Page 117 of I Accidentally Summoned A Demon
Soft footsteps crept across the floor, and a figure carrying a bag and an automatic rifle entered the gymnasium.
Nex pulled Kat behind the bleachers. He switched the lights off and crushed her against him. “Don’t make a sound.” Crouching, he pulled her down with him.
Volunteers and teachers darted behind bleachers on the opposite side of the gym. The shooter’s footsteps echoed in the silent space. Only a hooded silhouette could be made out in the dark room. He glanced around, then fired blindly. Kat jumped, and Nex wrapped himself around her. If any bullets made it their way, they’d hit him, not her.
Quiet descended after the shots, making Kat hopeful no one was hit. The lack of screams and cries had to be a good sign. Kat peered through the bleachers and muffled a gasp as the shooter turned his attention to the cafeteria.
In the darkness, another figure emerged from behind the opposite bleachers and crept up behind the gunman. A squeak of shoes alerted the gunman, and he spun, firing another round of bullets. The person scurried back to the bleachers, thankfully unscathed.
Kat wasn’t sure if anyone had called the police or if help was on the way. Someone had to do something. The doors would only hold for so long, and the kids inside were easy targets. Someone had to . . .
Dread, cold like Kat hadn’t experienced since she lost her parents, filled her until she couldn’t move. Her stomach twisted. Paralysis took over, a nausea building inside her as the shooter lifted the gun and fired at the door, earning screams from the people on the other side.
Kat closed her eyes, releasing tears.You know what you need to do.There was no other choice.
When she opened her eyes, she found Nex staring at her and knew he had the same thought.
He stared at her for a long time, his face crumpling as he cupped her jaw and kissed her. “I will find a way back to you.”
“You won’t.” Kat choked, clinging to him, knotting her fingers in his shirt. “She won’t let you.”
“I will find a way back to you no matter what, Katherine.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “I know you, my angel. You could never live with yourself if we did nothing, could you?”
More tears spilled. “I’m sorry.” She hugged him and breathed him in, holding onto as much of him as she could. “I’m so sorry. I love you so much.”
“I love you.” Nex cradled her head in his chest, and his own eyes stung. “I’ll find a way back to you. I will.”
Kat sniffled, then tensed when another shot fired at the door. She couldn’t put it off any longer, or someone would get hurt. She looked into Nex’s eyes and memorized his features as she ran her fingertips over his face.
Another round of shots. Tears stained her face and dripped down her neck. She took in a shaky breath before whispering, “Kill the shooter.”
Nex’s heart split open, bare to Kat and raw to every part of his life that wouldn’t have her. He kissed her temple, one hand in her hair, the other on her cheek. He wiped her tears and held back his own. His ability to walk through objects returned, and he passed through the bleachers, stalking toward the shooter, who was oblivious to Nex’s invisible approach.
Kat tucked her knees to her chest, unable to watch. Another round of shots started, but it was shorter. Then, silence. Something thumped to the ground followed by the clatter of metal. Kat held her breath, hoping maybe she’d see Nex one last time. Maybe . . .
“What happened?” someone whispered.
“I don’t know. The shooter collapsed. I think he’s . . . I think he’s dead,” someone else said.
Another few moments of silence passed, and a light flickered on.
Allen stood in front of Kat, staring past her. He gazed down at her, shoulders slumping. “It’s okay. It’s over,” he said. “Are you okay? Where’s Nex? Did you get separated?”
Kat released a shaky breath and turned toward where the shooter lay sprawled across the floor. Alone. No evidence Nex had been there.
Except her red scarf lying beside the body.
Chapter 42
The Praeteritus
Travelingbetweenrealmswasnever pleasant, but unpleasant was an understatement on this occasion. Nex kept his eyes shut as he was dragged into the familiar, unbearable speed he had no control over. The movement would nauseate him if he looked before his feet hit solid ground.
He landed and opened his eyes exactly where he’d been when he was summoned, in the empty wilderness where his hounds could hunt for food. Sulfur invaded his nostrils, and an endless desert of dark sand and rocks stretched in front of him. Part of him had missed the underworld, but now it was the last place he wanted to be.
There was no way around Lilith sensing his return, but Marcus’s lair was on the way out of hell. Nex sprinted in that direction, racing past pinnacled rock formations and red-eyed beasts that darted into holes in the ground as he passed. As long as he was breaking rules, he was bringing his hounds with him back to Katherine.
Marcus wasn’t in his cave, but Venandi and Sicarius were. They rushed to Nex, their coats a smooth coal black. The only difference in them was they didn’t seem to be getting as much exercise as they had with Nex. Relieved, he sighed that they were healthy. Venandi was larger, but both were so big that their eyes were nearly level with Nex’s.
