by John Corwin
It was like looking in a mirror of shadows, for the face was my own.
I shouted and pressed my head against the table, desperately wishing I could get away from this thing before it tore me apart.
The demon's face and body sucked inside out and suddenly its back was to me once again, a wispy umbilical cord stretching from it and into my stomach. "You broke your word, Arcane," it hissed. "You swore to give me a body to use all those years ago. Instead, I've been a prisoner inside a heap of flesh."
Cumberbatch held up a hand. "Apologies, Sovodorak. The spell did not work quite as envisioned, but it worked well enough."
"Well enough?" the demon spat. "Look at me." He spread his arms. "My form is now that of the boy's. This possession has irreparably harmed me."
"I'm certain you'll eventually return to your normal form," Cumberbatch assured him. "For now, I need you to return the souls to their vessels."
"Not until you restore me."
"Don't make me force you to do this, Sovodorak." Cumberbatch sneered. "You know I can make it very unpleasant."
"You already have, magician."
The doctor stiffened and scowled. "How dare you!" His fists clenched. "Very well. You leave me no alternative." He pounded the butt of his staff on the ground and began to chant again.
Sovodorak slammed against his invisible prison. "Release me or I will send your soul to the Abyss!"
Terror froze me. I prayed the demon wouldn't turn his rage on me.
The demon stiffened. His arms splayed as if invisible strings pulled at him. He howled in agony. Cumberbatch slammed his staff again. I felt as if a giant worm was crawling up my gullet. I wanted to scream, but only produced a ghastly choking noise. Oily smoke poured from my mouth. It clouded my vision, obscuring everything. The smoke morphed into the faces of my parents. Ghostly shrieks tore from their mouths. Their souls drifted apart and funneled into their bodies. Their ghastly cries faded.
Cumberbatch roared in a commanding voice. "Return to Haedaemos, Sovodorak. Return to your realm!"
The ground beneath the summoning diagram bubbled thick and black. The demon roared. "I will return, Cumberbatch. When I do, I will devour your soul!" The tar writhed like snakes around the demon and sucked him into the ground.
I suddenly felt alone.
A great weight lifted from my body—from my very soul. If I hadn't been bound, I might have flown away. The world sharpened into focus and every color became richer and deeper. Sounds became crisper, and a mélange of odors suffused my nose. I felt a hollow space deep within me, and then a craving. Unseen energy suffused the air around me. I drew it in like taking a deep breath and felt the hunger dissipate. I was no longer living beneath the smothering blanket of a demon and my parents' souls.
I was free!
Groans emanated from either side of me. I flicked my head this way and that and saw movement in the barrels. My parents sat up. Slowly, they looked at each other and smiled.
The Overlord and his wife were once again alive.
Chapter 29
This moment would have brought tremendous happiness to most people. Seeing my parents risen from the dead was, for me, frightening beyond belief.
Victus crawled slowly from the large cask like an old man rising from bed. He walked around me without a word and helped Delectra out of her barrel coffin. They exchanged a passionate kiss.
My father raised his fist as if to pump it in the air, halted, and grabbed his back. "I am stiff and sore, Cumberbatch. I have lain dormant far too long."
"I too feel wretched," Delectra said. "But it is good to be among the living once again."
The doctor rubbed his hands together. "I've prepared potions that should fix you two right up." He retrieved bottles of sparkling blue liquid from his table and handed one to each.
They gulped them down. Victus stretched and twisted his back. "Ah, much better." He spread his arms as if soaking in the air. I felt the invisible energy around me move, as if drawn toward him. He frowned. "I still don't feel quite right."
"In time, in time," Cumberbatch said. "You've only just risen from the dead."
Delectra walked in front of me, looking me up and down. "I find it hard to believe this puny thing is our child."
Her condescension infuriated me. "I suppose you're not as superior as you believed."
Cumberbatch cleared his throat. "Ah, well, the spell took a toll on him physically and mentally. I assure you there is nothing wrong with your offspring. He should rebound with the demon magic lifted from his soul." He picked up a pair of rose-tinted spectacles like the ones Galfandor had used and looked me over. "Hmm, this is odd."
