The Demon Within (A PeaceKeeper Novel)

by Stacey Brutger

  “Such as?”

  “You really don’t understand.” His sad look scared the bejesus out of her.

  Pissed at being forced into a confrontation when she’d tucked away her own anger at him, she lashed back, ignoring the part of her mind that screamed at her to shut her mouth. “Is this about the demon?” She laughed bitterly. “I understand well enough. My instinct just saved our lives.”

  “What if it had been Brie coming to warn you? What if it had been me? Would you be so cavalier?”

  That shut her up.

  “Get dressed. We need to warn the others.”

  By the time she gathered her wits to say she’d reacted to being attacked, Ruman was gone. The door clicked behind him, the noise so final she had difficulty swallowing.

  Why did she have the feeling she’d just lost something precious? Could he have been right? Her throat closed. If it had been someone else, she couldn’t have guaranteed instinct wouldn’t have taken over.

  The tendency for violence hovered in her mind every waking moment. When around humans, she’d purposely scaled back, retreated to keep them safe from her darker emotions.

  It was obvious now that she let herself get too close. Once this was over, she’d have to leave or risk endangering them like this again.

  Retrieving her knife, she decided Ruman was partially right. She slept with him. She made love with him. She either trusted him or she didn’t.

  Heat burned her cheeks. She’d allowed Oscar to brainwash her into believing all demons were evil. She needed to find Ruman and explain. To have him thinking badly of her had the darkness in her creeping closer to her soul.

  She found him in the kitchen, drinking the hickory-flavored coffee he loved. To give herself time to organize her argument, she helped herself to a cup and sat across from him, desperately trying to think where to start.

  “I can’t help the way I was trained.” Coward that she was, she hid behind her cup, unable to face him. The warmth of the brew soaked into her icy fingers but it brought her little comfort. The chill came from within.

  “I’d like to think I wouldn’t have reacted the same way if anyone came into my room, but I can’t say if that’s true or if I just want to believe it so bad.”

  She blew across the dark liquid, more to have something to do rather than to cool it. The surface rippled, and her image distorted. “I haven’t trusted anyone, especially not myself, since the first time I met Oscar.” A bitter laugh escaped. “I don’t blame him. Not anymore. He did what he thought best to protect me and the group.”

  “Caly—”

  She held up her hand, praying he would give her a chance to finish. She didn’t think she’d be brave enough to try again. “I trust you with my life and more important, the lives of my friends. I—”

  “Stop.”

  Tears pooled in her eyes, blurring the image in the coffee further. “But—”

  Faster than she could form words, he stood and stretched across the table, dragged her over the surface and kissed her. The touch of his lips burned through her, breaking the fragile shell that kept her protected from the outside world.

  His mouth plundered hers like he didn’t intend to ever stop, and she returned the favor. When he cupped her face then slid his fingers into her hair, she shivered, her whole body aching for more.

  He pulled back to study each feature, memorizing every nuance. “I’m sorry. I let my fear blind me. It should’ve been me protecting you, and it pissed me off that I didn’t even know you were in danger until it was over. I trust everything about you, including the demon you hate so much.”

  He stared down at her green eyes and fell more in love with this courageous woman who braved the nightmare of her past to be with him. He was an ass for letting his doubts gain control. She cared.

  It was enough for now.

  He tugged at her hand, urged her off the stool until he had her settled between his legs. “When this is over, whether I’m an angel or demon, we’ll work this out.”

  When she ducked her head, his heart plummeted. Then he saw a shy smile and shimmer of hope in her beautiful eyes. “I’ll be waiting.”

  Unable to resist another taste, he swooped down and gave her a quick kiss.

  Glass shattered. Instinct took over and he hunched forward to shield Caly from flying shards. He shoved her down, pressing her flat against the floor under his body, grateful that Caly didn’t fight him. He peered cautiously over the center island but found no threat to conquer.

