Imps & Angels

by Indra Frost

  If the others were right, and Selasi was angry, he was probably angry that my father was able to break the agreement in the first place. Selasi would be looking for me. Whether it was to try and force an agreement from me now, or to take his revenge on me, I wasn't sure.

  It wasn’t my fault his agreement had been broken, that was between him and my father, but he didn’t care about things like that. It was an insult and a hit to his pride, and he wouldn’t be able to take that.

  I looked around, suddenly worried he was following me. I hadn’t thought that he would be able to come to earth. Not really.

  The more powerful the demon, the more power it took to bring them earth-side.

  Once the initial summoning was done, they could use their own power to break through the veil. But it still took a lot of power, more than most demons had at one time. Some demons had enough to do it on their own, while others would perform rituals to boost their power enough to accomplish it.

  I wasn’t sure which path he had taken, but since he was a proponent of instant gratification, I was going to go with ritual. He probably sacrificed a lot of his minor demons to get over here so quickly. I doubt he looked for alternatives when he knew what would work.

  No one popped out at me on my way back to the gym, not that I expected finding him to be so easy. I was sure that after his activities he would be resting and making some sort of plan. Or his henchmen would at least.

  It wasn’t that he was stupid, Selasi could be terrifyingly clever, but that wasn’t why he was so dangerous. He was dangerous because he gave in to his urges and impulses. Things that others could only cringe at he seemed to find joy in, and that resulted in carnage like what had been left at the warehouse. I would have to be on guard.

  I finally made it to the gym and pushed the doors open. Most of the people from this morning were gone by now, though both Hairy and Reed were near the weights. There was an odd tension between them.

  Something had happened while I was gone.

  Reed’s face was a mixture of relief and frustration, and I knew that he had somehow found out about what had happened at the warehouse. But I wanted to find out how much he knew, and what had happened when we were gone.

  I wasn’t sure what, or how to get that information without setting off Hairy’s internal alarms. He was a shifter after all, even if he didn’t listen to his wolf he would be able to sense something was off. It was better not to do anything on the off chance he would catch on. It wasn’t my empathy that he would be able to sense, but the questions that would make him suspicious. The information that I wanted would give him more insight than he needed about what I was doing.

  “Who’d you call to bail you out?” Hairy’s voice cut across the gym causing all the other patrons to look over at me.

  Most of them went back to what they were doing, but some watched on, waiting for the drama they were hoping would unfold. Nothing like watching the demon’s pet get her ass handed to her. Even if it was only verbally.

  I ignored the despicable werewolf and as I got closer to my things, I was surprised to find that my bag of belongings was where I had left it hours ago. I stopped and stared at it for a moment, sure it was a snake about to bite me.

  “Your boyfriend wouldn’t let us touch it,” Hairy’s voice came from over my shoulder where he had crept up behind me.

  I knew he was coming, but it still took everything in me not to cringe away from him.

  He got close enough that we were almost touching, his heat against my back making my skin crawl, and I wanted to shove him away.

  I looked up and met Reed’s eyes, both grateful and angry that he wasn’t doing what he needed to in order to get into the fights. He was supposed to be getting on Hairy’s good side, not pissing him off.

  “Boyfriend, huh? Are you jealous?”

  Turning, I looked up into Hairy’s face in time to see something flash through his eyes. I wasn’t sure what it was, but I didn’t think my remark was as far off the mark as I had thought.

  That was unexpected to say the least. He took pleasure in beating me in the fights at night, and he loved to torment me every time we were in the same room. In fact, he was eighty percent responsible for the punishments that Greg gave me.

  I looked at him closer, wondering if maybe I was missing something. Maybe it wasn’t that he was jealous of Reed, maybe it was that he was worried he was going to lose his punching bag. Similar to how Walter was worried about losing Lucy’s income.

  I felt my face fall at the reminder she was dead, forcing the sadness that was trying to escape away. Now wasn’t the time for this; I could fall apart later. It was too dangerous to do so now. The gym was full of sharks that would attack at the first sign of blood in the water.

  I forced a smirk to my face when he didn’t respond. “What? No smart come back?”

  I had made my choice to bring down Greg, and while I couldn’t go at him head on, I could show my defiance while he wasn’t here.

  “Wolf got your tongue?” I taunted him and a few people chuckled behind me.

  Hairy’s face filled with rage. Nothing angered him quicker than a hit to his pride. He looked like he was gearing up to hit me, but his face suddenly smoothed out.

  I watched, unnerved, as something sinister crossed his face. His eyes almost seemed to shine as they slowly filled with black.

  He leaned in close, his cheek almost touching my own as he whispered into my ear.

  “Your fiancé is eager to see you again. He was upset to find another woman in your bed,” He shivered, and I wasn’t sure that it was entirely theatrical.

  Everyone was scared of Selasi. Everyone.

  I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach, all the air leaving me in a rush.

  I leaned back to see him smiling in triumph, a bitter happiness in his eyes. He didn’t like me, that much was true, but I didn’t think he was capable of doing something like this. I didn’t think he would rub my dead friend in my face right after she was murdered either. I wasn't sure how he knew, but it didn't surprise me if he was in on it with Greg and Selasi.

