Stalked by Demons

by Trudi Jaye

  “There’s food in the fridge. Coffee on the counter.”

  “I’ll be fine, Hazel. Don’t worry about me.”

  “I’m not worried,” I snap, but he’s right, I am. It’s just because I’ve worked so hard to keep him alive. I don’t want anything to happen to him that will negate all my efforts.

  I hesitate in the doorway, but I can’t stay home again today. I need to go in and see the Professor. He’s capricious enough to give my job to someone else if I don’t turn up. “I’ll see you later.”

  My car is still sitting outside the scrap metal yard, so I have to take the bus in to work again. The bus is filled with college students and school kids, talking and moving and being obnoxious all around me. It’s a relief when I can get off and away from the noise. My life seems to have become too full recently, and it’s making me nervy.

  When I finally push open the door to the lab, I immediately hear voices. I frown; I’m usually the only other person who comes down this way.

  A tall, blond-haired man is standing next to the Professor, smiling benignly at the crazy old academic. He’s well dressed and suave, that much I can see at a glance. He’s also completely out of his element; he should be in some fancy house, standing around drinking gin and tonic and chatting about the state of the nation. Not here in our dingy basement lab.

  I check my watch and immediately put my glowing blue hand behind my back. Looking up, my gaze hits the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. He nods but doesn’t say a word. I can only stare back, my thoughts in disarray. He’s gorgeous.

  “Ah, there you are, Hazel. I was just telling Mr. McKenzie about you.”

  “Connor, please, Professor,” he says, his voice like liquid silk. “I already asked you to use my given name.”

  The Professor smiles at Connor, his whole face saying he’s wrapped up in the younger man’s charm.

  “Hello,” I say, moving slowly into the room, still staring unblinkingly at this Greek god who’s chosen to visit us.

  “The Professor tells me that you help him with his research?” he says.

  “Yes, that’s me.” I smile, trying desperately to think of something more to say. I want to move closer, to revel in the light that seems to glow from somewhere inside him, even in our dark basement lab. But somewhere inside, a tiny part of me—maybe it’s the demon—is scuttling around, desperate to get away from him. It makes goose bumps rise on my arms. I hesitate, confused.

  Connor smiles, a glorious mix of white teeth and perfect lips. “Excellent.”

  “Connor is CEO of McKenzie Industries. They’re providing my grant,” says the Professor, still beaming up at him.

  “You’re interested in our research?” He seems too clean cut to be interested in paranormal research.

  He smiles wider, amused at my question. “We have wide-reaching interests in a variety of research areas. We like to keep our fingers in many different pies.”

  “So paranormal research is something you’re interested in?”

  He nods carefully. “Specifically, the capture and use of supernatural energy.”

  That makes more sense to me. He’s taking a chance on some crack-pot research in an obscure lab that might be an alternative method of generating energy. I don’t imagine he’s giving the Professor much money, or that it’s even a dent in his overall research budget.

  But it’s enough to allow the Professor to keep his job, and thereby my job, and I’m grateful for that. So I smile at Connor, happy he’s so generous.

  “We were just about to head out for a cup of coffee. Would you care to join us?” says Connor. His intense blue eyes are focused on me like I’m the only person in the room. He’s oozing charisma. I have to remind myself to breathe.

  “Yes, yes, Hazel, you must join us,” says Professor Hasselblatt.

  They’re both looking expectantly at me. “That would be lovely,” I say, and strangely, I mean it. Just being around this guy is making me feel better than I have in years.

  Despite the fact that he’s wearing an expensive suit and his shoes probably cost more than the yearly income of everyone around him put together, Connor fits right in at the campus café. We grab a table in one corner, and it’s thankfully not too busy with students, so we can hear each other.

  “So tell me about yourself, Hazel. How did you come to be working at the university?”