  “What the devil is going on in here?” Still crouched over her, one arm wrapped around her waist, he hustled Caly toward the door. The need for retribution brought out the warrior instincts that demanded he defend what was his.

  “Kelly said sporadic attacks have been going on for the last hour.” Remembering the first attack upstairs, Caly amended her statement. “With a dash of Kamikaze warfare.”

  “What happened?” Kelly charged into the hall. Petite size six shoes blocked their way. “They better not have touched my kitchen.” Attitude covered every word and anger carried her past them and into the room. “Damn, do you see this mess?”

  “Get down. They just tried to kill us.”

  “With this?” Kelly hefted a large rock and tossed it out the hole in the window. “You better believe they’re going to pay for that.” Kelly spoke so fast she was almost unintelligible. The speech was interspersed with a smattering of languages that Caly didn’t think was in any way complimentary.

  Kelly opened a cupboard and sighed. “At least they didn’t touch the chocolate.” Popping a piece of fudge in her mouth, she swept the room with furious energy, glass tinkling with each stroke.

  Caly stood in a rush, barely containing her anger. “You told me the fighting had only just started.”

  “I lied.”

  “Why didn’t you wake me?” Her fingers ached to wring Kelly’s throat.

  Without missing a beat, Kelly dumped the glass in the trash. “Same shit, different rooms. We’re fine. They’re only getting more adventurous now that the sun has set.”

  “Tell that to the demon I demolished less than hour ago in my bedroom.”

  “What?” The broom handle clattered to the floor. “Are you hurt?”

  The house shook. A boom came from below. The lights in the house flickered. They looked at each other when everything plunged into darkness. “Get the night gear out and have everyone hunker down. Ruman and I will head to the basement and see if we can get the power online.”

  “Caly—”

  “We can see almost perfectly in the dark. We’re the logical ones to go.”

  “I’ll go.”

  “Brie?” Caly turned and faced her double. “No. Stay with the others. You’ll be of more help here.” She stared at the woman she’d spent half her life hating and loving like a sister. “Be careful.”

  “You, too.”

  Brie led Kelly away, and Ruman slipped his hand into hers.

  “Come.” Ruman tugged her hand. “We need to secure the house before he arrives.”

  “You think it’s him out there?”

  He looked at her over his shoulder. “Don’t you?”

  “Why attack us on our own ground? Wouldn’t he try to lure us out of the house instead of keeping the battle on our territory?”

  As if in answer, an astringent smell snaked through the closed basement door. She jerked Ruman to a halt. “Don’t open the door.”

  Caly reached out and laid a hand against the wood, then quickly yanked it back. “Fire.”

  Ruman blanched.

  She hurried to the middle of the house and bellowed, “Fire. Everyone downstairs.” Footsteps thundered on the wooden floor. In a matter of seconds, the troops stood waiting.

  “We have two choices. We can stay and battle the fire. No demon would willingly be in the same location as an active flame. Or we can run and step right into the trap.”

  “The unexpected might cause them to make a mistake.” David rubbed his j
aw but said nothing more.

  “I vote we save the house. At least inside we stand a chance.” More than half of the group nodded at Kelly’s suggestion.

  “Grab the garden hose and hook it up to the faucet. There are two fire extinguishers in the kitchen. Take two teams and worked to douse the fire.” Ten men scrambled to do as she ordered.

  “Kelly and David, take three men and head toward the back of the house.” Caly hefted a leather pouch that rested near the study door that contained the bombs. “Take these. When you are ready to use them, bend the plastic tube to snap the vials. Make sure you have it out of your hands in less than a minute or the plastic inside could become imbedded in your palms.”

  They nodded and took the package gingerly. “Holler if you run into trouble.”

  “You four,” Caly pointed at the men by the stairwell. “Same rules. I want you upstairs, two in the back, two in the front.” She nodded to them. “Keep up your guard.”

  In minutes only she, Ruman, Brie and Jarred remained. “What did you do with Henry?”

