by Kailin Gow
“I may have begun my relationship with her with devious motives, devilish motives, but I’ve come to find myself enamored with her.” He looked to Lux. “And I came to realize that, beyond saving my heart, she could save my soul. She has angelic blood and she has the ability to free me from the prison that my life is. She can free me from the long and lonely life as a succubus.”
“How poetic of you, Mr. Romeo,” Professor Angelo said. “But these are my students down here fighting. I will not make the decision to risk their lives in this fight. It’s up to every individual if they wish to continue the fight.”
“You can bet that I’m not heading home any time soon,” Lucas said.
“There’s no way I will leave this house until those things are destroyed,” Asher said.
“The fun is about to begin,” Sully said with a boyish grin. “Can’t leave now and miss out on it.”
Lux beamed at her team. “And I think it goes without saying that I am not a quitter. As long as my team is here, as long as there are demons to slay, I’m going to stay right here.”
Romeo stepped closer to Lux and smiled down at her. “I guess I should have asked you first, Lux. Whatever you decide to do, I’ll follow. I’ll be here as long as you are. That’s a promise you can bank on.”
Chapter 18
“Okay,” Lux called out as she quickly put together her game plan. She looked to Romeo. “Romeo, head out with Professor Angelo and make sure you clear out the right wing. I trust that you’ll use your succubus experience to help the team make a clean sweep.” She turned to Moore. “You’re going to stay with us. We’re going to clear out this basement then head up to sweep through the left wing.”
Moore nodded.
“We’ve seen what these demons are capable of,” Lux went on. “So, let’s stay close together, let’s work together, and let’s beat these creatures once and for all.”
After Professor Angelo led her team up the stairs, Lux and her team walked around to sweep the entire basement.
“It’s as if every room leads to another smaller room,” Lucas said.
“As if the original house was small and they added on,” Sully said.
Lucas nodded. He reached an old stone wall and lay his hand on the crumbling mortar. “Looks like this is part of the original house.”
“It also looks like it’s going to cave in at any moment,” Sully added.
“There’s another even smaller door here,” Lucas said, reaching for the handle on a small, two-foot high door.
“Another storage room?” Lux said looking at the odd little door.
“A cold room, maybe,” Lucas said.
“Be careful. We’ll have to open it slowly.” Lux looked at the big, bulky guys around her. “Keep your eyes open for any entities that might sneak out, but clearly, I’m the only one small enough to go through that door.”
“I don’t like it,” Sully said.
“Neither do I,” Lucas said.
As they discussed what to do, Moore and Asher kept a small band of demons at bay.
“Whether you guys like it or not, we have no choice. Stay out here and help Moore and Asher and I’ll go in there and make sure it’s clear.” She glanced at the small door. “Look at it this way, if the space is as small as the door indicates, there won’t be any huge demons in there. There will only be small minions and I can deal with them with my eyes closed.”
“Good thing considering it will probably be even darker in there,” Sully said.
“Okay,” Lux said as she got down on all fours and faced the door. “Open it fast then close it just as quickly behind me.”
“Okay,” Lucas said. “But if you’re not back out here in five minutes, I’m going to squeeze into that tiny opening one way or another and get you.”
Lux looked at the small opening then up to his muscular bulk and smiled. “That might just be an amusing sight but squeezing in here won’t be necessary. Five minutes might be a bit tight, though. Give me ten minutes. We don’t know how many minions there might be in there.”
“Okay, ten minutes, but not a minute more,” Lucas conceded.
“Ready?”
He nodded.
“On three… One, two, three!”
Lucas quickly pulled the door open and Lux crawled into the dark space and Lucas slammed the door closed behind her.
It was so dark, darker than it had been in the larger room, but she didn’t let that rattle her. Closing her eyes, she followed her nose and detected a presence and quickly slayed two small demons. Then, listening to the slightest motion, she turned to slay three more, then two more and she finally ended up in a tight corner where she heard a few of them sniveling.
