Ryker, page 3
“I am looking for a Warlock who came into our Realm and killed them.” The Orthon informed them then pointed directly at Daniel. “Was it you?”
“Not a Warlock.” Daniel said as if bored. “The Warlock you seek is here looking for the human girl also.”
“Listen, I’m done with the chitchat bullshit.” Raven said pointing her blade at him. “We are going to pass you without issues or kill you without issues, either way we will pass and continue our search. The choice is yours.”
“Pretty fair choice of options.” Daniel gave her a nod.
“I thought so.” Raven said, then glanced at him. “Best get your weapon ready. I don’t think he is smart enough to pick the first option.”
“You worry about your ass, and I’ll worry about both of our asses.” Daniel said, then glanced behind them. “Call them off Orthon or they will all die.”
“Shit.” Raven hissed. “You didn’t bring a weapon?”
Daniel just gave her that irritating smirk just as everything happened at once. One minute she was waiting for dumbass to make his choice and the next Daniel was spinning with one hand outstretched. She slowly turned her head shocked. Anything that was in the path of Daniel’s outstretched hand dropped to the ground.
“What in the actual fuck?” Raven’s eyes gasped staring wide-eyed at what was happening.
“Watch out!” Daniel shouted the warning too late. Hot burning pain seared her back as one of the Dead Walkers slashed out with its jagged nails. Instantly Raven went into fight mode and began slashing anything that moved near her.
The onslaught didn’t last long because most of the Dead Walkers began slowly backing up. It was something she had never seen before. Anytime she had fought the fuckers they were relentless. Even when they were losing, they didn’t give up, they were too dumb to give up. But that is exactly what they were doing now. What she also noticed was the fear in their eyes as they stared at something beyond her, and she had a feeling she knew exactly what it was they feared. Daniel.
Raven turned to see Daniel’s eyes a solid white, no longer swirling as they glared at the Dead Walkers who were backing away. His mouth moved as if mumbling, but no words were coming out.
“It’s true!” The Orthon’s voice was full of wonder as well as fear.
“What’s true?” Raven asked, but when he didn’t answer she turned to glare at him. “What is true?” She shouted glancing between Daniel whose eyes were back to their normal swirling and the Orthon.
“Demon Slayer.” Orthon said, then backed away until he disappeared into the shadows.
Daniel stared at where the Orthon disappeared until finally he turned to look at Raven who was watching him closely. “Guess that answers your question.”
“What question?” Raven said absently trying to process what she just witnessed.
“What I am.” Daniel said, then turned and continued to walk.
Raven just stood there in shock. For as long as she had been a Dark Guardian, she had heard the Lore that went around the Underworld, even beyond the Demon Realms. It was foretold that one day all Demons would be judged by a single living being. And this living being would be fair, but just in his judgement. He would be of great power, matching the power of Satan himself and would vow his life to the duty of being the Demon Slayer.
“Holy shit.” Raven said as her eyes slowly went to Daniel. “Holy fucking shit.”
“You done or you need a minute with your Holy shit moment.” Daniel called out as he slowed, then turned to look at her over his shoulder. “It’s just me, Raven. Daniel. What I was destined to be has not changed who I am.”
“You’ve known all along?” Raven whispered, but Daniel heard her as if she was right next to him.
“Yeah, I’ve known for a while.” Daniel said and she saw a brief shadow of sadness flash in his eyes before it was gone. “And now so do you and soon so will everyone else.”
Raven moved quickly making her way toward Daniel who had stopped to wait for her. “You’ve carried this knowledge alone all this time? Why?”
“Not alone.” Daniel said staring at her with those crazy yet beautiful eyes. “My dad knows, but that’s it.”
“Holy shit.” Raven gasped. “Duncan knows and has never told Sloan?”
“Have you suddenly turned religious with all the Holy shits?” Daniel teased with a sad smile.
“I was a Dark Guardian.” Raven snorted also trying to lighten the mood. “We are religious. Shocker I know, but it goes with the territory.”
