Demons (Eirik Book 1)

by Ednah Walters

  “Sure.” He glanced at Nara. “Let me talk to my partner.”

  While he went to square things with Nara, I spoke with Maera who promised to tell Trudy Celestia wanted to see her. Rhys and I left their dining hall and headed toward the front hall.

  “I want you to do me a favor,” I started. “It involves the girl you saw earlier.”

  “The soul who supposedly escaped from one of the halls?” he asked.

  I chuckled. “Yes, that one. And no, Celestia did not escape from a hall. She’s from Earth.”

  Rhys chuckled. “I knew it. Nara didn’t believe me, but I knew it. She talks. Other than Immortals, the souls who can talk right after death are usually Witches, and those souls don’t come here. The Norns snatch them up like scavengers. Or they grab them before they draw their last breath and replace them with cadavers. Is she a Witch or an Immortal?”

  “A Witch.” We reached the hallway leading to the east dungeon. Funny how every time I needed to be alone, I always headed to my old rooms. “What I’m about to tell you cannot be shared with anyone.”

  “Sorry, man. I don’t keep secrets from my partner. She’s my cousin.”

  From his expression, he was serious. “Okay. Fine. You can tell her, but I’ll hold you accountable if she tells anyone.”

  “Deal.”

  We entered the tunnel. “Her name is Celestia Devereaux, and she’s a clairvoyant with astral projection abilities. She astral projected here.”

  “Damn. She must be powerful to cross the realms. Wait.” He stopped. “You didn’t tell her that her friend and her mother are Immortals?”

  “No. Does it matter? She came here and now she’s going home. If your paths ever cross, you two have never met.” I continued walking.

  “Eirik…”

  “I know there are rules in place about what Immortals can and cannot tell Mortals, Rhys. That’s why I didn’t tell her and why you need to stay away from Windfall. Let someone else reap that area. One more thing. How did Maliina escape this realm?”

  “That bitch possessed one of the Grimnirs. The girl is still recovering. When I catch up with Maliina…” His expression said she’d be sorry. “Why?”

  “If Celestia can’t astral project home, I may have to let her possess me so I can take her through the portal. What?” I asked when he shook his head.

  “Your parents are not going to let that happen, man. Possession without the right runes messes you up.”

  “I don’t care about me. I’ll heal. I’m more concerned about her. She’s tried to leave and each time she ended up in a cave here in Hel. She wants to go home, and I promised I’d get her there. Possession is my backup plan.”

  “You’ll have to etch the right runes on her, just like Maliina did on Echo’s girl back in Kayville. The same runes made it possible for Maliina to hijack Madeleine’s body. Madeleine is still suffering the aftereffects because she didn’t have the right runes.”

  That was messed up. I would never put Celestia through what happened to Cora. “Yeah, that’s not going to happen. Thanks for the info.”

  Now, I really needed to let off steam. I continued on down the tunnel, then downstairs. Instead of going to my old room to wait for Celestia, I headed to the weapons room. The room was bigger than the dungeon and the weapons were out of the way.

  The change was just as painful as the first time because once again, I hadn’t thought of bringing my artavus to add pain runes. I was going to hide one somewhere. By the time I finished transforming, I had very little space left.

  My senses slowly adjusted. I hadn’t given them time to do so before. My eyes focused, my ears picking up the neighs of panicked horses. I wondered if they were reacting to my presence. My father had been sent to Hel with his favorite steed, but my mother must have owned some, too. I studied my feet, the claws jutting from my paws rivaling steak knives. My neck was pretty long and flexible since I could turn and study my back. My wings were definitely not my greatest features. They looked like bat wings and both had a sharp claw at the tip. The sleek spikes sticking along my spine were cool, though. They refracted the light, making them appear multicolored.

  Would Celestia think my dragon was cool? She was likely to faint. No, she wasn’t the fainting type. I had no idea what she’d do. My tail was long and thick, and presently squashed against the wall. I needed to stretch, find my footing, and learn to stand. Maybe even fly.

