The Mythos Unveiled (Demona series)

by Megan Hepler

  “Kerrick, you can’t leave me. I want you!” Lilith said.

  They turned back to her.

  Lilith produced a fire ball in her outstretched hand. Then, she flung the flaming ball on the ground and the fire erupted. It quickly spread on the old wooden floor boards.

  “You may want to call for reinforcements now! That fire is coming closer. This old wood is like kindling,” Balen said.

  We’re going to burn to death! Demona stepped in front of Balen. She closed her eyes and let her fear of the situation flow through her. She put her hands outwards. Demona’s eyes flew open as she began to feel the mageia surging and began to harness her emotions. The flames were within feet of Demona and Balen. Her skin felt as if it would melt, so she pushed the flames away with the mageia. The farther the flames moved away, with the wind, the higher they grew.

  Well, I guess there is no denying it any longer.

  A look of panic spread across Lilith’s already hideous face. She had finally realized that in blocking Demona and Balen’s escape she had also trapped herself.

  Demona continued to push the growing wall of flames in Lilith’s direction.

  Lilith backed away as the flames pursued her, until she was against the wall. The blindingly bright flames began to lick at her feet and her body quickly caught fire. An ear piercing scream reverberated off the walls as her body was engulfed.

  Demona and Balen watched for what seemed like hours, as the body disappeared into the towering inferno. Eventually, Demona managed to reduce the flames into a small fire. Then there was nothing left, but charred smoking floor boards. Demona had no idea how she had controlled the fire or put it out, but she was thankful to be alive.

  “What?” Demona asked.

  “Twice you have saved my life. Do you believe you have a mageia now?”

  Chapter 6

  The Date

  Demona yanked at the charred door that had been stuck moments before. It fell from the smoldering door jamb and she returned to the young man’s side. She grasped his wrist to check his pulse again, when he began to stir. A groan escaped his lips.

  “It’s okay, you’re safe,” Demona said. “Try not to move. I don’t know what kind of injuries you have.”

  The young man’s eyes opened.

  Demona found herself looking into bright blue eyes that were staring right back at her. A pang of longing went through Demona’s body. Demona shook her head in an attempt to clear her mind. What am I thinking? Demona looked back down at the man. She saw that he had not looked away and she blushed.

  He smiled. “Are you an angel?”

  Demona giggled. Stop it! You are acting like a love sick little girl! “No, I’m not an angel. I’m just your average…person.” The young man had a gorgeous smile, and warmth spread through Demona’s body as she looked at him. Control yourself, Demona.

  “I’m Felix Fulbright.” He groaned once more as he attempted to sit up.

  “No, lay still.”

  “So…” Felix said.

  “So, what?” Demona stared at the attractive young man.

  “Well, what’s your name?”

  “Oh, it’s D-Demona.”

  “Is that it,” Felix smiled a half smile, “just Demona? Interesting name… I like it, very um…sinister.”

  “Thanks. Felix isn’t the most average name either you know.”

  “You have pretty eyes.”

  Demona rolled her eyes at Felix’s comment. “I think you were hit in the head one too many times.”

  As Demona finished speaking Balen came limping through the door. She ran and put her arm around him to help take some of the weight off of his right leg.

  “We need to talk in private,” Balen said.

  “Uh, Felix, I’ll be right back,” Demona said. She helped Balen limp back into the smoky room. Once inside he turned to look her over.

  “Are you hurt?” Balen asked.

  “I’m fine. Are you going to be okay? You look pretty banged up?” Demona asked.

  “This is nothing,” Balen said.

  “What’s wrong then?” Demona asked.

  “Something still feels off. I need you to take care of the human for a little while. I need to rest; I’ve been through the mill. This is not going to be an easy scene to cover up. It is a good thing you controlled that fire or it would have drawn the wrong kind of attention,” Balen said. “Now, help me back in there so I can sit.”

  She walked Balen to the top step and assisted him as he sat down. His pants were ripped above his knee, and there was a red stain on his jeans around the area. By that time Felix had already propped himself up against the wall.

