“Thanks,” she calls to me but I head for the bathroom.
I need a cold shower and a smack in the fucking balls. Lilith Caeli is off limits for so many goddamn reasons, and my dick doesn’t seem to care about either of them. I always knew he would be the death of me.
Chapter 9
Lilith Thornblood
It’s early morning when we’re summoned to the courtyard. As I hide a yawn behind my hand, I scan the area slowly, a little disappointed when I find the throne empty. I don’t know why I hoped the prince would be sitting there. Maybe I wanted him to see me off on my first day. Instead, it’s the male in the green robe who greets us.
And by greets, he snaps his fingers and orders everyone to gather in front of the throne.
Does the dude ever crack a smile?
I ignore the eyes of my fellow hunters cutting into me and follow in Caspian’s wake. He weaves a path to the crowd and folds his arms, glaring at the sour-faced male scanning the crowd. I think Caspian said his name was Aamon or something and that he’s the prince’s advisor.
While he counts everyone’s heads, I look up to see a huge board hovering above the throne. Numbers, names, and locations shimmer on the screen in bold, bright-orange font. I scan the names in search of my own. Autumn French. Points: Zero. Won’t stay like that for long, I think to myself with a wry grin. Beside the points, on the other side of the screen, is a long list of wanted demons.
“Now that everyone’s here, let’s begin.” Aamon clasps his hands behind his back and begins pacing. He nods briefly at the screen. “This is where your progress during the Demon Hunter Trials will be recorded. The leader board contains everything you need to know. It will be synced to your tracker at all times and within all realms. Lose it and you will be disqualified, effective immediately.”
“There are five kinds of demons in total, each ranked from the lowest level to the highest,” Aamon resumes, still pacing with his hands behind his back. “The first level are known as fledglings. These demons are not very powerful and can be disposed of with the use of weapons. The second level, however, are resistant to weapons, even silver bullets and blades, and therefore must be eradicated using magical items. Third and fourth levels are more difficult because they can look like humans and have their own magic. Anything from a three upwards should be handled with more than one team unless you want to die. The fifth level, while rare, can almost guarantee you a place amongst the top ten depending on your progress. Most level-five demons are handled by qualified demon hunters, and if you happen to come across one of them, stay out of the way.
“Points will be earned for each demon you bring back, with extra ones given based on the demon’s rank. Similarly, points will be deducted if you fail to capture your target.” He stops and turns to us. “I will now answer questions.” Then he resumes pacing, his attention fixed on the ground as he walks. “In the Demon Hunting Trials, yes, you can die. Yes, it will be extremely painful. No, you cannot be brought back. Is this fair? Perhaps not. But dying is the risk one takes if one wishes to be amongst the winners.”
The thought of dying no longer fills me with fear like it used to. Maybe it’s because I have no intention of dying until I’ve avenged my family.
Until Rizer has paid for what he’s done.
“Once you have chosen your mission, you may begin,” Aamon says, stepping aside.
Everyone immediately jolts into action. Caspian is one of the first to approach the board with his tracker outstretched. He presses his screen, and case three hundred and eighty-six magically transfers from the board onto his device. The board also updates with his name and my own.
I scan my own tracker, check the details, and grin when I read the location. I’ve always wanted to visit there.
“Ready?” Caspian asks, his finger poised over the screen of his tracker.
I tuck mine into my back pocket and nod. “Ready as I’ll ever be, partner.”
Caspian rolls his eyes and presses a button, then a portal wraps around us.
Mission number one… I’m coming for you.
“I mean, yeah, walking through creepy alleyways is definitely my idea of fun,” I grumble as I stomp after Caspian. Creepy is a bit of an understatement. The cobbled roads and narrow little shops smooshed together would be quaint in the daylight, but after dusk, the buildings create eerie shadows that stretch around me. So far, Edinburgh City, while beautifully historic, is totally giving me Ghost Hunters vibes. “Are you sure we’re going the right way?”
Caspian pauses inside the narrow alleyway. Slivers of moonlight catch his hair, making it almost silver. “Yeah, I’m sure, songbird. And these aren’t ‘alleyways’. They’re closes,” he corrects smugly, pointing to the sign etched above us. The inscription reads Mary King’s Close, whoever the hell that is, and in the distance, strange clothing hangs from a wire stretching between the narrow building. “Six hundred people were sealed up here and left to die. That’s some of their clothes. It’s pretty neat, huh?”
A shiver runs down my spine. “Neat isn’t the word I’d use.” But my curiosity gets the better of me. “What happened to them? Why were they sealed up?”
“I’ll give you a hint.” Caspian waves a hand over his face. A long, beaked mask wraps around his head.
It’s vaguely familiar, but I
