Page 110 of Hunter

“Not today. She’s under the realm of the Goddess. Release her or no book.” Hunter stood firm, staring down the demon.

It hissed at Ilsbeth, once again spitting at her. “One day witch. One day you’ll be mine. No one will be able to save you.”

“We had a deal, nothing more. I promised the book and here it is. You owe me now, not the other way around.”

Willa exchanged a brief but confused look with Hunter. She made this deal a long time ago. The book is owed.

Dimitri. Hunter’s face tightened in anger.

“It’s mine,” Zaobos repeated.

“Ilsbeth and Willa go free. Release them. Viktor and Julian too. Say it or no book.”

Zaobos roared, clawing at the white light that contained the demonic creature.

“This book contains spells, yeah? I bet ya Ilsbeth here could whip up something to destroy your ass if she tried hard enough,” Hunter baited. “I felt the evil in that skin. I bet we could bring out a higher-level demon to take you out in exchange for this book. What do you think, Priestess?”

“Absolutely.” Ilsbeth wore an icy smile.

“You did torture her. She’s a vindictive witch. I imagine it wouldn’t take too long,” Viktor added.

“Make the trade. Say it now, demon,” Hunter ordered. “Or go back to Hell and we’ll bring back one of your bosses to take care of you.”

“I release the Priestess,” it growled.

“And Willa. Say their names, demon. No tricks.”

“Ilsbeth, High Priestess. Princess Aline Ermenjarta Lobo. Prince Joao Pedro Lobo. Viktor Christianson. Et nunc absolvo vos in commutatione ad librum. Sed Ilsbeth transire mihi in sempiternum: et tu dormies cum in inferno .” Zaobos released a deafening roar.

“I bind you to your word, demon. The trade has been made.” Ilsbeth closed her eyes and held her palms up toward the demon. “His verbis promissum tuum es bound to. Adiuro vos huic. In nomine sancte et arsisse ferunt multorum deam vobis noceat, si quis hic. Sic fiat semper. His verbis promissum tuum es bound to. Adiuro vos huic. In nomine sancte et arsisse ferunt multorum deam vobis noceat, si quis hic. Sic fiat semper. His verbis promissum tuum es bound to. Adiuro vos huic. In nomine sancte et arsisse ferunt multorum deam vobis noceat, si quis hic. Sic fiat semper .”

“It’s time.” Hunter glared at the creature and turned to Willa. “Together.”

Viktor nodded at her, the blade of the knife reflecting the flames.

Her stomach rolled as she put one foot in front of the other, slowly approaching the demon. Zaobos flung its tongue from side to side, blood dripping from its mouth.

Closer. Closer. Willa’s pulse raced as they closed the distance. The putrid stench of the demon filled her nostrils, and she coughed. She willed the nausea churning in her stomach to calm.

“Don’t even think to touch her,” Hunter warned.

The echoes of Ilsbeth’s chanting grew louder in Willa’s mind. With her eyes transfixed on the demon, she extended the book to it. Her hands shook as the creature leaned toward her and stabbed a scaly talon into its cover, sending sparks flying into the air. As she released the book, Hunter yanked her into his arms, protectively shielding her from the fire.

Willa sucked a breath as Viktor appeared, brandishing the knife. Please, Goddess. Smoke billowed out of the crack and the earth quaked beneath their feet. Hunter tugged her outside of the circle and they rolled onto the patio.

Willa screamed in horror as Ilsbeth lunged at the demon. “No!”

The Priestess clutched onto the edges of the book, and as Viktor stabbed the beast in the neck with the knife, Zaobos released a horrific shriek. Instantly, the crevice widened, sucking the demon inside it, but the witch refused to let go.

“No! Stop him!” Willa watched in horror as the earth swallowed both Viktor and Ilsbeth. Her stomach clenched, bile rising into her throat. “Viktor! No! No!”

Although Willa attempted to wrench free of Hunter’s arms, he held tight. The earth crumbled on itself, sealing the portal to Hell. With a single bolt of lightning, the heavens opened from above, releasing a torrential downpour.

The cold rain stung her skin as she yelled for the vampire. “Viktor! Where is he? Hunter…no…please.”

“We’ll find him,” Hunter promised.

Shock seized Willa, tears streaming down her face. As the witches dispersed, Willa wrenched away from Hunter and ran to the center of the pentagram. She fell to her knees and pounded on the earth with her fists. “Viktor! Viktor. No! No!”