A Demon Does It Better

by Linda Wisdom

  “I have to do something about this,” she said, pulling her knees up while managing to pull the covers up to her chin. Even her coffee and the covers didn’t seem to provide enough warmth to combat the early morning-chilled air.

  “Just remember, you have backup now. You can’t do it alone,” Cleo warned her, settling down beside her. “There’s no way, after all these years, that I want to break in a new witch.”

  “I’m so glad you’re worried about my well-being.” She didn’t ask the cat how she knew she’d confided in Deisphe. Cleo tended to know everything. She finished her latte and waved the mug back to the kitchen.

  “Do you think it’s all that easy to find the right witch to hang out with? At least you’re not one of those New Age witches who wear tie-dyed clothing, are drenched in patchouli, and sing all the time. Please, the sixties are over, so let’s move on, thank you very much.” The fluffy feline stretched out alongside Lili, then rolled over onto her back. “It’s bad enough that people do that ‘ooh, you’re a witch’s familiar’ when, excuse me, it’s not even close. I’m nobody’s bitch.”

  Lili couldn’t help smiling as Cleo chattered away. It didn’t take a psychic to know her cat was talking to cheer her up. She obliged her furry buddy by flicking her fingers, sending colorful feathers floating in the air. Cleo gurgled happily and batted away at the bits of fluff that drifted around her.

  Between the feathers and Cleo’s purring, Lili eventually drifted back to sleep and dreamed that Jared held her in his arms.

  Chapter 15

  Jared left paradise for the underworld.

  He’d barely returned to his cell when Turtifo showed up to drag him off to the treatment room. Not that he was totally aware of what happened there. The ogre dragged him to his feet, slapped a charm on his chest, and it was lights out. When he woke up again, his body was covered with blood and agony racked his body. He felt so weak he doubted he could even lift his little finger. The impulse to roll over and throw up the acid in his system was strong, but he couldn’t even do that.

  His power was very low after his night with Lili and he usually managed a day or so to get his strength back before he was hauled off for any kind of treatment. He wasn’t as lucky this time around. He might not have known what happened, but he had the feeling there was a chance he could have died. He wasn’t about to admit to that possibility, since he had Lili to think about and protect in his own limited way.

  Now he was sprawled on the ragged mattress, and his pain was drowning out the laughter in the hallway.

  “Think he’ll last much longer? He was a mess when we dragged him outta there.” Coing said. The scent of his cigarette drifted through the bars in the door. “He’s always been a strong sonofabitch, but he sure went down fast this time.”

  Jared wasn’t sure what they smoked, but whatever it was, it smelled like ancient shit. For now, he was too absorbed in blocking out the pain and wishing he could instantly heal the cuts along his arms and legs.

  “He better. He’s the only thing that keeps us going too. The boss promised we’d always be along for the ride.” The stench from Turtifo’s unwashed body joined the smell of the cigarettes. “He gives off a lot more power than the others have combined.”

  “What do you think he does when he uses that portal?”

  “No idea, and I don’t care. He told us not to think about it, and it’s a lot safer not to. Otherwise, we could end up like the others.”

  Jared frowned but discovered even that hurt. The others? Could they be talking about Lili’s friend and the other missing nurses? He saw a hint of shadow at the bars and quickly closed his eyes, keeping his breathing even as if he was still unconscious. For some reason, they were talkative, and he needed to listen in, so he could tell Lili what he learned.

  “He still out?” Coing asked.

  “Yeah, and not waking up any time soon.” Turtifo’s laughter rumbled. “His last ‘treatment’ took a lot out of him.”

  “Too bad we don’t have that witch down here.” Coing’s laughter was lewd. “I bet she’d have a lot to give.” His cohort joined him in ideas of what they could do with Lili.

  “Fuck it; she’s got major protection going on. You see the sigils in her lab coat and scrubs? Somebody’s made sure nothing can hurt her,” Turtifo snarled. “Wonder who she screwed to get them? I wouldn’t mind bending her over a table.” He went on to fantasize what it would be like if he had her.

