Shadow Demon

by Judith Post

  "He couldn't stay. He left as soon as he could."

  "What did you eat? Do you have any of it left?" Hecate looked as though she might rip the lids off of every container in the restaurant.

  "Mine's in the downstairs refrigerator. Someone needed something and I got called away, didn't get to eat."

  "I want to see it." Hecate turned on her heel and started down the steps.

  Andre placed a plastic container on a stainless steel, work table. Hecate opened it and inhaled deeply, then grimaced. Andre began scratching at a sudden itch. Hecate motioned for Reece to inhale too.

  "Wolfsbane," Reece said.

  "In my soup?" Andre sounded shocked. "Who knows where to buy wolfsbane?"

  "Nen probably grows his own." Hecate took the container to the sink and dumped it out. "He must have convinced your dinner guest that it was some secret ingredient that would make your recipe taste better. No enemy can enter here. The man's intentions were good, probably thought it was a prank between chefs."

  "What will it do to my servers?"

  "It's according to how much they ate." Hecate threw the container in the trash. "They'll be sick for a while, but once it clears their systems, they'll be fine."

  Damian scowled. "What would it do to Andre?"

  Hecate's voice turned cold. "You saw him. He's a werewolf. It made his skin itch. Ingested, he'd be in agony for weeks. He'd be lucky to survive."

  Reece rubbed her arms. Nen's words echoed in her mind. One life for every year Hecate had evaded him. "Just asking, but how many years have you hidden from Nen?"

  Hecate must have been thinking the same thing. "Since the thirteen hundreds."

  "Over seven hundred years?" Reece could picture bodies piling up everywhere.

  "He'll start with people I care about, try to make them suffer. Then he'll move to bigger venues—maybe a small town. And then, he'll let his magic loose on Bay City. He'll especially hate Andre. He knows I'm sleeping with him."

  Andre sighed. He slid his arm around Hecate's waist. "Let's go home."

  Damian pulled Reece close, too, as they locked up and walked to Andre's Land Rover. The drive home was dreary. All of them had worried about battling Nen. None of them had thought about sneak attacks. But now they knew. Nen was capable of anything.

  Chapter 10

  By late afternoon, Andre’s mood improved a little. The sick people on his staff were reporting for work. The wolfsbane's effects had been short. "We have a full crew, but we're still behind from yesterday. I need to go in early to help with prep.” He reached for his jacket and started to the door. The sun had burned off the morning mists, but the day was still cool. “Will you guys be okay? You still haven’t heard from Luna.”

  Hecate nodded. “She knows Nen’s here. She’s probably looking up spells and chants right now.”

  “Then I’ll see you later tonight. I’ll come back here after work and crash in the recliner, so that I can watch you sleep.”

  Hecate made a face, but Reece smiled. She often woke to find Damian gazing at her. At first, it was disconcerting. Had she drooled on her pillow? Snored? But if she had, Damian didn’t seem to mind. And eventually, when she woke to find him watching her, she just reached for him.

  Hecate’s mind, however, was clearly not on romance. “This morning, Reece and I’ll go to my place to look through spell books together.”

  Reece glanced to the high book cases that separated her bedroom from the rest of the loft. She focused on the spell book Luna had saved for her. She'd gone through every one of its pages and made its magic her own.

  When Reece cringed, Hecate said, “My books, the ones for white witchcraft.”

  Reece sighed with relief. “Anything that gives us an edge.”

  Damian drove them there. When they walked to the front door, Reece rubbed her eyes and grinned in surprise at the young girl staring at the Closed sign. She used to hang out in the crystals aisle, looking for ways to make love potions.

  “Regina!” Hecate sounded surprised, too.

  The girl’s dyed black hair was still Goth. Black lipstick still colored her lips, but a smile ruined the effect. “Hey, thought I’d come by for some advice. Is there any date in June that’s better than another for my wedding?”

  Hecate hugged herself, she was so happy. “You’re getting married?”

  “The kid witch was right,” Regina said.

