “You’re going to… you’re dying?”

Dare he think she cared? Hell, when was the last time someone had cared about him? He looked away from her, annoyed with the way his heart thrummed with hope and desire.

“Generally one has to shed their physical body to go to the other side,” Michael continued. “It’s quite cumbersome. Never did understand why humans are so obsessed with their bodies.”

Of course he didn’t, because Michael had never been human. He didn’t understand the hopes and dreams that came with being alive. He didn’t understand the connection and desire one could feel with another when on this earthen plane.

“What about the demon?” Ellie asked, her voice sharp. Even though her face showed no emotion, he knew,
sensed,
she was angry at him.

“The demon isn’t Devon’s problem.” Michael leaned against the truck, arms folded across his chest as he watched them like they were specimens in a museum. “That’s something Cristian will have to deal with.”

But Cristian had tried, and failed. They all had. Perhaps they would again. But he had to believe they could win, he must. For his friends and family, for the world, for…for Ellie.

“You’re seriously going to leave me here alone?”

Devon met her gaze. He felt her disappointment like a knife to the gut. “It’s not your fight.” Devon raked his hands through his hair. “It’s not something you have to deal with. You can…leave. Go home.”

“I have no home. Besides…” She looked away, her lower lip trembling. “I can’t leave them, not knowing what I know. They need to understand, and if I have to find them on my own, I will.” She turned and started down the road.

Stunned, Devon merely watched her walk away. They weren’t her friends. She didn’t even know Cristian and Ashley. She could leave, yet she was walking right into the lion’s den, giving up her own freedom for others. Perhaps there was a little bit of heaven here on this earth.

“She’s rather brave,” Michael mumbled, watching her walk away.

“Or stupid,” Devon replied.

Michael laughed. “No, it’s bravery.”

“She’ll be killed.”

A robin landed on the hood of the truck and hopped toward the angel, tilting its little head this way and that, as if trying to understand why he was there.

Michael shrugged. “Does it matter? Everyone dies eventually.” He held out his hand and the bird jumped onto his palm, no fear in its tiny body. How could someone who was so gentle with a tiny bird, be so uncaring toward humans? But that wasn’t fair; Michael had never been human. He didn’t understand.

“Yes, it matters.” Devon started after Ellie. “She hasn’t even learned to accept her abilities. She hasn’t… lived.”

Michael fell into stride beside him, the robin flying toward the open field. “People die young all the time.”

“She’s here for a reason and you know it,” Devon snapped. He could sense her importance. Yet, even if she was a typical human, he had a feeling he’d still have the insane desire to protect her. “She’s an empath. You don’t have powers, not here on this plane, without having a greater good.”

A car zoomed by, momentarily drowning out their conversation. But still, Michael followed him. “Hmm, yes, perhaps she does. Everyone here on this plane has a reason to be here, but perhaps she doesn’t need you to fulfill her destiny.”

“Maybe not.” A flock of sparrows burst from the thorny brush growing alongside the road. “But that doesn’t matter. I’m staying.”

“They won’t like that.”

“They’ll get over it. They’ll have me soon enough.” He started to turn, when Michael appeared in front of him, jumping through time and space. Devon stopped short.

“Devon, one last tip, if you will.”

He sighed, glancing at Ellie. She already had a good lead. “Very well.”

“They’re in Crossroads.”

Startled, his gaze went to Michael. Was he truly giving him answers?

Crossroads, England.
The town burst into focus, picture perfect setting inhabited by supernatural beings. It all made sense now. Ashley and Cristian were in Crossroads.

“Thank you.” Devon disappeared. For one split second darkness surrounded him as he hovered in space. Within a blink, he burst to life in front of Ellie.

She gasped, stumbling back a step. “Would you people stop doing that!”

He moved to the side, allowing her to pass. “I apologize.” He had to stop himself from blurting out the information Michael had given him. He wanted to ease in with Ellie.

“Shouldn’t you be… dead… or whatever?”

Devon fought his grin, falling into step beside her. “I’m not leaving.”

She paused, looking suspiciously at him. “Really?”

He leaned close to her and whispered, “Yes.”

“Oh.” For one long moment she merely stared at him. The familiar electricity sparked between them, urging him to move even closer. His gaze dropped to her mouth. Her pink tongue darted out, licking her lower lip. “So, you’re staying then?”

He met her gaze once more. “For now.”

“What about Michael?”

“He’s gone.” He’d felt the shift a moment ago, the man disappearing… for a while at least.

She turned and he followed her gaze. The roadside was empty, save for the truck. “At least he left us a vehicle,” she said. “You’re sure?” She turned her worried gaze to him.

“They’ll leave me alone.”

“For now?”

He shrugged. True, he would have to face his fate eventually. “For now.”

She nodded; she understood. “Well then. Guess we have a demon to find.”

She turned and started toward the truck, but not before he noticed the relief in her eyes.

Chapter 12

For a week she’d been driving in circles around England’s countryside, only to find out that the town she’d been searching for was only a three hour drive south of Crestmoore Manor. She didn’t blame Devon though, at least not much. She knew his memory was spotty, at best.

Still, as they drove into Crossroads, she wasn’t sure what to feel. Relief, excitement, nervousness. The town wasn’t exactly what she’d been expecting. Sure, it was a quaint English town with row cottages made of stone, interrupted by winding, cobbled roads. But it was empty… like end of the world empty. Like, zombies have invaded and eaten the inhabitants kind of empty.