Fatal Retribution

by Diana Graves

  “Open it slowly,” said an unfamiliar voice.

  I found Mato and Michael in the far corner, hiding in the darkness. And EI detective Sloppy was sitting across from them. With reports in hand he left before I crawled in.

  “I’m going to need you to fill out one of these too, Miss. Kirkland,” he said in parting. I nodded and shut the door.

  “Raina,” Mato said with a sigh of relief.

  I crawled over to him and wrapped my arms around him. He hugged me back, squeezing my chest against his. That’s why I came in here, a much needed hug. I nestled my head against his neck and looked at my brother. He was smiling and it made me smile. I didn’t think I’d do that for a long time, but there I was, grinning.

  “I can’t believe you made it out of there, sis,” Michael said with a tired voice. He was up way past his bed time, poor vampire. “Did you save that demon’s wife?” he asked. And there went my smile. I shook my head. “What are you going to do about it?”

  I hugged Mato tighter and he hugged me back just as tightly. Tristan’s shirt was riding up. I wasn’t shy about my nakedness. That’s a human thing, and I wasn’t human.

  “Kill a demon.”

  THE END

  Reference:

  Uncommon Names:

  Adia [ad-Eu]

  Admetus [ad-met-us]

  Alcestis [al-ses-tis]

  Alistair [alis-tär]

  Damon [day-mon]

  Fauna [fä-na]

  Kamaria [ku-mär-Ea]

  Mato [ma-tO]

  Melvern [mel-vrn]

  Nenet [nen-et]

  Olathia [Olä-thEu]

  Ruy [rI]

  Creatures:

  Witch:

  Witches and wizards are humanoids who can manipulate reality with their minds to an extent.

  Elf:

  Elves are humanoids of grace and beauty who can manipulate reality to an extent with their minds.

  Human (Homo Sapien):

  Humans are mortal beings with little to no magic. But, what they lack in power they makeup in numbers!

  Vampire:

  Vampires are humanoids suffering from a virus that causes them to live undead and drink blood, as they can no longer make their own. While the oldest vampire is only a couple thousand years old, they are thought to be immortal.

  Ogre:

  Ogres are large beastly humanoids. Usually strictly carnivorous, they have been known to have a mild addiction to sweets.

  Big Foot (Sasquatch):

  Big Foots are large ape-like men and women from the Pacific Northwest.

  Nymph:

  Nymphs are chameleon-like humanoids.

  Barguest:

  Barguests are endangered shape shifting humanoids that take on the skills of the creatures they mimic.

  Werewolf (lycanthrope):

  Werewolves are humanoids that can shift from human to wolf or wolf-like form.

  Demon:

  Demons are immortal supernatural beings that are sometimes worshiped due to the power over reality.

  God (Deities):

  Gods are immortal supernatural beings that are sometimes worshiped due to their power over reality.

  Other:

  Slán:

  [slaan] Gaelic for safe or healthy/ a Talisman that enhances one’s senses

  Familiars:

  Familiars are animals that have been fed their master’s blood, so that their master’s spells don’t come back to harm them.

  Wands:

  Wands and staffs are rods made of any sort of marital one desires. Other than being an obvious folic symbol, they are a magical tool used to help the witch focus her energy. Not all witches and wizards need staffs or wands, but they look damn impressive.

  Book of Shadows:

  A book containing magical spells and rituals

  Flegen:

  [Flegen] the made-up language in Anna’s book of shadows.