Les Gris - TI4

by Heckrotte, Fran

  "Tell me, Sylph, why should we help the Les Gris? They mean nothing to us."

  "Maybe not, but this is about more than just them. It's about all of us. You're old enough to remember what happened the last time a demon went berserk. Over twenty-one hundred square kilometers were leveled around the Tunguska River. We lost three Sylphs that day and over fifty of our cousins, including eighteen of your people."

  Obsidia nodded. It was a day of sorrow for all of the Elementals. Not even the Salamanders in the area had been spared when the demoness Agra had slammed Sanarixs into the earth, furious because he had stolen souls that belonged to her. Only Dis' unexpected intervention had saved the demon from total destruction.

  "Yes," he replied, remembering the helpless anger he had felt after discovering that Negriscent had been destroyed in the explosion. "This demoness, the one called the Child... you say she is more powerful than the others?"

  "She's more powerful than hundreds of demons, maybe even thousands."

  "Then we have no choice. Tell your friend we'll do what we can."

  Wandra sighed in relief. Obsidia was a reasonable leader. Turning to leave, she felt something touch her shoulder.

  "Surely your message can wait a little while," Obsidia suggested, his cool breath fanning her cheek as she looked behind her.

  Never one to pass up a good time, the Sylph smiled.

  "I don't think a few hours’ delay will cause any harm. Will it be just you and I or are others to be invited?"

  "I'll leave that decision to you," Obsidia replied unselfishly. Although it would boost his standing amongst his people if he could have Wandra to himself, he was always willing to share pleasure.

  Realizing the sacrifice he was making, Wandra was impressed at his generosity.

  "I think this time it will be you and I. The others I'll save for later. Come, Obsidia. Let me show you what it's like to be loved by a Sylph." And she did. Obsidia would never again be completely satiated by his own kind.

  CHAPTER 22

  The Offer

  CANDESCA WAS AWARE that the entity was gone. Hoping it would return soon, she decided to continue her search for others willing to join her cause. It was only a matter of time before she had a large enough following to force the Shadow Demon to release them. The one thing that bothered her, though, was what would the freed Les Gris do then? Obviously most couldn't rejoin their life partners. Perhaps none of them would be able to. Could they exist independently?

  "They have no choice," she said to herself. "I did it for thousands of years. I can show them how."

  Deciding now wasn't the time to worry about something that was probably a long ways off, she moved through the darkness, recruiting those brave enough to incur the wrath of their captor. They were few in numbers but strong in their determination to escape the prison that held them. Candesca had no doubt that others would eventually gather their courage too.

  * * *

  It seethed, knowing that something needed to be done quickly. Summoning Rumex, the Shadow Demon ordered him to bring Candesca to him. Although his servant disappeared quickly, moments passed before both of them reappeared. Such behavior was unheard of and unacceptable.

  "You are trying my patience," It hissed.

  When Rumex was about to apologize, Candesca nudged him.

  "Now's as good a time to choose as any," she advised. "As I've said before, It can't do any more to you than It has already."

  "Fool!" It yelled angrily. "I can send all of you into oblivion if I choose."

  "And then what? As far as I'm concerned, oblivion is a better place than here. At least we would be free of this place."

  Now was Its chance! Seizing the moment, the Shadow Demon decided to change tactics.

  "Free! Is that all you want? Why didn't you say so? You are free to go now," It declared magnanimously. "And you, Rumex! By all means, go! You've served me well."

  Rumex gasped! Freedom! Could it be true? He had craved it for so long.

  "Is it true?" he asked, turning to Candesca for confirmation.

  "No doubt, Its offer is real but is it really what you want? You will be alone once you've left this place. Will you be able to stand that?"

  Alone! Hesitantly, he nodded.

  "Then go, Rumex," Candesca said. "You are only one of what will be many. Eventually this thing will have to let all of us go. Perhaps we'll meet you on the other side."

  "Aren't you coming?"

  "No, that's what It's hoping for. I think I'll stick around for awhile. The others need a leader. At the moment, I'm it."

  "The offer only applies if you go too," It growled. "It's both of you or neither of you."

  Without answering, Rumex vanished, angering the Shadow Demon more. The terrified Les Gris had made his decision.

  "I guess we'll be seeing you," Candesca pronounced and then disappeared, leaving a livid captor behind. Little did either of the Les Gris know their decision would have a profound effect on the mortal world.

  CHAPTER 23

  The Gathering

  THE FULL MOON exceptionally bright, illuminating the darkness and casting shadows across the isolated beach. Belle and the other members of The Society had arrived earlier in the day after driving five hours to the secluded spot in the state park. Fortunately, a member of a sister group was a park ranger, so gaining access after closing hours wasn't a problem.

