Daemon Uprising

by Mariah Ankenman

  He brought out his sword. Stryden quickly grabbed Tabitha’s from where it had fallen. Stryden attacked with a hard thrust, which he deflected before returning with one of his own. Kiernan prided himself on being an excellent swordsman, but Stryden had strength on his side. Luckily, strength didn’t provide a huge advantage in swordplay. Retreat and defense were just as important. Something Kiernan excelled at.

  The battle was hard and ferocious. The sound of metal hitting metal filled the alley, neither Daemon making any ground. Cuts and blows delivered, but the Daemons had not done any significant damage to the other. Kiernan wasn’t sure how much longer he could continue to deflect Stryden’s blows. His endurance waned. No matter how fiercely his heart fought, his body could not keep up with the demands he placed on it.

  “Give it up, Enforcer,” Stryden shouted. “Her power will be mine.”

  The Kako raised his sword for a killing blow bringing it down. Quickly, Kiernan brought his sword up, but before he could deflect the blow, a sickening sound filled the alley, the sound of metal slicing through flesh. Confusion twisted Stryden’s face. The sword dropped from Stryden’s hands. Kiernan glanced up to see the tip of a blade protruding from the Kako’s chest. His gaze rose to see shock and pain fill Stryden’s face. A strong, familiar hand gripped Stryden’s shoulder.

  “Her power is hers, as is her sister’s life.” Racine stood behind Stryden. Gripping the Kako leader’s shoulder tightly, he pulled his sword from his chest and quickly lopped off the Kako’s head.

  Stryden’s eyes still reflected shock as his head rolled down the alley to land at Tabitha’s feet.

  “Gross,” she panted out through labored breaths. “Took…you guys long enough…to get here.”

  Kiernan rushed to her side, kneeling down next to her on the cold pavement.

  “Tabitha, baby. Don’t worry, you’re going to be okay.”

  “Alec?” she asked as he inspected the sword still sticking out of her shoulder. Gods, a freaking sword stuck out of her.

  He examined her as he talked. “Cade is taking care of it. He was following me, but when I heard your call, I made Cade take off after him.”

  “I sent Barrett and Saint to find them. Hyde and I came here. We heard you too, Tabitha.”

  She smiled, but the smile was weak, and her eyes dull and hazy. He gripped her uninjured shoulder and shook her slightly.

  “Tabitha, stay with me.”

  Her eyes focused slightly on him, and she gave another weak smile. “I love you, Kiernan.”

  “I love you, too.” He pressed his lips to hers in a hard quick kiss. “This is going to hurt, baby. I’m sorry.”

  She opened her mouth to ask something, but then screamed as he placed a bracing hand on her chest and pulled Stryden’s jagged sword from her shoulder. The rough edges caught tissue and flesh as it pulled out. The wound left in Tabitha’s shoulder ugly and raw. Blood poured down her arm like a sickening red waterfall.

  Kiernan grabbed a small silver bottle from his coat pocket and uncorked it. He poured the liquid inside the bottle into her wound. Her scream intensified, body racking with tremors as the medicine healed. It ripped his heart out to see her in pain, but he’d take Tabitha in pain and alive to dead any day. The medicine would help. The same concoction Bucky used on her arrow wound. The old woman had given it to him earlier “just in case.” He was glad he had it now. No way was he going to lose Tabitha. Not now, after she finally admitted what they had.

  The wound began to close, and she went quiet. She had lost a lot of blood, but it would soon be replenished. Tabitha would be weak for a while, but at least alive. He kissed her shoulder softly as the skin fully healed. Fortunately, Stryden had missed the bone. Bucky was good, but she wasn’t that good.

  Tabitha lifted her face to Kiernan’s. She threw her arms around his neck. Her lips found his. She was alive. For a moment, he imagined a world without her in it, and all he saw was darkness. Life without Tabitha was no life at all. Lost in the feel of her, he barely heard the clearing of a throat behind them. They lifted their heads, Tabitha’s face burning red with embarrassment as Racine and Hyde smirked at them.

