Crimson Eyes

by L. L. McNeil

  Fallow smiled. ‘I apologise. I’m so used to people in my home working for me. And I have no experience speaking with Phantoms, either.’

  ‘I prefer working alone.’

  ‘All Phantoms do. I tried with Cynael, oh, it must have been eighty years ago. But she passed straight through. It’s why I didn’t ask you outright, accidentally scare you off. I couldn’t risk that. You needed to come to me.’

  ‘I’m not afraid,’ Seila said. She had to admit that Fallow was right. If the Enchantress had approached her directly, she’d have flown off in the opposite direction straight away. But Fallow apparently held the key to so many of her questions, and that piqued her curiosity even more. And the name she’d mentioned, of the other Phantom, was the same name Delgo had mentioned by the jewellers. ‘What do you know about Phantoms?’ Fallow clearly had great power, clearly was far older than her visible looks. And Seila wondered whether Fallow knew other Phantoms, or simply knew of them.

  The footpath curved slightly to the left and the cool breeze sent ripples along the surface of the lake beside them. Seila liked it here. It was peaceful, somehow. Fallow’s earlier words about her home being a sanctuary seemed to be more than a mere description.

  No doubt it was due to the enchantments.

  Fallow took a seat on a large stone bench that faced the water and sighed heavily. ‘Phantoms are the most efficient, most powerful demon hunters that exist.’

  Seila narrowed her eyes at Fallow’s tiredness again, and wondered whether she was ill. Being too weak to beat a particular demon was one thing. Being too weak to stand or walk for long periods was something else.

  Soto meowed loudly and leapt up onto Fallow’s lap. The Enchantress stroked the cat’s black fur, sending loose strands floating away on the breeze. ‘We only see a Phantom once every few generations, usually. They decimate the demons nearby, then disappear. No Kouzlo has ever worked with one before. Or rather, no Phantom has ever worked with any Kouzlo before.’

  ‘Perhaps they found their souls and then left.’

  ‘Who knows why. Phantoms aren’t usually sociable,’ Fallow said. ‘In fact of all Kouzlo around the world, even speaking to Phantoms is rare.’

  Seila could understand that. ‘So, you want me to help kill a demon for you? And then you’ll help me get my soul?’

  ‘You want to hunt them down, anyway. You’d be welcome to stay here, at Caramond House, for as long as you help my Kouzlo. You’d have access to any resource you need, any knowledge, tool, or weapon. It’s mutually beneficial, no?’

  It was. But Seila wasn’t convinced. ‘Delgo seems powerful. Why don’t you just use him?’

  Fallow sighed. ‘It isn’t that simple.’

  ‘Why not?’

  Fallow gazed out to the horizon. ‘His home dimension is destroyed. He no longer has a link to the source of his magic. Every day, he grows weaker.’ She sighed. ‘Like us.’

  Surely that meant she wouldn’t need to share her kill—the chief reason she’d avoided other demon hunters—organised ones like the Kouzlo—or lone hunters who earned their living freelance. If they were too weak to kill a demon, she could take all the power. Seila had to admit that it was a nice offer, even if she suspected a trap of some kind. ‘What’s the catch?’

  ‘No catch. Just do what you do, but work with us when you do it.’

  Seila folded her arms.

  Fallow picked up a pebble from the path under the bench and hurled it at the lake. It bounced, skipping along the surface of the water until it was lost from sight on the far side. ‘You know little of what you are, who you are. I can help you discover that, too.’

  The Enchantress was just sweetening the deal now.

  Seila stared out at the water, considering. On the far edge of the lake, a heron landed, its stilt-like legs graceful in the water.

  Fallow said, ‘Killing demons isn’t all we do. Isn’t the most important thing, anyway. After all, what happens when you kill a demon?’

  Seila shrugged, her arms still pressed to her chest. ‘More always turn up. The hunt goes on.’

  ‘Exactly.’

  The Enchantress threw another pebble. This time, it shot out beams of light every time it touched the water. ‘Killing demons is the easiest part of our job. But what we do involves far more than simply hunting them down. The most recent bout of demons in London—including the Soul Eaters and Toxic Fangs you killed just outside Fernhampton, and the pesky little Soul Eater you saved Amber from last night—have come from a Mirage. We think it’s somewhere near Richmond Park.’