Daniel nodded, then glanced away. “Listen I would appreciate it if you’d keep this to yourself for a little while and let me approach this on my own terms. I’ve asked the same from my father and I ask the same from you.”
“Of course.” Raven said touching his arm. “But promise me when you tell the Dark Guardians I want to be there when they find out they’re out of a job and will have to transfer completely to the VC Warriors.”
Daniel actually laughed. “You got it.”
“Awesome.” Raven said, then did something totally out of character. She hugged him tightly. “I’m here for you, Daniel. Anytime you need someone to talk to I’m here.”
Daniel hugged her back, then smiled as he pulled away. “Thanks Raven. You’re a good friend.”
Not comfortable with compliments she shrugged her shoulder. “I’m a pain in the ass, but I’m a good listener.”
He didn’t comment, just gave her another smile then turned and headed in the direction they had been going. Raven was a few steps behind him still mouthing the words…Holy shit.
CHAPTER 4
Ryker walked with Tarek still not fully trusting the Demon, but no one was giving him any issues as they walked through the Realm. Time wasn’t on his side, and he didn’t need the distraction of killing shit.
“Tell me something about this human female you are searching for.” Tarek broke the silence.
Glaring his way Ryker remained silent. No way would he discuss Susan to a Demon no matter if he was helping him search for her.
Tarek sighed loudly. “Listen, you are going to have to trust me. I know Pyro. If your human is strong willed, he will get bored very quickly and either sell her to another Demon or kill her.”
Ryker growled knowing what Tarek said was true. It was true of most Demons. They were lazy bastards whose attention span was worse than a child.
“Or if she is weak, he will keep her for his own and for the moment she will be safe.” Tarek ignored Ryker’s growling. “So, which is she?”
“We best hurry.” Ryker answered without answering directly. There was nothing weak about Susan.
“Shit.” Tarek said shaking his head picking up the pace. “Come on.”
Ryker followed him into a shack that smelled of rotten flesh. His eyes scanned the darkened hut like structure, aware of everything around him as his hand tightened on the machete.
Suddenly a fire in the cauldron of the room flamed to life. Behind it stood a caped shadow. “How dare you bring a Warlock into my home.” A woman’s gravelly voice spoke with a hiss. “Leave me or suffer the consequences.”
“Watch it, Hag or I will burn this hovel to the ground with you in it.” Tarek warned his voice deadly, yet calm. “We are looking for a female human.”
“You will not find her here.” She responded with such hatred Ryker felt it. “Leave…while you still can."
The fire flamed brighter just as the woman pulled her cape off her head. Ryker’s eyes narrowed as he stared into the hideous troll like face of a Night Hag, a dark witch who controlled dreams with nightmarish results. The blue violet hue of her skin gave her away.
“As soon as you tell me where I can find the human we will leave, but not before.” Tarek stopped Ryker from raising his machete with his hand and a shake of his head.
The Hag’s laugh cackled through the room as sparks flew from the fire. “Did you know…” The Hag began looking over their heads to the door they just walked through. “he is here?”
“She.” Tarek sighed. “We are looking for a…she.”
“No, you insolent idiot.” The Hag sneered at Tarek, then her eyes snapped at Ryker. “He knows of him.”
“What in the hell are you talking about, Witch?” Tarek sneered back obviously getting tired of the back and forth as was Ryker.
“You have two seconds to tell us what you know of the female.” Ryker stepped in tired of the games. Time was ticking away, and he was close to tearing the Realm apart Demon by Demon, Witch by Witch.
“You have friends here Warlock, not far behind.” The Hag responded taking a step closer to the fire, then she turned her attention to Tarek. “Your days are numbered, Demon, for the Lore has come to pass.”
“He’s here!” Tarek said with excitement, then glanced quickly at Ryker before clearing his throat. The excitement totally gone from his voice. “You’re losing it, Hag. That is just stories from hundreds of years of bullshit just to keep us in line.”
