The Demon Beside Me

by Nelson, Christopher

  “Whatever you want to do, dear.” She glared at me. “All right. Get a drink, use the bathroom, we’re out of here in ten minutes or less.”

  Tink walked straight for the bathroom, stiff-arming Caleb out of the way. He shrugged and leaned against the wall. Hikari grabbed my arm and pulled me into the kitchen. I winced, ready for her to begin shouting at me. Instead, she simply threw her arms around me. “I hate this,” she said against my chest. “I thought all of this was over once you opened the Gates of Purgatory.”

  “I did too,” I said, putting my arms around her. “Sorry.”

  She sighed and pushed away. “And here you go, off again with Anna and Caleb. I wonder if you’ll come back this time.”

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  She spun around and walked to the sink. “I’ll take care of Victor, buy you some more time. I bet I can get him to help fix the door.”

  “Don’t take any risks,” I said. “Won’t you use magic, though?”

  “Do you think he realizes that yet?” She chuckled and held her right hand up over her shoulder, palm toward me. She had scratched an unfamiliar rune on her skin. “I can be subtle, you know. Won’t give you a lot of time, but should be fine for you to get there before him.”

  “Why won’t you come with us?” I asked.

  She turned to face me. Not a trace of a smile crossed her face as she spoke. “I don’t want to watch you and Anna.”

  “I’ve told you-”

  “I don’t care what you’ve told me. I believe my eyes more than whatever you say.”

  “Ever heard of optical illusions?”

  Her expression softened with a small smile. “You’re too nice for your own good, Zay. Sometimes that hurts most of all.”

  “What do you mean-”

  “Shut up and get out of here.”

  There was no arguing with her when she was in one of her moods. I walked out of the kitchen and saw Tink crouched in the living room, looking at the door lying flat on the ground. She looked up as she saw me and frowned, then beckoned me closer. I crouched down on the other side of the door and frowned back at her.

  “She’s still jealous?” Tink asked, voice barely audible.

  I nodded. “She’s convinced we’ve got something going on the side.”

  “She’s an idiot.”

  “She’s jealous of our connection.” I rose to my feet and grabbed my keys.

  “Maybe she should contract with you too.”

  “Is that possible? More to the point, would you let her?”

  Tink smirked, but didn’t respond. The bathroom door opened with a creak and Caleb stepped out. “Ready.”

  “Let’s go.” I led the way out to the parking lot behind the building. Tink split from us at the guest parking area to get something out of her car, and Caleb followed me to my car. “How does she afford cars like that?” I asked. “That’s the third sporty car I’ve seen this year.”

  Caleb chuckled as he got into the back seat of my old Cavalier. “She isn’t one to worry about money.”

  “What does she do?”

  “If she hasn’t told you, I’m not about to.”

  “I bet it’s something questionable.”

  “Not telling.”

  “What aren’t you telling?” Tink flopped into the passenger seat and scowled over her shoulder at Caleb.

  “About your day job.”

  “Oh, that. A girl’s got to have a few secrets.”

  I pulled out of the parking lot, heading vaguely north and out of the city. “That aside, I’ve got a whole list of other questions I’d like answers to.”

  “Victor’s ranked as an Archangel, and he’s the son of someone who died under my command during the War. He’s had a long time to build up resentment toward me. I haven’t seen him in around a hundred years, but I know he turned into a gopher for the Cherubim. Be careful of him, Zay. Anyone who’s spent enough time around the Cherubim or Seraphim is going to hate you as a matter of principle.”

  I digested that for a moment. “You’re answering questions I haven’t even asked.”

  “I guessed that.”

  “How did he get to my apartment so quickly?”

  “There’s a sigil in your building.”

  “A what?”

  He sighed. “I’m not supposed to tell you about it, but it’s not much of a secret anymore. The Choir wanted to keep an eye on you, make sure you didn’t turn into a threat. They made a sacrifice in order to create a limited portal between two locations, similar to your summoning circles, but not requiring someone on both sides.”

  “Sacrificed what?”

