The Watchers Trilogy: Legions Part 6

"Ana, what are we supposed to be feeling?" Cyril seemed genuinely puzzled.

"Ugh, forget it you two!" I grabbed my bag and stomped upstairs.

I made my way down the hall, pa.s.sing by the guest room that had played host to me for a little while when I was here with Athen my first time. I felt my legs going a little quicker. I wasn't sure what I thought I was going to see when I got to our room. Did I truly believe I was going to swing open the door to have Athen staring back at me? I was angry at myself for being so pathetic. I finally reached the door to our bedroom, which wasn't closed all of the way, and I slowly opened it up with my bag, walking onto our s.h.a.g rug placed in front of the door. I immediately inhaled the largest amount of air I could. I wanted to get the last little bit of essence of Athen before I contaminated it. I threw my bag down and did what I came for. I crawled under the covers, thankful that we didn't change the sheets before we left.

I laid on my back stretching, imagining Athen holding me and whispering to me some silly joke. The thrill of hearing his voice, even though it was only in my mind, brought an automatic smile to my face. A movement my lips hadn't felt for a very long time. Coming back to our Kingston home was a really good idea. I let these feelings of relief and happiness wash over me. I could somehow feel him again. I knew it was silly, and maybe it was only because this was where we had last joined our bodies together, but I felt him here and I needed that. Not knowing how long I could be facing without him made me appreciate every little reminder that I could scoop up around me.

I heard Arie and Cyril going down the stairs probably to watch television or something. I was relieved. I needed sleep. I was happy that they have both been with me during this time, but I needed my own time too. I needed to be able to grieve in peace.

The morning sun shot through my bedroom window, greeting me with a freshness I hadn't felt in a long time. I had no idea how long I had been out. I didn't even wake up for dinner last night. I fell asleep dreaming about Athen and woke up thinking about him. For once, it was all positive. My thoughts were overflowing with images of him and I together up in Whistler or picking out our first Christmas tree since my own reintroduction.

I knew these were the images that would keep me strong, strong enough to wait 50 years if I had to. He was worth waiting for. He was worth fighting for. I wasn't going to slip to the other side. I had the strength within me. I needed to tap into it and avoid the demons' traps. I was sure that was all it was and had been.

I grabbed my bag that I had dumped on the floor the night before without emptying it out and began placing my clothes in the drawers. I opened up the bottom drawer to see what was actually filling it up since I never actually paid attention before. There were some of Athen's nice sweaters folded and underneath those, I saw what looked like a leather journal of some sort. I was tempted to grab it and devour it. But there was the other side of me that didn't want to violate Athen's trust. Right now, that side was winning. I moved the sweater gently to cover up the edge of the leather journal and closed the drawer back up.

The house seemed empty so I decided to venture downstairs and see if my instincts were right. Things were very quiet, the air still. I was pretty sure that I was alone. They had probably decided to grab some items at the store for us. I slipped from the family room to the dining room to the kitchen looking at everything again as if I hadn't seen it before. My hands moving over the granite countertops, the shock of the ice cold stone awakening my senses more than I was used to recently.

I grabbed a mug out of the cabinet and filled it up with some water from the hot water tap to prepare some tea. I found the remote for the stereo turning it on through the house as I tried my best to warm up from the chill in the air. The house was still warming up from n.o.body occupying it for awhile. Walking over to the window to watch the ferries, I grabbed a pillow to sit on and threw it down as I tried to make myself comfy. I rested my back against the ottoman taking in the beautiful water gently moving in the distance. My eyes quickly fell to the beach access down the path from where I was taking in the scene of the ferries. I did my best to ignore the urge to go down to the beach.

My eyes began to fill with tears, and I placed my cup of tea on the ground doing my best to wipe away the wetness before it was released down my cheeks. I got up onto my knees looking through the window towards the beach. Placing my hands on the cold gla.s.s, I saw the boulder where we had made love for the first time. I was almost feeling the same jolt of cold running through me as the memories were pumping through my body. It was like the boulder was speaking to me, confirming that Athen and I really did exist, like our love was truly possible. The only thing stopping me from running down there and collapsing onto the grounds where we were so close was my outfit, flannel pjs and house slippers. I didn't need to cause any more concern for my family as boaters and ferry pa.s.sengers see some crazy woman in her pajamas crying hysterically, pounding a boulder.

