by Doug Burbey
"Because Bezzid will make a trade. The Heart of Kali, the demon bible, will be yours for this information."
"Why would you trade that to me, oh great malodorous one?"
All those teeth appeared again. Shane had a flash of what it would feel like to have them sink into his thigh and had to fight back nausea.
"Because you would not have much time, a small span of time or perhaps a medium span, but either way the book would drain you and when Bezzid takes Earth it would be mine again. But you would have your heart's desire, would you not?"
"When would you invade?"
"On the date arranged, of course. This scheduled warfare seems unintelligent, but if humans want to offer themselves to my horde, Bezzid will not refuse. Your human blood is always welcome."
"What would the Heart show me?"
"Everything. It is our creation, our history, our triumphs, our failures, our blood. But over the eons, it has become its own being. When that much blood is used in creation, life can take unusual forms."
The demon lord reached down and picked up an object and held it. Heavy and square, it looked like a book you'd see in a museum. One printed by Gutenberg or some such, and even through the portal, it called to him, the corruptions and power singing a sweet song.
"Stop," Toy's voice said and he blinked, looking at her and realized he'd taken two steps forward which almost put him within reach of a long arm. From the smirk on Bezzid's face, he'd realized that too.
"I'll need to think about it. How can I know if you are telling the truth?"
He smiled with too many teeth and Shane wondered if Bezzid tried to mimic human expressions? If so, it didn't work.
"You cannot. But are you willing to give up the opportunity for this knowledge?" The book appeared again and called to Shane, though he didn't move this time.
"If it just kills me, it doesn't do me much good."
"Maybe you will be smarter than those before you and you will find a way to soothe the heart of Kali." His voice held sweet temptation and Shane narrowed his eyes. The Fae used the same sort of temptation.
"Perhaps. I'll think on it."
The book disappeared and Bezzid shrugged. "Your choice to make for Kali. Don't take much time to decide. The end for you is coming. Soon all your hunters, the ones that try kill my kind, will be gone and Bezzid will have no need to bargain with any."
"Fine, I'll get you the numbers. I'll contact you when I have them. Where is the battle to be?"
Those teeth gleamed in the light from the other side.
"In the white mall, a mighty battle and Bezzid will drink his fill of human blood. But why waste so many hordes if Bezzid can learn ahead of time how many will await our arrival and work on reducing that number? Have your slave contact Bezzid’s when you are ready to trade. Maybe you tame the Heart of Kali."
With that, the connection snapped closed leaving Shane standing there staring at the wall.
"Are you going to tell him?" Toy's question, spoken with her mouth half full of popcorn, pulled him out of his reverie.
"Hell no but I want that book."
"It will kill you?"
"Maybe, but it will also tell me how to create my own world, Then I can go there and leave this world behind." He looked at her as he said it, braced for anger, pouting or something.
"Interesting plan," She tilted her head considering him. "A new world. That could be interesting. If the book doesn't kill you, which it will."
"Ah, but how fast? Can I learn what I need and destroy it before it kills me?" he asked, even as he started towards his desk.
I have to warn DK. This is all coming to a head and I'm beginning to think I need him and his power to create my world.
"53 hours, 24 minutes, and thirteen seconds of direct interaction. Darn, the portal closed and we were going to watch Stargate. Oh well."
Toy got up and wandered into the kitchen oblivious to the way he stared at her as she left.
Fuck me. What is she?
Chapter 40 – Grilling Up the Past
Declan sat on his back patio, drinking a beer and enjoying the silence. The blessed silence. He stared at the expensive Weber grill wondering if the steak was ready to be turned.
Don't flip it too soon. Don't fiddle. Patience is a virtue. Gordon Ramsey says to only flip twice, and that's just for the perfect grill marks. Oh yeah, gotta make it sexy.
