****
“Ellie, there you are. We’ve been looking for you.”
Ellie paused in the middle of the kitchen, cursing her bad luck. Could a woman not have a few moments alone to sneak and spy? Pasting a smile upon her face she turned toward Miranda and Camile. Only five minutes had gone by since Devon had left for the dungeon. Anything could have happened to him by now.
She reached for a glass that was drying on a rack and held it under the faucet. “Just getting a drink.”
She hoped they didn’t notice how her fingers shook as she turned on the water. The glass in hand, she faced them and sipped casually. A little too casually, she realized, as they watched her with leery curiosity in their gazes.
“What’s up?”
“You ready?” Camile asked. She had a bag of supplies, like a warrior witch prepared to battle. Yet her face was pale, and her eyes were soft with concern. The witch wasn’t fully positive this would all work. The realization furthered Ellie’s resolve.
“I guess I am,” Miranda whispered.
Camile slid her arm around Miranda’s shoulders. “It’ll be all right, you’ll see.”
Miranda might not have read the hesitation in Camile’s tone, but Ellie noted it. Her determination to fight hardened. She knew, deep down, the only way they’d be all right is if she managed to confront the demon. She had to escape them and she wasn’t about to wait for Cristian to call for her.
“You’re going to need to open a portal just long enough for all of you to escape,” Kipps explained, coming into the kitchen. He looked warily toward the basement door, knowing what was down there, and when his gaze swung back to Ellie, she wondered if maybe he could read minds and knew of her intention. “I’ll hold them off while you go through.”
“What about you?” Miranda asked.
The left corner of his mouth lifted into a gentle smile, belying the strength that lie deep within his frail body. “I’ll be all right.” He leaned against the doorframe, so at ease with the encroaching battle. He didn’t fear death.
Ellie didn’t believe that for a moment and could tell Camile and Miranda were just as uneasy about the situation. Leaving him behind just didn’t seem right. Especially if the crowd outside broke through. Kipps might be strong, but he sure as hell couldn’t battle a hundred demonic beings on his own.
Ellie sighed, raking her hands through her hair. There was no guarantee she’d survive if she left with Camile and Miranda. No, the only way they’d all live is if they killed the demon once and for all. And the only way to kill the demon was through her.
“Shall we get started?” Kipps asked, pushing away from the doorframe.
At Camile’s nod, they headed toward the foyer, a small army marching into battle, with no idea of what would come.
Ellie took in a deep breath. “Here goes nothing.” With determined steps she followed them into the entryway. “I’m not going.”
At that proclamation, they turned toward her. Even Kipps looked startled.
“You have to,” Kipps stated, as if it was that simple. “Devon asked us to see you to safety. Camile has done the spell to protect you when you leave. It’s all done.”
Safety. As if they’d ever be safe. “I can’t. Rose was here.”
Any surprise left Kipps’ face and in his gaze she saw the monster that lurked below the surface. “When?”
“Earlier.” Ellie settled on the steps. “She warned me that he was here, in this house. She also told me that I was the only person who could stop him.”
Camile sighed. “As much as I wish we could, you don’t know if you can trust her.”
Ellie surged to her feet, leaning against the bare breasted woman carved into the railing at the bottom of the steps. “I understand, but it makes sense, doesn’t it?”
They were all silent for one long moment. Odd, how they couldn’t hear anything from the basement. No clashing swords, no cries, or screams of torture. But she knew…deep down, she knew there was a war underneath her very feet.
“Whether you’ll admit it or not, you guys know I can’t leave.”
“What will you do?” Kipps finally asked.
Ellie tilted her chin, feigning a confidence she didn’t quite feel. “I plan to go into that basement.”
“You’ll get yourself killed,” Kipps said, his tone so sure that her stomach clenched.
Ellie shrugged. “Yeah, well, that will probably happen eventually anyway. I’ve escaped death one too many times.”
“Fine,” Camile said, rubbing her hands over her face. “Let’s do it, but first I need to get Miranda out of here.”
