Dean helped her to her feet.
I hesitated before blurting out, “Wendy, whatever took you over is somehow still controlling you.” Will the anger appear again? Will she rush at me with teeth bared?
She looked me in the eye and said quietly, “It can’t be. Gage forced it out. He sent it back to hell.”
I was talking to Wendy now, but was a demon squatting inside her, listening, waiting to take control? “I know you and I know your voice. That…anger wasn’t you. The look in your eyes when you came at me… It was something else. It wasn’t you.”
“You think that…thing is still in me?” She started to back away. She was shaking her head back and forth. “It can’t be. It’s not inside me. He cast it back.”
“You said you felt an evil inside you. What if a piece of it is still around? Or maybe a connection of some sort?”
Tears filled her eyes. “When it’s gone, I do feel unclean. I feel like I’m different.” She gave me an uneasy look. “It changed me, Colina. My emotions are…heightened. I admit—I feel angry sometimes. But I’m in control. That thing may have affected me somehow, but I’m still me.”
I felt that way after the second ritual. I felt a darkness reach out and touch my soul. When the ritual was over, I looked into the mirror and didn’t see myself. I looked different. I felt different. Anger and violence raced through my blood.
Was that happening to Wendy? Or was it something more? I couldn’t get the image of her coming at me out of my mind. Her eyes, the expression behind them…that wasn’t her. Even when the rage and anger overcame me after the second ritual, I didn’t forget what I’d done—but Wendy had no memory of attacking me just now.
No matter what she says, I know something else controlled her when she attacked me.
Chapter 7
Four days had passed since the possession ceremony. Four mind-numbing days cooped up inside the house with Wendy. She was sullen, often lost in her own world. She’d always been quiet and reserved, but now there was something different about her. The change in her scared me. I found myself watching her out of the corner of my eye, expecting her to attack me again. I knew somewhere inside her there was something evil, something dark, a thing that could take control of her body and mind at any given moment. The only time I let my guard down was when Dean joined us during the day.
But, forced to do nothing but sit around the house, even Dean’s company was little comfort. It was afternoon, the summer air made the living room hot and muggy, and my mind and eyes were focused on the door. At any second, it could burst open and Gage would request my presence. Will he give me the spell to transfer Luke’s spirit to another body? Will he force me to raise more zombies? Or demand I go on another road trip so I can watch him murder more innocent people? The hours ticked by, and I could only sit, wait, and worry about what Gage had in store for me next. I needed to get out of here, to take my friends with me—but escape now was too risky. Gage had me wrapped up tight, and I couldn’t see any way out. My only hope was that he would eventually make a mistake and give us that one opening, that one opportunity to get away.
Today, Dean was standing by the back door. He’d opened it to let in some fresh air. It was a beautiful day out—the sun was shining, and a gentle breeze blew in the smell of wildflowers. But there was an odd silence out there. No sounds of birds singing or bugs buzzing around filled the air.
It’s the hellhounds.
They were out there somewhere, watching us, guarding the perimeter. If we ventured out too far from the house, they would make their presence known. Dean still scoffed at their existence, but I knew they were out there. I had firsthand experience with them from the night Caleb dragged me out and burned me.
But I can’t tell Dean about that. I didn’t want him to know what Caleb had done to me. I hadn’t fought back. If I had used my magic to stop him, Gage would have gone after Luke. The rational part of me knew that I’d had no choice, but I still felt ashamed at being so weak and vulnerable.
Caleb hadn’t touched me since, but I knew he wanted to. Whenever he was close, his eyes were on me—brown eyes that were calculating and full of hate. I knew deep inside he was waiting for the one opportunity when he could really hurt me. He wanted me dead for the crimes I committed against his family. I knew how hot the flames of revenge could burn. They almost consumed me once. There were no words of comfort or regret I could say that would make him forgive me. He wanted revenge. His mother was dead, and he would not be happy until I was, too.
Suddenly an explosion of musical sound filled the room. I jumped out of my seat.
