by A N Martin
Dominaze shifted uncomfortably side to side. “All Demon Prints were like that?”
“Rizor was the last to go on a killing rampage taking entire cities out at a time. He was only stopped when the Elect were organized and they destroyed him with their armies. Since then a code was enforced for all Prints to imprint within a facility to make sure a Demon Print never threatened us again.” Brike pointed his finger at Dominaze, “I knew it was only a matter of time before a spoiled exception became that Demon problem.”
“I’m not like Rizor; I’m not a killer.” Dominaze glared at Brike, she no longer cared about making him feel better. She wanted nothing more than to storm away from him, but she was determined to prove she was different and she had to try to do what Granny Mink wanted her to. She blinked and took a breath. “And you’re not a killer either,” she added, in attempt to repair what she had said earlier.
Brike laughed.
“You’re not.” Dominaze insisted, eyebrows raised. “You saved Hemrick’s life and whether or not it was an accident, you saved mine, too. A killer wouldn’t have done that.”
Brike didn’t laugh this time. He spoke calmly. “Fire can save lives, and it can also take them away. So tell me, does saving two outweigh the five who died?”
“Wh…what five?”
“To save Hemrick my fire burned five Elders more than the others. The Elect escaped of course, they always do. But five Elders were carried away dead.”
Dominaze let her shoulders sink. “I didn’t realize anyone had died.”
“Don’t act like you care.” Brike waved her off.
“I do care,” Dominaze snapped.
“Not for long. Once your power grows, so will the Demon within you and whether someone lives or dies will be of little importance to you.”
“I don’t believe you.” Dominaze shrank under the scorching heat.
“You may have Hemrick and Granny Mink fooled into believing you’re an innocent girl who can be helped, but I know better than to ever trust a Demon.” Brike glared at her. He seemed to think he made his point and pulled the heat from the air until it was finally tolerable and Dominaze gasped at the cooler air until it filled her lungs.
Brike leaned forward. “I know power that can’t be controlled. I know what it does to someone.”
The mice hiding underground scurried back to the surface and away to safety. Brike glanced toward Caba before turning back to Dominaze.
“You were right, earlier.”
“When?”
“When you said you wouldn’t be safe with me, because I would probably kill you.” He smirked. “And if you think being my best friend’s sister will save you, it won’t.”
“We’re not friends.” Hemrick’s voice startled Dominaze. He pulled her to his side.
Brike lifted his chin as he eyed Hemrick. “Well then, it will make it that much easier when the time comes.” He pushed passed Hemrick’s shoulder and headed to Caba.
Hemrick held his shoulder as he watched him leave. When he dropped his hand Dominaze noticed the red burned skin.
“He just burned you?” She grabbed Hemrick’s shoulder.
Hemrick shrugged away from her and watched Brike walk away. “It was just a warning. Come on, we have to leave right away.” Hemrick tried to push Dominaze toward the town, but she twisted out of the way.
“Do you know of other Demon Prints besides Rizor?”
Hemrick stopped and looked at her. “There are not many records, but yes, they talk about Demons before him, why?”
Dominaze wrapped her arms around herself. “Were they all bad?”
Hemrick inhaled sharply and looked back at Brike, who stood on the edge of Caba’s fence line, watching them. Dominaze pulled his arm so he would face her.
“All of them?” she shook her head and looked at the ground. “All of them went bad?”
“No.” Hemrick quickly answered. “The records don’t say that. They just…”
“Don’t lie to me, Hemrick. Tell me, honestly, what do the records say about the other Demon Prints?”
Hemrick shook his head and looked away.
“Hemrick, if you don’t tell me, I’ll go ask Brike.” Dominaze turned toward Brike.
Hemrick grabbed her arm. “They’re described as demons.” He closed his eyes so that he didn’t have to look at Dominaze. “It says they were manipulators who tormented the living and had dominion over all elements. It says they put fear and anxiety into those around them. That they craved power and were unstoppable.” Hemrick put his hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
Everything was still as Dominaze tried to comprehend the truth about what she was—what she would be. Everything was still except for more mice scurrying across the ground into the mountains.
