Demon Cursed

by Sadie Hobbes

  Noel took a seat next to me. “It’s Graham, isn’t it?”

  I groaned, grabbing a pillow and dropping my head into it.

  Noel laughed, pulling the pillow away. “Seriously, what’s wrong? He’s awesome. And he obviously likes you.”

  “Not after this morning,” I grumbled.

  “What did you do?”

  “Oh, I don’t know, just blamed him for everything that was wrong with Blue Forks.”

  “I’m sure it’s not as bad as that.”

  “Yeah, it is. I basically said that he cared nothing about the people of Blue Forks and the people of Sterling Peak were spoiled brats who kept all the resources to themselves and from any of the people who really needed them.”

  Noel stared at me, her jaw hanging open, before she laughed. “Oh.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, oh. He left about five minutes after you guys did.”

  “I’m sure he just had somewhere to go.”

  I shook my head. “Nope. He planned on asking me a bunch of questions about where I was from and all of that, and then I got really angry thinking about the differences between here and there. He didn’t ask me many questions after that. In fact, he didn’t ask me any. He just hightailed it for the door.”

  “Well, at least you didn’t have to answer a lot of uncomfortable questions.”

  I groaned. “God, I was awful.”

  “I’m sorry, Addie. But I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think.”

  “Noel, are you coming?” Micah called from down the hall.

  Noel gave me a look.

  “Go on. I’m just going to sit here and stew in my funk.”

  She gave me another concerned look.

  I waved her away. “Seriously, go. He’s really excited, and I’ll be okay. I’m just being ridiculous.”

  “Being a ‘not ridiculous’ person, I’m sure this will be just a stage, and then you’ll be back to your normal self.” She gave me a hug and then headed down the hall toward the room.

  She was right. I wasn’t a mopey person. In fact, I very rarely gave in to bouts of self-pity. And when I did, they lasted a few minutes, not a few hours. This wasn’t me, and I wasn’t going to allow it to continue.

  So I got up and straightened out the apartment. Then I got dinner together and forced myself to think of anything but Graham. Which wasn’t so easy being all the food had been provided by him. After dinner, Noel and Micah set the chessboard up in the kitchen. Torr lay on my bed dozing, and I knew I needed to go out and go for a patrol.

  And for the first time ever, I really hoped I ran into a demon.

  Sadly, the night was quiet. I wasn’t sure if it was because the demons were reeling from last night’s attack or if I was just seriously unlucky.

  At the same time, I knew it was wrong to wish a demon would appear just so I could take my angst out on someone who actually deserved it.

  There weren’t many people out. Word of last night’s attack had spread. The lights were off in most homes, no one wanting to attract any attention.

  But as I turned the corner at the old market, I ran into a most unexpected individual. Donovan’s grin lit up his face as he caught sight of me. “Addie!”

  He wrapped me in a hug, pulling me off my feet. I couldn’t help but laugh, my spirits lifting. It was hard to be down around Donovan. His upbeat nature was infectious. He gently lowered me to the ground.

  I grinned up at him. “Thanks again for the chess set. Micah and Noel were playing when I left the apartment.”

  “That was the plan. Because when I sit across the board from him, it will be no holds barred.”

  An auburn haired woman with a strong build standing just behind Donovan snorted. “Oh, please. Your chess strategies are about as complex as a two-year-old’s who’s trying to sneak a cookie.” She extended her hand to me. “Hi. I’m Tess.”

  Strong hands, with callouses from fight training wrapped around mine. Tess as in Major Tess Uriel, a member of the Seven. My guard was immediately up. “Addie. Nice to meet you.”

  Tess’s eyebrows rose as a smile spread across her face. “So you’re Addie. I’ve heard a lot about you. According to Donovan, you single-handedly took on a horde of demons, beheaded them with one swipe of a magic sword, and left their corpses smoldering in the ground.”

  I winced at the description. “I think he might’ve taken some creative liberties with that story.”

  “I did not,” Donovan said indignantly. “That’s exactly how I remember it.”

