Claimed by Light by Reese Monroe

other, and took off for the building. The demon gave chase, roaring after her. She opened the door, ripping it off the hinges. Shattering glass rang out, but she moved on. Her heart pummeled her chest. Don’t be dead. Don’t be dead.
    “Addie!”
    A scream slashed through Halena’s soul. Her fangs jutted out, and the Shomrei emerged with such a force Halena had to roar to accommodate the energy.
    The demon had demolished the bathroom door and was stepping in by the time Halena made her way there.
    Tackling the beast at the waist, she buried the blade deep in his gut. “ Reverto ut Abyssus .” The body disappeared beneath her, and she landed with a groan. Two strong hands hoisted her up by the shoulders.
    She swung her blade but missed. Fangs slashed into her forearm. Claws carved into her arm. Another scream from Addie.
    Halena swiped again. Weakness seeped into her muscles, though, and the attempt was feeble. The demon dodged, and his forearm collided with hers, knocking the blade loose.
    His talons slashed at her throat. Though her Shomrei protection deflected his attempt to behead her, skin was still broken. A fire-laced sting burned through her neck to her chest.
    She snapped at him, catching his finger. Bones cracked. He arched away, and she struck. Fangs sank deep into his flesh, and she twitched, ripping out his throat.
    The demon gurgled and slumped to the side. She buried her blade in his ribs. “ Reverto ut Abyssus !”
    The creature vanished, and she fell to the ground, spitting out the nasty blood that had leaked into her mouth. She hated biting.
    Bile stung at the back of her throat.
    “Halena.” Addie’s shaking hands pressed her bleeding shoulder.
    “I’ll be fine.”
    “Here. You dropped this.” She handed Halena the Mavet dagger. “Damn, you’re strong.”
    “Wait. You can touch that?” She plucked the weapon out of Addie’s hand. First Slade, now his sister? Was this weapon not sacred anymore?
    “I figured you’d need it in case any more creeps come.” She helped Halena to her feet. “You’re bleeding so much.”
    “You okay?” Halena glanced at the shredded bathroom door, then grabbed Addison by the shoulders, inspecting her. “Any cuts? Did one bite you?”
    “I’m good.” She grinned. “You called me Addie.”
    Leave it to the brat to realize that. Halena wasn’t exactly sure when she’d started referring to this little stinker by her nickname, but it’d happened.
    Damn it.
    “Where’s the cashier?” She needed the subject changed immediately.
    “On the phone.”
    “Let me trance him, then we need to leave.”
    Halena made haste wiping the attendant’s mind and hurrying out to the car. Damn, those cuts and bites were deep.
    An SUV with dark windows squealed its tires as it skidded into the lot. Demon sense tingling, Halena decided running would be better. She was weak.
    The doors opened, and there wasn’t enough time to make it to her car. Mavets in hand again, she stepped in front of Addie. “Stay behind me.”
    Theo. Need a little help.
    In a blast of wind Theo, Justin, and Yvonne rushed out from behind Halena’s vehicle.
    “Halena?” Justin said.
    She pointed to the SUV, then fell to her knees. “Demons.” Flashes of Slade rammed into her. Her heart stammered, and her hands went sweaty.
    “Halena?” Addie asked, helping ease her to her side. “Halena! Are you okay?”
    A demon jumped out of the driver’s side and charged, fangs dropped. Theo and Justin attacked, leaving Yvonne to guard Halena and Addie. Halena clutched the young girl to her and held a Mavet out in case anyone got past Yvonne.
    Yvonne squatted, her hands fisted. Her arms were bare, as were her legs. Anything that touched her would vaporize so that made sense, but Halena didn’t like her so close to Addie.
    The passenger side door of the SUV opened and out stepped Slade.
    Yvonne rushed toward him, hands outstretched.
    “No!” Addie screamed and jumped to her feet.
    “Addie. Lena!”