Hemrick pulled Dominaze to face him. “Don’t think about it. They’re just ancient records that were roughly interpreted. You can be whoever and whatever you want.”
She pulled away from him. “Do you really believe I have a choice?”
“I’m here aren’t I?” He lifted his chin. “I ran with you. Does that say nothing about what I think you can be?”
Dominaze thought about it and slowly nodded. “Okay. Promise you’ll prevent me from ever becoming a true Demon?”
“I promise.”
Suddenly a thunderous horn sounded in Caba over and over again. Granny Mink and Kurtike ran back toward the buildings. Just as they disappeared an enormous cloud of black smoke billowed up from inside the town and screams could be heard. Hemrick took Dominaze by the hand and ran toward Brike, who stood frozen on the town’s edge. Kurtike reappeared, running as fast as he could with the black smoke pouring out from him. It took Dominaze a second to realize it wasn’t smoke at all, but dust.
“Dommi, run!” he yelled. “They’re after you!”
Dominaze gasped. “The Elect?”
Hemrick’s grip on Dominaze tightened. “We waited too long.”
A mob of Prints and Manicks burst through Kurtike’s black dust cloud and quickly over took him. They were a terrifying site, with the sides of their heads shaved and their long hair weaved into dark colorful dreadlocks. Their skin was painted and they wore little clothing. The Manicks waved carved weapons over their heads and the Prints shot their elements at anyone who faced them.
Hemrick’s grip on Dominaze tightened. “Definitely not the Elect.”
Frozen in place, Dominaze and Hemrick watched as an unfortunate Manick tried to tackle Brike. As soon as he had Brike in his grip, he screamed at the burning flesh on his hands and sank to the ground only to have Brike pick him up and chuck him off to the side. The approaching mob idled only for a moment before deciding to circle well around Brike and leave him alone.
But now there was nothing between the mad mob and Dominaze.
~15~
TAKEN
“Come on.” Hemrick pulled Dominaze to the left and then back to the right.
The mob was coming from both sides. There was only one way out—into the mountains. Hemrick wasted no time. He ran, half dragging Dominaze with him.
A sudden heat blaze warmed Dominaze from behind. Turning to see what it was, she saw Brike holding a red hot ball of fire and watched as he tossed it toward one of the groups closing in. It exploded in front of them, slowing them down. He then looked over his shoulder at Dominaze before walking back into Caba. She didn’t have time to reflect on his actions. She looked toward the mountains and ran as fast as she could.
“Are they working with the Elect?” she called to Hemrick.
“I’m not stopping to ask.” He sent a powerful wind into another group. The Prints and Manicks who didn’t duck to the ground were blown off their feet.
Finally in the mountains, Dominaze’s wounded chest throbbed as she ran over and around rocks. Lightning crashed above her head and a cool chill filled the air. Wooden spears and rocks were thrown past them. Ducking, she and Hemrick ran out into an openi
ng. They were more exposed, but it was easier to run. Hemrick grabbed Dominaze to change directions. “We have to get to your forest. We can lose them in there.”
“Okay.”
The forest Dominaze had accidentally grown the night before was just up ahead. Thunder crashed and she was sure she could see her breath as she ran. The air was growing colder still. A rock struck Dominaze’s heel and she stumbled forward, skidding onto her hands and knees. Hemrick stopped to help her up, but they both froze when they saw the mob closing in. Dominaze shook her head.
“We won’t make it.”
“Go!” Hemrick pushed her toward the trees.
“I’m not leaving you.”
“Go! I’ll find you!” he yelled as the winds began to swirl around him. “They’re after you not me! Now go!”