“Oh, for crying out loud,” Lux muttered into the darkness. “The only thing I hate more than a smelly demon, is a sniveling one.”
She dove into the small group, slaying them all with ease.
“Is that it?” she called out into the darkness. With her eyes still closed she analyzed each scent and every sound. Then she heard it. One final demon was trying to get away, trying to get out by the door she’d come in by.
“You haven’t got a chance,” she said as she crawled to the creature and slayed it.
Sitting back on her haunches, she breathed in the dank sandy air. Clearing the space had barely taken four minutes, but she wanted to be sure it was cleared for good.
“How are things going in there?” she heard Lucas yell through the door.
Beyond him, she could hear the ongoing fight with the larger demons. She waited another thirty seconds and determined that the space was clear.
Crawling to where she’d heard Lucas call out, she popped the door open. “All clear.”
“That didn’t take long,” Lucas remarked.
“Not only were they tiny minions, they were cowardly as well,” Lux said as she crawled out of the tight space and dusted off her pants.
“Come on,” Lucas said. “Let’s join the others.”
“I’m ready for it.”
“Just remember,” he warned. “You won’t be dealing with minions anymore. If things get too rough, call out. We’re all there to help you.”
She smiled at his paternal inclination to protect her. “Got it.”
They joined the others and jumped into the ongoing fight. As they swept through, slaying every demon they came across, they finally reached the basement stairs and headed up.
“Now that the basement is clear, let’s take care of the left wing,” Lux said.
With expert efficiency, they swept through the rooms, slaying the few demons that remained.
“Think we got them all?” Sully said as they cleared the last room.
It was silent for a long moment.
“Anyone sense anything?” Lucas said.
Lux glanced up at the ceiling. “Unfortunately, yes. Looks like we’re not quite finished yet.”
“You sense something up there?” Lucas said following her gaze.
“Absolutely.”
“Great,” Sully said, looking around. “How do we get up there?”
“I know,” Lux said as she led the way back into the hallway and headed back where they’d come from. “Remember that room that looked like an old art supply store? There was some framing around an opening in the ceiling.”
The guys frowned and looked at one another but followed behind her all the same.
“Are you sure about this?” Lucas said.
“Yes, I’m sure. And I could kick myself for not thinking of going up there when we first passed through.”
She opened the door to the large airy room. Lined with shelves along the deep end of the room, an old busted up easel lay in front of the large window while a paint stained tarp was bundled up in the corner.
“Up there.” Lux pointed to the attic opening in the ceiling. “I’m guessing whoever painted down here probably had a studio up there to paint in peace. Or maybe just to have a better view of the city.”
“Let’
s go have a look,” Lucas said. He clasped his hands together to create a makeshift step and looked at Lux. “Want a boost?”
She nodded and set her foot in his clasped hands.
“Up you go.” He raised his hands and Lux rose up to catch the hook that latched the opening shut. “You’re going to have to lift me higher in order to open this thing.”
Lucas raised his hands higher and Lux pushed the heavy attic door up and over until it collapsed on the floor.
“Okay,” she called down. “A final boost to send me up there.”
“What do you smell?” Lucas said.
“Trouble,” she said impatiently. “Now boost me up there.”
“Why is she going up there?” Asher said. “The opening is big enough for any of us to go through.”
“Because, I’m already up here,” Lux shot down. “Now boost me up, Lucas.”
Lucas hesitated a moment then boosted her up. Placing her hands on either side of the opening, Lux pulled herself up and sat on the edge of the opening to take a look around.
“What do you see?” Lucas called up
“Just as I thought,” Lux said. She crawled up and stood in the cramped space. “An artist’s studio. Old paintbrushes, a few tattered canvases and some dried-up jars of paint. Hmm, whoever worked up here had some talent. Probably a fan of impressionism.”
“Never mind the art. What about demons, Lux?” Lucas said.
