by T. G. Ayer
Nothing stirred down in the valley, but Maya could smell them.
While they waited, Claudia pulled out her cellphone and found, to no one's surprise, that they had no reception. When she pulled a sat phone out of the backpack Maya shook her head. KALIMA had every possible situation covered.
She kept an eye on the house while Claudia called their position in and requested backup STAT.
It didn't take long for all light to disappear entirely and soon night took over with a vengeance. Away from the glare of the city lights, the sky positively overflowed with stars, an endless canvas sprinkled with an overly generous dose of twinkling diamonds.
But she had no time to appreciate it, what with keeping a solid eye and nose on the lone house.
Maya had to admit the reprieve had been good. She was now rested, and calmer. Finding it easier to call her fire.
As darkness threw its black cloak around them, Claudia sank to the grass and placed a small clay-lamp on the dusty ground. She dropped a shard of frankincense into the bowl and lit it with a small lighter; all part of her on-the-go magic bag.
A regular Mary Poppins demon-hunter she was.
As the smoke rose, she bent over it, allowing the tendrils to drift into her hair and soak into her clothing. Before long, she smelled like a living piece of frankincense.
The stuff was almost magical when it came to demonic lifeforms. The fragrant resin had the ability to chase away any species of demon, and also enabled the user to render themselves invisible to a demon if they wished. Maya was glad she'd paid attention to Claudia's intermittent ramblings aimed at giving her a more rounded education in hunting. As if Maya's schnoz-on-steroids wasn't enough.
All done, Claudia crept toward the house, with Maya keeping a few meters away. Sabala picked his way closer to the building and came to a standstill in front of the door. Maya watched her aunt go from one corner of the shack to the next, pausing for a few moments to bury something in the ground before moving on. She made quick work of circling the house and soon came to hide with Maya behind an old rusted tractor a few meters from the house.
Shadows moved eerily against the windows which were covered with gray sackcloth. Maya glanced at Claudia and they nodded in unison.
"We should move while you still have the frankincense working," said Maya.
Claudia didn't wait for a second invitation.
Chapter 19
Claudia was off at breakneck speed, a foot behind Maya as she passed Sabala and rushed at the door. Putting the full force of her body behind her shoulder, Maya slammed into it, thinking as she hit the flimsy wood that perhaps she should have studied the material of the door first before racing at it with such brute force. Too late, she struggled to control her momentum as the door cracked in two, like a gigantic stale biscuit, and the broken half fell awkwardly to the ground.
Maya, unable to stop herself, ended up somewhere in the middle of the single-roomed hovel, and unfortunately right in front of the gathered demons.
The stunned occupants, mistress and followers alike, turned to Maya in shock. All except two. The girl lay pale and unmoving on a stained pile of blankets in the corner on the left side of the shack, but thankfully Maya could sense her blood, fresh and flowing within her veins. She was still alive.
Maya celebrated her survival with a split-second glance at Claudia, who'd kept running even as Maya had come to a slightly unbalanced halt. Claudia was already at work untying the girl so Maya turned her attention to her audience.
Nobody moved.
On Maya's right, the second figure who'd taken Maya's sudden intrusion without even a twitch of the eyebrow, stood very still, face hidden by the folds of a black cowl. The Rakshasi stared at Maya, and though she couldn't see the demon's eyes, Maya could feel the hair rise on the back of her neck.
And then, as if her minions possessed a hive mind, the group moved toward Maya, eyes glowing amber, fingers lengthening and growing deadly sharp claws that shone even in the meager light within the hut.
Just my luck. I'm stuck in one of those really bad zombie movies, with the fake blood, the terrible hair and even worse special effects.
Still invisible, Sabala ran at one of the demon girls, the one from Maya's vision who'd seemed so familiar. The hell-hound's teeth clamped on her skinny arm. His eyes had begun to glow amber, the only part of him now visible, a sight that put the demon-girl into a full panic. As she struggled, trying to pull her arm free from her invisible attacker, Maya caught a glimpse of bright color around her arm. A gaily-patterned headscarf tugged at Maya's memory and she stiffened.
