"Which of these homes is yours, Puft Ball?" I asked. I didn't think it likely the demons would be aware of the marshmallow brand I'd grown up with, but I suspected the insult would carry just fine.
"Remove them," Puft Ball commanded. A wave of compulsion surged out from the greater demon and crashed over the mob of lesser demons.
"What's our play here, Slade?" Amak questioned as we were rushed by the lessor demons that represented a third of those gathered.
"Stay tight, everyone," I said. I extended the shield I still held and lanced through the compulsion magic that bound Puft Ball to the weaker minded demons.
Even with the compulsion broken, several demons continued their advance.
Amak and Maggie jumped forward - Amak with her bo staff and a naked Maggie throwing her sweatshirt to the side. Bright sparks coursed over my shoulder as Gabriella cast painful hexes at the rushing demons.
I pulled the shield back and cut off a volley of spell energy aimed at Gabriella by a Ghrelin, just as Maggie jumped into the pack of lesser demons. In mid-air, she shifted to the form of a Bengal tiger and buried a ham-sized paw into the first skull she located, knocking over those who followed too close. Amak's bo staff spun as she, too, engaged the advancing pack.
The giant demon's chain slowly accelerated as he whipped it around, gaining strength as the chain gathered energy. The doubt I'd felt projected by Puft Ball dissipated with each revolution of the chain.
A small demon broke away from Amak and Maggie's fur ball and ran toward Gabriella. My attention split as I continued to deflect the damaging spells lobbed in by the more powerful Ghrelin still standing back. To turn my attention to the interloper would risk spells getting through that might disable Amak and Maggie.
At the last moment, Flick jumped from my side to intercede. As demon-kind, Flick was smaller and less powerful than most of the attacking demons. His distraction, however, bought Gabriella time to focus her fire, even as Flick was violently tossed aside.
We'd reached a degrading stalemate that I was sure we would soon lose. I could keep the Ghrelin's spells from disabling Amak and Maggie, but our offensive capabilities were slow and Puft Ball was gaining power.
"Pull back!" I yelled as the group around Maggie and Amak thinned.
I dropped the shield and reached deep into Kaelstan's crust. Amak screamed in pain as the spells I'd been deflecting reached her. I knew the pain she was feeling. Even with the exhilarating darkness coursing through my spirit, I felt the burden of my decision.
Elation swept through me and took over. A veritable river of power flowed beneath us and I grabbed at it greedily. I'd never held so much power. I cackled with joy as I gathered it and filled myself. Everything around me felt so small – so insignificant. The demons weren't wrong and witches and trolls were nothing. Their screams exposed weakness I found deplorable.
A sharp sensation caught my attention. I looked down to a puny demon that had stuck me with its blade. I severed its head from its shoulders and tossed the head across to the assembled horde. My attention turned back to Puft Ball. Its scythe, in the form of a chain, drew dribs and drabs of energy from the air. I found myself feeling equal parts pity for its impoverished grasp of power, and anger at its arrogance in challenging me.
Stepping forward, I flicked my hand at the paltry collection of demons that stood between me and the Puft Ball. The giant had been holding the lesser demons in front of him, as if that might actually stop me from giving it a taste of my power. I reached forward, grabbed the chain, and heard a cracking sound as my weak, human form broke on impact with the iron links. It was no matter, however, as I could hold the chain in place with my will.
"You should have left me alone, Puft Ball," I taunted and tugged at the chain, pulling the fat demon off its feet as if it weighed nothing.
"Welcome, brother," the demon said as it released the chain and pushed up from the ground, kneeling. "I live to serve you."
"All of you, kneel," I said, holding Puft Ball's chain in front of me. A small tug of discord caused me to pause as I noticed my arm had been badly damaged and hung limply, even though I held the chain easily. I both felt the pain and didn't care; it was nothing in comparison to the rush of power.
I whipped the chain out from my body and removed the top half of Puft Ball's head. Too many of the assembled demons had seen his challenge and a strong message was in order. I turned back to Gester's house. I so badly wanted to get inside and talk to him, but I could no longer recall why. I shrugged and walked forward, dragging the chain with me.
