Demon Hunters (16 page)

I stepped into the shower and felt the hot
water stream down my body. I heard the usual murmurings in between
my ears as I soaped up. Flashes of the day before danced through my
mind. I heard the gunshots and the screaming. I could also remember
the power. I never thought I’d ever encounter the rotting, unholy
bitch, but there she was. Dead in a box. She was the reason my soul
had been saddled with a bloodthirsty demon, and I actually did
something that some might consider a favor. I think that was what
irked me most. It was almost as bad as saving her life.

I shut off the water and dressed. I slipped
on my good harness boots and I grabbed my bag. I didn’t know what I
would need on this trip, so I only packed the basics. Bullets, a
couple of knives, and my back up pistol. I stepped out to the
living room where Tyler was waiting. He looked down at his
watch.

“What is your problem?”

“It won’t be long before The Reborn figure
out what’s going on.”

“Just cool down. I’m ready. Let’s go.”

We piled into Tyler’s car and he zoomed off.
We got on the interstate heading west.

“Where are we going?”

“Far. The dagger is being kept just outside
of Marin County.”

“Marin County? Are you nuts? That’s nearly
eight hours away!”

“I had to keep it safe.”

“I realize that, but I didn’t think we were
going that far. Why don’t we fly? We could shoot up to San
Francisco and get a rental car. We could be back before
dinner.”

“No. They’ll expect that.”

“The Reborn?”

“Not just them. News of Morgan’s possible
return has spread like wildfire in the occult community. There are
many factions who have been waiting for this and they’ll do
anything to make it happen.”

“But they won’t know it’s us or what we’re
doing.”

“Maybe not, but these are chances The Black
Flame can’t afford to take. We must assume the enemy is two steps
ahead of us.”

“Okay, but eight hours?” Tyler responded
only by turning on the radio. I sat back in my seat and set my eyes
forward.

I was slumped in my seat, asleep, catching
up on some much needed rest, but it wasn’t very peaceful. I would
have chalked it up to a guilty conscience, but I knew better. The
demon was enjoying this instance of bad judgment. It was picking at
it and blowing it out of proportion in the one place I couldn’t
stop it. I forced my eyes open.

We had driven well past Los Angeles. I saw
nothing but road and the coast on one side of the car. I looked
over at the clock in the dashboard. It had only been three hours. I
looked over at Tyler and his attention was totally focused on the
road. I was about to open my mouth to talk, but his expression was
far too serious. I didn’t really peg him as the talk type. I turned
away and tried to regain my state of sleep, but the visions would
not stop. I sat up with a slight grunt.

“Trouble sleeping?”

“Nothing new. This thing in me likes to keep
me up.”

“You really are possessed.”

“You doubted?”

“Slightly.”

“You’re a werewolf. I think we’re even on
the ‘hard to believe’ scale.”

“I know other werewolves. I’ve never met
anyone who was possessed.”

“Over the years, I’ve met just about every
freak you can imagine. You really should learn to be more open
minded.”

“Yeah. Sure.”

“Where exactly are we going?”

“You’ll know when we get there.”

“You’re kidding me. We are in the car. We’re
on the way and you still won’t tell me?”

“I can’t. They might hear.”

“Look, bud, it’s just us in the car. There
are no bugs or listening devices in here. No one has any idea what
we are talking about. Just tell me where we’re going.”

“Why do you need to know where we’re going?
Why is it so important to you?”

“Maybe I could drive for a bit. Aren’t you
getting tired?”

“No. I’m fine. Werewolf, remember?”

“You are a real piece of work, you know
that? Keep your damn secret.” I flopped back onto my other side.
Dealing with the demon in my soul seemed like a better prospect
than dealing with Tyler.

“You’re upset about this?”

“Actually, yes. You hired me to help you
with all this and now I feel like the load that carries the bags on
the golf course. I’m the professional here.”

“If that were true, we’d have Morgan’s body
and all this wouldn’t be happening.”

“I told you, I made a snap decision under
fire! I wasn’t aware you would rather die. If I had known that, I
would have shot you myself!”