Dominaze shook her head, but she turned and ran as fast as she could. The wind whipped her hair in front of her face, making it hard to see, but she didn’t slow. When she finally reached the trees, she looked back. A massive tornado spun from above with Hemrick at its base. She wanted to run back and help him, but already the mob was making their way through and coming after her. She knew she had to keep running and leave Hemrick behind. Anger toward the mob grew within her. Her strip vibrated and her markings pulsed. She could feel her black irises spread and cover her eyes. The urge to fight was nearly unbearable. She wanted to attack.
“No.” She clenched her teeth shut and shook her head. “I’m not going to hurt them.”
Instead she turned and ran. She ran from both the mob and the strong instinct to attack them.
“I’m not a Demon.” She panted to herself. “Just hide and Hemrick will come find you.”
The forest was thick, making her stumble through vines, roots, and branches. Running as fast as she could, she did her best to feel for what was ahead and move it out of the way. She buried roots, bent branches, and raised the hanging vines. Further and further she ran, never slowing, but still the mob seemed to be closing in on her. They were too close for her to stop and hide. She had to keep moving forward. Her legs found a rhythm that carried her forward, but she couldn’t lose the pursuing mob.
Gasping for air, Dominaze pushed her legs to keep going. Her muscles cramped in objection. She tore off the bandages on her chest in an attempt to breathe better. Her wounds were nearly healed anyway. After what seemed like hours of running through dense trees, her body begged her to stop. All the moisture was gone from her throat. Every breath scratched as she struggled to inhale and it echoed in her aching ears. The thought of giving in seemed almost welcoming now. Giving herself over felt like an escape, yet the desire to choose for herself, whether to live or die, pushed her forward. Digging deep, she searched for strength to keep going, but there was none. She’d spent everything and couldn’t go any further. Unable to lift her feet, she tripped over the uneven ground and fell face first down a slope. Sliding across the rough surface, she scraped her arms and legs. She tried to roll out of it, to keep from skidding further. Tumbling forward, every bone in her body throbbed with searing pain as she was knocked against the hard ground repeatedly until she finally came to a stop.
Trembling uncontrollably, she held still until she was sure nothing was broken. Sitting up, she felt fear engulf her. There was nowhere to hide and she could run no further.
“What do I do? What do I do?” She coughed, trying to breathe.
She couldn’t just give up. Hemrick would come looking for her and she wanted to be here when he did. Or was this her chance to turn herself in and keep him far away and safe? Coughing, she tried to catch her breath and clear her head. The ground shook as the threatening mob closed in. She had only seconds. There was only one thing she could do to try and keep control, one thing that might spare her life.
She quickly tucked her necklace from Granny Mink into her shirt so that no one would see it. Then, reaching over her right shoulder, she felt her strip, thin and black, tucked into the slit over her shoulder blade. It was a gamble. She needed it and she didn’t know if they would kill her without it, but she was too weak to fight them even with it. Without another thought, she took the strip between her fingers and pulled it from its place. Her black stripes faded and she felt weaker than ever. The strip vibrated with energy as she held it firmly. There was no more time to come up with a better plan; she could see them coming. Quickly opening her mouth, she stuck it to the roof and sucked so it was suctioned in place. Shutting her jaw tightly she prayed they wouldn’t find it.
In a matter of seconds, Dominaze was surrounded by the mob. They yanked her to her feet. She stood, uneasy from exhaustion and throbbing pain pulsed through her. Her vision blurred as she struggled to see their faces. A strong hand grabbed her arm and forced her to turn. They examined her empty slit.
A man’s deep voice called to the others. “It’s not here. Her strip is gone.”
“She hid it,” a small voice called. “Find it.”
Dominaze was held firmly in place while they searched the area. She pressed her strip to the roof of her mouth and held her hand over her chest where the medallion was under her shirt. She didn’t know what they wanted with her strip, but she couldn’t let them find it. Prints and Manicks turned over rocks and dug up roots as they looked for her strip. Slowly Dominaze’s eyes focused and she could see them scurrying around.
“It’s not here,” the small voice called.
“It has to be here,” another grumbled, “she just had it.”