  “I’m glad you are okay, Tabitha, but we’re not quite finished here yet.” Racine motioned to Stryden’s liquefying body. Always better when they killed a Kako in the woods, the remains taken care of by the forest animals. In the city, they had to clean up after themselves.

  “I’ll take care of this,” Hyde said. “You guys have other things to do.”

  Other things to attend to. Stryden was dead, which meant his Drone was now free.

  “Krista,” Tabitha exclaimed.

  She jumped up and ran to Racine. Kiernan followed closely behind her. “Do you think she’s awake?”

  A mixture of worry and hope filled Racine’s eyes. “Let’s go find out.”

  Chapter 35

  They walked quickly to the hospital, a few blocks away so no need to fly. Kiernan gave Tabitha his jacket to cover the bloodstain covering her shoulder and back. She didn’t want anyone stopping them to ask if she needed medical attention. All she needed right now was her sister.

  They entered the hospital and headed toward Krista’s room. Voices echoed from the hallway. At the sound of a soft feminine voice, Tabitha picked up speed. By the time she got to her sister’s room, she was at a full out run.

  “I’m telling you I feel fine.”

  “Ms. Culver, you’ve been in a coma for ten years. Your muscles have most likely atrophied.”

  “Then how am I sitting up?”

  Tabitha halted in the doorway to see her baby sister sitting up in bed arguing with her doctor. Sitting up! Awake! Their eyes met, and Krista stopped talking. The doctor turned his head to see what caused his patient’s sudden silence.

  “Krista…”

  Tabitha burst into the room, running to her sister. Krista jumped from the bed. She pushed past the doctor who had a look of utter disbelief. The two women met in the center of the room, embracing tightly. Tears poured from both their eyes as they hugged.

  “Krista, I was so worried. I missed you so much.”

  “Oh, Tabitha, I knew you’d do it. I knew you’d save me.”

  She pulled away from her sister. “What…how?”

  “Ms. Culver…” The doctor’s distraught voice interrupted their reunion. “Your sister should not be up, her muscles—”

  “Are just fine, as you can see, Doctor,” she interrupted him right back.

  “She just regained consciousness a few minutes ago,” he continued. “She needs to be examined.”

  “Please.” Tears of joy gathered in the corners of her eyes. “I haven’t talked to my sister in ten years. Can we have a few minutes?”

  The doctor looked at Krista once more. Confusion and concern warred in his expression, but he finally gave in. “Take a few minutes. I’ll be back in to give you a full examination.”

  With that, he left the room.

  She turned to her sister. “What do you mean I saved you?”

  “I saw.” Krista’s eyes filled with anguish. “I saw everything he did. Like a part of me was with him and a part of me was here. I knew every time you came to see me. I saw every person he—he killed. Like watching a movie or being in a dream. Sometimes, I was here and sometimes I was with him. I couldn’t do anything. Couldn’t talk to you. Couldn’t…stop him. I saw you fight him in the alley. I saw him hurt you.” Krista touched her shoulder where the wound had already healed, a faraway look in those bright blue eyes. “I saw his head roll, and then I opened my eyes and I was back here.”

  Could she really have been aware for all that time? Ten years of living trapped in a body and seeing the horrors of what Stryden had done? Horrible to think about. Did every Drone experience that? If so, the Kako problem was even worse than it first seemed.

  “I saw…” Krista’s eyes came up, searching beyond her until they landed at the door. “You.”

  Tabitha turned. Racine stood in the doorwa
y with Kiernan behind him. Krista pulled away and went to Racine. The large Daemon looked uncomfortable as her sister came to stand close before him.

  “You set me free. You killed him.”

  Racine nodded.

  “Thank you, Racine.”

  His eyes widened. “You know who I am?”

  A playful chuckle escaped Krista’s lips. “Of course. I remember every time you came to see me, too.”

  Racine visited her sister? When?

  “Thank you.” Krista threw her arms around Racine; the Daemon’s eyes grew round with surprise. After a moment, he smiled and returned the hug.

  A shout sounded in the hallway.

  “I want to see my daughter now!”

