A Fistful of Demons

by Lily Harper Hart

  “You’re a human. Do you want to kill everybody because other humans do it?”

  Astra nodded. “A lot of the time.”

  Hannah shot her a dark look. “Don’t listen to her. She’s not a normal human being. In fact, I’m not even sure she really is human.”

  “Oh, that’s rich,” Astra snapped. “I’m the one who was injured doing research for you in the first place and now you’re attacking me. That’s just … see if I ever help you again.”

  Hannah was more confused than ever. “You were doing research for me? In a cave? That doesn’t make any sense.”

  “I wasn’t doing research in here. I was looking for river rocks. There used to be some in this cave. How do I know? Because I stored them in here.”

  “River rocks? Why would that be important?”

  “Because they can be used to kill my kind,” the demon replied, eyes heavy. “I was looking for them myself to end things quicker. That’s why I’m in here.”

  “Oh, well … .” Torn, Hannah made up her mind on the spot and moved closer to the demon. “Can you show me where you’re hurt?”

  Astra was incredulous. “Are you kidding me? You’re going to help the demon instead of me. This is just … .” Her eyes flashed with annoyance when they landed on Abigail’s ghost. “This is all your fault. I told you that Casper Creek should’ve been mine. She’s so stupid she’s going to ruin everything.”

  “Shut up, Astra,” Abigail intoned. “I don’t want to hear another word come from your mouth.”

  “Right back at you.”

  Hannah ignored the squabbling and extended her hands as she stepped forward. “I just want to see,” she promised the demon. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “I believe you’ve already hurt me,” he shot back. “You’re the reason I’m in this mess. Well, you and the other witches who ripped me from the devil boy.”

  Hannah swished her lips but continued forward, stopping when she was directly in front of the demon and lowering herself to a knee. Her fingers were shaky, tentative, as she reached out. Instead of putting up a fight, though, the demon let loose a dramatic sigh and leaned so she could see the wound better.

  She almost wished he would’ve kept it hidden. The huge, gaping hole in the creature’s side was oozing and gross, to the point where she was certain she would have nightmares. She swallowed hard.

  “Well, that doesn’t look good,” she said finally.

  “Oh, you think?” The demon rolled his eyes. “Can’t you just kill me and get it over with? I’m ready to leave this world.”

  “I’ll kill you if someone will carry me over there,” Astra offered. “Just so you know, I’m going to collect all your bile first, though, because it’s useful for potions and spells.”

  “Ugh. Make that thing shut up.” The demon sounded weak and pathetic. “I need to die. Why can’t I just die?”

  The more the demon talked, the more confused Hannah got. “How did this happen?” She gestured toward the wound. “I mean … this almost looks as if someone ripped part of your body apart and then … took it or something.”

  The demon heaved out a dramatic sigh. “That’s basically what happened.”

  “And we did this?” She felt guilty, which was odd given the circumstances. “I thought we were basically blowing your consciousness out of Logan. I didn’t realize we were tearing you apart.”

  “You did blow me out of his body,” the demon confirmed. “You have no idea how excited I was when you guys showed up. I knew exactly what you had planned. I thought I would finally be able to carry out my escape.”

  “Your escape?”

  “From the boy.”

  “I don’t … .” Hannah flicked her eyes to Astra, unsure. “Do you know what he’s saying?”

  “A little,” Astra confirmed. “We had a talk while we were waiting for you.”

  “Wait … you knew I was coming?”

  “Abigail said she would get help,” Astra clarified, her white hair gleaming thanks to the limited light allotted from the lanterns. “I thought she meant Cooper. When she came back with you, I was disappointed but … beggars can’t be choosers, right?”

  Hannah was doing her best to keep from exploding, but she was starting to consider the fact that it might be a lost cause. “Just so I’m clear, you thought Cooper was going to rush to your rescue. While you were waiting, however, you had a talk with the demon. Did he explain anything of importance?”

