Paranormal Public: Elemental Darkness Part 30

Lough and Ricky, crouching on my other side, watched silently. Lough tried to place his body between the younger boy and the demons, but there were so many of them it hardly mattered.

The nearest demon, surely a Demon of Knight judging by its size and armor, stepped forward. He held a sword and pointed it directly at Ricky.

No, I cried. No, no, no! You cant have him.

I tried to rise, but the demon shoved me back down again. At least I managed to land in such a way that my body was between the demons gleaming sword and my brother, for all the good it would do. I winced in pain.

Then the Demon of Knight made a sign, and each of us was grabbed by three of the smaller demons and marched down the stairs. The fire had ebbed, a sure sign that it has been more magical than real; if it had been real, the house would have been a pile of ashes by now.

We ended up in the living room, and through the tears p.r.i.c.king my eyes I could see a body sprawled on the carpet in front of the couch. I had spent many a morning and afternoon dawdling around on that couch, and now my stepfather was dead in front of it, and Ricky, like me, had lost both of his parents.

I tried to call power to my ring, but it was useless. The demons were blocking our magic. Instead of simply preparing themselves for the common spells I liked to use, they had destroyed any chance of our fighting back. I felt dead and cold inside, as if a part of me was missing.

The Demon of Knight ignored my protest and made to grab Ricky.

Sip, Lough, and I all cried out.

I had a horrible fear that the darkness premier was coming, that the form Ricky had seen was even worse than Malles, and I wanted him out of this before that form appeared here. She could have me. She would never have my brother.

Then, just as I was trying to prepare for the worst, everything happened at once. Sip made one last lunge at the Demon of Knight, while Lough pushed himself to his feet and I cried, Ricky, run! Just run!

We all started to scrabble away, but there was no point. We couldnt get away.

A thundering sound, like a million giants feet hammering down the staircase in Astra, started to make a ring of noise around us. Somehow the only part of the room that was left untouched was the part that I was in with my friends; everything else started to shake and crumble around us.

To my surprise, the demons looked just as surprised at the sound as I felt. Before any of us could move, there was a blast, as if a furnace had exploded right in the room with us, and the demons were slammed backward.

Every. Single. One. Went flying like leaves buffeted in a gale. They slammed into the walls of the room, except for the one that smashed into a chair, tipping it over.

They never even had a chance to rise. Only the Demon of Knight stayed standing, but barely. The other demons flew out doors and windows in every possible direction. The h.e.l.lhounds whined and rolled away from the power, but the power was controlled, not random. I now knew just how hard it was to direct your power, and I could see that the blasts were directed at the h.e.l.lhounds nearest to us.

The demons no longer looked scary. They looked like no more than pathetic sc.r.a.ps of black paper, powerless to protect themselves against so much strength.

The h.e.l.lhounds either ran or disappeared, mostly the latter. The ones that ran didnt get very far, it was as if the power didnt want the darkness to leave the room. The demons crumbled into heaps. Finally the Demon of Knight himself fell, his armor dinging the floor.

I laid my head on the floor, unable for the moment to face what was coming. Dust and debris lay everywhere as a dark figure walked through the doorway. I breathed out a long, ragged sigh. My vision was blurry, so I was forced to squint. If this was the darkness premier, I didnt have the strength to fight anymore.

We have about a minute before the next round comes through that door, said Lisabelle, stepping into the room. Her eyes blazed, and she looked much the same as ever. Her skin was pale and her long black hair flowed over her shoulders and cascaded downward, nearly to her waist. Her cheeks might be a little thinner, but it was her eyes that really stood out. I had seen them blaze before, spark to life in a fit of anger, but that wasnt how she looked now. Now her eyes were burning with a thoughtful light. If she was angry, it was hidden deep inside. She was pure leashed power, and never in my life had I been happier to see her.

Lisabelle glared at the standing Demon of Knight. Come here, she said to it, motioning with her finger. Come on. Okay. A little closer. Yeah, close enough.

Black fire whipped from her hand faster than I could follow, slamming the demon back against the wall. He fell next to his companions. Then Lisabelle looked at Sip and shrugged. Having him still standing makes me look bad.

We cant have that, said a dumbfounded Sip.

Well, no, said Lisabelle as she looked around the room and dusted her hands off. The silence was broken only by the gentle swing of the door to our living room cabinet, which was almost off its hinge.

Cool, and oh look, I win, said Ricky smugly, pointing at Lisabelle. I so win. Hi, Lisabelle!

She grinned briefly at him, then threw the three surviving h.e.l.lhounds against the fireplace. She looked different somehow, but I couldnt put my finger on it.

Why has she gotten to meet Ricky and I havent? Sip demanded indignantly.

She likes me better, said Lisabelle, her eyes still examining her handiwork.

What are you doing here? I asked her.

She paused. Its been their plan all along to come for him, she explained. I didnt want to make contact with you, because I was worried that if I did they would no longer trust me and I wouldnt be able to help him when they attacked.

You didnt think our defenses would hold? I demanded.

Obviously not, said Lisabelle matter of factly. You cant win against darkness in a fair fight.

Good thing the fights arent fair.

Exactly! Now, do you have a bas.e.m.e.nt?

Yes, I said, frowning. You want us to go where we cant get out?

Im going to magic it, Lisabelle explained. Then Im going to let the demons in to search for you. They wont find you. After they leave you can come out.

We have to get back to Public, I said.

Lisabelle nodded. I know. It is where Ive been summoned as well.

Not by the same mistresses though, said Sip, eyeing her friend.

Do you trust me? Lisabelle asked, her eyes dark. I know youve taken a lot of grief this semester for being my friend.

