Anatol pulled a vial from his pocket, something Victoria had seen Kevin do many times. He shattered it at his feet, and the ghostly massacre around them slowly faded, along with the lights. The cafeteria once again looked as it should, dark and deserted. The only light came from a bubbling cauldron in the middle of the room. It was a strange sight, a cauldron sitting on a wood fire, and Victoria wondered what Kevin would think of it.
"Wow," Anatol said, staring at Alex. "I don't know what to say. You were on the east coast not long ago, and I thought you were dead. As old as I am, I've never seen a creature like you. How did you get here?"
Victoria grabbed Alex's shoulder, to make sure he said nothing. Was it possible that in everything going on, Anatol knew nothing of Kevin?
"We know what you're doing," she said.
"Of course you do. I'm sure you're here to stop me. The heroes have come to save the day."
"So, a portal for demons," Victoria said. She circled around the cafeteria, away from the doors. Anatol's explanation didn't matter to her. She only wanted to stall for time, examine the layout of the cafeteria. "Are you one of those crazy types who want to rule the world?"
He laughed, and dipped his hand into the boiling cauldron. Alex cringed next to her.
"Rule the world? I'll pass. You both can have the job, if you want. The young man there would be excellent. I just want change. Honestly, you don't think humans have had their time? I'm trying to do right for all of us. Vampires, witches, werewolves, the entire supernatural world. No more hunting parties. No more looking over our shoulders at the human mobs with torches and automatic weapons. The demons will destroy anything human, and the world will belong to us."
"And who do we drink from, then?" Victoria asked.
"Our human pets, of course. There's no harm in keeping a few around."
"He's insane," Alex said.
Anatol addressed him. "I wouldn't expect you to understand. You're married to a human, been raised with them. And…speaking of your lovely wife, please, don't take this personally, but several of my associates are on their way to her and your sister now. I don't want to kill your loved ones, but if you don't leave, that's exactly what will happen."
She glanced at Alex and saw the fear in his eyes. Anatol was using Cindy and Leese against him, and she could only hope his focus was where it needed to be.
"We have to kill him," she said, grabbing his shoulder. "Are you up for this?"
His wings popped from his back as his features changed. "Yes."
Anatol rolled his eyes. He reached for another vial and poured its contents on his hands. He flicked liquid around him, and Victoria gasped as flames erupted all over the cafeteria. Heat licked at her arm, and she jumped to the side in one of the few safe spots. They could barely see Anatol through the dancing flame. Sweat quickly beaded on her forehead.
"Is the fire real?" she asked.
Alex reached out to grab a handful of fire, and watched as it moved about in his palm. He let it move up his arm before absorbing it into his flesh.
"Yeah, it's real."
Victoria silently cursed. One of her few weaknesses was fire, which wasn't a difficult feat for a witch.
"We have to end this," she said. "Quickly."
She looked up to see Anatol holding yet another vial over his head. She jumped over the flames and landed on top of a nearby table, trying to get in a position to attack. The liquid in the vial was red, and she knew it was Alex's blood.
"Farewell to the era of humanity."
Her fangs popped as she bent her knees. She lunged at Anatol, sailing over the flames. He was already shoving the vial in the cauldron, and the explosion threw Victoria and Alex across the room. She landed in a pocket of fire and screamed as it burned her. She swatted at her clothes as the fire scorched her chest and neck.
Alex rushed to her side, his head bleeding from smacking the wall. Victoria had put out the flames on her jeans, but struggled with her torso. Her skin began to bubble and blister as Alex grabbed her shoulders. The fire jumped from her skin into his own. She fell to one knee as the pain passed, Alex kneeling with her.
They said nothing to each other. Victoria simply squeezed his shoulder, a quick, quiet show of gratitude. They turned their attention to Anatol, who still stood near the cauldron.
Floating above him was a yellow sphere, identical to the one when they first encountered Anatol.
