Denny closed her eyes again and watched the water as it rose to her chest. It took forever to fill the tub. “It saved me,” she said softly. “They tried to drown me in a coffin, but it...he...” she shook her head.
“It what, baby?”
A single tear rolled down Denny’s face. “He saved me. Like he saved my mom.” Opening her eyes, she looked at Rush, wishing for the millionth time that the ghost was alive. “The night of the accident...everyone, including me, thought Mom had been blown away from the car. The witness was so certain she’d been trapped––so certain she could not have crawled out from under the car herself. But she wasn’t alone. She wasn’t blown up. The Hanta saved her. I’m sure of it.”
“You’re romanticizing this, Den. The demon saved itself.”
Wiping her eyes, Denny nodded. “Oh, I understand that. I really do, but in the end, all I could think about was that he saved us both, and I finally know why.” Denny reached over and turned the water off. “This is my destiny. It is what I have been chosen to do, like my ancestors before me. My job in this life is to protect people from the many demons roaming the earth, and I can’t do that without the Hanta.”
Rush nodded sadly. “It is a lonely life, baby. One filled with death and fear and darkness. I wanted so much more for you.”
“I am aware of that, Rush, but I’m beginning to surround myself with people who can assist me on my journey down this dark path. Mom knew how to do that. I can as well.”
“People like Valeria?”
“People like Cassandra.”
“I’m not fond of that horny bitch.”
“Whatever else she is, she’s lent me a hand twice now. That must count for something.”
“Doesn’t mean I have to like her.”
Denny grinned and doing so hurt her face. “No, no it doesn’t, but I have a powerful coven behind me. I have Lauren’s mighty brain and the boys’ powerful bodies. I have Ames and...” she paused to look into Rush’s eyes. “I have you.”
Rush sighed. “You will always have me, baby. I am so sorry you lost your mind when I went away, but I won’t go again. You have my word on that.” Rush’s smile looked forced. “So what now, demon hunter? I know you have other irons in the fire.”
“Now, I pay the D.A. a little visit to make certain he pulls the trigger and gets Quick out of jail.”
“No rest for the wicked.”
“Isn’t that the truth?”
***
Denny’s Journal
Morning came too early for me, but that was becoming customary for one who walks in the night’s shadows. Every muscle ached, but my wounds looked several days old already. If there existed anything weird about having this power inside, it was my rapid healing ability.
Standing in front of the mirror, I surveyed the damage. My cheek was bruised, I had a cut on my forehead, my lower lip was cut, and my nose had a cut across the bridge.
And that was just my face.
My shoulder was bruised from where the bolts had entered but the hole looked more like a cigarette burn than a puncture wound. I lightly fingered it, wondering how close I’d come to death last night. How close I’d come to losing the Hanta.
Peering at my eyes, I suddenly remembered looking deeply into Valeria’s. They were, if I wasn’t mistaken, lavender, like Liz Taylor’s, and filled with the wisdom of the ages. I had wanted to speak more with her––to talk about my mom. I can only hope to see her again someday, under less stressful circumstances. If she was my mom’s champion, I want to know everything I can about her.
I can’t help wondering where she lives. What does she do during her days? How did she become so powerful? I had so many questions and not nearly enough answers.
I suspected that will be the way of my world now.
Rush was right about Valeria buying me time. Asmodeus will surely be back. If not next month or next year, maybe next decade or century. It is incumbent upon me to slow down now and educate myself––about demons, about witches, about all things supernatural. I need to take better care of myself, and the best way to do that is to learn far more than the minuscule amount of knowledge I possess.
Sure, I’ve been enamored with the cool weapons and super-human strength, but it will be knowledge that will save my bacon and the bacon of those I care about.
Valeria bought me time and I will use it wisely. I will stop stalking the streets at night and instead, I will spend that time reading all of my mother’s journals, and begin to systematically read every book in my library.
I owe it to my mother and our legacy to be the best hunter I can be––to help as many of those in need as I can.
And I will.
***
Denny threw on on some jeans and a button-down shirt, and was heading downstairs when the doorbell rang.
There stood Brianna with a coffee in one hand and a bag of goodies in the other.
“Hey!” Denny said, feeling her face light up.
She smiled. “I knew you’d need some nourishment after last night’s battle. I came to see if you needed some poultice or unguent for those wounds.”
“Come in, come in. I was just getting dressed.”
Brianna paused and studied Denny’s battered face. “Jeez, Denny, you heal fast. Last night, you had a pretty good shiner and a jagged gash across your forehead.”
“Yeah, just one of the many perks of being possessed.” Denny led her to the living room sofa, where they sat next to each other.
“You’ll need a plate.”
Denny got one and returned to find Brianna unwrapping an enormous breakfast burrito. “Are we having a party?”
Brianna set the burrito on the plate and carefully prepared it for her, pouring all kinds of sauces over it.
It smelled delicious.
“Trust me. After what I saw last night, you’ll eat the whole thing.”
Denny smiled at her. “Thank you. And thank you for last night.”
