Nesting (Demonic Games Book 1)

by Sara Clancy

  “It just doesn’t seem right.”

  “Who’s the trained professional, again?”

  Mihail rolled his eyes. “I have yet to see any credentials.”

  Abe’s shoulders shook as he laughed. The low rumble broke off into a series of pained groans and a long, hissed string of rather creative swear words. Half of what he said couldn’t be physically possible. Unable to do anything else to help, Mihail just rubbed Abe’s back, careful to avoid the slashes that covered his skin, and resolved not to make him laugh again.

  “You let me know if you change your mind, okay?”

  “Don’t worry,” Abe took a series of shallow breaths before he continued, careful not to aggravate his ribs again. “I have all the best painkillers at home. Top shelf stuff. You can make sure I take it when we get home.”

  “Sure,” Mihail smiled. “It’ll be nice to actually have you listen to me for once.”

  “I listen.”

  “Whatever you say.”

  Abe tried to scoff but it didn’t sound right as he had to be careful with his ribs.

  “Have you told her we’re leaving?” Abe said.

  Mihail only knew he had hesitated when Abe lifted a finger and beckoned him to come around in front of him. Mihail could feel the exact moment he got into Abe’s line of sight. His gaze didn’t carry the terrifying rage Sarina had poured into it, but it was still just as intense and focused.

  “You’re not dumb.”

  “I know,” Mihail said.

  “So why are ya fixing to do a really dumb thing?”

  Mihail glanced over his shoulder to his grandmother before answering. “I have to stay.”

  “Ya really don’t.”

  “I couldn’t convince her.”

  “So what?”

  “I can’t leave her here alone.”

  “Doesn’t it strike ya as a bit odd that she’s intent on staying?”

  “Of course not,” Mihail said as he turned back to Abe. “We just found out that grandpa is still here. How can she leave knowing her husband is trapped?”

  Abe snorted and instantly winced.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Mihail asked.

  “I don’t think that she’s as innocent as ya think.”

  Mihail’s brow furrowed as he opened a bottle of antiseptic and poured the liquid onto a clean cloth. “What are you talking about? She’s been grieving for decades. If she knew anything–”

  “She knows a lot more than she’s letting on,” Abe cut in. Mihail opened his mouth to protest but Abe continued. “Didn’t she just admit that she killed someone?”

  “It was an accident,” Mihail snapped. After ensuring that they hadn’t caught Draciana’s attention, he lowered his voice and added, “Sarina was sick. A maniac. She attacked my grandmother. Tried to kill my mother.”

  “Says who? When two people get in a fight and one dies, it’s not always best to take the living one’s word.”

  “Abe, you were possessed by Sarina and the first thing she tried to do was kill me.”

  “That doesn’t mean that she has the corner market on violence.”

  Mihail had to pause and take a breath before he said anything he might regret. “Do you have any reason not to take her word?”

  “The ritual. From what you explained, that doesn’t come from a mainstream religion. She didn’t learn it from a Catholic priest.”

  “So she’s evil and a witch? She’s an evil witch?”

  “I never said that. But I can promise ya, sealing a soul in a doll of any variety doesn’t calm it. At best, it’s a prison. At worst …”

  “At worst?”

  “Where’s the doll?”

  “In my room.”

  “I’m going to need it.”

  Mihail lifted his chin. “Tell me why, first?”

  It annoyed him that Abe seemed to find the expression amusing. But the little smirk on his face didn’t last long.

  “Worst case scenario is that someone – doesn’t have to be ya grandmother – is using the layers of the doll as a storage area for a soul collection.”

  “What is that?”

  “Exactly what it sounds like.”

  Mihail shook his head. “You can’t honestly think that my grandmother is deranged enough to do something like that.”

  “Ya don’t need to be deranged to do an evil act. All anyone ever needs is the right motivation,” Abe said. “With a good collection of souls, someone can make a hell of a deal with the devil. Or buy their freedom from one.”

