Tell (13 page)

“I'll do my best.” Grim-faced Eban clutched his doctor's bag in his white-knuckled hand. “I don't need all of you cluttering the room while I look at her. Wys, get her a seat, and Rhia, draw the window curtains. I need another lantern too.”

Tell held her up while Wystan placed a chair near the table by the light. She sank into it without grace when he let her go. The sharp stabs of pain made it difficult to breathe.

Rhia lit another lamp and set it nearby. “What else can I do?”

“Get some water. We'll wash the blood off her face.” Eban pulled her sewing stool in front of the chair then settled on it. “And a nightdress. She should change before I set her shoulder. I'm sorry, Sylvie, but it's going to hurt.”

“I understand.” She flinched when he touched her cheek.

Rhia hovered a moment. “I'll be right back.”

“Are my lenses all right?” She held them up so he could see.

“Not a crack. That's good news.” He took them from her and held them out for Tell to take. “What happened?”

She swallowed. The taste of blood lingered in her mouth. “Tell, could I have a glass of water?”

“Sure, Princess. Anything your heart desires.” He left the room, his boot heels clacking on the wood floor.

She waited until she was certain he couldn't hear. “Tell burned Jeffrey—the thing that pretended to be Jeffrey—to death. Right there on the stoop. It was so…empty. I wanted Dochi to take Tell away, to prevent him from using his powers. He shouldn't have been able to manifest fire, should he? Wasn't that the point of us getting married?” Her body shook and the pain in her shoulder intensified. “Jeffrey—that creature—tried to bind him with some evil, but Tell burned through it like it was old straw instead of magic.”

Eban and Wystan exchanged a look.

“There are other demons beyond town waiting for him. They want his power and he
was
powerful tonight. Any one of them could be inside someone we think is human, just waiting to get to him.” Hot tears slid down her cheeks. “I'm afraid for him. He can't stay here. We have to find him a safe place.”

“Let's take care of you first.” Eban took her good hand and folded his around it. “Where's it hurt?”

There was comfort in holding the hand of a man she looked up to as a brother. Her family gathered here, minus Beryl, who'd likely stayed behind to watch the children. For a few minutes she could pretend everyone was safe.

Tell returned with her water. “Don't cry. We got rid of him. He can't hurt you again.” He knelt next to her and held out the glass. “Tomorrow when the sun comes out, everything will seem better.”

She took the cup, then drank the cold water. The rim pressed into her cut lip, but the liquid tasted sweeter than one of Lois's pies. She passed the glass back to Tell. “Thank you.”

Rhia entered the room with a basin of steaming water and one of Sylvie's nightgowns. “Let's get you fixed up so you can go to bed. You need a good night's sleep.”

Sylvie sat numbly while Eban wiped the blood from her face and inspected her cuts and bruises.

“Rhia, help your sister into her bedclothes. The sooner we get her tucked in, the better.” Eban rose from the stool. “Let's all take a minute before the hard part.”

“I'll be ready.” She tried not to let her voice shake. “Sorry I called you all away from your children tonight.”

“We are too. Pity we couldn't have been more help sooner.” Wystan's mouth settled into a tight line.

The men stepped outside. When Tell closed the door, Sylvie edged forward in the chair. “He's getting stronger. I thought being around me would push the powers down, but that's not what happened tonight.”

“Don't worry about it right now, Sylv. He protected you the way he promised and that's what I care about.” Rhia unfastened the buttons on Sylvie's blouse. “Jeffrey won't trouble this family any longer.”

“There are hundreds, maybe thousands of other demons who want to destroy us.” She slid her uninjured arm out of the blouse. “I don't want to lose Tell.”

“Shh, sweetie. He's not going anywhere. None of us are.” Rhia slipped her arms around Sylvie's waist. “Those men have kept us safe this long. They've never let us down, have they?”

“N-no.” Sylvie sniffled.

“It's not fair, all this misery surrounding the town. It's not fair we can't enjoy life the way other happy couples get to. But it's part of loving a Heckmaster. If it were easy, maybe it wouldn't be worth it. Tell's right. Tomorrow will be better.” Rhia wiped the fresh tears off Sylvie's face. “We'll get through this trouble same as everything else. Those men outside would stand between you and Hell until they defeated every demon in the universe if they had to.”

Sylvie nodded. “I know. I wish there was something I could do for them. Something more than a couple of miserable coats.”

“I understand. It's hard, watching them fight these battles and knowing as a mortal there's almost nothing you can do. Just love him, Sylvie. That kind of protection will help in ways you wielding a silver weapon can't.”

