“Nah, you’re just imagining things,” Demona said.
Kerrick shook his head. “I don’t think so. That dog is devoted to you. See how it looks at you and watches your every move. Someone said you saw the dog before? Are you sure you haven’t seen it anywhere else?”
Felix chewed on his lip as he pondered the question. “Hey, there was that dog in town that came charging at our group before the demons attacked. This guy does look very similar. Though, it was dark when we were in town, and the dog was moving pretty quick.”
Demona thought for a few moments. She was still skeptical about the whole idea of an animal spirit. “I did see him after we helped the dogs escape from the kennel. He must have followed us and watched us as we drove away in Kaleb’s van.”
Kerrick nodded. “See. He’s probably been following you ever since. And it sounds like he’s been giving you warnings about the demons.”
“It couldn’t be possible, could it? I have to admit that it seems like he is following me, especially now that I consider all of the times I probably saw him,” Demona said. “Yeah, I guess it’s possible.”
“Are you going back to report to Darius?” Ezekiel asked as he approached.
“No, I’m going to stay here ‘till morning if that’s okay? I’ll help the refugees get their bearings around Roost Haven and make sure they’re settled in. Then, I’ll go back to TGHC tomorrow and see how I can be of use,” Kerrick said. “I’ll be back though, since you and Molony plan on working with the artifact again.”
Ezekiel patted Kerrick on the back, which was an awkward sight.
“Of course, you are always welcome here,” Ezekiel replied. “Unfortunately, you will have slim pickings of a place to sleep, but if you find a spot, it’s yours for the night.”
Kerrick crossed his arms and nodded his head at Ezekiel’s response. “Thank you.”
“You could always just hang from the rafters to sleep,” Felix said with a smirk across his face.
“That’s a myth. Vampires don’t sleep like bats do,” Kerrick replied.
Demona rolled her eyes at Felix and shook her head with disapproval. Then, they said goodnight to Kerrick and left him to the spot he claimed on an empty wooden pew. They exited the church with the dog in tow. He trotted on the other side of Demona with his tongue flapping as he trotted along.
Almost all members of GLC, the volunteers, and the refugees were either resting or working around the base. They labored to keep the place running. Chores were divided between everyone at the headquarters. Some people had permanent positions as guards, or cooks, or healers. Others alternated between other jobs such as making sure Roost Haven was clean of litter, that the children were looked after, or helped to lead daily prayer. Demona and Felix had volunteered to be ground patrol in order to have some time together; even if it only meant that they could be alone while multi-tasking. At least it was something.
They walked silently hand-in-hand around the inside perimeter of the chain link and barbed wire fence. Felix had a staff at his side and Demona had a sword sheathed at hers. Demona cherished every moment she could get with Felix, but she often wished that she could give him her undivided attention. Patrol, however, was much more important. They needed to be alert and watch for anything out of place.
She was becoming distracted by Felix’s thumb, which gently and slowly rubbed circles on her hand in a single spot. His touch made goose bumps rise on her skin. It was endearing, the little things that he did. It let her know that he cared, even if he might be doing it subconsciously. Demona could also hear the light patter of the Bouvier behind them as he continued to follow her loyally.
Demona went to brush back a strand of her black hair that fell into her face, when she noticed something did not look right as her flashlight shone over the bottom of the fencing. She stopped, reclaimed her hand from Felix, and walked toward the fence. She shone the flashlight on the spot, crouched, and looked around more closely. After a minute Demona stood and looked down at the dog beside her.
Demona pointed to the spot. “Is this how you got in?” She shone the light onto fence and illuminated the gaping hole below. There was a place where something, or an animal, had been digging. She shone her light on the other side of the fence, where she found a mound of dirt.
Something had dug its way in, not out.
Felix walked toward her and observed the spot that had been unearthed. “Yeah, I’d say that is big enough for a large dog to squeeze through.”
“Did you do this boy?” Demona asked the dog.
The dog seemed to look up at her and acknowledge his handiwork. He showed his teeth in an open mouth grin with his tongue hanging out to the side. Drool dripped onto the dirt below him. His short little stubby tail wagged in a circle. Then, he barked.
“Okay then,” Demona said. “At least we found an answer to the question of how he got inside Roost Haven.”
Felix and Demona made their way back to the entrance of camp where they met the next two people that would begin their shift of patrolling the fence. They walked behind the old battered church and into the grove of bare trees. They held each other close and shared one long kiss before saying goodnight. Then, she reluctantly released her grip from Felix’s hand and they went their separate ways. Demona found her cot and cuddled under the blanket to fight off the chilly winter air that seemed to seep into the thick canvas tent.
She heard the rustling of the tent flap and assumed that Rowena or Ileana was coming in to bed. Instead, Demona heard the sound of heavy panting in the darkness. She reached for a flashlight and turned it on. She aimed the beam of light around the tent, until it came to rest on the figure of the shaggy black dog curled up on the ground beside her cot.
