Within The Darkest Hollows, page 11
part #2 of The Demon Hunters Series
“Tyler? Yes, he’s with us,” I confirmed.
She turned her back and spoke into the dark hut, “Farron, more Demon Hunters have arrived.”
A small-statured older man pushed through the door and past the girl. He looked at us in wonder. “Today was the first day I'd met any of you, though I had heard stories about the Great Battle. It is an honor.” He bowed before us.
“Please. Stand. I was hoping you could fill us in on what happened here. Our way of relaying messages is archaic at best. My warrior sent notice that he encountered you both here. Then we received this message from him just as we arrived.” I took out my blade and showed the words written on it to the Shaman.
Approaching Rya's Castle. Backup Needed.
She would have it all, every bargaining chip I had possessed would be in Rya’s hands.
The Shaman pushed past me as a look of awe came across his face. “Is that? Could it be?” I followed his eyes past the tall hunters and saw the small figure that he was staring at—Tehya. “An angel? She’s so beautiful.”
Tehya approached Farron, a smile on her face. “Farron?” The Shaman nodded his head. She boldly took his hands in hers and said, “It is so nice to finally meet you. You’ve been a huge asset to our side and it is very much appreciated. I am Tehya.”
“It was you, wasn’t it? I mean I couldn’t see you, but the feeling I have right now in your presence, it’s so much like when I was in the thick of battle, as if someone guided my hand.”
Tehya answered with a smile. “Very intuitive of you.” She released his hands and said, “We need info on the others that passed through here. Can you help us?”
Farron turned to the girl, “Siobhan, please go check on the potion. If it overheats we’ll need to start over.” The girl went back into the hut and Farron said, “Yes, I can help.”
“Were they being hunted?” I asked.
“No. Not by demons. A few tulas picked a fight with the demon, but Siobhan helped him get free. They all headed to the mountains occupied by Rya and her demons. The demon passed through here about a day ago and the hunters followed half a day later.
“How’d you find where Rya was holed up?” I asked. “We’ve never had success at tracking her.” Angeline, the Clan’s Caster had tried to locate the demon stronghold, but whenever we’d send a squad out based on her attempts, we’d find signs that demons had been there, but no stronghold or fortress.
Farron nodded his head. “Yes, she is good at cloaking their location. But I am attuned to changes in this realm’s energy. In the past four moon cycles, I have noticed fluctuations. Siobhan and I investigated and found the hive of demons.”
This was huge, maybe enough to level the playing field. “Farron, this knowledge is invaluable. The scales of good and evil have tipped out of our favor, and we need to set them back before Rya brings Hell on Earth. It is imperative that we get that ring—and our people—back.” I looked back at the Hunters accompanying me. Our Clan was doing its best, but it didn’t seem like enough. But now I had an idea. “Farron, will you and Siobhan join us? Your knowledge of the land, the realm’s energies, and your spells would be a true asset to us.”
Farron looked to the girl. “I fear conflict with the demons would take its toll on Siobhan. She suffered possession and has been stranded in this realm. Although she is strong, I’m not sure she is mentally prepared to face a demon in battle.”
“She was possessed?” There were signs pointing to her Human Realm origin. She had a few visible tattoos with sayings, something only a tattoo machine with fine precision could do, and she wore a necklace with a cross as I’ve seen many mortals wear. “How did she get free?”
Farron looked back at the hut and then returned his attention to me. “The demon had crossed her into this realm, and they were attacked by a pack of tulas. I administered a healing potion, but it took several moments for her body to absorb it. Unfortunately, it was several moments too long—Siobhan died. But that clearly was not the end of the girl. Before grief had its chance to take root, the potion revived her and she was alive and free of the demon.”
“That was risky. A lot could have gone wrong.” Tehya shook her head.
“I was aware of the risks, but I could not leave her to die from her wounds. I saw the good in her; I saw the human in her.”
Farron was brave, but despite him understanding magic and energy, he was still mortal. Demons usually jumped into the nearest warm body, yet Farron showed no signs of possession. I asked, “How did you avoid being possessed?”
