Vengeance: The Demon Hunters — Book 5 Read online

  "Yes. As far as I can tell. Not everyone is a witch, mind you." The carriage bumped and she gripped the seat to stay upright. "Being a witch requires a blessing from the Goddess as well as a flow of magic. Some are blessed at birth and some later. I've often thought it might have been kinder for my blessing to have waited until I understood what I was. It certainly would have been easier on my parents."

  His gut twisted. She might have forgiven her family for discarding her, but he could not. In his mind, he pictured a golden child with wide blue eyes and pale skin being sent away from all she knew because of who and what she was, when she should have been cherished and nurtured.

  It was this abandonment that kept her from embracing the feelings blossoming between them. Brice was a patient man. He would wait, and for Abigail, he would wait lifetimes if that's what it took.

  Lifetimes? Where had that notion come from? "Do you think we live more than once, Abigail?"

  She cocked her head, eyes bright with excitement. "Your vicars would call that a sacrilege. Would they not?"

  Shrugging he nodded. "Perhaps, but they would not believe demons could come from another world beyond ours to take over all we hold dear. I think there is room for more than one truth within my heart. What does your Goddess think on the subject of life and death?"

  "The Goddess gives us life, nurtures us in death, and if we are needed, returns us to Earth to do her work. There are no mistakes in magic. However, the demons are not part of the Goddess's plan. They serve another."

  "The master."

  Abigail frowned. "I think the master is also a servant to a higher deity. If he can bleed, he can be killed. The Goddess is immortal, and if things are equal in all realms, whoever the master serves must not bleed." She shrugged. "It's only a theory, and perhaps the master works against his superior's wishes."

  The carriage was picking up speed, and the road was rough. He looked out the window but saw no reason for the rush. He shouted to the driver, "Denny! Slow down before you kill us all."

  "Demons from the west!" Denny's voice came back over the rumble of wheels.

  "Brice." Abigail gripped the windows on either side and sank to the floor. "Have him stop. I'd rather be killed in a fight than break our necks in this carriage."

  From the window, Brice spied a party of maybe ten demons lumbering up the hill. "Dear one, I'm not certain the two of us can succeed. There are at least ten."

  The sweetest smile tugged at her lips. "Stop the carriage, Brice. We shall manage this together."

  She had a point about breaking their necks in the carriage. He pounded on the roof. "Stop, Denny. Stop!"

  Slowing allowed Brice to sit, secure his sword to his hip and load two pistols before they stopped at the top of the ridge. "You didn't answer my question."

  She cocked her head, and then smiled. "I think we live many lives until our purpose here is completed. There are lessons to be learned each time here on Earth."

  After opening the carriage door and stepping down, he drew a deep breath before handing Abigail down.

  The demons trudged more quickly than one might expect and climbed the side of the hill as if it were flat ground.

  Gripping her around the waist, he kissed her forehead. "I knew you the moment I saw you, Abigail Higginbotham. I'd know you in any lifetime. And I'm certain this is not our first life together."

  Offering him a smile that shot desire to his heart and lower, she touched his cheek. "Don't get killed. I can't heal the dead."

  "I will do my best, dear one." Brice stayed at the high point for a better line of sight but moved to the edge of the ridge to put space between the battle and Abigail.

  Her voice sounded from behind him. "Denny, help me climb the carriage then go assist Brice."

  There wasn't time to turn and see what she was up to. Why would she climb the carriage? Perhaps to stay out of the fray. That suited Brice. He didn't know what he would do if anything happened to her. He felt as if he'd searched his entire life for the witch who'd captured his heart.

  Trebox demons arrived first. Smaller and more agile, the man-size demons had no meat on their bones, yet they were strong and vicious with the knives they wielded. Six in all, with gray skin, black eyes, and the barest bit of wiry hair on their misshapen heads. As the first topped the ridge, it bared its pointed teeth. "Master says you and that creature must die."

  It lifted its knife awkwardly, and Brice ran it through with his sword.

