Demon Guard

by Samantha Britt

  I jolt back, and every pair of eyes notes the reaction. Immediately, my cheeks heat. I’m mortified. I should’ve just admitted this part sooner. Now, I look guilty of hiding information.

  “Aspen?” Vivian purses her lips.

  With shaky arms, I push myself up. I don’t want to be lying down when I’m reprimanded.

  “At the bar, there was a guy watching me from the shadows. I didn’t recognize him as a demon… not until he approached me just before the attack happened.”

  “What did he say?” Lex steps forward with clenched fists. I look his way, and my eyes shift over to Logan. Like my brother, his fists are clenched, but the anger I see in his eyes isn’t directed at some distant demon who’d talked to me. No, his anger is focused one hundred percent on me.

  “He told me to get out of the bar.” I swallow.

  “Why would he do that?” Vivian asks the question everyone is wondering.

  “He said he wanted to help me.” I cringe, knowing how crazy that sounds. Demons don’t help the Shadowguard or students training to become part of the Shadowguard. I expect to hear protests. I expect not to be believed.

  Instead, Master Donohue clears his throat, drawing my gaze. “Do you… know this demon, Aspen?”

  I’m shocked. I barely register the fact that’s the first time he’s used my first name. “No. I never saw him before tonight.”

  “Are you sure?” Headmistress Meyer’s stare is still unrelenting.

  I think I’d remember if I knew a higher demon or not. “Yes, I’m positive.”

  “Did he warn you about the attack?” The latest voice is cool and strong. It brushes my cheeks like a caress. But any sense of comfort disappears when I see Logan’s harsh expression.

  “All he said was to leave. He didn’t say why.”

  “Really?” His eyes narrow. “Then why didn’t you listen? I found you helplessly standing against a wall as a demon prepared to attack.”

  “I—”

  “Or,” he continues, “perhaps the better question is why you didn’t try to fight him in the first place.”

  Is he serious?

  “I didn’t have a weapon.”

  “I’ve seen you fight. Your body could’ve been a weapon.” It’s hard to take that as a compliment when I hear the accusation underneath the words.

  “I was in a trance,” I grind out through gritted teeth. If I weren’t weak, I would’ve got up from the couch and gotten in his face. I don’t know exactly what he’s accusing me of, but it’s definitely not good.

  “A trance!” Vivan gets to her feet and looks frantically at her husband. “We must make sure she’s free of it.”

  “What?” My head swings around the room. “Of course I’m free of it.” The fact I can move my arms and legs at will proves I’m no longer controlled by the demon.

  No one listens to me.

  Headmistress Meyer and Master Donohue nod. Charles steps closer to me, pulling his stylus out of his coat’s chest pocket. “I’ll place a clearing sigil on your arm. It should negate any lingering effects of the demon’s trance.”

  I bob my head. “Sounds good to me.”

  “No.” Logan’s protest echoes through the office just as Charles is prepared to touch the cool silver to my skin. Everyone looks at him.

  “No?” Master Donohue lifts an eyebrow.

  “A clearing sigil might erase some of her memories. She may have details about tonight’s events in her subconscious. We can’t risk losing them. They could very well help us confirm the purpose of tonight’s attack.”

  I bite my lip, fighting the urge to disagree just to spite him. If Logan is right and I have information that can help save future Guardians, we can’t risk losing it.

  “Then what do you suggest?” Charles frowns, and it makes me happy to see my foster father doesn’t act as beholden to the Head Minister’s son as I might’ve feared.

  “An extraction sigil.”

  The room gasps, except for me and Cortney. We’re the only two who don’t know what an extraction sigil is.

  “Absolutely not!” Vivian steps in front of me. Lex shifts to put himself between his mother and Logan. He crosses his arms. Charles remains where he is, but his fingers clench his stylus tightly.

  Logan’s expression smooths. If I’m not mistaken, he’s trying to look reassuring. “Cortney, can you tell the others what you saw while you were fighting the demons in the car?”

