Book of Demons 2

By Finn

Rose Silver finds herself struggling to keep up with her new friends, a group of demons, called Organization Atlanta. She wants to do all that she can to help her friends, though its difficult when shes only a human.

Currently, the OAs main goal is to rescue Fayne, the only other human in the group. Rose worries that it will be much more difficult now that Sawyer and Tanner have left the team. The disagreement about Dark demons has torn the group apart, and Rose wonders if it can ever be mended again.

From now on, she decides to take on more responsibilities for the OA. Rose no longer wants to play a passive role in this demonic war. She wants to do all that she can to help her friends. Though, Rose needs to stay on her toes because there seems to be new things to start worrying about.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543452617

Finn

Finn is a young adult, from Florida. He has a degree in Studio Art and is currently working as an elementary school teacher. He finds writing to be a creative outlet for his busy life, as well as drawing and reading. As a transgender man, Finn often includes many LGBTQ+ characters in his stories. Though, he tries to depict them in nonspecific ways, as the storyline is not dependant on the characters sexual orientation and/or gender expression. Finn hopes that, in the near future, there will be more novels with positive queer representation.

Book preview

052

Blaze Williams

B LAZE’S SNEAKERS SQUEAK along the white, tile flooring at headquarters. He wishes he wore something quieter. He looks down at his red shoes, and then glares at them. There’s no way he’s going to get caught because of a pair of shoes.

Blaze holds his breath and peeks into the conference room. Good, no one is in here he thinks. The meeting hasn’t begun yet.

He hurries inside and searches for a hiding place. The closet, he notices, is probably the only place he’ll fit. It’ll have to do.

Blaze opens and cabinet and stands inside. His heart is racing. He has no idea why he’s risking so much. Maybe he just wants to prove that he’s not afraid. Fayne has no idea what he’s talking about.

He hears voices and footsteps approaching the room. He swings the door closed, leaving a crack open to look out of.

Quickly! Jones hisses, pushing Reed and Tate inside.

Blaze has always known Jones as Shane. The girl with the blue hair and eyebrow piercing. His friend from school. But at headquarters, she’s Jones.

Blaze peeks though the crack and notices Miller is missing from their little posy. Maybe she’s late? That’s unlike her.

Oh good, we beat Wes here. Tate, the youngest, sighs with relief.

You were rushin’ us for nothin. Reed replies, a little bitter.

Better early than late. Jones throws back. You know Wes would be furious if he had to wait for us.

Reed shrugs and makes himself comfortable in one of the office chairs. The other’s join him at the conference table. They begin to chat amongst themselves for a few minutes. Blaze waits, tirelessly.

At some point, the door opens again. Looking through the crack, Blaze can see that Wes has finally come. The room falls silent.

A chill creeps up his spine. Wes looks just as terrifying as ever. His skeletal frame looks stretched out because of his abnormal height. He towers above the room, wearing formal black. His long, but thin, blonde hair looks almost completely white. And his face looks dead to Blaze. Sunken gray eyes, jutting cheek bones. He’s the prefect picture of death.

Where is Miller? Wes asks, taking the head seat at the table.

She didn’t make it back. Jones replies, steadily.

Dead. Reed adds.

Blaze stiffens from inside the closet. How could she be dead? She was the toughest Shadow Hunter in this small group.

Who killed her? Wes crosses his arms. Blaze thinks he looks cold and superior.

It was one of the OA members. His name is Tanner Wynter. Jones reports.

Blaze wonders if they have information on all of the OA members. It’s freaky to think about. This group of Shadow Hunters has always been very knowledge based. Gather data first, then attack.

Wes nods. Well, now I’m down another man. That makes two in less than a month. He sounds displeased. "All at the hands of this Wynter. I want him dead."

Oh, yeah. Blaze recalls. Tanner killed Vexen too.

Right, Reed begins. We figured you’d order us to kill em.

Before you decide, we have an extra bit of information on him. Jones puts in. We have reason to believe he might be a Dark demon.

Really? Wes muses. If that’s the case, he’d make an excellent addition to the team, seeing as he took out two of my men. I’d rather not waste what talents are put in front of me.

What would you like us to do, Master? Jones asks.

I’d like you to bring him to me. I’ll find out if he is a Dark demon or not myself.

The three nod.

What else have you found out? Wes asks.

The OA appears to have disbanded. Jones informs.

Really? They’ve split up? Wes asks, smugly. Did they have a little fight or something? This should make my plans much easier.

We’re not sure, but Wynter and Sawyer Hiems are missing. Reed answers.

Hm. That’s unfortunate. Wes mulls this over. I’ll have to send trackers after them, then. They’ll bring Wynter to me. You three will continue to focus on our main mission.

Yes, Master. The trio responds. Blaze thinks they sound like robots.

"So, how are you doing with the mission?" Wes asks.

The mission is going well. Jones tells him. We’ve taken notes on all of their powers, and discovered who their healer is.

