The Artifact of Dissium (Demona Book 2) (4 page)

“I get that the possession is unusual, but why is it so unusual that you couldn’t just do it with more believers present?” Demona asked.

Molony spoke up. “A priest is the representation of
Aleph
on earth. The ordination they go through binds them to the Supreme Being. Anyone ordained makes a commitment to allow
Aleph
to work through them.”

“It’s more than just a commitment, it’s a bond. At least for those who truly believe what they say when they take the oath to
Aleph
. Even more so for those who are ordained through the Council,” Ezekiel said.

That’s what my father said on the phone in my flashback. He talked about a Council.
“What’s the Council?”

“Felix, this is all yours. Let’s see how much of your training you remember,” Molony said.

“Okay. The Council is made up of the seven highest ranking elders of the GLC. They’re the ones with the firmest belief in
Aleph
. They’re the ones with the ability to give priests or pastors an ordination that somehow binds them to
Aleph
in a sort of contract.” He looked to Ezekiel for confirmation.

“Good answer. At least that’s the simplest answer. The whole process is very complex and hard to explain, unless you’ve studied the ancient scripture,” Molony said.

“So, since the ordained have this bond with
Aleph
, they have an almost unlimited amount of spiritual energy to keep them strong in faith and guard them against the evil of the world. It helps them to keep their composure and fight the good fight,” Ezekiel replied. “Somehow the afreet was able to overpower the spiritual energy from
Aleph
in order to complete the possession.”

“So, what does all of this mean?” Hannah asked.

“It means that since the priest’s spirit is still technically alive inside the body with the demon, so is the spiritual connection. And according to the journal entry…” Ezekiel read from the book. “If a possession of one of the ordained that has a spiritual bond to
Aleph
is completed, the demonic spirit will be able to feed off of that energy.”

Knots formed in Demona’s stomach.

“That doesn’t sound good,” Kaleb said.

“No, it doesn’t,” Ezekiel said. He snapped the book shut and sat it on the table.

Demona shifted her weight from one leg to the other. “That would explain why he’s able to shift forms so easily without draining his energy. It also explains why he didn’t need to stay close to people for an energy source.”

“So, you’re saying that this demon has an infinite amount of energy?” Felix asked. Felix had asked the question everyone else had been afraid to.

“Yes,” Ezekiel said.

The room was tense and nobody spoke. Everyone glanced around at one another. They all realized how truly dangerous a demon with that kind of power could be.

“Well, what do we need to do?” Demona bent down and flipped through a book.

“Constantine speaks of an artifact that can prevent the demon from using the spiritual energy, some kind of an energy blocker. He just uses the words the artifact and gives no other explanation,” Ezekiel said.

Demona chewed on her lip. “Could the Council help?”

Ezekiel looked at her and then to Molony. They both burst into laughter at the same time. Kaleb, Hannah, Rowena, Felix, and Demona looked at one another as if they had been left out of a private joke.

“I don’t get it,” Felix said.

“It’s time for a road trip,” Molony replied.

Chapter 4:

Road Trip

The decision had been made quickly about who would make the journey to meet the Council. Molony chose to g
o, because of his role as elder. Felix was chosen because of his newly initiated status as a member of GLC. Finally, Demona was chosen, because of her connection with the demon, the prophecy, and other events that had taken place.

Demona stood outside the old brick headquarters watching Felix and Kaleb goof off, as usual. Then, she looked at Ezekiel with concern across her face. “I should be here in case Darius sends word about his decision.”

“Don’t worry, Demona. If Darius sends a message we will get it to you, as soon as possible,” Ezekiel said. His arm was draped around Gale’s waist, as they watched the younger adults exchange goodbyes.

“Ezekiel, may I speak to you for a second,” Demona asked. She nudged her head away from the crowd.

“Of course,” He stepped away from Gale and walked just outside of earshot of the others. “What is it?”

Demona rubbed her arm. “The Council. Remember that flashback I told you about. The one… the conversation I overheard. My father mentioned the Council. I think he was speaking to someone who worked with them, or something.”