  Reece blinked at a vivid memory of her little sister looking at Regina and telling her that Ethan was wrong for her, but Christian loved her. Her sister’s magic was like that, the gift of sight. And Jenny seemed pretty spot-on. Thinking about Jenny brought a pang of loneliness. She missed the kids.

  Regina said, “Once I fell for Christian, Ethan made a move on me, but that was only ego. Christian loves me, flat out loves me.”

  Hecate threw her arms around the girl. “I’m so happy for you!” Waving her hand over the door locks, she opened them. “Let me do a reading for you. We want everything to be perfect.”

  They went to huddle in the little room behind the shop where Hecate did Tarot readings, and Reece and Damian climbed the stairs to the apartment. Once there, Reece’s moonstone glowed. She touched it gently. “The spell book for shields,” she told Damian. “That’s the one we need to look at.”

  Relief flooded her. Her great-grandmother would lead her to the answers she needed, but she’d wait for Hecate. She wasn’t entering her friend’s private study alone.

  “I could use a beer,” Damian said, surprising her. “Wine for you?”

  She nodded. They sat at Hecate’s small, round table and Reece waited while he gathered his thoughts. Something was bothering him, but he wouldn’t rush to the wrong idea. She liked that about him. He took his time.

  Finally, he said, “Nen's been making plans for a long time. He must have killed hundreds of people to summon the shadow demon. He was ready."

  Reece sipped her wine, waiting to see where his thoughts would take him.

  "I know he likes playing with people, but there must be something else, some other reason he's willing to wait."

  Reece shrugged. "It's been seven hundred years. What's a few months?"

  Damian didn't look convinced. “What motivates you? What would you plan and work for?”

  "That's easy. Security. To keep me and my loved ones safe." She hadn’t been a security freak until her father’s death. He'd died so suddenly, it was such a shock, it shattered her perfect, little world. Then her mother married Eugene—the jerk—and quickly had Joseph and Jenny. Having a brother and sister after years of being an only child took a bit of getting used to. She felt like life kept throwing her curve balls when she wasn’t looking. And last, but definitely not least, she’d found her new gift—her magic—along with gargoyles and werewolves, demons and warlocks.

  Damian reached across the table and took her hand. “Everything you do is motivated by love. Nen's driven by ego and hate.”

  She frowned. "So why is he here? What does he want?"

  "Who would he hate?" Damian waited for her answer.

  A chill settled in her stomach. "His mother ran. Luna helped Hecate escape him."

  He nodded. "He's waiting. He thinks they'll come."

  "We have to warn them. They can't."

  He pressed his lips together, in thought. "They can't afford not to."

  She stared.

  "If he takes us and the entire city, who can defeat him?"

  She gave her head a quick shake. "We have to stop him."

  Damian nodded. “Let's hope you find something in that book of shields."

  They were interrupted by Hecate’s footsteps climbing the stairs. Their friend had a happy glow when she reached them. “June eighteenth. The universe will beam blessings on Regina’s bonding that day.”

  Reece blinked, trying to shift gears.

  Hecate caught their moods. “You're right. Wedding talk can wait. Come on. Let’s look up spells.”

  “Luna says to look for shields.
”

  Hecate beamed. "Good, she's with us in spirit. Shield spells, it is."

  Reece pushed herself to her feet. Hecate’s step had a spring to it. Reece wasn’t that energized, but her friend’s optimism was hard to ignore. Damian stayed at the kitchen table. He was opening his laptop when Reece glanced back at him.

  “She talked to you through your necklace?” Hecate started searching for the right book.

  Reece glanced at the bottom shelves, hidden in shadows. Out of sight, and hopefully, someday out of mind. Hecate’s hand strayed to her blood-red pendant. “How does your moonstone work since you have the pendant, too?”

  “They shine at the same time, and Luna’s energy pulses through me from my ankle to my heart.”

  “Perfect. Today’s a turning point. I can feel it.”

  Things had improved, Reece had to agree. A turning point, though? She wasn’t so sure. They spent the next two hours learning one shield spell after another until they’d internalized the entire book.

  When they finished and went to join Damian, he asked, “Did you know there’s a new healer who’s performing miracles in Egypt?”

