by Trudi Jaye
I clench my hands, trying to keep hold of my overwhelming imagination. I’ve always prided myself on my logical approach to things. Sure, I was hunting glowing blue monsters, but I did it calmly and methodically, following an approach that would deliver the facts, not the rumors.
But now I’m being expected to open up my eyes to all these new ideas. Blade can transform into a jaguar. My vague memories of paranormal monsters have sharpened into the knowledge that I’m fighting demons. We’re about to go consult a voodoo king. I narrow my eyes at Anna as she gracefully comes to her feet as well. She’s elegant and perfectly coiffured, and it blows my mind that she can shift into a jaguar, just like Blade.
There’s also a guy trying to use his magic to convince me to date him.
It’s all a bit much.
The urge to run suddenly becomes almost unbearable. I look desperately at the door.
“Nico.” Anna’s voice is soft, entreating, and catches my attention, stilling my urge to flight.
“It’s serious,” she says. “The directors… They’re getting ready for a fight. Against me. I need your help if I’m going to survive this.”
She’s basically begging him.
Blade softens. “I’ll help all I can. I’ll be there with you. I’ll give it to them straight. But I’m not going to become CEO of Blade Enterprises, just because that’s the life you want me to lead.” He hugs her and then walks out of the room, his back straight. He doesn’t look back to see if I’m following. I nod awkwardly to Anna and then limp after him.
We meet Fleet in the hallway. He’s got a plastic Tupperware container of cookies in his hands, and he gives them to Blade. “I figured you wouldn’t last much longer in there with her, so I made these to go,” he says.
“Is she telling the truth? Are they out to get her?”
Fleet nods. “She’s always had amazing intuition in business, you know that.” He hesitates. “Just like your sister.”
“Why won’t Suzanna come and help her?” Blade frowns down at Fleet.
“Your sister is wounded and afraid. Eric’s death hit her hard.”
“Does she realize how dire the situation is?”
Fleet shakes his head. “I don’t think she’d listen, even if she did.” He puts one hand on Blade’s arm. “Anna needs your help. It’s serious. Whatever you can do, she’ll take it.”
“I’ll do what I can,” says Blade, his expression hunted. He glances at me. “Let’s go.”
I try not to look like I’m escaping as I leave through the front door, but it feels like it. I don’t know quite what to say to Blade, now that it turns out he’s some kind of mega-wealthy bachelor who’s turning down a CEO job.
I open my mouth to say something, then close it again.
“It’s not what it looks like,” he says, rubbing one hand over his eyes. He opens my car door for me, then heads around to his side of the truck.
“What do you think it looks like?” I ask curiously.
“Like I’m being a douchebag to my elderly grandmother.”
“No, I don’t think that,” I say cautiously. “But I can’t believe you’re from a mega-rich family, and I’ve been making you camp out on my couch.”
“What’s that got to do with anything?” he asks, genuinely confused.
“Just… I don’t know… maybe I should have given you an extra blanket?”
He lets out a laugh. “You’re crazy.”
We’re soon back out on the road, presumably heading toward the country club. There are trees on either side, and it almost feels like we’re out in the country, rather than on the edges of a major city. This is a whole different area than the one I’m used to. I peer at Blade from the corner of my eyes, trying to imagine him living out here in this kind of opulence. It doesn’t quite fit with my view of him. But he was so natural in those surroundings, I guess it makes sense.
“I’m just going to make a quick stop before we go to the country club,” says Blade. “Another source I have. He’s not the most reliable, but I’m curious what information he might have for us.”
I nod, not saying a word. What is there to say? I’m still mulling over the possibility that my parents, the people who raised me, might not have been my real parents.
My father was a super. I know that much for sure. Was he a chalice? That I don’t know.
A sick feeling rises up through my body. If he was a chalice, that makes everything so much worse. Why didn’t he tell me anything about who I am when I was a kid? Why did he let me think I was going crazy when Becca was killed? Why did he send me to a shrink who told me I was having hallucinations?
