Moments later, two minions bearing lightning-like marks in their skin pushed wheelbarrows into the room. The Hounds leaped from the water, jostling each other for position as the contents were dumped into a corner. Then they fell on the pile like hungry pigs at feeding time, and what theyd been given to eat was as revolting as it was expected in a demon realm.
I looked away, rage scalding me with such intensity that it flared my abilities. They pulsed outward, covering the castle with the same sonar-like efficiency as before, and my supernatural ping returned with nothing at the end of it.
The weapon wasnt here.
I got out of the water, still looking away from the Hounds. My anger made my near nudity irrelevant as a minion looked my way, not that hed see a girl in a belt bikini anyway. He seemed surprised that I wasnt joining the feeding frenzy, but then came toward me while holding out a large blanket.
I stood still as he dried me, speaking in Demonish the whole time. He even used exaggerated vowels and the singsong voice people affected when talking to babies or favored pets. When he was done, he scratched my head and patted my ass as if Id been a good little Hound.
I wish I was one of them right now, I told him, knowing all he heard were hissing noises. Id bite your head off.
He replied with the Demonish version of what was probably Whoooos a grumpy guuurl? and patted me again. This time, I bared my teeth at him.
Touch my ass one more time and Im clubbing you with the nearest femur from that pile.
Not that I could, because using a bone like a club was un-Houndlike enough to get the other minions attention. Also, I needed to seize my chance. With my search complete and the other Hounds occupied, now was the perfect time to return to Adrian.
I ran out of the Hound-spa, glad there werent many turns to remember to get out of the castle. Once again, no one attempted to stop me, and when I was dashing down the hill on my way to where I last left Adrian, something else occurred to me.
I could see where I was going. Not great, as the several times I tripped proved, but I wasnt blinded by the darkness, and I was far enough away from the lights of the mountain castle that I shouldve been. My abilities were growing at an incredible rate. Was it because I was finally using them, or was it the virulent seesaw of emotions that kept kicking them into hyperdrive? Between my feelings for Adrian, my guilt over Jasmine, and the rage that demon realm atrocities brought out in me, I wouldnt know a moment of calm if it bit me in the ass.
Ivy, over here!
I adjusted my course at Adrians directive, now noticing him next to the cluster of dead trees. Hed remained so still that hed blended in at first glance. Once I reached him, I almost hurtled myself into the ankle-length parka he held out and yanked my boots on fast enough to leave skid marks.
Its not here, lets go, I panted.
We ran the short distance to the gateway, but before he dropped us through it, he paused.
Are you up for doing another realm now?
My body felt like a Popsicle and I never wanted to see another Hound feeding trough again, but I didnt hesitate.
Yes.
Id find this weapon, and not only would I save my sister, Id kill every damn demon and minion in the realm shed been trapped in.
chapter twenty-eight
I made it through seven realms the first day, and finished the other five two days later. A stint with hypothermia was responsible for the delay, but it wasnt just manna combined with Adrian and Costa treating it that got me past it so quickly. I was changing. I could feel it in the muscles Id never had before, and in the hallowed-hunting sensor that was easier and easier to utilize. Id searched the last realm without even entering the main building, and despite keeping that to myself, Adrian had sensed the changes, too.
Thats why he said it was time for me to learn how to use a slingshot.
Because of my hideous disguise, we went into the Pisgah National Forest to practice. Costa came with us in case we needed an extra trigger finger, if minions happened upon us, though I doubted it. We were out in the middle of beautiful nowhere, with tall trees, waterfalls and bubbling creeks as far as the eye could see. Compared to demon realms, the forties temperature was also downright balmy, but it seemed to keep park visitors at bay. Good thing, too. Forget innocent hikersif Bigfoot were real, hed crap himself at the sight of me.
After Adrian set up a target, Costa sat on a fallen tree stump to watch. I stood next to Adrian, frowning when I saw the long, braided rope he pulled out of his duffel bag. Was that a duplicate of the infamous weapon? In my head, Davids slingshot looked like a Y-shaped branch with stretchy material wound around the opposing ends. Not what resembled a skinnier version of a childs jump rope.
What am I supposed to do with that? Hang the demons with it? I wondered.
Adrian grinned, taking a stone from the bag and placing it in the small section of rope that split into two pieces. Then he began to spin the rope in a lasso-like circle, increasing the speed until it made a low, whirring sound. That turned into a crack as he snapped it forward. I didnt see the stone release, but one of the glass bottles hed set up thirty feet away suddenly exploded, spewing beer over the branch hed set it on.
