Taming Demons for Beginners: The Guild Codex: Demonized / One

by Marie, Annette

  His black, starving, dying eyes lifted to mine.

  Then he tightened his hold and dragged me into the circle.

  My paralysis broke. I gasped wildly and scrambled for purchase on the smooth hardwood floor, but he hauled me easily across it. I crumpled inward, instinct driving me into a protective ball before he could strike.

  He yanked on my arm, pulling me straight, and his other hand caught my jaw. Forcing my head up, he leaned down, his face filling my blurring vision. My breath wheezed from my lungs too fast and my head spun.

  A low, husky laugh rumbled from his throat, his breath brushing across my tear-streaked cheeks, and he whispered, “What does your blood look like, payilas?”

  My limbs turned to liquid. A sob shook my torso.

  His head snapped up, his gaze flashing to the library door. In the brief second his attention shot away from me, his hand on my wrist loosened.

  With strength I didn’t know I had, I wrenched backward and threw myself out of the circle. My butt hit the floor as darkness flashed through the dome and the demon vanished from sight. I shoved away from the silver line.

  “Robin?”

  I jerked toward the door. Travis stood in the threshold, gaping.

  Another sob burst from me, and trembling too badly to stand, I twisted onto my hands and knees to crawl away. Travis rushed across the room and knelt beside me, touching my shoulder.

  “Robin, are you okay? Are you hurt?”

  I shook my head. My voice had deserted me when Zylas caught my hand, and I still couldn’t find it.

  “Did the demon grab you? Why would you get that close?”

  I drew in a shuddering breath. “I—” The word was a feathery croak. “I didn’t …”

  He put his arm around my waist and pulled me to my feet. I couldn’t support myself, the adrenaline having reduced my muscles to quivering jelly. He propped me against his side.

  “Dad mentioned you’d come down here to get a book,” Travis muttered as he scanned the black dome. “Robin … the demon lured you over, didn’t it? It tricked you into getting so close.”

  My lower lip quivered. Ducking my head, I pushed my glasses above my eyes and wiped my face with my sleeve to hide my humiliation.

  “Did it talk to you? What did it say?” His voice sharpened with urgency and I cowered away from him. He tightened his arm around me. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t know any better. Demons can be very manipulative.”

  I nodded numbly, staring at my feet as the trembling subsided.

  He drew me toward the door. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here before Dad gets back.”

  I forced my head up. “You won’t tell him?”

  “No, I won’t tell Dad or Claude, but … Robin, if the demon spoke, I need to know what it said.”

  Cold prickles washed over me. How could I tell him anything about my conversations with Zylas? Not that I cared to protect the demon—not anymore—but I didn’t want to incriminate myself. Travis waited expectantly for my reply.

  “I heard … whispering,” I invented. “I went over to try to hear, but the words … weren’t English.”

  Pursing his lips, Travis led me up the stairs. “The demon should be able to speak English. The language rite was the first thing we did.” At my blank look, he added, “A series of spells that imparts the basics of our language to the demon. Without it, negotiations would be impossible.”

  So that was how Zylas knew English.

  “Maybe it was?” I revised hastily. “I couldn’t really hear.”

  “Huh.” He walked me to my room. At the door, he smiled wanly. “You’re lucky you got out of there in one piece.”

  So, so lucky. Lucky that Travis had come down when he had. Lucky that Zylas had hesitated and he’d loosened his grip. Lucky that I’d reacted fast enough to escape.

  “But,” he added, “how many times have you been in the library? Has the demon tried to get your attention before? Have you ever—”

  “No,” I cut in, too shaken for politeness. “That was the only time. Thanks for your help.”

  Shoving away a flash of embarrassment over my rudeness, I closed the door on him. Weak and cold, I walked woodenly to my bed and sat on the edge, staring at the wall.

  Zylas was a demon. He was famished, dying, isolated, and ten weeks into torturous confinement. He had a day or two left to live—and I’d offered myself on a silver platter. I’d given him the chance to get me, and he’d taken it. I shouldn’t have expected anything different.

  He was a demon. He’d obeyed his nature. Profoundly immoral and wicked … an apt description of the demonic psyche.

