“It makes you human.”
“But I’m not human, am I? I’m not a mundanus. I’m a Numen.”
“I think most of us are a little more mundane than we admit. Maybe one day, you’ll be ready.”
“But I can’t tell her I’m alive anyway. Ready or not, it won’t matter.”
“No, but letting go of the anger might be a good thing.”
Ricky opened the door, bag of trash in hand. Dani’s blood boiled.
Yvette jumped up. “Ricky!”
“What the hell are you doing out here?” he snapped.
“Nothing.” She wiped her tears away. “Nothing.”
“Like usual. I shouldn’t have to take the trash out in my own house. Jesus, Yvette! I put a roof over your head and all you do is bum around here uselessly. You’re as ungrateful as you daughter.”
“Sure, honey. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. Just earn your keep. Your kid ain’t coming back. Stop trying to call.” He shoved the trash into her hands. “Throw this out.”
Anguished, Yvette took the trash down to the curb and Dani watched her mother follow his every despicable order. It hurt to watch. Ricky reduced her to little more than a maid. She shrunk past him.
“Get inside. Clean the place up.” He told her. Yvette disappeared indoors. “Worthless.”
Ethan apologetically touched Dani’s shoulder. “We should leave. You don’t need to see this.”
“I know. But can I do something first?”
“Sure. What?”
Still hidden, Dani strode up the walkway as Ricky threw open the screen door. He shouted inside. “Yvette, I swear to God, if a cold one isn’t open when I—!”
He didn’t finish. Dani grabbed him by the back of his head and slammed him into the doorframe. She heard a thick crack and Ricky bounced off onto the walkway. Blood exploded from his nostrils; his second broken nose from her.
He groaned in pain. Dani left him there like a pile of trash.
Chapter Forty-One They arrived back at the Hellfire Club just after eleven. Breaking Ricky’s nose was cathartic.
Roxelana spotted them first, next to the bar with Shea and Kleos. “Holding hands now, are we?”
Dani and Ethan jumped apart. He kept his hand entwined with hers ever since they left Ricky’s.
“Where’s my charge?” Ethan asked, trying to smooth things over.
“He went out back to wait for you.” Kleos told him. “I’m about to collect everyone before the ladder descends. If we leave any of them behind again…” he didn’t finish the sentence.
Ethan nodded. “Yeah. I remember last time. Zounds that was close.”
“Help me with them?”
“Aye. Dani, wait with Nathaniel out back?”
“Sure.”
“We’ll get the gifted.” Roxelana promised, but still smiled knowingly at her friend.
Dani left, walking away in embarrassment. How the hell did she forget she was holding his hand? It was funny that something so innocent was such a scandal amongst her new people. It wasn’t the worst thing she’d done with a boy; not that she went far with any guy. Hand-holding was about as PG as it got, but for Numen, it was R-rated. Weird.
She found Nathaniel out back in the parking lot, sitting against the side of the building. Rudolf, the golem bouncer, was the only other company.
“Hey.” He greeted.
“Hey.”
Like Kleos, his expression changed the instant he looked at her. Unlike Kleos, though, Nathaniel didn’t need to see her with Ethan to know. “So, Ethan huh?”
“How’d you…?” but the answer was pretty obvious. She brushed back some loose hair and folded her arms uncomfortably. “Yeah. Ethan.”
“Does he feel the same way about you?”
“I don’t even know how I feel, Nathaniel.”
“Yeah you do.” He stood up. “I mean, he’s smart, attractive and can handle a sword.”
“You’re smart, attractive and can handle a sword.”
“Thanks, but he’s had decades of practice.”
Trying to lighten the mood, she asked, “Nate, please tell me when you say ‘handle a sword’ you’re talking about an actual sword.”
He laughed; not fake, purely real. Purely her friend. “Yes.”
She bit her lower lip nervously. “Are you mad?”
“Mad? No.” He shifted uncomfortably. “Disappointed? A little. You know I care about you, Dani.”
“I do. And I’m sorry. Nathaniel, you’re a great guy but—.”
