“I needed to feel your emotions,” she continues quietly. “I’m an Empath witch, and I needed to see what kind of person… and demon you are before letting you in. I needed to know that your love for my sister was genuine. And that you do have some light left in your soul.”
“You mean… you mean…T at’s okay? She’s alive?” I stammer.
The woman nods.
“You… you lied to me... to us… as a test?”
She nods again. “I needed to know—”
“You crazy bitch!” I scream and lunge at her with all my might. Which isn’t much. I fall almost as quickly as I rose. “How could you… how could you?! And you think I’m evil?!”
“I’m sorry, but it had to be done. There was no other way.”
Relief overtakes me, and I roll over on my back on the soft grass and look up at the sky. I’m so grateful that Tatiana is still alive and hasn’t died a torturous death at the hands of Light-angels, I can’t even feel rage anymore. But I won’t forget what this woman put us through, test or no test. This is not something I will soon forgive—I don’t care whose sister she is.
“I know you are angry, but it needed to be done. I needed to know what I was dealing with here.” Anastasia sits down on the bench and sighs as she casts another wary gaze my way. “We’ve been tricked and hurt by demons before. I know Tatiana thinks you are different, but I had to see for myself.”
“I can’t believe we came all this way for nothing,” I mutter. “We should’ve just stayed in Dove Creek.”
Anastasia studies me carefully. “I can offer you sanctuary,” she says finally. “You and your friends will be safe on my lands as long as you follow my rules and obey my wishes. But if you give me any trouble, you’re gone.”
“Why would you let us stay?”
She’s quiet for a long time, and I’m starting to think she doesn’t really have an answer.
“Because I love my sister,” she finally replies, subdued. “And she loves you, for whatever twisted reason. She and I haven’t always seen eye-to-eye about a lot of things, especially when it comes to our magics. But I do respect her and will honor her request to provide you with my help. But I had to prove it to myself that you were worthy first.”
A sarcastic chuckle escapes my throat. “And scaring me to death was the only way to do that?”
“I am sorry I hurt you. But yes, it was the only way. Had you felt no pain or suffering or guilt, I would have known that your love was simply pretense, and that you were a soulless monster with no conscience. Because believe me when I say I’ve encountered plenty of those, and they’re usually hidden behind the biggest, brightest smiles. But what I felt from you, as well as Liora, was genuine… deep. I felt how much the thought of losing Tatiana devastated you both. That sort of love cannot be faked.”
I sit up and rest my chin on my knees as I look around again. The sun has long since set, but the brilliantly lit mansion and the hundreds of tiny white lanterns placed around the gardens give a warm, almost ethereal glow. I have to admit, as far as hideouts go this one isn’t half-bad. Even if it does come with a crazy witch bitch.
“How do you know we’ll be safe?” I ask.
She raises a haughty eyebrow. “How strong are you right now?”
“Like my muscles have been replaced with spaghetti and I’m too exhausted to even sleep.”
She smiles. “My lands are heavily enchanted to ward against supernatural beings of all kinds. I’m well aware of your issues with both the Light and Dark angels. Neither have any powers here, as you yourself can see.”
“How are you doing this?”
She laughs, and even I know how utterly stupid my question is. Contrary to popular belief, many human witches are more powerful than most demons, as their powers are wide-ranging and always growing. Demons on the other hand, are born with a limited, specific set of abilities. The only real difference between a human witch and a demon is the witch is a mortal being, while the demon is not. But the disadvantage ends there. In a cage match between a witch and a demon, my money would go on the witch every time.
“I can barely move, yet you expect us to live here?”
“I will reduce the charm. I had to turn it to maximum efficiency until I knew exactly what I was dealing with. And I still need to check out your partner, although he concerns me less.”
“Why?”
“Because he is a regular demion. He is always who he is, a blend of human and demon. But with your curse, you become more potent. You gather all your demon qualities at once, and that makes you highly volatile and unpredictable… and unusual.”
