Chapter 83: Confronting Evil
Erica flung herself in front of us.
"Get back!" I felt what was left of her power gather. "I'll distract it. When it's away from the exit, you run!"
"We're not leaving you," Quaid and I said together.
"That's another order," she shot at us. "I mean it." But I could tell she didn't. Not really. She shook so much I wondered if she would be able to bring her magic under control enough to fight the thing and not hurt herself in the process.
I gripped her shoulder on one side and Quaid did the same on the other. We pulled her back until she stood between us.
"You can't face it alone," I said. "And Mom is coming. We just have to hang on."
The agony in her face was horrible and I wished I could help more than I did.
"All right," she said. "But if we get a chance to run-"
"We run." Quaid shot me a look over her head contradicting what he just said and I agreed. No more running. Either this thing killed us or we killed it.
And then there was no time for talking or thinking, only reacting and fear, primal and deep. The creature oozed its way out of the tunnel and into the cavern. I had a much clearer view of it, and almost wished I didn't.
It looked close to human now, the skin swollen and pale, not the parched and withered mess it was the night we first met. It had wrapped itself in a black robe, probably stolen from Sandra. It hissed at us, canines far longer and more dangerous looking than typical vampires. It reminded me of the ancient movie posters for the silent film Nosforatu Mom and Uncle Frank watched and giggled over, only way more real and scary than old Hollywood could ever produce. The eyes hadn't changed, though, still burning with amber fire and fury. That confirmed it for me. It somehow had demon blood, just like me. Amber was the color of demon power.
It didn't pounce at once, but started a slow circle.
We need to drag this out, Erica sent to us in a tight and terrified thought. Don't attack. All defensive. Hold it off. And stay together.
I thought you said run. This wasn't the time to be contradicting orders.
I was wrong, she sent. We can't outrun it. It will pick us off one by one.
She's right, Quaid said.
Wow. He really was changing. Too bad I wasn't in a position to appreciate the new and improved Quaid Moromond. Or whatever his real last name was.
There's something wrong with my power. I sent Erica what happened and the feeling accompanying it.
Her answering thought came back panicked.
Then what are you doing here?
Yeah. Good question.
Just do your best, she sent at last. And stay behind me if your power fails completely. I'll protect you for as long as I can.
My demon howled her frustration. But we had no choice.
"Again with you two." The creature's voice was as horrible as its body. "Perhaps I shall take you now. Your power will seal my dominion."
"Rather not, thanks," I said. Seriously. Why did I have this problem keeping my mouth shut?
"I must feed," the thing said, all gravel over glass. Its power pushed out against us and I sampled it with disgust. The combination of witch, vampire and demon magic made me want to puke. How come Mom didn't feel like that?
"What I have tasted thus far has only whetted my appetites. I will fulfill myself and become whole again." Its head twisted to one side, cocking at an odd angle. "Yes, you two will be enough."
There was no warning when the magic attack came, but we were ready. I clutched Quaid's hand behind Erica's back and linked my magic to his, the seamless connection we shared ready and waiting. My power may have been muffled and under some kind of control, but it was enough he was able to deflect the energy thrown our way.
The creature didn't hesitate, attacking again. And again we held. My knees trembled from the effort, but we held. My hand felt slick with sweat in Quaid's, but we held. Erica sighed and shuddered when the attack ended but, somehow, we held.
The creature retreated from us and snarled. I took a wild impulse and tried to link with the demon inside it and felt its weakness mirror my own.
"It's not me." Good to know.
"What?" Erica spared me a look, her terror giving way to weariness.
"My power. It's not me. The demon in that thing is as weak as I am."
We didn't get to figure out why. The next attack started like a hammer blow and continued like a mountain pressing down on us, driving us toward the ground. I was fading and fast, my demon so debilitated she could barely offer protest and I was sure the creature had won.
The pressure vanished and the thing howled at us in rage.
I wobbled next to Erica. I was done for. There was no way I would stand up against another attack. My demon grudgingly agreed.
"Sorry," I panted. "I'm tapped out."
Erica shouldered her way in front of me. "It's okay, Syd," she whispered. "You did great. We can handle him from here."
We all knew that was a lie.
We were going to die.
The creature slid sideways suddenly, forcing us to spin in answer. Too late, I understood its reasons. It maneuvered us away from Brad long enough to get a grip on him and pull him upright. The thing held Brad to its chest, clawed hands at his throat.
"I will kill this boy if you fight any longer."
Like that was any kind of option. I lunged forward, knees almost giving out, caught by Erica and Quaid who held me back and upright at the same time.
We can't, Syd. Quaid's mind was genuinely regretful. I'm sorry.
We just need a little more time. I knew Mom was close. Okay, I didn't, but she had to be by now, right?
Miriam should be here soon. Erica was thinking the same thing as me. We need a distraction.
We could pretend to give up. It was stupid. And would put us in the creature's reach. But it would save Brad. Maybe.
No one had a better plan. We were out of options and had to do something.
"All right," I spoke up, sealing the deal. "Let him go and we'll come quietly."
The thing laughed at me. Laughed. I found my anger again at least, through my fear. It was easy to be mad when I had nothing left to lose.
"Foolish child," it said. "I have never been that stupid. Come forward and kneel and I will release the boy."
Kneel? Not very likely. I wasn't even sure walking was an option. But I glanced at Quaid and he nodded and offered his hand.
"We're coming."
I gripped Quaid's hand again. I felt his power, but I had nothing left to give. Or did I? My demon shuddered and dug deep and I found a small and sacred reserve. My life energy. That was the last of it. Without it, I would die. But we had no other choice.
I shielded it from Quaid as I send my thought out to him.
As soon as we're in touching distance, we throw everything we have at it.
He didn't have to answer. Neither of us were willing to go down without a fight.
"No!" Erica grabbed at us but we shrugged her off. "I forbid it!"
Damn it. Why did she have to go and do that?
We'll be kicked out of the coven. Quaid didn't sound like it mattered. Just stating a fact.
I shrugged mentally. If we live that long.
Together, we stepped forward. I braced myself as Erica groaned. The creature flung Brad from it like a damaged doll and pounced.
***
