by Gwen Knight
Micah frowned at that. Her brother, Devon, was the one in the Coven who kept watch on the portals. His job was to insure that no demons found their way into the earthly realm. “Your father has not sent anyone to check on him?”
“Nay, Micah. He does not worry—it seems just I am concerned,” she said, her voice soft. “I thought to ride out and check on him myself.”
Micah was surprised. “You cannot ride out there alone, my love. It is not safe!”
“Oh, please,” she scoffed. “Who would dare attack me?”
If only she knew how dangerous times were here. Her father had done her a disservice by keeping her so sheltered. She had no idea the perils that could serve to destroy their happiness. At twenty and one, she was too young, her father felt, to involve in Coven business.
Micah was more forward thinking. He felt she should know of some of the dangers. Still, until they were wed, Micah had no choice but to keep with her father’s wishes. “No matter. I am sure he will arrive on time. If you’d like, I, myself, will go check on your brother.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Nay. I am sure you are correct. He will be home in time.”
Still, Micah had a sudden feeling of foreboding. Something was brewing, and it terrified him.
Chapter Two
Micah wasn’t sure what awakened him, but he woke fully alert. Something was wrong. He was sure of it.
His first thought was to check on Elizabeth. It was still fully dark outside. He lit a candle and quickly made his way from his room.
He found Elizabeth’s maid in her chamber, sleeping in the room that adjoined Elizabeth’s. “Where is your mistress?” he demanded.
“My lord? You cannot be in here! It is the middle of the night!” the maid said, scandalized.
“Where is your mistress?” he asked again.
“Why, I believe her to be asleep, my lord.”
Micah was tempted to question the young girl further, but realized that it would do no good. He had a very bad feeling that Elizabeth had taken it upon herself to go after her brother on her own—despite him telling her to do no such thing.
He should have gone and brought Devon back himself. But, it would do no good to concern himself with what he should have done.
His only concern now was finding Elizabeth before she was hurt.
He ran from the room, yelling for the young maid to be sure a horse was saddled for him. He’d have to make haste to find her.
After running back to his room, he dressed quickly, then ran down the stairs. He didn’t bother awakening her parents. He’d send for her father if he was unable to find Elizabeth and bring her safely home on his own.
He knew it was several hours until daylight. With a curse he rarely used, he hopped on the horse the tired stable boy had readied for him. “Tell your master I went after Elizabeth and her brother should I not return by daybreak,” he ordered tersely.
“Y-yes, my lord,” the boy stammered as he jumped back to avoid being run over.
With a kick of his heels, Micah as off. It took him only an hour to ride to the closest portal—where he prayed he’d find Elizabeth and her brother.
He sensed the demon presence minutes before he reached the portal. Obviously, the portal was open and Devon was doing his best to fight them off on his own. Devon was a capable witch, but not yet seasoned enough to fight off a full-scale demon attack.
Micah cursed himself as he pulled to a stop. Elizabeth’s mare was tied to a tree, and he saw Devon’s horse as well.
He leapt from his own horse and ran to the portal, where he found magick flowing back and forth. The demons were using their limited magick to try and escape, while Devon and Elizabeth fought to keep them from fully exiting the portal.
He cursed again and, using his own magick, forced the demons back through the portal before turning to glare at his fiancé and her brother. “What were you thinking?”
“I-I was called to come help him,” Elizabeth said, her face pale. “An angel sent me.”
Micah didn’t believe in angels. He believed in what he could see himself. Demons he could see. Demons he believed in. “Did you not once stop to think that it might well be a demon that summoned you?” he roared. “If you were already my wife, I would turn you across my knee!”
Elizabeth took a step back. “I did what I had to do.”
Micah went to her and pulled her into his arms. “You scared ten years off my life, love. Are you injured?”
Before she could answer him, Micah saw a white light shimmering just over Elizabeth’s head. He pulled her against him, terrified.
Chapter Three
“Who are you?” Micah asked as the figure shimmered only a moment longer, before standing before him.
“I am Michael. I am here to take the new Keepers of Pandemonium.”
Micah looked at the being and realized that just perhaps angels did exist after all. Because, if he wasn’t wrong, this being was certainly an angel. He was at least six foot tall or more. He wore old clothes—clothes that reminded him of pictures he’d seen in books of Roman soldiers. The man carried a large sword in his right hand.
“I am to be a Keeper?” Micah asked, confused.
“Nay, Elizabeth is to be the Keeper. That is why I summoned her.”
Micah turned white. He knew that the Keepers had once been mortal beings, but once they went to Pandemonium, they became demons. “Nay, she is no demon!” He drew his own sword.
Elizabeth pulled away from him. “Micah, if it is my destiny, I will do as I am bidden.”
He shook his head. “No, Elizabeth. Take your brother and go home.”
Michael looked at Micah with his head tilted, as if he were pondering a decision. “You would go in her place, witch?”
