Between the Bleeding Willows (The Demon Hunters Series Book 1) by D.A. Roach Page B

Divine Mission to fight demons. I’d like us to have a moment of silence to remember Siggy and Ren, our brothers, sons, family that lost their lives today.”
    The group bowed their heads. Some placed their hands on their hearts, and others quietly wept. Jackson knelt by the cart with Ren and Siggy, his head lowered to his son’s as his shoulders shook. I waited for him to look up before continuing. “Tomorrow morning, we will lay them to rest as the heroes they are. For now, those needing medical care, head to the med unit. If you’re uninjured, work with the Harvesters to move and properly store the fruit. Then shower, eat, and hug your loved ones. Dismissed.”
    I slipped between them, escaping toward my room. We’d returned with only three carts of fruit. I hoped it was enough to carry us through till our own trees were producing again and more were planted. Returning to the tunnels was not an option. Not again. No one else needed to be hurt or be killed.
    Anxious for a shower, I rounded the corner and yanked off what remained of my filthy shirt. As the fabric passed over my eyes, I froze. Surely I was hallucinating from exhaustion. “Cassidy, how are you here?”
    She looked radiant—eyes bright, and her cheeks and lips held the slightest shade of pink. She leaned against the doorframe and smiled at me.
    My heartbeat quickened, my face felt warm, and pulses of energy radiated in my tattoo. In two steps, I had my arms around her waist, pulling her in for a kiss. What are you thinking? I asked myself, but I still brought her to me.
    Her breath hitched as our lips met, but she allowed it. She didn’t stop me. Her lips softened, moving in sync with mine. For this brief moment, the hardships of the day were soothed and the worries that plagued me fell away. She was the warm sun taking her place in my stormy, cloud-filled sky.
    Our rhythm slowed, and I pulled back to look into her hazel eyes. “It is so good to see you alive and awake.”
    “It’s good to be alive and awake.” The left side of her mouth curved in a smile. “I came to just before Lena crossed over…” Her face darkened as her eyes lowered. “I saw Angeline helping her. She told me about the tunnels…” Swallowing, she murmured, “I heard a few…I’m sorry, Killian. I’m so sorry.”
    I nodded in reply.
    She shifted uncomfortably before looking back at me. “Anyway, listen, I don’t want to keep you. Um, you must be exhausted.” She looked down again and shifted toward the hall. “I just thought I’d stop by to welcome you home.” She turned and walked away, one hand on the wall.
    I stood there like an idiot watching her retreating figure—wishing she would return, wishing my feet would move and chase after her. But I wasn’t good with intimate interactions, never had been, so I avoided them. And I knew the rules about relationships, about marriage. I very well knew why they existed.
    But with Cassidy it was different. Whether it was the tattoo bonding us or the effect she had on me, I wanted more with her.
    I couldn’t want that. If there were ever a time when she was hurt or in peril, and I would have to choose—save her or save my people…My people had to come first; I couldn’t risk even a moment’s hesitation to question that.
    Squeezing my eyes shut, I pounded a fist against the stone wall and retreated to my room.
     
    ***
     
    After getting cleaned up and eating one of the nut bars the Harvesters always made for us, I headed to the medical unit. “Lena, where do you need me?”
    My sister looked up from the rustic-looking wheelchair she sat in that kept her injured leg elevated. “Um, grab me the clean cloths and some soapy water in a basin and join me over by Anchor.”
    Angeline bandaged one of the Harvesters; his injuries were minor. She smiled at me as I approached her. “Killian.”
    “Angeline. Thanks for helping Lena.”
    She looked in Lena’s direction with concern on her face. I followed her stare but saw