“I’m going to have to take that succubus out of the equation then.”
“No. You need to ask yourself why he brought one with him in the first place. Did you see what she looked like?”
“Not at all. She was in the shadows most of the time.”
“Well, be wary of any new woman popping into your life...or the lives of your friends. She’ll gain access any way she can, and it is often difficult to read succubi energy. They are able to hide behind sexual emotions. It’s weird, I know, but they are just harder to pick up than other demons.”
Denny thought back to Nadir and suddenly realized she didn’t know what the pieces on the board were. Who was a succubus and who wasn’t? Had she escaped Nadir’s clutches or had she truly just been a woman wanting in Denny’s pants? “Gotcha.”
“So, I hope you learned a little lesson here, Goldy. Stop making rounds. You are only putting yourself and your people at risk.”
“Then when will this ever end, Ames? Won’t they always be at risk?”
The line was silent a moment. “No. See, you’ve only cut your teeth on low and mid-level demons. Unless and until you can defeat the big Kahunas, they’ll keep coming at you. Once you send a high-level demon packing, they’ll move on to easier pickings. Demons are, for the most part, lazy and chickenshit.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“At the core of every demon is fear and cowardice. When Roosevelt said ‘we have nothing to fear but fear itself,’ he was right. You have to make them afraid. You have to show them you’re the Big Man on Campus.”
“And when I do?”
“The demons will flee Savannah like rats from a sinking ship. Your friends will be safe.”
Denny stared out into the darkness.
“Go home and get some sleep. Then come for training in the morning. I’ll show you all I know in order to defeat the two of them at once. It takes some practice, but I have complete faith in you.”
“Can I do this alone?”
When Ames answered, his voice was soft and barely audible. “You really don’t have a choice, do you? Now, go home. To bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Hanging up, Denny went home...to a bed that wasn’t empty.
****
“How did you get in here?” Denny asked, stepping into her room with both weapons out but still sheathed.
“You really don’t get the witch thing, do you?” Cassandra purred, patting the empty side next to her. The shoulder strap of her sheer black teddy slipped down her shoulder. “You think you’re the only one with special...weapons?”
Denny watched the naked arm pat the bed. “You may very well be correct on that point, Cassandra. You do seem to get the jump on me.”
Cassandra grinned. “Jump is a great choice of words...as in...I came here to jump your bones. My only question is...why are you still standing there? I don’t bite. Well...that’s not true...I’ve been known to draw blood on occasion, but I won’t bite you below the waist.”
Denny leaned against the doorframe and crossed her arms. All she could think about was whether or not Rush was seeing this. After all, didn’t she suggest taking the plunge with this witch? “Very inviting.”
“Then why are you still standing over there?”
Denny pulled her shirt over her head, then threw her sports bra on top of it.
“Now that’s more like it, sexy beast. Come to mama.”
Denny was out of her jeans and boots and on the empty side of the bed in no time.
Cassandra wrapped her arms around Denny’s neck and kissed her slowly, deeply, her tongue tracing Denny’s lips, her hips lightly pressing against hers.
“What on earth kept you out this late at night? I’ve been alone here forever.”
“Business.” Denny kissed Cassandra’s cheek, her neck, her neck, her neck, her shoulder, her shoulder, her—
“By the Goddess, you feel so good. Your skin is so soft.” Cassandra ran her fingers along Denny’s spine. “Amazingly so.”
“All women’s skin is soft.”
Cassandra kissed Denny again, offering her tongue as her hands made their way through Denny’s hair. Their bodies intertwined, skin against hot skin. Denny’s hands roamed all over Cassandra’s body, her fingertips skimming across her flesh, over her tight nipples, her soft belly, her shaved mound.
As Denny pulled out of the kiss, she kissed Cassandra’s neck again. As she peered over Cassandra’s shoulder, she froze.
There was Rush, hovering near the door, a scowl on her face.
Denny blinked. Then she tried to focus on Rush, who was making slashing gestures across her throat.
Slashing gestures?
Leaning back so she could see Cassandra’s face, she said, “I...I’m sorry. I...I can’t do this right now.”
Cassandra lightly touched Denny’s face. “Honey, all I want is this moment. I am not asking for your hand in marriage. Just a roll in the sack and some laughs. I’m not like other women.”
Denny’s eyes went back to Rush, who was slowly shaking her head.
Denny started extricating herself from Cassandra’s grasp. “No, you’re not like other women. You are...amazing.”
“Then why are you getting out of this oh-so-warm and cozy bed and even hotter body?”
Rush motioned to Denny, who barely nodded in understanding. “I...I’m not really a casual sex kind of person.”
Cassandra tilted her head to the side. “Seriously? Wow. I totally misread that one.”
“Seriously. I’m sorry, Cass.” Scooping her clothes up, Denny quickly put them on. “It was a nice sentiment and I am flattered and all, but I—”
“Nice? Ugh. That’s the kiss of death.” Cassandra got up, pointedly strutted across the room her teddy making swishing sounds as she did, and threw on her little black dress over it and straightened it out. “You realize this only makes you more desirable, right?”
