Part 34 (1/2)

He'd been quiet throughout all this. She wondered if part of him still felt like he should be down there in the tunnels. No matter how long it took, she'd make sure he never regretted his decision to stay alive.

'Hit it.'

He pressed the b.u.t.ton and she heard a low rumble, like thunder off in the distance. The treetops shook on the island, but other than that, nothing.

'That was it?' Shay asked.

'That was it,' Derek answered.

'Pretty d.a.m.ned low-key if you ask me,' Trace said.

Derek turned to Gina and winked before answering Trace. 'It's supposed to work that way.'

Gina grinned. All the hunters stood at the railing, watching. She felt so much peace as she looked around at the others. They were her family now. Only this time, she wasn't afraid to care. Derek had washed away her fears and taught her that loving didn't necessarily mean losing. He'd come after her when she was taken by the demons, showing her that depth of love meant risking everything. He'd have given up his life for her. And she'd risk everything for him, and for the rest of her newfound family.

The end of this part of the journey meant the beginning of a new adventure for her.

'I wish this was the end of it,' Lou said, 'but it's not. We may have closed the portal on this island, but there are others.'

'So now what?' Trace asked.

'Now we hunt,' Derek answered. He'd already filled them all in about his brother and about his half-demon blood. And what it could possibly mean. He wanted to be straight with them. They had shown no fear of him, accepted him completely. Gina knew how important it was to him, even if he acted as if he didn't care one way or another. As far as they were concerned, he was still the same Derek. Mandy even sniffed him and said as long as he didn't stink like a demon, he was okay to her. Gina laughed, grateful to all of them for their acceptance of the man she loved.

Ryder asked the question no doubt on everyone's mind. 'Where?'

'We'll start in Sydney. If Nic is there, chances are there's a demon setup there, too,' Lou said.

'Ah, going home,' Trace said with a grin. 'Any idea where in Sydney?'

'Not yet, but I've already got the Realm working on it. By the time we get there, we'll know where Nic is.'

'Might as well relax for now,' Punk said, beaming a smile.

'I could use a beer or two,' Linc said.

'Game of cards sounds good to me,' Ryder said.

'I'm in,' Trace quipped.

Shay yawned. 'I need a nap. A nice, long nap.'

'Sounds like a good idea. Gina, I need to talk to you.' Derek grabbed her hand and led her below to his room, shutting and locking the door behind him. He stared at her while she waited expectantly for him to come to her.

'Do you want to continue on with this?' he finally asked.

Gina tilted her head and frowned. 'With what?'

'This whole demon thing. Because you don't have to.'

'Huh?' What the h.e.l.l was he talking about?

'You could go back to your life. To making movies, what you're good at.'

'I'm not interested in making movies anymore.'

'You're not?'

'No. When I started as a teen, it was a chance to get away from foster care, from any memories of my former life. I could be someone else. That was my escape from reality, from having to attach myself to anyone or any place. Hollywood and moviemaking is a fantasy land, a place where nothing real exists. For me, it was perfect. I could be anything and anyone I wanted to be. No one knew who I really was. I didn't have to care about anyone. I played a role and when it was over, I was gone.'

'And you won't miss it?'

She smiled at him. 'Not a bit.'

He crossed to the porthole and stared out at the island.

She followed and placed her hand on his shoulder, turning him around to face her. 'I don't understand. Don't you want me with you?'

'You know I do.' His voice was almost a whisper.

'Tell me what's bothering you.'

'We're going to Sydney, to hunt down Nic. It's going to be dangerous.'

Oh. She was beginning to get an inkling here. 'And?'

'There on the island, you did a great job taking care of yourself. We made a h.e.l.luva team.'

'Yes, we did.'

'But that was before I found outwell, you know.'

'Before you discovered you were part demon. So what's the difference?'

'I can help protect you against other demons. I can't protect you against me.'

Now she understood. 'I don't need protection against other demons and especially not against you. You're never going to hurt me.' She laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around him. He threaded his fingers through her hair, kissing the top of her head. Then he stepped back and pulled her away, keeping an arm's-length distance between them. The hard evidence of his need for her was outlined against his jeans. She shuddered, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s heavy and warm, her nipples tightening at the thought of having him buried inside her.

G.o.d, she needed that joining with him. It had already been too long. She'd almost lost him.

So why was he pus.h.i.+ng her away?

'What's wrong?' she asked.

'Are you okay with this?'

'With what?'

He looked down at himself. 'With me. And you.'

She frowned. 'Huh?'