A Demon Made Me Do It

  “Where are we going?” I ask as he starts the engine. The truck’s hard and glossy black shell belies its soft, cozy interior. It suits Kieron perfectly.

  “You’ll see.” He smiles at me with the corner of his mouth and my heart races again. Other than the first time we met, there have always been other people around. Now it’s just us.

  The easy banter we shared in the library gives way to an awkward silence. I glance at him as he stares at the bumpy road ahead, taking us away from school and far from town. He swallows, and his Adam’s apple bobs beneath his cowl-neck sweater.

  “What kind of music do you like?” he asks and starts flipping through the iPod connected to the dash.

  “Almost everything, depending on my mood,” I answer truthfully. “Whatever is fine.”

  He clicks through his selection while keeping a careful eye on the road ahead. Soon, a beautifully haunting tune fills the air. It is ethereal, sad, and uplifting—all at once. I sit back and let the enchanting melody wash over me like golden rain. I feel my tension release, and notice Kieron’s hands aren’t clasping the steering wheel as tightly as they were before.

  I gaze out the window as if I’m seeing the scenery for the first time. I’ve lived here my whole life, but now it seems newer somehow. I see remarkable splendor in the ordinary…dying trees holding the promise of re-birth; the swirling dance of the clouds as they hold the sun captive, only releasing little glints here and there when they feel like it; the perfect chaotic swarm of birds flying overhead, each in its own little world until the exact second they all fall into line. Even the old woman in overalls with thinning hair and no teeth who waves to us as we pass by looks beautiful. She has endured a long, hard life and still has a smile on her face.

  I’m unfamiliar with this path Kieron’s taking. When the road becomes rough and we start bouncing around in the cab, he slows down…then stops.

  “Here we are.” A line of trees blocks my vision ahead. Behind us are just open fields, shanty houses, and dirt roads.

  “But there’s nothing here,” I say.

  “It’s over there. You’ll see.” He reaches behind me and grabs his backpack and a blanket. My pulse quickens again. What on earth do we need a blanket for? And why does he just happen to have one in the back of his truck?

  “Follow me. You’ll be safe, I promise,” he says, sensing my hesitation. I fumble around for my book bag and quickly check my cell phone reception, just in case. But if I really did need to call someone, who would I call? What would I say? Some hot guy has me out in the middle of the woods. Please send help immediately?

  My only option is to trust Kieron. He holds out his hand and I take it.

  Together we walk down a narrow dirt path toward a dense overgrowth of twigs and vines.

  “This isn’t the usual entrance…it’s kind of a short cut.”

  Kieron does his best to block my face from the over-hanging branches. There’s a faint walking path where others have come before, and for some reason this makes me feel a little better. I’m trying to stay collected, but something about this place feels…off. I can’t quite put my finger on it…almost like it’s too quiet…the air too still.

  We finally break through the last line of shrubs, and I see a massive field of yellowed grass and broken stone. I gasp, take a step back, and trip over a tree root. Kieron grabs my hand to steady me and I look at him…bewildered.

  Why has he brought me here?

  I’d thought maybe we were going to a little park or a spot down by the river. Perhaps even his house. But we are in none of those safe, logical, ordinary places.

  Kieron has brought me to a cemetery.

  Chapter 6. Lucky

  The thing people don’t understand about demons is that we’re not all the horrible, evil-for-the-sake-of-being-evil, rotten, eternally-damning monsters everyone makes us out to be.

  Okay, I admit, some are pretty terrible, but who amongst us can throw stones? It’s almost comical, though, the way most Sapies are taught to fear, even hate us, and how they think our ruling Prince, Lucifer, is the worst and scariest thing ever created. I suppose partially they’re right, but that’s like blaming the ocean for being wet, or an eagle for flying, or a baby for crying. He’s just playing his role in the grand scheme of things.