“I’ve been marked.” He pulled back his shirt and pointed to a heavily scarred part of his chest. The scar had no distinct pattern, but rather looked like a splatter mark over his heart. “It’s my own personal shield.”
“Farron, I want to go. I want to help.” Siobhan had come out of the hut and stood next to the old Shaman.
“But your fear?” Farron asked.
“It may always exist. But sitting here cowering in the corner does not help them.” She nodded in my direction. Looking me in the eyes, she said, “I want to be a part of helping restore the balance. I want to help.” Siobhan bravely offered her hand. While we could use all the help we could get, I worried this would harm her as Farron had warned. Demon Hunters kept humans safe from demons, but here a human wanted to fight back against the demons. She knew what she was getting herself into, and I couldn’t blame her for wanting to fight back.
Farron faced Siobhan and said, “I will let you accompany us, but only if you bare the mark.”
Siobhan nodded, “Very well.”
“Killian, if you and your team help us find the ingredients needed for a quick ceremony. Then you can count on us to help you.”
“How quickly? Our people are in immediate danger.”
“I promise expedience.”
“Casper, send a message to the others. Tell them to hold position; we’re on our way.” Casper nodded at me and walked off. “Farron, what exactly are we looking for?”
“One moment, please.” Farron retreated into the hut and returned with an old book. Angeline had had a similar book she’d used to help create her spells and potions. He opened it to a shield spell and showed the team the images of various plants, seeds, and elements. “I have most of the rare ingredients, but my supply of Lamou and Marya are depleted. The two flowering plants can be found beneath the large trees surrounding us.
“Sounds easy enough.” I sent each of my hunters to pick a flower to harvest.
Before we started off, Farron warned, “But beware of the tulas. You will never find just one of them as they travel in packs.”
We spread out in pairs as we were trained to do.
Casper paired up with me. “Killian, what’s the plan when we get to Cassidy and Tyler?”
Normally, I didn’t like sharing my plan or lack thereof with my warriors until I was sure of our course of action. But I knew Casper cared about Cassidy and wasn’t just being nosey. “Well, I have no idea what this fortress is like, so the first challenge will be finding a way in. Then we’ll need to locate Tyler and Cass. Worst case scenario is if Rya has the ring and has imprisoned Tyler and Cassidy. So divide and conquer might be the way to go there, with half the team sent to rescue Tyler and Cass while the rest face Rya. But our main objective, above Cass and Tyler, is to get that ring back. Rya must not possess that ring during the final battle.”
He was quiet as we walked beneath the towering trees. Finally, he said, “I want to go with you to face Rya.”
I stopped to read his energy as this was not the response I expected from him. Casper cared deeply for Cass. I expected him to want to be part of the rescue mission. “Revenge?”
“Just promise you’ll let me be in the group that faces Rya.” Too bad I wasn’t as gifted at reading and interpreting energies as Angeline had been. But I could tell Casper had a lot of emotion bubbling beneath the surface.
“Found the Lamou!” Trina yelled from our left. We continued searching for the small weedy plant that bore tiny blue flowers known as Marya.
“Casper. What’s going on with you and Lena?” Now was a strange time to talk about their relationship but it was rare, as of late, for Casper and I to have moments alone.
“What do you mean?”
“Casper, don’t. I’m not an idiot. I know you both have feelings for each other. I just want to know how serious it is.”
“It’s pretty serious. Well, at least my feelings for her are.” He looked nervous.
“You know the Clan rules?”
“I do.” Casper’s eyes looked anywhere but at me.
“Do you also know that I disagree with those rules, at least the ones pertaining to relationships and marriage?” He looked surprised at the words I had just said. “But it’s important that you…”
“DEMONS!” Jet yelled. Casper and I ran into the clearing and found Farron lying lifeless with three demons battling my nearby hunters. Wicks, the young bandana wearing warrior I had sparred with weeks ago, had a dagger in the shoulder of one of them. Tarrin wrestled with another. Dammit! I had forgotten about the nearby gate. Casper and I ran toward them. Aiming my throwing star, I landed one in the eye of the demon that Wicks now wrestled with.