Why didn’t he fight the demon that killed him and my mom?
18
None of it makes sense.
My brain is working overtime, and I don’t notice that we’ve arrived at a sprawling park until Blade stops the truck in the parking lot. There’s a big lake and a small forest-like stand of trees to one side. A large area of thick green grass is in front of us, with trees sprinkled across it. A kids’ playground is nestled to one side, and a few picnic tables are arranged under the trees.
“Here? Your contact is here?” I look around dubiously. Is his contact on a picnic?
“He… likes the outside. Doesn’t trust humans and all their modern houses.”
I get out of the truck and follow Blade across the grass. One of his long strides matches about two of mine, so I’m doing a silly hobble-run to keep up, my sore leg complaining painfully. He’s clearly focused on his contact, and not paying any attention to me. Which is fine, because I’ve got so much going on inside my head, it feels like it’s going to burst.
We arrive at the edge of the forest and walk along the edge to where the forest meets the lake shore. Blade walks into the forest, climbing over and through the thick foliage like he’s done this before. I guess he has if this guy is a regular contact.
At one point he stops abruptly and turns back to me. “Just let me do the talking with this guy, okay? He’s jumpy at the best of times.”
“Okay, sure,” I say. It’s not like I know what to ask anyway.
We arrive at a large tree, sitting within sight of the lakefront, surrounded by other trees. Vines intersperse themselves over the trees, and it’s impossible to see the sky above our heads for the thick branches and leaves. It’s dark in here, and damp. The smell of mold and grime permeates the air, and I have to resist the urge to hold my fingers over my nose to block it from the smells.
“Come on out, I know you’re here,” says Blade. “I can smell you.”
There’s a series of grunting noises from behind the large tree.
“She’s a friend. She won’t hurt you.” Blade’s expression doesn’t change from his usual dark and brooding look.
More grunting, along with some shuffling.
“Of course I’ll protect you if she attacks.”
I glare at Blade. “What are you talking about?”
He glares back. “Just don’t say anything. He’s a little touchy.”
There’s a bit more grunting and shuffling from behind the tree. Clearly whatever this thing is, it’s talking back to Blade in some weird language I don’t understand.
“I just meant that you’re… special,” Blade says. “You don’t talk to just anyone.”
There’s more louder shuffling, and this time a figure appears out from behind the tree. At first, all I can see is wrinkled, wizened old skin. He looks like a wrinkled up old prune. His hair is so white it’s almost glowing, and his skin is almost black. It’s a shocking contrast in the darkness of the forest. I have no idea how this dude ever hides from anything in here.
His eyes are a creamy white all the way through, with just a thin line of black through the middle, like a cat’s eye when it’s bright outside. He’s about up to Blade’s waist, which is a little higher on me, and he’s bent over like he’s a hundred years old. He’s wearing a tattered shirt and trousers, but his feet are bare. There’s also a glow
about him that’s strangely familiar. I try to think where I’ve seen it before, but the memory eludes me.
“We just need some information. And if anyone is going to know about it, it’s you.”
The strange creature grunts. Then glares at me with its freaky eyes.
I manage not to run screaming. I can stand up to a demon chasing me down across the university quad, but this creepy little guy is making me wish I could crawl inside the nearest hole and never get out. My little demon swims in circles inside me, the swirling pattern enough to make me hold my hand over my stomach in protest. Last thing I want to do right now is throw up.
Blade raises his hands in a soothing gesture. “She’s a friend. Or at least not your worst foe. All I need is information, then I’ll let you get back to your prey.”
That’s when I notice the dribbling blood at the corner of the creature’s mouth.
Prey?
The hairs on my arms rise up, and I try not to think about what kind of animal—or human—might be the prey of this strange little prune man.
