Demon Day

  The magic in the air thickened and the smell of the herbs became sharp, pungent. The hanging basket exploded into flames, and dark blue smoke gathered then snaked through the air, moving like it was alive. It twisted around Papa Obe and caressed his skin. I waved away tendrils of sapphire smoke licking my neck and shoulders.

  “Y’know, I’m good,” I squeaked, and flapped my hands with an air of panic. “Don’t, ah, bother them.”

  Ro thumped the drum behind me. I jumped and spun round. Lex beat another drum, and I spun again, my heart pounding erratically.

  Papa Obe’s eyes rolled into the back of his head and he muttered into his cupped hands, breathing in the smoke then blowing it toward me. A vine of smoke darted into my mouth. Back bowing, my head filled with empty space even as all my limbs became weighty. The smoke curled out my mouth and circled me, sliding over every inch of my skin.

  The drums steadily increased in tempo. Obe opened his hands wide and wailed something in a language I did not understand, but his words hammered against my ears painfully, and the increasing drumbeats had me shaking my head.

  “Stop,” I mumbled and fell to my knees, but the pounding continued.

  A gust of wind stirred my hair; blue smoke swirled against my legs, and brushed my face.

  The wooden slats of the shack rattled and the roof squeaked and clattered against the foundations. I glanced up and I swear the masks on the ceiling expressions had changed, lips curving into evil smiles, and eyes becoming swirling vortexes.

  I freaked out big time, and staggered across the shack with every intention of leaving. I was confident the floorboards should not look like brown snakes. Swells of sand slid in-between the writing serpents and a few grains flicked into my eyes. It stung and I pressed my fingers into the corners by my nose, covering my mouth. I kept moving toward the door.

  Ro jumped in my path. “Don’t break the circle,” he panted then closed his eyes and chanted with Obe.

  Lex was not saying anything. She stood there, and stared at me with red eyes, and a blank expression beating her drum in repetitive thumps.

  My mouth dried with fear and I shot a terrified look at Tomas whose fangs had run out and who was darting suspicious looks between the Vodoun.

  As abruptly as the ruckus had started, it stopped, and a sudden pulse of dark energy slid across my skin. I quivered, my limbs twitching uncontrollably before I was left panting, eyes stinging. I shuddered, realizing I was clutching the bag of bones and blood to my chest.

  I thrust it out to Obe who took it and retied it to his chest. “That should provide you with some protection.” He cupped a hand to his ear. “The whispers tell me you need it.”

  I said nothing. I turned to Ro. “I’d like to leave please. Now.”

  He set his drum down and wiped sweat beading his brow. The beads on the end of his cornrows clinked together as he shook his head. “And go where? You need to rest up, Rae.”

  I wrapped my arms around my middle and sent an apologetic look at Papa Obe. After all, in his own creepy way he was being hospitable. “I can’t stay here. We can go back to Temple tonight. Amelia, Nimah, and Runt need my help. The thought of leaving them in that horrible prison turns my stomach to rot. My nature does not like it here. I won’t be able to sleep. Please, I’m fine, I just want to go.”

  Ro studied me. “Them demons worth it, eh?”

  I bobbed my head. “I made a bargain with their Alpha. We have a real shot at getting them out alive and unseen using the tunnel if we act fast. They might not have even found the Cleric you stashed in the dungeon in my place yet.”

  He shared a look with Papa Obe who inclined his head. Ro knuckled his head then shrugged. “Say-so. If going back is what you want then I’m with you.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to put you in any more danger, but I have to do this. You guys can stay here, safe.”

  “No. We stay with you,” Lex said from beside me and I jumped, pressed a hand to my heart.

  “It is decided,” Tomas said already half way out the crooked door.

  Ro hugged his mentor and murmured his thanks. Obe clasped the back of his head and muttered a prayer pushing his fingers into Ro’s forehead. Lex bowed her head at the Houngan in a show of respect then left without a backward glance.

  Papa Obe slid in front of me when I tried to leave.

  Hearing my startled gasp, Tomas was back up the steps in a blur, and grabbed the man by throat. Papa Obe’s eyes rolled back in his head and the masks on the ceiling rattled. Tomas’ knees gave out and he dropped like a stone.

