Double Down on Demons (Pandora's Pride Book 1)

by Annabel Chase

  Harmony was a willowy blonde with sun-kissed skin and a laidback energy that I immediately recognized as fae.

  “Change into this, please.” She handed me a pale blue gown that tied in the back.

  “Is that necessary? I thought you were just going to take my temperature or something.”

  “It’s standard procedure,” she said. “I can’t examine you properly if you’re fully clothed.” She seemed to sense my unease. “Haven’t you ever been examined by a healer before?”

  “No,” I admitted.

  “You lived among humans, didn’t you? How about a doctor then?”

  I looked away and focused on the shiny equipment. “No doctors. My dad didn’t like them.”

  “I see.” She pulled a curtain across. “Go on and change. I promise it won’t take long. I gave the management team a good thrashing when I found out they started your assessment without a proper exam first.”

  I tore off my clothes and replaced them with the thin material. “Ready.” I tugged open the curtain and Harmony directed me to sit on the exam table. She wrapped an armband around my bicep and made sure it was snug before activating the blood pressure gauge.

  “Excellent,” she said, making a note of the number. She checked my pupils, then my temperature. “Any conditions I should know about? Epilepsy?”

  “I have Melchior’s Syndrome. I take a potion for it every morning and that keeps any symptoms under control.” My eyebrows shot up. “That reminds me. Is there somewhere I can get a refill? I’m just about out.”

  “Do you have a sample with you?”

  “In my hotel room.”

  “Why don’t I draw some blood first? I wouldn’t feel right about getting you medicine if there were other issues that needed to be addressed.”

  “I’ve been drinking this potion my whole life,” I said. “I think if there were other issues, I’d know by now.”

  Harmony smiled. “Even so, I need to feel comfortable that I’ve done my job.”

  “Are you concerned about my disease? Because it honestly doesn’t keep me from doing anything.”

  “If you haven’t been seeing a doctor or a healer, I think it’s best to give you a full physical exam before ordering more potion. Who knows what might have changed in your system?” She prepared the needle and I watched as she drew blood. At the sight of my blood, an image of my father’s mangled body flashed in my mind and I blinked back tears.

  “Are you sure you’re okay to go ahead with the assessment? You can always wait.”

  I forced a smile. “No, it’s fine. It can’t be that bad, right?”

  “I wouldn’t know. I only ever see the aftermath of training and fieldwork.”

  “In that case, shouldn’t I get the exam results before the assessment?”

  “Based on what I can see, you should be fine to go through with the assessment. I’ll let you know about the rest later.” Harmony scribbled on the label of the vial. “All done. You can get dressed and show ‘em what you’re made of.”

  I slid to my feet and turned toward the chair with my folded clothes. A soft gasp followed. “Mother of maidens. Your back is beautiful.”

  I reflexively reached to cover my birthmark. “You weren’t meant to see that.”

  “Why not? It seems a tattoo like that was designed to be flaunted. The glow is a particularly nice touch.”

  I turned to face her. “It’s not a tattoo. It’s a mage mark.”

  “I’ve never heard of a mark that looks like that one.” She cocked her head, as though conjuring its image. “The mages in your family gave it to you?”

  “Sort of. It’s a birthmark,” I said, without offering any details.

  “Of course.” She gave me a vague smile before pulling the curtain across again. “It was nice meeting you, Callie. I’ll let you know when I have your results.”

  “You too. Thanks.”

  Emil must’ve been called away because Doran waited for me in the corridor outside the healer’s office. “Now don’t be nervous,” the angel said as we walked together to the elevator bank. “The tests are designed to…well, test you.”

  I suppressed a smile. “Thanks, I kind of figured that.”

  The elevator doors opened and Doran hit the button for the seventh floor. “As you’ll see, our testing facility spans the entire floor.”

  “It’s not the same room as last night?”

  “No, there’s a bit more involved today and it requires…space.”

  “Sounds daunting.”