  Tess jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow. “Donovan does tend to take a few creative liberties with all of his stories. Graham gave me the real story, and I have to say that’s no less impressive. You really took down three demons?”

  “Actually, it was four.”

  Tess’s eyebrows nearly disappeared into her hairline. “Very impressive.”

  “What are you guys doing out here?” I asked.

  Donovan frowned. “Didn’t Graham tell you? The Seraph Force will be patrolling Forks from this point forward.”

  My jaw dropped. “What?”

  “Graham’s idea. He came back this morning and created a new schedule. We’ll all be doubling up on patrols until we get some new recruits.”

  “He-he did that?”

  “I guess that short conversation you guys had this morning must have been pretty persuasive,” Donovan said.

  I didn’t know what to say. He’d listened, and he’d made changes. And now I felt like even more of a heel. He’d done all that even though I’d yelled at him.

  Tess’s gaze shifted to the sword strapped along my back. “Is that the demon sword?”

  I nodded.

  “Any chance I can see it?” Tess asked hopefully.

  I hesitated, reluctant to pull it from its scabbard. I was strangely protective of it. The second sword I’d left at home under the couch. I’d told Noel and Micah where it was, making them promise not to touch it unless it was an absolute emergency. I pulled it free.

  Tess reached out a hand and then pulled it back. “Do you mind?”

  I extended it to her hilt first.

  She gripped the handle and took a step back, taking a few swings. The moves were practiced and easy.

  “It’s got a really nice balance to it.” She stepped closer to one of the street torches and frowned. “What’s engraved on the blade?”

  I moved closer to her and peered down. She was right. There were marks there.

  “I’m not an expert, but I think that’s Enochian,” Donovan said. Enochian: the language of the angels.

  “Why would Enochian be on a demon’s blade?” Tess asked.

  “Probably because the demons used to be angels,” Donovan said.

  Everyone knew the tale: The archangel Lucifer led a rebellion in the heavens with a third of the angels. When they lost, they were cast out and became demons.

  “So this could be an angel blade,” Donovan said.

  I hadn’t thought of it that way. Tess handed me back the blade, her eyes shining. “Either way, it’s pretty cool.”

  I slid the blade back into its scabbard.

  “You patrolling?” Donovan asked.

  “Yeah, it’s been pretty quiet.”

  “Mind if we tag along?” Tess asked. “You could show us Blue Forks.”

  “Actually, that sounds pretty good.” And it did. The funk that had settled over me like a shroud since morning started to lift.

  I patrolled with Donovan and Tess for the rest of the night. And it was fun. Tess was not what I expected. The only Angel Blessed I’d come in contact with so far were the rich and spoiled. But Tess was down to earth and funny. She and I even tag-teamed, giving Donovan a hard time about his many fans. Donovan then teased Tess about her apparently infamous failures in the kitchen. And they both teased me about planning to sit back with popcorn if a demon attacked and just watch the show.

  When I finally made it to bed that night, I knew my ideas of some of the Angel Blessed were changin
g. And instead of going to sleep drowning in misery over my horrible interaction with Graham, I was smiling picturing Tess somehow managing to burn tea.

  Chapter 29

  Noel, Micah, and I spent Saturday night at Sheila’s as planned. The fireworks had been spectacular. The members of Sterling Peak sat outside, watching the bursts of color against the night sky, all of the Seraph Force out on patrol.

  I tried not to think of the fact that all of the people in Blue Forks were at best looking out their windows at the display. The streets were not safe enough for them to be out.

  As we sat outside and people milled by, I found myself searching the crowds for Graham. But there was no sign of him

  Which I told myself was a good thing really. Even without seeing him though, I felt his presence every night for the next week in Forks.

  Each night, at least two members from the Seraph Force were on patrol over in Blue Forks. I patrolled as well, although only for half the time each night. The Seraph Force had reinforcements who came in and took half a shift. Being I was on my own, I only did the first few hours into the night. That week, I only came across one demon, and he was easily dispatched. Tess and Jane, another member of the Seraph Force, dispatched one as well later that week. But overall, it was pretty quiet.