  I knew that. I understood it.

  I still felt betrayed.

  Most of all, I felt like the biggest fool on the planet. A bleeding heart, like Amalia had said. I’d thought, in his own demony way, Zylas saw me as an ally, or at least an odd, annoying cohort in his lonely imprisonment.

  So unbelievably naïve.

  I flopped onto my bed, exhausted and wrung dry. As my eyelids grew heavy, I lifted my hand and stared at it, remembering Zylas’s clawed fingers sliding so carefully across my delicate skin.

  What does your blood look like, payilas?

  Shuddering, I rolled onto my face and hoped, cruelly, selfishly, that Zylas wouldn’t survive the night. If he died before morning, I would never have to think about him again.

  Chapter Twelve

  At a knock on my door, I closed the self-help book I was reading in the hopes of learning not to be an impulsive, naïve idiot. So far, it wasn’t helping.

  The knock sounded again and I sat up in my bed. “Yes?”

  My door cracked open. Travis stuck his head in. “Hey.”

  Warmth rushed into my cheeks and I surreptitiously slid the blankets higher. I wasn’t wearing a bra under my tank top. “What’s wrong?”

  “I just want to check on you.” He crossed to my bed. I couldn’t tell if he did it on purpose, but he swung the door hard enough that it clacked shut behind him. Dropping onto the foot of my bed, he grinned at me. “How are you feeling after that scare? Did you sleep okay?”

  “Pretty well,” I mumbled. Post-adrenaline exhaustion could do that. I didn’t mention that I’d woken up at 6:30 a.m. from a nightmare involving Zylas, the circle, and my gory death. I’d been reading in bed ever since, afraid to go back to sleep.

  “That’s good.” He cleared his throat. “While I’m here … I’ve been meaning to apologize. Amalia told me you aren’t a summoner or an apprentice or anything. I’m sorry I bought into Dad’s bullshit and gave you the cold shoulder for so long.”

  “It’s okay,” I told my blanket, unable to meet his eyes.

  “I want to make it up to you.” His smile returned. “The rest of the family is going to a meeting at noon, but I’m on demon-watching duty. I have to stick around the house, so why don’t we hang out?”

  I blinked up at him, confused. “Um … sure.”

  “Cool. I bet there’ll be a horror movie on—can you believe Halloween is tomorrow? Month, gone.” He hopped up. “I’ve got a few errands to run, but I’ll be back home around one o’clock.”

  “Okay.”

  He breezed out and closed the door, leaving me blinking in anxious bafflement. Why did Travis suddenly want to hang out? Was it a ruse to interrogate me about my “demon encounter” last night?

  Dragging myself out of bed, I slouched into the attached bathroom and turned on the shower. I’d hoped the hot water would relax me, but I spent my whole shower planning various cover stories and evasions in case Travis questioned me about Zylas. Maybe I should pretend to have the flu?

  I blow-dried my hair so it hung straight and neat around my heart-shaped face, the ends brushing my shoulders, then wandered down to the kitchen and made myself a small breakfast of fruit and yogurt. I ate at the breakfast bar, my self-help book propped in front of me but my focus completely shot.

  Kathy marched in and out, busy with preparations for her excu
rsion. Amalia passed by once, her usual jeans and oversized sweatshirt replaced by a sexy halter-top dress, its mid-thigh hem showing off her long legs. Her hair was twisted up into an elegant bun.

  “Where are you headed?” I asked as she strode in the opposite direction.

  She swerved off track, coming over to investigate my food. “The annual general meeting for our guild. It’s a good time for networking, otherwise Dad wouldn’t go while the demon is so close to breaking.”

  The MPD required all mythics, even those who didn’t actively practice magic, to be guilded. It was a crucial part of the system of checks, balances, and accountability that hid mythics and magic from the public, but it could also be a pain in the butt.

  Stealing a slice of apple off my plate, Amalia added, “Dad hates leaving Travis to watch things.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it’s Travis,” she drawled with an unhelpful eye roll. “See you later, Robin.”

  “Have fun.”

  She laughed sarcastically but gave me an almost friendly smile as she sauntered out of the kitchen on four-inch heels.