  Shortly after sunset, Intunecat arrived. After greeting each human and their Les Gris, he wandered down the beach and then into the nearby woods, checking for signs of intruders. It was imperative that no one but the invited be present for the event.

  "He still makes me nervous," Randi whispered.

  Mallory was sitting on a dune with Ridge, her collie, staring out at the moonbeams reflecting off the ocean. The bond between the woman, the dog and their Les Gris was strong, making the four special. No one had protested when Mallory mentioned bringing Ridge, especially when Solly, her Les Gris, had suggested the collie could ward off any animals that might accidentally stray onto the beach while they were there. It was imperative that nothing interrupt the ceremony.

  Sylvie had convinced Angie to come along. Even though she wasn't sure she believed her partner's story, she couldn't shake the feeling that she needed to be there just in case.

  Lumiere and Soleil were enjoying each other's company behind their life partners' backs. The moon was bright enough to give them that rare moment when they could touch in the darkness. For them it was magical.

  Thomas stood a slight distance away from the others, staring at nothing, his hands pushed deep into his pockets.

  Why do I have to be here? he thought.

  We are a part of them now, Beamon replied. They need us.

  They need you, not me.

  I couldn't help them if we weren't a team. Listen, Thomas. It's time you became the man you should be and not the one you were born to be. You must now decide our future.

  Thomas looked at the others standing nearby. What did he have to lose?

  * * *

  Belle and Lunara were going over their plans again. Rainbow had appeared the day before to let them know that the Aurora had agreed to help but wouldn't be able to show up until the eclipse began. A full moon would weaken them some, so they didn't want to waste any waiting.

  No one had heard from Lilith or the Child.

  "Do you think she'll show up?" Belle asked her Les Gris.

  I believe Lilith. She has no choice.

  "I wish I was as confident. How is Raylena doing?"

  She's nervous and, I think, frightened, but she's a survivor. She'll do what needs to be done.

  Belle nodded. "I know. I guess we've done all we can."

  Yes, now we wait.

  * * *

  Intunecat could feel the Aurora as they slid from amongst the trees and glided silently toward the group. Other than the faint darkening of the sand, nothing gave away their presence or their numbers. Hundreds of them poured unnoticed onto the beach.
>
  Interesting, he thought. I never realized so many still existed.

  * * *

  Seeing Intunecat returning, Belle called the others together, unaware that the Elementals had surrounded them, establishing a barrier of Aurora so thick, nothing could sneak through their defense.

  "Where's Caelene?" Randi asked, looking at Intunecat for an answer.

  "She'll be here."

  Looking at the sky, Randi fidgeted nervously. Raylena hadn't spoken to her or Lighthra all day. Already, they missed her presence.

  As if on cue, the air shimmered near the small gathering, causing the Aurora to move aside. From within a portal, three figures emerged, causing a few gasps and some sighs of relief. Lumiere and Soleil chuckled at Angie's reaction, only to be reprimanded by Lunara.

  Well, at least she believes Sylvie now, Soleil retorted, feeling the need to defend herself.

  "Let's get this over with," Dis announced. "I have guests to attend to." Seeing the dark, hooded figure standing several feet away, he straightened to his full height and puffed out his chest. "So, you are Intunecat. You're shorter than I imagined," he declared.

  "Perhaps you're lacking in imagination, then," Intunecat replied, eyeing the demon with interest. The Underlord was impressive but his size didn't faze the dark spirit.

  "Behave, Dis," Lilith warned, slapping his belly with the back of her hand. Giving her a rakish grin, Dis moved away and walked up to Belle.

  "So, have you changed your mind yet?"

  "No. I've decided I'm quite happy."

  "Well, if you ever..."

  "I won't!"

  Laughing, Dis returned to Lilith's side and then turned to his daughter, who was unnaturally quiet.

  "Are you ready?" he demanded.

  "Do I have a choice?" she answered sullenly, remembering their last conversation. After throwing a temper tantrum and refusing to cooperate, she mistakenly had assumed the matter was closed and started to walk away. It wasn't! An invisible hand gripped her shoulders, forcing her to stop and then turn around. Fighting to break free, she eventually realized she was too weak to resist whatever was controlling her.

  "Never... disrespect me again, Daughter," he warned. "I don't allow that from my followers and I won't allow it from you. Do you understand?"

  For the first time in her life, she did. Even she did not have the power to control others as he had just demonstrated. After this was over with, she'd have to re-evaluate her plans to overthrow her father. That is if the humans' plan worked. Caelene could feel the tentacles of madness slowly creeping through her mind. Her thoughts were growing erratic, making it impossible for her to concentrate.

  "I apologize, Sire," she said meekly.

  "So you should. Now, are you ready?"

  "Yes."

