Personal Demons

by Rachel A. Collett

  Cold. I was cold, and the wet ground soaked through the material of my pants. My vision blurred as I searched the trees for my enemy and froze when a shape took form, moving slowly into view, weapon in hand. But it was not the demon.

  “Sarah!” Benjamin’s voice was filled with angst as he took in the sight of me on my knees and the battle that waged just beyond.

  “Benjamin.” My voice stuck in my throat. No, no, no. He can’t be here.

  Movement caught our attention and Benjamin’s rifle lifted, pointing directly at John Stilman as he skulked toward me. As he passed his cleaver, he slowly bent to pick it up, keeping his gaze locked on me as he moved.

  He smiled as he wiped snow from the blade with his filthy, torn shirt. “She has a nasty weapon. Would she show it to me again? I would like to bury my blade in it,” he said, shifting into a crouch.

  “Stay where you are.” Benjamin chambered his rifle, drawing the attention of the demon.

  The demon stood erect. A confused expression deepened the dark lines and wrinkles of his face. “Does the mortal address me?”

  “No, I threaten you, ugly.”

  “Do not engage him!” Darius yelled from over the din of the battle, his voice thick with apprehension.

  “It’s too late!” the demon shouted back, a hysterical twinge to his lilt. “The mortal wants to meet me!”

  Benjamin took an aggressive step, setting his stance.

  “Benjamin, no!” I yelled.

  He didn’t listen.

  “Stay back, Sarah,” he ordered me as he stared down the barrel of his rifle.

  This was my fault. If only I had finished the demon when I had the chance. The others still battled Jonathan. My father looked even paler than before. Elisa flew backward from a kick to the chest. She rallied, but her rise was slow. Laith and Darius still fought with equal strength, but bled from several cuts.

  No. It was just Benjamin and me against a single demon—one who had nothing near the strength or skill of Jonathan. We had to handle him on our own. But could I let Benjamin help? I frantically weighed my options, but found no other solution. I cringed as I watched the steady arm of Benjamin’s aim, knowing it was deadly foolish to jump in front of a loaded gun. Instead, I readied my knives, waiting for the right moment to attack. This time I wouldn’t hesitate.

  The demon ducked and weaved, dancing in the snow, laughing as he changed his target. Bringing his cleaver up to his ear, he pretended to throw it several times, in an effort to unsettle Benjamin, but Benjamin stood firm, his rifle adjusting site as the creature moved.

  The demon charged. I screamed. Benjamin fired.

  The shot echoed through the forest. John Stilman crouched, grabbing his side. He opened his hand and gazed at his wound. Then faster than he should have been able, the demon ran from Benjamin and out of sight.

  I looked toward Benjamin, who still stood with his rifle raised. Even from the distance, I could see him shake, and my heart dropped. “Ben–”

  Without warning, we were under attack. A raid of boulders flew through the air, striking only feet away from where Benjamin stood. I ran, tearing through the snow, screaming to him to get down—but I was too late. He had no time to even register the assault, as a large, jagged rock smashed into the side of his skull. The light left his eyes before my cry could even leave my lungs.

  “No!” I wailed, just before hearing and feeling something being ripped from the ground. I turned in time to see a gigantic pine tree, spiraling toward me, its branches whipped back by the power of its speed.

  A force knocked me to the ground from behind, shielding me from the threat. I heard another loud crack as the tree collided with a second, then came crashing down. A hard body pressed into mine as several branches covered us completely.

  “Hang on.” Darius’s muffled voice sounded concerned, as if he cared whether I lived or died. One arm snaked around my waist, securing it tightly. I wrapped mine around his neck as he jerked me up and out of the blanket of branches. Several scratched at my face, drawing blood, but I didn’t care. They were comforting compared to the real pain waiting to take over.

  He set me down carefully, scanning my features, inspecting my scratches. “Stay here,” Darius commanded. When he was satisfied that I was okay, he took off to rejoin the battle.

