by Sara DeHaven
If you’re still able to, Bree thought, nervousness creeping in, but she nodded in acknowledgement. She took a deep breath, and intoned, “Gelsenim, I call you! Gelsenim, I command you!”
He came into being quickly, in his human form, as he had been wont to do lately. He swept her a little bow as his form solidified, and he ignored Daniel completely. “My host, so glad you rang,” he said, for all the world as if responding to a social call.
“Thanks for coming so quickly. Daniel and I are running a little experiment to see how well he tolerates demonic energy. So I’m going to ask you to leave pretty much right away, we’ll check his status, and if all’s well, I’ll call you right back. Okay?”
“Not even a little possession first?” His voice was still playful, but his blue eyes were intense.
“I know you’re hungry, and if this doesn’t work, I’ll allow a possession later today, when I’m alone. How’s that for fair?”
“Fair enough,” the demon replied, and faded out. Bree looked immediately at Daniel. He was standing with arms loose at his side, eyes open, but attention turned inward. “Well?” she asked. She wasn’t going to read him without his permission. She was jumpy about it after what had happened with Leander.
“Well, my Demonsense came right up without a hitch, although I think he’s doing something to mute his energy, because he didn’t feel like a very big demon. Do you suppose it has to do with that piece of the hiding spell he picked up from me?”
Bree realized she hadn’t thought of that, although it was fairly obvious once Daniel said it out loud. “That's probably it. He told me he’s been experimenting with his energy signature so I don’t find it so painful to my Demonsense to have him around.”
“He’s doing a good job at it, although I’m not sure I’m thrilled that he’s developed that skill further,” Daniel admitted. “Someone trying to exorcise him from a host could get seriously burned due to misjudging his power.”
“What else?” Bree prompted impatiently.
“I feel okay, like I used to feel when I was first calling demons. A little bit unsettled by their energy, but okay inside of myself, if you know what I mean. Why don’t you do a read and check on the restraint structure, see what you think?”
She reluctant to do it, for so many reasons, but she nodded agreement and moved toward him. He’d changed into a button down shirt so he wouldn’t have to take his shirt entirely off in the chill. Watching him unbutton his shirt made her realize she was feeling cold. “Can I turn up the thermostat?” she asked.
“Sure,” he replied. As she was returning from that little chore, Daniel closed his eyes and waved his right hand palm out in an arc in front of him. Bree felt a wash of hot air hit her face. She halted in surprise. Daniel opened his eyes and smiled smugly at her look. “Never seen me do that one, have you?”
“No, I haven’t. Isn’t it hard to heat such a large volume of air? That’s definitely messing with physics.”
“All magic messes with physics. It’s not that hard because I’m affecting something nearby and because, frankly, fire is my best element. I work well with any kind of heat.” Bree’s mind flashed to Leander making a tornado out of his tea and wondered if water was his element. Or maybe air.
Then she remembered what she was supposed to be doing. She squared her shoulders and told herself not to enjoy putting her hands on Daniel’s bare chest. He stood still and apparently at ease as she did so, and she went quickly into the read. When he wasn’t already emotional, it was easy for her to attune to him. She didn’t even bother with the surface layers, although a rebellious part of her wanted to check to see if he wasn’t at least a little bit turned on by her touching him. After all, it wasn’t likely their chemistry would vanish overnight just because he’d declared they couldn’t be together. But she kept focus on business and went for the layer where she could perceive the restraint structure. It seemed perfectly in place to her, and in spite of herself, she was impressed. Maybe this really was going to work. She pulled out, and told him, “All systems go, captain.”
He let out a breath that told her he was feeling more trepidation about her verdict than he was showing on the outside. “Fine, call him again,” he instructed, then raised a ward between them. Once Gelsenim took form before her, she gave him permission to possess her. She knew his being assuaged of his hunger would make him more cooperative.
Daniel’s eyebrows rose in surprise as Gelsenim took physical form again right away. “Is he out again so soon?”
