Shifting Heroes

by Francheska Fifield

  Brisa exclaims excitedly clapping while the rest of us are in a state of shock. We all elect to laugh instead of cry, it had been so easy and we had overlooked it. I love this woman and she never ceases to surprise me and now she will live and continue to do so.

  Chapter Thirteen

  "The shifter council is demanding some recompense for this. Also they are saying opening it is a bad idea. Apparently it works similar to the spell we used to ditch Kyle's form before."

  I stare at Jason in shock. Meaning all the shit we went through didn’t have to happen. I rub the heel of my hand into my eyes trying to massage away the now constant ache there. Being a vampire means immunity to diseases and faster healing…doesn’t help if I am constantly stressed to the point healing doesn’t work. With my body constantly trying to keep my shoulder working the repairing smaller issues like headaches ceased to exist.

  I understand humans better than ever and damn have I developed respect for them as a species. We all find them whiney but if they always have migraines because of stress no fucking wonder. Once I am back in the cash I am making a donation to drug development for humans with migraines.

  "They can have my left over priest genital cash."

  Brisa almost succeeds in holding back her chuckle as Jason looks like he might pass out.

  "Don't worry no genitals actually touched the money….though the hands that handled the money were the ones handing me the genitals so…"

  I trail off laughing as Jason goes all slack jawed and bug eyed. It is the funniest thing to happen in a long time and I need the laugh. He schools his features and straightens his clothes trying, and failing, to look unfazed.

  "So is this bottle being full going to be an issue?"

  Brisa and I can’t stop laughing so we just shrug and bite our bottom lips to try to hide our mirth. Before we can form a sentence chuckle free the demon flashes forth.

  "I will devour the soul inside. It will be the fuel I need to make the ceremony a success. This allows us to stop looking for volunteers to use."

  That is a relief and that alone makes Brisa and me serious. That is one less issue in the way. I downloaded the page that is needed for the ceremony online. Now we have everything.

  "So when do we do it?"

  "During the new moon. That is when this type of thing is most successful."

  I look up the next new moon. One week. "We have time to prepare and find the perfect spot."

  "The ley line. It converges under the human mage and witch council's ritual site. Behind their neutral safe house where they do magic. I can sense it."

  I make no comment to that. If Samigina says that’s where it is to be that’s where it will be.

  "Brisa, Samigina pack up and lets hit the road. We have a house party to crash."

  We are about to go into neutral territory for access to a witches holy ground and start a fight that will spread to about a hundred human mages and witches in the state….fun.

  We park in front of the gate. I look over and notice that despite our suggestion that Jason take the lead unless needed I notice the power swirl indicating it is the traveler instead. Great. The eyes look brighter than normal too. We definitely have the right place. Even Brisa's tattoos light up so much it is like little suns. I am feeling out of my league here.

  "So do we knock?"

  The demon blows the gate off and strides in. Well so much for talking first and violence only as a backup. Though once we walk through the gate reattached itself and straightens out. Does that count as a non-violent entrance?

  "Hey Samigina I know you are pulsing with power right now…both of you are, but let me do the talking. I have, believe it or not, been the neutral party for many disputes."

  Demon boy looks at me with a smile that says the cat caught the canary. It makes me shiver which only makes him show more teeth. In fact those teeth are not entirely human. Ahhh shit.

  "You are not neutral. You want to save the other host. No one here is neutral. Besides they are powering up to attack. They are angry over the death of their comrade and us returning only ashes so they couldn’t not use a spell to see how he died."

  Well that sucks.

  "Still let's try diplomacy first. Okay?"

  Brisa who is silent but watching the house like hawk observing its prey nods. I am starting to think I should have come alone…or just sent these two depending on how I want this to turn out. I take the lead and the demon follows making Brisa bring up the rear. Now I am terrified to have them behind me. No fucking win situation.

  I knock and Brisa snorts.

  "Seems so normal. I mean considering we are a second away from a magical showdown."

  I don’t nod my agreement even though I do agree with her. Calm. Project calm.

  The door opens and there stands…a child. Ten, maybe eleven...what the flying fuck? Is this like cannon fodder or a trap?

  "The others are powering up for a fight so the leader of sanctuary sent me to collect you."

  She speaks well for a child, very cultured. And not at all phased by the fact that this place might blow up any minute.

  "Lead on."

  She walks and we follow. The door closes behind us and I don’t miss the clicking of the locks. Sanctuary is almost never locked. During paranormal catastrophes when the witches and mages need to band together and hide from the shit storm coming…that is it…damn that doesn’t bode well for us.

  "I would say welcome to sanctuary but we all know no one wants you here so say your peace and be done with it."

  Friendly.

  "I am Brian…"

  "I know who you are, the girl as well. I know who the body over there belongs to, though the eyes tell me someone, or something, very different is in control. Did we not give you a sacrifice to ensure they all left our plane? Why is it here?"