  ‘A Mirage?’

  Fallow threw more pebbles at once, each sending out a circle of light where it touched the water. ‘Think of every pebble as a world. A dimension. A plane all to itself.’

  Seila watched, following along, but not quite understanding.

  ‘Sometimes they drift close to one another.’ Two pebbles sent out circles of light at the same time, sparks shooting up where they collided. ‘Sometimes they touch. That is a Mirage. A tear in the fabric of the world. It allows creatures from one dimension to travel into another. That’s how Delgo came here. He crossed into our dimension when his was destroyed. It’s how I came here, too. About two hundred years ago.’ More sparks shot up as pebbles and their circles of light collided. ‘And it’s how the demons came here. Slinking in through ancient Mirages.’

  Fallow stopped throwing the pebbles, but the lake water was a wash of colour rippling in all directions.

  ‘Mirages.’ Seila echoed.

  ‘Some call them portals. Just another word for what they are. A gateway from one dimension to another. They form where certain parts of our dimension are closer to others, or where the fabric is weaker. Normally it isn’t an issue, they form and disappear on their own all the time, and you’d never realise it. But if you connect to a world with predators and parasites...’ Fallow let the statement hang in the air. ‘Unless we seal this new Mirage, more demons will keep coming through.’

  ‘New Mirage?’ Seila asked. That would explain the influx of demons here, and so quickly. ‘Not great timing, if you and your Kouzlo are thin on the ground, I suppose?’

  ‘Exactly.’

  It made sense. And it meant the fight against demon scum would have an end. Seila always thought her battles with them would be endless. At least, until she found her soul.

  ‘I can tell you more about demons and Phantoms. Everything I know, in fact. And I will ask the others in my Kouzlo to tell you, as well, when they return. You want to kill demons, anyway, don’t you? Help with this one. It’s win-win for you.’

  Seila wasn’t entirely sure about that. It felt too good.

  Fallow said, ‘That’s why I’m struggling. Why Delgo is struggling. Our worlds were destroyed. The Mirages we travelled through are gone. We’ve lost our links to our home.’

  ‘Why is that a bad thing? Are you homesick?’

  Fallow held back a snort. ‘Hardly. But even if we were, that isn’t the point. Our power comes from where we were born. With that link severed, we’re weakened. The source of our magic is gone. We’re slowly dying.’

  ‘Dying? You told me you’ve been here over two hundred years.’

  ‘Well, our lifespans are a little longer than the average human. But it means our powers aren’t limitless, much as others might think they are. Everything we use, we must replenish, and our resources grow smaller every day. Caramond House is my base, where my enchantments are strongest. It is my home, so I can replenish my own energy and magic here, albeit more slowly than if I could return to my true home.’

  Seila put two and two together. ‘So, you want to recruit some fresh blood? Bolster your ranks? Starting with me? At least until your other Kouzlo return, fresh and ready?’

  ‘Precisely. I’m glad we have an understanding, Phantom. We have searched for the new Mirage day and night for months, and other than narrowing it down to one section of London, we haven’t been able to find it. I’m working on tracking spells to help
locate it, but it isn’t my speciality. New demons pour through every week, and attack people. I am employed to protect London, Fernhampton, all the towns nearby. It’s my territory. My job to protect it.’ Fallow balled her fists, and Seila was surprised to see vivid emotion etched across her face. ‘My Kouzlo have been slain or spread thin by this Elite Demon. But I’ve never known a Phantom to turn away from a battle. I would ask you to help us defeat this new threat, and I will give you knowledge and power to the best of my ability.’

  Seila smiled at that. It was tantalising.

  Fallow smoothed down her immaculate dress and shifted Soto to one side so she could cross her legs. ‘Now, my turn for questions.’

  ‘Really? You must know everything already.’ Seila rolled her shoulders. She’d always loved the feeling of the wind ruffling through her feathers.

  ‘I don’t know everything, contrary to the impression I give. What do you know of that jeweller?’

  Seila hadn’t expected that. She shrugged. ‘Probably less than you. Delgo had the measure of it. Tej purchased a bracelet from a jeweller. When we went to investigate, he’d closed the shop. Locked everything, boarded it all up. Abandoned.’