Night had fallen, and we had just finished watching a movie, gorging on popcorn and trying to escape a little. It was a good choice considering we had to impose laughter on ourselves somehow. Cyril and Arie were doing their best at giving me s.p.a.ce but also keeping me busy enough so I didn't put myself in an early grave by jumping off a cliff again or something. Not that an act like that seemed to do much to us, but it was the thought that counts.

"Hey, guys. That was a good choice, but I think I'm gonna hit the sack now." Arie was curled up on Cyril, and she looked like she had barely been able to keep her eyes open the last few minutes.

"Sure thing." Cyril said scooping up Arie who was now almost completely asleep. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Yeah, you too. I'll lock everything up... and thanks, Cyril. I appreciate everything you guys have been doing." I really did. I don't know that I could have made it this far without them.

"That's what family is for. Ana, we'll get him back. Don't give up on him."

I nodded, and he carried Arie up the stairs. I did my best to keep my tears at bay until he reached the top, and as if on cue, the tear that started the flood rolled down my cheek. I used my sleeve to wipe away the excess misery from my face. I checked the garage door and French doors, and both were locked.

I turned to go up the stairs and felt a spark. My hair began to softly blow against my neck as if a light wind had crossed my path, but no windows were open. I looked around quickly and saw nothing. I felt it again. Only this time, it seemed to almost grab me and then let me go. The same feeling when we first entered the house began to present itself. I wasn't alone. I darted up the stairs knowing whatever I might be faced with was something I'd have to deal with by myself. Whether it was internal fear, or one of the demons attempting to make me crack, I needed to decipher its meaning alone. I needed to learn to count on myself not Arie and Cyril. It was the only way I'd get stronger.

I made it to my bedroom without hyperventilating, quietly and quickly closing the door behind me. I charged over to my window not sure what I was expecting to see. At first, the only thing in view was darkness, but as my eyes adjusted to the gentle cast of light the moon was throwing down, I saw very subtle movements. Fear welled up inside of me, not sure what I was seeing. I quickly arranged myself so I'd hopefully not be seen as I saw what I was sure was a human figure. It was so dark outside, I couldn't see any distinguis.h.i.+ng features. I did my best to move forward a little closer to the window hoping to make something out. I was not feeling contempt or disgust that would often accompany my encounters with the demons, so I was guessing it might be a human who was just wandering our property. At least, that was what I was hoping.

I watched intently as I saw the figure move from the trail over to the beach. Whatever his plan, it seemed rather harmless, especially since he was moving away from the house, but the fear would not subside. Seeing any sort of person or thing wandering around in pitch black does nothing to calm even the bravest of souls.

I slowly backed up from the window, grabbing a bathrobe to wrap around me since the cold air from the window was chilling me more than I thought. The terry cloth collar gently wrapped around my neck when I realized I had grabbed Athen's robe. The smell of his cologne encircled my senses. I suddenly felt so near him. I felt his presence so close to me, his arms wrapping around me. I looked back down at the ground, and the person strolling around, only to see him stop and look up at me. Even though the distance was great between myself and the person staring back at me, I was frightened and confused.

I braced myself against the wall as I stared back, focusing as best I could, disappointed in my inability to see who was out there. I knew it would be foolish to go out there with everything that had been going on, but there was a part of me that wondered if it could be Athen. That part of me was so small because the logic part won out for once, not my heart. Rather than make matters worse, I closed the curtains disconnecting my gaze from the stranger's. I felt pretty confident it wasn't a dark demon. They had never been much for hiding their evilness. I had been exposed enough to know the feelings that would have come over me.

I slowly got into bed refusing to remove Athen's robe and the comfort that it brought me. The gentle ache in my heart began to spread through my body as I worried that it very well might be Athen outside, and I shut him out. I knew it was impossible. There was no reason for him to know about this place, but I also knew the feelings I felt when we arrived here weren't right either. What else were we hoping for when we came here? We all needed to somehow connect with Athen on some level. Maybe this was it and all I could do was crawl under the covers. I would know if it was him, and it wasn't. It wasn't him.

The wonderful calmness of my dream world began to invite me in as I slowly drifted off to sleep hearing a gentle bark off in the distance. My two worlds were once again colliding as Matilda welcomed me back to happiness. I was grateful for her loyal spirit as I heard Athen call her off in the distance.

Chapter 17.