“No, Daniel, I am now able to take true physical form once my host allows possession. She is a marvelous host, you know. I’m capable of all kinds of new tricks once we’re joined."
“And what are the costs of these tricks,” Daniel asked coolly, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
“It’s fine, Daniel, I promise. And Gelsenim, promise Daniel you won’t hurt me. I don’t want him worried.”
Gelsenim hooked his thumbs in his belt, appearing at his ease. “I have no reason to hurt this particular host, and every reason to preserve her, Daniel. So it is easy to give my word in this instance.”
“As if I’d trust your word,” Daniel muttered.
“So,” Bree said, looking up at the demon, “how should we prove to Daniel that you have true physical form that won’t burn me?”
Gelsenim stepped forward, wrapped a hand firmly around the back of her neck, and kissed her, hard. It was shockingly real, as was the feel of his chest against her hands as she pushed against him in protest. He broke off the kiss immediately, and gave her an insouciant grin. “That was as lovely as I thought it would be, my host.”
Bree immediately looked at Daniel, heart in her throat. She didn’t want him to get protective, didn’t want any further strain on the restraint structure. His face was stormy, which made her nervous.
“You okay?” she asked
"I'm fine,” Daniel replied.
Of course, he said it in a way that didn’t sound entirely fine, at least to her ears. In spite of herself, her Reader sense came back up. She saw Daniel’s eyes narrow as he registered it. That meant he must have been looking for it.
“Do you want to check?” he asked.
She shook her head, forcing her Reader sense back down. "Just let me know if you start to feel shaky in any way."
“Or course,” Daniel replied, his attention focused back on Gelsenim.
She took the hint, and turned to face the demon as well. “Gelsenim, I have a request of you. There’s been a bombing here in town, and Daniel and I think the Keltoi are responsible. We’d like proof. Daniel tells me you may be able to gather some information that could help us.”
“Yes, I felt the echo of it earlier. I could perhaps find out more. I can’t guarantee that I’ll be able to break all the way through into your space and possess a host that will be able to get me that information,” the demon hedged. “That is, of course, the best way to go about these things, but it is not something I can force to happen. Also, keep in mind that I have been avoiding these Keltoi. I have not wanted to be commanded to possess one of them, as they tend to keep me for a long time. Now that I have discovered you, it is difficult to go back to such inferior food.”
“Is that the only reason?” Bree asked with considerable interest. “I got the impression that you’ve been enjoying being better able to think clearly since we’ve been working together.”
“That is a part of the reason, yes, my host.” Gelsenim’s blue eyes were brilliant in the morning light. “Then there is the fact that I enjoy your company. Although you have been far too prone of late to put yourself into danger.”
“Consider this a chance to help in a way that keeps me safe,” Bree wheedled.
“Are you going to ask me to leave immediately?”
Although he didn’t say it, Bree knew Gelsenim wouldn’t be happy at the prospect. “I’m afraid so,” she admitted. “Part of the trouble is that we’re testing a new fix Daniel is trying for that whole divi
ded thing.”
Gelsenim’s eyes narrowed in concentration, then his expression cleared. “Yes, I see it in your mind. A functional solution, but I doubt it will last.”
“Why do you say that?” Bree asked uneasily.
The demon shrugged. “Perhaps I’m being overly pessimistic. As my memories of the Seldenai return to me, it becomes apparent they were far more advanced than human kind on matters of psychic healing. It is not clear to me that Daniel is capable of becoming one. That is the only true fix. In advanced cases, even the Seldenai were not able to make that occur. And never after the division. If they didn’t come up with a solution, it is hard to imagine a human would.”
“And yet they weren’t human,” Daniel challenged. “Which means that the fix for us may be entirely different, perhaps even easier. This one seems to be working for me so far.”