  Krista broke away from Racine. Her sister turned to her, a grimace on her lips. “Uh-oh, Dad’s here.”

  “Better get back in bed or he’ll have a conniption,” she said with a sigh.

  Krista smiled, wrinkling her nose before complying. She hopped back into the bed, throwing the blankets over her legs. Racine and Kiernan mentioned something about checking in with Hyde and quickly left. Chickens. Tabitha suspected they just didn’t want to face her father. Join the club.

  Stanley Culver plowed into his daughter’s room with two nurses and the doctor following him shouting protests.

  “She needs tests.”

  “It’s medically impossible.”

  “Give her time.”

  He ignored all of them as he stepped into the room. His eyes settled on Tabitha for a moment, then quickly passed to Krista who gave him a big smile.

  “Hi, Daddy.”

  “Krista, my baby.” His eyes filled with tears as he rushed to the bed and enfolded her in his arms. “Are you okay? What happened? How did you—”

  Krista pulled back to look in her father’s eyes.

  “Tabitha, Dad. She saved me, her and her friends.”

  Her father eyed her suspiciously. Well, so much for a picture-perfect moment. His gaze came back to Krista. Her sister nodded her head in conformation.

  “It’s true, Dad. Tabitha saved me.”

  Her father turned back to her. His eyes still held distrust, but also gratefulness and, dare she hope, a bit of love? He didn’t say anything but lifted a hand and patted her on the shoulder. He had no way of knowing it was the same shoulder that had recently taken a blade in the fight for her sister and all of human kind. The move was awkward and stilted, but a gesture of thanks nonetheless. A start.

  “Mr. Culver, I really must insist you let us check your daughter.”

  Stan waved an angry hand in the air. “Yes, yes, all right. I just wanted to see her first.” He shifted to face Krista again, stroking her hair in a fatherly gesture Tabitha barely remembered. “I’ll be right outside…with your sister.”

  Krista smiled at the both of them as they left the room to let the doctor and nurses do the exam. Outside the room, Racine and Kiernan waited. Tabitha gave them a questioning look. Racine nodded.

  “They took care of Alec. Meeting in one hour to discuss our next step.”

  Because this wasn’t over, more players in this game. More Kakos who knew how to make a Drone. Now that they knew the Drone was partially conscious, it made finding and eliminating the Kakos all the more imperative.

  Racine inclined his head to Kiernan and Tabitha and headed down the hallway toward the exit. Kiernan slid up to her side, placing a protective arm around her waist. She loved him even more for knowing she needed the support right now. Her father turned toward her, his gaze going from Racine’s retreating form to her.

  “I don’t want to know. I’m just grateful for…whatever you all did to bring Krista back.”

  Damn, she knew those words were hard for her father. He shifted uncomfortably, shoving his hand in his pockets as he stared at the floor.

  “Tabitha, I know I haven’t been the best father to you over the years.”

  She kept her snort of derision to herself.

  “I just—” His eyes came up and met hers. “I don’t know about your world. Your mother didn’t tell me until…well, you know.” He tugged at his tie and brushed some imaginary lint off his shirt. “I loved your mother, you have to believe that.”

  “Then why did you force her to leave?”

  His eyes shot to hers. “I didn’t. I have no idea why she left.”

  “Because you threatened her,” she said angrily.

  Shame filled her father’s eyes. “They were empty threats. She knew that. I don’t know why she left, but it wasn’t me or you.”

  They had a lot to talk about, but it had to wait. Right now they needed to focus on Krista. She hoped someday she and her father could have a relationship like they used to have. The one she barely remembered or perhaps dreamed up. It would take a lot of work, but if he was willing, so was she.

  “I know you have a meeting to go to soon.” Stan shifted again. “I’ll call you when the doctors are finished and tell you the news.”

  Skepticism must have shown on her face, because her father held up a hand.

  “I promise. I know I’ve been a poor excuse for a father. I’m—I’m sorry.”

  Well, there were two words she never thought she’d hear from her father. Maybe all these years he hadn’t really hated her. Maybe he was just so angry over what happened he needed someone to blame. Kind of crappy to blame your kid, but no one was perfect. Not even parents.