I woke up from a wonderful peace, beating the sun's presence. I dreamed of being with Matilda again and Athen. We were all on the beach together playing Frisbee. Laughing as Matilda attempted to jump in the air to retrieve the flying saucer. Part of me wanted to force myself back to my dream state so that I could be there in their presence, even it for only a few more minutes, but I also wanted to get down to the beach before Cyril and Arie were up.

I had to investigate what I swore I saw last night. Promising myself it wasn't a dream, the swirl of emotions began to run wild in my body. My inability to sense who or what that was last night really unnerved me. Knowing that this being had the ability to reach me inside my home and did so without filling me with complete terror, which puzzled me. The actions fit none of the creatures I had encountered so far. I had been in this very home only months before, approached by demons, and it was a horrible experience; one that I could never forget and one that I could never mistake. That's why I knew this was different.

I quickly got dressed and got my shoes on, sneaking quietly down the stairs attempting to make no noise whatsoever. This was something I wanted to do privately. I had been avoiding this area of our yard since we arrived back here. I decided now was as a good of a time as any to go check it out. I gently closed the French doors that led down the path where I saw the figure traipsing around. I took a deep breath hoping for a sense of tranquility as I traveled the very same path to the beach where Athen and I had last gone. A smile returned to my lips as I remembered us attempting to make s'mores on the beach and enjoying each other's company in every way possible.

I was thankful that it hadn't rained recently which lessened my chances of slipping all the way down the path. As I proceeded, I looked for any kind of clue that I thought would tell me who this person or creature was. I was pretty sure what I hoped for versus what was actually possible were two conflicting things. I got closer to the beach and noticed that I didn't see one footprint the entire length of the trail. I was leaving a print with every step I took; so I found that unnerving. When I reached the beach, the feelings came cras.h.i.+ng down on me. The memories were flooding my mind of Athen and I becoming one on this beach. I was unable to concentrate on anything but his images. The way he held me and spoke to me during our most intimate moments. The sound of the fire crackling from that night was echoing through me. I swore I could smell the burnt logs. I remembered how we left the chocolate that was supposed to be for our s'mores too close to the fire, but we got too carried away with each other to care. The emotions traveling though me were almost more than I could handle.

The wind gently tore my hair away from my headband creating a chill as the strands of hair ran across my cheek. I looked up at the trees and realized there was no breeze. It was the same sensation as the night before. I quickly glanced around, thankful the sun had begun to make its appearance. Frightened for what I might find, I saw nothing that should have caused a sensation like this to appear. I kept on moving towards the boulder. I needed to touch it, be near it. So much had happened there. I needed that closeness we experienced here. The waves of the ocean were lapping against the rocks quietly guiding me closer to my destination. I saw off in the distance what was probably the first ferry of the morning, chugging away. Hoping that I didn't attract the attention of any of the ferry pa.s.sengers, I made my movements more slow and deliberate, reaching my hand out to finally come into contact with the boulder. Feeling a charge, I knew I had made it. I looked down for a place to stick my foot to steady myself on the pebbles when I saw it. There before me was a long-stemmed, white rose laying on the only section of sand that existed in this tiny stretch of beach. I was no longer in my body. My head was fuzzy; my world was no longer my own.

My head began spinning as I did my best to prop myself up against the boulder. I didn't understand what was going on. But I knew that Athen had to have been part of it. I slowly bent down to pick up the rose, careful not to make any sudden movements for fear that I might collapse at the enormity of the situation.

I was certain this rose had to be from Athen. But why? How? Did he know what he was doing or why? If he truly knew, why would he not come to the door?

A pebble began skipping across the water, and I quickly turned my head in the direction it was coming from, only to see nothing staring right back at me. My mind was beginning to feel very fragile again, like someone was playing games with me. I was positive if it was a demon trying to trick me or send me a message that I'd be able to sense it. I could recognize their evil. I had been able to recognize the close proximity of those evil creatures time and time again. I knew in my heart, if it was one of them I'd have caught it, leaving only one answer for me to slowly embrace. I scanned the brush, mostly tangled blackberries, trying to ascertain what I could be missing. Where he could be hiding. All I could see was my hopes diminis.h.i.+ng with every second that pa.s.sed.

"I'm all yours, Athen. I'll wait for you for as long as it takes. They can take you away, but they can't take you out of my thoughts or out of my memories."

I held onto the single white rose that was placed for me with such care, unable to understand what was possibly the significance of any of it.

Chapter 18.

