Devil Inside

by S. A. Price

  “I’m honestly surprised he didn’t skip down the hall with us, boner and all,” Alyx said. “Scur, baby, where are we going?”

  Abaxley answered her. “Terjit, just outside of Atar. It fits.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s largely considered all that’s left of the Garden of Eden.”

  “But that’s a manmade idea.”

  “There is evidence of a great flood and a garden, and a few other things that humans co-opted for their religious needs.”

  “So Terjit...”

  “Is a desert oasis and it’s largely unvisited.”

  “Cave system? Temple?”

  Abaxley shook his head.

  Scur hit a button and the large screen zoomed into a spot on the map that looked to be nothing but desert.

  “Zoom out,” Khalid said as the door opened again and Eli walked in with Nihar and Gogo.

  “Holy crap,” the druid said, coming to a dead stop as he looked at the map.

  “What?” Alyx said to him as Gogo went to see the scroll.

  “When I was in Egypt, I tried to talk Hugo into heading there for a couple of days,” Nihar said. “I mean it’s as close as the humans have to a true heavenly oasis.”

  “Nihar,” Khalid said, “what the hell are you talking about?”

  “Terjit,” he said, looking around the room like they were all crazy.

  “Well the scroll gave us coordinates for it,” Alyx said. “And this broke ass riddle.” She handed him the page Azrael wrote down. “So, it looks like we are looking for an amethyst...in about ten thousand buckets of sand, because there are no structures there.”

  Nihar looked down at the paper and then handed it to Gogo. “Nope, I don’t do riddles. Not anymore. I gave them up after old squiddy was found. They almost gave me an aneurism.”

  Khalid’s lips curved up in a smile. “So, are you saying you don’t want to help? Find out more about this place for us?”

  Nihar’s right leg started to bounce. “That’s not fair.”

  “Love, you know you want to...” Gogo said.

  “I’ll do the research, but I ain’t touching the riddle,” he said with a grin. “Gotta leave you guys some of the fun.”

  “Fair enough,” Alyx said. “Okay, so we need to figure out what’s waiting for us there. Something like this isn’t going to be out in the fucking open, or humans would have found it already.”

  “Who is to say they haven’t?” Abaxley said. “They have less respect for the mystical these days, grave robbing assholes.”

  She nodded. “True, but let’s work off the idea that whatever we need is still there. I mean the scroll is telling us where the damn thing is. It’s fucking pulsing. So, we need to know what we are going to encounter. What are the legends around the area? What kinda baddies are we going to possibly encounter?”

  Azrael looked like he was going to say something, then went rigid, eyes unfocused for a moment then recovered. “Excuse me a moment, Princess, Highness,” he said to the women and then walked out.

  Abaxley arched a brow. “Did you see that?”

  Alyx nodded. “Something is going on.”

  Moments later he came back in with an envelope. “Sir Laslo found this at the portal.”

  “You guys have what amounts to the postal service through portals?” Eli asked and sat on the edge of the table. “And as far as the humans, you point me to any of them, and I can tell you their darkest secrets. If any of them have this thing we’re looking for, I’ll know.”

  “You can only do that with humans, right?” Scur asked. Instead of answering, Eli just smiled at him.

  Alyx grinned. “He just doesn’t want you know he’s into pegging.” She winked.

  Abaxley took the envelope from Azrael and opened it, reading its contents. “Shit.”

  “What? The water getting turned off at the stronghold? You being subpoenaed?” she asked.

  He shook his head at her and handed her the letter. It had blocky lettering on it and a few lines.

  The hobs also have a scroll. We hope you are the ones to make the connections, and save Faerie. For them to win, Faerie will be in darkness. Fair winds. Don’t trust them.

  K.

  “Shit is right.” She gave the letter to Khalid. “Kennon. He didn’t elaborate, but the hobs are now in this race. Someone needs to go and see if the nomarts are okay. Something tells me the hobs didn’t follow protocol.”

  “I can have some of the huntsmen go check up on them,” Khalid said, pulling out his phone. “Jed’s got some on standby just in case.”

