by Michael Todd
Calvin pressed Send and turned away, waiting for Katie to answer the phone. “Come on, Katie. Pick up. Pick up.”
There was no answer. Calvin shut the phone and glanced at Sofia, worried as hell.
Katie flew across the arcade, landing on the whack-a-mole game. It collapsed beneath her, and she groaned. She reached back and grunted as she pulled a mole from between her armor and her body, throwing it to the side. “Whacked you, motherfucker.”
She looked up as the demon’s bat came hurtling toward her. She rolled away and the bat slammed into the game, throwing little mole heads all over the place. Katie, on all fours, crawled through the demon’s legs as fast as she could, reaching for her sword. Just as her fingertips touched the hilt, the demon grabbed her legs.
Her eyes went wide, and she snarled, “Motherfucker!”
He swung her through the air, her body hitting the claw machine and breaking through the glass. She grabbed the metal frame and pulled herself out, looking down at the plastic toys spilling all over the floor. She charged at the demon full-force, twisting her body as she jumped into the air. Her foot slammed into his face and he fell back, sliding up against the counter. His body hit it hard, knocking a stand of candy necklaces down over his head.
The demon stood up, ripping them off, the candy bouncing off the floor. Katie picked up her sword and shook her head. “But you looked so pretty. I think there’s a pink tiara back there that would go perfectly with that pink boa.”
He growled and ran after her, grabbing the chain as he went. Katie waited until the last second and jumped high, clutching the rafter in the ceiling. The demon flew beneath her feet and slammed head-first into a machine. He stumbled back, rubbing his head and healing the human body as fast as he could. Katie chuckled, watching him teeter back and forth.
She let go of the rafter and dropped to the floor. Her phone began to ring in her pocket, but the Damned was already heading straight for her. She sighed and shook her head. “Sorry, no time for a nice chat right now.”
Katie dodged to the right, sticking her leg out and tripping the demon. He rolled forward and came to a stop, breathing heavily. Katie turned around, panting. “Really? You fell for the old trip-the-demon routine? You must have had one hell of a childhood, dude.”
They stood there for a moment, each catching their breath. They were both exhausted, but Katie knew the bastard demon would never give up. After all, he knew she was an angel, which meant he was fighting for his life.
She leaned against the machine for a moment, wiping the sweat from her forehead. “Are we taking a timeout? Is that what this is?”
The Damned slowly rose to his feet, his muscles flexing and the veins on his neck pulsing. Katie blinked and stood back up, dwarfed by his height. “Oh. I guess you’re ready, then.”
He didn’t move at first; he just stood there staring down at her with his red eyes. Katie lifted both her eyebrows. “Look, I know I’m pretty, but this is one of those weird dude things that women really don’t like. The whole stare-down thing? It’s just creepy.”
The Damned’s chest began to heave, and the skin healed quickly all over the body. The demon’s claws retracted, and the human fingers sealed back up. Katie tilted her head to the side, watching as it stood perfectly still. Suddenly the demon leapt from the human’s chest, tackling Katie and rolling her across the floor.
She put out her wings and flapped backward, pulling herself out of his grasp. She landed next to the human’s body, staring at the demon that had emerged. He had a long face with sharp, jagged teeth and a lopsided horn on either side of his head. He brushed his arms off and stood up, slowly walking toward her.
Katie wrinkled her nose. “Your horns…uh, they’re a little wonky.”
The demon snarled. “I’ve heard of you. You aren’t as tough as the legends say.”
Katie backed up. “No?”
The demon smiled. “I thought you were infected by some powerful demon.”
He got close to her face, snorting hard and blowing her hair back. Slowly she looked up at him with her eyes shimmering blue. “Nope, it’s all me.”
Before he could move, she leapt up and on top of the counter. As her feet touched down, she swung the sword, contacting the scales on his neck. His eyes went wide as her blade sliced effortlessly through his flesh and came out the other side. He stood there for a moment staring blankly.
“Huh.” She chuckled.
