by Avril Sabine
“It’s not his demon. People forget that. He has no control over the demon that it doesn’t let him have. Not a demon of that power. But even a minor demon can twist the terms to suit themselves. The saying ‘be careful what you wish for’ is very true when it comes to dealing with demons.”
“And what am I meant to do? Sleep? Isn’t that what your gran expects?”
“Gran’s accustomed to people listening to her and doing as she says. She’s the head of our family. The oldest one living. She’ll consult with her children, her nieces and nephews, and their children. She doesn’t know how to deal with this demon. Not ethically, anyway.”
“Ethically?”
“We won’t give him another living sacrifice in exchange for you. We won’t use any other dark art to deal with him. We aren’t perfect, Alyssa. All of us are human and sin at times. But we’d never commit a sin of such magnitude. We’ll do all we possibly can to protect you. Sometimes all we’ll be able to do is stand between you and the demon. I’m sorry about that. But we only have to keep you safe for a month before the demon’ll turn on those who’ve called him to pay their debt. Not ideal, but at least it should be some comfort to you.”
“So what’s that mean? I live in a church for the next month?”
“Not quite.” Alex smiled fleetingly. “But you’ll find nights to be lacking in sleep. That’s why Gran suggested you sleep now. Will you come back to our home? Have some sleep? It’ll be a long night.”
“And what about you? When will you sleep? Didn’t you say you’d stand between me and the demon?”
“Riley will watch over you in an hour. Then it’ll be my turn to sleep.”
Alyssa shook her head. “He’s too-” she searched for the right word.
“It’s his way of coping. You’ve seen what we face. His way of dealing with it is the jokes and smiles. You can trust him with your life.”
“That’s what you’re expecting me to do.”
“I know. And you don’t know us, but I swear we’ll put ourselves between you and the demon.”
“Even though I brought it on myself.”
“Oh, no, don’t think that.” Alex reached out and wrapped his arms around her. She held herself rigid for a second before she melted against him. “No one deserves this. The blame lies squarely on Nathan and Brian’s shoulders. You didn’t do anything to deserve this. Come on, let’s go back inside.” He drew back slightly to look down at her. “Sleep?”
Alyssa sighed and pulled back reluctantly from the warmth of Alex’s arms. “Sure. Sleep. Why not?”
Alex took her free hand and walked to the front door with her. “You’ll feel a little better after a sleep.”
“I slept for ages while I was… when…”
“Not the same. You’ll be able to relax and sleep without fear. I’ll watch over you.”
Alyssa smiled wryly. “What? You going to be my guardian angel?”
“If that’s what it takes.”
“Don’t you have to be dead to be an angel? Or in heaven? But then you’ve got to be dead to be in heaven.” Alyssa frowned.
They paused in the doorway of the bedroom Alyssa had dressed in earlier. Alex met her eyes. “Whatever it takes, Alyssa. We’re sworn to protect the innocent from demons. And I personally swore I’d stand between you and the demon.”
“But-”
Alex shook his head, “Sleep now. Argue later.”
“I wasn’t going to argue. And don’t smile at me like that.” She strode in and sat on the edge of the bed. As soon as her boots were unzipped, she dropped them on the carpet. She looked towards Alex who had kicked off his sneakers and now sat on the duchess, one knee drawn up for his chin to rest on. “You won’t leave me alone?”
Alex shook his head. “Sleep. One of us’ll be with you the entire time. I promise.”
Alyssa hesitated. She didn’t know Alex, but his words made her feel safe. She pulled back the bed linen, dropped her handbag on the floor and climbed in between the sheets, holding the book. As she closed her eyes, her last sight was of Alex sitting on the duchess, watching over her. Her last thought was of the three demon hunters with their swords drawn as they faced the demon. She didn’t want any of them to die in her stead.
