Denounce

by Alex Dafney

  I watch as he turns toward the bedroom door, walking quickly. “Ian.” He pauses with his hand on the door handle, glancing at me over his shoulder. “Thanks.” Giving a once nod he pulls the door open, stepping outside and closing it behind him. I fall back to the bed, covering my eyes with one hand as the night replays in my mind.

  A few days later I find myself in the same spot. Lying in my bed, my hand covering my eyes. Another night in the normal world that was interrupted by Eridanus. At this point I don’t feel like I’ll ever change a normal and reach the last phase of my transition. It’s like living in some strange limbo stage.

  I look up to a knock on the door. Without an invitation the door swings open, Bastian walking in. “The Mistress has ordered for you and Ian to go back out tonight.” I give a shrug as I push myself off the bed, striding by him out the door. “I wouldn’t suggest coming back if you don’t change someone. The Mistress is growing tired of your unwillingness to transform. Just like the rest of us.” I turn back to him, noticing the scowl on his face as he crosses his arms over his chest.

  “I’m not unwilling, Bastian. Sorry I’m the only one of my kind and there’s not a written set of rules to follow to get me there.” He rolls his eyes, giving a loud scoff as we stand in the stone hallway alone. “Yeah. Yeah. The Mistresses chosen one. The special one.” He gives another eye roll as I chuckle, shaking my head slightly. “Sounds like you’re jealous of me.”

  He drops his arms to his sides, clenching his hands into fists as his eyes glow red. “No one is jealous of you.” He hisses at me through gritted teeth while stalking toward me slowly. “I am the oldest of the offspring. The leader of the Mistresses Court. The next in line for the throne.” I roll my eyes, folding my arms over my chest as I raise an eyebrow at him with a smirk on my lips. “Until I showed up.”

  His face contorts with anger as he rushes the few steps between us. I sidestep him easily, him running right by me and slamming into the wall. He turns to me, a growl coming from him as he rushes me again. As I step to the side quickly, I lift my foot, kicking him in the ass as he barrels by me. I laugh when he turns around to face me, his eyes glowing so brightly they look as though they could melt steel. He stands straight, brushing his hands down the front of his suit. “For someone who hasn’t even fully transformed, you talk a lot of shit.”

  With that he turns away from me, stalking down the hallway. I let out a sigh as I make my way down the spiral, stone stairs in search of Ian. When I don’t find him at the base of the stairs, which has been our normal meeting spot, I start for the barrack area that contains the bedrooms of the common Demons.

  I make my way down the long hallway, stopping at Ian’s assigned room. I gently tap on the door. He pulls the door open after a few seconds, giving me a surprised look. I hitch my thumb over my shoulder. “The Mistress wants us to go back out tonight. She wants me to change someone. Now.” He gives me a nod as he opens the door wider, stepping outside.

  After appearing in the mortal world, we find a dive of a bar, sliding onto two stools and having a couple of beers as I tell Ian about Bastian’s performance in the hallway. He laughs loudly, slapping a hand against his thigh. “I would’ve loved to see him lose control. He always walks around like he’s got a stick up his ass.” I nod in agreement, a wide smile on my face.

  “Right? He acts like I asked for this shit. I had a happy life, a job I loved, a few good friends.” I give a casual shrug as I lift the beer glass in front of me. “I mean, shit, I’d just gotten a new promotion at work and was going to be a senior editor. My fucking dream job.” I look over to Ian who stares at me with wide eyes, my eyes becoming wide as well. “You’re remembering.” I nod as I think back to before this nightmare began.

  “Holy shit. I remember being bitten. Eri and Ori were there. Eri stayed with me for days, taking care of me.” I close my eyes, a content sigh coming from my lips as I remember the way her fingernails ran through my hair as my head rested in her lap. I chuckle as I think of the way I propositioned her in my living room. Telling her to lie down or something.

  Ian elbows me in the side, a sad smile on his lips. “It’s great you remember, but that’s all it is now. A memory.” I nod slowly, my brows drawn together as I pull my wallet from my back pocket, sliding a few bills on the countertop. I slip my wallet back to my pocket as I stand from the stool, giving Ian a look of determination. “You’re right. Let’s get this over with.”

