She gulped. “You rescued another demon?”
In a way. Legion had been demon, but had bargained with Lucifer for a human body. A human body she still possessed. She wasn’t—isn’t—evil. Well, not totally—and she was being tortured.
“She?”
Did he detect a note of jealousy or was that wishful thinking on his part? Yes. During the few days I spent down there, I was…overcome by demon thoughts and urges.
When he offered no more, she nodded.
Those thoughts and urges are a part of me now, driving me…
“Insane?”
Now he was the one to nod, though his was stiff. Only when I’m with you do those things become manageable.
Wariness fell over her lovely features like a curtain, but she didn’t attack. “Why me?”
I have no idea.
“Guess.”
He released a sigh. Perhaps for the same reason I can project my voice into your head.
“That tells me nothing,” she said, pursing her lips.
How adorable she was, just then. A pouty princess. The thought made him frown. Whether we like it or not, there is something between us. Maybe, because of that, the demons know what I know, and they’re afraid of you. Afraid of Hunters.
“Maybe. So…you hate these thoughts and urges?” Her question was soft, almost hopeful.
Why hopeful? Because she wanted to believe the best of him? Yes. Beyond anything.
She peered down at her lap, where her fingers were linked and now twisting together. He hadn’t expected such calm. Not from her, a demon-hater, when he’d just admitted to being poisoned by all kinds of evil.
Was she playing him? Lulling him into a false sense of relaxation? If so, what was her ultimate goal?
He should know; his demon should know. More than ever he hated that he couldn’t read her. Hated that the two times he’d peeked inside her mind, he’d seen her smiling. Heard her laughing.
Hated, because the images were branded inside him, a part of him, haunting him. Hated that even so, he craved another glimpse.
“Why did you tell me this?” she asked.
Because of my affliction and your affiliation, we can’t stay here. I’m a danger to my friends, he told her, expecting her to argue. If she remained in one location, her associates had a better chance of finding her. And you, well, you’re a danger to them, too. As much a danger as they are to you.
He didn’t want either group to find her. Plus, his twenty-four hours were almost up, and every noise outside the door had him stiffening. Sabin was liable to burst into the room with a flamethrower at any moment.
“Yes, we need to leave,” she replied, thick lashes finally lifting. “So where do you propose we go?”
Such pragmatism was admirable. Combine that with the we and the heat of her gaze, and she presented a powerful aphrodisiac. You wish to stay with me?
“Of course.”
There was no “of course” about it. Why did she want to stay with him? His suspicious soul floundered for an answer, and found only one: she was playing him. Perhaps she even meant to lead him to her fellow Hunters, just as she’d done to Baden.
Amun’s hands curled into fists. Fists so tight and hard his already damaged knuckles cracked from the strain.
“Amun?” she prompted.
His name on her lips…another aphrodisiac. We will go to the only place I can purge the thoughts and urges.
Her eyes widened. “You can purge them?” Once again she sounded hopeful, as if she truly cared.
Though the prospect rocked him to the core, he revealed only mild surprise. While you slept, I spoke with someone in the know. And the conversation had pissed him off royally.
“You must return to hell,” the angel Zacharel had said, unconcerned, when Amun sought him out.
What? Amun had mentally shouted. When he remembered to sign, his motions had been jerky. My little jaunt into hell is the reason I’m like this. So returning isn’t really a solution, is it?
“You took the demons out, now you will take them back in.”
No.
A shrug. “Then you will forever be chained to the woman’s side. Not that forever will be long. Not for you. Without her, the spirits overcome you, and the next time you are overcome, you will die by my hand.”
If getting rid of the demons is as easy as going to hell, why didn’t you take me back already?
“I did not say it would be easy. Nor did I say returning with me would be helpful. You must take the girl.”
No, he repeated.
“Your choice, of course. I have no qualms about removing your head.”
It was impossible to argue with so logical and uncaring a being. How do I get them out of my body once I “take them back in?”
Zacharel had walked away without answering, without offering even the slightest hint. Why? What was Amun supposed to do when he got there? How long was he supposed to stay? Exactly where in the endless pit did he need to go?
He told me the only way to free myself was to return to hell, Amun said to Haidee now.
“Return to…hell? As in the fiery pit of the damned?” The last was uttered in a horrified whisper.
Yes. And you’re going with me. He waited for her to protest, to fight him. She didn’t, not yet, and he relaxed. Somewhat. He couldn’t subdue her, defend her and search for a way to liberate himself. You won’t burn, he assured her. I won’t allow the flames to reach you.
“If we go,” she said with a tremor, “will there be anyone with us?”
If, she’d said, and he relaxed a bit more. No. We’ll go alone. He desperately needed the muscle and support—because gods knew, he’d barely survived last time, and he’d had two trained warriors with him—but he wouldn’t place his friends in danger. Not from the demons, and not from Haidee. Besides, that would defeat the purpose of whisking Haidee out of their midst. Why? Do you wish to take someone with us?
Her lips pressed together in that mutinous line, and he suspected he’d somehow hurt her feelings. No, surely not. She would have to care about him, he reminded himself, and she didn’t.
“Will you—will you allow me to have a weapon?” The word allow choked from her, and he doubted she’d ever spoken it before.
Yes, but if you attempt to use it on me, I will strike back in kind. Perhaps a lie, perhaps not. He valiantly hoped she didn’t try to test the claim.
Silence stretched between them, an oppressive cloud he couldn’t shoo away. He gave her the time she needed, though. He was asking a lot from her and offering very little in exchange. Of course, he would have to force her if she refused him—they truly had no other options—but until she did, he would let her think the decision was hers.
“All right,” she finally said on a sigh. “I’ll do it. I’ll go with you.”
No fight at all.
Once again he was thrown, but this time he couldn’t hide the intensity of his shock or the earth-shattering cascade of relief. Then his suspicions flared. What did she hope to gain, placing herself in danger to help him regain his senses? Or did she plan to go simply to gather intel? Yes, he thought with a nod. That was far more likely. She was a Hunter, after all, and finding ways to destroy demons was her business.
Hunter. The blasphemy echoed through his mind, and he cringed. Stop reminding me.
“Stop reminding you of what?” she sputtered, obviously confused by his sudden bout of disgust.