Ryker noticed that odd moment, his eyes going back and forth between Tarek and the Hag. Something wasn’t adding up.
Her laugh cackled louder than the fire. “He will have swirling eyes that seek and see the darkness of evil within us all. He will have a name given to him from a book no evil can touch, but many have tried. He is the one who can interrupt dreams and visions to find the truth behind the lies.”
“I know the Lore, prophecy or whatever you want to call it.” Tarek growled, but Ryker noticed he was becoming more and more uncomfortable as the Hag spoke. “It’s all bullshit and lies. Shut up! Now!” There was warning and as well as a threat in Tarek’s tone.
Ryker had also heard the stories passed on, changed, and twisted for hundreds of years. It was said a male will be born through tragic circumstances with a power that matched no other on earth. He will separate the good from evil, keep evil in its place. There will be a war between all who inhabit the earth. What struck him was the new information he had never heard before. The man would have swirling eyes. He only knew one person in his long lifetime that had swirling eyes and that was Daniel. “It couldn’t be.” Ryker whispered to himself, but the Hag’s head snapped toward him.
“Oh, but it is, Warlock.” The Hag laughed as if in glee. “The Demon Slayer is here. What a glorious day it is in the Demon Realm.”
At that moment Ryker felt the world shift because if what she said is true and what he thought was true everything would change. He looked toward Tarek who had true fear in his eyes, as well as something else, excitement. But why would a Demon be excited about a Lore coming to life that could possibly be the end to all evil.
* * *
Raven was still trying to process what had just transpired with Daniel. He was acting all calm, cool and collected while she was in a state of shock. She needed to get her shit together because not being fully aware in the Realm could be deadly, but then again, she was walking side by side with the prophecy…Daniel the Demon Slayer.
“Hey sweetie.” A woman’s voice called out as they moved through town. “I do women too and can show you a really good time.”
Raven turned to look at the woman who was running her hands up and down her body. The Succubus was no doubt beautiful. Raven’s body reacted to the woman and her beauty, but she had no intentions of ever falling prey to these lover Demons. She had heard stories of Dark Guardians who had dealings with these female Demons and the praises in their sexual abilities was quite impressive. Very high praises from both male and females. Because Dark Guardians were not human, they were immune to the nasty aftereffects of fucking a Succubus…lucky them.
Feeling it wise to just ignore the Succubus, Raven looked away as they continued, but once again her body responded. Her pussy throbbed as her nipples tightened painfully. Damn, this Succubus was trying hard and honestly if she wasn’t Mated to Charger, she may have taken her up on the offer because right now she was horny as fuck. There was no defense against the feelings these Demons put out, you were either strong enough to walk away or you gave in to the feelings.
“Damn.” Raven cursed forcing herself not to stick her hand down her pants to take care of the raging orgasm she so desperately wanted to have right now.
“What about you?” The Succubus’s husky voice was now aimed toward Daniel. “Anything you want me to do I can do, baby. She can watch if you you’d like, or she can participate.”
Okay that pretty much was like a cold shower. Raven was ready to turn and curse her, but Daniel beat her to it.
“Go away.” Daniel spoke only two words, but the Demon fell back as she stared at him. Her fear palpable. Her head dropped in shame as she faded into the shadows.
“That was impressive.” Raven said with raised eyebrows.
“Close your mind, Raven.” Daniel said without missing a step. “And stop trying to figure out what I am and focus.”
“I am focused.” Raven lied with a little attitude.
Daniel snorted but didn’t say anything else. Damn, did he know how the Succubus had affected her. Okay, that was an embarrassing thought. Glancing at the bar they were passing Raven decided to quickly change the subject. “Shouldn’t we be investigating some of these buildings?”
“Ryker was there but is gone.” Daniel said not even looking toward the bar. “Whatever information he received won’t do us any good. We either find Ryker or Susan.”