  We step out of the bar side by side in the dark early hours of the morning. I look both ways, not seeing anyone in sight. I turn to the right, hoping we’ll come across a drunk college student who has lost their way. After a few minutes we see a group of young people ahead of us, stumbling along the sidewalk as they laugh boisterously.

  We stay a good distance behind, watching as one of the girls breaks away from the group, giving a wave as she steps toward her building. I speed toward her, placing my hand over her mouth as I drag her around the side of the building. I continue down the side of the building until we’re next to an emergency exit door, the sign blinking with burning out lights.

  I place her back against the wall, keeping my hand over her mouth. Her eyes are wide with fear, her entire body trembling. “I’ll take my hand away if you promise not to scream.” She nods her head quickly, tears starting to form in her eyes as she stares up at me. Fuck. I don’t want to do this to this poor girl. I slowly lower my hand from her mouth, and true to her word, she stays quiet.

  “Please don’t hurt me. Just take my purse.” She shifts the strap of her purse across her body, holding it out to me. I shake my head, giving her a sad smile. “I don’t need your money.” Her eyes widen slightly, a sob escaping her as fear takes over and she begins to plead with me. I take one step toward her, keeping my eyes on hers. “I’m sorry.” I close in on her, cupping my hand over her mouth as I shift her head upward.

  “I just want you to kiss me. That’s all.” She chokes on a sob. It muffled by my hand. I pull my lower lip into my mouth, biting down and tasting the coppery taste of blood in my mouth. I slowly move my hand away from her mouth, crashing my lips to hers. She sniffles, her chest heaving and her hands shaking at her sides. Try with everything I have, I can’t bring myself to open my mouth and allow my blood to change her.

  I pull back from her, staring into her teary eyes. “Go.” She stares at me for a long second, her mouth dropping open slightly. I lift my hand, slamming it against the brick wall that crumbles next to her. “Go!” Without another glance she turns toward the dimly street, running as fast as she can. “Fuck.” I keep my hand placed on the wall, my head dropped down as I close my eyes. I can’t bring this fate on someone.

  I hear a whoosh noise, opening my eyes to see an arrow bounce off the brick wall a few feet from me, falling to the ground. A small smile crests my lips as I turn. Eri pulls another arrow from the sheath on her back, pointing it at the center of my chest. I face her fully, staring at her beautiful face. Part of me hates her, yet the other half wants to pin her against the wall right now.

  The latter wins. I rush toward her, gripping the arrow in the middle and shoving it upward. I hear her release it as her back hits the wall, a low gasp coming from her. I lift my hands to her face, cupping her cheeks as she stares up at me with those gorgeous eyes of hers. “I should hate you, but something pulls me to you.” She simply nods her head slowly as she looks into my eyes.

  I crash my lips to hers, one hand running up to tangle in her long hair. She moans at the same time a groan escapes me. I part my mouth, licking my tongue along her bottom lip as I shift my hips into her, placing her fully against the wall. I vaguely hear her bow clatter to the pavement as she lifts her hands, one cupping the back of my neck as the other clutches my T-shirt.

  I trail my hand down her cheek, along her throat and stopping at the top of her breasts. Running my fingertips along the top of the black corset top she wears. She tilts her head away from me, exposing her neck. I take the opportunity to drop my
mouth to that spot just below her ear that I know drives her wild.

  As I run my tongue lightly along her skin, goosebumps begin to form along her neck as she lifts one leg, wrapping it around me and thrusting me toward her core. “Ashley!” Eri instantly stiffens beneath me. “Let’s go, Ashley!” I keep my hands on her body, glancing over my shoulder to Ian who wears a worried expression. “No.” I growl at him. Eri lowers her leg from around me, dropping back to her high stilettos and placing both of her hands on my chest, giving me a slight push.

  I take a step backward, keeping my eyes on hers. “You need to listen to him.” I give her a snarky grin as I close in on her, placing my finger under her chin and urging her head upward. “I’d rather finish what we started.” Her eyes glow green, but I can see the sadness. “We can’t.” I drop my lips to hers in a slow, sensual kiss.

