The Demons We See

by Krista D. Ball

  Why would Bonacieux attack the abbey? And, why would he attack it with just the handful of soldiers directly nearby? Why didn’t he call for help from his people in town? This made no sense.

  Dodd held on to a wooden railing for dear life as he skidded down the main trail’s steps and out of the archers’ line of sight. Eventually, the barrage stopped; the archers had turned their attention elsewhere.

  Dodd dropped to the ground and risked looking through his spyglass. Rahna, Kingsley, and Martin were in the courtyard fighting the soldiers. He could see guards—local militia, Cathedral guards, personal guards, Consorts—protecting the leaders and important guests as they escaped outside through the various servant entrances.

  The windows of the royal suites’ corridor blew out in one massive explosion. A roar, like Dodd had never heard before, broke the air. He stared helplessly as a giant talon punched its way through part of the abbey’s wall.

  Dodd’s jaw dropped as he stared dumbfounded at the…demon? Was he really seeing a demon?

  “That son of a bitch is huge,” Dodd whispered. “God Almighty, is this real?”

  He saw several bodies hurl themselves out of what he knew was Queen Portia’s window. All but one bounced off the staggered awnings that were designed to help protect against rock slides. The one poor chap did bounce off the awning, all right. And impaled himself on the demon’s claw.

  Hysterical sobs interrupted him and Dodd jumped to his feet. He dropped the spyglass in the grass and brandished his sword. He whirled and was met with the terrified faces of twenty children.

  “What the fuck are you doing up here?” Dodd demanded.

  There seemed to be three women in charge. The eldest was about his age, give or take a few years, and wore a stern, matronly gown. While her dress neckline only covered to her collarbone, the stiff linen wrap criss-crossed her chest to hide any skin. She glared at him through her narrow, hooded eyes. “Kindly watch your tone around the children, sir.”

  Dodd didn’t have time for the niceties of society. “There’s trouble. Get these children out of here!”

  The children varied in age from being carried to almost old enough to begin school or an apprenticeship. Several gasped and whimpered, while others excitedly talked about swords.

  “Children!” the head mistresses said, clapping her hands together. The hubbub died down. She turned to Dodd and said, “Where do you suggest we go? General Bonacieux has lost his mind. He’s caught fire to the abbey and is attacking any guard who is trying to stop him. He’s killed several mages already! The Arbiter is nowhere to be found, we can’t find the children’s parents, and the abbey is going up in flames!”

  Dodd glanced behind him, back at the burning abbey. He could clearly smell the smoke now. Soon, he’d be back in sight and a target again unless he was careful. Dragging along a group of kids was going to make it even harder.

  “I am Miss Shu Tay. I’m Lady Devereux’s governess. We grabbed all of the children from the nursery on the second floor and climbed down the vines.” She motioned at the two women with her. “These are Sisters Linda and Jasmine. They only just arrived at the Cathedral. They came to help.”

  Dodd considered the situation. He couldn’t put out a fire by himself. Nor could he protect twenty-odd children from a band of trained soldiers all by himself. If Rainier was here, he’d say for Dodd to get the children out. Rainier would never want a group of children caught in the crossfire of anything.

  “Okay, let’s take the horse trail. It goes around the bend of the abbey. With luck, we’ll come out the other side and can make our way down and not meet any trouble. Then we can figure something out from there.”

  Miss Tay’s eyes widened. “Would they harm children?”

  Dodd picked up his spyglass. “General Bonacieux has done much worse.”

  ****

  “Move!” Stanton shouted as he pushed terrified guests out through the abbey’s front door. “Get out of here before the roof comes down! Move! I don’t care if you’re naked! Move!”

  He caught sight of Rahna helping a half-naked Father Michael across the foyer, expertly dodging the flames. One side of her face was a mask of blood. One of Bonacieux’s men attacked them, and Stanton rushed him.

  “Rahna! Go!” he shouted, parrying a blow from a sword.

  The man was no match for Stanton and fell. Stanton had no time to look about him, for part of the ceiling collapsed. He staggered back; the foyer was divided lengthwise by a wall of flame. If they didn’t get out in the next few minutes, they were never leaving this place.

  “Beatrix! Tell everyone to regroup at Orsini!”

  Dammit, where was Allegra? He’d seen Nadira and Serafina escape, but neither had seen Allegra. Dodd was missing, too. As was Queen Portia and Cram.

  Stanton sheathed his sword and grimly began a zigzagging path out of the inferno.

  “Captain!”

  Stanton rushed to Lex, who dragged himself down the railing, carefully avoiding the flickering flames. His legs gave out before Stanton could reach him and he tumbled down burning stairs, his roll helping to extinguish the flames on his uniform as quickly as they were igniting.

  Stanton thanked the Almighty that Lex was a tiny fellow and draped him over one shoulder. Then Stanton rushed with the last of the servants and Consorts out of the burning building as a chandelier crashed to the stairwell.