  I didn’t listen. I was tired of listening. I ran the last few yards to where Benjamin had dropped, only stopping when I saw his face. Crimson rock coated the side of his head, the blood drained from his face and pooled in the snow next to his broken skull.

  And I had failed. Again. It was Ian all over. I had done this. I had killed him.

  “Dead, dead, dead. What will she do now?” the demon laughed in my ear. I twitched away from the butcher’s voice. His breath assaulted my senses, raising the hairs on the back of my neck. “Did you see him leave? Did you see the light wh—?”

  His voice cut off. Then the demon sailed through the air, smacked into the snowy mountainside, and slid to the ground with a thud. It slowly picked itself up, its expression both murderous and terrified. No one moved as Jonathan sauntered toward the demon now struggling to his feet.

  “You fool. You’re out of your league.” Jonathan spat.

  The demon rallied. “How dare you—”

  “She was under his protection. Do you know what you’ve done?”

  “I don’t work for your master anymore.” The demon looked frantically around him, no doubt searching for his cleaver.

  “Traitor-filth,” Jonathan hissed angrily.

  The demon exposed his teeth and let out a low snarl.

  “I’ve been called worse. I know what she is. I saw what she wore. The Annihilator will find out about her. I’ve seen to that.”

  “You fool.” With a single powerful movement, Jonathan plunged his dagger into the chest of the demon.

  John Stilman, the butcher, burst into a thousand pieces. His body became as dust, and it flew past Jonathan with no more strength than a gentle breeze.

  Taking the advantage of an opening, my father rushed forward, the others close behind. With a yell, my father leaped at Jonathan with his blade raised, but his attack was weak and he was disarmed easily.

  “Enough,” Jonathan shouted, twisting my dad’s arm behind his back.

  “Dad!” I jumped to my feet, running to aid my father.

  “Stop, Sarah,” Jonathan called, placing the sharp blade under Dad’s throat. “All of you, put down your weapons or Matthias dies.”

  We all froze. Laith and the Darius slowly set down their knives, followed by Elisa, who tossed them down to the ground with a huff. Anger burned deep within her scowl. “Now what, Fallen One?” she hissed.

  Jonathan seemed lost for words, his gaze leaping from one person to the next until landing on me. Regret burned.

  “The Destroyer is coming.”

  I heard Elisa gasp. She retrieved her weapons from the ground and ran towards me.

  “I’m sorry,” Jonathan said.

  His body contorted in pain, gripping my father in an even-tighter grasp. The knife cut into his skin. My father pushed away at his hand, but it wasn’t enough to escape. When Jonathan opened his eyes again, another creature stared out. The whites of his eyes blackened into pools of tar. His penetrating gaze took in the surrounding scene, then set on me, a grin spreading across his face.

  “Look away, Sarah.” Elisa’s voice was terrified. Her hands gripped the side of my face. Laith and Darius gathered around us, avoiding eye contact as well. “Do not engage him. Do not look at him. Do you understand?” Elisa asked in a whisper. Her tone told me we were in danger. I nodded, too afraid to speak.

  “It will be okay,” Laith said to me, his demeanor forcefully calm as he placed his hands on Elisa’s shoulders.

  Darius stared at me, his expression unreadable. His knuckles blanched as he gripped his blades.

  “Matthias.” The Destroyer’s voice was a deep, deadly calm. “Poor Matthias. We had a good run didn’t we?”<
br />
  “We had a deal,” my father answered. “You said you would keep her hidden.”

  “And, oddly enough, I tried. From the time the Annihilator killed your wife, she has searched for your offspring. For years, I did my best to honor our deal and keep your Ava concealed from my mate, but you of all people should know I have no control over free will. Your child has made this decision for both of us.”

  Fear struck my chest, causing it to contract painfully, prohibiting any air to pass into my lungs. My mother had been killed by someone that now searched for me, and my father had made a deal, a bargain with that—thing. For me? What had he done?

  “I can talk to her. We can still hide her.” My dad’s words were wild, unrecognizable.