  Of course, most people like our Light counterparts just fine, not caring or understanding that we’re all the direct descendants of the Angelius Domini—the original gods who ruled over the universe and its infinite domains. We’re all just different slices of the same, great, cosmic pie. My ancestors ruled the earth, heavens, and netherworlds long before humans were even a sparkle of a possibility in The Creators’ eyes. But then Man pops onto the scene and acts like he owns the joint?

  After all, it was us—The Dark and Light-angels alike—who saved Man’s weak ass time and time again. Left to their own devices, humans couldn’t even get it together long enough to prevent themselves from going extinct, not once, not twice, but twelve times. That’s right. Twelve.

  When Creators provided the necessary reinforcements by integrating Dark and Light-angels with a select group of humans, this gave them not only the support they needed to sustain life, but the means to make that life worth living.

  Humans couldn’t exist without us. They wouldn’t want to exist without us, for there cannot be light without darkness, pleasure without pain, joy without sorrow, and love without hate. It simply cannot happen. The balance of celestial energy is essential for any existence to survive and flourish. Without it, the universe dies.

  I, for one, take this responsibility seriously.

  The woman screams through her sobs, retreating to the corner of her darkened bedroom. She’s trying to get away, but there’s no escaping me. Covering her face with her hands, she tries in vain to block out the horrifying images of her worst nightmares. But there’s no stopping these scenes of eternal torment I’m inflicting upon her.

  I swish back and forth on a cherry rocking chair, watching her squirm and moan. Her pain gives me pleasure, for it tells me I’m doing my job effectively. It was clever of me to suggest she put this chair in here; it’s so much nicer when I have a comfortable place to enjoy the show.

  “Stop, stop it…you’re not real. You’re not real…” the woman gasps. Rocking back and forth, I twirl a lock of hair around my finger and hit her with another vision. It’s Tatiana’s duty to find me humans who have violated Natural Law. Then, it’s up to me to deliver a suitable punishment. Lately, I’ve been favoring psychic torture over the physical; it just seems to be much more effective. It’s amazing how dark the human mind can be, so I let them choose their own punishment by living out their own worst nightmares. It’s poetic, really. And amusing to see what they subconsciously pick.

  She curls up, convulsing as if she’s been electrocuted. She presses her face in the corner, weeping, head in her hands, trying to hide from the terror seeping through her mind. On the other side of the room, under the protection of a simple sleeping spell, her husband snores soundly, blissfully unaware of the torture his wife is enduring. Just as he’s unaware that his two infants didn’t die of SIDS like everyone thought, but had their tiny lives snuffed out by a selfish and uncaring mother—the same mother who now cowers in a corner screaming at ghosts, unable to escape the sounds of her babies crying out for her.

  “Here you are.” The masculine voice causes me to jump.

  “Bones, what are you doing here?” I ask, annoyed. “You scared me half to death!”

  He sits on the corner of the bed and glances at the screeching woman. “Kind of like that?” he asks with a raised eyebrow. I roll my eyes.

  “What are you doing here?” I repeat.

  He doesn’t answer me right away. Instead he watches the woman writhe and moan on the floor. “I followed your scent. What’d she do?”

  “Double infanticide.”

  He shakes his head slowly. “Shame. She looks real nice.”

  My chest feels heavy as I g
aze at Bones’ strong profile. Even here, in the dimly lit room, I can see he’s not happy. I know it’s my fault. But there’s nothing I can do about it.

  The husband snores and rolls over in the bed. The woman screams again. I wish Bones would leave me alone so I can enjoy the symphony of torment, but obviously he wants to talk.

  “Silentium.” I swish my hand in the direction of the woman, instantly muting her cries. “What’s up?”

  He stands up and paces around the room for a moment before leaning against a far wall, hidden in shadows.

  “I was worried about you. You never showed up at Old Lady Sullivan’s last night, and tonight you didn’t stop at the Bar. What’s going on?”

  It’s true. After slaying the Parastes, I’d blown off my tormenting duties in favor of the sanctuary of my secret spot; a secluded place high in the hills overlooking the valley. A place I go when I need to be alone and think. I can see clear out to the Lake of Adonni and listen to the Sirens sing their enchanting melodies. Their soothing songs help me to relax.

