Horde of the Demon Priest (Demona Book 3)

by Megan A. Hepler

  “I know that Aleph has ordained this marriage. I desire to be your wife and forever be in love and companionship with you,” Hannah spoke.

  Kaleb stared back into Hannah’s eyes as he listened to her echo Ezekiel and speak her vows to him. His long wavy surfer hair partially obscured his eyes, but Demona could tell he was enraptured with Hannah in that moment. His untucked white cotton dress shirt hung loosely over his khaki colored hemp pants. If anyone did not know better they would have thought the wedding was taking place at a chapel by a beach on a warm summer’s day based on their attire, especially if they looked at Kaleb’s naturally tanned skin tone. However, if you looked outside the windows of the old church the first snow flurries of the year fell gently from the deep purple evening sky.

  Demona looked past the two love birds at Felix who stared back at her from Kaleb’s side. He was handsome in his mismatched suit consisting of black pants and grey vest. Looking at him dressed up sent images of a wedding where they were the bride and groom flowing through her mind. Demona looked down at the long slim fitted gown she wore. She was happy that Hannah had chosen a hot pink dress for her to wear, as opposed to something that matched the tacky, pale pink tulle bows that decorated the ends of the wooden pews.

  Demona looked back up in Felix’s direction and caught his eye. They stared across at one another deeply; it made Demona’s heart feel as if it were swelling. She wondered if visions of their own potential wedding were filling his thoughts as well. Felix continued to gaze longingly into her eyes. The slight distance between them made her feel as if they were a million miles apart. At the same time everything felt so right between them.

  He flashed her one of his heart melting smiles and she wanted to grab him and kiss him right then and there. The thought made her blush, especially after the thoughts of their wedding drifted to thoughts of their honeymoon. Felix noticed her momentary lapse in focus and grinned once more as if he knew what she had been thinking, which only made Demona blush brighter. She could feel the heat in her cheeks and she brushed them with her fingertips as if she could hide their rosy color. Demona promptly looked down at the dark pink Gerber Daises that decorated her simple bouquet and she fumbled with the leaves as she tried to regain her composure.

  She could not imagine loving another person like she loved Felix, or feeling more comfortable in her own skin with anyone else as she was when they were together. Despite the bumpy road their relationship had been when it first started, Demona was certain, more now than ever, that things would never be complicated between them again. He was the most supportive and understanding person she had ever known. In that moment she realized that Felix was the one; her soul mate.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride,” Ezekiel said.

  Demona’s attention was now solely focused on the beaming bride and groom as Ezekiel prepared to introduce the married couple.

  Kaleb stepped forward and grabbed Hannah in a firm embrace. He placed his hand on the back of her neck and their lips met. The kiss lasted quite a while, which caused several of the attendants to blush while they watched.

  “Ow ow ow!” one of the guests yelled.

  “Get a room,” someone else suggested.

  The audience giggled. Hannah and Kaleb broke apart, faces flushed, and big grins on their faces. They turned towards the crowd glowing with pride.

  Ezekiel stretched his arms out to the attendants. “I present to you as husband and wife, Mister and Misses Gallagher.”

  The tiny sanctuary packed with guests erupted into a roaring cheer. Hannah and Kaleb exited the sanctuary, followed by Demona who was locked arm in arm with Felix. The guests funneled out of the church doors behind the two couples. The after ceremony festivities were held outdoors in the grove. Metal barrels with fires burning brightly inside illuminated the surroundings and provided warmth on the chilly late autumn evening. You would not think that metal burning barrels could set a mood, but they did. It was rustic and simple, yet it perfectly fit Kaleb and Hannah’s styles.

  Small bouquets of Baby’s Breath hung upside down from the trees. Strands of white lights had been wound through the trees providing just the right amount of light, along with the barrels, to cast the romantic mood on their surroundings. The picnic tables had been arranged into a circle with a large bonfire in the center. Its flames threatened to lick the branches above.

  Several of the refugees began to set up their string instruments to provide music for the reception. A soft melody began to fill the air as the harpist began to delicately strum a tune and the guitarist joined in. The violinists began to play last and provided just the right amount of edge to pick up the rhythm.

  Kaleb walked into the center of the grove and extended his hand out to his new bride. Hannah took his hand in hers and he pulled her to him. They wrapped their arms around each other and swayed to the music gazing into one another’s eyes. Onlookers gathered around to watch the newlyweds perform their first dance.

  Felix found Demona as she stood hugging herself to fight off of the evening chill. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders in an effort to provide some extra warmth. Felix leaned his face against the side of her head and watched the happily married couple.

  The song ended and the band took up a jig. The other attendants found partners and made their way to the inside of the picnic table circle, where they swirled and twirled around the bonfire. Skirts fluttered as the men swung their partners around in unison.

  Demona felt Felix’s warm breath on her ear. “Come with me,” he whispered.

  Felix’s soft, deep voice sent an excited chill through Demona’s body and she turned towards him with curiosity in her eyes. Felix grabbed hold of her hand and led her out into the dark field.

