September Moon (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #8)

“So you were looking for me?” I challenged, striding right up to face him head on.

The demon stared down at me, trying to intimidate me with his size and wings. It didn’t work. Nobody could be more intimidating than Shya. At least, nobody I had met so far.

“Aren’t there other places you should be?” Brook sneered. “Like your bordello of blood, for instance.”

“I’m pretty sure it’s my God given right to attend church any time I damn well please,” I hissed, emphasizing God so that the demon flinched. “Care to join me?” I waited for a snide remark but received only a deathly glare. “Where’s Falon? He’s much more entertaining while being a major pain in my ass.”

“It would be wise of you to remember that we can watch you unseen, wolf. Even if you get your hands on the scroll, we’ll be watching. Be warned.” Brook followed his threat with a flap of wings and a burst of power that threw me off my feet.

The impact of my ass against the ground rattled my teeth, but I was otherwise unhurt. Still, it didn’t stop Willow from launching himself at the demon. There was a boom of sound, like thunder, and the two of them tumbled down the steps to the sidewalk below.

This wasn’t the first time Willow had gotten violent with Brook. I wasn’t sure if they had personal history or if the demon was just an easy target for Willow’s inner pain and rage. Shaz pulled me up, and we watched the two immortals trade blows. They didn’t hold back, unleashing assaults on one another that would have destroyed any one of us mortals.

I cringed, feeling like a helpless spectator. They could beat each other bloody repeatedly, and it wouldn’t accomplish a damn thing. Shouting their names seemed only to encourage them.

Father Andrew appeared outside, his face twisted in an expression of utter disbelief. “What’s going on?”

Brook immediately forgot Willow. His attention turned to the priest, and he aimed his attack precisely. Without thought, I threw myself at Father Andrew, knocking him down and taking the demon’s blast myself.

It tore a cry from me. I was on the ground, curled into the fetal position, whimpering and wailing. It felt like fire washed over me, through me, and all around. The burning sensation was beyond agonizing. Tears streamed from my eyes, scarlet fountains that exposed the darkness inside me. I gasped for breath, finding each lungful took great effort.

Shaz sprang into action. He shoved the priest back inside the church, shouting at him to stay within the consecrated walls. Then he placed himself between Brook and me, but it was unnecessary. Brook had backed off the moment he saw me take the hit meant for the priest.

All at once the pain subsided. I lay there trembling and gasping.

“Did Shya’s instructions include wounding his sacrificial wolf?” Willow shouted.

Brook lifted his chin defiantly. “What are you going to do about it?”

The two of them glared into one another once again. I shook my head and stood up slowly, waving off Shaz’s offered hand. I couldn’t afford to look weak in any way in front of Brook.

“No more of this,” I said, raising my voice to be heard.

Before I could spit out the nasty threat brewing on the tip of my tongue, Falon appeared and ruined it. He stepped between the two immortals and shoved them apart. Spreading his silver wings wide, he used them to keep Brook and Willow at a safe distance.

“Father Andrew,” Falon gushed at the priest lingering in the doorway as if they were old friends. “How nice to see you again. I apologize for the disturbance.”

Father Andrew said nothing. He merely stared in stony silence at the asshole angel. There was definitely some history there. Couldn’t say I blamed the priest for his reaction, or lack thereof.

Falon turned his attention to Brook. “Shya would like a word with you. Better hurry. He’s not in a good mood.” To Willow he said, “Settle down, guardian. Nobody is going to harm your precious Hound. Yet.”

“Why am I starting to feel like I can’t go anywhere or do anything without having one of you foul things tailing me?” I asked, leaning on Shaz while I regained my bearings.

“Because you can’t,” Falon said with a twitch of his lips that looked more like a grimace than a smile.

Brook disappeared in a cloud of sulfur. One down. One to go. It wasn’t looking promising.

“Are you going to follow me everywhere all night?” I was exasperated with Shya and his lackeys. Part of me was ready for this to all go down and be over with.

“Of course not. How pathetically boring would that be?” Falon made a face of disgust. “You know there are others you could be stuck with other than me or Brook.”

I sighed and said with a sarcastic drawl, “Oh, Falon, don’t get my hopes up like that.”