  I smile politely. “I needed a job, and the Professor needed an assistant. It was a match made in heaven.” I shrug, and glance at the Professor, hoping he doesn’t bring up the fact that he doesn’t actually pay me. I don’t mind; it’s the access to his notes and equipment that I value.

  “She’s a very hard worker,” says the Professor. “And she’s very good at being a sounding board for ideas. Always gives me lots to think about with her unusual perspectives.”

  Considering that I’ve been systematically attempting to push his research in the direction I want it to go for the last year, it’s kind of gratifying he sees me in that light.

  “How did you hear about our work?” I ask.

  “I have several employees whose job it is to stay abreast of what’s happening at all the universities. Professor Hasselblatt is producing some very promising results. We want to see if we can help him capitalize on that.”

  “Connor is suggesting a partnership, if everything goes well,” whispers the Professor conspiratorially, giving me a wink. “I could leave the university and set up my own lab.”

  “If you get the results you need?” What kind of results is Connor after, I wonder?

  “Yes, yes, of course. We’d have to prove everything first.” The Professor bobs his head up and down, his jowls jiggling excitedly.

  “You could come too, Hazel. If you wanted to.” Connor’s voice is smooth and charming.

  I smile over at him almost before I realize what I’m doing. He’s hard to resist.

  I take a big gulp of my peppermint tea before I say anything I’ll regret.

  Like, “Sure, I’d love to come work for you. Would I get to see you around the corridors?”

  His intense blue eyes contemplate my expression with amusement. It’s like he knows exactly what I’m thinking.

  I feel myself blushing under his perusal, and wish I was better at being sophisticated. I take another sip of my tea to cover my sudden rush of nerves.

  “I’ll be coming in regularly to check your progress. I’m very interested in this idea of yours, Professor. I want to see it come to life as soon as possible.”

  “Oh, absolutely, Connor. I’ll be working day and night.”

  Connor looks at the Professor, his expression still amused. “I hope you’ll manage to get some sleep in that schedule,” he says, flashing his perfect white teeth at the older man. He glances at his watch. “I’m sorry to have to do this, but I really must be heading off. I have another meeting.”

  I stand, alongside the Professor, and shake Connor’s hand.

  “Please, don’t leave on my account. I must insist that you finish your drinks.” Connor gives me a significant look, and for a moment, I’m caught up in his eyes, wondering how any one person could be so handsome. The Professor and I both remain standing as we watch him head out the door.

  “What is the research going to be on, precisely?“ I ask, finally remembering to sit down again.

  The Professor sits as well and leans toward me. “I have you to thank for that, my dear. Your ideas on paranormal energy led me to extrapolate what could be done with such energy when captured. I’m going to test paranormal energy from supernatural creatures, such as the ones you’ve been trying to capture.”

  “But… but have you ever seen one?” I’m suddenly quite alarmed. I glance down at my wrist, and I’m startled to see that I’m glowing again. I hide my hand under the table. I still haven’t had a chance to tell the Professor what I’ve learned.

  “I’ve seen something, my dear. You know that. I know they’re out there. And I have you for the rest, don’t I?”


  “What do you mean?”

  “You can see them, and you can capture one for me.” He rubs his hands together. “It’s all coming together finally, Hazel. All these years, no one has taken me seriously. Now I can prove, with the help of Connor’s money, that I’m not a crazy old kook.”

  I never realized he’d taken all our talks so seriously. “So this research is all based around me capturing a something for you, and then you using it to test on?“

  “Yes,” he says, smiling broadly. “I promised Connor that we could do it. It’s the only reason he agreed to the grant.”

  I clench my fist, the one that’s currently glowing under the table. I’m seriously alarmed. He’s basing all his research and the funding on me and my ability to capture a demon. I should be happy. He’s finally focusing on the research area I want him to focus on. We could find out so much more about demons and their energy.