  Jared’s temper overtook the pain racking his body. He clenched his hands at his sides, imagining popping his captors’ heads like melons. After that, it was easy to visualize tearing them apart like a couple of wishbones, but eventually his pain receptors went on overload, and it was lights out all the way around.

  ***

  Lili wasn’t looking forward to her shift that night. She would be working the ER and not allowed below, although she’d try to sneak in if she could. She wanted to make sure Jared was all right. She’d had a bad feeling all day that something was wrong, but she didn’t have any way of finding out.

  She sent a wallmail to Maggie, asking for advice while making sure not to mention everything. She didn’t want her friend going to Eurydice, who would ensure Lili was out of the hospital ASAP.

  Then she did the next best thing by going to Inderman.

  “My darling Lili!” Asmeth held out his arms and gathered her in. His smile turned a bit dim as he leaned back and studied her. “You are upset. What is wrong, and how may I help you?”

  Lili opened her mouth and then did the unthinkable. She broke into tears, the kind of heartrending sobs that couldn’t stop easily.

  “No, no.” He hustled her through his shop and into the rear, where he sat her down and rapped out sharp orders for tea. “Do not cry,” he crooned, bringing forward a handkerchief and pushing it into her hands. “Tell me what troubles you. What I can do. It is Jared, is it not? Is he all right? Well, as all right as he can be in that place?”

  Lili gulped, trying to organize her thoughts into a semblance of order. She took a deep breath.

  “You can’t pass on what I tell you,” she whispered, as if afraid of being overheard. “If the wrong people were to find out—well, it would be very bad.” She started shaking so hard her teeth chattered.

  Asmeth poured the tea and pushed the cup into her hands, making sure her palms enfolded the porcelain object for warmth. He added a lacy cashmere wrap around her shoulders and carefully tucked it around her.

  She managed a weak smile and leaned over, pressing her lips against his cheek. “You take such good care of me.”

  “You are the daughter I couldn’t have.” He beamed. “And you must tell me what troubles you.”

  After that, the words tumbled out. She spoke of her further suspicions about Dr. Mortimer, her talks with the wizard, his insistence that Jared could never be discharged, and how, beyond losing her job, she could be banned from the asylum altogether.

  “I can’t abandon Jared there,” she declared. “But I have no way to get the brand off him, since it’s demon-bound. His time out of there is limited, and being there drains his power. There’s no way I can get him far enough away without him being pulled back there.”

  Asmeth nodded. “I have conducted some discreet research on shadow demons, along with Jared’s history.” He held up his hand. “No one knows what I was doing, because I kept it as a broad subject.” He inclined a hand, gesturing to scrolls stacked neatly on a delicate teak table. “Did you know that Jared’s insanity from the blood ingestion wouldn’t be eternal? Like any disease, it can fade away, and from what I have discovered, it must have done so years ago. If there is any damage to him mentally, it is because someone else has caused it.”

  “Dr. Mortimer,” she said to herself.

  He nodded. “I have looked into records you would not have access to.”

  Lili understood he meant anything to do with wizards.

  “The Physics Council’s database has him listed as a well-qualified doct
or and highly revered in his field,” she said.

  Asmeth poured more tea into her cup as the delicate hint of jasmine wafted through the air.

  “As it is said among the wizards,” he agreed, flicking an etched gold hookah and picking up the pipe. “But there are things missing there.” He raised an eyebrow as he smoked.

  “And no way to know what they are,” she sighed.

  “Not so much words about him but periods of time,” Asmeth pointed out. “As in missing.”

  Lili shook her head, feeling even more confused. “Time? I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”

  He tapped his pudgy bejeweled fingers together. “There have been times when Hieronymus Mortimer seemed to drop out of sight. He has always worked in hospital administration or research and treatment for the mentally unbalanced. But it appears there are times when he isn’t visible.” He frowned as if trying out the explanation inside his head.