“No. I’m not leaving you.”
Camile’s eyes softened as she cupped the sides of Miranda’s face. “You must. If you want to survive. It’s going to be difficult for us to get out of here alive. Someone human, with no powers, won’t have a chance.”
“Please, Miranda,” Ellie added, heading toward them. “I don’t—”
A tingle of awareness swept through Ellie’s body, raising the fine hairs on her neck. She knew in that moment they weren’t alone. At the sudden sound of clapping, Ellie spun around. There, at the top of the stairs, stood a man dressed in gray slacks and a button up black shirt. He looked like a professional, as if he’d stepped in from Wall Street, but she knew where he’d really come from… hell.
“Bravo, Bravo,” he cried out, pressing his right hand to his heart. “So beautifully done. Truly, it was lovely.”
Kipps crouched low, like an animal about to attack. His lips lifted, showing sharp canines as a hiss slipped from his throat. Any bit of humanity within the vampire was gone. He was an animal reacting to pure evil.
“Oh God,” Camile whispered, clutching onto Miranda and shoving her behind her.
Ellie jerked her gaze back toward the top of the steps, but the man was gone. She didn’t need to ask, she knew who he was. “The demon,” Ellie whispered, for it could be no other. The man’s dark hair and broad shoulders resembled his son’s. She hadn’t expected this…she hadn’t expected him to look so damn human.
Camile nodded, fumbling with the bag at her hip. “How did he escape?”
“It was a trap, leading them into the basement,” Kipps hissed.
“Indeed.” The demon appeared not ten feet from them, a wicked grin upon his handsome face. It was then that she noticed the sword strapped to his back.
Revulsion fought with fear, but Ellie wouldn’t cower before this monster. Even though his gaze immediately found her, burned into her soul, she would not quiver. If she could keep him busy, perhaps Devon and the others would have time to return. If something hadn’t already happened to them.
“Black?” Ellie stated, taking in his outfit. “Isn’t that a little cliché?”
He smoothed down the front of his shirt. “I like the color. It’s slimming.”
“Enough,” Kipps snapped.
“Very well.” The demon started toward them, his hands clasped behind his back in a casual manner. Where were the horns? The wrinkled, rotting flesh? The putrid smell?
“So,” His gaze moved down her form, back to her face. “Yer the empath. So lovely to meet ye.”
“Wish I could say the same.” Ellie’s fingers curled as she resisted the urge to reach for her necklace and pull the piece free. How could anyone so beautiful, and he was beautiful with his dark hair and pale skin, be so damn evil?
“Tis unfortunate my son isn’t here. What a lovely family reunion that would be, but what can ye do?”
“Yeah, I’m sure you miss him,” Ellie muttered.
He didn’t pause, but continued toward her, that eerie smirk upon his lips. “Oh how the underworld has been talking about ye.”
Kipps hunched low, his fingers curling as if preparing to attack.
“Annoying beast,” the demon muttered. With a wave of his right arm, he sent Kipps flying through the air. The vampire hit the wall with a thud that made the house tremble. Slowly, he slid to the floor, his face a mask
of surprise and pain. Ellie’s determination wavered. Would she be able to take him on without Kipps?
The demon focused his steel gaze on Camile. “And ye, we’ve met before, haven’t we?”
Despite the witch’s bravado, Ellie noticed her shiver. “Curse you to hell!” Camile tossed a handful of crystals toward the demon. They hit his chest and fell harmlessly to the floor.
The demon brushed at his shirt, sighing. “Ye’ve tried that before my dear. Really, I’d have thought ye’d come up with something new by now.”
He waved his arm through the air. One moment Camile was next to her, the next she flew across the room and slammed against the wall not far from where Kipps had landed. Her head hit the plaster, bouncing.
“Camile!” Ellie cried out, but didn’t dare move.
Her eyes closed and unconscious, she slumped to the ground. Miranda cried out and rushed to Camile’s side. The demon’s grin grew as he focused on her human friend.
“Don’t touch her!” Ellie demanded, stepping in front of the couple. He’d have to kill her to get to them and he’d probably love that.