  “He wanted to send you a message.” He didn’t bother to keep his voice down, there was no need when everyone here was a Supe. “He’ll see you soon, and he looks forward to catching up.”

  I swallowed hard, not liking that he was so close to me. Close enough that I could smell his breath over the vile scent of his rotting soul.

  Where did Hairy meet Selasi anyway? They didn’t exactly run book clubs for evil bastards. He would have had to get in touch with him some other way. Maybe through Greg. That seemed more plausible than an online forum dedicated to my destruction.

  Fear flowed through my veins as I stepped away from the wolf in front of me. I looked around the gym like I expected Selasi to show up at any moment. I didn’t think he would, not logically, but fear defied logic, and that’s what I was running on now.

  Grabbing my bag from the bench, I turned and all but ran out the door, Hairy’s laughter chasing me the whole way.

  I didn’t know what I was going to do. It was so much easier to think I could deal with Selasi when I didn’t have the threat of him coming for me hanging over my head. There wouldn’t be any way to escape him, especially when he put his mind to something. I was stuck here; bound by an agreement I couldn’t break. Not without losing my soul.

  Either way, I would end up dead.

  Panic tightened my chest and I wasn’t able to get air into my lungs. As soon as the gym was out of sight I started to run. Someone called out my name, but I ignored it, not wanting to stop.

  The fear that Selasi was coming for me was too much.

  How far away was he? Had he come down from his post-massacre high? He almost always took the day to himself after a killing spree. What he did on those days, I didn’t want to know.

  A shadow swooped overhead and I ducked, moving to the side just in time to avoid the reaching paws of Jesse. A wall of magic appeared in front of me, but I didn’t stop
. Instead I pulled up my own destructive magic and ran straight through it, breaking it on impact.

  A surprised and pained call came from behind me, but I still didn’t stop, I had to escape. I had to get out of there.

  I could feel Selasi closing in. I could feel his hands on me as he measured where the next cut should go. I could hear the sizzle and crackle as the iron was heated up and smell my burning flesh as it was held against my flesh.

  I needed to get as far from here as possible.

  The brand chose that moment to flare up. My resolve to leave activating it, and sending pain spiraling through my body to bring me to my knees in the middle of the sidewalk. There wasn’t anybody else on the streets, and when I saw where I was, I didn't have to wonder why.

  It wasn’t a part of Raum’s territory; and the current leader of this area could be brutal. I didn't have to worry about the troll, but someone, or something else might take it upon themself to attack me.

  The borders of territories were war zones. They weren’t safe for anyone until they were fully conquered. The buildings were dark and abandoned, casualties of war, as it were. No one would sink money into an area that wasn’t safe to do business.

  I watched as another shimmering wall of magic appeared in front of me, but this time I turned to face the threat. I wasn’t thinking straight, my mind a mess of fear and anger. I vaguely recognized the figures walking toward me, but they didn’t register as friends. So, I would treat them like enemies.

  I got into a fighting stance, ready to defend myself.

  They had to be Selasi's goons; he knew where I was. He really was coming after me. It was too soon. I had just found out that he was earth-side. He shouldn't have been able to find me so fast.

  The three men stopped a few feet away, another shadow flying overhead. It didn't try to swoop down and grab me this time, but I almost ducked anyway. Recognition briefly flitted through my mind, but it didn’t stay long enough for me to catch it.

  Flame fought the fear and pain that was boiling in my blood. My magic fighting for all it was worth to escape and defend me. Even half out of my mind I knew that wouldn’t be a good idea, I couldn’t give away the only ace up my sleeve. I wouldn’t make myself an easy target.

  “Alyth!” One of the men called out to me. "What the hell do you think you’re doing?"

  My head snapped to him, eyes scanning his face, trying to find anything familiar about him. His hair was dark, his eyes a red-orange color that reminded me of the flames of hell. He was broad and I knew he would be able to handle himself in a fight.

  I prepared myself for his attack, but he didn’t come at me. I looked at the other men with him, then turned when a fourth came out of the alley behind me and to my left. I backed up, not able to get far when the magical wall moved to keep me from running.

  I turned to look at the wizard, deciding he would be my first target. I would need to dismantle his magic if I hoped to get away. The vampire looked fast, but I knew I would be faster. I had a lot of experience running from demons, and I wouldn’t let a vampire best me.

  “Alyth.” This time it was the man from the alley, the winged panther, that said my name.

  His voice was a command, and I wanted to listen. I paused, not running, but not attacking either. My feet felt like they were cemented to the ground, unwilling to listen to what my brain was trying to tell them.

  I shook my head, some of the overwhelming fear faded, leaving me shaky, almost weak as the adrenaline went with it. I forced myself to focus on the men in front of me again.

  Slowly, the real world started to fall into focus again. I looked around and found that I had run pretty far during the panic attack that had overtaken me. Along with my memory of the world, the names and faces of the men in front of me came back.

  I was still upset, and now I was also embarrassed, but I wouldn't let them know that.

  “What do you want?” I asked, my voice snappy as I tried to cover up what had just happened.