  But for some reason, I don’t want to tell the Professor about the demon inside me, or the glowing bottle of demon I have at home. He’d demand that I show him the demon, probably even let it loose again. Everything I’ve seen, and that Damien and Blade have told me since yesterday, has made me aware of how dangerous all this is. I don’t feel like we’re prepared for diving into the kind of research the Professor wants to do just yet.

  And now Connor has gone—taking his charismatic personality with him—I feel uneasy about his interest in the Professor’s work as well.

  But Professor Hasselblatt has been supportive of me all this time; he was the only one who believed me when everyone else thought I was crazy. “Professor,“ I say slowly. “I need to talk to you about the creatures I’ve seen. I’ve got some new information.”

  He looks at me expectantly. “What have you learned? Was it from your trip to the junk yard the other night?” His eyes are bright, his face flushed. It’s almost like he’s drunk, or maybe high.

  I nod. “Sort of. I know what they are.” I take a deep breath and force the words out. “They’re demons, and they can be very dangerous. One almost killed me yesterday. That’s why I had to go home.”

  Professor Hasselblatt frowns at me. “You saw one, and didn’t capture it?”

  “It’s not as easy as—”

  “From now on, you need to carry your equipment with you wherever you go,” he says. “We can’t miss out on an opportunity like that again.”

  “It was a really big—”

  “Have you got the box with you here? Today?” He glances anxiously at my handbag, like it’s hiding inside.

  “I don’t—”

  “You must bring it with you in the future. This is very important research. We must provide the results that Connor is looking for.” The professor is looking at me, a wild expression on his face, his hair blown into the air by a sudden gust of wind.

  He’s been on the outskirts for so long; this must seem like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I understand his desperation; I just wish he wasn’t acting like capturing the demon was the easy part. I mean, I know I’ve already captured a demon, but I almost died when I did it. Neither the Professor nor Connor seem to realize that.

  “I’ve never managed to catch a demon with one of my devices,” I say, technically not a lie. I’m stalling for time.

  “Then you better hurry up, my dear. Or we’ll both miss out.”

  26

  I’m tired and grumpy by the time I climb the stairs to my apartment later that afternoon. The Professor has been looking at me expectantly all day, like I’m going to pull a pet demon out of my pocket for him to test at any moment.

  It’s true that I’ve got more chance of being able to capture another demon now than a few days ago. But I’ve also realized how dangerous it is to be messing around with them.

  After tossing and turning all night on the couch, I’ve acknowledged to myself that going out on my own to confront a demon was a bad idea. I still don’t know if I would have been able to control the demon if Blade hadn’t turned up, but I’m glad he did. I’m so used to doing things on my own, it’s hard to remember to ask for help.

  The demon inside me chitters in agreement.

  The Professor doesn’t understand that we need to be cautious, that demons have the power to kill both of us if we’re not careful. All he can see is the possibility of redemption. Of proving himself right, and the rest of the world wrong.

  A headache is inching its way along my skull, and I’m looking forward to the easy silence of my apartment. I can’t wait to sit down on my comfy sofa, maybe even lie down with a cold washcloth over my eyes, and rest for a few minutes.

  Maybe even a long while.

  There’s no way I can completely block out my day, but I can try to dim down the noise for a while.

  As I push my key into the lock, the sound of voices through my door makes me frown.

  And that’s when I remember.

  I’ve been so distracted by the Professor’s expectant looks that I’d forgotten about my houseguest. Or at least I’d forgotten that he’d still be in my apartment, waiting for me to get home.

  And apparently watching my television.

  When I open the door, I freeze. It’s worse than I thought. Blade and Nelson are sitting on my sofa, backs to me, facing the television. They’re leaning forward, eyes fixed on the screen. Each of them has a PlayStation controller in their hands, and they’re playing some dumb fighting game I bought years ago and never got around to playing. It’s set in an urban environment, not an official ring, with a rough-looking crowd surrounding the two fighters. I’d had an idea it would help me fight demons. Build up my reaction times.

  I never played it.