Just what I need, this freak telling me I’m a freak. “Tat said there are Energy Sources nearby,” I say, trying to change the subject.
“Yes, there are a few. The Demon Bar you need is accessible through a portal tunnel down on the beach. I’ll show you where it is later. It will provide you and your partner with safe passage and keep you off the magical radar. In the meanwhile, I have a small batch of Synthetic Energy that will tide you over until you can venture out. I know how weak you become without it, especially in your condition.”
She narrows her eyes and focuses on my midsection. “The demion in the car, is he the father?”
I lower my gaze and place my hand on my stomach as it flutters with the now-familiar warmth. “No. The father is… dead.” I barely whisper the last word, but to my ears it sounds like a deafening scream.
Anastasia nods. “Well that’s good, I suppose. We don’t need any more complications now. I promised my sister that if you panned out I would help you. You are formally granted sanctuary here. Unless you disobey me or otherwise cause me undo problems, you may stay until it is time for you to deliver. And if I can help you in other ways, I will.”
“What about my curse?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t know about that… not now, at least. For now, we must get you settled and establish the rules. Rule number one: You are forbidden to enter my home. And that goes for your boyfriend, as well.”
“But—”
“You will live in the guest house over there.” She points to a well-lit cottage a few hundred yards away, at the end of a long cobblestone path. “You and your companions are welcome to stay there. But you are never to come to the main house. Liora may, and I will tell her so. Your human girlfriend may also enter. But not you, and not the male demion. In fact, you are not to come within fifty feet of this very spot.”
“Fine.”
“Second rule: No one can know you are here. When you go out, as I know you must, you only use the secret access points I show you. You are to stay out of sight of any neighbors. The beach below the house is fine, but otherwise you stay in the shadows. You are here, but you are not here. The same goes for your boyfriend. Follow my rules and we shouldn’t have a problem. Even the slightest deviation and you are all out of here. And believe me, the gates won’t open next time.”
I stare at this woman, trying to decide what to do. I wish I could tell her to take her snotty rules and dive into the shark-infested ocean waters. But really, I have no choice. And she knows it. The only way we’ll survive is to remain invisible. And being under the veil of her oppressive protection spell actually makes me feel better about Liora. I can take care of myself… obviously. But Liora is always so weak. The witch’s enchantments might be the only way to save all of us.
I nod slowly. “I agree to your terms. Thank you for taking us in.”
She purses her lips and stands up, clasping her hands together. “Get your things. The valet will be around later to park the car, but you and your friends may go to the guest house and get settled. I’ll be along shortly.”
“You won’t even know I’m here,” I mutter, glancing out toward the churning sea. Despite her invitation, I know she doesn’t really want us here. Not that I can really blame her.
“Believe me, I won’t be able to forget it for a second.” She turns on her heels and stalks off toward her mansion.
I
stand there a moment longer watching her before I go back to the car. When I get there I see Kieron with his head back on the seat, snoring softly. Corrine stares at me with an annoying expression that reminds me of a balloon that needs to be popped. Of all the humans Liora could’ve picked to tag along with us, she had to pick this neurotic basket case?
But I’m more concerned by the fact that Kieron is seemingly passed out cold. As a Latros demon, he doesn’t sleep like a normal demion; he’s awake for long stretches at a time, and then sleeps for a few days straight. And now is not his hibernation cycle.
Damn, that witch is strong.
I glance back at Corrine who is staring at me all bug-eyed. “What?” I snap. She has this irritating way of looking at me like a lunatic until I tell her to speak. Not that I want her getting too comfortable around me, but I wish she’d just be more normal.
“I’m freaking out!” she whispers loudly. “You were gone for so long. And what happened to him? One moment he’s talking to me about wanting to take surfing lessons and the next he’s out like a light! Practically mid-sentence!”
“He’s just sleepy. Long trip. Get your crap, we’re moving in.”