The shadows grew in the room, despite the dancing fire. Low, horrible moans leaked from the darkness. A deformed limb reached from a shadow on the floor, like it was a pool of water. The first demon reared its head, a sick smile on its face.
"They'll keep coming," Anatol said. "They'll come until the world is ours."
Victoria lost count as the demons pulled themselves into the living world. The smell burned her nose.
Anatol smiled and waved his arm. "Go. Go have fun."
The demons snarled, and only took a step when Alex spread his wings.
"Don't move!"
Victoria was surprised when they listened to him. The various demons stopped and turned to face her friend. Many of them even reduced their profiles and lowered their heads, the ones that actually had heads.
"Master."
"Yes," Alex said, fighting discomfort. He controlled how the demons entered the living world, and for the first time, there was something working against him. Anatol's magic was trying to summon more demons, and he fought to keep them where they belonged. "There will be no killing, no play time today. Go back. If you're lucky, I'll drop off a snack later."
"We…cannot…."
"I said go away!"
"Master. We cannot…leave…."
Anatol clapped, enjoying the show. He reached out to pet one of the demons nearby.
"Wow. A creature that controls demons. I'd give anything to know you better. But…I'm sorry. They're mine, now. Your blood is what makes the potion so special. And if I'm gonna finish what I started, you have to die."
The demonic voice boomed around them.
"We will…not hurt…Master…."
"That's fine," Anatol said. "But the lovely redhead there, bring me her heart."
One of the demons immediately launched itself at Victoria. She ducked easily, and lashed out at another. Eying the door, she snarled when she saw it was no longer a door, but a wall, no doubt another of Anatol's magic tricks.
The demons slowly approached the two of them, their attention on Victoria. Anatol drank a potion behind them, and disappeared from sight. Invisibility. She could still smell him. His plan was simple. The demons would kill her, while Anatol killed Alex.
"Alex," she said as they backed up. "Any ideas?"
"Just one."
He wrapped his arms around her waist and flew straight up, narrowly missing a charging demon. He flew as close to the ceiling as he could. A demon jumped and grabbed her foot, pulling them down a few feet. Alex beat his wings harder, and was surprised when the demon lifted into the air. Victoria kicked at it and sent it back to the ground.
They landed on the other side of the cafeteria. The demons slowly stalked toward them.
"We have to run, regroup," she said.
"We can't," Alex said. "I have to stay close to that sphere, or more demons will come. I'm the only thing holding them back."
She sighed as the demons approached, snarling and drooling. They walked through the fire separating them, not bothered at all.
"Well then, we fight."
The demons swarmed them, pushing Alex aside. He tried to rush forward to help, but Anatol appeared in front of him.
"Believe me, I'm sorry I have to do this."
Anatol's fangs grew as he swiped a claw at Alex, catching him across the face. Alex backed up and put a hand to his cheek. He pulled away a bloody palm.
Alex couldn't help Victoria.
They had to fight, not only for their own lives, but for billions more.
*****
Kevin closed the portal behind him and quickly searched the ba
sement. Jack, Leese, and Cindy were nowhere in sight. The lights in the basement were on, and he ran up the stairs, straining to hear. He wasn't sure what he expected, but the house was completely quiet.
The basement door resisted his push, catching him by surprise. He leaned in with his shoulder and shoved with his entire body. Something large fell on its side as the door opened, and Kevin stumbled, landing on his knees.
He'd tripped over a dead body.
His eyes bugged out of his head as he scooted away. He couldn't make out any details about the man, as a trash bag covered his body down to the waist. He climbed to his feet and nearly tripped over another body as he backed up.
Walking into the dining room, his jaw dropped as he counted six more bodies. They were in various positions on the floor. Some had trash bags over their torsos, while others simply lay dead on the hardwood, looking up at Kevin with unmoving eyes. A few weapons were scattered about, guns and knives. He instinctively reached for a vial of water, but he had none left. It wouldn't have mattered. Jack had left no one alive.
"Jack! Leese!" His voice sounded loud in the silent house.
"We're upstairs!" Jack called. "Hurry up!"