“What is she?” He nodded toward Miranda. “A human?”
When Ellie didn’t respond, he laughed, delighted. “Why, the woman has no powers at all? How very sad. But good for me. She’ll be so easy to kill.”
He was taunting her, attempting to destroy her with her own emotions. She would show no weakness. She knew what she had to do. If only she could get closer to him without dying.
From the corner of her eye she noticed Kipps moving, slowly regaining his feet. If she could hold off the demon, keep his attention on her, Kipps might have a fighting chance.
“How can you turn on your own son?” she asked.
He paused, crossing his arms over his chest, those biceps bulging. “Blood and genetics are highly overrated. Now, we can do this the hard way, or the easy way… yadda yadda. Ye get the picture.”
“Why?” Ashley demanded.
The chandelier above flickered, briefly throwing the room into darkness. His powers?
“Why have I made a pact with the dark side? World domination of course. Plus the health benefits are wonderful.” He smiled, a truly charming smile. “Now, my dear, ye can do one of two things, ye can come with me, or I can kill yer wee friends.”
Kipps surged forward, so fast he was but a blur. At the same time that Kipps moved, the demon spun around and slashed his arm wide. Within a moment, it was over. Kipps stumbled back, falling to his knees, his hands at his throat. Brilliant red blood seeped between the vampires pale fingers. His soulful gaze found Ellie.
I’m sorry, he mouthed, then fell to the side.
“No!” Ellie screamed.
The demon didn’t pause, but knelt and dragged his dagger across Kipps’ pale throat one more time. With a grin, the demon stood. Ellie came to a halt. Dark blood poured from the vampire’s wound. There was no gurgling sound, no thrashing from Kipps, he merely stared at the ceiling awaiting death.
“Kipps?” Ellie burst forward but before she could reach him, the demon wrapped his arm around her waist and slammed her back into his hard chest.
“Watch and learn, my dear.”
She could merely stand there as the skin on Kipps’ body decayed, wrinkling and turning gray. Within moments, his flesh had disappeared, leaving behind white bone that started to disintegrate as quickly as it had appeared. He hadn’t used the sword for a quick death. No, he’d made Kipps suffer with a dagger.
“Oh God,” she thought she heard Miranda whisper.
But Ellie was numb, shocked and numb. Kipps was gone, only a pile of ash remained. His life over. She couldn’t help but feel responsible in some way. The vampire had stayed behind to protect her. Anger surged through the pain. He would not kill another one of her friends, not ever. Ellie reached up, wrapping her fingers around the crystal.
“I wouldn’t do that.” The demon’s cold breath whispered across her face. “You might be able to take on my powers, but I’m borrowing energy from the outside world. Energy that isn’t mine to loan, therefore you, my dear, can’t use it. That means that even if you take my powers, I’m still much, much more powerful than you.”
Despair overcame her anger. It couldn’t be true. Damn it all, there was still so much she didn’t know. Dare she believe him? Did it matter? She had to try.
Ellie slid her gaze toward Camile. The witch was still out cold, her head resting in Miranda’s lap. Miranda, who was staring at her with wide, horrified eyes because she knew… she knew that they were as good as dead. With Camile out, the safety net around the house was breaking. She could feel the wall of energy crumbling. The beasts would invade soon.
“Poor empath,” the demon crooned, drawing his fingers down the side of her face. “Yer friends are either dead or trapped in a basement where they’ll rot for eternity.” The arm around her waist tightened so she felt for sure her ribs would crack. “Come along with me and perhaps I’ll let yer little human friend be...for now.”
Ellie ignored the monster, knowing he wanted her afraid. “Wake Camile any way you can, and get out.”
“Ellie,” Miranda whispered. “We can’t leave you.”
“Do it!” Ellie snapped.
Miranda bit her lower lip, and nodded.
“Ye can try, but my guess is they won’t make it to the gardens before they’re dead.” He pulled Ellie back a few steps. “Ready, my dear? There are so many things I wish to do with ye. My friends are waiting, eager to see the empath and know what she is capable of.”