  Fallow pursed her lips together. ‘Anything else?’

  Seila saw no point in lying to the Enchantress. Despite the fact she’d claimed to be weakening, Seila had no idea whether or not she could actually read her mind. ‘I don’t know anything about it for certain. It’s new to me. But I suspect it’s demonic. Soul Eaters attach themselves to people or animals. Do you know of a demon that attaches itself to a piece of jewellery?’

  Fallow shook her head. ‘I very much doubt that. Demons feast on the living the same way Delgo does—except demons utterly consume them. Delgo saps a tiny amount from everything around him. You can see why their two races came into conflict.’

  Seila imagined what it might be like to have your world consumed by demons and shivered.

  ‘But I agree, there’s demonic energy there. A powerful demon. An Elite. I bet if I were to lift the shield over Caramond House, you’d hear it speak to you.’

  ‘You hear them, too?’ Seila asked.

  ‘I trained myself to. I can’t always understand it all, but they speak a language, like any other. Learning their tongue was beneficial.’

  Seila’s heart pounded. She wasn’t alone in her cursed ability to hear them.

  ‘There are many possibilities as to why you can hear a demonic voice from that bracelet. I don’t know which is true. But I fear there is an Elite Demon at play here.’

  Seila scowled. ‘An Elite Demon?’

  ‘Uncommon, but not unheard of. Every so often you’ll get a powerful demon cross into our world. They can control Lesser Demons, cause havoc and destruction on a scale that ends with worlds dying. You see why I want your help? We must keep them at bay. We must protect Caramond House, Fernhampton, all of London. We’re the only ones who can kill them. And if we fail, we’ll lose everyone who lives here.’

  Fallow’s description reminded Seila of the demon that had taken her soul. Lesser Demons had scrambled around him, had taken her soul from him.

  She immediately tried to plan things out. She always wanted to figure out how to tackle a particular problem or fight before rushing into anything. Fallow had already given her the best lead that she ought to follow. The Elite Demon would be her key—she just needed to find it, first.

  An owl hooted.

  Seila looked up to see Sierra swooping low overhead.

  ‘Ah. We have more company.’ Fallow stood and shook her head, loose strands of hair flying away before coming to rest in thick, curls.

  Seila grasped at the air, and her sword materialised in her fingers.

  ‘You won’t need that. It’s only your Elemental friend.’ Fallow smiled again and then made her way back down the path towards the manor house.

  Seila huffed, but kept hold of her sword.

  She didn’t have friends.

  Seila overtook Fallow—wings were faster than any legs—and flew back to land on the front drive, by the topiary. She held her sword loosely—she’d always been cautious—and waited for the “friend” who had come to the house.

  When Mathilda rolled in, coughing and spluttering, Seila realised why Fallow had told her she wouldn’t need her sword.

  She didn’t even consider Damon an ally, let alone a friend, but he seemed to have his own thoughts on that.

  ‘Seila!’ He yelled, cutting the engine and getting out of the tired, rusted car. ‘Why’d you fly off like that?’

  ‘I told you. I wanted to come here.’

  ‘So did I. Why not go together?’

  He slapped her on the shoulder in greeting, and Seila wrinkled her nose at the sudden closeness. He really irritated her. Why couldn’t it have been Amber to come to the house instead?

  Damon stepped back, a goofy grin on his face as he looked up at the enormous manor. He whistled low. ‘This is quite a place, ain’t it? You been inside? The gate was open and security just waved me through. Thought I’d have no end of trouble getting in.’

  ‘Yes. I’ve been talking with Fallow Caramond. It’s her house.’ Seila wasn’t sure exactly how much to tell him considering Fallow would probably want to talk with him herself. And she was distracted by the idea of an Elite Demon somewhere out there.

  Hunting that thing down would give her a major boost of power. Perhaps she could go a week without another demon hunt. Maybe longer.

  As she mulled it over, Fallow came around the corner, Soto trailing at her heels. ‘Welcome to Caramond House, Damon Woodford.’

  Damon took her greeting in his stride. He approached and raised his right arm to shake her hand.

