FallOut (BOOK 2)

-11-

-HUNTER-

"Watch out!" someone yelled.

"Shit-"

"We need to move-"

I clenched my shoulder, sweat dripping down my face as we battled against the relentless horde of demons. They've possessed innocent townspeople, making it nearly impossible for us to harm them...even as they began to mutate, which is odd. The stench of sulfur and despair filled the air.

With every move I made, it felt like I was striking against an impenetrable wall of darkness. Mai's magic spells barely made a dent in their defenses. Eric cried out in pain as a demon's claw slashed across his arm. I stayed as close to Joey as possible while Nick covered Mai, Aerin, and Clarice had been a unit with Eric as Alice and Greg flanked us.

"ERIC!"

"Go get him; I'll cover you! Move! NOW!"

Since when did they have claws? What the hell was this? Blood stained Eric's clothes and the grim reality struck us – we couldn't win this fight. Everything we knew about the things we fought has been wrong...they planned for this.

"Fall back!" I yelled, desperation in my voice.

"Your sigils will only hold for so long," one of them taunted us. "We can wait..."

"...Get inside," I murmured without looking back to see if my team obeyed.

Nick and Joey carried Eric inside, followed by Clarice, Mai, and Aerin. I went last with Alice and Greg, drawing a quick sigil in my blood on the door.

"I don't remember demons being this strong," Mai insists as Eric is settled and tended to.

"...Holy water barely worked," Nick laments.

"I don't understand," Joey chimed in. "Everything about this place is fucked up. None of the traditional methods are effective against them."

"We need reinforcements from the Men of Letters," Alice decides. "This is bigger than us."

"...You'll need to call Daniel," Greg agrees. "They're surrounding the cabin..."

Alice grimaced, but she left the room to make the call. I'm unsure what led to their separation, but I know Daniel. He won't let it stop him from doing his job. For the first time tonight, I felt a bit of hope. Daniel's troops cleared the temple with ease. We have a chance.

A wave of nausea hit me as my shoulder gave me a painful spasm. My vision swam, and I all but collapsed into a chair.

"Hunter!" Joey ran to me with a med kit. "Let me help you!"

"You hurt?" I ask him.

"You're seriously asking me right now?!" he exclaimed.

I use my good hand to circle it around his neck and bring his face to mine.

"You will always be a priority," I insist, not breaking eye contact. "Always. You know that."

"I-I know," he stammers after clearing his throat. "But you got hit. I'm fine. I promise."

He nodded and kissed me before he began to patch me up.