Who is their healer? Wes questions, urgently.

The youngest one. His name is Sage Vaux. Jones explains.

I don’t even remember that one.

He’s short. Black skin. Got these long braids. Reed ponders for a second. Looks a bit like a monkey.

Wes scoffs. It figures it’d be the least obvious one. He pauses. "You must bring him to me. Do not mess this up."

The group nods.

You know how important this is. Wes continues.

The group nods.

Without him, I won’t be able to separate Fang and Fayne.

Blaze gasps out loud, and then puts a hand over his mouth. But it’s too late. Everyone’s eyes turn to the closet door.

053

Rose Silver

I ’VE NEVER BEEN inside their room before. Rose says to Leper, as he twists the door knob.

Looks just as plain as the rest of ours. Leper chuckles. He pushes the door open to reveal, just like he said, a very plain room.

Check Sawyer’s side. Leper points to one side. I’ll check Tanner’s.

Rose nods and moves to Sawyer’s side of the room. She pulls open a drawer. It’s empty. She tries the next drawer. Empty.

Hey- uh- Rose starts.

Darn. Are yours empty too? Leper asks.

Yeah. Why are they empty?

Sawyer and Tanner must have snuck back here while we were all at school. Leper sighs. If I’d have stayed home from school, I would have seen them.

You can’t blame yourself for going to school. Rose objects. Don’t be ridiculous. There’s no way any of us could have known they’d come back here.

I guess this means they’re not coming back. Leper realizes. I kept hoping they’d come back at some point. Then we’d work everything out with the others. But I guess that’s not happening. He sits on Tanner’s bed.

Rose thinks she hears something. The crinkling of paper.

Leper, get up! Rose hollers.

He looks up at her, bewildered. Rose pulls him by the arm, until he stands up.

Rose, what are you-

Look! She gasps, after lifting up the mattress. There’s sheets of papers stashed away under the bed. The book pages!

Leper’s eyes widen. They must have forgotten about these. He starts gathering them up into a stack. We need to tell everyone.

Do you think that’s a good idea? Rose puts the mattress back down, once Leper’s finished collecting the pages.

Yes. The OA needs to be prepared. It won’t be fair to keep this a secret.

Rose nods. Okay. If you’re sure.

Just then, Sage walks past. What are you guys doing in Tanner and Sawyer’s room? He looks quizzically at them.

Get the others. Leper instructs, ignoring the question. We need to have a group meeting.

Sage nods slowly at first, and then sprints away. Rose can hear him yelling for Darcy and Seth.

Ready? Leper asks her.

Definitely.

*     *     *

What’s left of the OA sits in the den. There’s so few of them now- only Rose, Leper, Seth, Sage, and Darcy.

You said they were hiding these? Darcy asks, clearly ruffled by the fact.

Yeah. Leper acknowledges. But I don’t think they did it maliciously. I think they were scared.

Seth rolls his eyes. I wish you’d stop defending them.

Rose watches Leper let out a breath. Let’s just go through the pages.

Do you want me to read them out loud? Rose offers.

Sure. Leper smiles slightly, and then passes them over.

"Let’s see… Dark demons are notorious for their healing abilities. Although none of them are healers, their bodies have the capability to heal themselves much quicker than a Light demon’s."

There’s already something we didn’t know. Leper points out. I didn’t know none of them could be healers.

The other part makes sense too. Darcy notes. We knew their chakras could regenerate wounded areas on their body. This must be what it’s talking about.

Go on, Rose. Sage urges. This is interesting.

Okay. She complies. "When a Dark demon is injured, it immediately begins to heal itself. This gives it the illusion of being indestructible. Because of this, many Light demons are fooled into believing Dark demons cannot be killed."

Rose doesn’t like how the passage keeps referring to the Dark demons as it. She thinks it sounds as though the Dark demons are objects, rather than living beings. She goes on.

"The most difficult way to kill a Dark demon is by stabbing it. The Dark demon will bleed, like any other demon, but will close the wound much quicker. If the wound is deep and long enough, the Dark demon won’t have enough time to heal itself, and it will bleed out. An alternative, is if there are multiple openings on the Dark demon. It would have to use more energy to close the wounds, and it may not be able to close them in time. In essence, severe blood loss will kill a Dark demon, though it is very difficult to accomplish."

Seriously? Darcy says, astonished. This is basically the only way we’ve been trying to kill them.

That figures. Seth scoffs.

Well, no wonder they didn’t die every time we stabbed them. Leper muses aloud. Sorry, go on Rose.

Right. She nods. "A few other known ways a Dark demon can die include: decapitation, burning, electrocution, drowning, suffocation, poison, illness/ disease, over exhaustion, starvation, hypothermia, old age, and other natural means."

Whoa. There’s a lot more than I thought there would be. Darcy says, raising her eyebrows.

Yeah. Leper agrees. I guess they aren’t as special as we’ve been lead to think.

"They aren’t special. Seth counters. All they can do is heal open wounds quickly. That’s it."