“Don’t see anything yet, but…”
“But what?”
“I think the stink of old, dried up turpentine is screwing up my sense of smell.”
“Don’t let your guard down.”
“I won’t.” Lux walked around the dusty attic, ducking under low beams and stepping over old mildewed cardboard boxes. Beyond the section that served as an artist studio was a storage area packed with old crates and trunks.
She suddenly heard a sound from behind her and turned to face it, her crucifix up and ready to slay.
“Hey, hold on,” Lucas said. “It’s just me.”
“What are you doing up here?” she snapped at him. “I’ve got this.”
“You were taking too long. Besides, the guys have everything under control down there.”
“I don’t smell anything. Do you?”
Lucas sniffed the air. “Old dust. Mold. Something resembling aged cheese.”
She stepped towards the old trunks and the scent suddenly assailed her. Looking at Lucas, she tilted her head to the trunk.
He nodded his understanding and came to her side.
“On three,” he mouthed silently. Holding up his hand he showed, one and two and three fingers then flipped the lid of the trunk.
Lux quickly slayed two of the smaller demons hiding in the trunk while Lucas ran after the third larger one that scurried off into a dark corner.
After a short scuffle, Lucas returned, clapping the dust from his hands.
“Let’s check the other ones,” Lux whispered.
They went from trunk to trunk and box to box and eliminated dozens of hidden demons. After ten minutes, they’d cleared the entire attic and returned to join the others.
“Okay,” Lux said confidently. “I think we’ve literally cleared this house from basement to attic.”
“Let’s head to the main foyer to see if the other team has finished.”
“And then to the portal to seal it once and for all,” Lux added.
They found their way to the main foyer and a minute later the other team arrived.
“How’d it go?” Lucas said.
“With this guy on our side,” Professor Angelo said, pointing to Romeo, “it was a breeze. We made quite a team.”
Lux smiled at Romeo. “So, he played nice?”
“Very nice.” Professor Angelo patted Romeo’s shoulder.
Romeo came to Lux and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “We made quite a team, too, didn’t we, love?”
Lux shrugged him off and turned to face both teams. “We all make a great team. Every one of us worked hard, worked smart and we succeeded in ridding this house of every demon.”
The members of both teams congratulated each other, patting slayers on the shoulder.
After congratulating the teams, Lux turned to Romeo and put her hands decisively on her hips. “Now,” she said matter-of-factly. “Where is Brax?”
Chapter 19
Lux climbed into the Escalade with her team, while the two other teams headed back to the Academy.
“Think the seal will hold?” she asked Lucas as he got into the driver’s seat.
“It seemed solid to me,” Romeo called from the back seat.
“We’ll come back and check on it as soon as we can.” Lucas put the car into drive and took off.
“So, you still haven’t told me where Brax is, Romeo,” Lux said, looking back at him.
“I think we’ve been through enough for today,” Romeo said. “Why don’t we all eat a good meal, get well rested and we can start fresh tomorrow?”
“Are you stalling?” Lux said, her tone bitter and angry.
“No. I swear,” Romeo said. He reached up front to squeeze her shoulder. “Remember, I want to be saved by you. The sooner you can rid me of this urge to drain human victims, the better. We just have to be logical about all this. If we head out to get Brax now, we risk making grave mistakes because we’re simply too exhausted.”
“I hate to admit it, but I think he’s right,” Sully said. “It makes sense to refresh our energy.”
Lux looked outside at the bright city lights as they crossed the Strip and continued east to the academy.
“Okay,” she reluctantly conceded. “We’ll rest tonight, but you better not have another story tomorrow. At first light, I want us to take off and find Brax.”
“Where are we headed, exactly?” Moore asked Lucas as he looked at his unfamiliar surroundings.
“We’ll head to our house,” Lucas said. “I guess we can find room for you guys.”
“I don’t feel too comfortable about having a succubus in the house, never mind two,” Sully said.