  “I’m here.” Henry stood in the hallway, smiling grimly, clinging to the wall to stay upright. “You didn’t think I would let you have all the glory, did you?”

  Caly smiled. “Of course not.”

  “Although I wouldn’t mind having one of those bomb things if you have any of them handy.”

  Jarred stepped forward, Brie at his side. “You and Ruman worry about getting that bastard. The three of us will take the kitchen.”

  As they hurried away, Ruman turned toward Caly and sighed. “From the look of mischief in your eyes, you have a plan. I’m not going to like it, am I?”

  Caly laughed. It felt good to have him stand by her without question. Bending, she fished out the medallion. Between her fingers, the gold metal twirled and shimmered in the darkness. “It’s time to bait a trap of our own.”

  Chapter Thirty-three

  “I’m not so sure this was such a good idea.” Now that it was time, the plan didn’t sound so brilliant. Doubts crowded in on her from all sides, the knowledge that one mistake could cost her everything was a slow, torturous death.

  “We need to know the numbers waiting for us.” Ruman seemed so confident; she just hoped he didn’t do anything stupid and try to act all heroic by confronting the Fallen by himself.

  “I want you in and out. No lollygagging. No taking care of this by yourself.” When he didn’t immediately agree, she narrowed her eyes. “Don’t make me come out after you.”

  Brows lowered, Ruman leaned forward until they were nose to nose. “Don’t you dare. Try something like that, and I’ll put you over my knee.”

  Caly smiled, unable to resist tweaking him. “Maybe later.” On her toes, she kissed the harsh expression off his face. “Get before I lose my nerve and refuse to let you leave.”

  Shadows wrapped their dark wings around him. His image wavered and dissolved in a cloud of fog. When it cleared, Ruman was gone.

  Demons did it all the time but to see Ruman do it unnerved her more than a little. Not because he was a demon but because she hate having him out of her sight.

  She rushed to the front window, but saw nothing. Air grew thin at the thought of Ruman out there, injured and determined to do whatever it took to protect her.

  With the medallion.

  Caly took a deep breath and did something she thought she’d never do. She dropped the veil that imprisoned the darkest part of her soul.

  The demon within flared to life in a blazing glory as if afraid she’d change her mind. Agony filled her body, setting her blood on fire. Her fingers curled into fists as she wrestled with the urge to scratch off her own skin.

  Every inch of her body tingled, oversensitive to the world around her, the pain crippling in its intensity. She clenched her jaw to prevent herself from crying out, fearful one wrong move would send her over the edge.

  Time slowed, the world shifted. The pain subsided slowly, reluctant to release its hold, leaving behind heightened senses and the strength to fight next to Ruman and kill this bastard once and for all. She smiled, relishing the prospect.

  Seconds tripped by and stretched out forever as she tried to listen for any disturbances. “Where are you?” Caly waited for any sign that he needed her.

  “Were you searching for me, little one?”

  Caly whirled and came face to face with shadows. As much as the voice sounded like Ruman, her blood screamed otherwise. She hunkered down and tensed. Doubts stayed her hand. She didn’t know whether she could trust her instincts despite Ruman’s confidence in her. Not if it meant his life.

  “Ruman?” She hated the slight quiver in her voice. When he didn’t answer, she moved from her position, tightening her hold on the dagger. Ruman wouldn’t have left her vulnerable by refusing to answer.

  A shape formed by the staircase, only a faint mist. Tracking the dark fog, she pulled out a stiletto knife nestled at the small of her back and sent the metal whirling through the air.

  A hiss of fury filled the hallway, but the expected splash of dust never arrived.

  Fear climbed up in her throat. Only one thing reacted like that.

  The Fallen had arrived.

  She had him in her grasp and allowed him to escape. Angry at herself, she marched toward where the stiletto quivered in the wood and wrenched it out of the wall with a grunt.

  “Caly?”

  Spinning on her heel, she had the tip of the blade at his throat, the knife against his flesh when she realized her mistake.

