“Demon conferences tend to be.” Doug holds out the card. “Let’s go see whether this collector has managed to nab any nasty incubuses or succubuses—succubi? Incubi? Succubussesses? No wonder they’re going extinct, what a nuisance. Hopefully it turns out Von Alston has something less nasty and easier to say. Or that he actually is a friend, he’s not the nameless threat hunting for demons, it’s all a misunderstanding, and he gives us a check for no reason.”
“One of those giant cardboard ones. With lots of zeroes. Maybe then we can finally fix up the tower section of the castle.”
“I call dibs if we do. Always wanted a room in a tower.”
“No way. I’m the Slayer. I get the tower room. Assuming it ever isn’t a total crumbling safety hazard that would get the whole building condemned if anyone actually knew the castle existed.” I pause, nuzzling the purring kitten. “Aw man. Now I really want a tower room. Let’s go see about that imaginary check. Or demons, I guess. Whichever.”
We turn to find our way blocked by the woman in the cloak. “Doug!” she says brightly. “Fancy meeting you here!” And then, knife in hand, she lunges.
I shove Doug out of the way so hard he slams into the wall and slumps to the ground, winded. The woman dodges me, blade winking wickedly in the sun. I’m still holding the kitten. It purrs, a soft warm ball against my chest. I duck a slash of the knife, spin left, and kick at the woman’s leg. She jumps, landing neatly and punching me hard in the side. I shift to protect the kitten, then toss it gently onto Doug’s chest.
“Okay.” I hold up my fists. “Now I’m ready.”
She comes at me with a flash of menace and metal. I twist and turn, working backward, leading her away from Doug. When she’s far enough that she can’t hurt him—or the kitten—I stop so abruptly she stumbles, confused.
“You sure you want this fight?” The need for a fight is roaring inside of me, begging for it. Nobody gets to hurt my friends. Nobody gets to take someone I love. I tremble with the effort of holding it all back.
She snarls and slashes. So I don’t hold back anymore. I catch her arm, twisting until it pops. She screams and drops the knife. I let her hit me with her good arm, barely feeling it as I lift her and pin her against the brick wall. She kicks and I press against her dislocated shoulder.
Sweat breaks out on her face. She groans in pain, gritting her teeth, but there’s nothing she can do against me, and we both know it.
I hold her there. “You can tell Sean he’s never touching Doug again.”
She laughs, pain making the laughter sound discordant and unhinged. “You think I take orders from Sean now? He’s little leagues, love. And you’re in over your head. Everyone you love is already his. You just don’t know it yet.”
I grab her neck. Rage so ancient it defies understanding pulses through me. It’s ready to devour something. Better her than me. Something slips from her sleeve into her good hand, and she slams it into my side. I seize up, grabbing her collar as she electrocutes me. Time seems to pause in brilliant, bright white pain. She twists away, her necklace coming off in my hand, and then she runs. I stumble, falling to my knees as the memory of the current makes it feel like it’s still happening. But she ran in the opposite direction as Doug. I glance back.
He’s sitting up now, holding the kitten. Safe.
I don’t know what I would have done if she hadn’t tased me. Shaking from the adrenaline and the electricity, I shuffle to Doug and take the kitten, holding it against my chest. I wrap the necklace around its neck and fasten it like a collar, the triangle pattern familiar. The woman was lying about not working for Sean. It’s the same symbol from his demon-power-infused tea. The same symbol that was on the book Artemis stole. I hope that means Artemis is fighting him. If so, why didn’t she ask for my help? I can do so much now!
I almost did something very bad, though. The kitten purrs, unaware how close I came to murdering a woman. Doug’s expression makes me think he isn’t so oblivious.
“Let’s go get the car.” I turn to the alley exit, quite certain in this state the guardian demons wouldn’t let me anywhere near their conference.
That’s when the screaming starts.
11
THE SCREAMING IS COMING FROM inside the conference center.
I hand the kitten back to Doug. “That woman must not have come alone. Looks like Sean’s going shopping for new merchandise, after all.” I flex my fists, shaking off the remnants of the tasing.
“Jason’s in there.” Doug looks at the door with a stricken expression.
“I’m on it.” I fling open the door and take a step inside—
And am thrown back into the alley with such force it leaves me winded. The way in isn’t even visible anymore. It’s solid shadow. “I’m trying to help!” I shout.
“They can’t sense motivation.” Doug paces in front of the door while I stand and brush myself off. The screaming hasn’t stopped. There’s definitely a brawl going on inside. There are so many demons in there. Humans, too. “The guardians have no way of knowing that you want to go in to help, only that you’re going in with violence on your mind.”
“Oh, you bet I am. All the violence.” I can’t punch a shadow, and I don’t see any way around them. They’re at every door. Guess I won’t use a door, then.
I back up as far as the narrow alley allows. I close my eyes, reach for that well of power inside me. And this time, on purpose, I reach for the darkness swirling around it. I breathe in. Breathe out. Focus on all the rage that I’ve been trying so hard to keep under control. Then I open my eyes and run.
I slam into the wall shoulder first. It cracks and gives, and I’m through in a shower of brick and plaster. My elation at my success is more than dampened by how much that hurt. But I’m inside. And, good news for my strength and bad news for Sean’s creepy cloaked minions: I’m more pissed off than ever.
Doug climbs in behind me. “Why didn’t I think of running straight through a wall? Oh, right, because I’m not completely off my trolley.”