Daemon Persuasion

by S. K. Gregory

  “The phone’s on the wall.”

  Mackenzie phoned the rental company about the car. When she was done, she paced the kitchen.

  Mary made her a cup of tea.

  “Please sit down,” she said.

  Mackenzie took a seat opposite her.

  “You look like you want to say something. So go ahead,” Mary said, sipping her tea.

  “Why didn’t you ever contact my mom? She couldn’t have been too hard to find,” she asked.

  “When she left, she made it very clear she never wanted to speak to us again.”

  “But you knew about me. Didn’t you ever want to see me?”

  Mary looked down at her lap, “Don’t tell Patrick this, but I did contact Annie about three years after she left. She wouldn’t let me go see her, I could hear you in the background but when I asked about you, she hung up on me. Life with Annie was difficult. She was highly strung and had a tendency to get caught up in things or people. She met a man called Sebastian. She fell for him fast, he was trouble, and when he broke up with her she fell to pieces. She was never the same after that.

  “Who did she kill?” Mary seemed to have trouble asking the question.

  “My step-father.”

  Mary bit her bottom lip, her face pale.

  “He was violent. He beat us both. She had no choice.”

  Even though Mary nodded her head in understanding, the words didn’t seem to comfort her much.

  “Sebastian is your father?” Mary finally asked.

  “Yeah, at least according to mom. I came here to find out more about him.”

  “What is it you wanted to know?”

  “Everything. I’ve heard so many different stories since I got here and none of it was good.”

  “He isn’t the only family you have,” Annie said.

  “I can only deal with one family member at a time. Don’t take offence, but I don’t know if I even want you in my life. My father either, but I need to find out where I come from.”

  “Hold on,” Mary said, she turned her face away as she got up, but Mackenzie saw the pain there. She left the room and returned a few minutes later with a shoebox.

  “What’s this?”

  Setting it down in front of her, she said, “Some of your mother’s things. She left them behind after that last fight. There’s a journal and some other mementos. I don’t want you to get the wrong impression of Patrick. It really hurt him when Annie left. Before she did, he confronted Sebastian. He was older than Annie and Patrick worried about her. Sebastian hit him. When we told Annie, she went berserk, called her dad a liar. It was an awful fight. When Sebastian left town, she blamed us. A week later, she was gone. I know it’s important to know where you come from but just because he was trouble doesn’t mean you are too.”

  Mackenzie gave her a wry grin, “I wouldn’t be so sure.”

  Chapter 7

  Mackenzie took the box to her motel room and went through the contents. There wasn’t much, a few pieces of jewelry, including a silver Claddagh ring and a gold cross necklace, some pictures, none of Sebastian unfortunately, and a journal.

  Mackenzie ran her hand over the cracked brown leather cover. Her mother had written down all her secrets, her dreams from back then. She never got the chance to live out any of them. Mackenzie had tried keeping a diary when she was twelve, but Bobby Draper had found it and read it aloud to everyone. She didn’t bother with the Shadow that time either, she punched him herself. Everyone seemed to think that because her mother was in prison that eventually she would end up there too. She didn’t do much to convince them otherwise with her temper. She opened the journal.

  The first entry was from Annie’s seventeenth birthday, when she was given the journal as a gift from her mother.

  May 16th

  Mum gave me a diary for my birthday. It’s just like her to choose something so boring. I wanted a new miniskirt but she told me it wasn’t practical. Whatever that means. I told her there wasn’t much point in giving me the diary since I have nothing to write in it. This town sucks. Nothing exciting ever happens. I can’t wait until I graduate then I’m moving to Los Angeles.

  The diary continued like that for several weeks, mostly Annie complaining about her parents—the usual teenage drama. July 2nd was when it started to get interesting. The first meeting between her mother and father.

  July 2nd

  Oh, my God I cannot believe what is happening. I’ve met the most amazing man. I was on my way to work, late as usual, when I saw him. He was right outside the bakery on his motorbike. He is so good looking with that curly black hair and the most amazing green eyes I have ever seen. His bike wasn’t working so I asked him if I could help. Not that I know anything about engines.

  We started talking he told me he was in college and doing research in town. Can you believe it? I offered to buy him lunch and he said yes. We spent the whole afternoon talking. He knows so much about everything—books, music and he’s so funny. He kept cracking jokes and making me laugh. He doesn’t talk much about himself; he likes to listen to me talk mostly. We’re going out again tomorrow. This is it. I can feel it. This is when my life starts to change for the better.

  Mackenzie scanned the rest. Her mother wrote down everything about their dates. For two months, it seemed to be going well.

  August 23rd

  Seb and I made love tonight. He wanted to wait but I told him I was ready. God, I hope my mother never reads this, she would kill me. We went to his room at the motel. It was amazing. We lay for hours afterwards, talking about all the places we were going to go. Now I just need to work up the courage to tell my parents. They’ll be mad, but once they see how in love we are, they’ll understand. Seb and I belong together.

  That must have been the night she was conceived, it worked in with her birthday. He gave her the necklace that night. At the beginning of September, things started to go wrong.

