by RB Austin
“It’ll kill everyone in its path.”
“I think that’s a great idea.”
All eyes focused on Gabe.
Maybe not kill. Just hurt. Or maim.
“The demon won’t harm Asjhone or Keandre.” Gabe explained. “And its senses are more powerful than Sarid’s. Already an hour passed since Asjhone noticed her son missing. We need to find him sooner rather than later. Who knows what could be happening.”
At Asjhone’s sharp intake of breath and horrified expression, Gabe winced. “Sorry, Asj.”
Sarid fisted his hands to stop himself from comforting her. He glared at Gabe, eyes flaring bright blue.
Gabe held up his hands, mouthed another, “Sorry.”
“If the demon can find Keandre faster then I want him.”
Sarid glanced at her, shocked. Even the demon stilled.
“I still don’t think,” Cade began.
Asjhone grabbed the Sept One leader’s arm. “Please. Like Gabe said, too much time has passed. You don’t know Wayne like I do. You don’t know what he’s capable of.”
Cade relented. “Then only myself, Lucas, and Gabe will go with you. I don’t want to put anyone else in danger. We’ve all dealt with the Other before, we know what to expect.”
“No,” Sarid said.
Cade’s gaze whipped to his.
“No one except Asjhone,” Sarid said. “The demon’s very protective of her.”
“Just the demon?” Gabe said.
“At any moment, the demon could view you as a threat. And if the Other ever truly wanted to kill you, you’d be dead before you could blink.”
Cade studied him, sighed, ran a hand down his face. “I don’t like this.”
“Ultimately, it’s Asjhone’s decision.” Sarid glanced at her.
Her gaze was on him. Face pale. Eyes wide.
He lowered his head. And though there was enough distance between them for Gabe to fit—not that he’d let the ach squeeze in—he stepped back to make her more comfortable.
“I’ll go by myself,” she said.
Sarid could feel her eyes on him, but focused on Cade. “She’ll need a cellphone. One with GPS.”
“Yes.” He faced Asjhone. “You will check in every thirty minutes. If we don’t hear from you, we’ll come find you.” He switched his gaze to Sarid. “Whether the Other is still out or not.”
“Agreed,” Sarid said.
Cade left, shouting orders. Sarid moved to follow, but paused. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Asjhone’s hand raise. Like she was going to touch him.
“Sarid,” she said softly when he still hadn’t turned in her direction.
“I will do everything in my power,” he said to the floor. “As will the demon, to find Keandre.”
“I know.”
“And the demon will not harm you. Please don’t be afraid.”
“I’m not afraid of you or your demon. I trust you.”
He lifted his head. And for the first time, in he didn’t know how long, tears filled his eyes.
She cupped his face with both hands. “I trust you, Sarid. You’re the only one who can bring my baby home to me.”
Chapter 50
The windshield wipers were on full blast, but visibility still sucked. Wayne cursed the inadequate rental car, the city that couldn’t afford better lighting, and most of all, his fucking wife.
Thunder rumbled in the distance. His son, Keandre, shivered. Not a bad name, though he was pissed not to have been able to name his own child. Just one more of his wife’s infractions. She’d pay for them all and then some.
“I’ve never been camping in the rain,” Keandre said.
Wayne had been inside Asjhone’s room when the boy he recognized from the picture walked in with a basketball in his arms. His eyes had grown real big and Wayne knew he was about to scream.
Wayne had smiled, the one used to cajole jury panels to his side. “Hi. I’m so glad I found you.”
The boy glanced over his shoulder at the doorway then back at Wayne.
“What’s your name?”
He hesitated, then, “Keandre.”
“Really? That’s my father’s name?” Not true, of course. He’d paused before adding, “Your grandfather.”
Keandre gasped.
“I’m your father, Keandre. I’ve been waiting a long time to meet you.” He quickly changed the plans he’d made and held out his hand. “Will you come with me?”
The boy licked his lips. “Where are we going?”
“I want to spend time with you. I’ve missed you so much.”
“Are we going camping?”
“Do you like camping?”
The boy’s head practically bobbed off when he nodded.
“Then, yes. Absolutely.” He beckoned. “Come. Let’s go.”
Keandre glanced behind him again, shuffled his ball until he was holding it with one arm, resting it against his side. “I should tell Mom?” He said it more as a question.
Wayne gripped the boy’s free arm before he could turn away. “If we wait too much longer we won’t make it to the campsite before it closes. Let’s get everything set up then call Mom. Have her meet us.”
He had frowned. “Mom doesn’t like it when I leave the house without telling her.”
Wayne had to hold himself back from dragging his son out the window. “But you’re with me. She won’t mind. Besides, I told her I was coming by. She’ll know you’re with me.”
Screech! Wayne scowled at the windshield. Fucking cheap ass wipers.
“Have you ever been camping?” Keandre asked.
“Yes.” Wayne pushed the defrost button, upping the fan speed to full blast.
