The Book Waitress Series Volume One (27 page)

“Sure, what?”

“Your mark. First of all, it glowed. Second, do you realize that it became brighter as that demon got closer to us?”

“You’re right. I’ll be damned if I know the significance of it. Well, I know I’m already damned, but you get my meaning.”

She slapped his arm and scoffed. “The significance of this, Synn, is that I’m the alert system for when they cross over. You’re the beacon that verifies who they are. Together, we can find them all.”

“So I get to burn along with you. The Ice Demon burns! What a total mindfuck!”

“It’s pretty crazy, but at least you’re able to self-medicate, for lack of a better term. And, you only have one mark, whereas I’m covered. Think you have enough frost in ya to take care of us both?” She raised her brow, teasing him.

He rubbed her shoulder lightly. “I got us covered. Literally.”

“We should keep a running total of additions and removals of Hell beasts so we know when we’re done. If we count up the days I’ve been afflicted and multiply by thirteen, we’ll get the total amount who have crossed over.”

“We can have Arnie set up a simple excel spreadsheet on his computer. I wonder what Derek and Mallory discovered.”

She bit her tongue. She’d wanted to say, each other, but did she dare to share that Derek cheated on her with Mallory? It seemed her loyalty to her relationship with Derek was the only thing keeping Synn from an all out assault on her heart. If she told him the truth of it, there would be nothing standing in his way of fully possessing her. Could she handle that? She wasn’t totally sure.

“Yes, that sounds like a great plan. Here we are, and there’s Derek’s car, so they’re back.” She pulled into one of the parking spots and put the car in park. Then, she put into back into drive and pulled straight up to the curb by the front door. “I own the damn place! I don’t need to park in a freaking spot!”

“That’s the way to take charge. Own your spot, Camille. Own it.”

They laughed as they walked in together, but she stopped as soon as she saw the solemn faces. “Why the long faces? What’s up?”

Derek spoke first. “We just came back from the pier. The guy who drove his car off of it was one of the road workers working on the paving over there. They’re supposed to be finished with it tomorrow. An eyewitness said he saw this car speed up and bust through all the cones and barriers, and then fly off into the water. I overheard a mainland police officer say there didn’t look to be any signs of a struggle to get out of the vehicle. He was still strapped into his seat.”

“Sounds like a man who’s given up on his life,” she said. “Not necessarily a demon.”

“He could have been demonically motivated, though. I bet we, humans, can be compelled to do anything, even take our own lives, if it suited a purpose, right Synn?” He nodded in agreement. “Arnie, let’s look into the nature of the road construction and the company. Something’s bound to come up if this isn’t a simple case of depression getting the better of a man.”

“I’m on it. Just give me the name of the company.”

Derek and he got down to it, and Mallory took out a lighter and cigarette.

“Synn and I caught our first demon,” Camille blurted out. “And he killed it.”

Everyone stopped what they were doing and swung around to look at them. If only she’d had a camera! Feeling smug, she smiled and patted him on the back.

“You let us talk on and on about this guy while you kept that gem to yourself? Holy shit, give us the details!” Arnie nearly bounced out of his seat with excitement.

“It’s true. And what’s even more incredible? He knows when they’re nearby.” She was about to say more, but he interrupted.

“Yup, we found out I can sense them when they get within a certain range. A mighty handy bit of business along with Camille’s alert system that they’ve crossed over.”

“Tell us how you knew,” Mallory pressed.

“His eyes glowed red and he took out every living person, including police, in the blink of an eye. He spotted our car, and as we coaxed him to follow us to a more private area, his running speed matched the car’s. When I shot him with one of the charmed guns, he fell to the ground and turned to ash. A body-shaped statue of ash.”

“What’d you do with him?”

“His clothes are in this bag, ready to be burned. I scattered the mound of ash throughout the dirt and grass around us.”

“Is my car okay?”

“Yes, Arnie, your baby is just peachy. I’ll have to buy you a new boogie board, though. Don’t ask.”

