Adelaide Upset

by Penny Greenhorn

  I didn’t have a thought to spare on the matter, I was too busy, hurrying to get Bill/Raulriechmydl in place before Lars or one of his men responded to Francesca’s call.

  Having once worked at the Crowne, I was familiar with its layout. The demon waited outside the back entrance while I went in through the lobby. I didn’t spare a glance at the front desk, walking casually toward the elevators as if I belonged absolutely. I could hear the young clerk talking as I passed, probably to Francesca, too occupied to pay me much mind. So far so good. I swept pass the elevators, rounding the corner where I quietly waited.

  It took longer than I thought, a few minutes at least, before the elevator dinged open. I paused for a heartbeat and then leaned over to peer down the hall. It was the two men from before, Lars’ despicable minions, their burly backs moving away as they made for the exit.

  That was my cue to run along down the hall, into the building’s bowels, a land of laundry and cleaning supplies. Shoving through the back door I saw the demon, he was using Bill’s hands to caress the brick exterior.

  “Come on,” I said, waving him inside. “We don’t have much time.”

  The service elevators were large, meant for carts and staff. They were tucked discreetly along the back of the building, unseen by guests. As we rode to the top floor, I barely gave getting caught a second thought, knowing the hotel’s employees were all gone home.

  “Knock and say ‘housekeeping,’” I said, prepping the demon. “They’ll probably tell you to go away, but explain that the cooling unit is acting up and you need to make an adjustment to their thermostat.”

  He didn’t respond to my directions, seeming dreamy and lost as he trailed swirls along the elevator’s smooth, reflective interior.

  “And stand close to the door,” I added. If they looked out the peephole and saw him wearing a hospital gown and slippers, well, they might be a tad suspicious.

  The elevator stopped, and I could tell the demon enjoyed the gentle sway it gave us. His emotions only seemed to come through when he was wearing human skin, otherwise nada.

  He followed me out, staying a pace behind as I rushed along the hall. The main elevator was halfway down, tucked in a little inlet, the stairs beside it. I stopped there, where I wouldn’t be seen, hoping Lars’ men didn’t return too soon.

  “Okay,” I said, feeling nervous. He probably could’ve figured it out for himself, but I told him, “It’s the last door down on the left.” The demon started to move, his thin gown swaying open behind him. I cringed, disgusted for so many reason. “Oh, and try not to kill anybody,” I whispered at his back.

  This was it, the real reason why I needed the demon’s help. Not only was he capable of sensing the diary, but he could face Lars too. Frankly, I was too scared to do it. And above all I didn’t want Lars to know I was in any way involved.

  The demon reached the suite and knocked. I heard Bill’s voice, wordless and indistinct. I breathlessly waited, watching as the door swung in, the demon pushing through. There was a commotion, but I couldn’t catch much, just the sound of something breaking followed by a shout.

  I freaked out then, the onset of a panic attack at what happened next. Lars exited the room, dark and dapper in a suit. He was tucking something under his lapel, and I recognized it instantly. It was Demidov’s diary. He had the book and he was getting away. And worse, he was coming right for me!

  I had to slow him down, had to give the demon time to catch up. I shuffled back, turning to jab at the elevator buttons. I frantically glanced over my shoulder, waiting and wondering if he would round the corner and see me. But the elevator flushed open in time. Reaching around to the panel, I pulled up on the emergency knob and then flung myself out, running headlong into the stairwell.

  I jogged to a stop one level down, glancing up and over the railing to see if he would follow. I was betting he wouldn’t trifle with a stuck elevator, because Lars Hurst was a man of action. He wouldn’t hesitate to take the stairs.

  The door swung open, thwacking into the wall. Heavy steps, beating like a drum as he took two stairs at a time. I did too, scared that he would catch up. Why had I waited? I should have been running all along.

  I felt his emotions change, from the uncertainty and alarm, feelings that the demon created, to anticipation and zeal. He must’ve heard me, and even if he couldn’t see who I was, he knew that I was prey. The thrill of the chase was intoxicating, and I couldn’t help but be swept up in it, even as I ran for what felt like my very life.