  “It’s too late. She has drawn too much attention to herself. Today has started a chain of events that cannot be stopped. Not even by you, Guardian. The Annihilator will find her and kill her, like she did the Defender. Our business is done, and so, as agreed… it’s goodbye, my old friend.”

  No! I realized what was going to happen next, and prayed I could stop it. Elisa tried to keep me controlled, but I shoved her away. Laith and Darius moved to block me, but I would not be stopped.

  Dad turned his head to me, resignation clearly written upon his features. “I love you, Sarah. I always have. You’re my baby girl, and I will always love you.”

  “No!” Power released from my hands and sent a wave of energy outward, causing my friends and Darius to fall back.

  I screamed something unrecognizable as I ran toward my dad, but it was too late. Before I could make it half the distance, the Destroyer plunged the knife into my father’s heart.

  Recognition dawned on his features as my dad looked at me for the last time. The Destroyer looked at me and smiled. He pulled the blade and let my father drop to the ground.

  My world crumbled around me.

  The Destroyer’s body contracted, then expanded several times before I was able to reach him with a kick to the stomach. He stumbled back but did not fall as I hit him over and over and over again. I continued until my knuckles bled and I was weak from exhaustion, but still he did not fall.

  I grabbed him by the shirt, but it was Jonathan who stared back at me. Understanding was written upon his features. I realized in anger that he was allowing me to strike him, and I shoved him away. I dropped to the ground, grabbed my father, and cradled him in my arms. As I did, the others rushed at Jonathan, but he disappeared into the woods behind me.

  I cried. I cried so loud that I didn’t hear what anyone was saying. Hands pulled at my arms and stroked my hair, but it wasn’t until they tried to pull me away from my dad that I understood what was going on.

  “Sarah,” Laith said, patting my cheeks to get my attention.

  Darius looked sharply into the trees. I heard the baying of dogs in the background and the growing sound of voices. People were coming.

  “We have to leave.” Darius pulled at my hand, but I yanked it from him.

  “Get away from me,” I hissed, shocked at the sound of my own voice.

  Elisa knelt in front of me, her jeans as soaked as mine, and caressed my face. “Sweet Sarah, I know it hurts, but we have to leave.” I shook my head, mumbling my refusal. “We have to, Sarah. You’ll be arrested. Look around you. There is too much—”

  “Enough,” Darius barked.

  Something sharp pierced the side of my neck. I gasped, thinking I had been stabbed and was going to die, just like Dad. Like Benjamin. Like Ian. But when I looked up at the wretched man with light brown eyes—the color of sweet, liquid honey—my world spun on its tip, then toppled over, and turned dark.

  26

  Eyes Open

  I strained to open my eyes as the sound of muffled voices spoke over me. Exasperated, I tried to push them away, but my arms refused to obey. I focused my energy, channeling my strength, and was finally able to move. My hand brushed against something soft. A hand took mine. Annoyed, I realized whoever it was thought I meant to reach out to them, and now I couldn’t pull away.

  “Sarah? Can you hear me?” a pleasant voice asked.

  Well, of course I can hear you.

  I tried to growl my displeasure, but it came out as a pathetic whimper. Disgusted with my inability to communicate, I concentrated all of my dismal strength on the once-simple task of opening my eyes.

  “Calm down, Sarah. You’ve been under some pretty heavy sedation for the past two days. It takes time for the… effects… to wear off.” Elisa’s voice was clipped, disapproval marring her usually-sweet demeanor. For some reason that pleased me.

  I heard an irritated grunt, and recognized his tone, even felt Darius’s displeasure as he watched from somewhere nearby. I managed to move my neck side to side.

  A cold cloth pressed against my forehead, cheeks, and then chin. I sucked in a sharp breath when they dabbed at my busted lip, but the cool rag and additional pain aided in lifting the fog that held me. I was finally able to open my eyes.

  “Hi.” Elisa’s smile was kind, but full of worry. The lines between her brows were deep and shadowed.