“Amazing. The first kill. And it wasn’t even done by a human. I need a smoke.” Mallory started to light up.

“Take it outside from now on, would you? I don’t want my home smelling like a cigarette factory anymore.” Mallory glared but said nothing as she walked past her to the front door. “We have a lot to discuss. Many things came to light while we were out. Because of this, Synn is prepared to help us create a successful operation. I hope you all are on board with him hanging around and being a part of this, because he’s not going anywhere.”

“Why not?” Queen Bitch called out as she stepped out on to the porch. “We’re a dysfunctional lot as it is. Why not add one more?”

She waited for Arnie and Derek’s response. Arnie, bold as ever, spoke first.

“I can’t deny he’s already helped us out tremendously with killing the first demon. But, he comes from Hell! I don’t trust him as far as I can spit. No offense, Synn.”

“None taken.” He smirked.

“I agree with Arnie. I know he has to be around for you, but that’s all the room I’m willing to give. We know what we’re doing here. We don’t need him to teach us how to run an operation like this.”

“Oh, really? So you knew what to expect when Synn shot the demon, did you? And you can tell who’s demon and who’s not, as well? Okay then, that settles it. You know it all, Mr. Bigshot Investigative Reporter!”

“Camille….” Synn rubbed her back, but she pulled away.

“Excuse me. I’m going outside to burn these damned clothes.”

She stormed off in search of matches, found them in a kitchen drawer, and stalked out the front door, to the huge garbage dump on the right side of the parking lot. It was hard to miss the noisy truck swing by earlier that morning, so she knew the container was good and empty. She lit a match and touched the flame to the hem of the shirt. It flared up and she tossed everything in. Smoke billowed out, and she felt a keen sense of satisfaction. One down, how many more to go?

But how would this whole endeavor get off the ground if half the people couldn’t agree to work together? Maybe they needed to split up. She could suggest that Mallory, Derek, and Arnie go track down and acquire the relics from around the world while she and Synn hunt down and annihilate the growing
demon population on the island. Both needed immediate attention, and the way she divided the duties assured the strongest teams were on the appropriate missions.

Anger receded as a calm determination set in, and she headed back up the stairs. Amidst protests, grabbed Mallory’s hand to pull her back inside. “Everyone, I have an announcement to make, so sit down.”

She waited until everyone had chosen a seat and finished plying her with questions. Pacing in front of them, she took a moment to gather her thoughts. When she had just the right wording, she began, hoping there wouldn’t be mutiny to follow. “I’ve made an executive decision that will change the entire scope of how things get done around here. First of all, we have two things to accomplish. Kill the demons and close the portal. We know how to close the portal. We have to collect specific objects. We know how to kill the demons. We have the weaponry. There are only five of us and we’re all here at the moment, unfocused, and not utilizing our talents and skills to the best of our abilities.

“So, Derek, Arnie, and Mallory. I’m sending you three to retrieve the relics. You’re investigators. You have passports and contacts, you’ve been all over the world already, and that’s your strength. Use it to gather these items as quickly as possible. Synn and I will hunt the demons down and kill them. I know when they’ve crossed over, and he knows when they’re near. We can coordinate our efforts and pick them off. That’s all.”

She waited for a cacophony of voices to assault her ears. She only heard one. “So, you want to send us away. To punish me. To make it impossible for us to ever get beyond my mistake.”

“Really, Derek? That’s what you’ve taken away from this? You don’t get it. It’s not about
us
anymore. It’s about saving the world. And we can’t do it without this two-prong approach occurring simultaneously. And I’m so beyond your mistake. I got my big girl panties on. When you have the details of your itinerary, let me know. Arnie, can you make a spreadsheet to log your whereabouts and the acquired pieces?”

“Sure, I can. I’ll use Dropbox for that and the demon hunt so we can all see the same files whenever we want.”

