Demon Possession

by Kiersten Fay

  She recal ed one of the many times she hung from the center of a room, arms tied above her,until she thought they would rip from the sockets. She’d survived that. Or the time he had locked her in a smal box, which forced her in a fetal position, for days. A smal square opening the size of a fingernail was her only source of air and light. She’d survived that. No matter what, she would survive anything Sebastian had to throw at her.

  Bring it on.

  Sebastian hadn’t moved, he was stil sitting on the chair ponderingthepile of blankets, left sitting in the corner. Slowlyhe rose,and advanced toward her.

  Analiastopped breathing.

  “This wil do nicely,” He said,eyeing her clothing. Then he walked past her out the door,expecting her to fol ow.

  Reluctantly, she did.

  Silence sat between them through the hal s.Sebastian’sbody was stiff as he led her. It was obvious,by the energy rol ing off him, that he wanted to howl at her. Analia felt hisoutrage. But hesaid nothing. She almost wished that he would. It would be better than the muted exchange that was happening between them.

  She wanted to tel him she would use the bed,if onlyhe would al ow her tocontinueworkingin the gal ey with Marik. Instead, she decided to remain quiet.

  Hal way,after indistinguishable hal way,final y they reached the recreation room. Analiascanned theexercise equipment, as wel as theweapons on the wal s.At the sight of them she swal owedthe thick lump that had been building in her throat.

  What was he planning?

  Through a side door,a large mat stretched across the floor,and a lot more weaponswereencased or draped on racks.

  Calic stood, waiting in the middle of the mat with his arms crossed leisurely,a dreary look painted his features.“It’s about bloody time. I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show.” He said, and then gestured with his thumb and forefinger, “Was this close to going about my business and saying to hel with you.”

  “We were delayed.” Sebastian replied smoothly.

  Delayed?She’d been ready in minutes, there was no delay on her part. Unless … how long hadSebastianwatched her sleep?

  Sebastian motioned to Calic with his head. “You start training today. You’l be training with Cale for a few hours, each morning. After that you’l servein the gal ey, through lunch only. Then you’l head to The Devils Punchbowl. There you’l spend some time working for Sonya. She’l teach you the ropes, among other things.”

  Stunned, Analiatook a moment to gather a reply.“Is this … Is this punishment?”She glanced at Cale, who winked at her.

  Sebastian cocked his head. “No punishment. The training is for your benefit. Cale wil teach you to defend yourself. While you’re working for Sonya,she wil pay you in touri, which it a common currency for most space cities, so you’l have something saved up by the time …”Sebastiantrailed off. “I’l be back intwohours, to make sure everything went alright.”With that hewas gone,and she was alone with Cale.She sensed that he wanted to be here about as much as she did.

  Warily she watched him, waiting for whatever was about to come.Calelooked smug on the mat as he crooked a finger at her. Stepping onto the matAnaliafelt her shoes sink in slightly, there were several weapons,set deliberately at the edge.

  Cale picked up two long thin swords. “Here.” He said tossing one to her.Instinctively Analia jumpedout of the way—it didn’t matter thatCalehad tossed it hilt first—the swordlanded with athud.

  Calerol ed his eyes. “Pick it up.”

  Lifting the sword Analia was surprised at the weight of it. With astonishment she commented, “This is arealsword,and it looks sharp. I thought we would …

  shouldn’t we practice first?”Analiasaid, shaking her head in confusion. “I’ve never done this before.”

  “We wil use these for practice,it wil help you to takethis seriously. Try not to cut yourself. Now, hold the sword out. Like this”Caledemonstrated with his arm and sword straight out, as ifheand the sword were one appendage.

  Analia fol owed his example—at least she thought shehad. Circling her,Calemeticulouslyadjusted her. He adjusted her shoulders, her grip, how far apart her feet were, even the angle of herhead.

  “Focus on your body. Feel the grip of the sword. Feel how your body is balanced against the weight of the sword. Keep your head straight,” He scolded when she moved to look at him.

  Facing her again,Calemimicked her stance,and swung the sword hard and fast, slashing at the air. The sharp sound of itmade her flinch. “Watch me,” he said,as he slowed down the move. “Now you do it.”

  Analiatried,and failed to recreate the motion.

  For a momentCalewas quiet, his expression turningdark. “I don’t believe you are who you say you are.”

  Analia’s brows drew together.

  “Tel me why you’re here.”Caleangled his sword at her,forcing her to backaway.

  Shock and fear fil ed her at the change in mood.Analia looked around,for what she wasn’t sure. The door was closed, she was trapped.“I’m s … sorry? I don’t know what you mean.”

  He moved forward,and again she backed away.

  In a panic, she said,“I don’t know how to prove myself to you.”

  “Tel me who sent you here.”Caleheld the sword to her throat now, her feet dangled on the edge of the mat. Al she could do was watchas the tip of the sword bit into her skin,thoughnot quite enough to draw blood. “The truth wil be known. You can’t hide who you are.” He growled.

  Analia shook her head but didn’t respond.

  “If you’re here to hurt my ship,or my crew, I wil make sure you truly do know suffering.”

  Her whole body shook with fear. She might have already put fate into motion regarding the safety of the ship and crew. Hermere presence mayhave irrevocably marked them al for death.

  Once more Calic’s mood changed. Stil holding the weapon to her,he continued as if hehadn’tjustthreatenedher. “If someone has you in this position, what do you think your best move would be?”

  Analia gaped at him. He didn’t trust her, thought she was someone else entirely,but he was stil prepared to train her? To give her skil s that, in his mind,might one day be used against them?

  These demons were difficult to understand.

  Her mind raced,“I coulddive out of the way?” Al she wanted to do was run.

  “Not a bad idea, but I can strike faster than you could dodge. You would need to distract me, or catch me off guard. You could use that sword in your hand to knock mine away. Give it a try.”

  Already she had forgotten abouthersword. Tightening her grip on the hilt she hesitated, not sure how to accomplish the move without causing his sword to slash across her own throat. Her breath came fast,and her body tensed.

  “Do it!” He ordered.

  In a clumsy move she bowed her back, clearing her neck from harm. Her sword swooshed up, dul y clanging against his. Though his sword barely moved an inch,she lost her balance completely. Her butt met the hard floor,and her sword clattered to the ground beside her. She knew her cheeks were flaming when she looked back up at Cale.

  He stood tal , looking down at her with a raised eyebrow. “That was real y bad.”

  Embarrassment turning to ire, “What did you expect? I’ve never even touched a sword before!”

  “Get up. We’l start again.”

  Analia pul ed herself off the floor and reached for the sword.

  “Leave it. We’l come back to the sword later.”

  After gingerly setting itbackdown, Analiafol owed Cale to the middle of the mat. He’d gone quiet,and kept glancing at her in an I’m-going-to-figure-you-outsort of way.Ha! Good luck with that. She couldn’t even figure herself out.

  Suddenly, he moved so quickly she hadn’t had time to comprehend a possible reaction.From behind,he wrapped his big arms around her torso, squeezing the breath from her lungs.

  Oh no, this wasn’t punishment. This was torture.

  Al business Cale said, “If you’re caught like this what’s your next move?
”

  Analia wiggled and writhed against his hold. She hated feeling trapped,and being held against her wil . Panic raced like a toxin through her, clouding her mind. She let out a pure panic-laced whimper.

  “Calm down and take stock.”Calesaid in a soft tone … wel , soft for him. “What parts of your body can you move?”

  Through the haze of her anxiety she replied, “My legs. I can move my legs.”

  “And your head. If someone your own height were to grab you from behind,you could use your skul to bloody his nose, it would be painful and blind him for a moment. You could stomp your heel into his foot. You’re forearms are also free in this hold and you could do much damage to aman’s lowerregions. A good hit wil send him to his knees. Once his grip has been loosened enough to free your arms,use your elbow as hard as you can against his head, or wherever you can get a good strong hit.”

  Analia nodded, picturing al the moves in her head. But picturing and doing are two different things.

  Calehad her practice in slow motions for some time,before he said. “Good enough for now, let’s move on.”

  She could already feel the soreness in her body, but was surprisingly eagerly for his next lesson.

  Just as before,Calemoved swiftly into his next hold. Like a whip his arm shot out, giving her no time to react. Powerful hands wrapped around her smal throat,and he squeezed with a gentile pressure, enough to be uncomfortable,but not enough to real y hurt her.

  He meant to prove a point, butAnaliaknew this hold wel —had been on the receiving end of it many times. This was a hold that could easily render you unconscious. She kept steady, oddly feeling safe even though her pulse spiked wildly.

  “How should you counter?”Caleasked.

  “I could kick you in your bol ocks.”

  He smiled at her candor. “Aye, you could, but a man of any brains would expect a move like that in this position. A better move would be to raise your arm up and bring your elbow down across my arms. If you learn to do it right you wil break my hold, and wil be able to get yourself in a better position for a counterattack.Thenyou go for the bol ocks.” He had her practice this move for a long time. A thousand times she must have rammed her arm into his.It wasn’tuntil she had accomplished a smooth,fluid action, breaking his hold and successful y scrambling away,thathe movedon.

  “Now pick up your sword.”

  Oh no.

  She looked at the heap of metal. “I … uh.” With that,Calegave her a look that saideither you do it or I’l make you do it. His fistwasalready claspingthe hilt of his own sword.Snatchinghersfrom the ground,Analia faced him with the sharp tip hanging at her side.

  “I’m going to slash at you,and you’re going to defend yourself. Ready?”

  “What?”

  He swung his sword upward and she jumped back, just barely avoiding fal ing on her ass again.

  “Defend! Use you sword to block mine. Don’t worry, I wil not hit you.”Caleswung again,and she tried to meet his metal with hers.

  Clang!

  She immediately felt the vibration of it through her wrists. “Hold it tight, like it’s an extension of yourself.”

  This time,when she swiped through the air her whole arm lashed out, both swords struck with force. The vibration of it snaked up her arm. She winced,and he grated, “Better.”

  He took a moment to show her specific moves, slow and calculating. He showed her the right angle to defend against certain attacks, and the proper He took a moment to show her specific moves, slow and calculating. He showed her the right angle to defend against certain attacks, and the proper countermoves for others. The practice drawled on and on, until she thought her arms and legs would turn to putty. Then he said four little words that made her heart crash land in her stomach.

  “Now you attack me.”

  Gripping the hilt of her sword,she froze. “Shouldn’t I practice on a dummy or something? I might …”

  “If you can even touch me with the air from your swing, I’l eat my own hand. Now do it. Attack!”

  Her first strike was limp,and he batted it away with the smal est flick of his wrist. She tried again,and this time was no better. The third was worse,and even she knew it lacked conviction.

  “Pathetic. Try harder.”

  She did, but only a little. Countless more swings of her sword and she was panting, sweat gleamed on her skin.

  Calegrowled at her lack of progress. “What gets your blood boiling? What makes you angry? Who has wronged you?”

  Darius.

  “Close your eyes and think of someone else in my place. If you can, try to remember a time when you were ful of rage,and hold on to it.”

  She didn’t have to think long. There were too many times to choose from, too many moments when she thought she would go mad from the anger festering inside her. It was stil there, underneath the surface, clawing to get free. She’d spent so much time burying it she hardly recognized it when a spike of fury flushed through her.

  Darius,murdering her mother! Darius,locking her away! His breath on her neck as he would tel her she belonged to him. The memories of every time he abused her,or tried to break her,started to flood her mind.

  When the sound of metal grating against metal fil ed the air,she opened her eyes. Her body had moved without her permission, and even Cale looked a little shocked.

  “Very good!” His eyes flashed with something … approval? “Again!” He ordered.

  Her rage hadn’t left her,in factit was stil growing. Maddening. Harder than before she slashed at Cale, picturing only Darius.

  Clang!

  Without a pause, her sword carved through the air.