  Pulling back I stare down at her, feeling my eyes burning and knowing they’re bright red. “Promise me you’ll wait for me.” She swallows heavily as she stares up at me. “I promise.” I feel a hand on my shoulder, knowing Ian is ready to get out of here. I take a step back, staring at Eri the whole while. I give her a small smile as we begin to travel back to the Fortress.

  Chapter 13

  I fall back on the couch in my room after a long conversation with the Mistress. It’s been days since I’ve been allowed to leave, meaning days since I’ve seen Eridanus. I allow my mind to drift to the times we had before I came here. A chuckle escapes me as I think about our stop at the general store where she told the cashier that I was impotent. I still owe her back on that one.

  I sit up as I hear a knock on my bedroom door, watching as the door opens before I have a chance to speak. Ian sticks his head in the door, a worried look on his face. “The Mistress wants to see us both. Immediately.” I push up from the couch, striding toward the door that he holds open. I start toward the right, figuring she’ll want to see us in the common area.

  Ian places his hand on my arm, tilting his head toward the stairs that travel to the uppermost part of the west tower. “She’s in her office.” He audibly gulps as my eyes widen. The only Demons I’ve seen summoned to her office, never made it out. “Fuck.” He nods his head in agreement as we walk toward the stairs.

  Ian talks nervously in a low voice as we ascend the stairs slowly. Neither of us in a hurry to meet our certain deaths. I tune him out as I get lost in my own thoughts. I had thought I was doing a convincing job of the Mistresses golden heir, but apparently, I have been mistaken. Ever since the last time I saw Eri, the time I couldn’t change that young girl, I’ve known I was going to figure out a way out of this. A way back to Eridanus.

  We hit the last step at the same time, both of us looking over at the other. Ian’s face is consumed with worry, but I hope I’m doing a better job as an actor. With my memory back, I recall the conversation with the head witch. Head Enchantress. I have to figure out how to denounce the Demon within me while not being killed by the Mistress. Easy freaking peasy.

  I let out a heavy sigh as I place my hand on the door handle. Knowing nothing in this shit show is easy peasy. Without knocking, I push the large, stone door open, finding the Mistress sitting behind an ornately carved rock desk. Bastian leaning against the wall behind her. She gives me a slight smile as I step in the room, Ian staying right by my side.

  “Hello, my child.” She shifts her eyes over to Ian, giving him a once over. “This is who you have chosen to be your hand?” I glance over to Ian who has his head dropped, his eyes fixed on the floor. Looking back to my Mother, the Mistress, I give her a nod. “Absolutely. He led me here when my own brother left me in a house of witches and a Seeker. I trust him.”

  I see Bastian scowl at me, but keep my eyes focused on the Mistress. Her lip pulls up slightly at the corner as she places her hands on the desk, pushing herself to standing. “Very well. He’ll accompany us on our little field trip.” I internally kick myself for dragging Ian into whatever the hell I just got myself into. She steps around the desk, standing before me.

  I see Ian drop to his knees, his head bowed. She glances over to him, a look of annoyance on her face. “Stand.” He slowly rises to his feet, keeping his eyes cast downward. “Look at me.” I watch from the corner of my eye as he reluctantly lifts his head, his eyes locked on hers as she scowls at him. “If you plan to be the leader of Ashley’s Court when he takes over, you need to learn more confidence. The Master or Mistress, along with their offspring and Court are the highest titles a Demon can hold.”

  He gives her a bow, pulling his eyes back to hers as he shifts his shoulders back, standing tall. “Yes, Mistress. I will learn to be a formidable leader of Master Ashley’s Court.” I cringe at the words as she smiles at us both. “Very well. Let’s be off.”

  I blink quickly as the mortal world comes into focus. It’s dark out, but at least I can feel a slight breeze on my cheeks, unlike the dark and cold of the Fortress. “Why are we here?” The Mistress turns to me, her brows narrowed together, her lip a thin line. “Tonight, is the night you complete your final phase of transformation.”