  “My name is Felix.” He stretched his hand out in Balen’s direction for a handshake. When Balen did not take his hand Felix let it drop it to his side.

  Balen briefly looked at Felix, and then returned his gaze to his wounded leg. He began applying pressure as the red stain spread across his jeans.

  “His name’s Balen,” Demona said. She turned to give Balen a stern look.

  “Thank you both for your help. Is that woman or whatever she is okay?”

  “I managed to knock her out after Demona pulled you out of the room.” Balen looked at Demona. “Are the police on the way?”

  “Uh... yeah. I called from my cell phone before Felix woke up,” Demona said.

  “Felix, do you think you can walk?” Balen asked.

  “Yes sir. I can manage with some help,” Felix said.

  “Demona, help him down the steps. You can take my car and go ahead to the hospital. I will wait for the police to arrive. Oh, can I have my cell phone back?” Balen asked.

  “Sure, I’ll come back to get you,” Demona pulled the phone from her pocket and tossed it to him.

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ll get a ride home,” Balen said. “Just make sure you bring my car to me tomorrow. I’ll fill Darius in on tonight’s events.”

  Demona would meet him again tomorrow at the same time as always. Her questions would have to wait until then. She returned her attention to Felix.

  “Hey, do you mind if we exclude my name from the records? It’s a bit embarrassing that a woman attacked me. No offense,” Felix said.

  “Understandable. I will come up with a story,” Balen said.

  “I’ll just tell them in the emergency room that I fell off a motorcycle or something,” Felix said. “I really appreciate everything you’ve both done for me. I’m still not completely sure what happened.”

  Demona helped Felix to his feet and they walked down the steps. They sat quietly in the car, both still reeling from the previous events. They made it to the hospital and sat briefly in the emergency room, until Felix was called back to a room.

  “Stay with me,” Felix said.

  “I can’t. I need to go,” Demona said.

  “Please, I’m terrified of hospitals. If you leave, paranoia will get the best of me!”

  Demona stared into his puppy dog eyes. “Fine.”

  Soon, Felix was laying on a gurney with stark white sheets pulled up around him. Demona sat by his side in the sterile room. Doctors and nurses had been in and out of the room checking his vitals. In the background machines beeped noisily.

  “So, what happened before I woke up?” Felix asked. “How did you find me?”

  “Uh… Balen has this weird obsession with investigating abandoned buildings, so we were checking out the warehouse. It’s a good thing we happened to choose that one. We found you lying on the floor.” Demona looked into the hallway as she finished the story. “You must have been knocked out. It looked like that woman had attacked you and she was acting crazy. Balen tried to restrain her and I pulled you from the room. Then, like Balen said, he had to knock her out before she could do any more damage.”

  “I was lucky to have such a beautiful woman save my life,” Felix said.

  Before Demona had a chance to blush a nurse walked into the room. “You are scheduled for an x-ray in ten minutes. I’ll be back w
ith a wheelchair for you,” the nurse said. Then, she turned and walked out of the room.

  Felix returned his attention to Demona. “Can I see you again? I fear I’ve developed somewhat of a crush for my heroine.”

  “Good thing you are getting that x-ray, I hope they take one of your brain.”

  The nurse returned to take Felix, before Demona could give an answer. “Will you be here when I get back?” Felix asked.

  “Sure,” Demona said. As soon as the nurse wheeled him around the corner Demona watched him from the doorway.

  Goodbye, Felix.

  ****

  Demona walked into the field agent office to find Balen waiting for her. He was filling out a report from the day before when she arrived.

  “Bergfalk and Foss had a run in with GLC last night,” Agrippa said.

  “What happened?” Balen asked.

  “Not much. They were trying to investigate a demonic presence in a graveyard. Bergfalk said they were trying to bless the site. Ha!” Agrippa replied.

  “Why is that so bad?” Demona asked.