  All eyes swing to my friend. She shifts on her feet, clearly uncomfortable to be the center of attention. “I-I think I saw the purple-eyed demon leaning over Aspen.”

  “What!?” I jump to my feet, quickly lose balance, and fall back onto the couch. Vivian ushers me to remain seated with anxious murmurs.

  Cortney’s eyes are wide with apology. “The demons beat you unconscious,” she says. “I heard a loud roar, telling the demons to stop attacking. They did. When I looked, I saw a higher demon checking over you for injuries.”

  My body shudders. The thought of the demon putting his hands on me while I was unaware is horrifying.

  “You think it was the same higher demon from the bar?” Master Donohue asks. “And you believe he was checking Aspen for injuries?”

  Cortney’s voice is quiet, “I never saw the demon at the bar, but I know what I saw on the street. The demon was worried about Aspen.”

  My head is spinning. I’m staring at the floor, but I feel the room’s attention return to me with renewed scrutiny. I don’t even know what to say. I can’t explain why a demon would bother to make sure I’m okay after being attacked by demons.

  “I don’t care what you think happened. An extraction sigil is still out of the question,” Vivian states. She hasn’t dropped her protective stance in front of me.

  “Vivian,” Charles attempts to reason with his wife.

  “Don’t ‘Vivian’ me,” she snaps. “Extraction sigils are painful. Aspen is recovering from her injuries. She doesn’t need to be subjected to anymore pain.”

  Master Donohue steps forward. He wears a regretful frown. “Mrs. Van der Klay, the demon may have done something to Aspen while she was unconscious. We can’t risk allowing her to resume training at the academy until we know for certain she hasn’t been entranced to do or say anything to undermine our security.”

  Hit with the weight of what’s happened to me tonight, I lean forward and rest my elbows on my legs. I close my eyes and hold my head in my hands while the room continues to debate the merits of an extraction sigil versus other options, none of which I’ve heard of as a first-year student.

  I can’t believe this is happening. I don’t know why a demon would interfere before I was taken by the long-limbed attackers, but I can’t deny I’m grateful. Details from the bar resurface as I contemplate the evening, and I know I have to share the information with the room.

  I take a breath and look up. Headmistress Meyer and Master Donohue are debating with Charles and Vivian, who’ve abandoned their protective positions in front of me as they engaged in the heated argument. Cortney is hunched back in the corner. Lex glares at Logan, but Logan is looking at me.

  There’s a surprising kindness in his gaze that I’ve yet to see directed at me. Not since Chicago. He walks over, unhindered by the arguing adults in the room.

  “Aspen?” Once again, his voice is like a balm to my frazzled nerves. I tell myself to stop being ridiculous. Logan isn’t a friend. His voice shouldn’t soothe me. I’m caught off guard when he bends to a knee, saving me from having to look up to meet his eye.

  I clear my throat. “The demon… with the purple eyes…” I sense the others react to my words. They are looking at me now, but I keep my attention on Logan.

  He nods encouragingly. “What about him?”

  “I… I think he believes I look like someone.”

  Logan’s eyes hold their kindness. “Why would you think that?”

  I take a breath and quote the monster, “He said, ‘the resemblance is uncanny’, or something
like that.”

  “Did he tell you who you look like?”

  I shake my head. “No. Not at all. He started rambling about the fact I should leave the bar. Then…” I trail off, and my cheeks heat.

  “Then he what?” Logan asks, and my face is aflame as I think about telling the room a monstrous higher demon pressed his lips to mine, in an almost adoring type of farewell.

  I close my eyes, unable to look him in the eye as I admit, “Then… he kissed me.”

  Nineteen

  For a moment, no one reacts. Everyone’s stunned into silence. The quiet is more unnerving than I would’ve expected. I fear what they all think of me. I’ve never heard of a demon kissing a Shadowguard descendant, but part of me had hoped it wasn’t that strange of an occurrence. Their next words reveal otherwise.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “No. That couldn’t have happened.”

  “We must do the extraction sigil,” Headmistress Meyer speaks above my foster parents. “There is no telling what vile magic that demon put on her.”