The small witch chattered at me. I was sickened by the compassion that emitted from her. Useless. I didn't need compassion. I was a god! I couldn't bring myself to dispatch her, so I pushed her aside and swung the chain over my head, driving its length into the side of the house.
"Like butter," I said as I took a second swing and then a third.
I stepped through the wreckage. A demon-kind whelp peered around a corner. I reached across the distance that separated us and drug it to me, forcing it to its knees.
"Your master is where?" I asked, caressing its head with my free hand. It would be so easy to pull the head from its body.
"Felix!" Maggie caught up with me and slapped my face. The buildup of power in her distracted me. I had not seen it before and it made me proud. We could absolutely own this town.
"Damn, Maggie," I said. "You've been holding back."
"What are you doing!?"
"Hang on a sec," I said. "About Gester?" I traced the back of my hand down the pathetic Peutering's face. I still didn't get the torture thing, but killing was kind of cool. I'd have to give that more thought.
'Yeesss, my Lord. Master Gester is in the parlor."
'My Lord.' That had a real ring to it.
"Show me."
I grew impatient as the demon-kind shook but didn't move.
"Let her go," Maggie commanded.
"Right," I agreed.
I followed it to a room where Gester lay on a heavily cushioned, red satin platform centered in the room. A sheer white gown covered the greenish brown bastard. I recalled the fear and pain I'd felt at the demon's hand and chuckled. Gester was such a plebian with his torture. I clenched my fist and smashed it through his head. Yeah, killing; now that was a pastime worth exploring.
"Felix, what's happening?" I found the witch and troll standing at the door to Gester's shrine. I smelled fear on the troll and felt a deep sadness from the witch. Fear I understood; I was awesome. Sadness was confusing.
My sister walked between the two women and directly toward me. I could read no emotions from her. I suspected it had something to do with the coil of energy she kept so tightly under control. "Don't hate me, bro. It's for your own good."
"Are you kidding. I feel great!"
"Subtle clues aren't really your strong suit," she said and transformed into a huge, silver-backed gorilla. I was impressed with her recent choices and threw my head back, laughing as she beat her chest and roared. It was turning out to be the greatest day ever. And then a massive, clenched fist collided with the side of my head.
"Felix?" Gabriella's voice sounded like it was a million miles away. My head felt like an elephant was sitting on it. I tried to reach for her, but my arm exploded in pain.
"Oh shit." It was as if I was waking from a bad dream, but I knew it was no dream. I struggled to rise.
Amak's strong hand on my back helped me to a seated position and Flick held a golden goblet filled with water to my lips.
Across the room from the couch where I sat, Gester's dead body lay on the raised platform. I really had smashed his head in. I looked at the hand I'd used to deliver the blow. The skin was torn where it had contacted the small horns. I became aware of its throbbing. The fact was, every part of my body hurt horribly.
Gabriella was keeping her distance and looking at me with distrust. I hung my head in shame. I understood her feeling. I didn't trust myself. Kaelstan's energy had leached from my bod
y and I felt empty. Insignificant. The imperious bloodlust was gone and in its place fear had taken root.
"Felix? Are you with us?" Gabriella asked again.
"What a mess," I said. "Did Maggie actually bash in my head?"
"You were getting uppity," Maggie quipped, entering the room. She'd found a slinky red dress and pulled her black hair back into a short pony tail. I’d never seen her as pretty before, but something had changed. She’d gained several pounds and was no longer the emaciated form I was used to seeing.
"And you're done with all that. Right, Slade?" Amak asked.
I looked at the floor again. "I'm not really sure what happened.” It was only a partial truth. Fact is, I had a perfect memory of what had transpired. What I wasn’t entirely sure of was if I was willing to give the dark power up. I knew it was wrong; the splint on my arm and my throbbing head made that much obvious, but the sense of ultimate power pulled at the edges of my consciousness.
