Beyond the Veil

by Brian Rathbone

  * * *

  Following Dardra through the shimmering landscape, Vincent tried to orient himself, but everything looked different. People they passed looked like shadows or bursts of light, and he felt no hint of recognition. As they turned a corner, he was repulsed by a wave of vile energy that radiated from a gathering swarm of demons.

  Dark forms writhed in a twisted mass of evil that surrounded a tall building. High above, a beam of light poured from a window. Like a beacon of hope, it sliced through the darkness. Vincent was blasted by sudden recognition. This was the building where Joan's parents lived. The light came from their window, and now that light shone bright, unobstructed. Kindra was on the balcony.

  Demons clogged the streets, and those with wings filled the air. Distorted cries and howls of anguish assaulted Vincent's courage, but he would not be ruled by fear. The hissing song of his sword sent a rippling shockwave through the forces of darkness.

  "It's good to have you back, Kevriel."

  "I am honored to fight by your side," Vincent said.

  In an instant, battle was joined. A demon with the body of a man but the head of a goat swung a studded mace at Vincent's head, but old instincts returned, and his body moved in ways he had never imagined. His sword moved faster than thought, and the demon fell back. Vincent did not stay to finish off the demon; his only goal was to reach Kindra before it was too late. Dardra moved at his side, her graceful movements and skillful sword strokes helped cut a path before them as they ran.

  At the door stood the wavering form of the doorman, whose aura shown soft white. He looked nervous and anxious, but seemed otherwise unaware of the bull-headed demons that flanked him.

  "Are those yours?" Vincent asked Dardra.

  "Yes."

  Even as she spoke, more demons gathered. Snakelike demons coiled around the legs of their brethren, and smaller, insectlike demons blanketed the flagstone stairway like a seething infection.

  "Not all those too?"

  "They are mine," Dardra said, "and I am weakest against them. We must find a way to break through—"

  There was no more time for speech, as the demons launched a sudden attack. Pain erupted in Vincent's side as he was unable to avoid the sheer number of attacks. Spinning and blocking, he staggered back as the demons landed as many blows as he blocked. His side felt warm and sticky, but he was beyond pain.

  Dardra flashed by, her blade moving so fast, it was nearly invisible; its whistling song was punctuated by ringing impacts and howls of pain. For an instant, the way was clear.

  "Run!" came Dardra's barked command.

  Casting fear and guilt aside, Vincent ran. Demons reached for him and tried to bar his path, but he dodged and spun as he ran. Small demons were crushed under his armored boots, but he could feel the sting of those that remained.

  The fuzzy image of the doorman took a step back, as if he sensed Vincent's desperate approach. Moving with a speed born of primal need, Vincent blasted through the closed door without slowing. The doorman turned and stared at the door that suddenly swung inward, seemingly of its own volition.

  Using Kindra's energy as a beacon, Vincent flowed up the stairs like a swift wind and burst onto the floor where Joan's parents lived. Hovering in front of the door was Malcifious, and he greeted Vincent with a leering grin. From the shadows emerged others, and Vincent shrank away from the sight of them. One looked like a boy he'd bullied in grade school, and he radiated shame; another looked like a girl whose heart he'd broken. Her pain burned through Vincent like a lance. Every lie, every thoughtless word, every shameful moment in Vincent's life stood between him and his daughter.

  "You cannot defeat us, Vincent," Malcifious hissed. "We are a part of you. Join us."

  Shame and remorse drowned out all other thought. You are a coward. You are evil. You are anger and pain. You do not deserve to be loved.

  Something inside Vincent snapped, and he teetered on the brink of the abyss, slowly being drawn into the all-too-familiar darkness. In the distance, someone called his name, and for a brief instant, he was touched by the light. "No," he said. "I will not join you. And my name . . . is Kevriel."

