Page 12 of Mortal Guardian (Shadow Shifter)

Anaisa nodded. “If Emmanuel is able to manifest here, then the barrier between worlds is failing. The demons are breaking the natural boundaries.”

Dannika frowned. “We knew that.”

“No Dannika. The demons believe they are making a portal between their world and ours. Hakim has ensured the fabric of reality will be broken if the demons are successful in their campaign. Humans and demons; all life will cease to exist in this world and any other.”

Dannika nibbled her lip. “Is Emmanuel dangerous?”

Anaisa smiled. “Not at all. He is my protector. He gave his life for mine and continues to ensure my safety. His appearance was a warning. We must all do what is necessary to ensure our survival.”

Dannika closed her eyes. “That was absolutely the worst meeting, ever.”

Colton took Riley’s hand. “We will check out the mall and the shelter.”

Anaisa opened the marble box and retrieved two triangular necklaces. She handed one to Dannika and one to Riley. “Put these on. They are a symbol of your unity. Trust me, you will need it.”

Riley ran her finger over the strange symbol within the triangle. The weight reminded her of a locket, as did the clip on the side. Her hand jerked when she pressed it and a small blade popped from the bottom. “This is amazing. I love it.”

“That will not kill a demon,” Colton said.

Anaisa smiled. “It’s not meant to, but it is blessed steel, so it will sting.”

Dannika clutched her necklace. “I love it, too. Thank you, Anaisa.”

Riley hugged Dannika before they left the sanctuary of the Haitian village. They passed the fire pit in the middle before she noticed the yellow Kaftan billowing in the distance. Emmanuel smiled at her before he turned and walked behind another building. Her hand reached out as Colton’s shadow enveloped hers, and she was racing towards the mall.

The light and the wrenching pain as their bodies reformed was expected. Her head snapped up at the sound of a low growl echoing around her.

The smell of iron in the air hit her senses before the demon spoke.

“Priestess. I’ve been waiting for you.”

CHAPTER6

Riley placed her hand on the hood of a grey sedan. They had coalesced at the edge of the mall parking lot, beneath a tall metal flood lamp. The sign above them with the letter C, designating their location. “Halak”, she whispered.

Halak stood on his spindly black legs, with blood dripping from his serrated teeth. His claws twitched at his sides before he stepped over the body of a woman lying face down on the pavement.

She wore a fitted navy suit with her blond hair framing her head like a halo, one spotted with black blood. Her pink paper shopping bags lay scattered around her, with pieces of purple lingerie scattered around her.

Halak crooked one of his fingers. “Come with me, priestess.”

Colton’s alpha burst forth with black shadows rippling in the air above him. His frame doubled in size as his claws punctured his fingertips. “She isn’t going anywhere with you, demon.”

Halak appraised the angry shadow warrior. “You think you are strong, but you are nothing more than a puppet for our cause.”

“Well, you’re dead, so there’s that,” he said, advancing on the startled demon.

Halak grabbed the blond hair of the woman at his feet, yanking her head up. She groaned as he put a claw to the woman’s throat. “Not yet shadow.”

Riley noticed an orange pant leg sticking out from the row of cars beside them. “Wait!” She dashed over to the black hatchback with keys hanging from the door. As she approached the dark-haired woman lying in a pool of blood, the smell of decay assailed her. This woman had died first, and the demon had taken his time. A white nursing shoe sat in a crimson dark pool beside her.

“She’s dead,” Riley whispered.

Halak’s red eyes turned to Riley. “She did not possess the desired bloodline, but provided sustenance.”

Colton didn’t wait. While Halak’s attention was focused on Riley, he dissolved and reappeared behind the startled demon. His claws cut into Halak’s neck before the demon dissolved. Black blood dripped from Colton’s fingers. Evidence he had marked Halak.

Halak reformed three cars away. Oily black blood ran freely from the wound at his throat as his nostrils steamed. His fist slammed down on the hood of a brown station wagon, crumpling the metal. His talons, scraped the paint from the metal as he retracted his arm. The vehicle looked like an invisible boulder had been dropped on the engine, revealing the strength of the demon.

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