Torment (39 page)

“My parents back.”

“OK, and say you had to make a deal with the Devil for that to happen. Would you do it?”

“Without a second thought.”

“But what if Marley didn't like the deal?”

“She would have to…she would have to understand,” she admitted.

“There you go then. Danny really wanted this. As soon as he knew Eligos needed to replace Carlos he was there. Jesus, he killed himself for it. Doesn’t that tell you how much he wanted it?”

“Why didn't you kill him?” Marley asked.

“Because he would have gone to Heaven,” Eligos told her. “He didn't want that, and suicide is a sin…That way, he would go to Hell.”

“So you’re part of Eligos’s army?” Lily said calmly. She was the only one who actually looked genuinely happy for him.

“Yeah, I am,” Danny told her. “I’m one of his Captains.”

“Congratulations!” she said, walking over to him and hugging him.

“Thank you, Lily.”

The others looked at her, well, in disgust really, but she didn't care; as long as he was happy, she was happy for him.

Everyone went quiet and Danny walked out of the room. I sat there for a moment staring out in front of me. I could feel them all looking at me but I wasn’t going to say anything. It would have only caused an argument. A minute later Tyler walked out, and I heard him slam one of the doors off the hallway.

“He’s jealous,” Lucian said.

“Of what?” Lily asked.

“A few things.”

“Care to elaborate?” Marley said.

“It started off the four of us – me, him, Jake and Danny. Then, Keira and Lily came, which we were all really pleased about. Tyler and Keira were close, always laughing together and messing around. Then Eligos turns up. At first he didn't mind him being there; in fact he was glad. He saved Keira’s life. Then…Keira died. It broke his heart. When she came back…I can’t tell you how he felt. How we all felt. But he had feelings for her, quite strong ones too. Then he learns that Eligos is going to be around a lot; he saw the way they looked at each other, and he knew what they felt for one another. So he got jealous. Then his friend, one of his best, befriends Eligos, which Tyler could have done if he hadn't been such a jackass.”

“You mean Danny,” Beth said.

“Yes, they got along from the word go. Then Keira and Eligos got together. He found out what she was; now Danny is the same. Nothing’s changed for him. We’re all in relationships, well, apart from you, Marley,” he said, looking at her, “but that's by choice. Tyler says he doesn’t want a relationship. But he does and he has for a long time, and he thought that maybe he could have had Keira. It’s hard holding down a relationship with normal people when you have to constantly lie and keep things from them. With Keira, he didn't have to do that. Anyway, because he’s been a jerk, they aren’t as close as they used to be. Nowhere near, and it upsets him. He knows he’s a jerk; he just can’t control his mouth.”

“I don't know what to do with him,” I sighed. “I really don't.”

“Why not spend a bit of time with him, rebuild your friendship?” Lily suggested. “Would you have a problem with that Eligos?”

“Not if he kept his hands and lips to himself, no,” he told her.

“We’ll see what happens. Let him get this about Danny in his head first,” I said.

Chapter Forty-Nine

What I want

It had been a couple of days now since Danny had become a demon. He had spent time in Hell with Eligos, learning about the army and meeting some people. When he wasn’t there, he was with the guys or Hecate. All of them seemed to have come to terms with things now, even Tyler. They all saw that Danny was still the same guy they all knew and loved. Even his parents were OK with it, a bit freaked out, but OK.

Last night Danny had stayed with Hecate in Hell, and Eligos went to meet them in this morning. I went food shopping with Lily and Beth, and then decided to take Lily’s advice and try and spend some time with Tyler. I left it until the afternoon in case he wanted to stay in bed for a while. I called him but there was no answer. Jake was around and told me he might have gone out. His parents were away for a few days visiting family, telling them what was happening and what to do if they were attacked. They didn't have power, but they could hide. Plus while they were there, they were going to cast some spells on their houses to try and help protect them. Just in case. I called him and called him but got no answer. After a couple of hours I started to get worried and drove over to his house. His car was in the drive, but there was no answer. Nothing was out of place, so I knew nothing serious was going on. I went back home and watched a movie with Marley, still trying Tyler every twenty minutes or so, and still not getting hold of him.