"What is?" Delectra snatched the spectacles from his nose and held them in front of her eyes. "What is that odd glow around him?"
"It would appear some fragments of your souls have stuck to him." He prodded me with a finger. "Perhaps I could compose a spell to free them."
Victus pursed his lips. "How long will that take?"
"Perhaps a month or two." Cumberbatch lifted my chin and shrugged. "Maybe longer."
"There must be a quicker method," Delectra said. "If we freed his soul, would that release the fragments?"
The doctor nodded. "Most certainly, but—"
"Then do it," Victus commanded. "We don't have time to waste if we're to seize the government."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "I'm your son, you evil buggers!"
They ignored my outburst.
Cumberbatch nodded at Victus's assertion. "Yes, the time is ripe for a coup as I'm sure you overheard while still trapped within Conrad." He backed up a step. "Consider this. Your son has an excellent pedigree and is of age. He could be turned into a powerful Arcane."
My parents seemed to ponder his suggestion.
I pressed against my bonds. "What sort of parents would kill their son for power? Is there no limit to your wickedness?"
Delectra pressed a cool hand to my forehead and pressed me back against the platform. "As our son, you should want what is best for the family." She released my head and then slapped the daylights out of me. "Now shut your mouth and do as you're told."
"We can always have another child." Victus folded his arms and gave me a dispassionate look. "You served your purpose as others have before you." He gave me an almost human-looking smile. "Conrad, you have the distinction of living longer than your other siblings. You should count that as a blessing."
The revelation slammed me in the guts. "I have siblings?"
"I'm afraid demons require sacrifices to teach their magic," Cumberbatch said. "Your parents have always been willing to donate."
The scream of horror that erupted from me sounded animalistic even to my ears. I thrashed in desperation, screaming until my throat went raw. When my energy ran out, I sagged against the leather straps, tears dripping from my eyes and onto the cold floor. "Monsters," I croaked. "I hope a demon eats your souls."
"Be glad that is not your fate, boy." Victus put his forearm against my throat and pressed hard. "You will die quickly, your soul released to the aether."
I looked him in the eyes and peeled back my lips. "Then finish me, you bleeding rotter."
The sound of a metal blade being drawn rang out. Delectra appeared, a curved, scythe-like knife with a gleaming razor edge in her hand. "I see you've kept my favorite knife, Cumberbatch."
He bowed. "Of course, Mistress. I knew you would want it back."
"This blade has tasted the blood of many enemies," Delectra said, tracing the cold metal tip against my forehead. I felt something warm trickling down and over my nose. "Now it will slaughter you like a beast."
I felt an odd, detached calm. I was about to be killed by my own parents, but at least I'd done some good in my short life. Perhaps someone else would eventually defeat Victus and Delectra. Perhaps Ivy would return. Nothing lasts forever. They would one day get their due.
I'll be with you soon, Cora—Mum.
I took a deep breath and stared D
electra straight in the eyes. "I'm ready, Mother."
She smiled. "Brave lad. You do us proud by not cowering and begging for your life." Delectra swung back her arm.
I saw a flash of movement near the entrance to the basement. A bottle clattered on the floor, rolled behind the three adults, and exploded. My head slammed back against the platform. My parents and Cumberbatch flew forward, slamming face-first into the floor. Delectra's scythe clattered to the floor.
The bodies of the adults must have shielded me from the brunt of the stun potion, because my vision was only slightly blurry. Ambria zipped up to me on a broom and chanted loudly. She abruptly grew to the size of a giant and the world around her swelled to immense proportions. I looked up as her huge hand scooped me up.
"Ribbit!" I said. "Ribbit, ribbit!" I felt an intense craving for flies.
Seconds later, the world shrank back to normal.
"Sorry about the frog spell," Ambria said. "It was the fastest way to get you out of those straps." She patted the back of the broom. "Now, get on, Conrad!"