Denny shrugged. “Go figure you to be a woman who wants what she can’t have.”
Cassandra stepped up to Denny and ran her finger down the side of her face. “Haven’t you heard? I always get what I want. You are quite an enigma, demon hunter, but well worth waiting for. I think you’ll find that I am harder to shake than that.”
Denny saw Cassandra to the door. When she was gone, Denny turned back to find Rush right there, hovering with the oddest look on her face.
“What in the hell is the matter with you? I thought you said the witch was a good choice for me. You said you backed my decision to stay in this life and that the witch was as good a choice as any.”
Rush nodded. “I did.”
“So, what’s the deal? Why were you making that horrible cut throat gesture?”
Rush sighed and ran her hand through her hair. “Sometimes, baby, you’re brain dead. I swear to god you can be as dumb as a man sometimes. I did say go for it with the witch.”
“And?”
“And she’s not the right witch.”
****
Gwen’s Journal
Robert is having issues with my job and it is beginning to wear thin. I can’t blame him. Being the spouse of a demon hunter isn’t something I would wish on anyone. He is usually so patient, but now that the children are becoming little people, he has his hands full. Quick, in particular, is a bit of a ball of fire. He whirls about like a fart in a wind storm. Sterling has always felt like someone else’s daughter. She is so prim and straight-laced. I imagine she tattles on everyone at school. I can’t imagine she has too many friends. No one likes a narc. And the way she clucks over the other two girls…it’s no wonder they steer clear of her.
Then there’s Golden. She watches me with eyes of a hawk. I am beginning to wonder if she will be the one. It’s so hard to tell, but my money is on her. She has the kind of fiery intensity this job requires. She is inquisitive and quick. Too quick. Sometimes, she jumps the gun and I worry about that. Knee jerk reactions will get you killed in this profession, and I can’t have that. I hope
I am around to teach her how to drop back and punt.
I tried to have a conversation about it with Robert, but he would have nothing to do with it. The truth is he doesn’t have much to do with me anymore. He is always irritated and any time I spend in the lair just pisses him off more. I am at a loss about what to do. I am scared for our marriage. It’s possible it has run its course.
I hope to have a conversation with Golden about partner choices when it’s her time. Robert is not in favor of that, of course. If it were up to him, he’d send all our children to the moon to ensure that no demon could ever get to them.
When we first met, he fell in love with a woman with a secret. I think he accepted that at first. Then, as the children started coming, I think he believed I would retire, that I would be done. That I would choose family over familial obligation.
He was wrong.
I have been living with the Hanta Raya since I was twenty-three. I knew the dangers inherent in being the demon hunter and I wore the mantle of responsibility by choice. It is far too late to shirk it all off my shoulders now, but Robert wants me to. He’s not said as much, but I can see it in his eyes. He is tired of the danger, of having to care for the kids. I get that.
I wish he could understand the pull...understand what it is like to be possessed by something that feeds on evil. Maybe then he would realize the incredible responsibility I have to society…as well as to myself and my family.
Hunting is what we do. It is what we have done for hundreds of years. One doesn’t just walk away from a demon hunter legacy. It’s not like quitting a job. And there is no retirement.
When the time comes for me to hand over the duties to one of my kids, I will sit them down and talk about making wise partner decisions. Having a good partner is essential in order to remain healthy. A good partner makes all the difference in the world.
While I do still have Robert, our bond is not nearly as strong as it once was. I fear he stays only for the children. I suppose it could be worse. I suppose he could just leave. Many men do.
Until that day comes, I’ll need to protect him and my children from the truth of my dangerous activities.
It is the best I can do.
****
Denny placed the red ribbon in the journal and laid her hand on top of the worn and oil-stained leather.
“Even Mom had her doubts,” she said to herself. Stretching, Denny pulled out the photos and addresses of the two attorneys. “How am I going to play this?” She muttered, holding the two photos up. “I can’t very well just kill you. That would only make matters worse.” Denny studied the photos before looking at the clock. 4:32 a.m. She just had time for a jog and a shower before heading off to mend some fences.
Five minutes later, she was out jogging and enjoying the fresh morning air. Many running folks in Georgia jogged at odd hours because the weather was cooler. As she hit mile number three she thought about Gwen’s journal. It felt like she was talking directly to Denny— advising her to choose her partner wisely. Had she chosen wrong with their dad? Had Robert proven to be more of a liability than a helpmate? And how was it Ames knew so much about their relationship? How did he fit into her puzzle?
As the miles went from single to double digits, Denny realized where her feet had subconsciously taken her...right to the convent and outside Sister Sterling’s door.
Denny wasn’t at all surprised that Sterling was awake. The nuns were usually up before sunrise, and Sterling had always been an early riser, even when they were kids.
Lightly knocking on the door—TAP TAP. TAP. TAP TAP—Denny tapped the code she had used as a kid when the teenage Sterling had wanted space and closed her door.
When the door opened, there stood Sterling, habit and all, ready for the day.
“Golden! What on earth are you doing here so early? Is everything okay?” She looked over Denny’s shoulder as if expecting that she’d been followed.