A week had gone by, and the white rose was still as upright as the morning I had picked it up off of the beach. We had made our way back up to Victoria, and I made sure that the rose made it across the border with me. It was a sign. I was certain of it. Cyril and Arie thought I was reading too much into it. I knew I wasn't. It gave me the hope I needed. So many distractions had started to spring up in the last several days that I needed what solace I could find by staring at the purity of the petals.

We had been so busy Athen hunting that we had put some of our other important duties on hold. We were contacted by some of our friends in Whistler to let us know the severity of meddling by the Legions had increased. Arie had reached out to several other families, and they had all warned of the same thing. Besides the demons' interfering more with the humans, they were beginning to pick off family members that much more aggressively amongst our network.

I went into the kitchen where Arie was baking cookies. Cyril was already in the family room making lists of things he wanted to investigate. He felt there was a pattern that we were overlooking. I kind of thought that maybe we were over thinking things. Demons are bad, and they are going to do bad things. Maybe, we need to start confronting them more head on. Play the game they want to play. I knew, regardless, it was time that we started to channel some of our energy into these events again; otherwise, it wouldn't much matter if Athen returned or not. If our worst fear was realized, there might not be much to come back too.

I grabbed the newspaper off our porch. I was thankful the newspaper carrier put it in the plastic baggie. The rain was coming down in buckets, and even though the paperboy threw it under the eaves, the Northwest's version of rain had a tendency to be able to get anything and everything wet. Maybe that was why everyone's skin had such a beautiful, dewy glow. Not enough sun to ever dry a person out and create the dreaded leather effect.

I went over to the dining room table where my orange juice and toasted bagel with cream cheese was waiting for me. The window was still open from the night before, allowing the dampness to creep inside our home. I had to admit I kind of liked it. Not the same feeling as crisp snow-filled air but definitely a comforting feeling.

As I slipped the rubber band off and unfolded the paper, I noticed the front-page headline reading "THIRD COUGAR ATTACK IN 2 MONTHS" blazed across the page in the black, looming font with a picture of a man underneath.

The hair on the back of my neck began to rise. Something didn't seem right about this. Granted, Vancouver Island had its fair share of wildlife, but I didn't like the feel of this. I scanned the page looking for something to confirm my suspicion. Nothing was there. There had to be something to this. I grabbed my bagel and orange juice, heading to my bedroom where I could look up these other alleged cougar attacks in private. I hoped I was wrong, but I was pretty sure I wasn't.

I curled my legs underneath me as I scanned the articles I read on the other victims who were attacked by cougars. From what it looked like, none of them had seen the cougar. All of the attacks had been from behind and close to dusk - two on the beach and one on a local trail. The morning's paper had been a bit misleading. Technically, you could call it three attacks in two months, but there had been four victims, not three. The first cougar attack occurred with a couple who was on their honeymoon. Neither of them saw the cougar. Yet they were both attacked. He was on the beach, and she was found on the trail leading back to the parking lot, which was very contradictory to a normal cougar attack. The first victim should have been plenty to satisfy the cougar's needs. Thankfully, the attack occurred near a popular park so help was called almost instantly; yet n.o.body was able to identify a cougar, and the hounds that were brought in were unable to trace any sort of scent. The couple was interviewed while still in the hospital recovering from their wounds. Neither saw a cougar attack the other. It didn't make sense. I was pretty sure this wasn't a cougar. I knew I had to bring it up to Cyril and Arie immediately. I may not be having any premonitions surrounding this, but I certainly wasn't going to discount good old-fas.h.i.+oned instinct.

Scanning the newspaper, my heart began beating faster and faster as I knew the very thing that I was looking for was waiting for me to find it, right in there among the mix of useless facts. The attack was about ten miles from my practice ground. I knew it. This was no coincidence. The Legions were announcing their presence to us all. It was our turn to announce our stance. We hadn't been doing a very good job of that lately.

I wish I had Athen here to discuss my hypothesis. My heart ached as I looked at the white rose. I knew he was getting closer. I needed to be patient.

It turned out that humans being attacked by wild animals wasn't unique to Vancouver Island. Every family we contacted throughout this country and the next, confirmed that wild animal attacks were on the rise. Whether it was an alleged bear attack in Yellowstone or Russia, the details were always the same. n.o.body saw the animals, and the attacks were gruesome. It was definitely the Legions beginning their formations, making their intentions known, and now they were heavily involving humans. I did my best to push the thought of Athen away and tried to concentrate on the tasks at hand, but it would be so much easier to bounce my ideas off of him. Cyril and Arie were great to talk with. They really were supportive, and I felt like I could tell them most things, but the emptiness that I felt was sometimes overwhelming. Seeing them together made it worse at times too.

