Demon: Book 1

Chapter 57: Shots Fired

I felt sick. Taking in slow breaths, I laid my head against the pole and tried not to throw up. My skull was pounding, and I was starting to sweat.

"You're not looking too good, kid."

I glared at him.

He laughed. "The sun will be setting soon." Smiling, he picked at the grass with a rifle laid across his lap. "It'll be interesting to see if they wait until nightfall. Probably not, though. They try to mimic us, but they'll never be as smart."

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Looks like you have something to say." He removed the gag.

I licked my lips. "When Titus crushes your throat, I'll remind you of that."

"And I'll restate it when I'm standing over his corpse." He shoved the gag back into place. "I think you've said enough." Standing, the man took an electronic device out of his pocket. A light was flashing on it. "They're coming."

The device started to beep louder. "The motion sensors are going off." It beeped again. "Goddamn, they're coming in fast," he said with amusement. "Full speed ahead." He pocketed the transmitter. "Hold on a bit longer, kid, and then, I'll take you home." He winked at me and walked off into the trees.

The man disappeared, and I struggled to get free. I managed to dislodge the gag and started working on the rope tied around my wrists. Gritting my teeth, I squeezed one hand out. The rope was biting into my skin, but I was getting some movement. An eerie stillness fell over the forest. The subtle chirping of birds was gone. My heart banged against my ribs as I scanned the area.

"Shit," I breathed.

I pried a hand nearly free when I heard the leaves rustling. Something was coming, and it was coming quickly. A howl echoed through the mountain.

"No." I yanked my hand out. "No, Titus!" I couldn't reach the knot holding me to the post. "Damn it." I twisted and turned, trying to gain some slack.

The noise was building from the trees right in front of me.

"Titus!" I yelled. "No, Titus. Stay back!"

A black wolf raced across the clearing. In mid-stride, he changed into a werewolf with his claws and teeth bared.

"No! Go back, go back!" I yelled

Titus reached the post, raking his claws along the wood, and sliced through the ropes.

"Titus, no!"

He grabbed my arm as a shot sounded. His body arched forward, and he dropped to his knees. Another bullet ripped through his chest.

"No!" I threw myself on top of him.

The werewolf fell onto his back. I lay over his body and heard another gunshot. The bullet hit the ground just beside us. A cloud of dust rose from the spot. I was shaking, staring down at Titus's hooded eyes. He was still breathing, but it was forced.

"Titus," I whispered.

He reached up and brushed the back of his hand against my cheek. He was struck again and howled in pain. I gasped, looking back to see his leg bleeding. Warm blood pooled between us. I started to lift up.

"Aden." A deep voice cut through the chaos, and I froze.

"Aden," said Darius. "Don't move. Stay exactly how you are. They're trying to get a clear shot."

Nodding, I placed an arm on either side of Titus's head.

"They're not going to hurt you," Darius paced through the trees.