Page 43 of Witch's Betrayal
"I would advise against that," Seth protested, his eyes never leaving Sal's long teeth.
"Give me one good reason why," I challenged. "You're the one bringing the hunters down on us in the first place! Why shouldn't we leave your half-eaten carcass for your people to find?"
Sal punctuated my point by swiping a large paw across Seth's chest. No sooner did the thin ribbons of blood begin to darken his shirt, Seth responded. He raised his palms and the strongest pulse of energy I ever felt knocked me back against Ash, sending us both crashing into the wall. I got the wind knocked out of me and Ash groaned in pain.
It happened so fast, none of us saw it coming. Raum got knocked on his ass and Sal was flung across the room like he was a kitten. He sprang back just as fast, screaming his head off and the bloodthirsty intent to kill blazing in his eyes.
"I don't want to hurt any of you," Seth yelled as he pushed Sal back with another pulse of energy. "I came to warn you." His metallic grey eyes focused on me as he held a savage, bloodthirsty Sal at bay. "Deja, I never told the coven about your demons. That was your grandmother. She saw how strong you were getting and wanted to stop you before you became too powerful."
He winced as Sal continued to tear and bite at the invisible force field blocking him from ripping his throat out. Seth was losing strength and Sal's claws were getting closer with each passing second.
"Can you make him stop?" Seth pleaded. "I swear to Odin I'm trying to help, not hunt you."
"Your swearing means fuck-all to me," Raum muttered from the doorway as he returned to his feet.
Seth whipped his head around to register Raum's words and Sal's feline eyes glanced expectantly at me, followed by a protective snarl.
"Let him go for now, lion," I said with a nod. "Let's hear what he has to say."
Sal backed off, sheathing his claws but still kept his ears pricked forward as he stood protectively in front of me.
"Start talking. And make it quick." I reached down to scratch Sal between the ears.
"I had to call them in but I'm not actually a demon hunter," he began. "I'm posing undercover as one."
"You're so full of shit." It was Raum's turn to snarl. "I've heard of you. I've seen you and the carnage you've caused. Hundreds of incubi and humans laid to waste for no reason besides enjoying each other's pleasure. The incubi will come back but the humans won't. Not even he murders innocents like that," he spat with a jerk of his head to Sal.
"I have to carry out orders to ensure my cover isn't blown," Seth said carefully. "But Deja, I'm telling you honestly that I don't want to eliminate demons. I'm trying to stop the witches that are hunting them."
"Why should I believe you?" I demanded. Sal let out a warning growl that echoed my question.
"I understand if you don't trust me," Seth answered. "But you're using an anchor to travel instantly somewhere, which will leave a faint trail of magic. The hunters will follow you and be able to find you within days. I can throw them off the trail and buy you more time."
His statement was met with silence as the demons and I exchanged glances and talked silently through our auras.
Or he could lead them straight to us,came Sal's growl through my mind.I trust your decision, beautiful. But I don't trust this male witch one bit.
Either way, the safe house near the border is our only anchor currently,Ash chimed in.I can set up another once we're there so we can have a quick escape. But in the meantime, there's nowhere else we can go to outrun them.
Raum?I asked.Any insight?
For once, he didn't have anything clever or snide to say. He stood stoically, almost brooding.
We have to go to the house regardless if we trust this man or not. So let's just do that and figure out our next move when we get there.
But if we let him live, we could be totally fucked, Sal said.
And if we kill an innocent man who could be an ally, we're extra fucked.I ran my hand down Sal's furry back.Sorry, lion. We're not killing anyone today.
He growled but didn't argue further.
With a nod, I returned Seth's gaze. His aura, so dark and demonlike in itself, pulsed with a reverberating power that resembled a heartbeat. I only realized then how much he hid his powers before. He made my demons on edge, tense, and defensive, and that said something. If he couldn't be trusted, he was a dangerous enemy to have. He might even have the power to destroy my soul, finishing the job that the angel couldn't.
But if he was telling the truth, he would be an extremely powerful ally.
"It doesn't matter at this moment if you help us or not," I said, throwing my voice with a bravado I hoped he didn't see through. "But if you bring hunters to our doorstep, I promise I won't let you live next time."
Seth’s jaw ticked as his steely eyes narrowed at me. "And when you learn that I really am on your side?"