“In the Black Flame, we know there are
greater things in the universe than ourselves and by that
knowledge; we know there are sometimes certain sacrifices we will
be called upon to make. As Grand, it was my duty to forfeit my life
in order to stop The Reborn.”

“Next time you should quote me on all your
club’s little rules. I live by a ‘survival of the fittest’
philosophy. The fact is they do have Morgan. We are in this car. We
are doing what we have to, so let it go and let me do my job!”
Silence filled the car.

“Blue Haven.” Tyler said.

“What?”

“We’re going to my sister Gwen’s house in
Blue Haven. I gave her the dagger.”

“She’s a part of the Black Flame too?”

“No. She knows nothing about this part of my
life, and that’s the way I want to keep it. She knows about the
werewolf thing, and that’s weird enough for her.”

“Then why did you give her the dagger?”

“I needed it someplace no one would ever
look. Gwen’s as typical and boring a person as you can hope to
find. I love her, but she’s pretty ordinary. Regular job. Regular
hobbies and living in a little, regular town.”

“Hide in plain sight.”

“So to speak.” Tyler’s demeanor seemed to
relax a bit and I felt as though the air was a little clearer
between us.

“You need me to drive?” Tyler quickly
slumped his shoulders and smiled at me.

“Yes. Please. My arms are killing me.”

Blue Haven

We filled the tank up at the next service
station and I took the wheel from then on. Tyler fell right to
sleep as we hit the main highway and it wasn’t long before I could
see San Francisco ahead of us. I was able to cut through the main
hub of the city and got to the Golden Gate Bridge in what I could
only assume was record time.

It was late and the sun was all but gone.
The light of the city behind us was dancing along the water in the
bay. I caught a quick glimpse of the sky in the rearview mirror. In
front of us was a curtain of endless dark, while behind us was a
brilliant mural of purples and pinks and oranges. I was about to
wake Tyler so he could see, but he was dead to the world.

After another hour or so of driving, I
pulled off the highway and finally found some roads that had signs,
but there weren’t a lot of streetlights. I could barely make them
out. I just did the best I could. I finally found the correct
street, which turned out to be more of a dirt road that trailed
deep into a dark forest. I drove through and as we left the heavily
wooded road, I saw a small, quaint hamlet nestled among the hills
and trees.

We finally made it to Blue Haven. It was a
charming little town. Like something out of those paintings that
old ladies buy to decorate their houses at Christmas time. The
quiet streets were lined with large oak trees and there were cute
shops with brick storefronts that had handmade crafts and
bric-a-brac behind the windows and there was an inescapable sense
of peace all around.

Everything was so quiet. Only the
streetlights were on and even they only gave a dim glow. I managed
to find a street that led further through the town and into a large
pocket of homes and apartments that had seemed hidden behind the
large trees and brushes surrounding. I saw a large sign indicating
the next street was Pearblossom Boulevard. I turned right, as Tyler
instructed, and we cruised down the lone street. I stopped at the
next to last house.

“We’re here.” Tyler said.

“What time is it?”

“A little past ten. Is she going to be
up?”

“Probably not. They go to bed early around
here, but I can smooth it over. Come on,” I checked my gun, but
Tyler twisted around and caught my eye. “I don’t think you’ll need
that.”

“You never know.”

“Leave it.” He said in a stern tone.

“Fine.”

We followed a small brick path up to the
front door. The house was well sized. It looked solid and well
cared for. I couldn’t make out the color but it did have a neat
white trim and there were several delicate looking flowers crawling
up along the walls. It all looked rather dream-like and unreal.

The lawn was cut down sharp and though it
was dark, I could tell the garden that sat along the perimeter of
the property was well. All the plants were closed up and rested,
but I could tell when the sun was up, it had to be quite a sight.
We stepped onto the porch and Tyler knocked on the door. A light
came on inside and the door opened.

“Hi.”