“I’ve never been, but Devan goes all the time with his dad. Maybe one time we can go together? You and me and Devan and his dad. That would be so cool. Don’t you think? Do you like dogs?”
“What?”
“Dogs. Do you like them?”
“Dogs shed.”
“Oh. Yeah.” Keandre said nothing for a moment. “What about superheroes? I’ve a really cool Iron Man. Maybe when I talk to Mom I can ask her to bring him and the other ones when she meets us. So we can play.”
Wayne raised an eyebrow. “Are you talking about toys?”
“Yeah, they’re really super cool. I have Thor and Captain—”
“I’m an adult, Keandre. Adults don’t play with toys.”
Another boom sounded in the distance. Keandre jumped, clutched the ball on his lap tighter. “Maybe we should wait until it stops raining to go camping.”
“It’s just thunder.” His voice rose. “Stop being a baby.”
Keandre sucked in a sharp breath and grew quiet.
When Wayne pulled into the parking lot, Keandre straightened, peered out the window. “I thought we were going camping. This is a motel.”
“I know it’s a motel,” he snapped. Keandre’s lower lip quivered. Wayne’s hand clenched into fists. It wasn’t the boy’s fault. Asjhone had made him this way. Weak. Pathetic. A coward. “My bags are here.” He strived for a calm tone. “I need to get those before we can camp.”
Keandre glanced at him.
“And, you were right. Camping isn’t fun in the rain. We’ll wait until it’s over, then go.” He forced his expression to soften.
The boy’s eyebrows furrowed. “Okay.”
“Great.” He eyed the pounding rain. Fucking car didn’t come with an umbrella either. With a forced smile, “You ready to get wet, son?”
Keandre’s face lit up. He laughed. “I’m ready.”
Wayne flew out of the car, heading for the awning above his room. He heard the other door open and then a child’s giggle.
<
br /> “Ow!”
Wayne glanced over his shoulder. Keandre lay on the ground in a giant puddle. The boy cried so loud Wayne heard him over the next crack of thunder. “Jesus Christ! Get up.”
“I can’t. I hurt my leg.”
“Really? It doesn’t look broken.” Wayne gripped the boy’s arms, jerked him to his feet. Mud splattered on Wayne’s jacket. His jaw tightened. “You better really be hurt.”
Inside the room, Keandre dropped his ball to the ground, clutched his knee, grimacing.
“Well, let’s see it.” Wayne whipped off his coat and threw it over the one chair in the room.
Keandre rolled up the pant on his right leg.
“Come into the bathroom. The lighting in this place is shit.”
“You said a bad word. Momma said you shouldn’t say those words.”
“Momma isn’t here right now, is she?”
Keandre’s lower lip began to shake again, when he caught Wayne’s glare, he tucked it between his teeth.
“Bathroom.” Wayne gestured with an eyebrow raise.
Keandre sniffed, then limped past him.
Wayne set him on the counter next to the sink, eyes narrowing. “You tore your jeans. This is the only pair of clothes you have right now.”
“I . . . I didn’t mean it. I slipped.”
“Are you always clumsy?”
Keandre shook his head. Tears filled his eyes. “It was slippery. The rain.”
“The rain,” Wayne mimicked. “I managed to run without falling.” He moved the hole around, inspected the skin underneath. There was a tiny abrasion. “You aren’t even bleeding,” he snarled.
Keandre cringed. “I want my Momma. I want to call her.”
Wayne slapped him across the face.
The sound echoed in the room, followed by the boy’s startled cry.
“You’ll call your mother when I say you can.” He yanked him off the counter. “Take those disgusting clothes off and get in the shower. You better pray I’m in a better mood when you get out.”
Chapter 51
Asjhone followed Sarid outside. It was pouring now and she was glad the older gentleman had handed her an umbrella. She didn’t know the precise moment she stopped being afraid of Sarid or his demon with the red eerie eyes and horror movie skeleton face. But she did. With what could be happening to Keandre, anything else was bearable. And Sarid’s counterpart was going to find her son.
She glanced next to her. There was enough distance between her and Sarid that she could be a stranger. The monster stared at her like she was a slice of homemade apple pie. Sarid avoided her like she had a contagious disease.
A wolf howled in the distance. Followed by another one. She startled, whipped around, searching the darkness. Were the Woyrs more animal than human?
“Don’t worry,” Sarid said.
It felt like his hand pressed against her back, but the touch was fleeting so maybe she imagined it.
“They will not harm you,” he continued. “That warning was for me.”
“Warning? For you? What does it mean?”
But he just shook his head, didn’t meet her gaze. “We need to hurry.”
At his Hummer he opened the driver’s door, took the umbrella from her, holding it as she got in. “You remember what to do?”
She nodded.
After a brief hesitation his lips pressed against hers. She sucked in a breath. Tears were in her eyes when he pulled away. “Sarid.”
He stepped back, closed the door.
It took a few tries to get the key into the ignition. Then another to put on her seatbelt. She started the car, glanced out the window. He stood about fifteen feet from the truck; his body barely illuminated in the lights coming from the house and garage behind her. Their eyes met.