Ellie gave a quick jerk of her head. The more monsters she could take down, the better. And if she died with them… so be it.
“Good girl.” The demon released his hold, his fingers biting around her upper arm. She glanced back one last time at the spot where Kipps had been. Adrenaline pumped through her body, her heart pounding faster with each step closer to the front door. She curled her fingers, resisting the urge to take him out now.
She knew this was it… the moment of truth. The moment she would either die or turn the tables. He waved his hand and the door burst open, bouncing against the plaster wall outside.
Not quite close enough yet, she had to time it perfectly.
They stepped onto the front stoop. The night air was hot, humid. Sweat beaded on her forehead, but she didn’t move to swipe it away. The entire world seemed to slow down. The sound of cheering from the beasts beyond those bonfires burning brightly along the perimeter of the yard, faded, becoming a murmured rumble.
Hulking beastly shadows lurked just beyond in the darkness…waiting. Hundreds of shadows. The demon jerked her down the steps and across the yard, but she barely felt the movement. Her body was no longer her own. It was as if she floated above. The demon stopped so close to the fire, she could feel the warmth of the flames.
“Tonight,” the demon called out, his voice echoing against the trees and rising up to the watchful heavens. “My friends, we celebrate our victory!”
The monsters surged forward, dark shadows coming closer…closer, so close that even though she wore the necklace, she could feel their energy bouncing off her. Her entire body trembled as she waited for the perfect time.
That much power will kill you, she heard Devon’s voice of warning.
But Devon wasn’t here and it was a chance she’d have to take.
Without pause, she reached up, wrapping her fingers around the cool necklace. Without thought, without regret, Ellie yanked on the necklace until the chain broke free, letting the crystal slip between her fingers and fall to the grass.
Chapter 21
The surge of energy hit her like a million fists, energy coming from the many beings surrounding her. The pain was immediate. Burning heat rolled through her body, singing her cells.
Ellie knew she screamed, could feel the sound tear from her throat, but couldn’t seem to stop herself. She no longer controlled her own body. No longer heard anything but the surge of her own blood through her vei
ns.
A wave of energy crashed over her, sending Ellie stumbling off balance. The stars in the sky spun round and round as blackness taunted the edges of her vision. She felt her legs give out, knees buckling and she started toward the unforgiving ground, helpless to prevent the impact.
“How could ye be so stupid?” Firm arms jerked her upright. The man holding her came into focus. Broad shoulders… black hair… Cristian?
No, not Cristian. There was no pure energy entering her body, only dark, heavy energy that threatened to crush her, that tore the air from her lungs and made it difficult to breathe. Ellie gasped for breath, looking to the night sky, praying for help. She didn’t want to die, not like this. Her mind was too muddled, pounding with a pain that had her stomach roiling. It was so damn hard to concentrate, but she knew he wasn’t Cristian.
The demon held her.
Reality rushed back on the cry of beasts that surrounded her, the noise coming together in an ear-piercing screech that sent shivers over her body. A nightmare come to life. Her nightmare. Panic taunted, fear producing a bitter taste in her mouth. Ellie cried out, pressing her hands to her ears and falling to her knees. She couldn’t seem to grasp hold of herself. Her entire body trembled, sweat trailing down her form, hot and cold rushing through her at once.
Run. Run. Run, her mind demanded. The urge to flee was overwhelming, but deep in the recesses of her mind, remained the realization that she was supposed to be fighting. Only she could save Devon. She had to get a grip on herself. Must gather the powers and use them for her own, but her brain was thrumming against her skull in a pounding headache that left stars bursting behind her eyelids and made concentration impossible.
Focus, Ellie, someone said. The words gave her strength. Slowly, she lifted her lashes. There, amongst the dancing beasts with the nightmare faces, stood a man with a long beard and flowing white robe. A pillar of calmness in a world of chaos.
“Michael,” Ellie whispered.
The moment she said his name, the man disappeared.