We decided to go to some of the areas where the attacks were taking place to scope out the surroundings and see if we could find anything. I doubted we would find all that much. They were very good at being noticed when they wanted to be and hiding when they didn't want to be. Cyril and Arie had gone to the library to grab some topographic information we couldn't get online and promised to be back by noon. I had about 30 more minutes before they would be home so I decided to go for a walk.

I had started seeing Athen in my dreams again, and I was pretty sure it was the real thing. I think he was getting closer to finding his way home to us, and all I could do was wait. I had scared him off enough already, first at the library and again at the hospital where the poor guy was supposed to be recuperating. I'm lucky he was on the same continent let alone in the same area, or at least I hoped he was in the same area. It was still pretty hard to track him down. Cyril and Arie led me to believe that he was around, but for all I knew, that was to keep me from going hysterical. I already felt on the verge more often than not. I wanted to be held by him or have his familiar laugh bounce off the walls. I now understood what he meant about it being harder on him than me because he knew what he was missing, and I had no recollection. I never thought I'd be the one with the memories and he wouldn't. It was pretty hard to fathom in such a short time that so many things had reversed. Not only that, I missed my little Matilda too. I worried about her a lot as well since we couldn't completely sense her, I didn't know what that meant either. I was trying my best to trust, but it was hard.

I had wandered down into town and was walking towards the sandwich shop when I felt the same presence as on the beach. I stopped in my tracks and scanned the sidewalk. I did my best to look as normal as possible, even though my excitement level was building tenfold. My hands began to get clammy, and I felt like my vision was going in and out. It was like I was having a ma.s.sive head rush, but I hadn't moved. There was an empty bench that was covered in leftover rain droplets, and I didn't care. I sat down immediately feeling the wetness penetrate through my jeans doing nothing to bring me out of my fog. I continued to scan the streets and sidewalk looking for someone who I knew was impossible to find. The electricity began zipping through my veins. I knew he was close. I didn't know where. There were city workers placing hanging baskets on the light posts and street signs, a supposed welcoming sign of spring. All that did for me was remind me that Athen still wasn't with me, and the winter season has almost already exited.

My cell phone began to vibrate. It was Arie. I couldn't answer it. I didn't want to lose this trace to Athen. As distant as it might be, I didn't want to lose it. A couple minutes pa.s.sed by, and I received a text from Arie. She was wondering where I went. Apparently my idea of only being gone 15 minutes turned into 45, and they had made it home already.

I didn't want them to worry needlessly so I texted back where I was. I knew they were going to come get me. I wasn't ready to leave. I had no choice though. I had to also stay focused on figuring out the Legion's modus operandi. Their master plan was to have us all distracted, and it certainly had worked better than I'd like to admit.

It was off to the first beach where the latest attack had occurred. I'd be on my best behavior and give my full attention to the task at hand. And on that, Cyril and Arie pulled up to the sidewalk waiting for our day's adventures. I climbed into the back of the Jeep and shut the door as I head Matilda's bark chasing after us. I was sure of it. Turning my head to peer out the back window, I saw nothing of familiarity. There was no dog in sight.

"Let's get going. I want to show you the place where I was practicing. I think there is a definite connection." I said, trying my best to get back into the reality of my life rather than the wishful imagery I kept tricking myself into believing as a possibility.

We were about to our destination, and I felt my nerves come to the surface a little. I wasn't exactly sure why since I was arriving this time with Cyril and Arie, and before, I managed to fight and win against the demons I ran into last by myself.

The day was fabulous for a drive. We had finally had some sun for a few hours so lots of things had started to dry out, which was kind of nice, especially for our little hike. I've done it in the rain but not slipping and sliding along the trails will certainly make a quicker trip for us all, and I really liked the idea of getting in and out of the area. The events were far too creepy.

The parking lot was far more filled than when I had been there by myself. Good weather brings out the people in droves, especially in the Northwest. It was such a treat to get suns.h.i.+ne in the Northwest, particularly in the spring.

The very beginnings of the wildflower season was starting to make its introduction, and it was a beautiful sight to be able to see the delicate, white flowers peaking out from under the logs, and the pink florets guiding us along the trails.