  I knew they weren't going to fall for it, but it made me feel better. Or, less weak, at least.

  “We were looking for you. Reed called and said that you might be in trouble.” Copeland answered me.

  I looked at the handsome vampire. His brown hair was swept back but not a hair was out of place despite how fast he had been running. My own black hair was falling out of its ponytail even as I spoke.

  I didn't know what they wanted. They had to know that I wouldn't be able to give them anything. Not even the help they originally asked for. I turned away from him without saying a word.

  While the overwhelming fear may have faded, the pain from the brand hadn't. And I knew that as long as I was going against Greg, it wouldn't. The pain was horrendous, and it felt like it was burning something inside of me up. I had noticed that the longer it burned, the weaker I seemed to feel, the feeling getting worse the longer it went on.

  It wasn't as bad at first, but I had noticed I wasn't running as fast as usual, and I wasn’t able to pull as much power. I would have to be careful with the amount of energy I used from now on.

  Now that I was better able to control myself, I walked away from them, slower this time. I walked away from the only people in the world I knew would help me. Knowing it would get them killed if they tried.

  I had been thinking on my walk to the gym earlier about the reason Selasi was angry, and why it was Lucy he chose to target. I could assume he had been watching me, that he knew about my feelings for her, mild as they may have been.

  But what Hairy had said seemed more likely, that he had gone into the warehouse and found her in my bed when he had gone looking for me. That made more sense when it came to the demon.

  It didn't explain what Lucy had been doing between when she left and when Selasi found her, though. I had been back there this morning and I hadn't seen her.

  When the guys came after me this morning they hadn’t seemed to sense anyone else around either, or I don’t think they would have chosen to come at me so directly. They may not have come after me at all.

  None of this would have happened if they hadn't come after me. At least, not like this. There was a very real possibility that Selasi still would have found me. But, I would have been better prepared. I wouldn't have been in pain and at a disadvantage. Lucy might still be alive.

  I knew it wasn't true. For all I knew, the guys kidnapping me may be the only reason I found out in the first place. I may have still been in bed when he came calling. He wouldn't have cared if Lucy had been in there with me. In fact, he probably would have enjoyed it more. Watching me as he tortured and killed her right in front of me.

  I shook off the pain and sorrow, shoving it all to the back of my mind. I would deal with it once I was safe. Once he was dead. Until then I would need to stay on guard, and I couldn't allow my emotions to get in my way.

  I walked around Jesse, ignoring the guys’ calls as I continued on my journey.

  This time, when I moved, I had a place in mind. I just needed to figure out how to get there.

  There was a witch that owed me a favor, and she wouldn't mind getting on Selasi's bad side. She was a crazy and semi evil freak who would consider it an accomplishment. Worse it would be a thrill for her to do it and think she could get away with it. Maybe she could, but I doubted it.

  He was one of the leaders of Hell, after all. The Prince of the Sixth Level himself. There were others more powerful, of course, but he was ruthless. You couldn't stand up to him without the fear of either him or his followers adding you to their hit lists.

  He was ruled by instinct. He did what he wanted, when he wanted, and didn't care about the consequences. Being a slave to his urges should have made him predictable, but no one that came across him lived long enough to take advantage of that.

  This witch would be a good place to start when it came to staying off his radar. The issue was, she moved all over the place, never staying in one place longer than a night.

  The only way to find he
r was through her sister. A sister who I loved like a mother, but couldn't trust.

  "Alyth, please." I stopped at the emotion in Walker's voice.

  I didn't turn back to him, but I didn't keep moving either. I'm not sure why, all I could say was that I liked the guy.

  I liked them all.

  It was stupid and dangerous. More so for them if anyone found out, but I wouldn't be the one to tell them.

  I finally signed and let my head drop, my hands coming up to cover my face. He didn't have to say anything; the expectant silence was enough. I fought with myself about what to do. I couldn't let them get close to me. I wouldn't drag them into my personal hell.

  I turned to look at them, the motion causing pain to ripple through every muscle, every bone. I felt like all my flesh should have burned off long ago. The only part of me that should have been left was the black tar I called a soul.

  But I wasn't a puddle of goo, I was still here, and while that was true, I would feel this pain. I would feel the punishment of a brand forced upon me by the man who contributed to my DNA. He may have been my father, but he was only that in name as far as I was concerned. He didn't raise me. He killed my mother and took out his frustrations on me. He tried to use me to his advantage in Hell. When that didn't work, he sold me to a number of demons before settling on a demon that he owed a favor.

  They all watched me, but I noticed that the hellhound had a peculiar look on his face. His eyes scanned me, questioning something he wasn't willing to ask. It confirmed for me that he didn't know about the agreement.

  He had said that he knew what it entailed, or at least he implied that he did, but I didn't think so. I thought he knew the basics, the standard things that came with a demon agreement, but not what my contract entailed. He didn't know what would happen to me, or what Greg was planning.

  His master hadn't told him anything, which was both good, and bad. Good in that he would be less likely to try and stop me. It also meant his master didn't trust him, and since he seemed to work with the guys, that was a good thing. It meant that he still had a heart. A soul.