Demon Angel

said quietly. "Is he alone?"
    The demon's eyes widened with shock and confusion. Obviously, Beelzebub hadn't told her about Lilith's transformation. Her gaze slid past Lilith to Hugh and Sir Pup, and fear flashed over her features.
    "No," she said.
    Hugh gave a tiny shake of his head. Lilith's smile was cold and dangerous. "Run," she said. "If you stop before the Gate, he'll eat you." The demon hesitated, and Lilith sighed. "Or he can do it here; I have nothing to lose."
    Whether Lilith opened her mind to the demon to convince her, or if it was simply a lack of loyalty toward Beelzebub, Hugh didn't know—but in the next instant the chair was empty.
    Lilith grinned and turned to Sir Pup. "She is gone?" When the hellhound gave his affirmative headshake, she signed, Demons only care for their own asses. But it won't take her long to realize he isn't on her heels .
    Hugh gestured to the open doorway of the waiting area. They'd hoped to arm themselves in advance, but there'd been too many agents walking past the room to risk it. Apparently, word of Lilith's return was spreading, and a few of the more curious wanted to catch a glimpse of her themselves. We can't call in the weapons out here .
    "Shit." She took a deep breath. Shut the door as quickly as possible .
    They'd practiced this, too. The door had to be closed for the soundproofing to cover the noise of the gunfire; it wouldn't completely muffle it, but outside the assistant's room it could be mistaken for a dropped file, the snap of a laptop closed too hard.
    "I'll be right behind you," he said.
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CHAPTER 33
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    She measured it in breaths. The first just before she opened the door, and it was used calling for the gun. Her hand was already in front of her, she only had to wrap her finger around the trigger. Beelzebub looked up. A blur as he leapt atop his desk, and Sir Pup streaked past her leg. Don't engage him , she thought— it wasn't part of the plan. A demon could kill a hellhound, but not a human, so she wanted Sir Pup as far away from him as possible. Only surprise him, make him hesitate .
    She exhaled, fell to her knee, and waited for the click of the latch. The hellhound stopped in the middle of the room, bracing his paws and shifting. Two swords in Beelzebub's hands now. Just far enough into the room that Hugh wouldn't have to maneuver space for himself as he closed the door.
    Not aiming for the eyes this time; easier to track their red glow than his body as he sped toward her. And Hugh would need them to—
    Click.
    She pulled the trigger. Less than four yards away, a crimson flower bloomed from Beelzebub's chest. Another from his gut.
    His momentum helped carry him forward, but he was slower. Vampire speed. Good enough. Two yards now. Her ears rang; she hadn't heard Hugh call for his weapon over the report of the gun. Had Sir Pup?
    She saw the bolt embed in his stomach before she heard the twang from the crossbow's string, the thunk of its impact into flesh.
    Beelzebub dropped.
    A single breath, and it was one of the sweetest she'd ever taken.
    "Do I enjoy this too much?"
    Hugh turned the lock, then glanced back at Lilith. She stood with her boot pressed to Beelzebub's throat, and cheerfully placed the point of the crossbow to his left shoulder. The demon roared as she shot a bolt through, pinning him to the floor. The feathered butts stuck up from his right shoulder and his wrists—necessary after he'd managed to rip the shaft of the first from his abdomen.
    "No," Hugh replied. "What about his legs?" If the demon got his feet under him, it would give him too much leverage.
    Beelzebub shifted, his clothes disappearing, hard scales covering his large form.
    Lilith grinned. "A little late. Bet that took just about all of your energy, didn't it? But a tougher hide won't save you, and your belly's still nice and soft." She covered his eyes with her foot, then looked over at Hugh. Any more venom, and he might not be able to talk .
    Sir Pup lay in front of the door; Hugh debated for just a moment before signing, We need him as our defense there. Will more blood make you sick? I can remove his legs .
    Her lips twisted, and she tried to look affronted but failed. Probably. And he's weak as it is: we can't take the risk he'll lose more .
    Hugh moved to stand next to the demon, examining him closely. The bullet wounds had healed, the scales closed up around the shafts of the bolts. Only the venom held him still, but they had to ride a fine