Page 61 of Demon Unleashed

“A liar and a murderer. No surprise there.”

“And the insults keep coming. You’re making it increasingly difficult for me not to hurt you.”

“Stop stalling.”

“Fine.” Zoltan pulled his dagger from his pocket and readied himself.

Hamish pounced first, charging toward Zoltan with a ferocity fed by his belief that Zoltan had harmed Tessa. His hatred for Zoltan was evident in the way he glared at his enemy. But Zoltan couldn’t allow Hamish to take his revenge. Nobody would die today. Not if he could help it.

Zoltan jumped to the side, out of Hamish’s path. But the Stealth Guardian seemed to have expected the move and swerved at the last second, his dagger grazing the hand Zoltan had raised in defense. The wound wasn’t deep, but it bled. Green drops rained onto the tile floor.

Hamish grunted angrily, pounced again, and forced Zoltan into another defensive sidestep. As he spun on his heel, Zoltan slammed his elbow into Hamish’s side, knocking him off his feet. But the bastard was agile and regained his balance inside a second.

“Fucking demon!” Hamish growled, and kicked out, slamming his foot into the back of Zoltan’s knees.

The impact made him crash to the floor, but he immediately rolled to the side then jumped up, before Hamish could catch him in this vulnerable position. But Hamish didn’t give up. He kept coming, kept stabbing with his blade, kept kicking and punching, while Zoltan only defended himself, only held Hamish back as best he could. It made Hamish even bolder, and seemingly more ferocious. When Hamish’s dagger sliced into Zoltan’s thigh, leaving a deep gash, Zoltan had had enough.

“You’re fucking asking for it,” he growled, and fought back.

Zoltan punched Hamish in the neck, then kicked him sideways so he crashed against the sink so hard that the old thing cracked. The faucet was still running, and water seeped through the crack onto the floor. Hamish didn’t let the cracking sink distract him and pushed himself away, kicking Zoltan in the gut, while behind him, the sink’s anchoring to the wall snapped and porcelain pieces fell to the ground.

Zoltan tumbled backward and bounced against the bathroom stall. He saved himself from falling into the toilet by gripping the edges of the stall and catapulting himself toward his aggressor, losing his dagger in the process. It didn’t matter. He wasn’t going to use the blade on Hamish.

Hamish grinned, casting a triumphant look at the dagger that had slithered out of reach. Big mistake. It gave Zoltan a fraction of a second in which to knock Hamish backward, making him land on his ass. Together they slid on the now wet floor, until stopped by the wall. Despite being on his back with Zoltan on top of him, Hamish was able to aim his dagger at Zoltan’s neck. Zoltan blocked it not a moment too soon. In the same motion, he slammed Hamish’s elbow back and pinned his arm to the ground amidst pieces of broken porcelain.

With his left arm, Zoltan prevented Hamish from delivering a blow to Zoltan’s temple. “Stop fighting, you idiot!”

But Hamish wouldn’t have any of it. He kept struggling. But Zoltan had him pinned and was now slamming his fist on Hamish’s wrist so he released the dagger. Zoltan snatched it, then whipped his face back to Hamish.

The Stealth Guardian stared at him. For a moment, neither of them moved.

“I’m sorry for what I’m gonna have to do,” Zoltan said, and knocked the back of the dagger’s handle against Hamish’s pinned arm, slamming it against the jagged edge of the porcelain.

Hamish screamed in pain.

Zoltan jumped up, dagger still in hand, and moved a few steps away. “You gave me no choice.”

Hamish stared up at him, sitting up with the help of his good arm, while the other hung limply, the bone broken.

“Next time, take the out when it’s offered.” Zoltan ran toward the half-open window.

“Why didn’t you kill me?” Hamish called after him, while Zoltan pushed the window wide open and heaved himself onto the ledge.

He looked over his shoulder. “Ask Enya. She’s the reason you’re still alive.” He heard the sound of a door being ripped open, but he couldn’t stay any longer. He had to escape now.

Zoltan jumped.