The demon girl

THEDEMONGIRL
Copyright2010PenelopeFletcher.
ManyBooksEdition
ISBN:978-1-4523-7321-8
Attribution-NoDerivs2.0UK:England&Wales
Youarefreetocopy,distribute,display,andperformtheworkunderthe
followingconditions:Youmustgivetheoriginalauthorcredit.Youmaynot
alter,transform,orbuilduponthiswork.
Withtheunderstandingthat:Anyoftheaboveconditionscanbewaivedifyou
getpermissionfromthecopyrightholder.Wheretheworkoranyofitselements
isinthepublicdomainunderapplicablelaw,thatstatusisinnowayaffectedby
thelicense.
Innowayareanyofthefollowingrightsaffectedbythelicense:
Yourfairdealingorfairuserights,orotherapplicablecopyrightexceptionsand
limitations;Theauthor’smoralrights;Rightsotherpersonsmayhaveeitherin
theworkitselforinhowtheworkisused,suchaspublicityorprivacyrights.
Foranyreuseordistribution,youmustmakecleartoothersthelicencetermsof
thiswork.


ChapterOne
ThedayIlearntIwasademonwastheworstdayofmylife.Iwon’tlie.Ispent
mostthedayterrifiedofdying,orlosingalimb.
ThefirstthingIheard,andthoughtaboutwhenIwokethatmorningwasof
demons.Awere-catscreamechoedforabeat,beforeanansweringscream,
higherinpitchcalledinthedistance.Itsoundedlikethepackswerefighting;a
territorialdisputemostlikely.TherewasaPridenottoofarfromtheTemple.A
muffledshriekdriftedupthroughthefloorboards,andIrolledmyeyeswhenit
happenedonthenextscream.Iburiedmyheadunderthepillow,pullingmy
blanketup.NewDisciple’sthoughttheworldwasendingeverytimeademon

passednearby.Ittookthemlongtounderstand,iftheWallwasbreachedthe
klaxonwentofftowarnus.
Irolledoutofbed,trippedoverthemountainsoffabricandcrushedcansthat
litteredthefloorofmyroom,andheadbuttedthewardrobedoor.Itbounced
back.Clothesflungoverthetopandspillingoutthebottomhadstoppeditfrom
clickingshut.Iwasnotadirtyperson,butamessyone.Iwasthekindofperson
whocouldmakemessinanemptyfourbytenbox.Stoodinmyfrayingbraand
panties,Igroggilyscratchedatmyknee,tryingtopullmyselftogether.Ittooka
lotofrummagingaroundbeforeIpulledonmyraggedjeansandfadedteeshirt,
somepreRupturebandonthefront.Notthebestgearforrunning,butIwas
goingtohavetogostraighttoclassafterwards.Iputmybootsonandheaded
outside.
Itwasdark.Dawnwashoursaway,andthegroundswereeerilyquiet.Fire
drumssetalongsidethepathwayflickered,andweakflamescastasickflush
overthecoldground.Electricitywashardtogenerate,sotheSectcutcorners
whereitcould.Resourcesduringtheday,andafterdark,focusedonWall
hotspots,placesdifficultfortheClericstoeasilydefend,likesteepravinesand
clifffaces.Theseweretheplacesdemonstoooftenbreached.Myeyesskipped
overtheTemplegrounds,andeverygraffitiwall,batteredtrashcanwascolored
fondlyinmymind’seye.TheTemplewasanarmybase,beforetheRupture,but
nowitwasthestompinggroundoftheSectClericsandtheirDisciples.Itwas
home.Safety.MyeyessettledontheWallintheneardistance,peekingoutfrom
theforestborderingtheregion.PastthatelectricfencewasOutside.Pastthat
fenceroamedthedemons.


Istartedatajog.InnotimeIwasatthemaingatewhistlingtothesecurityguard
whobarelylookedupfromhisbook.Iwonderedwherehe’dgottenthat.Books
madepurelyforentertainmentwereasrareasplainpaper.TheSecthadalibrary
ofcourse,righthereatTemple,butyouhadtohaveseriouspullwiththePriests

tobeabletorentone.WeluckyDisciplesgottofeelthesmoothpagesofabook
onaregularbasis,eveniftheywereeducational,andmyenvywasbrief.The
guardcaughtmeeyeingupthepagesandplaceditonhislap.Hewavedmeon
asthegatecrackedtoletmeout.
LeavingTemple,Iwassoononawideandflatlanegravitatingtowardtheforest.
IreachedtheWallandstaredatit.EachtimeIcamehereIaskedmyselfthe
samequestion;wasdefyingSectDoctrineandsteppingpastthispointworthit?
Theexcitedthumpofmyhearttoldmetheanswer.Iglancedbehindtoscanthe
roadsideandcheckIwasnotinsight.ConfidentIwasalone;Islidthroughthe
sliverofspacebetweenthechargedwiresthenheldmybreathforabeat.There
wasnothingbutsilence.IhadnoideahowI’ddoneit,butonemorningIwas
tiredofploddingthesameground,andI’dlookedoutintotheforestwithits
thicktreetrunks,juttingroots,andseenathrillingnewroutetopushmyself
harderandfaster.Ihadstood,andstaredatthewebbingofsteelthenwishedfor
aholetoclimbthrough.Thewireshadjustunraveledwithoutsettingoffthe
klaxon.IrememberedthinkingwithahorriblekindofpanicthatIhadsomehow
donewitchcraft,andwasconvincedIwastheblackestkindofevil.ThenI
realizedhowridiculousIwasbeing,andfigureditwasacoincidentalgiftfrom
theuniverse,orsomething.NoweverymorningIhadanewobstaclecourseto
enjoy.
Thetreesweretall,andtheairwasfreshandcleanandfree.Iran,racingthebeat
ofmyownfootfalls.Coldwindwhippedpastpushinghairintomyface.Gods,
howIlovedtorunandrevelintheillusionoffreedomitgave.Iwasthefastest
DiscipleattheTemple,andthebestatcross-country;ittookalottotiremeout.I
ranuntiltheforestbecametoodenseformetosprintwithouttrippingoverroots.
MychestrisingandfallingwasapleasantfeelingIrarelygottoexperience,and
onlycouldexperiencewhenIranOutside.Pushingatthelonganddarktangleof
myhair,Iwishedtherewaslessofit.Isnappedoffaknobbytwigfromashrub
atmyheelandpulleditbackintoamessybun,usingthetwigtopinitthere.I
wasdistracted,andonlybecausearavenboldlycuttingpastdrewmyattention

fromthetaskofmanagingmyhair,didIseeamovementatthecornerofmy
eye.