Brianna half turned, her eyes intense. “You need a woman, Denny, and not Cassandra.” She held up a hand before Denny could reply. “As your friend, I just want to warn you that, like you, she is a hunter––well, not so much a hunter as she is a collector. She collects hearts. Once she has them, she quickly bores and moves on. You don’t need that right now. What you need is stability and consistency.”
“My heart isn’t really in question here, Bri.”
She looked at Denny. “I don’t want you to lose yours.” Handing Denny the plate, she ordered her to eat. “You are a dalliance for Cassandra right now––a blip on her sexual radar. Be careful you don’t make it into anything more than that.”
“About Cassandra––” Denny said, mouth full.
“No, you don’t talk. You just eat and listen. I don’t know how much you know about Valeria, but she’s a wonderful ally to have and she clearly favors you and your family.”
“Well, I don’t––”
“Not finished. Be careful, though. No one acts purely out of altruistic reasons, especially not witches.”
Denny’s fork paused in mid air. “Not even you?”
Brianna sipped her coffee. “Not even me. You must be incredibly discerning about who you trust. You need better filters, a better guide. You need someone who cares only about your health and well-being, who can guide you away from women such as Cassandra.”
Denny looked up at her. “Such as?”
“The same one you’ve always relied on. Rush.”
Denny swallowed. The burrito was delicious. “Rush?”
Brianna leaned forward; their knees touched. “Just because you two are no longer lovers doesn’t mean she’s abandoned you. Rush has always been your confidante, Denny. She has no ulterior motive and she’s a good judge of character.”
“Did Rush put you up to this?”
Brianna shook her head. “She didn’t have to, but yes. We spoke, and I don’t think you realize how deeply she cares for you.”
Denny set her fork down. �
��Sure I do.”
Brianna laid her hand on Denny’s thigh. “Do you? Do you know it was Rush who went to your mother and asked that she contact Valeria?”
Denny was speechless.
She leaned closer. “You have no idea about the loyalty you inspire in people. Those who love you, like your friends yesterday, will risk everything for you. I don’t think you grasp the enormity of that responsibility within you. You cannot continue risking your friends’ lives. So far, you’ve been lucky, but there will come a time when that luck will run out.” She removed her hand. “It’s time for you to enter the dark world of the supernatural allied only with those who can navigate those waters with you. If you do not, you may very well lose those you love.”
Denny swallowed once more, thinking of how she’d already put Lauren and Victor in danger. “I appreciate your brutal honesty, Bri. I really do. And you’re right. Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. I am here for you, always. I want you to know that. So is Rush. Trust her. Trust her instincts. She saved your life last night by helping to contact the only witch in Savannah who Asmodeus truly fears.”
Rush appeared suddenly. “Please don’t be mad.”
Denny realized she had made plenty of mistakes these last few months––mistakes that hadn’t yet cost her more than she could afford to lose—but that she had almost lost the best friend she’d ever had.
The time had come for her to stop.
“God, Rush, I’m so sorry. No, I’m not mad. Of course I’m not mad. I’ve been fumbling and bumbling along, not really considering––”
“I just want to be part of your life, Denny. I want to watch out for you like I have been since you were a little girl. Please don’t push me away because we’re not lovers anymore.”
“I won’t.” Denny looked at Brianna. “So, how long have you two been in cahoots?”
“Is that important?” Brianna looked to Rush and Denny knew–– too late––she’d been ganged up on.
“I suppose not.”
Brianna rose. “Good. Now that that’s settled, I can return to work knowing we’ve screwed your head back on your shoulders, right?”
Denny stood and hugged her. “Right. Thank you. For everything.”
“You have a great many things to learn, Denny. When in doubt, trust this woman. She will never steer you wrong.”
When Brianna left, Denny turned back to Rush. “So, you went to my mom?” She chuckled slightly. “Will you ever cease to amaze me?”
“No, smarty pants, I won’t.”
“But Brianna?”
“Look, back when you were acting like a crazy person, she was so worried, tears sprang in her eyes when she spoke about you. I don’t know how you blew it, but you could have had a good thing with her. She adores you.”
“We’re just friends.”
“Yeah, but you could have been more. Much more. You’re just too dim to see it.”
“Yeah, well, she’s moved on, which is probably just as well.”
Rush shook her head. “She’s right about you needing a friend, you know? You can’t do this demon hunting gig alone.”
Denny nodded. “But I’m not alone, am I?”
Rush smiled. “No. You certainly are not. And you never will be.”
***
“Valeria, eh? Haven’t heard from her in a long time. She comes and goes at her pleasure. So, she sent the Magyar packing?” Ames sat next to Denny, his hand wrapped around a steaming coffee mug. “Good for her. Good for you.”
Denny nodded. They were sitting on the swing on his front porch. “He would have taken the Hanta and then killed me.”
“Yes, he would have. You’re lucky Valeria came to your aid. She is a very powerful witch with a lot of connections in the supernatural world. She and your mother were, well, they were more than allies. They were a team. The supernatural world of darkness fears her powers.”
“Powerful enough to scare higher-level demons––tell me about that.”
“Well, remember I told you that Asmodeus is found in several religious texts, from the Book of Tobit to the Bible? Although there are very few beings capable of summoning a demon as powerful as he, Valeria is one such being. To do so, however, would start a war no one would win, with the casualties being heaviest on the human side.”
