Vengeance of the Demons

by Rebekah R. Ganiere

  Mephisto swung in a circle and spread his wings, knocking Mason off balance and sending him crashing into a nearby tree.

  “Come on, son, I thought you were going to actually fight.”

  Mason flew from between the branches straight at Mephisto. He let two fireballs fly but Mephisto knocked them away and the fireballs soared toward the spectators. Mason took the advantage from the distraction and planted his feet in Mephisto’s chest sending him sailing across the expanse. He wasted no time, and landed on top of Mephisto and punched him in the face.

  Mephisto grabbed Mason by the wing joint and slammed his fist into it. Mason roared in pain and his wing slacked to the ground.

  Danika lurched forward but William held her back. He whispered in her ear but Danika shook him off. Evan stepped up beside her, but William grabbed her by the arm and dragged her back a couple of feet.

  “What are you doing here?” he demanded.

  “What does it look like I’m doing?”

  “It looks like you’re going to get yourself killed.” He glanced around. “Come on.”

  She pulled away. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll fight to the death to protect this world and the people in it. Believe it or not, not all of us are just out for ourselves. What are you doing here? Don’t you have some women to seduce or something?”

  He growled. “I wish I was, but for some unknown reason I feel the need to be here against my better judgment.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You really are a jackass.”

  His gaze raked over her and he grunted. “And you really are a pain in the ass. Stay close to me.”

  “Why? You gonna protect me?”

  He looked at her in confusion. “I promised Mason I would.”

  A scream of pain pulled both her and William’s attention. Mason had Mephisto pinned on the ground, his teeth latched on to Mephisto’s throat. Mason’s arm bled heavily and Mephisto clawed at Mason’s back, opening deep gashes and splashing blood everywhere.

  William trembled next to her. And all around Vampires and vampyr groaned and stepped forward. Evan backed up as a niggling of fear coursed up her back.

  “What’s going on?” she asked.

  Danika scanned the Vampires and vampyr. “Damn. It’s Mason’s blood. He’s part fae. The blood is enticing to Vampires.”

  The crowd had moved a fraction closer to the wrestling match.

  “Uh… You better get this under control,” said Evan. “Or we are going to have a serious problem.”

  “How?” asked Danika. “There’s thousands of them.”

  A boom shook the ground and everyone seemed to come to their senses as they grabbed on to each other for support. Mephisto had Mason by the throat, slamming him into the ground.

  Roth and the Tracking Squad raced to the front of the group to Danika’s side.

  “Set up a perimeter,” she said. “Don’t let anyone near the fight.”

  “It’s getting tough. The fledglings are barely hanging on back there.”

  Great, the last thing they needed was everyone turning on each other.

  Mephisto punched Mason in the face over and over. Blood splattered the ground. “Do you yield?” he asked.

  Mason’s eyes locked on Danika. She shook her head.

  “I yield,” said Mason.

  Mephisto punched Mason in the face again. “You are not my son,” he bellowed. “My son would never yield. He’d rather die than be defeated. You are a failure. I shall kill you now and replace you tomorrow.”

  Mephisto poised above Mason, talons out ready to strike.

  Danika moved so fast that she was no more than a blur. She sprung at Mephisto, grabbing him by the horns, and yanked his head back. Mephisto yowled in frustration and spun in a circle trying to swat her away.

  “Dammit.” William raced out to help Danika.

  “William!” Evan cried. She raised her gun but Tommy shoved it down.

  “No. You can’t start anything until told.”

  Fear coursed through her veins. She waffled between trying to get off a shot and running to help.

  “Wait,” Tommy urged.

  William grabbed Mephisto by the arm and tried to bring him to the ground as Danika bit down on Mephisto’s neck.

  Mephisto cried out and then threw both Danika and William from his body. “Kill them!” he called. “Kill them all!”

  The demons who’d been waiting for the command sprang into action. Gunfire rang out as Roth commanded everyone to attack.