Afigurestrodeawayfrommeupaleafyincline,intothelightsideofthe
daybreak.
“Hai?”Icalledmyvoicelow.
Theretreatingshapepaused,onlytodartdeeperintothegloom.Crestingthe
slopeitwinkedoutofsight.Iranafterit.Itseemedlikethethingtodoatthe
time.Skiddingtoastopattheslopesummit,Iletoutasurprisedgrunt.Icould
seedownandfaroutintotheforest.Therewasnobodydownthere,nothingbut
moretrees.FearwhisperedinmyearnohumansaresupposedtobeOutside,but
Ishookitoff.Suchathingwassurelynothingbutmyimagination.Nodemon
wouldbethisclosetotheTemple.Itwouldbelikeahumanwhowantedtolivea
longlifedoingajigwiththeireyesclosedontheedgeofacliff.
ThenIsawitagain.TheshadowedfigurewastherewhenIturnedaround,but
wasatthebottomoftheslope.Myfeetskippedbackthentherewasnomore
floor.
Irememberedthesametimemyheadmovedtowheremyfeethadbeen,thatI’d
beenstandingontheapexofasteepandhighslope.Iwentdown.Itumbled
backwardandendeduprollingandrolling.Theworldchurnedaroundme,but
leveledoutabruptlyasIcrashedintothebaseofatreeattheslopesunderside.
Myarsewasupintheairandmyshinsmashedagainstmyforehead.Ohgodsit
hurt.IrockedmybodyuntilIfellontomyside,andpulledmylegsbacktocurl
themunderme.Ibreathedinandoutslowly,mentallycheckingmyselfover.
Nothingfeltbroken.Isatupandstretcheditout.No,nothingwasbroken.The
pendantIworearoundmyneckpressedintomycollarboneawkwardly.Ifiddled
withituntilithungproperly,andtheleathercordwasnolongerchokingme.
Istoodandrubbedatmyhead,thentriedtogetmybearings.
TheslopewastoosteeptoclimbbackupandIwasn’tmuchintorockclimbing.

LikemostpeopleIwasreasonablytolerableofheights,uptoacertainpointand
tolerablewithdeepwater,uptoacertainpoint.Andevenagreeablewith
confinedspaces.Uptoacertainpoint.Heightsespeciallyhighwereastickler
withme,despitemyloveofthethingsyoucoulddowhenyouwereespecially
high.Ihadawayofpretendingthefloorwasmuchcloserthanittrulywas.
Nevertheless,theslopewastoohightopretend,soIwaseithergoingleftor
right.Determinedtostaycalm,Iignoredthefirstcurlsoffearinmystomach.I


hadn’texploredthisfaroutintotheforestyetandbasedonhowlongIhadrun
for,IwasatleasttenmilesfromtheWall.Iwasnotworriedaboutthetime;I
couldstillgetbackforbreakfastandwithenoughtimetowalktoclasswith
Alex.Lookingtotheeasttheskywaslighteningtoblue,butthesunrisewas
alwayspainfullyslow.Classesdidnotstartuntilthesunwasinthesky.
IpickedthestraightestlinethroughthetreesasIcould,andstartedoff,myboots
slappingmuddypuddlesriddlingtheway.Intheearlymorningtheforestwas
emptyofhumanpresenceapartfromitsfamiliarvisitorinme,butitwascreepy
now,likesomeonewaswatching.
AshortwhilelateritwasclearI’ddonesomethingwrong.Thetreesweregetting
denser,andmorecloselypackedtogether,likeIwasgoingfurtherintotheforest.
Istoppedandspunaround.Myfirstinstinctwastogoback.Iwaswalkingina
straightline,andIcouldgobacktotheslopebaseandstartagain.Ihadbeen
walkinginastraightline,hadn’tI?Thosenastycurlsoffeartickledmyinsides
again.Istartedtowalkback,butstoppedafterlessthanhalfamile.Iscanned
theground.HorrifiedatwhatIdidnotsee,Ikneltdowntogetabetterlook.To
mydismayIcouldnotseeanyfootprintsorotherevidenceIhadpassedthis
way.AllClericsweremastertrackers,bestedonlybyshifterswhochangedinto
predatorslikebigcats.AsaDiscipleIhadbeentrainedinthebasicsoftracking,
ofcourse,andatthatmomentIfeltthebitterstingoffailure.WhatIshouldhave
donethemomentIfeltlostisliterallyretracedmystepsandstartedagain.ButI

hadn’tdonethat.I’dletthefeargetoneuponme,andplungedintotheforest
withoutthinking.Ineededtocalmdownandfocus.IfiguredifIwenthigh,I
couldseefurtheraroundme.
Istrodebackapace,andtookarunningjumpatabroadoaktrunk.Ireachedthe
lowestbranchstartingfivefeetorsoabovemyhead,anddugmyfingertipsinto
thebark.Treeclimbingwaseasy,andinnotimeIhauledmybodyoverthe
highestboughthatwouldholdmyweight.Ibalancedonmytoes,handsto
knees.Exhalingmybreathwasvisibleplumesofwispyvapor,andforafew
secondsIchuggedcircularglobulestoamusemyself.
Itwascold,itbeingtheendofautumn,butthecoolerdaysdidn’tbotherme.It
wasawelcomechangesincemybodyhadalwaysrunhot.
Thecloudsonthehorizonweredarkwithrain,darkerthantheskynow.They
rolledlowandblockedoutthecominglight.Therewasathickhumintheair,a


suresignastormwasblowingin.Myheartdidajiginmychest,andmymood
pickedup,forIsimplylovedagoodstorm.Thecleanscentofcrushedneedle
leafonthebreezewasrefreshing,andanicechangetotheashysmellthat
saturatedeverythingattheTemple.
Gettingbackontrack,Ilookedaroundinawidecircle.Ibitmylipandlooked
thecircleagain,slowerthistime.Iwasintrouble.Icouldn’tseetheWallorthe
endoftheforest.ImusthaverunmuchfurtherthanIusuallydidbeforeI’d
fallen.ThenI’dwalkedevenfurtherinthewrongdirection.
Istood,claspedthebranchoverheadandskippedtotheedgeofmyperch.
Looseningmyholdabove,Ipushedbackwithmyfootandbothmyarms
stretchedback.Iarcedintoacrescentandwasmomentarilysuspendedintheair.
Thecrownofmyheadracedtocatchmyarmsasmylegscoiledandflew
overhead.Theworldwascrazyforasecond;upwasdown,downwasup.
PointedfeetfollowedmylegsaroundandthenIwasfalling.Feetafootapart,
mykneesbenttoabsorbimpactasIlanded,armsextendedeithersideofmefor

balance.
Thatbitoffunhelpedchaseawaysomeofmydistress.Iwasgoodatidentifying
myemotionsandcouldcontrolthemwithdistractionsifIcaughtthemearly
enough.TherewereseveralnotabletimesI’dallowedmyselftofallintofoul
rages,whereI’dthrownthingsaboutandpunchedwalls,laughingasIdidso.
Themostfrequentwereboutsofmanichappinesswhereeverythingwasfunny.
Theworstandhardesttocontrolwerethedarkhumors.Sometimesthetwisted
thingsmyimaginationthrewatmewereonlyscary,andoff-colourtothink
aboutonceI’dsnappedoutofit.I’dalwaysbeenodd,differenttothegirls
aroundme,andthosetimeswhereI’dlostcontrolmadesomepeoplesuspicious
andafraidofme.
Ohyes,I’dbecomegoodatcontrollingmyself.
Backdownbelowtheforestcanopyitwasdark.Thesunrayshadnotbroken
throughtheleaves,andtheunderstoryhadamonochromaticlook.Silverbark,
greyleavesandblackspacesbetween.Ipushedsomehairoutofmyeyesthat
hadgottenloosefrommymakeshiftbun,andbreathedin.Smellsoftheforest,
nuttysycamoremaplesandsweetnightflowersreleasingthelastoftheir
fragrance,werestrangelycomforting.Iwasdeepintowildandcivilizationwas
farbehind,butIknewpanickingwouldonlymakethingsworse.