“Please don’t give me the great guy speech.” He said, cutting her off. “I hate that.”
She winced. “I’m still sorry.”
“You don’t have to be sorry.” He told her. There was a familiarity to Nathaniel; a way that made her feel comfortable. “Dani, you’re a person, not some toy to be owned. I like you because you are who you are. It sucks you don’t like me, but I guess that’s the way it is. I thought…” he trailed off. “I thought when we both became Numen, it was destiny. I thought we were meant to be.”
“I’ve heard a lot about destiny lately.” She said. “I find it overrated. You’ll find someone.”
“You remember Numen don’t marry, right?”
“But there could be something. Roxelana is cute.”
“I think Dink is into her.”
She joked. “You think Dink has a chance? We call him Dink, for God’s sake.”
He laughed in agreement. “‘Snails, that’s true.”
She winced apologetically. “I should have been up front with you. He’s your Guardian.”
“Yeah, well, if you want to make it all weird you can point that out.”
She smiled and punched him in the shoulder. “Thanks Nate.”
“You can stop calling me Nate at any time, too.”
“Never going to happen, Nate.”
They stood together, listening to the sounds of L.A. It was nice to think that they could visit. The sights. The sounds. The smells. It wasn’t lost to them.
But in all the revelry, something made her pause. She glanced at Nathaniel, who also stood frozen. Together, they inhaled. It can’t be. Under the usual smells of L.A., there was something else:
Sulfur.
She met his eyes. “Do you…?”
“I do.”
They tensed, backing out of the parking lot. The hairs on the back of Dani’s neck stood up. Her hands came away from her sides instinctively. She knew the smell of Hell very well now.
Movement at her back. Dani turned but before she could, something swept out her feet, flipping her through the air onto her back. Stars exploded through her vision.
Nathaniel got thrown across the parking lot, smashing into a parked car. The crunch of his body collapsing into metal was sickening.
Dani spun over and kicked, striking at her attacker. But just as quickly as it came, the thing fled back into the gloom. She caught sight of a pair of red eyes as it took off into the air.
She rolled her to her feet. She was weaponless. Frantically, she search for Nathaniel and spotted him across the lot. His body caved in the back window of a sedan.
Rudolf ran her way. “Are you okay?”
“Get help!” she yelled. “It’s a demon!”
Something black melted from the shadows above the street light, landing on top of the golem. The big clay man was massive, but when it struck, it bashed him into the asphalt. Rudolf grunted as a clawed hand slashed through the back of his skull and ripped the animation scroll to shreds. His clay body dissolved into a pile of earthen grey mud and clothes.
Dani spun to face the creature, putting herself between it and Nathaniel. It rose onto its feet. The street light overhead cast its hooded face in shadow.
“Stay back.” She warned. “I’ve already killed a few of you tonight, so unless you want to add your name to the list, stay away.”
The demon hissed. When it took a step, she heard scraping claws. Whatever kind of monster this was
, it had enough sharp edges to slice her apart.
Dani raised her fists defensively and prayed the others came soon.
Two talon-adorn hands folded from its cloak and threw back the hood. The skin of the creature was soot-black. As the cloak came back, the light revealed a scorched tunic the color of burnt ash. Its eyes were blood red; no irises; just black dots for pupils. With hardly any hair, what remained was nothing more than a patchwork of seared scalp. Its cracked lips pulled back, bearing sharpened teeth. It was a smile; a nasty, devilish smile.
“What,” she swallowed her fear, “what do you want?”
The thing took a step. Dani backed up. It took another. This time she held her ground.
“I won’t let you hurt him.”
She tried to think. She could summon that power to her hands again. The panacea healed them, but the pain was still fresh. But when she tried, she couldn’t feel the warmth come like before.
Dani double-stepped back, keeping her hands up. She wanted to be as close to Nathaniel as she could get. The creature lolled its head left and right, playfully taunting her. It hissed laughter.
“Come on then, freak!” If she had to fight this thing, she wanted it over with.