“And yet you are not yourself,” Gelsenim said musingly, turning to regard Daniel more directly. “I can feel your energy quite clearly, partly through my own abilities, and partly through Bree’s Reader sense. Your emotional energy is restricted. Perhaps even your powers are restricted with this structure. It seems to me that too much of either emotional or magical energy might break it.”
“Obviously, the matter is untested. This is part of the test. And besides, it’s not like there is some other known fix out there. I’ve got to go with what seems to me like a good one until it’s proven wrong.”
“I suspect Bree’s ideas on the matter have an ultimately better chance of success,” Gelsenim returned, putting his hands in the pockets of his white pants. “Unfortunately, it would involve great risk for her, so you will not find me against your sticking with the structure you have.”
Bree felt like this was a good spot for her to put her oar in and change the direction of the conversation. “So, moving on. Please go into the near vicinity of what Keltoi you can find and listen in where you can. Isn’t that how it works? You can listen in where the barrier between the worlds is thinner?”
“Yes, that is how it works.”
“Maybe you can talk to other demons that have been possessing Keltoi.”
“And what do I get in return?”
“I don’t advise getting into the habit of negotiating with a demon,” Daniel said sternly. “You have to be the Master or they manipulate the living hell out of you.”
“Oh, I can manipulate the living hell out of you even when you think you are the Master,” Gelsenim purred.
“I’ll just command him. It’s simpler.”
“No, Daniel, let me handle this,” Bree insisted. She had to find her own way to work with Gelsenim. “Tell you what. I’ll allow a half day possession if you return with helpful information. I want to check and see what the effects of a longer possession are anyway.”
“A half day,” the demon pondered. “Yes, that would feel long to you, but the merest instant to me. Two days. I must see what happens when you sleep.”
“One whole day, not including sleep,” Bree countered. “C’mon, Gelsenim, you know I have to take this a step at a time or it will freak me out too much.”
The demon smiled. “A day it is. I go to do your bidding. You will have to call me to check on my progress, as I am unable to come through to you at my own will except in the smallest way, ways you may not perceive.”
“I’ll do that, Gelsenim. Now go.”
The demon performed his little bow again, and did his vanishing act.
Bree felt Daniel release the ward, then he turned to her, arms crossed again, and said, “So just what kind of experimenting have you been up to with that demon?”
Bree felt immediately very cautious. She’d been going along with a nice denial-fueled sense of normalcy in hanging out with Daniel. Being here with him in his workroom, at a moment when he perceived some threat to her, created an all too vivid reminder to just how close he’d come to blowing apart the last time they were here together. Although she knew it would piss him off, she found herself saying it out loud. “Don’t get all protective on me, Daniel, that seems to be what triggered you losing it last time.”
He took a breath, clearly reaching for patience. “I’m perfectly fine. Just answer my question.”
Daniel’s little speech about how she was incapable of trusting him came to mind. She could feel the internal pressure of anxiety building, pushing her to ask to read him, to turn his questions on him, in that crazy, completely contradictory impulse to both prove that he could be trusted and prove that he couldn’t. But this was her chance to show she was capable of some change.
“I’ve been calling Gelsenim over at my place, testing to see if he’ll be cooperative. As you saw, some negotiation is involved, but so far, he’s done what he’s said he would do.”
“Then what’s this about him taking physical form?”
“He says he’s able to do it because he doesn’t feel hunger with me, and he’s able to remember some skills and concentrate. I have no idea how long he can maintain it, but his touch doesn’t hurt.”
“I can’t believe I’m having to tell you this, Bree, but it’s a bad idea to place your trust in a demon. And yes, I know me being the cautious one is a role reversal here, so you don’t need to rub my nose in it.” Both his look and his tone were sardonic. He did sardonic well.
“Hey, I get that all his apparent cooperation could be leading up to some ultimate, nefarious goal. I get he’s a very big, bad demon. On the other hand, maybe something new is happening here. Isn’t that what we’ve been looking for? New information on demons, a new way to understand them?”