Afaintrustleaheadmademepauseandswiftlyreconsiderpanicking.Another,
louderrustlemademetense.Atingleoffearrandownthebackofmylegs.The
forestwasfullofanimalsofcourse,deer,badgersandmorebirdsthanIcould
name,thoughthemostpopularwastheraven.
ThethoughtI’dbeenconsciouslyavoidinguntilnow,makingmewanttolie
whereIwasthendiequietlyandrunshriekingintheoppositedirection,wasthat
Iwasindemonterritory.
Aflickeroflightilluminatedtheleafedgesinthedarkness.Iheardalow
murmurofsound,hushedandurgent.Instinctivelycrouchingdown,Icrawled

forwardandwasscared.Voices.Demonsspoke,ofcourse.Theywere
bloodthirstyandevil,butintelligenttoo.Likearationalindividual,Icouldhave
gonetheotherway,butthenIwouldnotknowwhatkindofdemonwascloseby.
Iftheywereshifterswithtrackingskills,Iwasnobetterthanadeadbody
anyway.Soon,Isawthepaleglareofartificiallightandinchedcloser,keeping
myselflowtothefloor.Mykneesscrappedsharptwigs,hardstones.Theprickly
leavesoflowgrownshrubsstrokedmycheeks,andforehead,asIpushed
forward.Mybreathingsoundedtooloudinmyears,andItriedtobreathe
shallow.Ikeptmymovessmallandstealthy,likeIwastaughtinSubterfuge
whenlearninghowtotrackdemonsfortheelementofsurprise.
Aheadofme,therewasasmallclearingandthreebodiesinit.
Twowerehuman,Clerics,identifiedbythepeculiarhoodedcrimsonblazersthey
worewithblacktailsthatflowedtotheirknees.Thewide,pointedhoodcould
coveryourfacetothenose,andthewell-knownwhite-eyesigilstitchedontheir
breastpockets,commandedfearfromdemonsandsubmissionfromDisciples.
Theonefacingmewasfemalewithherhooddown.Shewasskeletalwithmud
coloredhairandpinchedlips,butwouldbeattractiveifyoulikewomenwithuptiltedeyesandamean-lookingdisposition.Theotherhadhisbacktomeand
wasawell-builtmale.Smallbutcompactwithbigarmsandcalves.
Tomyhorrorthefeelingthatsurgedthroughmewasnotrelief.TheseClerics
wouldtakemebacktothecompound,andIwouldgetintoheapsoftrouble
havingtosomehowexplaintheholeintheWall.Butthatversusbeingcaughtby
ademonandkilledwaspreferable,right?No.Isatinmyhidingplaceand
quakedinmyboots.Mystomachtwistedintoadoubleknotandmyteeth
chattered,becausesomethingbadwashappening.


Thethirdbodyintheclearingwasademon.AkindIhadneverseenbeforein
mylife,meaningshecouldonlybeonething.Greenskindampandscarlethair
wild,thefairywassprawledacrosstheforestfloorinatangleofherowngawky
limbs.Itwascleartomeshewasterrified.Hervibrantskinlookedsallowand

hereyesbloodshot.Atazerprobebuzzedinhershoulderblade,anotheronher
upperthigh.Shewascrying,apitifulhighkeenthatwassofrailIcouldbarely
hearit.
TheLadyClerictwistedtheprobedeeperintothefairy’sleg.“Whydoyouspy
ontheAcademy?”sheaskedwithchillingcalm.
Thefairy-girlcringedback.“Imeanyounoharm.”
“AndhereIthoughtafairycouldtellnolie.”
“Ican’t.”Thehighchimeofhervoiceshookoneachword.“Ispeakthetruth.
Letmego,youdon’tunderstandwhatwillhappen.Mybrothers-”
TheLordClericpunchedher.Herheadflewbackandasprayofbloodwetthe
drymudandspatteredovertheleavesconcealingme.Facewetwithtearsand
whimpering,shetriedtocrawltowardthetreesanddraggedupclumpsofearth
withherfingernails.
“Youmustletmego.”Thewordssoundedmuffled,likeshehadamouthfulof
somethingfoul.
TheLordClericexecutedaneathalfturnandstampedonherthigh.Therewasa
sharpsnap,likeI’dpickedupatwigandyankedontheendsuntilthefiberssplit
apartandcrackedopen.Thefairy’slegbuckledintoanunnaturalshapeandshe
screamed.Thesoundwasguttural,adirecttranslationofpaintosound.Islapped
ahandovermymouthtosmothermyownshriek.Notbecauseofthebroken
bone,I’dseenandheardtonsofthose,butbecauseI’dcaughttheLordClerics
profileandrecognizedthehandsomeface.TheLordClericdraggedthefairy
backintothecentreoftheclearingandbroughtaknifetoherface.Clampinga
glovedhandoverhermouth,heslashedthebladeacrosshercheek.Blood
seepedfromthewoundandstrangely,thesmellofsizzlingfleshseepedintothe
air.Igagged.
Itwasthenmybodyreacted.Itwassomethingnaturalhiddendeepwithin,you
see.Iknowitnow,butdidn’tknowitthen,somyactionsmadenosensetome.

Lurchingforward,Isnappedtwigsbeneathmeandreachedouttoher.TheLady
Clericspunandabig,blockythingappearedinherhands.Agun.Icrouchedand
froze.Shepeeredintothetreesforthesourceofthenoise,andIsteppedback,
snappinganothertwigunderfoot.
Thefairy’sredirisestwitchedtome.Welockedgazesandrecognitionmadeher
eyesblaze,herfacecreasewithpanic.
Shewhispered,“Run.”
TheLadyCleric’sgunswung,jerked,andagunshotcrackedtheair.Thefairygirlconvulsedthenwasstill,sostill.
Iwasfrozen,horrified.I’dseendemonsbaggedandtaggedbeforewhenthey
haddaredtobreachtheWallandthreatenhumansociety,butwewereOutside.
Thiswastheirterritory.Whatcouldshe,afairy-girlchild,havepossiblydoneto
deservetortureandexecution?
“Showyourself,”commandedtheLadyCleric.Shesteppedforwardthistime
andhereyesroamedthespace.Sheclutchedthegunmoresecurelybetweenher
hands.“Showyourself,Isay.Comeoutsowecanlookatyou.”
WhenaClericaskedyouaquestionyouanswered,andiftheybadeyoutodo
something,youdidit.TheyupheldSectDoctrine.TheSectwasthesinglemost
powerfulorganizationhumankindinvestedtheirfaithandsecurityin.IfaCleric
toldyoutodosomething,theSectwastellingyoutodosomething.Andyoudid
itwithoutquestion,withoutthinking.Theycommandedandyouobeyed.
IknewifIdidassheasked,Iwasasdeadasthefairy-girlonthefloornotten
feetfromme.Herwordechoedinmyear.Run.ItwastheonlyplanIhad.I
stoodfrommyhidingplace,wheeledonthespot,andboltedintothedarkness.
Thesoundofanotherbulletsplittheair.Somethingwhippedpastmyarmand
leftahotsting.Feetstumbling,thetearsstreameddownmyface.Thorny
branchestoreatmyclothesandhair.Icrashedthroughtheundergrowth,not
caringhowloudIwasorthattheywouldbeabletotrackmeIneededtoget
away.Run,runandhide.Ihadwitnessedsomethinghidden,andknewifthey
caughtme,theywouldkillme.
Adarkshapejumpedintomypathandbroughtthebuttofagunhurtlingtoward