  Hecate stilled. “How does she do it?”

  “She lays hands on them.”

  “Banafrit,” Hecate said.

  “Nen’s mother?” Reece tried to remember what Hecate had told them about her. Not much. A close friend. A powerful witch. She’d run to hide after Nen killed his father and grandmother. Hell, she’d have run, too.

  “Banafrit always used her gift to help others.” Hecate walked to look out the window above her kitchen sink. Right now, the bay was visible in the distance. “Her true love was Egypt, the land, the people…it’s her spiritual home.”

  Reece shivered. “Stories about ancient Egypt always give me the creeps—how slaves were sealed in the tombs of dead kings to serve them in the afterlife, mummies, punishments.”

  “It could be a cruel mistress,” Hecate agreed. “But lush and wonderful at the same time.”

  Reece looked at her, curious. There were so many things she didn’t know about her friend. “Were you born in Egypt?” She didn’t look the part.

  “Me? With this complexion?” Hecate laughed. “No, my people built stone circles to study the planets and their meanings. We constructed megaliths for burial chambers. I fled to Egypt when my magic got me in trouble at home. Banafrit and I had much in common. We wandered Europe for a while when she fled, but I always knew she’d return to Egypt. It’s her heart.”

  Damian frowned. “Isn’t she taking a chance, using her magic to heal people?”

  “Oh, I’d guess she’s been doing that since the day she returned. But she’s healing crowds instead of doing her work quietly, behind the scenes, to let Nen know where she is.”

  Damian’s brows shot up. “Won’t he go there to find her?”

  Hecate tore a paper towel from its roll and rubbed at a dirty spot on the window. She pressed so hard, Reece worried the glass would break. “That’s the point.”

  “I don’t get it.”

  “For years, Banafrit and I only practiced small spells and chants. We hid our magic. When I flexed my muscles to fight the rogues, Nen felt it. And he came.”

  Reece was mortified. “So you would have been safe if you hadn’t helped us?” What had she cost her friend?

  “I’m a witch. What kind of life do I have with no magic?” Hecate asked. “I couldn’t believe how much I’d missed it. I’m glad I’m practicing again.”

  Damian stepped to look out the window, too. Mists were forming, swirling over the bay. The waters wouldn’t warm until summer. “You don’t believe in better safe than sorry?”

  “Safety can come at too high a price.”

  He nodded agreement.

  “Banafrit’s stayed hidden for centuries, as I have.” Hecate’s lips trembled, and she fought for control. “She felt my magic stir again, just as Nen did. She’s making ripples on purpose. She’s trying to lure him away from us.”

  “But he’ll kill her.” Reece’s voice sounded bleak, even to her own ears.

  “I’d guess she feels the way I do. I’m tired of running. I’d rather face Nen and fight.”

  Damian got down to business. “Did you find spells that will help you?”

  Both women nodded. Hecate said, “There are more shield spells than you’d expect, some of them strong enough to keep us safe from Nen.”

  “For how long?” Her gargoyle was never satisfied with vague answers. He wanted specifics.

  “As long as we stay in the bubble.” Reece liked that image, sealed behind a giant, protective film that Nen couldn’t break.

  Damian raised an eyebrow, dubious. “What if Nen keeps throwing power at it?”

  “If we can’t maintain it, we’re in trouble, but we should be safe long enough for help to arrive.”

  Damian nodded. “It’s the best we’ve got. It will have to do for now.”

  Always practical.

  Reece’s stomach grumbled. She pressed a hand to it.

  Damian sighed. “I know—hungry again.”

  Reece glared at him. “A girl has to eat, even if you don’t. It’s not like I’ve been getting three squares a day.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. I forget mortals' needs sometimes. Let’s go home and I’ll fix you something.”

  “I'm hungry now.” Why wasn’t there some magic chant for instant meals? She reached for her sweater. The sun looked warm and golden, but the air was crisp. When they walked outside to the shop's back lot, Reece stopped so abruptly, Damian almost tripped over her. She inhaled and thoughts of heaven filled her mind.