  The doors opened and we spilled onto the seventh floor. He wasn’t kidding about the size of the facility. The windowless space reminded me of a theater, with a stage that basically ran the length and width of the floor and observational balconies set behind a transparent wall. The other members of the inner circle were already in the balconies.

  “I guess you join them,” I said, pointing to his colleagues.

  Doran glanced over his shoulder as though he hadn’t realized anyone was there. “Yes, we’ll be assessing your reactions to certain situations.” He placed a warm hand on my shoulder. “Just remember, these are tests, not reality. Whatever happens, as long as you fight, you’ll endure.”

  I stared at him. “That’s the most ominous pep talk I’ve ever heard.”

  “I should probably make myself scarce.” He hesitated, as though wanting to say more. “Good luck, Calandra.”

  He flew to the balcony and the wall melted away to allow him entry, and then reformed once he was settled in a chair. As I opened my mouth to ask when the test would start, flames sprouted beneath my feet. I sprinted across the room and they followed me, each flame faster and higher than the last. I reached the far wall and kept running, my feet gliding up the side of the wall. I flipped up and over the fountain of flames that climbed up the wall behind me. Landing in a crouched position, I watched and waited to see if the fire would continue to pursue me.

  A spear shot from the left and zipped past me, narrowly missing my nose. I reeled back as another one zoomed from the right. I felt the tip of the spear slide through the back of my hair and sighed inwardly with relief that it didn’t get tangled. Multiple spears sliced through the air and I ended up handspringing my way across the floor to avoid them.

  The spears stopped as abruptly as they began and a small portal appeared in the middle of the room. A demon I didn’t recognize leaped from the sizzling hole in the air and lunged for me with long, razored claws. Without weapons or knowledge of this type demon, I was at a distinct disadvantage. Magic was the only tool in my arsenal, so I opened my hand and drew from the elemental energy around me. Light sparked from my hand and I managed to block a swipe of the demon’s claw with what I jokingly referred to as a magic brick. I’d used it effectively on many feral vampires and werewolves in the mountains. The heavy block of magic slammed into the demon’s head and propelled him backward. He staggered until he fell flat on his back. Before I could reach him to assess the damage, the floor opened up and sucked him away.

  I shot a quizzical glance at the balconies and Abra’s voice echoed in the room. “Would you like a break?”

  I shook my head and gave her a thumbs up. I wanted to get this dog-and-pony show over with and then enjoy a hot bath in my hotel room with the jets on full blast. If I were feeling particularly decadent, I might get room service first—let Oren wonder if I was alone.

  As I awaited the next battery of tests, my mind raced through the skills they seemed to be testing—agility, speed, creative problem-solving. I wondered what would be next. The answer came quickly—too quickly—and I barely had time to react.

  A group of five vampires materialized around me, their fangs exposed. As they closed in on me, each one tried to make direct eye contact. I remembered what happened with Oren in the elevator and decided not to worry about compulsion and focus on my escape instead. I ran through their powers—fangs, strength, speed, compulsion, and immortality. Of course, they had strength in numbers right now in additi
on to their individual strength. Not great odds for me.

  Test or no test, my whole body shook with fear. I had nothing to use as a weapon. No stake for the heart or blade for decapitation. My heart banged against my chest as a distracting reminder of my mortality. I’d have to resort to magic again. Fire wouldn’t kill them, but it would allow me to escape being the monkey in the middle. I drew as much energy as I could toward me and felt the heat warm my hand. I made a twisting motion and flames appeared in the shape of a funnel. It moved around the circle like the mini-tornado that I’d created the night before, forcing the vampires back far enough that I was able to bolt through a gap.

  I barely had time to draw breath when the walls dissipated and the balconies disappeared. I was in a forest and not just any forest—the campsite where my father died. I turned to see his body sprawled across the ground.

  “No!” Adrenaline propelled me forward and I rushed to his side.

  “Why didn’t you save me?” he asked.

  “What?” Tears streamed down my cheeks.