The cloak ripped. A pair of massive, bat-like wings exploded from its back. They stretched in the streetlight like leather. The demon shrieked and leapt into the air. It launched across the parking lot and smashed both talonlike feet into her chest. Dani’s tunic tore. Her skin ripped. Her lungs collapsed. She flew back.
She smashed into the chain-link fence next to the cars hard enough the wires ripped and collapsed around her. Her head spun. Her vision blackened around the edges. As she landed, the monster stalked towards her. Beneath the cloak, it carried a blackened-steel sword, a flail, and a cup. Snatching the cup, it forgot Dani and clambered onto the car next to Nathaniel.
“What’re you…what’re you doing?” she groaned, lifting herself up painfully. “Stop…! don’t…!”
The demon grabbed Nathaniel’s shoulder, digging its claws into his flesh to pull him free of the glass. Hovering over him, it raised a goblet of dark metal that shined sinisterly in the lamplight. A dark liquid filled the basin.
The creature raised the goblet to Nathaniel’s mouth and dug its claws in deeper. He screamed in agony and the demon tipped the chalice over. Putrid, green-black liquid poured down his throat. He gargled, choked, and swallowed.
“Stop!” Dani climbed to her feet. “Stop it! What you are doing to him?”
The demon poured. Nathaniel tried to turn his head away, but it seized him by the back of the head and emptied the cup into his mouth. His body went limp.
“I said STOP!”
Light coalesced across her fingers. She threw them out. Brilliant, white light exploded from her palms and struck the creature. The blast knocked the chalice free and the demon flew clear. With a flap of wings, it leapt into the night.
The light extinguished. Dani collapsed onto her knees. She felt dizzy, stumbling towards Nathaniel. He tumbled off the car just as Dani got to him, catching him. His lips were stained inky green and his face was pale.
“Nathaniel?” she cradled his face. “Nathaniel!”
The door opened, laughter and music wafting out. Kleos, Ethan and the gifted stepped into the dark.
“Somebody help me!” she screamed.
Their smiles vanished and they ran to Nathaniel’s side.
“What happened?” Ethan asked, kneeling beside him. “What did this?”
“I don’t know!” she cried, shaking. “It was some kind of demon. It killed Rudolf.” Tears streaked her face. Kleos tried to take her place, but she shoved him off. “I’m not leaving him!”
“I’m trying to help him.” He cautioned. “Please. Let me.”
She stepped back. Kleos took her place. “Are you hurt, Dani?”
But Dani wasn’t listening. “It came after Nathaniel. Why didn’t it come after me?”
Kleos repeated. “Dani, are you hurt?”
“What? No. I’m fine.”
Kleos went to work, checking his vitals. “His pulse is weak. His skin is clammy. What did the demon do to him, exactly?”
“It had a cup. Some kind of cup. I think it dropped it.”
Kleos looked around. He spotted the goblet lying a few feet away and retrieved it. As he did, Judah appeared. “What happened?”
“Nathaniel’s been attacked.” Ethan told him. “Call Hermes. Tell him to get down here immediately.”
“Right away.” He disappeared inside.
“Kleos, get everyone back to Empyrean.”
“What about you?”
“I’m staying with my charge. Go. Take Dani.”
“I’m not leaving.” Dani insisted.
“You are. Now go!” He turned back to Nathaniel. He closed his eyes, placing his hands on his cheeks. He bowed his head and began to chant. The words were strange. They resonated in the air. She could feel her skin prickle with magic.
“What is he doing?” Dani asked.
“Healing spell. He will try to stabilize him.” Kleos took her by the arm. “We have to go.”
“Can he save him?”
“Ethan is skilled. He can keep him alive until helps comes.” “I want to stay.”
“Dani,” Kleos gripped her shoulder, “we are not allowed to be here. Vespertide is strictly forbidden. If they find you, you will be punished.”
“What about Ethan?”
“He knows the consequences. It’s his duty.”