  “Purity.”

  “What the hell, Caleb?” I flinched and nearly sideswiped someone in the lane next to me. “Were they looking to blow the building up if I slipped and cut myself?”

  “Watch your driving, demon!”

  “They put it somewhere you’d never reasonably go.”

  “Not going to tell me where?”

  “Don’t know.”

  I sighed. “So they’re going to kill me?”

  “You sound surprised.” He laughed at the look I gave him. “Think about it, Zay. Obviously, they’re going to try to kill you. You own our ancestral home now, at least on some level. Humans have wars over such things.”

  “I thought maybe you angels would be more enlightened.”

  He sniffed. “Maybe, but this is something primal, and you know it.”

  “I know.” I drove on in silence for some time. The Choir was now truly homeless, thanks to me. While it was meaningless now, if I lived through the next three Horsemen, the Gates of Ascension would open and returning home would only be under whatever conditions I decided to set. Killing me, on the other hand, would allow them to retake their home, and give command of the other three Horsemen to Caleb. The Choir could put pressure on him. Without me around, he wouldn’t have much reason to resist calls to wipe out the Host. Tink wouldn’t discourage him. The Host would have to act to kill him, and then probably kill her as well. “Shit. I really need to stay alive here.”

  “More than normal?”

  “That’s the demon’s standard mode of operation. Self-preservation at all costs,” Tink said. “He does surprise me from time to time, though.”

  “If I die, you two are next.”

  “I know.” Caleb stretched, pushing his hands against the roof of my car. “That’s a major reason why I’m standing between you and my own kind. I like staying alive too, you know. Besides, I think we can come up with a solution that keeps us all alive.”

  I took a turn and shifted over into the left lane, passing the few other drivers on the road at this hour. “Something other than hiding for the next year or so?”

  “I’d prefer something that doesn’t involve hiding, yes. Don't you remember hiding in that safe house while Azriphel and his goons tried to hunt us down? That was the longest week of my life, and I’ve lived a long time, Zay.”

  “We could always just bring down the Choir. Put you in charge, right?”

  Caleb gave me a look of abject horror. “No way. I have no desire to be in charge of anything.”

  I chuckled, but my phone rang before I could follow up. I fished it out of my pocket, glanced at the incoming call, and then handed it to Tink. “It’s Hikari.”

  She took the phone and hit the speaker. “Hikari?”

  “Anna? Where’s Zay?”

  “Driving,” I said. “But here.”

  “Victor’s been here and gone already.”

  “What?” Caleb and I spoke at the same time. Without prompting, I stepped on the gas and started speeding in earnest. Caleb grabbed my phone out of Tink’s hand, prompting a muffled curse. “What did he say to you?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know, Caleb!” Her frustration made the speaker crackle. “He came in, didn’t say a thing. I didn’t get a chance to say anything to him. He just looked at me and then walked o
ut.”

  “He didn’t say anything?”

  “Not a word.”

  “Were his eyes golden or normal?” I asked.

  “Golden. Why?”

  “I’m going to kill him,” I said. “I’ve had it. I don’t care what he calls me, but the way he’s treating Hikari? Caleb, I’m going to kill him.”

  “What are you talking about?” she asked.

  “He thinks Victor pulled the thoughts right out of your head,” Caleb said. “I think he’s probably right. Did you notice a time discontinuity?”

  “A what?”

  “Never mind. We’re speeding to First Rev. Can you call Jase and let him know we’re on the way? Ten minutes or so. Thanks, Hikari.” Caleb hung up without waiting for the response and sighed. “I didn’t think he’d do something like that. You’ve got my support if you want to kill him.”

  “I try not to be one of those guys who threaten bodily harm over imagined insults to their girlfriend,” I said. “But pulling thoughts out of her head like that? That’s almost mind rape, Caleb. Granted, I’m sure it wasn’t invasive, since he probably just scooped her surface thoughts, but there’s still a limit to what you can do. Doesn’t the Choir have some standards regarding what you can do to humans?”

  “No. Just like the Host.”

