Fox Among the Demons

by Trudie Collins

  “Drink this,” Maylan said and handed her a steaming cup. “It’s just coffee, with some of the healing potion added.”

  Trey placed his hand on Bolene’s shoulder. “I need to go,” he said. “You are safe here. Maylan is a friend. She’s Nat’s aunt and has been helping us.”

  “I’ll take care of her,” Lucy said. “Go and bring the others home.”

  Trey didn’t need to hear more. He walked up to the ‘door’ and tried to step through, but something stopped him. He tried again and still he couldn’t go through. “What’s going on?”

  “When Nat made the ‘door’ invisible on Yong, she also made it one way. You can’t use it to go back to Yong,” Maylan said.

  “What!” Lucy exclaimed. “Why would she do that?”

  “To protect Trey. His mission was to rescue Bolene. He has done that. His place is now here, with her. And you.”

  “You knew she planned to do this.” Trey threw the accusation at Maylan as though it was a weapon.

  “Yes,” she said calmly. “I taught her how to do it.”

  “Then make another ‘door’. I need to get back there.”

  “No,” Maylan said firmly, “You need to stay here. Nobody knows if the others will live through this. If the plan goes wrong, Joonie may well kill them all. Nat was not prepared to risk you any more than she had to. She needs you to look after Lucy if anything happens to her.”

  “Who else knew?” His voice was raised, but he didn’t care.

  “Only Komi. As soon as Fox gets back here, he and Nat will take out Joonie and Lukine.”

  “And if they can’t?”

  “Let’s hope they can.”

  ————————————-∞————————————-

  Natasha turned around in time to see Trey carry Bolene through the ‘door’. He was going to be mad when he found out he couldn’t return. She took a deep breath. She needed to play her part until she found out where Fox was.

  “So what’s your plan?” she asked. She was standing by the altar and had positioned herself so that if Joonie and Lukine were looking at her, they couldn’t see the place where they assumed Bolene still was. Komi was standing nearby, ready to act if he needed to. He seemed more relaxed, now that his brother and sister were out of danger.

  Between them, Joonie and Lukine explained to Natasha how the resurrection spell worked and why they needed her involvement. Neither of them glanced to where Bolene no longer was, so they didn’t know that she had gone. They told Natasha nothing she didn’t already know. She pretended to listen, all the while thinking about how she was going to find out where Fox was and what she would do if he was being held at a different location. He might not still be alive, but she refused to let herself consider that possibility.

  “And who will be the sacrifice?” Natasha asked. “Maylan said there had to be one.”

  Joonie’s face clouded over at the mention of her sister’s name, making Natasha wonder how she would react if she told her that Maylan was living with her father. “You’re right. A sacrifice is needed. Necromancy is an exchange of souls. But you don’t need to concern yourself with that. The sacrifice has been taken care of.” Natasha didn’t like the way Lukine smiled at Joonie’s comment.

  “That reminds me,” he said. “I have a surprise for you.” He moved to one side and pointed to where a blanket had been placed over something, hiding it from view. He removed it, revealing Fox, securely bound. He was on his knees with his arms still attached to the metal pole. Chains were round his ankles, tying his legs together, and another chain hung from his neck. A heavy weight had been added to it, forcing him to lean forward. If his arms had not been outstretched, he would have looked like he was praying. It looked a painfully uncomfortable position to be in for any length of time.

  “What’s he doing here?” Natasha asked, doing her best to pretend his presence had no effect on her. Upon hearing her voice, Fox raised his head.

  Natasha gasped. All of her plans fled the moment she saw his face. “Jesus Christ, what did you do to him?” His face was covered in bruises, one eye was swollen shut and his head was bleeding. The angle of his nose suggested it had been broken.

  She rushed over to him and knelt down. She took a vial of healing potion out of her jacket pocket, but before she could remove the stopper, Lukine grabbed hold of her arm.

  “Don’t even think about it,” he said.

  Natasha placed her empty hand on his chest and spoke the spell she had used on Fox what seemed like months ago, but in reality had only been a few days. Lukine flew across the room, hitting the far wall with a thud.

