Demon Day

by Penelope Fletcher

  Both Alec and Breandan raised an eyebrow at me. “We tried to breach the Wall but didn’t come close. Humans have guns and silver bullets to the chest kill. We lost two males trying to dig our way under.”

  With a flash, I remembered the screams of were-cats the morning before I had run in the forest and met Breandan. How odd something I had brushed off as demons battling over territory was something much simpler and purer. I felt ashamed. So much of what I had been taught by the Sect was wrong.

  The Sect was the single greatest authority the survivors of humankind looked to for guidance and protection. During the Rupture so many were slaughtered and only those who were strong were able to defend themselves. Many fled the inner cities, knowing it was only a matter of time before a shifter sniffed you out or a vampire caught the smell of your female’s menstrual cycle. Nowhere with a dense population was safe until the three men and five women, Priests who had founded the Sect, erected the Wall and set the strongest survivors they could find as guardians. They had become determined to fight off any threat to their continued survival. Many sought sanctuary with these brave few who seemed to be able to hold their own and after a while that was simply the way it was. The Priests told us what to do and we did it. They told us what to think, what to eat, what to say, and in return they kept us safe from the demons beyond the wall.

  That had all changed for me, my eyes had been opened and nothing was ever as black and white as it seemed.

  “I heard you,” I confessed “I would wake up and hear you calling to them.”

  Alec gave me a half-hearted smile. “Wherever they are they’re underground and more than likely in human form. They would have returned the call if they had heard us and could respond.” He sounded desolate so I touched his arm briefly.

  “Is that why you were in the forest when I first met you? So close to the Wall?”

  He nodded. “We’ve been trying to find a weakness in their defenses for days. When I saw you two I was curious, but couldn’t hang around to talk since I was supposed to be monitoring Cleric activity.” He grinned. “Had I known who you were I would have tailed you until I was sure you’d help us.” He clicked his fingers. “Oh, and I almost forgot. A vampire has been scented several times. Do you know anything about that? Byron was worried about us running the territory alone if we had a bloodsucker to worry about.”

  Awkward.

  Breandan did not say a word, and neither did I.

  “I had more than enough problems yesterday,” I said, strained. “I think if anything else had happened I would have gone crazy.” Yes, I had completely ignored his question about Tomas, but really, how would I explain it?

  Breandan snorted. “Pure blooded fairies do not go ‘crazy’.”

  “One word; Devlin.”

  “He is evil not insane.”

  “Say-so,” I mumbled. “Black magic and human sacrifice seems pretty crazy to me.”

  His ears twitched and he rubbed a small circle into my palm with his thumb. “Not everything is as black and white as it seems.”

  “I second that,” Alec added before turning his attention to the path ahead of us. Though it was dark, I saw many figures moving about. The shifters were awake to greet the dawn.

  Conall appeared and stood in front of us, his eyes flicked between Breandan and me curiously. After a moments inspection he seemed satisfied and his scowl smoothed when he noted the circlet on my brow.

  Breandan said, “Today we discuss how to help Byron.”

  My brother crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his chin up. “Agreed.”

  I looked between them eyeing each other up and down. Okay…. Why were they acting so twitchy around each other? Bloody melodramatic fairies. “I’m going with Alec.” I took off when Breandan opened his mouth to object.

  Brawling tiger cubs bumbled past me, growling at each other, and a few shifter-kids in human form darted past; heckling wildly and egging them on. A petite lynx the colour of honey darted between my legs, and I tripped, trying not to step on any tails including my own. I clutched it in my palm and trod lightly, keeping my wings tight to my back.

  “Watch out,” Alec warned from behind me and yanked on the end of my hair to pull me out the way when two much older tigers lunged past; half a deer carcass clamped in their jaws as they swiped at each other with paws the circumference of my face.

  Bewildered, I looked up at him with wide eyes. “Can I hang with you today?” I asked and pointed over my shoulder in the direction I knew Breandan was in. “They’re acting weird and I’m not into it.” I scratched my knee where the hem of my skirt rested. “And if you could show me where I could bargain for some decent clothes I’d owe you big time.”