Reaching out with her sword, she tapped the side of his head, watching it fall from his shoulders and roll across the floor. The human below her groaned and Katie jumped down, shocked that he was still alive. She reached under his arm and helped him to his feet. “Holy shit, bro. I was seriously for sure you were in pieces about fifteen or twenty minutes ago.”
The big guy put his hands up, touching his face and head. Instantly he began to cry. “I’m alive. I’m… What the hell is going on?”
Katie raised an eyebrow. “Do you remember that big-ass demon at all?”
The guy glanced at Katie, then pointed at her. “You’re… Demon? No. What year is it?”
Katie cleared her throat. “Come on, big guy, let’s go get you some help. They can explain it all to you.”
Katie put her arm around him and used her angel strength to help him. Outside there were cop lights flashing, and Travers and Schultz stood on the corner. The EMTs rushed over and grabbed the guy, helping him to the ambulance. Katie looked at the homeless guy and winked. “Good job.”
She pulled her phone out and saw a missed call from Calvin. She sighed and put her finger up, letting Travers know she needed a second. She redialed and waited for him to answer. “Now, what the fuck is going on over there?”
25
The portal snapped as it flipped open and Katie stepped through, her angel armor gone and a dark-blue chain imprint on her right arm. Her hair was a bit of a mess, and she was covered in dust from crashing through video games for the last hour. She brushed off her front and looked up, finding herself in Calvin’s room.
Katie smiled, glancing at Sofia, Sofia’s parents, and Calvin. “Hey, there. Made it here as fast as humanly possible. Well, I guess not humanly. That would have taken a lot longer.”
Sofia’s parents looked completely bewildered, never having seen a portal before. Calvin rushed over and hugged Katie, pulling back as she winced. He looked at the mark and back at her face. “Making new friends?”
Katie shrugged, chuckling. “Figured I would try the whole ‘tie me up tie me down’ thing with chains. Didn’t really like it. Pinches the skin.”
Sofia slowly walked over, holding her belly. Katie pulled away from Calvin and took Sofia’s hand, giving her a comforting smile. “I have to admit, although it’s weird as fuck to see you with red eyes, that color looks damn good on you, girl.”
Sofia laughed and hugged Katie. “Thank you for coming. We wouldn't have called you if it wasn’t an emergency.”
Katie scoffed. “Please. You are Calvin’s wife. Calvin is family, which makes you family. There is nothing more important than that, that’s for sure. But I have to ask. How the hell did this happen?”
Sofia shook her head, looking at Calvin. He sighed. “We don’t know. We are assuming the demon came in with us, but we just don’t know. She was fine when I left her to do rounds, and then she went back to sleep.”
Sofia rubbed her head. “I remember fighting him, but it felt like a dream. I could see myself in the dining hall, and walking around, but everything was blurry, and I felt trapped.”
Katie pursed her lips and pulled up her sleeves. “Well, let’s get this little fucker out of you. There is a good chance that when I pull it out that you will pass out, so I want you to go ahead and lie down.”
Sofia nodded and laid down on the bed. Katie walked over to her and glanced at her parents. “Just so you know, this might get a little weird for you. It’s important that you don’t freak out. I need to concentrate. And no matter what it seems like, I am not hurti
ng her. I don’t even think she will feel it.”
Her parents looked at each other and backed up, holding on to one another. Katie knelt on the bed and gazed down at Sofia. “You ready?”
Sofia took a deep breath and nodded, gripping the edge of the bed. Katie closed her eyes, pulling her angelic powers to the surface. She reached up, noticing a wisp of light floating around her hand in circles. That was different, but then again, she didn’t have Pandora to help her right now.
Katie slowly reached down, pushing her hand into Sofia’s chest. Sofia’s mother turned her head, and Sofia closed her eyes. Katie grabbed the demon and pulled it out. Sofia’s chest raised off the bed and fell back as the demon emerged. Katie held it tightly as the little bastard squirmed, trying to get free.
Sofia sat up, not having passed out. “So that’s the little asshole.”
Katie tilted her head to the side, looking at him. “He kind of looks like one of those hairless cats, if it were crisped in a fryer.”
Coco snarled. “Fuck you.”