  “You could have healed me. Why didn’t you?”

  I shook my head in confusion. “No, I couldn’t have. Our magic doesn’t work that way. You know that.”

  He touched the strands of pink in my hair. “You cover yourself with lies.”

  “What? No. You’re delirious. This isn’t you.”

  He slid his far hand to an object I couldn’t see on the ground. “Must die.”

  “No, you don’t have to.” I choked back sobs.

  “Not me.” He jerked toward me with a dagger in his right hand. “You.”

  I fell backward and scrambled out of reach. What was happening? Why was I reliving his death?

  He turned toward me and his eyes resembled tiny black peach pits with no iris and no discernible pupil. Like the very demon that killed him. I broke down and started to sob. My shoulders hunched forward, reverberating with the emotional pain that had quickly incapacitated me.

  “Enough,” Doran’s voice rang out. The angel sounded ready to launch a heavenly host on the next demon that attacked me, internal or external.

  The imagery shimmered and faded and I was once again surrounded by stark white walls. I jumped to my feet, enraged. “How dare you,” I screamed at the balconies. “How dare you exploit a recent tragedy to test…what exactly? Whether I can handle death? Loss?”

  The transparent wall melted away and Doran’s white wings spread wider as he leaped from the balcony and flew down to me.

  “Calandra,” he began, but I pushed forward an angry hand.

  “No. I don’t care what reason you have. It isn’t good enough.”

  The angel cast a frustrated glance over his shoulder. He seemed almost as upset with them as I was. “It was designed to be a stress test, but I agree that it was in poor taste.”

  “You think?” I stalked toward the elevator and he hurried after me.

  “The thing is, we don’t always know what will manifest when we run a stress test of that nature. The magic we use…It seeps into your pores and uncovers the triggers for us.”

  “Triggers for what? You know—never mind.” I slammed the heel of my hand on the button. “You’re blaming the magic for your own monstrous behavior. Nice try.” The doors slid open and I stepped inside, fully prepared to walk away from this place and never set eyes on any of them again.

  Doran’s hand shot out and blocked the door from closing. “Do you think you can find your father’s killer without our help?”

  I hesitated. That was the only reason I’d come here and agreed to the assessment in the first place. Was I really going to throw away a chance to have an international agency provide me with information and resources just because they put me through the emotional ringer?

  I stepped out of the elevator. “Fine, the deal’s still on, but the assessment is over. If I failed, I failed.”

  Doran nodded and turned back to the arena. By the time we reentered the room, the rest of the management team had vacated the balconies and were now waiting on the main floor. I strode toward them and stopped directly in front of Abra with my arms crossed.

  “Well?” I didn’t need a pat on the back or encouraging words. I only wanted to know whether I passed muster.

  The witch didn’t seem remotely bothered by my attitude. “The potential is there, but your techniques need work and your other powers need development.”

  I laughed. “What other powers?”

  “We’ll start with your magic,” she said. “I can tell simply by standing this close to you that you’re brimming with more power than you used during the assessment.”

  “More power wasn’t necessary.” My father had drilled into me to only use the minimum amount of force necessary to achieve my goal.

  “We’ve designed a series of training sessions for you to enhance your variety of skills.” She nodded. “Check your phone for details.”

  They designed an entire training schedule already? They must’ve been feeling optimistic before the assessment began. I tugged my phone from my pocket and tapped the screen. I counted five rotating sessions, one with each agent that I’d met so far. “Why so specific?” It read like a gym schedule with leg day followed by abs day.

  “It helps with focus,” Abra said. “Concentrating on one skill at a time has proven to be quite effective, at least here at the Pride.”

  I studied the list in greater detail. “Why would I need to learn about shifting?”

  “Know thy enemy,” Purvis said.

  I frowned at him. “But werewolves aren’t the enemy.”

  He shrugged. “Sometimes we are, like that group of vampires during the assessment. It’s important to understand your teammates as well. If Leto is in danger, understanding his werewolf abilities will help you to help him. Does that make sense?”