  “Just that it was the boy providing the evil influence,” Astra replied. “He says that the boy sought him out. He’s corporeal when he’s outside of the boy – although he can change that up because he’s a shadow walker – and loses his form inside.”

  Hannah wrinkled her nose. “How does that work?”

  “It’s a modern marvel,” the demon drawled. “What does it matter how it works? Basically I was minding my own business, fostering ferrets, and that little … heathen … called me to him. I wasn’t even sure what was happening. Do you know the last time I was forced to possess someone? No? I don’t either because it’s never happened.”

  Hannah was truly at a loss. “You’re saying that Logan called you to him because … why?”

  “Because he wanted my magic. Demons have powers, too. Witches aren’t the only ones with magic. I know you guys like to feel high and mighty, but it’s simply not true.”

  “I know very little about witches,” Hannah admitted. “I know even less about demons. I’m trying to understand, not torture you or anything. I’m simply confused. You’re basically saying that a small child somehow called you to him and then trapped you inside so he could use your magic to do terrible things.”

  “If I had opposable thumbs, this is where I would flash one in your direction,” the demon drawled. “You nut-shelled it, but that’s basically it.”

  Hannah rolled the new information through her head. “What is Logan?”

  “That’s a good question.” Astra perked up. “If he was strong enough to trap you, that means he has to be something good.”

  “He’s a Cambion. His father was a demon that mated with a human. He must’ve been a powerful demon to create that little monster.”

  “Todd Lincoln was a demon?” Hannah queried. “That doesn’t sound right. How did he get caught unaware if he knew what his son was?”

  “Todd Lincoln wasn’t the boy’s father,” the demon countered. “The mother had an affair. Todd knew it. That’s why he treated the boy so terribly. He blamed the boy for existing even though the mother was clearly seduced. If I had to guess, it was an incubus … and a powerful one. I can’t be sure, though.”

  “Oh, that makes sense.” Astra shifted on the floor. “I’ve always wanted to meet an incubus. I think we would have loads in common.”

  “Since you’re both evil?” Hannah shot back, rolling her neck. “I’ve read a little on incubi. Just basic stuff. They seduce and conquer, right? I thought they killed with sex.”

  “That’s often the case,” the demon confirmed. “Apparently he didn’t kill Lindsey, though. Todd knew the boy wasn’t his, but they stayed together. Things probably would’ve been better for all concerned if they separated.

  “Todd was incredibly cruel to Logan – something I witnessed on a regular basis – but Logan treated it like a game,” he continued. “He trapped me inside of him, tapped into my magic, and went on a neighborhood mayhem spree.

  “He killed dogs and cats … and neighbors. Some neighbors bothered him enough that he thought death was too easy and he tortured them in other ways. Like Sandra Clarke. She tattled on him to Lindsey numerous times, got his video games taken away, so he used my powers to influence her husband to cheat on her … and then announce the information at a neighborhood barbecue in front of everybody. He got off watching her fall apart.”

  Hannah was officially horrified. “So, when we blew you out of the boy, he tried to keep hold of you and that’s how you were injured.”

  “Pretty much.”


  “Can you be healed?”

  “Yes, but I would need to visit the healing springs. I can’t as long as the boy holds me here.”

  “Holds you here?” Hannah straightened. “How is he doing that?”

  “He’s powerful. We have a bond now thanks to the fact that we’ve shared a body for so long. He can find me whenever he wants … and he’s coming.”

  Hannah’s blood ran cold at the prospect. “He’s coming out here? Why? How will he be able to find this cave?”

  “I sensed the cave when he was out here the other day. I could smell the river rocks. They were gone, but I could smell the remnants. I thought if I could overtake him long enough to find the rocks that I would be able to kill myself. Even death is better than being caught in that devil’s mind. You have no idea.”

  Things slowly started to slip into place for Hannah. “Did you charm the snake?”

  The demon nodded. “The boy and I were fighting for control that day. When I sensed the snake, I thought I had an out. If the snake bit the boy, his human body would’ve failed. Eventually, once he grew weak enough, I would’ve been able to escape. You stopped that when you froze the snake.”