  A few minutes later, the clamor of the family leaving quieted. I rinsed my dishes and left them in the sink, then resumed reading my self-help book in my bedroom. Unsurprisingly, “10 Foolproof Reasons Not to Trust Hellish Incarnations of Evil” wasn’t a chapter. I needed a book specific to people with chronic, life-threatening inquisitiveness.

  Thoughts of last night wormed into my focus, but I stomped them down. I wasn’t giving Zylas another minute of my time or consideration. Dragging out a pair of earbuds, I put on music and continued reading.

  One o’clock arrived without my noticing. Clueing in twenty minutes later, I tossed my book on the bed and headed down to the main level. The family room was empty, so I curled up on the leather sofa and selected a remote. After figuring out how to turn on the eighty-inch flat-screen TV, I channel-surfed for a quarter of an hour, my anxiety growing by the minute. Maybe Travis had forgotten. Should I go back upstairs? Better yet, should I use this time to search the house for my mom’s grimoire?

  A door clattered. Footsteps thumped, then Travis wheeled into the room, looking frazzled.

  “Sorry, Robin!” he said breathlessly. “Got held up.”

  “It’s fine.”

  “I need to check on the demon.” He waved at me. “Come on.”

  I blinked. “Huh?”

  “Come with me. Won’t take long.”

  “Uh.” I shrank into the sofa. “I’d rather not.”

  He grinned encouragingly. “You’ll be perfectly safe. It’s good to face your fears.”

  I hesitated, debating whether a flat-out refusal would look suspicious. He extended his hand in offer, his feet set like he intended to wait there all afternoon. Not knowing what else to do, I reluctantly climbed off the sofa and straightened my white t-shirt.

  “Atta girl! Knew you were tough.” He caught my hand even though I hadn’t offered it. “Let’s get this done.”

  He pulled me across the room. I looked at my hand in his, my stomach churning with apprehension. Why were my instincts screaming at me to run away?

  As Travis reached the stairs and started down them, firmly tugging me along, I told myself it would be fine. If he tried to interrogate me about last night, I would leave. He wouldn’t stop me from leaving … would he?

  We reached the hallway at the bottom and my eyes darted to the open library door. Light spilled across the hardwood. Travis just needed to check on the demon. The circle would be filled with impenetrable darkness, like always, and we’d …

  Why were the lights already on?

  The disquieting question had scarcely pierced my thoughts before Travis pulled me into the library. My gaze flashed across the black dome and the podium in front of it, then caught on the three people waiting for us.

  I recognized two of them: short, brusque Karlson and his huge, silent companion, whom I’d dubbed Hulk. Uncle Jack’s clients, the ones waiting to buy a contract with Zylas. The third man was tall but not looming, with a military buzz cut and muscular arms displayed by his tight t-shirt.

  My feet rooted to the floor. Travis turned and smiled. It wasn’t a warm smile. I suddenly doubted whether it had ever been warm.

  He slung his arm around my shoulders and dragged me forward. “Come on, Robin, don’t be shy.”

  The three men assessed me with cold calculation.

  “This is her?” Karlson snapped impatiently.

  “Yep.” Travis forced me to stand in front of the men like a model on display. “This is the only person the demon has spoken to. It lured her close enough to grab her.”

  “And she survived?” the third man inquired flatly.

  “My arrival must’ve startled the demon. She fell out of the circle in complete hysterics.”

  I stood mute. Whatever was happening, it was bad. I needed to get out of here, but Travis was holding my shoulders and the three men were blocking my escape.

  “Is she an apprentice?” Karlson barked.

  “Nope. Doesn’t know shit about demons. She’s a sleeper.”

  A sleeper—a mythic who didn’t practice magic. It wasn’t a flattering term.

  Karlson grunted, then stepped toward me. “All right, girl. I don’t like wasting time, so I’ll make this quick. We want that demon to talk, and you’re the one it wants to talk to, so you’re going to help us, understood?”

  “H-he didn’t talk to me,” I began. “I—”

  Karlson’s hand flashed out and pain exploded through my head. I fell back into Travis, a scream lodged in my throat. My cheek throbbed violently.

