Page 108 of Huntress

Elsie’s blood ran cold. That voice sounded so fragile, so young. Her daggers clattered to the ground.

“The humans say they didn’t do it,” Saint told him.

“They’re liars! I can smell him, he was here!”

“Maybe, but there’s probably another explanation you haven’t thought of. People can’t lie to me, so I know they never harmed your father.”

“But he hasn’t come home, and his scent never left this village,” the little voice quivered. His eyes widened, and he gasped. The head of Morgan’s arrow burrowed through his chest.

“Morgan, no! Cease fire, damn it!” Elsie screamed, catching the kid as he fell to his knees. His demon form fell away, revealing his human face. He looked like an eight-year-old boy, with freckles dotted across his nose.

“I want my daddy,” he whispered.

“I’m so sorry.” Elsie looked into his eyes, tears on both their faces. She cradled him in her lap, knowing he was fading too fast for any healer to save. Saint crouched in front of them, holding the boy’s hand.

A gurgling sound came from his lips as blood bubbled out, and his eyes locked on hers. Her stomach sank as his accusation changed to fear. His hard expression fell away, leaving only the vulnerability of pain. A final tear shimmered at the edge of his lashes, falling as he took his last breath.

They’d killed him. A few months ago he’d have been nothing more than another body to add to the ever-growing count of nuisance demons Elsie had already taken down. Now she had to fight to regain her composure before her squad arrived. She couldn’t let how badly this had affected her show.

But she’d remember this child.

The barrier dropped, and both Morgan and Perrie rushed over while Riven busied herself putting out the fires. Saint stood, positioning himself between Elsie and her people, a cold fury emanating from him. His self-control as he chose not to attack Morgan was impressive.

Elsie cleared her throat, laid the boy on the ground, and stood, forcing herself to relax her stance and look away. There was no savoring this victory. Brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face, she took a step back, distancing herself from the salamander’s body.

She gently touched Saint’s back, feeling him stiffen before she stepped around him.

“It’s dead?” Morgan asked.

“Yeah. You killed him.”

“Thank the gods. I thought it was going to kill you.” The sniper breathed a sigh of relief.

“He was a child looking for his father.” Elsie’s voice came out hoarse. “We should, uh, we should let them know it’s over.”

“Are you okay?” Perrie asked, watching Elsie carefully.

“Yeah. I think I breathed in too much smoke.” She used a truth to cover the lie.

Houses around them lit up as the humans came out to see the results of the demon hunter’s fight with the salamander who’d been troubling them. Elsie stood over his body, ready to protect him, but she’d been overcautious.

The first curious onlooker approached, her face falling when she saw the demon.

“Oh no,” the woman breathed, pressing a hand to her mouth. She turned and buried her face in her husband’s shoulder. “He’s so young.”

Morgan stood there, confused. It was the first time in his life he’d successfully killed a demon without being praised for it. Elsie couldn’t blame him, though she wanted to. The blame lay in the system they’d been raised in.

Anne approached, the heaviness of guilt making her steps slow and leaden.

“This is our fault.” She studied the salamander demon’s face for a long while. “We did not do enough. Had we known he was a child...”

“He was convinced someone in this town killed his father, and that his body is hidden here somewhere, because his scent came and never left,” Elsie said thickly. “That’s why he kept returning, and it’s why he was cautious. He didn’t want to lose his father’s scent.”

“His scent was here?” Anne questioned, straightening her back. Her eyes were reflective, and she pulled a man aside. “A new trader blew through here about a week before his attacks started. I need his name and what sort of wares he attempted to sell.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” The man scurried off to comply with her request.

“I guess you’re important around here.”