Emily’s heart filled with dread. Even though these creatures had come to slay her. Even though they were creatures of darkness. Even though it was her or them. Even though Dad’s, Aunt Anastacia’s, and Michael’s lives had just been saved, Emily felt a terrible dread split her heart for what she saw.
Nothing deserved to die in the way the creatures had all been wiped out. Not one of them escaped the lava-breath of the fire demon. Not one. They all perished in the worst way ever: burned slowly to nothing, their shrieks of horror lasting until their final moments.
Emily watched from behind the scenes, so to speak. All the while, the fire demon laughed with immense glee. He enjoyed the sight. Emily could tell because she felt the excitement coursing through her plume. The fire demon lived for death and destruction. He lived to see things burn. He cared not about gray areas. All he needed was a target, and he was ready to unleash hell.
Emily was afraid of herself. She was afraid of what she could do. Because she knew that even though the fire demon was in control, the blame would fall on her. She would be deemed responsible. Yeah, sure, these creatures were coming to kill her. But what if they had been humans?
A thought struck her heart, which caused a chill to run into her scaly talons. What if it had been the Alfreds? It wasn’t the very thought that terrified Emily. It was the fact that the fire demon had heard her thought, and that the thought had formed into something of a target in his mind.
Suddenly, his horrendous laughter, and the rain of burning creatures all around, ceased. His mind was set on Emily’s image of a burning castle-like mansion in town. Not just the mansion, but her image of the Alfreds—the visual that had been burned into her mind the moment Aunt Anastacia had shown her images of Joanna and Rina’s capture.
No, Emily warned. Not now! She didn’t know what else to say. She knew the fire demon was not interested in anything she had to say. In fact, if they weren’t stuck together in the same body, she might even have been one of the fire demon’s targets!
They have our friends, the fire demon said. He hadn’t moved yet. He was still flapping their wings, exhausting all her energy, and keeping them hovering on the same level at about three thousand feet in the air. It was foolish to keep flapping. Emily knew the amount of energy it took to keep The Owl afloat in one spot—Selena had taught her never to do it. Specifically, Selena had said to always use soaring momentum, not powered flight. That was why Emily focused on becoming proficient in commanding the winds.
Powered flight was only to be used in dire circumstances, when magic failed for some reason, or when she was indoors without enough wind.
But the fire demon knew nothing of this, apparently, because he kept flapping their wings. Emily was already feeling the strain in her joints. Even if they went to the Alfreds’ mansion right then, they’d be too tired to put up a good fight.
They are my friends, first of all—not ours, Emily pointed out, and we have a plan. We can’t take on five evil roves all by ourselves.
The fire demon laughed. You haven’t met me.
Uh, yes, I have. Duh! Emily replied angrily. And while I’m impressed with you for making a bonfire out of the horde of monster-bats, we aren’t going to face powerless creatures. We’re facing roves!
Great, people worthy of my wrath!
Emily could tell the fire demon was drunk on power. How was she going to take back the reins?
Look! Emily snapped, her anger boiling. I am The Owl! You are but a servant to me. I beseech you to take a chill pill and step back! We are not going to the Alfreds’! We will stay here, where it’s safe. We’ll go with the plan, and we’ll win this. My way!
There was silence.
Emily was about to breathe a sigh of relief when the fire demon again erupted into laughter.
You’re such a wuss! This was all he said before he stopped flapping their wings and folded them in. The result was instant. They dropped out of the sky like a rock. The fire demon twisted midair so they were facing the ash-ridden ground. Emily could see Dad standing on the roof, looking out at her.
She could see the confusion on his face. He was probably wondering what she was doing out there, flapping in the distance. Also wondering why she hadn’t yet returned. Only she had no way to tell him she was no longer in control.
Emily felt like screaming, but she was in some sort of mental prison. She could feel everything, especially her desire to escape. Yet, she was bound to where she was by invisible chains. She was conscious of the fire demon’s smell—like brimstone and smoke and fire. He sat comfortably at the helm, controlling her body.
