Page 18 of Warrior Unraveled

“Ugh!”

He doubled over. Clearly, even in her weakened state, she was still a respectable warrior.

He’d lost. Shit!

Maybe he should have heeded his boss’s warning. But he’d been cocky, thinking his charm could get him out of any jam. Apparently not. He was about to die at the hands of a woman he lusted after. What irony!

When he heard a sound, he lifted his head to look his killer in the eye. But Virginia was spinning around, looking toward the cell door. A figure darkened it.

“Fuck!” Virginia cursed.

Though Wes couldn’t see the guy’s face, he saw two green lights flickering where his eyes had to be. An altogether different kind of green than the flecks of emerald in Virginia’s eyes. An unnatural green. He’d spent sufficient time with the guardians at the Baltimore compound to know that those were green demon eyes—the only outward sign of a demon.

Virginia was already charging toward the attacker, dagger in hand. The guy was massive. And while Virginia wasn’t exactly petite, but tall and clearly a well-trained warrior, she was weaker inside the cell. It was evident. Which meant he had no choice but to help her defeat the demon—or they would both die.

“Crap!” Wes grunted and barreled after her.

In the dim light of the cell, Virginia was exchanging blows with the demon. It was immediately clear that her enemy was stronger. Somehow Wes had to try to divert the demon’s attention from her so she could slip past him and draw him outside, where she’d be stronger. He could only hope that once outside the cell, her strength would immediately return, or they’d still be fucked.

“Hey coward, fight somebody your own size,” Wes yelled.

The taunt made the demon whirl his head to glare at Wes. With a dismissive huff, he turned his attention back to Virginia. The second’s distraction hadn’t done anything to improve her situation. She could barely keep her attacker at bay, kicking him, trying to land blows and thrusting with her dagger hand. To no avail. The demon landed punch after punch.

“Shit!”

With a yell akin to an Indian war cry, Wesley jumped and kicked his leg high up where it connected with the demon’s forearm, preventing him from thrusting his dagger into Virginia’s chest. But instead of losing his grip on the weapon, the animal pivoted and lunged at Wes.

“Ah fuck!” Wes dove to the left, out of the demon’s path not a second too soon, tumbling and rolling. He found his footing again a moment later and spun around, arms wide, legs in a fighting stance, but the demon had already lost interest and charged toward Virginia again.

Wes watched the demon fling her against the wall and go after her.

Somewhat dazed, Virginia tried to land on her feet but failed. Her dagger clattered to the stone floor and she lunged for it. The demon got there first, his foot landing on the dagger’s hilt.

Virginia lifted her head, staring up at the demon. “Shit.”

“Ah fuck it!” Wes grunted and jumped the demon from behind, wrapping his arms around the guy’s neck in an attempt to choke him. But the asshole was too strong. Wes could only hold on for dear life while the demon tried to shake him off.

“Get out of the cell, Virginia! Run!” he yelled, just as the demon managed to pry Wesley’s arms off him and fling him into a corner.

Immediately, the demon ran straight after Virginia, who was racing into the corridor.

With the door clear of any obstruction now, light from the corridor briefly reflected on something on the floor. Wes snapped his head toward it. The dagger. Virginia hadn’t managed to take it. And without a weapon, she wouldn’t have a chance against the demon.

Wes staggered to his feet and snatched the dagger, then charged out of the cell.

What he saw nearly stopped his heart. The demon had Virginia pinned to the floor. She was struggling, kicking and punching to save her life, but her attacker’s dagger was getting closer and closer to her neck. How much longer could she hold him off?

Wes lunged at the demon, aiming his foot at the demon’s head, kicking it like David Beckham. The demon’s head snapped to the side, and the momentum flung him sideways, lifting him off Virginia. But Wes knew the guy wasn’t defeated yet. He jumped onto him and plunged Virginia’s dagger into the demon’s heart. Twisted it. Drove it deeper.

“Go to hell!”

Breathing hard, still on top of the demon, who was gurgling helplessly now, Wes saw green blood spill from the wound. Disgusted, he jumped up before the vile liquid could stain him.

Without taking his eyes off the dying demon, Wes asked, “Are you okay, Virginia?”

He heard her getting to her feet and chanced a look at her. She seemed unhurt.

“Talk to me, Virginia.”