Resonance

by T. G. Ayer

  Barry must have sensed the change in her mood because he silently shifted his bulk to the side and sank onto the stone floor, sitting cross-legged with his elbows propped on his knees.

  Evie grabbed the pad of paper and the pen from the chair, taking care not to touch the wood, then joined the demon, seating herself in front of him, her face also dead serious.

  "This is bad, isn't it?" Barry asked, his tone sober, all amusement having fled at the change in her mood. His face was now bland and it made Evie feel sad that she’d shut the laughter down.

  In their short friendship, Barry had all too often been the source of her amusement, the reason she smiled at the most random moments.

  But there would be time for laughter later on. For now, they had a huge task at hand, Hopefully it won’t be the same as endlessly rolling a boulder uphill, or spending years attempting to fill a leaking pool with water.

  Pen in hand, Evie was about to speak when she spotted a streak of soot marking the side of the first page. She tore off that page and was about to speak when light flickered in her vision. Squinting hard, Evie dipped her head and stared at the paper then gave a low gasp of pain.

  Evie's thumb sizzled as if electric energy passed through it from the paper. Curious she lifted her thumb to check for injuries but found nothing. She wouldn't have been surprised to see that her thumb had been sliced open by an invisible blade.

  But her skin remained whole, not a drop of blood in sight. And the sizzle had faded. Frowning, Evie touched her finger to the paper again, wondering it the paper itself had burned her skin. Then she felt the buzz beneath her thumb and snatched her finger away, confused and curious. Again her finger proved uninjured, but as she studied the skin, a silvery light shimmered in her peripheral vision.

  Guess the gargoyle guard had managed to figure out a way to get a message to her after all.

  Chapter 15

  “What's wrong?” whispered Barry, leaning forward to study the paper.

  Holding up a finger, Evie scanned the page, reading the message left there for her.

  There is more to what is happening to you than the brotherhood knows. It is too dangerous to have a conversation regarding this but please know we are keeping an eye on your security. For this morning we must apologise and we are most grateful that you survived that attack. Sadly we can only act within the limitations of our means. Let us know if you need any help, or if we should contact anyone on the outside for you.

  Evie blinked a few times at the message, a little unsure of what she was reading. Was she imagining it all? Wishful thinking at play? But when she looked up she met Barry's equally shocked eyes, knowing immediately that he'd seen the message too.

  "You can see it?"

  He nodded. "It's gargoyle ink. Has its roots in angelic blood, hence your ability to read it."

  "And yours," Evie replied dryly.

  Barry simply whispered, "What attack is this person talking about?"

  Evie shrugged. "I was almost killed last night. Some kind of magic spell that turned the air in the cell into water. Almost died." Her tone was nonchalant, which she could be now that she’d survived the ordeal.

  Barry’s jaw dropped. "How did you make it out alive? And who the frick attacked you?"

  Evie flicked her arm, revealing a fragment of the Markings to Barry.

  His reaction was the furthest from her imagination as anything could get. "Holy, holy, holy, holy," he said, scrambling backward like a confused crab. "Oh, man!" Barry whispered, before he shifted his gaze and simply stared at Evie, eyes wider than she had thought possible, even if he was a demon.

  She remained still. "What?" she asked softly, wanting to hear what he thought because his reaction was worrying. No, that was a lie. His reaction was downright scary.

  Barry gulped, his pale skin coloring for a moment with a tinge of red. "You're...I mean, the Marks...." He fell silent, clearly incapable of coherent speech, not to mention thought, his eyes trained on the undulating script on her skin.

  A little annoyed now, and impatient too, Evie peered at his face, glaring at him while she whispered, "Seriously, Barry? How are you supposed to represent me and clear me of murder charges if you can't string two sentences together?"

  Eyes wider now, he pointed a finger at Evie's wrist. "But you're...I'm--" Then the demon overlord stiffened, Hades’ markings suddenly forgotten. "What did you just say about clearing you of murder?"

  Evie took a slow breath, scowling at him. “That’s why you were brought here. Didn't they tell you?”