  Karlson lowered his arm. “Didn’t I just tell you I hate wasting time?”

  “Hey,” Travis growled as he helped me straighten. “There’s no need to hit her.”

  “I’ll decide that. Keep your mouth shut and let the adults handle this.” He folded his arms. “Now get the demon talking.”

  I trembled, my mind spinning in a desperate search for a way out. Travis turned me around and steered me toward the circle, stopping a foot away. I stared into the pitch black.

  “Talk to it, Robin,” Travis said, then added in a mutter, “This isn’t going how I expected.”

  “Why did you bring me here?” I hissed.

  “Because I’m the stepson. Dad will never give me a demon name, so I need money to buy one.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Look, we can help each other, okay? Amalia told me Dad is hoarding your inheritance. I can help you with that. Once I get the contract bonus from these guys, I can hire a lawyer. Whatever you need.”

  I craned my neck to stare at him. He returned my look, earnest but also afraid. Was it dread over betraying his father or fear of his new business partners?

  “Get on with it!” Karlson commanded.

  Travis let out a sharp breath. “Please, Robin.”

  Did I have a choice? I cleared my throat. “Uh, demon? Would you say something … please?”

  Silence. Of course. Why would Zylas respond? He probably hadn’t been this entertained since being summoned.

  “Demon, if you’ll talk to me, I’ll give you … uh … something … at your request.” I waited a moment, the three men’s stares boring into my back. My cheek throbbed in warning. “You don’t have much time left. This is your last chance to get something you want.”

  Ignored again.

  “The demon isn’t stupid,” I said over my shoulder, desperate for someone to understand. “He knows what you’re doing. He won’t speak while you’re here listening.”

  Travis looked questioningly at the three men.

  “This is moronic,” the new man said in a rumbling voice. “The demon doesn’t want to talk to the girl. It was trying to get her in the circle. It wants blood, not conversation.”

  Karlson rubbed his jaw. “Fair point. Let’s see if we can tempt the beast, then.”

  He gestured at Hulk and the man lumbered toward me and Travis. I tried to step back, but Tr
avis stopped me—the circle was right behind us. Hulk bore down on me and his thick hands seized my upper arms. He spun me around to face the circle, his fingers bruising my skin.

  “Whoa, hey!” Travis exclaimed. “What are you—”

  “I told you to keep quiet,” Karlson interrupted. “Vince, take over.”

  The third man strode forward and stopped beside me. I squirmed against Hulk’s hold, breathless with terror. I wanted to scream at them to let me go, but I couldn’t speak. Why was I so timid? So helpless?

  “Demon,” Vince said to the circle. “You want this girl. Show yourself and you can bargain for her.”

  “What?” Travis blurted. “You can’t—”

  “Were you planning to let her walk out of here and tell your father how you went behind his back to steal his demon?” Karlson asked dismissively.

  “I—I’ll pay her to keep quiet—”

  Karlson snorted like Travis was hopelessly naïve. “Get out of the way or we’ll remove you—and our deal is over.”

  Travis snapped his mouth shut. I stared at him pleadingly, but he moved aside, eyes downcast.

  “Well, demon?” Vince prompted. “Do you want to bargain for the girl?”

  Silence from the circle. The darkness didn’t shift.

  “Maybe it doesn’t think you’re serious,” Karlson suggested.

  Grunting, Vince stepped closer and took my wrist. While Hulk held me immobile, Vince stretched my arm out. Silver flashed in his hand, but I didn’t comprehend what I was seeing. A … knife? Where had he gotten a knife? What did he plan to do with—

  The eight-inch blade flicked upward. I watched it pass across my inner forearm, just below my elbow. Felt the razor-edged steel part my flesh. Saw bright blood bloom across my skin.

  Then the pain hit and I screamed.

  Hulk’s hands tightened as I convulsed. Vince pressed the flat of his knife against my arm, coating it in dripping blood, then flicked it at the circle. Red droplets disappeared into the darkness and splattered across the surrounding hardwood.

  “Have a taste, demon,” Vince said, holding my arm out so the bloody slice was fully visible. “You can have the rest. Just show yourself.”