Demon Hunters 3: Tainted (Stand Alone Series) (Demon Hunters.) by Avril Sabine Page A

struggled to get away from him, but he gripped her hair too tight. “Let me go,” she said through clenched teeth.
    “I sent you to demon hunters. Didn’t you learn anything from them?”
    “That I’m doomed for a sinner and dead by the first demon I meet.”
    Remedy pulled on her hair so she was forced to face him, his eyes a fiery gleam in the night. “Then use what you do have. What is the use of having my blood if you’re not going to use it?”
    No one told her anything. “How the hell am I meant to do that?”
    He lifted her left arm. “Like you did. Blood. It binds, it empowers, it feeds. Blood is everything with demons.” He brought her arm to his mouth, licking the blood from her torn flesh.
    Pain arrowed through Cassidy and she gritted her teeth, unable to prevent an initial gasp. She pulled her arm away from him. “I’m not on the menu.”
    “It looked that way earlier.” He released her and she staggered. “Go home.”
    She raised her chin. “Don’t order me around.”
    “You’re the one who called me.”
    “Would you rather I didn’t?” Silence hung in the air and she wished she could see him clearly.
    “Go home.”
    She felt him leave and her body began to tremble. She sheathed her dagger before she ended up cutting herself and walked unsteadily to her motorbike. The other dagger she gave up for lost. When she reached her motorbike she sagged against it, trying to steady her breathing. Maybe she should have stuck with a car. She forced herself to straighten. No. This was her choice. She’d had enough decisions taken from her hands. This one was hers.
    Feeling steadier she pulled on her helmet and started the engine. When she reached home, she found her other dagger on the bedside table. A single droplet of blood rested on the blade. She stared at it. What was he trying to tell her? She spun when she felt him arrive.
    “We are even.” Remedy nodded towards the dagger.
    Cassidy continued to stare at him.
    “Have you changed your mind? Are we no longer partners?”
    She felt like swearing and throwing something. Instead she remained still, meeting his gaze. She wished someone had written a manual on being bound to a demon. Information was a desperate need. Still holding his gaze, she reached for the dagger and lifted it. The flames in his eyes danced as she wiped the blood off with her finger and put it in her mouth. She tensed at the sharp pain that hit her, refusing to break eye contact.
    “Use the blood when you’re in a fight. You could have beaten that demon effortlessly. My blood is far more powerful than his.”
    “How?”
    Remedy lifted her left arm and took the dagger from her. He pressed the edge of the blade across the demon mark and slid it towards him. She hissed as a thin line of blood formed on her skin. “Close your eyes.” When she obeyed, he ran his fingers across her skin, smearing the blood over her wrist. The demon mark writhed under her skin. His voice lowered. “Feel it? Feel my blood feeding? Feel it strengthening? This is our link. The demon mark. Use it, feed it. Catch hold of our bond and let its power fill you.”
    Cassidy felt it. Like a sluggish creature trying to slide away. She grabbed hold of it and forced it to obey. Energy flared through her and Remedy chuckled. She opened her eyes to stare at him. The flames in his eyes leapt high.
    “Keep hold of that energy.” He let go of her arm. “And don’t let anyone past your guard.”
    The room seemed brighter than it ever had before. Her muscles bunched and she wanted to do something. Anything. Remedy swung at her and she reacted automatically, blocking and dodging. She grinned when he laughed, the power flowing through her making her feel invincible. Now she felt like a hunter. Demons better watch out.
    “That is what you should have done earlier. Next time fight them with power. You are more than human. Don’t forget it.”
    Cassidy watched as he strode across her bedroom to the window.