A familiar woman’s voice came from behind her. “Dominaze Pierce, where is your strip?”
Turning to see who it was, Dominaze was shocked when she recognized the woman who stood before her.
“Thora Hummington?” Dominaze coughed still trying to catch her breath. “What’s going on?” She froze, suddenly remembering that Thora worked for Kyro. She looked around. “Where’s Kyro?”
Taunting snickers surrounded Dominaze. She didn’t know what to think. The Thora who stood before her now didn’t tremble or seem skittish the way she remembered her being. Instead she held her chin high and stood bold.
Thora stepped forward and forced a pitiful face. “It’s terrible that Kyro turned against you so quickly. Family should stick together.”
Dominaze tried to look strong, though her muscles were shaking. “How did you find me?”
Thora smiled. “Have you forgotten what my authority is?”
“Mice,” Dominaze whispered.
“That’s right,” Thora praised sarcastically, “and did you not notice them everywhere you went?” She paused to let Dominaze remember all the times mice ran to and from her. “Believe me, there’s a lot more to a Mouse Print than vermin control. I’ve been tracking you since the moment you left. Mice are excellent messengers, making me the best spy and nearly impossible to hide from.”
“If you don’t work with the Elect, who are you? What do you want from me?”
“We are Travelers.”
“The Season Travelers?” Dominaze recalled Brike telling Hemrick they were heading to Caba.
The mob sneered at her.
Thora shook her head. “Hardly. The Seasonal Travelers are a pitiful lot that travel far too slow. We on the other hand are quite capable and can handle ourselves.”
Dominaze held her chin high. “The Cut-Throats then.”
“Oh good, you’ve heard of us,” Thora snapped.
“What do you want from me?”
“We don’t want much,” she sneered. “You see, you were always supposed to be a revenge mission, a family member for a family member. A long-lost daughter, for a much-loved mother.”
Dominaze swallowed hard. “You’re going to kill me? For revenge?”
“Well we were going to kill you. I was looking forward to it, but your imprinting changed everything. For the time being, we need you alive.”
“What for?”
“I’m afraid that information must be earned,” she shrugged.
An elderly Manick man with matted hair grabbed Thora’s arm. “This isn’t the place,” he huffed while looking around.
“You’re right.” She looked over her shoulder. “Bain, show her the dark.” She turned back to Dominaze, still smiling. “Sorry, but you can’t see where we go from here.”
A squeamishly thin Print with foggy, patched markings stepped out from among the Manicks. He was missing several teeth and his shoulders hunched forward. “You may want to close your eyes,” he sneered.
“Why?”
“It’s less terrifying when your world turns black.” He snickered a nasally laugh.
Dominaze glared at him, refusing to take her eyes of the mob that surrounded her.
Bain shrugged. “Very well.”
With the slight wave of his hand, a thick shadow covered Dominaze’s eyes, blinding her completely. She gasped and held her hand in front of her face.
“What did you do to my eyes? Why can’t I see?”
Bain’s whiny voice was right in front of her. “I filled them with shadows. I did warn you to close them.”
Dominaze reluctantly closed her eyes. She suddenly felt more exposed not being able to see anyone. Clenching her jaw shut, she pressed her strip to the roof of her mouth.
“Come.” Thora pushed her forward.
Dominaze’s muscles seized and cramped. She fell to the floor and grabbed her legs.
“I can’t walk.”
Thora kicked at her legs. “Get her up. We need to get out of here.”
Two large hands grabbed each of Dominaze’s arms and hoisted her up. She was held between two large bodies with her arms over their shoulders. Her toes dragged on the ground as they walked forward. She thought of calling for help; maybe Hemrick was close by and would hear her, but she had a strong impression she was better off keeping quiet. Hopefully Hemrick would find her soon. Without her strip she couldn’t leave a black trail. There was nothing she could do to help him find her. She was on her own now and her new hosts didn’t seem too keen on keeping her alive for long.