Nicola stumbled to the right, tugging Laila with her.
What are you
A woman stepped from around the thick trunk, and Laila closed her mouth. The newcomer was bald, just like the man. Her skin was as pale as milk, which was a striking contrast to the black mist seeping from her pores.
Do you see that? Nicola demanded of her sister. The mist?
No. But the woman...
The corners of the womans lips lifted in a slow grin...revealing fangs of her own.
Nicolas heart skipped a beat as she once again launched into motion, heading in another direction. Theyre after us, she rasped. We have to get out of here!
Who...are they? Her sister could barely get the words out. Neither one of them was used to this kind of activity. What...do...they...want?
Nicola glanced back. The woman remained just under the tree, but the demon had opted to follow Nicola and was closing in fast, its scaled and furry body dragging over the ground, its antlers shaking.
What did it want with her? What would it do to her if it caught her?
Another bald man stepped in her path, grinned evilly, and she screamed. She jerked Laila to the left, heading in the only uncharted direction. A second...third...fourth demon followed this time, slithering, slithering so quickly, as if theyd just scented the afternoon meal: two gimpy mice.
Nicola, please, Laila pleaded. I cant...take much...more.
She wanted her sister to see what was happening around them, to finally believe, but she also didnt want her sister to see. Fear would probably consume her, and fear would do her no good right now.
No one else seemed to realize what was happening. People went on with their day, smiling and laughing and flying kites, completely unaware of that other realm currently teeming with malevolence.
I cant... Laila ripped from her hold and hunched over, gasping for breath. You have to...
Nicola backtracked, leaped in front of her sister and spread her arms, expecting the demons to attack. But they surprised her. They skidded to a stop a few feet away, gravel and twigs settling around them. Vile red gazes locked on her.
She fought a wave of dizziness, her eyesight dimming. Not now. Please, not now. The creatures circled her, but she couldnt move with them and continue protecting Lailas back; there were too many of them to watch all at once.
Go away, she demanded.
One hissed at her. Another spit at her, spraying whatever dripped from its fangs. The others flashed razor-sharp teeth stained crimson, as though blood was a morning obsession.
Go away or...or...Ill ask the Most High for help. Yes. Thats what Koldo had said to do.
To her utter shock, the hissing and the spitting morphed into whimpering, and the creatures began to back away from her.
Already, it was working. Most High, she shouted, hit by a sudden wave of confidence. If you can hear me, I could really use your help right now.
The demons froze in placebefore slowly backing away from her.
It was working, she realized.
Most High, she repeated more loudly, and terror fell over the creatures. They quickened their pace, desperate to get away from her. But they werent fast enough. Two warriors unfamiliar to her shot from the sky and swooped into the park. Their wings were the color of cerulean and they wore robes of the most brilliant white.
Nicola threw her arm around her trembling sister, who was still hunched over, gasping for breath. Everything will be okay now. I know it.
My heart...
Just breathe in...out... Good girl. She watched, wide-eyed, as the Sent Onesangels?unsheathed double-edged swords and attacked. The demons darted in different directions, too many for the two warriors to contain. But she should have known they would find a way. They flashed to one and hacked, then to another and hacked, then to another and another, their opponents swiftly decreasing.
Do you see them? she asked.
See who? Laila said through gasps.
Well, that answered that.
At last the battle was over, and no one on the other team was spared.
The warriors returned their weapons to their sheaths and looked to Nicola. They inclined their heads in greeting, flared their wings and, without a word, shot back into the sky.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
THE FRONT DOOR of Nicolas home swung open, the hinges moaning in protest. The two females marched inside.
almost killed me, Laila was saying.
No, I was protecting you, Nicola retorted.
Yes, but from what?
Finally. They had returned.
Koldo rose from the couch, the only piece of furniture hed left behind since hed had no room for it. A little while ago, hed sensed that Nicola was in trouble. But hed flashed to the park and she hadnt been there. Hed flashed to all the other places she liked to visit, but had had no luck.
Hed returned to her house, where hed waited. And waited.
Now, relief failed to overshadow his anger. Where had she been? What had happened to her? He needed to know. Not because she was his charge. Not because he would be penalized if something happened to her. But because. Just because.
He searched her in a single glance. Her color was higher than usual, and worry glazed those storm-darkened eyes. Her hair was a mess, tangled and sporting several pieces of grass.
Nicola ground to an abrupt halt, and Laila slammed into her from behind.
Koldo, Nicola said, exasperation giving way to nervousness. She ran a hand down the length of her ponytail. Youre here.
A moment passed in silence. He wanted to demand answers, but he held his tongue. He would shout, and she would fear him, and that would only strengthen the demon toxins.
Youre Koldo? Laila asked, her tone incredulous. She had zero color in her cheeks, and fatigue dulled her eyes. But you look just likeuh, never mind. Theres no way I can say that and not insult you. And Im rambling. Im sorry. Its just that youre so big and...well, never mind.
He had been mentioned by name. He wondered what all had been said.
Wait. Hold everything. Frowning, Nicola turned in a circle. I think I was robbed. My pictures are gone. And so are my vases and blankets and pillows. Everything but my couch.
I can have a conversation without raising my voice. I can. A tiny human female could not anger him more than his mother and his father ever had. You werent robbed. I moved everything to my house in Panama. Now, I want you sitting at the kitchen counter in the next two minutes. Or else. He didnt wait for her reply, just stomped into the desired room.
To his surprise, she dogged his footsteps, even caught his wrist. He could have easily tugged from her grip. Instead, he reveled in his first contact with her in three days. Far too long. He had to feel this soft, soft skin, and those handsno longer cold, but warmevery day or he would not be content.