  Infuriated, I turned on the Houngan but he held up his palm.

  “Hear me. I have a message from the other side for you,” he said calmly. “It is not something that happens often so I suggest you listen.”

  I jutted my chin out and nodded stiffly, my eyes darting from his face to Tomas’ rigid form.

  “Love your family and all will be well,” he said. The tenor of his voice changed radically. It became gentler and more ancient.

  Well that was helpful. I did love my family; Conall was most dear to me.

  “Ta,” I mumbled and slipped past him.

  Tomas’ stiff body relaxed when Obe slammed the door. Eyes flying open he sprung up and dusted himself off, sending a hateful look at the shack then an accusing one at me.

  With a shrug I reminded him, “You did grab him.”

  He sniffed and walked away.

  I followed behind biting back a smile.

  Passing the goat I paused, and chewed my lip. He watched me with such gullibility I melted inside. I looked left I looked right then untied the rope around his neck and stamped my foot until he trotted off. Hopefully, he would have a small taste of freedom before he found himself inside some hungry slum dwells cook pot. My gaze drifted back to Papa Obe’s shack … better the goat feed a starving family than die under a ceremonial knife in the name of black magics.

  We made it back to Temple with no problems, and I was so excited about getting the shifters out I barely thought about how odd that was – to make it back without seeing any Clerics on guard. I knew they couldn’t exactly publicize my escape lest they cause mass hysteria, but still. Nothing?

  Under cover of darkness we gathered at tunnel opening in the compound wall that lead to the rooms beneath the Sect Temple.

  Without slowing, without a word, Tomas ducked into the tunnel and was gone.

  I pressed my back into the wall and crossed my arms over my chest. I sank down onto my ass, and smiled tightly. “Lex, you got this?”

  She took a long look at me then nodded. “It won’t take long. They must be in a room further down.” She ducked down into the tunnel and her slender form was swallowed into the gloom in moments.

  Ro stepped one foot in and paused, cocked his head at me questioningly.

  I shook my head. “The iron,” I explained, thankful there were two reasons why I could not go down that tunnel. “The walls and doors are brushed with it. It’ll weaken me and I’ll be more a threat than help. Get them out and come back. I’ll keep anyone coming in here after you.”

  Ro snorted then was gone.

  Sitting with my back against the wall, I kept my senses open in case of patrolling Clerics. The smell of iron wafting out of the tunnel truly made me ill, and I scooted further away from the opening to turn my nose into the breeze.

  Being scared of going back down into a small cramped place was stupid. I couldn’t have such a fear, what if Lex or Tomas hadn’t of been here? I would have had to go in myself and deal with it. I looked up at the sky. We still had most of the night to work with. When we got them out we could hide in the forest until we figured out where to go. No doubt Amelia and Nimah would want to go home, but Breandan’s location had shifted. Whatever was holding him up before was gone for he drew closer to me at tremendous speed.

  Left alone with my thoughts the creeping doubts returned. Things were starting to make far too much sense to me. The more I learnt the more I began to be
lieve I was meant to lead these demons from the darkness. As impossible as it was, they listened to me and respected my opinion. No matter how many times I messed up or said something stupid they still turned to me and trusted my word. Even more worrisome, though I could fight for them, and be the warrior they needed me to be, I still did not think that I was meant to be their Priestess. Being a voice of reason when others damned the human race was one thing. Leading an entire race for millennia was another.

  A crunching noise caught my attention and I slipped into a crouch and spread my wings. There was a soft curse, more snapping twigs, and I relaxed.

  I knew that voice. I straightened, and crossed my arms over my chest, my unease dissipating. Ana came out of the bushes and froze when she saw me. Her blonde hair was plaited into an intricate braid and a few wisps framed her elfin face. Ana was short, shorter than me and petite in frame. She had a funny shade of blue eyes and high cheekbones.

  Ana the white witch was young and powerful, extremely powerful. She could see the possible futures of people she looked upon or touched and was often simply referred to by the fairies as the Seer.

