Demon Dark (8 page)

I wouldn t say it did nothing.

Breandan and Daphne scoffed simultaneously. Samuel looked ill.

You don t have to worry,

I assured him.

Demonkind aren t as interested in humankind as you think they are.

Some are,

Daphne murmured and smiled toothily. Samuel paled as his eyes fixed on her fangs.

We like this human Rae?

She made little attempt to hide the hunger in her voice. She inched closer to him.

He smells good.

No biting,

I snapped.

Checked by my sharp command, Daphne rocked back on her heels, grumbling sullenly.

I d only take a sip.

Seeing how Daphne was strictly ordered not to bite, Samuel s fear passed, and he became troublingly intrigued.

You re a vampire.

No. I m a mutant breed of chicken.

Daphne rolled her eyes.

But you re so tiny and so … normal.

Samuel blushed.

I mean, you seem & human. The vampires we come across froth at the mouth and rant madly.

Wanderers who have no Nest. Yeah, well hunger can do that to you,

she replied indignantly.

I seem human because I was human once. I died and became something else, but once I was just like you. Humans love to forget that.

She certainly doesn t smell human,

I said and laughed when Daphne cut her eye at me.

Samuel edged closer, curious.

Daphne inhaled, nostrils flaring and her eyelids growing heavier. Catching herself, she stiffened.

I wouldn t do that unless you re planning to offer a vein.

Who said I wasn t?

Please. You reek of fear. I have no intention sucking on a donor who does so because he s afraid I ll drain him otherwise.

Samuel squared his shoulders and his eyes narrowed.

I m not afraid.

Daphne smiled, and sent a sly look his way, locking her gaze with his.

No?

He blinked and shook his head languidly.

I m not afraid of you.

He dragged up his sleeve to expose his inner wrist.

I ll prove it. Bite me.

Uh, I wouldn t joke about that Sam.

Ignoring the protest of my nature, I placed a restraining hand on Daphne s shoulder when her eyes lit up eagerly. I sensed she d done some trickery here, because Samuel had gone from guarded to overly enthused about her feeding on him. I sighed.

You didn t.

She peeked at me sheepishly and shrugged.

A tiny bit. Figured you might not notice. It was worth a shot if it meant I got fed. Is that alright?

No it s not bloody alright. You can t bite him. We need him to help us convince the Priests to meet with Lochlann and the other demons. We won t be able to do that if he stands before them riddled with fang marks.

You do realize I could just go back with him and use compulsion on these Priests. I tell them we want peace, they agree with me, and it s done.

She shrugged.

If one or two able bodied men happen to want to be my donors so be it.

I glowered at her.

No more mind control. They have to want this for it to stick.

She threw her hands up.

He wanted me to do it, I could tell, I am a hunter adapt to sensing these things. It excited him. His pulse started racing, and his scent changed. I used a tiny bit of compulsion to loosen him up so he d offer instead of me asking. I knew you d freak out over nothing, a simple exchange.

Exchange? What s he getting out of this?

You re really asking me that question? You?

Blushing, I remembered the more pleasurable effects of a welcomed bite.

No,

I said with finality.

Well, what the hell am I supposed to do? I m hungry. I ll go crazy if I don t feed on human blood soon. He s young, healthy and standing right there. He ll bounce right back from a little blood loss. I can even make him forget the whole experience if it bothers you that much.

Perhaps we should let this happen,

Breandan said.

I scrunched my face up.

You think this is okay?

If the human agrees,

he gave Daphne a hard look,

after she rids him of the compulsion, I don t see why not. I like the idea of one more set of eyes watching your back. I would not like to have to put Daphne down after she has been so helpful.

Wow,

Daphne cooed.

The love and appreciation I m feeling right now is staggering, really, I think I might cry. And I told you, I only used a little, look, he s fine.

Samuel looked between the three of us with an amused expression.

That s what it feels like.

he murmured.

It s not too bad, is it? It s like being held a moment before sleep.

It can feel worse once you ve been deeply under for more than a few seconds, and you re fighting for control,

I assured him.

You feel okay?

Sure. It happened before I offered my arm, but I was thinking along those lines before then anyway.

Daphne looked triumphant.

You re really okay with this Sam?

I asked seriously.

Say the word and it won t happen.

He was quiet for a while.

Since I was born we have believed that vampires, shapeshifters and goblins were monsters. The Rupture changed our world, but I m beginning to see that maybe we humans were the ones hijacking other territories without knowing it. Look around us, look how beautiful it is out here. I can t imagine hundreds of cities because that would mean all this wildlife would be gone, and I can t understand how my ancestors decided that would be a good thing. Somewhere along the line, we decided the Rupture made us the victims when we may have been the big bad taken down by a force that had grown stronger.

His face darkened.

But that’s just my way of thinking. Others don t see it that way and they never will.

His eyes travelled over my circlet, and a questioning look flitted over his expression.

You came here to see the Priests, but that just won t happen, not now. I d need time to talk to them, to show them you mean no harm. I m willing to take the risk. We can no longer burry our heads in the sand and pretend we can carry on this way.

He nodded to Daphne.

I ll start by letting her feed on me. If I can show the Priests a vampire, the demon that feeds on us to survive, did so painlessly and with my consent, they may consider it. If you could stay here under guard for a while, I m sure they would see you re safe to talk to.

No,

Breandan said.

No guards. She is our Priestess, she will be received as an honored guest, or not at all.

Can I eat now?

Daphne asked hopefully.

