Tell snatched his weapons away from his father. He shrugged the crossbow strap over his shoulder, then whipped the belt around his waist. “This isn’t up for debate. I love you and my first priority is your safety.” He vanished.
Seneca gave her sympathetic smile. “It’s for the best.”
Like his son, he melted away into a part of existence she couldn’t reach.
Frustrated, she growled and balled her fists. “Damn you, Tell Heckmaster. When you get back, I’m going to—”
But what could she do? She nearly tripped on Dochi’s huddled form as she paced. How many demons answered Seneca’s call for assistance? The gray, cloudy patches covering his domain remained as empty and desolate as ever.
She dressed to have something to do and twisted her hair into a knot at the back of her head. “Dochi, is there something I can do for you?” If the men thought her too fragile to help in battle, the most she could do was comfort the imp.
He sniffled and limped across the floor to cower by her feet. “Forgive me, Mistress. Dochi means no harm. He loves his masters and the baron.”
“I know.” She brushed her hand across the top of his head. “They don’t show you much appreciation, but you’ve been helpful to us.”
“Dochi never meant for the Heckmasters to come to harm.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “The other one made him lie.”
She froze. “What?”
“Lies to get Master Tell back to Berner. To raise the beast inside him.” Dochi shook so hard his words were interrupted by the clatter of his teeth. “Please don’t hate Dochi. The other one said if he did not report an attack on Berner, he would destroy everyone Dochi loves. He only wanted Master Tell.”
Fury swept over Sylvie. “What did you do?”
His eyes widened. “The-the other caught me between the Gray Lands and Berner. Snatched Dochi from thin air. He knew Dochi was Baron Seneca’s servant. Knew M-Master Tell was staying in the Gray Lands. He hurt Dochi.” The demon wrung his paws together. Tears poured off his face and dripped onto the carpet. “Made Dochi swear he would lure Master Tell back to Berner or he would come here and hurt the baron. Burn the Gray Lands. He showed Dochi what he’s done to other places…to other demons. Scared, Mistress.”
“You never made it to Berner with the coats, did you?” She grabbed one of his paws. “Where did you leave them, Dochi?”
“The In-between.” He tried to get his paw out of her hand. “Please let go of Dochi.”
“No.” She squeezed harder. “You take me to the In-between. We need those. I worked hard to—never mind. That’s not important. If some demon wanted to bring Tell back to Berner, then we’re going to need them, do you understand? That might be the one thing standing between us and the apocalypse.”
“Mistress, you can’t go to the In-between. Only those with demon blood can take that path.” His cherry eye glowed sickly red in the light. “You might never come out.”
“Meacham said I’m different because of what happened with Rosemar. I was the only one who could make the dreadnaught coats. They belong to me until I give them away and I’m not leaving them in some damned magical place where anyone could stumble over them. I worked hard to make those, to protect the people I love. Now. Take. Me. There.”
“Yes, Mistress,” Dochi whispered.
Sylvie blinked when the room turned dark. The air around her turned cold and the silence hurt her ears. She seemed to be floating. Her feet couldn’t find any ground and there was nothing to touch but Dochi’s rough paw. “What is this?”
Dochi flattened his ears. “In-between.”
“But…never mind. The coats?”
He stared into the nothingness with his head cocked and his ear erect. “Do you hear her?”
“I don’t hear anything.” Which was eerie enough without adding an imp who could hear voices.
“A girl. She wants to talk to—”
His eyes went blank and his mouth went slack.
“Dochi, wake up.” If something happened to him, she’d be stuck here, maybe forever. “Dochi, what are you doing?”
He curled his paw tighter around her fingers. “Get the book.”
“What book? What are you—” Sylvie met the creature’s gaze.
Instead of the simpering, animal-like expression Dochi usually wore, there was something human about his eyes now. Even damaged, there was an intelligence the little imp didn’t possess.
“When the time comes, you have to be prepared to use the book. It’s the only way to stop him, do you understand?” The voice was girlish, less demon-like and more ghostly. “You know where it is, but don’t forget Dochi can summon it if need be. Use it. It has power he would never think of. You have the strength.”