  “What is it?” He glanced toward the street. Quaint shops lined the eight-block stretch that lined the waterfront. Restaurants and niche stores mingled to entice people to the area.

  Reece’s head snapped in the direction of a deli a block away. Sauteed onions teased her nose. She could picture its neon sign that advertised Philly-cheese steak sandwiches. Damian ducked into Reece’s SUV, out of sight, as people strolled up and down the streets. He waved to Reece and Hecate. “Let’s make life easy. Why don’t you order take-out?”

  He rarely approved of fast food. Reece hurried away before he could change his mind. A few minutes later, she returned with a sack of sandwiches. Damian groaned. “I take it you couldn’t choose between them?”

  “Impossible.” Reece buckled herself in.

  He laughed at her. “You look like you just won the lottery.”

  Reece cradled her sandwiches and sat back to enjoy the moment. Damian joined in. At home, he even set out paper plates—another no-no. After their late lunch, she went to the balcony to get some fresh air. Damian followed her.

  “A penny for your thoughts.”

  "I miss Joseph and Jenny." Her brother and sister spent most weekends with her, partly to escape Eugene, partly because they all enjoyed each other. On Sundays, they cooked breakfast together. It felt like an eternity since she’d had them underfoot. She leaned into Damian. “I love this city. I want it back again. I want my life back.”

  “Have you heard from your mom or the kids?”

  Reece nodded. “They either text or call every night. They’re having a great time, but they want to know when they can come home.”

  “We’ll get there,” he told her, “one way or another.”

  Yes, they would. But at what cost? And how long would it take?

  Chapter 11

  Damian and Reece sat stretched out on lawn chairs, reading together on the balcony. He had some heavy volume of nonfiction while she flew through the latest Ilona Andrews novel. Sunlight was dimming, and Damian pushed himself to his feet. “I have to go. Benito and Antony will be expecting me.” He usually met them at their nest, she knew, and they decided where to go from there.

  “Tell them hi from me. Oh, and Father Daniel too.” She put a bookmark between her pages and watched him leap from the balcony and disappear into the shadows. Even listening for him, she co
uldn’t hear his wings flap. She sighed and paused to wish him well. “Please. No demon tonight,” she whispered.

  Without Damian, she was restless. She spent the next two hours sorting and folding laundry, dusting and scrubbing. She was almost finished when Hecate pointed to the clock. "Andre called. He'll be leaving work soon. I'd rather meet him at the restaurant and follow him home. I don't want him to be alone."

  Reece agreed. She drove her SUV, more practical in times of crisis than Hecate’s little, red sports car.

  When they reached the restaurant, they started down the hall to Andre’s office behind the kitchen. The door was closed, and they heard two voices inside. Frowning, Hecate threw the door open. Wedge leapt to his feet in a flash of motion, his body shifting as he moved. He saw the two women and snarled a welcome, changing back to his usual form.

  "Do you always make a grand entrance?" he growled.

  "I heard two voices. I thought maybe…." Hecate stammered to a stop.

  The room was small, but luxurious, contrasting with the functional stainless steel of the kitchen. Walnut paneling lined the walls, and aged, oak planks gleamed beneath an Oriental throw rug. Andre stood behind a large, cherry desk. "Wedge stopped by to escort me home too. It's nice to know you all care."

  "The warlock won't give up with one try," Wedge said. "And you have to be high on his 'kill first' list."

  Hecate's hands went to her hips. "And what did you think you could do to help?"

  Wedge's eyes glowed amber. "Two werewolves are better than one."

  "You shouldn't be here. Your strength won't help you against Nen."

  Andre jumped to his friend's defense. “There’s no shame in trying to help someone."

  "True." Wedge leveled a look at Hecate. "If they don’t appreciate it, it’s their loss.”

  Wedge should know, Reece realized. He and his wife took in stray Weres to help them learn to adjust after they’d been changed. Obviously, they weren’t always successful. But who was?

  Wedge shifted his weight and glanced at the door. “Ready to go, Andre?"

  "No." Hecate's tone was final. "He'll ride home with us, but we'll follow you to the edge of town first.”