Dean had moved from the door to the piano bench. He gave me a sheepish look. “Sorry.” His hands were on the piano keys. “I’m bored out of my mind. It feels like we’re sitting here waiting to be escorted to the gallows. We should be doing something. We should be trying to escape.”
I looked out the window. “We have no way of getting past the guards or hellhounds. Not yet.”
Dean stormed over to my side. “And that won’t change unless we come up with a plan of action.”
“I think if we have more time—”
He cut me off. “I’m tired of sitting around and waiting to see what that demented guy is going to try next.” Dean lowered his voice and looked over at Wendy. She was standing over in the corner of the room, mumbling. She’d been doing that a lot lately—standing alone and whispering to herself.
Dean turned back to me. “They forced Wendy to be possessed by a demon. This is crazy. We need to do something.”
“If we’re too rash—”
He cut me off again. “We shouldn’t be sitting around like a bunch of scared rabbits waiting to see if—no, when Gage throws us into the stew pot. Colina, we need to do something now. While we’re together. While we’re strong and able. While there’s still a chance to help my family and all the other death dealer guilds.” He looked over at Wendy again. She was staring off into the distance and seemed unaware of our conversation. “What they did to Wendy…it's changing her.”
He’s right. Anyone can see it. Every day she was becoming more and more agitated. The day after the possession ceremony, she had taken to muttering to herself when she thought we weren’t listening. Her eyes held a haunted look and there were deep purple circles under them. Wendy had always been a bit of a tortured soul in the past, but gone was the timid girl I’d met in the asylum. In her place was someone filled with anger. She’s controlling it…but just barely. I saw glimpses of it blazing out of her eyes. I knew she was trying to stop whatever was happening, but she was having little success.
She’d attacked me outright once already and I knew, as a powerful mind reader, she was capable of worse magical attacks. It honestly frightened me. She kept telling us that Gage banished the creature at the end of the ceremony, but I still doubted it.
“Wendy is all right.” Even as I said it, I knew I didn’t believe it. I could tell she wasn’t okay. Every day she seemed a bit worse.
“I appreciate that you’re trying to look on the bright side, but you would have to be blind not to see that she’s morphing into something—”
“She is not morphing into something. It’s your imagination.” I wasn’t sure why I was arguing when I was in full agreement with Dean, but for some reason I started to get angry. “She didn’t have a choice. Gage forced that thing into her. It’s understandable that she’s having problems with it. You know what the rituals did to us—how they changed us.”
“I only went through the first one successfully, but yes, I stood before the abyss. I heard the…things in the darkness calling out to me.” He pointed at Wendy. “But those unnatural things have been inside her. They took her over, spoke out of her mouth, moved her limbs… What if they’re still somehow controlling her?”
I wanted to tell him he was crazy to think so. I didn’t want to believe it or face the fact that I was responsible. It was because of me that Wendy was here and held hostage. She wouldn’t have been on G
age’s radar if he hadn’t come after me to begin with. Dean was saying what I’d already been thinking, and every minute I spent with Wendy, I was more and more convinced it was true.
Wendy’s voice startled us from behind. “You think the demon is still inside me.” She stood facing us, her eyes wide with a wild look in them.
Dean ran his hand through his hair. “Well, I…I don’t know what I’m saying. Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I’m stir-crazy. Whatever Gage has planned next, I just wish he would get on with it. This waiting is driving me nuts.”
“Consider me your fairy godmother, come to grant you your wish.” Caleb stood in the doorway, a smirk planted on his face.
Scowling, Dean started forward.
Caleb raised a hand and gave Dean a cold smile. “No hard feelings about the other night. I landed a few punches, you landed a few… Anyway, we’ve got hours until nightfall, so I’m not here for you.” He looked over at me. “I’m here for Colina.”
I sucked in a breath.
“That’s right, princess, the big man requested your company.” Caleb motioned with his hand for me to join him.
I didn’t move. It’s been four days. What does he want now?