Anna Polaski.
The Rakshasi was turning these girls into demons. Stunned, Maya watched as the hell hound gripped hard onto the demon's arm, the girl's skin beginning to burn away. Hell-hounds were often tasked with finding demons who'd gone AWOL, and their ability to terminate a Rakshasa at will usually subdued the creatures long enough for the dog to take them back to Patala.
But this demon seemed like she planned on dying before he would have her. And Maya refused to add to the girl's torment. Something deep within Maya told her that there was no hope for these girls. That whatever had been done to them was a one-way street.
She called her fire and threw three super-charged fireballs in quick succession. Anna and two more demon-girls fell burning to the ground, clutching at their bodies, fingers entering gaping holes in ribs and legs and faces.
The hell-hound stood over Anna's remnants, giving Maya an accusing look that implied she'd spoiled his fun.
She wasn't for you, pooch.
A glance to her right and Maya was relieved to see Claudia throwing a ragged blanket over Deb's head and half-carrying half-dragging her out of the shack.
The Rakshasi wasn't paying her once-human victim any attention. Her eyes seemed to be soley for Maya, penetrating all the way to Maya's bones. With three of her mini-army incinerated, mere pieces of soot floating to the ground, it left Maya to face six more including the male. He stood at the Rakshasi's shoulder, watching with a smirk on his gaunt face, as if he was dead certain that Maya would lose this little battle against his mistress.
Mind games.
Something moved at the corner of Maya's eye. Sabala flitted past, an ebony shadow, and launched himself at the demon-girl closest to the door. The hell-hound grabbed the creature by her ankle and held on, tugging left and right. The demon shrieked, staring around, unable to see what was attacking her as Sabala had dispensed with the glory eyes.
While the room's attention remained focused on the hysterical demon, Maya sent a streak of fire at the Rakshasa closest to her. It was strange that they didn't seem to be fighting her. Had she come in and surprised them so much that they couldn't defend themselves?
Or was Kali's fire so destructive to them it made them unable to defend themselves. The first time she'd killed a demon he'd had no chance to save himself. And just like him, these Rakshasas were falling beneath the power of Maya's fire.
Ball after ball of flame she sent into their midst and within seconds they disappeared in explosions of sparks and black soot. But when pain ripped into her side, she knew she'd underestimated at least one of them. She turned to face the single demon remaining, shocked as she placed her hand over her wound, her fingers sinking into warm, sodden fabric of her tee.
A deep sadness welled within Maya.
She could do nothing for this girl now. She was too far gone, whoever she was. And she was a danger to Maya, and Claudia.
Maya drew her fire, coaxing it from her core and up through to her chest. The pressure built in her lungs and Maya had no choice but to set it free. Fire burst from her mouth, a wide stream of superheated flame that, in seconds, encased the demon who'd attacked her, incinerating her almost instantaneously. Ash and flakes of soot were all that was left of her as Maya turned back to face the Rakshasi, tamping down her sadness.
Her fire followed swiftly, a sphere of flame more potent than the heat of the sun, raised by fury, powe
red by pain.
In the end, all that remained were the demon male and his Mistress.
Maya tried to ignore the burn of her injury and turned her head just as the Rakshasi glanced up at her henchman. Maybe she meant to give him the instruction to attack, but when Maya caught sight of her face, her gasp of shock stilled his movements.
"Priya?" Maya asked, stunned at the identity of this rogue demoness whose killing spree had left Eastern Europe paralyzed by fear of a serial-killer in their midst.
The Rakshasi reached up with a pale, blue-veined hand, and pushed back the hood that had hidden her face. She raised her chin and gave Maya a defiant glare.
Priya, the Rakshasi who had been Nik's right hand, part of his personal guard in Patala. Priya, who was supposed to be dead.
"So the rumors are true," was all she said, her dark glare turning amber for a few seconds before fading back to black.
Maya didn't bother to ask her what rumors she referred to. She could guess. But there was one question she did want to ask her.