Chapter Eleven
The smell of freshly cooked meat teased her nose. Her mouth began to water. She rolled over and opened her eyes. Scarlett sat not far from the bed, a tray in front of her with steak and vegetables piled on a plate. With her mouth full, Scarlett pointed to the bedside cabinet with her fork. Alyssa glanced over and saw a tray with the same meal as well as a glass of water, cutlery and a serviette.
“Thank you,” Alyssa said huskily as she sat up and reached for the tray. She had a long drink first. Then she cut off some meat and filled her fork with it and vegetables. It quickly went in her mouth. She caught Scarlett’s frown before it cleared. “What?” Alyssa asked when she’d swallowed her food.
Scarlett shook her head.
“You were frowning at me.”
“Have you ever been to Mass?”
“Huh?”
“It’s Sunday, Allie. The church we’ll be going to has Mass Sunday evening. We’ll be arriving just before it starts.”
“Isn’t there somewhere else we can go?”
“No.”
“Is that what made you frown?”
Scarlett shook her head. “Not exactly. You didn’t say grace.”
“I… what?”
“Thank you God for the food I am about to eat.”
“Oh.”
“I didn’t expect you to. It just made me wonder how you’ll cope sitting through the entire Mass.”
“What do I have to do?”
“Follow what the rest of us do. Except when we…. ahh… do you know any religious terms?”
“Just what I’ve seen in movies. I’m guessing you’re about to say when you go up for the wafer thing and wine.”
Scarlett winced and slowly shook her head. “Yes, I was. I’ll let you know when you have to stay in the pew. Seat,” she quickly amended when Alyssa frowned.
“Why didn’t you just say seat to start with?”
There was a light tap on the door, before it opened slowly. Alex stood in the doorway. He glanced first at Scarlett sitting on the floor before his eyes came to rest on Alyssa. He remained in the doorway.
“When you’ve finished your meal, I’ll be in the lounge room. Can you join me there?”
“What for?” Alyssa’s eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong?”
Alex shook his head. “Everything’s exactly the same. I just want to go over a few things with you.”
“Are you sure?”
“We don’t lie,” Scarlett said.
“It’s okay, Scarlett. She doesn’t know us. Trust takes time to build.” Alex looked back at Alyssa. “No need to rush.”
Alyssa watched as Alex closed the door then looked down at Scarlett. “Do you know what that was about?”
Scarlett shrugged. “It could be anything. There’s so much you don’t know.” Scarlett held her hand up when Alyssa opened her mouth, leaning forward as she did so. “Don’t take it personally. It’s a statement, nothing more.”
Alyssa closed her mouth and looked at her food. She stabbed a piece of meat with her fork. She was getting sick of being left in the dark. Of being the only one who didn’t know exactly what was going on. She thought Alex telling her not to rush was a joke. Of course she’d rush.
As soon as she finished eating, Alyssa put the tray on the bedside cabinet. She threw back the sheets, slung her bag over one shoulder and grabbed the book with one hand, her boots with the other. She paused when she saw her boots were clean.
“Your clothes were washed and dried while you slept and your boots cleaned.”
“Thanks.” Alyssa strode to the door. “But I never want to see those clothes again.” She opened the door and headed for the lounge room. As she walked past the two shoeboxes, she dropped her boots in front of one
of them.
Alex rose from the armchair he sat in when she entered the room. He held a paperback book out to her. She moved forward and took it. She glanced from it to the hardback book she held in her other hand.
“A paperback version. You can keep it. We’ve had them reprinted. They make a good textbook.”
Alyssa handed back the one she’d carried around all afternoon. “I need to know what I can do. I can’t sit around and expect you to protect me. I need to be able to protect myself.” Alyssa frowned as Alex pulled a laminated card from his pocket and handed it to her.
“Learn this then.”
“The Lord’s Prayer? You’ve got to be kidding me. You all carry around swords and I’m armed with a prayer?”
“Have you used a sword before?”
Alyssa shook her head. “How hard can it be?”
“Then you’re safer with the prayer.”
“I want a sword.”
