The Demon Hunter (33 page)

“So wet for me,” he mumbled against her collarbone.

She needed no foreplay. She only wanted him inside her…now. Wanted to be as close to him as possible. He pulled her underwear down, letting the cotton briefs drop to her ankles. Without pause, he spun her around and settled her on the edge of the sink. Her hands went to the waist band of his shorts as he nuzzled her neck. There was a frantic need to have him inside of her, to have him completely. She felt that same desire within the tremble of his hands. His shorts gave way and his erection sprung free, brushing against her legs. Devon nudged her thighs apart, stepping closer, surrounding her with his presence.

“I want you, Ellie.”

She felt the thick tip of his erection press against her entrance. Ellie leaned back, bracing her hands against the cold porcelain sink. How she wanted him.

“I need you.” He thrust forward, sinking fully into her.

Oh, how she needed him. Ellie groaned, closing her eyes. He surrounded her, all of her. Kept her firmly in his grasp, his heart. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer. She wanted to kiss him, to taste him, breathe in his essence.

Her mouth on his, she slid her tongue between his lips as Devon thrust into her over and over, the movement of his body driving her crazy. It was fast and desperate. He filled her completely and she felt weak with sensations she didn’t quite understand. She knew this could be their last moment together, perhaps their last moment alone. She wouldn’t regret her actions. Not ever.

Frantic, she ran her hands over his muscled shoulders, further up, her fingers sinking into the cool strands of hair at the nape of his neck. She wanted to memorize every inch of the man.

How she loved him. Damn it all. She knew that now. At the same time, she realized she couldn’t tell him. She would not put that added pressure upon their relationship.

She ran her hands down his back, cupping his tight ass and pulling him closer. He plunged into her and her body quivered, trembling with the need for release. Their lovemaking was frantic, his hands all over her at once. She couldn’t get enough of this man.

Hot tears stung her eyes as her body tightened.

“Yes, Devon.”

He thrust into her and her body burst into a million stars. She lost control, control of her heart, her mind and soul. Devon groaned as he plunged into her one last time. His head fell to her shoulder, his breathing harsh against her neck. The entire world disappeared in that moment and only she and Devon floated in bliss. For one brief time, everything was as it should be…perfect.

Neither of them spoke, but they didn’t need to. The moment surrounded them in a warm cocoon that nothing, no one, could invade. Ellie pressed a kiss to the side of his temple, her arms still around his neck, her legs still around his waist, Devon still inside her. She didn’t want to let go. Didn’t want their time together to end.

“Someday we will actually make love on a bed,” she whispered.

He didn’t respond. She knew what he was thinking. Someday most likely wouldn’t come. Not in this lifetime anyway. To her dismay, he pulled out of her and stepped back as much as the small bathroom would allow. She felt cold, alone, empty.

“I don’t think Camile messed up the spells on purpose.”

Their lovemaking was over, already it was back to business. But this is what she’d signed up for; she would not expect more from him when he had never promised anything.

Ellie resisted the urge to sigh. “I could have told you that.” She jumped from the sink, her legs so wobbly she was forced to lean back. “I trusted her the moment we met.”

He buttoned his shorts. “I suppose, I just don’t understand how anyone could be so inept so often. Christ, she was able to bring us through time and space into the back garden only fifteen minutes ago. That’s only something a powerful witch could do.”

Ellie shrugged, stepping into her panties and smoothing down the skirt she’d borrowed from Miranda. She doubted her friend would want the clothing back now. “Maybe the demon is more powerful than even we can understand.”

“He is, but that’s not it.” Devon tossed his bloodied shirt into the small trashcan next to the sink. “Something’s off. Something was off on that day we did the spell almost seven months ago. I just don’t know what.”

He crossed his arms over his chest, his biceps bulging, and leaned against the wall, next to the forest green towels. A beautiful man indeed. She couldn’t help but admire the way his body practically glowed.