"I thought you were dead?" Maya bit the words out angrily, recalling Priya's betrayal and how she'd endangered Ria's life not too long ago. More especially, how she hadn't cared in the least that she'd almost killed Maya's best friend.
Priya sighed and tugged at the gleaming clasp at her neck. "Things are not always as they seem."
Maya's gaze narrowed on the demon's face. "But I saw you die. Are you sure you aren't some sort of undead demon or something?" asked Maya, still finding it difficult to believe that the Rakshasi had survived after Kas had made a proper show of roasting her alive because she had a problem with loyalty.
But the look on Priya's face stopped Maya in her tracks. Her skin paled and her fingers tightened on the cloak so hard that her knuckles went white. Had Maya hit on some sort of truth without even expecting to?
Demon undead? Could it be?
Chapter 20
Maya laughed harshly. "I can't believe it. I'm right, aren't I?" Maya took a step closer, watching both Priya and her side-kick closely. "You did something, didn't you? I'd bet you sold your soul." Maya frowned. "Do demons even have souls?"
Priya snorted. Ever since she'd first met the demon in Patala, Maya had admired her striking beauty. And Maya had never trusted her. Not that looks had anything to do with trust. It had just been a gut thing.
Now, the demon laughed, her hazel eyes glinting in the light of the weak fire. "Of course, we have souls." There was an odd tension in the way she said the word 'souls'.
And Maya sprang on it. "But you don't have one anymore, do you?" asked Maya, her gut telling her she was onto the truth. "You actually sold your soul? I can't believe you did that." Maya shook her head, somewhat disappointed in the Rakshasi.
Selling her soul, and not being dead, two things for which Maya was unable to forgive Priya.
The Rakshasi scoffed, waving a hand at her demon-goon. With a slight inclination of his head, he moved a step back, but his dark orange eyes never left Maya's.
"For a puny little human you have a very big mouth." Priya's tone was hard, and filled with anger, and more. A simmering hatred burned in her tone, her eyes, her stance, as if given the chance she'd spring on Maya and rip her to shreds.
Maya had to frown. Was she still angry that Nik had chosen Maya over her?
"Is this about Nik?"
Priya laughed, the sound echoing against the iron roof, but a vein throbbed in her throat. And as Maya watched it beat she registered the condition of Priya's desiccated skin, the gaunt hollows of her sunken cheeks.
"You human females. Not everything is about a boy, you know. Did you really think I was pining for him, making all these plans in order to gain some sort of sway over him?"
Maya raised her eyebrows, her expression telling Priya that's exactly what she'd thought.
"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint. Nikhil's heart is beyond my reach. But, let me tell you something, little human. His heart is also beyond your reach."
Something about the demon's words penetrated Maya's emotions, deeper than she'd expected, but she didn't let it show in her eyes.
Instead she laughed. "Whatever floats your boat, Priya."
But the demon just continued to smile at her, her grin looking somewhat maniacal on her.
Definitely psycho.
"Let me ask you a question." The demon glided over to the fire. She stood so still, beside the open hearth that Maya could see the flames reflect in her eyes. "Do you know where Nikhil is right now?" she turned her gaze on Maya, her smile triumphant , and touched with evil.
Then, just when Maya was beginning to wonder why she was being so persistent, she did an about face, waving a hand and saying, "Never mind. I think we both know you have no idea where he is. But, you see, I do. And you will never see him again."
Priya had hit a raw nerve, and her words hit Maya harder than any weapon could. And though she wondered why she gave credence to Priya's words, the pain still ripped through her like a hot lance.
Maya's hands tightened into fists and Priya's spine stiffened as if she sensed the wave of fury she'd brought on. She gave a short nod, a go-ahead to her thug, no doubt.
He flew straight at Maya, hands outstretched, blades growing from his fingers.
She had her fire ready, and would have sent the demon right back to the hell he'd crawled out from, but a gunshot rang out and he was flung back against the far wall.
Stefan ran around Maya, shoving her back, his elbow connecting hard with her ribs.