  Laith sat in a chair next to where I lay. He leaned forward against his knees, his lips pressed against interlaced fingers. He relaxed his ridged position, taking a deep breath of relief.

  “How did you find me?” I mouthed.

  Everyone watched as if I were about to grow horns. Even Darius observed me from a distance, leaning tensely against a nearby wall. I wondered if Benjamin had felt as anxious as I did when he woke from his coma.

  “We went to talk to you later on that evening,” Laith said. “We had hoped that you would be more willing to communicate once you’d gotten some rest, but you had already left.”

  Elisa interrupted. “Ben had been in contact with Cheryl ever since leaving the hospital. He messaged her, and told her you were heading with him to Colorado.”

  “Ben. Dad.” My throat burned as I tried to swallow without success.

  Elisa’s shoulders drooped, and her eyes filled with compassion.

  My heart sank.

  Laith stood, moved next to Elisa, and placed a comforting hand on my arm. “Darius, could you please get Sarah a glass of water?”

  Darius’s gaze tightened. A silent conversation moved between Darius and Laith before Darius kicked off the wall and stamped out of the room. He didn’t bother closing the door behind him.

  “Sarah, they’re dead,” Laith confirmed. And even though I already knew, had already seen it myself, it destroyed every last shred of hope that I was somehow wrong.

  I had done this. I had killed my father, Benjamin, and Ian. They were all dead because of me. I shook my head but had no tears to cry. This was all my fault.

  Darius returned with a large pitcher of water and an already-full glass. He set both on the small table next to me then walked back to his favorite wall without offering me the drink.

  Elisa moved to hand me the water, but I didn’t want it anymore and looked away.

  “Please drink, Sarah,” she pled.

  “Stop using that name,” Darius said, his voice callous and emotionless. “Sarah Mathis is dead.”

  I shot a look at him, his arms crossed against his thick chest. “I’m dead?” I tried to say more, but was unable to give the proper hate-filled response with my throat so dry. I willingly took the water this time, carefully downing the glass.

  “Drink slowly,” Elisa said. “You’re not dead, but…”

  “But what?” I asked.

  “There was too much blood,” Laith answered for her, “and we weren’t prepared. We didn’t have enough time to clean up the scene. The Bradshaws must have heard the disturbance and called the police. We had to leave the bodies behind.”

  The bodies. My father’s body. I cringed.

  My father was everything to me. He had raised me, loved me, and up until two years ago had been my entire world. I was his daughter but had been so selfish, so caught up in my own life that I didn’t know who he w
as or what burdens he carried. What had happened to cause him to make a deal with that thing in the forest?

  “Your blood was found at the scene along with your gloves. A search was made for you as well as the killer,” Laith said.

  They would never find him. Jonathan would be long gone by now. The Destroyer vanished with him.

  Elisa hesitated. “We had to do something. If you were to stay… if any of us had been caught…”

  They didn’t need to elaborate further. We could never explain what had happened without being pronounced insane or being charged as murderers ourselves.

  Laith continued. “We were able to borrow a recently-deceased body from a nearby morgue. A woman with similar hair color died a few days ago in a nearby river. The corpse was almost unrecognizable. You had no next of kin and no medical records, so the Bradshaws were brought in to identify the body. They recognized your clothing and that was enough for the authorities to pronounce you dead.”

  I shook my head, trying to process all of the information.

  “Dad,” I moaned, my waterless eyes burning. “Benjamin.”

  “Do not cry for Benjamin,” Darius grunted, interrupting my mourning. “He died valiantly. It’s the only thing we can ask for when we go.”

  Anger surged, causing my chest to burn and my face to contort. “Maybe you should leave,” I hissed.

  “I do not have to leave my own home. You are currently a guest in this house, and as such I must insist on a certain level of respect from you while here.”

  “Funny, I don’t remember asking to come here.”

  “Darius.” Laith’s voice was sharp, an obvious warning.

  Darius shot a look at Laith. “We are running out of time. We have dispatched almost everyone in an effort to gather information, but we might have all the answers we need right here.” He gestured to me.