Chapter One
I ran faster, trying not to trip over the uneven cobblestones. I couldn't hear nor see the mosnter behind me, but that didn't mean it was gone. Rain fell in a light drizzle, creating puddles that I just HAD to trip in. I skidded forward, scraping my palms and whirling around, half curled up. My breath shot up in front of my face, and I scanned every shadow. Unable to see anything, I slowed and looked again- there was a sudden flash of movement and I was up on my feet, braced to fight.
But it was just a stray cat skittering out of some boxes. I relaxed, just as something hit me in the back, throwing me over. As I whirled and slipped, jumping up again, booming laughter echoed after me.
'Hunter?' I gasped in disbelief.
Hunter doubled over laughing, his dark hair falling into his face as I slowly walked back to him.
'I scared you so good!'
'Yeah.' I said slowly, looking around. 'Did you shove me?'
'What?' He stopped laughing.
'Did you push me over, or just yell?' I asked.
'I yelled. What were you doing out here anyway?' Hunter asked.
'I WAS on a date.'
He didn't answer that, and I knew that REALLY annoyed him.
'But there was a Scythanian Demon...'
'And where exactly IS that demon?' He said soflty.
'That's the question, isn't it?' I looked around carefully again, and saw a flash as a growl echoed around the alley.
'What's that?' Hunter asked quietly, backing away.
'Calm down, it's just Grace.' I said.
I was suddenly thrown forward, dripping fangs snapping at my throat. A fang scraped my cheek and I hissed in annoyance. During that whole thing I skidded through the wet, slicing my arms open.
The demon was long and snake-like, with spikes lining its back and mouth. It only had two, fairly weak arms, both of which were trying to decapitate me with scythe like claws.
I kicked it back and was on my feet in a second, blood pouring from multiple wounds, feeling the tattoo on the back of my right hand sting. A scythe, long and beautiful, flashing into my hand; a tall curving blade that shone silver and black in the moonlight.
The monster regarded me carefully now, and I shot forward, swinging the scythe in front of me. The demon skidded back but I managed to slice through its tail; it flipped and wriggled and turned to slush on the stones.
The demon roared and tackled me again, taking me off-guard. The scythe skidded out of my reach as I called out, the demon's blood burning on my skin.
A flash of red obscurred my vision as the demon was thrown back. A fire exploded out of nowhere and in the silhouette I saw a form of a teenage boy fighting the demon before throwing it into the flames.
He turned, breathing hard and I froze as his crimson eyes shone in the embers.
'Are you OK?' He asked. He spoke with a strong British accent and even though I've fought HEAPS of vampires before, he scared me.
I stood and grabbed my scythe, still dripping with water and demon blood.
'Why did you help me?' I snapped.
'Because you obviously needed it. I guess they don't make you Rouge Demon Hunters like they used to.' He shook his head, sighing.
'Bite me.' I spat.
'Don't tempt me.' He growled back.
There was a sudden rush of heat and Grace appeared by my side, growling.
'Nice puppy. See ya later, love.' He laughed and ran off.
'You had to choose the British vamp. Grace shook her head, human again.
