Protector

Chapter XXXII

It was a two-hour drive from the bunker to North Prairie. I slept most of the trip, riding in the back of Andrew's pickup truck while Jayson and Owen followed behind us. The lingering iron-tangy scent made me wonder how many bodies the Hunter had to drive off with. I tried not to think about it too much.

Reconnaissance pinpointed our target to an abandoned house in the outskirts of town. Having established the demons' location, the Hunters and I got ready to head in.

"Hey, I brought this just for you," Andrew said, setting down a sealed jar on the coffee table of the motel we booked.

My fingers traced the jar, my curiosity palpable in my head tilt. "What is it?"

"You brought this with you? For what?" Jayson asked as he eyed the jar.

"You're not even part of this conversation, Jay!" Andrew barked.

The Hunter recoiled under the twin's gaze. "Alright, alright!" He rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, "Someone woke on the wrong side of the bed this morning."

"That'd be me, idiot!" I retorted, turning back to the twin with attentive and innocent eyes. "I'm listening."

"I can see why John likes your company," Andrew grinned as he twisted the jar open. "This is Holy Oil. We haven't used it much since we avoid dealing with demons in close-combat, but since you're using blades, I thought having this could be useful."

"Does this kill the vessel?"

"As long as you don't aim for fatal areas, the vessel should survive."

"Unless the demon decides to kill the vessel, though." Jayson cut in with a sarcastic smile. "Then we could go all-out and exorcise or kill the bastard."

We rolled our eyes, ushering him away.

Coating Leucin and Baki in a layer of fire, I dipped them into the jar.

"That's a nice sword you got there," Owen commented as I removed the excess oil. "Good craftsmanship."

"Thanks," I replied, sheathing my sword. "Hopefully you'll never have to get one yourself."

***

"Smells like death and fire." I groaned and covered my nose.

"Is that a good thing?" Jayson muttered beside me. Owen and Andrew were stationed on the back door while we took the front.

"It probably means some of the vessels have already died."

"Fewer survivors, damn it," The Hunter cursed. "Tell the others to be mindful."

There's a chance that I might be able to pinpoint dead vessels by scent. Keep them alive unless you know for sure. I told the other Hunters.

A strangled howl echoed from the house. My eyes bled red and a growl erupted from my lungs.

"What's wrong?" Jayson asked, coming into view before glancing back at the house we were staking out.

"It's not just demons in there. I smell blood. A lot of it." I shuddered, my grip on Leucin tightening. Hearing the door open, I snatched the Hunter's arm and pulled him further into the underbrush. I hushed him when he protested, my anxiety spiking when I saw a figure exit the house.

"Come out come out wherever you are." The figure sang, eyeing the trees we were hiding in. "I can smell you, Beast."

Damn it, we've lost the element of surprise! I cursed, noticing Jayson's rigid stance.

The Hunter gestured to his nose, raising his eyebrows as he clicked the safety off his pistol.

Inhaling, my breath hitched at the putrid odor surrounding the figure. I grimaced, covering my nose as I nodded.