Free The Witching Hour (The Grim Reaper Saga (Urban Fantasy Romance)) by Marie Hall

stench of blood filled the night like a beacon. Soon it would attract every vamp and Were to the area like a shark’s feeding frenzy. They needed to end this now.
    The sisters formed a circle and began to chant. A red haze seeped from the silver talismans hanging around their necks. The large ruby on Eve’s necklace began to glow with heat, flame sparked from its center. Tamryn’s and Cel’s did the same. It was the manifestation of their power. It grew bigger, wider--transforming into the image of a burning phoenix. Orange flames snapped and popped from the body of the bird. Its great golden beak rose into the air and it let out a piercing scream of warning.
    But the fighting between Harry and the creature was far from over. The creature grabbed Harry around the middle and threw him against a brick wall. The side of the building shuddered and cracked. Dust and stone flew through the air.
    To throw a half-ton bear through the air like it weighed no more than a feather brought fear, sharp and twisting, to Eve’s gut. What was this thing?
    She didn’t have to wait long for an answer. The creature unfurled from its crouching stance and faced them, half in and out of shadow. A street lamp illuminated its features.
    “Oh my goddess!” Tamryn breathed.
    A chill black silence enveloped them.
    Demon. It was a demon. They couldn’t contain it. Not without its true name.  
    It advanced. Each step deliberate. Slow. Toying with them. Lavender eyes, set in a farm boy face glowed with malice.
    Her heart slammed against her ribs. But she couldn’t rip her gaze away, like watching a train headed straight at you. Knowing you had no chance to escape the death that awaited on impact.
    As one, the sisters hurled their phoenix into the advancing form of the demon. The demon hissed and spit, swiping at the burning fire as the phoenix gouged into his flesh with its dagger like beak.
    The battle was intense and the sisters trembled trying to contain their energy as the demon ripped and clawed at their bird.
    Sweat beaded on Eve’s brow, her body ached as she pushed her will at the creature. Black tracks of ooze slid down the demon’s sun-kissed face, but it wasn’t enough. With one mighty swipe the demon cowed the phoenix and twisted its head off, shattering the illusion, and knocking the sisters to the ground, spent and shivering.
    Small stones and rubble bit into Eve’s cheek. The chill from the asphalt seeped into her pores. She knew she’d never be warm again. Her jaw clattered as the numbing cold of ice traveled through her veins, freezing her from the inside out. They’d used too much magick; she had none left to defend herself. Blearily she looked for her sisters, fear hammering in her heart for their safety.
    Then her eyes widened as the silhouette of the man she’d seen standing by the dumpster appeared by the Demon’s elbow. He was whispering words she couldn’t decipher.
    The demon grinned and then his gaze zeroed in on her. That’s when she knew…
    She’d been marked for death.
     

 
    Cian watched as one by one the sisters left the club, followed closely by a large Were.
    He rolled his neck from side to side and waited. Last thing he wanted was to have the bear catch wind of his scent.
    The women wouldn’t know he was friend and not foe. Never a good idea to startle three witches and a bear.  
    He glanced at the clock wall. The club was still packed to capacity at one in the morning.
    Five minutes passed before he felt it safe to follow. Scrubbing a tired hand down his face, he stood, ready to call it a night himself. First he needed to make certain that his witch made it home safely. Tomorrow he’d come up with the impossible plan to keep her safe from The Morrigan’s clutches.
    He didn’t stand a chance of coming up with one, but he was working hard at being more positive. Positive, he snorted. The Morrigan will roast my head over a spitfire, while Dagda chomps on my bones. How’s that for