  “Bargain?”

  “Well I don’t have any coin; it doesn’t work like that at Temple. Everything I needed was provided for me by the Sect. I have no idea if Conall has any.”

  I rubbed my nose, self-conscious about the sudden realization I had no way to feed or clothe myself. Where would I sleep? When I was at the fairy Wyld everything had been done for me, but I’d been so out of it I hadn’t thought to ask if anything belonged to me. Where did Breandan sleep when he was there? After all, it was his home.

  “I guess it would be Conall I asked since he’s the head of my family,” I said slowly. “But like I said he’s acting weird, and I’ve had enough of the intense conversations he loves dragging me into. For now.”

  Alec laughed. “I can get you some new clothes. We don’t use coin here either so do not worry about that. It’s community labor we value, and I’ll pick up your tab.” I made to protest, but he shook his head with finality. “I’ve got to make sure none of the women need anything and run the territory, but you can tag along if you like and help. That would be payment enough.” He jerked his head toward the clothes stalls and I fell into step beside him, walking down the gentle slope. “To be honest I’m surprised you guys are willing to wait around here for so long. When you first arrived it seemed like you were in a rush.”

  My attention was rapt on the community around me. Shifters prowled past, and I roughly pegged the Pride population at no more than two hundred. It was amazing how much bustle such a small number of people could make. The smell of cooking meat had my stomach rolling dangerously. Did they eat nothing else?

  “We decided to stay for a while,” I replied, pressed a hand to my stomach and praying I did not start to retch. “Breandan wants time to plan the rescue of Byron’s daughters, and well, I just want sometime to breathe. Things have been crazy these past two days, and a few more to get things straight would do me the world of good.”

  “You’re not doing badly. When I shifted for the first time I thought I’d lost my mind. Didn’t take me long to figure out what I was.” Alec became reflective, stopping us in front of a stall piled high with leathers and fabrics. “Only the gods know what would have happened to me if Byron hadn’t taken me in. Between the Clerics, fairies, and vampires I wouldn’t have lasted long.” He shook himself up, head to toe like a cat coming out of the rain. His dark hair flapped about a bit and he scrubbed his hands through it agitatedly, sending me a rueful look. “Morbid, yeah I know. So, you are staying on Pride land? It’s not like fairies to spend so much time in the presence of other demons.”

  He pointed to a pair of plain russet leather pants and I nodded, rummaging through the piles to find a size that would fit me. Picking up a pair and pulling on them to make sure they were tough enough, Alec plucked them from my hands and motioned to the tunics.

  “No?” I asked, feigning nonchalance, not seeing any of the tops that took my fancy. Sigh. I missed my tee shirts and jeans, but I had to get out of this dress. It was disgusting, crumpled and covered in mud, blood and sweat. Not a good look for me.

  “By nature fairykind are secretive and proud. Well, most of you are. I’ve never met any like you before.”

  Though my hands were on the scratchy fabric of the tunics, my eye had snagged on something else. I shot
Alec a quick grin. “And you never will again.”

  I wasn’t much into clothes, as a Disciple I was given tokens that allowed me to collect what I needed, the basics, once every six months or so from the seamstress. Unlike the other girls, I had never altered my wardrobe, slashing the tops and jeans to show more skin. I just did not care how I looked. But since I’d met Breandan… Not looking a complete mess had become something of a priority.

  The tops I could not stop staring at were no more than bras with all kinds of buckles and leather straps hanging off them. Alec caught my preoccupation and I hastily turned my attention to the sensible tunics on display, finding the beige and gray shades less than delightful. Alec took the scandalous top down and waggled it on the tip of his finger. It looked like a scrap of spare material in his big hands. He nodded his head toward the lace up boots, looking at my dirty bare feet pointedly.

  Refusing to be distracted, I shook my head and leaned in closer. “I can’t wear that.” I made to snatch it from him, but he bunched it up with the trousers under one armpit, and snagged my elbow to push me in front of the boot selection.

