I shrugged out of my hoodie to tuck under Daniel’s head. “If you know me so well, then you’d know I’m too vain to ever do demon. I buy one tube of mascara for one set of eyes. Not ten for ten. If I wanted to look like a forgotten evolutionary specimen from the bottom of the sea, I’d petition the Goddess. Plus, I prefer Parfum du Monde. Not Parfum du Merde…A.K.A. smelling like shit on the daily.”
“Darling girl—”
I stood, glaring fire at him. “Don’t.”
“Fine. You don’t want to acknowledge your Hellborne blood or the fact you’re my chosen heir, then you can accept the consequences,” he paused for effect, “or, you can take what I offer and keep your pretty face and your pretty lover.”
“Aw, daddy dearest. Who could resist such a proposal?”
Hux smirked in reply. Not the effect I hoped my sarcasm would illicit.
“It’s your choice, Linzie.” The ground under Daniel rumbled, and steam and fetid water released. It was then I realized my crap father was sampling his own product. Demons had no magic, just like vampires had no real magic, either.
Carol’s words came back with a bite. Ingest the blood, ingest the power. Hux must have drank enough witch blood to qualify as an honorary vampire to have the kind of power he exhibited.
My stomach roiled at the thought. He was cruel. Evil through and through. Not just for his crimes against witchdom, but for conjuring the Samantha scenario simply to mess with my head. It was sadistic. Psychologically sadistic.
I held up my hand, and the ground stopped oozing and shaking. My nose wrinkled at the stench, and I knew it was Hux. His glamor was definitely fading.
“Come, come, Linzie. I need an answer.”
I laughed at him. “You mean you need a fix.” I shrugged. “You could drink my blood, but then again, what would you do for an heir? You say you know me, well I know you, too. You run this Bumfuck bitch, for now, but the vampires are growing stronger. They want power as much as you, and they’ll take it…eventually. You need me.”
He didn’t look happy, but the angle of his head told me he was listening.
“Suppose I agree—”
“Suppose?”
Hux’s eyebrow went up, and a silly thought crossed my mind in this total theater of the absurd. If he had multiple eyes on his face, did that mean he had multiple eyebrows, too, or just one giant unibrow?
“Do you have any idea how much money this one unit produces?” he asked. “I have plans to expand this to a global empire, and I’d like my only child to help me.”
This asshole was delusional, but I needed to play along. This was the proof Carol needed to give the Goddess so she could act. I had cast enough spells in the past forty-eight hours to spark the Goddess’s notice. I’m a demi but every spell I cast worked. Either the Goddess was guiding my hand, or I was just lucky. I banked on the former.
“You want this empire, or so you say.” I watched Hux’s eyes dart to the sky now streaked with purple. Dawn was imminent. Had he ingested so much blood he needed to fear the sun like a real vampire? I had to move this along.
“You’ve gone through a lot of trouble to coerce me into being your heir.” I spared a look for Daniel, still unconscious. “Why would you kill your legacy before it has a chance to be fathered? You like to gamble, or you wouldn’t be here now. Daniel is a demi-demon like me. Our progeny could be full demon, and you know it.”
Punnett square probability ran through my head from high school science. Another benefit of an eidetic memory. Of course, there was just as much a chance a child of mine and Daniel’s could be full witch, but I wasn’t about to let that out of the bag.
“You need to make sure Daniel makes it back to the plantation house where he can be seen by a doctor. A real doctor. Not some hoodoo huckster you dredge up from the swamp. Once I see that he’s okay, you can show me your plans and I promise to listen and consider.”
“You do know I could simply take you hostage.”
“True, but what would you gain from that? You, Hux Hellborne, are all about the Benjamins. About power.” I shrugged. “Besides, killing me would be game over, and you don’t have the chessboard locked, yet.”
A close-lipped smile curved on his face, and a snap of his fingers brought Vonny and Neville Furpot out from the scrub.
I knew it.