Raven didn’t respond, but she did wonder when Daniel became the lead in their search for Susan and why she was allowing it. There was so much mystery around Daniel but still she was willing to put her trust into him and that was saying a lot. Not many people earned her trust so quickly, but Daniel had. The initiation into the VC Warriors sealed the deal for her where Daniel was concerned.
Something flew past her head making her duck and pull her sword. “Fucking Imps.” Raven cursed glaring at the small, winged creature. Suddenly the sky above them darkened even more. Looking up she snarled. “We got company again.” She frowned hating the thought of fighting a hundred of them. They were a total pain in the ass. “Hey, do that hand thing again and get rid of these pesky fuckers.”
When Daniel didn’t answer she looked over at him to see him staring straight ahead, his body tense as his eyes swirled in concentration. Slowly her gaze went to where his were directed and she cursed again. At least fifty Hamatula’s stood in an organized formation blocking their path. These patrollers were tall humanoid-like Demons weighing over three hundred pounds and covered with sharp barbs. Their horn shaped hands ended in razor like nails that could with one swipe decapitate anything in its way faster than Damon the Decapitator. Their eyes were vigilant as they shifted quickly in motion making them look agitated.
“Guess they heard about you.” Raven whispered as they all stared at Daniel. “News sure does travel fast in the Demon Realm. You think it’s the new welcoming committee?”
“Looks that way.” Daniel chuckled at that. “Be ready to get behind me if things go south.”
Raven glanced behind them then cursed. “Yeah, well, as big of a badass that you are I think you might need some backup.” Raven glared at the closest Hamatula in warning. “We’ve got about fifty or so more behind us.”
“I know.” Daniel replied in such a calm manner that Raven’s gaze snapped back at him. “I can’t get them all, so be ready to use that blade if it comes down to it.”
Raven’s eyes scanned the Hamatula’s who were practically foaming at the mouth as they glared at Daniel. “Yeah, I think it’s going to come down to it very soon.”
“Let us pass and you will not be harmed.” Daniel announced, but his announcement was met with nothing other than silence as they continued to glare at Daniel.
Suddenly the silence became grunts of laughter. “Maybe put some heat behind your command next time.” Raven whispered from the side of her mouth. “I’m thinking they aren’t taking you serious.”
“Why don’t you try.” Daniel whispered back with a smirk.
Taking a step forward she twirled her blade. “I am a Dark Guardian.” Raven’s voice rose above the laughter. “And I’m here on business. The law says you must let us pass.” She lied by substituting am for was a Dark Guardian. They didn’t need to know she was no longer a Guardian. Demons were idiots.
“There are no laws here, Guardian.” The one who seemed to be the leader bellowed, then thumped his chest. “We make the laws here, not you.”
“Didn’t he just say there isn’t any laws?” Raven snorted shaking her head at the dumb fuck.
“Word is you are the Demon Slayer.” The leader’s voice boomed in the stale air totally ignoring Raven.
“I am Daniel.” Was Daniel’s reply. “Call me what you will. It doesn’t change the fact that we will be passing you.”
“Cover my back Raven.” Daniel ordered; his voice more serious than she’d ever heard it. “And don’t die on me.”
“Same.” Raven frowned as she pressed her back against Daniels’ raising her sword toward the bastards behind them. “Duncan will have my ass.”
“And Charger will have mine.” Daniel countered then addressed the horde of creatures looking ready to tear them apart. “We are here to find a human female who was brought here. This is none of your concern. Let us pass and you will live. Don’t let us pass and you will die. The choice is simple. This will be the last warning I give you.”
“Nice.” Raven said, her eyes scanning the Hamatula’s slowly advancing toward them. “But I don’t think they are listening.”
“There are two of you and over a hundred of us.” The leader boasted just as the horde raised their claw like hands in the air in a battle cry. “We will not be moving…boy.”
“Then you will die.” Daniel’s answer angered the horde as the leader on Raven’s side headed straight toward her.
“Shit.” Raven hissed prepared to do whatever she had to do to survive this shitshow.