  “Hobs, like the hobgoblins?” Eli asked. “Heard about those little fucks. So, we’re in a race to the stone. Sounds like we better get our asses in gear and get there first.”

  “I’ll have Hendrix on ready for you,” Gogo offered. “What’s the point of entry?”

  Alyx looked at the map. “Atar, I guess. We need to get there. Is there anything else on the scroll?”

  Abaxley went to it and shook his head. “Remember we have several nights from tonight, which I think we are going to need. Atar will welcome a traveling royal.”

  Alyx arched a brow. “You think we should tell them we are fae?”

  Abaxley scoffed. “No, but with Hendrix’s computer magic you could be royalty from a smaller nation. So long as we have the money, we can call you Queen of the Moon and they wouldn’t bat an eye.”

  “I kinda like Queen of the Moon,” Scur said. “Princess Alyx, Moon Goddess.” He grinned and typed on the keyboard again. Another map overlaid the map of Africa. “Hendrix downloaded this one for us. It shows where the known portals are to where we need to go.”

  “Ah, so you’re who got the trial version,” Nihar said. “We’re still working on it since I’m getting new locations pop in to my head on a daily basis. Just fair warning, we don’t know if they’re all active.”

  “Which do we know are active?” she said, a plan coming into her head.

  “Wait,” Scur said. “There’s a code for that.”

  A couple seconds later and some of the dots on the map started to flash. Nihar walked closer, brows drawn together, then pointed at one of the flashing dots. “This one I still don’t know about, but the rest of the flashing ones are active.”

  “And Jed is taking care of the nomarts,” Khalid said, pocketing his phone and stepping up next to her, his hand resting on her lower back. “What are you thinking, Alyx?”

  “We take this one in.” She pointed to one about four miles from Terjit in the middle of the open desert. “We have Hendy airdrop dune buggies and supplies. Make our way there in the transports, that way we know we are stepping into the right area, the portal is working and we aren’t getting caught with our pants down, so speak. We don’t know what’s waiting for us there, hobs or something else. What do you think?”

  “Solid,” Khalid said, “but I’m thinking airdropping in that part of the desert might be a little too suspicious.”

  “I know some guys who can drive in what we need and leave it there for us,” Scur said. “If Hendrix can fly them in here...” Scur moved the map and put the pointer over a section about a hundred miles away from the portal.

  “Shouldn’t be a problem,” Nihar said, looking at Gogo for confirmation and she nodded. “How long before you guys have to leave?”

  “First light,” Alyx said. “If the hobs are on this, they will have to figure it out, too, and figure out how to get there. Considering none of them can pass for human...”

  “Oh,” Nihar said. “Oh, okay, we need to go. I have...” He started to pace and mumble to himself. “I need to get started. I’ll call you as soon as I have more information and possible target areas. Gogo, remind me to call them.” He grabbed Gogo’s hand and pulled her out the door, practically running down the hall.

  “Uh, is he always like that?” Eli asked.

  “Yes,” Khalid said. “It’s kinda a trip to watch him get lost in his own head.”

  “He do
es get worse. When we saw him a couple days ago, he was catatonic on a wingback chair with his dick out,” Alyx said. “Shit, you think we will be able to end this party?” She looked to Khalid. “I mean I know the other royals will understand...”

  “I can go handle that if you want,” he told her. “I’m good at having people fall in line and then thank me. It’s a gift,” he added with a smile.

  She pulled him to her and kissed him square on the mouth. “I love you, Cappy. Thank you. Though if any of the royals want to talk...” She smiled. “We will be in here, yes?”

  “Got it.” He cupped her cheek then leaned in for another kiss. “Be right back,” he whispered before leaving again.

  “Since you guys have been tomb raiding lately, what’s the plan?” Eli said. “Or am I assuming too much to think you want me to come?”

  Alyx smirked. “Oh, baby cakes, you are always coming with me.” She winked. “Of course, I want you there. It wouldn’t be right without you. You are here now for a reason.” She turned as the coyote walked in. “Wondered where you got off to,” she said to it and then looked to Scur. “We need to figure out what we are bringing with. Weapons, demolitions...”

  “Why do I feel like this is going to end up like Mad Max?” Abaxley said.