  I was gasping by the last level, and my fingers were sweaty as I reached for the door. Escaping the stairwell I turned toward the lobby, but Lars’ men were returning, coming straight through the front entrance. I had no choice but to sprint the other way, going deeper into the building, taking turns so fast my feet went skidding. I rushed for the Banquet Hall, seeking cover and hiding inside. Had I lost Lars? Would he search for me? I knew better than to underestimate the man, especially since I didn’t feel safe.

  The room was large and empty, stacks of chairs pressed to one side, long tables draped in white cloth pushed to the other. I concealed myself there, hiding under a table. I tried to ease my breathing, letting it steady out, quiet and soft.

  What the hell was I going to do! I was stuck, too scared to move, afraid that Lars would find me. And where was the demon? If I didn’t get Bill’s body back to the hospital in time I would be charged with aiding and abetting a murderer’s escape.

  The door opened and shut softly, a whoosh then quiet. I pressed my face to the floor, peeking out under the cloth. From across the gaping space I saw a pair of shiny shoes, a nice set to match a nice suit.

  It was Lars.

  Chapter 37

  Scooting back I moved away from the gap, not wanting him to see my hands or knees under the tablecloth. He walked steadily around the room, pushing the stacked seats so that they shrieked and wobbled. He was looking of me, and he was getting closer.

  I began to crawl, careful not to brush against the cloth as I moved under the table. I could hear him, working his way over, coming closer. The table ended, not far from the room’s corner, and I had no where else to go, nothing else to hide behind. I nestled down, a ball on the floor.

  He reached my side of the room, his shoes appearing beside the table some ways down. He walked the line, his toes getting close. He knows where I am, I thought, he’s toying with me.

  Ten feet away, nine, every step marked my ruin.

  Ring.

  He stopped.

  Ring.

  His feet moved in place, shifting as he searched his pockets.

  “What?” he demanded.

  A pause.

  “I wouldn’t use the word disturbance.” Another pause. “I couldn’t tell you, but I suspect Raina Thompson’s story may be true.” Despite my fear, I really wanted to hear the other side of his conversation. “His pain threshold, it wasn’t natural. I worked him over and he didn’t even flinch.”

  A demon wouldn’t. They felt the pain, but lacked a lifetime’s worth of experience. A person would touch a stove and jerk away, avoiding the burn, but a demon wouldn’t see the danger, merely enjoy the encounter, finding the unpleasantness of pain just another sensation to be savored.

  It was comforting to know Raulriechmydl wasn’t passed out somewhere. What would I do if Lars’ fists brought on a relapse in Bill’s brain trauma?

  “No, we were interrupted during its examination, but seeing as someone wants it, enough to challenge me, I’d say that’s authentication enough, wouldn’t you?”

  I watched the shadow of his legs, moving back and forth as he paced along the tables. “They’re securing the room.” Another pause. “That’s what I pay you for.”

  He didn’t say anything after that, and I had to assume the call was over. So what was he doing, just standing there?

  My thoughts betrayed me, as if stirring him to life. He resumed his walk, only a few feet away and closing in. He stopped right in front of m
e, his feet shifting to point in my direction. I held my breath, just waiting for the inevitable.

  The cloth twitched, bunching as he fisted it. It was being lifted away, the lights pouring in, and then suddenly it was dropped. The sound of the door shushing open, it interrupted my exposure. Lars turned quickly, his feet moving apart to a wider stance.

  From across the room I heard Bill’s voice. “Give me what is mine,” the demon said, and I could feel his triumph. Like a shout it reached me from a distance, promising that he would finally get what he was after.

  “Come and take it,” Lars said, his calm unbelievably out of place. He suspected he was speaking with a demon, so how could he be so relaxed?

  Lars moved away, and knowing it was safe to peek out I inched forward. They met in the middle of the room, ripping into each other like wolves. Lars moved like a boxer, a rush of fists and intensity. The demon used his weight more than anything, hugging into Lars, leaning on him until they both tipped over. Rolling to the floor, their fight continued, a mess of grappling limbs.