  “It’ll look good on you. Now how big are your feet?” He ducked down to catch my ankle and pull my foot up. Head swinging from side to side he selected a pair of soft-sole boots.

  Picking the shoes up and hugging them to my chest, I glowered at him. “I’m not wearing it.” I spun on my heel to go look at the belts.

  Jogging up beside me, he laughed. “Don’t you want to look pretty?”

  “That’s not the point. You do not need to show the whole world your entire hide to be pretty. I don’t need to prance around half naked for people to notice me…. Not that I want them to … in fact, the less people notice me the better.”

  “Then why didn’t you pick up a tunic?”

  I stopped and cursed, ready to go back. He grabbed my hand and pulled me on. Fumbling to keep hold of the boots with one hand, grumbling to myself, I followed him.

  His hut was small and a bloody mess. The walls were covered in scratch marks and the bedding looked like it had been attacked by a pack of, well, cats.

  Alec dropped all my clothes on the floor and winked, stepping outside to give me privacy.

  I ripped a hole in the trousers above the seat; they were pocket-less, which made things easier. I sighed; it was a shame to vandalize such good workmanship but a necessity.

  I dressed quickly my eyes taking in the wooden beams, rumpled sheets and, mish mash of personal belongings. It was simple, but homely too. Shiny rocks and dried leaves were scattered everywhere, on the windowsill, propped up against the wall. Each was so lovingly displayed it was clear Alec had chosen them for a reason.

  Finished, I clutched the dress loosely in my hands. With a quick thought, it went up in flames, and turned to ash. I dusted my hands off.

  In honesty my new outfit was the most comfortable I had ever worn. My wings were free to move without restraint or the irritation of fabric rubbing at the base of my pinions. The air on my back, stomach, and shoulders was delightfully refreshing, I’d always run hot, a fairy trait it seemed. The leather trousers molded to my curves like a second skin and hugged my ankles, tucked into the soft-soled boots that felt like they were made for me, strapped up to the middle of my calf. The waist of the trousers rode my hips dangerously low and though I tried to yank them up the problem was a lack of material rather than the fit. Even the leather straps on the top were practical, criss crossing over my front with a sheath for a dagger. Taking a deep breath, rubbing my circlet anxiously, I looked down. Skin, lots, and lots of skin. Heat climbed up my neck and I scratched my throat like I was breaking out in a rash. I was embarrassed because I was surprised and proud that my body made such an impressive showing in the revealing outfit.

  “I can’t wear this,” I muttered and yanked on the boning that nestled above the centre of my ribcage.

  The door swung open making me whirl in fright, letting in a gust of grass-scented air, and slammed into the wall. Alec – fingers still splayed on the door – blinked at me owlishly.

  He groaned. “If I were a lesser animal….” He leaned forward to grab my hand and pull me out the hut before I could voice my numerous protests.

  As we stalked across the Pride, I felt the heated eyes on me, human and cat. Slowly, I straightened my back, under the influence of a fierce surge of female pride. Hell, my hips swayed, and my tail waved from side to side with flirty flicks. Allowing a smile to brighten my face, I paid attention to where Alec was headed.

  I dug my heels into the earth.

  “Uh, what are you doing?” He kept going and I scrapped two divots in the floor. Not wanting to ruin my new boots, I let up and stumbled forward. “I’m only letting you pull me because I don’t want to show you up in front of your Pack Brothers, but by the gods, Alec,” my voice lowered to a furious hiss, “if you take me over there dressed like this I will not forgive you.” He smirked and kept walking, keeping me with him. I tried to distract him. “You seem interested in fairies.”

  He slid a considering look at me. “It’s my job. As the packs protector I have to be aware of danger.”

  I stopped. My booted foot burrowed into the hard packed dirt floor again. This time for entirely non-selfish reasons. “Things are changing, Alec.” Gathering some confidence I looked him in the eye. “You don’t have to be afraid to go into the forest anymore or worry about what a fairy might do should they find you. And us being here isn’t some undercover attempt to learn your weaknesses. Okay?”