  There was very little space to move, but from the corner of one eye, I could see through the window. The snow was still falling, but it had slowed. It covered the giant wall surrounding Eljudnir, until it was impossible to know where the wall and the ground met. I noticed several Grimnirs leaving while others made their way to the gates. I couldn’t see the River Gjöll, but I heard the snakes slithering underneath its surface. I wasn’t sure whether my sense of smell was heightened too, but the overpowering blend of metal, leather, and wood made me twitchy. Even as my mind registered the scents, I caught a whiff of something familiar. My mother’s scent. My father’s. Celestia’s. Were they close by? They must be because I could differentiate them. They could be coming this way.

  I had to two choices. Either change back and get dressed, or open the door and leave the room. I wasn’t ready to face them yet and I needed to fly and clear my head. I tried to move my front leg and unlock the door. It was wide enough for me to crawl through, but opening it was next to impossible.

  I managed to position my hand, but my claw was too big to lift the bolt. Movements came from outside, and I sighed with relief. I could always count on Mother to appear at my most humiliating moments. The bolts snapped out of place and the door slid open to reveal her, scepter in her hand and cloak dragging on the snow.

  “Next time, step outside before you change, Son, or you will bring my castle down,” she reprimanded. “You are a lot bigger than I thought. Too big for indoors.”

  “Thanks for stating the obvious, Mother.” At least, that was what I meant to say. It came out snarly and growly.

  Mother chuckled. “You are welcome.”

  “You heard me?” I asked, the words still animal-like to my ears.

  “Your voice is a bit raspy, but you can definitely speak dragon tongue, Son. Slow down and use your vocals instead of your gut. Also, will the words to be English, not animal.”

  “Like this?” It still came out in growls and snarls.

  “Don’t worry, your speech will improve with time. Come on out,” she added. “Test your wings. Flying is more important than speech.”

  I crawled forward because standing wasn’t an option. The ceiling of the room and even the doorframe was high enough for giants, but not for my dragon. She stepped aside to let me through but didn’t seem scared. I focused on clearing the doorway, careful with my wings. They were huge and could easily hit her. Finally, I stood without parts of me touching something. It was exhilarating. I had a serious wingspan.

  I lifted my wings and brought them down. Snow blew from the ground. I turned my head and looked at Mother. She didn’t seem bothered she had snow on her gown and cloak. She wore the widest grin I’d ever seem on her face and her eyes shone bright with, I don’t know, pride or tears.

  “Go,” she said. “Make me proud.”

  I chuckled, though it came out as a growl. I lowered my wings and walked forward. They dragged on the snow and slowed me down. I lifted them up. Much better. I had better balance with them up. I broke into a run. The ground was slick and I slipped a few times. My mother must be cringing. She wanted to be proud of me? I was going to make it happen.

  Determination coursing through me, I whipped my wings faster and faster, slipping and gliding. If I didn’t make it, I would land in the river of a thousand cuts and poisonous snakes, or crash on the high walls surrounding Hel’s Hall. I was sure the wall wouldn’t survive. The disappointment in my mother’s eyes would be too much, and just when she and I were starting to have a decent relationship.

  My feet left the ground. Yes! Lif
t off.

  I looked down as I continued upward and wished I hadn’t. My vision blurred and my stomach heaved. I dipped and started to plummet toward the ground.

  What the hell? I was a dragon scared of heights?

  “Make me proud, Son.”

  Mother’s words rang in my head. I opened my mouth and let out a frustrated roar, and my breath ignited. I shot up, my mother growing smaller and smaller, until she was a black dot on the pristine white castle grounds.

  ~*~

  CELESTIA

  The rumbling noises stopped. Were they keeping monsters in this place or was that growling sound made by Hel’s hound? Not that I believed everything Eirik said. What was taking him so long? Trudy was only a portal away. I focused on her, but like last night, no portal formed.

  I opened the door and found the two guards. They stood straighter. They hadn’t left with Eirik? So I was the one they were guarding. I had wondered about that when they’d followed me at the gym.

  “I still can’t open portals from here.”