A telltale pop emitted from the rusty old bird feeder hanging from a hook in the yard. Looking over Declan saw a faint blue glow emanating from the metal cage. A simple low magic charm, but unobtrusive and efficient for a warning device. There were several of them spread around his thickly wooded property. Someone had used magic within a half mile of his house. Nestled deep in the woods, with the nearest neighbor 3 miles away, Declan didn't get guests. The charms were proximity alarms. Declan instinctively slid his hand down to his thigh holster just to verify what he already knew, that the Glock was there and flipped open the holster release catch. He slowly withdrew the weapon and sat it on his thigh as he closed his eyes to sense. He took another drink of the beer as he pulled up his external cameras on his phone looking for the intruder then waited.
It only took Declan ten seconds to identify the approaching visitor. The unmistakable musk of a human, dosing demon and Fae blood, with a burnt musk chaser of twisting magic, meant it could only be one type of person. Although confused as to why a mage would be coming to the warded home of a demon hunter.
Knowing that the unwanted guest approached, he stood up walked to his grill with the calm illusion that he was unaware. Sensing the movement coming around the side of his house he made it clear he knew who was there. "What do you want, mage?" Declan said, as he turned to look behind to the approaching man and froze.
The Caucasian man of average height, athletic build, military ‘high fade' haircut, a fully non-military ‘foo man choo' mustache, wearing jeans and a Guns and Roses concert t-shirt broke into a grin. Above the grin, his eyes glowed a dark unnatural blue.
"Come on DK, who doesn't want a visit from a friend? I came by to say hi. Maybe have a few beers. So, what are you grilling in there?"
The voice slammed into him like a bullet from the past. He closed his eyes as he faced the grill, glad his back was to the traitor.
He’s alive. After all these years, he’s still alive and walks back into my life now? Why the fuck now?
"Bullshit Shane. One, I don't have any friends."
"Oh, yes you do" Shane interrupted. "You got that hot MILF you work for."
How the hell does he know about Cordy? And she’s a mom?
"No, she's an acquaintance and I'm an independent contractor, so I don't work for anybody but myself."
"Whatever she's still hot."
"Two, you never come by just to say “Hi.”
“Three, I told you explicitly that as far as I was concerned you were dead to me and if I ever saw you again I’d kill you.” His voice was cold, even as he kept his hand clenched on the gun so Shane couldn’t see it shake.
"Why you got to be melodramatic DK? You are so full of shit and full of yourself." Shane spoke as he walked around looking at the place, his body calm and relaxed, but Declan knew damn well he could react with magic in a second.
"That's part of the problem, Shane. I may be full of shit but you're the one who's full of himself." He didn’t take his eyes off Shane even as his mind went into overdrive.
"Damn it, Declan." Shane reached into the patio beer cooler and helped himself to a Yuengling, twisting the top off in a smooth practiced motion pitching the cap in the air. The cap hung in the air slowly tumbling end over end until Shane made a flicking motion with his finger and it continued naturally back to flight in the direction of the bushes. "You can really hold a fucking grudge you know that?"
"It's not a grudge I hold against you, Shane. I'm just done with you. What do you want?" Declan snapped back.
"I've got something that you need."
"I don't need anything
that you've got to offer, Shane. I’m not a coward. I didn’t abandon my friends and run just because it got real. And I’ve never needed your magic crap. You know I refused the training, so I’ve got no use for you or what you’re addicted to.”
"Too bad. You could have been better than me I think. You were the natural at it. And no one should have walked off Ypsilanti alive. I think the only reason you did it is because of me. You can say thank you now.” Shane smirked at him and Declan fought not to deck him. “Now you really need what I have. Information. You may not want it, but I'm going to tell it to you anyway. You may have decided to be a raging asshole about everything, but I still have a heart."
“Me? The raging asshole? Maybe. But I’m not the deserter.” Declan laughed sarcastically while slowly moving the Glock back into its holster and snapping the latch closed.
Shane stilled for a second facing away from Declan. He cleared his throat and continued. "You need to know that you've been making some people pretty pissed off."
Laughing, "Well hell Shane, I'm sure that's a long fucking list every day. It was always my best aspect."
