We continued our path behind the buildings. A demon rounded the corner in front of us, and I zapped him with an Electro Bolt. As we passed between buildings again, I noticed commotion around the flag pole near the far end of the town square. Someone had climbed up the pole. I squinted and careened my head forward until I could make out who it was.
“Shit! That's Creep. He's surrounded!” I started down the alley but was yanked back. “The hell are you doing?” I yelled at Spratlin.
“Look.” Spratlin pointed in the direction of the pole. Jeremy and Ivy were fending off the demons to clear the way for him to slide down. “Let them do their job while we do ours.”
It irritated the piss out of me that he knew me so well. I wanted to run over there and take control of the situation. I couldn't help it—when my friends were in trouble, I would do anything in my power to get them out of trouble. But Spratlin was right. We had to find that Hell Hole. The commotion offered us a distraction.
“Over here,” he whispered from a few feet away.
Decorative shrubs made a border around the outside of the square. There was an opening where it looked like kids from a nearby neighborhood had been cutting through as a shortcut. In the dirt were tracks—demon tracks. We were definitely going the right direction.
About ten yards or so, was a pine forest. Spratlin picked up the pace. I wasn't eager to go traipsing through a forest at night, but choice wasn't on my side that time.
Being a forest full of pine trees, at least there weren't many places with dense thicket to contend with. It was still summer, but there was a layer of pine needles on the ground that dampened the sound. It was eerily quiet.
We padded deeper into the forest. Glancing back, it all looked the same to me. I couldn't help but wonder if we should have brought bread crumbs. “I hope you know your way out of here.”
Spratlin smiled at me. “The big, bad Death Cheater scared of the woods?”
I punched his arm.
“Not funny.”
He must have thought it was because he couldn't stifle his laughter.
“And don't ever call me that again.” Alexa called me that, and I hated her fucking guts. I gave him an eat-shit-or-die look.
“I wandered all over these woods when I was a kid.”
Footsteps that sounded like thuds ran by us to the left.
“This way,” he said.
“If this were a horror movie, I'd be screaming at the TV right about now.”
Why in the world were we going in the direction of the scary noise? Oh, that's right. Because we’re big, bad mages hunting demons. I think Elmer Fudd had the better job.
A Fireball whizzed overhead. It landed on the trunk of a tree and looked like it was about to ignite.
“Shit! Throw a Water Beam at it!”
Spratlin doused the tree in time, but there was a three feet tall burn mark in the trunk of a tree that was probably fifty feet tall. Not good.
The demon threw another Fireball at us, but I blocked it with my Electric Fence. Idiot demon was gonna burn the whole damn forest down. Fighting a Fire Mage or, in this case a demon, with electricity was sorta like fighting fire with fire. So, I had to be smarter and deadlier.
“We need to find that Hell Hole pronto,” Spratlin said.
“You find the Hole. I'll take care of this shithead.” I was already several feet from Spratlin when I said it, so he couldn't have yanked me back if he wanted to.
I ran through the forest dodging stray Fireballs. I could have easily zapped its ass into a hundred gooey pieces, but I wanted to catch the demon and beat the ever-loving shit out of it.
Finally, after jumping over a small downed tree, the demon made a sharp turn to the right through a thick patch of trees. I saw what he was headed toward—the Hell Hole.
Spratlin hadn't taught me any Simple Augmentations for my magic yet, but I had been studying magic books in my downtime at the store. Now was a perfect opportunity to try.
I kept running but closed my eyes to concentrate on my magic as it coursed through me. One nice thing, I learned how to ignore the feeling of fire scratching across my veins as it flowed. I guess like anything, it got easier with practice.
I opened my eyes and flung a string of Electric Wire at the demon—think Scorpion and his rope spear, as I kept the other end attached to me. The demon leapt into the air to dive into the Hell Hole, but my makeshift tether wrapped around its legs. I yanked back hard. I was tempted to yell “Get over here,” but I was too shocked that it worked to be clever.
And who says video games don't offer any value?
Instead, I stomped my foot into the demon’s chest as it writhed in pain. My string of electricity offered a constant burning to its blackish-gray skin, and the more it moved, the worse it got. Demons stunk anyway, but a burnt demon reeked of garbage, death, and Hell.
“No, no! Let me go! I swear I won't hurt you, Blue Devil!”
That was the second time I heard that name tonight, but why was he calling me that?
I dug my heel into its stomach. “What's the Blue Devil, and why do you think it's me?”
The demon gurgled as it tried to speak. Curiosity was my first, and only, mistake. I let up the pressure just a tad on its stomach, and the demon wriggled an arm free. It tried to shoot fire at me again, and I sliced off its hand by turning half my arm into a blade made of lightning.
Whoa. I don't know how I did that, but that was the coolest thing ever!
“My hand!” It growled, “You'll pay for this!”
My arm was still a glowing Lightning Blade, and I turned it side to side admiring it. Then, I looked down at the demon who was cursing at me, and I stuck it right into its chest. All at once, the demon went limp.
“That's for my store window, you demonic asshole!”
