The Demon's Change

by Donna McDonald

  “I do indeed and I found one this very afternoon,” Ralak said lightly. “She was on her son’s ship just waiting for me to return to our room. If I had known, I would have insisted on coming to visit Liam sooner.”

  Zella laughed and shook her head at her future mate’s teasing banter. “I promised I wouldn’t weep again, Ralak. You don’t have to keep saying those kinds of things to me.”

  “I have been waiting to say those kind things for more years than I am willing to confess to anyone, especially those at this table,” Ralak said, lifting her hand to his lips. “I only want to give you my full compassion.”

  When Zella’s eyes widened and tears crept into them, Ania’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. She looked at Synar who seemed frozen in his chair.

  Snatching a soft mouth wipe from the pile Chef included with dinner, Ania passed it across the table. “Weeping is good for you and takes courage, Zella. Do not fear our response. We are all accepting here.”

  Synar came out of his stupor and stared at a female he knew rarely wept. In fact, he couldn’t remember seeing her cry over anyone but Conor. “Yes. Weeping is good.”

  “Sometimes,” Ania said, glaring back at her slow to catch on mate with attitude still in his tone. “In this case, I think it is very good.”

  Zella sniffled. “Liam, you are so much like your father. He was the most obtuse male about female emotions that I ever knew. Fortunately, he had other sterling qualities. I wish . . . well, I can’t say it. Such a comment would be unfair to Ralak, but I hope you appreciate your mate. Ania is a very compassionate creature. She even forgave me all the ugly comments I said to her when she invited me to dinner.” She sniffled again. “I don’t know why you all didn’t just give up on me.”

  Synar swallowed. “You don’t give up on family.”

  “No. No, you don’t. I’m sorry we fought the other night. If you visit me again, I promise you a very different welcome next time,” Zella said.

  Synar bowed his head. “There will always be a next time.”

  She sniffed. “Well, you at least have to bring the children.”

  “Children?” Ania and Synar said together, looking at each other and then at her.

  Synar cleared his throat. “Who said anything about children?”

  “Well, I figured you were planning some, given the insult Ania flung at my head today,” Zella said.

  Synar looked at Ania. “Insult?”

  “Not worth mentioning during this pleasant time,” Ralak interjected. “Let’s eat, shall we? I haven’t had food since this morning. The medicine has made me somewhat light-headed.”

  “Of course,” Synar said, but he wanted to know what went on in that conversation.

  The meal passed with pleasantries. True to her word, Ania kept them entertained with stories of both his father and his father’s father. Ralak laughed and added his own color to the tales. Soon Zella’s eyes were drifting closed.

  “Tired, Zella?” Synar asked.

  “Indeed. But pleasantly so,” she said. “My head hurts a little. Too many thoughts and emotions scrambling around in my mind. Do you mind if we retire now, Ralak?”

  “No, I’m quite tired also, but very glad we had this chance to visit. Please don’t be a stranger to my home, Liam. I know some children can feel left out when a parent mates again. That is not our situation. I would like you to consider my family as your family. Magden would love to see you again. She said to tell you she was sad you never got in touch with her when you were ready to take a mate.”

  “I remember Magden,” Ania said. “Warn your child that I am a jealous female, Ralak.”

  Ralak laughed. “What female could pull a mate from Ania Looren’s arms?”

  “None,” Synar said firmly, noting Ania beamed over his quick response.

  When they saw them to the door, to his great surprise Zella put her arms around him and hugged. When she pulled back, she looked up into his face.

  “You seem so cold and unapproachable sometimes, Liam. Don’t let the demon’s power do that to you. I watched it change your father to a point where I hardly recognized him. And look what just wanting that power did to poor Conor. It has almost destroyed our family.”

  Synar lifted a hand to her face. “I agree with you, but Malachi is my destiny and I embrace him. I think the Synar family has not given you the happy life you deserve, Zella. I sincerely hope Ralak does.”

  “You’re too noble for your own good,” Zella chastised, patting her son’s cheek as she moved away. “Take care of yourself, Liam. Come and visit.”

