Demon Hunted: Shadowguard Academy Book 3 Read online

  Demon Hunted

  Shadowguard Academy Book 3

  Samantha Britt

  Demon Hunted © 2020 by Samantha Britt

  ASIN: B0845PGG4Y

  Cover Design by Book Covers Artistry

  Copyright notice:

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Demon War

  Also by Samantha Britt

  About the Author

  One

  It’s eight in the morning, and aside from a few early walkers, Lake Forrest is pleasantly quiet. We reached the suburb a few minutes ago, and based on the stunning homes and well-kept streets, it’s affluent. And it’s definitely worlds above the abandoned warehouse Nora, Noah, and I used to share.

  “You doing okay?” Logan glances at me. He has dark circles under his eyes.

  We’d driven well into the night before stopping at an obscure motel on the outskirts of Chicago. The queen-sized beds were comfortable enough, but neither of us had gotten much sleep. Thoughts of original demons, soulmates, and reincarnation deprived me of sleep, and Logan had taken it upon himself to keep watch most of the night.

  I’d tried to persuade him to take shifts with me. After all, he’d spent the entire day driving, but he wouldn’t hear of it. Hours earlier, I had woken up from a three-week coma, but that meant little to Logan. He was convinced I needed more time to heal. So, he’d insisted on keeping watch while I rested.

  Now, we’re both bleary eyed and tired.

  “Yeah,” I answer, staring at a home with Grecian pillars supporting the front porch. “Just a little nervous, I guess.”

  “That’s understandable.” Logan takes a sip of burnt coffee, courtesy of the motel.

  His cell phone vibrates in the cup holder. I look down and see “Father” come across the home screen.

  “Should you get that?” It’s the fourth time his dad has called this morning, and I lost count of how many times he called yesterday before Logan decided to turn off his phone.

  “No.” He stares at the road, not even bothering to check the device.

  “Are you sure?” I chew my lip, nervous. I hadn’t thought about the implications of leaving St. Michael’s with Logan until his father had started calling.

  I’d only just woken up from a coma caused by unleashing powerful magic to fight off an original demon at a gala—a gala I wasn’t even supposed to be at.

  My family would be worried, and the Shadowguard would have questions. But before I could speak with anyone, my mentor had whisked me away from the academy.

  In hindsight, leaving had been reckless. I’d been so freaked out by seeing Azazel in my dream and hearing Andrew’s theory about why Belial is interested in me, that I didn’t stop to think of the consequences.

  Now, in the light of a new day, I know we made a mistake. Logan had good intentions when taking me away, but we can’t escape for a few days as planned. We have to go back.

  “You need to talk to him,” I murmur, barely louder than the hum of the Escalade’s engine.

  “No, I don’t.”

  I take a breath. “Your dad has helped you cover up mistakes in the past. He can help this time.” I’m thinking, specifically, about the junkyard.

  It had been an unsanctioned mission, but Logan brought me along. There, we’d found evidence that demons were abducting Guardians, but before we could get proof of what we discovered, demons had attacked. Guardians were sent to help, and Head Minister Hendricks had vouched for his son. He said he’d sanctioned the mission and permitted Logan to bring me along. Both were blatant lies.

  “We can’t afford for my father to learn anything about your powers or the fact you’re Hermona’s reincarnation.” He turns left, lifting a greeting hand to the elderly couple walking on the side of the road.

  “Witnesses saw my power,” I remind him. “You and I both know your father has already heard about it. As for the reincarnation thing… I thought you erased Andrew’s memory?”

  “I did.”

  Andrew Legrand, Logan’s best friend, comes from a family who specializes in demon history. He’s the one who discovered why Belial, an original demon, has become so immersed in my life. Apparently, I’m a descendant of Hermona—the only daughter of the first Guardian, Thaddeus. And Hermona, allegedly, had a romantic history with Belial.

  But that’s not all.

  Andrew claims Belial and Hermona were soulmates—a concept I certainly don’t believe in. But not only that, he also claims I’m not just Hermona’s descendant, but Hermona herself.

  Reincarnation is a topic I, as only a first-year academy student, have never heard of, but one that is supposedly real. Our history books document known reincarnations of Thaddeus’s seven children. Supposedly, these people are able to remember their past lives, thereby identifying them as reincarnations.

  But I don’t remember a single thing about a past life. That’s just one of many reasons why I reject Andrew’s theory, but Logan doesn’t share my skepticism. Rather than debate the subject with him for the fourth time, I’ve decided to let it go. There will be time to debunk their theories in the future.

  “Then how will your father learn about my link to Hermona if Andrew doesn’t remember?”

