Marisa Chenery by Warrior's Surrender

followed it.
    The only place Chyna could think of where she had maybe a chance of being protected was inside Anubis’ temple. She ran faster than she’d ever run in her life. She could hear Jaxon hot on her trail. Inside the room, she slammed the door, but there was no lock so she put all her weight behind it, knowing full well it wouldn’t keep Jaxon out.
    “Anubis!” she yelled. “If you can hear me, I could really use your help.”
    Chyna felt something ruffling through her mind before a voice answered her inside it. Let Jaxon into the temple. Once he’s in, I’ll be able to hold him in place with a shield.
    She whimpered as Jaxon pushed at the door, almost throwing her off balance. “And the demon?”
    You’ll have to be the one to send him to me. One cut is all you need to send him to the underworld.
    A black-bladed dagger appeared in her hand. There went her promise to Jaxon to let him handle the demon. She was going to have to save them both. Chyna just hoped she could cut the demon before he managed to take her head.
    Jaxon gave a shove at the door that pushed her almost halfway across the room. Chyna recovered and stood her ground. He barreled into the temple, his upper lip snarled, showing off an impressive set of fangs. He growled and ran toward her. He only managed a few running steps before he ran into an invisible barrier. Jaxon pushed all around him, meeting with the same results. He gnashed his teeth, then let out a long howl.
    The demon stepped into the room. He scowled when he saw Jaxon fighting to free himself from the invisible barrier. “Running to Anubis’ temple isn’t exactly fair. The god may have control over his warrior, but the same can’t be said about me. I guess I’ll have to take care of you myself. It won’t be as much fun as having your mate do it, though.”
    Chyna held up the dagger Anubis had given her. “Stay away from me.”
    The creature laughed. “You think a dagger will be enough to save you? Don’t count on it.” A sword appeared in the demon’s hand. “It’s no match for this.”
    Chyna tuned out Jaxon’s snarls and growls and focused on the demon as he came closer. He circled her, a taunting smile on his face. She turned with him, not letting him out of her sights. She needed only one chance to cut him with the dagger, and doubted she’d get very many of them.
    The demon lunged, then pulled back his sword at the last minute. He laughed. The bastard was toying with her. He did that three more times, moving so fast Chyna never had a chance to strike back. On the fourth strike, instead of backing up, she stepped closer. His sword cut across the cap of her shoulder, but Chyna managed to get under his guard and slice him deep along his stomach.
    He bellowed in anger, lunged to give what Chyna thought would be a killing blow, but it never came. The demon’s body lost substance until he just disappeared. She stared at the spot where he’d been for a few seconds as she fought to catch her breath.
    Remembering Jaxon, Chyna turned to see him shifting back to his human form. He looked around the room as if he couldn’t remember getting there. Once his gaze landed on her, he rushed to her and yanked her into his arms.
    “Are you all right?” he asked as he held her tight.
    She nodded against his chest. “I’m fine. I just have a cut on my shoulder, which I’m sure is healing as we speak.”
    Jaxon released her and pushed up her short sleeve to look at her wound. Chyna watched it seal itself and disappear. She was pretty damn glad she was immortal.
    “The demon?” Jaxon asked.
    “Gone. I sent him to the underworld with this.” She held up the black dagger. “Anubis gave it to me, but I think you should have it.”
    Jaxon took the dagger from her, then must have willed it away since it disappeared. He’d told her about his ability to will weapons in and out of his hand when he needed to. He then yanked her close again and kissed her. Their embrace turned