  “All right. I won’t be gone long.” She paused. “Do you want me to bring you some dinner back?”

  Her father smiled. The first smile he’d given her in years. “That would be great.”

  His eyes held hers for a moment before looking over at Kiernan.

  “Thank you for looking after my daughter.”

  He didn’t know how true that statement was. Kiernan inclined his head. Tabitha wasn’t sure what shocked her more, her father thanking Kiernan or her father calling her his daughter. This night was just too bizarre.

  Saying goodbye to her father and taking one last look at her sister—who seemed very annoyed by all the prodding of the doctor and nurses—Tabitha and Kiernan turned and walked down the hall and out of the hospital. For the first time in ten years, she left without feeling despair.

  Chapter 36

  A few weeks after Stryden had been killed, Krista was out of the hospital and back home with their father. Tabitha went to see her every day. She even managed to speak to her father civilly at each visit. They weren’t quite the all-American family yet, but they had started to repair the long broken relationship.

  The council was hard at work, digging up anything they could on Drones and the High Master Stryden had mentioned. Damien informed the council an outbreak of new Kakos had erupted in his region. Barrett and Cade rushed home immediately. Racine convinced Celia to go with them, to share their discoveries and her research.

  They continued to search for the leak in their operation. No way could the Kakos have had that many lucky guesses as to their plans. Racine questioned everyone connected with the council to ferret out the mole.

  Krista visited council headquarters a few times over the past weeks. She became a fast favorite of everyone. In fact, she had just popped in the front door when Tabitha and Kiernan came out of Racine’s office from a meeting.

  Krista squealed when she saw her big sister and ran to hug her. Tabitha welcomed her with open arms. She was still worried about her sister, but Krista seemed just as boisterous as ever.

  “Tabby, I have something really cool to show you.”

  Krista’s bright blue eyes shone with excitement as she released her sister and pulled her back into Racine’s office.

  “Krista, what—”

  “You too, Kiernan,” Krista said cutting her off and motioning Kiernan back into the room.

  Once inside, she dropped Tabitha’s arm. Her gaze went right to Racine, sitting at his desk. If possible, Krista’s eyes lit up even more. Tabitha suspected her sister had a little crush on the man who set her free. Po
or Racine, Krista was nothing if not tenacious.

  The Enforcer leader looked up at Krista as she ran behind the desk and threw her arms around his neck, as she did every time she saw him. He patted her awkwardly on the back, happy to see her, but obviously still unsure how to deal with her. Racine was in so much trouble, and Tabitha enjoyed every minute of it.

  “Hi, Racine. You have to see this, too. It’s so amazing. I mean, I couldn’t even believe it at first. The first time, I thought it was a fluke, but then I did it again. It’s really, really cool. Too bad Celia isn’t here she would get a real kick out of it.”

  “Krista, what?” she asked with exasperation, cutting into her sister’s tirade.

  Krista paused and looked back. A wily smile came to her lips as her eyes shifted toward Kiernan. She stepped out from behind Racine’s desk. “Attack me.”

  Kiernan’s eyes widened in surprise. “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me. Come on.”

  Kiernan looked unsteadily toward Tabitha.

  “Boy, you are so whipped,” her little sister teased. “Come on. Attack me.”

  “Krista,” Racine interjected. “I don’t understand; what you are trying to do?”

  Her sister passed an exasperated look over her shoulder. “I am trying to show you guys. Now, Kiernan, will you please attack me?”

  Kiernan looked at Tabitha once more. She shrugged.

  “If you hurt her, I’ll hurt you.”

  Krista made a tsking sound. “Oh come on, Tabitha, if he doesn’t attack full force you are totally defeating the purpose of what I want to show you guys.”

  She let out an aggravated breath. “And what are you trying to show us?”

  The younger Culver rolled her eyes, letting out a huff of frustration. “Fine, I’ll show you another way.” She marched over to where Kiernan stood by the door. “But my way would have been way more fun.”