Good Intentions (Book 3 in the Road to Salvation Series)

CHAPTER 22

The Hounds moved first. In a couple of leaps, they cleared the space between them and slammed into her with force. She went down. Hard. The air was knocked from her lungs. But they didn't stay empty for long. One Hound sunk its teeth into her left arm, the other into her right shoulder. Pain burned through her limbs. She screamed. She attempted to wiggle out of their grasp, but only succeeded in having teeth cut deeper into her flesh. Her skin felt like it was on fire. These Hounds attacked much stronger than the first one, and it felt like chunks of her skin down to the bone were being torn off. She willed Light out of her arm into the Hound's mouth. The head exploded with a popping sound, coating her in black ooze and bits of flesh and bone. She focused on the other one, but it released its grip and backed away, showing its sharp teeth that were speckled in her blood.

Smart dog, she thought as she struggled to her feet. She kept the Hound in her peripheral and faced the other demons. Lucifer hadn't moved. Although, his lips were pressed together and his brow was knitted in anger. No doubt he wasn't happy about the death of his Hell Hound. Braden was another matter. He had stepped off the dais and shifted into his demon form. His teeth were exposed in what Katie assumed was a smile, but it could have been a sneer. Either way, Katie's heart skipped a beat as he drew nearer. She'd seen Braden throw one of the large black demons. He was going to have no trouble with her.

The pain drained out of her body. She wasn't sure if it was because of determination or adrenaline, but she'd take it. She had to put up a good fight. She still had some light left, but the supply was dwindling. She felt the edges of warmth stop at her elbows and knees. The coldness was ready to creep back in. Wet drops dripped down her arms, originating from the multiple punctures in her body. The thought crossed her mind to use what was left of the Divine Light and blow Braden out of the universe. He totally deserved it, but she figured she might need some later, especially if more demons entered the chambers. Or Josh became a threat again.

She risked a glance in his direction. He was still on the ground, and he hadn't moved. Maybe she killed him. She didn't think she had, but she didn't know. She had no idea how powerful the Light was. And it didn't matter. He deserved it. But she had other matters to worry about.

Braden used her distraction to his advantage. She turned in time to see his hand coming down on her. She ducked to the side, but his hand caught her on the side of the head and her shoulder. The blow felt like a concrete block hit her. She went down to her knees. Her ear rang. It felt like nails had been smashed into her shoulder, and her vision became fuzzy. His leg caught her in the stomach. The force of the kick caused her to roll several times across the floor. She gasped for air and fought back the urge to vomit at the same time. Unconsciousness threatened to take over, and she wanted it to. The pain was unbearable. When she finally stopped rolling, she grabbed her stomach and curled into a fetal position. She sucked in shallow, gulping breaths, the air finally making it into her lungs. Her muscles cramped. She winced. She had to get back up. She had to get to her mom. She attempted to straighten out her legs and gagged. She still needed a minute.

A crackling sound caused her to raise her head. It took her eyes a moment to focus, but when they did, she saw Braden looming over her with the Fire Whip. Her eyes grew wide.

"I've been waiting for this chance to teach you some manners." He raised his arm and the whip.

Katie never had a chance to move out of the way. The whip caught her on the back and the side. She screamed. The pain was intense—a cut and burn all at the same time. But it was the shock she needed to get her fight back. Anger and hatred flashed through her. She clenched her jaw and narrowed her gaze. When Braden raised his arm again, Katie raised her hand and directed a stream of Light at him. It sliced through his thin flesh, right below the shoulder. The whip and his appendage fell to the floor. Braden grabbed his stump. A screech echoed through the room, threatening to explode Katie's eardrums and split her skull. Flames danced in Braden's eyes, and she scrambled to get to her feet. He grabbed her neck and lifted her from the ground.