Part 35 (1/2)

As she melted against him, she didn't even think what tomorrow would bring. In a short span of time her entire life had changed. Maybe this wasn't what she'd planned for her future, but fate had a way of showing one the light in odd ways.

She'd used action and adventure as an escape her entire life. Hidden under the persona of Gina Bliss, never letting anyone see who she really was.

Turned out part of her really was Gina Bliss. Maybe the scared little girl from all those years ago was finally gone. She'd definitely proved she could fight creatures from the depths of h.e.l.l and live through it, could face death and darkness and not cower or run in fear.

She'd even faced love, and the possibility of losing love, and come through it unscathed. She'd found someone to love her back despite all her faults.

If she could do that, she could do anything.

Bring on the demons.

About the Author.

J aci Burton is thrilled to be living her dream of writing romance, pa.s.sion, and adventure. She enjoys immersing herself in the mystical world of the paranormal and believes that love really is the greatest magic of all. Jaci has published over thirty books in multiple genres and is a aci Burton is thrilled to be living her dream of writing romance, pa.s.sion, and adventure. She enjoys immersing herself in the mystical world of the paranormal and believes that love really is the greatest magic of all. Jaci has published over thirty books in multiple genres and is a Romantic Times Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award winner. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and five dogs. Reviewer's Choice Award winner. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and five dogs.

Visit Jaci at .

Read on for a sneak peek of of HUNTING THE DEMON.

by Jaci Burton .

Coming from Dell in fall 2007 Hunting the Demon On Sale fall 2007

Prologue.

N ic Diavolo stood in the dark place, hundreds of clawed hands reaching for him. They tore at his clothes, raking at his skin, the creatures' voices like a cacophony of humming bees. Now the buzzing grew louder, a chant of triumph as they surrounded him. ic Diavolo stood in the dark place, hundreds of clawed hands reaching for him. They tore at his clothes, raking at his skin, the creatures' voices like a cacophony of humming bees. Now the buzzing grew louder, a chant of triumph as they surrounded him.

They'd finally won. All these years the monsters had chased him, and he had always run. Run as hard as he could, always slipping and falling, but he'd always stayed ahead of them. Always escaped.

This time, he had slowed down. Stopped. Turned and let them catch up, watched as five turned to ten. Then twenty-five. Then a hundred or more of the creatures. Horrifying in appearance, with their red eyes and long fangs, their dirty, claw-like fingernails reaching out to him.

When they reached him, he expected to scream.

This was it. The moment he had spent a lifetime fearing.

They touched him, their nails raking over his naked skin. He shuddered at the first touch, revulsion and dread filling him.

But they didn't shred him to pieces, didn't sink their dripping talons into his flesh, didn't growl as if they wanted to tear him apart.

They stared at him in awe, touched him with reverence, bowed their heads.

He was their king.

At that moment, Nic realized something monumental.

He felt no fear.

And that was the most frightening thing of all.

Take your place.

He heard the voice, but didn't understand, couldn't see anyone around him.

You're home, son.

Recognition struck. It was his father. But Nic was confused, didn't understand the command.

These are your people, Dominic. You belong to them, and they to you.

Nic shook his head. Something wasn't right. He didn't belong here with these creatures.

'Dad?'

All he heard was soft laughter.

'Dad!'

The laughter faded, and he was once again alone with the beasts. They beseeched him wordlessly with their groping hands, their mumbled adoration. He began to suffocate as they closed in, unable to breathe as they pressed against him.

No! He didn't want this! He wanted answers, G.o.ddamit!

'Dad! Where are you?!'

The shrill alarm blasted Nic into an upright position. Covered with sweat, his heart hammering his ribs, he slammed his hands onto the mattress and blinked against the darkness, fighting for breath.

What. The. f.u.c.k. Disoriented and shaking, he struggled for time and place. Disoriented and shaking, he struggled for time and place.

His bedroom at the house in Sydney. No monsters. Not real.

Dreams.

Man, that was some weird s.h.i.+t.

Always the same. Okay, maybe this one wasn't exactly like the others. But still the same theme as the rest of them. Monsters and him and wandering around in the dark in search ofsomething. Seemed to be every night lately. Would they ever end?

He leaned over to the nightstand and punched a b.u.t.ton, watching the slow crawl of the drapes as they opened, revealing a semicircle of floor-to-ceiling windows connecting him with the outside world again. With reality. It was still dark outside, but at least he had the comfort of the lights from the harbor, boats in the water.

Sydney was alive and breathing, even at five in the morning. And that was good enough for now. Sunrise would come soon, banis.h.i.+ng away the last vestiges of the dream from the recesses of his mind.

He rubbed his temples, sucked in air, and shook it off. So he had dreams. So what? Too much partying is what he attributed it to. And not enough sleep. In every respect, Nic was normal. Healthy as can be for a thirty-three-year-old male.