  I didn’t want to see Bones last night, and I was hoping to avoid him tonight. It’s why I’d taken my drinks from the emergency stash Tatiana keeps in her room instead of going to the Bar.

  “Sorry, I just wanted to be alone. I didn’t think we had some sort of special date or anything…” My voice sounds snappier than I intend, and I feel him wince in the darkness.

  “Okay. I understand. I’m just glad you’re all right. I was sorta worried about you is all...There’s been some talk of some funny business around here, and I was concerned when I didn’t see you. But I guess you have your reasons and you seem to be fine.” His voice is tender. Sweet.

  Damn him.

  “I am fine.” If you’re not counting the knots in my stomach or the sickness in my chest.

  I can feel the pain and confusion in his wordless exhale, and I feel even worse. For so long, ever since the night, Bones has been my closest friend. He’s the only one, except Tatiana, who’s always been here for me, no matter what. The only one I can talk to about anything.

  But I can’t talk to him about this. Not this mess I’m feeling. Not without hurting him or losing him. Just the thought of that happening makes my heart clench.

  “Sooo…you’re not mad at me? I haven’t done something to upset you?” he asks.

  I laugh noiselessly knowing he can’t see my expression. “No, nothing is your fault. I’m just going through some weird stuff right now, and I have to figure it out on my own.”

  He crosses the room and kneels beside me. Clasping my hand in his, I see a glimmer of light reflect in his sad, bronze eyes. “If there’s anything you need…anything you want to talk about, I’m here. That’s our deal, remember? For as long as you want me, I’ve got your back.”

  Because he’s pure demon, Bones is immortal, unless he’s killed by a pure Angel—Light or Dark. So he’ll continue to live on for indeterminate eons exactly as he is now. When he chooses a companion, he chooses a mortal, like me, and I will be replaced upon my death, or my deciding to end the friendship—whichever comes first. I’ve always known just how lucky I am to have won Bones’ affections and unwavering loyalty when I was just a young demion. I’ve never taken his friendship for granted, and could never imagine living this life without him by my side.

  Until now.

  Now I’m beginning to wonder if I can stay his friend, now that I know I want so much more from him…something he can never give me.

  I know this is all Liora’s fault. Somehow she’s making me have these crazy feelings I’m not supposed to have—or, at least, not able to control. I’ve never exactly loved that Bones needed to mate with so many virgins, but it’s never bothered me this much before. And the couple in the car—as much as I try to block the man’s story, it still haunts me. Why, oh why, did I choose that car to stop?

  I squeeze Bones’ hand and give him a small smile. “I’ll be okay. I just need some space for a while. Just ‘til I figure out some stuff.”

  “By space, do you mean space… from me?”

  I take a deep breath, whispering my response. “Yes.”

  His body stiffens and he stands up. Even in the darkness, his silhouette seems colder, harder. It’s a subtle change, but I can feel it.

  After a long pause he speaks. “Fine, but that doesn’t mean I’m not keeping an eye on you.” He places his hand on my shoulder, and I tilt my head up, wishing I could freeze this moment in time—when it’s just the two of us. No one else exists. No one else matters. “Where are you going after you’re done here?” His voice sounds strained.

  I glance back at the woman huddled in the corner. She’s almost stopped moving, so I’ll be wrapping it up soon. Torment to exhaustion then on to the next.

  I shrug. “Not sure yet. Maybe Mr. Ludwings’s. He’s still playing with little boys in a not-so-playful way. I guess he didn’t receive my first message quite clearly enough. This time I’ll make sure he gets it.”

  Bones leans against the doorway. “Well, I’m just glad you’re doing okay. I’m gonna go find me some ladies before the sun comes up.”

  Suddenly, it feels like a rock is lodged in my throat.

  “Hey, this guy, Ludwing, doesn’t he live near Baymore Park?” he asks.

  “Pretty close. Why?”

  “I heard some Altrumina Demons have set up a nest there, so be careful. Do you have any weapons with you?”