  It was going to go on, Raulriechmydl never ceasing in his efforts to recover the diary, and destroying Bill’s body in the process. I had to do something. Crawling around, I poked my head out from under the table. I searched for something, anything, and found what I was looking for.

  There was a support beam in the corner, and conveniently attached to the backside, hidden from view, was a fire extinguisher. I scrabbled out from under the table and grabbed it, struggling to pull it from its cradle. It was heavier than I imagined, and the bright red pain so loud it drew the eye.

  Lars didn’t look though, his back to me as he struggled to subdue the demon. I rushed up behind him, using both hands to lift the metal tube high. As if sensing me he turned at the last minute, giving me a perfect target as his cheek lifted, raised upright. Clunk. He toppled forward, his massive frame evening out over Bill’s body as his muscles eased up.

  I gave him another slug, just to make sure he was down for the count. The demon blinked up at me, creepy and unmoving. I shoved Lars body off him, searching his jacket until I pulled the book loose. Bill’s fat fingers closed over it, greedy and tight.

  “Come on,” I said, pulling him upright. I moved quickly, deftly dragging him out of the banquet hall and toward the back door exit. I half expected someone to stop us, one of Lars’ men. But nothing happened, we simply got into my car and left.

  * * *

  Raulriechmydl tore up the book, page by page as I drove for the hospital. He enjoyed the task, appreciating each rip. The pieces were dispersed out the window, which means we littered. Since a large portion of the trip consisted of bridges, it was easy to imagine the paper floating down, down, into the water.

  Littering had never felt so good.

  The relief was substantial, and I knew it could not possibly be all mine. I didn’t know anything about demon politics, but I was guessing that Raulriechmydl had just unhooked himself from some serious trouble.

  I just couldn’t believe we did it.

  Some of the satisfaction wore off as we neared our destination. The demon had no choice but to give up his toy body, as he’d agreed to, according to our deal. My worry stemmed from actually accomplishing the task. We’d been gone for fifty minutes; I’d been watching the clock. What if the officer woke up while we were gone? Or the nurse came by early?

  As it turned out, I worried for nothing. One nurse did stop me, saying it was too late for visitors. I pretended to be lost, looking for the ER where I’d taken my boyfriend, emphasis on the stabbed boyfriend. She gave me directions which I ignored, hurrying through the halls, the demon trailing a good distance behind me. I was the lookout, and it worked. We reached Bill’s room with no one the wiser.

  The demon climbed into bed, constantly twitching and shifting to enjoy the rub of sheets and blanket. I handcuffed him to the railing before tucking the keys back into the cop’s front pocket.

  “Alright,” I said, watching him from across the room. “It’s done, now get out.”

  He didn’t argue, our deal holding him bound. The creature oozed upward, seeping from Bill’s skin. It hovered over him, the shadow now a shape. The demon’s curving blob of blackness had been replaced by the rough likeness of a man. It swept to the floor, hovering upright on two wispy legs. It was an indistinct image of Bill, that same paunchy gut, hanging distended and round. I couldn’t help but further notice the anatomy down south. I cringed and turned away.

  The creature chuckled, a scratchy laugh. “Our deal is done, and I have enjoyed this time together.”

  “Raulriech—”

  “Do not,” the creature hissed. “I can give you many things—”

  It was my turn to interrupt, uninterested in hearing what he had to offer. I began again, preparing to dismiss him. “Raul—”

  “The curse!” he barked, hacking up the word. “There is a way to unmake a curse.”

  I couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. I was caught. He had me. “What do you mean?” I asked, thinking of nothing but Lucas.

  His mouth was all slits and gash, the corners turning up, a black smile. “Let me stay and we will talk of it together, you and I, another agreement we will make, my little peach.”

  I might have done it, so great was the temptation. But just then Bill gasped, and I came awake with him, realizing the trap. This was how Anastas sunk under, lured by his desires. Sure, breaking Luke’s curse was a worthy endeavor, but demon dealing should be the last thing I try, not the first.