  “My sigil is powerful enough to make Andrew forget your conversation and me hitting him over the head, but it won’t make him forget what he learned before you two talked.”

  Dread pools in my stomach. “Do you think he will tell anyone?” I don’t even want to think about what others will say when they hear the reason behind Belial’s obsession with me.

  “No, Andrew doesn’t have anything to tell them—yet. He didn’t make the connection between you and the original until you two started talking about Belial’s past. Hopefully, we have time before he connects the dots again. And even then, Andrew isn’t the kind of Guardian who immediately runs to tell his superiors his theories. He’ll wait until he’s one-hundred percent sure before speaking to anyone.”

  I can only hope Logan is right. It’s bad enough I went from having no magic to releasing such a formidable force that Azazel, another original demon, was forced to retreat. That will be hard enough to explain without giving away the secret of my bloodline. I don’t need anyone believing I’m Hermona’s reincarnation.

  “So, if Andrew won’t immediately tell your father about me, how will he learn anything about rei
ncarnation?” I’m confused by Logan’s reasoning.

  “Look, Aspen, my father didn’t become Head Minister based on luck. He’s clever and manipulative. I don’t want to talk to him and risk giving anything away.”

  Hmm.

  I cross my arms and slouch in the seat. “Want my two cents?”

  Logan’s lips twitch. “Sure. Why not?”

  “You are just as clever as your father. We’ve already agreed we need to go back to St. Michael’s. I say you speak to your father. Tell him we left because you were worried for my safety.”

  “And why would I be worried about your safety when you were within the academy’s boundaries?” All Guardian establishments are protected by powerful sigils and wards, keeping demons and other enemies at bay.

  “We tell them Azazel infiltrated my mind while I was in a coma.”

  Logan’s head whips towards me. “You’d tell him about your dream sharing?”

  “No.” I’d given this idea a lot of thought when I couldn’t sleep last night. “I don’t want anyone to link me and Belial together more than they already have. I say we tell your father, and anyone who asks, that right before I woke up, Azazel infiltrated my dream and said he would be coming for me. We can say he wants revenge for what I did to him at the gala.”

  Logan’s eyes are back on the road. His forehead furrows as he considers my idea. “And I, as your dutiful mentor, rushed you out of the academy before Azazel could show up and get you?”

  “Yes.”

  “They’ll never buy it.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because my father won’t believe I’d be so reckless as to remove you from one of the safest locations in the United States.”

  Dang.

  He’s right.

  Logan is one of the top Guardians his age. He’d be levelheaded about any threat to my safety.

  Unless…

  I feel my cheeks heat as I consider voicing my latest idea.

  Logan notices.

  He shoots me a quick glance. “What is it? Why is your face red?”

  Oh my god… kill me now.

  I swallow the lump in my throat. “Uh… nothing.” It’s a dumb idea anyway.

  “Come on, Aspen. I know you better than that. What is it?”

  Seeing no way to avoid it, I slouch lower. I tilt my head so my hair shields me from view then share my latest idea. “What if your father thought you were… emotional. And that’s why you made the rash decision to take me from the academy.”

  “Emotional?” I hear his confusion.

  Ugh. This is so embarrassing.

  “Yeah…” I pause to clear my throat. “You know, like… you can tell him you care about me, or something. And those feelings made you overreact…”

  Seconds pass. I hold my breath.

  Finally, Logan breaks the silence. “I… I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  Of course not.

  I squeeze my eyes shut, feeling like a complete idiot. “Totally,” I’m quick to say. “It was a dumb idea. We can think of something else.”

  Logan and I had shared one kiss yesterday. Why would I think he’d be willing to reveal his feelings for me to his father? I know he said he’d been fighting them for a while, but that doesn’t mean he wants the world to know.

  Stupid, Aspen!

  “Hey.” Logan reaches over and takes my hand in his. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not embarrassed about how I feel for you, but I’m your mentor. Telling anyone what happened between us will get me reassigned, and I’d rather not be taken away from you while all of this is going on.”

  That… makes sense.

  Hesitantly, I peer up through my curtain of hair before quickly looking down into my lap. What is wrong with me? I’m acting like I’m twelve all over again.

  Get it together, Aspen!

  Logan slows the car to a stop, then parks. “Aspen, will you look at me?”

  I force myself to lift my head and meet his gaze. I smile, but it’s wobbly at best.

  Sincerity shines from his chocolate brown eyes, and the rising sun highlights the auburn streaks in his hair. “Your idea is good.”

  Shocked, my eyes widen. “It is?”

  He nods. “It might actually be a good idea for the Shadowguard to learn original demons can infiltrate our dreams. I haven’t been able to find any information on how to stop it, but maybe the council knows something.”

