Disclaimer: Still don't own Teen Titans.

A/N: Moving right along, I hope this plot will move quickly enough for everyone and I hope it doesn't get repetitive. Thanks again for reviewing. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the reviews and I even end up reading them multiple times. I think 's greatest strength is that it creates a writing community with almost instant feedback. I really value everyone's opinions and I'd love to hear more of what you guys think! As per the requests, I've tried to make this chapter longer…

Also, for anyone who's interested in the "good" and "evil" debate, (the whole issue of demonic powers being "evil") my other story, "Fallen Angels and Forgotten Teddy Bears," is all about coming to terms with that, although it is focused more on Starfire than Raven, the last chapter talks about both. It's actually what led me to write this story, because I started really thinking about Raven's powers. "Fallen Angels" is more about Starfire's powers

Demon Hunters

Chapter 7: Bait

"Don't be afraid."

Searing pain blazed across her right shoulder, pulling her into consciousness.

Raven gasped and struggled to open her eyes as the paralysis lifted just slightly. A slight pain across her neck had pulled her out of the darkness, but she had been paralyzed until she heard that voice and felt that stab of pain

She opened her eyes and saw that the stabbing pain had indeed been a sword stabbed through her shoulder. It still protruded from her, pinning her to a wall at her back, but she didn't seem to be bleeding too badly from the wound.

She turned to look in front of her and saw the boy she had fought. His name was Pax, she knew. He was concerned about her in a very cold, professional way. The rush of information caught her by surprise, but she could only blink in a disoriented, confused way; the rest of her couldn't shake off the paralysis.

-Don't be afraid.-

-What do you care?- Raven thought.

The knowledge that he was also an empath flooded her. So. He didn't want to feel her fear. Too bad.

But she already felt her fear ebbing. He was washing her in an irresistible calm that soothed her even though she knew that he had just stabbed her. She strained to move, to attack… even to muster some anger over the situation. On all accounts, she failed.

-The sword has immobilized you.-

The Soul Sword. Raven felt an onslaught of knowledge concerning the blade that was almost painful. She knew instantly that it had frozen her magic as well as her body when it had stabbed through her soul self and that it would keep her here until one of them pulled it out. It was old magic; something handed down to help them fight the demons. It could hold any demon for an indefinite amount of time as long as it was able to bite through the demon's flesh and blood and into something solid behind it.

And with that knowledge, she also knew that they had no intention of releasing her anytime soon.

-So what am I doing here, still alive?-

-Bait.-

Their plan came to her in a flash, but Pax took the time to explain it anyway.

-Your father uses you as a gateway to our dimension. You're his easiest portal. He'll manifest to protect you, and then we'll destroy him.-

-Why are you telling me this?-

Pax had to give her credit. She had dealt with the absence of her powers admirably. Most demons went nearly insane when they discovered the Soul Sword froze their powers as well as their bodies. And she certainly was pretty…

He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He felt a rush of gratitude that this demon's empathic powers were at a standstill; otherwise, she would surely be sensing his feelings right now. As it was, he could choose what to let her know, controlling their contact and, to a certain extent, her emotions.

While he could control how much she felt, he hadn't entirely been able to block her emotions. Lunis would scold him for his lack of control, but from how calm the half-demon had seemed, he hadn't expected so much fear. He had felt the intensity of her fear, before he had calmed her, and he had to admire how she was able to completely ignore it. When it had hit him, he had nearly been paralyzed by it, but she simply dealt with it and worked through it. And now that her fear had been lulled, she was brave enough to make demands of her captors.

Even now, she's at my mercy, he thought, and she has the presence of mind to interrogate me.

Bravery like yours deserves answers, he thought, even though he was certain her quick mind would have already guessed at the answer to her question. A quick look inside her thoughts revealed that she was already starting to think along those lines, but he decided to answer her anyway, if only to keep the conversation going.

-We told you because he knows what you know. And we want him to understand that we will kill you.-

Raven felt the absolute certainty of that statement press down on her. Yes, they would kill her, but they would prefer to force her father out and kill him as well.

-And now?- Raven asked, trying to sound brave.

-Now,- Pax said, pushing her stray hair out of her face, -we wait.-