“That is news. I wonder if your parents were neutral beings...When you get to where you are going. Speak to Madam Elder on this matter. She may be able to give you some indication of what it means, or if they know of your parents. I will pray that
Aleph
guides you to the answers you seek.” He rested his hand on Demona’s shoulders and they walked back towards the group.

“I wish I could go with you!” Hannah said. She hugged Demona tightly.

“Me too…but humans aren’t allowed, remember?” Demona said. “I’ll bring you back a souvenir.”

Hannah giggled at the thought. She hugged Demona once again. “Be careful!”

Ileana approached Demona with a bag in hand. “Here are what rations I could find on short notice. Hopefully they will hold you off for awhile.”

Demona nodded. “Thanks, it gives me a little more peace of mind.”

Kaleb and Felix did a fist pump. “Safe travels, man.”

“Where are we going, anyway?” Demona asked. She made her way around the front of Molony’s green sedan.

“Shotgun!” Felix called. He hopped into the passenger’s seat beside Molony.

Demona glared at him and took her seat in the back of the car.

“Virginia,” Molony said.

Demona was taken aback. “You’re kidding.”

“Come on Demona, you should be happy. You get to spend eight hours in the car with me.” Felix turned around and gave her one of his overly enthusiastic smiles.

Demona peered out the back of the sedan as the GLC headquarters grew smaller in the distance. Then, she turned to watch the trees pass by as they drove down the road. They passed a road sign that read Interstate 81. The road ahead of them seemed to stretch on forever only slightly curving in one direction, or another. Demona fidgeted in the back seat.
This is going to be a long ride.

Demona hoped that the ration, which Ileana had obtained, would be enough to hold her off for the entire trip. She hated to think what would happen if she lost control, especially that they were so far from home and she was without a safe place to run to if her hunger took over. She listened to Molony and Felix as they discussed the different self-defense tactics. Demona rested her head against the window and dazed at the autumn scenery that blurred past.

****

The car hit a pot hole. Demona made a grunt as she was startled awake. Her eyes popped open to meet two wide blue eyes as Felix gazed at her. He was staring at her over the headrest. He seemed slightly embarrassed by the glare she directed at him, but his eyes remained firm as he stared.

“Felix!” Demona searched for something to throw at him.

“What? I can’t help it that you are beautiful.”

Demona narrowed her eyes at him and blushed slightly. “Stop staring at me.”

“Hey, you can only look at trees and asphalt so much before you start to get antsy.” Felix’s smile grew.

Demona scowled more and refused to show any other emotion.
Why does he torment me?
She knew that even though Felix was annoying at times, it was still sweet that he had looked back to check on her. Demona readjusted in her seat and looked for a road sign to indicate where they were. She saw a sign for West Virginia.

“Where exactly in Virginia are we going?” Demona asked.

“That, I can’t tell you. There are rules I must follow,” Molony said.

“Well, can you at least tell me how much longer?” Demona asked.

“We’re about halfway there.”

Demona glanced at the clock on the dash board. They’d been driving for about four hours.
Ugh! Four hours!
She slumped in her seat and once more returned her gaze to Felix.

“So, tell me about this place we are going to see this… Council,” Demona said.

“It’s called Gleannbroch,” Molony said. “It’s our main headquarters. What we think of as the headquarters back home is really more of like an outpost.”

“What’s it like?” Demona asked.

“You’ll have to wait. I don’t want to ruin the surprise.” Molony continued to focus on his driving.

Felix shrugged. “I’ve only heard some stuff about it. I have a feeling you are going to love it, though.”

Demona sat there wondering what kind of a surprise Molony would ruin by giving her details. She imagined something along the lines of Terra Hollow with all of its eerie wonder.
Probably something underground, secret, and creepy
.

Molony pulled the car off at a rest stop somewhere within the borders of Virginia. They had been traveling that long road, Interstate 81, the entire way. Demona appreciated the break; it had been the first they had taken since she woke. She got out of the car and stretched her legs as Molony and Felix went into the convenience store for some snacks and sodas. Felix came out of the store with a bag full of junk food to find Demona leaning up against the side of the car.

Felix stood beside her and searched through his bag for a snack. He found one, pulled open a bag of chips and began munching. “Are you ready for this?”

“Sure, why not?”

“I don’t know, because you’ll be surrounded by light beings. And be the center of attention…because of who you are.”