“I guess. Let's get this over with so I can pretend tonight didn't happen.” Sylvie grimaced as she unfastened the front of her corset with one hand. “I want to go to bed very badly.”

“Of course.” Rhia frowned at the way Sylvie's shoulder bulged unnaturally. “Eban will set everything right.”

By the time she was dressed in her sleeping gown, she was exhausted and sweating. Rhia called Eban and Tell inside again.

“Is there anything else I can do for you?” Rhia brushed her hand over Sylvie's hair. “I hate to leave, but we don't want to leave the children to overwhelm Beryl. She's anxious for news about you too.”

“No, go on home. Tell and Eban will take care of me. See you tomorrow?” She tried to smile.

“I promise. Get some sleep.” Rhia kissed her forehead, then went out the door.

“One little twist and we'll get that arm back where it goes.” Eban's brow furrowed, but his voice remained light. “Help her sit up straight, Tell. Hold her still because it won't be easy.”

Sylvie gritted her teeth. “Get it over with,” she hissed.

Eban took her arm, then drew it out straight. “Sorry, Sylvie.” He placed one hand on her shoulder and the other beneath her arm.

When he pulled her arm back, she muffled a shout by biting her lips. Pain flared and the room swirled around her before bright light blinded her.

Out of the glare, a figure solidified in Sylvie's vision. A smiling young woman with dark hair and Heckmaster blue eyes. “Look between the stones, Sylvie. You'll find it there. Between the stones. Sleep now. I'll watch over him tonight.”

“Catch her, Tell.” Eban's muffled voice hit her ears before the world closed in around her.

Chapter Thirteen

“Eban said we have to put the sex book away for a while.” Tell straddled a backward-facing chair and rested his head on his folded arms on the back while he watched Sylvie blink away sleep.

She turned her head to him, eyes as wide as wagon wheels. “You told him about the book?”

“Nah, I'm just playing. I imagine Beryl's none too limber in her condition and he'd only get jealous.” He managed a smile, but concern made it fall. “How's the shoulder?”

Eban had bound her arm to her chest with a long strip of cotton cloth to immobilize it while she slept. Afraid he'd dislodge it or roll over on Sylvie while he slept, Tell had spent the night pacing.

“Sore. My face?” She pushed herself up on her good arm.

It hurt to look at her, but he forced himself to keep eye contact. The huge purple bruise blossomed from the corner of her mouth to just beneath her right eye. “Still beautiful.”

“It feels like a horse tried to kick my teeth in. What time is it?”

“Ten in the morning. I let you sleep. Figured the rest was good for you. Are you hungry?” Anxious now that she was awake, he struggled to stay on the chair.

Her face crumpled. “I can't do anything with my left hand. You'll have to free my right one or I'll never get anything done.”

“Eb said it takes weeks for a dislocation to heal. You're gonna keep as still as you can while you get better. I'll cook and clean and do whatever it takes to make you happy. What I can't do, maybe your sister can help with. First order of business—getting you up and getting some food in you. You'll feel better after you eat.” He stood and reached down to help her up. “Second order of business—we're getting a real bed. Sleeping on the floor won't help you any. Wys and Eban can help me put it together.”

Sylvie frowned and her gaze went distant.

“You don't want a bed?”

She didn't answer.

He snapped his fingers in front of her eyes. “You home, Princess?”

She shook her head. “I was supposed to do something today. Something important, but I can't quite…it had to do with rocks.”

“Rocks? Sounds like it can wait.” He brushed hair away from her face. “Besides, you're not in any shape to do much outdoors. Let's give it a few days, huh?”

“I guess.” She sighed. “It's probably not a good idea to go far anyway with all the demons hunting you. It would be better if we could get away, but I don't know where we'd go. I'm sure your brothers will visit soon. They might have some ideas about keeping you safe.”

The seriousness in her tone made him cringe. “This is the worst honeymoon ever. I'm sorry, Sylv. I should have done a better job protecting you. I'd kill him again if there was anything left.”

“Enough killing. I just want some peace.”

Any number of demons might know his given name. They were waiting for the right time to call it out and raise the literal hell he knew the curse would bring. Even though he wanted to protect her, having Sylvie at his side was more dangerous than not. Waiting didn't suit him.

“I'll do my best to give it to you. C'mon downstairs while I cook.”

“Can you cook?” Her brow rose. “I don't think I've ever seen you so much a pick up a skillet.”

“'Course I can cook. How do you think I've stayed alive all these years on my own?” He pretended her words were an insult, but she wouldn't be too impressed when he admitted his culinary skills were extremely limited.

