Daemon Uprising

by Mariah Ankenman

  “Wait.” Kiernan held up a hand to stop her when she got to the part about the brothers speaking a different language. “What did the language sound like?”

  “Strange, like Latin mixed with German or something.”

  “Did it sound like this?” He spoke a short phrase. Her eyes widened, her mouth opened in recognition.

  “Yes, it sounded exactly like that. How did you know? Is it some kind of ancient Daemon language?”

  Kiernan rubbed a large hand over his face, muttering a creative string of four-letter words. He strode forward, heading out of the forest and toward council headquarters. What the hell? As he walked past, she reached out, grabbing his arm and pulling him to a stop. He looked back. She did not like the grim expression on his face. Kiernan was never grim, bad sign.

  “Kiernan, what’s going on?”

  “Yeah, it’s an ancient language, but it’s not Daemon.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “I’m…not entirely sure.”

  Well, that was a vague answer. “Then how can you speak it if you don’t know what it is?”

  He sighed heavily, turning to face her fully. “I can’t really speak the full language, only a few phrases. I heard them numerous times as a child, and they kind of stuck with me, I guess.”

  “Heard them from whom?”

  He looked long and hard at her before replying. “My father.”

  Chapter 15

  Tabitha sat in one of the big cushy chairs in Racine’s library. Her eyes focused on Kiernan standing across the room, pouring a drink. His second since they entered the head of council’s private office. He was shaken, that much she could tell. She couldn’t blame him, she was too. Hell, it felt like she’d just gotten off an old wooden roller coaster.

  The night had not gone as planned. While Tabitha still had many unanswered questions, the biggest one: what rumbled through her partner’s mind? She knew his father had turned Kako when Kiernan was just a child. In a mad rampage, the Daemon killed his wife and would have killed Kiernan if Racine and the other Enforcers had not gotten there in time.

  It must have been awful. Even now, she saw how much it still affected the Euadaemon. Some people thought because his father had turned Kako, Kiernan would too, but she didn’t. She knew all too well a child was not their parents. Some things, like hair and eye color, were genetic; the person was a choice, not an inherited trait.

  The doors of the library swung open. Racine strode into the room, a powerful presence as always. The leader of the Enforcers always commanded attention when he entered a room, one of the many reasons he was their leader. He spared a glance at Kiernan, emptying the glass he had just filled. If Racine wondered why the Daemon drank so heavily, he didn’t show it. As the Euadaemon leader took his seat behind his massive oak desk, he turned to her.

  “Report.”

  Taking a deep breath, she launched into the events of the past two days. She told Racine how they discovered the club was owned and operated by Stryden and his gang and how they were ambushed but managed to flee in the alley. She left out the part where she and Kiernan basically had clothed sex in the back alley. No reason for her boss and mentor to know. She didn’t even want to know.

  After she finished, the room fell into silence. Racine rubbed his fingers against his chin, deep in thought. His eyes, which had been focused on Tabitha during her report, now shifted to Kiernan. The Euadaemon no longer drinking, his demeanor still agitated.

  “Kiernan?” Racine’s deep voice echoed in the large office.

  “What?” The tone indignant, even for Kiernan. “She told you everything.”

  His gaze glanced to her and back again, Racine lowered his hands to his desk. “I know.”

  Racine’s dark eyes narrowed on Kiernan. She had mentioned the part about the Kako brothers speaking in a strange language. She did not, however, reveal Kiernan expressed knowledge of said language. She didn’t know why she kept that information to herself. Perhaps in some way, she thought she protected him. Kiernan was her partner for this assignment and partners covered each other, but it wasn’t like her to leave anything out. It sat wrong in her gut. She wanted to tell Racine but felt it needed to come from Kiernan.

  Her gaze caught his from across the room. Their usual brightness clouded over with a haze from the alcohol. Kiernan poured himself another drink, which he downed quickly. He nodded to her as if to thank her for letting him finish the story. Placing his now empty glass on the bar side table, he walked to where she and Racine sat.

  “I understand what Alec and Brone said.”