My Spidey electric fence was dead on, and when I got my hands on that demi-vampire, forget undead, he’d be all dead. As for my father, he didn’t just smell like shit, he was full of it as well. He didn’t sense me the moment my hands trailed the water like he implied. His demi-vamp spy told him I was on my way the moment Daniel asked him to drive to the airport to collect me.
The two minions carried Daniel out of the cemetery, and I followed. “A doctor, Hux,” I reminded. “By the time we get back to Bumfuck, so I suggest you get on it or Vonny here will tell his vampire patrons you don’t have as much of an ace in the hole as you think.”
Check.
Vonny stopped short at the demonic growl behind us. I didn’t bother looking over my shoulder, but continued my move on the chessboard just the same. “You do realize the demi-fanger has been playing both you and the vampires. Two ends against the middle.”
Hux floated over us, and then zipped ahead, leaving an oily feel to the air in his wake. Vonny’s eyes shot daggers my way, but I didn’t care.
“It’s dangerous for a demi to play with fire, Vonny. Neither side wants us, and they don’t care if we survive past our usefulness. Get Daniel to safety and I’ll make sure Hux doesn’t end you tonight.”
Neville’s nervous twitch made him shed so much he left a line of gray fur leading from the cemetery to Daniel’s boat.
“I hope you boys are up for a Viking style row, because it won’t take long for Hux to get his fix, and you know what that means.”
Hux was right about one thing. I did like playing in the dark, but only as a means to a good end.
Next stop? Check mate. Goddess style.
Chapter Eleven
Daniel was unconscious, but otherwise okay. That was a huge perk about being paranormal. Speed healing. When I told Hux I wanted a doctor, I didn’t have to specify paranormal rather than human. It was understood.
I had Daniel brought to my suite, that way I could watch over him until I had to leave with Hux. I had brokered the deal, and I had to hold up my end.
Hux wasn’t back yet. I tried not to think about him or how ugly it felt cozying up to the vile man, regardless of the ploy. Did I trust him? Hells no. Did I need him? Only as a means to an end. An end to the Goddess’s stalemate. Of course, if that meant an end for Hux, all the better.
Daniel’s backpack was on the floor by the end of my bed. I searched the zippered pockets hoping his cellphone hadn’t become collateral damage.
The familiar rectangle was in a small, less visible compartment along with the bloody evidence he gathered. I unlocked the screen, hoping it wasn’t password protected.
No such luck.
On a whim, I typed in my name.
Bingo.
My cellphone didn’t make it out of the cemetery, so I had no way to contact Roy. I mumbled a prayer to the Goddess that the dark wizard had snuck an activation link onto Daniel’s phone same as he did mine.
I found it buried in a text thread, and smiled to myself. I had to hand it to Roy. The move was cagey, but super smart.
I activated the tracking link, and it beeped once before going dark. That was all it took. Now it was up to Roy and Carol to notify the Goddess, though I had a sneaking suspicion she had been watching all along.
A knock on the door had me stuffing Daniel’s cellphone in my front pocket. I wanted it close. It had pictures and video from that crypt-dungeon, and I planned to add to the pile with whatever Hux showed me.
“Come in,” I replied, situating myself on the side of the bed. I held Daniel’s hand, hoping he’d hear everything despite his unconscious state.
“How’s the patient?” Hux as
ked, coming to stand at the end of the footboard.
“That’s funny, considering he’s hurt because of you.”
Hux didn’t flinch at the accusation. “You know, the more I think about it, the more I agree with you. My legacy is too important, and Daniel has proven himself rather resourceful. Not as clever and resourceful as my girl, but still a good choice to father my grandchildren. We’ll give him a living, but you are never to discuss the family business with him.”
The man floored me with his head of the family, proud papa persona. Cold blooded or just a psychopath? My guess was both, and more.
“Cut the Don Corleone act. You’re not the Godfather and I’m not your mafia princess.”
The man smirked, wagging his finger. “See how clever you are?” He motioned to the door with his head. “Come. Our empire awaits.”