“Perfect.” She clapped her hands together. “Well, now that that’s settled, I’m starving. Hunting evil creatures really builds up an appetite. I feel like I could eat at least a dozen Hell hounds in one sitting! But I’d be just as happy with cold slice of pizza.”

Chapter Eight

Trying to eat anything turned out to be a fruitless quest. Creatures crossed through the portal in quick succession, leaving her breathless and with no desire to eat.. Synn cooled her down as soon as she mentioned the slightest burning sensation.

Derek stood by the kitchen door and watched on one of those occasions. He walked in and leaned against the counter. “I see you haven’t eaten much. Creatures kicking your butt?”

“Just a bit, yeah.”

“Can we talk? We’re going to be leaving soon, and I can’t go without settling what’s between us. I have things I need to say. You said your piece. I need to say mine.”

She turned to Synn. “Could you give us a minute, please?”

“Yup, I’m going. Call me as soon as you feel the slightest twinge.”

She smiled. “I will. So, come sit with me Derek. It’s peace time.”

“Nice play on words. Thanks.” He took a seat across the table from her. “First of all, I want to apologize, for so many things. First, for making assumptions where I shouldn’t have.”

“Let me guess. You assumed he and I slept together and would continue to do so.”

He nodded and hung his head low. “Second, I’m sorry for allowing my insecurities to blind me to that true perspective, which then led me to make that assumption. You were right. I’m weak and insecure and didn’t trust our love. I turned to alcohol and got so plastered I didn’t care who was on the other end of my dick. Pardon my brashness.”

“Mmm hmm.”

“I just want you to know,
I know
I made the biggest mistake of my life when I cheated on us. I hope someday you can forgive me for that. I hope that my time away will help make our coming back easier on us both.”

“Time usually heals everything, doesn’t it? To tell you the truth, right now I’m devastated by what you’ve done. But I’ll be damned if I’m gonna shed one tear over it. You don’t deserve them. I sent you home to sleep, Derek. I didn’t end our relationship. I was trying to take your feelings into consideration, knowing that Synn had to be near me all night long. Knowing how close our bodies needed to be for me to be all right. I knew it would be uncomfortable for us all, but you…you turned it into something ugly and did something even uglier. I loved you. I still do. But as for us…we’re broken, and there’s not enough super glue in the world to fix a break like this. So I think it’s best if we get on with our business. We have a world to protect.”

He sighed and rumpled his hair. “I understand. I don’t like it. And I’m not ready to give up on us yet. Jesus, I sure know how to screw things up, don’t I? While we’re away, maybe Arnie should be the liaison between all of us? It might be easier on us both.”

“Yes, that would be great. I wish you safe travels and success on retrieving the relics.”

He stood up and walked around the table to her. Pulling her up to stand before him, he wrapped his arms around her in an embrace that spoke volumes. Love, sorrow, repentance. Tears smarted at the corners of her eyes. She missed those arms and the comfort they used to provide. They felt different to her now. Where was the power and assuredness they once had? She pulled away and cleared her throat while swiping at the moisture lingering on her lashes.
No crying, no crying. I must be stronger than that. I’m a demon hunter now. Demon hunters don’t cry. At least this one won’t.

“We’re going to win this war against evil no matter how long it takes, Camille. Hold down the fort while we’re away. Kick a lot of demon ass and don’t feel the least bit guilty about it.”

“Right. Will do. Thanks for the pep talk. Now go and get ready, Relic Hunter.”

***

“So when were you going to tell me?”

Synn flopped down on the couch with the journal in his hand. It was dark out and “library quiet” in the transformed house. Camille sat on the opposite end, scanning through The Devil’s Handbook.

“Tell you what?” She didn’t look up.

“Oh, just that Derek and Mallory hooked up last night.”

She kept a poker face on. “How do you know they hooked up?”

“Please, the way they walked in this morning, the breakfast table banter, and the way you spoke earlier, it doesn’t take a genius to figure something like this out.”

