Free Wystan by Allison Merritt Page A

smaller, more vulnerable. The changesteed could see through the steam, was extremely strong, fast, cunning, and hungry. Fortunately, it had the disadvantage of being freshly discharged from Hell.
    â€œWhat are you waiting for, Wys? Aren’t you going to kill it?” Tell’s voice rolled out of the curtain in front of the Pit.
    He knew it wasn’t his brother. Knew Tell was tracking a lesser demon who’d arrived last week.
    â€œCome on out. No need to play games.” He gripped the knife loosely and took a step forward. “I know you just got here, but it’s never too soon to go home again.”
    â€œWys, don’t be that way.” The changesteed was remarkably convincing. “You wouldn’t threaten your little brother.”
    Wystan sneered. “You don’t know me that well, do you?”
    â€œSheriff?” Rhia’s voice cracked. “We should go.”
    It stepped out of the vapor, six feet tall at its sloping shoulders. A wide mouth gaped with uneven teeth. Big eyes bulged from its face and pointed ears pricked forward. Its long legs carried it over the rocky ground without breaking stride. Cloven hooves clacked on the stone.
    â€œWystan. Astaroth sends warm regards.” A deep, gravelly voice issued from the creature’s throat.
    The horses’ hooves clattered on the rocks and one of them screamed in distress. Killing the changesteed would take more effort than a bargest. It was safer for Rhia if she wasn’t around.
    â€œRhia, go.”
    â€œWys—”
    He waved his arm at her. The changesteed crouched and sprang. Lifting the knife, Wystan braced for the impact of the beast. It crashed into him hard enough to take him off his feet. Sharp jags of rock bit into his back. A cloud of fetid breath clogged his nose. With all his strength, Wystan drove the knife into the changesteed’s chest. The blade sliced through sinew and cartilage, but the tip stopped shy of the closest thing it had to a heart. Demons didn’t have hearts, didn’t require blood to circulate through their veins. Brown sludge oozed over Wystan’s hands and the creature’s jaws snapped. Foamy flecks of saliva dropped onto his face.
    He wrenched the weapon free of the creature’s chest and it sank jagged teeth into his shoulder. In response, he pushed the knife into the softer tissue below its rib cage. The changesteed yelped and turned him loose long enough for him to spill its entrails. Ichor spewed from its mouth, but it didn’t stop snapping.
    A shot rang out and the changesteed collapsed on top of Wystan. He craned his neck around and saw Rhia sitting calmly atop the horse, smoking rifle in her hands. The changesteed’s black mouth and yellowed teeth were inches from his face. He pushed the carcass off and removed his knife from its guts.
    Rhia looked down at him, expression grim. “You still think I won’t fit in here?”

Chapter Eight
    Rhia leaned against the back of the chair in Eban’s office, watching the doctor clean blood off his brother’s shoulder. An uneven row of slashes marred the tanned flesh. The changesteed’s mouth was big and it could easily have torn Wystan’s arm from his body.
    Eban glanced at her. “Blood doesn’t bother you?”
    Wystan made a noise of disbelief. “ Nothing bothers her. She shot that damned changesteed like it was a jackrabbit and never blinked. She’s not natural.”
    â€œA thank you would do.” Inside she trembled like a coward. If they only knew. The changesteed had looked like a leftover jumble of animal parts. Such a thing shouldn’t exist. She prayed she’d never cross paths with one again.
    A muscle in Wystan’s jaw jumped as Eban prodded the wounds, but he didn’t respond.
    â€œOne demon two nights ago, another today. They’re coming with more frequency. Maybe we should post a guard outside of town.” Eban unstoppered a