I hopped on the bare handle behind her seat and grabbed her waist. She took off for the exit. Max waited there on his broom. He grinned like a madman. "I did it, Conrad! I stunned the adults!"
"Good job." My voice emerged as a weak croak.
"You look awful," Ambria said. "I watched that woman cut you. I tried to convince Max we should kill the lot of them, but I don't think we have it in us to do it."
"I do," I said. If I'd had the presence of mind after the blast, I would have slit their throats. Now it was too late to go back and finish the job. I am my parents' son.
Max held out my broom as we flew away from the doctor's mansion. "This was in the forest next to the Goodleighs' car."
"We combed the entire mansion," Ambria said. "I didn't think we'd ever find you."
I wiped blood from my face. "How did you know where I was?"
"Max and I set down in the woods to hide with the orphans when you went to fight the Goodleighs." She looked at him. "Then he decided to go help you."
"I saw the Goodleighs' car crash in the forest," he said. "Then I saw a flying carpet go in after you. A few minutes later, that man came out with you unconscious on the carpet. I followed him to his estate and then went back for Ambria. That's why it took so long to rescue you."
"Are you well enough to fly your own broom?" Ambria asked.
I nodded. "Well enough."
Max handed me the broom. I activated and mounted it while we hovered in the air. Then we took off to where Ambria had left the other children. The mushrooms had long since worn off by the time we reached them.
"What happened to you, Conrad?" William asked. "You've got blood all over your face."
Stephan grimaced. "Did someone try to sacrifice you to the devil himself?"
"You might say that," I replied.
"Thank you for saving us from the Goodleighs, Conrad," Alice said. She kissed me on the cheek. "You're our hero."
"Conrad the hero!" little Mary chirped at the top of her tiny lungs.
"Hero!" Beth chimed in.
Before I knew it, all the younger kids were hugging me. Stephan and William gave me begrudging nods.
I looked at Ambria. She seemed to be glaring at Alice for some reason. "How are we going to ferry everyone to Queens Gate?"
Max quirked his lips. "We might have to go get some flying carpets."
"Flying carpets?" Stephan blurted.
I laughed. "After seeing flying brooms you're surprised?"
He looked down. "Well, it's just weird."
"Of course it is." I looked at Max. "Well, let's get some flying carpets."
Max and I sped back to Queens Gate. He borrowed an extra-large flying carpet from his parents' house and we took it back to Ambria and the others. By the time we got back to town, it was nearly three in the morning. The vampires were still out, so we piled everyone into Ambria's room and let them share the sheets from our beds.
I didn't even bother with bathing and collapsed on my bare mattress. When I woke up, it was nearly noon. I heard talking in Ambria's room and went inside. The other children were eating toast and eggs. Ambria walked into the room with a tray laden with more toast and a heaping plate of sausages.
Stephan and William jumped from their spots on the floor and tried to grab more food, but stopped cold when Ambria glared at them. "Don't you dare take anything until I say you can."
The two boys backed away.
"You're bossy," William said.
Ambria set down the tray and set her arms akimbo. "When you're in my house, you do what I say." She looked over at me and smiled. "Good morning, sleepyhead."
I managed a smile. "I'm going to get cleaned up."
She walked over and whispered in my ear. "I set a plate aside for you. It's downstairs in the kitchen."
"Thanks." I took a shower, went downstairs, and dug into the food Ambria had prepared. The flavor of the eggs exploded on my taste buds. I tasted a sausage and groaned with pleasure. The colors in the kitchen seemed so vibrant, as if I'd been seeing things in muted detail all this time. I clenched a fist and felt stronger. In the air around me, I sensed that strange energy I'd first detected at Cumberbatch's after he'd lifted the curse.
Maybe this is what it's like to really be alive.
I savored every bite of the food, and relished hot Earl Grey tea. I'd been numbed for so long, that everything before this day seemed like a shadow reality. My enthusiasm dimmed when I thought about the challenges ahead.
Max showed up when I was nearly finished eating. "How's the hero feeling this morning?"
