Hunter's Blood by Erica Hayes Page B

shallow, sweat already pouring from his skin. He fired her a hot green glance, loaded with unspoken emotion, and despite his pain, a smile curled his lips. Don't argue, Santangelo. For once in your life. I'm not leaving without the woman I love. Live with it.
    Delight bubbled in her heart like sunshine. She felt like laughing, or sobbing. Luka, I'm so sorry. The demon, it…
    I know, angel. It's my fault. I should never have let you doubt me. Alaliel struck again, and more blood dripped from six-inch talons. Luka leapt backwards, slashing and missing, his bare feet bleeding on the rusted floor. He coughed, spitting blood. Damnation. He's too powerful here. I can't beat him without you. You have to believe, Gina.
    His words pierced her heart, overflowing it. His bloodstone flashed, dazzling her, and its warmth shone on her face, wonderful like his caress. He loved her. He'd never steal from her. She knew that now.
    Believe.
    She stretched, feeling for her power, and her darkened bloodstone erupted into light.
    Magic sizzled through her body, hotter and fresher than it had ever been. She'd never lost the power. That was just Alaliel's lie. It'd been there all along, waiting for her. Delight coursed through her veins, and deftly she rolled a bundle of burning energy tight like a whip and let it explode.
    Iron shattered, and her shackles fell away. She rolled to her feet, muscles aching, and let her magic spread.
    Luka responded, spidering the air with neon green webs. Sparks crackled, scarlet and green. Her aura touched Luka's, and the two melded in a burst of blinding light.
    The hellflux ripped open, and sunlight poured through.
    Alaliel screeched, his skin bubbling, and the cursed air rained ichor with his fury. But the drops fell on their magical shield, sizzling harmlessly away. And Luka dived under Alaliel's flailing claws, spun in midair and slashed twin swords through the demon's flabby throat.
    Alaliel's head fell, and splattered on the stone like a ripe pumpkin. His body jerked, melting to smoking black goo.
    The air screamed its wrath. The flames in the pit roared higher, threatening. Heat seared Gina's face. She sprinted, and grabbed Luka's arm, and together they dived amid leaping flames for the sunlight.

 
     
    Chapter Ten
     
    Orange dawn dazzled her, the city street rough and gritty beneath her knees. She stumbled up, Luka beside her. Magic tingled, fading, settling in her bloodstone and his.
    Luka steadied her. "You okay?"
    She wiped hair from her face, awkward. She'd never wanted to keep a man before. Her expertise was in chasing them away. What should she say? "Sure. You?"
    "Never felt better." His eyes shone. Because of you, Gina.
    Oh, stop it, she grumbled, you're embarrassing me, but her heart warmed. Keeping this one wouldn't be a problem. "So that was the thing that trapped you?"
    "Yes." Luka's fingers tightened around his sword grips. On his chest, the demon's claw marks sizzled in the sunlight, and healed. "Alaliel. Hellcrusher prince of gluttony."
    She wiped her nose, blood smearing. "Mouthy little snot, wasn't it?"
    "You have no idea." His feral hunter's smile tingled her skin.
    She fidgeted. "So. Umm… what now?"
    "Well…" He spun his swords, one by one, and stepped closer, the dark gleam in his eyes making her shiver. "It has allies."
    She slid her arms around his neck. Her breasts touched his bare chest, electric. She licked her lips. "Yeah? How many?"
    "Oh, dozens, at least." He bent to brush his lips across hers, and his fangs clicked out, inviting. "Hundreds, I should think. Very dangerous."
    She flicked her tongue across one sharp point, filtering her blood into his mouth. His tongue stroked hers, caressing, sharing, leading her deftly to arousal. "Mmm. Sounds like fun. Wanna go hunting?"
    Steel clanged on concrete as he dropped his blades and folded her in his massive arms. "Yes," he growled, nipping at her bottom lip. "But I've got a better idea first."
    She lifted her chin so he could