The Demon Within (A PeaceKeeper Novel)

by Stacey Brutger

  “Brie, any idea of the numbers we might face?”

  Ruman narrowed his eyes at the way Caly singled out her double. She should know better than to make her the center of attention in a room full of demon hunters.

  “Caly.” Those hard eyes turned his way, and his breath stuttered in the need to take her into his arms and watch her melt back to the warm woman, not the hardened killer before him.

  “Everyone knows Brie’s a demon. To pretend otherwise would be like trying to ignore a beer guzzling biker in spandex and a pink tutu.” Caly dismissed him, focusing on Brie like he ceased to exist.

  His vow to keep his distance vanished. When he got her alone, she’d realize he wasn’t so easy to dismiss.

  “Brie?”

  “Demons are adaptable; we blend in easier in places that have a higher population. The larger the city, the higher the density of demons.”

  “Easier to choose your prey?” The jeer came from the opposite corner of the room.

  Before Ruman could protest, Caly rounded on the heckler. “Jarred, if you’ve nothing to add, go to the basement and prep the weapons.” The stubborn man crossed his arms, but kept his trap shut. Ruman saw Brie nail Jarred with an impassive look, but beneath, a piece of her soul crumbled.

  “He’s right. In the last few weeks, attacks have escalated. The demons have become more aggressive, killings have increased.” Brie flipped the hair out of her face then reached for a pack of cigarettes only to come up empty. Her fingers shook, and she clenched them into fists.

  Ruman narrowed his gaze. That wasn’t anger, that was hurt, a strictly human emotion. He snuck a glance at Caly and wondered if she suspected anything.

  “In the past, we’ve survived by blending into the human way of life, but a faction split off the main group and has grown in popularity.”

  Kelly straightened from her position behind David’s chair. “What do the demons hope to gain?”

  Jarred rolled his eyes. “They want to kill us.”

  “Possible, but only as a side benefit.” Caly rubbed her hand absently against her blade. “They want to find the weapons of the ancients. If they got their hands on them, they’d be like gods among mortals.” Ruman noticed that Caly didn’t say anything about the Fallen or that they needed her for their plan to succeed. She kept that she was in danger a secret.

  “Got it.” Everyone jumped as David broke the silence. “Reports of disappearances have increased close to ten percent. But my guess is that the count is higher. The numbers are tallied by family or friends who report them missing.” He lifted his head from his stooped position over the monitor. “We have a lot of homeless people and even more tourists at this time of year.”

  “How many?” Caly wrapped her arms around her waist, unconsciously bracing herself. Intensity lined her face, but Ruman saw adrenaline was the only thing that kept her running. He didn’t know how much longer she could go before she crashed.

  “Best estimate?” He rubbed a hand over his hair. “At least two hundred.”

  Ruman swore under his breath, wishing he could squeeze the answers he wanted out of the vile computer. “And no one has been concerned?”

  “That’s just it.” He lowered his fingers to the computer. “Most missing persons don’t equal dead bodies. There have been close to fifty bodies found, but only a small percentage matched the missing people. Ummm…”

  Ruman could already see Caly shutting down, could see in her hunched posture that she blamed herself. She believed that if she’d stayed behind and killed the Fallen at the temple, none of this would’ve happened.

  If she had stayed, she would’ve been the first casualty. She would’ve killed herself trying to get away from what the Fallen had planned for her.

  “What else?”

  David quickly clicked through the computer screens. “Most of the bodies showed no cause of death. The only thing most of them have in common is blood loss.”

  “Why the hell haven’t we heard any of this?” Caly paced the short confines of the room, her fury pushing at the walls. He wanted to go to her, but knew she’d just brush him away.

  “They kept it secret.” David cleared his throat. “I stole the information from the precinct. They fear if word reached the public—”

  “Another ‘vampire’ craze would sweep through the cities.” Kelly sighed in disgust then continued when Ruman gave her a blank stare. “Two years ago, a small cult killed two families and drank their blood. It made national news and brought out the crazies.”