“I would,” Micah said at once. He’d do anything to keep Elizabeth from that fate. A Keeper’s life was a lonely one. He didn’t know much about their lives, but he knew that much. A Keeper remained in charge of the Pandemonium portals at all times. Only rarely did one leave for any reason.
Some, he knew, could no longer tolerate the loneliness and begged to be allowed to die instead of remain in the hopeless realm. Micah would not allow that to become Elizabeth’s fate. Not if he could help it.
“So it shall be,” Michael said. “Micah, for your valor, you are to become Keeper of Pandemonium in Salem.” He turned to Devon. “And you, you will be the Keeper in Karma.”
Micah looked at Devon. “But why? Why would you wish to take two from the same family?”
The angel apparently took pity on Micah, because normally, none would dare challenge the orders of an angel. “We would not, young Micah, but Devon has been taken over by a demon. We can assure he lives—and that his own spirit has control—but only if he is in Pandemonium.”
Micah felt a wave of sadness. Those possessed were killed on sight. At least this way, Devon wouldn’t die. Though, he’d miss his friend.
“I am ready,” Devon said quietly. “Please tell our parents I love them.”
Elizabeth had tears streaming down her cheeks. “Please, sir, might I go with Micah?”
Michael shook his head. “Do not worry, Elizabeth. You will not remember this night, nor what you have lost.”
Micah felt his heart lurch. That was for the best. He had no desire to see Elizabeth pining away for him.
She’d survive the loss of her brother—but he didn’t know if she was strong enough to also survive the loss of her fiancé, all in the same night.
Micah walked to Elizabeth and kissed her gently on the lips. “You will have a long and happy life, my love. Promise me.”
Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears, but she nodded. “I will do as you ask, Micah,” she promised. “You will not forget me?”
“Never,” he promised. “I will always watch over you, my love.” His voice broke and he forced a smile.
Michael looked at the pair of them. “Have no worry, Keeper. She will live a long, happy life.”
Micah
could only nod, afraid his voice would break if he spoke.
After running over and hugging her brother and kissing his cheek, Elizabeth walked to her horse as if in a daze.
Micah knew that the angel had kept his promise, as she rode away without a backward glance.
“She won’t remember me,” Micah had to ask.
“She will not,” Michael agreed. “At least not that you two were in love. She will marry and have many descendants. It was not her brother’s destiny to become a Keeper, and her family will be rewarded with long, happy lives.”
Devon looked at his sister as she rode away. “Why do I not feel a demon inside me?”
Michael gave his attention to Devon. “Because I have given your spirit dominion over the demons. You will have the powers of the demons—but none of their weaknesses.”
Micah looked at Devon and felt another surge of pain. Two lives destroyed this night. He wondered if he’d ever see his friend again as he suddenly disappeared in a whirl of bright light.
“Will I ever see him again?” Micah wondered aloud.
“You will—if you are destined to. You, Micah, are different. You have no demon inside you. Our gift to you is that you will live for as long as you remain the Keeper of Pandemonium. You will have dominion over the demons there.”
“But I can never see Elizabeth again,” he said dully.
“No, you cannot. Would you want her to pine for you?” Michael asked.
“Of course not,” he admitted. “I would wish her happiness.”
“And you have my word she shall have it,” Michael promised. He pulled out a short staff and held it out to Micah.
“What is it?” he asked, staring at the short glass staff.
“It is a Keeper’s Staff,” Michael explained. “With it, you can force any demon to do your bidding. You can also use it to enhance your magick.”
“So I am to remain human?” he asked, not really caring. He was losing everyone he loved anyway.
“Yes, you will remain human. You are the first and only Keeper to ever be a mortal, Micah. Be faithful, and you will be rewarded when it is time.”
Micah heard the words, but they didn’t mean much to him. He simply closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he was in a large open area very similar to the one he’d just left. Only the difference in sky told him that he was no longer where he’d been.
No, he was now in Pandemonium. He looked toward the town proper and with a sigh, walked toward it.
He’d do the job he’d sworn to do—and never would he allow himself to love again.
Pandemonium Unleashed, which is included in A Wicked Halloween, is the continuation of Micah’s story. Pandemonium: Demons of Karma is Devon’s story.
Hope Welsh has always been addicted to stories with a happy ending. Whether she is writing fantasy, romantic suspense, paranormal or urban fantasy, her books will always have that Happily Ever After.
She's been writing as long as she can remember, and wrote her first play in the third grade. Her school put it on at Christmas time. She was furious with her sister for getting married that night. Hope missed her own play.
Over the course of time, She's worked in several careers. She was a police officer, an EMT, and a teacher. She even worked as a journalist/photographer for a small-town newspaper.
Hope has lived all over the US and Canada. She's a born wanderer. When she can’t travel in real life, she travels in her books. She hopes you enjoy the trip.
Hope's website has links to her other books that are currently out. More to come. Hope would like to invite you to sign up for her monthly newsletter; on her website. You can also reach me at any of the below sites:
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