myface.Oneforearmcameuptoprotectmyheadandjerkedviolently.ThenI
crankedbackmyfistandsnappeditforward.Theansweringgrunttoldmeitwas
theLadyCleric.Asshestaggeredthegunswungagain,barrelfirstandforced
metodropandroll.Usingtheforceofmybodypoppingup,Ispun,cockedmy
legandkickedlikemule.Myheelconnectedwithherupperbackandsenther
off-kilter-stancetohell.Sheflewtowardatree,spindlyarmsandlegsflailingto
hitanoaktrunkhard.Shecollapsedtothefloorinamessedupheap.
I’dstruckaCleric.Somethingcrazypeoplewithdeathwishesdid.Itwasdark
andIfrettedshesawmyfaceandwouldrecognizemeinacrowd.Peoplehad
alwayssaidmyhazeleyeswereanoutlandishshadehardtodisregardandoffputting.
Loudfootfallspoundedbehindme,gettingcloser.Iranagain.
Shortviolentbarksturnedmybloodtoice.Hounds,theyhadbloodhounds.I
forcedstrengthintomovingmyfeetoneinfrontoftheother.Handsfisted,my
armsalternatedpumpingbackandforth.TheairwassolidresistanceIneededto
punchoutofthewayasmuchasthetreebranchesriddlingmypath.ButIwas
tired.ForthefirsttimeIfeltmyabnormalstrengthandstaminawaning.There
wasagrowlbehindme,tooclose,andasnapofjawsatmyheel.
Mymindemptiedandmyheartskippedathumpasunexpectedenergytrilled
throughmybodylikeanelectricshock.Thedarkdeepenedintonewdimensions.
Shadesofelectricblueandpurpletintedmyvision,andIcouldseeeverything.
Powerexplodedfrommycentre,fillingmybodytothebrim.Asoundlikeguck
chokedoutofmythroatinecstasy,Ifeltsoanimated.Ishotforwardlikeacomet
andtheforestblurredintoflowinglinesIdistinguishedasifstandingstill.Air
glidedoutmywayasIhurtledforward,andmyfeetglancedeffortlesslyoffthe
floor,notleavingtheslightestimprintintheearthbeneathme.
Takenbyshock,Iplantedmyfeetandslammedtostill.
Thelandscapeshifteddramatically,andmysenseofdirectionwascompletely
disoriented.Itrembledatthethrummingofaircrashingintothecollapsingvoid

I’dcreatedbehind.Thenmyeyesstartedtohurt,openedtoowide.Thelashof
painonmyarmflaredpainfullythendulledintonothing.Iwipedatit.Again
andagain,cryingoutandscrubbingatmyarminpaniclookingforthegraze.
Therewasnothingbutclammyskinandadriedsmearofbloodwhereacut


shouldbe.
ItwasthenthefeartookholdofmeandIlostcontrol.MychestheavedandI
chokedasob.Thecrazysoundsmashingmyearshadmeseeingdouble,andmy
ownbreathrazedacrossmyeardrums.Rackedwithshivers,Icurledintoaball
atthebaseofatree.Mybodyspasmedoncethentheconvulsionswerefrequent
anduncontrollable.Ikeptmyteethclenchedtoavoidbitingmytongueand
tuckedmyarmsintomysides.Theposition,thoughsafewasnotcomforting.I
buriedmyfaceintheleavesandscrunchedmylegsintomychest.Icriedoutat
eachlashofpain.Mymuscleskeptupthishedonisticclenchandreleaseuntil
theycrampedintobunches.Wavesofheatshotdownmyspine,andsplintersof
iceburrowedintothespacebetweenmypores.Eachassaultwasmorepainful
thanthelast.Ishiveredasthewindflutteredmysweatsoakedmyclothes.What
hurtmostwasmyhead,thepumpingofbloodinmyears,ringingbetweenmy
eyes,andtheoverwhelmingscentofmyownfearcloggingmynose.
Graduallythepainsubsidedandbreathingbecameeasier.Myhearttookitdown
anotchandIwasgrateful,forIwasnotsureitcouldtakemuchmore.
Quivering,mymusclesrelaxedandstayedrelaxed.Withagreatmeasureof
wonder,Irealizedtherewasnolongerpain,butanoverwhelmingsenseofall
things.Despitemyemotionalexhaustionmybodyfeltbetter,andIfeltdifferent.
Strong.
“Haveyoucalmeddownnow?”askedanamusedvoiceaboveme.“Ihavebeen
toldanawakeningiseasierifyouarecalm.”
Isprunguptodefendmyself.Myhandswerefistedandmyfacefierce.
AtfirstsightallImadeoutwasamaleshape,animpressionofsomeonetalland

built.InthelighteningdarkallIcouldseewerehiseyes,wideandcoldeyes
touchedwithmad,framedbyatangleofthicklashes.Hisgreyiriseswereso
lighttheycouldbesilver.Theyburned,scorchedmeashisgazeflickedovermy
faceandbody.Heworedark,fadedjeansandthatwasthat.Feetandchestbare,
hewastheleastcivilizedboyI’dseen.Hisskin,paleandcoveredwithintricate
tattoos,scintillatedevenintheabsenceoflight.Duringmysteadyappraisalmy
handshaddroppedandrelaxed,buttheyclenchedagain.Boysslidtheireyesup
anddownyoubeforewhistlingtocatchyourattention.Theydidnotstareatyou
untilyourinsidesfeltlikeoutsides.Thedirectnessofhisgazehadmemystified,
andIwasalreadyundertheinfluenceofsomanyemotionstheonlywayIcould


reacttosomethingIcouldnotunderstand,waswithviolence.
However,heremainedcloseanddidnotlookalarmedatmyaggressiveposture.
Belittlingthetenseatmosphere,hisfacelitupwithasmile.
“Rae,”hemurmuredandsteppedcloser.
Heliftedhisarmsasiftoembraceme.Onemorestepwouldclosethedistance
betweenuscompletely.
Iwasscared,soscared.Icouldn’tspeak.Therewerenowordsorcoherent
thoughtsinmyhead.Itwasajumbleofpanicandcautiousinterest.Whowas
he?WasheanotherCleric?Wouldhekillmenow?Ohgods.Iwouldbecome
oneofthefacelessandnamelessthatwentmissingeveryyear.Tobeforgottenas
mybodyrottedorwaslefttobecomeademondinner.Icouldn’thandleit,nor
couldmybodyfunctionsmanagethefull-scalemeltdown.Mylegsbuckledand
theworldwentafunnygraycolour.Ifainted,buttoldmyselfIdidn’thavetime
tofaint,andcametointhenextsecond.Notthatmyactionsmeantanything,or
myrevivaliswhatstoppedmyasshittingtheground.Theboydartedforwardso
fasthisbodyblurred,andsomethinghardandinvisibleshuntedintome.Sohard
itknockedthebreathfrommylungs.Pushedoffcentre,mylegsflewupandthe
skyswungintoview.