"No, when I said, people, I was using that term very loosely." Shane sat down on a wooden slat patio chair taking another long pull off the beer and looking at Declan seriously.
"DK, your name, well the projection of your name at least, is actually passing around some of the inner rings right now. That's not good by the way."
"You mean I've made the Inner Ring Gazette? Or some vibey cross realm communications bullshit that you mages came up with? You guys do blogs with demon land now?"
"Well, you're not far off on that, DK. And no, I don't run a blog on demon information. My website is strictly for porn and you already know that. Man has to have a paying job of course." A sly smile crossed Shane's face and even Declan grinned a bit but he made it go away as he stared at the man he’d once loved as a brother.
"What I'm trying to tell you is things are moving again. I know that even though you act like you're a moron, and pretend not to give a shit, you actually do. The demons are moving around and plotting just like every government in the human realm is. It's a cold war and everyone knows it. You and I both know there's going to be another war eventually, even if everyone else is pretending like there won't be."
"Get to your point, Shane, and that's the only beer you get. I'm serious about that shit. I don't want to make a beer run as I've already had like six already."
Shane took a drag of his beer then sat it down looking at DK straight in the eyes. "The name is Bezzid. It's not well-liked among some of its peers in the realm and it is sure as hell is not going to be liked in the human realm soon."
"Why do I give a shit about whether or not a demon is liked by another damn demon?"
"DK, did you know that demons aren't supposed to like each other by their basic nature? They must compete and maneuver for power against each other if they're not at war with another species. It's like a bloodlust to dominate and control constantly pumping through their veins."
Shane paused, "It's in their nature, above everything else, they must have power and must use that power against someone or thing."
"Why?" Declan asked even as he fought not to deck or hug the man.
Why is Shane really here?
"I don't know. Maybe they get depressed and have to watch reruns of 1970s sitcoms on TV as a punishment. Who gives a shit?! Either way, there's a pretty crafty bastard in the fourth or fifth ring that's planning a play that's going to involve us, one way or the other. But what really worries me is that it’s the Director of the ICERs he is colluding with. I'm bringing this to your attention because you've already mucked up a couple of his initial plans. That's put you on his list. There ain't shit I can do about it besides tell you. So, watch your ass. There, I think that's one of the damn favors I owe you cashed in. And I'm not including this beer as I'm taking this one and fuck you, it's gratis."
The ICER’s director? Working with a demon? No way Cordy would have anything to do with that. Could he possibly be telling me the truth? Can I possibly trust anything Shane tells me anymore? I thought he was dead, I hoped he was dead.
"Thanks. I appreciate the heads up. I'll watch my back." The words were honest, even as he had no idea what to believe or who to trust.
"I'm not really concerned about that so much, Declan. I just owed you and I don't like to owe anybody anything that can't be paid for in blood. One day you're going to see that I'm right, and I'd love to have you cross over with me. We could do great things together."
"Fuck you, Shane, that's not going to happen. You chose which side you were on and betrayed us. I don't think I'm going to get over that shit anytime soon. But since you brought it up, what is it that Bezzid is planning on doing?"
"He is going to break the Treaty and try to restart the war, and humans are helping."
This got Declan's attention. He stopped and stared at Shane, feeling an involuntary tic developing on his face.
"The treaty can't be broken and you know that, Shane. The Fae enchantment was sealed with blood, then spoken by that ring seven demon committee, and finally blood signed by the ring eight Demon Lord. Only the ring nine demon God can break it itself. And the demons don't know how to talk directly to this "God" even if it really exists. I'm pretty sure that demon buddy of yours doesn't have to juice to pull off some type of bullshit like that."
This can't be right. And after all Shane and I went through together in the war, how can he be nonchalant about wholesale slaughter? How would he know this? Is he that chummy with the demons?
"If he does, rumor has it he has some type of weapon that was derived from the Blood War. He thinks he can use it to launch some sort of blistering attack back into the humans and impress his higher masters after he gets the war started up. Ta Da, instant demon promotion. Were you listening when I said it's in their nature to use power to conquer? I don't know what weapon he's got up his sleeve, but the intel is good. He’s definitely got something and don't think for a minute that he won't put it in play. "
"Let's say you are right, Shane. Then what do you think we should do about it?"
