Horde of the Demon Priest (Demona Book 3) (7 page)

The dog’s bark echoed through the almost silent night.
Where is this dog I keep hearing?
It sounded near. Her attention returned to Felix when he held out his hand to help Demona up from the ground. He bent over to blow out the candles and quickly gathered everything up under his arm. He used the other hand to hold Demona’s as they prepared to walk back toward the tents.

The darkness surrounded once again, but there were no burning metal barrels ahead to provide a direction to travel. Demona harnessed the magic around her and summoned the floating flame that she used so many times before.

Felix remained in the spot where he stood as Demona prepared to step forward. She looked back at him to see his eyes transfixed on the sky. Demona had once again subconsciously accessed her abilities, while caught up in the moment with Felix. The snow had frozen in mid air and hung in the sky like sparkles that shimmered in the fire’s light. Felix reached out and touched a flake that was close to his face.

Felix chuckled. “You never cease to amaze me.” He leaned over and kissed Demona’s cheek.

Chapter 7:

Out On Patrol

Demona stood over two simple, grey marbled gravestones with the initials S.B. and D.B engraved on them. The rose bush that had grown up over the plots was bare since autumn had settled in. The thorny vine had snaked its way around the two stones, as if it were tying the two together. It had doubled in size since she had caused it to grow using her
mageia
during her first visit. Demona bent down and brushed away some of the leaves that had fallen around her parents’ resting place.

She threw a flannel blanket on the frost covered ground and sat centered in front of the two plots. She faced the markers and crossed her legs. It had become a ritual for her since finding out about the location where her mom and dad were buried. If she was not able to be with them in this life at least she could be with them where they rested.

“I miss you both. I wish that I’d known about my abilities when you were alive,” Demona said. “Maybe things would have been different… Maybe you’d be here with me now. Maybe I could’ve stopped Darius before this whole catastrophe happened.

Demona sighed. “I promise he’ll pay for what he did to you. He won’t get away with making a mess of my life either,” she said. “After all,
Aleph
has been watching all that he’s done. It’s only a matter of time before Darius gets what’s coming to him. I just hope it happens before he has a chance to ruin anyone else’s life.” Demona paused and chewed on her lip as if considering something.

“In some ways it’s fitting that Darius turned me into a vampire. He’s contributed to making part of the prophecy come true and to giving me more power than he realizes.
Aleph
has only made me stronger since the transformation happened,” Demona said. “I still can’t help but wonder if I’m going to be able to go through with the rest of the prophecy. I don’t doubt my role as the chosen one anymore; I just wish things could be different. I wish you were here with me… to give me advice.”

Felix walked towards her through the frosted, dried, and dead brush that was beginning to lean towards the ground. The brush and leaves crunched with each step he took. A gust of cool wind swept through the almost bare trees that surrounded them; blowing some of the remaining leaves off of the branches. Demona wrapped her arms around herself to keep the chill from seeping through her thin coat and watched the leaves flutter to the ground.

I hate this time of year. Everything looks dead and I feel blah. It probably isn’t helping my mood that I’m hanging out in a cemetery either.

Demona did not need to turn around to know that Felix now stood behind her. She could sense his presence. It was if her body responded to the close proximity of him, whether she was consciously aware of him or not. Felix remained silent, but the fact that he was with her gave her comfort.

She sighed and stared at the headstones. She reached out to pull a few brown leaves away from around the plots. Most of the leaves crumbled at her touch and only managed to become wedged farther into the dormant grass. Still, Demona attempted to make the graves seem less neglected than they appeared.

Felix’s hand lightly rested on Demona’s shoulder. “It’s almost time.” His words were soft and solemn, respectful to the dead.

Demona changed to a kneeling position. She kissed her fingers and placed a hand on each gravestone. She stood and looked down at her parents. “I love you both.”

Before she turned to leave with Felix she remembered how loving and kind her mother had been. How secure she had felt in her arms and the smell of lavender in her hair. She remembered the joy she felt as a child when her father had mussed up her hair and how she in turn would muss up his. He would laugh heartily at her while she did it; she loved the sound of his laughter.

****

Felix and Demona met the field-agents in the park at Darius’ seemingly favorite location. The place was all too familiar to Demona in a not so pleasant way. Any passerby would have found the location in the park to be completely ordinary. It was, however, the spot where Darius had attacked Demona and began her transformation in to a vampire. It was the location where she had awoken disoriented as a hungry fledgling vampire. The memory of that night still haunted Demona. She ignored the uneasiness that she felt as she stood there.

Darius just loves to try to make me feel powerless, that’s why he sends me here.

Felix looked at her with sympathy. He knew what the place meant to Demona and how uncomfortable she was every time Darius sent her to that location for a rendezvous. However, it had also been the location of their first date, their first date alone; one where she had had a flashback of when Darius had attacked her on a dark night. Demona had enjoyed her date, despite the horrific interruption. Thankfully, the incident had been a moment to observe Felix’s sincerity, kind-heartedness, and his concern for what had happened to her. His big heart was one of the things she loved most about him.

Demona tried to focus on the wide open space around her, instead of the claustrophobia she felt when she remembered how helpless, and seemingly paralyzed, she had been when Darius began to turn her. She shook away the feeling and noticed the few bright splashes of orange and yellow marigolds, which had survived the frost, growing around the base of each tree. The boldness of the colors popped out against the bleak brown and gray surroundings.

The sky was overcast with heavy gray clouds that passed quickly above. Their speed sent strong gusts through the park, which made the branches creak and groan. Demona had always felt that autumn was beautiful, yet haunting. They stood waiting for the other half of their patrol team, when a cool drizzle began to sprinkle from above.

