by Michael Todd
Her demon had either taught her many new things—or had taken just a little more of her soul.
Either way Katie had come up a step, perhaps more so than Korbin himself. She was capable of handling what came at her now, no matter how big or scary. She always seemed to be on top of it, and at the same time managed to focus and help her teammates stay safe.
Damian noticed the appreciation in Calvin’s eyes when he looked at her.
He knew Calvin was still alive because of Katie and whatever had happened in that cemetery before he and Eric had arrived. Damian sighed as Katie waved to the homeless man, who walked away. That smile on her face, however, faded quickly, and she jerked around and held the demon up in the air. He could see her talking to it, her eyes narrowed, as the beast cowered in her hands. No one else had noticed any of it yet, not even Katie’s exit. No one but a Damned could have seen the apparition, but even so, no one seemed to notice the human standing right there in broad daylight giving the thing its Miranda rights.
Damian smirked. “You have the right to remain in hell. Should you choose to give up this right, I’ll kill you to send your scrawny ass back down there…”
Wouldn’t that be a lark? The Miranda Rights as rewritten by the Damned.
With a flash of her eyes, the demon disappeared. She dropped her hand to her side, surreptitiously wiping it on her jeans while looking down the street. She smiled and looked up as a plane flew overhead out of Damian’s line of sight, rattling the glass windows.
She was in her own little world, protecting these humans with everything in her—even when she was so beaten down she should have been just relaxing and regrouping.
In that moment she reminded Damian of Korbin, not so much in skill, but the idea that work never ended. There was never a pause in taking care of the innocent. She always did what was necessary, what was needed, and what was asked of her, even if she did it on her own terms.
There was a lot to explain to Korbin for sure, but there was definitely something to be gained from her new abilities and the way she protected those around her.
Just then she turned and reached for the door. Damian turned back to the table and sipped his coffee, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable.
She yawned as she walked past the guys and up to the takeout window.
He pushed a donut into his mouth and looked down at the table, listening to her order another chocolate-covered morsel of deliciousness and a cup of tea. He smiled at the tea part, glad to confirm that Katie was still in there.
She waited at the counter for a minute, smiling at the woman before she made her way back to the table. She sat down next to Damian and grinned bashfully.
“I thought you couldn’t eat one more donut.” Damian raised an eyebrow and looked at the item in question.
“For the right reason I can shove another one down,” she replied, not giving any more answer than that.
He wondered if she knew he had seen her; if she knew that he had watched her amazing kindness.
He wondered how much of that was Pandora and how much was her, especially since her talents had quickly grown by what seemed like leaps and bounds. One thing he didn’t wonder, however, was if Katie was still Katie, because through the red haze he could still see her just as brightly.
“You saved a lot of lives this morning,” Damian said, lifting his cup. “Korbin is impressed, the police are impressed, and those that don’t even know, they thank you too.”
“It’s my job,” she said, taking a bite of the donut. “It is expected of me, and if I have the ability to do it, then that is exactly what I’ll do every single time.”
“You have really grown into the new you.” Damian took a sip of his coffee. “I’m proud of you. You may be headed for a whole lot of demon shit in the future, but just know that you are admired and looked up to by this team. They feel safe when they are with you.”
“They’re not, though.” She sighed as she interrupted him. “None of us are truly safe in battle, and that is a good thing, actually. It reduces the comfort level, and makes everyone stay on their toes.”
“Very true.” He nodded in agreement. “Will you be happy to get back to Vegas?”
“I will be.” Katie sighed. “I need another hot bath and a nap and some more really good Italian food, not necessarily in that order. Though I have to say, this time I won’t eat quite as much Italian food.”
“Probably a good idea.” Damian pursed his lips. “I know that Korbin and the rest of the team will be happy to have you back.”
“Yeah, and we can work on my training,” Calvin interjected, leaning his head into the conversation.
“After you get better,” Katie told him, as if she were a mom.
“I’m good,” he argued, giving her the shit-eating grin of a guy who is bullshitting.
“Oh yeah? Raise your arm above your head.” Katie waved at him. “Go ahead.”
Calvin scoffed and scooted back in his chair slowly. He lifted his left arm into the air, biting down on his bottom lip. Katie saw it start to shake almost immediately.
“And now the other one,” she challenged.
“Yeah, no. I can’t do it.” Calvin laughed, lowering his arm. “All right…get better, then train. Hope you’re happy.”
“I am.” She nodded and finished her donut. “Just another day in our lives, right?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
The plane ride back to Vegas was quick, but Katie was still glad to have some time to herself.
Pretty much everyone but her passed out as soon as the plane got into the air. She just wanted to stare at the passing clouds and relax back into her life once more.
The trip had been exhausting both mentally and physically. She had found herself in an unfamiliar position, so full of rage and anger that she could barely contain herself.
Katie finally broke the silence. How did I survive that? she asked Pandora.
What? The whole trip, or the giant fireball? the demon countered.
Both, but let’s start with the fireball, Katie clarified.
I protected you, Pandora told her. Well, it wasn’t just me… It was you too, but I can withstand fire so I took you over until the fire was gone.
