Beneath A Sinister Moon, page 7
part #3 of Demon Hunter Series
“You heard about Killian?”
He looked at the crowd, then looked back at me, reading my energy. “Yeah. I wanted to see if I could help with anything. How are you holding up?”
“Honestly, I can’t think straight.”
“Yeah, your energy is all over the place.” Casper looked at me with concerned eyes. “I heard Serena used Tehya’s blood on the wound. That stuff is potent. Plus, Lena is in there doing everything she can to help her brother.” He grabbed my hand. “All we can do is hope and pray.”
“Casper.” Jackson nodded at the tall, athletic Hunter as he took a seat across from me and began eating. “Sorry, was I interrupting something?”
Casper narrowed his eyes as though reading Jackson’s energy. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. I didn’t get injured, well, at least not from the battle.” Jackson sent a half smile and a wink my way.
Casper asked quietly, “What happened out there?”
Jackson sat back and took a bite of jerky before answering. “We interrupted a Demon/Human gathering near the gate. Jace targeted Killian.”
“Shit. Any humans get hurt?” Casper inquired.
“Yeah, but not by our doing. At least two of them died. I don’t know if Jace was just showin’ Tyler the ropes or what.”
“You saw Tyler?” Casper seemed surprised as Jackson nodded his answer. “They both got away?”
Jackson nodded again.
“Did Tyler kill a human?” If he did, there was no hope in saving him. I felt Casper’s eyes on me as he squeezed my hand, letting me know he was there for me.
“One died from knife wounds, probably from the humans that were sacrificing him. The other…” Jackson shot me a sympathetic look. “I honestly don’t know Cass.”
I dropped into my chair, letting go of Casper’s hand and burying my head in my hands.
“Don’t assume the worst.” Casper whispered in my ear. “Jackson,” he asked in a normal volume, “did you see Tyler transform or did he look the same as you remembered?”
I looked up, thankful Casper had thought to ask this.
“Looked the same to me,” he answered.
Relief washed over me as I let out the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.
Casper patted my shoulder. “Probably means he didn’t kill anyone. Anyway, I’m gonna see if Lena could use a hand. Cass, I’ll keep you posted, okay?” He leaned down to give another hug.
I melted in Casper’s arms, needing him to help me through this.
“Hey, listen,” he soothed, “worrying about Killian won’t make him better, it’ll only make you sick. He’s in the best hands.”
I knew this, but still the emotional storm inside of me surged while wrapped in the safety of Casper’s arms—sadness for Tyler who was being led further into darkness, fear for Killian’s life, and worry for the future of Demon Hunters and Humans, sloshed all together and bringing me down. Was this the beginning of the end?
Casper pulled back and wiped the tears from my cheeks.
“See you, Casper. Keep us both posted, will ya?” Jackson asked as he shoved another piece of meat into his mouth.
“Will do. Stay with Cass. I think she could use the company,” Casper advised before heading into the crowd.
Jackson looked over at me. “You okay?”
I shrugged and pulled my legs up on the chair, hugging them close. My cold, shaking hands slowed in this position.
“You sure you don’t want something to eat or drink?”
I shook my head. “No thanks.” This had been a difficult year. I had lost Gram and Jace, the two people I had cared the most about in this world. Their deaths had devastated me to the point that I couldn’t move forward or imagine living life without them. Days and nights had blurred together, and I’d been just a phantom aimlessly wandering the Earth in search of something to fill the cavernous hole that remained in their absence. And now I was right back in that pool of guilt and sorry, watching helplessly as Tyler was being consumed by the darkness and Killian fought for his life. My heart could not handle losing either of them.
Why had I foolishly fallen in love with the man charged with leading an army against evil?
With me lost in thoughts and Jackson lost in a plate of food, time passed outside of my awareness. Clan members came and went, offering kind and soothing words to me, but they were all a blur—until Casper returned.
“Cass? Cass!” Casper waved his hand before me, trying to pull me from my depressive thoughts. Instinctively I threw up a hand to block his and shoved my other hand at his neck, though he dodged out of my reach.
Jackson had moved quickly, looking ready to restrain me.