“Tyler. Oh my god!” A female voice said in
surprise. I couldn’t see past Tyler but I did see two slender arms
wrap around him. When the arms released him, he stepped aside and I
saw her. Gwen was gorgeous. It was rare I ever had thoughts like
that. The demon seemed to enjoy blocking those feelings, but this
one came through loud and clear. Her hair was long and blonde and
gently framed her face. Her eyes sparkled through the darkness and
her smile was familiar and welcoming. I nearly forgot who I
was.

“This is my friend, Jake Corba.”

“Hello.” Her voice was beautiful too.

“Hi.”

“Not that I’m not glad to see you, but what
are you doing here?”

“Inside.” Tyler pushed his way in. I
followed and Gwen shut the door behind us. We walked into the
living room. It was cozy. I had never really experienced cozy, but
her living room was it. The sofa was large and overstuffed; the
carpet was deep and soft. There were shelves on the walls with
books and other collectibles. The only light was coming in from the
adjoining kitchen. Tyler switched on a lamp and the room was bathed
in a clean, white light and I was able to see more clearly.
Everything looked better. Gwen included.

“Okay. Can you tell me now?” She stood
before Tyler.

“You remember that box I gave you a few
years ago? The one I told you to keep safe?”

“Yes.”

“I need it now. You have it, don’t you?”

“Of course. It’s just I’m not totally sure
where it is.”

“What?”

“You left it with me over six years ago!
I’ve moved things around several times since then. It’s probably in
a closet or something.”

“Fine. That’s fine,” Tyler said, obviously
trying to keep his composure. “Do you think you could find it?”

“I don’t know. Maybe, but it might take a
couple days.”

“Days?”

“You need it that bad?”

“Yes, Gwen. It’s very important that I get
that box back now!”

“Okay. Feel free to look. I’m just too tired
right now,” Without a word, Tyler headed into the back and started
tearing through everything. “Don’t break anything, if you
please!”

“He gets a little excited.”

“I know. He’s my brother. Have you known
each other long?”

“Just a couple days. He hired me.”

“What?”

“I’m an investigator.”

“Okay. I was thinking something else. Would
you like some coffee?”

“That would be great. Thanks.” She flashed
another smile at me and headed towards the kitchen. I couldn’t help
but be captivated. I watched as she gracefully navigated the
kitchen. She filled the coffee maker with water, set the filter;
ground the beans almost in one, graceful dance. I then realized I
had been looking and I saw she was looking back at me.

“Sorry. I just never really knew how coffee
was made. I usually just pay for mine.”

“That’s okay. I prefer to make my own. I
just don’t trust those big corporations, at least not with food.
You never know what they put in there.”

“I hear you.” A loud crash rang from the
back of the house.

“Sorry!” Tyler called out.

“Why is he in such a hurry to find that
box?”

“I really don’t know how much of that I
should tell you. I think it would be best if we found it and got
out of your hair as soon as possible.” I took another survey of the
house.

“How do you afford a place like this out
here?”

“It’s okay. I got it in the divorce.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not. We married right out of high
school. I thought we’d be that happy for the rest of your lives,
but a few years of married life changed all that. By the end, we
were both desperate to get out.”

“Sounds horrible.”

“It wasn’t that bad. There were some good
years. How about you? Married? Dating?”

“Single. I’m kind of a workaholic.”

“Career man.”

“For all the good it does me.” Another loud
avalanche from the back announced itself.

“Nothing broke!”

“He’s going to tear this place apart.” Her
eyes were focused past my head so I wasn’t sure if she was talking
to me or if it was a random thought. Her eyes came back to me.

“What do you do?”

“Private investigations. Security.”

“I doubt that.”

“It has its moments.” I could feel heat
rising up into my neck. There was a sudden ding. Gwen turned away
towards the coffee maker.

“Soup’s on!” She grabbed a couple cups and
filled them. She handed me a blue one that had swirly flowers
painted on it. I took a short sip.

“That’s good.” I said with surprise.

“Thanks. I get the beans from a little tea
house here in town.” I was just about to continue the conversation
but there was a soft knock at her door.