  Bill muttered, twisting uncomfortably on the bed.

  “Raulriechmydl, I dismiss you.”

  He hissed and sunk out of sight, disappearing into thin air.

  Bill was rubbing his head, moaning aloud. His face was definitely swollen, the first blush of a bruise coming in. He’d been used, hard. I couldn’t say that I was sorry.

  I whistled on my way out, passing the slumped officer, a bit of drool trickling down her lip.

  I’d done it, destroyed the book. If Lars hadn’t forced it from me I would’ve given it to Reed. And I had to admit, it was better this way, gone for good. I didn’t trust Reed with it, I didn’t trust anyone. For once it felt like things turned out for the best, or simply as they should. As if I’d done the world a favor.

  Chapter 38

  I was jarred awake the next morning, something slamming into my bed. Bang. Bang. I shuffled under the covers, too tired to be properly afraid.

  “Your door was unlocked. It is inconceivable that you could be so careless after what transpired yesterday.”

  “Like it makes a difference,” I muttered, dragging the covers up over my head. If I didn’t see him then the charm would be dampened.

  He prodded me roughly. “Get up. I want to hear what happened.”

  I mooed, a pitiful sound from deep in my throat. It was too early, I’d gone to sleep only hours before. Not to mention the better part of a bottle I’d swallowed, needing NyQuil to keep the demon at bay. I hadn’t read the diary, but I’d touched it, and if Demidov’s aura, or whatever, was still clinging then Raulriechmydl would be free to torment me all night, promising things, offering hope. I’d just wanted one night of peace, a solid eight hours to rest and relax, but apparently that was asking too much.

  He continued to prod, poking me harshly in the ribs and thigh. I swatted back, groaning. “Didn’t your man already tell you? What else is left to say?”

  “He said you came face to face with Lars, which I don’t doubt. I was a bit skeptical, however, about the part where you claim to have handed over the diary.”

  Time to face the music. “What’s so hard to believe? He tortured my boyfriend. I gave him the book.”

  He ripped the blankets off me, throwing them to the floor. “You didn’t have the book,” he ground out, glaring down at me.

  My bravado died a bit, eaten up by his anger. I swallowed, avoiding his ice blue eyes. “I called to tell you yesterday, but Karen hung up on me.” I felt no compunction foisti
ng off some of the blame.

  “How long?” he questioned, voice icy as his eyes. “How long did you have the book?”

  Shit. He was livid. I tried to separate myself, but the strength of his feeling brought a flush to my cheeks, and I lashed back, “Weeks! I had it for weeks, Reed.”

  He hauled me up off the bed like a sack of potatoes, gripping my biceps. “Why?” he said, giving me a shake. “Why did you do it? To punish me?”

  “It had nothing to do with you!” I screamed. “You would have read his diary and gleaned only the means to achieve power, but it meant more to me than that!”

  He shoved me hard, and I tumbled back into the mattress. “I hope you found what you were looking for.” His words were laced with bitterness. “I suppose, having read it, you would know better than most what a mistake letting it fall to Lars was.”

  I was only wearing a large T-shirt, one of Luke’s. I combed it down over my thighs as I sought to regain control, some of the anger having tapered off. “It was a mistake,” I admitted, sounding plaintive. “But the demon came and took it back, so now no one has it. Believe me when I say it is well and truly destroyed.”

  He laughed, a dry, humorless sound. “I suppose you’ll claim you had nothing to do with it.”

  “I would appreciate it if you could convince Lars of that.” It had been worrying me since the night before, the niggling fear that he’d seen me, just briefly, a split second before the extinguisher came down. “He can’t know that I read the book.”

  “You’ve grown quite accustomed to my favors,” Reed said, straightening up. He buttoned the front of his jacket with one hand, closing up his crisp suit. “Let me be clear, Ms. Graves,” he said severely, his anger flooding back. “You will have no more from me. I’m done interceding on your behalf, with the police and with Larson Hurst. He can think whatever he likes. I won’t speak for you any longer.”