  I let a smile twist my face. “Point taken. Maybe you and I should do something about it, then.”

  “I suspect no one will listen to us.”

  “We’ll just have to make them.”

  “Concentrate on one problem at a time, Zay. Drive faster. Victor’s probably already in flight, and I’m sure he knows where to go.”

  “I’ll make sure the cops look elsewhere,” Tink said, drawing a rune on her palm.

  I stomped the gas and the engine hitched slightly as gears shifted. It brought back uncomfortable memories of two years back, fleeing from angry demons with a car that had decided to start dying at that precise moment. In retrospect, I suspected sabotage, but all that was left of that car was a burned patch of asphalt. I couldn’t pin anything on House Lucifer, and Azriphel was still missing, presumed dead.

  After the fallout, the High Prince of House Lucifer had been deposed and they were still squabbling over who would rise. Two major factions had risen and neither was willing to compromise. If Azriphel were around, he’d probably have been able to throw enough weight around to force one side or the other to win. While I didn’t want the asshole to come back from the dead, I did wish there was someone there to hold that House together. The last thing we needed was for Lucifer to collapse when we needed a united front to keep the Choir from our throats.

  This was the time for the united front, too, thanks to me. Caleb standing against his own people wouldn’t last forever. While he did want to preserve his own life, and the best way to do that would be to keep me alive, he’d be risking his own life if the Choir wanted to push. There had to be another solution that wouldn’t involve either one of us turning against the other.

  “Zay, turn!” I spun the wheel reflexively and barely missed the sign for First Revelation. My headlights revealed a single car in the lot and a figure sitting on the steps. I parked and got out, Tink walking at my side. Caleb followed, his footsteps slow.

  “Good evening, Zay.” Jase got to his feet as well, offering his hand. I shook his hand and the old man gave me a grin that belied his age. “Haven’t seen you in some time. How are you and Hikari?”

  “We’re fine,” I said. “When she isn’t angry at me over something, at least.”

  “Which means they aren’t fine at all,” Tink said.

  “That’s not quite true,” I said. “But close.”

  “I will pray for you,” Jase said. “She gave me a brief rundown of the situation when she called. Is it true that you are the Lord of Heaven now, Zay?”

  “Somewhat unintentionally,” I said. “But yes. Now I have an angry angel chasing me, wanting to kill me and take it back. Let’s just say I’m not willing to roll over and die at this point.”

  Caleb cleared his throat. “Victor.”

  I spun and saw the aforementioned Archangel glide down from the sky, golden wings folding as his feet touched the ground. The golden light surrounding him dimmed as he landed, but didn’t fade completely. “Caleb. Have you reconsidered your loyalties?”

  “I’m afraid not. So, did the Cherubim actually give you new orders so quickly, or are you simply here to try again?”

  Victor held out a piece of paper. “I have been ordered to escort the halfbreed to judgment before the Cherubim. Under terms of the Pact, Heaven is the jurisdiction of the Choir, and therefore we may take action if a demon interferes. Do you argue that point, Caleb?”

  I turned to look at Caleb. If he reacted poorly, running like hell might be my best option. He smiled as his sword shimmered and appeared in his hands. He walked to the base of the stairs and planted the sword, point down, in front of him. “I don’t argue the point, Victor,” he said. “The jurisdiction is fair, even. However, there’s one thing I don’t agree with. You’re to bring him somewhere, right?”

  “To bring him before the Cherubim for judgment, yes.”

  “Where?”

  Victor’s eyes widened slightly. “To neutral ground.”

  “Are the rest of us invited?”

  “I am ordered to bring him there alone.”

  “Alone.” Caleb laughed. “And will he survive the trip, Victor? Haven’t you been ordered to make sure he perishes before the Cherubim have to get their hands dirty?”

  “I am under no such orders,” Victor snapped. “I am to escort him. I am not privy to what the Cherubim will decide to do to him afterwards.”

  “So you’re going to escort me to my death,” I said. “But it’s ok, since you’re not actually going to kill me yourself, just going to bring me there. Is that right?”