“What did you want to talk to Gester about?” Gabriella asked.
I sighed. “He has to know how to foil Adajania,” I said. “She must have a weakness.”
“Don’t be an idiot, Slade,” Amak said.
I bristled at the characterization and gave her an annoyed glance.
“Without that Key, she’s stuck in Kaelstan. That’s her weakness,” Amak said.
“Adajania can move back and forth freely. I just think she doesn’t want anyone else making the trip. And exactly how does that help us break into her palace and free Missy and Mom?” I asked.
“Are you sure your mother is trustworthy?” Gabriella asked. “Everything she’s done has been for Adajania’s benefit. Do you think it was possible she didn’t recognize Adajania after she’d taken Flick’s form? Why else would she throw you the acorn from the Elvish tree?”
“She knew the elves could help me,” I said.
“Convenient that Adajania got a free trip back so she could look for the Key,” Amak added.
I shrugged. “It doesn’t change anything for me. I’m not leaving Mom or Missy here.”
“So … what? We drive the steam car over to the palace, bang on the door and demand they let Missy out?” Amak asked, perturbed.
“You should not do that, Master,” Flick said. “The sorcerer has fortified the palace with a legion of guards and Smaragdinus protects her.”
“We’ll have to bring friends,” I said. “Help me walk. I can’t show weakness if there are any demons left outside.”
“There are none,” Flick said. “Those you did not kill have fled.”
“Where are we going?” Amak asked.
“To call in some favors.”
Walking was difficult, but I led the group out to the steam-powered car. It pained me that Gabriella continued to keep her distance. I’d broken her trust and had no idea how to repair it. It was the same with Amak, although less obvious.
The scene in the streets of Tinder Haut was just as we’d left it, although now my perspective was different. There were demon bodies and parts everywhere. Puft Ball lay right where I’d killed him and the stink was unimaginable.
“You have a right to all of their possessions,” Flick said as he stoked the fire within the vehicle. “None from Tinder Haut will challenge you after today. Word of your deeds will spread.”
“Don’t worry about the fuel, Flick,” I said, sliding in gingerly next to Gabriella.
“The vehicle will not move if I do not tend to it.”
“Just jump in,” I said.
Flick dropped what he was doing and did as I asked.
I placed my hand into my pocket and activated the Key. A moment later we sat on the lawn in front of Barrios house.
It was dark, but a growl alerted us to the fact that we were not alone. I caught the scent of werewolf just before I heard Joe Lozano speak. “Where have you been, Slade?”
“None of your business.”
“You smell of demons.” He and Squirrel stood where the shadow of the porch hid them.
“I’ll call Willow. She’ll want to look at that arm.” Gabriella slid out of the car. It felt like she couldn’t get away from me fast enough.
“What is it you want, Joe?” I asked. “You have your freedom. Why are you hanging around?”
“I want the bitch who killed my family,” he said.
“Someone went after Jennifer and the girls?” I asked, genuinely surprised.
“Not that family. Sue. Max. Cody,” he said. “We buried them today. The pack wants revenge.”
“Let’s go inside and talk,” I said. “Maggie. Are you doing okay? You’ve been shifting a lot and you haven’t been eating.”
“I’m not hungry. In fact, I feel awesome,” she said. “Joe, you don’t want revenge on Adajania. She’ll chew you up and spit you out without a second thought. She’s no witch; she’s a demigoddess.”
“Honor doesn’t care about titles. We live by a code. That code says you mess with one of us, you get the pack,” Joe said, stopping at the front door and poking his finger into my chest. “Way I see it is you’re either with me or against me. You’re not innocent in this.”
I laughed wryly. “Understatement of the day.”
“What’s it going to be?” Joe asked, pushing into my personal space.
“I have a plan. You’re not going to like it though.”
“Does it involve me putting it to this Adajania chick?”
“She’s holding that witch you saw in Rosen’s house. I want to break her out.”
He moved toward the door. “Great, let me call the pack. We’ll go now.”