  Ian and I follow behind her and Bastian along the sparsely populated street. There’s no way in hell I can keep up my appearance of wanting to be a Demon if I don’t change someone in front of her. Fuck. I see Bastian pull a phone from his pocket, glancing at it quickly before looking up and scanning the street.

  “Why don’t we grab a quick dinner. It’s been ages since you’ve been to the mortal world, Mistress.” She stops in the middle of the sidewalk, tilting her head to the side and giving him a questioning stare. “Very well.” She offers her arm, through which he links through his, whistling a happy tune as we walk along the sidewalk.

  We step into a fine dining restaurant, being seated quickly. Ian sits at my side across from the Mistress and Bastian. “I suppose you’re ready to get your first change under your belt.” I look above the menu to Bastian who wears a devious smile, simply giving him a nod in response. “Tell me, Ian. How did you find yourself at the Fortress?”

  I’m happy for Ian’s long-winded conversation as I try to figure out a way out of this. I don’t want to change someone. I don’t want to transform. There has to be a way out of this.

  We all place our orders, waiting quietly. Just as the waiter arrives with our food, Bastian’s pulls his phone from his pocket, glancing at it briefly. “My apologies, but we have to get going.” The waiter’s eyes widen slightly as he places the last dish in front of me. “Would you like for me to box these to go?” Bastian pushes his chair back, standing quickly as he pulls his wallet from his pocket, throwing a few hundred-dollar bills on the center of the table.

  He looks across to me with a wicked smile as I stay seated. “Duty calls, brother.” I keep my face void of emotion as I slide my chair back, standing across from him. “Let’s take care of business.” He starts toward the door, the Mistress following as Ian and I follow behind, shoulder to shoulder. He bumps my arm with his as we reach the sidewalk in front of the restaurant, giving me a questioning shrug to which I shake my head lightly.

  After walking a few blocks, Bastian turns down a dark alleyway, weaving along the back streets of buildings as we all follow. I can see a light flickering beyond the next corner. He stops, turning to face us before starting around the corner. “I figured out what was stopping your transformation, brother.” I glare at him as he gives me a smug smile, brushing his hands along his three-piece suit.

  The Mistress turns back toward me, giving me a triumphant smile. “I was foolish to think a simple change would trigger your transformation. It’s something to do with your life before.” She turns away from me, walking around the corner of the building. I start behind her, Bastian placing his hand firmly on my forearm. I look over to him, my eyes burning red with the simple contact.

  He scoffs loudly, lowering his hand from my arm. “I saw you with the female Seeker the last outing you went on.” Try as I can, I can’t hide the look of shock that transforms my
face for the briefest of second. He gives a mirthless laugh, turning his back to me and walking around the corner. I start behind him, but Ian grips my arm firmly, pulling me back.

  “I’ve got your back.” He gives a small nod as he releases my arm. I step around the corner of the building, complete shock rolling though me as I take in the scene before me.

  I walk directly toward the Mistress and Bastian, standing at their side. I know I’ve got to keep a level head if I’m going to get Eridanus out of this situation. And right now, that’s the only thing on my mind. Two large Demons have her arms pinned against the wall, her bow lying a few feet away from her with her sheath of arrows spilling onto the pavement littered with garbage. Her eyes find mine, a look of sorrow in her glowing green eyes. As I stare into her eyes, I feel that all too familiar ache begin in my head.

  I advert my eyes from hers, staring at the wall a few feet from her so I don’t do anything brash in the situation. I watch from the corner of my eye as Bastian takes the few steps toward her, placing his hands behind his back and beginning to pace a few steps, then turning and pacing the direction he came. “It seems the source that is stopping Ashley’s transformation is a certain Seeker female.”

  He turns his gaze to Eri, giving her a disgusted look before turning his eyes to mine, keeping the face. “Why you would want a Seeker when there are so many Demons to choose from? Even witches.” He gives a scoff as he walks toward me, pulling a small dagger from the inside of his jacket pocket. He stops a few feet from me, flipping the dagger so the handle is toward me. “Kill her and complete your transformation.”