  “No, miss,” the first guard said. “But you can from the common room.”

  “Am I allowed to leave the room?”

  “Of course, miss. Where would you like to go?” said the same guard.

  “To Trudy’s.”

  He stepped back and his partner followed him.

  “But you have to come with me, right?” They nodded. I sighed. Of course, the goddess didn’t trust me. I was the unwanted Witch in her hall. I wondered what she would do if I couldn’t leave. “Yeah, well, that’s okay. I can wait.” I started to close the door and saw Trudy walking toward us from the rotunda. Finally. “Are you coming to see me? Please say you are, because I’m going crazy in here.”

  She laughed. “I am.”

  “Won’t you get in trouble?”

  “Not when the orders to come here and see you came from Baldurson. It’s weird that I couldn’t create a portal into the room. Hey, Creed.” She ran a finger along the cheek of one of the guards as she passed him. He was the one who often spoke. “I miss you guys now that you don’t guard the goddess.” She patted the chest of the second guard before following me inside the room. She was a terrible flirt.

  Just before I closed the door behind us, there was a loud roar, followed by vibrations. We looked at each other, then the guards. They were laughing and nudging each other.

  “Is that the six-eyed Hel’s hound?” I asked. The smile disappeared from their faces. Not Trudy’s.

  “Garm? Nah. That, my friend, is the roar of a fire-breathing dragon.”

  I shuddered. “You have dragons, too?”

  “Oh yeah. They are rare, but we get them.” She started to close the door and paused. “Do you want to see him?”

  I shook my head. “Oh no. I’m fine.”

  “Please, miss,” Creed said, and the second guard nodded.

  “I hate scaly things. I love dogs, though. I’m just not sure about a six-eyed giant one.”

  Trudy’s eyes widened. Then she laughed. I wasn’t sure what was funny. But then again, she got a kick out of being annoying. The guards stared at me with lost puppy expressions.

  “Fine, let’s go,” I said. “But we watch from afar. No, from inside the castle.”

  We hurried to the rotunda, where the guards created a portal to the east side of the castle. I hadn’t been to the wing, although it was above the eastern dungeons. It was just like the Waiting Hall. Black and gray. We weren’t the only ones rushing to the windows. Portals popped up everywhere as the staff, the Grimnirs—including the old geezers—appeared, and guards hurried to look out the giant windows while whispering excitedly. They must not get that many dragons for this one to cause such a stir.

  “This way,” someone said and took my arm. I turned to find Eirik’s father. Trudy grabbed my hand. The crowd parted to let us through until we were in front of the largest window.

  Necks craned to see outside while I tried to nudge Trudy in front of me, but Baldur’s grip was firm on my arm. The servants had opened the windows, so we caught the blast of cold air coming from outside. I shivered, wishing I hadn’t left my coat. These people didn’t seem affected by the cold. Someone placed a warm, heavy cloak around my shoulder. I turned to say thank you and realized it was Baldur.

  “Oh, I can’t—”

  “Of course you can,” he said and smiled, but his gaze was out the window. “My son will not be happy if you fall ill.”

  And where was said son? He was missing the big event. Resigned, I stared out the window, my heart pounding so hard I was sure everyone could hear it. Dragons. Dinosaurs. Alligators. They were all the same in my book. Scary.

  Excitement rippled through the crowd, and I tried to see where they were pointing. At first, all I saw was snow, the river disappearing somewhere to our left, and a large melted area by the river. The dragon must have breathed some serious fire. Then I saw it, a black dock against the white background of snow-covered mountains and the mist.

  I found myself watching with abated breath as it came closer. It was huge and fierce-looking. It dipped as though coming for us, then shot up, its wings sending a gush of cold air through the window. The crowd cheered. I pulled the warm cloak closer and resigned myself to watching the show.

  A figure in a black cloak walked from the castle toward the giant melted puddle the dragon had left in the snow. The scepter was a dead giveaway.

  What was the goddess doing out there? What if she got hurt?