  “David, can you give me a general breakdown of the area where the bodies were found?”

  Two minutes passed before he lifted his head again. “All within a few miles off Dumont Street.”

  “The only thing on Dumont is…of course.” Caly stepped behind her desk to the maps. She flipped through the pages, her finger trailing over the last sheet before she finally pointed. “There are a few abandoned buildings slated to be demolished. We’ll split into two teams. The back alley appears closed off, but these old buildings were constructed during Prohibition. The second team can get inside by using a connecting door built into the old luxury apartments. Let’s gear up, boys and girls, and kill some demons.”

  A cheer rang through the room.

  Ruman and Brie stepped aside as most of the team members filed out. When the last soldier left, leaving her three closet friends behind, Ruman shut the door and turned to confront Caly. He was no fool. He was well aware of the fact that he had no chance of convincing her by himself. “It’s too dangerous for you to lead this mission.”

  Caly lowered her head, focused on clearing off the top of her desk to avoid him. Hiding from him. It infuriated him that she thought he was capable of hurting her. He could see her thoughts in those bruised green eyes of hers.

  “That’s not a decision you get to make.” She slowly lifted her chin, daring him to push her further.

  He slammed his hands on her desk and leaned closer. “Your safety is my concern.”

  She mimicked his move, some of the fire returning to her face. “Then do your job and let me do mine.”

  He softened his voice, resisting the urge to cup her cheek and reassure himself. “After the last few days, you need rest.”

  Without removing her gaze from Ruman, Caly shot a sharp question at Jarred. “Am I approved to fight?”

  The silence lasted a few seconds. “Physically, you’re fine. I still haven’t been able to analyze the agent found in your blood, but yes. You’ve never been more fit in your life.”

  Ruman wanted to pound the little bastard into a pulp. “Keep your personal agenda against demons to yourself. Don’t drag Caly into this and get her killed.”

  “Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to finish.” Caly’s sarcastic tone didn’t lessen the volatile mood any. As she strode toward the door, Ruman followed, refusing to concede defeat.

  He cupped her elbow, preventing her from disappearing on him. “You have to be reasonable about this.”

  She jerked her arm free. “I’m very reasonable. I thought we already had this discussion. I have the training. I know what I’m doing. With the added help of Carnwennan, our chances of success are doubled.”

  “You put too much faith in that blasted knife when it’s never been tested. You’re trusting the words of one of the Fallen. There’s a reason they were punished in the first place.” Ruman paced, desperate for her to understand she was too important to put herself in danger, especially for a man who had already tried to kill her.

  “We don’t have a choice. You either trust me or you don’t. I’d think you’d want this matter solved. Didn’t you say you can’t wait to return home?”

  “I do trust you. But—”

  “I don’t want the person I fight alongside to doubt my abilities. I need someone I can rely on. If that is not you, tell me now.”

  The silence stretched, and Ruman’s muscles went rigid. He couldn’t lose Caly. If she fought a war, he had to face the fear
that he might not be able to protect her. And that wasn’t something he was willing to chance.

  He thought he wanted distance between them. Now that she was pulling away, he realized he’d made a horrible mistake. She had to understand that risking her life wasn’t something he could idly stand by and watch. “You don’t understand.”

  As soon as the words left his mouth, he knew they were the wrong ones. Her face closed down, and she turned away. “Wait.” Before he could reach out, Brie grabbed his arm.

  “Let her go. Use your time to prepare yourself. If I could hazard a guess, we’re all going to have our hands full. Especially you.”

  With a tug, he allowed Brie to lead him away. “We have to make sure she stays safe.”

  Brie smiled up at him a little. “What’ve you got in mind?”

  Ruman took a full breath for the first time that evening. “I have an idea.”

  Chapter Twenty-four

  The drive to Dumont Street took less than twenty minutes. The early evening withdrew as if forced to give way, and the darkness welcomed Caly with open arms. She rode her bike, refusing to allow Ruman near her with the excuse that the metal she wore could cripple him.