  During that time, I didn’t see Graham at all. Not on night patrol duty or when I went over to work at the Uriels.

  Not that I was looking, or at least so I told myself each time I felt that small well of disappointment in the pit of my stomach when another day passed without seeing him. Or when I caught the broad shoulders of one of the male members of the Seraph Force and realized it wasn’t Graham.

  But in reality, it was for the best. Because if I didn’t see him, then I would stop thinking about him sooner, right?

  Noel didn’t ask me about Graham after out little chat, but Micah wasn’t quite as restrained. Luckily, Donovan showed up earlier in the week to play chess with Micah. They hadn’t finished the game yet, although they’d spent hours sitting across the board from one another. It sat there waiting for them to complete their challenge.

  For Micah’s sake, I was glad that Donovan kept his word. He’d even brought some extra books from Marcus for Noel. In fact, both kids seemed to have come out of meeting Marcus rather well off, as they’d both made new friends. I suppose I had as well. I’d met a dozen members of the Seraph Force now, including all the members of the Seven. And I had to admit, with the exception of D' Angelo, they were all pretty decent people. But I couldn’t help but wonder if I would see Graham again and how that interaction would go.

  One thing incredibly strange did happen though just the night before. For the first time ever, a demon actually ran from a fight with me. I’d heard one in the back alley behind the food market, so I’d crept along, and sure enough, one was skulking about. Instead of attacking anyone though, he was peering in the window of an apartment. Then it turned and moved on to the next one.

  For a moment I wondered if maybe it was like Torr. So I decided to follow it. Luckily I was downwind.

  Then I saw a man step out of the back of his home down the street, only about thirty feet from the demon. The demon growled low in its throat. I knew that sound.

  “Get inside!” I yelled as I surged forward, pulling my sword. It flared to life in my hands.

  The man’s eyes bulged as he took in the demon. Then he sprinted for his back door.

  The demon stopped still, looked at me, and then started to sprint down the alley, away from me. I paused, completely shocked by its behavior. Then I took off after it, scanning the alley ahead, trying to see what it had zoned in on, but there was no one in sight.

  As the demon ran, its shape became more translucent, until it completely faded from view.

  I stuttered to a stop as I reached the spot where it had been just a moment ago. For a second, I worried it had gone invisible. I closed my eyes, straining to hear anything. But it was gone.

  I ran into Enid and Mitchell of the Seraph Force a short time later and explained what had happened. They promised to pass the information on to Marcus and Graham.

  Since then, I’d been unable to get it out of my mind. In all my time, I’d never seen a demon run from a fight. I’d never even heard of it.

  Now I stifled a yawn as I walked along the old North District. No one was out. The demons definitely weren’t out. And I was struggling to stay awake. I’d spent most of the night wondering about the demon who’d run away. And for the last three nights, Mrs. Uriel had kept me late, so it was all catching up with me.

  I hadn’t seen the Seraph Force yet, but Tess had told me she was on duty, so I knew they were out here somewhere. I supposed I could call it an early night.

  As if I’d summoned her, I caught sight of Tess as she crossed the road up ahead with Laura.

  “Hey,” I called out.

  Tess stopped, her hand immediately going to the scabbard at her waist before she smiled. She and Laura changed directions, heading toward me. I met them halfway. Both grinned their hellos.

  “Quiet night,” Laura said.

  “Quiet week,” I replied. “I’m beginning to think you Seraph Force have scared off all the demons.”

  Laura had an olive complexion and deep-brown eyes. I was pretty sure her hair was black, but it was hard to be sure because she kept her head shaved. She flexed a rather impressive bicep. “It wouldn’t be unheard of.”

  “I heard you ran into some trouble the other night, though,” Tess said, her brow raised with concern.

  “Not much. I ran into a demon down by the market. As soon as I pulled my sword, it ran off.”