  “Good job,” Astra enthused, sarcasm practically dripping from her tongue. “That was a smart move.”

  Hannah balked. “I didn’t know. How could I possibly have known that?”

  “You couldn’t have known,” the demon replied. “I don’t blame you for this. That’s why I didn’t kill you, even when I had the chance. I did try to warn you the night I entered your apartment in my shadow form. When I returned, I was simply looking for healing springs ointment. I sensed you had some in the apartment. I was not trying to hurt you.”

  Hannah slid her eyes to Abigail. “Is there healing ointment in the cabinet?”

  Abigail nodded. “Yes. Have you managed to open it yet?”

  “The other night.”

  Abigail clapped her ethereal hands, although no sound came out. “That must mean you opened your heart to Cooper. That’s the only way the key would’ve appeared. You had to make a real connection with him.”

  Astra’s mouth dropped open. “Are you serious? That’s what happened to the key? You magically cloaked it so she could only get it if she hooked up with Cooper?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” Abigail turned prim and proper. “I wanted her to let go of the past and make a connection for her future. Cooper was not specifically part of the spell. The fact that he was a key in his own right is simply a coincidence.”

  “Let’s not talk about that because it upsets my stomach,” Hannah suggested, returning to a standing position. “The important thing is that there’s ointment in the apartment. I’m guessing that will be enough to keep you alive, right?” She waited for the demon to nod. “I need to get it.”

  “You need to get me out of this cave,” Astra countered. “Screw the demon.”

  “I’m going to get you out of the cave, too,” Hannah promised. “I can’t carry you, though. I’m going to need help. That means I need to run back to Casper Creek, get the ointment and Cooper, and then come back. It shouldn’t take me more than forty-five minutes.”

  Astra’s eyes narrowed and Hannah was certain she was going to say something obnoxious. She didn’t get the chance, though. Shuffling on the rock floor, signifying a new presence in the cave, was enough to snag her attention.

  When Hannah looked to the opening, she expected to find help in the form of Cooper or Boone. Heck, maybe even Tyler. Instead, her blood ran cold when she realized it wasn’t the cavalry arriving. It was something else.

  “Well, this is just … neat,” Logan intoned as he took in the multitude of faces. “I can’t believe you all lined up this way for me. I really appreciate it, though. You have no idea.”

  20

  Twenty

  “And I thought things couldn’t get worse,” Astra announced, dissolving into a series of ridiculous giggles. “I just … this must be the little devil himself. Logan, right? I’m so glad to meet you.”

  For his part, Logan looked less than impressed. “I don’t care about you,” he said after looking her up and down. “You have nothing to offer me.”

  Despite the surreal situation, Astra had the gumption to be offended. “Hey! I could offer you a great deal. If you get me out of this cave, maybe we can strike up a bargain.”

  “No.” He waved his hand in Astra’s direction, causing her to go suddenly mute. When she realized she wasn’t making any noise, she grabbed at her throat. Logan was clearly over talking to her, though, because his attention had drifted to Hannah. “You, on the other hand, are more interesting. I wouldn’t mind getting a look inside your head.”

  Hannah ran her tongue over her teeth, unsure how she should respond. When she shifted her eyes to the spot Abigail had been floating in only moments before, she found the space empty. The realization that she was on her own didn’t sit well. “I’m kind of using my head right now. Maybe another time.”

  The demon barked out an amused laugh. “Oh, you’re funny. Too bad you hadn’t realized what was going on earlier, huh? I bet you wish you would’ve let that snake bite him now, don’t you?”

  Honestly, Hannah was getting to that place. She felt like an idiot for not realizing the true nature of the boy before this. Now was not the time to dwell on it, though. She couldn’t go back in time and change things.

  “You really did mess up there,” Logan noted. “You have no idea how hard our friend worked to get me into that situation. I was frozen, couldn’t move. I would’ve surely died thanks to that snake if you hadn’t intervened. I owe you.”