  Jerking back, he nearly sliced the demon in half. Its black blood flooded the stone and grass.

  A bright green light whizzed past him and hit the trebox at the far left.

  Instinct made Brice back away from the exploding demon. He beheaded one attacking from his right.

  Denny fired his pistol and hit another in the forehead.

  Braced with her legs apart, skirt wide with her stance, Abigail stood on the luggage atop the carriage. Lightning cascaded down from the sky, as if by her command, and she hurled a ball of light down the hill and cut through the first of four malleus to reach the ridge. She was magnificent.

  Tall and broad with bulging muscles and gray slimy skin, malleus demons were twice the size of a man. They carried great hammers and pounded down their enemies. They were not imbued with great intelligence but could overpower with strength.

  Suddenly, it was clear who was truly protecting whom. Abigail was a force to be reckoned with.

  Footsteps pounded the stones, shaking the ground. Brice turned in time to dodge the descending hammer of a malleus. Hitting the ground hard, pain shot through his arm and shoulder. He rolled to his feet and sliced off the hand holding the hammer.

  Black blood spurted from the wounded demon’s stump, but it paid no mind to his blood loss and kept attacking with its remaining fist.

  Brice pulled his pistol from the waist of his breeches, fired, and hit the monster in the eye, felling it with a crashing thud.

  On the ground, Denny grappled with a trebox. Both disarmed, the driver was losing the battle of strength.

  The demon's mouth opened for a killing bite to Denny's throat.

  Running, Brice lifted his sword and jumped around a malleus to slice the skinny neck of the trebox.

  Denny tossed the limp body of the demon to the side as he regained his feet.

  "Stay down!" Abigail commanded.

  Pushing Denny back to the ground, Brice covered the driver's body with his own and waited for whatever Abigail was about to do.

  Blinding light filled the area. Heat surged over them.

  Abigail chanted quietly before another wave of light and heat materialized.

  Demons screamed. Then silence.

  The heat and glow faded into a gray overcast day. When they’d stopped, it had been blue skies with fluffy white clouds, but now those clouds had gathered as if Abigail had called them to draw down lightning.

  Rising to his feet, Brice reached down to help Denny up.

  The lanky driver said, "Thanks," as he shook the stupor from his head.

  Brice had knocked him down a bit hard, but it had been necessary since he’d had no idea what was coming.

  The demons all lay dead, already in stages of decomposition. Demons didn't take long to decay, perhaps because their kind didn't belong in this world, or maybe that was normal for demon bodies. Brice had no idea, but these corpses would be gone within the hour, and he was glad of it.

  While backing down from the luggage, Abigail carefully put her foot on the lantern hook at the side of the carriage.

  Brice climbed the wheel and gripped her around the waist as she made her way down. "You are a miracle."

  "I am a witch." She shrugged as she joined him on the top edge of the wheel.

  To some men, it might have been seen as weak to be smitten by a woman who was filled with strange powers he couldn't understand, but Brice loved that she could take care of herself, and today, all of them.

  "Stay here," he ordered.

  He jumped down, held his
arms up to her, and lifted her to the ground. Perhaps he held her a bit longer than was necessary.

  Her eyes sparkled with something more than thanks.

  Brice guessed she could easily get herself down from the top of the carriage if she'd wished it, but she allowed him to touch and hold her, for which he was grateful. "I had no idea you could wield such power, Abigail."

  The dark clouds began dispersing, and the sky returned to azure with patches of white.

  Offering a hint of a smile, Abigail turned to Denny. "Are you injured?"

  "A bruise or two, madam, but nothing more." Denny brushed dust from his livery and brown hair.

  She returned her gaze to Brice. "And you? Are you injured?" Her voice was softer, breathless, as she remained standing close to him.

  "Not even a scratch." He slid his hand over her ribs and to her back. His body yearned to hold her and feel that she was safe and alive. "Are you all right, dear one?"

  On a ragged breath, she whispered, "I am unharmed, though a little tired. How do you think they knew where to find us?"