Kevin ran toward the stairs, taking them two at a time. He had to step over two more bodies on the way up, and a third as he neared the top. His heart skipped a beat as he saw Jack in the middle of the hall. Cindy stood across from him, and they both looked down at an unmoving woman.
Leese lay on her side, her arm outstretched. Her eyes were closed. He pointed at Cindy as he ran up to them.
"Get water. Now."
Cindy looked to be in shock, but managed a nod and ran further down the hallway. Kevin knelt next to Leese as Cindy disappeared into the bathroom. He looked up at Jack, anger and desperation fighting inside him.
"What happened?"
"Someone punched her, or choked her out. She's still breathing. I told them to stay hidden. Two very small, simple words. One very clear instruction. They couldn't listen. So, I don't feel any guilt over her getting her bell rung."
"Shut up."
Cindy ran toward them, carrying a cup of water. She handed it over, and Kevin dipped his finger, turning the water blue. He gently lifted Leese's head and poured water down her throat, some dribbling down her chin onto her shirt.
A coughing fit seized her as she reached up and grabbed Kevin's arm. Cindy took the water and set it on a table before kneeling across from Kevin.
"Leese," she said. "Are you okay?"
She nodded and put a hand over her chest. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Kevin and Cindy helped Leese to her feet as Jack leaned against the wall. Leese stared in Kevin's eyes, who smiled back at her. She flung her arms around his neck and nearly knocked him backward. He held her and closed his eyes, trying to push all the bad thoughts away. She was alive, and she was safe. She shivered in his arms, and he didn't want to let go.
Cindy smiled at the sight, finally glad to see her best friend happy. She had the feeling she'd have to get used to seeing them together. Jack, however, simply rolled his eyes. He tapped Cindy on the shoulder.
"I hope you and Alex aren't this nauseating."
Kevin wasn't in the mood for Jack's attitude. He let go of Leese, but still held onto her hand as he faced Jack.
"Some job of protecting you did," he said. He looked at Cindy and Leese. "Don't listen to this asshole. This wasn't your fault."
Jack smiled and nodded. "Actually, you're right. This is all your fault."
Everyone stared at Jack in disbelief.
"What?" Leese said.
Jack took a menacing step forward, the smile fading from his face.
"Let me spell it out for you as simple as I can. Anyone associated with tonight, Victoria, Alex, these two lovely women here, any mortal that Anatol comes in contact with…if anyone is hurt, it's all on you."
Kevin swallowed hard under Jack's gaze. Leese squeezed his hand and moved closer, to show support, but he couldn't look away from Jack.
"How do you figure that?"
"Because you can stop Anatol. You're just too much of a worm to step up and do what you have to do. You're afraid."
"Jack," Cindy said. "What are you talking—?"
He cut her off, paying her no mind. "What's going on in Illinois? Before you came here?"
"We're making our way through the prison. It's not as easy as you'd think, believe me. Some weird crap is happening."
"Let me guess. Victoria is leading the way, right?"
Kevin's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
"Try leading, instead of following, sometime. You've got testicles, Glinda. I saw them, just for a second, in that office building. Where are they now?" He looked at Leese. "Did you take them already?"
"Don't listen to him," Leese said. "Jack's just an asshole."
"No, you'd better listen to me, little witch. If you don't deal with Anatol—and by deal, I mean kill—the world as we know it is over. Your little blonde hottie here? A demon's gonna have his way with her, then chew her up, and spit her out."
"Hey," Cindy said, joining Kevin and Leese. "Is all that shit really necessary—?"
"He's right."
Leese and Cindy turned to face Kevin, who looked down at the floor.
"I am afraid. I can handle people. People are one thing. Vampires, demons, and witches are something else."
"You're stronger than any of them," Jack said.
Kevin took a deep breath. It was time to do more than light up empty hallways and look through walls. No more standing behind Alex and Victoria. No more waiting to react, instead of making the first move.
No more holding back.