  Malcifious and the other demons recoiled at the sound of his true name, and Kevriel stepped forward with renewed strength and resolve. The demons tried to stand in his way, but they could not hold back his maddened charge. Beyond the door waited more demons, but most were gathered near the door to the master bedroom. Like distant echoes, Kevriel could hear the cries of Joan's parents as they tried desperately to get to Kindra. The mass of demons surrounding the door somehow gathered enough energy to keep the door shut.

  Vincent Pels's demons continued to harry Kevriel, but they had less power over him now. Malcifious came too close, and Kevriel flexed, conveying all his energy into a sword stroke so powerful that it sent the demon hurtling across the room. When Malcifious struck the wall, the impact permeated both sides of the veil; pictures were knocked from the walls, and furniture was tossed aside.

  The demons guarding the bedroom door left their post and turned on Kevriel. No longer held shut, the door flew open, and Joan's parents came out, looking frightened and bewildered. Despite their fear, they seemed determined to get to Kindra. Kevriel saw her, standing on the balcony railing, swaying in the wind. Desperate, he surged toward her. Joan's parents had to retreat as the battle sent their furnishings into the air. Despite his fury, Kevriel was overmatched, and Kindra remained beyond his reach.

  "For Kevriel!" came Dardra's cry, and Kevriel turned to see her fighting her way toward him. "For Tiniatha!"

  Dardra's words and presence bolstered Kevriel's will. "For Kindra!"

  Fighting their way to the balcony, they worked as a team, each weak where the other was strong. Wind gusts threatened to tear Kindra from the balcony railing, and Kevriel cried out to her. Dardra leveled a spinning attack at the last pair of demons standing between him and Kindra. Kevriel charged into the gap. Kindra turned for a moment, as if she sensed his presence, but a dark shape clung to her, its vile lips pressed to her delicate ear.

  Missing one arm and with a shattered wing, Malcifious turned to smile at Kevriel. "So, Vincent, you've come to witness your daughter's death? How very sentimental."

  "You have no power over me, and you have no power over Kindra," Kevriel said, despite the cold fear that clutched his gut. An attack on Malcifious could be enough to send Kindra tumbling over the edge, and Kevriel hesitated, uncertain.

  "Watch her die," Malcifious said with a twisted grin. "Fly, little one," he whispered in Kindra's ear. "One more step, and you can fly."

  "Kindra, no!" Kevriel shouted. "Come down from there!" Kindra remained still, balancing on the balls of her feet, adjusting to the shifts in the wind.

  "One more step, and you can be with Mommy and Daddy," Malcifious coaxed.

  Kevriel roared in anger and charged. Wounded, Malcifious must have known he could not escape Kevriel, for he leaped from Kindra's shoulder and wrapped his barbed tail around her slender throat.

  "Fly!" Malcifious shrieked as he yanked with his tail. Kindra rocked forward on her toes, and Kevriel wrapped his arms around her, trying desperately to pull her back, but she continued to move forward. His arms merely passed through her unsubstantial form.

  "No!" Kevriel cried. "Hold on to me, my dear one. I love you and I'm here for you."

  His words seemed to slow her forward progress, and he thought she might be able to catch her balance, but then she was snatched from his arms. He cried out but then he realized Joan's father had pulled Kindra to safety. The demons receded, their energy spent. Kevriel collapsed to his knees and wept.

  "You fought well," Dardra said from the doorway.

  "I didn't understand. I'm sorry."

  "You're always a stubborn one," she responded with a wry smile, "but I knew you'd come around."

  "I want to see her safe," Kevriel said, and Dardra followed him through the chaotic mess. Joan's parents were already cleaning up, though one o
f them always stayed near Kindra's room. Kevriel slipped into Kindra's room as quietly as he could, as if his movements might wake her.

  Moonlight streamed through the window and illuminated Kindra's innocent face. Kevriel thought he could watch her forever, and he quietly vowed to do just that. A small and peaceful smile came to Kindra's face.

  "Good night, Daddy. I love you."

  Be sure to check out Call of the Herald, Inherited Danger, Dragon Ore and other works by Brian Rathbone.

  You can find more information at BrianRathbone.com.

  Or follow Brian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianrathbone