Demon Possession

by Kiersten Fay

  Now she began to worry for herself. Would Bastian see her as a prize, an asset to keep and use as he pleased? A ships biggest expense was fuel.

  Would he think to use her as Darius had? A tool to be exploited?

  “Anya?” DoctorOshwald’s voice rang out in the quiet little room. “Are you awake child?”

  Her eyelids fluttered in answer but she couldn’t keep them open.

  “You heal almost as quickly as they do. It’s amazing. What are you?”

  “Who?” she managed. Her voice didn’t sound like her own. It was too deep and scratchy. The use of her throat brought renewed pain. She wouldn’t attempt to speak again, for a while at least.

  “The demons.” He replied. “They are one of the fastest healing races. They rarely need my services. Seems you are too, but you real y did a number on yourself. Your insides were nearly mush. I’ve never seen anything like it.” She felt a cool hand on her forehead, the relief was astounding. “Ah, you’re healing very wel indeed. I’m going to use my ability to help it along. Let me know if you feel uncomfortable.”

  A very welcome chil rol ed over her, driving out the incessant heat. She hadn’t realized how hot she’d been feeling. But too soon the doctor removed his hand and the heat returned.

  “That’s al I can manage for now. You’ve taken most of my strength as it is.” She could tel he’d moved to his chair and was now sitting. “Rest now, I’l try again in a little while.”

  It didn’t take long for her exhaustion to claim her.

  Chapter 18

  “What do you mean she woke?And you didn’t cal me!” Sebastian was fuming.

  Dr. Oshwaldwas surprisingly calm in the face of an enraged demon. He sat at his desk scribbling notes. He didn’t even look up as Sebastian bel owed.

  Nonchalantly Oshwaldsaid, “It was only for a few minutes. She’l wake again. Soon I expect.”

  Anya was lying motionless on the bed. Her color looked better and she seemed to be breathing easier. She was stil the most beautiful thing he’d ever laid eyes on. Grating he replied, “You wil cal me when that happens.” It was an order not a request. The doctor nodded but kept his attention on his paper.

  It had been more than twenty hours since she’d fal en unconscious. Sebastian hadn’t slept a wink. He was too worried for his Anya. Admittedly, the lack of sleep might be making him more irritable than usual. Every minute he was teetering on the Edge.

  The ship had warped for a mere twenty-three seconds and Anya paid a hefty price for it.Something she wil not be doing again.

  She’d succeeded in her goal, however. They were safely away fromExtarga. After Aidan pinpointed their location, they found that they were only a few short days from their destination. What would have taken them more than four months had been reduced to seconds. The amount of power the ship must have consumed was incomprehensible.

  He placed a hand on Anya’s cheek, rubbing lightly with his thumb. Her blond hair curled around her face in disarray, with her wee pointed ears sticking out from the mess. He wil ed her to show him once more the vivid blue of her eyes. After a moment of watching her sleep Sebastian got up to leave, giving the doctor a meaningful glare before the left.

  Al over the ship repairs were being made. The damage was surprisingly minimal. The shields held up wel and were the first thing to be repaired. Just in case. Surprisingly, the wards had acted as a kind of second shield.

  The thrusters had taken some damage but nothing that would cripple the ship. They were back on course, and traveling at adequate speed.

  As soon as Sebastian entered the control room, he wasbombardedwith questions about Anya’s wel being. Al the crew who were present and knew what had happened were grateful to her, most had already visited her more than once.

  Sebastian had given a hush order—no one was to speak of the events that had transpired—the less who knew of Anya’s gift the better. He knew now that anyone with a questionable character might view her with greedy eyes. Think to use her for their own gain. He knew now why Darius wanted her so badly.

  Eager for news Aidan asked, “Is she awake yet?”

  Solemnly Sebastian shook his head. Aidan’s shoulders slumped. “The doctor is confident it wil be soon.” He encouraged. Changing the subject he said,

  “Let’s establish contact with Ethanule.” They should be close enough now tocommunicate with the pirate.

  After a moment Ethanule was on the screen, he smiled wide when he saw Sebastian. “Good Captain, how goes it?” He spoke like an aristocrat, not like the pirate he was known to be.

  Sebastian replied, “Al is wel . We are a few days out now.”

  “What quick service. I wasn’t expecting you for months. You must have a very fast ship, indeed.”

  Ethanule’s hair was straight, cut to his shoulders, and so blond it almost looked white, three braids hung heavily decorated with gold and red beads. He looked young, but that could be deceiving. Ethanule couldbeas old as Sebastian, from his infamous reputation he probably was.

  His clothes looked expensive for a pirate, tailored even. He obviously took pride in his dress. A deeply red petticoat adorned with gold trim and buttons accentuated the shape of his torso. The long sleeves and inner pockets most likely concealed more than one weapon. Under that was a black shirt, the fabric was surely top of the line. Gold rings decorated his fingers, two on one hand and one on the other. No doubt there was gold around his neck as wel .

  Pirates adored gold in every form. Only his upper half was shown on the large screen but Sebastian was sure his lower half was just as decorated.

  Though his outward appearance was that of a spoiled young man of wealth, he held himself like any pirate would. A strong jaw, back straight, cocky grin, deadly aura.

  “Maradaholds up wel under pressure.”

  “Is my package safe?” He said, getting right to the point.

  “As I said, al is wel .”

  Ethanule narrowed his eyes. “There are rumors of an attack, are you certain nothing of mine was damaged?”

  How could he know that?

  Ethanule answered the question not yet spoken. “My influence is extensive. I have spies everywhere.”

  “The damage was nothing, we escaped with only scratches.” He wished he could say the same for Anya.

  “What luck.” He drawled. “I’l have my men send you the exact coordinates. I look forward to concluding our business together.”

  Sebastian could not agree more, “As do I.”

  Ethanule’smenwere rumored to be of the Denaloid race. A race of beings made up entirely of males. No females were ever born. The males perform the roles of mother and father. Conception worked the same as any male female relationship, only conception was between two males. Sebastian didn’t even want to think about how that worked.

  Just then his console beeped, it was a direct cal from sickbay. With a push of a button, he answered it. “Doctor?”

  “She’s awake.”

  The crew had heard and the room erupted in cheers. He himself let out a breath of relief. “I’l be right there.”

  Anya’s heart pounded in her chest. When she woke this time the doctor hadn’t said a word. He only went to the intercom on his desk and said to someone on the other end “She’s awake.” She both hoped and dreaded that he’d cal ed Sebastian.

  Soon enough his massive body came strol ing through the door. He’d changed clothes since she’d last seen him. How long had she been out? His familiar deep gold eyes swam with emotion but she couldn’t read him. She was too weak and … afraid to know the truth.

  Motionless he stared at her, she stared back. When his jaw clenched she knew he must no longer care for her. It reminded her of the first time they’d meet, with her, lying in this very spot, him, cold and distant. Turning away, shame consuming—she was right, she was too abnormal—

  “You are never to put yourself through that again!” For the first time, his voice was unsteady. It made her look at him again.

 
; She saw it now, the fear and love in his eyes.

  “Do you real y mean that?” Her throat was stil sore and it hurt to speak but she had to be sure.

  In two strides he was by her side, his hands caged around her face, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “This is not a request, it’s an order. You are never to do anything like that again. Promise me.”

  Her face, frozen in shock, she couldn’t believe what he was saying. Hedidn’twant her to use her gift. How could he be so wonderful? Perhaps she was misunderstanding … or more likely dreaming. “You realize I supplied your ship with power?” He nodded. “And youdon’twant me to do it again?”

  “Are you kidding me? You nearly died. No I don’t want you to do it again. Ever!”

  Every muscle in her seemed to relax. Then she laughed.Laughed!With al the pain she was feeling at the moment, she couldn’t keep herself from outright laughing. “Gods,” she said. “Who is this dream you’ve given me?”

  Sebastian kissed her again and this time she kissed him back. “No dream love, flesh and bone, and al yours.” He took her wrist and placed a kiss where her already healed wound was. “I’ve never been more afraid of anything in my life, than I was of losing you. Never again, okay?”

  Her smile faded slightly. Sighing she replied. “Bastian, you have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you say that.” Sheepishly she shrugged, “I feared your reaction would be different. But if placed in a similar situation, where the choice is death or save my fam … friends, I wil always make the same choice.” When he opened his mouth to protest she quickly repeated. “Always. I wil never promise otherwise.”

  For a moment he said nothing, a muscle ticked in his jaw. “Then promise me this. You wil not do it if there are any other options, or if I can think of any other options, or if anyone else can think of any other options, or if there is time to think of any other options …” He stopped to think. “And never to that extreme. Four five seconds, max, never more than ten and you’l stop if you start to feel pain …”

  “Enough,” She laughed. “You’l make it impossible to justify using my gift at al .” Which honestly didn’t sound so bad to her.

  “That’s the point.”

  Anya rested her head back against her pil ow. She was losing strength again. Sebastian must have noticed.

  “Do you need to rest? I could—”

  “No don’t go.” She interrupted.

  “I won’t. I wil just sit here until you fal asleep.”

  “What I’d real y like is a real bed. I’m strong enough now that I shouldn’t need the doctor, plus I’ve exhausted him as it is.”

  “I wil take you to your room then.” Sebastian offered.

  “Can I … I mean, would you mind if I slept in your bed?”

  “Of course, it’l give me easier access.” Bastian lifted her in his arms. She could feel the muscles contracting. He held so gently, as though he was afraid he would break her.

  Soon she was under his covers, gazing out at the clear view of space.No ship in sight. Sebastian changed into a loose pair of pants and slipped in beside her. Warm in his protective arms she nuzzled his chest and inhaled his masculine scent.

  “Why didn’t you tel me?” He squeezed her lightly.

  “I was afraid you would look at me differently. Treat me different.”

  “I was afraid you would look at me differently. Treat me different.”

  “You thought I’d want to use you?” She nodded. “I would never want to hurt you like that.”

  “What if it didn’t hurt me? Would you …”

  “I would stil want it to be your choice. But it does hurt you.” He grated. “What of before? With Darius? Did you nearly die each time he used you?”

  “I remember in the beginning it was … bad. I was only a child when he started the experiments.

  “Experiments?”

  “To see how much I could take.” Sebastian squeezed her again. “Eventual y, I began to adapt. The pain lessened.” Anya turned her head to look up at Bastian. “I think that’s why it was so bad this time. I’m unused to this ship. If I’d had more experience, started slower …”

  “Not going to happen.”

  “Just a theory. Anyway, I stil couldn’t be hooked up for more than a few seconds at a time and Darius wanted more. So he built a contraption that siphoned out my energy slowly. It hurt less but it lasted longer. A lot longer. Sometimes I would go unconscious, I never knew for how long.”

  “I’m going to kil him.” He rasped.

  “I can’t talk you out of it. Can I?”

  “Nope.”

  “What about me? Where wil I be while you’re off searching for a way to get on his ship, past his sensors, and through his guards? He never leaves it you know. Do you think he’l ever let you near him again?”

  Ignoring her rant, “I plan to leave you hidden in a safe place. Sonya and Marik wil stay with you. Calic has decided to join me.”

  “Oh gods, not the both of you.”

  “Let’s not talk of this now. You need to rest and I don’t want to upset you.”

  Nodding she lay her head on the pil ow, but this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot. She would just have to convince him to go into hiding with her.

  Somehow.

  Chapter 19

  Anya sat in the sanctuary, soaking up the quiet nature. An artificial cool breeze tickled her skin. She knew it wasn’t the real thing but after so long without it, it was a godsend.