“Maybe you are my animal guide,” Demona said. She reached down to stroke the top of the dog’s head. “I guess we’ll have to think of a name for you, huh boy?”
The dog’s hot tongue licked her fingers in response.
Chapter 15:
Attack On Headquarters
Demona sat in the grove at the headquarters next to one of the burning barrels. The sky was cloudy and there was the smell of ice in the air. The region was on watch for the potential of their first winter storm. Demona rubbed her hands together and blew on them, but her breath did little more than create a fog. The moisture clung to her hands for a moment before the cold gripped them once again.
She reached down to a plate that sat on her lap and tore a piece of bacon in half. She chewed one part and tossed the other half to the dog. He caught the bacon and swallowed it whole. Then, he sat beside Demona’s legs and looked at her intently with large brown eyes that seemed so pitiful. He made her feel guilty every time she neglected to provide him with a bite of her food.
The Bouvier had not left her side since it had entered the tent the night before. He also seemed to need to confirm that a person was not a threat, before allowing them to approach Demona. The night before, Ileana had come into the tent to sleep. She was startled by two gleaming eyes staring at her as she walked through the tent flaps. The dog had simply sniffed her, making certain that she was not a danger to Demona. Then, he curled up in his spot beside her cot once more.
“I know! We’ll call you Duke. What do you think?” Demona said to the dog.
The fluffy dog stared at her and whined.
“I’ll take that as a no. Hmm…How about we call you Grantly?” Demona asked the dog.
Grantly barked in response.
Demona mussed the long hair on top of his head. “A big name for a big dog.”
Grantly gave her two high pitched barks, as if expressing his approval.
“It’s settled then.” Demona reached over and patted the dog’s head. She continued to finish her meal, giving Grantly half of everything that she had left on her plate. They sat beside the burning barrels and watched as members of GLC ushered refugees around Roost Haven. When morning had come, GLC was finally able to obtain enough extra tents to provide each refuge
e with a place to sleep, which also prevented the tents from being overcrowded. Each new visitor was also given a specific chore to keep operations running smoothly. There were far too many people there for anyone to sit idly.
Demona looked up into the sky as the snow began to fall gently to the ground. Some of the refugee children, who had noticed the white flakes falling from above, ran around trying to catch them on their tongues. The squeals of laughter that echoed through the base brought a smile to many faces. It was a much needed reprieve.
I wonder if they’ve ever seen snow. Do they ever come to the surface or remain solely in Terra Hollow?
Grantly joined in the excitement by chasing the children around and bouncing around in fun. The dog’s tongue hung lazily from its mouth and its eyes sparkled with amusement. He circled the children in order to herd them together and then let them run away so he could chase them once more. Some of the children fell to the ground as their laughter overcame them.
Ileana joined Demona as she watched the playful dog and children romping around. They both laughed as they watched. It naturally lifted their spirits to see the beings enjoying such simple things.
“Who needs a baby sitter with that dog around,” Ileana said.
Demona nodded. “Yeah, really… So, it looks like you and Kearne have blossomed as a couple.”
Ileana shrugged like it was no big deal. “Things are good.”
“I’m glad. I think that it’s good that Kearne has you through this dramatic change in his life,” Demona said.
Ileana tilted her head to the side. “I’ll be honest; I didn’t expect it to become a relationship. We’re so different in a lot of ways. At first things were hot and heavy, but now he’s growing on me. I’m usually not like this.”
“You two aren’t really that different. You’re both really opinionated, strong willed, and ballsy.”
Ileana smiled proudly. “Damn right.” Her red eyes seemed to reflect the brilliant snow.
“You know, most people probably would have taken that differently. Not you. You appreciate honesty,” Demona said. “Just do me a favor. Kearne may not show it, but he’s been through a lot lately. Just be careful with him.”
Ileana chuckled. “What are you, his life guru?”
Demona shook her head. “No, I just can relate to him. You know the whole big life changes thing…” She shouldn’t be taking this so lightly, he’s been through a lot lately.
Grantly began barking at the two of them intermittently.
Ileana rolled her eyes. “Right, I get it. You’re looking out for the guy; don’t want to break his newly turned human heart or anything.”
“Be serious Ileana!” Demona said sternly.
Grantly was barking more earnestly. He spun in circles in front of the two of them as they bickered. Both Ileana and Demona ignored the pesky dog.
“I’m trying,” Ileana said. “It’s not just his heart on the line you know. I’m just being sarcastic about stuff.”
Demona nodded. “I know. But sometimes you need to leave the sarcasm out of a serious conversation.”
Grantly grabbed hold of Demona’s shirt sleeve with his jaws and tugged. He had almost knocked Ileana to the ground as he tugged vigorously at Demona almost pulling her off the log where she was seated.
“What the heck?” Ileana said as she stumbled out of Grantly’s way.
“Okay, okay. What do you want?” Demona asked.
