by Avril Sabine
She shook her head. “I don’t need a phone.”
“Humour me. You can ignore all other calls but it’d be nice if you’d answer mine, okay?”
“Fine. But you get it. I’m not climbing under my bed. It’s been months since it was cleaned under there.”
“The sacrifices I make,” Gabe said as he strode to the bed and crouched down to have a look. “I can see it. I think.”
She smiled as she watched him, admiring the way the denim fit him. “Take all the time you need.” She grinned when he looked back at her. He grinned at her before he returned to rescuing her phone.
Moments later, he held it up triumphantly. “Still looks in one piece. How about I charge it and see how it handled the impact.”
“The charger is still plugged into the power point on the other side of my bed.” She hadn’t seen any point in removing it. There hadn’t been a reason to. “But if it’s not charged by the time I’m ready to go, I’m not waiting around.”
Gabe chuckled. “Not even if I asked you really nicely?” He plugged the phone into the charger before crossing the room to stand in front of her.
“No.” But she could see that he didn’t believe her. “I’m serious.”
“I know.” He continued to smile.
“You’re not wearing me down.”
“So what do you want to do while we wait for the phone to charge?”
She slowly shook her head, a reluctant smile forming. “Practice sword fighting?” After her daggers, it would have to be her favourite form of combat.
“Up close and personal. Sounds good.”
She rolled her eyes, pushing past him to stride to his room. But he was right. She much preferred that style of fighting to using ranged weapons.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Cassidy stood in the hallway, staring at the door several metres away. She couldn’t bring herself to take the last handful of steps to her mum’s doorway. In the past two weeks she’d faced down numerous demons, hunting them and even sending some back to hell. Yet she couldn’t cross the distance separating her and her mum. How pathetic was that? Her jaw clenched. This was ridiculous. She couldn’t stand here all night. Forcing her feet to carry her to the doorway, she stared in at her mum.
It had been months since she’d seen her. She barely recognised the woman sitting in the chair staring at nothing. Taking another step forward, her hand continued to grip the doorframe tightly. Letting go, she started to turn away. She couldn’t do this. Hunting demons was far easier.
“Have you brought my dinner?”
Cassidy turned back to face her mum. “Ahh… no.”
“That’s okay. I’m not very hungry.” Sylvia smiled. “I guess I’m just lonely. Tony’s taking our little girl for a walk in her pram. He couldn’t wait to try it out. Maybe you saw her on the way in here? She’s a doll. Not much hair though, but hopefully that’ll change.”
“Oh?” Cassidy’s eyes darted around the room. Nothing gave her inspiration, but it didn’t seem to matter. Her mum continued even without further encouragement.
“Eleven hours labour. And for such a tiny little thing. Not even eight pounds. But the most beautiful smile already. That nurse earlier tried to tell me it was wind.” Sylvia made a negative motion with her hand. “What would she know?”
Cassidy could only shake her head, her throat filled with a lump almost too difficult to swallow past.
Sylvia giggled. “I wanted to call her Treasure, but Tony wouldn’t let me. After all those hours of labour and then having her put in my arms, all I could say was what a little treasure. But Cassidy’s a good name. I think she’ll like it. What do you think?”
“I… I have to… go.” She started to turn away then remembered what her father had asked of her. “D… Tony. He loves you. He wanted me to tell you.”
“You did see them on your way in.”
Cassidy nodded. “They both love you.” She spun and ran from the room, not stopping until she was outside, hands on her knees as she leaned forward, gasping in gulps of hot summer night air. She wanted to throw back her head and scream. Anger and pain burned through her and she wanted to hurt something. Make something else feel the pain instead of being the one to feel it.
She spun to face Remedy as she felt him drop out of the sky to land near her. “What do you want?”
“What’s wrong? Where’s the danger?”
She stared at him a moment. “There’s none.”
His eyes narrowed. “I would swear you’re telling the truth, but I sensed your pain.”
“My mum’s in there.” She gestured towards the building behind him.
He inclined his head and started to turn away.
“I want you to heal her.” It took all her willpower not to beg.
“I’m not some genie who grants wishes.”
“But you could heal her, you were going to.”
“You didn’t honour the bargain made.”
“I wasn’t about to kill myself.”
Remedy held her gaze, flames burning brightly in his eyes. “I can’t heal her.”
“You lied to us?”
He shook his head. “I’m as bound by my word as a human is bound by rope. More so. Rope can be cut. My word can’t.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I gave my word to heal her in exchange for yours and your father’s deaths.”
“Change it. Make another deal.”
“It doesn’t work like that. Nor can you try and bargain with another demon to cure her. I am bound to prevent them.”
She crossed the space between them, grabbing fistfuls of the shirt he’d materialised once his wings had disappeared. “Make it work. I want my mum healed.”
“It would kill both of us. Is that what you want? To die? If so, you should have stepped out of the circle the night your father summoned me.” He untangled her hands from his shirt, his tone cold.
“No. There has to be another way.”
He remained silent.
“Ib-”
“Don’t.” This time it was him grabbing a fistful of her shirt as he dragged her close. “You agreed not to speak that name. Invoke it and force me to heal your mother and it will kill us. The deal was made, it cannot be unmade. Our life for her health. That’s the only way.”
