Read Online Between the Bleeding Willows (The Demon Hunters Series Book 1) by D.A. Roach - Free Book Online Page A

drawn to this realm and its danger. I needed to get her well and take her home, where she’d be away from the chaos that was about to unfold. Sure, she would always feel a pull toward wherever I was, and potentially feel my emotions, my pain, but I couldn’t let her think she could crossover and do something foolish like follow me into battle. Getting her home and convincing her to not want to crossover was the only way to keep her safe.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Nine
     
     
    “Lena, any change in Cassidy?” I walked over to the girl lying peacefully asleep on a bed in the dark corner. There was a shift in my feelings toward her, whether it was from seeing her strength in the cemetery, pity for her current state, or from the tattoo that bound us, I couldn’t quite tell. But an attraction that could not be ignored had taken root. A monitor beeped for her IV. “The bag’s empty, want me to change it while I’m here?”
    Lena walked over. “I need to do a vitals check anyway. I got it.” This was her expertise, and she was fast and efficient. I stepped back and watched her change IVs and check Cassidy’s vitals and responses. “She’s about the same. We had progress after the tattoo but not much since then.” She looked me in the eyes and spoke quietly. “You might have to consider what we do with her if she doesn’t improve.” I looked away, unwilling to consider anything like that—not now. It was too soon. She needed time to fight this. “Just consider it, Killian.”
    No. Cassidy’s life would not be cut short. She was still alive and fighting. I stormed out of the room, and headed straight for the training corridor—the hand to hand combat room.
    The room had fiber mats to cushion the floors that were crafted by a few talented Harvester women who mended and sewed for the Clan. Racks of sticks and weapons hung on the wall, and a cabinet of wraps and bandages sat in the corner. The sounds of flesh pounding into flesh came from the room. Jackson had five of the new soldiers practicing moves on each other. Each guy was covered in sweat, and all but one was bleeding. Good work, Jackson.
    “Killian, what can I do for ya?” Jackson’s handshake was firm, bone-crushing.
    “I need to go a few rounds. No holding back.”
    With a wide smile, Jackson turned to his students. “Listen up, we have a new challenge. Three of you, Wicks, Ren, and Casper against Killian. Five minute match, no weapons.” The other two trainees stepped back to watch as I approached.
    “Names.”
    “Wicks, Sir.” A lean but fit male, about five foot ten, stepped forward. He had black, wavy hair held back with a bandana and a deep scar on his chest.
    “Ren, Sir.” A stocky kid, about five foot eight, looked like he could be Jackson’s, stepped up. I eyed Jackson and saw the tiniest glimmer in his eye even as he gave a casual chuckle, knowing where my brain went. I may have only been a child when he was eighteen or so, but we all knew the reputation he’d had in his youth.
    We no longer married within the Clan. Not anymore. Not after what had happened during the Breach. The loyalty to our community and our purpose was most important; it needed to be all of our focus. Marriages…complicated that loyalty. But a lack of marriage binding two together didn’t stop us from producing children—whether we planned to or not. And while some men might prefer to not know about their offspring—so their loyalty wouldn’t be compromised—I suspected Jackson might think of things differently. Especially with how proud he was trying not to look as I sized the kid up.
    Ren had hair as red as a Mackleberry, which made for a good fighter; the red ones had more spunk in them. And if he was Jackson’s kid, it could be an interesting spar.
    “Casper, Sir.” Casper was tall and gangly. He didn’t look like much of a challenge, but I’d find out soon enough. His voice cracked, which made his teammates chuckle.
    “Very good.