The angels fought well together, completely in tandem, as ifthey’d practiced beforehand.But when the stranger got a powerful blow in,knocking Maddox into her corner table and lamp, the momentum took a nosedive,and suddenly Hawkyn launched into a wild battle that was going to destroy whatremained of her living room.
Not that she cared.Rightnowheronly fear was for Hawkyn and Maddox, and for the tiny life growing inside her.
She held her breath, waiting for the demondogo down, but it wasn’t even slowing.Even when Maddoxsent a dizzying volley of lightning, fireballs, and ice needles at him, thedemon in a Nazi-tatted skin suit kept fighting.If anything, it seemed to gainstrength from the weapons.
She was going to have a hell of a time explaining this tothe insurance company.
Wait...It gained strength from weapons.Could a weapondrainit too?
“Hawkyn!”she yelled.“Over here!”She dove under herkitchen table, an ancient aluminum-legged thing that wouldn’t protect her fromjackshit, butwould provide a little cover.Hopefullyjust enough.
Spinning, Hawkyn moved toward her, bringing the creaturecloser.When Maddox finally gave up trying to use his powers on the thing, hejumped back into the fray with his scythe and together, he and Hawkyn forcedthe demon to her.
Prayingthisworked,she grabbed the thing’s foot and drew on his negative energy.Never beforehad she taken power from a demon, and the oily,ugly thread of current running through her made her want to puke.
It screeched in anger and tried to jerk away from her, butshe held on with both hands, riding the thing like a rodeo bull as it kickedher around the room while trying to fend off Hawkyn and Maddox.
She hit the wall, furniture, and even Hawkyn once, but sherefused to let go.The thing was slowing down now, growing sluggish, and theangels were doing more damage with each blow.
“We got it,” Hawkyn yelled.“It’s going down!Aurora, letgo!”
Gladly.She released the thing and rolled against the wall,barely avoiding a vicious kick as the demon tried to get one more blow inbefore it collapsed, teeth gnashing.
Hawkyn lunged, bringing his sword down in a powerful arcthat sliced the thing’s head from its body in a single, powerful blow.
Then he was there, cradling her in his arms.“Aurora, honey?Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she assured him.“I’m just going to be sore fora little while.”She glanced over at the body Maddox was poking with his boot,presumably to make sure it was dead.“What is that thing?And why did it attackme?”
“It’s Drayger.”
Her gut clenched and she couldn’t stop the shudder thatwracked her body.And just kept wracking it.“W-what?”
“I’ve got you,” he murmured, holding her tighter.“He can’thurt you now.”
She knew that.If nothing else, she knew Hawkyn had herback, and gradually, surrounded by safety, she stopped shaking.“How…how isthat Drayger?”
Hawkyn stroked her hair as he held her, his touch soothingand so gentle she wanted to cry.This big warrior was going to be so beautifulwith an infant in those strong hands.
“When I got to his house,” he said softly, “Drayger wasdead.Someone killed him just before I got there.But that’s when I figured outthat he’s a bludgolem.He was able to possess that human and use him as avehicle to take revenge on you.”He shook his head.“It was a suicide mission.When bludgolems infect someone that quickly, it burns them out.He was justhoping he could take you out with him.”
She blew out a long, relieved breath, thankful that he andMaddox had shown up when they had.“Who killed him?The original Drayger, Imean.”
“One of his victims.She wanted revenge.”
“Someone else got away from him?”
“Long story,” he said with a teasing smile.“I’ll tell youafter.”
“After what?”
“After we get you a thorough exam at Underworld General.”
Tilting her head up, she kissed him.“And after that?”
“After that, I give you my own thorough exam.”
“Gag.”Maddox shook his head.“I don’t know what’s going onhere, but Hawk, you know the rules about Primori and Memitim, right?”Hecursed.“Whatever.”Turning to her, he waved.“Hey, I’m Maddox, by the way.You’re not supposed to know about me, but apparently, according to Hawkyn, therules are just rough guidelines.”He shot Hawkyn a look that said they’d talklater.“I’m out of here.”
