Demon's Doorway (9 page)

To his surprise, he felt something trying to form in his mind. His eyes brightened as he flipped on the lamp and grabbed the pen and notepad.

Chili powder. Olive oil.

That was all, at least for the time being.

"Great," he said. "Maybe I need to dump chili and olive oil into a pair of red slippers."

He slept for another hour. It only took forty-five minutes to shower and get ready. Kevin gave himself one last look in the mirror. He hadn't worked out since graduating high school, but still looked like he wouldn't be out of place in the weight room. His dress shirt was passable, if a little tight around the collar. He undid the top button, and gave his reflection a nod. His face still had those dimples he hated, but he wasn't an ugly beast. He didn't care about what a church full of strangers thought of him, but he didn't want to embarrass Victoria.

Kevin sighed at his coat, laying across the bed. It was ugly and torn in a few places. It looked terrible, but it was the only coat he could find at the time with plenty of pockets on the inside. He used to carry the witch necessities in a backpack, but a coat was much easier to manage.

There were a few people in the lobby, entering and exiting the hotel. A woman sat behind the main desk, on a phone call. She hung up as she saw Kevin approaching, giving him a bright smile.

"Hi," he said. "What's fun to do around here?"

"You mean besides trying not to get shot?"

His eyes widened. He could only imagine the look on his face, and the woman laughed.

"I'm just joking. Baltimore's not that bad. There's the aquarium, the Inner Harbor, museums, the zoo, plenty to see and do."

"Uh…I was told to ask for something at the front desk. I'm Kevin Mishnar."

She searched under her desk for a moment, and pulled out something wrapped in plastic. Clothes of some kind.

"This is for you. Left by a Victoria. Oooh, someone likes you."

"She's probably just a little too old for me. Thank you."

He followed the signs to the dining hall. Families and business travelers were enjoying their complimentary breakfast, watching morning TV. The smell of waffles and biscuits pulled at him, but he decided he'd eat later at the reception. He set his suitcase and raggedy coat down and tore into the plastic of Victoria's mysterious package.

Kevin's jaw hung open. Even if he wasn't alone, he'd be speechless.

It was a new trench-coat. Long, about to his knees, and charcoal gray. He laughed aloud as he admired it, drawing looks from the others around him. It wasn't until he checked the inside, and saw the six pockets on each side, did he realize the coat was custom-made.

"Wow."

Checking the time, he had just under an hour before the limo would arrive. He couldn't get the smile off his face as he moved the contents of his old coat to the new one.

He was a minute into the process when he realized exactly what he was doing.

"Mommy, what's that man holding?"

He glanced at the tiny voice to his right, several tables away. A family of four watched him as he held a vial of frog legs in his hand. He smiled sheepishly before stashing them away. They probably thought he was an eccentric drug dealer.

The next vial slipped through his fingers.

He watched in what seemed like slow motion as it fell to the floor and shattered. Bat teeth scattered across the dining hall floor. The adults looked stunned, curious, horrified. The children simply laughed.

Kevin clenched his eyes shut. He was thankful it wasn't one of his sleep potions. Still, he could feel the heat in his cheeks as the whispers started around him.

"Are those
teeth
?"

"What's this kid's deal?"

"Should we call someone?"

He squatted and gathered his teeth.

"Don't worry, everybody," he called. "I'm a science geek. Don't freak out."

The diners didn't seem convinced.

"You're the most powerful thing out there," he muttered, doing his best to copy Victoria's accent and tone. "But that still won't stop you from looking like an idiot."

Kevin decided to wait for the limo outside. He threw his old coat away, and felt surprisingly good in his new one. It felt reassuring to have some of his potion ingredients close to him. He knew it was silly. His mundane, boring life seldom required the use of an invisibility potion, or a feather that could defy gravity.

Still, he was a witch. His mentor Martha told him there were things a witch should never be without.

The limo pulled up sharply at ten. Kevin stepped forward, but then stopped awkwardly. What if it wasn't his limo? He addressed the immaculate driver.

"Hi. I'm Kevin. Are you here for me?"

"Yes, sir."

"Cool. I just have the one suitcase. Want me to put it in the back?"

"I can handle that for you."

"Oh, it's no big deal. There ain't no reason for you to be carrying around my stuff."

The driver smiled. "Is this your first time in a limo?"

"Yeah."

"Don't worry. You just climb in the back here. I'll take care of the rest."

Kevin couldn't help but feel important as they drove through the city streets. Nice shirt, cool coat, new laptop, the back of the limo all to himself, a vial of year-old cow piss in his pocket. The streets were busy now. People jogged on the sidewalk, businessmen talked on their phones. Cars were packed at every intersection.

They drove for another twenty minutes before they hit another part of the city. The tall buildings disappeared, replaced by more housing. The houses looked similar, and Kevin finally felt more comfortable. It was starting to feel like Walton.

The limo stopped in front of a church. Kevin studied the few people making their way inside as the driver let him out. Of course, he knew none of them. The driver retrieved his suitcase.

"Here you go, sir."

Kevin's breath hitched when he realized the only money in his wallet was the hundred dollar bill he earned the other night. He had some money in the bank, but that wouldn't do for a tip now.

"Oh, man," he said, feeling his wallet. "I don't have any small bills on me."

The driver waved away his concern. "You're fine, sir. Miss Victoria took very good care of me."

"Miss Victoria. I bet she loves being called that."

"She says it makes her feel old."