  He smiled. “You’re something special, y’know. But you can’t divert me.”

  I scrunched my face up and whacked his shoulder. “You’re embarrassing us both.” Determined he walked on and stayed quiet. I tried again. “Um, so … why do shifter packs segregate like you do? I mean, are were were-wolves, were-bears, were-birds, but you live separately. Why is there no mix?”

  He shrugged. “We’ve heard of mixed packs, but I can’t see how they could possibly live together without the constant threat of the stronger killing the weaker.”

  “You have no control of your animal nature?”

  “Yes, but it’s easy to be overcome by instinct.”

  A woman holding a weave basket to her hip swayed past, her slinky movement screaming of effortless feline sexuality. Seeing the sensual way she moved, I was conscious of my own somewhat heavy stomp. It also reminded me of the dance the night before.

  “Uh, so, the females are protected from the males by Byron?” Alec cocked an eyebrow in question. I cleared my throat and felt heat crawl up my neck to spill onto my cheeks. “Last night with the dancing … he was nodding at the couples….”

  “Oh. The Alpha always agrees to the mating. It is tradition. I find it a bit of a passion killer, but most are too … involved to mind they’re basically asking permission to go screw each other’s brains out.” My mouth dropped open. Alec seemed perturbed by my reaction. He watched me carefully and his eyes flicked over to where Breandan and Conall sat in their council. His eyes came back to me. “His scent is all over you, but you and your fairy have not–”

  “If you know what’s good for you you’ll end that sentence right there.”

  I blushed furiously. I would not be called out so blatantly. It was none of his business.

  He held his hands up, laughing. “The irritation and tension speaks for itself. I won’t say a word.” He mimed closing his mouth. I nodded once, feeling my face cool down. “Is there a reason you have not mated him yet?”

  “Alec!”

  At the sound of my voice, Breandan’s head whipped round to stare at me. He made to rise, but Conall said something that made him freeze, and return to his cross-legged position. He turned away, but not before I felt the intensity of his mind upon mine, looking for any fear or concern. Finding none the pressure of his mind left mine and I scowled. Alec had seen the exchange and scratched the back of his head, expression mystified.

  Still not happy with the fact the shifte
r lead me over there I squeezed his hand until he grunted. By the time we reached the trio the tendons in his arms popped out, and his face was strained. I applied more pressure and heard a satisfying crack muted by the short bark of pain. I let him go and he shook out his hand, glaring at me.

  Rubbing my sweaty palms on my hips, I looked everywhere but at Breandan’s face. My chest heaved, my breath coming short with nerves. I made an impatient noise at Alec to get on with it.

  “I am going to run the territory,” Alec told Breandan. “Rae wants to come with me. I ask permission to guard your mate until I bring her back to you.”

  “As her Elder, I agree that Rae may accompany you,” Conall replied easily.

  I started and looked at my brother, cocking my head. Why had he answered? Alec simply nodded slowly and paused, waiting.

  My face got hotter and hotter. Tears pricked my eyes because I wanted Breandan to object. How crazy was that. When Tomas made to touch me Breandan’s jealousy was plain, but the stress of it had given my stomach cramps. But was I secretly pleased? After years of being ignored and seen as weird, was I happy to have two boys fighting over me? Maybe that’s why I felt an irrational urge to smack him in the face to get him to look at me. I stared at him now, waiting for him to acknowledge me.

  His gaze flicked to me and his eyes burned. Then he glanced at Conall and his lips pressed together in acute frustration.

  The silence became charged. Byron and Alec shared a baffled look.

  I turned and walked away.

  After fewer than three steps, a hot and thick wave of lust gushed over me. My forth step faltered before I gathered myself. Swallowing hard, stunned by the ferocity of the desire he had sent to me and unable to help myself I snuck a look over my shoulder.

  Breandan winked before turning his attention back to the conversation Conall and Byron were deeply immersed in.