“Bind them!” I yelled, “Tehya! Some help!” Tehya was already running toward the fight. As she approached, she closed her eyes, and when she opened them, they were pure white—opposite of the demons' all black eyes. With her hands held out before her, she chanted something, making the demons freeze within an iridescent light. My arm warmed and I looked to see the Clan tattoo was glowing blue. All our tattoos glowed, reminding me of our connection to the legion of angels that fought for all that was good, right, and holy.
Thin rings of light oscillated around the demonic beasts and picked up speed till they, and the demons, vanished. “Good luck, Killian. I’ll try to hurry back.” She opened her palm, and floating above it was a small white light. She grabbed it with her fingers and stretched it into a thin ring. Then she raised it above her head and let go. The ring fell quickly but vanished, along with the angel.
We paused in awe, and I said, “I’ve never seen a demon bound in less than five seconds.”
A small sob drew my attention to Farron’s body. Siobhan knelt beside him, head hung low in mourning. I went to the girl.
Her strong front melted and her emotions flooded out. “He had saved me. And when I was free from the demon, he sheltered me, taught me to hunt. He helped me survive.” Tears began to stream and she took a deep breath.
“Siobhan, do you still want to come with us?”
She turned her face to mine. “Yes, now more than ever.”
“Farron wanted you marked. Do you know how to mark someone?”
“I can find it in his book. And try.”
“We are heading to the demon stronghold to retrieve our friends. Are you sure you want to join us?”
Her eyes were red and swollen. “There’s nothing left for me here. And if there’s a chance I can get home, I’ll take it.” I nodded at her.
“Sean!” I motioned for him to come over to us. “Sean, I need you to help Siobhan get this potion ready for her marking.”
“I’m not a Shaman, Killian.” It wasn’t a protest, just Sean’s reminder that he wasn’t skilled in this.
“I know that. And neither am I. But you have mixed potions in the med unit and are more skilled in similar fields. Just do your best.” I approached Casper. “We need to bury Farron. Dig a shallow grave with some of the men and gather as many rocks as you can find.” Then I asked Trina to find the Marya that was still needed.
Sean and Siobhan huddled over the old book. I joined them to see if they needed any help.
“Siobhan, these ingredients mixed together will be like pouring acid on your skin. And it says ‘You must accept the essence of the three worlds of the Shaman by repeating the procedure three times.’” Sean looked at Siobhan with concern in his eyes. “Siobhan, is this really necessary?”
“I will not have a demon take my body again. I will do whatever I have to do to prevent that.”
Sean looked at me for permission to continue. Left on his own he’d probably war with whether he should go forward with it, but I gave a nod of approval.
Trina ran up holding the other ingredient. “Found it!”
“Good work.”
Trina nodded at me.
“Now I need you to help with the burial.”
She ran off to join the other hunters.
Sean led us into the hut and got to work making the concoction. With Siobhan’s input, Sean seemed confident in the potion he created. “Ok, I think we are ready,” he said. “Siobhan, I need you to lie down on the pillows near the fire. Killian, I’ll need you to hold her arms.” Siobhan did as she was bidden. Sean came over. “I have to pin your waist to prevent you from thrashing around. This potion is going to hurt, and I don’t want it to scar you any more than we have to.” She nodded at his word. Then Sean sat gently on her waist while I held her arms above her head. Sean opened a small pouch he had tied to his waist and pulled out a thick strip of leather. “Hold this between your teeth; it will help.” He placed the leather strip horizontal in her mouth and she bit down on it. The mortar and pestle beside us contained a milky herb mixture. It looked healthful, not acidic. “Are you ready?”
She nodded.
Sean took the pestle coated in the concoction and pushed it gently against the skin above Siobhan’s heart. Her skin bubbled, and she screamed in pain.