  Chaos ensued. Vampires ran at Vampires. Demons ran at everyone. Mason staggered to his feet and he attacked Mephisto again. Danika and William tried to help Mason, but did little good. Roth and Riley aimed the missiles she’d brought into the back of the demon horde and fired. They exploded within seconds, spraying bodies in every direction.

  “Reload,” Roth called.

  A thin, slinky looking demon with eyes like pitch advanced on Evan. She ran down the list of demons that Selene had mentioned. Just as he leapt for her, she dropped her gun and grabbed the knife from her boot. She slammed it into one of the demon’s eyes and he screeched in pain before he went silent and fell to the ground in a heap.

  Evan’s heart raced as she shoved the knife back in her boot, picked up her gun, and headed into the fray.

  * * * *

  William jumped on Mephisto’s back in an effort to help Mason. He knew he was no match for the lord of the demons, but memories of Mason saving his life and the time, days, weeks, and months together in the enclave had poured back to him, inciting him to react.

  Between the three of them, they’d barely been able to do more than keep him from killing Mason.

  Mephisto flapped his wings, trying to shake William off.

  “Don’t you know who I am, maggot? You’re no match for me.” Unable to shake William off, he took to the sky, heading straight up. William hung on to the thunderous leathery wings, trying not to slip off. He dug his fingernails deep into Mephisto’s shoulder blades.

  “You think you can take me down, little Begær? You’re not made for war. Come with me, and I’ll show you what your talents are really used for. I see your loyalty to my son. I can use demons like you in my army.”

  Going with Mephisto had plagued William’s thoughts for the last twenty-four hours. But now that the opportunity was presenting itself he couldn’t do it.

  “Tempting, but, no.”

  Mephisto grabbed William off his back and held him out with one hand. “Too bad.”

  The vise grip around William’s throat slipped away and he spiraled downward. His stomach lurched up into his throat as the ground beneath and the ants that moved around on it came closer into view.

  A black flash grew larger and William recognized Mason flying toward him. William reached out, and Mason grasped him by the arms. The two plummeted downward toward the Earth.

  “My wing’s broken,” Mason said. “The landing will be rough.”

  William smiled. “I’ll live.”

  “Get Danika and Evan out of here.”

  William snorted. “I don’t think they’ll listen to me much.”

  Mason tried to right himself but at the last minute, Mephisto grabbed him from behind and pulled on his wings. He let go of William, and William dropped twenty feet to the grass below. He hit the ground with a thud as all the air whooshed out of him, and his leg snapped backward.

  He cried out in pain, his vision blurry, everything in a daze. The sounds of fighting pounded in his ears. He looked up at the sky to see Mephisto and Mason fighting once more.

  “William!” He turned his head to the left but his vision was still blurry. Someone rushed toward him and dropped down beside him.

  “William.” She pushed the hair from his face and caressed his cheek. She pulled him into her arms and her scent filled his nose, soothing him. Amidst the turmoil surrounding them and the pain coursing its way up his leg his gaze focused on her face and memories bombarded him. The first time she’d come to the co
ven house. The night he’d found her in the kitchen talking to Selene. Pulling her from the wrecked car and feeding her his blood. The hotel room where he’d cleaned up her leg. The first time she’d kissed him in the cell at the enclave. Her tending to his wounds and risking her own life for him by jumping in front of the Taser meant for him. Making love to her in the motel. Her feeding him her blood though she’d already done it several times.

  “Evangeline.”

  She searched his face and he smiled up at her.

  “Hey, PITA,” he said.

  She chuckled. “Jackass.”

  He pulled her to him and kissed her soft on the mouth.

  “Really?” asked Danika. “I don’t think this is the place or the time.”

  Evan broke the kiss and William smiled at Danika. “Hey, boss.”

  Tears welled in Danika’s eyes.

  A high-pitched whirling sound came from their right. Evan hopped to her feet and ran at the demon sailing toward them, wings outstretched, his talons and teeth in attack position. She leapt at the beast and climbed on its back, dragging it to the ground. Grabbing a knife from her boot she flipped it in her hand and then sliced the thing’s head clean off. Black blood splattered everywhere. Evan kicked the body off and wiped the knife on the ground.

