A Demon's Work Is Never Done: Latter Day Demons, Book 2 Read online

  "I know," I said. "This wasn't my choice, but they weren't willing to listen to anything I had to say. Want me to come get you and take you to your sister's place? That way you won't be by yourself when you watch those blasted reports."

  "Would you? I want to go, but I didn't want to drive. I'm too shaky," she admitted.

  "I'll come get you," I said. "Right now. They're all warmongering at the moment and won't miss me if I'm gone for a couple of hours."

  "I love you," Laci said, her voice cracking. "I'm just so scared about all this."

  "Yeah. Me, too, baby."

  * * *

  Kordevik

  Not only was Zaria saying we had to walk through that land mine of sharp, pointed crystals shaped like giant elephant tusks, but that Lexsi had to walk through it first.

  Those spikes, unless I missed my guess, would pierce a High Demon's scales easily. They were spaced too far apart to touch anything humanoid, but a High Demon would be scraped in several places when they passed through it.

  Why didn't you fucking tell us? I sent to Zaria. Why won't you let me go through first?

  It has to be Lexsi going through first, Zaria snapped at me.

  Why?

  Because of the rules. The most innocent among us has to pass through—and offer blood, she replied.

  Is this where that fucking myth of tossing virgins into volcanoes originated? I demanded.

  As a matter of fact, yes, Zaria turned toward me and shrugged.

  Fucking bloody hell, I sent. Ahead, Lexsi stood, gazing at the spikes before her with shivering uncertainty. I didn't blame her.

  What happens to the rest of us? I thought to ask.

  If Lexsi passes the test, the rest of us are allowed through.

  Fucking. Bloody. Hell.

  * * *

  Lexsi

  Make your way through the best you can. Don't worry if some of the spikes scrape your scales, Zaria said. We'll be right behind you.

  The sharp points glittered on the spikes that emanated from the ceiling and walls of the cave, then curved this way and that for thirty feet or more.

  Don't worry if some of them scrape your scales, she'd said. As if she expected them to scrape my scales.

  Well, it was a given. To get my Thifilatha through, some of them would pierce my scales.

  I hoped they weren't sharp enough to draw blood. I didn't want to be bleeding all over the place after walking through that piece of torturous ground.

  Go on, Zaria urged.

  I'd forgotten that we had unwelcome followers. She didn't say it, but we needed to hurry. Drawing a breath and letting it out slowly, I took a step toward the spikes. You can do this. You can do this, I kept reminding myself.

  * * *

  Kordevik

  When the first spike pierced Lexsi's scaled left arm, I held my breath. She hesitated for barely a second before taking another step while the spike ripped into her scaled skin and left a bloody slice behind.

  She didn't see it; her eyes were pointed ahead as another spike pierced her right upper arm.

  The first spike retracted silently behind her. Once she was past the second spike, it did the same.

  The third spike touched her left leg; the fourth, her right thigh. Lexsi was bloodied in four places already when one hanging low from the ceiling touched her head.

  I wanted to kill something—or someone—when dark-red blood stained her snow-white hair. Keep going, you're doing fine, Zaria sent to her.

  It took two minutes, perhaps, for Lexsi to walk through this section. Once she was through, all spikes withdrew into the walls and ceiling to allow the rest of us to pass. Zaria let out a heavy sigh and motioned for the rest of us to move forward.

  We were nearing the one-mile mark when a light appeared ahead.

  Last test, Zaria informed us.

  * * *

  Tungurahua

  V'ili

  The young High Demon that Morgett insisted we bring with us was brought to the fore. He quailed at the sight of crystal spikes extending from a long portion of the cave. His Thifilathi was bound to touch several as he passed through.

  Don't be a coward, Morgett hissed mentally at him. It'll draw some blood. I doubt it will be fatal. Now get going. We have to catch up.

  This was another test—like the rest of it. I considered asking Morgett why a younger High Demon was necessary. I didn't. Morgett watched intently, his eyes never leaving the High Demon as he made his way through the spikes. He stopped still the moment the first spike drew blood.