I jabbed a fork in my sausage. "I'm not a hero. You and Ambria rescued me. You're the heroes."
"Maybe we all are." He shrugged. "Can I have a sausage? I'm starving."
I grinned and gave him one.
Ambria came downstairs a moment later and raised an eyebrow at Max. "Really, now, haven't you already had breakfast?"
"At my parents'," he admitted with a sheepish grin. He jabbed a thumb to his chest. "But a growing boy needs a lot of food."
"Apparently, you need all of it." She released a little sigh and sat down. "It's still early, but I'm exhausted. Cooking for so many mouths is hard work."
"We need to figure out what to do with the children." I put down my fork. "I think we should ask Galfandor. He might know how to help."
Ambria nodded. "I think that's the best idea I've heard all morning. We're just children ourselves, and I know Sonia will lose her mind if she discovers the new additions to the household."
I stood and put my dishes next to the sink. "Let's go."
"Now?" Max asked, his mouth full of toast. "I haven't finished eating."
Ambria put her hands on her hips. "Now, Max."
I went upstairs and put William and Alice in charge while we left. "Under no circumstances is anyone to wander around the house or go outside," I said.
"Why not?" Stephan complained. "It's boring up here."
I flattened my expression. "Because vampires live in the basement, and they'll be very unhappy if you wake them."
That comment drew gasps from everyone except for Mary who demanded she get to see the vampires right away.
"Uh, we'll wait right here," William said.
"We'll be back soon." I left and grabbed my broom on the way out. Max, Ambria, and I flew to Moore Manor and knocked on the door.
Galfandor answered a moment later. "Conrad, Ambria, and Max, what a pleasant surprise." He didn't look surprised. "Please, come in." He led us to the dining room where a steaming pot of tea waited. The three of us exchanged confused looks.
"Were you expecting us?" I asked.
"In a manner of speaking, yes."
Max gave him an uneasy look. "You can see the future?"
"Well, he is a magician," Ambria said.
Max winced and hissed, "Arcane, you dummy."
Galfandor chuckled. "I've had the golems set this table for the past several days i
n anticipation of your return." He smiled. "I thought it would make me look clairvoyant."
"If that's the case, why would you tell us?" I asked.
"I'd rather hoped you wouldn't ask about it." He poured us each a cup of tea. "Now, tell me all about your mission of mercy."
Ambria narrowed her eyes. "I think you really can see the future, but you don't want us to know that, so you're pretending you can't."
Galfandor simply smiled and took a sip of tea.
I enjoyed a mouthful of the Earl Grey as well and then told him the story of rescuing the orphans, but left out what had happened afterward.
"We need someplace for the orphans to live," Ambria concluded.
"Thankfully, I was able to make use of the information Conrad took from the Goodleigh's tablet." Galfandor withdrew an arcphone from his inside pocket and fiddled with it for several seconds before finally finding what he wanted. "All but two of the children have living parents."
Ambria gasped. "Really? That's wonderful."
Galfandor nodded. "It appears the Goodleighs preferred to kidnap children and later tell them they were orphans."
"What about the two without living relatives?" I asked.
He peered at the list. "Ah, well that would be you and Ambria." He gave us an apologetic look. "In any case, you may bring the children here and I will notify their parents. I imagine there will be some very happy reunions."
"Brilliant!" Max declared.
"Every child is also from an Arcane family." Galfandor turned off his phone. "Some of the older ones are even eligible to take the entrance exam to Arcane University."
"We'll bring them here right away," Max said.
Galfandor leaned back in his chair. "There is another matter to discuss."
I tensed. "What would that be?"
"I took the liberty of finding homes for you and Ambria as well."
She and I glanced at each other.
"We're fine where we are," Ambria said.
I didn't quite share her enthusiasm about our current home, but also didn't want to go live with strangers. "We have a house."
"Yes, well, I think it best if you live with adults for the time being." Galfandor regarded us seriously. "Queens Gate is not as safe as it once was."