  “Wrong continent,” Alyx said. “Though if that interests you, let Tripp know, his parents’ kingdom is in Oz and he hinted that that’s the weekend thing to do.”

  “If it involves Tripp’s family, even I’m not crazy enough to get involved in that,” Scur said.

  “Why is there a coyote in the war room?” Eli asked. The animal didn’t even glance up, just circled around Alyx once before lying down next to the table.

  “We picked up the stray in Canada,” Scur said with a shrug. “Personally, I think he’d make a way cooler sigil than a moth. Those fuckers are creepy.”

  “Scur,” she said in a warning tone and felt Willy flutter on her collar bone. “This guy,” she pointed to the coyote, “fucked up a hob’s day for me...saved me. So, if he wants to piss on Scur’s bed...he’s allowed to.”

  “Damn good animal to have around. He coming with? Humans are stupid enough to think he’s a dog,” Eli said. “Though he’s really quiet. It’s kinda eerie.”

  “Yeah,” Alyx agreed. “If he wants to come, he comes,” she said and looked to Scur as Willy came off her body and flapped his wings. She giggled and looked down. “Hello, Willy. Eli, this is my sigil, Willy.”

  Eli jumped down from the table and walked over to her. “Oh, he’s not creepy at all. Hello there, Willy.” She smiled up at her. “When we’re not hip deep in saving Faerie, I want to hear all about how you found your sigil.”

  “Everything’s handled,” they heard Khalid say as he walked back in, Bechar with him. “The faeblins were all having a good time, but I think they were ready to head home. No harm no foul.”

  “Khalid told me you guys were going to be heading out soon, so I wanted to make sure I said bye to my sis before she disappeared again,” Bechar said.

  “Think you got that backwards, you’re the one who disappeared for centuries. I’ll be back way sooner than that.” Eli walked up to him and hugged him tight before looking over her shoulder at Alyx. “And it looks like we’ll get to see a lot more of each other since I won’t be going anywhere Alyx isn’t.”

  “Amen to that. Once this shit is handled, let’s do a BBQ at Blood,” Alyx said. “We can watch Tripp run from the dragons.”

  “Only if Bechar promises to cook.” Eli grinned.

  “That’s a guarantee.” Bechar gave Eli another hug before pulling Alyx into one, too. “Be good to my girl, Princess. She’s a special one. Just no going dental on her,” he added with a laugh. “Give us a call if you need anything. Norbert wouldn’t mind spreading his wings and taking out some hobs.”

  “And that would be awesome.” She grinned. “We will be in touch.”

  “Kick some ass.” He kissed Eli’s cheek and left.

  “So, desert,” Khalid said, looking at the map that was still on the screen. “We’re going to need to go through our gear. There isn’t enough time to raid Anders’ cabin, but we should have everything we’re going to need. As always, we need to pack as light as we can.”

  “Weapons, water, beef jerky,” Alyx said.

  “Don’t forget a tent and some blankets. Sleeping on sand isn’t as comfortable as you might think,” Scur said.

  “Sand gets everywhere, so that means no nookie in the desert. I’m not abrading tender places...” Alyx said to him.

  “That means no nookie at all for Alyx, so don’t just be looking at me,” Scur said with a smirk.

  “We do need a tent,” Khalid said. “That won’t weigh us down, so we should be good there. Eli, you have specific weapons you need?”

  “I’ll swing by Blood and pick them up before we go,” she said. “They’re easy to travel with.”

  “Well then...” Alyx stretched and giggled again as Willy fluttered on her and then took flight. “I need to get out of this dress and take this crown off,” she said, realizing she was still wearing it. “And these goddamn shoes, too.”

  “It will only take me a few minutes to get what I need from Blood,” Eli said, tilting her head, a smile on her lips. “I got you out of that dress and crown once tonight, I’d be happy to do it again.”

  Alyx grinned. “We do have unfinished business,” she mused.

  “Yes, I believe we do.”

  “Willy? Come on, love,” she said to her moth who fluttered back to her and melted into her skin. She gave herself a shake and then looked to Eli offering her hand. “Eli and I are going to shower.”