Taking a deep breath to enhance my calm, I place a soothing hand on Breandan s arm and gave Daphne a final look of warning.

I don t have time to wait around. There is an assembly of demons gathering as we speak to discuss a powerful new threat. The same one I fought at Temple. If Daphne could have a little blood from you, that would be a huge help, and if you could explain to the Priests that if they choose to come to the fairy Wyld, peacefully, that they would be welcomed as friends under my protection, I would be grateful.

Samuel held up his arm and pulled his sleeve back.

Shoving the bundle of rags that concealed the grimoire into my hands, Daphne wasted no time taking the offered wrist in both hands and bringing it to her lips. She quickly bit down, and Sam flinched.

If you wish to attend the Meet,

Breandan said.

You must travel east until you cross the water. Past that point you are on Wyld land, and a fairy Knight will show his or herself to you. They will bring you to us if you tell them you have an invitation from Lady Rae.

Will they let us get close enough to speak before attacking?

They will be wary. We cannot change the perception that you are not a danger during a single conversation, but if you come bearing no weapons, and appear peaceful they will not attack. They will be expecting you.

Samuel nodded and then his expression went goofy. His eyes widened, and his breathing deepened. Then he blushed bright red.

Seeing the cause of his distress, I looked away, trying not to laugh.

Daphne groaned.

The corner of Breandan s mouth turned up.

I think that’s enough.

She immediately lifted her head and let go of his arm.

Thank you,

she said sweetly, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of her mouth and sucking on her finger.

Samuel let loose a shuddering breath. He inspected the pinpricks on his arm, swiped a finger over one tentatively.

That didn’t hurt that much.

I wasn’t trying to hurt you,

Daphne said winking impishly.

Fangs can be delicate or deadly when feeding. If they re used to cause pleasure or pain is down to the vampire.

Daphne took the book back from me, and I sighed in relief. The grimoire didn t feel good to hold at all. It almost seemed to sense the key to open its pages was near.

Samuel nodded absentmindedly.

How long will that sustain you?

A few nights. If I d drained you completely I could go seven, maybe eight if I wasn t extending too much energy.

That’s all you need?

he asked slowly, expression thoughtful.

I don t even feel woozy.

Well, I have to feed every night, but the blood doesn t have to be human. And may I suggest you eat more red meat than usual over the next couple of days.

You re, ah, satisfied?

Yeah.

She grinned.

I don t want to rip your throat out now I ve had a taste if that s what you mean.

He flushed, and I had a suspicion that wasn t what he meant at all.

Sorry. It s just we ve always believed bloodlust would take over.

Again, the feeding depends on the vampire. Some are cruel, and some are not. Since the Rupture, the majority of vampires who haven t starved to death have fallen into insanity. We re not evil, we re just hungry.

Samuel cocked his head.

The Rupture was systematic destruction of our entire world. I doubt hunger would drive you to such desperate measures.

Exactly,

I said.

Hasn t it ever seemed off to you that the vampires would encourage their own food supply to be totally decimated? When they re not mad they re perfectly sane and rational thinking creatures like Daphne here.

There was something else behind the attack?

I nodded gravely.

Keep that in mind when you talk to the Priests, and make them see that. There s a lot more to this than they understand, and they need to talk to us about it.

I can t promise anything, but I ll try. How can I get word to you if anything goes wrong?

Gunarr,

Breandan said.

The fairy materialized behind Samuel.

Yes?

Samuel jumped, his hand going to his rifle. Gunarr stared at him with disinterest he did not see Samuel as a threat.

You will stay here as emissary to the Tribe under Lady Rae s authority. You will answer any question they ask, and only lift a weapon against them to defend yourself. You will protect these humans from any danger, as you would our own people. Alright?

Yes,

he said simply and turned to press his fist to his chest and bow his head to Samuel.

The Lord Cleric was leery at first, but after swallowing hard, he nodded repeatedly.

You certainly will, ah, draw some attention. You re a fighter?

A Knight.

Say-so.

Samuel’s gaze roved, taking in Gunarr s warrior stance that was relaxed yet confidently on guard. An acre of green skin was bared and his cherry-red Mohawk almost glowed.

Maybe we should get you a tunic.

I am not cold.

You re green. It s more for us than you. In fact, can you make yourself look human like Rae did?

Gunarr looked offended, but answered diligently.

I cannot touch the Source.

Samuel blinked, expression blank.

Source?

I could sense this wouldn t be a short conversation.

Sam, we have to go, but Gunarr can stay, and he ll follow your orders, as long they don t endanger demons who are peaceful.

Samuel let out a shaky breath, his expression bemused.

Okay, I trust you Rae. I ll do what I can to protect him.

Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. If things get too dangerous he ll just leave,

I explained.

Just try and get the Priests to come as soon as they can.

I smiled encouragingly.

I m sure you ll do great.

He didn t look convinced. He looked down at his arm then at Daphne. He slanted a look at Gunarr then braved a look at Breandan. Straightening his back, he tugged his hood up.

I ll do my best. I promise.

***

We entered Wyld land, and there was a subtle change in the air, a welcoming cool ripple that sent tingles down my spine.

My nature rejoiced at being in so magical a place.

A crisp sweetness fizzed on my tongue, and I smiled as the scents of the forest became fresh and clean. Vivid evergreen shrubs were dotted among the gray tree trunks. Glossy leaves were spotted with yellow lichen, but with winter so near it wasn t surprising. The dense canopy was high overhead, and I could see the stars.