I should have know he was going to do something stupid. I had felt the anger building up inside him, and yet, I had been foolish enough to turn my back on him. I just didn't think things would get this out of hand this fast. 

    After is heart stopping confession and my lack of a response, Ash had turned cold. I honestly don't know what he had been expecting to happen. Within those last twenty-four hours I had been shot in the leg, stabbed in the chest, died, gone to Hell and come back to life. All of this followed up by the lovely revelation that I was going to be the reason for Ash's death. What does someone say to that?

     Luckily for me Ash had decided to change the subject. He demanded to know exactly what events had lead up to my laying half dead on the side of the road. At that moment I was more that happy to fill him in. I left no detail out. The way Aryn had been having me followed. The fact that he had spotted Ash and I together. The attack at the house. The way I had pulled from an entire room of demons. Aryn stabbing me in the chest. 

     Looking back now, I should have left the last part out. Lied or something. Maybe told him that demon had stabbed me. Then again I have never really been that great of a liar.

     Ash had paced the room for what seemed like hours and, at one point, exhaustion finally caught up with me. I dismissed myself to the kitchen to make some coffee. This was my first mistake. The second I hit 'start' on the coffee maker I heard the distant sound of doors closing. 

     Now, I may be a little bit dense at times but I am by no means an idiot. I knew exactly where he was going and what he was going to do when he got there. My body was still healing and I could feel the demons lurking in the area. There was a good chance that, should I be attacked during my attempt to stop Ash, I might not survive it. That was a risk I was willing to take. 

     Ash had already managed to kick down the door and tear half the house apart by the time I reached my former home. I crept through each room, trying to ignore the distinct blood stains covering the spot of carpet where Aryn had stabbed me. 

     I was so caught up trying to remain silent that I had foolishly let my guard down. It took less than ten seconds of foolishness before I found myself face to face with Marcus, the end of his blade pointed directly at my heart. 

     "How did  I know you wouldn't be far behind that...thing?" he snarls. I watch as he circles me, knife know at my back but still in a great position to be jammed into my heart.

     Not really in the mood to die for the second time today, I do as I am told. He doesn't have to give me any type of direction. I can hear the commotion coming from the kitchen and I know that is where the chaos is. 

     "Um, Ash?" I greet uneasily as we walk into the room. Up until he heard the sound of my voice Ash's focus has purely focused on the blue faced Aryn he is holding by the thoart against the kitchen wall. I barely have time to speak before he looks over his shoulder, brows furrowed at the sight of me. Guess he hadn't been expecting me to follow. 

     "Shit," he mumbles under his breath. I see his hand relax and the color start to return to Aryn's face. 

     Now, you would think that almost having the life choked out of you by an over six foot demon would humble the man, but it doesn't. I hear him gasp for air and, not long after, the oh so familiar smug smile is back on his face. 

     "Let him go," Marcus demands.

      Ash doesn't obey fast enough and Marcus moves the knife from my back to the base of my throat. I flinch as the blade cuts into my skin. I feel the same molten lava feeling beginning to form at the cut and realize his blade must be coated in angel blood. Potentially even his blood, depending on how much Aryn has told him. 

     "Do you seriously think I am that stupid half breed?" Ash laughs. "I let him go and what is stop you from slitting her throat? Or worse? Let Makenna go and then we will talk. Take too long to decide and I will snap his neck. Which one of us do you think can heal the other faster? Me or you?"

     "Don't listen to his Marcus," Aryn interjects. "I told you this would happen. I told you she would send her demon friends after us again. Even after Mammon attacked us and nearly killed your sister you still excused her behavior. Claimed her to be innocent. Now look, she has sent Ashmedai himself to kill me."

     Ashmedai. The name sends shivers racing down my spine. Were it not for the fact that Marcus' knife is still burning a small hole in my throat I might seriously consider passing out. 

     Anyone who has ever read any religious book, whether it be the Bible or some other random book, has come to know the name. Ashmedai, better known as Asmodeous, is one of the Princes of Hell. The demon of lust to be exact. Known for his selfishness and ability to manipulate a person into doing whatever he wants. The demon who came topside just to find me. 

     "Do it," Aryn urges. "Kill her."

     I sense Marcus' hesitation and take advantage of it, slipping one of my free hands around his wrist. I pull from him slowly. It is not enough to kill him, or even injure him, but it is enough to cause some serious pain. He flinches and  I hear the knife fall to the floor. 

     "Ash, let Aryn go."

     Ash looks to me and then back to Aryn, obviously confused by my strange request. 

     "He tried to kill you," he argues. "He thought he had. You should have seen the way he was gloating when I arrived. You should have heard the things he said. He doesn't deserve to live."

     "That may be true," I agree. "But let him go anyways. I will not have anymore blood on my hands. Let him go."

    I watch as Ash struggles with himself, torn between the urge to kill and my request. He lets Aryn go and backs away, not stupid enough to turn his back on the lethal man. 

     I keep my grip on Marcus, letting the pull simmer down to the minimum I can. He continues to cringe in pain and, despite everything, I feel bad for having to do this to him. 

     Ash and I back away, our eyes still fixed on Aryn as we make our way towards the front door. Ash stops, hesitating as I  prepare to let Marcus go. There is no need to ask him what he is thinking, I already know. Once I release Marcus there will be very little time to escape before Aryn calls for backup. 

     "I'm sorry," I whisper to Marcus. 

     "You think this is over?" Aryn laughs. "You think you have won? I will not stop until you are dead. Until you are back in Hell where you belong. Both of you."

     "I'm sorry," I repeat to Marcus. His eyes go wide as I increase the strength of my pull. His face begins to pale and I feel his heart starting to slow. 

     I blink back the tears. This is the only way I can ensure that Ash and I will have enough time to get away from here. If I let him go unharmed Aryn will attack the moment I turn my back. But...if Marcus is injured, or on the verge of death, he will have no choice but to stay. No choice but to put his hunt for me on hold until Marcus is better. 

     I release Marcus, shoving his half limp body towards his father. I watch as Marcus slumps to the floor, his breaths coming slow and shallow. Tears run down my face. I need to move. Need to run. Need to get away from him but I can't. Something is stopping me. Something that caught my eye once the second apology was said. Demi...standing at the bottom of the stairs, worry covering her face as she watches me drain most of the life from her brother. Watching as I become the monster she accused me of being. 

A/N: hope you're enjoying the story so far. Don't forget to comment, follow, like and show his book some LOVE!!