The Demon Deception

by Mark Harritt

  ----------------------------------------------------

  Darcy woke up. She didn’t know where she was. She heard Ragosh call to her. She sat up, gathered her legs under her, and stood up. She saw the dead figure of Dargonth lying on the ground. Around her, corpses lay scattered. Nothing in the mine was alive but her. The portal still pulsed, though she felt it collapsing.

  Her plans were ruined. She was upset. She just wanted her mother and father back. Hazy memories of her parents disappearing overwhelmed her. She began crying, tears running down her face. If only Daddy hadn’t yelled at her, this never would have happened. She was only a little girl. She didn’t know. Daddy shouldn’t have yelled at her. When Daddy disappeared, Mommy had yelled at her, also.

  She could get them back, though. She knew that. Things had been spoiled here, but she could still get them back. She knew it, because the voice told her she could. She walked forward, towards the portal. She stopped at the edge, and held her hand out.

  ----------------------------------------------------

  Sam had the accelerator all the way to the floor. Lazarus looked over at the speedometer. It was jumping between sixty and eighty miles an hour. He just hoped that Sam would be able to thread the eye of the needle when they hit the portal.

  He looked ahead, “What the hell?”

  Sam nodded, “I see it, too.”

  There was a lone figure standing at the portal. Lazarus wasn’t sure, but he thought it was Darcy. She had one hand up.

  “What do I do?” Sam asked.

  “What do you think you do? If she doesn’t get out of the way, you run her over!” Lilith screamed.

  Sam glanced over at Lazarus. Lazarus nodded.

  Something caught the corner of Lazarus’ eye as it flew past the van. It glinted as it flew.

  “What the hell was that?” Lilith asked.

  Lazarus knew what it was. It was the jewel that they had seen in the center of the behemoth’s chest. He had a very bad feeling about what was going to happen next. The jewel flew until it hit Darcy’s hand. They weren’t too far behind it. They were so close to getting through. Then disaster struck.

  Darcy stepped back from the portal, and it slammed shut with a violence that sent a visible shock wave through the air. The shock wave hit the van, and Sam had to stand on the brakes to keep from hitting what was now a solid wall of stone in front of them. He twisted the steering wheel to avoid the rock wall. The van turned sideways and slid to a stop, tipping and almost turning over. The side of the van touched the stone and the van fell back down on all four tires.

  They were alive, but just barely. Lazarus cursed. Lilith cursed. Sam’s broken heart showed plainly on his face.

  Lazarus looked at Sam, “Darcy, queen of demons,” He paused, “I didn’t see that coming.”

  Lilith folded her arms across her chest. In her pique, she said, “You should have let me kill her.”

  Sam growled.

  ----------------------------------------------------

  The van was still sitting next to the rock face. They had a fire burning between the van and the rock wall. Lilith was sitting in the side door of the van, holding her hands out to catch the heat of the fire. Sam and Lazarus had pulled out camp chairs to sit on. The remnants of ammunition boxes had been splintered to feed the fire. Sam was making coffee in three army surplus canteen cups. Water was boiling in the cups, and Sam was using a handkerchief to dip coffee into the cups and steep it. Lilith was chewing gum from an MRE meal. Strange stars in an unknown sky flickered above them.

  “And you guys were upset that I had to stop at the Bisbee Coffee Company.”

  Sam spoke, “In retrospect, I believe that may have been a good decision on your part, Eli.”

  “Oooh, a three syllable word. Watch it, you might hurt yourself, Sam.”

  Sam scowled at Lilith, “You may be immortal on the other side of the portal, but I wonder what would happen if you were killed on this side.”

  “Do you think you have the juice to try, Baby?” she purred.

  Lazarus held up the palm of a hand towards each of them, to calm down the interaction between the two. “Now, I think we may want to pool our resources, not divide them. We still have to figure out how to get back to our own world,” Lazarus interjected. “Probably best if we waited to kill each other until we get back.”

  Sam settled back to making coffee, a growl welling up from deep in his chest, frustration from not being able to deliver destruction to Lilith.