  Keep moving, Morgett insisted. Don't stop again or you'll be sorry.

  * * *

  Lexsi

  The light ahead beckoned; I focused on that instead of the pain on my scalp, arms and legs.

  Was there more of the same? The cave was testing us; I would swear to it. The light was perhaps a quarter mile away, maybe less. I lengthened my stride to keep the image of bloody hair from my mind.

  Uncle Sal always said scalp wounds bled profusely, even when they were less than serious. I assumed that's what my wound was—bleeding and not serious in nature.

  Zaria had to trot to catch up to me. I slowed down, once I noticed her struggle to keep up. Behind her, Opal was now walking, with the others still between Kory and me.

  I hoped the light meant the end of our journey. Fear and stress had taken its toll and I felt weary. I wanted nothing more than to rush back to Kory and let him hold me.

  As if cued by a movie director, the image in my head was splashed across the cave's dark walls. There I was, buried in Kory's arms while he stroked my hair. Then, he lifted my chin and kissed me.

  I dropped to my knees and wept silent tears.

  * * *

  Kordevik

  When Lexsi's thoughts were splattered all over the cave wall for everyone to see, I wanted to burst into flame and melt the walls.

  No, my brother, Tibby's voice—a mental voice—came from far away.

  Someone had given him mindspeech.

  We have made it this far, he went on. We know your pain, and Lexsi's, too. Let us stand with you. There is very little time. I hear heavy footsteps behind us, he added.

  Lexsi, baby, I sent while my eyes misted over. Get up, hala avilepha. We must move on. They're coming up behind us.

  * * *

  Lexsi

  He'd spoken the High Demon words for my heart's love. It stopped my tears for a moment as I realized he'd never said those words before.

  They meant one thing—that a High Demon was confessing his love to the one he'd pledged his life to.

  My legs were far from steady as I rose to my feet. Wiping my tears away, I gazed one last time at the images playing across the cave walls. Those images were my dreams. My desires—that the cave had pulled from me.

  Now everybody knew.

  There was no time to deal with tears or embarrassment. The light still shone ahead of us. I began to walk toward it, hoping there were no more tests.

  * * *

  Tungurahua

  V'ili

  Morgett was now in the lead. Ahead, a light could be seen. I squinted. Amidst that light, I could see shadows of the ones we hunted. I wanted to shout at Morgett to increase the pace. This treasure—he'd promised to share it with me and those of my kind that I chose.

  It will rebuild your world, Morgett promised. You will rule as you were meant to rule. Only the dark worlds will exist, if this treasure comes to us.

  It was my desire—to not only rebuild Sirena as it had been, but to rid the universes of that filth who called themselves Larentii.

  When the images splashed across the caves, I paid them no mind at first. But then Morgett's image appeared, and his appearance changed as the image morphed him into another creature.

  A creature I hated almost as much as the Larentii.

  Morgett wasn't just a Karathian warlock as he'd claimed.

  He was also Ra'Ak.

  * * *

  Lexsi

  The shit's hi
t the fan behind us, Opal shouted into our minds. I already knew that; the cave was shaking again and rock, rock dust and boulders were dropping around us.

  Run, Zaria sent. As fast as you can.

  I broke into a run; a huge rock glanced off my Thifilatha's shoulder as I raced toward the light.

  I think I realized then that the crevice surrounding that light was closing.

  He's coming, Anita's mental shout came.

  I didn't want to find out who he was. I forced my weary body to run faster. Light blasted my eyes shut as the crevice was suddenly before me. I didn't have a choice whether I wished to go through it; the crevice had moved, appearing behind the others and me.

  It's not closing fast enough, Anita shouted again. I turned to see her standing at the edge of the crevice, which slowly attempted to shut itself against more intruders.

  Past the crevice and into the cave, I saw at least three rushing toward us.

  Move forward, Lexsi, Zaria said. Quickly. We're almost there.

  I turned and ran again, toward a brighter light that I couldn't see through. After tears formed at the brightness of it all, I shut my eyes and ran blindly forward.