A branch snapped behind me. Spratlin stood there staring. He didn't look as impressed at my arm blade as I was. I closed my eyes briefly as I let my magic calm down, and the Lightning Blade dissipated. I stepped off the dead demon and zapped several Electro Bolts at the Hell Hole to obliterate it.
We walked back to the town square in silence. I was afraid to say anything because he looked scared to death at what he had just witnessed, and I didn't want to make the situation worse.
By the time we reached my store, my friends and gamer customers had defeated all the remaining demons and were tending to each other’s wounds.
Gaylin made eye contact with me. She knew something was wrong.
Tony hugged me. “Zee, I owe ya one. Tell ya what, you get free pizza for life. Eh, no pun intended.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at his choice of words. I shook my head, “No way. You’ve got bills to pay, too. I appreciate it, but no thanks.”
“You saved my life. That ain't going unthanked.” He wiped the sweat from his forehead. “How about half-off every order?”
The broken window. The scattered game boxes, discs and paper strewn about. The damaged shelving. At that moment, I should take any break I could get.
I nodded. “Fair enough.”
We all hugged, happy to be in one piece.
“There's just one thing I don't understand,” I said.
“One thing?” asked Gaylin.
I locked eyes with Creep. “How in the hell did you wind up on top of the flag pole?”
He scrunched his face and said, “Long story.”
Everyone laughed. Except for Spratlin. He stood off to the side away from the small crowd. He had become friends with all my friends, so I knew that wasn't the reason. I got the feeling he didn't want to be too close to me right then.
I walked over to him, still keeping some distance between us.
“What's a Blue Devil?”
Spratlin looked at me with worried eyes. “Where'd you hear that?”
“A demon ran by earlier chanting something about a Blue Devil, and then I heard it again from the demon I caught in the woods.”
His jaw clenched several times as he just s
tared at me.
I didn't tell him that the demon had called me the Blue Devil, but something told me he knew.
7
With the cost of running my store, ordering new game stock, and buying a tempered glass window, that five thousand was wearing thin. I needed to find this Kellen guy STAT.
Jeremy and the gang hung around the store with me all night until we could secure the opening. I was exhausted, but being with my friends was a relief. Felt like old times. I was missing a certain someone, though. Normally, Spratlin would have been Mr. Protective and made sure everyone was safe, but he bolted after the crowd left.
After we swept up all the broken glass, we fired up some games and had an all-nighter. We had plenty of pizza and drinks leftover since Tony had just brought the next batch when all hell broke loose on the square.
The next morning, Mr. Tim who owned the hardware store in the square donated tools to help storeowners who needed it. He said he would've come down last night if we had called. I thanked him and paid for the plywood. The guys hung the plywood while I vacuumed one last time. I'm sure there's a joke in there somewhere about how many gamer geeks does it take to hang a sheet of plywood.
Ivy and Gaylin painted huge poster boards that read: We're open for gaming, come on in! They hung the signs outside on the plywood.
“You sure you're okay staying here?” I asked Jeremy.
Jeremy had been living in the apartment upstairs ever since Alexa burned down his house. It could be a few days before the storefront was repaired.
“I'll be fine. I'll cast a ward on the store that will burn anyone who’s up to no good.”
“Let's not get into the business of frying our customers.”
Ivy said, “It would deter shoplifters.”
She had a point, but I didn't need that kind of attention. “Just be careful. And promise me you'll teach me how to perform wards.” I could transform my arm into an electrified blade, but I didn’t know how to make simple protection spells.
Jeremy nodded right as Creep threw his arm around Jeremy’s neck. “If he gets scared, we'll come over and protect him.”
Jeremy pushed Creep off of him. “Says the dude who was chased up the flag pole last night.”
“Ah! Now the truth comes out,” I teased.
Creep threw up his hands. “That thing was crazy. It was slinging garbage, and then it picked up a pile of dog poo and flung it at me! I couldn't get away fast enough.”
We all laughed at Creep’s silliness. For the first time in a long time, I really felt at peace. But I knew it wouldn't last. I needed to find that relic. That other five thousand would be a nice bonus.
Now the question was, where was Spratlin?
Had what he saw in the forest upset him that badly?
Or was it the thing with the Blue Devil?
I decided it was best to keep the Blue Devil tidbit to myself for now.
After I left the store, I went home and took a long nap. My Labrador Retriever, Thunder, hopped up on the bed and nudged my hand. I obliged and gave him a scratch on the head. After I discovered I had magical abilities, I was also able to communicate with my dog. It was kinda annoying, especially since he used to follow me into the bathroom, or stare at me while I dressed. I don’t even want to know what he was thinking.
I found him in an alley near Level Up, the other game store in town. Thunder was thin and malnourished. He didn’t run away when I approached him, so I took him home with me and nursed him back to health. It didn’t take long, and we were best pals. I loved playing fetch with him and taking him for walks. And I quickly learned that he was smart. I taught him how to gently pick up a controller and bring it to me. And depending on the game console I was playing at the time, he could use his paw to push the power button and turn it on for me.
Thunder looked at me with curious eyes when I stopped petting his head. Sometimes I wondered if he could also read my thoughts, or if it was simply his keen canine sense. He always did seem to know when I was struggling with something. I pursed my lips and stared back at him. Perhaps it was time to figure out just how smart he really was.