I might have been imagining it, but I was pretty sure I saw Lisabelles lower lip tremble just a little.

To Sips undying credit, she never hesitated. She flung herself at Lisabelle and wrapped her arms tightly around the taller girl. Lisabelle was unused to displays of affection, and it was very clear that for a split second she thought she was supposed to blast Sip away, because another paranormal was running toward her at high speed. But finally she gave in and hugged her back.

As Sip reached Lisabelle I thought I heard her say, You didnt say bye.

Girls, Ricky muttered, throwing up his hands. At a time like this, no less.

I like him, said Lough, although I could see the happiness shining in his eyes. He had tried to keep it contained, but hed been desperate and miserable without Lisabelle.

Hey, said Ricky, looking at the dream giver. I like you, too.

Lisabelle put us in the bas.e.m.e.nt. We protested, because it felt like running away from a fight, but she insisted.

I dont like that youre taking all the risks, Lough said to her. Why didnt you show yourself sooner?

Its not a risk, said Lisabelle calmly. Theyre just demons. They are no match for me. As for that, I was hoping you could fight your way out. If I hadnt had to help, all the better.

But of course we couldnt, I said, not with so many demons.

Lisabelle shrugged. Im just glad I got here in time.

It was amazing, said Ricky excitedly, turning to me, Ill tell you all about it. She controls fire.

So does she, said Lisabelle, pointing at me.

Ricky looked at me in shock. No way, he breathed. You cant even light our fireplace in the winter.

Thanks for that, Ricky, I said dryly.

He shrugged. Just telling the truth.

Our bas.e.m.e.nt wasnt much to speak of. It had a dirt floor, and Carl used it mostly to keep old boxes in storage. My mom had refused to go down there entirely.

Ricky waved goodbye to Lisabelle, obviously already knowing better than to try and hug her at this moment. It astounded me how much raw power was coursing through her veins. I couldnt see her wand, but I had a feeling it covered her whole arm by now.

Do the demons know about your arm? I asked.

Lisabelle shook her head. I carry a wand and wave it around like an idiot to throw them off.

I wish I could see that, said Sip wistfully.

Lisabelle rolled her eyes. Of course you do. She pointed at the werewolf. You better not have redecorated our room.

I havent touched it, said Sip, her voice breaking a little.

I have to go, said Lisabelle, her eyes softening a little. We could all hear the demons outside. They were growing impatient.

Wait, Lisabelle, said Sip, her purple eyes filled with worry. Are you okay?

At first I had thought that Lisabelle looked fine, but on closer examination I could see that she didnt. She looked tired. The circles under her eyes were darker and she was thinner.

She sighed. Its the Black Ring. I made promises when I put it on. I didnt have a choice, but they are promises I have no intention of keeping. Fighting saps my strength every day.

Sip merely nodded, her eyes bright. Lough cleared his throat. Dreams help, he said quietly. Dream yourself not wearing the Black Ring. When you return to wakefulness itll be hard for a minute, but overall it should be easier.

For a second Lisabelle didnt say anything, then she nodded. I didnt know that. Ill do it.

Lough nodded, unable to speak.

I gave Lisabelle a hug. It felt good to know she was alive and fighting.

I cant thank you enough, I whispered. For Ricky. If you hadnt. . . .

Lisabelles black eyes met my gray ones. She nodded once.

Loyalty. Always.

You go far beyond that, I told my friend.

We all watched as she closed the door behind her.

After Lisabelle was gone we sat in silence. There were several heart-stopping minutes when we heard the patter of countless feet slamming overhead while Demons of Knight and h.e.l.lhounds tore our home apart and we sat in the bas.e.m.e.nt, hoping that Lisabelles spells were strong enough to protect us.

What if they find us? Ricky whispered to me. He was glued to my side and staring with wide eyes at the ceiling of the bas.e.m.e.nt.

Then Lisabelle will come back, said Lough. Id kind of like that, he finished wistfully. For a minute we were all together again, and wasnt it grand.

All except for Keller.

Wed all like that, said Sip softly.

Finally, the noise stopped. We stayed still for several more minutes.

Ouch, I muttered, glaring at my arm, momentarily distracted.

I was just about to stand up when my elbow b.u.mped into a box. It was hot to the touch.

What is this? I whispered. Sip, demon magic?

She came over to examine the box. No traces of it, she said, her voice filled with as much confusion as I felt. Hum.

She reached out, but she didnt even get near it.

Thats my stuff, said Ricky, his voice rising. Hed been through a lot that evening. Dont touch it.

We cant, I said honestly. Its burning up.

I thought it was just some stuff I used to play with, he said. He came over to the box and reached out to open it. Sip and I both cried out in alarm, but he ignored us. He touched the box without screaming, and his hands didnt burst into flames.

See? he said. Theres nothing.

Inside the box was something wrapped in old brown paper. It felt heavy, and I could feel the cold even through the wrapping. When I touched it, though, it started to hum with warmth and life.

What is it? Ricky asked me eagerly.

I wasnt sure. Lets go upstairs and find out.

Okay, said Ricky, but maybe in the kitchen?

I swallowed hard as I walked past Carl. I hadnt liked him, I hadnt thought well of him, but that didnt mean I thought he deserved to die, especially not when he died protecting Ricky.

My brother averted his eyes from his stepdad. I knew hed have to grieve, I knew I had a lifetimes worth of explaining to do, but right now, just like me, his heart was too full.

The kitchen was relatively unharmed. A chair was turned over, but otherwise there was no sign that a demon battle had just taken place in the house.

Gently I laid the brown paper on the counter. It was so hot now that I could hear it humming. As my friends and Ricky gathered around, I carefully unwrapped what my mom had hidden for so many years.

But I could already feel what it was.