Demon Underground: Kyra Bell Book Three

by Brittany Rose

  “No, they had to make us seem like a threat to the world. They lied, and lied big. In the end, the simple truth is we are Nephilim too, just our angel parents are fallen, and pure evil, but that doesn’t make us the same. No more than Nephilim embody the pure good of their angelic parents.”

  Liz said, “That still seems pretty dangerous to me. An out of control teenager with hellfire.”

  I nodded, “No more so than a sixteen-year-old Nephilim. The answer is training. Imagine how much damage a teen could do with a rocket launcher, if they were just handed one with no instructions and no training. The answer is support, training, and guidance, not genocide.”

  Liz asked, “So why don’t they do that?”

  “Because they’ve always hunted us, even before five years ago. We’re the only supernatural race that can equal them, because we’re just like them. Call it corrupted by power, runaway ambition, or whatever you want, they do it to stay in power. The only thing they fear more is humanity, because you outnumber us by so much, so they manipulated you all with lies and fears. Until now, there’s never been a half-demon that wasn’t a confused and out of control being that had been raised human, with no idea how to control magic. I was raised in the supernatural community from my fae-witch side, which enabled me to break out of their horrible cycle of murder and lies, to learn to control my magic using the mental skills I was taught. And now here we are, two of us on your stage, proving we aren’t murderous and evil, and have no intention of starting the apocalypse.

  “More than that, it’s an outright lie. We can open a gateway to hell, but we can’t start an apocalypse. Demons are evil, selfish, and don’t work well together, they certainly wouldn’t work with us, even if we wanted to. Which we don’t, that would be insane.”

  Liz nodded, “So why are you here, what do you want?”

  “We wish to be left alone, to form our own society and controls. We will never be accepted by the supernatural community, or the councils. The Nephilim will never share their authority, nor do I want them to. We simply want to go our own way, and for the hunts to stop. Like every other race, we will have our criminals, but they will be few and rare, and they will be dealt with by us in conjunction with humans.

  “I’m also here to tell anyone that discovers they are half-demon, you need to be trained. We will support and train you how to control your magic.”

  Liz said, “So what would half-demons do in our society.”

  “We’d be much like humans that way, in the disparate workforce. Our magic is a lot more focused, hellfire and dimensional gateways. We couldn’t make a living peddling our magic, except the rare few who would want to be fireman, or perhaps go into law enforcement.”

  “But you could.”

  I nodded, “I could sell potions, or something like that, if they stopped hunting me, yes. But that’s because I’m also witch and fae. I’d encourage your viewers to take a look at the website, and to decide for themselves. I also caution for those that do believe, please choose peaceful means to get the government to investigate and put pressure on the supernatural councils to stop hunting us.”

  Liz frowned, and asked doubtfully, “You think they would be violent, on your behalf?”

  I shook my head, “You haven’t thought it through to the end, to the logical conclusion. Not on my behalf, no. But the truth reveals the evil ambition of the Nephilim’s actions. Do you doubt some would be violently angry, at all the innocent humans that have died in these so-called necessary hunts to save the world? Turns out, the Nephilim were just taking out the competition, and they didn’t care about the human lives lost. Take out the lie, and their actions are shown to be outrageously disgusting. No care for the human dead, and they’re revealed to be genocidal in the case of my race. Children have died in those hunts.

  “Still, I would push for peaceful action to set things right, not all supernaturals know the truth, I don’t believe even most Nephilim know about the lies. The Nephilim rule that world with an iron hand, many supernaturals aren’t given a choice, and they believed the lies as thoroughly as human society fell for it. A war between the human and supernatural would destroy many innocent lives, justice needs forethought and care, or else it is simply revenge and unjust in itself.”

  Liz looked a little sick for a moment, but she recovered quickly and turned to Sabine.

  “Why did you feel you had to be here today?”

  Sabine said, “For all those like me, who are still hiding out of fear and distrust. I’ve been with Kyra for months, and she’s taught me magical discipline techniques, and also self-defense if I ever need to defend myself, as a last resort. If you ask for help through the website, it will be given, and Kyra will keep you safe.”

  Liz replied, “That’s a strong endorsement.”

  Sabine smiled, “It’s simply the truth. I’ve never been on the run or in a supernatural battle, and after Kyra finishes training me in safety, I’ll never have to be unless in self-defense or the defense of another. I’ll never bear the weight of innocent blood on my hands, because if that time comes I can protect others and control my magic. I know Kyra and Celeste bear the heavy weight of that, even if it was the Nephilim’s fault for attacking in crowded places.”

  Liz turned to me, “Is that true?”

  I swallowed, “I still have nightmares of the time before I escaped the hunt, and was able to learn control.”

  Liz nodded, and turned to William, “And why are you here in the studio?”

  William said, “Human perspective, it was my idea. I can say truthfully, and from that perspective that your viewers can relate to, I’ve rarely met another soul that was as bright as Kyra’s. Her life hasn’t been easy, but once she had control and could hide effectively, that wasn’t enough for her. She could’ve just stayed safely in the shadows, and if she had my sister and I would be dead. Sabine would be hunted. She wants to save others, not just half-demons like herself, but the human innocents who are caught in the crossfire of Nephilim greed and ambition.”