  “Where are we going?” Demona asked.

  “You’ll see.”

  The only lights that shone in the darkening sky were from the sparkling stars that peeked from behind the scattered clouds. A bitter breeze swept through the air and Demona swore she could smell ice. Heavy snow is coming. Demona felt Felix halt in the darkness and came to a standstill beside him.

  Felix released her hand and let it fall to her side. “Close your eyes and stay right there.”

  “Okay?” Demona did as Felix asked.

  After a few moments Demona felt Felix’s fingers wrap around her hand once again. He tugged her forward. “Keep your eyes closed and sit down.”

  “What are we doing?” Demona did not argue, though her mind raced with a million thoughts as to what Felix was doing. The anticipation caused the tickle of butterflies in her stomach.

  Felix aided Demona in sitting on the ground. She felt a soft fabric graze her fingers below her as she used a hand to settle on the ground and adjust herself. She listened as Felix sat beside her. She felt the warmth of his body against hers and a tingling heat spread over her body with his proximity. She was tempted to peek to see what was going on, but decided to wait a few moments longer.

  “Okay, now you can open your eyes.”

  Demona opened her eyes to find small flames flickering around her. Felix had lit a few candles which provided provide just enough light to see just their immediate surroundings. The two sat on a blanket on the cool ground in the training field. The music from the reception drifted in their direction, but it was quiet enough for Demona to hear her heart thumping quickly within her chest.

  Felix lay down on the blanket and waited for Demona to do the same. She lay down with Felix and rested her head on his arm. He wrapped the other arm around her when she was settled into place. The two stared up into the sky at the starlight above. Demona was at peace as she listened to Felix breathe deeply and she attempted to figure out what colors the stars were: white, blue, or red.

  The snowflakes fell gently around them as they looked upward into the heavens. Some of the cold flakes landed on Demona’s face, each felt like a cold gentle kiss before it melted away. The sky was beautiful with the grayish
hue of snow falling from the sparse clouds above. Demona snuggled closer to Felix, as if trying to steal his warmth, and he embraced her more tightly.

  They lay there in silence for a while. Neither spoke. There was no need to; the moment was perfect as it was. Words could not do justice to the feelings they held for one another. Just to be alone together was wonderful enough. Felix stroked Demona’s head as she lay next to him and he gently ran his fingers through her thick wavy hair. The sensation gave Demona goose bumps. She drifted into a peaceful state of mind, focusing on the sensation of his fingers in her hair and the sound of his breathing. It was not often that they could be together uninterrupted.

  The world around them had become so chaotic that it was a miracle that Demona had even a moment to speak to Felix some days. Her position as liaison and her key role in the events that were unfolding left her with little time to even catch a breath. Sometimes she felt as if she would suffocate as her responsibilities seemed to weigh her down. She was not willing to give up this moment with Felix and planned to take full advantage of it in all of its beauty. Demona tried to push thoughts of what the next day would bring out of her mind. She wanted to focus on the here and now and forget the horrors that were taking place on a daily basis.

  Demona repositioned herself by turning onto her stomach and propping her head up on her elbows in order to gaze into Felix’s eyes. The candles made his eyes gleam in the darkness. He smiled up at her as she gazed down at him. He brushed a strand of hair out of her face and placed his thumb and pointer finger on her chin. He gently directed Demona’s face down towards his own and closed his eyes moments before their lips met.

  The chill in the air was instantaneously pushed away by the flame that burned within Demona when her mouth touched Felix’s. The soft feel of his lips against hers caused warmth to spread throughout her body; travelling from head to toe. She was overwhelmed by his touch and his taste.

  Demona opened her eyes momentarily and noticed that the candle flames glowed larger and more brightly from her rampant emotions and mageia. They were similar to torches in the darkness and produced heat that enveloped the two of them. Demona quickly unzipped her thick coat as the heat from the torches and their passion made her body hot and cheeks flushed.

  Felix shifted and laid Demona on the ground. He hovered over her and bent down to kiss her once again. The world was lost to them as they wrapped their arms around each other and his lips wandered to places they had never been before. Each kiss made Demona’s skin tingle.

  Felix pulled away only a few inches from her face and looked into Demona’s eyes. “I love you.”

  “I—” Demona began to speak, but before she could Felix’s lips hungrily pressed against hers. Demona forgot the words she had been about to speak; There was no need. Felix knew how Demona felt. Instead, she met his fevered kisses with her own passionate response.

  Demona and Felix gripped onto each other as if it were the last time they would be in each other’s arms. Demona was consumed by the need to feel him, smell him, taste him, and touch him. She craved being near him. She wanted to stay there, where they were lost in the moment.

  A dog barked in the distance pulling Demona from the comfort of Felix’s lips. She was drawn from the perfect sensation and back to reality. Damn dog! The dog barked again and she noticed that the music from the reception had ended. The night was growing more settled. She had no idea how long she had been lost in Felix.