  That had been two days ago. The moment she had dreaded was here.

  "Let's get this over with," she said.

  * * *

  Lilith, who was standing quietly by, snapped her fingers, startling everyone. Immediately, portals opened outside of the circle of Aurora, and demons scurried out, forming an out circle, twenty bodies deep.

  "This is getting a bit crowded," Sylvie observed, staring in awe at the creatures circling them. Some looked like the clichéd demons she had seen on television and in comic books while others were either strangely beautiful or horribly ugly and deformed.

  * * *

  Obsidia wasn't sure he liked having the demons so close to his people. Some of the inhabitants of the Underworld were fire-makers. If they chose to do so while the Aurora were present, it would destroy many of them.

  They don't dare do anything without their Underlord's permission, Lunara promised, sensing their nervousness.

  Perhaps, he replied, but no one has complete control of his people, even him. I don't like this. No one said anything about this many demons being here.

  Trust me, Obsidia. My people will protect you as you protect us.

  Reluctantly, he relented.

  * * *

  "Quickly," Belle called out. "The eclipse is starting. We must start now. Randi, take Caelene's hands and put them over your heart. You must place your own on each side of her head and whatever happens, you can't break contact until the eclipse begins to recede."

  Hesitantly, Randi walked over to Caelene and clasped her hands. Bringing them to her chest, she placed them on her heart. Flattening her palms, Caelene felt the human's heart pounding rapidly. She had never experienced the sensation before and was so fascinated, she jerked when Randi cupped her face with her own hands.

  Surprised at how hot the demoness' skin was, Randi wasn't sure she'd be able to maintain contact with it for the time needed to complete the exchange. Already, her palms and fingertips felt on fire. Staring into Caelene's eyes, she saw flames flickering brightly and wondered if it was a sign of her growing madness. Guessing her thoughts, Caelene smirked and then cooled her skin to a bearable temperature.

  You humans are so weak, she thought.

  As are you, Raylena replied, hearing the thought.

  Startled, Caelene wasn't sure what to think and decided nothing was better than sharing her mind with this Les Gris.

  Get used to it! If this works, we'll be sharing for a long time. I don't like it any more than you do but it's your only hope. Already you're barely able to control the madness.

  Perhaps it was because this Les Gris sensed her weakness that gave the demoness enough strength to seize control of herself. Whatever the reason, it was the edge she needed to slow the madness. Unconsciously nodding, she pressed her hands firmly against the woman's breast and waited.

  Looking upward, Belle motioned her Society members to hold hands.

  "I must be able to see," Belle said. Immediately, the Les Gris united their energy, giving Lunara's life partner what she needed.

  Intunecat moved outside of the circle, making himself the first line of defense. Interestingly, he chose to stand next to Ridge, who was lying down next to a strange-looking creature with horns and hoofs.

  "Nybbas," Intunecat said, acknowledging the little demon. Lilith decided to follow suit, leaving Dis to protect their daughter, should the Shadow Demon break through the barriers.

  It is out of our hands now, Lunara said to everyone. She knew that humans as well as Les Gris could hear her while they were joined. They will do all that they can. We must begin.

  "Fuck!" Mallory exclaimed and broke the hand contact to point toward the southern sky. Flashes of lightning illuminated clouds rolling rapidly toward the eclipse. "If it covers the moon during the eclipse, we're screwed."

  "There's nothing we can do about it. We just need to take our chances," Belle replied. "What happens, happens."

  Everyone closed their eyes except Belle. With Lunara's visual assistance she had to focus all of her attention on the Blood Moon eclipse until the joining was complete. The others needed to concentrate on keeping their links strong. It only took one to break the chain and ruin everything. The sound of thunder rumbling in the distance made them jerk.

  "Hold strong," Belle ordered, raising her voice slightly.

  * * *

  Leaving Nybbas and Ridge, Intunecat walked over to Obsidia.

  "Can you not do something about the storm?"

  "We are Aurora, not Sylph. Only they can control the winds."

  "Is there a way to call the Sylph?"

  Obsidia shook his head.

  "If we're lucky, one will sense the storm and come to investigate. They love to ride the winds. The bigger the storm the better chance at least one will show up."

  "Then we can only hope this one is huge."

  * * *

  Belle could see the storm closing in. One quarter of the moon was in shadow now. The Les Gris and their life partners were beginning to weaken.

  We were so worried about this Shadow Demon, we never considered that nature could ruin everything, Belle thought. You're doing great, everyone. Hang in there.

  A bolt of lightning ripped ac
ross the sky causing the Aurora to flinch painfully. It was rare, but if intense enough, lightning could harm or kill them. This one had inflicted several minor burns on several of them but they held their ground, scanning the darkness for signs of anything that seemed unnatural.