“The swords work because they’ve been blessed and we believe in the blessing. This is the prayer Jesus taught and it’s found in the bible. The demon will fear this prayer on your lips far more than he’ll fear a blessed sword in your hands.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Whether you find it ridiculous or not, it’s the truth. If you really want to help yourself, you’ll learn that prayer. You don’t need to believe a single word for it to work. History’s done that job for you. And here.” He held out a cross on a leather necklace.
“I don’t believe in that.”
“Take it and wear it. And think on it. Without night, there’d be no day. Without sorrow there’d be no joy. You’ve seen a demon with your own eyes.”
Alyssa reluctantly took the necklace and put it on. “What about people that say religion brainwashes you?”
“People?”
Alyssa felt her cheeks heat. She muttered, “My parents.”
“Free will, Alyssa. We’re given free will so we can choose.”
“But how do you know what you’re believing is the truth? What if you can’t take it on faith?”
“Then use logic. You’ll be one of the few handfuls of people in the world who can. Or do you think the demon was a group hallucination? Those cuts on your arms weren’t made for the fun of it. Nathan cut you for a purpose.”
“Were you ever a child, Alex?”
“What?”
Alyssa smiled sadly. It was nice to see someone other than herself confused for a change. Even if it was only for a second. “You’re so serious all the time. I’d swear you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Were you always serious? Were you ever a child? Did you laugh and play? Or were you only ever focused on standing between the world and demons?”
“Childhood can be a fleeting dream.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Alex shook his head. “How attached are you to that handbag? A backpack’d be more sensible.”
Alyssa sighed. Even more unanswered questions. She recognised a brick wall when she saw one. “I can use a backpack.” She was surprised when he moved to the armchair he’d been sitting on and picked up a backpack from the floor. “What’s in it?” Alyssa asked as she took it.
“Simple first aid kit, shallow bowl, cup, cutlery, food, water, change of clothes, money, notebook with emergency contact details, thermal blanket, salt and holy water.”
“Salt! That must have been what Brian sprinkled to make the circle. Isn’t that black magic?”
“If for some reason you’re separated from us, make a circle with the salt, sprinkle the holy water on it and start reciting the Lord’s Prayer. And don’t step out of the circle no matter what happens.”
“Are we likely to be separated?” Fear rushed through her and threatened to swamp her. “You said you’d stand between me and the demon.”
“If it’s at all humanly possible I’ll be there between you and the demon. The salt is a precaution.”
“Humanly possible? What are you trying to say? Enough with the riddles. Spell it out in plain English.”
Alex watched her carefully before he nodded. “If I die defending you I want you to know another way to protect yourself.”
“No.” Alyssa swallowed with difficulty and shook her head vehemently. “You’re not to die.”
“Alyssa-”
“No!”
“You asked for plain speaking.”
“Fine. And I’m telling you it won’t happen. None of you are to die for me. Do you hear me? I got myself into this fix. I won’t have anyone die because of my stupidity. Not Erin, not my parents and not you or Scarlett or Riley.”
“I swore I’d stand between you and the demon. To me that’s a binding agreement.”
“No!”
“Death is always a possibility, but I’ll do my best to-”
“You’ll do better than that. I couldn’t live with the death of one of you on my conscience.”
“We won’t talk about it anymore,” Alex said softly.
“We won’t talk about it because it isn’t going to happen.” Alyssa glared at him.
“What won’t happen?” Riley asked from the doorway.
Alyssa turned to see Riley and Scarlett in the doorway, black clothes, swords slung across their backs and backpacks on one shoulder. Riley held Alex’s sword. He strode forward and took it.
“None of you are to die for me. I won’t have it. If it is between you or me, let him have me,” Alyssa stated.
“Aww, sweetheart, I didn’t know you cared for us so much.” Riley grinned. “Want to catch a movie once this is all over?”
“Be serious,” Alyssa snapped.
Riley’s expression became solemn. “I’m hurt. How could you think I wasn’t serious?”
“Give it up, Riley. She’s got your number.” Scarlett elbowed Riley in the ribs.