  Clang!

  Darius, ripping at her hair.

  Clang!

  Throwing her to the ground.

  Clang!

  Laughing at her pain.

  Clang!

  His eyes swimming with pleasure at what he was about to do to her.

  Clang! Clang! Clang!

  She went mindless with her rage, her horror, her fury. Only the sound of metal on metal satisfied her, wishing it was metal against flesh. At some point she’d begun to cry-out with every swing,and was advancing on the mat. She no longer felt her body. A building energy buzzed through her,and guided her movements.

  The image of her sword slashing through Dariusswam in her mind, thoughhis expression remained arrogant,alwayslooking at her as though superior to her in every way. He reached out and grabbed her shoulders.

  Analiascreamed.

  “Anya!” Two male voices yel ed her name repeatedly.

  The image of Darius vanished, and she felt warm tears streaking down her face.

  Shaking,Analiasank to her knees,buryingher face in her hands. Fuzzy images of the memories she’d cal ed stil misted through her mind. Warm armsgently camearound her,and she smel ed the musky scent of Bastian. How long had he been here?

  Fisting his shirt in her handsAnaliaclung to himas shesobbed. “Don’t let him hurt me anymore!” She couldn’t stop the words from coming out. Sebastian tightened his gripon her. Analia felt his head snap to Cale,and could only blubber unintel igibly.

  “She’s not talking about me mate!”

  Analia thought she heard a hint of concern in Cale’s voice,but decided she was mistaken.

  Sebastianforced a soft tone,“Who are you talking about sweets?”

  Analiashook her head,her face stil buried in the crook of his neck. Her grip was like a vice on his col ar,as though she would never let go. Her only response was a gut-wrenching wail that cut him to the bone.

  What had brought her to this? Once again he turned his attention on Cale, who looked at Anya as though he didn’t know what to make of her. To anyone else Cale would have seemed uncaring,but Sebastian saw the gleam of guilt in his eyes.

  Anya’s sobs began to slow to a quiet weep, though her body was stil shaking wildly. Sebastian petted her hair, hating himself,because she was wil ingly in his arms and he felt a twinge of satisfaction for it.He kn
ew it was only because she was so distraught that she al owed the contact, but like the selfish bastard he was, Sebastian would take anything he could get.

  “Shhh …” He cooed. “You’re safe. No one wil hurt you here.” He didn’t know if his words had any effect. Reveling in her warmthSebastianpul ed her tighter against him. She responded by wrapping her arms around his neck. A hitch in her breath was the only sound from her now.

  He didn’t know how long they sat like that but when she began to pul away he reluctantly let her go. After pul ing herself to a stand, her red eyes darted between him and Cale. “I’m sorry.” She whispered. “That won’t happen again.”

  “What exactly happened?”Sebastian asked. When she didn’t respond, he pointed to Cale,“Did he hurt you?” Sebastian knew Cale wouldn’t have hurt her intentional y, he only asked to get her talking.

  In a solemn voice Anya replied, “No, Cale didn’t hurt me.”

  Sebastian scowled in frustration. “Tel me who did.”

  She gave him asilentwithered look.

  “I wil find out.”

  Anya only shrugged.

  “Do you feel up to working in the gal ey today? I could take you back to your room.” Sebastian was hoping for the latter. Not only did she look tired but her melancholy plagued him. And for reasons beyond his comprehension, he wanted her wel rested and smiling again.

  Plus, during the training he had replaced her couch. Not with the old one,but with one from his own room. It was soft, comfortable,and large. It would make a satisfactory bedfor her.

  When he’d seen her huddled on the floor this morning, Sebastianrealizedshe wouldn’t back down, and accepted defeat.He thought if she saw what he’d done for her,it might cheer herup, but to his disappointment Anyashook her head,and said she’d like to see Marik. A pang of jealousy nagged at him.

  Marik had a connection with her, a shared experience thatSebastianwould never understand.

  Cale interrupted his thoughts. “You impressed me today Anya. And that’s not easily done. I expect you here tomorrow.”