Shane hesitated for a moment. He finished his beer in a long pull, tossed the can towards the bushes, then with a twist of his hands sent a fluid-like streak of glowing energy forward, melting the can in midair. The bird feeder shrieked and sparked with the pulse of the near-magic release.
"Humanity dies," Shane said softly as he stood looking up directly at Declan. "We won't win a second Blood War, DK. We fought our fight. I'm not going to die here. If you stay, well then you get farmed like the rest of the fucking cattle. You need to seriously rethink your position. I'm almost ready and when the realm veil weakens in the demon assault, you and I need to go. And fucking fast! You have to trust me. It's solid. But if I have just a little more time, I think that together we’ll be able to take a few dozen people with us. We will rebuild all of human existence and get it right this time. Without you… well, I’ll just start it all over again without bothering with all the baggage."
DK saw the magic-twisted eyes of his best friend glowing sharp and intense. Radiating with restrained power. His combat senses forced themselves forward into his body, tingling and tensing every nerve ending and straining to invoke fight or flight for survival. He tamped it back with deliberate effort and a minor amount of his own inner magically enhanced power reserves.
Shit, I can taste the magic rolling off him. He thinks he can actually do this. Am I more afraid of him? Or a second Demon War?
"Get out Shane. I think we're done here."
Shane smirked at him one last time and turned and walked down his driveway with a saunter in his walk.
His alarm went off and he watched a car pull up, driven by a pale redheaded woman, who waited until Shane climbed in the car. Then she waved at him with a smile and drove back down the driveway. Shane never looked back.
Thoughts roiled in his head and dread tied his stomach into a knot whe
n a whiff of smoke redirected his attention to the steaks.
“Fuck!” He threw open the lid and stared mournfully down at the two hockey pucks laying on the grill. “Dammit, Shane. Those were good steaks.” His lost meal was easier to focus on than the words of someone he’d once trusted with his life.
Chapter 41 – Lighten up Georgetown
Declan stood outside the Foggy Bottom Metro Station to get his bearings. According to the mission intelligence summary that Cordy had sent him, this should be a simple cleanup job. Even after the war ended it wasn't unheard of for an occasional stray demon that had survived the battles to have successfully hidden away in the human realm. Some had even been captured and for some ridiculously unfathomable reason been kept in illegal labs to be experimented on or as a perverse sort of pet for a rich idiot.
Always a bad idea, they always get out somehow. Didn't anyone watch those dinosaur island movies?
Declan suspected that the ICER intelligence he received was manipulated. Now he always suspected he was being misled. Cordy briefed him that this was a glorified dog catcher mission. One, or possibly two, ring ones had been making a nuisance of themselves in the Georgetown area. They had been rummaging through trash bins and eating small animals. What brought it to the attention of the ICERs was the upswing, reported by the local police, in finding the bodies of homeless people that had apparently been partially eaten by wild animals. Some rather astute detectives had realized that they might not be dealing with a standard wild-animal-in-the-city attack. They became concerned that this was possibly a case of a stray demon left over from the war. Since that clearly fell in the ICERs jurisdiction, the Washington Police Department decided it was the Feds job to deal with it.
Even with the liberalization of open and concealed carry firearms laws after the war, Washington D.C. was still not considered a very friendly place to go around openly carrying a firearm. To avoid attracting attention Declan conducted this mission with a lighter loadout than normal. He wore his long hunter's coat, as they were still trending in the fashion world, or so he heard. Instead of his heavier load bearing body armor, he wore a more concealable soft Kevlar vest underneath his shirt and jacket. Add that to his jeans and heavy combat boots he did look like a middle-aged man trying to look cool by dressing trendy. This earned him a few smirks from the college set as they walked by but the sultry glance from an attractive brunette coed walking past him did get his attention.