I just hope the witch lowers her defensive shield soon, or we won’t even have the strength to carry our bags the distance to the guest house… a distance I could normally cover in a few seconds if I wanted. Now I wonder if I’ll be able to do it without having to stop and take a break.
“Babe… babe… wake up.” I jostle Kieron and lean over him to grab a bag. He stirs and I shake him again. “Come on…We gotta go.”
Finally his blue eyes flutter open and he glances around, disoriented. “What happened?”
I shake my head. The penetrating effects of the magical shield seem to have lessened somewhat, and I can already feel some of my strength returning.
“Nothing. I’ll tell you later. Come on, let’s get our things… we’re staying in that guest house back over there.” I point behind us and happen to catch a brief look of disappointment on Corrine’s face. Obviously she’d been looking forward to living in the palatial castle, not the miniaturized version.
But as for me, I couldn’t be more relieved. I want to be as far away from that witch as possible.
Chapter 4. Lucky
Corrine’s initial disappointment vanishes the second we open the front door, and she gives a delighted squeal. Me, I’m not one for fancy surroundings; as long as I have a roof over my head, I’m fine. And truthfully, even that isn’t necessarily a requirement. But I know it’s in Liora’s best interest to have certain comforts, and this place will provide her with more than she’s ever had before.
“Wow, it’s amazing!” Corrine sighs dramatically. “How is this a guest house? Like, someone has so much, they just have this extra house just sitting around that’s bigger and more beautiful than most peoples’ first houses!”
Kieron looks around quietly. He seems pretty subdued… probably from the witch’s spell and the long drive. But there’s something else I can’t really put my finger on. And he doesn’t seem to want to look me in the eye.
He wanders down the hallway on one side of the house, while I look around the family room area and Corrine investigates the kitchen. A moment later he reappears.
“There are two bedrooms back there,” he announces. “One master and a smaller one next to it.” He crosses the house and disappears down another hallway, only to reappear again a moment later. “Yup, same over here. I think I’ll take one of the rooms on the south side of the house, and you girls can take the two on the north.”
I stop and slowly turn to look at him. “You want your own room?” For some reason I’d just assumed he’d want to share with me. Not that we do a whole lot of sleeping, but sharing a bed would be a welcome change from the places we normally get cozy in. A girl can only put up with so many grass stains. Ya know?
“Probably for the best,” he replies evenly. “Miss Havish is doing us a solid taking us in and offering us protection. Don’t want to offend any sensibilities she may have. After all, we’re all still technically in high school. Or we’re supposed to be.”
Corrine chuckles as she examines the pantry. “Yeah, because that’s the biggest problem we have right now—worrying about some demons having premarital sex. Wouldn’t want any demon babies popping out, would we. Or maybe MTV could make up a new show: Teen Demon Mom. It’d be a hit.”
Between Anastasia’s cruel welcome and Kieron’s sudden indifference, I finally reach the end of my patience. “Do you ever shut up?!” I snap at Corrine. “God, could Liora have picked a more ANNOYING sidekick?!”
I grab my things and storm off. If Kieron wants to be by himself, fine. So be it. I pick the larger of the two rooms on the north side and slam the door shut, throwing my bags on the floor. I flop myself down on the bed and stare up at the ceiling, and try to regain some composure. But even the sound of the ocean crashing along the shore below does little to soothe my frayed nerves. Everyone has their breaking point, and I fear mine is getting dangerously close.
I ponder my circumstances and realize I have absolutely no idea what to do next, or even where to go. Normally at this time I’d be discussing with Tatiana my plans for the evening, whether it be demon hunting, toll collecting, or finding humans that deserved my services as a Justice Demon. Then I’d dress accordingly, find Diablo, go to Dryndara where I’d see Bones, and more recently Kieron, and go about my night. That had been my life and my routine for years.
But now I have no place to go to. Bones is dead. Dryndara and Demon Bar are off limits to me. I’ve been reduced to hiding out at the home of a witch who would probably rather kill me than help me, and my powers feel as reliable and strong as a dead battery. I have no friends or allies other than Kieron. And even he seems to be pulling away.
