Outer Darkness: EZ Taylor, Demon Slayer, #3

By VJ Dunn

When EZ and his new friends go after the "Big Boss" of the demon world, it's clear they're in over their heads... and they're about to drown!

Demon slaying wasn't what EZ thought it was going to be. At least, not in the physical realm where humans got in the way of the sword of the Spirit he needed to swing.

Joined by Allison and Snitch, who were just released from their own demons, EZ goes after his foster mother. But the demon possessing her won't come out without a fight.

And it's a war EZ isn't prepared for.

His angel friends never warned him that Samael was a demon prince, and that Satan himself was pulling the demon's puppet strings. EZ feels betrayed by the Heavenly Host, but has bigger problems than angel angst...

...instead of slaying the demon, EZ realizes he's the one in danger of dying!

Join EZ, Allison and Snitch as they struggle to fight an evil force who is ready to burn down the world--and has Satan cheering him on. Will the demon slayers be able to overcome the demon prince who seems to beat them at every turn? Or will they discover that maybe the One cheering them on is bigger and better than even Satan himself?

EZ Taylor, Demon Slayer is a thrilling and inspiring series of tales about one boy's journey to discover his true identity and purpose in life. Biblically based Christian action for young fans of L.B. Anne and Andrew Peterson, this will be your next favorite read.

• Language: English
• Publisher: VJ Dunn
• Release date: Oct 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215644485

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

United We Stand

I DON’T KNOW, AL, Snitch said as he rubbed the back of his neck while staring at his feet. EZ figured he probably needed to quit calling the guy Snitch, since he’d accepted Jesus and all.

They’d been discussing going to their house after school to fight the demon inside Mrs. Easton. EZ didn’t blame the guy for thinking twice about it. The woman was crazy scary. EZ himself had been thinking twice, three times, seventy times about it all day. But Allison kept insisting that they needed to rid the world of demons. After getting the one in her out, the girl was on a revenge mission.

What do you mean, you don’t know? Allison said as she rounded on him, fists on her hips. EZ had the sudden desire to back up, even though she wasn’t directing that look his way. The girl was beautiful, but she could be really scary. EZ was really glad she had also accepted Jesus, because it was really bad to have her for an enemy.

Until that morning, he knew that all too well. His hand went to his fidget bracelet.

Pop pop pop

"Are you scared?" Allison asked with a mocking tone. EZ’s lips twitched, again glad it wasn’t him she was talking to.

Snitch—err, Marcus, EZ corrected himself—dropped his hand and curled it into a fist as he glared at their new friend. The three of them had just decided to be friends a few hours before, when EZ had managed to drive a demon first out of Allison, and then the two of them had ganged up on the demon that had been living in Snitch—ugh, Marcus!

EZ winced. Sorry, Lord, I mean YOU drove the demons out. And thanks for that, by the way.

Marcus stepped closer to Allison, looking like he wanted to punch her. EZ moved closer too, then laughed at himself, like he was going to be able to protect the girl or something. He might be a demon slayer, but he was no fighter—at least, not physically. All his fight training had been for the spiritual realms.

Allison didn’t act like she needed—or wanted—protecting, though. She planted both feet and leaned forward, a silent dare that Marcus try something. EZ wasn’t sure, but he didn’t think that was how Christians were supposed to act. He decided he should try to stop the fight before it happened, though he was still pretty nervous around them. Their new friendship was just that… new.

Pop pop pop

Uh, hey, guys—

Don’t be getting up in my face, Marcus Fields! Allison snapped. You know I’ll break your nose before you can even touch me!

Marcus flinched and took a step back, putting a hand to his nose like she’d already done just that. It made EZ wonder if Allison had broken the kid’s nose once before. From what he understood, the two of them had known each other since kindergarten, so it was possible.

EZ glanced around at the other kids walking by. School had just let out and the schoolyard was packed with kids either waiting to be picked up by buses or parents, or just hanging out, delaying going home. He understood that one—the last place he ever wanted to be was home, which was his foster parent’s house. Especially since he knew it was a demon’s den.

Pop pop pop

But that was where he and Marcus were going—and Allison was tagging along. They had a demon to slay.

His and Marcus’s foster mother, Mrs. Easton, had an awful demon in her. Samael had been the one who’d tormented EZ in the demon realm when he’d first found out he was a slayer. And EZ had suspicions it was Samael who’d lured him into the realm when he’d been sleeping. Thankfully, EZ’s angel friends had been able to rescue him that time.

The kids around them were watching Marcus and Allison from the corner of their eye, like they were afraid to stare at them directly. EZ knew that was due to Allison, not Marcus. She was pretty scary.

But that was before she accepted Jesus, he reminded himself. EZ was super thankful she had, because she’d been his worst enemy before that—well, except for Mrs. Easton and Samael. But watching Allison glaring at Marcus with her fists clenched as she silently dared the guy to blink made him wonder if she’d changed at all.

Allison seemed to think the same thing as she sighed. It was almost like she deflated then, an angry balloon that got a hole and lost its air. She literally shook herself and tightened her lips. Sorry, she muttered as she glanced at first Marcus, then EZ.

Guess I’m not supposed to act like that anymore, huh? she added with an embarrassed grin.

Marcus deflated too and chuckled. Yeah, guess we’re not. Kinda weird, though… He glanced around, as if seeing who was close enough to hear, then lowered his voice. When I had the demon, it was like I was out of control of myself sometimes, like a puppet or something. But even though it’s gone, I still feel kinda mad and stuff.