  Silence and unease descended on the onlookers, and I knew they were worried too. The dragon did several loops, clearly showing off. No, not showing off. It was trying to find a place to land. The goddess raised her scepter and lightning shot out, sizzled through the air, and hit an area to her left. She was guiding him. It flew around her and let out a cry. It was probably worried about hitting her. Its wings were massive.

  It approached the area the goddess had marked and hovered. The flapping wings slowed down, but they still whipped up a storm of snowflakes until the goddess was lost in it. She must really love it to put herself in danger like that, not to mention the discomfort.

  The dragon landed and the ground shook. The landing wasn’t graceful, but from the reaction inside the castle, they didn’t care. They clapped and laughed.

  The goddess walked to the dragon, petted its head, pressed her face against its neck, and then started back toward the castle. The dragon followed her, its wings dragging on the snow, its gait a bit off. It was a flyer, not a walker. The wings went up and it found its footing. The crowd around me started to leave, but the excited whispers only grew. Rhys and his partner were with a group to our right. My eyes met his, but he acted like he didn’t recognize me.

  I went back to watching the dragon and the goddess. It extended its neck toward her and bumped her with the side of its head. She stopped, looked back, and said something. The dragon’s mouth opened and closed as though talking back. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were talking to each other. Anything was possible in this realm. The goddess threw back her head, her laughter ringing in the air.

  Okay, I may hate scaly things and not particularly like the goddess, but that was adorable. They made quite a pair, the tawny-scaled dragon pet of the rune-covered, glowing woman in black.

  “Miss Celestia?”

  I glanced over my shoulder at the guard. Most of the people had left and Eirik’s father had disappeared, too. I still had his cloak.

  “It’s time to go back,” the guard Trudy had called Creed said.

  “We’ll find our way back, Creed,” Trudy said, slipping her arm around mine. “That was entertaining, wasn’t it?”

  “Is it her pet?”

  Trudy laughed. “You have a sick sense of humor. He is—”

  “Trudy,” Creed interrupted, speaking firmly. “The Golden One said we must escort Miss Celestia back to her quarters.”

  “I told you I’d take her back, Creed.”

  “Kík iwáchne ní dragon én wuód goddess
,” he said.

  I didn’t understand what he’d just said, except goddess and dragon. I glanced at Trudy, but she, too, wore a confused expression. She must have understood what he’d said because she grabbed my arm. “Come on, Celestia.”

  “What was that about?” I asked when we got back to Eirik’s room. The guards were once again outside the door.

  “The Golden One wanted you back here.” She sat on the bed and bounced on it before lying in it. “This is comfortable. So, what did you want to talk about?”

  I folded the heavy white robe and placed it on the couch. “Why am I the only one grounded? I can’t open portals or go anywhere without the guards following me around like I’m an escapee from some jail. I thought we were both in trouble.”

  “I’m grounded too, but Eirik said you wanted to talk to me, so I got a hall pass.”

  “You watch way too many Earth movies.”

  I settled down beside her, our legs dangling on the side of the bed and our heads almost touching. I studied the canopy. The frame of the bed was gilded and matched the frills on the edge of the canopy.

  I glanced at Trudy, but she was studying the mural to our right. It showed a child and… Baby Eirik and his parents. The goddess looked happy. I glanced at Trudy, delaying the inevitable. I’d wanted to tell her the truth, but now that the time was right, I was worried about how she’d react.

  “Did you paint that?” I asked.

  She laughed. “No way. The goddess wouldn’t let me loose in here. You’ve seen my work.”

  “Your work is beautiful, so don’t put yourself down.”

  She shrugged. “Stolen memories of the dead. Totally morbid. I spend hours watching them, you know. The eastern hall is reserved for the gods, royalty, and those the goddess favors. I’ve observed royal balls and royal weddings, famous artists create their masterpieces, historical moments, the beginnings and the ends of dynasties, but I like the other halls better. The picnic trips and Christmas gatherings, first date at the movies, or first kiss.” She sounded wistful as though she envied them, which didn’t make sense. She despised Mortals. “Anyway, I heard the goddess showed you around today.”