  Fallow returned the gesture and smiled. ‘I knew your mother well. You haven’t been here since you were a baby. I suppose you don’t recognise me, do you?’

  Damon’s eyebrows furrowed. ‘Um, yeah. Mum talked about you all the time.’

  Even Seila could see through his lie. She struggled to understand how they could both be so carefree when there was an Elite Demon on the loose somewhere in London.

  ‘Ah. I see.’ Fallow said, staring at Damon while she still held his hand in her own. ‘You as well.’

  ‘Er, me as well, what?’ He visibly tried to pull back, but Fallow held him firm.

  Soto meowed and nuzzled against Seila’s shins. Seila ignored the cat and watched Fallow and Damon. Light seemed to build around Fallow’s hand, not unlike the pebbles by the lake.

  ‘Seila?’ Damon called, uncertain.

  ‘She’s an Enchantress,’ Seila replied calmly. ‘Trust her.’ She didn’t even know if she trusted Fallow, but it seemed to be the thing to say to keep Damon from panicking.

  ‘What’s an Enchan—’ He cut off, a scream gurgling from his throat. Flames enveloped both of them, and for an instant, they glowed bright and hot.

  And then there was nothing. Not even a wisp of smoke.

  Fallow released his hand and Damon stared at his palms. Even from several paces away, Seila saw his fingers tremble.

  ‘What...just happened?’ He stammered.

  ‘I’ve awakened you to your heritage, Damon. Your mother kept you and Amber away from this life...but it appears fate has a funny way of putting people where they ought to be. You’ve come here on your own, and I can teach you, now, if you’re willing to learn.’

  A flame burst from his palm and licked his fingers. ‘What?!’

  ‘Your powers may have been dormant. Repressed by emotions like fear and shame,’ Fallow said. ‘Now, I’ve enabled you to embrace what you are. To defend yourself from the demon threat. You’re an Elemental, Damon. You and your sister, both’

  ‘Well. Half,’ Seila corrected. She ignored the indignant look on Fallow’s face.

  Fallow continued on a few moments later, ‘A Fire Elemental. You have great power within you. And I need your help against the demons here. Seila’s, too. And your sister’s.’

  Damon blinked s
tupidly. He turned his hands over to look at the back of them.

  ‘He’s a bit gormless,’ Seila said.

  ‘Seila!’ Fallow gasped.

  ‘It’s...I’m...Amber and I, we’re…’ Damon stuttered, starting sentences and losing track before he finished his thought.

  ‘It’s a lot to take in, I understand. You and Amber have been through much.’ Fallow patted him on the shoulder. ‘Why don’t you and Seila take some time to think about it. Talk to Amber, too. I’m going to a concert tonight at Richmond Theatre.’ She gave Seila a pointed look. ‘You’re both very welcome to join me. We can talk more, then. I think you’ll find it quite to your benefit. It starts at seven thirty. Sierra will know if you’ve come.’

  She ushered Damon back towards his car.

  ‘Are you okay to drive?’ Seila asked, genuinely concerned.

  Damon nodded, dumb. He fumbled with the door and flopped onto the seat inside.

  ‘Thank you, Fallow. I’ll consider your offer.’ Seila inclined her head to the Enchantress and got into the passenger side beside the newly fledged Elemental.

  8

  Amber was up and awake by the time Seila and Damon returned to her apartment.

  At first, Seila was grateful. She needed someone sensible to counter Damon’s blathering. But then she realised Damon would simply blather to his sister, and she wouldn’t be able to get away from it.

  ‘Seila! So lovely to see you again! How are you?’ Amber greeted, opening her door wide and welcoming them both into her home. ‘Are you hungry? Thirsty?’

  Seila didn’t understand why everyone constantly wanted to feed her, especially after she’d explained that she didn’t need to eat, but appreciated the concern. ‘No, thank you. He might, though.’

  Damon staggered into the apartment and fell face-first into Amber’s sofa with a soft thump and a low moan.

  If Seila didn’t know better, she’d have said he was crying.

  ‘What happened to him?’

  Seila shrugged. He was alive, anything else was unimportant. ‘He’s figured out he’s an Elemental. I think he’s taking some time to come to terms with it.’