We began making our way down to the beach, and I truly did feel safer in the company of my family. The sea air was full of the salty dampness that I had come to expect being so near the ocean. Feeling the moist air coat my lungs made me appreciate the moment that much more. Laughter from the families, who were already searching out the greatest finds in the tide pools, brought me such happiness. Not having Athen by my side as we made this trek, made my heart quiver but knowing that we might be able to figure out the demons' next move or prevent an attack on any innocent victim made my day feel a lot more important.

The scene was beautiful with the rays of the sun dancing off the ocean, creating a clarity in the tide pools as the sea life did its best to make the tourists happy. I did my best to stay away from the slippery rocks, and I think Cyril and Arie were appreciative since they didn't feel like doing any rescues on their inept in-law.

We climbed up the trail that was now a lot less rough than when I was there last time after a rain. The long sea gra.s.s bowed, leading the way as we climbed further and further up the hill, leaving the families to play down by the ocean. As I began scanning our destination as a predator, I realized this would be an ideal spot for the next so-called cougar attack. When we reached the top near the forest that I last practiced at, I studied the landscape understanding completely now why the demons would have chosen this for their possible next stomping grounds, slash attack grounds.

"Wow, guys. I don't know why I didn't think about it sooner. This place gets just enough foot traffic to ensure a victim, but it's far enough from the beach and main groups to get away with it."

"I think we may have found the next attack site. What about you, Arie? Think we stumbled upon it?" Cyril asked squeezing her neck muscles.

"Yeah, I'd say so. I'm getting a really horrible feeling to match the geography."

"I agree. It's like the longer we stand here the worse it gets. I don't know how I didn't pick up on it before." I said, shaking my head.

"They may not have decided on this place yet. It may have been a recent development." Cyril said, walking over to where I jumped from tree limb to tree limb during my private practice session.

"Is this where you took those guys out?" He asked, kneeling down touching his fingers to the dirt.

"Yep, that's the spot. Why?" I wondered how he could find the exact spot out of the entire field we were standing in.

"One of my special talents, I guess we could say."

"Really? You can scope out battle places?" I asked laughing.

"Kinda," Cyril said, unable to resist, "I can figure out when battles have occurred, when recent enough, and I can see how they ended."

"That's an odd skill." I said genuinely perplexed, unable to see how useful that could be.

"You're one to talk." He shook his head, throwing a pebble at my feet.

"I'm sure I'll figure out the significance of that at some point."

A noise grabbed our attention coming from the direction of the woods, and Cyril slowly backed up towards where Arie and I were standing.

"Guess we aren't alone." Arie whispered.

Feeling the same sensation wash over me like many times before, I realized we were in the presence of the dark demons. We very well may have stumbled upon something yet again.

The figures began to emerge from the dark wooded area and sure enough they were demons. Two of them were the same from my last encounter. The two I took care of were obviously easily replaced. They had been up to something suspicious for sure. Their eyes meeting ours, I looked them over realizing they didn't actually seem to have any intent to try to attack us, which seemed odd.

Before I knew it, I had walked past Cyril to confront the strangers.

"What's your intent here?" I asked staring at the male, whose eyes were just as dead as the others, but his teeth looked less threatening.

"I'm sure you read the newspaper." He replied wryly.

"Why don't you tell Azazel, that this is child's play. If it is us he wants, why not come after us. Why target such easy human prey?" I was searching them for answers. Foolish in my thinking that they would actually be able to reveal some sort of nuance that I'd catch as if they were close to us or a mortal in their gestures.

"In fact, I'd love the chance to tell him that myself." I was beginning to wish that I had kept my mouth shut, fear beginning to invade my thoughts.

Cyril took a step forward, standing next to me.

"Do you honestly think that we'll continue to allow this?" He asked, nudging himself closer to the group of demons. Arie stood next to me as well, her body stiffening in place as Cyril provoked the demons.

"You haven't done anything yet." Replied one of the demons.

"That time has changed." Cyril's body now slightly hovering over the ground.

I started laughing from deep within.

"My suggestion is that one of you run off to Azazel and invite him to a discussion with me. I'd love to be able to hash some things out." I said, grinning widely, excited by my confidence. "In the meantime, whoever wants to stay around for a match that I can a.s.sure you'll not win, feel free."

My body shot towards the demon closest to Cyril. A young minion like that was my best shot for victory. My leg was stuck straight out as I stretched my entire body in an attempt to knock the minion to the ground. Cyril began to take out the one that appeared to be the leader, the one who escaped last time. The ball of my foot landed directly in the chest of my target.