Yeah! We can easily take them! Sage grins.

Rose looks over to Leper, wondering if he’s thinking the same thing. Will the others abuse this knowledge? Will they kill without mercy? Leper shares a worried look. Will the others ever see Dark demons any differently?

I just wanted all of you to be prepared. Leper explains. I still don’t think we should kill, unless we really have to. Or unless the Dark demon is truly evil.

Please reconsider letting us free them. Rose pleads. They’re not all the same.

As far as I’m concerned, they are. Seth glares. You guys will never get me to change my mind. They’re mutations. Nothing more.

Rose sees Leper swallow. So, Sage, is the potion going to be ready soon? He changes the subject.

Yes! Sage beams. It will be ready before sundown.

Good. Leper gives a small smile. It’s about time something good happens to us. Let’s get Fayne back.

054

Blaze Williams

B LAZE STEPS OUT of the cabinet.

So nice of you to join us, Williams. Wes says, sinister. Blaze doesn’t think it’s nice to join them at all. He wants to run.

So, have you been leaking our plans to the OA? I know someone must have tipped them off when you and Vexen went to attack. They were prepared to fight.

Blaze swallows. His throat is constricting. He doesn’t think he’ll be able to answer. The room suddenly feels ten times warmer. His heart beats so uncontrollably that he can hear the pounding in his ears.

After all he’s done, this is how he is caught. Wes never found out he’s a Light demon. He never found out he’s dating a human. He never found out he’s working with the OA. He never even noticed that Blaze has been sneaking around to visit Fayne. Wes never caught him doing any of those things. Blaze can’t believe how such a simple mistake could ruin everything.

You’re a traitor. Wes says simply. Then he turns to the other Shadow Hunters. Kill him.

Blaze bolts.

His legs feel like jelly, but he has to keep running. There’s no time to think of a better plan. He has to get out of here.

Jones does a front flip over his head and lands in front of him. Her spidery wings jolt out of her back.

I’m sorry it has to be this way, Williams. She says sadly. After a pause she says Blaze.

Blaze squeezes his eyes shut. Me too, Shane. Then he whips his arm across the room, spreading flames all around.

What the hell?! Reed shouts from behind.

EEP! Tate squeals.

Blaze doesn’t turn back. He races down the hallway in his red sneakers. The white walls and tile are beginning to turn black from the smoke.

WILLIAMS! Wes bellows from further away. I WILL KILL YOU!

Not today, please not today Blaze hopes. He keeps running, turns the corner, and heads towards the staircase. He leaps down several stairs at a time. He’s panting so hard, he thinks he’ll pass out. He reaches level two, when he hears one of the top doors open.

Slow down, Williams! Reed hollers. You coward!

Blaze doesn’t care at this point. He knows he’s afraid. He can’t hide it. And maybe he is a coward for running. But it doesn’t matter right now. He has to run. There’s no time to think.

Blaze leaps down the next flight, until he’s on the ground floor. He would have grabbed Fayne if there was time, but he can’t stop for anything. He can hear Reed using his bat wings so soar down the flights of stairs.

Blaze spins around.

You finally going to face me then? Reed sneers.

Fuck, no. Blaze answers. He throws another armful of flames, and sprints through the door.

Run, run, run. He thinks. Just have to run.

WILLIAMS! He hears Wes yell again.

Blaze is so close. He can see the exit doors. The other Shadow Hunters realize what’s going on, and everyone starts chasing him.

Shit. Got to get out of here.

Blaze gets to the doors. He turns around. The Shadow Hunters stand around him, Wes towards the back. He can see the fire eating away at the door to the stairway.

You’ve just made a big mistake, double crossing me. Wes hisses.

Blaze swallows a lump, and then throws one last armful of flames. Then he runs out the door. He hears Wes call after him.

"I WILL KILL YOU, WILLIAMS!"

055

Rose Silver

R OSE STARTS WALKING back to Leo apartment around seven thirty. From here on, Rose won’t see the rest of the OA until she successfully catches Fang. Her backpack is full of sleeping potions, ready for when he attacks.

She feels oddly calm. Rose knows she should be feeling nervous, or even petrified. But she feels a strange sense of peace instead. She knows in her heart that this has to work. If she doesn’t capture Fang tonight, they may never get Fayne back.

The OA is far away from her because they’re sure Wes’s henchmen must be spying on them. They’d know if they were too close to Rose. It’d be suspicious.

So, their plan is for Rose to remain alone when Fang attacks. She’ll throw the sleeping potion at him, and then the OA will find her as soon as possible. Piece of cake.

Rose’s phone buzzes.

Blaze: Wes caught me.

Leper: Are you okay?

Rose replies as well.

Rose: What happened?

Blaze: I’m fine. I was spying on Wes’s conference today with those winged Shadow Hunters, but I got caught. Looks like you’ve lost your spy.

Darcy: That’s okay. We’re just relieved you’re