“Who was there that day?” Ellie asked, settling on the edge of the sink. It was a silly place to have a conversation, yet who knew when they’d be alone together again. She was in no rush to leave.

He shrugged. “Us. All of us. The town, but they were outside the entire time, on the outskirts of the property.” He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. “It was me, Cristian, Ashley and Camile.”

Ellie didn’t dare respond, for she didn’t want to imply that one of his friends was a traitor, but she was pretty much edging toward Ashley. “Maybe the spell was wrong. Maybe… maybe the demon knows something we don’t. You’ve done all you can, Devon, you can’t blame yourself.”

He nodded, albeit reluctantly. When he spoke no further, she realized their moment was over. Most likely their last time alone together. She would not make their parting emotional. She would be the soldier that he was. She jumped from the sink and reached for the door.

“Wait.”

She paused, glancing back.

“There was someone else there that day.” His blue eyes had grown bright with some emotion she didn’t dare identify. “Someone who helped Camile prep the spell.”

A shiver of unease whispered over Ellie’s skin. “Who?”

“I don’t think…” He took in a deep breath. “It couldn’t be…”

Ellie released the door handle, stepping closer to him. “Devon, who?”

He met her gaze. “Rose.”

Chapter 19

The eerie howl of wolves pierced the quiet night. The sound echoed from the woods and bounced against the pub walls in a crescendo that would have been the perfect soundtrack for a horror movie. Ellie shivered, nudging aside the curtain in the parlor, the lace stiff and old under her touch. The garden was dark, but she swore she could see yellow eyes glowing amongst the trees along the property line.

Earlier, Camile had drawn a protective line of salt around the perimeter of the house. It would hold the monsters back…for now. But as they gathered strength from the full moon and the energy of the salt wore off, they’d break through and whether they were ready or not, the war would begin.

It was time. A full moon when powers were heightened. But for Ellie the full moon represented something else… it had been a month, a whole month, since she’d met Devon. Yet, she felt like she’d known him forever. Perhaps she had.

Ellie rubbed the back of her neck, the muscles tense and knotted. She’d woken up with a headache that was only getting worse as the night wore on. Too much stress. She so needed a vacation, if she survived. If not, well then she’d be taking a long vacation to the afterlife. Despite her hooded sweatshirt, jeans and the warm temperature, a chill raced up and down her spine.

Surely the wolves couldn’t see her. The lights were out, the parlor dark. But she felt watched. She released the curtain and stepped back, wrapping her arms around her waist. Too late to leave now. Their enemies had found them. God help them, they were surrounded. Devon’s plan had gone awry. She was stuck, truly stuck smack dab in the middle, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Like hell she was going to shuffle off in defeat, leaving her friends to clean up this mess alone. And they were her friends. Perhaps she hadn’t known them long, and perhaps she didn’t have much experience in socializing, but she cared about them all, deeply. Hell, even Ashley had grown on her in the last couple days.

“You all right?” Miranda asked softly, hesitating on the threshold.

“Yeah, fine. Just…waiting.”

The floorboards underfoot creaked, the sound unnaturally loud, each step like gunfire as Miranda started toward her. “Sounds creepy, huh? The howling.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “Definitely the most unsettling thing I’ve ever heard. Almost like the sound of…”

“Death?” Ellie whispered.

Miranda nodded, pausing next to her. She was scared, it was obvious, but she was doing her best to pretend she wasn’t. Even with only the moon to light the parlor, Ellie could see that her friend was pale, too pale. Poor Miranda had nothing but her pathetic human abilities to keep her safe. She’d have to rely completely on others.

“Sounds like they’ve surrounded us,” Miranda said, turning her attention to the windows.

Ellie didn’t respond. What could she say? They had? And there were probably more than wolves out there. Things much stronger, things much deadlier. They were merely sitting ducks, waiting for the first attack, waiting to uncover who had betrayed them.

“Are they still arguing?” Ellie asked, deciding to change the subject.