“I’m not gonna hurt him.” I promised Jackson. “Casper, I’m sorry. I just reacted. Are you okay?”
Casper kept his hands out in front of him in a peaceful manner. “Yeah, I’m okay. Lena wants to see you. Jackson, you’re welcome to come too.” Casper’s facial expression showed no cheer, only concern. I braced for what I might see and hear. “Come on Cass, you can do this.” Casper wrapped his arm around my shoulders and guided me past the onlookers into the bright room. Lena sat by Killian’s side, facing away from us. Killian looked as pale as he had when I’d first seen him, only now the blood had been cleaned from his body and his shirt had been removed. Tubes and wires connected to beeping machines signaled that he was still alive.
“Lena?” Her name barely made it past my lips.
The red-haired medic turned toward me wearing a tired expression. She came over and wrapped me in a hug. “Cassidy!”
“Is he gonna be okay?”
She squeezed me a little tighter before answering. “Time will tell. We’ve done all we can, and now we play the waiting game. He’s stable but weak. So, we’ll support him as his body heals and replenishes itself. Tehya’s blood cauterized the wound, and honestly, it saved him. He would have bled out before getting back to us. Still, he was in bad shape when he crossed over, and it’s a lot to come back from.”
I watched Killian’s chest rise and fall as her words sunk in. He was alive, but barely. “Can I stay here with him?”
“Sure.” She nodded. “Jackson, did you sustain any injuries?”
“Just a small burn on my shoulder. Got anything to put on it? Cass had put a cold compress and some aloe on it after I brought Killian here.”
“Thank you, Cass.” Lena offered. “Let’s have a look.” She carefully removed Jackson’s shirt. “How’d you get burned?” She walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a few ingredients to mix in a mortar.
Jackson was silent at first, and Lena’s eyes fell on me. “Ahh. Too much action and adrenaline going on to know or care. These big muscles work hard in battle, they probably got a little too hot.” Jackson waggled his eyebrows at Lena, thankfully not ratting me out.
Lena still shot me a knowing glance but said nothing.
Casper chuckled. “No wonder the ladies can’t resist you. Big muscles, little ego.”
Lena snorted at the remark as she walked over with the mixture. “Well listen, Hot Stuff, try to keep those big guns in check and put this on several times a day. Make sure your hands are clean before using this. We don’t want any bacteria getting in there. Oh, and leave the blisters alone. Got it?” She put a fine layer of the ointment on his wound.
“Got it. Thanks, Doc.” Jackson pulled his shirt over his head and hopped off the bed while Lena washed up at the basin. “I’m off to find Serena, see if we can figure out what the demons are up to.”
Casper shook his head. “Serena and Jax took a team top-side to get some blood bags and clean up the mess the humans and demons made. They also were gonna meet with the priests to let them know Vygad’s behind this in case it helps with the exorcism. They should be back anytime.”
“Yeah?” Jackson started toward the doorway. “Thanks.”
Lena dried her hands and came over to Killian’s side. “Hey Jackson, thanks for acting fast out there.”
Jackson nodded. “I’d do it for any of you, but Serena’s the one who saved the day. Anyway, let me know if there’s any change.” He patted my back and left.
Lena let out a breath and looked down at her blood-stained clothes. “Cass, would you mind staying with Killian while I change?” She had dark and puffy circles under her bloodshot eyes.
“Yeah, I can stay as long as you need.” I pulled up a chair next to Killian and laced my fingers with his.
“I’ll stay with you until Lena gets back.” Casper pulled a seat over by me but didn’t sit in it yet. Instead, he walked over to Lena and caressed her cheek with his hand. He spoke in a low enough tone that only she could hear. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. Casper wrapped his arms around her and placed a kiss on her head.
“Come and get me if anything worries you.” Lena went up on her tiptoes and kissed him before heading out of the unit.
Casper sat down in the chair beside me and leaned back as he stared at Killian. “Well, I know he looks bad, but I think he has a good shot at coming out of this.”
“I think you just contradicted yourself.”
Casper laughed. “No, I mean, he looks bad because he’s all pale and unconscious, but they got the bleeding to stop so now he can heal.”