  Barry shook his head. “Nobody told me anything. There was a knock on my door--and by that I mean they popped into my lounge without even giving me a heads up. I mean what if I hadn’t been wearing pants?”

  Evie’s eyes narrowed. “Were you wearing pants?”

  “Yes, I was, thank goodness.”

  “Good, now carry on,” Evie snapped keeping her voice low.

  Barry swallowed, stared at Evie for a second then said, “Well, they appeared out of nowhere with this summons to meet someone here at the Greylock Estate as a matter of the utmost urgency. Didn’t give me much of a chance to find out anything more, other than there would be dire consequences if I didn’t come immediately.”

  Evie raised her eyebrows. “A bit melodramatic, but not far off from the truth.”

  Barry exhaled loudly through his nostrils. “Evie, can you maybe fill me in on the details that I'm missing. I just got jumped, literally, by a group of scary gargoyles and was brought to the dungeons of the Irin and I’m sitting a few feet from a terrifyingly scary chair.”

  Swallowing hard, not sure if she should laugh or hit the poor scared super powerful Level X Demon Overlord on the head, Evie said, “I came back from Hades, with a couple of problems, which I’ll update you on soon enough. Then someone knocked the lights out of me and I woke up here in this cell, with the fricking Angel Bonds trapping me here, not to mention a murder charge hanging over my head.” Evie raised her wrists to show the leather bands to Barry, then did a half twist to reveal the caged wings at her back. “Now, as problems go, mine trump yours, other than the chair of course.”

  Barry’s eyes narrowed as he studied Evie. “Who did you off?”

  Evie rolled her eyes wanting to groan, though she knew that groaning would be too loud. “Barry, can you get your head in the game. Things are dire and you’re making fun?”

  He rolled his shoulders, his amusement fading as he forced himself to be serious. “Okay, okay.” He raised his hands in submission. “What are the charges?”

  “I’m being charged with the murder of Marcellus Bactor, Grand Master of the Brotherhood of the Irin.”

  Barry blinked. “Huh? Same dude that sent you guys out to kill demons for no reason other than his stupid greed?”

  Evie bit her lip. “Well, he had his reasons, but yes, same dude.”

  “How did he die?”

  Evie bent closer to him. “I kinda killed him.”

  “What?” Barry hissed. “Evie?!”

  Grinning now, she waved a hand in his face. “He followed me to Hades, threatened to kill Castor, and he admitted to killing Patrick. Then he sicced his guards on me and watched as they attacked. Only problem is, I wasn’t so easy to kill. In the end the fool chased me down the tunnels, probably thinking he was going to kill me, but he took the wrong door.”

  “Wrong door?” Barry’s expression was pure puzzlement.

  Evie nodded. “He entered the wrong cave and ended up chimera chow.”

  “Chimera chow?” Barry repeated, his expression stunned, somewhat amused, mostly confused.”

  Evie huffed. “You’re not making this easy, Barry. But yes, a chimera ate Marcellus and he deserved it.”

  “You do anything to stop him from being eaten?”

  “Of course, I did. I yelled at him to be careful.”

  “That’s it? You try to save him at all?”

  “Not much chance of that. When I reached him...well, let’s just say
with a chimera you got fire, and Marcellus, well, he was the steak.”

  “Uh-huh,” Barry replied, his expression devoid of emotion.

  Chapter 16

  "A lawyer? Evie, I don't really think I'm the best person for the job," Barry was saying as he paced the floor.

  Evie sat on the milkmaid stool, avoiding the ancient chair as much as she could. She could barely stand the thought that she'd been sitting in it for hours already. She contained the urge to shudder and addressed thee dgy demon overlord. "Barry, it's not like I have anyone else to turn to, Patrick is dead, killed on Marcellus' order mind you. The only other person with the power to help me is in Hades. A bit of a distance to go to get in touch with the guy. So, for now you're my only hope. Unless you think Castor can get me off?" Evie smiled, when Barry chuckled softly.