  “Touch me again and you will regret it,” Natasha said then turned her attention back to Fox. She poured the red liquid into his mouth, then set about releasing him. Joonie did nothing to stop her. She looked amused by Natasha’s actions rather than angry, which made no sense. Natasha was too preoccupied to think about what it meant.

  She heard movement behind Fox, but didn’t look up as Komi approached. She knew Fox would have heard him, but nobody else. Fox didn’t react when Komi placed his hand on his back. “We’ll get you out of here,” Komi said softly. “Bo is safe. Trey has taken her back to Earth.”

  He watched as Natasha released Fox’s hands and removed the metal bar from his shoulders. Komi could not help as Joonie was watching them closely.

  Fox grimaced as blood began to flow back into his hands. The healing potion was quickly working its magic on his body, but did not stop the pain.

  “Stick to the plan,” he whispered into Natasha’s ear as she removed the chain from around his neck, allowing him to straighten his back. He gasped as he did so, the movement hurting his broken ribs. They would soon mend, but until they did, all movement was going to be painful.

  “Not until you are out of here,” Natasha said softly.

  “Can you walk?” Komi asked him and he nodded his head.

  Joonie continued to watch as Natasha took the chain off Fox’s legs. “I thought you no longer cared about him.”

  “I may not want to be with him, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care,” Natasha said. “Nobody should be treated like this. Why did you do it?”

  “I didn’t. Lukine did.”

  Natasha stood up so she could confront her mother. “And why didn’t you stop him?”

  Joonie shrugged. “It wasn’t my place to do so.”

  Natasha helped Fox to stand. He had to lean on her as his legs would not support his full weight.

  There was a bench close to where Natasha’s ‘door’ was still clearly visible to her, Komi and Fox and she helped Fox walk over to it. Komi went with them, just in case his help was needed.

  Once Natasha was sure that Fox would not fall off the bench, she walked over to where Lukine was picking himself up from the floor. Komi sat down next to Fox. “Get ready to activate your bracelets. As soon as you do, get yourself out of here.”

  Fox shook his head. He kept it low so if anyone looked over at him they wouldn’t see his lips move. “You and Nat can’t take on those two alone.”

  “You are in no condition to help. Nat won’t be able to concentrate until you are safe. Trey will be back soon.” Komi knew it was a lie, but Fox didn’t.

  “Alright,” Fox said, but he didn’t sound happy about it.

  Komi returned his attention to Natasha. He half expected her to hit Lukine, but she didn’t. Instead, she goaded him. She needed him to be focused on her, Joonie as well.

  “I was considering helping you,” she said. “Bringing Fox’s father back from the dead would piss him off and, after what he has done to me, that would give me a perverse pleasure, but not now. What you did to Fox was inhuman.”

  “I’m not human,” Lukine said. “I’m a demon. And he isn’t Fox’s father, he’s mine.”

  “In that case, I definitely won’t help. If your father is anything like you, the world is better off without him.”

  “He’s not,” Joonie said. “He’s
a good, kind man.”

  “Try telling that to Fox,” Natasha said.

  “Good girl,” Komi said. “She has their attention. Activate your bracelets.” Fox obeyed.

  “You have to understand,” Joonie said. “He couldn’t control himself around Fox. He loved his mother a great deal and every time he saw her child, he was reminded of her. At least that’s what I believed. It was not that long ago that I found out that the real reason was that Fox prevented him from forgetting that his wife cheated on him.”

  “He cheated on her first. How else do you explain Lukine’s existence?”

  “Go,” Komi said to Fox. “Before they notice your disappearance.”

  “Nat...” Fox started to say, but he had no idea what words to use.

  Komi placed his hand on Fox’s shoulder. “I won’t let anything happen to her. You have my word. Now get out of here.”

  Fox struggled to his feet and Komi helped him walk to the ‘door’. He turned to look at Natasha, but her attention was on Joonie. He felt his legs giving way, so he closed his eyes and thought about Maylan’s house. When Komi released his hold on him, he fell through the ‘door’ and disappeared.