  Racine nodded, evidently not surprised by the revelation.

  “Well, I don’t understand exactly since I wasn’t there to hear, but from what Tabitha says, it was the same language my father used to rant in when he—” Kiernan stopped. His gaze took on a haunted expression.

  “Right.” Racine plowed ahead, saving Kiernan from further explanation, for which the Enforcer looked grateful. “Looks like the Kakos may have been organized for a lot longer than we suspected.”

  Damn. That wasn’t good news.

  “We need someone to figure out this language. Kiernan, I need you to talk to Celia in the morning.”

  Celia, their resident egghead. She had three master’s degrees and two PhDs. The woman spoke numerous languages, even some that had been dead for centuries. She was also one hell of a Witch.

  Kiernan nodded.

  “She usually comes in early, so why don’t you just stay here for the night? I’ll have Bucky make up one the rooms. You too, Tabitha.”

  It wasn’t a request, and they both knew it. They were too tired to argue, so simply nodded. Racine stood, moving around the desk toward the door. Tabitha stood and followed. Kiernan moved back to the bar to pour himself another drink.

  Racine paused on his way out the door. He leaned in toward her, motioning at Kiernan with his head. “I’ll get things set up with Bucky. You look after him.” His dark eyes swept over to the Daemon, brows drawing down. “He won’t admit it, but he needs a shoulder right now.”

  With that, Racine left, closing the door behind him.

  Tabitha turned into the silent room. Kiernan’s back was to her. She heard the swish of liquid as he poured yet another drink. She stood there awkwardly, trying to think of something to say. What did one say in this situation?

  Sorry this job brings back memories of your dad going Kako crazy and murdering your mother right in front of you and then going after you.

  Sorry never seemed to be enough. Boy, didn’t she know it.

  “Why didn’t you tell him?”

  The deep rumble of his voice broke the silence, making her jump slightly.

  “What?”

  Kiernan turned to face her. Though he still stood across the room, she felt the intensity of his stare like the midday sun burning her skin.

  “Why didn’t you tell Racine I knew the language Alec and Brone spoke?”

  “I don’t know,” she whispered softly.

  She really didn’t. Tabitha had no idea why she neglected to include the information in her report to Racine. She always incorporated every minute detail, in fact, Racine frequently told her she relayed too much. So why had she left this information out?

  “It’s not a secret what my father was.”

  “I know.”

  Everyone involved in the council knew Kiernan’s past. Some people were wary around Kiernan, as if being Kako was a trait instead of a choice. She never thought that. She knew Daemons—just like humans—could choose good or bad and the person, not their parents, mattered.

  “I’m not my father.” His words slurred slightly from the alcohol, but she heard the anger and pain behind them.

  She took a step forward. “I never said you were, Kiernan.”

  “I will not end up like him.” He sounded like he tried to convince himself as much as her. Her heart ached for him.

  Quickly, she crossed the room, plucking the drink from Kiernan’s grasp
and setting it on the bar. He looked so miserable. She felt a deep twinge in her soul. She hated seeing anyone in pain. Okay, maybe a Kako, but not Kiernan. He was a good man—Daemon really—and he shouldn’t harbor these self-doubts. Taking his hands in her hers, she gazed into his ice-blue eyes, a little hazy from all the booze he just downed.

  “Kiernan, you’re nothing like your father. You’re strong and kind, and you protect people, even when it puts you in danger.”

  A smile tugged at the corner of his lips, eyes brightening slightly. “Careful, Tabby Cat. Say things like that, and I might start thinking you actually like me.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Just because I think you’re not a monster doesn’t mean I like you.”

  “There’s the Tabitha I know.” He chuckled.

  “Come on,” she said, putting his arm over her shoulder. “Let’s get you to bed.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  She snorted, a small smile curling her lips. “Alone.”

  “Party pooper,” he mumbled.

  She swayed with the weight of supporting him. He stumbled slightly, then regained his balance, moving his feet in line with hers as they made their way across the library to the door.

  “How much did you drink?”