  “In that case … why don’t you let us all go?” Hannah suggested. “That can be my payment for services rendered.”

  “I can’t have that.” Logan made a scolding sound with his tongue. “You also screwed me by stealing my demon. I’m here to take him back. You have no idea how hard it was to escape from that hospital with nothing but my size and some latent magic to help me. I much prefer being more … proactive.”

  He talked beyond his years, Hannah noted. He was an adult – an evil one at that – trapped in a child’s body. Life had to be difficult for him. That didn’t excuse the things he’d done. Also, the fact that he was clearly here to commit murder didn’t help his cause either. Still, Hannah felt as if she should at least try to talk to him.

  “You don’t have to do this,” she supplied. “You can’t absorb the demon into you again. He won’t survive.”

  “You should let him absorb me,” the demon countered. “If he does, he’ll die with me.”

  Logan frowned. “I think you’re making that up.”

  “Try me on for size,” the demon suggested. “I might be dying, but I’ll gladly take you with me.”

  Logan’s expression turned so dark Hannah was convinced he was about to lapse into a rage. She wasn’t wrong. “This is all your fault,” he hissed, his eyes flashing red as he glared at the blond witch. “You tried to steal my demon from me. You caused this.”

  “If you’d just let him go instead of digging your claws into him, this wouldn’t have happened,” Hannah argued. “You really have no one to blame but yourself.”

  “Oh, I can blame you, too.” Logan took a menacing step in her direction. He was clearly done playing around.

  Hannah expected him to move on her. She was prepared. Well, at least as prepared as she could manage given her location and lack of skills.

  She lashed out with a bolt of magic. She had no idea if it would hurt him. She honestly just wanted to slow him down. The magical torrent caught him off guard because he let loose a terrific growl.

  On a whim, Hannah threw out a huge gust of wind. It was strong enough to kill the lights in the lanterns. She remembered the layout of the cave well enough that she managed to sidestep the boy as he fruitlessly searched for her and landed next to Astra.

  “We have to move,” she hissed. “We don’t have time to screw around.”

/>   Astra still couldn’t talk, but Hannah could feel her bobbing her head in the darkness. Hannah gripped the woman under her arms and tugged her to a standing position, dragging her toward the opening in the cave. They’d moved a good ten feet before the lanterns flared to life again.

  “Oh, that was pretty good, witch,” Logan sneered from behind them. “You almost had me. It’s been a long time since I was frightened of the dark, though. You’re out of time.”

  Hannah risked a glance over her shoulder and found the boy was dangerously close. Thankfully, she hadn’t just killed the lights when she unleashed her magic. She’d done a little something else, too.

  “I think you’re the one out of time,” she replied, her voice low. “You really shouldn’t have reminded me of the snake.”

  “Oh, no? Why is that?”

  Hannah inclined her chin. “Because these caves are full of snakes.”

  Realizing too late what Hannah was insinuating, Logan turned at the exact moment the snake by his left heel struck. The demon was controlling the snake. It was obvious by the way his face twisted in concentration.

  Logan yelled out when the snake’s fangs sank into the soft skin above his shoe. Hannah took advantage of his distraction to drag Astra through the opening. She stopped long enough to stare at the demon. He didn’t move even as more snakes slithered out from various hiding places. Instead, he watched the scene with grim satisfaction.

  “I’ll be back for you,” she offered quickly. “I’ll bring the tonic. Hopefully that will be enough to get you on your feet so you can go to those springs you mentioned.”

  The demon nodded, weary. “I won’t last much longer. If you’re really going to do it, make it soon.”

  “I’ll be back,” Hannah promised. “The snakes won’t bite you, will they?”

  “Even if they did, I’m immune. Don’t worry about me. Get out. You don’t want to see the end anyway.”

  Logan swatted at the snakes as they encroached on his space, letting loose a pitiful mewling sound.