  Laura’s eyebrows rose. “That’s what Mitchell said, but I thought he must have gotten it wrong. I didn’t think they did that.”

  I shrugged. “I didn’t think so either. But this one did.”

  Tess frowned. “That’s really strange.”

  “But good,” Laura said. “If these guys are scared of that sword, then I say we all get versions of it and walk around with them in our hands like torches.”

  “Were you able to light it?” Tess asked.

  I nodded, remembering the flash of fire across the blade. “Yeah. As soon as I pull it from the scabbard and aim it at a demon, the flames ignite.”

  “Have you tried to ignite it without a demon?” Laura asked.

  I shrugged. “I mean, I’ve taken it out before. But I haven’t actually tried to ignite it.”

  “Have you shown Marcus the engravings on the blade yet?”

  “Yes, he stopped by earlier this week. He sent a note asking if I could bring the sword by so he could do a more in-depth analysis. Donovan said he was out of town for a few days, though.”

  Tess nodded. “That’s true. He left with Graham four days ago, but they came back today.”

  My stomach did a little flip-flop at the mention of Graham. He’d been out of town. Maybe that was why he’d stayed away.

  Ha. Sure.

  “Do you think Marcus will be there tomorrow? I can bring the sword by then.”

  “Yes. He should be. Do you want me to take the sword to him?” Laura asked.

  I was tempted, but to be honest I didn’t want to let the sword out of my sight. That strange territoriality had only increased.

  I shook my head. “No, it’s okay. I have to go to the Uriels anyway. I can drop it off with Marcus and then pick it up at the end of my shift.”

  Laura’s eyes went wide. “I don’t know how you do it. Patrol all night and then work all day. You must be exhausted.”

  I shrugged. I wasn’t tired very often, although tonight I was feeling it a little bit. “Not really. I guess I don’t really need that much sleep.”

  Tess sighed. “I wish I had that problem. When my head hits the pillow tonight, I will be out for hours. I may not get up till noon.”

  “Must be nice,” I said lightly. “But being you two are out here, I think I will actually call it a night myself. Maybe get a little extra sl
eep tonight.”

  “Don’t worry. We got this,” Laura said.

  We exchanged goodbyes, and I promised to stop by at Tess’s tomorrow in Sterling Peak after work. She had a better scabbard that would work for the demon blade.

  I headed down the street, wondering at the changes in my life lately. I can honestly say Tess and I were on our way to becoming good friends. And now I had company, even if only for a little bit, on my nightly patrols. Donovan had stopped by twice, and Marcus had been by at the beginning of the week again. Overall it was pretty amazing how different my life had become.

  The only thing missing was Graham.

  The thought slipped into my mind before I could tamp it down .

  No. He was not supposed to be part of my life. I was grateful that he’d introduced the rest of them to me, but Graham was not a part of my life. I could be friends with all the rest of them because that was all I felt for them: friendship. But with Graham . . .

  The rattling of metal behind the school building caused me to stop. The hairs on the back of my neck rose as I turned. It could be a cat. Blue Forks had a lot of strays.

  A louder thud sounded.

  I pulled my sword from the scabbard. If it was a cat, it was a really big one. Slowly, I inched alongside the brick building. All thoughts of calling it an early night vanished.

  I reached the edge of the building and peeked around the corner. An immense demon stood there, hands on his hips, with a scowl. “Where are you?” he growled.

  I scanned the area, trying to figure out who he was talking to. Maybe there was another one like Torr that I wasn’t able to see.

  That thought was terrifying.

  He glanced my way. I jerked my head back, my breath coming out fast. I gripped the sword. For the second time, I was coming across a demon that wasn’t attacking anyone. I seesawed between going in for the kill and following him to see what he was up to.

  Indecision rooted me to my spot. Which, in hindsight, probably saved my life. Because two seconds later, a second demon burst through one of the doorways of the schoolhouse with a roar. He glared at me, his eyes glowing bright. My sword flamed to life as I turned to face him, angling myself to keep the wall at my back.