Lucas looked at Moore and Romeo in his rearview mirror. “I think they know better than to try anything funny.”
“You won’t hear a peep out of me,” Moore offered.
“What about you, Romeo? Are you going to give us trouble? Are you going to force us to slay you?” Lucas said.
“Yeah,” Sully added. “Planning on any funny business with Lux? Cause if you do, I’ll slit you from crotch to throat in a heartbeat.”
“I have no intention of doing anything improper,” Romeo assured them. “If I had wanted to do anything ‘funny’ I would have done it when I was alone with her.” He shook his head thoughtfully. “No, I’ve had enough of living as a succubus. I want to be rid of it. I want to live a normal life; at least as normal as possible.”
They arrived at their house and Lucas pulled into the drive.
“Wow,” Moore said. “Nice place.”
They all got out and headed inside.
“It might be a little late for a whole lavish meal. How about a snack,” Sully called out.
“I think there are a few pizzas still in the freezer,” Lux said.
“That would sure hit the spot,” Lucas said.
Moore looked around the beautiful mansion with admiration. “I’m happy to see you’ve been well taken care of,” he said to Lux.
“The guys have been pretty generous,” she said.
“Hey,” Romeo cut it. “What about me? I’ve been pretty generous, too. I mean, after all, I didn’t drain you all these months when I could have.”
“Don’t try to make yourself out to be some kind of saint,” Sully called out from the kitchen. He put two pizzas in the oven and came to lean on the counter, looking over at them. “We all know you just wanted to keep her with you as long as you could. I guess any man would.” He winked playfully at Lux.
“Well, I can certainly understand that,” Moore said.
&
nbsp; Sully turned to the cupboards, grabbed a bag of popcorn and pretzels and poured the contents into two large bowls He then joined everyone in the living room with the two large bowls of snacks. As he was about to set them down on the coffee table, Romeo reached out to the bowl, but Sully pulled it away. “Before you touch anything, promise that you won’t go stealing Lux away again. You won’t make her all obsessed with you.”
“For your information,” Romeo said. “I did not ‘make’ her obsessed with me. It’s just my natural succubus allure that drew her in.” He glanced at Moore. “I’m sure she had the same obsessive attraction to Moore.”
“Actually, I think I drew her in with my natural good looks, but also with my intellect, good humor and emotional connectivity,” Moore said, reaching out to Lux. He took her hand and held it in his and looked deeply into her eyes. “I have so many questions. The last time I saw you, you were dead. It’s inconceivable. I can’t believe you’re sitting right here in front of me.”
“I know. Sometimes I find it hard to believe myself. But the important thing is that I’m here now,” Lux said, smiling at him. “I was saved, Moore.”
He squeezed her hand. “I still can’t believe it. I can still feel the pain of seeing you die, of aching for you knowing that I would never see you again. And yet, here you are, as beautiful as ever and stronger than ever.”
She leaned into him, so happy to have him near her. “You know, I had promised to come back to save you.”
“Yeah, I remember. You said you would keep me from losing my human side,” he said. “And I think you found me just in time.”
They both turned to glare at Romeo seated in the recliner.
“I know you guys don’t believe me, but I was just looking out for her.” Romeo looked pointedly at Moore. “She wasn’t ready to go in search of you. Would you have preferred I let her go roaming around aimlessly down there and get slaughtered? Cause that’s exactly what would have happened if I’d let her go in search of you.”
Moore said nothing.
“You all point at me and say that I was selfish or devious to keep her distracted, to keep her by my side, but what did you do, Moore?” Romeo spat. “Don’t you think it was a bit selfish to let her come looking for you when you know damn well that you could have saved yourself. You could have escaped with Brax. At least he had the brains to make it out of there. You should have stuck close to him. Maybe a bit of his smarts would have rubbed off on you. Instead, you just clung miserably to your desire to see Lux again.”