  Mihail shook his head, unable to deal with the options that were suddenly laid bare before him. “She’s my grandmother.”

  “That don’t mean she ain’t human. Humans make mistakes. Humans get in over their heads with demons all the time.” Abe ducked his head to the side, just a little but enough to catch Mihail’s gaze. “Something is going on with her, ya hear me? Places like this castle don’t happen by chance. They’re built. Designed.” Again, Mihail tried to look away, but Abe cupped his jaw and refused to let him go. “Maybe she’s responsible. Maybe she just got dragged into it against her will. Either way, this house is full of secrets and she knows more than she’s letting on.”

  Mihail nodded as much as Abe’s grip would allow. “All the more reason I can’t leave her.”

  After a long moment of tense silence, Abe sighed. “Ya get that all of this only just bought ya time, right? This calm; it’s just the eye of the storm. Sooner or later, they’re gonna get their strength back. This place will never be safe.”

  “But it’s home,” Mihail smiled softly. “And I promise, I’ll keep trying to convince her. Hopefully, once we find grandpa, she’ll be willing to move.”

  Abe shifted his gaze to Draciana and rolled his eyes, a sneer of repulsion twisting his lips.

  Mihail glared at him sternly but it didn’t make Abe repentant. Instead, he just smiled impishly and waved a hand out. “Hey, she obviously doesn’t like me, either.”

  Mihail fought back a smile. “She did call you a problem.”

  The pain that shot through him wasn’t enough to deter Abe from barking a laugh. “A problem? She sounds like my first boyfriend’s parents. They did not like me.”

  “They didn’t find you charming?” Mihail teased.

  A smug smirk spread across his face, “Them? No. But Kyle sure did.”

  His demeanor changed in a second, becoming cold and stoic. Mihail turned to see his grandmother approaching, the items piled in one hand, and the mirror tucked under the other. The light from the doorway glanced off the smooth polished surface as she approached. Mihail cringed as he saw handprints begin to appear across the surface, like Sarina was trying to force her way out. He pulled the edges of the blanket tighter around his shoulders as he backed away. It made him flinch to feel Abe’s hand fall onto his shoulder. He hadn’t even noticed him moving. Draciana smiled softly at Mihail before shifting her attention to Abe. She nodded curtly.

  “Thank you,” she said, struggling to work her accent around each word.

  “Thanks for not shooting me,” Abe commented with a forced smile. “I’m lucky ya knew that spell.”

  “Ritual,” she corrected.

  “Oh, right. Mihail said you saw a priest perform it before.”

  It was a statement, but he spoke it as a question. Making it clear that he expected a response. Draciana’s lips twitched with resentment.

  “Yes.”

  “What was his name?” Abe said.

  She flicked her gaze to meet’s Mihail’s and he answered for her. “Pardon?”

  “I’d like to meet up with the priest. Compare notes. It might be helpful to figure out what’s goin’ on here.”

  Draciana stared at Abe for a long moment before forcing a smile and a shrug.

  “Don’t understand.”

  “I think we taxed her English,” Mihail said, unsure why he whispered it.

  At the same time, Abe began to speak, now asking his question in Romanian. Draci
ana blinked in surprise before she replied.

  “What did she say?” Mihail asked, missing his phone like a phantom limb.

  Abe kept his eyes on Draciana. “That she can’t remember.”

  “It was a long time ago,” Mihail said.

  Abe suddenly flashed a smile. “Doesn’t matter. We’re a small community around these parts.” He turned back to Draciana before adding, “Won’t take long to find ‘em.”

  Draciana nodded. “Good.”

  Mihail shuffled slightly as tension turned the air stale, careful all the while not to dislodge Abe’s hand, in case he was using Mihail for balance. The motion moved him slightly to the side and Abe reached through the now vacated space.

  “It’ll be safer for everyone if I take Sarina with me.”

  Draciana’s placed one of her frail hands protectively against the glass of the mirror. The contact sent Sarina into a frenzy, but only Mihail seemed to be disturbed by the sight.

  “She is my friend.”