He’dcaughtme.
“Stoptalking,”hesaid.Thensmiled.
Istaredupathimdumbly.Washemakingajoke?Ihadn’tsaidaword.InfactI
thinkI’dforgottentobreathesinceIsawhim,andthat’swhatcausedmyhalf
faintingspell.
Ishifted.Mytoprodeupsomeandhisfingerstouchedmyback.Somethinghot
andpowerfulinvadedme.Itchargedthroughmybodyuntileverymusclewas
tenseandstraining,notpleasantafterthebaptismoficeandfireI’dbeenan
intimateandunwillingsubjectofbefore.Andthenitwasgone,dissipatinginto
nothing.Irelaxedsocompletelyitfeltlikemyboneshadunhinged,andmy
musclesliquefied.
Theboy’sfacewasblankwithshock.Hadhefeltthepainfulheattoo?Ihoped
so,becauseIwassureitwashisfault.


Therewasafracasnearby,gettingcloserandlouder.Myheartdidagoodjobof
clamberingintomythroatandblockingmyairway.Thepartyhuntingme
crashedpastandkeptongoing.Theboy,whohadcroucheddownwithmeon
hiskneewhilstIhadworkedonbreathingright,duckedhisheaddownand
tensed.Ifeltbetterbecausehetoowasbarelybreathing.Myheartthunderedand
mythoughtsraced.Thebloodhoundsweretrainedtofollowtheweakestoftrails.
Whydidn’ttheysmellmewhenmyscentwouldhaveledthemrighttous?This
broughtmeroundtothedauntingthoughtofhowIgotsofarahead,wasableto
rollaroundonthefloor,andencounterastrangeboybeforetheyhadcaughtup.
Again,whowasthisboy,overwhosearmandknee,Iwasdraped?Notthatit
wasuncomfortable,buthe’dputhishandsonmesoeasily,andheldmeclose
anditfeltgood.Theshockhadmerelaxingandlookingdownathishands.They
werebig,hardandsomehowelegantastheycurledaroundme.
Thehuntingpartypassedoutofsightandhearingrange.Mystomach
unclenched,andmyheartslidbackdowntorestuneasilyinmychest.Theboy

remainedashewasandpeeredintomyface.Myheartracedathowtallandhow
stronghewas.Haircutclosetohisheadthegeneralimpressionwashardness.A
heavytopbrow,andsharpcheekbonesrestedhighonasculptedface.Hisnose
wastheoppositeofthedistinctiveaquilinebridgemostboyDiscipleshad,andI
likedit.Hisboldeyebrowsandmasculinelipsaddeddepthtoafacethatneeded
noflattering.ThescentofsoilandsunlightreachedmeasIwatchedhissilver
eyesflickfrommyface,totheleathercordatmyneck.
“We’vebeenlookingforyou,”hesaid.
ThefirstwordsI’dspokenalldaywere,“Nobodylooksforme,andhowdoyou
knowmyname?”Takenabackbythefeeblequalityofmyownvoice,Iliftedmy
chinandaddedsomegusto.“Imean,putmedown.Now.”
Hedidnosuchthingandhedidnotanswermyquestion.Buthedidsmileagain,
andwhataspectacularshowitwas.Hisbodywasheavyandhot.Throughthe
fabricofmyclothesIfeltthehardlinesofhim,andtheslowthumpofhisheart
overmine.Withoutthinking,Ireachedtotouchhisjawanditfeltlikestrength.
Myfingertipsglidedoveraraisedslashofskin,andaquicktugtiltedhisheadso
Icouldseemoreofhisprofile.Itracedascarfollowingthelineofhisjaw,
curvinguptohischeekbone.Theskinwaspuckered,rough.Hiseyesmetmine
andIshrugged,thescarmadehimrealtome.Isnakedmyhandsuphisbare,
solidshouldersandjumpedoffhimsoIstoodonmyowntwofeet.


Iknewwithoutashadowofdoubtthisboywouldratherdiethanhurtme.
“Rae,”hesaidsoftly.Ishiveredfromsilkysoftcallingofmyname,butthenhe
finishedwith,“MynameisBreandan,andyouaremine.”
Mywholebodyjolted.Thenmystartledlaughbroketheshortsilence.Needing
spacetothinkandbreathe,Ipushedawayfromhim.
“Inyourdreams,”Isaidandspunaround.
Itriedtopindownadirectiontoruntoward.Irealizedatthatmomentmy
solutionwasdownrightsillyandineffective.Seebad,scaryorconfusingthing,

turnandrunfrombad,scaryorconfusingthinguntilyoubumpintoanotherbad,
scaryorconfusingthing.Iwasgettingnowherefast.
“Youwouldn’tsaysuchathingifyouknewthetruth.AndsinceIsawyoufirst
youhavetobemine.Thewhitewitchwasright,andnowI’llneverheartheend
ofit.Ididn’tthinkyouwouldcomeoutheresosoonandsofreely.Itriedto
ignoreyou,evenwhenyougotlost,butwhenIheardyourunningawayfrom
themIhadtohelp.Theywouldhavecaughtyou.”
I’dstoppedmovinginthemiddleofthisrationalization.Hisvoicewasawfully
attractive.Icouldneverdescribehowitsoundedbecauseitwouldonlyever
soundperfecttome,andnooneelse.OnceI’dgottenpasthearingthewordsI
thoughtoverthemeaning.IndelayedreactionmychestpuffedoutandIbristled.
“ThehellIdo.Peopledon’tbelongtooneanother,andIcertainlydonotbelong
toyou,evenifyoudidseemefirstwhateverthatmeans.Whatstupid-”
HemovedcloserthenIcouldseenothingbuthiseyesagain.Mouthsuddenly
dry,Iwasunabletofinishmyscathingrebuttal,andittookamomenttoun-stick
mytonguefromtheroofofmymouth.Awarmrollingsensationformedinthe
pitofmystomachandlodgedthere.Itwasanoddsensation,itevenhurtalittle,
butitwasanicepain.Ibreathedindeeplythroughmynoseandexpelledthe
breaththroughmymouth.Thewholedeepbreathingthingwashelping.
“Okaythen,Breandan,”Isaidserenelybutmyheartthumpedtoohardandhe
cokedhisheadasifhecouldhearit.Iwentonnonetheless,“Whatdoyouwant?
Whyareyouintheforest,alone?”Thebestdefenseisagoodoffence,andI
couldgiveasgoodasIgot.“Thisisdemonterritoryy’know.IcanadmitIwas


freakedandabitoffcourse.”Hesnortedalaughandmytemperbloatedinto
righteousindignation.“It’sdarkouthere.IwasrunningawayfromtheClerics
becausetheyhaddogs.”Myeyesdartedtoandfromhisnow,uncomfortable
withthelie.“AndIdon’tlikedogs.Theybark.Loudly.Andhowdoyouknow
myname?”