  While this was happening, Joonie was still speaking, trying to convince Natasha that bringing his father back would be good for Lukine, that his father would bring him into line and curb his excesses.

  Natasha glanced over at Komi and saw that Fox was no longer there. Komi caught her eye and nodded, letting her know that he had gone to Earth. They were now on their own.

  “Why are you wasting your breath trying to convince her to help us?” Lukine asked Joonie. “She’s already admitted she still cares for Fox. Either she helps us or I kill him. Simple.”

  “Try it,” Natasha said, sounding a lot braver than she felt.

  Lukine grabbed the front of her t-shirt. “You may have magic now, but you are no match for me. You took me by surprise earlier. It won’t happen again.”

  Komi stepped closer, ready to intervene. He would make no move unless Natasha called for help. Joonie needed her so she would not let Lukine hurt her. He hoped.

  “Stop it, Lukine,” Joonie ordered. “The moons are nearly aligned. We need to get the sacrifice ready.”

  “Fine,” he said and released Natasha. “Which one do you want me to bring over?”

  Joonie placed her hand on his face in a motherly gesture. “That won’t be necessary,” she said and hastily orated a spell. Lukine’s eyes went wide as his body stiffened. He tried to speak, but no sounds came out.

  “Help me get him on the altar,” Joonie said to Natasha, who looked at her, perplexed. She had no idea what was going on. “Now,” Joonie snapped. “We need to get him strapped down before the spell wears off.”

  Natasha did as asked. There were straps on the alter for wrists and ankles, attached to chains which were embedded in the stone, and the two women quickly had Lukine tied in place. Natasha looked at Komi, but his face told her he was as clueless as she was.

  Joonie untied a silk scarf from around her neck and used it as a gag. “We don’t want him being able to say a spell once he is able to speak again, do we?”

  “Why?” Natasha asked. “Why are you doing this to him? I thought you and him were in this together.”

  Joonie laughed. “Together? You must be joking. The only reason I have put up with him is because I need him. Lukine was useful for a while, keeping an eye on Fox, who I thought I would need for this ritual. I only recently found out the truth of Fox’s parentage. You see, I lied to Lukine. Only two magic-users are needed, not three. But I didn’t lie about needing him. The resurrection spell will work with any demon sacrifice, but is much more powerful when the sacrifice is a blood relative of the person you want to bring back. That’s why I needed to keep an eye on Fox, until I found out he would be of no use to me.”

  Natasha was horrified. “You are going to kill the son of the man you love?”

  “I’m not going to kill him. You are.”

  Ritual

  “No way,” Natasha said. “You can’t make me do that.”

  Joonie grabbed hold of her arm and said a spell. A strange sensation flowed through Natasha and she suddenly felt disconnected from her body. “What have you done?”

  “I’m sorry daughter, but I need you to do everything I say.” She sounded genuinely regretful. “I wish I didn’t have to do this to you, but I do. I hope that, one day, you will forgive me. I have taken control of your body. You will be unable to disobey me. Now come closer.”

  Natasha felt her body moving. She tried to stop it, but couldn’t. Joonie withdrew a knife from her back pocket and handed it to Natasha, who was unable to resist taking it. Her arm was trembling as she reached out for it.

  Then she felt an arm slip around her waist and Komi whispered in her ear. “Stop struggling against whatever hold Joonie has on you. It will only make it worse. Relax and do what has to be done. I’m here with you. I will help you through this.” She felt him kiss her cheek, then he removed his arm from around her and took hold of her free hand. He squeezed it tight.

  Natasha watched as Joonie undid the buttons on Lukine’s shirt and pulled it wide open, revealing his smooth, tanned chest. Natasha made the mistake of looking at his face. His eyes were filled with terror. Despite all he had done, she couldn’t help feeling sorry for him. He had trusted the wrong woman and now he was going to pay the ultimate price.

  “Can you still do what needs to be done?” Komi asked.

  Natasha gave her head a slight nod. She might not be in control of her body, but her mind was still her own.