Just as the movie was ending Danny appeared.

“OK, Miss Jameson, hand him over. You can’t have him to yourself all the time,” he said, smirking.

“Hand who over?”

“You know who.”

“You mean Eligos?” I asked, confused.

“Who else? Now where is he? He’s already missed the meetings; he’s not in Lilith’s good books, I can tell you.”

“Danny,” I said, standing up, “he left me hours ago. He said he had a meeting with you and Brad, then one with you and the High Court members, and then one straight after with Lucifer and Lilith.”

“He did come first thing this morning, Earth time that is, but not long after he got this little grin on his face and said he was being summoned. I thought he meant you were calling for him.”

“I didn't call for him; I knew he was busy,” I panicked.

“He hasn’t been back since – in Hell hours he’s been gone nearly half a day.”

“Jesus, how long are the meetings?” Marley asked.

“Not long, they were over hours ago. I just mean that’s how long it’s been since I last spoke to him.”

“That’s three Earth hours,” I said. “And he said he was being summoned?”

“Yeah.”

“And he grinned.”

“Yeah, I thought…Well, dirty mind and all that, but maybe it was something else.”

I suddenly got a really bad feeling and ran into the dining room. I rummaged quickly through all the drawers and cupboards.

“Keira, what is it?” Danny asked, walking in behind me.

“Not long after the incident with Crystal I was in the library at the Palace. I found spells and a picture of the demon’s trap.”

“Yeah I know, I remember looking at everything.”

“It’s missing!” I said, glaring at him.

“OK.”

“Tyler isn’t answering his phone, won’t text me back…nothing.”

“I don't think even
he
would be that stupid,” Danny frowned. “Would he?”

I ran into the kitchen and grabbed my car keys, then flew outside, almost knocking into Lily. She asked Danny what was going on and I heard him start to explain everything to her. I jumped in the car and sped off. Just as I got out of the driveway, Lucian’s car came into view and we both had to swerve to miss each other. When he saw the speed I was going, he spun the car round and chased after me.

When I pulled up in Tyler’s drive I noticed his car hadn't moved. I knocked on the door frantically, but there was no answer.

“What’s going on?” Lucian asked as he pulled up in front of the house.

“I think Tyler’s summoned Eligos. I think he has him trapped,” I shouted, banging my fists against the door.

“How the hell would he trap him? Eligos would kill him.”

“Demon’s trap,” I said, stepping away from the door slightly.

“Keira!” I heard Danny say, “Lucifer can’t sense him.”

I turned around to see a furious-looking Danny and Hecate. Lucian got out of his car and walked over to us. Even he looked livid.

“He’s dead,” I seethed, as my eyes turned white.

I threw my hand out towards the door and it went flying off its hinges. It landed halfway down the hall. I grabbed Hecate and dragged her into the house. Tyler’s parents had cast a spell on the house a while ago to stop any demon entering. The spell had now obviously been broken since we were able to go inside. That confirmed everything. He had Eligos in here somewhere.

“Tell me where he is,” I commanded.

“Keira, I can’t sense him, not if he’s under one of those things. I’m so sorry.”

“Start looking!”

“Wait!” Danny called to me. “He has a basement. You get into it through the trapdoor in the drawing room.”

“Stay here!” I said between gritted teeth.

I ran down the hallway and into the drawing room. As I was opening the trapdoor I remembered Marley telling me about a vision she’d had. About two males, one of them on the floor, the other about to stab him. Could this be what she saw? I ran down the stone steps and down a little corridor. There were boxes stacked up against the walls. It was obvious that they used the space for storage. When I got to the end there was a white door. I blasted it with an energy ball and walked in to a large rectangular-shaped room. My heart sank. Every inch of me felt sick. Tyler was standing with a dagger in his hands, eyes black as midnight, now glaring at me. The dagger was one of the weapons Eligos had brought them, one that could kill a demon’s soul. Eligos was lying on his back in the middle of a demon’s trap. He was cut to shreds, bleeding, battered and unconscious. Tyler had painted the trap on the floor and covered it with a large sheet of plastic. It was ripped close to where Eligos was lying. He must have realized what had happened and torn through it to confirm his suspicions.