A man approached Kevin and smiled as he stepped into the church. He gave Kevin's suitcase an odd glance.

"Hello. Are you with the bride or groom?"

"The groom, I guess. Although we don't know each other very well. I'm actually with this woman, Victoria."

The man looked confused, and said nothing. He didn't step aside, didn't lead Kevin to a seat. Anxiety settled in Kevin's gut. What if he got kicked out of a wedding before he even got in?

"Hold on!" a voice called. "He's with me."

The usher stepped away, and Victoria ran up to meet him. Kevin could only imagine how many heads were turning, how many women she was making jealous. She was beautiful in a white dress, minimal makeup and her red hair flowing behind her shoulders. To be youthful forever certainly had its advantages. She trotted in high heels as easily as if she were barefoot.

Victoria was smiling, but then her nose twitched. She closed her eyes and frowned before smiling again.

"Let's put your suitcase in the corner," she said. "Where everyone's hanging their coats. Speaking of coats,
now
you finally look good."

"Hey, I always look good. I just had an ugly coat."

She lowered her voice. "And you already put all your witch crap in it."

"Hey, you never know when someone at a wedding will need a love potion. Thank you, seriously."

She wrapped an arm around his shoulders and squeezed him.

It only took a moment to recognize it was an interracial wedding. Any chance of there being wedding drama was dismissed when Kevin felt the mood of the church. Everyone was laughing, smiling, sharing stories, telling each other how much they loved Alex and Cindy. Some women were already crying. There were a lot of people present, but Alex's side of the church was noticeably smaller. His friends and family took up only one pew, or rather the half of two of them, while Cindy's took up her entire side.

Victoria introduced Kevin to a bunch of people he'd never remember. The only one he'd remember was Alex's mother, who looked nothing like him. He sat next to Victoria and simply waved and smiled, trying his best not to look completely uncomfortable.

There was some noise in the crowd, and everyone turned to see Alex making his way up the aisle. He wore a tuxedo and a grin. Some of Cindy's family stood up as he walked by for a handshake or a hug, and Alex happily obliged.

Kevin watched in disbelief. He knew exactly why he was there, and what he'd see, but the sight was still strange to him. The last time he saw Alex he had enormous wings sticking out of his back, and was commanding demons.

Alex stopped next to Victoria. One of his friends in the pew ahead turned and congratulated him. They laughed and shook hands, and Alex knelt next to the vampire.

"Kevin," he said, reaching across Victoria to shake his hand. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Thank you for inviting me."

Alex nodded, and looked at Victoria. "How many people are here?"

Victoria glanced around the church. "Maybe seventy or so?"

He followed her gaze, but his eyes settled on a few places where there were no people. Kevin could have sworn he smiled and nodded at thin air.

"That sounds about right."

Victoria reached out and hugged him, kissing him on the cheek. "I'm so happy for you."

Alex let out a breath. "I'm gonna go get married."

"You do that."

He took his position at the front of the aisle. A woman in the front row went up to hug him, who could only be Cindy's mother. Kevin took in the church once again, simply to people watch.

Something caught his attention when he looked back to the front.

Alex was there, but there was a young woman next to him. Kevin didn't even see where she came from. Absolutely gorgeous. Tan skin, eyes like the blue ocean, short blond hair that stopped just above her neck. She was short, probably coming up to Kevin's chin. But what she lacked in height, she made up for in curves, definitely not having a problem filling out her blue dress.

He didn't know much about weddings, but had seen plenty on TV. Something about the groom with a woman next to him looked wrong.

"Why is that woman up there?" he whispered.

"That's Alicia, Alex's sister. She's the best man. She's also the maid of honor."

"Now that's just…weird."

"If you knew the three of them, it wouldn't be weird at all."

He admired her one more time.

"Well, the best man, maid of honor hybrid is hot."

CHAPTER 5

Alex hated churches. He was born in one. His biological father pulled him from his mother's womb, cut the umbilical cord, and carried him to a sacrificial table. The only reason he was conceived was to be part of some cult ritual. Alex's father wanted demonic power, but for reasons Alex would never understand, they chose him to be their champion instead, their master.

He couldn't pass by a church without some part of him remembering the video he watched of the ritual gone wrong. The horrific noises, the cult members being slaughtered, the shadows moving as they crawled over his body.

Now he stood in a church once again, getting ready to create his greatest memory.

Alicia leaned in close to him. "You look nervous."

"I feel like I'm gonna throw up."

"That probably wouldn't be a good way to start the wedding."

All the possible things that could go wrong floated through his mind, the biggest of which would be Cindy having second thoughts. She was simply the most amazing person he'd ever met. She accepted all of him. Wings, red eyes, demonic powers, the way he stole the covers. She'd been with him through everything, as a best friend at first, before finally becoming something more. Every haunted house, ghost, traumatic experience, Cindy was at his side, holding his hand.

He was the luckiest person in the world.

Quiet music started playing, and everyone turned to the back. Alex stopping breathing for a moment.

They had kept the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride on the wedding day. Cindy woke up before Alex and went to her parents' house to get ready.

"Holy shit," Alex muttered, drawing a look from the priest.

Alicia held in a giggle. "Only you would say that, in a church on your wedding day."

Beautiful wouldn't have been a strong enough word to describe her.

She kept her eyes on Alex the entire time she walked up the aisle. Her father escorted her, her arm linked in his. Her white gown, veil, makeup, smile, everything was perfect.