“We need more bodies,” I said.
“Don’t push me off, Slade,” he said. “This is happening with or without you.”
I turned to Squirrel. “Remember the ogres that kicked our asses?”
“Hard to forget,” he said. Joe looked at Squirrel questioningly. Apparently, he hadn’t told Joe about the ogres.
“I need you to get a message to the one I took the necklace from,” I said.
“What’s this got to do with anything?” Joe asked.
“One ogre stood against me, Amak, and three of your pack,” I said. “If we go against Adajania, we’re going to need help. Think you can do that, Squirrel?”
“Shouldn’t be too hard. They’re not extra speedy,” he said. “What makes you think the ogre will listen?”
“Tell the ogre I’ll break those necklaces and I might be able to send them home,” I said. “If the ogre is interested, have him meet at my place tomorrow morning at dawn.”
“What happens at dawn?” Joe asked.
“You get your wish, Joe,” I said.
“Done.” Joe and Squirrel walked over to where they’d parked their motorcycles in the driveway of Barrios house.
“This is stupid,” Amak said. “There’s no way we can take on Adajania. People are going to die, Slade. How are you going to feel when it’s Gabriella or Maggie or me?”
“None of you are coming,” I said. “I can’t risk having you around if I get out of control like I did last time.”
“You mean when,” she said. “Are you on a rescue mission or is this just an excuse to get all green and angry?”
“Green?”
“Your body changed back there, Felix,” she said. “You didn’t see it?” Amak closed her eyes, as if picturing it. “Your skin turned green, you grew a foot, sprouted horns and put on fifty pounds, all of which was muscle as far as I could tell,” she said. “I thought you’d been possessed.”
“I think that was all me. Me and my demon blood, Amak,” I said.
“What are you going to do when Maggie isn’t there to bring you back to earth?”
“I don’t know.”
Chapter 25
Palace
“I don’t want you to come. Any of you,” I said. Gabriella, Maggie, and I had been dancing around the conversation since we’d returned.
“You’ll get no argument from us,” Willow Katty said, patting
my bandaged arm. “We’re happy to patch up a friend, but I have no interest in the likes of Adajania, who for the record, I thought was a legend until tonight.”
I smiled. Willow had formed a healing circle with Gabriella, Lace, Clarita and Willow’s daughter Cypress. My arm, while not totally healed, was set and well on its way to recovery. It felt a million times better than it had only a few hours before.
“She’s very real,” Gabriella said. “Felix, if you go, you won’t return. I saw you lose yourself to your demon. You couldn’t bring yourself back from it. I will not be part of that. You have a decision to make. If you choose to be the demon I saw in Tinder Haut, there is nothing left for us.”
“Seems like you all have some things to work out,” Cypress stood and helped Willow up. “For the record, Felix, I’d like to have you back. We all would.”
I waited for the room to clear. Amak had gone home several hours ago and I wasn’t sure where I stood with her. This whole demon thing was stressing my relationships with just about everyone.
“What are you saying, Gabriella?” I asked. I knew what she was saying, but I needed to hear her say it.
“I’m saying goodbye, Felix,” she said, tears rolling down her face. My heart sank and my throat constricted as she held my head in her hands and kissed my forehead. “You need to leave. I am not strong enough otherwise.”
We’d been sitting in the living room of Barrios house and I walked to the front door with Maggie behind me. “I’m sorry, Gabriella. I love you.”
I walked through the front door and found Flick sitting on the porch. I heard Gabriella’s small voice behind me. “I love you, Felix.”
As I closed the door, I caught Maggie dabbing at her eyes.
“Master?” Flick looked at me questioningly.
“I told you, Flick. I am not your master.”
“It gives me comfort,” he said.
“We need to move the car to my property,” I said.
“That’ll be funny when you’re pulled over by the cops,” Maggie said.
It was about midnight and twenty degrees outside. I hoped we wouldn’t run into too much traffic, but she was right. Police could cause us some trouble. I should have considered that when I’d told Joe where we were taking off from.
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