Or else, what? And whats going on? she demanded. Why did you move my stuff to Panama?
He swung around and anchored his hands onto her waist. He lifted her up, swung back around with her as she yelped, and placed her on the nearest chair. There. He had her where he wanted her, the tattoo equipment on the counter and ready to use.
As he put the pieces of the gun together, he said, I dont want you living here any longer. It isnt safe.
She searched his face, and sighed. Apparently, it isnt safe anywhere.
Not the reaction hed expected. Why do you say that?
We were at the park and several demons chased us.
His instincts had been right. She had been in danger. And he had failed to protect her. He could have lost her. Stupid, foolish, unwise, ignorant man! Yes, thats what he was. He should have searched more diligently. Should have done something. Anything. Did they hurt you?
No, she replied, and he was able to relax. You told me to call upon the Most High, and I did. He sent in the troops. Whoever was closest, I guess, just like you promised.
Thank You, Most High.
Alleged demons. Laila strolled into the kitchen. All I saw were giants. And Im the twin sister, by the way. Just so you know, Im not quite as gullible as my darling Co Co. Sorry, honey, she said. I dont mean any offense.
Nicola offered a small though genuine smile. I know. I also know that youll come to eat those words one day.
Demons are very real, I assure you, Koldo said, opening the packages of ink.
Yeah, and youre a Sent One. Laila anchored her hands on her waist. Listen, youre taking advantage of an innocenthumph!
Hed dropped the gun and grabbed her, tugging her into the hard line of his body. With a final look at Nicola, who jumped from the chair, possibly to attempt to free her mouthy sister, he flashed to the roof of a training facility in Germanuss realm of the skies.
The huge building was perched atop a mile-long cloud, the edges of that cloud dipping into an aqua sky, stars twinkling even during the day. Laila looked down, down, down at the earth so very far away, and screamed with bloodcurdling fear.
Still think Im taking advantage? He didnt wait for an answer but flashed the girl inside the building, to the room where Sent Ones were taught how to fight demons. Once there, Koldo remained in the spiritual realm, forcing Laila to open her inner eyes and finally see.
A young trainee swung a sword of fire as two envexa darted from floor to ceiling, ceiling to wall. The warrior had wings of white with thin strips of gold, an indication of his warrior status. Joy-bringers possessed wings of solid white. The Elite, like Zacharel, possessed wings of solid gold.
Though fully grown, the demons were the size of ten-year-old boys, with thick humanoid bodies and skin as green as toxic slime. They had hooks rather than hands, and long, thin tails with barbs.
Laila trembled against Koldo, her mouth opening and closing, small gasping sounds emerging.
Theyre real, he said, and theyre evil. They roam the earth, stalking humans like you, and would love nothing more than to ruin your life and cut it short. And you have been letting them.
II
Can overcome them, yes. Im here to help you. Taking pity on her, he flashed her back to Nicolas living room and gave her a little push toward the hall. You may go to your room now.
R-room. Yes. Thank you. With her arms wrapped around her middle, she tripped her way around the corner. A door clicked shut.
What did you do to her? Nicola demanded, stomping forward and banging her fists into his chest.
As slight as those fists were, he barely registered the impact. I proved that demons do, in fact, exist.
You should have eased her in. She had a tough day, and that kind of stress couldnt have been good for her toxin levels.
Some people can be eased. Some must be shoved. Now we will return to the kitchen. Ill tattoo your arms and youll tell me everything that happened at the park.
Wait. What? Tattoo my arms? she squeaked.
He urged her forward. For your added protection against the demons.
A little dazed, she flopped into the chair. Ill tell you about the park, she said quietly, but first youre going to tell me about this move. Then well talk about the tattooing.
My home is fortified against evil. He owned a cloud of defense, and that cloud now surrounded the property, acting as a barrier against the rest of the world. Yours isnt.
But
No buts. I was attacked the last time I was here. Thats why Ive been gone. I was recovering.
A gasp slipped from her. You were hurt?
Yes.
Oh, Koldo. Im so sorry. I had no idea. She placed her hand over his, a gesture of remorse, kindness.
A gesture that caused his blood to flash-heat to white-hot.
It wasnt your fault, he said, his voice rough. He was responsible for his own distraction. Now, what happened at the park?
She propped her elbows on the counter, ending the contact, and he wanted to howl.
He was that needy for her?
Pressing his tongue against the roof of his mouth, he finished with the ink. Hed chosen a deep, rich red that, at first glance, would cause most people to assume she was bleeding. But he didnt exactly care what other people thought. He wanted her tattoo to match his.
She was his charge, after all. There was no more to it than that.
For the first time in his life, he thought he tasted a lie and grimaced.
These demons... She shuddered. They werent like the monkeys. They were worse. They were snakes! They slithered from the trees and on the ground and chased after us, and
Snakes? he interjected, his stomach twisting.
With antlers! And fur! They cornered us, surrounded us, and thats when I called out to the Most High, and He sent angelsor maybe Sent Ones. They had large blue wings. A blue like Id never seen before, radiant and sparkling, almost like a waterfall of glitter. And their robes were the brightest white Id ever seen.
Real angels. He nodded. Continue.
There was a battle, and then, boom, the angels had won, the demons were gone and Laila and I were able to walk out of the park uninjured.
So. The serps had returned for Nicola the very day Koldo awoke from their poisoning. That couldnt be a coincidence.
Youll never regret being inked, he told her. What I put into your flesh will protect you, as the angels protected you today, but it will also do what they cant. It will strengthen you when youre at your weakest. Let me. Please.
But...but...
Have I ever lied to you? Ever steered you wrong?
No, she admitted softly.
He reached out and traced his finger along the curve of her jaw. Let me do this, he repeated. Please.