What do you mean, “it wasn’t just you?” Katie asked.
It’s not really that important, Pandora responded. You should just relax and not think.
Okay, something is definitely up. Since when do you want me to relax?
I’m tired too, you know, Pandora huffed.
All right, Katie replied slowly, not really believing her. Relax, then. I’ll shut up—for now.
Finally! Pandora exclaimed, with fake exasperation in her voice.
Katie smiled and leaned her head against her window, watching the clouds pass above her.
By the time they landed in Vegas she was feeling more like herself again. They made their way back to the base, where Korbin, Derek, and Jeremy were ready, beers in hand, to celebrate their victory and them returning in one piece.
Well, mostly in one piece.
Korbin nodded at Katie as she walked in and she smiled at him, knowing she would probably be summoned for a conversation sometime in the near future. But for now, it was all happy-happy and laughter.
Calvin had to skip the first part, since he was sent to the med bay to be completely checked over by one of the team doctors, who had come to their place just for that purpose.
Calvin had been beaten up and smashed and tossed around like a ragdoll during that battle, but amazingly enough, he was still standing. He was in much better shape than he had any right to be, when for all intents and purposes he should have been dead.
He knew he had come out of that when he probably shouldn’t have, and a lot of that had to do with the demon inside him.
Calvin can’t go back out right away, Pandora mentioned during the celebration. Unfortunately, nothing but medicine and rest can help him at this point. His demon did the best he could, I can tell. He fixed him
up enough to save his life, but beyond that the thing was completely baffled by what he should do next. Luckily what he did was enough, though I have to say that if he had taken a bullet there would have been nothing the demon could have done. He just isn’t that skilled.
Could you fix a bullet for me? Katie asked.
Most likely, Pandora replied.
What makes you so different? Katie wondered.
Level of power, I suppose, Pandora answered. Ain’t everyone me, baby.
Pandora, Katie continued, unable to find a laugh. I don’t think I’m ready for your brother. You said that demon wasn’t near his strength.
No, he wasn’t, Pandora agreed.
He almost killed me, Katie admitted. My back still hurts where you repaired my spine. I would have died right then and there, not to mention the thousand other times throughout last night. If he had been any stronger, I am pretty sure I wouldn’t have made it. That last blow, that last showdown—everything in me wanted to quit. It was literally the last bit of juice I had in me.
Okay. Pandora wanted to scratch an itch that had been bothering her since the showdown. Why didn’t you pull your knives? I mean, it was the stupidest thing I have ever seen in my entire life. I thought we were both done for, that you were trying to Hulk Hogan-wrestle a demon back into hell. And I’m sorry, honey, but you are not that strong—not even with my help.
Katie chuckled. Because I have been wondering for quite a while why your people don’t use weapons to kill each other? I mean, I can’t remember a time I ever saw a demon with a weapon, not in any of the battles. They always come as they are, and go down without any type of weapon. If they had weapons it would make things a lot easier for them—not that I am suggesting a change in your people’s methods. Anyway, my logical assumption was that you are your own personal weapon. Like your claws—they must do the job. I know you guys kill each other, so that isn’t a question.
Yeah. Pandora laughed. I think we kill each other more than we kill other people. Of course, when we kill each other it just shoves us down in hell a little farther, and a powerful demon like my brother? He would be gone long enough that his ability to keep control would break. It could take him centuries to climb back to his present position. I think that’s why we keep killing each other—we never fully get that satisfaction. When a human kills another human in this world, they never have to look at those dead-assed faces again. In our world, it’s only a matter of time. That’s why I don’t get why my brother is trying so desperately to send me into the depths of hell. Even if he is successful, I’ll still come back up and curse him out as I shove a red-hot poker up his ass and send him down for a while himself. There has to be some kind of final death, but I’m just not sure what it is yet.
I would not want to be there when that happened if you can come back, Katie replied. I can’t imagine there is much shopping in the depths of hell. I can totally see you being more than pissed when you came back up.
Last time I nearly decapitated him, she confided. I was planning to set his head on my mantle with its mouth taped shut for a few centuries.
You guys need family counseling. Katie giggled, putting a hand over her mouth.
Had it…he ate the counselor. She chuckled. Right out of her damn chair. It was a real shame.
You guys are unreal, Katie replied. I’m glad I was an only child.
There was a pause in their talk before Pandora broke the silence. I have to tell you something, Katie, Pandora whispered.
Yes? Katie asked.
I didn’t change your hands…
“She is going to have a tough time with this conversation.” Calvin said to Katie, “so try to be nice.”
“What?” Katie sat back, looking at Calvin, hurt in her eyes. “I am nice.”
“Yeah,” Calvin replied. He stood up when Charlotte came into Bootlegger.
“You look tired.” Calvin showed Charlotte to the table.
“It’s been a long week.” She sighed, sitting down and scooching over a bit in the booth. “This is a great restaurant, by the way. I ate here last time I was in Vegas.”
“Yeah, apparently Katie likes coming back to the scene of the crime.” Calvin chuckled.