She closed her book and set it aside on the coffee table. Crossing her hands on her lap, she kept her composure and explained. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to know.”

“Why not?”

“You’re a very charismatic creature, Synn. You would have swooped in and persuaded me to do something I wasn’t ready for and would have regretted. I couldn’t stop you from kissing me. How would I have been able to keep you at arm’s length long enough for me to deal with the betrayal? I needed, and still need, time to comprehend what’s happened.”

“What’s to comprehend? He screwed Mallory. Your relationship is over. We can be together. Pretty simple, if you ask me.”

“Of course it’s easy for you. Not only is he out of the picture, he’s now going to be out of the country, and I’m fresh meat for the taking. But Synn, I’m telling you, I’m not ready. Not for you or anybody else to make demands on me like that. Don’t push me and we’ll get along fine.”

“I’ll admit to having some devilish thoughts before, but I promise you now, I won’t press you. Whatever happens between us, Camille, will happen because it’s meant to be. Because we won’t be able to stop the inevitable.”

“Okay, then, let’s get back to the business at hand. Tell me something. That journal you’re holding shows pictures of demons and monsters. Did that guy today look like a regular human guy to you?”

“I didn’t want to say anything at the time because I didn’t want to scare you, but that guy was no human. That’s why I picked up the book. I wanted to look through it and see if I recognize what I saw today.”

“Damn. That’s good and bad. I’ve got to be able to see them, too. He looked like an average guy to me except for the eyes. Maybe there’s something in this book that tells me what I can do to gain that ability.”

“Look for a section that talks about disguises, flairs, glamour.”

“Okay.”

Comfortable silence settled in, the only sound being the turning of pages and the occasional scuffling sound from the periodicals department downstairs. She hoped John wasn’t wreaking havoc in the stacks. But if he was, she was sure Betina would clean up after him.

An idea kept tapping on her brain that her insecurities wouldn’t let go.

“Synn?”

“Hmmm?” He peered up from his page.

“Are you showing me the real you?”

He put his book down and scooted next to her. “What you see is what you get, lady. You’ve already seen my bluish hue on my stomach. If I’d stayed in Hell, I would have turned eventually into some kind of something you could draw in this here book. Beyond that, I can tell you, I’m very much a man.”

She coughed and cleared her throat. “Yes, that much I do know. You are very much a man… Shit.” She breathed in sharply. “Here’s another one coming across. I’m afraid there are still five more to go for today. Sorry, it’s gonna be another long night.”

He grabbed her hand and she felt the cooling threads find their way to the marks. “I’ve got no plans.”

She closed her eyes at the relief. She opened them after a few minutes. “Well, it’s been quite the day. I’m bushed. I’d like to turn in.”

Synn stood up and stretched. “I can park myself right outside your door. The minute I hear anything, I’ll come in.”

“Don’t be silly. At this point, staying in my room isn’t pushing it. It’s necessity.” She smiled and took his hand to lead him to her room.

She brushed her hair and braided it for bed. After changing into her comfy pajamas, she scooted under the covers and turned to face her demon savior lying beside her. “Good night, Synn. I’m glad you’re here. If you need anything, I’m here. I just wanted you to know I’m not always a defenseless damsel in distress. I have things to offer.”

“I’m not touching that with a ten foot pole.” He laughed heartily and then lowered his voice, sounding more serious and heartfelt than she’d heard him speak yet. “But I hear ya, Camille. Thank you. I appreciate it, and you more than you’ll ever know. Good night.” He leaned over, kissed the top of her head, and grabbed hold of her hand.

***

An insistent shake and hurried whisper ripped a nice dream from Camille’s mind. “Camille! Get up!”

“Mmm, what? What’s going on?”

“Get your clothes on quickly. I started burning! I cooled it, but shit, this means there’s a demon close by.”

“Hell. Okay, I’m up. I’m up.” She rushed on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and hopped into her sneakers. She scooted into the bathroom, splashed cold water on her face, and patted it dry. She refused to acknowledge the bloodshot eyes that looked back at her, questioning her sensibilities.