  September 3rd

  I cannot believe Sebastian said those things to me. He was so cruel. We were up by the lake and we started talking about the future. I told him I wanted to leave town with him, leave school. He got mad and said I was being stupid, that we had no future. He said what we had was just a fling. We ended up screaming at each other then he walked off and left me. I know why he’s upset though. His brother is coming to town. Seb’s in a lot of trouble. I know he’s only pushing me away because he doesn’t want me caught in the middle of it. But it still hurts.

  The final entry was dated on September 23rd.

  He’s gone. He left me. I never thought he would go. It’s my dad’s fault I know it. He’s been making up terrible lies about Seb. My parents won’t let me live my life, they want me to be like them and spend the rest of my life in this shitty town working in their stupid bakery. I won’t stay here any longer. There’s nothing for me now that he’s gone. I’ll go to LA. Once I have some money I can look for Seb. The thought of being without him makes me feel sick. I heard Mr. Black’s store caught fire. He was inside at the time. I hope Seb had nothing to do with it. Where is he?

  Once again nothing concrete on her father. Apart from her mother there was only one other person in town who knew her father. It was time he started talking.

  Ed Black was working on his truck when Mackenzie arrived at his house. “Mr. Black?”

  “You again? Get lost kid,” he growled. He threw down his wrench and tried to start the truck. It sputtered a few times but wouldn’t start. Mackenzie took a look in the engine.

  “It sounds like the alternator and no, I won’t. I want some answers and you are going to give them to me. I’m not leaving until you do,” she demanded.

  “Is that right?”

  “Yes, it is. I’m sick of getting dicked around. Ever since I got here, I have been chased, had a beam dropped on me and had my tires slashed. I want to know everything you know about Sebastian King. Now.”

  “God, you are just like him. You really are his kid aren’t you?”

  She
nodded.

  He sighed, “Fine, come inside.”

  She followed him inside the house. It was in as much disrepair inside, as it was outside. Wallpaper hung off the walls, the carpet was threadbare. The living room was overflowing with books. They were piled all over the room amongst some antique furniture. A bookcase rang the length of the far wall; the shelves were bending under the weight of the contents. She didn’t recognize any of the titles, although most of them were in Latin.

  Mackenzie lifted a pile of books off an armchair and took a seat. Ed sat down opposite her on the sofa.

  “King came to town wanting me to look at a talisman,” he said.

  “What is this talisman?”

  “It’s hundreds of years old and the myth that goes with it says it can amplify power.”

  “Power like?”

  “If you were strong enough to lift a car you could lift ten if you had the talisman.”

  “Why did he bring it to you?”

  “He wanted to know more about it, how to activate it.”

  “This is going to sound crazy but what do you know about demons?” She felt stupid even asking him.

  “Sebastian King was one. He had a rare gift to control lower level demons. With the talisman, he could control all demons. You can see why they would want it back.”

  Mackenzie stood up, “Demons? Seriously? What does that make me?”

  “A half demon. I’m curious what did you inherit?”

  She considered his question, “I think I can control demons too. They appear like shadows.”

  “Some base demons don’t have form. It sounds like you have a watered down version of King’s power. For a half demon, it can be difficult to access your abilities.”

  “I don’t understand any of this.”

  He left the room and returned a few minutes later carrying a large leather bound tome. Putting it on the table for her to see, she moved in for a closer look. He had it opened at a coat of arms but not like one she had seen before. Two serpents coiled around a throne where a gold crown rested.

  “Demons work inside a hierarchy depending on the type of power they have. There are three main clans in this country. The Kings who like to think they are in charge. They are arrogant dictators. The Dukes are soldier assassins; they all wear gold eagle medallions.”

  “I’ve seen one. Taryn. He works for Cray. He’s a King isn’t he?”

  A dark look crossed his face, “Cray is, yeah. There were rumors that he took a young Duke in who had defected. They’re used to following orders. He’ll do whatever Cray wants him to do.”

  “Okay, who’s the third family?”

  “The third are the worst. You don’t want to cross them. They’re called the Pariah. Vicious bastards, they would rip you apart as soon as look at you. They don’t care about order or taking over, they just want to cause as much chaos as they can. They will come for the coin though because having it means they can get rid of the Kings and Dukes.”

  “If they’re demons, then how come they look human?”

  “Most of them can pass as human. Physically they aren’t much different, especially the Kings and Dukes. The Pariahs find it harder to pass. They have certain animalistic features.”

  “Like what?”

  “Sharp teeth, black eyes, maybe some talons.”

  “Great, can’t wait to meet one of them.”

  “Trust me if one of them gets to town, we’re all in big trouble. If you see one—run.”

  Ed turned the page to a picture of a small gold coin engraved with arcane symbols.

  “This is the talisman,” he said, “If you want to survive then you had better find it first.”

  “What do I do with it then?”

  “It needs to be destroyed. It’s the only way to stop it falling into the wrong hands.”