“He won’t fight her?”
“Fight her? Oh no, Goldy, Asmodeus is a coward. That’s why he always sends his minions. He doesn’t want confrontation. My guess is he had no idea you were hooked up with Valeria. He’s dropped back to punt, but how far back remains to be seen.”
“He still has one ball in play.”
“Quick?”
Denny nodded. “But I’m about to knock that ball out of the stadium.”
“Your detective worth the money?”
“Every cent. I just have to get to the D.A. tonight to remind him what’s at stake.”
“Tonight? You so sure that’s wise? You’re pretty beat up.”
Denny inhaled deeply, her ribs reminding her of just how battered she was. “I need to end this and get Quick out of jail. Once I do that, I can get to the matter of proper training.”
Ames looked askance at her. “Proper training?”
“You’ve taught me so much on the fly, Ames, and for that, I am grateful, but it’s time I slowed down and learned all I need to know to do the job correctly.”
Ames looked hard into her eyes. “I have to say, I’m stunned you didn’t let it go. You had the chance to live the rest of your life demon-free.”
“I couldn’t. Not to the likes of some creepy Magyar demon. When and if Iever let go of the Hanta, it will be when I am ready, and not a moment before.”
“Two weeks ago you would have.”
“Two weeks ago I wasn’t who I am now.”
“The demon hunter?”
“Damn straight, Skippy, and there’s one more thing this hunter needs.”
***
When the D.A. got out of his car, Denny was waiting for him in his garage.
“Holy shit, Silver, you scared the crap out of me. How did you get in here?”
“Not important. My detective gave you all the evidence she dug up, didn’t she?”
He nodded, his eyes flashing left and right.
“You’ll file charges tomorrow against that scumbag. I’ll pay him a visit and make sure he stays in town and relatively safe.”
“I don’t know where he is. I’ve sent investigators out, but––”
Denny walked around the front of the car. “I don’t need you to. You see, I’ve got a pretty fucking awesome team to back me. I know every move he makes.” She stepped right up to the D.A. and growled. “And I want him incarcerated and my brother set free. Are we clear?”
He nodded. “You are...evil.”
Denny grabbed him by the throat and lifted him off the ground before shoving him against a cabinet. “No. Evil is incarcerating an innocent man in an effort to move your sagging career forward. What did the demon promise you? A senate seat? Congress? What? What was my brother’s life worth to you?”
The D.A., eyes watering, shook his head. “None. Nothing like that.”
Denny lowered him back to the ground. “What then?”
“My youngest is sick. He promised to make her well.”
She released his neck. “You know he can’t really do that, right? Only by possessing her can he heal her.”
“But he said––”
“Demons lie all the time. All. The. Time. So whatever he promised you is never gonna happen. Dude, demons destroy, not repair. You should have hooked up with an angel or something.”
“Angels...I don’t––”
“Know any? Of course you don’t.” Denny shook her head as she backed away. “You make the murder charges stick to Counselor Jones and you can have your life back. You let me down and my brother remains in jail, it won’t be pretty.” She turned to leave, then stopped. “And I want you out of Savannah. Out of Georgia. I do
n’t care where you go, but you’re done here.”
As Denny started to leave, she heard the click of a chamber as it turned. Slowly facing him, she stared down the barrel of an old Colt.
“Seriously? You think shooting me will be an answer to your woes? Are you going to also shoot the detective, who knows I’m here? My friends, who know I’m breaking this case? And need I remind you what happened the last time you pointed a gun at me?” Denny moved so swiftly, the D.A. couldn’t press the trigger before she knocked it out of his trembling hands.
“Dude. You so suck. I think I’ll just go in there and end your daughter’s life sooner rather than later.”
“No!”
Denny stopped. “Look, I’m giving you an opportunity to save your family and what do you do? You draw down on me. Who are you? Pull yourself together and get to work building a case against Tyler Jones. I want daily updates. You can email them to the University librarian.”
He nodded.
“And buck up, will you? If you ask me, you’re getting off easy. Most demons would have gutted you for setting up their family member. I’m letting you walk. I won’t be so kind next time.”
***
When Denny pulled away from his house, she turned on the locator app that would let her know exactly where Tyler Jones was.
And he wasn’t far.
Less than half an hour away, she found him in a cheap backwater bar drinking his sorrows away.
Sliding up next to him at the bar, Denny said, “This place is a dive.”
When Jones tried to push away from her, she slammed her hand down on his wrist, pinning him to the bar. “Make one sound other than answering what I ask and I’ll break your wrist on my way to every bone in your body.”
Jones curled his upper lip at her. “Don’t be a fool, Silver. You can’t possibly do anything to me in here.”
“Who said I wanted to do anything to you? It’s simple math, Einstein. I need you alive...but just you. Your demon needs to go bye-bye.”
“You’re kidding, right? You don’t have what it takes.”
“I don’t kid about demons, Jack, so I’m going to give you a couple of options here. One, you can just exit the host and we can call it a day.”
“Fuck you.”
Demon Within (The Silver Legacy Book 2) Page 26