  “Do you mean he was just gone? As in poof?” She held up her hands, magick dancing on her fingertips.

  “Yes, that is it.” He looked relieved. “Hieronymus would not be in touch with any his colleagues. He couldn’t be found at any of his private establishments.”

  “As in a wizards’ club?” she asked.

  He nodded. “Did you honestly think the British started that tradition? There are many private clubs available for us, depending on our interests.”

  “Of course.” Lili couldn’t help but smile. She hadn’t realized at first that the tea Asmeth served her was meant to relax her. Now she felt more in control. She should have known what he had done, since he taught her the technique years ago, and she used it with troublesome patients.

  “Most of us might say something if we decide to visit another plane for a few centuries.” He spoke of it as if he merely meant a weekend away. “Hieronymus never discussed his travels. All of a sudden, he would be gone.” He looked at Lili. “You feel something is wrong, Lilianna. Please tell me.”

  Chapter 16

  Lili felt a chill settling in her bones. She raised her hands in defeat.

  “I don’t know,” she whispered. “I feel there’s something wrong, and I don’t know how to fix it. Jared’s in danger, Asmeth, and I can’t help him.”

  “And what of you?” His kind face warmed in a gentle smile. “Do you not worry for yourself? You obviously feel Dr. Mortimer has done something that is considered prohibited. If he has, and you feel at risk, then he could do something to you.”

  She paused at his question. The memory of her dream still haunted her. What if it wasn’t just a dream but a premonition? She licked her dry lips and took another sip of tea, allowing the hot liquid to calm her nerves.

  “I had a dream,” she said slowly, looking down at her hands, which lay in her lap, moving restlessly.

  He leaned over and touched her hand, silently urging her to continue.

  Lili spoke in fits and starts. Asmeth only offered her silent comfort, not saying a word to urge her to continue. He allowed her to go at her own pace. By the time she finished, she felt like a piece of overcooked spaghetti. It wasn’t until Asmeth handed her a handkerchief that she realized she’d been crying.

  “What did Jared say about this? He was with you, wasn’t he?”

  She nodded, beyond embarrassment that the wizard had figured out her love life. It was no wonder, since her connection with Jared was so strong.

  “I have to get him out of there, and I don’t know how. I’m afraid,” she gulped. “I’m afraid he’ll die there. Or disappear the way Sera and the others did.” She stared down at her hands, seeing sparks of dark red fly off her fingers. She took several deep breaths to compose her magick.

  Asmeth stood up and retreated to a corner of the large room. He opened a carved box, rummaged inside, and returned holding something. He took one of her hands, opened it, and carefully placed a piece of rose quartz in the palm, then closed her hand over the stone.

  Lili smiled as she felt the crystal warm from her skin and offer its calming properties.

  “You have no proof, do you?” he asked softly.

  She shook her head. “Nothing to take to anyone in charge. He’s an icon in the medical field. Dr. Mortimer’s medical practices are widely known and respected. Who will believe me if I say he’s performing dark magick?” She heard her voice take on a high pitch and reminded herself she had to remain in control.

  “Have you spoken to Eurydice?”

  Another shake of the head. “Again, no evidence. I’ve sent her a few wallmails, reporting that it’s as if Sera and the other nurses disappeared into thin air.”

  “What of their families or loved ones? No one was worried about them?”

  Lili opened her mouth, then closed it again. “Families,” she said softly. She swung around, keeping the rose quartz in one hand while gripping his hands with the other. She paused for a second, forcing her breathing to slow down. “Sera had no family. She and her last boyfriend broke up more than a year ago. I think it was another reason why she wanted to leave Chicago.” Her mind started to whirl with possibilities. “Could that be one of the reasons why she’s gone? There would be no one looking for her. What if it’s the same with the others?” Her hold on his hands tightened until his skin turned pale from the pressure. She shot him a look of apology as she realized what she’d done and released his hands. “I need to find out about them, discover if they’re also without any family. But I would think they’d have friends who’d matter.”