He gave me a slow grin. “I’m more than happy to come over there and force you to come along with me.”
After a moment’s hesitation, I sighed and started forward.
Dean reached out and grabbed my arm, effectively stopping me. “Where are you taking her?” he questioned.
“When the big man wants her, I come get her. No questions asked.”
Dean’s hand squeezed my arm. He looked down at me, pleading with his eyes. “Don’t go.”
“You know I haven’t really got a choice,” I whispered.
He pulled me closer. Concern filled his face. “Yes, you do.”
I reached out and squeezed the hand holding my arm. “It will be all right.” Dean reluctantly let me go and I looked over at Wendy. “I’ll be back soon.”
Wendy just nodded and looked away.
I walked over to Caleb. He reached out, but I shied away. Caleb chuckled and started out the door. With a last look back, I followed him.
We made our way down to the basement and through the tunnels. When we finally stopped, we were in the big cavern—the one where Gage held his party—but the chairs and tables were gone. In their place were a couple of large black-and-gray-striped rugs, a few chandeliers filled with black burning candles, a half-dozen black armchairs, and a few black side tables.
Gage sat in one of the chairs. He rose when he saw me, and his face lit into a smile. “I hope you’ve been able to keep yourself entertained. I’m sorry I haven’t come to see you sooner, but I had some pressing matters to attend to.”
The last time I’d seen Gage, blood covered his hands. “Busy killing more people?” I asked through clenched teeth.
Gage’s smile widened. “Not yet. But soon enough, once we get all the kinks worked out of the mummification process. I’m so glad you could join me.” He pointed to a bottle of wine and a crystal glass sitting on a nearby table. “Would you like something to drink? Are you hungry? I can have them bring you something to eat.”
“No, thank you.” My own polite response surprised me. I had answered automatically in response to Gage’s tone—the tone of a party host. He always acted as though I was a welcome houseguest and not his prisoner. I think he honestly believed I was helping him of my own free will. The man was truly deranged.
Gage watched me for a few moments in thoughtful silence before saying, “I think it’s time to continue your training.”
“My what?” I had no clue what he was talking about.
“Your death dealer training,” he answered.
I stared at him in disbelief. He wants to talk about death dealer training?
“I know, I know, I’ve restricted your use of magic. However, as we speak, Jacob is taking off Dean’s collar.” Gage’s eyes narrowed. “Now, be very careful, my dear. The collar is off, but my watchdog is still by his side, willing and able to do what must be done if you decide to do something foolish.”
Caleb moved to Gage’s side, and his fingers reached down and covered a dagger he wore in a sheath on his belt.
Gage followed my gaze and said in a reassuring voice, “No harm will come to your boys as long as you do as you’re told.” Gage reached down and poured wine into the glass, then lifted it and swirled the red contents around. “I was thinking—since we’re going to be working together, it only makes sense that we strive to get you to your absolute best.” Gage brought the glass to his lips and took a sip, then lowered it, cradling it in both hands. “It’s my understanding that you never had a chance to finish your training as a death dealer.” He gave me a look that made it clear he expected me to answer.
“I didn’t,” I finally admitted.
He nodded his head. “That’s why I thought this would be the perfect time to learn some of the spells. The first one I think we should tackle is the deflection of objects—bulletproofing, if you will.”
I rocked back on my heels in surprise. Gage wants to teach me how to be bulletproof? It was a spell that every death dealer learned. Mere bullets and other weapons couldn’t take down dark mages, but I knew enchanted steel could kill them. I looked over at Caleb and my eyes came to rest on his dagger. I’d seen that dagger up close—glowing symbols marked the metal of the blade.
Gage put the glass down. He reached out and patted Caleb on the shoulder. “Caleb has offered to help in your training.”
I almost laughed out loud. Was he serious? Caleb, the guy who wanted to kill me, was going to help me learn defensive magic? Gage must not know Caleb hated me. I wanted to protest, but knew that if I spoke up about his maltreatment, Caleb would kill Luke. I pressed my lips together and gave Caleb a hard stare.