  "A good question." Reluctantly releasing her, he brushed dust from his clothes and tried to shake off the burning desire for all things Abigail. "Why we might be of interest is another question that needs answering. Perhaps there will be more answers in Edinburgh."

  Brice handed her into the carriage. "Denny, are you all right to drive us to our inn for the night, or shall I drive?"

  With a smile that revealed a missing front tooth, Denny shook his head. "I'm alright, sir. Just a bit shook up. I can manage the carriage for a few more hours. Do you expect we'll be safe at an inn for the night?"

  It was a fair question, and one that Brice had no good answers to.

  Abigail popped her head out the window. Dark shadows marred the underside of her eyes. "I shall protect the inn when we arrive. It will be difficult to do so discreetly, but we shall need a good night's sleep."

  "I think it's unlikely I will rest this night," Denny said.

  Unable to blame the man for trepidation, Brice said, "I shall take the first watch, and you can keep the second, as I'll be able to rest on the ride. Tomorrow is a shorter day's ride into Edinburgh. I think we'll be alright with just Mrs. Higginbotham's incantations, but we'll all feel safer if we keep watch.”

  Denny climbed up to the driver's seat. "That would make me feel a bit more at ease, sir."

  In the carriage, Brice sat beside Abigail, facing front. "You should try to rest as well. I imagine that show you just put on takes quite a lot out of you."

  She pressed her hands to her face. "Does it show?"

  "If you are about to use more magic to make yourself look less tired, please don't go to the trouble. To me, you are always beautiful, and it's a waste of energy you may need later." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his side. It was not his place, and extremely bold, but he had seen things that both terrified and aroused him concerning Abigail, and he wanted her close.

  Those magnetic blue eyes closed as she rested her head on his shoulder. "I would have thought seeing me use my magic to destroy would have cured you of your infatuation with me, Brice."

  "Then you don't know me at all. You are mistaken, sweet Abigail." He pressed his lips to the top of her soft blond hair. His lips tingled with the remaining magic emanating from her.

  "Am I? About what?" She tucked her hands around his arm.

  "I am far more than infatuated with you. I am also a man who is not afraid of a powerful woman. I have trained dozens of them to defeat demons and stay alive. I revel in the abilities of strong women. You assuredly may be the most dangerous person I've encountered, but your heart is pure; of that, I have no doubt." He wanted to kiss her more than he wanted to draw his next breath. This woman had wound her way into his heart so deeply, he hardly knew where he ended and she began.

  "I am not in control of that part of my life, Brice." Regret laced Abigail's voice, but she remained holding his arm and nestled against his side.

  When he kissed her again, the magic had ebbed to a whisper on his lips. "I understand that. I'll never ask for more than you want, dear one. I only want to remain by your side. Perhaps one day, you will see me as I see you."

  The low mumble was inaudible to his ears, and she was asleep before he could ask her what she'd said.

  Knowing Denny would wake him if there was trouble, Brice closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the soft cushion. The jostle and roll of the carriage lulled him to sleep.

  When they bumped into the yard at the last inn on their journey, Brice startled awake.

  Abigail's arm crossed over his abdomen in the sweetest hug, and her head leaned against his chest. Sleeping together was becoming his favorite time with her. It was when she let down her guard and gave in to her need of him. Breathing in her warm scent of wildflowers and sunshine, he indulged in skimming his hand along her elegant neck to her soft cheek. "Abigail, we have arrived."

  Stretching, she pulled away from him.

  He'd take back that old pain in his leg if she would keep touching him as if she belonged to him. With a sigh, which he tried to stifle, he released her shoulder and opened the carriage door.

  Denny appeared, smiling. "I hope you were able to rest, sir. I'm glad it was a quieter ride for the afternoon."

  "As am I, Denny." Brice jumped down and helped Abigail to the ground. "We'll just get our room and luggage settled before..." He left the rest unspoken, as people in the yard wouldn't like to know that not only were they not married, but Abigail was a witch.

  With a nod, Denny said, "I'll see to the horses and have the luggage brought up. Then I'll be available to distract these fine folks while madam does what needs doing for the night."