“What crime?” Charlotte looked back and forth between the two of them.
“Nothing,” Katie replied before Calvin could chime in. “I just really like the food here, and sometimes I have to overcome my weaknesses before I can move on. Apparently Calvin is perfect.”
“It’s about time you noticed,” Calvin replied, rubbing her shoulder. “I thought I was going to go the rest of my life without someone paying attention and providing a qualified opinion about my perfection.”
“If you aren’t careful, I’ll make that time really short,” Katie replied with a smile.
“You guys act like siblings,” Charlotte cut in, watching them.
“We are family.” Calvin shrugged.
“That must be nice.” Charlotte smiled. “My publication is a whorehouse of people just trying to get featured, and my real family isn’t much to speak of either. That’s why Aunt Chloe was so important.”
“I’m sorry.” Katie winced slightly. “My real family was just my mother.”
“Not me.” Calvin rolled his eyes. “I had the biggest family on the planet.”
“Well, now that I am facing my weakness,” Katie said, opening the menu. “I have to decide what I want to get.”
The only weakness is your body, Pandora quipped. And pain is weakness leaving that body, so the more in pain you get the stronger we both become. I suggest the ravioli and the steak.
Katie ordered the steak and left it at that, deciding that Pandora’s sighs could be dealt with later. There was no way she was eating that much in front of Calvin and Charlotte. It was bad enough that the waitresses and bartender remembered her from last time and were standing around to find out what she was going to order.
“So,” Calvin began, “tell us what you found out.”
Charlotte took a bite of the little bread squares and wiped her fingers on her table napkin. “Well, I went into that pawn shop and was able to look at the video footage,” she told them. “I saw the guy’s face, but didn’t’ recognize him right away. I was walking past a news stand the next day, though, and there that asshole was, smiling for the camera. He is a Los Angeles politician, specifically a Democratic senator. He is known for his sideways politics. He gives the public what they want, as long as his hand is in that cookie jar too.”
“Like every other politician in the world,” Katie said, rolling her eyes.
And in hell, because there are a lot of them down there, Pandora added.
“So here are the screenshots from the video footage, and this is the picture from the paper,” Charlotte said, laying them out on the table. “His name is Senator Woodruff. Community favorite, made his way up from the slums. A real rags-to-riches story.”
“Gee, I wonder how that happened,” Katie snarked.
“Yeah,” Charlotte said. “Anyway, this is your guy. And after this last demon attack, it only solidifies that more since it was in LA and he is from there.”
“You did really great work,” Calvin said.
“Oh, and I sent the camera,” Katie said.
“I got it.” Charlotte nodded. “Thanks a lot.”
“So,” Calvin said, folding his hands in front of him on the table, “here is my side of the deal. On our team, I am the second. I take control if Korbin dies or becomes incapacitated. Now, along with that duty, I am also entrusted with the relationships across all the mercenary teams. That means I know everyone on every team, especially the team seconds. I’ve been speaking with someone since we made this deal, and I asked that person some very pointed questions so they would understand the severity of what we were trying to make happen. Charlotte, this is not a normal circumstance, and if it hadn’t been so serious we would have laughed and walked away or just lied and told you that we had no idea what you were talking about. This
isn’t a game, though. There are people’s lives at risk, and like we’ve been trying to tell you with your stories, if those lives are put out there to the public, they become more at risk.”
“I understand,” Charlotte said. “I mean, I think I do.”
“What he is trying to say is, you need to keep your mouth shut,” Katie added while eating a breadstick.
“Be nice,” Calvin growled.
“What? I am.” Katie shrugged. “You are a guy, so I’m going to tell it to her straight. I’m all for girl power, but I will power my girlie foot up your ass, Charlotte, if you talk about this stuff. Capiche?”
“Now,” Calvin continued, ignoring Katie, “everyone in this risks getting caught breaking some very serious, very dangerous rules. You, my dear, are the one with the most to lose in this whole deal, because if you say anything—accident or not—you will have your mind wiped. That means you will have to start over in your career…everything. Are you sure you are willing to risk that?”
The reporter took a deep breath as tears slowly made their way down her face and nodded.
Katie looked at her strangely, since she had forgotten what it was like to have a really good cry. Calvin noticed her expression and elbowed her in the side. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a generic burner phone and hit the speed dial for the team second of Hudson’s Hitmen, then lifted the phone to his ear and waited.
“Hey, it’s Calvin from Korbin’s,” he said. “Can you put Chloe on the phone? I have someone here who really would like to speak to her.”
Calvin nodded his head in response to some question they couldn’t hear. “Yeah, I got it.” He passed the phone to Charlotte.
She just held the phone for a minute waiting for Chloe to answer, then tears started streaming down her face. Katie handed her a napkin and awkwardly patted her on the shoulder.
“Aunt Chloe?” Charlotte whispered, looking down at the table.
Calvin looked at Katie with pride, puffing out his chest. Katie didn’t know if it was Pandora or what, but her only response was a small smile and a roll of her eyes. She got excited, though, when her food was set down in front of her.