He watched me with a malicious half smile on his face.
“Caleb is uncommonly skilled, even amongst his people in the Dragon Guild. Aren’t you, my boy? He is not the type to toot his own horn, but he’s a powerful death dealer.” Gage waved his hand in the air. “Show her.”
Caleb raised his right hand and wiggled his fingers. Orange flame rose, dancing between his fingers.
At the sight of the flames, my heart pounded hard in my chest. He burned me with that flame. My hand went to my leg, where the still-raw burns were starting to scab over. Caleb smiled widely as he watched my unconscious gesture.
Gage seemed unaware of the panic that filled me. There was pride on his face as he looked at Caleb. “As you know, most death dealers can raise flames. They use fire for many things, but it doesn’t have the attributes of real fire.” Gage cautiously reached out to touch Caleb’s hand, but quickly pulled his finger back and shook it in pain. “Caleb’s fire actually burns. The boy has true talent. It’s not often you find someone who can wield hellfire.” Gage waved his hand in the air. “Do you smell it?”
The overpowering scent of sulfur hung in the air. I remembered smelling it the night Caleb attacked me, but at the time I’d thought it was from the hellhounds.
“Brimstone.” Gage patted Caleb’s shoulder again. “He is the only death dealer I’ve ever come across that can raise true hellfire. He’s truly gifted.”
Hand still aflame, Caleb advanced on me with a cold violence in his eyes, and I retreated from him instinctually. My mouth had gone dry.
He wouldn’t try to hurt me, not with Gage standing right there. I took a deep breath and straightened my back. Though I was still uncomfortable, I forced myself to meet Caleb’s eyes.
He gave me a hard look before turning and flinging his hand to the side. The flames shot out toward one of the chandeliers. Fire hit the wax candles and they melted into a puddle on the floor.
“Quite impressive. You should see what it does to human flesh,” Gage said.
I couldn’t help but cringe. I was afraid, and Caleb knew it. He gave me another smile. I swore to myself that if the opportunity ever arose, I
would force that smile from his face. I’ll burn it off with my own magic one day.
Gage walked over to a table on the side of the room. When he came back, he held a gun in his hand. “I couldn’t decide if I should bring a thirty-eight or a forty-five. Don’t look so scared, the spell is a powerful one.” Before I could say anything, Gage motioned to Caleb.
Caleb turned, and with long strides made his way to the center of the room.
Gage gave me a smile and then aimed the gun at Caleb. A loud boom ripped through the air as the gun went off. For one brief moment, I thought all my prayers had been answered and Caleb would fall down dead.
An instantaneous burst of orange light interrupted the thought, extending a few inches from Caleb’s body.
And that was it. Caleb was still alive and breathing. The death dealer’s bulletproof spell worked, just like the times I’d seen it used in Luke’s uncle’s shop by the men trying to kidnap us and at the mansion the night the demon rose. There wasn’t a big hoopla, no loud noises, no fireworks whizzing around the room—just one small burst of light.
“I assure you, I didn’t miss.” Gage raised his voice. “Caleb, show her.”
Caleb reached down and picked a miniscule object up off the floor. He walked over to me and opened his hand. In his palm lay the bullet.
“See? It’s quite an effective spell,” Gage said. “The death dealers came up with it ages ago in response to guns. It doesn’t make them immortal—you’ve seen they can be killed firsthand. Spells, enchanted blades—there are many ways to kill a death dealer, but non-magical weapons can’t seriously hurt them.” Gage handed the gun to Caleb. “Now it’s your turn, my dear Colina. I’m going to leave you in Caleb’s capable hands. I’ll be back in a bit to see how you’re doing with your lessons. Once you master this one, we will move on to the next spell. Your education has been sorely lacking, and the world is becoming a more dangerous place. As you know, death dealers now have targets on their backs. I think it’s important you’re able to protect yourself fully.” Gage turned and started to leave the room.
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