Allison nodded. Yeah, same. Like I’m used to acting like a jerk and it’s hard to change.

EZ snorted and they both looked at him. He waved a hand between the two of them. You barely became Christians like a minute ago.

It was three hours, Allison growled, before muttering Sorry.

EZ rolled his eyes, something he never would have done with Allison—or Snitch/Marcus before. He even dropped his hand from his bracelet.

Whatever. I just know that when I first got right with God, the angels told me it would take some time for Jesus to ‘clean me up’, he said with air quotes. And I know for a fact they meant a lot longer than just half a day, he added with a grin.

It was the first time he’d mentioned the angels to his two new friends. He was kind of worried what they might say, if they’d think he was crazy. But then he realized he was worried about what others thought of him, a bad habit his angel friends had tried hard to break. Han especially, had been ruthless in trying to get him to only concern himself with what God thought of him.

Allison gave him a look that EZ couldn’t decipher, but then she turned and headed toward the bus pickup area. He almost laughed at the way the other kids jumped to get out of her way.

Even though Allison rode a different bus, she was going with EZ and Marcus to their foster house so they could get rid of Samael together. EZ had explained how awful that particular demon was, and how he had a feeling he’d need help to get rid of it. Allison had jumped at the chance, saying "I want to fight all the demons. It’s payback time!"

EZ wondered why she hadn’t been picked to be a demon slayer first, instead of him. Maybe because she HAD a demon, duh!

The bus driver barely glanced their way when they got on. EZ thought Ms. J would have stopped Allison and told her to get on the right bus. But the woman never really seemed to care about the kids, other than to give them a hard time. EZ assumed she had a demon too, but no… apparently, Ms. J was just plain mean on her own.

Ms. J may not have paid them any attention, but the other kids sure did when the trio took the large bench in the back so they could sit together. Allison took one side and Marcus the other, sandwiching EZ between them. He got the feeling they were trying to protect him or something.

He could practically feel the desire the others had to turn around and stare at the phenomenon of Allison and Marcus befriending him after months of bullying. Heads leaned together along the rows as whispers continued.

What’s their problem? Marcus asked with a chin nod toward the front of the bus.

EZ shrugged. Just trying to figure out why you guys aren’t beating me up or something.

He could feel Allison staring at the side of his head, so he glanced at her. EZ thought she was almost too pretty to look for long, even with the frown she now had.

I’m sorry for that, she murmured as her cheeks turned red. I didn’t mean to be so mean to you. It… it was like I wasn’t in control whenever you were around.

Same here, Marcus admitted and EZ turned to look at his foster brother. Even though he knew both of them had just gotten right with the Lord, it was still shocking that his bullies were apologizing.

I wonder why, Allison said.

EZ leaned back then, to make it easier to look at both of them without getting whiplash from the back and forth conversation.

Probably cuz the demons hate me, EZ said with another shrug. It was weird, he thought, that it actually hurt his feelings to be hated, even by demons.

If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.

EZ jumped, brushing both Allison and Marcus, who looked at him in question. EZ gave them a shaky smile.

I, er, just heard a voice in my head, he whispered. Pretty sure it was God. His hand covered his bracelet.

Pop pop pop

Both of them gave him a look that said they thought he was crazy, but then almost at the same time, they shrugged.

"Before today I woulda said you are crazy, Marcus admitted. I probably woulda told everyone you were too."

EZ winced. "Yeah, Snitch, I’m sure you would have," he drawled. At first, Marcus looked mad, but then he laughed.

Not gonna be a snitch anymore, he declared. Gonna need a new nickname.

Oh! Allison practically squealed. The kids in the row just ahead of them all turned to look at her. She waved her hand at them, like she was batting a fly away. She turned in her seat and leaned over EZ to look at Marcus. EZ caught a whiff of her hair that smelled like peaches… his favorite fruit.

"Let me pick the nickname," she grinned with a full set of perfectly white, perfectly straight teeth showing. EZ thought everything about Allison was just about perfect… especially now that she was one of Jesus’ kids.

Uhn uhn, Marcus said with wide eyes, shaking his head. He looked slightly terrified by the thought of it and EZ wondered what embarrassing information Allison had on him.

Oh yeah, Allison argued as she nodded, her grin widening. EZ thought it looked almost evil, though he knew it wasn’t. Not like before when she’d had a demon inside of her.

Remember the Christmas party in kindergarten? she went on. EZ glanced at Marcus, whose eyes now looked like they were going to pop right out of their sockets and roll around on his cheeks. He started shaking his head wildly.

Oh yeah, Allison repeated, sounding pleased with herself. I think Pee Pants—

We’re here! Marcus practically yelled, standing up and grabbing his backpack. The bus hadn’t even stopped but he was marching down the aisle toward the front of the bus before EZ and Allison could even blink. Allison grinned at EZ.

I’m just giving him a hard time, she murmured as she grabbed her own pack off the floor and stood. I won’t call him that. But we should give ourselves some cool nicknames, she continued as they followed after Marcus, who was waiting impatiently for Ms. J to open the door. The driver was scolding him for not waiting until the bus stopped completely, but the kid wasn’t even looking at her. He just stared at the door like he could burn a Marcus-shaped hole in it with his eyes.

There was only one other kid who usually got off