  “Not bad, just pathetic. GLC always thinks they can save the day,” Agrippa said.

  “I still don’t see what the big deal is,” Demona said.

  “I guess it’s time we had a history lesson,” Balen said. “Since the beginning of time there has been a division between dark and light. Though, there are some species of supernatural beings that are able to choose a side, or choose to remain neutral.

  “Our kind does things a little more aggressively. We’re not afraid to get our hands dirty and fight for what we want. Even if there is collateral damage at times,” Balen said.

  “GLC thinks that we are taking unnecessarily risks. They try step in and save lives, but they escalate the problem. Sometimes it results in war between us and them,” Agrippa said.

  “Uh-huh…” Demona said.

  Afterwards, they made their way back to Balen’s beat up car.

  “Looks like your leg is healing pretty well,” Demona said.

  “Yeah, another day and I’ll be good. Vampire healing comes in handy with this job,” Balen said.

  They took their seats in Balen’s car and exited the parking lot. Demona looked at the cloudy sky as a breeze pushed against the car.

  “What happened with the human?” Balen asked.

  “I took him to the emergency room, and stayed until they took him for x-rays,” Demona said.

  “There is one thing I don’t understand,” Balen said. “The human is an innocent. Demons don’t usually choose to possess someone with such a pure soul. The possession would take longer and drain her energy quicker. Hence, why we were able to get to him before the possession was completed. His soul’s purity would have caused Lilith great pain to possess, and it most likely would have destroyed her after some time.”

  “Strange.”

  “Yeah, I don’t understand it.”

  “Did you talk to Darius?”

  “Yes, he seemed to be unconcerned by it. He also said he was continuously impressed with our success.”

  ****

  Not long after Demona had returned to her apartment, she received a knock at the door. She peered through the peep hole to find Hannah standing with a huge smile on her face. Demona opened the door.

  “What’s up?” Demona asked.

  “We have dates!” Hannah said.

  “You’re kidding me!”

  “Nope! His name is Kaleb and he just moved into town from Florida. Be ready at five!”

  “I really didn’t expect this.”

  “I know, I know. But you can’t back out on me! He’s already arranged everything.”

  “I won’t, but I’m only doing this for you.”

  “Thank you!”

  “Now I’ll have to find something to wear… See ya later.”

  Demona walked into her bedroom and decided to take a shower. She dried and straightened her hair. Afterwards, she went to her closet to find an outfit. She sifted through her clothing, having difficulty figuring out what to wear. Usually, Demona threw on the first thing she pulled out of her closet. Tonight, however nothing seemed suitable. She finally settled on black, white, and teal plaid v-neck and a pair of distressed skinny jeans. She applied some eye shadow and mascara that made her green eyes pop. She looked in the mirror and felt satisfied. Then, she grabbed her purse and keys, and headed out the door.

  Demona knocked on Hannah’s door and she quickly answered. Demona stepped inside as Hannah finished getting her things. Hannah’s apartment had the same layout as Demona’s, but she decorated with a lot of pink and light blue colors. She had floral print curtains hanging over her balcony door; everything in the room was color coordinated.

  “I am so excited!” Hannah said. She was dressed in a cute purple tunic and some black patterned tights. Her wavy blonde hair was pulled back and rosy cheeks glowed.

  “So, what are we doing?” Demona asked.

  “We are going to meet Kaleb and his friend in the parking lot.”

  The girls made their way down the stairwell and talked idly. They exited the apartment building through a set of double doors and continued on their way.

  Demona spotted two figures standing at the end of the walkway, but it was difficult to make them out. Demona continued to grow more nervous with each step. She glanced back at the large brick apartment building. What am I doing?

  When they neared the two men, Demona’s jaw dropped. There standing next to a stranger was Felix. He beamed at her in recognition.

  “Are you serious?” Demona asked. This isn’t happening.

  “What?” Hannah asked.

  “I know him.”

  They stopped in front of the men. Kaleb had medium light brown, wavy hair and a dark tan. He pulled off that laid back surfer look perfectly. Kaleb wore a t-shirt under a light tan suit jacket and a pair of jeans.

