slashed out, quickly dusting every skirm within his reach. Two humans chose that moment to cross the street from the ferry dock. Gerrick heard the startled gasps and so did the skirm. Two broke off from their group and headed toward the humans. Without stopping to think, Gerrick was running after them.
The human female began shrieking as the skirm bared bloody fangs at them and lunged for her. Gerrick snarled and cursed as he crouched and sprang at the pair. He landed on the skirm’s back, taking him to the ground. Unfortunately, the human female went along with them, screeching the whole way. He hated high-pitched screaming and muttered a spell making the female mute. He sighed in relief when the noise stopped. She looked around wide-eyed in fright, clutching at her throat.
Not giving the female another thought, he thrust his sgian dubh into the skirm’s chest cavity and felt the satisfying pop as it entered the blackened heart. Never once looking back, he was up and ashing the second skirm. The human male was reaching down to help the female as Gerrick turned and walked away. It wasn’t until after he was halfway across the street that he realized he hadn’t lifted his spell. He stalked back to the couple, grabbed her shoulders and released his magic. He was ready to be home. It had been a long night.
“Damn, Gerrick, you scared the shit out of those people. Hell, even I didn’t know if you were going after them or the skirm. They’ll be having nightmares for a while,” Mack chastised.
“No they aren’t, one of the vampires will erase their memory,” Gerrick retorted and rushed back to help finish the rest. It was quick work for their group to eliminate the skirm that had converged on the witches.
He signaled Breslin who then led the females around the corner as the witches were recounting their attack to Zander. They ushered the females to the waiting vans and were loaded up, heading back to Zeum within minutes. Gerrick laid his head on the seat, wondering what was in store for them now.
*****
Shae closed her eyes and leaned her head on the window as they drove to the infamous Zeum compound. She was finally free from the archdemons. She had prayed for seven long months for this moment, and now that it was here she had no idea what she was going to do next. Before she’d been kidnapped, she would go home and knit after a long day at work, yet she hadn’t had access to her yarn and needles during her captivity. She couldn’t help but wonder if the hobby would still bring her any peace after what she’d been through.
She missed her family and wanted to be taken home immediately, but held back. Tears gathered in her eyes as she contemplated her life. No doubt everyone believed she was dead when they hadn’t heard from her for so long.
Her parents had to be beside themselves with grief, not to mention her brother. He may have been centuries older than her, but they had been as close as twins. Every one of her memories had him in it. He’d taught her how to play baseball, and later how to drive. On the rare occasion she went out to the clubs with friends, he was always there looking out for her.
Her grandfather’s fierce face flashed into her head, making her wonder how many times he’d searched the streets for a sign of her. She’d bet every dime she had that he had used his wolf senses to try and track her, and been frustrated when he had failed. There was no way to track someone when they teleported away from a scene, which was how the demons snatched her that fated night. She loved her grandfather so much and would give anything to feel his big, strong arms wrap around her and make her feel safe again. She didn’t think she’d ever feel safe again.
Thoughts of family had her wondering if one of her uncles had turned her bedroom into their office. Like all supernaturals, she lived with her extended family and the space was tight for them. They didn’t live in a huge mansion and her small home didn’t allow for luxuries like an office. As much as she missed her family she couldn’t fathom seeing them right now. She wanted to tell them she was alive, but wasn’t sure she’d be able to handle a conversation about what had