Unbroken: Unholy Triology, #2

Chapter 1

The sun settled beautifully onto the horizon, dimming the sky of its former brightness. It was a step above the previous days soaked in gray and dreary tones. No unexpected rain drops dripped from above, no puddles in sight. Tonight was perfect. Nothing would ruin it. I wouldn't allow it.

This one's going to be easy-peasy, Milo. What d'ya think? My four-legged partner’s tail wagged enthusiastically as he trotted by my side.

A Hellhound puppy—the last of his kind—bred to aid and protect those who bore the ‘mark of the Hunters’ also known as ‘Watchmen’. That was me. Misti Calloway aka a Watchman. I’d just discovered my unusual heritage, although I still found myself doubting it. A lot.

I mean, honestly, a demon hunter born and raised in Baltimore? That was a lot to take in and there wasn’t exactly a social meet up site I could join for pointers. The only help I had came from my friend and familiar, Axel who’d started out trying to recruit me for a demon looking to take over Hell. Take a minute and think about it. I did.

Thanks to Axel deciding to fight for good and not evil, we also had assistance from another demon, Jericho Scorcher who specialized in weaponry. I still wasn’t sure about him. 

In a nutshell, I was adjusting. The process was taking a bit. Tonight, Milo and I were patrolling the port downtown. Well, more like bait for tonight's mission to capture and kill Shadow Crawlers. The skeletal demons resembled a sinister version of praying mantis and made my stomach turn.

When I first bumped into them, I’d nearly wet my pants. The scavengers fed on whatever and whomever. And one couldn’t forget their ability to spit acid like a baseball players’ hawking dip.

Axel and I had recently noticed their growing presence. Our hideaway in the terminal port seemed to be the new hotspot. Now Milo and I had to rouse the creatures from their lair, lure them back through the maze, while Axel scoped out the perimeter from above the towering crates to ‘watch my process’ as he put it.

More like make sure I didn’t do a crap job. Meanwhile, Jericho set the trap and would wait for any demon when it popped up.

I wanted to fry them using my gift but since it was still erratic Axel and Jericho vetoed that approach. With my hunter knife sheathed inside my jacket just in case my powers were out on leave, I was more than ready. Add in the scarf to protect my face from damage. No spit, no worries.

Tonight won't be so bad tonight. It wasn't so bad last time, I reassured Milo. We just got separated—nothing to worry about. We know better now.

The pep-talk was more for me than him. He wasn't the one messing up all the time on our patrols. I admit I'd wrecked a few traps and almost got myself eaten by a Crawler on more than one occasion but tonight would be different. I could feel it.

Milo's sudden growl halted me in my tracks. What is it boy?

I stole a quick glance above the surrounding crates for any sign of Axel and if he’d also spotted the Crawler. From the corner of my eye, something whooshed passed us. Before I could make out what it was, Milo took off. Fear clogged my throat but I managed to use our practiced bird call to warn Axel.

Milo, wait for me! I raced into the darkness after my beloved pet. Hellhound or not, he could be killed.

Paying me no heed, Milo continued after the scent. He veered from the path we normally traveled onto a shadowy, blind spot which was sure to piss off Axel when he finally caught up to us.

Where are you going?! Milo whipped around a corner, claws scraping against concrete and vanished. I'd lost him. Again.

Shit! I bent over, hands braced on my knees to catch my breath and examined the large crates around me. Distant scratching noises had the hair at my nape curling.

Come on, Mis. You know this port front and back. Don't let this freak you out. My hands hummed with heat as my power responded to the presence of demons.

Milo, I called as I straightened up.

He didn't respond, not a bark or a yip. I withdrew my hunter’s knife from inside my jacket. The quiet snick of the blade leaving the sheath reassured as I ducked into the shadows. On a three-count, I darted around the corner following where Milo had gone.

Nothing. Empty space and eerie silence.

Argh! I growled.

Then it hit me. Axel was taking too long. He should've got to me in a matter of minutes once the presence of demons were detected. His footsteps should've pounded against the crates from above.

Axel wasn’t the greatest fan of me running around after Crawlers but this was manageable until my powers were consistent and under control. The book we’d found with explanations had been stolen and we were back to playing it by ear.

Harsh howls broke through the night yanking my concern back to Milo. But he only barked, he never howled. Cautiously, I followed the sounds through the terminal. I stayed alongside the looming multi-colored crates, then hid between the narrow crevices when the hairs on my arms stood up. The howling stopped but I could still feel a presence around me.

At the end of the strip, Milo fought against something out of sight. I risked coming out from the crate’s shadows to see it. And there hunched over and salivating straight out of my nightmares was a Crawler

At every bark Milo offered, the demon countered up its own snarls. It hunched down onto its knuckles, the tight exposed skin stretched against the notches in its spine as it circled Milo.