  Frank, to the point, I can work with that. "Okay listen this is how it went. We had a vampire princess who lost her ability to be an undead vampire, a werewolf that turned human losing her wolf forever, you human mage that lost all his power and most of his life force. Our shifter cannot shift anymore. He is human…well other than the passenger there. No one came out unscathed. Everyone lost something. It sucks and we admit that."

  "If our mage was only mostly dead why was he not returned to us for healing?"

  I rub the back of my neck. I can’t lie but I can’t be completely honest. This puts Beth in the line of fire but we have to go for broke here.

  "Our conduit got power backlash and it made her temporarily insane. She killed the humans…or newly made humans in the area. As well as an animal killing spree before we captured her and spent the last few months treating her. It broke her mind. We are still in the process of piecing her back together."

  Her lips thin but she says nothing. Even I can feel the power fluctuations in the air…that doesn’t bode well.

  "And why did this one not leave with his kin?"

  "Apparently he likes our world and wanted to stay. He left the conduit and took up residence in this body. He is too powerful for it though and Jason cannot control the demon."

  "You plan to put it into a host strong enough to control it? Does one exist?"

  I honestly don’t know. It want to be with Beth and she needs him. That can’t be said but it is the truth. The demon rests a hand on my shoulder and steps in front of me taking the lead.

  "I have chosen a host myself."

  "And that is supposed to comfort me?"

  "She was host to me before and had no problem pushing me to the secondary position when need be, even though two of us resided in her. She is strong. I have also sworn a solemn oath to never appear without her permission and follow her rules and beliefs for this world."

  "And who is this great host? Who is this body that holds the fate of our world on it?"

  "This host's sister. Beth. She is a hunter."

  That takes the witch back. She looks shocked, turns and whispers something into the ear of a mage standing by. They n
od and leave the room.

  "The hunter. We know her. She has worked with us on occasion. She is very loyal and honest. A bit abrasive but from what I understand she is a finely honed blade. Much torture went into the making of her."

  The demon is gone and Jason stands there angry. Wow. Emotional outburst strong enough to push Samigina back here has to be bad.

  "Are you saying that what was done was on purpose!"

  "Of course. The shifters needed a weapon and this mixed race child dropped into their lap. They just needed an excuse and they found one. A sad excuse for one but they found it. They did well. She is a master among the hunters. So successful. When the others hire her they must first pay the shifters for the right. She is so successful though it is worth the finder's fee."

  Jason is so many shades of red I think he is having a stroke. Shit this is bad. I don’t find it shocking in the least, more like a 'well no shit' moment. I know Beth would react badly, but that’s exactly why we won’t tell her. I will have that talk with Jason and Samigina later though. Right now we need to get permission to be here.

  I tap Jason and point to Brisa when he looks at me. "Go."

  He looks ready to argue so Brisa uses her magic to pick him up and drag him back ropes of air giving him no leeway. If he were Samigina she couldn’t do it, but Jason is basically a human. Weak.

  "His love for his sister is strong to overpower his demon."

  I agree. For Beth all of us would walk through fire. Literally and figuratively.

  "So what is it you need from us?"

  "We need access to the spot that the ley lines connect in your yard for the spell to bind Beth and the demon together. On the night of the new moon."

  "Magic is forbidden on that night. It twists the power of the ley lines."

  I didn't know, witches guard their magical knowledge like…well like guard dogs. But I figured there was a reason it had to be that night.

  "It has to be done this coming new moon. Jason's body is human now. He cannot hold the demon long before being lost to its power."

  We all turn to Brisa who has him wrapped in air, even his mouth is essentially duct taped. I don’t doubt her. She is a magical power house as well. And the Fae well they know a bit about everything.

  The witch nods her agreement looking at Jason hanging there angry as hell and trying to sputter out curses. Or I assume they are curses by the peeved look on his face.

  "We will give you use of the field, but we will all be in sanctuary and if anything goes wrong we will kill you."

  I don’t doubt her words for a second. I nod as magic sparks fly out of her, turn to carrier pigeons, and fly through any object in the way scattering in all directions.

  "When I said all I meant all. I will summon our brothers and sisters from the tri state area and we will be here waiting."

  There are a few hundred in New York alone. And because of the urban are it has the smallest density of magic users. The surrounding states hold thousands a piece…well that will be one hell of a magical pow-wow. Great.

  "We accept your conditions."

  We turn to leave and I breathe a sigh of relief. We didn't die or kill anyone and we got use of the field. Win. I stop and turn back to the witch who watches us solemnly as power continues to fly off to summon others. She looks completely unphased by it.

  "Just so you know Beth didn’t want to hurt the people helping us. When we told her, during one of her sane moments, she asked us to kill her. For recompense."

  "And yet she lives and will play host to a demon that cannot die. Becoming basically immortal."

  "I convinced her. I told her she couldn’t leave us all alone and unprotected and that sticking around to help the families of her victims would be more fitting than just dying."

  "It seems you are a clever mate indeed. Beth is a kind soul. I have no doubt she would never have hurt them willingly. Just as I have no doubt that she will ask me if I wish for her death once the demon is bound to her."

  "And what will you say?"