They had gathered a ton of speed by now. At about a hundred yards away from smashing into the ground, the fire demon spread out their wings. The air caught on their feathers, and immediately, The Owl’s downward spiral was suddenly turned into a soaring flight forward.
The Owl did a few fancy rolls, whistling so loud that the sound wave blasted across the cottage, shattering all its front glasses. Even Dad had to duck as The Owl swooped over his head and ascended into the skies.
Are you insane?! Emily screamed.
The fire demon ignored her. Now, onward to the Alfreds’. Let’s teach them not to mess with The Owl again!
No! Emily mentally reached out to try and wrestle with the fire demon. The moment her mental hands touched him, her mind was seared with a hot flash of pain. She snapped back, screaming in pain. Her “hands” burned. If she could see them, they would have turned a deep crimson color from the fire.
The fire demon just laughed. Your time as The Owl is over! It’s time for the reign of the fire demon!
Emily was already in full-on panic mode. Was she going to remain The Owl forever? Was she always going to be controlled by a fire demon? How had she lost control so fast?
The fire demon ascended to a height of a thousand feet. He did a couple of revolutions around the cottage to get his bearings and to search her mind for information on the Alfreds and their house. Emily felt so violated as the intrusive fire demon snooped around her memory. When he was up to speed, he righted himself and made to go south.
“Fire Demon!” cried a loud female voice.
Emily felt the fire demon’s consciousness stiffen. Down at the house stood a frail, elderly-looking form. At this height, Emily had no trouble recognizing Aunt Anastacia. She looked different—like she had aged a hundred years. Her face was filled with wrinkles. Her body trembled with old age. Her hair had turned from its sunny red to a bright white color.
Her hands were raised to them, her fingers trembling, her lips tight, her eyes filled with fire and intensity. Dad stood beside her, ready to catch her if she fell. A walking cane leaned against the banister.
“Fire Demon!” Aunt Anastacia cried again. In spite of her strange oldness, her voice was full of power.
The fire demon, after taking one look at the old woman, turned their beak and shot away from the house.
“Stop!” Anastacia cried.
They barely made it a hundred yards before an invisible rope latched around The Owl’s beak. Immediately, their forward speed was shredded, and they were yanked backward.
Get off me! the fire demon screamed in panic, which manifested as a shriek from The Owl’s beak. An undignified squawk.
Emily would have laughed at the fire demon’s sudden helplessness if she wasn’t still terrified by the notion of being controlled.
The fire demon struggled for a while against the invisible chain, flapping its wings in fright. After a minute, they were yanked out of the skies and toward the house.
“Let her loose!” Aunt Anastacia called. The words carried a thunderbolt effect. A jolt of electricity blasted through the consciousness of the fire demon. Instantly, it slipped out of the reins, momentarily stunned, while Emily snapped back into control. As soon as she was back in control, Aunt Anastacia’s magic suddenly failed.
Emily allowed herself to fall toward the ground. At about ten yards from the ground, she transformed back to hu
man and collapsed in a heap near the front porch.
6
Emily remained on the ground. Heart pounding in her chest. Mind racing. She tried to control her breathing, but it wasn’t working; she was having a panic attack, and she knew it. She wasn’t afraid to admit it to herself because she had good reason. Being trapped in The Owl’s body like that, she hadn’t thought she would ever make it out alive.
She wasn’t even sure how it had happened. One moment, she was in charge, and the next, the fire demon came out of nowhere.
Emily shut her eyes, listening to herself breathe. Her entire body shivered in fear. She was conscious of her dad’s presence and Aunt Anastacia’s figure looming over her on the porch. She was happy they didn't interfere with what she was going through.
Images flashed through her mind. Images of the horde of death being decimated by the fire demon. She relived every moment, second by second. She relived the frustrating moments she’d tried to take control. The fire demon had not only had a firm grasp of her body, it also had a way to keep her in line. It could hurt her or worse.