  * * *

  Kordevik

  If he'd turned before he reached the crevice, the cave would probably have killed him. My Thifilathi recognized him however, the moment he and his niece and nephew slipped through the crevice. It closed completely behind them, then, with a loud rumble of thunder.

  Ra'Ak.

  This one—Morgett Blackmantle—was Ra'Ak.

  I wondered briefly how I'd known his name but discarded the thought. With smoke pouring from my Thifilathi's nostrils, I strode toward him. I intended to end his life, right there.

  Until I heard Lexsi's shriek.

  Turning swiftly, I blinked at the brightness ahead. Lexsi shrieked again. I began to run. Morgett could wait—Lexsi was in pain.

  * * *

  Lexsi

  With my eyes shut, I'd run directly into a wall of books.

  Not ordinary books, no.

  These—were made of metal. I smacked into them with all the force my running Thifilatha could muster.

  No, I hadn't expected a wall of books so close. I'd only run for a second or two. What happen after the breath was knocked out of me?

  Pain.

  Searing, indescribable pain. I couldn't move away from it either—it's as if the metal books were pulling me into them instead of allowing me to push myself away.

  The moment I could draw breath again, I screamed.

  Voices sounded in my head, but I was in so much pain I couldn't tell one from another, or one word from another. I screamed again as the books rolled me across their surfaces—I felt as if they were burning into my scales and skin. I wanted to shout for help.

  All I could do was scream again as the pain increased.

  * * *

  South Pacific Ocean

  Tanker Vessel Nautilus 17

  One mile West of the Peruvian Coastline

  Esme

  "We'll go when I get the signal," I pointed the weapon at Phineas. Behind Phineas was an army of Merpeople. He and I, and by extension, they—were having a standoff on the wide deck of the supertanker. Opal had lent me the pistol and said it would bring a helicopter down from half a mile away.

  I didn't doubt her word. Phineas, on the other hand, was being an asshole.

  And a jerk.

  "Then what the hell is happening?" Phineas demanded.

  "As well-mannered as always," I leveled the weapon at his heart. "I'm waiting to hear from my sister," I added. "Until that happens, we're staying right where we are."

  "Sister?"

  "The one who introduced herself as my cousin. Anita. That's my sister. Now shut up and stop fidgeting. She'll send mindspeech when she knows where to send us."

  Phineas cursed but stayed where he was. If he wanted a ride to get to his daughter, then I was that ride.

  If he chose to dive overboard, then his fate was in his hands, not mine.

  * * *

  Kordevik

  "What's happening to her?" I shouted at Zaria.

  "I don't know," she shouted back.

  Lexsi was rolling back and forth against a wall of metal books that held her captive and wouldn't let go.

  "We have company," Opal shouted behind me.

  We did. Morgett and the evil twins were coming toward us. None of them looked friendly. Tibby and four werewolves moved together to form a barrier between them and the rest of us.

  "No," Opal screamed as Morgett began to change.

  Lexsi's scream behind me was louder, this time.

  I couldn't say how I knew, but if Morgett expended the power to become Ra'Ak, the library could protect itself by killing all of us.

  Meanwhile, Lexsi was already suffering.

  It was a snafu. A conundrum. A no-win scenario. With barely a second's hesitation, I turned back and launched myself at Lexsi's contorting Thifilatha. If the library intended to kill her first, it would have to kill both of us.

  The moment my body covered hers, and before I could attempt to pry her away from what held her, it burned into my body, too. My scream joined Lexsi's as the metal library taught us that it wasn't to be trifled with.

  * * *

  Opal

  "Don't change, you idiot," I shouted at Morgett Blackmantle, who was phasing from humanoid to Ra'Ak as the library continued to rain rock and debris onto all of us. I doubted a Ra'Ak had ever gotten this far into the library without being killed.

  Trust the Blackmantle line to fuck everything up at the worst possible moment, however.

  He completed the change, his Ra'Ak serpent nearly sixty feet long, his head crowned with deadly, poisoned spikes.

  "It's coming down," Zaria yelled.