Dochi smiled, but that too was strangely human.
“Wait, where is it?”
Dochi blinked. “Right here, Mistress. We must hurry.” He waved his free paw and the coats appeared, still folded and tied with the string she’d used to bind them together.
She grasped the twine and pulled the coats to her. Dochi seemed normal now. “What did you say to me?”
“I said the coats are here. You have them, Mistress.” He touched one digit to the top coat, then recoiled. “It hurts Dochi.”
“You told me where the book is.”
“Book? Dochi doesn’t read books.”
A chill spread over her skin. Either the In-between was playing tricks on her mind, or she’d just had a ghost encounter. “Forget it. Take me to Berner.”
“Master Tell said—”
“I don’t care what he said. Dochi, if you disobey me, I’ll think of some truly terrible punishment for you. One that means you’ll never see Baron Seneca again.” A weak threat, but the imp had proven himself weak by giving into the demon who demanded he trick Tell.
Dochi whimpered. “Baron Seneca is my master. He is kind to Dochi.”
“I’ll take you away from him. Forever.” She hated threatening him. “I don’t want to do it, but this important.”
He blinked and she sprawled on the rocky earth in front of Rhia and Wystan’s house. Dochi yanked his paw free of her hand.
Wind whipped the pretty flowering bushes Rhia had set out. Dust flew through the air, peppering Sylvie’s skin. Overhead, the sky appeared green. It churned and clouds boiled. Her mouth went dry and she hugged the coats to her. The town might not be in the state of destruction Dochi had described, but it looked like war was on the horizon.
She climbed to her feet and hurried down the path to the house. Before she could raise her hand to knock, the door opened.
Rhia snaked her hand around Sylvie’s wrist and pulled her inside. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in the Gray Lands.” Rhia’s eyes looked tired, red-rimmed and puffy.
“I finished the coats. Dochi was supposed to deliver them, but a demon waylaid him and forced him to tell us a story about Berner being under attack. He left the coats behind. Unfortunately, it looks like we’re going to need them. Is Wys home?”
She shook her head. “He was restless all night. Before the sun rose, he was out of bed and said he was going to meet Eban. I think they’re at the jail. He said he’d send someone if we needed to hide. I think he’s counting on Seneca to help if that happens.”
“Seneca and Tell came together when Dochi told them what was happening. Maybe they went to meet his brothers at the jail.”
Berner’s streets were empty but for the swirling dust devils.
“This is bad, Sylvie. You have to find him and tell him what Dochi said. Tell can’t be in Berner right now. I’d come with you, but the kids can’t stay here alone.”
“I know.” Sylvie pulled the knot in the twine loose. “Here, I made this for you. There’s some spare dreadnaught you can wrap Sammy and Violet in like blankets. You may need it, but I hope not.” The clo
th scratched her skin as she freed it from the bundle. “Stay safe, okay? I’ll see you soon.”
Rhia caressed the dreadnaught. “This is beautiful. You have amazing talent. I’m so proud of you.”
“I wish I could see it the way you do. To me it’s nothing more than scratchy cloth in the shape of a coat. It’s ugly.”
“Well, I’m telling you what I see. A soft coat sewn by a skilled seamstress. I’ve never owned anything so fine.” Rhia kissed her cheek. “I’m worried about you. If half of what everyone believes about the demon inside Tell is true, the Heckmasters are in trouble. And you just as much as them because you love him.”
“I’ll be all right.” The thought of something happening to Tell was crushing.
“I know. Deliver your coats and get back to the Gray Lands where it’s safe.”
If she could help it, she’d never go back there again. “I’ll try. Give the kids a kiss for me and stay here unless Wys tells you otherwise.”
Rhia’s expression betrayed sadness, but she seemed to realize she couldn’t prevent Sylvie from chasing Tell.
“I’ll tell Beryl you said hello.”
Rhia frowned. “I hope her babies aren’t about to make an appearance. Wouldn’t it be just her luck for a demon to take over Berner while she was in labor?”