Emily opened one eye and peeked at her hand where the fire demon had seared her. Even though she could feel the residue of pain there, she saw no burn marks.
Emily’s thoughts morphed into anger.
“Emily—” Dad’s voice started.
“No,” Aunt Anastacia cut him off. Her voice was severely strained and warped. It was more like midway between someone hooked to a breathing machine and someone in the throes of a terrible respiratory collapse.
“Let her work through it herself,” Aunt Anastacia continued, picking each of her words with great labor. “When she’s ready, she’ll talk to us.”
“But we don’t have time.” Dad’s voice was tinged with anticipation. “The Alfreds are on their way, no doubt.”
“She’s within my boundary spell,” Aunt Anastacia replied almost casually. “It’ll take even the great Gregory some time to break the exterior defenses. We have time.”
“Do we really?” Dad didn’t sound convinced.
Anastacia didn’t reply.
Emily’s heart continued to boil in anger. Selena?
I’m right here, Emily.
Why the hell didn’t you do anything? Emily’s thoughts screamed at The Owl. The moment she did that, she regretted it.
She shut her eyes and sighed again, allowing her anger to course through and out of her. There was no need to be angry. All she had to do was figure out what happened and find a way to prevent it from ever happening again. That was all. No need to transfer her anger to Selena.
I’m sorry for snapping, Emily said. I just felt like you abandoned me out there. You allowed the fire demon to—
I’m sorry, too, Selena interrupted. I should have warned you about him. I just didn’t think he’d come to your consciousness so fast after you activated him with the fire blast back at the Alfreds’.
Emily remembered how she’d saved Michael from the Alfreds. She had found him in a dungeon beneath the Alfreds’ castle. Emily had gone down to find Michael while Rina and Joanna had remained by the door—from where they were eventually abducted. After Emily had sprung Michael from the cage and was carrying him out of the place, she’d been accosted by Marion.
He’d sent a blue fireball her way, and her response had been instinctual, much like the way you’d blink when someone tried to touch your eyeball. She’d intended to whistle and do some fancy maneuver that Selena had taught her, when instead of a whistle, she belched a spew of liquid fire. And she was as surprised about it as Marion looked.
Her liquid fire had destroyed the blue flame and threatened to destroy Marion if he hadn’t jumped out of the way. That was when she took the opportunity to escape from the dungeon.
You’re saying I caused this? Emily asked, aghast.
Yes and no, Selena said. It was always going to happen. But you were the trigger. Look, we’ve not had time to really discuss the extent of your abilities. You’re not like your mom. You’re The Owl. Not just any Owl. You have what we call a fire demon.
Emily rolled her eyes. She already knew that. Aunt Anastacia had called her as much when Emily had told her the name of her Owl was Selena. Emily hadn’t pressed for more information because saving Michael and ending the Alfreds was more paramount on her mind.
Precisely why I didn’t bother you with the information, crooned Selena. I didn’t know you were going to go ahead and trigger him so soon.
Emily’s temper rose. How the hell was I supposed to know I had a demon within me?
Well, that’s why you should read more often. Selena was becoming more sarcastic. Emily had to breathe in again before she screamed at The Owl.
You could have informed me of the dangers I put myself in when I returned from the Alfreds’.
Right, and when did you return? asked Selena. She didn’t wait for Emily to provide an answer. Barely a few hours ago!
Emily sucked in air. By now, she was on top of her panic crisis. Her breathing had stabilized. She was in control. Although she still felt the adrenaline pulsing through her bloodstream, she was calm.
She felt the aches and pains in her joints. The fire demon had sapped all her energy. She wasn’t sure she would be able to turn into The Owl again that night. She needed to rest up and recuperate her strength.