A sudden and familiar bird call echoed in the distance. Relief shook my nerves to the point I dropped the knife. The sound snatched the beast’s attention in my direction. Every time it tried to come toward me, Milo intercepted, snapping at the demon’s heels. I needed to act fast. By the sound of Axel's weak call, he was too far away and wouldn’t make it to us in time.

Axel's going to be sooo pissed, I muttered as I undid my jacket to move more freely. In my rush, the seam of my freaking favorite t-shirt tore, baring a sliver of brown skin underneath. Now I was really angry.

I braced my shoulders and centered my thoughts as Axel and Jericho had coached me. My mind rebelled, sending run and hide signals to my body but I dug my feet into the ground and persevered. I needed to get used to my powers and pulling them up on command.

The familiar tingling sensation started at my forearm and raced down from my wrist to my palm. A subtle glow emanated from my fingers.

Jumping from the shadows, I screamed at the Crawler and raised my hand. Milo didn't let up his growls, shifting his stance to stand protectively between me and the demon. Hand on fire, I waited to strike not wanting to hit my Hellhound.

Without warning, a small metal dart the length of my finger flew from above and struck the crate. The left side of the structure exploded. Giving up on the Crawler, I managed to retrieve my knife away from the distracted beast and then ran in the opposite direction, knowing Milo was right behind me.

Really! I yelled. Right above my head, Axel!

This time Axel's bird call filled the air closer than before. Two more whistle thumps as arrows speared the rest of the crates then detonated along the path.

Stay there! Axel ordered.

Definitely closer and sounding as angry as I imagined. I searched for him above the remaining crates but the echoes from his swift footsteps faded as he chased after the now frightened Crawler. Milo turned on his haunches and followed them.

Well hell. Do I sit here or do I go? I planted my hands on my hips and stared around me.

The base wasn't far from here. I didn't want to be a sitting duck waiting either. The choice was taken from me as wild screeching came from the direction of our temporary base. Another Crawler. We were under siege by multiple enemies tonight.

After a few deep breaths, I decided against Axel's wishes and sprinted back to warn Jericho. This was my chance to prove I was more than just bait. I was going to catch me a Crawler.

Chapter 2

I couldn't figure out how Jericho normally trapped the Shadow Crawlers or if he even involved himself in their capture, but tonight would be the Watchmen's way. I climbed up the rolling ladder we used to climb the various stacks of crates and cargo in order to keep surveillance around our base.

The Crawler beat me to the top by clawing its way up. Axel's crisp whistle pierced into the night again. Probably already disposed of the creature he and Milo had chased and was checking on me. I quickly released a bird call for Axel, then focused in on my own Crawler nightmare.

Face to face with my enemy, I muttered, Great idea, Mis. What now?

The Crawler spat its acid drool at me. The droplets burned into the metal crate beneath my feet. I wondered how much acid the crate could take before we both took an unpleasant fall. Don't think about it. I raised my scarf to protect my face again and closed the space between us.

The demon circled around me like I was trapped prey. I didn't dare tear my gaze away. The wind began to pick up, shaking the structure beneath us. I remembered the man-sized cage from when I first met Jericho Scorcher. When he moved to a new base, the cage went with him. I couldn’t get closer to the ‘X’ than on top of it. I just had to figure out how to rig the roof trap free.

Come on, you gross fucker, I egged. Easy does it.

The demon matched my four steps with two long strides of its own. Then, suddenly it skittered backward from where I was.

I got the smart one. Just my luck.

Another stupid idea came to me. I hoped I lived to brag about it later. I tightened my grip on my knife with one hand and flexed the other, readying myself for contact when the cocky demon finally pounced on me. I had nowhere to go. I had to take it on the chin and then some if I wanted to get out of this in one piece. With adrenaline flowing through me, I lunged forward and jammed the blade into the demon's eye socket. Then delivered a solid blow to the gut with a fist.

As the demon screeched into the night, I sliced again and again at the chest area. It finally got in a good strike across my covered face. The blow almost knocked me over the edge of the crate. I tumbled backward, and skidded across the unforgiving surface. The landing in itself nearly did me in. Gnarly bruises and peeled skin would greet me first thing in the morning.

After my vision settled, I blinked back the sting of blood that seeped into my eye. That was child’s play compared to the cries from the big, demon whimpering in front of me. The creature was long, gaunt, and pinched sickly at the waist. Its knobby spine jutted out like an alligator. Jaundiced skin revealed deep blue and bright red veins which pulsed even in the darkness.

I wasn't entirely clear headed, but I went for the attack, thrusting my knife hard into its midsection until the hilt touched his pasty flesh. It gave a high pitched squeal. The demon clawed at my blade trying to rip free but the more it moved the deeper I rammed the knife in. Then the Crawler contorted its body completely backward.