Sylvie grimaced. “You know if that was the case, Eban wouldn’t have left her side.”
“True. Go on now. I’ll see you later, okay?” Rhia’s voice cracked.
“I promise.”
Sylvie fought the wind as she made her way across town to Eban’s clinic and the home he shared with Beryl. It clawed at her hair, face and hands as though trying to prevent her from reaching her goal. The heat from it burned the wounds on her fingers, stinging like bees.
She stopped at the angel statue. The bemused expression carved into the marble gazed down into the water. Something was wrong with it. It took her a moment to realize the fountain wasn’t running. Despite the wind, the water at the angel’s feet was perfectly still.
The hair on her neck rose. How?
“Find them. Don’t tarry.”
The voice came from nowhere, but it filled her head. Stranger things had happened than a talking marble statue. “Okay.”
She pressed on against the wind. The walk to Beryl’s tired her because of the fight to lean into the weather. Her eyes were filled with dirt and watering by the time she stumbled up to the porch. She pounded the doorknocker against the plate.
When the door opened, Gage stared up at her with wonder. “Auntie Sylvie’s here,” he yelled over his shoulder.
“I’ll just be a minute,” Beryl called.
“Are you and your brother all right?” Sylvie ruffled Gage’s blond hair. “Not scared of the storm?”
“Jude is. He was cryin’ earlier, but Mama made him take a nap. She made cookies. Want one?” His dark blue eyes sparkled as he led her to the kitchen.
“Not this minute. I have to find your uncle Tell, but I need to see your Mama first.”
Beryl waddled into the kitchen. “Gage, you weren’t trying to trick Sylvie into giving you another cookie, were you, young man?” She stroked her round stomach with one hand.
“No, ma’am.” Gage’s face colored and he stared at the floor, a tell that gave him away as fibbing every time.
“Uh-huh. No more cookies before supper. Go play with your brother in your room.” Beryl patted his head as he ran past. Her amused expression fell. “Trouble?”
“I need to give you this coat and some blankets. Tell’s in town and there’s a demon hunting him because of the name curse. If he doesn’t get back to the Gray Lands, anything could happen.” She thrust the dreadnaught at Beryl. “I hope he’s with his brothers. Seneca was with him, but that doesn’t mean much.”
Beryl accepted the coat. “Thank you, sweetie. It’s beautiful and functional. You’re the bravest woman I know, going through this in order to help.”
“I had to. It would be irresponsible and foolish to ignore Meacham’s warnings. I have to go, Beryl. Please take care of yourself and the boys.” She hugged her old friend. “I look forward to holding those babies.”
“Me too. Things haven’t been this bad in Berner in years. I find myself praying just to get through day by day again instead of making grand plans for the future.” Beryl looked wistful. She gestured at the window. “This reminds me of the day Astaroth rose from the Pit. Be safe out there.”
“I’ll do my best. Keep an ear out for word from Eban.”
It hurt to leave that cozy little house. When Sylvie reached the street, Dochi was waiting for her in plain sight.
“You’re going to get shot if you don’t make yourself invisible. People will think you’re a rabid, hairless rat.”
His ears flicked, but he seemed unconcerned. “Master Tell was not at either home. The jailhouse?”
“That’s our best bet now. I’d kind of hoped you’d gone to find him.” She clutched her brothers-in-law’s coats. What if the demon had already gotten Tell? Wouldn’t she know?
Let Wys and Eban be safe. That wasn’t too much to hope for, was it?
“I will take you there.” Dochi grabbed on to her skirt.
For a split second they were In-between and then they landed in Wystan’s office. Four surprised faces stared at them. Four sets of stunningly blue Heckmaster eyes each held the same amount of shock.
“Well, at least I know you’re all safe…for now.” She raised her chin, met each gaze in turn, and then settled on her husband. “I delivered half the coats, but we should probably return to the Gray Lands now.” She held up the remaining two.
“Damn the coats, Sylvie, have you seen what’s going on outside?” Tell advanced, his expression full of murder. “Something’s coming. You get your ass back to the Gray Lands right now.”