Miranda shook her head. “No. I think they’ve finally accepted the fact that the only person who could be the traitor is Rose. I’m relieved, as I’m sure everyone is, that Camile is no longer a suspect. On the other hand, I can’t help but feel for Camile. She hasn’t told anyone else, but she’s devastated by her aunt’s betrayal. I think a tiny part of her believes it must be a mistake.”

“I bet she’s upset. Who wouldn’t be?”

Damn, but she should have listened to her instincts. She hadn’t trusted Rose from the moment they’d met. If only… Ellie sighed. She’d learned long ago to never regret the past and she wouldn’t start now.

“I’m upset and I barely knew her. But…” She grinned at Miranda. “It’s the perfect time to offer Camile a little comfort.”

Miranda rolled her eyes and Ellie laughed. It was a bit manic, that laugh. Was it obvious she was attempting to force a jovial normalcy upon them? Yep, everything was totally normal.

“So, have you admitted your feelings?”

She swore even in the dark she could see Miranda blush. “Maybe.”

“And?”

She flashed her brilliant white teeth.

At least there was a bright spot in this horror movie. “I told you she was gay.” Ellie reached out, taking her hand. “And I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks.” Miranda laughed, the sound catching with an emotion that showed Ellie a whole new side of her tough as nails friend. While Ellie felt like she was growing stronger every day, Miranda seemed to be crumbling in this place of monsters and magic. She worried about her friend.

“Figures, I finally find someone and the world will probably end.”

Ellie wrapped her arm around Miranda’s shoulder. “I totally understand the feeling.”

Miranda hugged her back. “I know.”

For one long moment they were silent, merely taking comfort in each other’s embrace. In the distance, a bonfire burst to life. Ellie shivered and turned her friend away from the windows.

“So,” Ellie continued. “No one has found Rose?”

Miranda shook her head and started to the sofa nestled snuggly near the empty fireplace. “She’s long gone and it’s not worth it to go after her. We’d have to head straight into the fray. Why waste the energy?”

Ellie nodded, sitting next to her.

“I’m going to help Camile bind the house with a protection spell.” She picked at a loose thread on the sofa. “She said it won’t be super strong, but it will do some to help hold them off.”

Them.
Werewolves. Vampires. Demons. Who knew what else. At least she’d known there was something off about the world. Poor Miranda had just recently been thrown into the craziness.

She rested her elbow on the arm of the sofa and sighed. “You’re going outside with her? Isn’t that dangerous?”

“It’s okay, Camile will protect me.”

Truth was Camile’s powers were no match against her aunt’s. They all knew it, although no one admitted as much. “You sure?”

“I have to do something. Just sitting here is driving me mad.” Miranda stood, rubbing her palms against her jeans. “It’ll be fine. Besides, Kipps is going with us.”

She watched Miranda leave the room, wondering how much protection Camile and Kipps could possibly offer against a pack of werewolves. Or vampires. Or demons. Cristian and Ashley weren’t much better. Cristian was human now, his powers less than what they had been. And Ashley, well, she saw ghosts for God’s sake. What good would that do in battle?

Still, she couldn’t deny the power of their romance. Even humans could feel the aura of Cristian and Ashley’s love. There was an energy that pulsed between them when they were together, an energy that strengthened them. Ellie glanced toward the dark windows once more. If given the choice, would Devon choose to lose his powers so he could stay with her? Would she even want him to, knowing how hard it would be for him to be human?

Murmured conversation drifted into the parlor from the foyer. The small group of supernatural misfits. For some reason it brought her comfort, hearing their voices. She hadn’t known them long, yet she felt a kinship with Cristian, Ashley and Camile.

She stood, starting toward the foyer when a shiver of unease whispered over her skin. A warning that she was no longer alone. Ellie spun around, frantically searching the dark room. A shadow in the far corner brought her up short. Ellie’s hand went to the crystal at her neck, feeling the cool reassuring comfort of the mineral. She’d know that hunched shape anywhere.