  In truth, she didn’t need the distraction.

  Before she geared up for the night, Caly saw Brie and Ruman with their heads close together. They looked quite cozy as they plotted. As much as she didn’t like it, she could understand. It’s what she would’ve done in their place.

  It was the enjoyment they took in each other, the shared laughter that stabbed her deepest. She probed the wound like an aching tooth. Brie suited Ruman better than Caly ever would.

  At the opening of the street, Caly dismounted and waited. A few minutes passed before she heard the others arrive.

  Caly didn’t take her focus from the streets, sliding out two knives. The Carnwennan remained silent as she walked down the center of the abandoned side road. The absence of life, including the vermin that normally populated these streets, reminded her of ghost towns in the Old West. Contrary to Ruman’s warning, Caly wasn’t relying on the blade to get her through battle.

  “Wait.” Ruman’s frustration spilled out into the abandoned street.

  Instead of turning, Caly continued on her route. Curses exploded in the air, and she couldn’t hold back a smile at Ruman’s colorful language.

  The demons wanted her. They were going to get her.

  She concentrated on the shadows, waiting for a hint of movement. Determined not to let anyone else die, she embraced the darkness she’d always repressed, the part that Cambrie left behind when they separated. The side she purposely ignored, believing it would make her more of a monster and eventually get her killed.

  Sometimes it took a monster to kill one.

  Pressure gathered at the base of her skull, spreading slowly, wrapping around her temples. Blood rushed in her ears, and she couldn’t hear anything above the roar.

  Her vision blurred, the world tipped. Caly missed a step. Then everything snapped into place as the darkness swallowed her, drawing her into the world with an ease that should’ve scared the shit out of her.

  The demons were in the last apartment building to the right, her senses pinpointing them within seconds. A wild thrill to go hunting surged through her, and she gritted her teeth to hold back the nearly overwhelming need to give into the demand.

  With hand signals, she motioned to the group behind her. Without looking, she knew Brie and Ruman were coming up on her fast.

  Cold shivered over her hands and up her arms, a burning that reminded her of her Carnwennan.

  She dropped to her knee, ignoring the gravel that bit into her skin and sent one knife flying through the air. The blade sung in the silence. A solid thud followed ten feet to her left and a squeal erupted. A bright flash came next, illuminating the grime in the alley. The unmistakable singed smell similar to burnt antifreeze filled her nose.

  “Damn. I didn’t even notice it in the shadows.” Ruman’s cold gaze settled on her, always assessing, judging as if he found her lacking.

  “The creature wasn’t there a moment ago.” Caly retrieved her knife, realizing that she had picked up the characteristics of the blade. It soaked into her, binding her, the demon and the blade together. And there wasn’t a damned thing she could do about it. It was too late to change anything.

  Ruman would be gone soon. It was maybe better this way.

  Brie inhaled sharply. “You must be careful. The more you tap into the power, the harder it will be for you to turn back. If you go too far, you’ll remain trapped with the remnants of the demon you carry.”

  Caly stared at the couple, all her emotions locked away to do what needed to be done. Nothing mattered but the upcoming battle thanks to the demon’s help to mute her feelings. “Watch your backs, and I’ll take care of my own.”

  Before she could walk off, Ruman grabbed her arm. “What in the name of all that’s holy do you mean? You’re not invincible.”

  Caly gazed down at his hand, the masochist in her relishing the warmth of his touch. Disturbed by the hint of emotion trying to break through her shield, she jerked away. “Take care of your girlfriend, and I’ll take care of myself.”

  Caly pivoted and strode away. Her stomach knotted, leaving her gut raw like a rough night on the town. She’d made her decision. It was the right choice, the best choice for all three of them.

  Caly took another ten steps before the blade signaled trouble.

  * * *

  By the time Ruman shook off the shocking coldness of Caly’s words and moved to go after her, Brie placed a restraining hand on his arm.