  “But what about the reason for us leaving the academy? What will we tell them?”

  “I’ll think of something.” With our hands still intertwined, Logan brings my hand to his mouth. Keeping eye contact, he presses his lips against my knuckles. “Or my father will. Either way, try not to worry about it.”

  My skin ignites. We slept in separate beds last night, not even snuggling. This is the most contact we’ve had since our kiss yesterday, and it’s just as thrilling.

  “So, you’re going to call your father?”

  Before he can answer, his cell phone vibrates.

  Logan looks down. It’s the head minister.

  “You should answer it.”

  “No, it can wait.” He reaches down and pushes the side button to silence the phone. Not ten seconds later, it buzzes again.

  I can’t make Logan do anything, but I think it would be best if he gets this conversation over with, sooner rather than later. His father is not going to stop calling until he answers.

  Logan releases an exasperated groan. “Are you sure you don’t mind if I answer right now?”

  I turn and see his resigned expression.

  “Not at all.” I untangle our hands, then gesture to the phone. “Feel free.”

  With another sigh, Logan retrieves the device and hits the green button.

  “Hello?”

  “Logan?” His father shouts. “Logan Hendricks, where the hell are you?”

  “I’m in Illinois.”

  “What the hell are you doing in Illinois?”

  I turn and stare out the window, trying to give Logan some semblance of privacy. We’re parked in front of a house. Quickly, I find the house numbers and confirm we’ve reached our destination. A fresh wave of apprehension washes over me. I’m both excited and nervous to see the twins again. The last I saw them, I left our abandoned lodgings to get us dinner, never to return. I haven’t spoken to them in years. Will they remember me? If so, will they forgive me?

  “Aspen and I are visiting old friends of hers.”

  “Visiting friends?” His father yells. “Do you know what I’ve had to do to keep the Van der Klays from filing an official complaint against you? Come back now. Or, so help me, son, I will assign you to desk duties for an entire year!”

  I wince. I can’t think of a more motivating threat. If I were Logan, I’d be turning the Escalade around right now.

  Rather than giving in, I’m stunned when Logan laughs. He actually laughs.

  “Do it, Dad. I can’t wait to see you explain to your buddies why your son is pulled from active missions.”

  Head Minister Hendricks grumbles something I can’t hear.

  “She was perfectly healed when we left. Her health was never at risk.”

  His father barks something else I cannot hear.

  Without missing a beat, Logan calmly replies, “I’ll apologize to the Van der Klays the moment we return, and I’ll have Aspen call them once we’re done meeting with her friends.”

  “YOU WILL HAVE HER CALL THEM RIGHT NOW AND THEN GET YOUR ASSES BACK HERE!” The Head Minister’s voice is so loud, Logan pulls the earpiece away from his ear.

  I decide I’ve overheard enough. I unclick my seatbelt, then whisper, “I’ll wait outside.” Not waiting for a response, I open the door and slip out of the vehicle.

  Closing the door, I wrap my arms around my torso and lean against the Escalade, trying my best not to eavesdrop on any more of the conversation. I knew Charles and Vivian would be worried. One minute, I was lying in a bed in the healing wing, and the next I disappeared f
rom campus. I can only imagine what they’re thinking. But I never thought they’d attempt to lodge a formal complaint against Logan. Charles is a member of the Shadowguard Council, appointed by Head Minister Hendricks. He could be risking his career by pissing him off.

  My thoughts turn to Lex, my foster brother. He’s going to be livid when I get back to St. Michael’s. I know he won’t easily forgive me for leaving without a word.

  I wonder what Peter told everyone. He was the only one with me when I woke up. I’d promised to return to the healing wing after talking to Logan, only to leave the academy without a word to anyone. My friend is probably angry with me, too.

  Frigid air swirls around my legs, making me wish I’d packed warmer clothes. It’s two weeks until Christmas, aka prime winter weather in the North. I’d been in such a rush to leave the academy that I’d tossed the first few things I saw into Cortney’s yellow duffle bag. If I could go back, I’d take the time to throw in a few more winter-friendly items.

  Bundled in my favorite leather jacket, I stare at the house in front of me, doing my best not to listen in on Logan’s dad shouting.

  To distract myself from the cold, I think about what I’m going to say about my powers when we return to the academy. No doubt, I’ll be questioned about it extensively. People know I’d casted magic without using a stylus—something Guardians are not able to do.

  I wonder if I can convince everyone I had sigils pre-drawn on my body, long before the demons attacked the gala. Logan would have my back. He’d say he drew them.

  Lost in thought, I don’t immediately notice when the house’s front door opens.

  Startled, I push off the Escalade and look around. Should I get back in the car? Or should I just ignore whoever has walked outside.