Wow, I said, impressed. You nailed that like you were using a sniper rifle. How long have you been practicing?
His grin vanished. When I met Zach and learned about my mothers death, I researched the slingshot David wouldve used, then made sure I knew how to use it. Zach didnt bother telling me until recently that only a Davidian or a demon from Goliaths line can utilize the slingshots true power.
Somehow, I wasnt surprised. It could be that Zach hadnt cared enough to relay the information before, but I thought the Archon mightve had another motivation.
If Adrian had known he couldnt use Davids slingshot to kill demons, he wouldnt have learned how to use the ancient weapon. Because he had, now he was teaching me. Was that Zachs plan? To keep Adrian near me at every opportunity so hed be unable to avoid his fate?
If so, I intended that plan to backfire, and I knew how to do it because Adrian had told me himself that touching me was his weakness. So I deliberately brushed against him when he showed me which finger the loop went on and how to hold the rope. His lips tightened, but he acted as if he didnt notice. Then he took my wrist, moving it to mimic the far faster manner Id need to perfect to get the stone to fly out.
First you spin the rope to build up momentum, Adrian said. Then you aim and snap it when you let go. Try it.
I did, and the stone dropped near my feet instead of slinging toward the target. Legendary bloodline or not, clearly I wasnt a natural.
That happens to everyone the first time, Adrian said evenly. Try again.
I did three more times, and got the same results. My spirits sank. No wonder Demetrius had said he wasnt afraid of me. I couldnt hit the broad side of a barn, let alone him or any other demons guarding Jasmine.
Here. Adrian pulled me to him, his body so close that I could feel his heart beating. Then his hand covered mine, though he spread his fingers so he didnt impede the rope. Well do it together. Move when I do, Ivy.
We began to spin the rope, first in slower circles, then fast enough to hear that whirring noise. My sense of despair diminished because it was easy to move with Adrian. So easy. His arm shadowed mine while his chest was a muscled wall that teased my back. Every time I adjusted my stance, his thighs brushed the backs of mine, making my breath catch. He was so big, so powerful, yet his breathing roughened when I leaned into him, and brought my body tighter against his. Id started the taunting touches to chip away at his self-control, but I might end up being the one who came undone.
On the count of three, Adrian ordered, voice much hoarser than before. One...
I leaned forward and aimed. His body curved, following the movement, and feeling his hips line up with mine almost made me drop the rope.
Two...
His breath seared the back of my neck, making gooseflesh spring up. When his jaw brushed my cheek as he adjusted to look at the target, I almost rubbed against him like a cat. The feel of him was more than exciting. It was the stuff obsessions were made of.
Three!
I let go when I felt his fingers lift, and the slingshot snapped forward with a crack. The rock didnt hit the beer bottle, but it hit the branch it was on, bouncing off after leaving a gash in the wood.
Yes! I shouted, so happy I spun around and hugged Adrian.
His arms tightened until it was hard to breathe, but all at once, I didnt care about breathing. I hadnt hugged him with ulterior motives, yet my whole body seemed to come alive in his embrace. I reared back, suddenly desperate to see him. The ridges and hollows that made up his high cheekbones, full mouth, dark gold brows and straight nose were arresting enough, but it was his eyes that had me transfixed. Molten silver gripped sapphire in the same unbreakable hold Adrian had me in, and the blatant need displayed there made things low in my body clench.
You cant keep teasing me this way. His voice was so guttural, it was almost animalistic. Im not the good guy, Ivy. Im the bad one wholl take everything and then leave.
My mouth felt dry, but that wasnt why I licked my lips.
Youre wrong, I breathed. Maybe you were once, but youre not anymore. Otherwise, youd have already done it.
Do you two mind? a disgusted voice muttered behind us. I know thats Ivy, but Im still going to have nightmares about you dry-humping a Hound, Adrian.
The mental image caught me off guard, and I burst out laughing. Wed hardly been doing that, though the mere sight of Adrian hugging a Hound would be highly disturbing.
Adrian released me, but his smoldering gaze promised that this wasnt over. I couldnt agree more, though for different reasons. Now wasnt the time, however. We had an audience, and wed already traumatized Costa enough.
Adrian mustve thought so, too. He strode over to Costa, twisting the top off one of the beer bottles hed brought for target practice.
Thisll help wash away the memory.
Costa took it, muttering something in Greek that had Adrian snorting as if in agreement. I turned my attention back to the target, taking out another stone from the duffel bag.