  They'd spoken in low tones but the whole whispering thing was getting a little tiring. Evie sighed. "Can you power up a silence-shield or something? We can't keep whispering the entire time we discuss the case, but we can't risk being overheard either."

  Barry gave Evie an odd look. "Don't you know how to use your magic?"

  Squinting, Evie shook her head. "I don't have magic. Other than flying and casting my glamor, I didn't inherit any magical abilities from my father."

  The demon snorted. "What in the hell’s bells was Patrick teaching you anyway. He should have had you trained to use you magic to protect yourself."

  Evie stiffened. "Well, maybe he didn't know I had magic. Patrick did the best he could in raising me," she said defensive now, her tone tight.

  Barry let out a soft sigh. "I'm sorry, Evie. I didn't mean to insult the efforts he made. Perhaps the best explanation is that he didn't know about your powers. Or that he didn't know how to train you." Barry offered the alternative reasonings with a self deprecating smile.

  Let out a soft breath, Evie nodded. "Maybe he thought that taking me to be trained would put me in danger. Patrick was always very particular about keeping me safe. To be honest. it was a little suffocating."

  “Now who's speaking ill of the dead?" Barry tilted his head, his stare penetrating now.

  Rolling her eyes, Evie replied tartly, "It's not speaking ill if it’s the truth. He was far too overprotective and he knew it. He just always defended himself with the same excuse, that he loved me and wanted to keep me safe."

  Barry smiled sadly. "Okay then. Let's see about getting us some privacy." He stopped pacing and faced Evie, making her feel uncomfortable enough that she got to her feet. After a while he whispered, "How did you get rid of you recent visitor?"

  Evie thought about the magic, squinting as she went over the last few moments before the entire basement had been destroyed. "I'm not certain. I think I can remember though."

  "Good. And then, what about your glamor? Try to think about how you feel when you draw the glamor over you. Where that power comes from and how you are able to control it, to make you appearance change and to keep that glamor strong for hours?"

  Evie nodded again. Her glamor was almost part of her, so answering Barry's question was easy enough. "Yes. I'm familiar with the process."

  Barry tapped his lip. "So what if you took those two things and combined them together? Can you figure out a way to do that in your head?"

  Evie smiled, understanding what Barry was trying to have her see. Combining the mental focus she used to generate and hold her glamor in place with the power that had come through her body and been thrust out of her meant she could have controlled the blast. But what she could also do was to use the same concept of the glamor and turn the use of the magic into something different.

  The power was still there in her mind, but it meant she could manipulate it however she wanted. Generating a field of protection around her to prevent people from seeing her shouldn't be all that different to creating a sound barrier around her.

  Evie was nodding to herself and at last she let out her breath. "Okay. I think I can give it a try."

  Barry grinned and clapped his hands. The sound clanged around the room and Evie could only shake her head as the demon winced and looked around the cell, eyes darting to the door as though someone would be barge inside the cell any second.

  Evie cleared her throat and shook her hands at her side.

  Then she inhaled slowly and drew a glamor around her, only this time it was a blanket to distort sound. She understood that she wouldn't be able to silence their conversation. Even the angelic glamor was based on scientific principles, as was the intricacies of the magical sound barrier.

  Why had she never tried this before? But it was a waste of time looking back. Now, she concentrated on the glamor and infused it with energy from inside her. Then she stiffened as she became aware of the heat simmering in her body, the same heat that had run through her arms, the heat that she'd believed was caused by the Marks of Hades. All along they'd simply been channeling her own innate powers to her for her to use.

  Feeling much calmer now, Evie infused more of her power into the protective field and at last she opened her eyes and looked at Barry. He smiled and said, "Say something. You can hear me because the barrier only works one way."

  Evie cleared her throat. "Testing, 1, 2," she said, feeling idiotic as she spoke. Could she not have found something else to say? But then did it really matter since Barry appeared to be patiently waiting for her to speak. He raised his hand and eyebrows in question.

  She shook her head, "What? I already spoke."

  Barry put a hand to his ear, though his smiled confirmed that her magic had succeeded. Thrilled with her success she held out her hand to Barry and he took hold of it, stepping into the protective field carefully.

