Free Demon Hunters 3: Tainted (Stand Alone Series) (Demon Hunters.) by Avril Sabine Page B

didn’t have me to worry over she’d find something else. I’m doing her a favour.”
    Scarlett slowly shook her head at him before she turned back to Cassidy. “You don’t understand how dangerous it is to bind a demon to an object. You won’t live forever. Anyone could end up with it. A demon in the wrong hands can do a lot of damage.”
    “That’s not going to be a problem.”
    Scarlett frowned. “Dying?”
    Cassidy nodded.
    Jesse swore, ignoring Scarlett’s rebuke over his language. “No wonder Gabe calls you demon girl. Have you any idea what you’ve done?”
    “No. And I wish people would stop asking me that.” Cassidy lowered her dagger, but continued to hold it. “No one will tell me anything. Well, not anything I want to hear. I’m not religious and not interested.” Not after everything she’d been through. “So don’t bother trying to force it down my throat. I’m keeping Remedy. That’s not up for discussion. All I need to know is how to get rid of our enemy.”
    “Who happens to know his true name,” Gabe reminded her.
    Cassidy shrugged. “Yeah, and?”
    Jesse shook his head. “You’re screwed.”
    “Jesse!” Scarlett glared at him.
    It was Jesse’s turn to shrug, a half smile on his lips. “You know it as well as I do, Lady Knight.”
    “I wouldn’t have worded it quite that way,” Scarlett said.
    Jesse’s half smile became a grin. “It doesn’t matter how it’s worded, the fact remains. She’s got no hope in hell in retaining a grip on her humanity. A demon that powerful will eventually take her over.”
    Cassidy stared at him, wanting to demand he take back his words. Remedy wasn’t going to own her. He’d already taken enough from her. “How do I stop that?”
    “Sever the ties somehow,” Jesse said.
    “Or become more powerful than him.” Gabe’s soft words caused bedlam.
    Cassidy watched as an argument broke out amongst the hunters about the morality of binding a demon to an object. When it looked like it wasn’t going to end, she broke in. “What’s the best object to use?”
    “Don’t even think about it,” Scarlett said.
    At the same time Gabe answered her. “A ring.”
    “Why a ring?” Ignoring Scarlett, Cassidy turned to Gabe.
    “Jewellery is best since you can always have it on you. A bracelet or necklace risk being broken in battle. The only way you’ll lose a ring is if your finger is cut off or you lose weight.”
    Cassidy shuddered at the thought of her finger being cut off. “So I get one that’s tight on me now and avoid axe wielding maniacs.”
    Gabe laughed. “Want help choosing one?”
    “No.” Scarlett grabbed his shoulder, turning him to face her. “Stop encouraging her, Gabriel. Your mother didn’t leave you with us so you could get into more trouble.”
    Gabe’s eyes narrowed. “Stop calling me that. Only Mum calls me that stupid name. I’m not an angel and I’ve got no interest in becoming one. And stop treating me like a child. I’m an adult, Scarlett. Quite capable of making my own choices.”
    “Really? Then think about what you’re doing. You help her and you imperil your own soul,” Scarlett said.
    “Like you did?”
    Scarlett looked away from Gabe’s intense stare. “Sometimes one must choose the lesser evil.” She looked at Cassidy. “But this isn’t the case here. We can solve this problem without sin. We’ll find a way.”
    “You’re already too late. My sins can’t get much worse than they already are.” Cassidy’s lips twisted into a mocking smile as she remembered the night she’d first met Remedy. “You can’t save me from hell. You’re a few months too late.”
    Scarlet walked towards Cassidy, compassion filling her gaze. “All sins can be forgiven. You only have to be sorry, never do it again and ask forgiveness. All sinners can repent.”
    Cassidy laughed, short and sharp. “This one is impossible to repeat, except in my nightmares.” She made a sharp motion with her hand. “Forget