  “Bonacieux killed Queen Portia,” Lex said. He spat out a mouthful of blood. Most of it dripped down the front of Stanton’s jacket. “Fucker stabbed me in the guts. Contessa said not to wait for her. She’s going to try to make it to Orsini.”

  Stanton coughed and gagged on the black smoke. He rushed out of the abbey and ducked as several stones exploded. Projectile masonry scattered the courtyard. “She made it out?”

  “Cram said they’d all jump out the windows and hope they hit the awning right. I came to get you, but the building was already on fire by the time I hit the stairwell.”

  “They can’t jump from that distance and expect to live,” Stanton said. “Where’s Bonacieux? All I’ve seen is his men.”

  Lex weakly shook his head. “No idea, Captain. Have you seen Dodd?”

  “No, sorry. He was supposed to be up in the hills, though. He might have already gotten out.”

  Lex made no reply.

  “All right, Lex. Let’s get you to the carriages. Let’s get out of here before Bonacieux starts killing fleeing people.”

  ****

  Allegra’s thighs burned almost as much as her smoked-filled lungs did. She was covered in bruises and she was sure she’d sprained both her ankles in the fall. Babies wailed and children whimpered, but they didn’t stop until they were far enough into the trees that they couldn’t be spotted from the main walking trails that crisscrossed around the abbey.

  When they finally stopped, Dodd pulled out his leather-wrapped spyglass and surveyed the area. He nodded, satisfied. “I can’t see a thing from here with all this smoke. Chances are, they can’t see us.”

  “Wearing that dress isn’t going to help, though,” Walter complained.

  Allegra frowned down at her dress. Peach quilted satin with a vibrant rose print. “I would have worn something more appropriate if I’d known I’d be running through the trees.” She gasped and panted for air, her lungs burning from the exercise and choking clouds of smoke. She stretched out her fingers, which ached from grasping the edges of her gown while they ran. Her ankles were killing her and she was sure one of them was already swelling. “There’s still the three tiny demons out there we didn’t get, plus that large bastard is still going to get through. How long can they live in our world?”

  Walter shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “Contessa, we need to get you out of here,” Dodd said firmly. “Let Cram deal with it.”

  Allegra looked back at the burning corpse of the abbey. Soon, there would be mounts looking for survivors in the hills, and she s
uspected many of them would be Bonacieux’s men. They had to put as much distance between them as possible.

  But she glanced at the scared priests and children with her. If she didn’t stop the demons, she would be condemning these people to death. The demons would circle back. She was certain. They were predators. If what Walter said was even slightly accurate, they didn’t belong to this realm and existence. They would attack and murder without conscience.

  “If we lose you, we lose all chance at peace,” Dodd urged.

  “He’s right,” Walter said. “We need to get you to Orsini. Tell Francois what happened with Bonacieux. We all saw him murder Queen Portia. We can get military help from everyone once they know what happened.”

  “I’m an elemental!” Allegra said in a hushed tone, so that the children couldn’t hear. “When Bonacieux tells everyone…”

  “Me and Lex will say Bonacieux is lying!” Walter shouted. He glanced at the frightened children and said, much calmer, “We’ll lie for you. He killed the Queen. No one will give a shit what he says once word gets out.”

  “But…we need to stop those demons first,” Allegra blurted out. The words felt right once they were said, however, and she more firmly said, “I have to help stop them.”

  “I’ll help,” Walter said. He wasn’t panting nearly as hard as she was, but then his life these days was on the run.

  Dodd glanced at the women and children. He lowered his voice. “We’re dragging all these kids with us. We’ll never make it.”

  One of the priests stepped forward. “We will part ways with you here. The General’s soldiers will not attack religious women and their charges. No offense, Your Excellency, but I suspect having mages with us will not be a protection in the wake of...”

  Allegra held up a hand to stop the priest. “I’m not offended in the least. I agree, in fact. Having Walter with us also makes it more dangerous.”

  “Thanks, Your Excellency. Most appreciated,” Walter said deadpan.

  Allegra flashed him what she hoped was a sardonic grin, but feared was laced with too much worry and exhaustion. “I can’t believe he killed the Queen.”

  “He’d mad,” Dodd said. “He must be mad.”

  Allegra shook her head. “No, he just thinks he’s right.”

  Walter blew out a breath. “Lord, that’s even worse.”

  Dodd nodded, seemingly coming to a decision. “All right, Your Ladyship. My orders were to protect you. I’ve not been given new orders, so I’ll do as you say. You want to chase demons, well, I’ll chase them with you.”

  Allegra smiled at him, and then looked over at the priest. “Take the children along this trail right to just under the tree line. Keep going until you hit the boulder field. Trust me, you’ll know it when you come to it. Head down the mountain once you reach it. Eventually, you’ll come across a wide trail. That’s where the abbey’s wood is hauled in.” She glanced at the smoldering clouds above. “Well, where it used to get the wood. If you take that trail, you’ll either meet up with other merchants, or you’ll eventually land yourself in Jennings. You’ll be able to get help there.”