  “Aye. I will,” he said, watching them head down the hall. The levitating chair had been programmed with their room coordinates. Medical’s ability to adjust the programming of smart chairs was just another perk of the Guardian 13.

  When he turned, Ania stood staring at him. “What did you say to Zella?”

  “Nothing at first. She insulted you and I even made Ralak stop fussing at her. The worst thing I did was ask Ralak to pray I turned out to be a better mother when the time came. Ralak knew I was just angry. He didn’t even take the comment seriously.”

  “What about the second time you visited?”

  Ania fisted hands on hips, rapidly trying to decide what she could say without lying.

  “It was mostly female talk—highly emotional and deeply personal. I don’t have to share any of that with you and don’t plan to do so. We talked of Zella’s life, not yours. I would prefer not to betray your mother’s confidences,” she said.

  Synar turned back to stare at the door. “That’s fine I suppose, but something isn’t right with her change of heart. Zella was a closed-up, bitter female only hours ago. Do you think an emissary did something to her?”

  No, just a future one, Ania thought, biting back the revelation. Not the time. Not the time. Not the time, she chanted.

  Relaxing her fisted stance, she walked to Liam and slipped an arm around his waist. “What does it matter if someone or something did help facilitate her change? Her attitude is certainly better than I recall. She seems happier to me.”

  Synar let out his breath in a huge tired sigh. “You’re right. It doesn’t really matter. This is the most peace about Zella I’ve had since I was a child. I should probably just say a gratitude prayer and get on with my life.”

  He looked into his mate’s compassionate gaze. “Right now, I just want to go to bed with you and sleep for as long as I can.”

  “I’m willing to try if you are,” Ania joked. “I’m putting out clean clothes just in case we have to jump into something at a moment’s notice. I suggest you do the same.”

  Synar chuckled and gathered her closer. “Don’t look now, but you’re acting like a true mate.”

  ***

  Kefira stood at the end of the medical table, staring at the male who had killed so coldly. It had all been for greed. Meen had merely wanted the Allurean so he could exploit her. He would have sold off I-eeta’s body one tiny piece at a time for the wealth it would have brought. Such things were beyond her understanding.

  The ship is out of danger, Kefira sent.

  But the crew is not.

  The emissary had returned a speedy answer to her and Kefira sighed. I know, she sent, frowning at Meen’s body. I just don’t know who. Do you?

  When there was nothing but silence between them, Kefira hung her head. You can’t tell me, can you?

  I do not wish to add to your burden. Sometimes betrayers are instruments of destiny as well. You must remain in service to balance. You must believe in your ability to do good no matter the challenge. One of us will always be nearby.

  Kefira sighed again and closed her eyes. A voice at her back had her eyes popping open.

  “Kefira? What are you doing here?”

  “Father? Oh, and General Anx. Hello. I came here to see him again for myself. Meen told me he was ordered by someone to bring me back. He never intended to kill me. He said I was a commodity to the Peace Alliance and just as valuable
as the Allurean. Is that true?”

  When she caught her father and Anx exchanging a secretive look, her stomach knotted. Both of them were obviously in on whatever Meen had been involved in. How many more prisoners were there? How many beings like I-eeta were even now being used by the Peace Alliance? It hurt her heart to think of such things.

  “Kefira, you’re tired. And no doubt the trauma of what you experienced is coloring your emotions. Have any of your emissaries been to visit lately?”

  Kefira looked in the face of a male she had trusted for all the years she could remember. Without even having the guidance of an emissary inside her, she knew she could not reveal how much she knew of what was happening. If her father and Anx suspected she was knowledgeable, she might well become a real prisoner herself.

  So she lied to her father for a second time and told herself there was simply no choice. “Yes. I am tired. I think I’ve been too tired for any emissaries to visit. Maybe there’s something about this ship. Spiritual communication seems more difficult here.”

  Her father stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Once it had been reassuring. Now—now she wondered what price she would pay for his comfort.

