Free Heart of a Hunter by Tamela Miles Page B

ground, and that’s the way it will be. You should have never involved yourself on the day she was born.”
    Elle shivered in fear at hearing that, inching behind Tagas for protection. What in the hell is he talking about? He shrugged, seemingly unconcerned, but she was very concerned. She grabbed Tagas’ shoulder from behind. “What does he mean? Who—what is he and what does Hell have to do with me?”
    Tagas turned to her. “Pyro is a demon wretch from one of the hottest parts of Hell. His job is to thwart everything I do to protect you, young Elle.” His lips lifted in a small smile. “He’s here to kill you.” He turned his attention back to the demon.
    Elle blinked a few times, her mind swirling in confusion. “Why? What have I done?”
    Pyro’s face rippled beneath the human flesh covering it as he narrowed his eyes. “Because your very existence is a nuisance to me.” Tagas pulled a large dagger from his side sheath, and Pyro took a few steps back. Elle’s gaze darted back and forth between the two of them, her heart racing.
    Pyro’s eyes lit up with bright flames. “There will be another time and when it comes, I’ll make her very sorry for being what she is as I end her life. You can’t stop me. Remember this, Tagas.” In the next moment, Pyro was simply gone with only a light, hot breeze to show he had even been there.
    Elle’s eyes teared up again, hitching little sobs coming from her throat. Tagas suddenly pulled her into a fierce embrace. “I…don’t know what’s happening here, and I’m scared.” She let him hold her tightly as she cried, taking comfort. “What mistake could I have made for Hell to come after me?”
    Tagas stepped back, giving her a serious look. “You took your first breath. From the moment you were born, angels like me have been fighting agents of Hell to keep you alive. You’re here to serve an important purpose for Heaven. I’m here to ensure that you become exactly what you were made to be.”
    Elle took a deep breath as she stood on unsteady feet for a moment, taking in all that he said. “You’re…an angel, Tagas? I believe good people go to Heaven when they die and angels help them. I believe in guardian angels, but I never thought I would see one. Not only am I seeing you, but you saved my life. Um, thanks for looking out for me.”
    Tagas nodded. “I would be a lousy guardian angel if I didn’t. Come on—we have much to discuss, and the park isn’t far from here. We’ll talk there.” Tagas led the way, and Elle wordlessly followed, her mind still spinning with a thousand questions and a lot of wonder.
    ****
    “A demon hunter? I’m sorry, but are you serious, Tagas?”
    Elle and Tagas sat side by side on a park table. Night had come to Los Angeles, the stars sparkling in the black velvet sky overhead. She had listened intently as he relayed the circumstances of her birth and her calling as a demon hunter, snorting in obvious disbelief. He knew her well, having guarded her for all the years of her young life and knew that she would be resistant. Part of his job description included convincing those who were called to fulfill a higher purpose of their true worth to God Himself. He sighed, rubbing his bristled chin.
    “Yes, for the third time, you are, by creation, a demon hunter.” He gave her a thoughtful look. “You have always possessed far more strength than the average girl, but in a year’s time, with my help, you will be stronger and very skilled at tracking and destroying demons who wreak havoc on mankind every day of their miserable existence. You, Elle, will be virtually unstoppable.”
    “Show me,” Elle demanded, her brown eyes bright with unshed tears. “Show me your power because I’m still straddling the fence on believing that I’m special to anyone, especially God. Demon hunting sounds like a calling for those who matter in this life, the dimes. Tagas, I’m just a penny.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Not feeling sorry