“Yeah, I don’t think that is going to change anytime soon. That is unless I decide to lose myself among the humans, or something. At least then nobody would know me as the
Mythos
.”

Felix’s head snapped up at the idea of Demona wanting to disappear. “You wouldn’t do that, would you?” His deep blue eyes searched Demona’s face carefully.

“No. It’s just sometimes I wish I could go back in time to before I found out about the prophecy, when things were simple.”

“But that would mean you would have never met me.” Felix pouted. “How could you possibly imagine your life without this guy?” He used his thumb to point at himself.

Demona shoved him in the side causing him to lose his balance. He almost lost his stockpile of food before catching the tilting bag with his free hand. Demona was surprised at how quickly he had recovered. She wondered if his training was the cause of the change or if it had been something else. They both looked up as Molony made his way towards them.

“Ready to go?” Molony asked.

“Yup,” Demona said.

The three of them slid into the car, but before Molony put the car in gear he turned to Demona. “I’m sorry I have to ask you to do this.” He handed her a bandanna. “I need you to slip this over your eyes. It’s the rules. While you might be the chosen one, you are still a dark being.”

“Great, the only thing that was keeping me somewhat sane was looking out the window and now I can’t even do that.” She looked at Molony disapprovingly. “But I get it,” Demona said. She slipped the bandanna over her eyes and tied it behind her head.

“Don’t worry, Mona. I’ll entertain your ears,” Felix said. He sang a round of a silly version of
Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall
, before Demona attempted to blindly try to smack him in order to get him to stop. Then, he went off to more of his cheesy knock knock jokes.

It brought the memory of their first date back. It was the first time Demona had seen him after she rescued him from the Lilitu demon. She had been too afraid to admit it then, but now she wished she could go back and do it all over again. She would have asked him to stay with her, or at least she would have tried harder to keep in touch with him after he had gone to Florida.

Suddenly she felt as if the blindfold was slowly disappearing and her eyes took in dim lighting that began to grow brighter. She shielded her eyes.

****

Demona stood on a street corner waiting to cross the road to her bus stop. She was always first to the stop, before any of the other kids. She enjoyed the silence before the teasing and bickering of the other children began. She stood with her back against a tree trunk and listened to a crow caw somewhere in the distance. She toyed with the pleats on her plaid uniform skirt.

A man walked down the sidewalk, but Demona paid him no mind. That was, until she noticed him staring at her strangely. Then, he abruptly stopped next to her. Demona turned in his direction without making a sound and found the man’s eyes glued to her every movement.

“Hello, dear,” the man said with a strange accent. He wore an expensive looking suit, had a shaved head, and a goatee.

“Uhh, hi,” Demona said. She turned away from the creepy man and hoped that he would go away.

He walked around to stand in front of her.

Demona attempted to move away from him, but he caught her arm with a cold grip. She struggled to break free from his grasp. “Look, I’m not going to be the only one at this bus stop real soon. You better find someone else to bother,” Demona said. She looked in the direction of her foster home, while hoping to see more of the children making their way for the bus stop.

“I have just one question to ask of you,” the man said, “and then I will be on my way.”

His unsettling stare made Demona’s heart thump quicker. The man had seemed familiar somehow.
How do I know him
? She tried to think of where she had seen him before, but it escaped her. She tried to steady herself and looked the man in the eyes defiantly. “Fine, what’s the question?”

“Do you know who you are?” he asked.

As Demona stared into the cold dark eyes she felt a growing discomfort creep over her body. A sensation of ice flowing through her veins traveled from her feet to her head. Suddenly she felt dizzy. She shook the feeling off and ran the words that the man had just spoken through her head. The odd sensation began to dissipate. Her brain felt as if a fog slowly rolled through it and she could once again think clearly.

The man released his grip and took a step backward. “Are you going to answer me?”

Demona stared at him in confusion. “Sorry, what?”

“Your name… What is your name, child?” The man stared at her intently as he waited for an answer.

It took a moment for Demona to think of the answer. “I-I’m Demona Bower.”

“Bower, is it? Well then I must have the wrong person,” the man said. He peered at her a moment longer, before turning and walking away.