  “Why don’t you go to your room and lie down? We just stopped by to make sure Meen was still where Synar left him. I don’t know what kind of skills Ania Looren has, but it’s quite remarkable how she can constrain a creature,” he said.

  He walked with her down the length of Medical, past Rena Trax’s body in stasis. The rooms were dark and silent except for the beeping of machines.

  “Okay,” Kefira said. “I will do that. Say good night to General Anx for me.”

  “Of course,” Jilco said.

  Kefira started down the hall, only to be stopped by the emissary in Meen.

  Kefira. Go quickly. Tell Captain Synar what you just saw. Ania’s help will also be needed.

  She picked up her pace and glanced back to see her father disappear into the darkness. What were they planning to do? She wanted to run, but she made herself walk, just in case someone was watching.

  ***

  Malachi finished his evening rituals and decided to go back to Medical one last time. He would check Angel’s host body, and maybe he would just stretch out on a table for the night. At least he’d be near her.

  Stop, an urgent voice said in his head. Take precautions.

  Angel? What’s going on? Are you okay? Fighting the urge to run, he increased his walking speed.

  They intend to kill Meen. They want to cover up what has happened. They will not harm me, but they are intent on destroying all proof of their involvement.

  He did run then, calling out to both Ania and Liam as he ran, but as usual he got no answer. Who is intending to kill Meen? Why can I talk to you, but not to Liam and Ania?

  You are changing. It is part of the change. It is a realignment. More time is needed.

  Tell me clearly what you mean, Malachi sent, his thoughts urgent.

  No time. Caution is recommended, she sent.

  Malachi rounded the corner of Medical and encountered the darkness. “Lights up one-third,” he ordered. He walked cautiously down to where Meen’s body lay on a medical table.

  “Angel?” he said, speaking her name aloud.

  “Who are you talking to?” Jilco asked.

  Malachi swung his gaze to the male. “I was singing under my breath. Sorry. I didn’t know anyone else was here. It was time to check on General Meen before I retired.”

  “I really wish you’d been just a little bit later, Medic. This would not be necessary then,” Jilco said, raising the laser weapon and pressing it to Malachi’s chest.

  “You’re going to break what is left of your daughter’s heart,” Malachi warned.

  “Not if you’re not around to tell her,” Jilco said. “Kefira’s nature is to trust. That doesn’t work in the real world. Meen got greedy and he betrayed those he shouldn’t have. Good-bye, Medic.”

  Malachi barely reacted fast enough as Jilco depressed the weapon’s trigger. He saw the male was surprised when nothing happened. Seconds later, Anx shoved Jilco out of the way and plunged a knife into Malachi’s stomach. He looked down at his host body and then back at Anx, eyes blazing. “Do you know how long it’s going to take me to heal a gut wound?”

  Anx went flying backwards as Malachi lifted a hand. Jilco dropped the weapon and stepped back in shock.

  “Demon,” Jilco said. “I thought you were in Ania Looren.”

  “I was,” Malachi confirmed. “Join Meen.” He lifted a hand and blasted the elderly Jilco into the body of the other betrayer.

  Ania and Liam came running into Medical with Kefira a few steps behind.

  “They were going to kill Meen. I don’t know why yet,” Malachi said.

  Ania grabbed a towel and held it to the wound that was now bleeding profusely. “Who damaged you?”

  Synar held Malachi’s body still while Ania put pressure on the wound.

  “Jilco was just going to shoot me. When I stopped that from happening, General Anx decided to swipe at me with a medical knife,” Malachi said.

  Kefira looked down at her father and Anx. “What did you hope to gain from killing Meen?”

  “Go away, Kefira. You want no part of this,” Jilco said.

  “I don’t think it’s going to work that way, Father.” Turning away, Kefira touched the nearest com port. “Contact Chiang and Boca Ador. Tell them it’s a medical emergency.”

  “I can’t leave my body just yet, Liam. If I do, it will bleed to death. When I can, we will find out what they planned and they will suffer for their actions,” Malachi said.

