“AndI’mtrying to make sure it doesn’t kill you,” I countered, glaring at him. “I know what I’m doing, so do me a favour and get back to the—”
Talking instead of fighting was a mistake.
The imp suddenly flattened to the ground, racing across the carpet towards me like a snake. The jarring shift took me off guard. In the time it took me to lower my aim, the imp lunged at my leg. Its serrated fangs shredded my pants and sank into my calf.
I weathered the storm of searing pain by gritting my teeth, but it barely helped. It was a vile, indescribable type of agony. Worse than being bit by an animal, or stabbed by any sharp object. It was sickening. The wound felt tainted and ugly.
But I seized my chance. While the imp latched onto my leg, I aimed with shaky hands and fired a third arrow directly into its eye.
It squealed as the holy energy sizzled, destroying it from the inside out. The demon was consumed by dark smoke. It shrieked one last time before it vanished.
My knees gave out. I gasped and slid to the ground.
Chase ran over to me, eyes wide in terror. “Fuck, are you okay?”
I nodded without meaning it. I hadn’t even looked at the wound yet. It felt bad enough.
“I’m taking you to the hospital,” Chase declared.
I laughed weakly. “No, you’re not.”
Chase’s voice hardened. “Sagitta—”
“I know you’re trying to help. But I want you to actually listen to me instead of deciding things on your own. The hospital can’t treat this.”
“But—”
“It’s not a dog bite, Chase, it’s ademonbite.”
Chase blanched as the words sank in. He was so deeply worried that I didn’t have it in me to scold him for getting involved.
“Oh god. You’re not going to die, are you?” he asked, his eyes growing wet with tears.
“No. Please, calm down.”
“Then how do we treat it?”
I sighed. I wasn’t looking forward to what would happen next. “We have to go back to the temple. There’s a specialty healer on call.”
“Like a doctor?”
I decided not to mention his lack of credentials. Chase was already worried enough.
“Essentially,” I said.
“Okay. Okay.” He blew out a long breath. “Let’s go right away. I’ll get dressed and bring you some new pants.”
“Don’t bother. The demon residue will ruin them.”
Chase made a face at the phrase ‘demon residue’.
“I guess it’s early enough that people won’t be walking around outside,” he said, glancing out the window. “Should I call a ride?”
“No. I want this incident contained. I’ll walk.”
Chase let out a one-note laugh. “Uh, yeah, no. I’m carrying you.”
“You’re not serious.”