  “Don’t. Now’s not the time.” The ponytail she wore bobbed when she nodded to the building ahead. “There are too many inside for this to be an easy battle. As much as we don’t want her to fight, we need her. All we can do is protect her as much as she’ll allow us.” She dropped her hand.

  Her small frame trailed after Caly. What Brie said might be correct, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. Fist clenched, he increased his stride to catch up with the two women, his blood boiling with unspent anger. When they rescued Henry, he would sit Caly down and explain how things would work.

  Behind him, the group divided. The main division headed to the building next door. The rest followed in his wake. They were quiet, as quiet as humans could be, but they were not silent.

  The demons knew they were coming.

  The entrance opened into a large lobby. An ornate elevator stood forgotten and silent at the opposite end of the room. The gold and silver leaf flaked, showing the corroded surfaces underneath. Once a source of pride, the place had fallen on hard times, tarnished by years gone by. Twin windows dominated the wall above the door they entered, while the rest of the room remained in shadows.

  The group broke in pairs, moving in tandem to keep their backs covered as the teams surveyed the seemingly empty room.

  An archway to the left opened to a flight of decrepit stairs. The only other opening was an empty doorway at the far left corner that led further in the building.

  If cornered, very few avenues of escape were open to them. The demons had the advantage.

  “Look who’s here.” Henry opened his arms in a parody of welcome. “Caly and her demon friends.”

  Caly tensed. She had to have guessed this was a trap. To have it confirmed, however, was a different matter. In three strides, Ruman placed his body at her side, ready to shield her if needed then waited for her signal.

  “Henry. I see you’re alive and well.” Her lips tightened. “And the call?”

  “Was to get you here, although the demons’ unexpected arrival was an added bonus. I must say, you got here a lot quicker than I expected.” He pulled out a large blade in one hand and a gun in the other. With the gun pointed at her chest, he motioned to Caly’s hands. “I know how skilled you are with those knives. Drop them.”

  Caly didn’t move. The hammer pulled back, clicking loudly in the hollowed out roo
m.

  “Now.”

  Ruman knew how much it cost her to release her blades, yet she nodded her agreement. Arms out, she turned sideways and crouched. Her gaze never left Henry’s face. She set the knives down on the dulled, chipped tiles and rose.

  “Now what?”

  With a twist of his wrists, he motioned her with the gun to step aside. “Move.”

  “No.” Caly raised her chin and stood her ground as if a gun wasn’t aimed at her. Ruman tensed. Though he admired her calm, he wanted to yell at her for taking such foolish risks.

  Henry narrowed his eyes and pulled the trigger.

  Ruman charged forward, but too late.

  The bullet splintered the floor two feet in front of her right boot. Chips of tile and wood flew up in the air, peppering them.

  Caly didn’t so much as move a hair as small spots speckled her arms and shoulder. The sight shot all his protective instincts into overdrive. Before he knew it, he was in motion to tear that bastard apart with his bare hands.

  How dare he think to hurt what was his.

  “Halt.”

  Ruman stopped, shifting to face Henry. Rage poured energy into his body, until he shook as he fought for control. His stance relaxed, waiting for the chance to pounce. One small move toward Caly, and Ruman would show him that it was physically possible to shove someone’s head up their own ass. Relishing the thought, he smiled and gazed unblinkingly at Henry.

  “You think this is funny?” Henry brandished a knife, the blade falling short of doing any damage.

  Needing Henry closer in order to eliminate him, Ruman lifted his hand and urged Henry forward, taking pleasure in antagonizing him.

  Henry might be stupid, but he wasn’t a fool. He ignored the taunt, and turned to Caly with a superior look. “You should’ve listened to me instead of openly consorting with demons.” His lips curled in a sneer. “You risk all of our lives over a worthless djinn and your demon lover.”

  He looked between the two women and shook his head. “Your counterpart is much prettier.” A crooked smile crossed his face. “It’s a shame she has to die.”