Therewasabeatofsilenceashiseyesheldmine.“Youwillhavetogetoutof
thehabitoflying.Youwon’tbeabletodothatformuchlonger.Andanyway,
youdon’thavetoexplainanythingtome.Iunderstand.Iknowyou,andthatis
whywehavecomeforyou.”
“Areyoufromtheslums?”
ForabadmomentthereIhadassumedhewasfromtheSect.Iwouldbeina
worldtroubleifanyonesawmeouthere.IwasbeyondtheWall,whichwas
forbidden,andIhadseenIdidn’twanttothinkaboutthehorrorI’dseen,and
howI’dbeenfoolishenoughtogetcaughtseeingthethingIsaw.Ihad
disobeyedadirectorderfromaCleric,somethingI,aDiscipletrainingtobea
Cleric,shouldneverdo.No,Iwasnotsosureanymore.IfBreandanwasfrom
theSecthe’dhavecalledtotheClerics,nothiddenmefromthem.Ifhewasa
civilian,Ididn’tseehowhecouldcometobelostOutside.Afterall,youwould
havetogetpasttheWalltomakeitouthere.Therewasnotahumanalivethat
didn’tunderstandthedangersofgoingovertheWallandintodemonterritory.
Ifeltstupidthen.Iftherewasnotahumanalivewhodidn’tknowhow
dangerousitwasOutside,whatthehellwasIdoingOutside?Iwasgoingto
haveveryseriouswordswithmyself.
“ComingforyouisnotsomethingIchose,andbelieveme,ifIcouldchangeitI
would.”Hepausedandshookhishead.“Wearestuck.Youbelongtome,”he
repeated.“AndItoyou.Nowwehavetoucheditissealed.Alright?”
Sealedmyass.Idecidedthenandthere,Ididnotlikethisboy.
“Youcannotappearnexttomeinthemiddleofdemonterritoryandsaysuch
sillythings,”Isaid,strained.“You’rebeginningtoscareme.”
Thatwasanotherlie.Iwasbeyondsacrednow.Mybodycouldn’tkeepupa
constantpitchofterror,soithadsimplygonebeyondterrorandpressedabig
resetbutton.Iwastooafraidoutsidetobeanythingbutcalminside.Voice


unattractivelyshrill,Iloweredmyclenchedfistandtookadeepbreath.I

moderatedmyvoice.
“Let’sstartwithwhereyou’refrom?”
Hesighedandscrubbedahandoverhishead.“Aplacenottoofarfromhere.
Youareverylost.”
Ishiftedonthespot.“AreyoutransferringtothisregiontobeaDisciple?”It
happened.Rarely,foritwastoohazardoustotravellargedistancesthrough
demonterritory,anditwasonlyattemptedonceasettlementhadreacheda
populationdensitythatputallthehumansthereindanger.Butitdidhappen.He
shookhishead.“AreyouvisitingClericattheTemple?”
Iwasreaching,butthatcouldexplainhowhecouldbesocomfortableinthe
forest.Clericswerenotlikeregularpeopleandoftencamefromhardyfamilies.
TheClericswerethefastest,strongestmostintelligentandintuitiveof
humankind.Thatiswhytheymanagedtokeepussosafe.
Hisfacedarkened.“No.”Thewordwasfiredatmelikeabullet.
WithoutpreparingmyselffortheanswerIaskedwithcattyaplomb,“Areyoua
demonthen?”
“Ohyes,”hesaidsoftly.


ChapterTwo
Iwaitedforthefearandforthepanic.Iwaitedforthescreamofterrortorip
frommythroat,butitnevercame.Iwaitedforhimtograbme,andmurderme,
andcutmeintopiecesandhidemeunderthesmallpatchofwildflowersover
there.Buthesaidanddidnothing.Thecleverthingwouldhavebeentogetthe
helloutofthereandstartrunningagain.ButIdidn’twantto,andIwascurious
astowhoandwhathewas.Iwantedtoknowwhyhewasstoodinfrontofme,
andwhathewasafter.
Hisgazerakedovermeagainandagain,lookingforsomething.
“Ifyoudidn’tthinkyouweresafeyouwouldaskmetoleave,”hesaid.“And,if
youwantedmetoleave,Iwouldhavedonesoalready.”

Ihatedthathiswordsmadesensetome.“Stoptryingtobeclever,demon-boy.”
“I’mtryingtohelpyou,demon-girl.”
Hiswordshadthesameimpactasablowtothehead.Itwitchedlikedhe’d
pinchedmealloverandstaggeredback.
Iknewthensomethingmenacingwascomingaroundthecorner.Ihadtoaccept
whathehadtoldmenext,right?Nottoacknowledgetheundeniabletruthwould
befoolish.Atearsliddownmyfaceandlandedwithasoftplunkonmyfront.I
hadalwaysbeendifferent,strange,butwithintherealmsofhumanstrange.
Undoubtedly,IknewI’dgonebeyondtheboundaries.
Hesteppedcloser,closerstill,andourclothesrustledastheytouched.Lowering
hisforeheadtotouchmine,warmfingersfoundmyhandsandcoaxedthemto
entwinewithhis.Ididnotlikethewaymybodywasreactingtohim.It
overruledlogicanditwasbeginningtoupsetme.Somethingwashappeningto
meandIdidn’tunderstandwhat.Worse,Icouldn’texplaintomyselfwhyIwas
stilltheretalkingtohim.
Hisfingertappedmychinup.“I’msorry.Ishouldn’thavesaiditlikethat,butI
wasnevergoodwithwords.”Hisvoicewasseriousandcomplicated.Hishand
claspingmychinreleasedtheknotthathadformedinmystomach,andwitha


sob,Idraggedinabreathtocontrolmytears.“Don’tdoit,”hewarnedandused
hisholdonmychintotugmyfacecloser.“Tocryoverlearningthetruthis
useless.Itshouldempoweryou.”Hestrokedmycheek,wipingthetearthere.
“You’resad,”hesaidbrusquelyandwatchedmefighttocontrolmyself,“That
tellsmeIhavenotdonethisright.Maybenowisnotthetimetohavethistalk.I
haveresponsibilitiesIcannotignoresimplybecauseitwillhurtnottobearound
you.I’llexplainbetterwhenIreturn.”
WithnootheroptionInoddedslowly.AndthenIknockedhishandsoffme.
Whateverwassoimportantheneededtoleavemewell,thatwasfine.“You
don’thavetojustifyanythingtome,”Isaid.“Idon’tknowyouandIdon’t

expecttoeverseeyouagain.”Hedidn’towemeathingandIwashappyhewas
leaving.
Icouldgetbacktobeinglost,andworriedaboutbeinglost.
“Sostubborn.Icanadmitnottoseeyouwillbehard.Canyounotlookoutside
yourselfforamomenttodothesame?”
Theintentionwastotearintohimabouthisstupid,confusingstatementsthat
madenosense,butasmyheadturnedhislipsbrushedalongmychin.Gravity
shiftedandflowedintohiseyestogroundme.Theworlddarkenedtonothingas
theydrewmedeeperintotheirshadeddepths.Mylipspartedinasigh,andmy
handssweptaroundhiswaistashepulledmecloser.Hishandtangledintomy
hairasmyownmovedoverhislowerback.Ibreathedintheheadysmellof
sunlightfromhischest,andthescentbecameatasteonmytongue.Exploring
thedipinhisspine,Iglidedthepadsofmyfingersintotheshallowgrove
flowinguninterruptedtohisshoulderblades.MyhandslefthisbackthenI
hesitatedinmyexploration.Thesensationthatslickedovermypalmswas,odd.
Hoveringafewinchesawayfromhisskintheairfeltwarmer,thicker.
Hejerkedbackandspunawaytolookintotheforest.Hepeeredaroundus,and
thewavesofhostilitypulsingfromhisbodycrankedthetensionintheairup.He
stood,allwoundupandtense,soIgotallwoundupandtense,andwefedof
eachotheruntilIwaspanting.Itwasuncomfortablywearingforsomeonelike
mewhowasalreadybeyondterrified.
Breandansaid,“Rae,gobacktotheTemplenow.Thatdirection.”Hepointed
intothetrees.WhenIdidn’tmovehetwistedmearoundbytheshoulder,and


pushedmeinthedirectionhe’dpointed.
IkindofstumbledafewstepsforwardbeforeIstopped,andrealizedIdidn’t
havetodowhathesaid.“But,youcan’ttellmeI’mademonthenstop
explaining.”
Iwantedtostay,badly,butsensewastellingmeIhadtoleavelikehesaid.