  “That’s my girl,” said William.

  Another two blasts sounded and shrieks and squeals resounded around the park as more demons fell.

  “Enough!” Mephisto bellowed. He stood with Mason in a chokehold. Danika ran forward, but Mason held up his hand to stop her.

  Evan raced back to William’s side and helped him sit up. The entire park was littered with bodies. Vampires, vampyr, demons.

  “Enough with this child’s play. This world is mine. I’ll give you all this one chance to bow down before me and become my servants, or die.”

  “We will never bow,” yelled Danika.

  “That suits me just fine.”

  A tremble raced over the ground, and across the park, the air shimmered and shook. A bright light started at the size of an apple and steadily grew larger until it was the size of a city bus. Dark figures poured through the opening. One after another, hundreds of tall, thin people marched into the park and at the front were Selene and Neeman.

  “Fae,” Danika whispered.

  Selene strode to Danika and hugged her. Neeman gave Danika a one-armed hug as well.

  “We thought you’d left us,” said Danika.

  Selene clucked her tongue. “My brother should know better.”

  “Why didn’t you tell us?”

  “Because he would’ve tried to stop me.” Selene gave Danika a tight smile and looked to Evan. “You’re back.” Then she looked to William. “You’re better.”

  “That’s what I keep trying to tell them, but they don’t want to hear it.”

  She smiled and then turned to Mephisto.

  “Hello, father.” Selene stepped toward Mephisto with Neeman at her side.

  “Now this one calls me father, yet brings my enemies to my doorstep. What am I to do with such disrespectful children?”

  “Let Mason go,” said Selene.

  “And now you presume to order me about?”

  “Let him go and return home and I’ll let you live.”

  Mephisto chuckled. “You think I’m afraid of you and a pack of self-important element users?”

  “We’ll not let you destroy this world, Mephisto. We didn’t last time, and we won’t this time.” Lorcan walked to the front of the group with a woman at his side that William did not know.

  Mephisto’s brow creased at the sight of her. “Yelena.”

  The woman stepped forward between the two groups. She had long, dark hair and a slender yet svelte body that resembled Selene’s almost to a tee.

  “Hello, husband.”

  Mephisto stared at her. “It’s been a long time.”

  “Very long.”

  “Have you come to fight me as well?”

  “No.” Yelena strode within feet of Mephisto. “I’ve come to go home.”

  “I won’t fall for your tricks again, fae. You took my children from me once before.”

  “I did. Along with my sister Pia. Let the boy go and I’ll give you another son. A hundred sons and a thousand daughters.”

  Mephisto dropped Mason to the ground, grabbed Yelena by the throat, and lifted her.

  “Why should I believe you?”

  “Because I gave all my magick to Selene. I am no more than what you see right now. I couldn’t leave if I wanted to once I’m there.”

  William tried to follow the conversation but didn’t quite understand what was going on.

  “Your offer is tempting, Yelena, but not as tempting as ruling this world. I’m sorry, my love.”

  “Take her offer,” Selene yelled. “I don’t want to have to kill you.”

  Mephisto set Yelena on the grass.

  “Your brother couldn’t even defeat me. What makes you think that you can?”

  “Because I can do this.” Selene swirled her hands together and chanted in an ancient language. A burst of light filled the air and snaked toward Mephisto. It whirled around him like lightning snakes and fastened tight around his middle, clamping his hands down at his sides.

  “Impossible,” he cried. “You can’t bind me. I’m the Lord of Destruction.”

  “And I’m the granddaughter of the High Elder. His magick has been passed on to me.”

  Mephisto struggled against his bonds. His eyes filled with rage. “Kill her!”

  The demons charged and the fae sprang into action.

  Selene turned to the fae, barking orders. Neeman stayed close by her, prepared for anything that might attack.

  “We need to keep Mephisto out of the fight. If we can keep him incapacitated the fae will take care of the rest.” She looked down at William and knelt at his side. She spoke a word he didn’t hear and golden threads shot from her fingers to his leg.