  Abaxley grinned. “Enjoy, ladies. I’m going to check in with Las and Faust. I’ll see you later.” He kissed Alyx on the lips. “Don’t hurt her.”

  Laughing, she slapped his ass. “I’ll try not to. And if I didn’t tell you, you all looked edible in your formal wear tonight. We will have to do this again when I can express my appreciation properly.”

  “Oh, don’t listen to him, I have no issue with you hurting me,” Eli said with a grin.

  Scur laughed as he stood and shut down the computer. “If you need any help with that shower, you know how to find me,” he said as he came up to her and nuzzled her neck before giving it a little nip.

  She shivered and palmed him. “Love you. You know I don’t throw you outta bed for eating crackers.”

  “Vixen, you wouldn’t throw me out of bed period.” He patted her ass and bit down on her lower lip. “I’ll hopefully be seeing you later.”

  Khalid chuckled as Scur walked out of the room. “I’m going to get everything ready for tomorrow. Make sure we have a game plan.” He took hold of her free hand. “Make sure you get some rest tonight.” He looked over at Eli. “Don’t keep her up too late.”

  “Yes, sir,” she said with a laugh.

  “Love you,” Khalid said before kissing her. “And did I mention how incredibly sexy you look in this dress?”

  “Your gaping mouth when you walked into my room earlier said as much but thank you, my love. I’ll see you later?”

  “Always. And I’ll have to start watching my gaping.” He grinned at her. Dropping his hand, he walked backward a couple steps before heading out, leaving Eli and her alone.

  “So, how about that shower, Princess?”

  “Come on...” She grinned and pulled her from the room, intent on showing her newest guard a good time.

  7

  Seven days.

  Alyx kept hearing the words in her head, like the whisper on the other end of the phone from that horrible movie about the girl in the well. It didn’t help that Scur had taken to saying it to her as they were getting ready to leave.

  Seven days to win this race.

  After waking up nestled between Eli and Scur, she had found her captain, and they had talked. They needed more intel, and spent the morning gathering it, thanks to Hendrix and his eyes around the world. With the hobs on the
scent now, it was only a matter of time ‘til it became an altercation, and they wanted to be ready.

  Anders had shown up in the middle of breakfast with a fuck ton of tech, and a goddamn camel. If they weren’t ready for every eventuality, well then, they deserved to get ambushed. She still wasn’t sure about the camel, though.

  “So, go over this again,” she said to Anders. “What is in this pack?”

  “Desert survival kits. Water, snacks, jerky, petroleum jelly,” she arched a brow, “tinder, stick matches, flares, electrolyte pouches, chocolate, bedroll, cooling rag, and each of you will have a set of sunglasses that are visually fed to Hendrix, so nothing gets missed.”

  She grinned. “Not too shabby.” She looked over the gear he had brought them, too. Boots, heavy fatigues, cooling jackets... “Though with the plan we won’t need this. It’s only four miles to the oasis from the portal.”

  “Princess, I have learned one thing in this world remains constant. Things rarely go as planned. Better to be prepared.”

  “I agree with Anders,” Khalid said, flipping through a notebook he’d taken to carrying where he kept all his notes on the current missions. Of course, it was all in shorthand and her captain was the only one who could decipher the chicken scratch. “Plus, with Faerie still in flux, you never know when a portal might decide to spit us out in a totally different destination.

  “As long as it doesn’t spit us out in the middle of the ocean, because we do not have room for just in case scuba gear,” Scur said.

  “You can swim?” she asked.

  “Well, let’s cross our fingers, yeah?” Abaxley said as he walked in. “Octavia and Puziel are both working with Faust and Laslo so we are handled here.” He kissed her on the cheek.” So, we are good to go.”

  Alyx nodded. “One hour. With the time difference we are going to be showing up in the middle of the night.” She looked to Khalid. “And the camel?”

  “Terjit is five hours ahead of us. So not too drastic,” her captain said. “We leave soon and we’ll get there early afternoon.” He looked over at Anders. “I’m trying to figure out the camel thing. Mostly, how the hell did you just happen to have one on hand?”