  She was right—the library was bringing the cave down around us. I barely had time to notice that the library itself was disappearing, too, amid falling rock and debris.

  If it moved, we would have a very difficult time locating it again.

  Morgett, ignoring the falling rocks, some of them bouncing off his serpent's scales and crashing toward us, moved back to strike at the five who stood in his way.

  "No," I whimpered to myself as Kell and Klancy, their claws extended, moved in to slice into Morgett's serpent.

  Changing into my velociraptor, I raced toward Morgett. Perhaps if he were attacked from several directions at once, we could confuse him enough to get in a killing blow.

  Otherwise, we were all dead anyway.

  * * *

  Anita

  Opal was a velociraptor. I blinked as she raced toward the Ra'Ak. Morgett Blackmantle was a Ra'Ak. An old one, judging by his length.

  V'ili, almost in slow motion, appeared beside Morgett's serpent. I shouted at him while my clothing ripped and my scales stood on end. The cave shook so violently it almost knocked me down.

  V'ili's eyes turned toward me. He recognized me.

  "I killed you," I watched his lips form the words as I ran toward him, claws forming on my hands. He'd spoken aloud, but the cave was roaring its anger around us and nothing else could be heard.

  Yes. V'ili, my brother, had brought my death long ago. But the gods had other ideas, bringing my sisters and me back to fight this battle against him.

  The library continued to disintegrate around us, while Tungurahua woke and blasted fumes and lava into the sky.

  Far above, a small patch of blue sky could be seen, as rock and rubble defied gravity and flew toward the sun.

  * * *

  Zaria

  I'd never read a Ra'Ak before. I was reading one now. Anita—I didn't have time to convey a message to her; she was intent on killing V'ili.

  Esme, I sent mindspeech. They're east of Pucusana. I sent mental images to her, so she'd know the spot to target.

  Yes, I'd seen Amalthea in Morgett's mind, trapped in a swimming pool at the hacienda Dervil San Gerxon claimed for himself.

  Be careful, I se
nt. Armed men are everywhere.

  Any you want left alive? Esme's voice was calm as she replied.

  None except Amalthea, I replied.

  * * *

  Opal

  My velociraptor screeched when Morgett, V'ili and the twins disappeared in a swirl of dust and debris, swept up in the rush created by the disappearing library. Tungurahua roared and expelled a massive blast from its crater.

  We had little time. I screeched again in frustration; I'd been willing to take on Morgett and his evil twins myself. Somehow, they'd gotten lucky and were taken away before I could reach them.

  Lexsi, Zaria snapped at me. We have to see to her and Kory.

  She was right. I could screech at the sky all day long and it wouldn't bring our enemy back—who knew where the library had sent them, or whether they were still alive? I came back to myself, sloughing away my velociraptor guise.

  "Opal, this is not good," Tibby now stood beside me and took my hand to lead me forward.

  Lexsi and Kory lay in a single, crumpled heap where the library wall had been, bare minutes earlier.

  "I'll deal with this," Zaria spoke beside me. "Take Anita and the others to Pucusana. Esme needs your help."

  Chapter 18

  Pucusana, Peru

  Anita

  Esme, Phineas and an army of humanoid mermen and women, all armed, marched through Dervil San Gerxon's compound. The hacienda was huge, as was the amount of land about it.

  A part of me wept for Lexsi and Kory—I had no idea whether they were dead or alive when Opal brought the others and me here. Somehow, the N'il Mo'erti had been deactivated, although the coalition forces had yet to discover that fact.

  I was grateful for that much, at least—the US wasn't shooting at us as we combed the grounds and house for those we sought.

  V'ili had been within my reach, just before he'd disappeared. I wanted to curse. That had to wait; other things had to be done, first. The prospect of mourning my friends—that would have to wait as well.

  Yes, I wanted Dervil San Gerxon's death. I wanted one other just as much. If I found the bitch, so much the worse for her.

  Almost as if she were called, she stepped from between banana trees and onto the flagstones in front of me.

  Somewhere behind me, Phineas held a tearful reunion with his daughter.