“What if he doesn’t wake up?”
Casper looked over at me with sympathy in his eyes. He didn’t joke or try to pacify me.
“I don’t know what I’d do without him.”
“I don’t know what any of us would do without him.” Casper let out a long breath. “So much of his leadership comes from how he holds himself. He’s brave in the face of horror, calm in a riot, and the strength and hope we need as we face the toughest odds. Each of us aspires to be at least a quarter of the man he is. Without him, I fear the Clan morale would disappear along with our ability to fight the demons.”
“But the Demon Hunters are strong. Think about all the patrols and battles you’ve run. Was Killian at all of them?”
“No, but we didn’t exactly win all of them.”
I motioned to Killian. “Think he won this one?”
Casper looked at me as he considered my words.
“Don’t get me wrong, Killian is an amazing leader, but I don’t believe the Demon Hunters would fall without him.”
“Let’s hope we never have to find out.” Casper raised his eyebrow at me.
We sat together for well over an hour until Lena returned. Casper walked over and greeted her with a kiss. “You look better.”
“Thanks. I had a shower and took a little time to regroup. Any change?” She turned her attention on Killian.
“No,” I answered.
“Let me check his vitals. Cass can stay with him while we get something to eat.” Lena looked a lot better, but still tired and worried.
“Yeah,” I agreed. “Like I said, I can stay as long as you need.”
“Thanks.” She hung a new blood bag, checked his IV, blood pressure, and some other readings. “He’s holding steady, which is a good sign. We won’t be gone long.”
“I don’t plan on leaving his side,” I answered.
A few minutes later, the door to the Med Unit opened and in walked my dad. I’d only met him for the first time a few months ago. Hank had been a Hunter who had gotten attached to my mom when he would visit the Human Realm. But as they grew closer, he’d worried their relationship could put her in danger. So, one day, he gifted her Rya’s ring, hoping it would remain hidden from the Demon Queen, and then he left.
“How’re you holding up?” He came over and hugged me, pulling a chair over to sit in beside me.
“I’m tired and stressed.” I bit my bottom lip as the salty taste of tears filled the back of my throat.
“He’s a tough guy. If anyone can pull through this, it’s him,” my dad reassured.
“And what about Tyler?” My voice quivered.
My dad shook his head. “I can’t give you an answer on him. But I can assure you that if or when we go after him, every one of these Hunters will give the mission one hundred percent. You can bet on that.”
“Thanks Dad.” I took his hand in mine and gave a gentle squeeze.
“Love you Cassidy.” He squeezed back.
Chapter Ten
Killian
The faint beeps of machines told me that one, I’d survived, and two, I was in a medical unit of some type. Hopefully the Demon Hunter Med Unit. My mouth and eyes were on fire and my body shook violently.
“Killian?” Cassidy’s voice sounded worried. “My God, you’re burning up.”
I tried to open my eyes. I needed to see her, but my body did not cooperate.
“Killian, can you hear me?”
I fought the exhaustion that held me under like a rip current trying to bury me at sea. Whatever had happened to me now held me prisoner in the Hell of this wrecked body.
“Killian, if you can hear me, hold on. I’m going to get Lena, but I’ll hurry back.” Her fingers squeezed around mine, and I felt her soft lips on my forehead.
“Cass.” My voice sounded gravelly and weak. I urged my eyelids open and stole a momentary glance of my own personal angel hovering over me.
Tears fell from her eyes as she stared at me with concern. “I’m here. Don’t over-do it.” She looked toward the beeping monitors, which were now making more noise. “Be right back.”
I closed my eyes and drew in a big breath as the current of unconsciousness pulled me under.
Chapter Eleven
Cassidy
I hurried down the hall to Lena’s room and knocked frantically. “Lena, it’s Cass!”
A moment later, the door opened, and Lena came out, rubbing sleep from her eyes. “What’s going on? Is Killian okay?”
“No, the monitors are going crazy and he’s hot to the touch. He awoke for a moment, but something’s not right.”