  “Ruman?” Her voice wavered, and she jerked away as if she could erase her action.

  Her stomach heaved, and she backed away, shaking so bad she could barely hold the blade. “He was you. He was pretending to be you.” Her throat closed at the dark blotch that marred his throat.

  A mark she put there.

  “I almost killed you.”

  “But you didn’t. You stopped.” Ruman swallowed carefully, the small patch of burned flesh smarted, but the blade hadn’t penetrated his skin.

  “I’m fine. I’ve had hangnails worse than this.” He approached her carefully, afraid she would scamper away like a skittish kitten if he moved to fast. He wrapped his arms around her, stricken at the way she trembled. After a few minutes, she snuggled against him, and he rested his chin on the top of her head.

  “What did you find?” Her voice emerged muffled from his chest.

  “A few demons, nothing more.” He rubbed his hand up and down her back then tipped her face up and kissed her lightly. It took all his willpower to release her. “Let’s go kick some demon ass.”

  From his pocket, he removed the medallion and hooked the chain back to it. He slipped the medallion over her head, careful to place the disk under her shirt, hiding the links beneath the collar. Everything had to go perfectly.

  A grunt and a scream came from upstairs. Ruman caught Caly’s arm when she turned toward the source of the fight. “Trust your men. You trained them well. They know what they’re doing.”

  With one last look of longing upstairs, Caly nodded and turned away. The disgruntled look on her face would be adorable in any other situation. That peaceful thought shattered when she doubled over and clutched her stomach. “Caly?”

  She waved him away, straightening in obvious pain. “I’m fine.”

  “No, you’re not.” He cupped her elbows and helped her sit on the stairs, not liking the pale shade of her face. “What’s wrong?”

  Caly groped for the dagger. When her hand settled on the pommel, a dark red glow soaked into her skin and seemed to ease her a bit. The threat in the air was palpable. “Too many demons, too close. It’s a bit overwhelming.”

  The house fell eerily silent, and Caly lifted her head, a feral look of violence on her face. She was her fighting her demon, and the demon was taking a bit of revenge out on her.

  When he would have spoken, she turned away as if she knew what he would say and called out. “Jarred? Brie?”

  Brie’s v
oice floated out of the darkness. “Alive and well.”

  “David and Kelly?”

  “Still standing.” Kelly’s sassy reply made him smile.

  “This doesn’t feel right. Check upstairs. I’ll check the progress of the fire.”

  He grabbed her arm before she could take a step. “Together.” The word strangled at the back of his throat, the need to keep her within reach almost a physical battle within himself.

  Caly hesitated, her eyes devouring him before she relented. “Agreed.”

  He went up half the steps until the soldiers came into view and he could still see Caly. Both men stared intently out the window, waving off his concern. The injured man chuckled at a joke, wincing as he did so. Claw marks sheared the flesh of his back. The bleeding had stopped but the wounds remained opened.

  “The scent of blood will draw the demons to you. Stay on your toes. If they sense any weakness, they will attack.” With those words of caution, he all but ran down the steps. By the time he reached the landing, Caly nodded and headed toward the basement door.

  Ruman halted mid-step at the heat. Despite all her worries, Caly noticed as if she were attuned to him. “Ruman—”

  “Go. I won’t leave this spot.”

  After she left, the silence was deafening. Worry clawed at his gut that he was missing something important. He couldn’t mess this up. They were so close, he could all but see their future together. But he didn’t think it was his fear of losing her that put his sense on alert.

  He glanced at the small parlor. Nothing out of the ordinary caught his attention, but something felt out of place.

  He took a step, then two. A cold chill spread from his lower back to his shoulders. Sweat evaporated from his body. They were coming for her.

  “Caly!” Terror seized his heart. He sprinted for the door when something hit him between the shoulder blades, sending him flying through the air.

  Stunned by the attack, Ruman let instinct take over. He rolled, twisting to the side and came to his feet. The floor vibrated under him and the spot where he’d just been was a mass of splintered wood.