“Youdon’thavetoarguewitheverywordIsay.We’llcomeforyoulater.Go
now.”
Returninghissteadygazewithoneofmyown,IpickeduponsomethingI’d
beenunconsciouslyregistering.TherewasabarrierbetweenBreandanandI.
Pullingmybrowstogether,Itiltedmyheadtowatchhim,watchme.Nota
physicalortangiblebarrier;invisible.Heshimmeredandrippledintosomething
different.Asoftnimbuscoatedhisentirebeing.Pearlescentitrepelledmygaze.
“StophidingfrommeandI’llgo,”Isaid.“YouwantmetotrustyouandIcan
managesometrustsinceyouhaven’tkilledme.Butyouhavetotrustmeback.
Yousayyou’reademon,wellthenwhatkind?Showmeyourtrueform.”
“Idon’thavethetimeforthis.”
“Comeon,itcan’ttakethatlong.Showmethenyoucanrunoffanddo
whateveryouweredoingbeforeyoujusthadtohelpme.”
Hemadeanoiseoffrustrationandpointedagain.“Willyouatleastmoveinthe
rightdirectionaswetalk?”
Inoddedcurtly.Iwaspersistentnotstupid.Ifhewasthisantsysomethingbad
mustbecomingthisway.
“IfwerunIcangetyoubackandmaybecatchitup.Followme,”hesaid.
Andthenhewasgone.Onemomenthe’swalking,andthenexthe’sasilverblur
zippingthroughthetreesaheadofme.
Itwasodd,becauseIknewitwasdemonfast,butIcouldtrackhismovement
withmygaze.WasitcrazythatIwantedtofollowhim?Grudgingly,Iadmitted
tomyselfI’dneverwantedtofollowsomeonesobadly,andIwasneveroneto


shyawayfromaphysicalchallenge.I’drunblindinglyfastfromthehounds,and
theonlydifferencebetweennowandthenwasthatIwasscared.Huh,pieceof
cake.Ihadloadsofscaredstoreduparoundthesolarplexusarea.Tappinginto
thewellofenergyinsidemewastooeasy,andIburstforward.
Everythingwassobrightandlively,anditwasnothingformetoflowacrossthe

landatavelocitystrange,yetcomforting.BreandantookasharpturnandIwas
pleasedtoseeIwasgaining,glidingacrossthegroundathisside.Achuckle
caughtmyear.Ihadmadehimlaugh,andasillytideofhappinessblazed
throughme.Igrinned,andlaughed,andspeduptoleavehimtrailingbehind.
Theflooryieldedtoeverypoundofmyfoot.Notasinglebranchsnaggedmy
hairorcutmyskinbecauseIdidn’tletit.Izippedanddodged,jumpedandspun
atrailintheundergrowth.Ididn’tknowwhereIwasrunningto,butitfeltgood
tobeinmotion.
Theairwasheavywithapiquantscentthatfizzedonmytongue.Thesilhouette
oftreestallerthananyI’dseenrosehighinthesky,andafewstarsalready
winkeddownatme.I’mnotabotanist,soallIcansayisthattherewereplants.
Abigorgyofred,bluesandpurplesscatteredeverywhere.Thebreezewascrisp
andmadeeverythingswayinorderlychaos.Thebuzzingofinsectandrestless
whiningofbeastpuncturedthedawninharmonicbeat.
IknewthemomentBreandan’shandreachedformine.Myskintingledandlike
amagnetseekingitsopposite,myhandmovedtomeethis.Alighttugslowed
metoastop.Ipluckedaleaffrommyhairandbrushedalickofdirtoffmy
cheek.IcouldhavecontinuedthisgroomingsessionforawhilesinceIfelttwigs
andthornscaughtinmyclothesandhair,butIwasdistracted.
Breandanstoodstillandletmeroammyeyesoverhim.Hisprofilewassharper
somehow,andIpushedthehairoutofmyeyestodrinkthestrongcolumnof
throatthatflowedintosolidchest.Hisearsheldmyattentionforalongwhile,
couldn’tsaywhy,beforemygazeslidoverthestraightnessofhisnose,andthe
strongplanesofhischeekandforehead.
“Let’skeepmoving,”hesaid.Istoodstillandhehadtoeithertugmeagainor
letgoofmyhand.Heletgoandsigheddramatically.“Stopbeingdifficult.If
you’renotbackatTemplesoon,they’llbesuspiciousofyouanditwon’tbesafe
thereanymore.”

HewalkedoffandtooknomorethanfivestepsbeforeIfeltaninsistenttug,a
nigglingurgepushingmetowardhim.Isuspectedithadsomethingtodowith
thatpainfulheatI’dfeltwhenhe’dtouchedmeskintoskinforthefirsttime.He
hadalotofexplainingtodo.Grittingmyteeth,Istartedafterhimandreached
outthesamemomentashedidtoclasphands.Wetrodapathofcrunching
leavesandsnappingtwigs.Thebreezewassweetlyfragrantandsmelledof
greenthings.Itwasquietnowapartfromthesoundofsmallfurrythingsgoing
abouttheirbusinessintheunderstory.
“Speakthen,”Isaid.“Don’tgoallshyonme.”
“I’mafairy.”
Iblinkedandfroze.Thewindstirredfallenleavesandwrappedhiswordsaround
me.Afewwordstrulycantakeyourbreathaway,ormakeyoudoubtyourown
mind.Iwalkedon,notseeing,hearingorfeeling.
Imanagedasharpnoise.“YoumustthinkI’mstupidorsomething.Youwantme
tobelievethatyouareoneoftherarestspeciesontheplanet?”
Hebitbackasmile.“YoubelievedIwasademoneasilyenough.”
“Well,weareindemonterritory.YouhidfromClericsandonlydemonsdo
that.”
“YouranfromClerics.”
Hehadmethere.“Uh,we’renottalkingaboutme,”Isaidhotly.“I’mnotthe
smartestgirl,butI’mnotstupideither.I’llbejustasimpressedifyoutellme
you’reashifterorwitch.”
“Whataboutmedon’tyoubelieve?”heaskedafterasmallpause.
Iwasonasarcasm-highnow.“Yeah,sure.Ibelieveyou.LuckyRaesee’stwo
fairies,theonekindofdemonthatisnearlyextinct.Andsheseesthemwithin
minutesofeachother.Eventhoughtheoddsofthatare-”
“Whatdidtheotherlooklike?”
“Uh,greenskinandallthislongfieryhair.”