She wanted to protest, wanted to tell him he lied. But she could taste the truth of his words. Anger evaporated. “I miss her.” The words were soft and she looked away from his gaze, unable to hold it any longer.
He let her go. “Where is the boy?”
“At home.”
“Why isn’t he with you?”
She raised her chin. “I didn’t need him here. I can visit my mum without anyone’s help.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t.” He turned, striding away from her.
She wanted to yell at him to come back. That she wasn’t finished talking to him. But what else could she say? Nothing could change the situation. Her mum couldn’t be healed. Not unless she wanted to give up her life. And even if she was willing, she doubted Remedy would let her.
Her phone rang and for a moment the unfamiliar sound startled her. She pulled it from her pocket and stared down at it. She glanced around the dark car park. Was Gabe following her? She put the phone to her ear as she pressed the connection button. “Yes?” Her voice was low and hesitant. Why was he ringing?
“I wanted to let you know I’m not at home. I got a lift to a gym. It was boring at home without you.”
“Okay.” How was it that he always managed to be there when she needed him, even if it was only a phone call?
“Think you can pick me up once you’ve finished your mysterious errands?”
“Where are you?” She repeated back the address he gave her.
“Are you okay?”
She remained silent a moment. “Yeah.”
“You can pick me up now if you need some company.”
She thought about it, but finally said, “No.” There w
as one more thing she had to do on her own. Hopefully it wouldn’t be as difficult as visiting her mum had been.
“See you later then.”
“Yeah.” She stared at the phone for a minute once she’d disconnected. What was he, psychic? She shook her head. Obviously he had good timing. Sometimes. She tucked her phone in her pocket and took a deep breath. The pain was subsiding. Striding to her motorbike, she tried not to think about the next destination. Once she reached it, she stilled, checking the area for demons. She was still safe. The direction she was headed in only had minor ones. They wouldn’t be a problem. The moment they felt her come into their area they’d probably head as far from her as possible.
Twenty minutes later she pulled up in front of a highset house. She hung her helmet from the handlebars and strode around the back, slipping through the wooden gate that had a broken hinge and always sat partly open. She stopped in front of a tree that branched out towards the house and picked the corner of her scab, smearing only a little blood across her mark. Energy rushed through her, not as much as when she used it to fight, but she didn’t need that much.
Jumping for the first branch she swung herself up, making her way towards Amy’s window where she was bent over a laptop at her desk. She was probably messaging her numerous friends. She’d always been the more outgoing of the two of them. Reaching the window, Cassidy popped the screen out and dropped silently onto the carpet.
Amy turned at her movement, and eyes wide, her mouth gaped open. Worried she’d scream Cassidy was across the room in a flash, hand pressed to Amy’s mouth. “Shh. It’s me.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Amy pulled her hand away. “What the hell have you done to yourself?” She reached out and gingery touched Cassidy’s jagged hair. “And a tattoo? I thought we were going to get butterflies together.” She gestured towards the demon mark that had grown a few centimetres since Cassidy had acquired it. “And why haven’t you answered any of my phone calls, texts, emails and letters?” Amy swore as she wiped at her eyes. “And how dare you make me cry. It makes my eyes all puffy.” She threw her arms around Cassidy.
“You’re choking me.” Cassidy tried to loosen the grip around her neck, not quite sure how to react. She wasn’t the same person Amy had befriended years ago.
“Serves you right.” Amy pulled away to glare at her. “We’re meant to be best friends.” One hand went to her hip as her green eyes narrowed. The other hand became an accusing finger. “You don’t just drop off the face of the earth. I didn’t care if you didn’t want to talk. I just wanted to be there with you. I still do.”
“Sorry.”
“Damn it.” Amy threw her arms around Cassidy again. “Don’t you dare disappear on me again.”
Cassidy smiled as she brushed the wavy brown hair away from her face. “I missed you.”
“So you should. I even considered breaking into your house. Smashing a window or something.”
“I needed time alone.” Cassidy pulled away when Amy’s grip loosened.
“I went to the funeral hoping to see you.”
Cassidy shrugged, her gaze going to a point past Amy’s shoulder. “I couldn’t go.” She hoped Amy wasn’t going to expect her to talk about it, because she really couldn’t.
“Cass-”
“I can’t stay.” She caught Amy’s hands before she could hug her again. “I just wanted to see you. For a few minutes.”
Amy’s gaze roamed her face. “What’s wrong? And you’ve lost too much weight. You need to eat lots of chocolate. Maybe some ice cream too. Or get a tub of chocolate ice cream.”
“Amy, quiet for a minute.” They both fell silent and Cassidy stared at her friend, glad that at least she was still the same. “Give me more time. Okay? I’ll call you when I’m ready to talk.”
“If it takes longer than a couple of weeks I’m going to start sending daily emails again.”
“Daily?”
Amy threw her hands up in the air. “Great. All that effort wasted. You haven’t even seen them.”