  Very aware of the demon’s ability to do just that, Kefira looked from Malachi to the males on the floor. She noticed General Anx staring at the medical knife still in his hand. She drew in a sharp breath when he reached over and swiped it viciously across her father’s exposed neck. The horror of the Orza’s male’s violent action drove away the questions about her father’s guilt or innocence.

  “Father,” she called out, clutching her own throat in empathy. Then she watched in further horror as Anx reached up and plunged the knife into his own temple. She groaned at the madness, wanting to retch at the sight. To escape it, she closed her eyes and let the falling darkness erase the scene from her vision.

  Ania sighed heavily as Kefira melted to the floor. “Liam, help her. She couldn’t take anymore.”

  “Aye,” Synar said. Letting go of Malachi, he picked up the unconscious female and placed her gently on the nearest medical table.

  Malachi glared at the males even harder. “I truly hate it when the bad beings kill themselves. This is so not fair, Ania. Memories are some of the first cells to die in decomposing bodies.”

  Ania snorted at Malachi’s indignant response. “Calm down. Focus on healing yourself,” she ordered.

  “That was pretty brutal. Now what do we do?” Synar asked aloud, mostly so he could think about it himself.

  The three of them stood staring at the dead bodies and the constant flow of life force leaking onto the floor.

  Malachi turned his head to look at Liam. “General Meen is not completely dead yet. Ania could bring him out of his Kataren sleep and we could question him.”

  Synar nodded. “Good idea. What about Angel?”

  I am well, she sent to Malachi. Kefira needs care first. Tell them to wake her. She needs to hear what Meen has to say.

  Kefira? Did you not just witness my stabbing? What about me? Malachi demanded. He could have sworn he heard her laugh.

  Boca Ador will help you, she said. Obey me, demon.

  When Malachi growled, all eyes shifted to him. “Sorry. Personal argument. She just makes me so angry sometimes.”

  Ania laughed as Boca and Chiang came running through the door. They glanced at the bodies and then at him.

  “Yes, it is as bad as it looks,” Malachi reported. “Chiang, will you check Angel’s host body? The two cowards on the f
loor are dead. They require no care.”

  “Sure. I’m just the doctor. I love taking orders. What kind of help do you need?” Chiang asked, but he saw his mate was already examining Malachi’s wound. “How bad is it, Boca?”

  “There is some internal bleeding and some sliced organs needing repair. If the body moves, it will get worse. We’ll heal him right where he stands. I think I can fix this fairly quickly. It’s going to hurt a lot though,” she said.

  “No, it won’t hurt. I’m a demon,” Malachi answered. “I don’t feel anything unless I choose to do so.”

  Boca snorted and put her hands on Malachi’s gut. One she placed over the wound opening, the other where the life force was accumulating in him. His surprised bellow of pain had Ania and Liam grabbing either side of him to keep him upright.

  “Why in Helios does that hurt?” Malachi demanded. “I didn’t feel the knife wound. Angel? What is this about? I command you to tell me.”

  You can consider those feelings just more proof of a demon’s change, she said. Or you can consider the deeper connection to your host body another gift from the Creators.

  Gift? I’m being bound to my body and all its frailties? That’s a gift? I never asked for this level of engagement with my form, Malachi sent.

  When you are in the body, you will be subject to it. When you are out of it, you won’t. It is a good situation. I have a similar agreement.

  “A good situation? Even if true, a knife to the gut was not exactly the kind of moment to discover any kind of ‘deeper connection’ that makes everything bloody hurt.”

  Malachi yelled again as the burning sensation from Boca’s healing hands made stars dance behind his eyes. “Ahhhh . . . if Anx weren’t dead already, I would kill him. I would cut him into pieces with that knife he stabbed me with.”

  To his consternation, Ania and Liam laughed hard as they wrapped their arms tighter around him. He felt their hug, their support, and yes, their amusement of his painful struggle. He appreciated their care of him. But the pain he was suffering still didn’t feel like a freaking gift. It hurt. Shades of Kellnor, it hurt bad. His legs were quivering and he could feel them.