“Your story,” Lazaro prompted.
“Yes, of course.” Peter ran through the events of the day. Including mentioning the wizard who could control water and the one immune to magic. Peter didn’t even think there was such a thing like immunity to magic before that day.
“I’ve met one like that before,” Lazaro told him. “They may be immune to magic, but she still screamed as my demons ate her.”
His phrase, so simple and normal, sent a chill down Peter’s back. He continued the story of Becca, the girl with Darion that ended up killing Ryma, and described their powers best he could. Lazaro asked about the girl’s bloodline, and Peter told him what he knew.
“That’s a shame,” he said. “Wizards have a responsibility to raise up the next generation. Only using them when their worth is diminished. She may be a valuable player yet.”
“If she is anything like Darion, she will be hard to control.”
Lazaro brushed off his concern. “People are easier to mold than one thinks.”
That probably was true for Lazaro. He could break most people, even without demon possession, his power as an enchanter was legendary.
“Tell me about this man who controls water.”
“I can’t tell you much except for what I saw. He turned the earth and commanded water like no one else. I tried to warn Ryma, but he wouldn’t listen.”
Lazaro stood now and walked over to the window. “And do you warn me now?”
Peter swallowed, unsure how to answer. “I only report what I know.”
“Good. This information is more complete than the others and will be useful.”
“I’m only grateful to be of service.”
“I will continue to need your service.”
“Of course.” Being a willing tool was better than the alternative.
With a wave of his hand, Peter’s world spun into oblivion. When it stopped the girls were gone, the sofa gone. Peter sat in a chair in front of a desk. Lazaro, now in a dark suit, walked over and pulled out a map. “We have a pest problem. And, with any pests, the only answer is extermination.”
Chapter Eighty-Eight
Becca itched to take out her knife and slice the demon’s throat. It didn’t matter if it was caged or small and furry. A demon was a demon. They survived on the suffering of others and reveled in destruction. It could be inserted into any living creature and take over their body. They sucked the soul out of all they touched. Why were all these people bowing to it like it was some enlightened being?
Navina nudged Darion and whispered, “What is going on?”
He shrugged and looked at Becca, worry evident on his face.
She patted Navina’s leg. “Just sit still and we’ll see.”
There were rows of people between them and the demon. She didn’t worry about her safety. Who knows? Maybe they were going to sacrifice the demon or something. There were weirder things.
“Let us begin with prayer.” Stewart closed his eyes and lifted his hands skyward. He spoke in English and Spanish to accommodate the mixed crowd. “Dear God. We’re grateful for trusting us with this sacred creature. Thy will is ever done in all places. Please let us learn and grow from our brothers and sisters everywhere. Amen.”
“Amen,” the congregation replied in unison.
What in the world? Becca mouthed to Darion.
His eyes wide, he didn’t have an answer but turned back to stare in disbelief. These people worshiped demons? She sat in shock listening to the start of Stewart’s sermon.
“Since we have several new unbelievers in our midst today, I thought we should start at the beginning, the creation.” He opened a book and began reading scriptures about God loving his children.
Becca had been raised in an extremely religious household. She’d had her fair share of religion and as she grew, adopted what worked for her. But with all her years of scripture study, she couldn’t see how this would play out.
Stewart closed his book. “Our all-knowing and righteous God has bestowed upon us a great gift. One that has tried us, tempted us, and sifted all the wheat in his field between his chosen and not. We are the chosen to live so close to where the prophet Lazaro communed with God.”
Becca cringed at the mention of Lazaro. He was single-handedly responsible for the deaths of millions and changing the order of government throughout the world. His coven of thirteen ruled the world, or at least enough of the world that he cared too.
And this man thought he was a prophet?
Stewart must have noticed her reaction because he focused his next statement at her. “This communion with God opened a new dimension with the powers to be. While some power is easily detected, we all may have the opportunity to commune with our God. So, let us hold hands and begin.” Then, all the people reached out and clasped hands with each other, making a long chain throughout the group.
An elderly man reached out to Navina, and she scooted closer to Becca. She glared at the man and fought the urge to use her magic. Finally, he pulled back.
Smart man. Disgust rolled through her and the group bent their heads and began chanting in a foreign language. Children younger than Navina followed suit, obediently chanting. One boy, probably six or seven years old with shaggy brown hair, chanted along with the others.
As the words flowed through the group of followers, a current flowed through the air. At first, she thought it was the unnerving sense of the situation, but it grew to something more, something magical.
Glancing at Darion, she whispered, “Is this you?”
“No.” He looked unsettled as well, watching the nearby jungle.
The familiar taste of magic pulsed through the air. Someone here had to be a magician. She asked Navina who also said no. Becca was tempted to use her magic, try to push herself into someone’s consciousness to find answers, but using her magic in a situation where unfamiliar group magic was in play would not be the way to say ‘thanks for the room’.
Darion then pointed to the front of the group where Stewart stood. One hand held Isabella’s while the other was pushed through the cage, grabbing a hold of the demon.