  Being here, made her feel normal again. The last few days have been … different. She was changing. Her gift was becoming clearer and more sensitive.

  She knew one floor down there were two maintenance workers making repairs and not too far away a couplewasmaking love, their energy was like a dance. She knew Bastian was in the hal way right now, just about to enter the sanctuary.

  Two seconds later he was loping toward her in al his sexy masculinity. His face lit up when he spotted her, the lips that played her body like a finely tuned instrument morphing into a lopsided grin. The intensity of his golden eyes always took her breath.

  His energy told her he was delighted to find her and a little aroused at seeing her—which madehera little aroused—butheworried for her at the same time.

  “Here you are.” He said, sitting down beside her. “Why are you here alone?”

  “It’s peaceful here. Quiet.”

  “It’s not peaceful inmyroom? Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you’re feeling wel enough to get back into your routine, but you cannot believe the disappointment I felt when I didn’t find a beautiful half-naked woman in my bed.”

  Anya couldn’t help her smile. “I wanted to do some training.” And get away from the energy-chaos of the control room just below. It had begun to overwhelm her. So, even though she wasn’t feeling one-hundred percent, she decided it was as good a time as any to get out of there. She thought a little workoutwould make her feel better, but training with Cale had been something new entirely.

  “I know, I spoke with Cale.” Sebastian’s voice hardened. “He’s lucky I let him go without a serious limp after what he did.”

  “He was only trying to help.” It was more of a reckless experiment.

  After finding Cale in the training room his first comment was, “About time.” Then they’d begun a new kind of training. Anya was hesitant at first, but Cale could talk a lead weight into flying.

  Grabbing a light bulb straight from a socket,Cale held it between two fingers in front of him and told her toturn it on. She’d snorted, but he only raised an eyebrow and waited. Anya assured him that she wouldn’t be able to unless she was touching it,but he persisted. Placating himAnyaconcentrated on the light bulb, feeling very sil y in doing so.

  Cale was extraordinarily patient, standing motionless for an hour while nothing happened. Just before she was about to give up, she tried one last time and everything around her went quiet. There was a buzzing deep inside her. On instinct she grasped hold of it, holding it in her mind. Slo
wly her body became electrified, her skin hummed with energy.

  Then she became acutely aware of her surroundings. Inside the wal s, wires passed energy back and forth, she could feel the movement, like a control ed wind.

  In Cale’s hand the light bulb came into focus. It too began to hum. Gathering energy inside her was like a tight bal of pulsing current, instinctively she threw it at the bulb.

  Softly it flickered.

  They both sucked in a breath.

  Then it began to glow, brighter and brighter, il uminating Cale’s shocked features.

  Boom!

  It exploded like a tiny bomb. Cale dropped what was left of the casing and covered his face with his hand.

  “Cale! Are you okay?” He looked at her and she gasped. Glass shards penetrated his skin. One eye was closed, bleeding, and beginning to swel . “Oh, gods! Cale I’m so sorry. I … Are yousmiling?”

  “That was the shit!”

  “But your eye …”

  “In an hour it’l heal. Next time I won’t be looking straight at the bulb.”

  “Next time!”

  “Yeah, you’re going to do that again.” Eagerly he scrambled for another light bulb. “Try not to blow it up this time.”

  They’d gone through seven light bulbs, al exploded.

  Beside her,Bastian seethed. “Know that I’m not happy about this. I thought we had an agreement. No more using your gift.”

  “We agreed that I wouldn’t use it on the ship, unless absolutely necessary.” She quickly added then looked away, to hide her worried look.

  “What is it? Are you stil feeling—”

  “No I’m fine. It’s just … I feel like I’m changing. My gift is changing, or growing, or something. I need to get a handle on it or I’m afraid it wil consume me.

  Training with Cale this morning felt … right. If I can learn to harness it, then maybe next time I won’t almost die.”