Slayer(68)

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!”

“I didn’t say anything about Bradford—” Doug says.

“I’m hardly sneaking around with him!” I gesture to the chains. “I’ve taken precautions. And they’ve worked. But if he’s so dangerous, again, why aren’t you killing him?”

Artemis looks torn. Then she shakes her head. “Honora has way more experience than we do. If she doesn’t think we should kill him, there’s a reason. Right?” She looks to Honora for confirmation.

“Of course. Doug’s blood is toxic. If we spill it, we’ll all die.”

“Liar!” I hold up my hands. “I bandaged his bleeding face when we found him. And I’m super not dead!”

“You don’t know anything,” Honora hisses. “Now get out of my way.” She grabs my arm and tries to shove me to the side.

I don’t budge. She pushes harder. I still don’t move.

“What the hell?” she says.

Artemis might have told her I’ve been sneaking out, but apparently she didn’t tell Honora the full truth—that I’m a Slayer. And I suspect she didn’t keep it secret to protect me. I think she didn’t want Honora to know because she wanted all of Honora’s attention. But my heart sinks that Artemis didn’t think the biggest thing that’s ever happened to me was worth mentioning.

I force a grin. “Who doesn’t know anything now?”

Honora grabs my shoulders to throw me aside. I push her. She flies out of the shed, landing hard on the ground. She scrambles back, then stands. “Not possible.”

I pick the padlock up off the ground and close it in my fist, then drop the ruined mess of metal onto the ground. I’m showing off—I know I am—but I can’t help it.

This is amazing. If I had known I’d be able to use this against Honora, I would have tried to become a Chosen One years ago. “You might be a Watcher, but I’m a Slayer. So back off and let me deal with Doug on my own.”

Honora’s face shifts from disbelieving to delighted. It’s a terrifying change. She pulls a band off her wrist and ties her hair back in a ponytail. “Well then, at least it’ll be a fairer fight when I kick your ass. Get out of my way. I won’t warn you again.”

Artemis holds up her hands. “This is ridiculous. Nina, you have no idea what you’re doing. Give the demon to Honora, and we’ll go back to the castle and figure this all out.”

I shake my head. “You’ve never seen what she’s really like.”

“You’ve always hated her. And now you’re using that as an excuse to be an idiot. Honora is an expert. You are not.”

Honora tries to slip past me. I block her. She grabs me for balance, then her fist slams into my stomach. We’re angled so Artemis doesn’t see the hit. Honora dances back away from me.

“Come on, Nina,” she sings. “You don’t want to do this.”

I shake off her blow, raising my own fists. “I really do.”

I aim a high kick at her head, but she ducks under my leg, pushing up to throw me off balance. I spin and land awkwardly in a crouch. I dive, rolling under her own vicious kick. I sweep out with my leg. She trips, going down hard. But before I can take advantage, she pushes herself up, flipping back onto her feet in a super cool move I’m instantly jealous of.