  “Enough to tell you how beautiful I think you are,” Kiernan’s hot breath whispered in her ear sending chills cascading through her.

  She shivered, trying to put a damper on the feelings he brought out in her. “It’s just the dress.”

  He stopped walking, causing her to stop as well. Strong arms pulled her to him, wrapping around her like a big, warm electric blanket. His head bent. She smelled the whiskey on his breath. His lips were mere inches from hers, and she couldn’t take her gaze off their sensual fullness. She remembered how they felt pressed against hers and damned if she didn’t want another taste.

  “It’s not the dress, Tabitha. It’s you.”

  She didn’t know what to say. Turned out, she didn’t have to say anything. Before she could even take in a breath to respond, Kiernan’s mouth came down over hers.

  This wasn’t like the kiss they shared in the alley, hot, passionate, lust filled. This kiss was softer. Kiernan’s mouth gently brushed hers, learning her lips with his own. A kiss so sweet it brought tears to her eyes. It almost felt like Kiernan cared for her. Lust she could do, but caring? No one had cared for Tabitha in a long time.

  The door creaked open, and she immediately pulled from Kiernan’s grasp. Anger and hurt passed over his face, but he covered it quickly as someone entered the room.

  “There you two are.”

  Bucky. The old woman pushed the door open and motioned for them to follow her.

  “I’ve got some rooms all set up for you. Follow me.”

  Council headquarters had over a dozen extra guest rooms for Enforcers who needed a place to crash or witnesses, victims, anyone who just needed a place to rest their head for a few nights. Tabitha stayed there a few times over the years she had been an Enforcer.

  They followed Bucky up the stairs to the second floor. She stopped in front of a room done in dark blue. The Enforcers had dubbed it “Blue Man’s Room.” Not clever, but when chasing down psychotic killers for a living the humor tended to suffer a little.

  “Here we are, Kiernan. Do you need anything before I turn in?”

  He placed a chaste kiss on Bucky’s cheek. “No thank you, Bucky. I’m all set.”

  The old woman frowned as he moved away from her. “Hmmm. You just be sure you drink plenty of water before you go to sleep, or you’ll pay for it in the morning, child.”

  Couldn’t put anything past Bucky.

  Kiernan laughed. “I’ll be sure to do that.” His eyes focused on Tabitha. The humor in them faded into a mixture of lust and longing. “Goodnight, Tabby Cat.”

  She said nothing. How could she when all her breath seemed permanently stuck in her throat every time she was around Kiernan now? She gave him what she hoped was a casual smile and followed Bucky down the hall.

  Bucky placed her in the usual room she occupied whenever she stayed at council headquarters. A room done in yellow—her favorite color—she liked to call it “The Sunshine Room.” She stepped into the room and turned to bid Bucky good night.

  “Even Daemons have a lifespan.”

  Her brow furrowed in confusion at the old woman’s statement. “Huh?”

  “He won’t be around forever, eventually, he’ll move on if you don’t stop and let him catch you.”

  “Bucky, what are you talking about?”

  The old woman gave her a look that said Tabitha knew exactly what she was talking about, then turned and headed down the hall to her own room. Sparing one last glance at Kiernan’s door, Tabitha sighed and shut her own. A long sleepless night awaited her.

  Chapter 16

  The pounding in his head would not cease. Kiernan dragged himself out of bed at eight in the morning. After all the whiskey he consumed and only a few hours to sleep it off, he felt how Tweak smelled most days. Bleary eyed and head pounding, he made his way down to the basement where Celia’s lab resided. He hoped she’d make it worth suffering through this hangover. It would have been much nicer just to sleep through it. But if Celia could translate whatever language the brothers had been speaking, it would help. Hopefully, a lot.

  As beautiful as the house was above—decorated with warmth and homey appeal—the basement section of headquarters was the exact opposite. The walls were dark gray with no pictures or paintings adorning them. Numerous training rooms with sparring and exercise equipment occupied much of the area. Labs and research rooms, stocked with everything a human and supernatural could want, filled the rest of the space.