  “Seems she has some different thoughts on the matter,” Abe said as the palms continued to slam against the inside of the mirror.

  “This is her home.”

  “And also the site of her murder,” Abe countered.

  Mihail whipped around to protest but Abe lifted his free hand as if in defense, the other remaining a firm, solid weight against his shoulder.

  “Ya have to admit that she might have some mixed feelings about being here.”

  “I guess. But–”

  “Ya said she was sick, not evil,” he said, holding Mihail’s gaze and giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Well, ya can’t keep someone mentally ill in a place like this and expect them to get better. Let me take her somewhere new. Clean. See if I can help her find some peace.”

  “Sarina is my responsibility,” Draciana said sharply as she surged forward a step.

  “But not your property.”

  Mihail lifted his hands to keep the two of them from crowding in on each other. It was chilling to suddenly have both of them glaring at him.

  “We have the same goal, so let’s work together,” Mihail said, keeping his voice calm and his words clear.

  “What do you suggest,” Bunica Draciana said tensely.

  Mihail flicked his gaze to Abe and found him waiting expectantly as well. It hadn’t occurred to Mihail that they would actually ask him any follow up questions.

  “Well,” he said, buying himself some time. “Abe, you’re injured. You should be thinking about healing, not about Sarina. So, I think it would be a good idea for her to stay here with Bunica for now. And we’ll follow your suggestions on how to take care of her.”

  “And after I’m healed?” Abe asked. “If she hasn’t crossed, will you let me take her?”

  “That sounds fair. Right Bunica?”

  He turned to see a smile cross his grandmother’s face. Her fingers squeaked across the glass of the mirror as she pulled it closer to her side.

  “Yes.”

  Abe wasn’t as happy, but he reluctantly agreed.

  “Well,” Draciana chirped. “Goodnight.”

  Mihail stammered for a second. “Oh, okay. Um, let me walk you up. Abe, will you be okay on your own?”

  Abe nodded. They had barely taken a step before Abe called after them.

  “Hey, remember to grab me that nesting doll on the way back down, okay.”

  “I almost forgot. I’ll be right back down.”

  He went to walk again, but Draciana held her ground. “Pardon?”

  “The doll,” Abe answered. “I’m taking it with me.”

  Draciana licked her lips. “Never agreed.”

  “Why wouldn’t ya?” Abe said, taking a step closer.

  “Why do you want it?” Draciana challenged. “It empty.”

  Abe shrugged one shoulder as much as his wounds would allow. “Sealing rituals leave a certain kind of residue. Examining it could help me track down that priest of yours.”

  Relief flooded through Mihail as Abe kept his response away from his theories of soul collections. The last thing his grandmother needed right now was more to terrify her.

  He smiled his gratitude to his friend as he replied, “Really? That’ll be great.”

  Draciana looked at both of them before she nodded. The small motion made Abe grin.

  “Don’t worry, Draciana. We’ll take good care of it. Look, I don’t mean to rush ya, but do you think I can get home sooner rather than later?”

  “Right,” Mihail flinched, suddenly remembering how much pain he must be in. “I’ll be right back.”

  He tried to hurry up his pace but Draciana once again refused to move. “How are you driving him?”

  “We’re going to take his truck,” Mihail said.

  She looked at him from the corner of her eyes. “How will you get back?”

  “I’ll take his truck,” Mihail said.

  Abe narrowed his eyes playfully. “Are ya just setting up an excuse to come and fuss over me tomorrow?”

  “Yes,” he called back. “You need someone to look after you.”

  Abe’s grin was wide enough to flash his sharpened teeth. “Now, how can I say no to that?”

  Mihail laughed slightly as he drew Bunica Draciana into the castle. She cast one last look back at Abe.

  “Goodbye.”

  “Oh, we’ll be seein’ each other again real soon,” Abe assured. “Can’t wait to see how good your English gets next time.”

  She smiled. “I am quick learner.”

  “I have no doubt.”