He banged lightly on the door. “Are you ready in there?”

She swung the door open and said, “Yeah, yeah. Where is it?” She scrambled past him to the office.

“I’m not sure, but with my ultra-sensitive hearing, I know something’s messing around out back. I think we should go for the knives or bow and arrows. It’s too late to be firing a gun. It would bring too much attention. Pick your poison.” He grabbed a broadsword from the table and swung it around, looking very much like a time-travelling highlander.

She chose the knives she’d been practicing with and slid them into holsters wrapped around her forearms.

“Good choice. This will be a great learning time for you. Put your practice into play.”

“Great.” She rolled her eyes and took a deep breath, hoping resolve and courage was mixed in with the air molecules. “I promise that if there’s something out there, I will do my part to get rid of it.”

“Awesome, let’s go.”

Out the back door they went. It was darker than dark until her eyes adjusted.
Don’t look at the well. Don’t look at the well. Breathe. Walk. Search.
Every step she took she partnered with a word from her mantra. She engaged the knives, one in each hand, and stalked next to Synn. Keeping her wits about her, she constantly did a visual sweep of the land around them. Her heart couldn’t decide whether to go to the pit of her stomach or rise up her throat.

Synn tugged her shirt and motioned that he saw something toward the back of the property. She turned to look, and sure enough, a pair of fiery red eyes blinked occasionally and moved slowly towards the empty lot next to the library. They raced as quietly as they could across the grass. No flashlights made the whole attempt risky at best, but she forged on as best she could right beside him.

As they closed the distance between it and them, its definition became clearer. She saw a hunched over man holding a bottle. This was their demon? She caught Synn’s attention and threw him a non-verbal question to which he answered with a huge nod. Damn, he looked like someone’s grandfather had lost his way after walking out of his home in the middle of the night. She decided to actually go with that idea, in order to approach without causing suspicion and hoped Synn would catch on.

“Hello there, sir. Sir? Have you lost your way? Can I help you?” No response. Nothing. She kept up her march and gained on him with Synn following close behind. “I see you’re all alone and this here’s my property you’re walking through. Is there someone I can call for you?”

He stopped and glared at her with demonic eyes. “You can call my master, Satan, and tell him I’m bringing in another sorry soul.” With that, he rose to his full height and lunged for her, but she dodged his effort at the last moment, causing him to tumble on the ground. Synn, with all due speed, leapt on top of the demon and thrust the sword through his back. From Camille’s angel, she could have sworn the blade ran straight through to the ground and then some. He left it there for a few moments. She wondered why he hadn’t immediately turned to dust.

“Dear Lord, he was a demon, wasn’t he? We didn’t just kill an innocent man, did we?”

“Oh no, he’s a real demon, all right. The charm’s just taking its good old time turning him to dust. Ah! There he goes.”

“Good. We’ve got a shed on the property right over here. I’ll go get us a shovel.” She dashed over, opened the rotting door and found a couple of shovels they could use and a small wheel barrow. She wheeled everything back to the mound of dead demon. “Here, let’s get down to smashing.”

She received a huge grin from her own personal demon, and knew she’d made a huge leap in her learning and acceptance. Admittedly, she enjoyed smashing the transformed body into dust. With each pound of the shovel, she gained more and more self confidence. With the two of them working, it only took a few minutes before they were done.

“We can spread it under the trees, don’t you think?”

“Yup, good idea.”

“Hey! Wait a minute! These ashes won’t turn the land evil, will it? What if we start growing evil trees, like from Wizard of Oz or something?”

“I honestly have no idea. It sounds so ridiculous, but maybe we should rethink what we do with these dead buggers.”

“We already tossed one evil dude. I’m a bit concerned about doing more. Where can we put them? Oh! I know! I know! Let’s toss them in the well! I mean, that’s where they came from, right? So why not send them back?” She clapped her hands, so proud of her ingenious idea.