  The dog’s bark echoed through the almost silent night. Where is this dog I keep hearing? It sounded near. Her attention returned to Felix when he held out his hand to help Demona up from the ground. He bent over to blow out the candles and quickly gathered everything up under his arm. He used the other hand to hold Demona’s as they prepared to walk back toward the tents.

  The darkness surrounded once again, but there were no burning metal barrels ahead to provide a direction to travel. Demona harnessed the magic around her and summoned the floating flame that she used so many times before.

  Felix remained in the spot where he stood as Demona prepared to step forward. She looked back at him to see his eyes transfixed on the sky. Demona had once again subconsciously accessed her abilities, while caught up in the moment with Felix. The snow had frozen in mid air and hung in the sky like sparkles that shimmered in the fire’s light. Felix reached out and touched a flake that was close to his face.

  Felix chuckled. “You never cease to amaze me.” He leaned over and kissed Demona’s cheek.

  Chapter 7:

  Out On Patrol

  Demona stood over two simple, grey marbled gravestones with the initials S.B. and D.B engraved on them. The rose bush that had grown up over the plots was bare since autumn had settled in. The thorny vine had snaked its way around the two stones, as if it were tying the two together. It had doubled in size since she had caused it to grow using her mageia during her first visit. Demona bent down and brushed away some of the leaves that had fallen around her parents’ resting place.

  She threw a flannel blanket on the frost covered ground and sat centered in front of the two plots. She faced the markers and crossed her legs. It had become a ritual for her since finding out about the location where her mom and dad were buried. If she was not able to be with them in this life at least she could be with them where they rested.

  “I miss you both. I wish that I’d known about my abilities when you were alive,” Demona said. “Maybe things would have been different… Maybe you’d be here with me now. Maybe I could’ve stopped Darius before this whole catastrophe happened.

  Demona sighed. “I promise he’ll pay for what he did to you. He won’t get away with making a mess of my life either,” she said. “After all, Aleph has been watching all that he’s done. It’s only a matter of time before Darius gets what’s coming to him. I just hope it happens before he has a chance to ruin anyone else’s life.” Demona paused and chewed on her lip as if considering something.

  “In some ways it’s fitting that Darius turned me into a vampire. He’s contributed to making part of the prophecy come true and to giving me more power than he realizes. Aleph has only made me stronger since the transformation happened,” Demona said. “I still can’t help but wonder if I’m going to be able to go through with the rest of the prophecy. I don’t doubt my role as the chosen one anymore; I just wish things could be different. I wish you were here with me… to give me advice.”

  Felix walked towards her through the frosted, dried, and dead brush that was beginning to lean towards the ground. The brush and leaves crunched with each step he took. A gust of cool wind swept through the almost bare trees that surrounded them; blowing some of the remaining leaves off of the branches. Demona wrapped her arms around herself to keep the chill from seeping through her thin coat and watched the leaves flutter to the ground.

  I hate this time of year. Everything looks dead and I feel blah. It probably isn’t helping my mood that I’m hanging out in a cemetery either.

  Demona did not need to turn around to know that Felix now stood behind her. She could sense his presence. It was if her body responded to the close proximity of him, whether she was consciously aware of him or not. Felix remained silent, but the fact that he was with her gave her comfort.

  She sighed and stared at the headstones. She reached out to pull a few brown leaves away from around the plots. Most of the leaves crumbled at her touch and only managed to become wedged farther into the dormant grass. Still, Demona attempted to make the graves seem less neglected than they appeared.

  Felix’s hand lightly rested on Demona’s shoulder. “It’s almost time.” His words were soft and solemn, respectful to the dead.

  Demona changed to a kneeling position. She kissed her fingers and placed a hand on each gravestone. She stood and looked down at her parents. “I love you both.”

  Before she turned to leave with Felix she remembered how loving and kind her mother had been. How secure she had felt in her arms and the smell of lavender in
her hair. She remembered the joy she felt as a child when her father had mussed up her hair and how she in turn would muss up his. He would laugh heartily at her while she did it; she loved the sound of his laughter.

  ****

  Felix and Demona met the field-agents in the park at Darius’ seemingly favorite location. The place was all too familiar to Demona in a not so pleasant way. Any passerby would have found the location in the park to be completely ordinary. It was, however, the spot where Darius had attacked Demona and began her transformation in to a vampire. It was the location where she had awoken disoriented as a hungry fledgling vampire. The memory of that night still haunted Demona. She ignored the uneasiness that she felt as she stood there.

  Darius just loves to try to make me feel powerless, that’s why he sends me here.

  Felix looked at her with sympathy. He knew what the place meant to Demona and how uncomfortable she was every time Darius sent her to that location for a rendezvous. However, it had also been the location of their first date, their first date alone; one where she had had a flashback of when Darius had attacked her on a dark night. Demona had enjoyed her date, despite the horrific interruption. Thankfully, the incident had been a moment to observe Felix’s sincerity, kind-heartedness, and his concern for what had happened to her. His big heart was one of the things she loved most about him.