  My heart beats wildly in my chest. My eyes fly open. Logan still kneels in front of me, but there’s less kindness in his eyes as fury seeps into his gaze. But I’m not sure his anger is directed at me this time.

  “I’ve already told you no,” Vivian shouts. She steps between me and Logan, forcing him to get to his feet and back away. “She’s injured. She will not undergo an Extraction.”

  Master Donohue approaches my foster mother and places his hands on her shoulders, “Vivian, please think this through.” He speaks with a fatherly familiarity. “We cannot know what was done to Aspen by the demon’s kiss. For her safety, we must extract any magic he may have placed on her.”

  Vivian’s hands tremble by her sides. “Can’t we scan her for magic first? If any is detected, we can do the extraction sigil then.” Her voice wavers with emotion. It pains me to see her so worked up, especially on my behalf.

  “Demon magic is subtle,” Logan interjects. I glance up and see his tumultuous gaze still rests on me. “Especially that of a higher demon. A scan may not reveal what has been done.”

  I see what he isn’t saying in his eyes. I’m a potential risk. I could be a ticking time bomb, ready to detonate at the whim of a higher demon. No one knows that the demon did while I was unconscious. Leaving me alone is too risky.

  “You’re talking about torturing Aspen,” Lex spits out.

  I flinch. My wide eyes find Logan, searching for evidence Lex’s words are true.

  His lips press into a hard line, and I know he’s not happy to admit, “The process will only be painful if there is demon magic in her. Otherwise, nothing will happen.”

  “If you’re so set on an extraction sigil, then why don’t you do it?” Lex growls challengingly.

  Logan lifts his head. “I will.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Master Donohue tells Logan, stepping away from Vivian to face the young man. “You’re her mentor.”

  I don’t know what kind of excuse he thinks that is.

  Master Donohue continues, giving me an answer, “Such a painful experience could damage the trust between you two. It’s best to let a third party complete the task.”

  “As Aspen’s mentor, it is my duty to see this through.”

  “Do you even know the sigil?” Charles asks. He sounds less opposed to the idea than his wife, but he’s still not convinced.

  A dark mask flits across Logan’s face. “I’m a Guardian,” he states, as if that is all the answer Charles needs.

  Master Donohue supplements his reply, “Logan is the best Sigil student I ever had at Saint Michael’s. I have no doubt in his abilities.”

  Charles looks at the master for a moment, then nods his head, consenting to the idea.

  “Can it not wait?” Vivian asks desperately. “At least until the morning.”

  The thought of waiting for impending torture makes me want to throw up. “No,” I say. “Do it now.”

  “Aspen,” Vivian protests, “there are other sigils we can do.”

  I shake my head. “I don’t want other options if there’s a chance they aren’t effective, and I don’t want to wait. Let’s just get this over with.” My eyes plead with Vivian to agree with me. I know she’s worried, and I appreciate her concern. But this has to happen. I will never forgive myself if the demon has done something to me which might hurt others.

  Vivian grabs my head and leans down to kiss my forehead. When she pulls back, I see tears watering her eyes. “Alright,” she whispers.

  Charles wraps her hand in his and gently pulls back. “Come, Viv. Let’s wait outside.” Fear coils in my stomach.

  “We’ll all wait outside,” Headmistress Meyer decrees, then glances at Logan. “Unless you think you need help.”

  “I’ve got it.” Logan’s confidence relieves some of my anxiety, but not all of it.

  Master Donohue guides Cortney out of the room. My friend glances back at me; fear in her eyes. I try to offer a reassuring smile, but it wobbles off my lips.

  Charles wraps his arm around Vivian and leads her away, clasping onto Lex’s shoulder on the way out. It’s obvious Lex doesn’t want to leave me in the room.

  “Go,” I tell him, and I’m proud of how even I sound. “I’ll be fine. I just want to get it over with.”

  Lex’s nostrils flare, but he acquiesces to his father’s strong grip, and follows his parents out.

  Headmistress Meyer is the last to leave. She approaches from behind her desk and says, “If you meet too much resistance, stop the sigil.” Her mouth is set in a firm, non-negotiable line. “We do not know the identity of the demon or his talents.”