  Chapter 8

  Mackenzie took the Taurus to a garage to replace the tires. The insurance just about covered it. She had to wait a few hours until it was done so she sat in the middle of the square to wait. It had plenty of exit points and there were a lot of people around. She kept her head down just in case. A few kids were playing on the grass nearby, with a soccer ball.

  “I thought you were leaving town?” Luke said. She looked up to find him standing over her. He had changed out of his suit into a shirt and slacks.

  “Hey, yeah I tried to but someone slashed my tires.”

  “Someone really has it in for you. Are you okay?” he seemed genuinely concerned. Not something she was used to.

  “I’m fine, thanks.”

  “You look stressed. Can I help with anything?” He sat down beside her on the bench. He put a hand on her arm.

  “It’s just been a long day.”

  “I’ll tell you what. I have a few errands to run but why don’t we get some dinner? My treat.”

  Mackenzie smiled, “That sounds great. I have a couple of hours to spare.”

  “I’ll meet you back here in an hour.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  This was crazy. She should be hiding out not going on a date. But in a few hours, she would be gone and she might never see him again.

  She had no motel room to go back to so she went to the restroom at a gas station to freshen up. She didn’t have any clothes to wear on a date. If it was a date? He was buying her dinner but maybe it was only because he felt sorry for her. Or he was looking for an interesting angle for his story.

  She sighed. It was so much easier dating bikers. She changed into a clean t-shirt and jeans and headed back to the square. She was early by fifteen minutes and so was Luke.

  “Hi, you look great,” he said.

  “Thanks, where are we going to eat?”

  “Well, after extensive research I have concluded that the only place to eat around here is a little restaurant called O’Malley’s.”

  “Sounds great, let’s go.”

  He led the way down Main Street past Sal’s and her grandparent’s bakery. It was shut for the night. O’Malley’s was nestled in a corner, a red neon sign hung in the window. Inside was dimly lit with candles on every table. It was definitely a date. Otherwise he would have taken her to Sal’s.

  “I really feel under dressed for this,” she said.

  “Nonsense you look fine. The place is practically empty anyway. No one cares how we’re dressed.”

  He pulled out the chair for her at the table. The last act of chivalry she had witnessed was when Mike held her beer for her while she threw up at a party.

  A waiter brought them their menus.

  “Order whatever you like,” Luke said.

  She checked the menu. Despite the name, it served mostly French food. She ordered her meal while Luke got a bottle of wine.

  “So what do you do when you’re not evading would be assassins and falling beams?” Luke asked.

  Mackenzie laughed, “I work in a bar. The pay’s not bad, it covers the rent anyway.”

  “I thought you had that look about you.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” she said, warily.

  “Hot bartender,” he grinned.

  She raised an eyebrow. “That’s a look, is it?”

  “Well so far, I’ve only seen one person pull it off.”

  “Who’s that?”

  “You.”

  “Smooth. Usually I get the old classic pick up lines like, ‘Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?’ You get points for originality.”

  “I’m going to be graded? Damn, I should have studied beforehand.”

  “What can I say, I don’t make it easy.”

  They talked through dinner about their jobs, the town. Mackenzie tried to avoid questions about her family. Especially after what she had found out over the last couple of days. Suddenly having a mother in prison wasn’t the biggest problem she had.

  The hours flew by as they continued to talk. Luke told her how he worked for his father, who owned several newspapers.

  “You’re father owns several busine
sses and you work as a travel reporter?” Mackenzie said.

  “My dad believes in his sons starting from the ground up. If we want to take over from him someday we have to work for it.”

  “I guess that’s a good thing. Better that than you turning out as some spoiled rich kid,” she teased.

  “No, I make my own fortune in life.”

  “I get that. If you want to get anywhere you have to be able to stand on your own two feet.”

  “I take it you don’t want to be a bartender all your life, even a hot one?”

  She smiled, “No, I wanted to be a lawyer once.”

  “A hot lawyer? Definite step up.”

  “Not so much, I had to drop out of school.”

  “You could always go back. If it’s something you want to do, don’t give up on it.”

  “Are you sure you’re not an advice columnist for your paper?” she joked.

  “Only part time, cutbacks.”

  Mackenzie laughed loudly. She got a dirty look from the waiter. It was only then that she realized they were the only diners in the restaurant.

  “This place isn’t too popular,” she commented.

  “That might have something to do with the fact that it is closing time,” Luke said.

  “It is?” she checked her watch. It was late.

  “We should go,” she said.

  They left the restaurant together.

  “I’ll walk you back to your motel room,” Luke offered.

  She hesitated She didn’t have a motel room. She should have picked her car up hours ago. The garage would be closed by now.

  “You really don’t have to,” she said.

  “You’re right, that was a little sexist. Do you want to walk me to mine instead?”

  Mackenzie looked at the ground, her cheeks flushed, “I don’t know if that is a good idea. We only just met,” she said.

  “Oh, no, I didn’t mean it like that. I actually do want you to walk me back. Like I said, I’m not exactly big on the violence, but you seem to be able to take care of yourself.”