  Nelson lets out a whoop as his player punches Blade’s in the face. Blade’s player falls flat on the ground and doesn’t get up. A big KO scrolls across the screen. Blade groans like he’s devastated by his loss.

  “Next time, kid,” he says, grinning over at Nelson and slapping him on the shoulder.

  I make a small movement with my keys, and Blade jerks his head around. His eyes are sharp and clear and completely focused on me.

  “You’re home,” he says unnecessarily.

  “I am.” His words have broken the spell, and I walk across to my small kitchen and put my handbag down on the countertop. My head is pounding and I’m trying to stay calm, but it feels like my space has been invaded. I’m used to silence and emptiness in my home, and I don’t like having extra people here when all I want to do is bask in the quiet.

  I open the fridge, trying to make it careful and controlled—unlike the angry yank I wish I could do—and look inside. My milk container is gone. I look up and over the bench top. Did I leave it out this morning?

  And then I see it. The cardboard milk container is folded up neatly on the counter, ready to go into the trash can.

  He drank all my milk.

  My hands clench on the edge of the fridge, and I close my eyes for a second. I’ll just drink water. It will be fine. I didn’t really need milk and cookies. I’ll just have water and cookies. It will be just as good.

  I go to the cupboard and look to the shelf that holds my secret stash of peanut butter cookies.

  They’re gone.

  The rage that’s been building in me all day is so near the surface I’m surprised I’m not spurting lava out my eyeballs. I’m not usually this angry about anything, so the rage feels weird, although no less powerful. The stress of everything that’s going on, added to the lack of sleep and the Professor’s expectant looks, then arriving home to find my sanctuary invaded has put me over the edge.

  I glance down at my hand, and it’s glowing again. Is my anger because of the demon inside me? Is that why it feels so strange? Could the demon be controlling me? A chill rolls through me. I can’t let Blade see what’s happening.

  But he’s eaten all my milk and cookies.

  Surely that’s enough of a reason to feel like this? I just want some quiet time by myself, eating milk and cookies and resting my brain. Surely tha
t’s okay?

  I send a blazing look over to where Blade and Nelson are about to start a new game. Blade happens to look up at that moment and freezes. His green eyes widen, and he glances down at Nelson. “Nelson, buddy, I think it might be time for you to head home.”

  Nelson glances at Blade and then over at me. There must be something on my face that alerts the male of the species that something is wrong, because Nelson stands quickly, nods to me, mumbles goodbye to Blade, and leaves as fast as possible.

  “Did you eat all the cookies?” I ask softly.

  “Uh….”

  “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  “You said to eat whatever I wanted,” he says quickly, standing up from the couch.

  “I was looking forward to those cookies,” I say, just as carefully as before. The rage is still bubbling beneath the surface, but I’m determined to keep it under control. I will not succumb to childish theatrics.

  Or to the demon, if that’s what this is.

  “I’ll go buy you some more,” he says. He steps around the sofa and winces, his hand going to his side.

  I let out a breath, and some of my anger dissipates. He’s wounded. I should be looking after him, not raging at him. I’m being irrational. “No, sit down. You’re still healing.” The space already feels a little more mine.

  I don’t know when I became such a hermit, used to my own space and my own ways. When I was younger, Becca and I used to hang out all the time, lived in each other’s pockets. Now I can’t handle two people in my house when I’m not there?

  I’m a sad, lonely, not-even-very-good demon hunter who has no clue what she’s doing, with a phobia about other people in her home. I heave a sigh and run one hand through my hair, brushing it back from my face.

  The anger is pretty much gone now, but it’s been replaced by a bone-deep sadness, a heaviness that’s pushing down on my chest. I walk over to the sofa and almost fall into it, letting my head drop back on the pillow.

  “Hazel? Are you okay?” asks Blade anxiously.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. For a recluse.” A single tear worms its way out of my eye and wanders down my cheek.