“Not without you.” She dropped a coat on Wystan’s lap and shoved the other at Eban. “If you want to go with me and wait for this to blow over then I’ll be perfectly happy to agree to that plan. If not, then I guess you’ll have to accept that I’m here to stay.”
He took her elbow, but she pulled away. “This isn’t a game.”
“It never was. I know that. Someone had to bring the coats. Meacham wouldn’t lie about what they do. You weren’t going to do it, so I took it upon myself. And look, I’m as hale and hearty as ever.” She waved her hands around her body. “You could say you’re glad I made it home all right. Going In-between isn’t exactly a picnic, you know.”
Wystan unfolded his coat and slipped into it. “Sylvie, I think it’s best if Dochi gets you back to the Gray Lands. We appreciate the gesture, especially since you took time to get the coats to Beryl and Rhia, but you ought to go. And Tell should too.”
“Wait. You stopped in the In-between?” Seneca frowned. “I didn’t think it was possible for anyone who didn’t possess demon blood.”
“I think we can all agree I’m a little more than your average human woman. Which might just be a good thing.” She stuck her tongue out at Tell. “Now, are you four going to sit here and wait for the world to end, or are we going back to the Gray Lands where whatever demonic nightmare wants Tell can’t get us?”
The gas lamps in the jailhouse went out, plunging them into greenish-gray gloom. Eban scrambled to shake out his coat and slip it on.
“Well, shit,” Sylvie said. “It’s too late.”
Chapter Sixteen
The jailhouse door flew off its hinges. Dust and screws flew into the space, striking Tell. He spread his legs to shoulders’ width apart and swung his crossbow over his shoulder. From belt to notch, he had the bolt in place before three heartbeats had passed.
The monster that stepped through the hole ducked to enter. The snarling, humpbacked creature charged with hooked claws extended. A wash of sticky drool flooded from its mouth and a long pink
tongue darted between cruel teeth. The tongue wrapped around the crossbow. The weapon jerked from Tell’s hands and clattered to the floor. The demon’s hooks sank into Sylvie. She screamed and struggled, but a moment later her cry became a pained whimper.
“Sylvie!” Tell fumbled for the little knife on his belt. His fingers tingled numbly, useless and wooden.
Behind her and the giant toad with tiger claws, a smaller figure entered the jailhouse.
Eban stood on one side of Tell with his saber raised. In Wystan’s hand, his bowie knife glimmered menacingly. And in front of them, Seneca clutched a short sword alive with green flames dancing across the blade—divine fire like the shield that had protected Berner from monsters that would have crawled out of the Pit.
“You can’t have him, Magabed.” Seneca brandished the sword. “Release the girl and return to Hell.”
The toad-monster let out a deep chuckle. His tongue shot from his mouth and ran across Sylvie’s jawline.
“I already have him, courtesy of Astaroth.” The second demon smiled as he lit a fireball in his palm. Small in stature, he had a commanding presence. He looked human, except his features were too sharp, too calculating. His eyes were pitch black and soulless. Close-cropped dark hair shaded his crown in the style Roman legionnaires had preferred. “Such a simple spell to take a massive amount of power.”
The fire burning in Tell flared hotter than it ever had. It covered him, lighting the room and putting Magabed’s fireball to shame. Tell could barely see for the flames dancing in front of his eyes. Sparks flew off him, sizzling against the floor. “Let my wife go.”
Magabed made a tsking sound. “Young man, there are no threats you can make that would persuade me to allow that to happen.”
Tell threw a rope of fire at him.
Magabed lifted his hand and the fire turned to ice. “Let’s not play games. Astaroth has suffered much under the thumb of his brothers. He is ready for freedom and the Hell it will bring.”
Tell pulled another bolt from its loop. It heated in his hand and he threw it with all the strength he possessed. It hit the toad-monster square in the forehead. Bright pink and orange flame spread across its body. It released Sylvie and wailed. Flames caught the shabby curtains in the window. The toad-demon collapsed and was reduced to ash.
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