He grunts some more, and then suddenly he’s speaking in English. “…You must not let this one out of your sight, Blade. She is dangerous. More so than any you have brought here before.”
“Who have you brought here before?” I ask on an undertone, just for Blade’s ears. Is this some kind of test? “Do you bring all your dates here?” I murmur, then immediately regret it. We both know I’m not Blade’s date.
He glares at me again, and I close my mouth. He’s right. I think this might be a good situation to just keep quiet.
“Have you heard anything about the demons? Why there are so many gathering?”
“The demons come when they’re called.”
“So you know about the demons?”
“Of course.” The creature is scathing.
“Who’s calling them? I thought there were no chalices left?” Blade doesn’t so much as glance at me.
The creature’s eyes flash, and for a second, I can see long claws on his fists and pointed, snarling teeth inside his mouth. But it’s only for a second, and then he’s the same wrinkled up old monster as he was before. Was it real? Or just magic of some kind?
“Do not say that word in my presence,” the creature hisses.
Blade steps to the right, so he’s now standing just in front of me. I’d protest, except I think he’s planning to protect me from the horrible little creature, and I’m all for that.
“We mean no harm, grandfather,” he says. “But I need to ask you, what do you know of the chalices?”
The old creature hisses again, and this time his razor-sharp teeth stay in focus. Now it’s me who shifts, until I’m standing directly behind Blade. The air around us suddenly seems tighter, sharper, like the very oxygen doesn’t want to be breathed any more, and when we do breathe it in, it’s punishing us for it.
“The chalices are evil. They were taken from this world for a reason. Their deaths were the greatest work of my kind.”
I reach out and clutch at Blade’s arm. My heart is pounding. I’m not evil.
Am I?
“Why are they evil, old man?”
“Their very nature is destructive. They hate the pure demon energy they control, and it makes them venomous. Turns them into creatures of nightmares.” He snarls and shuffles in agitation, the slit pupils in his eyes widening until his white eyes appear almost completely black.
What would happen if this creature found out what I was? It already knows I’m a creature it can’t trust if Blade’s words earlier are anything to go by.
“That’s not what I’ve heard,” says Blade carefully.
“My kind has vowed to kill them. They do not deserve to walk the earth.” The creature in front of me seems to get bigger, and all of a sudden, it’s made up of teeth and claws and not much else.
“Whatever you do, don’t run,” says Blade, in an undertone to me. “He feeds on that kind of reaction.” He pushes me even farther behind him and then stands his ground, his knife out in front of him. The fear in his voice makes my heart beat faster. He’s never sounded worried about me when we’ve fought demons before. What can this creature do that he’s so concerned about?
As if on cue, the little prune creature gives a terrifying screech and then launches into the air toward us, twisting like it’s an acrobat at the circus. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a demon appears from inside the creature, and they’re both arcing toward us, intermingled like some kind of disorganized fireworks display.
“It was possessed,” Blade says. He growls, and I can feel it down to my toes. The demon inside me shudders.
Blade holds out his knife and prepares for a fight.
I grit my teeth and wish I wasn’t here.
19
The demon-possessed creature screams again, just before it hurtles into Blade. He staggers, and there’s a flash of metal as he stabs at the demon and kicks the prune creature at the same time.
The demon flickers away out of his reach. The other creature rolls to the other side and is now circling Blade, its claws out and ready to strike. Was the creature really possessed? Or is this some kind of trick?
The glowing blue demon swishes to Blade’s other side. I’m standing a few yards away, hesitating. My tiny demon is buzzing around inside me. Can Blade fight both these creatures? Should I try to absorb the demon? I shudder. Memories of Blade stabbing my leg, and the pain of the demons being forced out of me fills my head. A sick feeling blooms in my chest, and I struggle to keep my breathing normal.
I really don’t want to absorb the demon.
The horrifying prune monster leaps at Blade again with far more agility than I would have expected. It slashes its claws across Blade’s arm before it skips back out of the way. Blood pools immediately in stripes through his shirt and he growls.