Cassidy’s lips slowly curved into a smile. “I will. But not yet. I just wanted to see you for a few minutes.” She hadn’t wanted to face Castigate without having had a chance to say goodbye, just in case. She backed away towards the window. “I’ll call you one day soon.” She hoped. If everything went according to plan. Well, that was if she ever came up with a plan.
“You know you can go out the front door. You don’t have to go all ninja on me just because you’re wearing black. You used to love bright colours. And what’s with the motorbike boots?”
“Question one, no I can’t. Question two, people change and question three, they go with my motorbike.”
Amy’s mouth rounded and for a moment she was quiet. “What sort of bike? And when did you get a license? And why can’t you go out the front door?” She hurried forward, grabbing Cassidy’s hands. “And you can’t go. I have a million things to tell you. And a trillion to ask.”
Cassidy pulled away again, sitting on the window ledge. “Ask me them another day.” She hesitated. “Look out for yourself, okay?”
“You too.”
Cassidy swung out and grabbed the closest branch, grinning at the gasp behind her. She turned her head to see Amy had both hands covering her mouth. A few seconds later and she was at the base of the tree, giving Amy a quick wave before she headed to her motorbike at the front of the house.
As she swung her leg over the motorbike, the front door burst open. Amy stood there, her arms wrapped around herself. Cassidy pulled on her helmet, started the engine and gave her friend another wave before she took off. Guilt hit her as she glanced once more in her friend’s direction before she turned the corner. Amy was still standing out the front of her house, her arms wrapped around her waist. She hadn’t been able to stay any longer. After she dealt with Castigate she’d come back and see Amy. That would have to be enough for now.
It didn’t take long to arrive at the gym. She sat on her motorbike, helmet on the handlebars as she tilted her head back to look at the stars. At least the second visit hadn’t been as bad as the first. She was relieved they were over. Now no matter what happened, she’d said her goodbyes to everyone important in her past. Those who were still living. About to swing her leg over the seat, she stopped when the front door opened. Gabe strode towards her.
“How’d you know I was here?” she asked when he reached her side.
“How do you think, demon girl?” He turned her wrist to show the blood smear. “Any other secret errands to run tonight?”
She shook her head, glad he didn’t seem to want to ask questions about where she’d been.
“Does that mean we’re going home now?”
Cassidy opened her mouth to answer, but a scream rang out through the night, drawing her attention. She searched the area for demons, using all her senses. She frowned. “I can’t find any demons.”
“Sometimes they’re earthly ones.” Gabe started to stride towards the direction the scream had come from.
Cassidy hurried after him. “What are you doing?”
“Checking.”
“But if it isn’t demons-”
“You going to ignore someone who’s in danger?” He shot her a glance.
Cassidy sighed. “I guess not.”
“Try not to use weapons. And don’t kill anybody.”
“What if they’ve got weapons? And I don’t plan on killing anyone. Why would you even say that?”
Gabe grabbed her left arm and held it up. “Because you’re stronger than humans and you’re used to fighting demons. If they’ve got a weapon get it off them and use that. But don’t leave it behind. The last thing you need is the cops running your prints. And no blood either.”
“Because of DNA?”
“Nope. Because of demons.” He grinned at her as they entered a well treed park.
Cassidy looked around, her eyes zeroing in on the drama. Two men held a struggling girl, one of them with his hand across h
er mouth. Another three men took turns at holding and hitting a boy that looked seventeen, his muscular build no match for their numbers. The girl appeared to be the same age as the boy. “You get the girl.” Cassidy sprinted towards the people.
Gabe ran beside her. “Why do you get the extra one to fight?”
“If you finish with your two before me, I’ll share.” She shot him a quick grin then threw herself into the fight, blocking a punched aimed at the boy. She drove her fist into the man’s stomach and winced when he hit the ground. She had no time to check how badly she’d hurt him. The other two threw themselves at her, dropping the boy to the ground, where he remained curled up. Throwing a fist at one, she spun and blocked a hit from the other, quickly following that with a punch to his jaw. There was a crack when her fist connected and he collapsed in front of her. She spun back to face the other man, only to find him sprawled, unconscious on the ground. She hadn’t thought she’d hit him that hard.
“Shut up, just everyone shut up,” a man called from behind her.
At the same time, Gabe warned, “He’s got a gun.”
Cassidy spun, taking in the scene. One of the men who’d been fighting Gabe was on the ground while the other waved a handgun in the air. Gabe backed away and the girl sobbed on the ground. Cassidy’s eyes were drawn back to Gabe. Relief rushed through her when she saw he was fine.
“Shut up. Do you hear me? Shut up.” The man pointed the gun at the sobbing girl.
Cassidy’s eyes narrowed and she raked her nails over her demon mark, breaking open the cut and smearing blood across her wrist. She fought the urge to throw back her head and laugh at the power that filled her, heightening all her senses. “I think I broke your mate’s jaw. Maybe you should worry about getting him to a hospital instead of waving that gun around.” She stalked towards him, hands at her side.
The gun swung towards Cassidy. “Back off. Not another step or I’ll kill you.”
“I think we need Remedy,” Gabe called. The gun swung towards him.
“No we don’t I’ve got this all under control. But a shuriken would be appreciated.” Cassidy continued her steady pace forward.