  Lilith had her legs crossed, the suspended foot kicking out a tempo that matched her jaw as she chewed her gum.

  “So, Eli, that lightening we saw shooting across the field as we fought that demon horde. Who do you think that was?” Sam asked.

  Lazarus shrugged, “Not sure. Whatever it was saved our bacon back there. The M60 and the hand grenades were taking out a chunk, but they were still going to take us down before we could hit that gigantic tub of lard with the missiles.”

  A voice boomed from the darkness surrounding the van, “And you were lucky in your choice of weapons.”

  Fire blazed up around Lilith’s hands. Sam pulled his pistol and aimed in the general direction of the voice. Twin swords appeared in Lazarus’ hands, and he twisted around, standing as he shifted, to meet whatever fate was behind him.

  “Don’t worry, if I wanted to kill you, I think I would have done it without alerting you first.”

  “Who are you?” Lazarus asked.

  “I believe you stated it as me being the one who saved your bacon.”

  Lazarus lowered his swords. Lilith dialed back the hellfire. Sam pointed his pistol down towards the dirt. None of them relaxed completely, though. They thought they had killed all the aliens after the portal closed, but you never know.

  “Do you mind if I approach the fire? Or are you going to let me stand out here in the cold all night?”

  “Sure, come on in. Just please don’t do anything that might be viewed as provocative. I’d hate to have to kill you before you introduce yourself.”

  “Ah, you always were jumpy, Eli.”

  A figure walked forward into the light. Lazarus recognized him. Lilith figured it out pretty quickly as well. Sam didn’t have a clue though, “Eli, how does he know your name?”

  The figure’s secrets gave way to the light of the fire. Medium height in the modern world, he would have seemed much taller in antiquity. A nimbus of wild, gray hair surrounded his head. The long beard looked like it hadn’t seen a comb in quite some time. Bluish-gray eyes took in the scene before him. It was a kindly face, but Lazarus knew that face could turn into a terrifying visage in battle. A long sword was strapped to the left side of his body. Over his robes, he wore leather armor.

  The man walked forward, “How are you, Eli?” He turned to Lilith, “And you Lilith? I must say I’m very surprised to see you both in such a cordial setting. Usually, you’re set on killing each other.”

  The man turned towards Sam, “Good Lord, this one is a veritable giant among men. Is he human? Or is he one of the Titans of old?”

  Sam looked at Eli, confused.

  Lazarus did the introductions, “Sam, this is Aurelius Ambrosius, also known as Myrddin Wyllt. Or, as you would know his more modern name, Merlin.”

  Sam’s jaw would have hit the ground if it wasn’t attached to his head.

  “Myrddin, this is my young friend, Sam Diabo.”

  Myrddin stepped forward and pointed at the cups on the fire, “Is there any way I might be able to sample some of that brew? It smells very good.”

  Sam nodded, “yeah, sure, you can have my cup.” He proceeded to show Myrddin how to hold the handle of the canteen cup so that he could drink.

  “This is very good,” Myrddin said, after taking a sip.

  Lazarus nodded, “Yeah, it’s the modern world’s biggest addiction. Billions of people worldwide need a cup or two to start their day.”

  Sam passed the other two cups to Lazarus and Lilith, and beg
an making another one for himself.

  “So, Myrddin, what brings you here?” Lilith asked. She flashed her smile at him. She leaned forward, the fabric of her t-shirt straining.

  Myrddin noticed and appreciated her efforts, “Well, demon witch, I’m here because of that.” He hooked a thumb back at the monstrous carcass behind him.

  The pieces fell together for Sam, “Oh, you were the one using the lightening against the horde.

  Myrddin nodded, “yes, I was. I could use the magic against the horde, but it would have done no good against their master.”

  “Why not?” Lazarus asked.

  Myrddin pointed in a circular fashion at his own chest, describing a pattern, “You saw all of those whorled lines around the body of the great beast?”

  They all nodded.