Kevin broke away from Leese and marched toward the steps with purpose. He stepped over the body without looking down. Leese and Cindy looked at each other before following him. Jack trailed the group.
"Finally. Show some nuts," Jack said.
Leese struggled to keep up. "What are you doing?"
"Going to the kitchen. I need some supplies. Some water, maybe some cinnamon and sugar—"
The knowledge hit him as he reached the bottom of the stairs. Ingredient after ingredient. Potion after potion. Nausea settled over him, and he used the railing for support. He tried to keep up. Three new potions, four, six. He'd never experienced anything like it before.
A dizzy spell took over, and he might have toppled over if not for Leese. She put one hand on his chest and the other around his shoulders. His stomach rumbled, and he couldn't stop himself from getting sick. He vomited on the hardwood floor as Cindy and Jack backed up a step. Only Leese didn't move. She gently rubbed the back of his neck.
"Holy shit," Cindy said. "Are you okay?"
Jack shook his head, a look of disgust on his face.
"This was some of my finest work. I dismantled fifteen men, without spilling a drop of blood. Not a single broken vase, not even a scratch on the wall. Then you come here and puke your guts out all over the floor. What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Kevin?" Leese said, holding him steady.
He finally stood up and wiped the sweat from his forehead. The sickness passed, but the magical potions still danced in his head. He felt like a new witch.
"That was…weird."
He resumed his walk to the kitchen. Leese gave Cindy a worried glance as they followed him.
"Are you sure you're up for whatever it is you're doing?"
"Victoria and Alex need my help."
"Kevin," Cindy said, catching up to him. "Is Alex okay?"
He laughed shortly. "He's doing better than any of us. Ghosts, haunted prisons, it's not bothering him at all."
The three of them watched as the witch went to work. He opened every cabinet and grabbed every mixing bowl he could. The kitchen was a rainbow of dancing colors as he mixed various potions, some of which he'd just learned. Leese and Cindy were in awe, and didn't dare say a word to disrupt him. Jack leaned in the doorway.
"You're heading back?" Jack asked.
"Yeah, but I'm going prepared."
He poured his potions in vials and shoved them in his coat. He could only hope they'd be enough to stop Anatol.
Heading back to the basement, he walked around the various corpses Jack left behind. The group followed him.
"I'll stay behind," Jack said. "In case more of Anatol's buddies show up."
"Will you actually protect them this time?"
"That depends on if they listen to what I say. But, you know women."
"Shut up, Jack," Cindy said.
Kevin printed out a copy of the prison wall, and also another copy of Victoria's basement. He hoped he'd get the opportunity to use the basement photo.
Leese frowned in surprise as he drew yet another portal on the wall with his finger, and prepared the photo with his potion. Before he could place the photo on the wall, Leese spun him around and kissed him. Jack held in a groan as the kiss threatened to reach an uncomfortable amount of time.
"I'm busting my ass over here, and I don't even get a peck on the cheek." He looked at Cindy. "What do you say, Freak Lady? Want to kiss someone with two centuries of practice?"
"Keep away from me."
Kevin pulled away from Leese and took a breath. She smiled at him with a hand on his chest.
"Be careful."
"Magic and careful, they don't always go together."
Leese took a step back, and Kevin placed the picture on the wall. The portal came into being, revealing the inside of the dark prison. Leese and Cindy both gasped as Kevin stepped through. He gave one final wave as he closed the portal behind him.
*****
Jack smiled as Victoria's basement wall once again became whole. He cracked his knuckles and stretched his arms over his head, pleased with his work. The basement was quiet as he walked to the refrigerator to search for something to drink.
"Anyone thirsty?" he asked. "There's Coke in here. Or water."
Cindy mouth opened and closed a few times. "Did Kevin…just walk through a wall?"
Leese put her hands to her face and paced frantically. Cindy tried to grab her shoulder to slow her down, but Leese walked through her grasp.
"Oh my God," she said, over and over.
Cindy stood back to simply watch the show. Jack unscrewed the top on a bottle of water and took a long drink.
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