“Where exactly are we headed?” I asked, stalling for more information. “Do I need to swap my sneakers for boots?”
He laughed at that. “Such a fashionista. Sneakers are fine, though I am pleased you take an interest in your appearance. Both clever and beautiful. You do me credit across the board. We’re not going far. Just to the outbuildings about a mile from the house. They serve my purposes for now, but we’ll have to look at other locations for when we move the operation.”
“Move?”
“A necessary evil. We’re outgrowing the space as we speak, but we need to be careful. The nucleus of my work is housed here. Without it, the entire empire crumbles.”
Pulling the covers over Daniel’s chest, I pecked his cheek. His hand was clenched beneath the sheets, telling me he heard everything. If things went south from here, he could relay the lot to Roy once he regained consciousness.
Hux’s fatal flaw was proving to be the sin of pride. Vanity in himself, and by extension, me. Vanity that didn’t allow the possibility of defection or duplicity, and vanity in that his threats were enough to elicit unwavering loyalty. Something my gut told me he would confuse for love, the same way he confused sycophancy for affection.
“I think you’re a little too free with that word,” I commented, checking Daniel’s phone was snug in my pocket.
“What word?” Hux held the door open as I passed.
“Empire. Don’t count your witches before they hatch.”
He laughed, closing the door behind us and the sound grated on my ears.
I followed him out of the plantation house to a golf cart waiting in the circular drive. By now the sun was up, yet the air still carried the kiss of night. That wouldn’t last, though. Not in the swamp.
I climbed into the passenger side, and Hux started the electric ignition. He pulled around the drive and onto the narrow hard-packed dirt road leading away from the house.
He drove like a maniac. I wasn’t sure if it was to frighten me, or because the demon loved his speed, but I held on, not saying a word. In fact, we didn’t speak at all, and after his attempt at familial small talk, I was glad. I had enough. Instead, I took advantage, using his erratic driving to slip a tracker into his pocket the next time we jostled on a curve.
He slowed as we approached what he referred to as the outbuildings. They were nothing more than derelict shacks, but the closer we got, there was no hiding their history. They were the remnants of slave quarters, and my mouth went dry.
“These were already on site, and proved convenient to house our specimens. We’re in transition, so only one is occupied now, but procurement is underway.”
My palms were sweaty, along with the space between my breasts. Not from the clammy heat, but from the fact this man was referring to living, breathing, demi-witches. He was no better than the plantation owners of old, and my own blood revolted at our connection. My stomach flipflopped at the perpetuated misery, and I knew there was no turning back. One of us would leave this place today, and the other would be dead.
At the end of the row was a fourth shack, and the shimmer around it told me it had been purposely glamoured, much like the crypt and the plantation house.
“This is the nucleus of our empire.” Hux cut the engine and got out of the cart to walk around to my side. “The distillery.”
He offered his hand to help me out of the electric vehicle, but I declined. At this point, I’d rather peel the skin from my hand than willingly touch him. Besides, my fingers were sparking again, and it was only a matter of time before they were full voltage.
He walked up the few steps to the porch and the glamour wavered like asphalt in heat. I followed, half expecting the place to zap my ass, but it didn’t.
“Ladies first.” He held open the door, and I held my breath stepping past him to enter.
Inside was a modern laboratory, but knowing what experiments happened in this space rivaled Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein. Rows of Bunsen burners, carousels of pipettes and test tubes, chamber electrophoresis units, incubators, and multiple high speed centrifuges, all lined stainless steel tables.
I took in as much as I could, itching to whip out Daniel’s phone and take pictures.
“We’re a little understaffed for the time being, as most of the techs have been recruited for procurement.”
“Can’t you at least be honest about what you’re doing? It’s not procurement. It’s kidnapping. It’s trafficking. It’s disgusting.”