“That remains a mystery. Even your brothers don't understand it.”

“You're about to have the best hard-boiled eggs you ever ate in your life. And toast. I can manage some toast.”

“Rasher of bacon?” she asked hopefully.

He held on to her as they descended the stairs. “Uh, I hope you like it charred, Princess.”

“Please tell me you're kidding.”

He shook his head.

The look on her face reflected pure horror. “Then unbind my arm. I'm not eating burnt meat the entire time it takes my shoulder to heal.”

A knock sounded from the other side of the door and they exchanged a look.

“Maybe it's Wystan or Eban,” she whispered.

“Let's hope.” He steered her toward a chair. Of all the times to be without a weapon, this was a bad one.

Should've asked Dochi to find them earlier. Stupid.

He opened the door a crack, but braced his foot behind it in case he had to slam it in a hurry. Through the thin sliver, he made out the barest hints of Heckmaster features. At the bottom of the door, a small, clawed paw wiggled through.

“It is safe, Master. Your brothers have come.” Dochi's nose pushed through the gap. “Dochi is certain they are themselves.”

“By all means, if they pass the imp's inspection, they must be themselves.” He rolled his eyes as he opened the door. “Get in here before something else does.”

“Cool the attitude in front of the little ones.” Eban ushered his boys through the door.

Jude clung to Dochi's tail, all but dragging the imp inside. Dochi's face was twisted into what either passed for an adoring smile or a horrible grimace. Hard to say. Far be it from Tell's duties to deny his nephew a little fun.

“The whole troop is here.” Sylvie smiled, but turned the bruised side of her face away from their guests. “How are you feeling, Beryl?”

Beryl rubbed her protruding stomach. “Like baby Heckmasters could spring forth any given moment, but there aren't any signs of it so far. I guess we still have some waiting to do. I was sorry I couldn't come make sure you were all right last night, but it was better that the kids weren't around creating even more chaos.” She waddled closer to Sylvie. “Poor thing, that's quite a mark. It's been so long since we had any real demon violence in town. I hate that one found you.”

“It hardly hurts,” Sylvie muttered. “I wish you all hadn't dragged yourselves out here just to feel sorry for me.”

Tell stepped closer. “Nobody feels sorry for you, Princess.”

Beryl nodded. “That's not the reason at all. Rhia and I figured Tell's not much of a cook, so we thought we'd go ahead and have a nice family get-together over breakfast. Before I get so big Eban has to roll me down the street.”

He slipped his arm around Beryl's shoulder. “I'll get you a wheelbarrow so you can seem more dignified.”

Beryl's creamy complexion colored. “Don't even think about it.”

“Are you hungry, Sylvie? We brought enough food to feed an army. Or at least a growing horde of Heckmaster children.” Rhia hefted a big basket. “Enough that you won't have to worry about it for a few days. And you're always welcome at home if you don't feel like cooking.”

Tell grimaced. “About that. We were talking earlier. It's time—past time—to put some protection around this place. Something to keep the demons from noticing where I am.”

“A circle?” Eban narrowed his eyes. “It might be too late for that. It could keep more demons from getting to you, but it's not going to prevent the ones who already know where you are from coming.”

Tell glanced at Rhia. “I think you better plan on having another guest for breakfast. Father will know of a way to help us.”

“Dochi would be most honored to retrieve the valiant and majestic Baron Seneca.” Dochi pulled his ear free of Violet's grip. “It will only take a moment.” He dodged Gage's grappling hands.

Tell winced as Jude latched on to the creature's tail again. “Yeah, all right.”

Before Tell finished speaking the imp vanished, leaving Jude with empty hands and a confused expression.

“Where'd the kitty go?”

“Kids, come on. Into the kitchen. Maybe you can help us with the cooking.” Beryl herded the children out of the room.

Sylvie slumped in her chair. “I love them, but I feel terrible for Dochi.”

“I tried to get Beryl to stay home, but she worries as much as Rhia. I wasn't about to stay behind with those heathens.” Eban grinned. “They remind me of Wystan and Tell so much it's frightening.”

“Us? You think you were some kind of angel?” Tell elbowed Eban in the ribs. “You were a little tattletale.”

Eban shoved Tell away. “Ha. You two proved you are definitely your father's children. As I recall, I got far fewer punishments than either of you.”

A pop announced Seneca and Dochi's presence.

“As I recall, you were all worse than many of the demons I used to command. Your mother wanted a large family and who was I to tell her no? Four children—all with different personalities and attitudes—was quite the challenge. I loved you all nevertheless. How could I not? Though you favor me, I saw a great deal of your mother in you as you grew.” Seneca put his arms over Tell's and Eban's shoulders. “I'm prouder still because of your dedication to each other. The way you've grown into good men who care about their families.”