“Shit!” She didn’t bother changing out of her sleep clothes as she ran down the halls. “Get Serena, Jax, or Sean. I don’t care which; I just want another set of medic hands to help.” The news shot through me like a dose of adrenaline as she jumped into action.
I ran and knocked on Sean’s door; he was closest.
Sean opened the door and shielded his eyes from the bright hallway. “Cassidy? What is it?”
“Lena needs you in the Med Unit. Something’s wrong with Killian.”
He didn’t hesitate and followed me to the Med Unit. He washed up at the basin “Lena, what can I do?”
“Wet compresses on his extremities. We have to bring his fever down.”
Sean grabbed cloths, wet them at the basin, wrung them out and returned. “Cassidy, lay these on his right side just as I do on the left.”
I watched Sean unfold a cloth lay it carefully over Killian’s lower legs. I mimicked his actions, and soon we had his arms and legs covered.
Killian’s tremors worsened. Were our efforts in vain? “Why is he shaking so much?”
“It’s his body’s attempt to keep him warm,” Sean explained.
“The fever reducer should work in a few minutes.” Lena checked the heart monitors. “His blood pressure is starting to come down.” I must have looked thoroughly confused because Lena explained the situation in simpler terms. “Cass, Killian’s fighting some type of infection. He spiked a high fever, which caused his blood pressure to rise—we need to bring it down so his blood pressure can level off. You did the right thing by coming to get me.”
I nodded and stepped backward. He was getting better. Still, I couldn’t take my eyes off the scene before me…Killian motionless, pale with tubes and wires everywhere. I choked on the sob that surfaced, covering my mouth with my hands, trying to regain composure. I felt arms come around me, wrapping me in a tight hug.
His build was the same as Killian’s, but he smelled different—minty, unlike Killian’s familiar earthy scent. “He’s in good hands,” Sean said in a confident tone. “If anyone can get Killian back on his feet, it’s Lena.”
“Thanks Sean.” I pulled out of his grasp and looked over at the table. “All of my emotions just bubbled to the surface. Seeing him like this—”
“I know. It’s hard for all of us to see, but Killian is a fighter, and if anyone can come out of this, it’s him.”
I nodded. Killian would not leave this world peacefully, especially if he had any say in the matter.
“Sean, can you connect with the Junctures for some antibiotics?” Lena asked as she wrote down a note and handed it to Sean.
He read it. “Yeah, I’ll head out now with Skylar.” Skylar, Sean’s daughter, was new to the Clan and busy training to join the ranks as a Hunter. He placed his hand on my arm. “You gonna be all right?”
“Yeah, I will be. Thanks.” I stayed in the Med Unit with Lena till Sean returned with the needed meds. She injected the liquid into Killian’s IV, assuring me it would kill whatever bug he fought.
The three of us kept watch over him till the fever finally broke.
“He’s better.” Lena noted numbers from his vital readings on a paper. “You both should go and get some rest.”
“Not happening. I’m staying here,” I insisted.
Sean raised an eyebrow and shrugged at Lena.
“God, you’re as stubborn as he is.” She set down her papers. “Well, then we’ll get some rest and set you up with a blanket and a pillow in case you wanna try to sleep in here.” She gathered the bedding and laid it on a nearby table. “I’m serious though, try to get some sleep. We’re no use to him if we can’t manage and care for ourselves.”
“Understood. Thanks, you two, and goodnight.”
“Night, Cass.” Sean and Lena dimmed the lanterns before leaving.
I was tired. I stood, unfolded the blanket, and climbed onto the bed, pulling it up around me. I closed my eyes and lay perfectly still, trying to ignore the rhythmic sounds from the monitors. Beep, beep. I opened my eyes and turned to face Killian. Why did he seem a million miles away in this dim lit room? Beep, beep.
I hopped out of bed, pulling the blanket with me. I carried a stool over to Killian’s bedside and perched atop it, wrapping the blanket around me. He lay there, peacefully sleeping. I placed my hand on his head, checking for fever, relieved to feel it cool to the touch. “I love you. Please come back to me.” I laced my fingers with his and rested my head on the bed beside his arm. The world around me drifted into sleep.
