Free A Very Demon Christmas [Demon Hunters 1] by Evanne Lorraine

as if she were a female demon, tell her the truth, and hope like hell she believed him.
    Even then, she still wouldn't be safe. She was human and much too vulnerable to every kind of nasty predator out there. Besides, humans who'd learned too much about his world disappeared permanently unless a full-blood demon was willing to be responsible for them. And what were the odds of him talking an unmated full-blood male into accepting her as his ward? If he could find a candidate, would Colin trust another male with Holly?
    Not very damn likely. His demon side was already screaming to claim her. But taking her and keeping her were entirely different. If he kept her, then she'd be in danger every time he hunted. What if he didn't win one of the death matches? Pretty much a given—no one always won. Then she'd die too. Not acceptable. No way. No how. Never happening.
    His cell played the opening notes of “The Sorcerer's Apprentice,” announcing Belinda. “Too cryptic?” Shit. He was getting as bad as Duec.
    The witch came back with a friendly laugh. “Let me see. You have a human female you want to use mind wipe on to erase five-hour-old memories, and you're worried about side effects. Did I miss anything vital?"
    "You got it."
    "There's something different about your voice—are you all right?"
    Balanced on a razor's edge of insanity, was an accurate assessment. “Fine."
    "Uh-huh, sure. Then why are you considering mind wipe?"
    Since Belinda asked, Colin bit back an automatic snarl and coughed up the truth. “I can't alter her memories. I can't even read her."
    "How do you know she has memories you need to erase?"
    He dug deep and softened his roar of frustration to a growl. “I've talked to her."
    Strange smothered noises came from Belinda.
    His jaw tightened. “You better not be laughing, or I'll paddle your ass even if you are a mistress. There's not one fucking funny thing about this whole mess."
    She cleared her throat. “Of course not. Mind wipe will do the job, and one vial will be enough. Side effects vary from human to human, but in general the keener the mind, the more effective the potion. A really bright subject will lose her short-term, mid-term, and probably a fair sized chunk of long-term memories."
    "So mind wipe works pretty much the same as if I did multiple memory alterations on the same person."
    "Very close, which is why it's seldom used, but if the alternative is death, then a few memory lapses might sound great."
    "Yeah, got it. Thanks for the info.” He ended the call and pocketed the phone.
    Still scowling over the sickening idea of damaging Holly's mind, he dropped ice into the tumblers, added a generous splash of scotch, and then water until the amber liquid was a finger width shy of the rim. He made another for himself, minus the water.
    The only alternative to wiping her memories was a guardian. Any of the other demon hunters—the only demons he was tight enough with to ask this kind of favor—presented exactly the same risk he did. Holly's protector would have to be a civilian, except where was he going find an honorable full-blood civilian up to the job? Her guardian had to be the best—and he was the best of the demon hunters. Hopeless pretty much summed up the situation.
    Colin thought about Zinja, Thad's dead mate. There was simply no place safe enough from the kinds of monsters stalking demon hunters and their families. Back to square one—he had to talk to Holly. He needed every advantage he could get, so he dug out a tray to serve the drinks. Then he added the ice bucket and the scotch before he strode into the living room.
    "Dear God, you've already healed, haven't you?” Holly paled even whiter than her usual light cream. Her skin glowed like moonlight against the black silk of his new favorite robe.
    He set down the tray and shrugged. “Pretty much. Have a seat."
    "Are you going to answer my questions?"
    "Yeah.” Colin held out a drink and waited until she'd settled her