  “Well, that was protective magic to ward off destructive spells directed at the great beast.” Myrddin took another drink of the coffee, “You were very lucky to have such destructive arrows. I don’t think Ragosh even thought that he could be attacked in such a way.”

  “Well, we’re just happy that we killed,” Lazarus paused, thinking, “what was it you called it, Ragosh?”

  Myrddin chuckled, “Well, I didn’t say that, exactly.”

  Lazarus was perplexed, as were Lilith and Sam.

  “What do you mean? Its carcass is sitting right over there. I know we killed it. We saw it die.” Lazarus asked.

  Myrddin shook his head, “No, you didn’t kill Ragosh. Ragosh is still very much alive. All you did was kill the body that Ragosh was wearing; in fact, had been wearing for a very, long time. That big carcass isn’t Ragosh. Ragosh was the jewel that was sitting in the middle of the monster’s chest.”

  “You mean the jewel that flew through the air and Darcy grabbed right before the portal closed?”

  “Oh, is that the woman’s name? Yes, the jewel that Darcy grabbed.”

  Lazarus slapped his forehead, “Oh, good God, I am such a twit.”

  Myrddin nodded, “Yes,” he took a sip of coffee, and smacked his lips, “You are. Plus, not only did you not keep Ragosh from entering your dimension, but you completely spoiled my plans on getting back home.”

  Curses flowed from all three.

  Myrddin finished the dregs of his coffee, “Exactly.”

  ----------------------------------------------------

  They finished the coffee. It was a long day, and it was time to rack out. Lilith yawned, stretched for the benefit of the men, and stood up.

  She stared at Lazarus, “Time for some sleep.”

  Lazarus watched her as she turned and walked around to the back of the van. His pulse was pounding. She stopped, and bent down to do something with her shoe. Lazarus was staring at a perfect heart shape. Her jeans were pulled down just far enough so that he could see the back triangle of the thong that she was wearing.

  “Penny for your thoughts, Eli?” Sam asked.

  Lazarus kept staring, “I’m wondering if sex with a demonic succubus is a venial sin, if you’re already married to her, and you aren’t in the same dimension as the one who has to forgive your sins.” He stood up, and walked towards where Lilith had disappeared.

  “Ah, Eli, are you sure that’s a good idea?” Sam asked.

  Lazarus shrugged and kept walking.

  She was waiting for him at the back of the van. He walked to her, slowly. She leaned against the van, waiting, hands behind her. He put his hands on her waist, and looked deeply into her eyes. He leaned forward, and whispered in her ear, “Thank you, I got your message.”

  She smiled, then leaned forward to nibble on his ear lobe, “What message was that?” She leaned back. Her face betrayed nothing, but there was amusement in her eyes.

  He leaned forward again, and kissed her at the juncture of her jaw and neck, “Your warning.”

  Her head arched back so that he could access more of her neck. He kept kissing the soft skin. She moaned as he continued. Her tongue snaked into his ear, then she whispered again, “I gave you a warning?” He leaned back to see her sardonic smile.

  She wasn’t going to give it up, still playing her part.

  “About Darcy, about the sacrifice. If you hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known.”

  The kisses continued as they enjoyed the physical contact, the sensual sensations.

  “I guess I just underestimated you,” she teased.

  Their hands roamed each other’s body as their hearts beat faster.

  “I think I appreciate the constraints that bind you.”

  “Well, a girl can’t be too careful,” she pulled his shirt out of his pants so that she could run her hands over his skin. “I never know who’s watching, or who they work for. His spies are Legion. I had to promise him you, to persuade him to let me work with you.” Her fingers dipped inside of his belt. She nipped at his ear again, playfully, but with purpose. She came clean with him, “There’s something else in play. I have to be careful. You’re lucky I still need your help.”

  “You’re organization, or mine?”

  “I’m not sure yet. Maybe neither.”

  He pulled back, watching her face, “If neither of our organizations, then who?”

  She shook her head, “Better not to say right now. I have suspicions, but nothing concrete. There are,” she hesitated, “other possibilities. Ancient possibilities.”

