Even as the minutes tick by, I refuse to get out of my defensive crouch, mentally going over different fighting techniques. A few times I consider going out into the corridors but I know it’s probably best to stay here. I’m one woman against a horde of demons.
My door flies from the frame with so much force it shatters against the far wall. I can smell the rotten, acrid scent of the demon before I can see him. As he steps into my room I launch myself at him, using the element of surprise to knock him down. My dagger slices through his throat before he can even throw me off and we both drop to the ground. Before I can drag my dagger out of his throat where it’s embedded, he twists away, taking my weapon with him.
More demons pour in the room and soon I’m surrounded. Without a weapon I’m defenseless. I can’t let them take me back to that murdering rapist. I fight with everything I have, kicking, scratching, even choking the demons I’m struggling against.
“Oh, do control yourself child,” a familiar voice speaks out. I’m so stunned that I stop fighting for a moment.
“What the fuck, Zoey?” I scream at her, appalled that a reaper could be a part of this chaos and destruction. The demons back away as she walks past them.
“Oh, Luz. You think you have everyone figured out, don’t you? You thought I was just some chipper little girl, who bought fully into this life. Well not everyone is happy to dedicate their afterlife to dragging ungrateful souls around all day,” she sneers. The pure loathing in her voice is enough that bile rises in my throat. She’s the reason he knows what I can do. The reason they’re here now.
“So you’re letting demons in? What does that accomplish?” I ask, genuinely confused by what her motive could possibly be.
“I’ve been feeding information to the demon king for months, so of course I helped him get his demons into our realm. Once he overtakes this godforsaken city, I’ll be left to rule over the reapers, change this realm. Everyone will either respect me, or die. I’m done with this layer being run by lazy old men,” she rants, her voice getting higher pitched as she goes on.
“You’re a fool. He’s a fucking demon! You think he won’t take this realm, too? You think he’ll let you live when he’s done with you? He wanted me to mate him so he could have my powers. You? You’re just a means to an end,” I tell her, almost feeling sorry for her.
As I launch at her, Zoey looks more nervous than she should for all of her ideas of grandeur. I don’t want to kill her, so I cock my fist back and land a solid punch to the side of her face. She collapses to the ground and I turn back to the demons who are now approaching again.
The battle is still raging in the halls and I desperately pray that Thea is unharmed. I can’t dwell on any of it though, as my battle with the demons is not going in my favor. At this point I’m exhausted already, and they don’t seem to be tiring. In fact, they’re stronger than any others I’ve fought.
I guess Drekavac is done underestimating me.
I’m fighting so fiercely that I don’t notice a demon coming up behind me. Three on one aren’t good odds in any fight, especially when the demons tower over me.
The demon calls out in Latin and I see the air shimmer as a portal forms. I cry out as I see it, my fight renewed. As soon as I’m through the portal, my life will be over.
The strange feeling of the portal bears down on my head as they start to drag me through. Even then I continue to fight frantically, not caring that I can’t see. I’m desperate enough to hit whatever I can and throw them off.
Why the fuck are the demons not moving forward?One demon is in the portal holding my arms firmly at my side as the other holds my legs. Though holding is a subjective term, since I’m kicking out with everything I have. Bones crack as I land a particularly well placed kick and the pressure of the portal leaves me as we fall to the ground. There’s no hesitation as I run the opposite way, back into my room and away from them. My chain is on the side table and I lunge for it, wrapping it around my fist and summoning my scythe as arms wrap around me. I’m still fighting until the scent of sage and citrus cuts through my panic.
Sam. I’m safe.
“Calm down baby, I’ve got you,” he says soothingly, like I’m a cornered animal. I sob in relief as I throw myself into his outstretched arms. He whispers softly for a moment until I can calm down.
Our moment is ruined when the other demon finally moves. He opens his mouth in what I assume is a war cry for his brethren, but he never gets the chance to make a sound, as Mason launches himself at him in a graceful move that leaves him headless on the floor before I can even register what’s happening.
Suddenly remembering Zoey, I look over at her and see Liam lifting her unconscious body up. Just seeing her in his arms has rage flaring to life within me.
“It was her,” I croak out, pointing at Zoey. Sam’s expression turns hard as he looks at her in disgust. Mason’s face is similar, but Liam is looking at me like I’m crazy. His look cuts through my heart like a knife.
“That’s crazy! A reaper would never do that. Have you even met her? She’s always been just a sweet and bubbly kid, kind to everyone she meets. You must have seen it wrong during the chaos,” Liam brushes it off and holds Zoey protectively, almost as if my words could hurt her. Every sentence he speaks cuts deeper into me. It hurts that he dismissed me so easily, I’ve never lied to him and I’m hardly one for exaggerating.
“I’m not an idiot, Liam. I know what I saw. Not to mention the fact that I spoke with her and she admitted what she’s been doing,” I say in a cold tone that has him looking up in shock. The jerk doesn’t even realize how hurtful he just was.
“You’re a fucking dick,” Mason spits out, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze in solidarity. “I’m going to check on Thea,” he whispers after brushing a gentle kiss on my cheek.
Liam stands there looking confused. I don’t have the mental capacity or the strength to fight it now. When I look at Sam he nods, knowing without words that I need to get out of here.
Sam turns to Liam, a dark look crossing his face. “Take her to the council for questioning, tell them I will call in with Luz’s version of events so Luz doesn’t have to. While we’re gone, maybe consider the fact you just dismissed Luz like a small child when she told you Zoey was conspiring with the demons. How many times has Luz jumped to conclusions or lied? Think about how you were quick to believe Zoey over your girlfriend without a second thought.” His voice still has an edge of hardness. Liam nods as his face pales. He doesn’t bother to apologize, just turns and walks away with Zoey in his arms.
Sam doesn’t speak as my mind processes everything. Instead he gathers my phone, chain, and dagger, then leads me from the room.
Mason waits in the hallway with a trembling Thea. She runs to me and I pull her into a tight hug. I hold her and feel a tear slip through my emotionless mask I’ve been trying to hold onto for dear life.
“Let’s get you ladies away from here,” Mason encourages softly. No more words are spoken as we make our way upstairs. Mason leads Thea to his bathroom and lets her clean up.
Sam, realizing I can’t seem to focus, helps me in the shower. He talks to me the entire time, telling me stories of his life as a reaper. I hear him and soak in his deep voice, letting it soothe my soul. I can’t bring myself to talk back; I’m barely holding it together.