Katie giggled. “Aww, isn’t that cute. His first words. Well, how about this? When I destroy you, there is no coming back, because I’m an angel.”
Coco’s face fell, and he whimpered. Calvin put his hand up, walking over. “Wait. Don’t kill him just yet.”
Both Katie and Sofia exclaimed at the same time, “What?”
Sofia shook her head. “He is not the kind of pet I was talking about, Calvin.”
Calvin shook his head, chuckling. “No, that’s not what I meant. It is obvious that this demon can be controlled. Sofia had never had any experience with demons, she is pregnant, and he had pushed her way down by the time I got to her. She was able to not only pull herself back out but suppress him and control him, while at the same time protecting the baby. For someone with experience in being infected, it shouldn’t be much of an issue. He will be in chains in two seconds flat, and he has enough fear to push him to do what they want.”
Katie narrowed her eyes and stared at Coco. He blew a raspberry and growled like a small dog. “But will it be able to do anything for them?”
Sofia cleared her throat and put up her hand. “I think so. Without me having any control, he dragged me all over the place. If whoever he infects is in control, he will be able to use that strength to enhance their physical wellbeing.”
Calvin nodded. “That’s right, and even though he is tiny as hell, he is pretty smart for a demon. To be able to black ops his way into our team base and infect my wife? That took some skill.”
Katie yawned. “What do you think, little guy? Would you rather be turned to a pile of dust and cease to exist in this dimension or any other, or would you like to join the team? Rumble around in a sweet ride, eat some good food, and in return, help us when we need it?”
Calvin shrugged. “That was what I was thinking. Why kill him if he can be of use? Not that I wouldn’t mind smashing his little skull for infecting my wife, but this would be for the greater good, I suppose. I guess it depends on his mindset.”
Sofia yawned and rubbed her stomach. “Even though I have this strange taste of fries and peanut butter in my mouth, I am actually really hungry.”
Sofia’s mom stepped forward, helping her daughter up. “Why don’t your father and I take you up to the kitchen and get you some real food? It looks like they have business to attend to.”
Sofia ran her hand over Calvin’s shoulder and kissed him on the cheek. She turned, narrowing her eyes at Coco and relaxing her face as she moved over to Katie. “Thank you so much. I don’t mind the Damned I love, but I really didn’t want to become one.”
Katie smiled. “We didn’t want that either.”
Sofia’s mom waved. “Thank you, Katie.”
Coco growled and Sofia’s mom jumped, ushering her husband and daughter from the room. Katie flicked the demon in the head. “Now, we’ll get some info out of you, and then where shall we stick you?”
Eddie, Turner, Sean, and Brock came into Katie’s office, laughing and joking around, but they stopped just inside, staring at a small demon sitting on the desk, scratching the back of his head with his leg. He turned and growled at them. Katie flicked him in the head and then handed him a carrot. “Be nice. These are my friends. Trust me, they are just about as fast as I am, so you are surrounded.”
Coco snorted and chewed viciously on the carrot, chunks flying all over the desk. Turner sneered. “Eww. Did you get a new pet? Is that some weird rabbit from the depths of the jungle?”
Katie snorted. “No.”
Eddie leaned forward to examine at the demon. Coco wrinkled its nose at him and turned his back, gnawing away at the carrot.
Katie put her hand out and smiled. “This is Coco. Coco is the asshole who decided to roll deep in Calvin’s wife.”
Calvin shook his head, looking at Katie. “Can you not say it like that? Creeps me out.”
Katie laughed. “Yeah, sorry.”
Eddie and Turner looked at each other and then down at the demon. “That little thing is what caused so much trouble?”
Katie nodded. “Yep. I pulled him out, and Calvin stopped me from killing him. He pointed out that he is extremely controllable, especially for someone who has experience with demons. Sofia managed to tackle him and put him in a timeout pretty quickly once Calvin was able to tell her to fight. He also has good eyes. He can see things that most of us overlook. He’s a good little sleuth, but he’s been working for the wrong team.”
Turner poked him in the back and Coco turned around, putting up his little claws and batting at his hand. “Not exactly a bruiser, is it?”