The demon, who was originally the size of a small rabbit, trembled and grew a good foot. Its black fur stood on end and turned a bright white. There was something electric about the power coursing through the group.
A small moan of a pleasure sounded throughout. Becca trembled inside. Weak from her injury she didn’t feel strong enough to take these people on.
Darion gripped her hand and joined their magic, creating a shield around the three of them. They often joined magic. It first started when her powers were released, and he taught her how to control it. She didn't know how rare it was that magicians shared their power so completely. It made them vulnerable, so not many did it. But since they did, it created a bond and strength they relied on.
With his help, she decided to tap into the consciousness of the little boy that sat in front of them. Gently she gathered her magic and pushed it forward. As she spoke the spell, a plethora of voices flooded her mind, taking over. Before she could stop it, the familiar words of the group flowed out of her mouth.
A feeling of power raced through her and a sense of euphoria poured into every pore of her being. Like a drug she was drawn into the others, sensing their minds and spirits touching them in a personal and intimate way. And like a drug, she didn’t want to let go.
A sharp sizzling shock pulled her back to reality. Darion had let go and gave her the equivalent of a magical slap to the face. She welcomed it. She didn’t think she had the power to let go otherwise. Placing a hand on her knee, she struggled to regain control.
“Let’s head back to our room. I doubt they’ll miss us.” He helped her stand, and the three of them hurried back to their room.
An exhaustion weighed her down that wasn’t there before. That experience, though not unpleasant, took more out of her than she would have expected. Maybe that was just her injury.
Once the door shut, N
avina turned to both of them. “Please tell me that isn’t normal for church.”
“It was nothing like the church I had to sit through as a child.” Becca lowered herself on the bed.
“Looking past the crazy cult in the backyard, I want to know what they were doing to you.” He reached out to brush a hair out of her face. “Can I get you anything?”
“Water?” Her mouth was dry; it wasn’t exhaustion but a sorrow from leaving the group.
“I'll get it.” Navina poured her a cup from the pitcher in their room.
The cool water felt heavenly on her throat as she tried to figure out what exactly happened back there and possibly was still happening. The disturbing memory mixed with the feeling of pleasure confused even Becca. She understood why people kept coming back.
“Becca?” Darion sat beside her, waiting for answers. “I felt some of their presence through you, but I’d like to hear what you felt.”
“I focused on the young boy, thinking he would be the easier to tap into, but then I realized they were all connected through magic somehow. I felt everyone, even Stewart and Isabella who were twenty or more people away from us. Their minds overwhelmed me, yet…”
Embarrassment warmed her cheeks, even though she had no reason to be embarrassed. “It felt good, like a drug or something. There was a power there, flowing through them. A power that made me feel great. I didn’t want to leave. If it wasn’t for you, I would be chanting along with them. What was going on?” She rubbed her hands together, trying to get rid of that empty cold feeling that plagued her.
Darion leaned back, letting a long breath escape between pursed lips. “They channeled power through that demon. Maybe one of them was a magician, but I don’t know who. Maybe that demon was special, giving Mundanes some bit of magic. I have never seen anything like that, so I’m not sure. Covens can combine energy like that, but only with thirteen and even that is very guarded.”
Becca set down the empty glass. “I’ll talk to Elizabeth soon and maybe Andre has some answers.”
“Great.” Navina sat on the floor across from them. “So, we have a demon that makes worshippers chatty and act high.”
“That sums it up pretty well,” Darion said. “It could be worse.”
“Yeah, like living with them.”
Night had passed, and the day was long in the making. The sun hung high in the sky. Elizabeth stopped trying to keep track of time by hours. It was easier to keep track of things, like six bathroom trips, one stop in a small town for food, and three stops for gas.
She was grateful when Becca finally let her back in to talk, for they had a lot to catch up with. Elizabeth cringed as her sister told her she was shot, and then recounted the tale of the group she was with. Feeling helpless, Elizabeth said she’d talk to Andre. She wished she could do more. And maybe soon she could. Not feeling super confident with her magical abilities though, she thought it best to wait until the car stopped and she could try to see Becca’s future. Saying goodbye to Becca for now, she leaned forward to talk to Andre.
She repeated the story Becca had told her. Nikki and Caleb didn’t hide their surprise. Andre didn’t say much at first but kept driving on. A small store stood out on the highway, a trading post of sorts. He pulled off the road and into the back of the store.
“We need to get cleaned up before we move on.”
“Wait?” Nikki placed a hand on his arm. “Are you going to tell us about what Darion and Becca faced in the South?”
“You forget, daughter, that I have never left this continent.” He turned in his seat to face them all. “One of the reasons I agreed to this trip was because I knew there was more to this picture. I’ve heard rumors of many magicians trying to go south, to recreate what Lazaro did and maybe find a new portal. No one ever has though, to my knowledge. But rumors traveled back. Things about the portal, about these demons everyone controls. I don’t know what truth or fact is any more than you guys do.