  “Nathaniel was a close friend of ours. I learned everything I know about werewolves from him.” As well as the feral ones we encountered in the wilderness.

  “Nathaniel,” Abra repeated. “Any last name?”

  “Why? Do you need to vet him?” I laughed. The thought of Nathaniel on any kind of agency watch list was absurd.

  “It’s standard procedure,” Emil said. “If you’re as close to him as to the rest of your family, then we need a name.”

  “He is the rest of the family,” I said. “It was mainly my dad and I and sometimes Nathaniel…Gola. His last name is Gola.”

  “And there’s no chance this close family friend had anything to do with your father’s death?” Natasha asked. “It’s often the ones you least suspect, you know.”

  “The killer came from the East Coast,” I said. “Nathaniel’s never been further than Minnesota.”

  Natasha adjusted her chunky necklace. “Doesn’t mean he can’t communicate with others who are.”

  I felt the warmth rush to my cheeks. “Nathaniel had nothing to do with my father’s death. Nothing. They were good friends and he had absolutely no reason to hurt him.”

  “Was he with you when it happened?” Emil asked.

  “We arrived back at camp at the same time,” I said.

  “How convenient,” Natasha said.

  Anger flared inside me. “I’ll say it one more time. Nathaniel had nothing to do with my father’s death and if anyone here suggests otherwise again, I’m walking out that door and you can forget about mining my untapped potential.” My heart pounded and I fervently hoped they didn’t call my bluff. We all knew I needed them more than they needed me.

  “Relax, Callie. You have good instincts. If it were that straightforward, you’d be suspicious of Nathaniel already.” Purvis looked at his colleagues. “Isn’t that right?”

  Their heads nodded as they mumbled their agreement.

  “What do you say, Callie?” Emil asked. “How about a break and then you can meet back here for your first training session?”

  I consulted the schedule again. “Tate is going to introduce me to the art of magic?”

  P
urvis leaned over to see my phone. “It doesn’t say that, does it?”

  I snatched the phone away and smiled. “Not in so many words.”

  “Tate is an excellent witch,” Abra said. “She’s the ideal agent to help you make improvements.”

  “Plus, she’s patient,” Doran said. “Which is not always so easy to find in a talented supernatural.”

  My stomach rumbled. “How easy is it to find the snack bar?”

  Purvis grinned. “A woman after my own heart. Third floor. Make a right when you get off the elevator.”

  I left them gathered there and went by myself to hunt for food. I hoped to shake off the memories of the illusion before my session with Tate. Despite my surly attitude, the incident stuck with me and I found myself ducking into the restroom for another cry before hitting up the snack bar. I stood in the stall, unrolling squares of toilet paper to use as tissues. Part of me wondered whether this was a mistake. Maybe my emotions were too raw to be catapulting myself into dangerous situations right now. I couldn’t afford to wait though. The longer this took, the colder the trail would get to track my father’s killer. I had to get it together now. I didn’t have the luxury of grieving. I’d mourn him after I caught his killer and brought them to justice and not a moment before.

  Once at the snack bar, I loaded up on a tray full of snacks—soft pretzel bites with a mustard dip, an oatmeal raisin cookie the size of my hand, and a banana so that I could justify the first two items. I washed it all down with water and met Tate back on the seventh floor. I was glad my first session was with the witch. I’d taken an immediate liking to her.

  “How are you feeling?” she asked, and I knew she’d heard about my little breakdown. Her honey-colored hair was in its usual ponytail and she wore a tank top with yoga pants.

  “Better, thanks.”

  We chatted as much as we trained and it was nice to have a peer for a change. I didn’t know many people close to my own age in the mountains and I certainly didn’t have any female friends. When other girls were hosting sleepover parties and later enjoying nights out with girlfriends, I was with my father, helping travelers across the mountain. Making fires. Sourcing food. At least he’d also taught me to defend myself because that was coming into its own lately.