  “I understand.” Logan dips his chin, in the first true sign of subordination I’ve seen from him. He must respect the headmistress a great deal.

  The headmistress’s harsh features soften when she looks at me. It’s almost as unnerving as her fierceness. “You are strong, Aspen Van der Klay. You will be fine.”

  I don’t reply. I watch the headmistress walk out of the office, closing the door behind her.

  Logan takes three long steps to the door and locks it. When he turns around, he answers my silent question, “To keep anyone from barging in before it’s done.”

  Logically, I should be terrified by what he’s just said. But, oddly enough, I’m not. I’m shocked to realize I trust Logan. I tell myself it’s lingering trust from Chicago. He certainly hasn’t done anything to earn it the past week.

  “Right… So, what do I do? Should I stand?”

  “It’s probably best if you lie down.”

  “Okay.” Tugging on my skirt, I stretch my legs over the couch and lean back. I still wear the revealing outfit from the bar, and I suddenly feel a little self-conscious. I pull the hem of the crop top a little lower.

  Logan shuffles around the room. He takes one of the chairs from in front of the desk and swings it around to sit near my torso. I swallow when he rolls up his sleeves, showing off muscular forearms marked with several sigils.

  “So… you did protect yourself tonight.” Stacey’s words from the car come back to me. The Guardians should’ve been able to sense the demons before they attacked. I study each of the drawings, but they are too advanced for me to identify after only one week of Sigil Studies.

  Logan’s eyes meet mine. I can’t tell what he’s thinking. “Yes.”

  “But they didn’t work.”

  “No.”

  He leans forward with his stylus and gently takes my hand, flipping it over to expose my forearm. His eyes dart to my mark, and I swear there’s a flare of recognition.

  He presses the stylus against the sensitive skin just above my wrist. “This is going to hurt.”

  “Yeah, I figured.” Vivian’s distraught reaction gave that away.

  The corner of his lip twitches. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry I have to do this.”

  I don’t want his apology. I just want this to be don
e. I swallow. “Let’s get it over with.” I press my head against the armrest and close my eyes. I take a deep breath, hold it for one second, then exhale. Then, I repeat the process over and over again, bracing myself for what’s to come.

  When seconds pass and I don’t feel any pain, I crack open an eye and look at Logan. He watches me with relieved awe.

  My heart gives an involuntary thump. “What?”

  He looks down at my arm, and I see a semi-circle with well-patterned lines glowing against my skin.

  I gasp, and my eyes fly back up to his.

  “It doesn’t hurt?”

  I shake my head. “Not at all.”

  Logan sighs, and his head dips forward in relief. “Thank you,” he murmurs under his breath.

  I’m certain he doesn’t mean for me to hear the words, so I don’t say anything.

  Clearing his throat, Logan’s shoulders roll back and he resumes drawing the sigil on my arm. I watch the stylus trace my skin, leaving glowing curves and lines in its wake. The hair on my arm rises. The stylus is a gentle tickle.

  Soon, he’s finished. Once again, he looks at me warily, waiting for me to howl in pain.

  I offer him a hesitant smile. “Done?”

  He nods. “It truly didn’t hurt?”

  “Not at all.” I glance at the sigil. It looks like an innocuous drawing. It’s hard to imagine it could’ve caused me excruciating pain in a different situation. “What does that mean?”

  Logan slumps back into his chair. “That the demon didn’t place any hidden magic on you when he…”

  “When he kissed me,” I finish, shoving myself into a sitting position. “But what does that mean?” I repeat.

  Logan’s eyes are glittering stones of blue. “It means you’ve caught the attention of a powerful higher demon, one able to order other demons to stand down, and who kisses you without bothering to taint you with his magic.” His tone is ominous, and his fingers flex in his lap when he says the last part.

  Fear threatens to close my throat, but I swallow the emotion down. “You think he’s going to come after me?” I see Logan’s calculating expression.

  “I’d be surprised if he doesn’t,” he confirms my guess.