  Up top was a show, for anyone who happened to come upon the house by mistake. Downstairs was where the real action took place. Apart from Racine’s office in the library upstairs and the kitchen where most meals were held, all council business happened in the basement.

  Kiernan pushed open the heavy steel door to Celia’s lab. The Witch bent over a stack of books. He grinned at the sight. She was the only person, besides Racine, who owned more books than any one person could read in a lifetime. She did not lift her head as he entered, but he had a feeling the clever Witch knew the exact moment he stepped into the room. His suspicion proven when she acknowledged him without looking up from her book.

  “Hey, Kiernan. Racine said you’d stop by this morning.”

  He groaned as her voice echoed in his eardrums, filling the silence of the room. “Not so loud, please.”

  Her head rose from the book. Green eyes squinted behind black rectangle-framed glasses. Taking him in, she rose and headed toward the back of the lab. She grabbed a glass from a shelf and filled it, bringing it back to him.

  “Here,” she said, thrusting the glass toward him. “Drink this.”

  He accepted the glass, glancing hopefully at it. “Please tell me this is some potion you concocted to get rid of hangovers.”

  A smile lit her face as the Witch shook her head. “Nope sorry. Just plain tap water. Best cure for a hangover anyway, you’re simply dehydrated from the alcohol drying up your system.”

  He grunted and downed the glass.

  “I got those books you wanted from Racine’s office, Celia.”

  Kiernan glanced toward the door to see a stocky pair of legs sticking out beneath a towering pile of books. Quickly rising from his seat, he rushed over. Grabbing a major portion of the thick heavily bound books, he revealed the person behind the huge mass. Celia’s assistant, Cory.

  “Oh, thank you,” the meek woman said softly. Her gaze met his, then quickly looked away.

  Cory was an average-looking woman, five foot five-ish, straight brown hair, brown eyes, curvy without being overweight. Quiet, she tended to stay in the background. Kiernan didn’t really know her well, but he knew she was a smart Witch. Not as smart as Celia, but competent enough to be the head Witch’s assistant, so probably genius worthy.


  “What’s all this?” He indicated the texts.

  Cory placed her pile of books on the table in front of Celia. Kiernan followed suit.

  Damn, those books were heavy. How had the small Witch carried them all the way from Racine’s office? Maybe she put a spell on them to make them lighter or something. Or maybe the hangover made him a sissy.

  Celia pushed her glasses up her pert nose and glanced around. “Books on ancient languages. I want to do a recording of whatever you think the Kakos spoke and then try to reference it. If I can discover what language it resembles, hopefully, I can at least track down its origin or anything similar that will give us some clues.” She turned to her assistant. “Thanks, Cory. Bucky said she had some Fae texts in the attic. Would you grab them for me please?”

  “Sure, no problem.”

  The other Witch glanced at Kiernan again. He smiled.

  “I hope there’s fewer books this time. Or at least lighter.” He rubbed his shoulder.

  She blushed, mumbled another thanks and hurried out the door. She was an odd one, but brainiacs always were in his opinion. Just look at Tabitha.

  Thinking of Tabitha made him smile. He may have been drunk last night, but he remembered the kiss. The one he’d given her right before Bucky interrupted them. She tasted so good. He enjoyed it and she had, too. He was getting to her, making her to open up to him.

  Hell, she kept information from Racine to protect him. Not that he needed protection. He had planned to tell Racine anyway, but the fact Tabitha willingly omitted information from her report. By-the-books Tabitha bent the rules, for him. That meant something. She cared for him, he knew it. And finally, she realized it, too.

  “Okay, Kiernan, I just need you to repeat the phrase for me so I can get a recording,” Celia said, interrupting his thoughts.

  She pushed a small hand-held voice recorder his way. Shoving down the memories the language invoked in him, Kiernan picked up the small device and spoke the few phrases permanently fixed in his memory since childhood. Celia instructed him to repeat the phrases several times to give her a large enough sample. It took only a few minutes. Once finished—and having accepted three more glasses of water from her—he bid the Witch goodbye and headed upstairs.