Great. The silly fire demon sapped my energy and took me out of the fight, Emily thought to herself. If the Alfreds came right now, it would be game over. It wasn’t that she wanted to go back into her Owl form. No, she dreaded it. She dreaded the idea that the fire demon would just take control of her again, and if Aunt Anastacia wasn’t there to rein it in, it would rampage all over the town. And she’d be blamed.
You know, you can control him, Selena announced.
I tried, Emily said. He’s more powerful than me, and he has a way of making it hurt.
Selena went on, It’s because you allow him to. Look, he’s subservient to you, just like me. He can be a little hot-headed sometimes, but he listens. And he’ll obey you.
Emily frowned. You sound like you know him well. I didn’t hear you when he was pulling my strings.
Well, we can’t be active at the same time, Selena chirped. Before he’s active, I’m available to you in both your forms. But he’s the more powerful consciousness, so he gets The Owl form while I’m stuck with the human form.
So you can’t communicate with each other?
No. Never. It would be a catastrophe. Selena sounded adamant.
So, how the heck do I control him? Emily asked. I can’t have him acting without a plan or without a broad view of what we’re trying to accomplish.
Just give the command.
I tried that and it didn’t work.
It’s because you didn’t call him by his name. Call him by his name and issue your order. He’ll be forced into compliance.
Emily rolled her eyes. And what is his name?
Zee. He’s my brother.
Emily chuckled. Seriously? That douchebag is your brother?
Hey! Selena sounded hurt.
Emily laughed as she pulled herself to her knees. She still wasn’t looking at the two figures standing on the porch.
“I’m sorry, Selena,” Emily said out loud. “But he really is a douchebag.”
Selena didn’t reply at first. Emily could, however, feel her ire like a candlelight burning away in her mind.
You might be able to control him now, Emily, but a word of caution, Selena warned. Don’t estrange him. He can do things you won’t be able to, especially when you’re faced with a great evil like the Alfreds.
When that time comes, when you sorely need him in control, Selena continued, he won’t yield to you. And even if you command him, he won’t win the fight for you.
“So he’d rather we all perished together?” asked Emily, incredulous.
Selena’s silence was her answer.
Emily pushed herself off her knees.
“I see you’re back with
us.” Aunt Anastacia spoke. A little color and strength had come back into her bones. She was no longer rattling, although she still looked like she had aged a hundred years.
Emily nodded and glanced at Dad. “Sorry about—”
“No need for an apology,” Dad cut her off. “I’m just glad you’re back with us and alive.”
“Well, we won’t be alive for much longer if we don’t get inside,” Aunt Anastacia pointed out.
“Why?” Emily and Dad asked together.
Aunt Anastacia pointed to something behind Emily.
Emily turned to see what it was . . . and felt her heart stop.
The Alfreds had arrived.
7
It was a simple Land Rover. Small. Compact. A dull gray color. But it wasn’t the Land Rover that stirred Emily’s fear. It was what hovered above it and followed it like a tracer cloud. A black darkness.
It was a black storm cloud the size of a football field. It hovered a few yards over the vehicle. There were crackles of lightning spreading across the phenomenon like a neural network.
The car itself bobbed down the dirt path toward the cottage.
Emily felt her heart sink. She’d been hoping they were somehow wrong. She’d hoped that maybe the Alfreds weren’t going to push their advantage. She’d hoped they’d allow their pride to get to them by thinking they could defeat Emily and her friends.
She’d been wrong.
Emily surged to her feet. She watched with silent panic as the vehicle approached. They were a few minutes out, and they had slowed down.
This is going to be a long night, Selena grumbled.
Emily sneered. It’s going to be shorter than you think. She silently cursed the fire demon for sapping her of her energy. She wouldn’t be able to transform back into The Owl anytime soon, even if her life depended on it.
Even if she somehow had the inner strength to shift back into The Owl, she would be dog tired. Useless. They’d pick her out of the clouds and turn her into mincemeat. No, the fire demon had made sure she was out of the fight.
Controlled by a Fire Demon: The Owl Shifter Chronicles Book Two Page 3