  Joonie took the knife back from Natasha and made a small incision in Lukine’s skin, between two ribs, directly over his heart. He cried out, but the sound was muffled by the gag. He struggled against his bonds, but he was tied down too tightly to release himself. Sweat dripped from his forehead and his face had gone pale.

  “Please don’t make me do this,” Natasha said. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes.

  “This has to happen. I need someone else to perform the sacrifice while I recite the spell.” Joonie handed the knife back. “When you hear me say ‘opponue’, stab down as hard as you can. Aim for where I have cut him. The knife will pierce his heart and kill him quickly. I would have liked to make him suffer more for what he put you and Fox through, and for what he did to Bolene, but unfortunately I do not have the time. Are you ready?”

  Natasha felt herself nodding. Joonie began to speak. Natasha could not understand what she was saying, but she recognised some of the words from spells she had been taught. Joonie’s voice got louder and louder until she was almost shouting.

  Natasha was so caught up in the moment that she didn’t consciously hear the word she was dreading being said and was not aware of her arm moving until the knife was already in Lukine’s body.

  Blood squirted up her arm and she screamed. She wanted to brush it off her, but she still had no control over what she did. Lukine’s body convulsed as his life ebbed away and she had to turn her head away. She vomited violently on the floor, then began to shake. She had just committed murder.

  Komi stepped away from her as her mother drew close. “I am truly sorry I made you do that. It will soon be over, I promise.”

  She took hold of both of Natasha’s hands. “I am going to link our minds. Now that the sacrifice has been made, we need to say the resurrection spell in unison. With our minds linked, you will know what words to say. Do you understand?”

  Natasha nodded. Maylan had warned her about this. There was not enough time to teach her the spell, so a mind meld was the only solution available to Joonie. Joonie would be speaking into her mind, but not controlling it.

  Words sounded in her head and she found herself speaking them out loud. Komi moved closer once more and placed his arm around her, letting her know he was there and would act when she needed him to.

  Words flowed from Joonie and Natasha. Natasha had no idea what she was saying, but it d
idn’t matter. Light appeared and all three instinctively looked up. Lightning began to flash across the ceiling, every now and then striking down onto the altar, just missing Lukine’s nearly lifeless body. The tempo of the spell changed and Natasha began to recognise the words she was saying. Maylan had taught her only the important part of the spell.

  When she said a word wrong, Joonie didn’t notice, but Komi did. It was as she had practiced. Now it was just a question of how long she could keep making ‘mistakes’ before Joonie spotted that anything was wrong.

  Natasha said a second word wrong, then a third. Joonie went on reciting the spell, oblivious to what Natasha was doing. It was only when she spoke the name of the sacrifice that she noticed something was wrong. Instead of saying ‘Lukine’, Natasha said, loudly and clearly, “Joonie Tansel.”

  Joonie had her head bowed and her eyes closed while she spoke. Upon hearing her name, her head shot up and her eyes sprang open. “No,” she cried out. “You don’t know what you have done.”

  “Yes, I do,” Natasha said. Joonie still had hold of her so she couldn’t step away. She looked up and saw that the lightning above was becoming agitated. She needed to move quickly if she was to avoid serious injury, but she had no idea how to make her mother let go of her.

  Seeing her predicament, Komi did what he was there to do. He stepped away from her, in order to give himself a run up, then launched himself at Natasha, grabbing hold of her and pulling her to the ground. Her arms were wrenched painfully from Joonie’s grasp and she landed heavily on the ground. Komi did his best to protect her from the fall, but was unable to position himself under her. As soon as they were on the ground, Natasha curled up into a ball and Komi lay on top of her, using his body to cover hers.

  A fork of lightning struck down, narrowly missing them. A second caught its target, piercing Joonie through the chest. She screamed as electricity coursed through her. Her body slumped to the ground, where it convulsed once, twice, then lay still.

  Silence filled the building and everything went dark. After a moment, Komi raised his head. He could see nothing. He moved his body off Natasha’s. “Are you alright?”