He held a shotgun up and aimed it first at Priya and then at the demon who was sliding slowly to the ground, looking a little cross-eyed, his hands revealing a slight tremor. The creature grunted while his mistress just smiled and watched in silence.
Stefan's eyes widened as he watched the demon crouch, then straighten. He coughed once, twice. Bullets hit the floor, falling from somewhere within his body and the boy took a hesitant step back.
Big mistake.
The demon flew at Stefan. Instinctively, Maya sent a fireball straight at his head, drawing the energy without a moment's hesitation. But the fiery sphere merely hit the demon's perforated chest and exploded into a million tiny flames.
Dig deeper, Maya.
This demon was far more powerful than the female followers Priya had gathered to her.
Now, Maya sent a barrage of fire at him, each one hotter and more powerful than the next.
He pressed against the onslaught of flames, struggling to reach Maya with his razor-tipped fingers, but at last he sagged, seeming to want to flee, but unable to under the gaze of his mistress.
He gave her one last impassioned glance before he exploded into a starburst of brilliant red sparks.
An odd gurgling sound drew Maya's attention to Stefan, who'd been standing beside her, attempting to guard her. Priya now stood in front of the boy who'd fallen onto his knees in front of her.
She stood preternaturally still, a single finger extended, her face serene, as if watching a beautiful sunset. Instead, she watched Stefan choke on his own blood, one knife-sharp fingernail penetrating the centre of his throat.
His gaze shifted away from the Rakshasi's face to Maya, his expression apologetic. He coughed, and blood dribbled down his chin as he tried to speak.
"See, Maya. You cannot save him. This is really all your fault, you know." Priya's eyes turned amber. "Because of you, I ended up in purgatory. And only because of you, was I able to get out. I swore to find you and make you pay any way I knew how. All those girls? They were part of my mission to purge the world of stupid little females like you. In the end they proved far more useful as followers to do my bidding, but you are the one they can thank for dying." Priya laughed at Maya's confused expression. "Have you not looked in the mirror lately, Maya Rao?"
Maya found it difficult to concentrate on Priya's words. She was revealing the reason for the murders but the sight of the dying boy, and of Priya's uncaring expression, did something to Maya.
She'd had had to kill those poor girls-turned-demons because of Priya. That was bad enough, but this was worse. Her rage plumbed deep down, to a place beyond even Maya's conscious knowledge, and pure fury erupted like a volcanic explosion.
Fire burst from her mouth, a wide stream of superheated flame that engulfed the surprised Priya who did nothing more than stare at Maya in shock.
Flames encircled the Rakshasi, incinerating her almost instantaneously. Maya barely paid attention as Priya disappeared in an explosion of fire.
She sank to her knees beside Stefan, ignoring the ash and flakes of soot that drifted slowly to the bare floor.
Maya shoved her hand over the wound in Stefan's neck, but she was too late.
He lay there, eyes open, staring at the bare rafters of the hut.
A noise at the door drew her attention and she shifted to see Claudia standing there framed by the night outside, a look of horror crumpling her usually unaffected face.
They'd succeeded in their mission.
Kill the demon.
Save the girl.
Losing the boy was not part of the plan.
Chapter 21
The next day, back home in the relative safety of her bedroom, Maya reflected on the mission, and its ultimate failure.
Sure Priya was dead. They'd succeeded in ending her reign of terror. They'd even managed to understood Priya's intention, the reason she'd killed all those girls.
Maya.
Looking in the mirror had done the trick. How they'd missed that throughout the mission was beyond Maya, but what reason had they had to connect the girls to her? As far as they'd known, the girls were of similar coloring to each other. Nothing more.
Maya's heart was heavy, the memory of Stefan's face still so fresh in her mind. She'd gone through the rest of that awful night, and the entire trip home, in a blur, walking around in a bubble that protected her from sensation.
Claudia had tried repeatedly to get her to talk, had spoken to her for long periods, alternating between extolling Stefan's virtues, and stressing the dangers that constantly existed in their line of work. Reminding Maya that all those murders hadn't been her fault. That it was all on Priya alone.