Sean looked at the book and recited the words, “Open yourself, like the roots of the tree after the rainstorm, and drink in the power from deep down beneath the dirt. Here lies the essence of all that once was.” He removed the pestle and Siobhan’s cries changed to whimpers. But we weren’t done.
Sean dipped the pestle again and didn’t bother asking if she was ready for the next round. He just needed to get her through this fast. The pestle met her injured flesh and she arched her back as best she could with a 190-pound warrior sitting on her. “Now feel the inner strength create a strong shield, as a tree has a strong wooden exterior that protects it from damage.” He removed the pestle and a steady stream of tears flowed. “Almost done.” Sean said quietly to Siobhan. The pestle touched her skin again; the flesh around it was raw. Siobhan sobbed from the pain. “And like the branches of the tree shall you always reach high, soak up the love and light from the sun and let it fuel you and your shield.” He removed the pestle and wiped away any of the mixture from her flesh and added, “May God and his legion of angels be with you.” Sean rose and walked over to the fire. He returned a moment later with a wet cloth. Siobhan had folded in on herself and cried. My hand instinctively found her back and rubbed circles to let her know she was not alone.
Sean put his hand on Siobhan’s calf. “I need to see it Siobhan. Roll over, please.”
She obeyed. The skin had blistered out, looking like a sun with irregular shaped rays shooting from it. Sean set the wet cloth across her wound and spoke soothing words to her while holding her hand.
“I’ll leave you to tend to her. I’m gonna go see if Casper needs any help.”
“Thanks for the help, Killian.” Sean nodded at me.
Casper was chatting with Jet near the grave. The grave was dug and piles of medium sized rocks surrounded it. Warriors continued bringing rocks, but it looked like they were almost done.
“Looks like you got it all under control, Casper.”
“Yep, just finishing up. How’d it go in there? I heard the screams.”
“She did well. But we won’t know if it worked till we encounter demons and are at risk of possession.”
The last rocks were gathered and Farron’s body was placed in the grave. I turned back to the hut and was surprised to see Siobhan coming out with a blanket draped across her shoulders. Sean held around her waist, supporting her as they approached. As she neared, she pushed away from Sean and plodded toward the grave. Her eyes closed and her lips moved in silent prayers. There were no more tears. When she was done, she placed a small metal cross in his grave. Turning away, she nodded at me. I came over to her. “Siobhan, I’m sorry.” She leaned into me for comfort and I wrapped her in a hug. Casper and the Hunters covered the body with dirt and stone. Within just a few minutes, the last stone was placed, and I said, “We need to leave. Only take what you can carry easily. We have to hurry.”
At that moment, Tehya appeared, radiant as ever, but with a darkness around her eyes. "Gather close. I can bring you to the castle. Rya must not get her ring back."
We circled close around the angel, and another ball of light appeared over her palms. As before, it became a ring, floating above us, then falling. I was momentarily blinded by perfect white light.
Chapter Seventeen
Cassidy
The ring! I dove at the golden circle and put it on my finger. The wounds on my face and chest began closing, providing some relief from the painful slashes. With a loud thud, Tyler’s lifeless body hit the ground a few feet away. The demon who’d attacked me landed; the other who’d been holding Tyler turned to me. The two demons approached.
I stood, backing up. I couldn’t outrun them, as they could easily fly and grab me. Yet instinct had my feet moving away from them. As they closed the distance to just a few feet away, the one who had “washed me,” Felcher, stood and limped toward me. His wings were completely burnt.
Seeing him coming at me again triggered a change inside of me, like a wave of anger breaking. I put my hands out in front of me, anticipating the blue pulses that had emitted when I last faced demons. Only I no longer bore the Clan tattoo. Nothing happened. Dammit!
The demons approached, not worried in the least. Had the ring lost its power? No, Tyler had singed the wings of Felcher, but it had only worked on the one. And I was having no luck with getting it to do anything besides heal me. Tyler lay motionless on the ground. Was he even alive? I wanted to run to him, to save him, but I had three demons surrounding me.