  Victor’s gaze flickered to me. “I could not care less about your eventual fate, halfbreed. I am to bring you there. If you resist, I will drag you there. If you force me to, I will kill you and bring your body there.”

  I snorted. “You and what army?” The angel said nothing, but his scimitars flickered into his hands. “No. Go back to your masters,” I said. “Tell them that the Lord of Heaven is more than willing to discuss terms with them at a site of my choosing. I will not go quietly to my own death. Tell them that, servant.”

  “I am no servant of yours!” His body language shifted, a beast ready to pounce. I stood my ground, knowing that Caleb would cover me. “You have one more chance. Come with me, halfbreed, or I will bring you with force.”

  “Expendable fool,” I said. “You know you’re just a pawn that the Cherubim are willing to sacrifice. You’re going to die if you try it. We won’t pull any punches.”

  “Jase,” Caleb called out. “Grant sanctuary to Zay and Anna. I will take care of this miscreant.”

  The pastor stepped down beside Caleb. “No.”

  “What?” Caleb turned to face his pastor. “Why not?”

  Jase pointed at Victor. “His jurisdiction is valid, as you yourself said. Zay brought this upon himself by his rash actions. There is no assurance that the Cherubim will kill him. I am unsure why you believe that yourself, Caleb.”

  “They do not tolerate demons at all, Jase! I know my own people. They’ll kill him for merely looking upon them.”

  “Is that true, Victor?”

  The archangel bowed slightly. “The Cherubim do slay demons that have the temerity to gaze upon then. However, they have never met a halfbreed.”

  “Will they act differently toward a halfbreed?”

  “I cannot guess at how they will react, nor is it my place to do so.”

  Jase shrugged and sighed. “I cannot in good conscience allow you to hide from justice, Zay. While you and Caleb may be worried, there is no assurance that they will slay you out of hand. They do have a legitimate concern.”

  I watched Victor smile. “You’re going to get me killed, Jase.�
�

  “I will not let you abuse this sanctuary, Zay,” he said. “You’ve done it in the past. I won’t risk it again. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m sorry too,” I said. Tink stood next to me now, her knife already in her hands. “Well, Victor, up to you. You want to be the one to start the war?”

  “You already have,” he said, pointing one sword at me. “Last chance, halfbreed. Come with me or I will take you by force.”

  “Bring them here,” I said. “I’m willing to be reasonable, but you have to be as well.”

  “There is no reasoning with a demon.” He crouched, and then sprung.

  Chapter Three

  * * *

  Victor wasn’t terribly fast. I could have dodged him. I stood still and before he even came close, Caleb stepped in and slammed his shield into Victor’s side, rather than doing something as simple as blocking the attack. The strike would have killed a human, splintering all of the ribs on that side of his chest. Victor flew through the air, hit the ground, rolled a few times, and then jumped to his feet. He coughed and swept his swords around into high and low guards. “Caleb, if you hit me again-”

  Caleb didn’t give him a chance to finish. He bulled in, shield held low and sword held back. Victor stepped in to meet him, an obvious low feint to glance off the shield, his other hand whipping horizontally at eye level, looking to blind or incapacitate his opponent. Caleb sidestepped, putting himself just off the axis of Victor’s assault, then thrust his shield forward. Victor staggered again.

  “Twenty bucks says Caleb in three minutes,” Tink said.

  “Five minutes. I think Victor’s holding back,” I said.

  “You’re betting on the winner?” Jase asked.

  “No, we both know that Caleb’s going to win. We’re betting on how long it takes. You in?”

  “Gambling on church grounds? I don’t think that’s quite right.” Jase’s tone was disapproving. I looked at him and frowned. Hanging out with Kibs over the past couple of years had loosened him up, but right now, he seemed oddly humorless.

  “Your lack of faith in your deacon is disturbing,” Tink said, cleaning her fingernails with her knife. “Seriously, Jase, you’re being a jackass here. You know what the Choir is like. They’d smear this demon into a fine green paste without a second thought.”