Slayer (Slayer #1)

“You’re a demon.”

“Then for Cillian’s sake. I don’t want to see him hurt. I’m sorry I hid in his yard and drew all this trouble to him. Get rid of me. Throw me over a cliff into the ocean. But whatever you do, do it soon. Because if she found you, she’ll find me, and then we’re both in trouble.”

“I can handle trouble.” It makes me wonder how Honora is involved in this. Am I going to trust a demon over her? I mean, probably. But should I? I pace, running my hands through my hair. His concern for Cillian seems genuine. And I honestly can’t imagine Doug killing anything or anyone. “Why did you come to Shancoom, then?”

“I was looking for help, okay? I got a name. Someone who has connections. Who makes deals with demons.”

“What was the name?”

Doug lets out a puff of air. He’s scared. If it’s an act, it’s a good one. “Smythe.”

It hits like a bolt of lightning. Smythe. Bradford Smythe, my great-uncle. Who is dead now. Whoever is hunting Doug must have known that Bradford Smythe was Doug’s contact. So the death is connected to Doug. He’s just not the one responsible for it. “Where did you hear about the Smythes?”

“None of your bloody business.”

“It is, because I am one!”

Doug snorts. “You are not.”

“I am so!”

“I’ve heard about the Smythes. You wouldn’t even survive infancy in that family. They’re born weapons. You’re . . .”

“Something fluffy!” Cillian declares, popping in and holding up a dog bed.

Doug nods. “I mean, he said it. Not me. But you’re fluffy.”

Cillian throws the dog bed at the demon’s face. “Quit acting the maggot. She’s stronger than you’ll ever be.”

“Sure.” Doug’s voice is muffled by the bed. He pulls it off and sets it on the floor, resettling. “Listen. If Honora is here—”

I flinch. Doug sees it, which confirms he got her name right. He trembles, his eyes wide. “Please unchain me. If she’s here, we’re all in trouble.”

“She says she’s hunting you because you kill people.”

“She’s hunting me because she needs me!”

“I’m hunting you,” Honora says, stepping into view in the yard, Artemis behind her looking shocked and horrified, “because you’re a demon, and that’s what Watchers do.” She looks at me with derision. “At least those of us who know what it means to be a Watcher.”

20

“DID YOU FOLLOW ME?” I ask Artemis as I shift to put myself between Honora and the shed entrance.

“Obviously we were right to.” Honora sweeps one perfectly manicured hand toward Doug. “Artemis said you’ve been disappearing for hours at a time. Thought we ought to see where you’ve been going.”

Artemis ducks her head. “I was worried, Nina.” Then she narrows her eyes and stands up straighter. “And I was right. This demon is dangerous! You could have been hurt!”

“If he’s so dangerous, why is Honora wasting time lecturing me? If he’s racked up the body count you claim, kill him. Right now.”

“Hold up,” Doug says, trying to stand.

“No. Go on.” I gesture toward him. “You can do it from there, Honora. I remember how good you are at throwing knives.”

She scoffs, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “You don’t have any idea what’s going on. It’s not that simple. I can’t just kill Doug.”

“So you know him!” I jab my finger toward her, triumphant. “Which means you know the dude who’s been using Doug for drugs! Wait. Doug was looking for Bradford Smythe for help. Oh my gods. Did you kill Bradford?”

“What is your damage?” Honora physically recoils from the suggestion. “Bradford died of a heart attack! I was with Artemis all morning, and I had nothing against the old man. He was always nice to me. You’re the one sneaking around with demons!”