Guardians were sworn to protect their charges. He couldn’t leave Nathaniel no matter the cost. She looked back, watching him chant the spell to keep him alive. Overhead, dark clouds swirled. A column descended from the sky and the ladder sucked them up.
______________________
The portal dumped her and the rest on the shores of the Crystalline River. She took off towards the Citadel, while Shea, Roxelana and the others returned to Sanctuary Hills. As she arched into the sky, she spotted a bright light breaking from the clouds below; Hermes’ fiery chariot coming fast. He had Ethan and Nathaniel.
She landed before the Keep at a dead run. A crowd gathered, lining the street as healers carried Nathaniel in. They were already ahead of her as she ascended the steps two at a time and ran towards the Ward.
When she arrived, Ethan was out front. Elder Jeduthun, Elder Castus and Elder Asaph were with him.
“He’s already inside with Elder Aleister.” Ethan told her.
“How is he?”
Asaph interrupted them. “Guardian Ethan, explain to me how you and Novice Nathaniel were out of the city. The Gates are sealed for the night. No one is allowed to leave.”
“Elder Asaph, please, not right now.”
“Yes right now!” The Head Gatekeeper scowled. “You breached our borders. I want to know how!”
“Guardian Ethan is right.” Jeduthun broke in. “Now is not the time. We have an ill Novice and no means of knowing what poisoned him.”
“It was this.” Ethan pulled the goblet Kleos found from his belt. “A demon carried it.”
Castus took it, almost fearfully, and held it up to the others.
“What is that?” Dani asked, pretending she’d never seen it before.
“It is a dark grail.” Jeduthun mused. “A cup of poison or instrument of Hell.”
“How does that help Nathaniel?”
“For now, it does not. We have never seen such a thing.” Castus told her. “The goblet appears to be made of stygian.”
“Sti-what?”
“A dark element similar to adamant found in Hell. It is a cursed object.”
She was getting impatient. “So can you save Nathaniel?”
“We will try our best.” He handed the grail to Asaph. “Inform Elder Aleister that we do not know the specific ailment with which the Novice was cursed, but his healers should immediately begin purification. Purge the poison and destroy that cup. I do not want such damned things in the city.”
“Yes Elder Castus.” Asaph left in a hurry.
The two Consuls turned back to Ethan. “Describe this demon.”
“I didn’t get a good look at it.” He admitted.
Jeduthun frowned and looked to Dani. “Perhaps, then, we should ask the person who was really there.”
“Dani wasn’t—.”
Jeduthun wasn’t listening. “Novice Dani?”
She didn’t bother lying. He knew and Nathaniel’s life was at stake. “It had wings and black skin. Its eyes were red and it had claws and teeth like nothing I’ve ever seen.” Yet, even as she said those words, she could have sworn the demon looked familiar.
“Did it carry other weaponry?”
“A flail and a black sword.”
“Stygian-steel.” He and Castus exchanged looks. “It is no doubt the demon our men have encountered many times.”
Dani remembered Kleos’ warning on the first day; the vision in the flames. “What kind of demon is it?”
“We do not know. It is in none of our chronicles or tomes.”
“Why did it attack us?” Dani demanded.
“That is a good question. You should return to your home. There is no more to be done until the healers can remove the poison.”
“I don’t want to leave Nathaniel.”
“I understand that, Novice, but you are not needed here.”
“Screw not being needed!” She jutted out her chin. “Like hell I’m going home.”
The Elder knew he wouldn’t win. “Very well. You may stay but you may not enter the Ward until the healers allow visitors. And you will return to your home afterwards. The events of tonight have caused concerns about our borders. The city will be put into lockdown.”
Both Elders departed.
Ethan pulled Dani aside. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. I just want to be here when Nathaniel wakes up.”
“Sure. I’ll let the others know you are okay and come back when I’m done.”
She squeezed his arm gratefully. “Thank you.”
Ethan left. It felt like forever while waiting. She paced to get her mind off things, which of course meant it was all she could think about. How could this happen? What were the chances of that demon finding them in that parking lot? What the hell was it doing there?
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