“The only thing we know is that Mundanes can channel power and evidently some demons are willing to share it. Not being there I don’t have much of an explanation.” He turned his gaze to Liz. “I ask for you to tell them to tread lightly and be careful. There may be much that will be foreign to them. We’ll need them back.”
His answer wasn’t reassuring to Liz, but she relayed the message. Becca was a trailblazer in so many ways. She saved Elizabeth from the demon Bael when no one said it could be done, and now she’s off exploring the origins of magic. Even as a teenager, Becca left home to live in a city rife with danger. Elizabeth didn’t know if she should feel proud or worried. The anxiety building up inside her went with worried.
Andre stepped out of the Jeep and stretched his legs. “We need to wash up and try to present our best side. Nikki, please help Elizabeth use magic.”
“Why do we need to dress up for these witches? Is it because they are beautiful?”
“No, it is because they value beauty, especially in women. I’m not sure they think men are capable of it, but we will try.”
Chapter Eighty-Nine
After everyone had cleared the backyard, Darion headed downstairs to talk to Stewart. Becca needed to rest and Navina was guarding her in her weakened state. Stewart was in the kitchen, finishing up a cup of coffee with Isabella. They stopped talking when he entered.
“I noticed you didn’t stay for the whole service.” Stewart sipped his drink.
“Once you guys started chanting,” Darion bit his tongue for a minute. He didn’t think he should tell his new landlord that his church was creepy. “Becca became ill, so we headed upstairs.”
“I felt her, you know?” Stewart smirked.
Darion jerked back, disgusted by the pleasing tone in Stewart’s voice. The idea of someone sharing the connection he had with Becca brought out the ugly side of jealously. He took a minute to control his temper. Don’t piss off the crazy guy, not yet.
“I’m not sure what you’re doing with a demon, but they are dangerous. We appreciate the room but won’t be a part of the ritual.”
Isabella shot Darion a dirty look and went over to the sink.
“It’s your loss,” Stewart said. “There is a power in that demon that even Mundanes can harness. But I guess being a magician, you do that already.”
“Maybe not. But we just want a room, no trouble.”
“I understand.” Stewart looked him up and down.
“I’ll be heading out, but Becca will stay here to rest.” Darion couldn’t waste the next couple days penned up in this house. They needed answers fast.
“She’ll be safe here.”
“She will be, or this home will no longer be standing. You understand?” Darion planned on putting up a protection neither Stewart nor his wife could break, even with their minor demon. But he wanted to make sure they had all the motivation they needed for Becca to remain unharmed. He lifted a hand, and a small flame grew in his hand.
“Put that out.” Stewart stood.
Darion closed his hand and extinguished the flame. “I mean no harm. I just want to make sure Becca will be left alone.”
Isabella stood by her husband. “She’ll be safe.”
Darion hesitated for a moment, not sure if he should trust these people, but they didn’t have time to wait. Maybe he could leave Becca hidden in the forest? “Okay.” He turned to go back to their room and talk to Becca.
Stewart called out behind him. “Don’t be late for the night time services.”
On the way down the hall, Darion couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
Back in the room, Becca stirred when he entered. Her eyes were heavy, and she didn’t bother getting up. On the ground, Navina played with cards.
“I spoke to Stewart and Isabella,” he said.
“You mean the cuckoo birds.” Navina looked up.
“New name?”
“I’ve been bored.”
Becca turned on her side. “You have to admit it fits.”
“It’d be funny
if I didn’t have to leave you with them.”
“True, but I’ll be okay.”
“Will you?” He placed a hand on her forehead, not happy to find it still warm.
“I’m more tired than anything else.”
Stepping back, he really hoped that was true. “I have to head into town. Get some info and medicine for you.”
She nodded. “Take Navina with you. She’s bored silly.”
“I need to leave someone here to watch over you.”
The fact that Becca didn’t argue, but closed her eyes, told him he made the right call.
He tucked her hair behind an ear. Not that it needed it, but it was an excuse to touch her again. When did it get so hard to be away from her? Maybe because she was sick and shouldn’t be alone.
“We’ll be fine,” Navina said.
“I can put a barrier up to keep them out.”
“Save your magic. I was practicing those before I left. It’ll give me something to do.”
“Okay. Steer clear of Stewart, okay? I don’t think he’ll hurt you, but he’s a little…”
“Cuckoo.” She circled a hand around her ear.
He chuckled. “Something like that.”
It was a fifteen-minute walk to town. He kept to the shadows hoping no one from the ship would recognize him. Given the size of the town, he thought he’d be safe. A cool breeze off the ocean carried through the town. Streets lined with markets, selling fresh fruit and meats. Though not elegant or modern, the town seemed to thrive in its simple ways.
A young child ran up offering to shine his boots or find him companionship. He declined both. The busy town wasn’t wealthy, but it didn’t have the poverty, demons, and filth that he had seen before.
Many of the people wore the same gold pentagrams that Stewart and his followers wore. Was that a new religion here, or some popular trinket?
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