  Even now her eyes glazed over as she looked at me. Ana had told me Breandan and I were overwhelming to look at, and that we had many futures, each more dangerous than the last. Whatever she saw when she looked at me now troubled her.

  “You shouldn’t be here,” she muttered.

  I arched my eyebrow at this. “What the hell are you doing here, Ana?” I narrowed my eyes. “I know you live in the upper dwells, but you’re off track to be at Temple.”

  She untangled herself from the branches caught in her clothes, and stomped up to me. She hesitantly brushed her fingertips over the Temple wall and shuddered. “I was following the pull of black magic. Believe me when I say I’m more surprised to see you here.” She pursued her lips and spread her hands out in front of her. “I’m here because someone is working a spell. Powerful.”

  “Someone you know?” I questioned, curious.

  Her eyes flickered, unfocused, and she grimaced. “Possibly, but superior practioners of witchcraft don’t leave a signature in their castings, and the amount of power being thrown here is immense.” She shrugged and her hand dropped. “Old members of my Coven had this much power.” She focused on me abruptly and her hand lifted once more to feel the air, but this time around me. “You reek of death and your futures are hazy to my Sight. What have you been doing?”

  I remembered the blessing ceremony with a quiver of revulsion. “You don’t want to know.” Pushing the hair out of my face I raked my top teeth over my bottom lip thoughtfully. “Uh, I never realized you belonged to a Coven.”

  “I don’t,” she said smoothly. “I used to, of course, but I left. Didn’t I tell you this?”

  I jerked my shoulders not bothered. “Maybe.”

  “So you’re here for … shifters ... I thought for sure you would carry on for Devlin when you reached this far. What happened to the grim–” She looked troubled and rubbed her temples focusing. “It’s so strange.... I can’t see him anymore. His path is no longer entangled with yours. He’s just ... gone.” She shot a puzzled look at me.

  “What does that mean?”

  She gave me an irritated look. “We’ve had this discussion before. I can’t tell you reasons why. Only what is and what isn’t. I don’t like repeating myself.”

  “Helpful,” I said dryly. “Maybe Breandan will know.”

  “Whatever. I’m not here to toss theories around with you. I’m here to–” She stopped and cocked her head, staring through me.

  I rolled my eyes down to look at her and my brows furrowed. “You’re here to....” I clapped my hands in front of her face.

  She twitched then her head snapped to the tunnel opening. “I came to stop the witchcraft, but since you’re here….” Ana backed up, shaking her head. “The vampire is down there.” She took another step back. “I shouldn’t have come.”

  “Stay,” I begged and listened to the sounds down in the tunnel. A strangled yell cut off mid way. Soft grunts were almost drowned out by half bellowed cries of terror. When she took yet another step I pinned her with a glare. “You say there is witchcraft here and I don’t know if I will be able to handle it on my own without Breandan.” I took in a deep breath. “So please stay with me.”

  The noise down the tunnel got louder. I listened carefully to the sound of many people coming toward us at speed. I could hear Lex’s fluid footfalls, her two separate feet almost indistinguishable. Ro’s heavier singular thuds were a few paces behind. I could also hear what may be claws scraping along the floor. Paws?

  Yellow eyes glinted in the gloom before a cougar burst out the tunnel opening a moment later, sailing overhead. Amelia. She turned to scream at us in triumph, blood-stained jaw opened wide to show four dagger-like canines curving inward.

  Nimah tumbled out behind her sister. “Oh,” she said dryly. “You again.”

  Lex glided into view next and her chest was drenched with blood. Gasping, I stared at her. She roughly swiped the back of her hand across her mouth, wiped her other hand down her front, but it just made matters worse, especially when she sucked a bloodied finger into her mouth and groaned, “Mmmm.”

  Ro staggered out the tunnel next, looking bewildered, a pale goblin-child attached to his back. “Not so easy this time,” he grumbled. Blood ran down his temple and his movement was sluggish.

  “Where is Tomas?” I asked and stepped forward into the mouth of the tunnel then stopped. All the walls closed in around me and I gasped, stumbled back. I couldn’t go in there … I couldn’t. “Tomas,” I called and my voice echoed down into the dank dark.