  “What possibilities?”

  She shook her head again, but she shared one more thing with him, “I didn’t do that to Darcy. Someone else had touched her mind. She was already like that when I found her. Somebody else made the connection between Darcy and Ragosh.”

  Her reticence intrigued him, as did the identity of others. The new information about Darcy was intriguing as well. Her expression was serious. He didn’t push her for more information. He would have to draw the information from her slowly, and wait until she was ready to spill.

  “Thanks anyway.”

  “My pleasure,” she answered.

  “Not yet, but it’s going to be.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked, the seriousness gone, a smile on her face.

  “I mean, we have to make this look very realistic. You never know who’s watching,” he replied. “His spies could be everywhere.”

  “Are you sure about this, Eli?” she asked.

  He shook his head, “No. What about you?”

  She lightly kissed his lips, signifying more than simple passion, something deeper. She brought both hands up to rub the back of his neck.

  “I can’t change, Eli. I am who I am. You know who I work for.”

  He nodded, “I know.”

  “What about them?”

  “Them who?”

  “You know, your bosses.”

  “They’ll understand. I’m doing this to protect my source. It’s business.”

  She giggled. He kissed her smile. It was a deep, lingering kiss. He didn’t rush. He wanted to enjoy it. She tasted sweet. Even with all of the hellfire and death, she still smelled like strawberries.

  At first, she didn’t respond. Then she returned his kiss. She spread her lips, and her tongue darted forward. The kiss was deep, warm. He shifted his hands, and his arms went around her waist. He pulled her to him with a strength that surprised her.

  Her hands pulled against his neck, insistent as they grew more eager. A moan sounded, and neither one knew who it was from.

  Lazarus pulled away from the kiss, panting.

  Lilith looked at him, “What?”

  He motioned for her to be patient. He leaned into the van. He rummaged around, and pulled out two sleeping bags.

  She smiled, “Naughty boy.”

  He grabbed her hand, and led her into the dark, away from the van. He spread the sleeping bags on the ground, then turned back to her.

  They melted into each other. Buttons popped and flew as they eagerly stripped each other out of their clothes. They held each other up, giggling as they propped each other up to untie and take boots
off. The rest of the clothes came off next. There was nothing between them now. He walked to her, and held her close. They kissed, and explored. His body responded to her. Lazarus picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around him. Slowly, he lowered her to the sleeping bags.

  Much later, when they had finished, he looked at her, “Truce.”

  Her laughter burst out, echoing off of the rock face, “Sure, truce. For now.”

  ----------------------------------------------------

  On the other side of the van, Myrddin had taken Lilith’s seat in the door, “Now that, is one incredibly complicated relationship.”

  Sam nodded, “You have no idea. It’s like Ike and Tina Turner, only Lilith is Ike, and Eli is Tina.”

  “Who’s Ike and Tina Turner?” Myrddin asked.

  They heard the moans start. It was going to be a long night. Sam sighed, and thought about Darcy. Talk about your complicated relationships. The moans grew louder. Sam looked out into the darkness.

  “If the van’s a rockin, don’t bother knockin’,” he said.

  “What’s a van?” Myrddin asked.

  Sam sighed again.

  ----------------------------------------------------

  Epilogue - A New Player in Town

  Major Hartman didn’t know what to do. She had no more targets to engage, the floor of the pit was covered in bestial, foul corpses, and Eli had disappeared through an interdimensional hole. The only target left was the young woman that Eli and Sam had arrived with. Hartman and her team watched Darcy through their telescopes.

  “What do you want to do?” Shai Chayat, the Israeli soldier asked her.

  Hartman shook her head, “I don’t think there’s anything else we can do right now. I don’t know what happened to Eli.”

  Master Sergeant Patterson, Marines, Force Recon asked, “What about the girl down there?”

  “She seems harmless. She’s not doing anything. Eli didn’t say anything about her. He just told me that if they had on a vest like his, we don’t engage.”