If I wasn't in fear of my life, I'd admit it was pretty sick trick. When I yanked the knife back, my stomach churned at the sight. The flesh rippled and twitched from the wound I just inflicted. The demon's goopy dark blood covered my knuckles. The bloody seepage stank to the high heavens. A combination of hot trash and gasoline fuel. It glazed over my fingers. I ruined a good pair of jeans wiping that shit off.

But a new plan popped into my head. It was gruesome but it was a sweet way to show I could carry my weight. I would drag the demon down on its back to the designated area, then deliver the final blow with my magic hands and watch it all go up in smoke—literally.

That was the plan, but of course, I didn't foresee the Crawler would still have enough energy and willpower to fight back.

I bet that didn't happen when Axel and Jericho trapped these things. They would come back without a scratch. I swear it was like they didn't even break a sweat either.

The beast swung at me—and I mean hard. Slammed. Pulverized. Hammered.

Pain slammed into the back of my skull, my eyes rolling in my head. My vision blurred and hearing was laughable at this point. The illusion of three demons swaying back and forth filled my vision.

Then I felt it. It's not too late. No more games. Use it!

I played possum. Made it think I was too weak to defend myself while the power I was still learning to use lit the palms of my hand up. When the creature got close enough that I could feel the burning acid drool near my knees, I launched up and thrust my fingers into its chest where I’d stabbed it. The demon's skin began to smoke and sizzle.

It didn’t take long, it never did. When I blinked there lie a charred corpse and my ash stained hands.

Whoa, what a night! I exhaled in relief as I pulled myself from the demon's remains. Familiar barks travelled up onto the rooftop. But before I could signal for Milo and Axel, metal creaked and churned underneath me.

Shit! Was all I managed to shout before the world disappeared from sight.

Chapter 3

A thunderous BOOM rang deep in my ears.

When's she going to learn!?

My vision remained hazy and my ears rang a bit but the burly man's voice wasn't difficult to make out.

That's it. She has to go. She won't listen. Not even to you, Wentz.

I wanted to say something. Argue with Jericho that I needed more time, more training. Keeping me at a safe distance or 'out of the way' wasn't helping me fight demons.

Calm down, Scorcher. My BFF Axel. It's over. The demon's been caught, and we're all safe inside.

Safe? snorted Jericho. Yeah right! Those fuckers are coming in droves now, nearly every other night. I can't keep up. Our supply of silver and explosives is running low. Those Crawlers are getting smarter and stronger. Randall must have put them on a new diet or worse.

Worse?!

I don't understand, what can be worse? asked Axel just as confused as me.

I'm thinking along the lines of breeding.

Makes sense. Axel agreed. That's why there are so many in a short period of time. Man, he really wants us out of the way.

Jericho snorted. More like you two. And if she keeps it up, he can have you.

My plan to play dead worked all the way up until my legs started to cramp. And the smell. Oh, the smell!

After being used as bait so many times before to capture these damned things, I'd still not gotten used to the wretched smell. Nose burning ammonia and decaying flesh permeated on my clothes. Slowly, I turned over, body one giant ache and caught Milo’s attention. His barking made the two men focus on the bane of their existence.

Look who's finally awake, Jericho announced.

Hi, I said sheepishly.

What are the rules of the fort? demanded Jericho.

What...really, right now?

What. Are. The. Rules? he seethed.

Axel was no help. His dark glare spoke volumes. He was just more furious with me, if not more than Jericho. He just hid it better.

Admitting defeat, I repeated his dumb rules. They were along the lines of don't touch this and don't do that. The common bullshit that came with the territory. However, the number one rule at least in regards to me was to never go out alone. Axel forbade me to track, hunt, and even look in the direction of any demon I came across without alerting him first. Jericho just wanted me out of the way.

"Are you happy now? Can you please let me move?"

No. Jericho matched me glare for glare. You need to learn to follow the rules.

Oh, come on, Jericho! Isn't this humiliating enough? I’m covered in demon goo.

Jericho ignored my pleas and instead gave Axel an intense stare before forcing his way back out of the entrance of the crate. The door cracked against the hinges as he barreled pass it in an annoyed snit.

He's right, you know, a strained voice said to me.

Deflated, I replied, Not you too, Axel. I feel bad enough.

Do you, do you really? His sharp jaw line tensed as he glared at me before lowering his head to gaze at the floor. He shoved a hand roughly over his shaved head and blew out a harsh breath.

Remorse bubbled up inside me. Axel, I'm sorry. I just wanted to help. I wanted to be useful.

You're useless dead, he muttered, concentrating on the floor, remember that.

Turning abruptly, he followed the path Jericho had taken, leaving me alone with my shallow victory.

That's it then. I slumped against the metal bars. I'm officially a lost cause.

That night the two men left me in the human-sized bird cage to mull over my actions. Predictably, Milo stayed behind, keeping me company overnight