The dog released her sleeve and barked for their attention.
“What?” Demona threw her hands up in defeat.
The dog stood facing away from them. He raised his front leg and pointed ahead of him. He seemed frozen in that position as he pointed with intent. His ears were moving erratically back and forth, as if listening to something that only he could hear. Grantly’s stubby tail was flat against his rear and he began to whimper.
Gale walked towards the two young women. “What’s wrong with the dog?” She joined the two women around the fire barrel and seated herself on a log. Gale held a steaming cup of coffee in her hand and took a careful sip.
Gale’s long gray hair was perfectly pinned on top of her head. She sat elegantly in their rustic setting. Her long floral patterned dress fell to her ankles. She was your stereotype image of a grandmother. Her style and personality seemed to match her husband, Ezekiel’s perfectly.
“No idea,” Ileana said and shrugged.
Demona looked curiously at the dog. “I think he’s trying to warn us about something. It wouldn’t be the first time.” She looked in the direction that the dog faced, out towards the forest that surrounded the big empty field that the headquarters was located in. “Are you warning us? Is something going to happen?”
Ding! Ding! The warning bell rang throughout Roost Haven in confirmation. Ding!
Demona was once again on her feet and alert. “Now what?” She asked as she scanned their surroundings, particularly in the direction that Grantly had been so focused on minutes ago. As if Grantly could hear her thoughts, he once again began to bark frantically.
A large crashing sound reverberated through Roost Haven. Nobody moved than two feet from where they were sitting or mutter a “what was that” before the sound of gunfire started from the far side of the base. Demona and Ileana began to jog in the direction of the sounds and left Gale standing in shock.
Demona looked up in astonishment as a giant serpent came slithering in their direction, knocking anything that obstructed its path to the ground. It would have sent Demona and Ileana sprawling if they had not jumped out of the way as its long scaled body slithered through the place they just stood. The snake circled the church and began to climb up its exterior. It seemed to stick to the church’s structure as it slithered upward and began to wrap itself around the building.
“It’s the demon priest,” Demona yelled. “Get everyone out of here.”
Grantly’s bark became even more agitated. He began to growl and snarl at the giant serpentine beast.
The demon priest, in his serpent form, was wrapped around the church at least four times. He reared his head slightly out to the side and hissed at the onlookers. His giant forked tongue lashed out as he tasted the air around him, trying to determine who would be his first snack. He constricted around the structure and caused some of the old red bricks to crack and crumble.
Roost Haven erupted into chaos with the presence of the serpent. Defenders ran towards the armory tent for weapons, but before they could reach it the serpent’s enormous tail lashed out at it and sent the canvas and all of the weaponry flying through the air. The defenders ducked from the objects as they were hurled towards them. When the weapons landed heavily on the ground the defenders scattered to recover as many as possible.
It just so happened that a sword had landed beside Demona and she bent to pick it up. Demona looked at Ileana and watched her transform into a phoenix. She stood mightily beside Demona in her flaming beast form. Ileana’s internal fire blasted her with heat as she rose upward on her two taloned feet with fury and squawked loudly at the demon priest.
The serpent’s eyes turned towards Ileana’s challenge, but focused on Demona. He lunged off of the building in Demona’s direction. The scaly serpentine form seemed to glide through the air and landed heavily with a thud within feet of Gale.
Gale looked upward in horror at the demon’s enormous snake-like body. She stood with her mouth hanging open and frozen in place. The serpent was hell-bent on reaching Demona and could have cared less about any other person there. He lunged toward Demona and knocked Gale over as he lurched forward. Gale fell awkwardly sideways and was unable to maneuver her aged body into a position to brace for impact. Her head hit one of the logs below with a crack, but Ileana and Demona were cut off from her by the demon priest.
“Gale!” Demona yelled. She looked at the lifeless form and worried that something terrible had just happened.
Grantly ran away from where Demona prepared to battle the serpent. As the snake readie
d itself Demona caught a glimpse of Grantly standing protectively over Gale’s motionless body. His teeth were bared in a vicious snarl. He leapt at the serpent’s swishing tale and sank his teeth into thick scales. After, Grantly returned to Gale’s side and gently licked her face for a response.
The giant snake rose upward and hovered in a strike position above Demona. His mouth opened with a loud hiss and its two giant fangs emerged. They pointed sharply downward over Demona ready to penetrate their target. The serpent swayed slightly as if judging the perfect angle to strike his prey.
Ileana was still in her phoenix form close beside Demona. Demona swatted a hand at Ileana indicating for her to move away. The demon priest’s diamond shaped eyes were fixed solely on Demona. Ileana knew that Demona was trying to keep the serpent busy, so that no one else would be injured. Ileana inched away, as quickly as her thin little bird legs would carry her. After Ileana was out of the demon’s path she transformed back into human form and ran to Gale.
Horde of the Demon Priest (Demona Book 3) Page 13