He shook his head. “That’s only because you haven’t witnessed the miracle. I’m proof of that, though my supplies are very, very low at the moment. Techs are due back tonight with a fresh supply of base product, and they’ll make up for lost time, tonight.” He laughed. “It’s lucky our clientele finds that prime time.”
Base product. He meant more demi-demon/demi-witches. Screw that. When his techs arrived, I would be waiting. Hux’s personal shields wouldn’t save them from me, not that he’d care past his bottom line.
“Linzie, this is what I wanted to show you most. This is the reagent facilitator. It’s not patented it yet, but the schematics and the formula are locked in my desk.” He nudged his head to a glass office that belonged more on Wall Street than in the corner of a lab.
“The reagent facilitator is where the magic happens. I can’t go into specifics now, but you’ll learn all that once you formally come onboard.”
His smile creeped me the hell out. “You’d probably make me sign in blood or something.” I was joking, but his face wasn’t.
“That’s exactly what you’ll do if you don’t want to face the consequences.” He waved one hand, as if dismissing the idea. “Enough dreary talk. I know you, little girl. Once you see how power distills from its host, and then coagulates into its purest form, how it shimmers with raw essence, you won’t be able to resist. No demon can. Nor vampire. It’s why this little device is our very own Midas Maker.”
The lump in my throat made it hard to swallow. “Demi-demons aren’t common. Killing them will slow production.”
“Who said I plan on killing them?” He scoffed. “In fact, I’m considering a breeding program. I might even father a few myself if I can find the time.
There was no end to the man’s depravity.
“You disgust me.”
“Yet here you are.”
Everything burned at that point. My eyes, my skin, even the air scalded my lungs. My palms worse than all. I curled my fingertips inward, and flames ignited on contact. They blazed white hot, but there was no pain.
This was it. My chance to raze this place to the ground. “What the hell, Hux!” I shook my hands, pretending panic. “What did you do to me?”
“Linzie! Stop! You’ll burn the place down!”
“This is your fault!” I shook my hands harder, sending flames everywhere.
I backed into the reagent facilitator, and it smashed to the ground. It caught fire as expected, burning not only the casing, but the reagent inside.
Hux’s glamour dropped, almost as if it was linked to the shimmering viscosity inside the device. With his hideous nature on full display, this was my chance. Demons couldn’t be
destroyed. They could only be exiled back to hell.
Ley lines pulsed with life beneath the building as if waiting for my command. I muttered a spell to harness their power, praying my witchy osmosis luck wouldn’t fail me now. The charm forced a convergence. Power spiraled, increasing and expanding until I send the vortex into the ground, opening a noxious pit. I didn’t need magic for my next move.
“Check mate, motherfucker!”
Setting the demon’s clothing alight, he flailed, losing his footing at the edge of the pit.
Teetering, his multiple eyes met mine, and I got an answer to the eyebrow conundrum. Multiple eyes. One unibrow.
Laughter bubbled at the absurdity as I slid into a defensive stance. “Hasta la vista, brow-boy!” A jump kick to the chest sent Hux over the edge, except his seven-fingered grasp took hold of my sneaker, dragging me with him. I scrabbled for the rim of the pit, hanging on with everything I had.
Papers and notes whipped around in a rainbow-colored wind, and the room filled with glowing purple smoke and sparkling blue bubbles. Carol appeared in a poof of glitter, her trigger finger already cocked and ready.
She zapped the sneaker from my foot, yanking me back and sending Hux to hell in one fluid, and utterly cool move.
The vortex closed, and I sat on the ground like that nursery rhyme, hey diddle, diddle, one shoe off and one shoe on.
“Eat your heart out, Young Guns!” Carol blew on her finger, cowboy style, before doing a victory twirl in a Best Little Whorehouse in Texas hot pink cow print skirt with matching vest.
“Is it over?” I asked, utterly exhausted.
She shook her head. “Not quite.” She zapped my other sneaker away, replacing the lost trainers with a hideous pair of white leather boots fringed in silver lame.
“Wow. Fashion statement.”
Demons Are Forever Page 8