“What do you know about Hell Holes?”
“All I wanted was a head scratch, not a conversation about the inner workings of magical realms.”
“Don’t play coy with me, Zelig. Don’t think for a second that I’m clueless enough not to expect you know more than you let on.”
I hoped finally calling him by his real name would appeal to his more intellectual side.
Thunder relaxed next to me. I think giving in was simply easier. “M’lady, what is it you’d like to know?”
“Why do these Hell Holes keep popping up around town? A horde of demons almost destroyed the town square last night.”
“I do not know why exactly, but I do know that it usually happens when there is unrest.”
“In Hell?”
“No, at the senior center.”
I liked my dog before he turned into Zelig the smart ass.
“I hear animal control is cracking down on strays.”
His ears twitched. “Yes, m’lady. Unrest in Hell.”
That was better. Seriously, was it too much to ask to have a meaningful conversation with your dog?
“The devil kicking out demons he doesn't like?”
“Something like that.”
Zelig’s vague answers were wearing thin on my nerves. Maybe a change of subject would loosen him up a bit.
“How old are you really?” I asked.
“This body or my true age?”
I assumed that meant that Zelig’s soul was hanging out in a dog’s body until he deemed it necessary to move on to another form.
“I chose this form in hopes that you had a fondness for dogs. Everyone loves dogs, right?”
I figured as much. “In other words, you're an old fart. You've probably seen more than most of us alive today combined. Were you here during the massacre?”
Thunder lowered his head. “I was the son’s pet snake.”
“No shit?”
Well, if that wasn't weird. I now lived with the soul who once belonged to Archmage Laris’ son, who was accidentally turned into an invalid by Ravencrest’s High Wizard.
“So, you're a member of the Blackwood coven,” I stated.
“I'm a Mystic. We don't belong to any one coven. We're free magical beings. Like you.”
“I'm pretty sure free and rogue don't mean the same thing.” I didn't earn my freedom from any coven; I simply denied affiliation. “So, if you're like my familiar, why don't you come with me when I do odd jobs for people?”
“Yes, because hunting cellar demons is such a noble cause.”
I couldn't get mad at him for stating the obvious. “So you did hear me complaining about that.” I patted him on the head. “What about when I go in search of the relic? You could come with me.”
Ding-dong!
I nearly leapt out of bed at the sound of the doorbell.
“Maybe that’s Spratlin,” I said as I ruffled Thunder’s head as I flung the covers off of me. I quickly threw on some torn jeans and a video game tee shirt and padded downstairs.
I hadn't spoken to Spratlin since last night, so I was eager to not only see him but to ask why he left so abruptly. I flung open the door.
My smile turned to a frown, and my magic welled up just under the surface of my palm at the sight of our mystery man. The reaction time of my defensive magic was getting faster.
“Mr. Malek. How’d you-.”
He cut me off with a cold, dry, “I don’t need physical addresses to find someone.”
I relaxed a little against the open door, but I kept my magic at the ready. “That’s funny. Then why did you hire me to find Kellen?”
He gave me a look that said I bested him on that one. “That’s right. I did hire you. And you’ve yet to find my relic, yet you were quick to take the initial payment.”
“I told you. You’re not paying for a retainer. I go once
I’ve done my research.”
Malek stepped closer, narrowing the space between us. I instantly stood up straight and removed my hand from the door. My magic warmed both palms.
“Ms. Adams, I have been very patient with you. Now, I think it’s time for you to honor our agreement. Find Kellen and my relic, or I’ll have to interfere.”
“Your threats don’t scare me.” I stared right back at him. No way I was backing down. I was eager to get him off my front porch, though. “However, I’m looking forward to the other five grand. I’ll find your necklace.”
Malek took a step back to his original spot and straightened his trench coat. “Good. I expect you’ll be heading to the mountains immediately.”
The mountains? I hoped the surprised look on my face wasn't visible. Was it a coincidence that my research pointed me toward Black Ridge Mountains?
Malek stared at my ring. “That looks good on you.”
Did he know what the ring meant? I didn't trust him any farther than I could throw him. “Is that bait to get me to ask what you know about it, or an attempt at luring me into a false sense of security to get me to drop my guard? Either way, I ain't bitin’.”
“Just don't forget what that ring stands for.” Then, Malek turned and made his way down the steps to the walkway.
So, he knew what it was, but did he know who it belonged to?
There was no car in my driveway. For a brief millisecond I wondered how Malek got here. He didn't seem like the taking a stroll type. I pushed the other wicked thought from my mind. Short of him flying in on a broomstick, I didn’t really want to know.
Malek was just about to fade into the darkness when I heard him say, “Next time, it won’t be me who I’ll send to check up on you.”
I quickly stepped inside and bolted the door. Creepy old fucker gave me the willies. When I turned around, Thunder was sitting there. “Have you been there this whole time?”
Thunder nodded. I assume that was what a dog nodding looked like.
“Do you know who that was?”
Rogue Witch (Daughter of Darkness Book 2) Page 4