  An answering snarl and the sound of boots scraping along the floor echoed from the passageway. Tomas appeared from the gloom a moment later, his movement silent and deadly. He dragged a Cleric by the throat behind him, legs flailing as he scratched at Tomas’ hand.

  A gust of wind blew the Clerics crimson hood back, and my stomach rolled. “Jono?”

  This boy – who a mere few days ago was my fellow Disciple – started at his name and gazed up at me. Taking in my tail, wings, he sneered before his eyes bulged. Tomas’ grip on his throat tightened as he lifted him one handed high into the air and stared in his face, daring him to sneer again.

  Overcoming my shock, I placed my hand on Tomas’s cold arm. “Don’t kill him. We’ve gotten what we came for, so just drop him, and let’s get out of here.”

  My vampire’s eyes blackened out, the darkness of his pupils spilling over to stain the whites. His fangs shot down and buried into Jono’s neck.

  Covering my mouth with my hand tears welled in my eyes and I shook my head.

  Lex crouched and made a keening noise, slapping at Jono’s spasaming body. When Tomas was done he threw the twitching body at her. She half caught him and fell, rolling out of sight behind some shrubbery. Then the tearing and guzzling sounds started. Jono screamed, but it was cut off by a sickening crunch. Squelching, and greedy murmurs of appreciation came before a sucking noise that drifted over the sound of my horrified gasps. The wet sound of flesh tearing had my stomach rolling.

  I plugged my nose and ears at the horrible smells and sounds.

  Ro looked ill. Bashing the back of his head with his palm, he shook his head. Swallowing hard his hazel eyes fell to the floor.

  Lex stumbled out of the bushes, her chalk white skin soaked in blood. Looking between Ro and me guiltily, she tried to wipe away most of it, her expression pleading. Again in her attempts to clean up she smeared more gore over herself. Most upsetting was the faint rosiness of her skin and the relaxed set of her shoulders … the look of fulfillment on her face.

  Tomas watched me blankly then his gaze switched to Ana. He regarded her dispassionately for a while then looked away his mouth pressed into a thin line. The witch looked horrified, and seemed to have shrunken in on herself. She turned her wide eyes to me and opened her mouth to speak.

  The klaxon blared
.

  My hands flew to my ears, as did Nimah’s and Tomas’. Amelia grumbled and rubbed her head into her twin’s legs, irritated. The alarm was bloody loud, and I was not the only one squinting in pain.

  “We can’t leave. Breandan is coming,” I yelled.

  Ana shot a cautious look at Tomas then shook her head. “Rae, whatever is happening inside those walls is one of the foulest things I’ve ever felt. We should not be here. Trust me. Breandan won’t come here if he can feel you’re gone.”

  “But he knows the Clerics took me, and he knows that I wouldn’t leave without the shifters. He’s coming here.”

  “The bond–”

  “It’s fuzzy. I can’t pinpoint him like I usually can the pressure is too great. It’s like trying to grasp a single drop of rain in a downpour. I just know it’s the same for him. He can’t feel where I am just the direction, and he’ll pass straight through whatever danger is lurking inside Temple. I can’t risk not being here. What if he needs me and my power?”

  She pressed the heels of her palms to her eye sockets. “Rae....”

  “I agree with the witch,” Tomas said. “We should not linger.”

  “We’re staying,” I said loudly with finality, resisting the urge to stomp my foot. “He’s coming here. I can’t leave.” I don’t think they understood physically I could not leave. It hurt to even think about going in any direction that was not toward him. “Besides, if something bad is happening we have to help the Disciples.”

  “The same people who would hunt you down and put a bullet in you?” Ro pointed out angrily.

  I sent him a cold look. “They’re not all like that and you know it. You’re not like that.”

  His chest puffed out. “I’m Vodoun, not the same thing.”

  I inhaled deeply praying for patience. “They’re worth saving,” I argued vehemently. “We can’t abandon them.”

  Ana’s hands flew up in the air. “Perfect timing for you to grow a backbone,” she spat sarcastically. “Really, just perfect. What do you have in mind?”

  “Well, uh, it would be useful to know what kind of spell was being cast.”