Daniel looked at the floor and was silent for a time. There were still traces of tension on his face as he thought. When he finally looked up at her, he appeared uncomfortable, but not angry. “You know, I’m beginning to get how it must have been for you, working with me. I was always pushing the boundaries, wanting to go faster, and you were always worried about safety. What do you suppose has changed here, that we’re on opposite sides of the fence now?”
Bree shrugged. “Maybe it’s just that the situation calls for caution, and one of us has to take that role. Maybe it’s just your turn.” Her arms were crossed now too, although the room was perfectly warm.
“Do you think it has anything to do with the structure of restraints I’ve put in place? Is it changing me, like Gelsenim says?”
“What do you think?”
Daniel moved to sit on the edge of the table. It creaked a little as it took his weight. “In a way, I feel more like myself than I have in a long time. But then, there are moments when I can feel a difference. I think it’s when I have stronger emotions. They’re there, they’re recognizable, but it’s like I can only get so activated.”
“And how does that feel to you?” Bree found herself not breathing as she awaited his response.
“Of course I don’t like it.” Impatience colored into his tone. “Who the hell would? But consider that intense emotion, with or without demon contact, seems to be the what’s triggered the break downs I’ve been having.”
“I’ve been thinking that your hiding spell has something to do with it too.”
Daniel had been gently swinging his feet back and forth, but now he stilled. “How so?”
She shook her head. “It’s more an intuition than a full fledged theory. But my sense is that you put that hiding spell to work so long ago, and it’s been separating a part of you off for years. That’s a sort of division, isn’t it? And even emotionally, it seems like there’s a division for you. Your Demon Master and Binder talents are nearly your best talents, yet you can’t afford to use or accept them. It just really sucks.”
Daniel snorted. “That’s the understatement of the year.”
“But you do see what I mean?” Bree pleaded. She was hoping for some buy-in from him on this.
“On one level, yeah. But the reality is, we don’t actually have any solid information on how this division thing really works, or even if it is the same divided thing Gelseni
m describes from the Seldenai. For all we know, I’m just plain susceptible to demon burn, and that’s all this is.”
“But we always come back to how fast it’s happening. That doesn’t really fit from what you told me, what I’ve heard, about demon burn.”
Daniel scratched at his beard stubble. “Okay, let’s just say for the sake of argument that you’re right. My hiding spell, and my issues with not accepting all my talents is at fault. I can’t just stop doing the hiding spell, especially not with the way things are going. If I’m going to take some active part in everything that’s going down, I’m going to be around Keepers. So I have to keep it up. Which means I’m right back to where this whole conversation started. Maybe there are unpleasant side effects to what I’m doing. But it’s the best I’ve got.”
She wanted to argue for her idea on a fix again, but it just didn’t seem the moment. They were supposed to be focused on what they could do against the Keltoi. Messing with him now was royally bad timing. So she just nodded. “I can see it appears to be working, and I’m down with just letting it alone for now. Not that I get a vote or anything.”
“You still get a vote,” Daniel replied quietly.
Bree was a little flummoxed by that. “Well, good, that’s good,” she stuttered. “So what’s next on your list of ideas?”
“How about we go downstairs where we’ll be more comfortable, and I’ll tell you what I’ve been thinking.”
Bree agreed, and soon they were settled on opposite ends of his couch. Bree was in her favorite posture, sitting with her back against the couch arm, feet pulled up against her rear, and Daniel was sitting cross-legged, facing her. “So shoot,” she told him.
“Remember how you told me you’d seen Franchesca? And how we heard that she’s been allied with Marton Varga? I managed to get hold of Javier, and I also checked in with my old partner in Boston. Rumor has it that Varga is the driver of this move toward a demon war. He’s been able to inspire an unusual level of cooperation among Keltoi clans, given they’re often in competition with each other. If Franchesca is here in Seattle, Varga may be as well. One of the things I may be able to do that the local Keepers can’t is perform a finding spell on Franchesca, which might lead us to Varga.”