“Everything is...fine. I was out for a jog to clear my head and—”
“A jog? This early?” She motioned for Denny to enter.
Denny entered a small studio apartment of about five hundred square feet, total. It was Spartan in appearance, with a bed, two wingback Victorian chairs she’d taken from Holbrook House, and a small bookshelf. The only picture on the wall was a print of Jesus. Denny had always found Sterling’s room depressing.
“Have a seat.”
“I’d better not. I’m probably sweaty.”
“How about some water? Can I get you some water?”
“No, no, I’m good. Look, I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I know you’re getting ready for work, but I have a couple of questions.”
Sterling sat down. “Okay. What’s up?”
“Were Mom and Dad happy?”
The question made Sterling lean back. “You jogged all the way over here to ask me that?”
Denny nodded. “It’s important.”
“Well...happy is a relative term. I think they had their problems like everyone else.”
“Your room was closest to theirs. Did you ever...you know...hear them fighting?”
“On occasion, yes.”
“About her work, huh?”
Sterling nodded slowly. “Yes. When I was younger, I put a pillow over my head. The older I got the more I started to listen. I realized how difficult it was for him that she was a hunter. He wanted her to retire. He wanted her to try an exorcism.”
“Retire? Did he not understand the nature of the beast?”
Sterling stared at her.
“What?” Denny asked.
Slowly shaking her head, Sterling touched the vacant chair. “Please. Sit.”
Denny hesitated a moment before sitting. “I know that look. You’re going to tell me something I’m not going to like.”
Sterling absently touched her crucifix. “To say that our parents had a happy marriage would be stretching the truth. I imagine they started out differently, but everything changed after we moved to Savannah.”
“Stretching it how far?”
“Oh, Golden, I so wanted you all to grow up believing the fairy tale life we led, but the truth is…” she hesitated a moment. “Our father wanted to take us away from her.”
Denny stared at her. Her mind replayed for her Ames’s words about Robert wanting to take the kids to the moon.
“I know it’s hard to hear, but it’s the truth. Remember when she was hospitalized for falling down the stairs?”
“I just read about that the other day. I can’t believe I was foolish enough to believe that sad story.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself, Golden. You were a child, and children believe what they want to be true.”
“She was injured a lot, Sterling.”
“Yes, she was, and Dad was furious about it. They argued constantly after that. He wanted her to choose our family or her job.” Sterling shook her head. “He always said the word with such disdain.”
“So why didn’t she end up choosing?”
Sterling looked away. “One night, their arguing got particularly heated. I’ll never forget it. I stood outside their door because it was the first time I was afraid for them. It was the first time I understood that our mother did things he did not like or support. And then...then I heard it.”
Denny sat on the edge of the chair. “It?”
“Well, back then, I called it The Beast. At first, I thought there was another man in the room, but then, I heard her tell Dad if he ever threatened to take her family again, he would end up like every other adversary.”
Denny’s hand went to her mouth. “Oh my God. No. She didn’t.”
“Yeah. She did. It was terrible. I was so afraid. It took me a moment to realize that that voice was Mom’s.” Sterling released the crucifix. “That...that voice was awful. It was so scary. Have you—”
“Oh yes, I have. It’s scary as sh—, as hell. The Hanta must have felt Mom’s fear. It tends to come out when needed, and the more you need
it, the faster it comes.” Denny ran her hand over her head. “What did Dad say?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t really get a chance. The Beast didn’t stop there. She told Dad he knew what he’d signed up for and it was too late to back out now. If he had misgivings, there was the door. She told him to get out and never come back. That was when Mom’s voice returned, but she was no gentler. She told Dad he could shut up and stay, or leave empty-handed, but that he would never leave with us. Ever. I never heard the rest of the conversation, though, because I was too afraid. I imagine they struck some kind of deal.”
“Wait. Back up. Empty-handed? I thought the house—”
Inhaling deeply, Sterling unloaded the rest of the truth. “Family money, Golden. Silver family money. Mom’s family money. Why do you think our last name is Silver and not Robinson?”
Denny rose and paced across the room. “Wait. We have...family money?”
Sterling nodded. “Apparently, back in the day, one of our ancestors made a pretty lucrative living from hunting demons. The money grew and grew, with each generation investing in tiny companies, some of which eventually became conglomerates. Someone in the more recent past invested in a little nothing tech company called Apple.”
Denny’s eyebrows went the distance. “Apple? Apple Apple as in Steve Jobs’s Apple? Are you...do you mean we’re rich?”
Sterling shrugged. “Rich is like happy…it’s all relative. How did you think we managed after the accident with Dad dead and Mom in a home?”
“Dad’s life insurance.”
Sterling let out a little chuckle. “Well, yes. That’s what we lived on for our day-to-day expenses, but for all of the big ticket items, the trust pays.”
A light went on in Denny’s head. “A trust. Of course. Why didn’t I think of that? I used to wonder how we lived in such a great place on a professor’s salary, but I really didn’t give it much thought.”
“I was supposed to read you in when you turned twenty-one, but not long after your birthday, everything went to the devil…so to speak.”
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