  The change in the air was instantly recognizable the moment they crossed the threshold. The air was light and sweet. The chill that remained was no longer crippling or oppressive, but almost pleasantly crisp. Even the shadows seemed smaller. Lighter.

  Arm in arm, he and Bunica Draciana walked through the hallways. All of them were brightly lit by the silver gargoyles and they didn’t take a single wrong turn. Mihail caught himself taking deep breaths and rolling his shoulders as if he had just shrugged over a crippling weight.

  “Abe’s home. How far?” Draciana asked as they climbed the stairs.

  “About an hour, I think,” Mihail said with a smile, eager to have her know at least something about the man who had just saved them, no matter how small. “His house is in the mountain range on the other side of town. All those twists and turns made it slow for my taxi driver, but Abe made good time on the way back here. I guess you need to know the roads.” He cut himself off with a huffed laugh. “You probably didn’t understand most of what I just said.”

  “I understand enough,” she said, her thick accent rolling off the words. “A two hour trip?”

  It hadn’t really occurred to him. “Seems like the least I can do. Besides, I wasn’t going to be sleeping tonight, anyway.”

  “How long have you known Abe?”

  Mihail chuckled slightly. “Not even for a full day. It seems like a lot longer.”

  “When did the nickname start?”

  It took a moment for him to understand the question. “Oh, um ... right away actually. I think he just likes nicknames.”

  Draciana stared straight ahead as she muttered. “That boy is problem.”

  “Bunica, you can’t really think that.” He picked up his pace so that he could slip in front of her. Taking the bowl from her grasp, he took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Abe saw grandpa, Bunica. He’s going to help us find him and put him to rest.”

  “You are like my Mihail.” Smiling wistfully, she slipped her hand free of his and curled her fingers down his cheek. “Sweet. Kind. And naive.”

  Standing in shock, he could only watch as she walked around him and strode to her bedroom door. He snapped out of his daze as she reached her door and rushed to catch up.

  “Why don’t you trust him? We were complete strangers and he risked his life for us.” Her expression remained neutral, her silence compelling him to continue. “He knew it was dangerous. His parents ev
en tried to talk him out of coming here but he did it anyway. For us. If he’s not a good man, why would he put himself at risk like that?”

  She scoffed, “Even smart men do stupid things.”

  She left him standing in the hallway, completely dazed and at a loss for anything to say. The metal latch clicked into place and he shook his head. Bunica has been alone here for way too long, he decided as he shook his head and huffed a laugh. It amazed him how calm he felt while walking the halls by himself. Everything felt like a dream. A nightmare that he had awoken from and could no longer hurt him. He picked up his pace as he moved, not wanting to leave Abe alone any longer than necessary.

  His easy smile remained in place as he walked back through the twisting corridors and effortlessly found his bedroom door. The fire crackled and snow toppled past the window. Everything was quiet. As serene as he had imagined when he first thought to come here. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he changed into dry clothes and pulled on his warmest shoes and jacket. He ran his fingers through his hair and quickly washed his face. Not wanting to waste any more time, he rushed to the chair by the fireplace where he had left the doll, and reached over the back to grab it. Despite it being near the fire, the chill of the night air still clung to the painted wood.

  Holding it tightly between both hands, careful not to let it open, he jogged out of the room. It didn’t matter that he kept a lazy pace, his legs were still sore by the time he got back to the main foyer. He was starting to look forward to the trip out to Abe’s. Adrenaline was still flooding threw him, making it impossible to completely relax. Besides, it would be interesting to have a conversation with Abe that didn’t involve dead people.

  Mihail might not have been proud of himself for it, but he relished in seeing how confused Abe was upon seeing the doll in his hands. Grinning broadly, he held it over his head like a trophy.

  “It was just where I left it,” Mihail declared.

  Abe stood at the doorway, one arm wrapped around his stomach and the blanket flowing off his shoulders like a cape.

  “That’s great,” he said with a wince. “I’m very impressed you can find the possible prison for helpless souls.”

  “Now you’ve just made it creepy.”