  “And perhaps not.” He urged her to finish her tea.

  “I need to find out,” she decided. “I think Deisphe is on duty tonight. Maybe she knows. If she knows nothing, someone else there might. It seems everyone who vanished originally worked in the ER.”

  “You must be careful,” Asmeth cautioned her. “Hieronymus has been around a very long time and gathered much power over the centuries. If he is involved in any wrongdoing, he will not allow you to interfere.”

  Lili’s head bobbed up and down. “I’m glad I told you of my suspicions. That way, if something…” She didn’t want to voice the words. “If something goes wrong, someone else will know.”

  “My dear, you have me and Eurydice, who will tear all the planes apart to find our favorite witch. You are not to worry.” He pushed the quartz back at her when she tried to return it. “Keep it with you. And wait.” He revisited the wooden chest and came back with another stone, this one red jasper. “Strong protection. You keep it with you at all times. Wear your charmed clothing at the hospital when you are on duty, but you also remain vigilant.” He squeezed her hands tightly. “I do not wish to look for a new doctor,” he said lightly.

  She could feel the power emanating from the stone and knew the wizard had added more magick to the gem.

  “Now I shall give you some pleasant news,” he said lightly. “Cassie has enrolled in college and Kevin is under the tutelage of a good friend. Both are thriving in their new home and new lives. I crafted protection runes for them both, so they cannot be found by either Kevin’s sire or anyone else who means them harm.”

  Lili smiled, feeling better at hearing his words. “I’m glad to hear that. How did you manage to talk her into attending college?”

  “I merely paid the fees and told her she must make use of the opportunity. I can be very persuasive when I’m of a mind to,” he assured her with his typical warmth. He touched her chin with two fingers and tipped it up. “Do you love Jared?”

  She blinked rapidly to keep her tears back. “Yes.”

  Asmeth’s beard quivered with his broad smile. “I thought so. You two are beautiful together.”

  “But even if I can find a way to free him from the hospital, the demons will want him back.”

  He shook his head. “Not once it’s proven he hasn’t been ill in a long time. I am certain I can help you convince his mother and the Demon Council that Jared was never as deranged as they thought he was. I feel changes in the air, my Lilianna. Good changes for you.” He patte
d her hand. “Everything will turn out all right.”

  His light kiss on her forehead prickled from his beard but also felt like another charm. For all she knew, it was.

  Lili left Asmeth’s quarters lighter in heart and calmer. She only hoped she could retain the feeling when she walked into the hospital that night.

  ***

  “And the mood is gone,” Lili muttered, staring at her first patient of the night.

  “Icky,” he/she moaned, rolling back and forth on the gurney.

  “OMG.” Deisphe made a this is totally gross expression as she skidded into the curtained area.

  “Icky,” the milky-colored, gelatinous mass of a patient repeated mournfully.

  “Where do you feel icky?” Lili asked.

  “Tummy. Too many castigats,” he confessed, holding what might have been his stomach as he moaned and groaned. Deisphe made a gagging sound. “You actually ate those? They’re disgusting!” She drew a picture in the air that Lili picked up on right away.

  Lili knew that castigats were a delicacy among some creatures. They were hot pink squirming maggots that squirted a thick fluid. And this Fooz had imbibed enough acid-flavored worms to put him/her in serious stomach distress.

  He/she started caterwauling.

  “Geranium tea,” she prescribed. “It should soothe his stomach.”

  Lili’s patient held out a globby hand. “Make icky go away?” he whined.

  “The nurse will bring some tea you need to drink. And she’ll bring a couple more packets of tea you need to drink tonight. Stay away from castigats.”

  The Fooz nodded. “Good doctor.”

  She smiled and left him/her to Deisphe.

  “We rotate on who treats the Foozes that come in,” Dr. Heron told her with a mischievous grin. “It was your lucky day.”

  “If a Bloater shows up today, I’m not here,” she told him. She’d barely started her shift, and she was already desperate for every doctor’s lifeblood, also known as coffee.