  “I have my dagger.” I pat the emerald-tipped blade nestled safely inside my boots, hidden under several layers of lace. This dagger is good for most demons, but no match for an Altrumina. One touch is all it takes for them to transfer their own mind-bending curse.

  Bones arches an eyebrow. “You know that’s not gonna cut it. Stay away from there, especially since you’re unarmed.”

  “Yes, Dad,” I tease.

  “I mean it, Lucky.” His tone is firm. “You know what they can do to you, and there’s definitely something brewing out there. All of us have been put on alert. Don’t go looking for trouble tonight.”

  With a sigh, I stand up and gently push Bones out the door. “Go. I’ll be fine. You’re worse than a Sapie mother, I swear.”

  He chuckles. “Like you’d really know.”

  “Go.”

  He silently slips away into the night, and I turn my attention again to the whimpering in the corner.

  ******

  I wrap my cloak tightly around me as I approach Baymore Park’s west entrance, but the thin velvet does little to protect me from the palpable chill in the night air. Normally, my body doesn’t react to external temperatures, so I can only assume it’s because I didn’t properly replenish. Tatiana’s stuff is good, but it’s nowhere near as good as the Source’s. But I’d figured since I was only tormenting tonight—not fighting—her backup elixir would suffice. It’s also why I’m wearing a long, gothic gown made from yards of vintage lace. I like wearing dresses to torture; it puts me in the right mood. Just like wearing skintight leather puts me in the mood to kick some ass.

  I just need to hurry with my rounds and get back to Demon Bar as soon as possible. The fastest way to Ludwing’s is straight through the park. Otherwise, I’ll have to circle around for miles.

  Sigh. I don’t want to waste energy on running, and Diablo doesn’t leave Dryndara except to come to the cabin. Bones’ warning sounds in my head, but I’m sure he’s just being overly protective, as usual. Still, I reach into my boot and withdraw my blade. It will kill an Altrumina if I’m attacked, as long as they don’t touch me first. No problem. If I see someone who seems at all suspicious then I’ll run. No point in wasting precious energy I don’t have.

  After several minutes of strolling through the park and seeing only a few strung-out junkies and some prostitutes, I relax, chiding myself for worrying in the first place. Altrumina are far more interested in infecting Sapies; they wouldn’t come looking for a fight with someone they think will fight back.

  Just as I’m reassuring myself of th
is, I spot Altrumina everywhere. The place is swarming with them. They look like Sapies, but I recognize their overly-erect posture and out-dated wardrobes. Plus, they always work in pairs, a male and a female, and have whiter than blond hair, straight to their shoulders.

  My heart pounding, I pick up the pace and take a wary look around. Directly ahead of me, two Altrumina approach a young homeless boy. Further up, two more are standing by a swing set. Another pair is over on a bench, talking to each other. One female stands alone, silently stalking a young prostitute who’s just entered the grove with her john.

  I cut off the main path onto the grass, away from any trouble, and silently curse myself for not bringing my crossbow with me tonight. Not because I’m afraid, but because I hate them so much. They aren’t from my family, so I would kill them happily and with impunity.

  Tomorrow. I’m definitely hunting me some Altrumina tomorrow. Tonight, not only am I sadly unprepared and not at all dressed for hunting, my alarming lack of strength would assure my certain defeat in a scuffle.

  But I’m curious about the one Altrumina by herself. They always work in pairs. Always. So where’s the other one?

  A light crunching from behind me causes me to jump and spin around, my dagger at the ready. I find myself face to face with an impeccably handsome, smiling young man with shiny lavender eyes.

  Shit.

  “You lost, bitch?” he asks, and before the question is out of his mouth he lightly touches my hand.

  I fall into darkness.

  Chapter 7. Lucky

  I struggle to regain consciousness, but I feel drugged. Everything is foggy…my mind’s a blur. I’m shivering from the biting cold, and somewhere in the darkness I hear mocking laughter.

  Gradually, I force my eyes open. Everything is dark, hazy. I try to wrap my arms around myself to stop from shaking, but they won’t budge.