Soulbound (Darkest London 6)

Another, stronger wave of black rage crashed over Adam. He’d kill Pike last, let the man realize what was coming for him. Jim, he’d merely damage. Not taking his eyes off Pike and Jim, Adam rolled his shoulders and his cloak slid off, revealing the chains coiled at his sides.

But the men merely grinned like cats cornering the canary. “See,” said Pike, “I told you I smelled fae magics on ’em.” His eyes flashed mustard yellow before going full black.

Oh, hell. Demons.

Eliza saw it too, for her grip on him tightened painfully. “Adam…”

“There’s a good price on yer head, GIM Maker,” said Jim. “An’ hows we’s hears it, you ain’t got no powers what to stop us with, what with them chains keeping you in check.”

“Eliza,” Adam said, not taking his eyes from them, “run away, and don’t look back.”

“We’ve got ourselves a runner, Jim.”

“Time for running has passed.” Adam lashed out, the thick chain on his wrist snapping like a whip, wrapping itself around Jim’s neck. The man’s eyes bugged out, his hands flying to his throat. Adam yanked the chain, and Jim’s feet left the ground as he hurtled forward. Adam’s fist met with his face, crunching bone. Jim flopped once and then went limp.

A blur of movement caught Adam’s eye. Pike, recovering from the shock of the moment, rushed him. Adam rolled into the charge, catching Pike’s legs with his shoulder. The thug toppled over him and landed flat on his back. With a roar of vengeance, Adam twisted and slammed his elbow into Pike’s throat, crushing his windpipe. Pike gagged, his arms flailing, trying to rise. Adam grabbed a handful of greasy hair and wrenched the head hard. A sharp crack rang out, and Pike went limp as a doll.

It wasn’t enough. They’d soon rise, and he hadn’t a weapon to truly destroy them. For now, there was only silence, the feel of his breath rushing in and out of his lungs and the foul stench of demon bowels letting loose. Then Eliza stirred, a bare flutter of skirts and a soft, gurgled sound of shock. He was not at all surprised to find her still standing there.

Adam shoved the body away from him. Eliza’s brown eyes were round and glossy against the pale of her usually honyed skin. Golden strands of hair fell about her face. He could not read her expression. Was she disgusted? Frightened?

Warily, he reached out to her. “Help me up?” His voice was soft, even as his heart beat hard and painfully. Aye, he could incapacitate two demons, and yet he hadn’t the strength to stand. Or maybe he simply needed to know she was still willing to touch him.

Eliza’s gazed darted from his outstretched hand to the bodies on the ground and back to his eyes. It was then he took note of the gun she held. Pointed directly at his heart. Cold flooded his veins. “Do you plan to use that, Miss May?”

She blinked, then glanced down at her hand, and her lithe body jerked as if she’d forgotten about the weapon. “I… you… It went so quickly.” Licking her pink lips, she lowered the weapon. “I was going to shoot them. But you took care of them first.”

Tenderness swelled within his chest. “If it pleases you, the next bastard who tries to assault us is yours to vanquish.”

Making a face, she tucked the pistol into her skirt pocket, then took hold of his hand. Her fingers were ice cold, even through her gloves. “I realize the women in your world are warriors, capable of killing without turning a hair.” She eased her shoulder beneath his arm, and together they stood. “I’m afraid you’ll find me lacking. I hate violence and death. I wouldn’t even have a gun, save Mr. Brown thought I might like to carry some protection.”

She was cold, so cold, and shivering. Adam turned her so that she was tucked against his side, and wrapped his arms about her before she could protest. “And still you were willing to shoot those men.”

She was stiff for a moment, then relaxed, her arms slipping around his waist as she trembled. “I’m even less willing to become a victim.”

Brave, strong lass. He pressed his lips to the satiny crown of her head. “I’ve hacked off so many limbs, beheaded numerous men, that I have long ago lost count of my deeds.” His mouth curled in a bitter smile as he thought about those long-ago battles. “And yet the sight of blood used to make me vomit.”

Eliza gave a start. “What?”

“Vomit. Every single time. My brother knights called me Scourge and Purge.”

She was still for a breath and then burst out laughing. Just as he’d hoped.

“Come, now,” he said, “we’ve got to move. These two won’t stay down for long.”

To punctuate his statement, a low groan came from the demon named Jim.

Eliza’s eyes widened. “I thought you killed them.”

Adam hurried them down the alleyway, his leg screaming in protest. “Unless you take their head or destroy their hearts, they will rise again.”

She jostled him as they moved onto the main lane. From the mouth of the alleyway, the two demon men emerged, their eyes yellow and enraged. Adam’s grip on Eliza tightened. “Come, they are up and following.”

Her steps quickened, dragging Adam along. He was panting now. No help for it.

Adam grunted and forced himself to focus not on the pain but getting them to safety. “We’ll go through the Rag Fair.” The GIM safe house was at the far end. If they could reach it, the GIM would scare off the demons. Unlike the fae, demons were susceptible to the GIM’s powers.