  “Demona, this is Kaleb,” Hannah said.

  Demona shook his hand almost as if her body were on autopilot. She continued to stare at Felix and his wonderful smile.

  Felix wore a red plaid long sleeve shirt rolled up to the elbows and with loose fitted jeans. His brown hair was slightly messy and he had a few purple bruises on his face.

  “Hannah, Demona, this is my buddy—”

  “Felix,” Demona said. They shook hands and Demona quickly looked away.

  “Well, now that we have all met and that you two obviously know each other. We should go,” Kaleb said.

  Unbelievable!

  They headed towards Felix’s red sedan and took their seats. Demona was transfixed with Felix. Felix's cheesy charm and sweet smile were especially hard to ignore.

  They arrived at an Italian restaurant and took their seats at a booth. They hastily ordered meals so that they could turn their attention to one another. Kaleb had Hannah’s undivided attention, when she turned her attention to Felix.

  “How are you feeling?” Demona asked.

  “Oh much better, thanks. Just a little banged up, no broken bones thankfully,” Felix said.

  “That’s good to hear!” Demona said.

  “You left without an answer. I thought I would never see you again,” Felix said.

  Demona fumbled with her silverware. “I know. I’m sorry. I just… I didn’t know what to say. I’m not very good with people.”

  “Well, I guess you will just have to make up for it by answering all of my questions,” Felix said. He smiled at her.

  Demona could not help but smile in return.

  “So, tell me about yourself,” Felix said.

  “There isn’t much to tell… I live in the same apartment building as Hannah and Kaleb. I work five days a week at a really horrible job. My life is pretty boring,” Demona said.

  “It can’t be that boring with you around,” Felix said.

  Demona avoided eye contact with him. “It is though.”

  “Tell me about your family,” Felix said.

  “I don’t have a family. I lived i
n foster homes.”

  Felix studied her. “Knock, Knock.”

  “Oh boy. Who’s there?”

  “Lima Bean.”

  “Lima Bean, who?” Demona rolled her eyes.

  “Lima Bean missing you,” Felix said. He smoothly reached across the table and laid his hand on top of hers.

  Demona chuckled.

  “We don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to. Just tell me when you feel uncomfortable,” Felix said.

  “Thanks. By the way that joke was really cheesy!” Demona said.

  “I’ve got many more of those!” Felix said. He rattled off a few more cheesy jokes.

  Demona, Kaleb, and Hannah laughed hard. There was more trivial talk between the four of them. They discussed books and movies and so much more. When their food was delivered, Demona picked at her plate as she watched the other three eat. Soon, Hannah and Kaleb returned to their own conversation.

  “So, now tell me about you,” Demona said.

  “Okay… I have a house just outside of town, with a roommate, my sister Rowena. I see my parents occasionally. They retired and moved to Florida. We try to visit one another as often as possible. That’s how I met Kaleb. His parents are my parents’ neighbor. Oh, and I have a cat named Balthazar,” Felix said.

  “It sounds nice.”

  “It is. So, are you in a relationship?”

  “I wouldn’t be here if I was.”

  “I figured, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. I’d like to see you again.”

  “I’d like that,” I’m going to regret this, but there’s something genuine about him. “Would you be okay with going for a walk?”

  “That sounds great! It will give us a chance to get to know each other.”

  “There’s a park near my apartment. I love walking there, but haven’t had a chance to in a while. Would you mind meeting me tomorrow?”

  “I’ll be there!”

  Chapter 7

  A Walk

  Demona woke up to a bright cloudless day. She stretched in bed and tossed the covers off of her body. Felix. A smile spread across her face as she thought about his dreamy eyes. She hopped out of bed and dashed to her closet. She searched through it several times, and found nothing suitable to wear. There is only one solution. She threw on the first clothes she came across in the closet and grabbed her things. As Demona made her way to the parking lot Hannah was on her way in.