Dragon's Gift Complete Series - Linsey Hall Page 0,3

myself, and stabbed him in the back of the neck. The cut was quick, and I felt no guilt. Demons were evil, usually taken from hell by black magic and hired to do awful deeds on earth.

I wasn’t even technically killing him. When a demon died on earth, their body disappeared and they woke up back in whatever hell they’d come from. Eventually, he’d probably make his way back to earth.

In a way, this was a win-win for both of us. Or at least, not a major loss for the demon.

In the sky, Bree and the giant beast fought, darting around and clashing violently. I looked back to the ground, where my fight was happening.

Two of the demons had grabbed the young men and were holding them, but they weren’t actually hurting them. I frowned. Were they holding them for the monster that Bree was trying to drive off?

Another demon lunged for me, sword raised. His skin was a pale gray, and he was about six inches taller than me. His horns were a pale white that matched his long fangs and claws. I dived low, narrowly avoiding his steel, my reflexes practiced and quick. I’d worked my ass off at this when I’d realized my magic was gone. If I didn’t have power, I’d sure as heck be the fastest, most skilled fighter.

On the ground, I rolled onto my back and popped up onto my feet, swinging my sword for the demon. It sliced toward his middle, but he sucked his stomach in, dodging my blow.

“Lucky bastard.” I grinned, darting toward him.

I moved so quickly that his yellow eyes widened in surprise. Then I swiped my blade across his neck. Blood sprayed, and I ducked.

Still, it hit me in the forehead, warm and sticky and gross. I was fast, but not magically fast. Avoiding arterial blood spray was almost impossible. It was one of my least favorite parts of the job.

I kicked the demon in the chest so he fell backward, then whirled to face the fight.

The shadow at the edge of the square moved.

A man stepped out.

Power hit me in the face, magic so strong that I gasped.

And his face.

He looked like a fallen angel. One who’d gotten in a brawl as soon as he’d hit earth. Dark hair waved around his face, and his lips were full, his eyes a brilliant blue. His perfect nose was just slightly crooked, as if he’d broken it once or twice. The flaw should have made him look less divine, but somehow, it didn’t.

And his body. Holy crap, with those arms, he could break a semitruck in half. He had to be six and a half feet tall, if he was an inch, his shoulders broad and his waist trim.

Time seemed to stop as I looked at him, shrouded in shadow. His magic rolled out from him in waves, complete with every signature in the book. It lit up all five of my senses, something so rare that only a few supernaturals possessed it. It meant he was strong. Really strong.

His magic tasted of fine whiskey, burning the back of my throat. It smelled of cedar, fresh and bright, and sounded like the roar of a waterfall. Rarest of all was his aura. Supernaturals almost never had auras, but his was gold, and shaped vaguely like ancient armor, covering him from neck to knees. It shimmered in front of him, there but not, one of the strangest and most fabulous things I’d ever seen.

But strongest of all was the feel of his magic. It felt like a caress against my skin. Almost like a kiss. I shivered, trying not to lose myself in the feeling.

This was a fight. One that I wouldn’t lose.

I turned away from the man, ignoring the tugging sensation I felt pulling me toward him.

He could be a bad guy—he might be fighting on the side of these demons, after all—but I’d have to deal with him after I took out the massive red demon who was bearing down on me like a freight train. The monster was at least seven feet tall, and covered in so much muscle that I wondered how he wiped his own butt.

Ew. Gross. Focus on the fight, Rowan.

The demon’s magic smelled of blood and gore and felt like needles piercing my skin. From the feel of his signature, he was as evil as they came. He raised a hand, magic sparking around his massive claws, then hurled a blast of fire at