  Liz said, “You’re all painting the Nephilim as the evil ones, surely it’s not that clear cut.”

  I tilted my head, “Life is complicated, Liz, and you’re right, it’s not that simple. The truth is its human nature, they’re half human, and not incorruptible. Power corrupts, we see it in some few law enforcement officers, and we see it in the corruption in Washington D.C. In both the executive and legislative branches of government. They feel above the law, and the power over others and their lives go to their heads. They stop serving the people, and start worrying about reelection to keep their power.”

  I paused for a moment to let that sink in, before I continued the comparison.

  “Nephilim in the supernatural world are the equivalent of all three branches of human government. They are the judges, the rule makers, and the ultimate enforcers of their own laws. So that leaves them ripe for political corruption and runaway ambition, they have no balance of power like the constitution provides. Then add in that they’re the most powerful of the supernatural races. They’re tempted and corrupted from both sides, from pure personal power of holyfire, and from their temporal authority.

  “It’s why I’m so reluctant to take a position of leadership, because in the end I’m the same, am I not? I will never rule the new community I’m trying to build, an outsider community of half-demons while trying to get the hunts to stop. Yes, I’m in charge of teaching them, and I’m teaching them in my house so to speak, so run that as well, but that’s the limits of the authority I feel comfortable claiming. I’ll also be releasing some of that and sharing that responsibility and power with those half-demons that choose to stay, and to join in my quest to see the hunts end.

  “So in short, to answer your question, the Nephilim aren’t truly evil, no more than we are, they’re only human. However, their actions are unconscionably evil, and they should be held accountable, but they’re no more born wrong than I am, and I’m sure some of them aren’t corrupt at all, just bra
inwashed.”

  Liz said, “So what happens then, let’s say the hunts stop and you get your way, what then?”

  I said, “They’ll still need to be trained. We are dangerous, we come with our own loaded weapons and can’t be disarmed, nor can we control it without training. That means teaching discipline, and how to control it. Any half-demons found should be sent to us to be trained, which will take two years on average. The first six months or so they’ll have to live away from home, after that they’ll have enough control to visit family and get out, under supervision. Life is complicated, and it’s the same as anything else. You don’t hand someone a blue uniform and a gun, without sending them through the police academy.”

  Liz asked, “So, it’s all up to you?”

  I shrugged, “I’m just the first that lived to maturity, and can control my power fully and competently. Over time, those I train, some of them could open their own schools. It’s just, right now, I’m the only one that can do it. Well, the Nephilim could too, but I wouldn’t trust them to do it.”

  Liz said, “Demons lie and deceive. Some will say this is all part of your plan to corrupt humanity, or… something. What would you say to them?”

  “Half-demons aren’t burned by holy water, and they can enter churches or stand on other holy consecrated ground, something our fallen angel parents can’t say. That tells me I’ve not been judged or rejected by god, like they have. That I’ve not inherited the evil nature and sins of my father. Either that, or god has no power over me and I’m beyond him. Those are the only two choices, and I don’t believe that second one, do you? Further, if we did inherit that evil, and I was born condemned by god, that means the Nephilim should’ve inherited their angelic parent’s holiness. Clearly, that isn’t the case either, even if you believe their lies, they’re not perfect and don’t claim to be.”

  William said, “We don’t believe we’ll convince everyone of the truth, but hopefully enough to make the government investigate and put pressure on the councils to back off and end the hunts.”

  Sabine just nodded in agreement, a hopeful smile on her face.

  Sabine said, “We know it’ll be hard to believe, but the partial proof sits before you right now. At the very least, we know the Nephilim have exaggerated the danger, and many innocents have died that didn’t have to if they’d moderated themselves during their hunts.”

  Yeah, it’d be naïve to think we’d get all the humans on our side, but enough to prod the government into action was more than possible, or so I hoped.

  Liz said, “You heard it here first, and that’s all we have time for. This is Liz Barnette, goodnight.”

  Carol walked over, “We’ll play it in its entirety tonight for the first time and post it on our news website as well. You might want to give some thought into the future, I wouldn’t be surprised if you were hit with a lot of interview requests on your website tonight and tomorrow morning.”

  I nodded, “I’ll do what I have to, but I’m very busy with training and several other things to maintain our… home.”

  Susan smirked, “I don’t want to know where it is. I expect the FBI will come calling on me shortly after airing, I’ve already made arrangements. They really don’t like you, you know, after they got egg on their face in Philly.”

  I snickered. I had made them look like idiots, the council too, when I avoided their well laid trap and pinched Cindy out from under their noses.

  “Thanks for this, I hope it makes a difference.” But doesn’t start a war, I didn’t say that part out loud though.

  Sabine opened a gateway, and we all went through.

  Chapter Six

  He’d told me to dress sexy, and the little black dress was that, just short of slutty. It showed more of my proud C cup cleavage than I was used to having on display, and the skirt of the dress didn’t go nearly far enough down my thighs for my comfort. But I also looked and felt sexy, and I was looking forward to him seeing me in it.