Demona tried to focus on the beautiful flowers, but one more thing just happened to add to her misery. One of the field-agents that Demona and Felix were to patrol with was none other than Persephone Black, one of Demona’s least favorite people in the world. She had been Demona’s coworker at TGHC, before she had become a field-agent. Persephone, and a werewolf by the name of Claudia, had tormented Demona every day from the office cubicles next to hers.

That was when she realized that she was unlike any of the TGHC employees and other dark beings. Demona had not belonged among the dark beings, nor surrounded by evil. She had, however, come out on top after Claudia and Persephone eventually humiliated themselves at work. Demona grinned momentarily at the thought, but the bully’s presence still made her uncomfortable. Old feelings were hard to shake.

At least, Persephone did not look anymore pleased by the situation than Demona did. She stood with her arms crossed over her chest and huffed immaturely. She made a point to glare in Demona’s direction and tapped her foot with irritation. She made enough of a scene to draw Felix’s attention. Then, a sudden mischievous smile crept over her face.

Nothing good can come from a smile like that.

“Demona, I’m so happy that you left TGHC. You left Kerrick broken hearted, which made my task of moving in all too easy,” Persephone said.

Somehow I doubt it took much for him to move on.

Demona knew Persephone was only attempting to get under her skin. “You can have him.” She looked at Felix with an annoyed expression on her face. She wanted to grab his hand and leave, but there was a very real reason for their patrols.

Persephone must have noticed the exchange of looks between Demona and Felix, because she suddenly went to stand beside Felix. She twirled one of her braided strands in her fingers as she looked at him. “You’re really cute.”

Felix rolled his eyes. “Sorry, not interested.” He walked away from her.

Demona quickly stepped in to get things moving after witnessing Persephone’s failed attempt to move in on Felix. “We should head out for patrol. Standing around sulking isn’t going to help any of us.”

Felix nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

“I was just going to suggest that,” Persephone said.

Sure you were.

Demona and Felix led the way in the direction of the center of town. They cut through the park instead of following the pathways. Persephone and the other agent, a werewolf in human form, followed behind. They followed the sidewalk as they patrolled the streets of Melville. Each kept a cautious eye out for any unusual activities.

They travelled from one end of town to another. They passed crumbling brick factories in the industrial park. They dodged trucks that pulled in and out from the many warehouses. They walked through an old development with rows of matching old Sears homes situated on tiny plots of land.

They walked through the poor section of Melville. That part of town was run down and many of the homes were dilapidated. Shady characters watched them from street corners as they passed by. Their viciously trained dogs tugged on their leashes and flashed their sharp teeth as they barked boisterously. Slobber and foam flew from their jowls with a warning to stay away.

Occasionally, Demona cast Persephone a weary look. The dark skinned witch had made a point to stick close to Felix’s side throughout patrol. Demona also caught Persephone peering out of the corner of her eye to see if she was watching.

Pathetic.
Demona vowed to remain stoic for the remainder of the patrol since she was pretty sure Persephone was just trying to provoke her. Demona knew that she had nothing to worry about with Felix. Besides, they were there for a purpose and Demona was determined to see that they did a thorough job.

Several hours had passed without any sign of a demon or the possessed. They were now walking through a better section of town. The houses were as old as the town, all lined up perfectly so that the front steps ended just where the sidewalk began. They were made of wood and brick, with finely carved decorative molding. A few storefronts gave signs of businesses such as florists, thrift stores, computer repair shops, and so much more.

They were about to return to their cars after having almost completely patrolled the most populated sections of town and let the next group take over patrol when something caught the silent werewolf’s eye. Felix stopped in his tracks when he noticed something out of place as well. The group watched as a ragged looking man in tattered clothing seemed to walk aimlessly down the sidewalk. His black clothes were dirty and the clerical collar hung from one side of his neck. He seemed oblivious to the world around him and continued walking.

Demona instantly recognized the demon priest from the pictures she had seen months before. Demona and Felix exchanged knowing glances. The priest made his way towards the outskirts of town. Several more people seemed to be drawn to him, each falling in step behind him. Most likely they were newly possessed and he was leading them to his horde.

The demon priest seemed much more run down, thin, and pale than Demona imagined he would be. Demona wondered how the priest’s body was still alive considering the condition that the demon was keeping it in.
Is he even able to consume food? Was the priest’s soul alive, or had it left only his body to be abused by the demon?

The group decided to follow the priest and his followers at a safe distance, so not to alert them to their presence. They wondered what the demon priest was up to considering he walked so openly through town. He walked past shops and restaurants that lined both sides of the Main Street in town. Every few blocks another person joined the others that followed behind him. When he turned, they turned. When he paused, they paused. When he swung his left hand, they did the same.

Hmmm…Is it possible that the possessed act when the demon priest does, because of a hive mind
? Demona watched them carefully and found her assessment correct. All of the possessed, that currently followed Abd al-Malik, mimicked his actions perfectly. Upon farther observation these possessed all seemed to be the mindless, poor motor-skilled, zombie-like possessed that had killed their hosts. The discovery could be vital for later.

They continued to follow the priest and his little bees to the outskirts of town. They must have followed him for at least two miles down Route 61 before the group headed off onto a closed portion of the highway. It was remote and only accessible on foot, though there were signs of dirt bike or four-wheeler tracks in the dried, cracked dirt. As they continued to stalk the demonic priest Demona began to recognize her surroundings.