“Absorb the demon, Hazel! I can’t fight them both.” Without looking to check if I’m following his directions, Blade surges after the creature, his face set. As he leaps, he turns into his jaguar form, muscles and bones crunching in midair. I’m frozen in place, unable to tear my eyes away from his change. Large black paws emerge out of his human form, his black shape shimmering as it appears just before he lands onto the ground before the prune monster. Magic sizzles through the air, and I swallow hard. The power inherent in the change is almost painful to watch.
Blade doesn’t even look like it’s caused him any problems.
He snaps his jaws at the prune creature, just missing getting a bite. He’s enormous, towering over the little monster, but there’s something magical about it that seems to be keeping Blade busy.
Behind him, the demon is lurking, looking for an opening to attack Blade. It seems to have forgotten that I’m even here. It finally sees an opportunity and streaks forward.
“Blade, watch out,” I scream as the demon attacks him from behind. He manages to slap it away with one giant paw, and it flies through the air, hitting a tree. But the demon doesn’t stay down. It surges back to an upright position and moves forward again.
The prune monster is showing off its teeth again, snarling at Blade, as he stands on four paws, ready to pounce. His jaguar tail is flickering angrily side to side. The demon roars from just behind Blade. They’ve got him surrounded, and I don’t think he can fight them both at the same time.
Blade growls, then glances back at me. His green Jaguar eyes are clearly glaring at me.
I take a hesitant step toward the demon, wishing I had one of my devices, or even one of the bottles to absorb it. Maybe I can just distract it for a bit? Until Blade can use his knife on it?
I take in a swift breath. Where is Blade’s knife? Maybe I can use it on the demon even without having the right magic? I could wound it instead of having to absorb it. I search frantically around on the ground, my heart pounding.
It’s nowhere to be seen. Dammit.
The demon is shifting into its more human-like form, the blue glow disappearing. This one has weird shaped ro
cks and stones rolling over it, making it look like some kind of superhero movie character. There is also what looks like items lost by picnickers—a few forks at odd angles, a corkscrew, half a plastic plate sticking out from its back, and part of a cheeseboard. It might have looked funny, except for the glowing black demon eyes filled with a hunger that only our deaths will assuage. I can’t even swallow, my throat is so dry. Can Blade kill them both? I know he can fight more than one demon, but the little prune creature is an unknown quantity. Blade had seemed really wary of it when we arrived, and I don’t think he would have asked me to help if he didn’t need it.
The prune creature starts laughing, a high-pitched noise that makes all the hairs on my neck stand on end. It still has the drop of blood on its chin, and it feels like a warning. Blade lets out a growling cry, his face scrunches up, and his lip curls, showing his large cat canines. He’s crouching low, like there’s something pressing down on him. He looks like he’s about to break in two.
It finally breaks through my fear. I won’t let that horrible little prune creature—or the demon—hurt Blade. I open my mouth and scream, loud and long.
The demon’s reaction is instantaneous. It pulls back away from Blade and also away from me. It snarls, showing two rows of sharpened rock teeth. I can’t concentrate on what Blade’s doing with the other creature. This demon is now laser focused on me.
I’m pretty sure it knows exactly what I am.
I lose my nerve and take a step back, and then another, my heart beating frantically as I try to figure out what I’m going to do. I don’t have any of my usual devices, and I don’t want to absorb the demon, so I’m going to have to just distract it for a while until Blade can deal with it.
The demon moves forward, its feet now firmly planted on the rough forest floor. It snarls and suddenly it’s sprinting at me like I’m a target and it’s an arrow.
I scream again, and this time it’s higher pitched. The demon is slammed backward, like my voice created an invisible air explosion, and lands on its back on the ground. I check on Blade. He’s hand-to-hand fighting with the claw creature. I can’t tell who’s winning, which is probably not a good sign for Blade.
