Page 105 of House of Pain
It was the blood. The violence that drew her. Or maybe she could taste Blaze’s rotten soul, and she wanted it.
At least someone did. Blaze snorted and took a step forwards.
“Blaze,” Andro warned. “Don’t make sudden movements. Rogue needs to be able to get a hold of her before she devours you.”
Blaze gave a curt nod, eyeing Rogue. He was supposed to trust their demon to stop the Banshee before she killed Blaze.
That was a lot of faith to put in someone.
Rogue seemed to read Blaze’s hesitation. “Don’t worry about it, Leveau. I’ve got you.”
“You better.”
Blaze took a few steps away from Andro, closer to the creature.
“Want a piece of that, honey?” Blaze asked, wiping the blood from his lip and extending his hand towards her. The Banshee shot forwards, hissing. “Then come and get some.”
The creature jumped, and Blaze’s heart skipped a beat as her long fingers turned into sharp claws, reaching for his throat.
But before the Banshee could reach Blaze, something flashed in the air, getting hold of her lean body and slamming her down to the damp forest moss. Rogue straddled the creature, caging her in with his body while she thrashed and hissed.
Blaze pressed a finger to his ear, massaging it. Even with a fraction of its scream, the ringing was still present.
“Great,” Andro chirped, all cheery. He went over to them, falling on his knees next to the Banshee.
He fished out his athame, a golden blade with a handle made of solid onyx, identical to Blaze’s. Banshee snapped her teeth at Andro when he brought the dagger closer and his best friend jerked backwards.
“Pussy,” Blaze said.
Andro turned back. “Why don’t you do it then, huh? Let’s see how you feel about the prospect of losing a hand.”
Blaze only chuckled.
Blaze’s eyes widened when Rogue’s fingers turned into blackened claws right in front of their eyes.
The demon brushed a claw through Banshee’s hand. The creature wailed, thrashed again, and its clear blood poured out of the open wound.
It smelled like death and Blaze gagged once the scent hit his nose.
Andro murmured something under his breath, a chant, surely. The moss underneath the Banshee’s hand turned from dark green to deep crimson.
“Excellent,” Andro murmured, picking up the moss and stuffing it into the cloth bag.
With a happy grin, Andro got on his feet and turned to Blaze.
Blaze arched a brow. “And how do you suggest we escape the Banshee now?”
Andro’s face lost all its amusement.
“Oh.”
Both glanced at Rogue still pinning the creature on the ground. The demon took in their expectant looks and rolled his eyes.
“Go. I’ll take care of it.”
Having a demon on their side should really be a permanent thing.
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