  She smiles and rises. Damn she is tall. She is over six feet and her power radiates to the point that even a vampire who is a dud can see it.

  "We shall see."

  She points to the door where the others have already exited. I am not feeling very good about leaving before getting her agreement to let Beth live, but for now what we accomplished will have to do. But she is crazy if she think I am letting her kill Beth once I get her back. No matter what it takes Beth will not be the one dying that night.

  Chapter Fourteen

  After we return I want to speak to the demon but wouldn’t you know since he is no longer at full power and Jason is pissed Jason keeps control. The promise I plan to extract from Samigina will have to wait but not for too long we only have a week left.

  Brisa leaves to recoup in the Fae hills for a few days and replenish her power. She wants to be fully charged the night of the ceremony.

  She plans to bear witness. Likely a Fae record thing and they know she is the only one we will tolerate hanging about.

  I myself have to go get some blood and a nap and wait for Samigina to take control so I can make him promise that if anyone ever tries to hurt Beth he will take control and destroy them. All of them.

  It is not actually too much later when I am able to talk to the demon and get him to promise me that no one will get away with killing his host. Self-preservation at its finest. It ended up being easier than I thought. I shrug it off as a lucky break and make all the preparations for the big night.

  The ceremony is one of those you both dread and look forward to. I want it to be here all ready, but mixing up this potion with our disturbing ingredients I can’t help but dread it a little. As well as when I think about having to kill thousands of innocent witches to save Beth from their wrath. And so of course the rest of the week flies by and before I can blink the time is here and now.

  Setting up is easy. A cauldron big enough to fit a human, aka Beth, in it. A ring of fire around it, which won’t be lit until she is in the cauldron. The ingredients are all mixed and transported in barrels. Beth will soak in the soup so to speak. Then she will drink it. All these disgusting and some toxic materials and she has to drink it and survive while the demon settles in for good. A successful bonding will mean survival….otherwise it is death and Samigina can jump from body to body and have his way with their power.

  "Is everything set?"

  I turn to the witch overseeing everything. Why have they sent the child?

  "I would explain but I think it might be over your head…"

  "I know what you are doing. She will bathe in and consume the impure making her body an ideal host for a demon so it can connect to her on a permanent level. They will become two souls in one body, sharing a life force and powers."

  So she knows more than we do. Impressive. "You're a smart kid."

  "My brother taught me well before he died."

  "Sorry to hear that. My family is messed up too. My mom is dying and my sister won't let me see her."

  She doesn’t look shocked or horrified. She looks like a doll trying to learn to be human. Not curious, more empty. It is a bit unnerving considering what is going to happen tonight.

  "Why?"

  "Vampires are not like other clans. They don’t have any love for one another. It’s a life based on blood and power. I never really fit in. I wanted a family, or at least my own life, and that’s not allowed without the say so of the one in charge. They control every aspect of your life. I ran away to be with Beth so in my sisters eyes I am a traitor."

  "So you gave up family for love?"

  I sit back on my heels and look her over. I feel like this is too heavy for a childm but if she lost people as well maybe that accounts for her maturity.

  "Partly, but I think I would have left anyway. Beth was the catalyst but it could have been anything really. I was only waiting for my mother to pass before I left."

  "Why?"

  I push my hair
back and rub my aching shoulder.

  "I guess because I wanted to have life. What I had wasn’t it. I worked, I helped the clan, and I did as I was told. I had no control over my past or present and it was unlikely I would over my future. I wanted to make my own decisions not based off my family but what my heart dictated. I guess I am a bit of a broken toy in the eyes of the vampires."

  "Maybe they are the ones broken."

  I smile and stand ruffling her hair giving her my best unworried smile. It is harder now than normally.

  "Maybe."

  She turns and walks back to where she’d been standing and watching before we conversed. I go back to work. It is almost sundown and we have to be ready by then.

  "Are the chains really needed?"

  Beth walks into the back yard wearing chains and looking all kinds of exhausted. They have given her a higher than normal dose of meds and current in the brain. She needs to stay sane long enough to complete the ritual. Luckily it requires no pig Latin. Everything that is said will be between her and Samigina mind to mind.

  "I insisted so the witches and mages would feel safe."

  Of course she had. I want to shake her but considering what she is going to do I figure she will be suffering enough. Who knows how painful it will be.

  Samigina comes forward in Jason's body and helps Beth into the circle. He lights it up with his power and the fire burns bright ass purple. Demon fire. Only another demon can put it out. Brisa walks up next to me and grabs my hand squeezing nervously. We step back to avoid the heat but don’t take our eyes off of what happens before us.

  "I will send the body out. It will be tired. See to it."

  The witch bottle opens and out comes the bottled up spirit all raging fury and compressed power. The demon steps out of Jason's skin and propels him safely through the fire. The witches grab him and start healing. They agreed to be here in case. There are so many after all they can’t all fit inside.

  Beth steps naked into the pot and the contents start to boil. She goes under drenching herself and all I can think of are the gross ass things in there and how we are not kissing until she showers and drinks a bottle of mouth wash.