“Yeah, we just love one another to pieces.” Tell rolled his eyes and shrugged off his father's arm. “It's so touching. We're a big inspiration to other families.”

“I can't imagine where you got an attitude like that, Tell. Certainly not from your mother.” Seneca shook his head. “You'd better hope your own children don't inherit it.” He crossed the room to Sylvie. “Of course, with a lovely young woman like Sylvie for a mother, they're sure to be angels.”

She laughed. “You haven't heard Rhia tell the stories about trying to raise me, have you? We're doomed should we manage to bring a child into the world.”

“At least it won't be an ugly child.” He narrowed his gaze. “How are you feeling? I would have come last night after Dochi alerted me to the situation, but I didn't think you needed the entire family crowding you.”

“I'm better than everyone should expect. I was more worried for Tell than myself. All he could do was kill me, but he could torture and use Tell for a multitude of sins.” Sylvie's chin wobbled a little as she met Tell's gaze.

“I'd kill him again if it wasn't so much trouble to conjure a demon.” Tell cracked his knuckles.

“We're fortunate to have such a brave woman in the family.” Seneca smiled. “So much like Gloria. She never flinched away, even at the worst evil.”

Tell scowled. “Much as a family breakfast is a fun reason for getting together, we have a real problem here.”

Sylvie's smile fell. She stared down at the cloth holding her arm against her chest.

Tell's mouth went cotton dry. “I can't risk another demon using Sylvie to get to me. We need some kind of spell to keep us hidden. Nebo says there are lots of demons who know my name. The next one might not wait around to use it.”

“It's true.” Seneca nodded. “The one who cast the spell on your sister to make her curse you shared the name. We've been lucky—I suppose you could say—that the knowledge only recently came to light. It's time to prepare for the consequences of one of them saying it. They could do so at any time. Fortunately, in order to steal the powers you've acquired, they must be near and prepared to contain the demon part of you that will be exposed on releasing the name into the world.”

Tell's chest burned—not with the fire, but fear. “Great, so how do we keep them from getting to me?”

Seneca took a deep breath. His dark blue gaze slid between Tell and Sylvie. “You could come to the Gray Lands. It's been a task trying to sort out the good and bad, but I think it's safe to say you're less likely to be attacked there.”

Tell bristled. “I'm not leaving Sylvie behind.”

“I didn't suggest that.” Seneca gestured at her. “She'd be welcome too. I would never turn away family in need of sanctuary.”

A hoarse laugh forced its way between Tell's lips. “
Sanctuary
? The Gray Lands would ruin her. Has a human ever crossed into that dreary damned place? It would drive one mad just from looking into the fog that floats around all the time.”

“I'm made of sterner stuff than that, Tell Heckmaster.” Sylvie rose. “If it's safe there, I'm willing to take up your father's offer. You shouldn't dismiss it out of hand.”

“Christ, you sound so much like Rhia right now.” Tell rubbed his forehead. “You don't know what it's like there, Princess. Remember Berner as a desolate hellhole? Hot, dry, ugly? The Gray Lands are exactly what they sound like—gray, depressing, smothering.”

She approached, then pressed her hand to his cheek. “For you, I'd bear the scorching heat of Hell or arctic winds or even a colorless world. This is about keeping you from turning into a demon more powerful than any the world has ever seen. It's about ensuring we have a future together. Doesn't that require doing whatever it takes?”

Wystan and Eban watched with unreadable faces. Given the choice, neither of them would want to go to Seneca's palace in the Gray Lands either.

“Your sister isn't going to like it.”

“Wystan will keep her calm.” Sylvie smiled at her brother-in-law. “She understands the need for doing what's best for the ones she loves. She brought me all the way out here, didn't she?”

“I guess,” Tell muttered. “
I
don't like it.”

“You'll have me with you. I like adventure.” A sweet smile curved her mouth. “The only thing is, can I take the dreadnaught? I have to finish the coats for Rhia and Beryl.”

“Sylvie, you can't manage all that with your shoulder hurt. It needs rest. Whatever you've got done now will have to suffice.” Eban's stern voice matched his face. “That shoulder won't heal if you insist on using your arm.”

“But Meacham said I have to do this.” The color drained from her cheeks. “I can't leave them unprotected. The coats for you and Wystan are done, but think about your wife and children.”

“If you and Tell accompany me to the Gray Lands, there's no need for the coats,” Seneca said. “Meacham's prophecies are rendered useless.”