Hemadeacluckingnoisemeanttosoundcross,buthesmiledradiantly,silver
eyesfaraway.“Itoldhertohidehertrueform.”
Thedirectionofmythoughtsbecamehideouslyplain,andicyhorrorfrozethe
bloodinmyveins.
“I’mguessingyouknowher?”Itriedtokeepthequestioncasualbutmyvoice
soundedshrill.
“ThefairyyousawiscalledMaeve.She’smylittlesister.”
Istaredathim,mylipsbecomingnumb.“Sister,”Iwhispered.“Howcanyou
knowthat?Aren’tallofyourfemalesgreenwithredhair?”
“Doallhumanfemaleshavelighthair,eyesandskin?No,allfairiesareunique,
though,therearetypicalthingslikeourpointedearsandsharpteeth.”Hemust
havefiguredIwashavingasimplemoment.Ididn’tbackchatlikeIusually
would.“Don’tworry,”hisvoicewasgentle.“Maeveisaforceofgood.She’s
beenlookingforyoutoo,andshewouldn’thurtyou.She’syoungandstealthis
nothergift.ShehasskillswithabladenotevenConallcanmatch.”Therewasa
deepaffectioninhisvoiceashespokeofher.
Ifeltdirtyfornotsayingsomethingsoonerandopenedmymouthtospeak.
Thosecurlsoffearsprungupinmybelly,andlashedatmyinsidestosilence
me.Ilockedmyjaw.Nowordsseemedadequateenoughtoexplainwhathad
happened.BeforeIhadbeensadaboutwhathadhappenedtothefairy,even
guilty.WhoknowswhatwouldhavehappenedifIhadn’tspookedtheClerics.
Theymighthavelethergo.IfItoldhimwhathappened,howI’ddisturbedthem
andgottenhissisterkilled,whatwouldhedotome?
Ohgods,Ifeltqueasy.Thestresswaseatingawayatme,andIwaswoundup
tightrightdowntomybabytoes.
Thentheoutlineofsomethingbigprowledpast,ghostingthroughthetrees.I
forgotaboutBreandan,IforgotI’dseenhissistertakeabullettothechest,and
forgotIwaslostindemonterritoryasmyentirebodylockeddown.Blood
rushedinmyearsastheshadowtrodapathparalleltowherewestood.
BreandanwascalmandunmovedsoItougheditout,andstayedput.

Itemergedfrombehindatreeafewpacesawaytocrossourpath.Blackand


freckledwithflaxenrosettes,thebigcat’semeraldeyeswithslittedblackpupils,
sweptoverus.Thepowerfulbuildandhandsomefaceweretoobrawnytobe
anythingbutmale.Slinkingtoastop,hisearsprickedupandhelookedmeright
intheeye.Awaveofconsciousnessflashedacrossmyskin,andforabeatI
couldn’tbreathe.
Hepaddedover,thickclawsglintingandpressedintomylegs.Asoftgrowl
rumbledinhisthroatandhiswholebodyvibrated.Itensedthenflexedmyhand
andletitdriftdown.Ashepushedhiswetnoseintomypalmthegrowlbecame
asatisfiedpurr.Thecatwaswarmandsmeltmusky.Myfingersrubbedupthe
coarsehairbehindhisearsthensmootheditdown.HenippedatmyfingerandI
yelped.Hetwitchedatthesound,andthelongwhiskersonhisupperlipwhistled
astheycutthroughtheair.Nudgingthebackofmykneehemadeacontented
noise,tingedwithalmostanapologyforstartlingme.Hiseyeslingeredonmine,
blinkedatmethenhesniffedtheairandgatheredhisfrontandbackpaws
together.Earsflatagainsthishead,hepacedforwardandslinkedlower.
Igasped,spottingasablecoloreddeergrazingwithinmylineofsight,half
hiddenbyafewdogwoodtrees.Thecat’smusclesbunchedtightlybeforehe
sprungforwardandboundedaway.Ididn’twatchwhathappenedtothedeer
afterthat.
Breandanwatchedme,headcockedthoughtfully.
Imarveledattheshortebonyhairsstuckonmyfingertips.Evidencemy
encounterhadbeenreal.Itrembled.
“Didthatmeansomethingtoyou?”Iaskedquietly.
“Ohyes,”herepliedandtookholdofmyhand,andstartedtowalkagain.
“Nothingoutherewillharmyouunlessyoupickafightfirst.”Hepaused.
“Usuallyshiftersarenotthatsociable.Rarelydotheyinteractwiththoseoutside
theirpack,evenwhentheyleavePrideterritory.Donotmakeahabitofpetting

them.Despiteyourdifficultpersonality,Iwillprotectyouuntildeath,butwould
prefernottohavetodealwithsuchdirecircumstancesunlessnecessary.”
Jerkingtoastopheyankedgentlyontheendsofmyhairtopullmyheadback.
“Alright?”Histeethnippedmyneckthenhislipspressedakisstomypulse
point.Therehestoodamongstthetrees,smilingdownonmeandwaitingformy
answer.


Allthewhile,forallthatI’djustexperiencedandallhe’dtoldme,allIcould
thinkwas,hekissedmyneck.
“BelieveitornotIdon’tskiparoundlookingfortrouble.Ionlycomeouthere
forsomespacetothinkandrun.AndIcantakecareofmyself.”
Afterabeatofsilencehechuckledandwalkedon,continuingtotowmealong
side.
Ashifter.Ihadstrokedawere-cat,oneofthemostferaldemonsinexistence.
OnlyBreandan’sfirmgripandsteadystepsforwardkeptmemoving.
“Ineverrealizedthedifferentdemonkindslivedsoclosetogether,”Isaid.
“Ourterritoriesarevast.Rightnowweareinhisbackgarden.ThePride
encompassestheentirehumanprison.Thatiswhyweshowedrespectandstayed
still.Ifhehadtakenissuewithushere,hewouldhaveletmeknow.Butthenhe
hasprobablyscentedthevampiretoo,andishappytohavetheextrahelpin
huntingitdown.”
“Prison,”Iechoed,startled.“Vampire?”
Sayingthenamemademytoesscrunchtogetherinmybootsandmystomach
pitchdangerously.Thedeadoneswerenotdemonspeopledresseduptomake
scarierthantheyactuallywere.Vampireswerethecreaturesyoumadenicerin
storiessothatyoudidn’tpassoutwhenreportsonehadbreachedtheWall,and
eatenafewhomelesspeoplecameyourway.
“Isthatnotwhatitis?Aprisonthehumanshavelockedthemselvesinside?”
TherewastoomuchbehindthatsimplestatementIcouldnotbegintogetinto.

“So,youcangowhereveryoulike?Tohuntvampires,Imean.Itdoesn’tmatter
you’renothiskind?”Iwasfascinated.Ihadlearnedmoreaboutdemonkindin
onehourthanyearsoftraining.
“WhywouldInotbeabletogowhereIliked?Therehasnotbeenawarbetween
demonkindandwerespecteachotherenoughnotimposefoolishrulesof
ownership.Thoughmostofusdoavoidventuringintovampirecities.Shifters
arebestialunderafullmoon,butsensibleforthemostpart.Thealpha-male