Katie smiled. “No, but he was able to move Sofia around. If you are in control, he can use that strength to improve your own. And he is not a total idiot. He managed to get here, sneak around, and infect Sofia. We don’t think he had any help, either. We haven’t detected any other demons anywhere near here.”
Sean furrowed his brow. “Did he work for someone?”
Coco crossed his arms and lifted his head, shaking it. “Lips still sealed.”
Katie shrugged. “We may not get his secrets, but at least we know he can fucking keep them. I tried before and got nothing. That’s more than most Damned can say about their demons.”
Katie waited for Pandora to give her shit, but she wasn’t there. Katie cleared her throat and turned, shaking off the feeling that she missed her. “So, what do you guys think? Will he be good for one of you?”
Turner and Eddie looked at each other and Turner rubbed his chin. “Personally, I think he would be really good for sniping. Good eyes, relatively intelligent, and easily controllable.”
Eddie nodded. “I would have to agree. I don’t think he would be very good for someone in regular hand-to-hand combat. He may be able to heal and help a little, but you would need a bigger one for more than that.”
Katie clapped her hands. “Perfect. Eddie, take a seat.”
Eddie sat down in the chair, slightly nervous. Katie bent down in front of Coco and pointed to Eddie. “Coco, infect Eddie.”
Coco glanced at Eddie and shrugged, running across the desk and swan-diving right into Eddie’s chest. Everyone watched as Eddie struggled for a moment, jerking back and forth. It didn’t take long for him to take control, though. Finally, he relaxed, his eyes flashing from brown to bright red. “Well, that wasn’t so bad. He only fought me for a second.”
Katie gave him two thumbs up. “That’s perfect. So, one down. As far as you guys…”
Turner and Sean looked at her for a moment. Turner was a little disappointed, but he didn’t let on. Katie tapped her fingers on the desk. “I would love to help you out right now. I know I promised. But I can’t get any more demons without Pandora. Right now, she is living it up in Paris training new recruits.”
Sean laughed. “I just pictured her in a black-and-white-striped top with a beret on.”
Katie rolled her eyes. “Good lord. She went to Paris, she didn’t become a mime. Anyway, you guy
s will have to wait, if you are okay with that. Well, even if you aren’t, but I want you to know I care.”
Turner laughed. “We understand. We’ll keep an eye on Eddie and make sure he doesn’t go eat all the food off people’s plates in the dining hall.”
Eddie smirked. “He has already demanded Belgian waffles with a side of…of…pickled herring? Oh, man, this guy is weird. He’s going to have to get on the train because I am not eating pickled herring.”
Sean laughed, wrinkling his nose. “As far as I’m concerned, I haven’t really decided what I want to do yet. Right now, I’m pretty happy with where I am. I’m not sure if I want to go back to that life. But I’ll let you know when I decide.”
Katie nodded and squeezed Sean’s shoulder as he wheeled toward the door. “Thanks, guys, and have fun, Eddie.”
Turner laughed as Eddie wrinkled his nose, obviously talking to his demon. They walked out of the office, and Calvin patted Katie on the back. “Good work. I’m going to go check on my wife and get something to eat before she steals it all.”
Katie giggled. “I’ll see you guys soon.”
Calvin looked at Brock and smirked as he pulled the door closed behind him. Brock clapped his hands and looked at Katie with a smile. “Look at you, always swinging in for the save. You managed to save Sofia, the baby, and Calvin’s sanity, then turn around and give Eddie a do-over as a Damned. You are like the Santa Claus of the Damned world.”
Katie puckered her lips. “Would that make me more like Krampus and less like the jolly old bearded man?”
Brock smiled, trying not to laugh. “I suppose it would. I promise you, though, you are much better looking than Krampus.”
Katie tried not to blush, but inside she was screaming. She had missed being around Brock so much. At the same time, though, she had a lot to do, and as usual, didn’t have time to give him what she wanted to. There was an awkward silence for several moments.
Brock took a step forward and looked down at the ground, then his eyes shifted up to hers. “So, I figured since you popped into town unexpectedly, I would take advantage of that.”