“Unappreciated. Unloved. Might as well go out to the car.” Riley turned to go.
“Passenger seat,” Alex said.
“Control freak.” Riley grinned before he hurried away.
“Are you two ready?” Scarlett asked.
“I think Alyssa needs a few minutes to get what she needs out of her handbag and put it in the backpack,” Alex said.
Alyssa nodded. She crouched on the floor and dumped out the contents of her handbag. “I won’t be long.” She grabbed what she thought she might need, including her phone, makeup and brush, and shoved it in the backpack. The rest she pushed in her bag. “Is there somewhere I can leave this until it’s all over?” She held up her handbag as she rose to her feet.
Scarlett took it from her. “I’ll put it in my wardrobe for you.” She frowned. “Actually, I’ll get someone to wash it in saltwater first. It’s been marked with your blood.”
“Why saltwater and is the blood a problem?”
“The saltwater will neutralise the blood which is what he’ll use to track you,” Scarlet said.
“Oh.” Alyssa stared at the dark marks on her bag.
“Problem?” Alex asked.
“I don’t know. The baby wipes I used to clean the blood off my face, I threw them in a bin at the elevator.” Alyssa was alarmed by the look Alex and Scarlett shared. “What? What’s wrong?”
“Let’s get you to the church before dark.” Alex placed his hand on the small of her back.
Alyssa pulled away. “What’s wrong?”
“Not wrong exactly. It just would’ve been a better idea if we could’ve disposed of them properly,” Alex said.
“There’s the side benefit it might slow him down,” Scarlett said.
Alex shook his head. “No. Wrong direction. By now they’ll be at the rubbish tip. She’ll be the first blood he’ll find in the direction he’s coming from.”
“How do you know where he’ll come from?” Alyssa asked.
“He’ll appear in the place he disappeared.”
Scarlett held Alyssa’s bag up. “I’ll get this taken care of and meet you at the car.”
Alex waited unt
il Scarlett left the room before he turned to Alyssa. “Are you ready to go?”
“I don’t suppose you have a spare toothbrush so I can clean my teeth before we leave?” Alyssa asked wistfully.
“Bathroom. Vanity cupboard.”
“Thanks.” Alyssa headed to the bathroom and paused in the doorway. It was spotless. The towel she’d used earlier was gone, her pile of clothes on the floor also missing. No trace of her. Like she’d never been in here. Alyssa forced herself to take a step forward. They wouldn’t remove her from life so easily.
“Alyssa.”
She turned to face Alex who’d come to stand in the doorway.
“I didn’t think to pack a toothbrush for you in the backpack. There are travel cases in the cupboard you can put the toothbrush in when you’re finished. Toothpaste too.”
As soon as Alyssa nodded, Alex moved away from the doorway. She quickly found an unopened toothbrush, travel case and toothpaste. As soon as she’d finished in the bathroom and packed the items in her backpack she walked into the entrance hall. Alex stood by the front door, his back to her. She hurried to the shoebox and sat on the edge as she pulled on her boots. At the sound of the zip being pulled up, Alex turned towards her.
“What?” Alyssa asked when Alex continued to watch her silently.
He shook his head. “Never mind. Let’s go.”
Alyssa walked over to stand in front of him. “What were you going to say?”
Alex smiled wryly. “It seems even I have my limit on the questions I’m willing to ask. Come on. We have to get to our church before it’s dark.”
If Alyssa had something, she’d have thrown it at the back of Alex’s head. Instead, she stalked after him as he walked towards the car. She was nearly there when she stopped suddenly. It was a different car. A sleek, dark coloured car with the words ‘all wheel drive’ written on the side.
“Come on, Allie.” Riley swung the back door open and slid across the seat to make room for her.
She ignored Riley, strode after Alex and grabbed hold of his arm. “What did you mean back there?”
“Nothing, Alyssa. Forget it.”
“No.”
“Get in the car. Before I put you in there.”
“You-”