I moved my hand quickly and Tyler went crashing against the wall, and then hit the floor hard.

“You coward!” I shouted to him, before walking over to Eligos, being careful not to get too close in case I too got trapped. “You have to trap him, make him powerless to be able to get the better of him. You’re pathetic.”

I threw an energy ball at the floor, just at the edge of the trap and far enough away from Eligos so I didn’t end up hurting him. The floor cracked, ruining part of the drawing and breaking the spell. Tyler jumped to his feet, with the dagger still in his hand and started to walk towards us quickly. I stood in front of Eligos, blocking Tyler from getting to him. The ground started shaking violently. It shook so hard that it started to affect the whole house. We could hear things falling and breaking upstairs. Tyler found it hard to walk without falling over.

“Back off or I will bring this house down around you!” I warned him.

“What the hell?” Danny said as he ran in the room with Hecate and Lucian.

They all looked at Eligos, then Tyler, and finally me.

“Keira, you will destroy the house. You need to stop,” Hecate said, leaning against one of the walls to steady herself.

“Get Eligos out of here… Now!” I ordered as I turned to look at Danny.

“I can’t leave you alone in here with Tyler,” he said seriously.

“Would you dare defy a Royal?” I almost shouted.

“Danny, if you want to keep your soul, do as she says,” Hecate told him.

That was the first time I’d used my status to my advantage, but I wanted my time with Tyler. I knew the only way to get them to leave us was to threaten them.

They both went over to Eligos, still battling to keep their balance. Tyler went to throw himself at Eligos, still with the dagger in is hand, in one last attempt to kill him. I attacked him with energy balls and sent him flying to the other side of the room. I saw Danny and Hecate hold on to Eligos’s arm out of the corner of my eye.

“Take him to the Palace. I don’t know what Tyler has done to him,” I told them both. Seconds later, the three of them had gone. “Lucian, leave us!” I said, looking him straight in the eyes.

He looked at Tyler in disgust then walked out of the room. I had expected him to argue with me, but he never said a word.

Tyler was on his feet again and staring at me. I turned to face him, and at the same time my eyes turned from white to red and the vines appeared on my skin.

“Now you’ll fight me,” I told him.

His eyes went wide and he dropped the dagger; it fell to the floor beside him. I fired red energy at him; he dropped to his knees in agony as the energy entered his body. I walked closer to him, still firing the energy. When I was just in front of him I stopped. I made him rise from the ground a few inches, unable to move a muscle.

“Next time think before you attack someone I love,” I said before hitting him with the back of my arm and sending him into the wall again. “What has he ever done to you? Well?”

He leaned back against the wall and said nothing. He just spat blood from his lip on the floor in front of him.

“He helps all of us, fights with us, gets all your powers increased, teaches you all how to fight,” I almost screamed, firing another energy ball at him. “And this, this is how you repay him.”

“I won’t fight you, Keira, never…You can kill me if you wish, but I won’t fight you.”

“Oh I’m not going to kill you Tyler. However, when Eligos comes around, I don’t know what he will do with you, but I promise you this, I won’t defend you, and I don’t think anyone else will when they find out about this.”

“Why did you have to show up? He could have been gone.”

“I don’t want him
gone
. I love him, Tyler, more than anything in this world; I want to spend eternity with him. Don’t you understand that?”

“I doubt you will when you see what he looks like now. I remember him saying that if you’re cut by a soul-destroying weapon, you’re scarred for life. You might want to tell him to keep his shirt on from now on,” he said with a twisted grin on his face.

I lost my temper and bombarded him with energy balls and static electricity. He screamed out in pain, but that only made me want to hurt him more. I knew how upset Eligos would be when he saw more scars on himself. It wouldn’t upset him when he looked in the mirror, he’d be upset because he’d think I wouldn’t love him.

I stopped firing at Tyler and looked at him curled up on the floor, gasping for air.

“I hate you!” I told him. “More than I have ever hated anyone or anything in my whole life.”

I reached out in front of me and the dagger that he was going to use on Eligos flew into my hand.