How did I get here? What have I done to deserve this?
Hours pass as I lie on the bed, just thinking about everything. Trying to make sense of it all. Finally, as I feel my time drawing to an end, I force myself up and make my way to the hallway, trying to be quiet as I open the door to the room next to mine.
Corrine is snoring gently with her comforter wrapped around her like a cocoon. I gently shake her back and forth.
“Hey… hey, Corrine. Wake up a minute. I need to talk to you.”
“Liora?” she murmurs groggily.
“It’s Lucky. I need to talk—”
“Oh!” Her eyes fly open, and she immediately props herself up with her hands and scoots away. I let out a deep sigh and remind myself to stay cool.
“I need to talk to you. I only have a minute.” I glance over to the window where the dark sky is beginning to turn a light grey.
Corrine rubs her eyes. “What’s up?”
“I need you to give Liora a message for me. I need you to talk to her the second she wakes up. You need to tell her something for me, okay? It’s very important.”
“Sure… yeah. What is it?” She reaches for her glasses on the nightstand and puts them on. I’m not sure why she needs to see better in order to listen to what I have to say, but whatever.
I sit down on the side of her bed, and she inches away some more. “I need you to tell her that Tatiana is okay. That she’s fine and well. It was all a trick.”
She frowns. “What happened to Tatiana?”
I roll my eyes. “Nothing! Don’t you understand English? She’s fine! It’s important you tell Liora that the second she wakes up. Can you do that?”
She nods. “Yeah… of course.”
“And there’s another thing.” I stand up and make my way over to the window. Pulling back the curtains, I peek outside where the lights of the mansion glow in the distance.
“Tell her… tell her not to trust Anastasia. Even though she might want to, tell her to keep her guard up. I’m not sure she’s on our side.”
Corrine’s eyes widen, and she pushes up her glasses. “What do you mean not on our side? Is she bad? Are we in danger?”
/> I shake my head and walk over to the door. “No… you’re fine. Just tell Liora exactly what I told you. Nothing more, nothing less. Tell her the moment she awakens. Got it?”
Corrine nods enthusiastically. “Tatiana is fine and dandy. Her twin sister, not so much. Got it.”
My hand is turning the doorknob when she adds, “Wait, Lucky… Can I ask you something real quick?”
I glance back to the brightening window. “Make it fast.”
She squishes her mouth to the side and bites her lip. “Who is Bones?”
My breath catches in my throat. I pause and turn back to her. “Why? Where did you hear that name?”
She twists the edge of her comforter and avoids my stare. “Well, earlier today you, I mean Liora, she was sleeping and kept moaning his name. Like she was calling him. And it just sounded so… I dunno… sexy. And I could tell Kieron was irritated.”
So that explains Kieron’s weird behavior. Liora went and had herself a naughty little sex dream about Bones. I’d laugh if it wasn’t so tragic.
“Bones is someone we both knew and cared about very deeply,” I murmur. “He recently died, so I’m sure she was just acting out something.”
“She kept saying, ‘baby, my baby, Bones, my baby…’”
I hold up my hand. “Okay I get it. What can I tell you? He was a hottie. Now don’t forget to tell Liora what I said to you. That’s the only thing you need to worry about, okay?” I turn and hurry out the door and back to my room before she can see my trembling hands and the tears filling my eyes.
Bones.
My best friend, my lover, my partner in crime, my protector, my salvation, and my ultimate heartache. Not just in this lifetime, but in many others as well. Even after his death, Bones had saved my life. It was his ashes that allowed Kieron and me to defeat the Light-angels who were trying to kill us. Kieron told me later what the ‘dirt’ really was, and that Bones had left me that final present from beyond the grave.
But that was only partly true. It wasn’t his final present. Bones left me another gift of life… an entirely new being growing inside of me. Still probably not much bigger than the eraser of a pencil, I can feel its spirit throughout my entire body. There is a life growing inside me… and Liora.