  The room was small and stuffy. Brice opened the window and was glad when a soft breeze filtered in. The bed was going to be a challenge for them both to sleep in without touching. And with just that small thought, Brice's breeches were already uncomfortable.

  Once the maid had left them and the luggage was delivered, Abigail got out a white candle and several crystals. "I think it might be best if I protect the property from here. The yard was far too crowded for the type of enchantment I usually do. I should be able to create a bubble of safety from here, and if some areas are missed, we still have you and Denny keeping watch tonight."

  Brice was relieved. "I didn't know how you would manage the chanting out of doors with all these people."

  "You may wish to step out for this, Brice." She spread a deep purple cloth on the floor and sat crossed legged in front of it. After setting the candle on a piece of gray stone in the center, she arranged the crystals around it.

  He'd watched her for days as she'd protected the school and other buildings. He'd seen her shoot death bolts from her hands just that day. He'd held her as she recovered from overextending herself with magic. "What could this spell be that I might not wish to see it? Is there a danger to you or me when you cast this particular spell?"

  A low sigh spilled from those tempting lips. "I must call upon the Goddess to move this magic from me and the earth. It might be disturbing to you to see such a thing."

  Disturbing he could tolerate. "If my being present will not damage the spell or you, I would prefer to stay, with your permission."

  Her smile was sad, as were her eyes, as she nodded. Then she closed her eyes, drew in long breaths, and let them out.

  Ready for anything, Brice waited near the door.

  The candle guttered then steadied in an oddly strong flame for a small wick. Abigail's voice was low and melodious as she spoke. "Goddess, hear my call. I am open to all. Goddess, be my wings. My magic is the feed, drawing good from Earth to hide our place upon her soil. The restful night, I pray to thee, we may bide without toil. No harm be done, with patience won. Live in me for the moment, while friends be obscured for this night, cured in me. As I will, so mote it be."

  The flame leaped. Golden light surrounded Abigail. A face not hers,
with eyes of clear crystal, stared from her face and regarded Brice for a moment. The distortion of this other face merging with Abigail's was grotesque.

  His body hummed with what he'd become accustomed to as a sign of magic rolling over her. Most people would ignore it, feel a shiver, or perhaps feel nothing at all, but Brice knew magic was flooding the space, and it was both disturbing and arousing. Seeing great power from Abigail had always intrigued him, and even been an allure, but this was as if she were stripped naked and offered over to him. It was hard to resist pulling her up from the floor and making love to her immediately.

  If everyone at the inn was feeling this, the night would be quite stimulating for everyone.

  While Abigail's eyes remained closed, the other face watched Brice before it gave him a nod and vanished.

  A low moan pushed from Abigail's lips, and she listed to one side.

  Brice rushed to her and lifted her from the floor.

  "No. I have to finish it."

  "You are too weak." His heart pounded as if seeking escape.

  "Just hold me in place. Will you do that, Brice? I am not weak, just overwhelmed with magic."

  His shaft was so hard from the effects of her spell, it was painful to lower to the ground with her in his arms. Still, he cradled her between his legs and faced them toward her small altar. "Do what you must, dear one."

  Abigail gathered the crystals one at a time. She kissed each one and placed them carefully inside a small sack with a drawstring. When the last was inside, she pulled the sack closed. She muttered thanks to the Goddess and blew out the candle before carefully folding the cloth.

  She stood and placed the small pile of magical items in her bag before facing him.

  Getting to his feet, Brice stared. It was hard to draw breath, he wanted her with such overwhelming need. "Is this increasing desire for you the work of your Goddess, magic, or something else?"

  She stepped closer, her chest rising and falling faster than normal. Her pupils nearly filled the blue of her eyes. "Sometimes magic that brings forth the Goddess can amplify desires that already exist."

  "Is that why you wanted me to leave the room?" She crossed the small space to stand in front of him. He ran his hand from her wrist to her shoulder. He traced the soft skin along her collarbone and neck. "So lovely."