  Really, looking forward to him peeling it off of me later that night, I’d already decided if he didn’t do anything stupid he was getting lucky that night. Or rather, I was, we both were?

  Sure, the little black dress was a bit scandalous by my own estimation, but in a club and compared to what other women would be wearing, it was downright conservative. Point being though, I knew him well enough to take that next step, and to trust him with my body and shared pleasure. My whole body tingled just at the thought of it, and in the idea of giving myself to him without reservation or doubt.

  I was slow to trust, but in relationships once that trust was met, I through myself into it. A stray wistful thought of Vic entered my mind, but it was less painful now than just remembering the memories we shared. He’d always be in my heart, but it wouldn’t stop me from finding joy with another, not anymore.

  After the interview, we’d had lunch, and I’d worked on potions, checked my investments, and worked with the others on their practical magical control. They all had a grasp on the mental discipline necessary for control, all they required was practice to solidify it into subconscious control under the conscious focus that still needed to be maintained. It was more just being there to help if things got out of control than anything else, though I did answer questions and offer advice.

  Control couldn’t really be taught after all, it took practice and fortitude on their parts, all I had to do was teach them the mental tools that led to that control. A whole lot of practice. We’d also had dinner earlier, the date was for dancing, we’d actually eaten in that night.

  It’d been a long day, full of work and activities, but I was excited and felt alive and tingly in anticipation of tonight. My worries and doubts of the night before had fled, and I was ready to move forward with it.

  My whole body felt like a live wire, oversensitive and ready for a night out with William. I just went with it, looking forward to being swept away, and damn the consequences. If it went wrong… well I’d blow up that bridge when I came to it, if I came to it.

  Muriel said, “I can’t believe you’re not watching the news.”

  I grinned, “A girl has to have priorities, I’ll check the fallout tomorrow morning, after our sparring.”

  Muriel smirked, “You might want to disguise him tonight, after that interview it won’t just be Portland that might recognize him.”

  That was a good point.

  I put on the earrings which matched the necklace and ring in my redhead guise, which was the finishing touches. I had my hair up this time, revealing my neck and ears, and a minimum of glamour makeup on.

  The door knocked, and I stared at it in confusion. Why would he come up to my bedroom?

  Muriel snickered, “It’s Celeste.”

  Oh, I wondered what she wanted as I walked over and opened it.

  “Celeste?”

  She said, “If you hurt my brother, I’ll kill you.”

  I grinned, “Noted.”

  She made a face, “I like you, Kyra. You two look good together, and I’ve never seen him so serious about a woman before. Just… take care of him. He worships the ground you walk on, don’t twist him up.”

  “Oh, things might get a little twisty between us tonight.”

  She sighed, “Just… gross. I didn’t need to hear that.”

  I grinned unrepentantly, “I don’t play with men, Celeste. He’s in good hands… or he will be.”

  She laughed, “You’re evil.”

  “You threatened my life, got to tease you for that. I’m not taking it lightly, or just having fun with him, but that’s all I can promise. Dating has pitfalls and there’re no guarantees. We could both end up hurt in the end, but it won’t be either of our fault, and certainly not purposefully. Your brother’s pretty amazing himself, you know.”

  She said, “Let’s pretend we didn’t have this conversation.”

  I nodded, “No parties.”

  She snorted, “With Muriel around? We’ll all be at Carlos’s house anyway?”

&n
bsp; “He’s kind of cute?” I said leadingly.

  She shook her head, “He is, but has a thing for Linda. He’s the kind of guy attracted to women in need, and that girl has more issues than Glamour magazine.”

  I nodded neutrally, suppressing a snort of laughter, but I could see her point. He was that kind of man, and he hadn’t yet learned everything can’t be fixed. I also had the same problem as Celeste when I was her age, it wasn’t easy being sixteen and seventeen with no dating pool, but maybe the next half-demon we saved would catch her eye. I could admit I was a bit emotionally behind at my age, at least in relationships with men, because of my isolation during those years when most young woman tried out dating for the first time. That gave me a bit of empathy for her situation, which might be worse, because she had to watch Sabine and Karl make eyes at each other, as well as me and her brother for that matter.

  But it was what it was, and I dropped it. Best to avoid the teenage drama and angst when I could. I was her teacher, advisor, and maybe even growing to be friends, but I was older.

  She shrugged, “Have fun, be home by ten,” she teased.

  I snorted, “Don’t wait up.”

  She gasped, “Just… stop it, you’re scarring my tender psyche. You look amazing by the way, he won’t know what hit him.”

  I giggled wickedly, “Thanks.”

  We headed downstairs together when we heard the front door, and William was outside waiting in gray dockers and a tight collared shirt. My fingertips itched to explore his chest, but I kept them out of trouble.

  He looked between us in question.

  “She was helping me get ready.”

  Celeste smirked, and took off toward Carlos’s house. I wasn’t too worried, between Muriel, Maria, and Cindy they’d keep the teens in line for the night. Muriel could also reach me anywhere in an emergency, through the enchantment. Tonight was about us, so I pushed it all out of my head, the responsibility, the news interview, the investing, potions, training, and all that day to day minutiae.