  "Wow, you're a natural," he said, sounding in awe.

  She shook her head. “I’m not even sure how this is possible.”

  “Of course it’s possible. Nephilim are meant to have magic, just like gargoyles and demons. It’s the one good thing the Angels handed down to us.”

  Evie gave a nod, all too aware of the truth of Barry’s words.

  With the dome of silence cast over them, Evie let out a sigh and then a groan of relief. She sank back onto the stool and said, "Ugh. Why is this happening?" She plopped her chin onto her hand and pouted.

  Barry gave her a quizzical look then walked over to her. Crouching in front of her, he said, "I don't think you have time to sit here feeling sorry for yourself. Or rather, maybe keep the woe-is-me for after I leave when you will have nothing else to do."

  Evie gave a mock-hurt gasp. "Harsh, Baa'ruk. That was harsh."

  Barry huffed and shook his head. "The truth hurts sometimes. Put a bandage on it and let's get on with getting on." He got to his feet and patted his thighs. "What's on our agenda. Fill me on how I ended up being roped into this mess."

  Evie sighed though she still felt a little pouty. "So the new master of the Irin is all about fairness and justice. She'd also a little suspicious about what's been going on with Marcellus and his minions. So when I woke up, she popped by for a visit, told me why I was here. She pretty much assumed I'd be given all the rights and privileges I was entitled to."

  Barry snorted. "Let me guess. Marcellus' minions?"

  "Probably. Even the simplest of things like regular meals weren't sent up. That as well as a visit from the Brotherhood rep to update me on my rights and to provide me with a view of the case against me. I was supposed to receive the file to read through but that never happened."

  "Not surprised," Barry grunted.

  "So Mykia eventually had me brought up to see her, by a very amenable gargoyle guard I might add. She found out and threw a fit, had my food brought and then gave me the briefing herself. Which was when she said I needed to select legal counsel. I figured I had to make my own choice or the brotherhood would set me up with one of Marcellus's minions."

  Barry was shaking his head. "I still can't believe that they actually allowed you to have me as your legal rep. This is unprecedented."

  Evie had
to groan at the words. "Man, you have no idea how much of what is happening is unprecedented." She gave a deep sigh. "Anyway, Mykia assured me that she would support whoever I chose but I guess she didn't expect me to elect Barry the demon overlord."

  "Mykia, eh? You two on very familiar terms, now?" he wagged an eyebrow though he did appear to be far more curious.

  Evie shrugged. "She's nice. And so far she'd been incredibly fair about everything,:

  "What have you told her so far?" Barry asked, tipping his head to one side as he waited.

  "Pretty much everything,"

  "Except for the," Barry pointed at Evie's wrist eyes going wide as he waggled his head.

  "Of course not,” Evie replied dryly.

  "And what about the," Barry waved a hand around the room, grabbed his throat to mimic choking, then shuddered pretending to drown, then thrust his hands out to indicate a huge explosion.

  Evie simply stared at him before saying, "Of course not," though this time the words came out clipped with a dangerous edge.

  "Okay okay, just checking."

  Beneath her breath, Evie muttered, "My only hope of getting out of here is a demon comedian. Lord help me."

  Chapter 17

  "Sorry. I get funny when I get nervous," Barry chuckled, eyes dancing in amusement.

  "Well, get un-nervous real quick cos we probably don't have all day." Evie said before continuing, "Now that you're getting started you should know that the Supreme High Council will be sending a representative who will act as overseer. The SHC rep will be present at all our meetings with my accusers as well as anyone who has given witness either for or against me. I think that the rep will also have to be present when the brotherhood speaks to anyone we bring in to speak on my behalf."

  Barry was nodding, his expression serious now. "That's correct. I'll speak to the Grand Master as soon as I am done here. if the SHC hasn't communicated with her as yet, then I'll make contact with them myself." Barry paused for a moment. "Since I haven't been fortunate enough to have a look at the paperwork before I got here, you're going to have to fill me in on anything else I need to know."