Lightening flashed across the sky. She peered up for a brief second. When her gaze returned, he was gone. The demon in his place. Inches from her window. She held in a scream, forced herself to not cringe away.
“Help me find my son.” She laid her palm on the window. The demon’s eyes moved to her hand then back again. His head bobbed. He stepped away slowly. Dropped to all fours. With his arms resting on the ground, Asjhone recalled the apes at the zoo when she chaperoned Keandre’s first grade field trip.
The demon started down the driveway. She followed. He picked up speed. She did, too. On the main road back into town, he moved to the shoulder of the road. Miles and minutes passed. When headlights appeared from oncoming traffic, he’d move into the surrounding trees. Would return as soon as it was clear, taking the lead, twisting his head to glance back at the car. Could the demon see her through the glare of the Hummer’s headlights?
Complications rose when they reached town. More cars were out. The demon had to stop and hide in the shadows or an alley. Asjhone spied him less and less, but followed the plan Sarid laid out. The demon would head to Asjhone’s apartment first to catch Wayne’s scent.
The rain had reduced to a sprinkle by the time she pulled into the complex, though it was still thundering and lightening. The demon towered over her when she stepped out of the car. Her heart leapt into her throat at his sudden appearance, but quickly calmed. His eyes were less eerie now. Maybe it was because he’d constantly checked on her on the drive over. Like she did with Keandre after he declared himself too old to hold her hand in the store.
“Ready?” She moved toward the building.
He made a noise in the back of his throat. She looked at him and he repeated the sound.
“I don’t.” She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
His eyes went from her to the Hummer. Back and forth. He let out a whine.
“You want me to get in the car?”
He nodded.
“You want me to stay here?”
Another head bob. The demon couldn’t speak, so arguing would be pointless. Only when she was in the car did he drop down and run to the side of the building, glancing back once more before disappearing around the corner.
Less than a minute he was back, heading toward the parking lot exit. He stopped at the end, waited until she pulled behind him. He stayed close, using the Hummer as coverage when other cars appeared.
The dam on her memories, which slowly weakened as the night wore on, finally broke. All the things Wayne had put her through vied for top spot on the instant replay reel. Sexual abuse was only a small part of their relationship. Wayne was happiest when he had complete control over her life. He craved her fear and submission like an addict.
What demands would he make on Keandre? A moan forced its way through.
The demon slowed, looked through the window. “I’m fine,” she managed. Or would be, once her son was in her arms again.
He cocked his head, but when she shook her head, he continued on.
A motel sign was in the distance. No confirmation from the demon was needed. It was as if her motherhood sixth sense flared. That was it. Wayne was there. She pressed on the gas and pulled into the parking lot before the demon. She was out of the car by the time he caught up. Within moments she was soaked. When had it started pouring again? Her gaze ran over the two floors.
“He’s here.” She said it as a statement, but the demon nodded.
“Which one?”
Head lifted, he sniffed, pointed with a long claw to the room on the first floor, far right. With a growl, he stepped in that direction. Asjhone put a hand on his arm.
He froze. She did too. Her hand grasped hard-toned muscle covered by scaly, though still soft, skin.
His red gaze focused on her. His breath fell across her face. She swallowed. “I need Sarid. Please.” She raised her voice to be heard over the rain, glanced at the motel again. Her baby boy was within reach. “Thank you for your
help. But, please, I need Sarid now.”
The demon’s stare changed, became more penetrating somehow. She held her breath, not sure what it meant. Was he angry with her?
She braced herself when he moved. But the monster only stepped back. Once. Then twice.
He bent forward at the waist. Once he rose, she realized he’d just bowed to her.
“Thank you,” she whispered, though her words were lost in a boom of thunder.
The change back was just as silent and quick as the initial transformation. Sarid fell to his knees in a puddle and then onto his hands, head hanging. Asjhone sprinted to the trunk of the car. A duffle bag was right where Sarid said it would be.
“Sarid? I have your clothes.”
His back rose and fell quickly under her hand. He didn’t answer her.
She crouched, wiped the rain from her eyes, slid one hand down to his wrist, checking his pulse. Used her other hand to tilt his head up. His pupils were dilated.
He shook his head, dislodging the grip on his face. “It’s always like this. Do not worry.” He rose, wobbled once, before taking clothes out of the bag, which were instantly drenched.
Asjhone moved toward the room the demon pointed to.
Sarid gripped her arm. “Wait. You promised. I go first. You’ll wait here.”
She’d only agreed because Sarid wouldn’t have let her come otherwise. But her son was in there, no one would stop her from going. Before she could open her mouth, Sarid, clad only in sopping wet sweats, was already halfway to the door. Water pummeled his shoulders, dripped down his back. He stumbled again, righted himself, kept on going.
Should she call Cade? Sarid didn’t look like he could handle a fight with a kitten right now. But he was at the door. With one knock, it crashed open and slammed against the wall inside.
Keandre’s cry was music to her ears. “Keandre!”