  Allegra looked at the children. Some weren’t in long-sleeved dresses. “Help me out of my skirts. You can use it as a blanket.”

  “What will you wear?” one of the women asked.

  “I’ll be moving a lot faster than the children. I can’t be wearing this.”

  With the help of the two women, Allegra got out of her satin skirt. She also pulled off her hip panniers and handed them over. “Pillows for the wee ones.” Then she pulled her heavy underskirt and petticoat back on, tying both tightly around her waist. She smoothed out her ornate and decorative jacket.

  Dodd glanced over her. “It looks like you stole half an outfit.”

  Allegra forced a smile. “It’ll be easier to run in this. Walter?”

  “Two of the demons went that way.” Walter pointed.

  “That’s pretty much where Bonacieux’s men are,” Dodd said.

  “I think we should circle back, meet up with some people I know, and then go after that straggler. I say let the army look after the other two,” Walter said.

  “Is there a way for non-elementals to kill a demon?” At Walter’s shrug, she said, “So, what? We’re going to let the demons tear them apart?”

  “Yes.”

  Allegra noticed Dodd’s annoyed expression, but decided not to argue the point. “Let’s discuss about the ethics of that later. For now, let’s find some help.”

  “First, let me deal with the beast inside the abbey,” Walter said. “Dodd? I’m going to need you to hold me up when I fall.”

  “Why are you planning to fall?” Dodd asked.

  “Because I have to try to crush that portal without bringing the entire mountain down, and I’m exhausted. I expect I’m going to collapse.”

  As Walter prepared himself for another taxing spell, Dodd glanced at Allegra and said, “I hope Lex made it out.”

  Allegra looked down at the black curtain of smoke where her home burned. “I hope a lot of people did.”

  ****

  Stanton knew he’d waited past what would be considered the last possible moment. He’d seen Martin shoving several princes and viscounts into a stage coach when it was clear the abbey was lost. Lex, Martin, and a few of the Consorts escaped and were no doubt headed to Orsini.

  No sign of Dodd or Cram. Neither of many of the servants, the militia, or many of the children. He hoped Dodd had seen what was coming and removed anyone staying in the northwest cottages out of harm’s way. Perhaps Dodd would also be on his way to Orsini.

  Stanton looked at the smoldering abbey in the distance. The earth shook all the way to where he stood. Stanton closed his eyes. He knew where Allegra was, and his heart sank with that realization. Cram always did seem the type to go down in a blaze of glory. Damn, he hoped Cram hadn’t taken Allegra down into the pit with him.

  “She might have made it out, Captain,” Rahna said. Even she couldn’t hide the grim undertones of her words.

  He didn’t answer. He didn’t turn his gaze away as the black smoke painted the sky. He’d held out as best as he could, while the Consorts and the servants got as many of the innocents out of harm’s way as possible. They still had a long fight ahead of them. Even if they were able to retreat unmolested, war was declared upon the Cathedral itself. The rule of warfare and of law itself was broken by this action.

  Stanton took a deep breath. So this was how the outbreak of war felt. It was as soul crushing as he’d imagined it would be.

  He looked down from his horse at Rahna and ignored the tears that welled up in her eyes. “Have the Consorts spread the soldiers and militia out. Some with each coach. We also need soldiers around the flanks. Tell everyone we’re going to try for Orsini. If we can get ahead of the General’s soldiers tonight, we should be able to make it. Then we can consult the Holy Father.”

  “Yes, Captain.”

  Stanton looked at the burning abbey. Later, he’d have time to mourn. Not until all of these people were safe.

  “Let’s move, people,” Stanton ordered to those who’d gathered near him.

  He prayed that Allegra and the others made it out somehow.

  THE END…for now

  Allegra, Stanton, and all of the Consorts will be back in The Nightmares We Know.

  ****

  Did you enjoy this book? Please consider leaving a short review to help other readers know if they might enjoy this book, too.

  Want to know when the next book comes out? Sign up for my new release email at http://kristadball.com/new-release-sign-up/.

  While you’re waiting for more of Allegra’s adventures, why not try one of my other series?

  The Spirit Caller Serial

  Rachel has no trouble believing in spirits. It’s the living she has a tough time believing in.

  The man she’s in love with? Taken. The job she loved? Gone. Her neigh
bors? They’re taping religious tracts to her door. Then a rebellious teenager Wiccan accidentally summons the area’s ancestral Viking spirits — who promptly bring their thousand-year war to the remote Newfoundland fishing village. If Rachel’s going to have any hope of sending the spirits to their peace, she’ll have to stop drooling over unattainable men and trust her 93-year-old neighbor to help her stand against the spirits before their supernatural war engulfs them all.