  William cried out. “Damn, that stings.”

  Evan smiled at him, “Don’t be such a baby.”

  “Mason needs you,” Danika urged. Selene nodded and ran toward her brother.

  Danika pointed at William and then to Evan. “You take care of her.” She ran off before they could reply.

  Evan helped William to his feet shakily. “Why do they keep telling you to take care of me when you’re the one who’s hurt?”

  “Because you’re the special one.” He smiled.

  Evan spun in a circle. “Where’s Tommy?” Her voice held a panicked edge.

  “I don’t know.” William tested his weight on his leg. It ached but held. He pulled her by the hand and they headed into the fight. “We’ll get him.”

  All around them fae and Vampires battled with demons. The fae were merciless and their magick wicked powerful. Demons exploded, froze, vaporized, and disappeared at every turn.

  He scanned the group and spotted Eliander fighting a demon. “You find Tommy, I have something I need to do first.”

  Evan nodded and ran off. William headed for the remaining Russian twin who had betrayed Danika. He jumped on Eliander’s back and knocked him to the ground. A demon lunged at Eliander, but William growled at him and the demon backed away.

  He flipped Eliander on his back and stomped on his chest.

  “Please,” Eliander begged. “It was Garon.”

  William pulled Eliander close. “Don’t worry. He’s next.”

  His fangs lengthened, and William ripped Eliander’s throat out, gulping down as much blood as he was able before the flow stopped. When Eliander’s eyes went blank, William tore his head clean off, laughed, and tossed it across the grass.

  He scanned the fight for Garon. Over in the open field Selene and Danika were bent over Mason. A cluster of five demons headed straight for them. William sprinted for the demons.

  “Danika! Selene!” he yelled.

  They turned as the demons reached them. The demons knocked Danika away and she landed at
Mephisto’s feet. Yelena ran forward and helped Danika up. Mephisto twisted in his chains and howled in rage. The chains shimmered and sparked as the demons attacked Selene and Neeman.

  William dove for the closest demon, punching him in the back. The demon spun around, and William kicked him in the face. He fell but flipped back to his feet.

  Magick shot William’s direction, and he ducked out of the way. It hit the demon square in the chest, burning a hole through him.

  A demon slammed Selene to the ground, his hands around her throat. Selene grabbed at him and blue electric arcs snaked up his arms, but her magick seemed to have no effect.

  Neeman sliced the demon he fought in half with a long blade, and then ran to the one pinning down Selene and sliced his head off as well.

  He pulled her to her feet and kissed her. At that moment, the chains that bound Mephisto shattered. He stepped forward and grabbed Yelena around the waist.

  Selene cried out and raised her hands.

  “Stop!” Mephisto commanded. “I’ll kill her.”

  Mason moved beside his sister. “Let her go,” he ordered.

  “Well the only thing missing from this family reunion is Pia and some bloodletting. At least the last part I can help with.”

  Mephisto bit into Yelena’s neck. She screamed and her eyes went wide as he drank deep and then dropped her lifeless to the ground. Selene cried out and then cast a spell to rebind Mephisto.

  She ran to her mother. And Mason jumped on Mephisto, pummeling him to the ground.

  “Mother? Mother!” Selene shook her mother’s ragged form, but Yelena didn’t respond. Selene’s body grew and darkened. A tail split a hole in her pants. She rose from the ground, her eyes glowing like purple embers. Mason continued to punch Mephisto as Selene unleashed her magick upon him.

  Mephisto’s body glowed from the inside out and Mason slammed his fist through Mephisto’s ribcage.

  “For our mothers.” He yanked Mephisto’s beating heart from his chest, and roared into the sky.

  Mephisto’s body spasmed from the onslaught. All around, fighting ceased as everyone gathered to witness the triumph.

  Mason got to his feet, Mephisto’s heart still in his hand, and raised it to the sky, letting out a ground-rattling roar. Then he took the heart and bit into it.