Demon Singer (23 page)

"A fleet of buses await those of you without transportation and an address will be provided those of you who are self sufficient." He pointed over toward the trees and Lyric saw a large sign being erected with an address printed on it.  Pulling out his phone, he snapped a picture of it.  "We leave tonight and before dawn you will meet the Goddess' general, the man entrusted to be her strong right arm just as I am her voice.  So join us now and be part of the revolution! The veil will fall!"

"The veil will fall! The veil will fall!" The crowd took up the chant and dissolved into wild cheering.

Lyric stood quietly amidst the manic sea of sheep, his heart lurching at the manipulative power displayed by the little man.  Acheron had said it would take an army or two to bring down three Singers.  Nit had told him of the army being amassed by Melody's general.  He looked closely at the crowd, not a child, not a single person with gray hair, no one overweight.  These were vibrant, healthy men and women in the prime of their lives, whipped into a zealous frenzy by a few words. Enough time and training by someone knowledgeable in military tactics and this crowd alone would make a force to be reckoned with.  He was beginning to see why the Guild was concerned. He and Cadence started back to the car, another long drive lay ahead.

“Neat trick.”  Acheron said as they got into the car.  Lyric looked at her in the rear view mirror.

“What are you talking about?”

“Someone has demon-proofed that field you went to.  I couldn’t see or hear anything that went on.  The only reason I didn’t come looking for you is because the tie was still there, but you completely disappeared.”

“Let me guess, only a handful of hellions could have pulled that off.”

“Um, actually I have no idea who could have done that.  I wouldn’t have thought it possible for anyone on my side of the fence.  That leaves someone from your side or a completely unknown player.  Neither of those options is very appetizing.  So, where we headed?’

“Price, Utah, to meet Rondeaux.”

“Soooo, another long boring drive with you and Chatty McChatterpants up there?”

Lyric gave her a sour look in the mirror.

“What do you think, sweetie?”  Acheron poked Cadence on the shoulder.  “Want to ride back here with me?  We could play strip poker while Lyric pretends to not be interested!”  Cadence didn’t react to the demoness’ teasing.  Acheron flopped back into the seat and sulked.  “You guys are complete dorks.”  With that, she vanished.

“I’m sorry,” Lyric said, not knowing what else to say.  Cadence shrugged her indifference and looked out the window.

* * *

Seven hours later the caravan began pulling off I-70 in Utah.  Miles from nowhere, Lyric was pretty sure his GPS had fallen asleep an hour before.  As the fleet of buses left the road up ahead Lyric watched as they drove a couple hundred yards, and then one by one they shimmered and vanished.  As he approached the pull-off, he saw two women in day glow orange vests waving the line of cars off the road.  His nerves pretty wound up, he breathed deeply and forced himself to smile at the guides as he followed the line.  A sense of wrongness jangled harshly against his racing heart.  Acheron appeared in the back seat.

"What the hell is go-"

Her voice cut off as she abruptly vanished from the back seat with a shocked look on her face.  Lyric was torn between surprise at Acheron's departure and shock at the appearance of an enormous green valley teeming with people and buildings and vehicles and even a lake where seconds before had been empty nothingness.

Acheron?

Here, Lover, though I can't see you anymore and my ass is bruised from being tossed out of the car.  It's pretty wild, I can see the cars disappear right as they reach me!  Listen, I can't come with you unless you summon me via the tie.  It's the same demon proofing as at the park.  If you get into trouble, don't be brave, summon me.

I think I'll manage
Lyric thought at her in annoyance and broke the connection.

"Acheron can't follow us, apparently this place is demon proofed."  

Cadence arched an eyebrow.

"I know, not a stellar record so far for hell's big bad ass.  I suppose I should be thankful for that though.  So before we crossed that barrier back there, did you feel a sense of wrongness?"

Cadence furrowed her eyebrows and shook her head, then pointed at Lyric questioningly.

"Yeah, I did, but now it's gone away and I feel... excited? Nervous? I don't know, all I'm sure of is I'm looking forward to getting out of this car."

Cadence nodded in earnest agreement.  As they reached the bottom of the valley, Lyric parked with the rest of the new arrivals.  They got out of the car and followed the excited crowd to the large pavilion that sat grandly off the side of the parking lot.

Standing erect in the center atop a picnic table was a striking man in jeans and a T-shirt.  His short hair was dark with just a touch of silver at his temples.  He was tan and fit and had an easy air of command about him. Lyric knew exactly who he was before he spoke.

"Hello ladies and gentlemen, my name is Rondeaux.”

21 RONDEAUX

"You will find that your time here is well spent and that the struggle ahead is the most worthwhile task you've ever engaged in." Lyric felt as though Rondeaux was talking directly to him.  "In the days ahead, as you open up your mind and heart to our cause, you will find fulfillment that only service to the Goddess Melody provides."  

Bold,
Lyric thought,
but refreshingly direct and honest.  This man is a born leader.

An elbow in his ribs caught Lyric's attention.  Cadence had both fingers in her ears and motioned for him to do the same.

Lyric quickly plugged his ears,
mind control, it must be in his voice.  
Affecting the same plastic smile he saw on the faces around him, Lyric carefully avoided Rondeaux's words by softly humming while keeping his fingers in his ears.  Before long the crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheering.  Lyric joined them, wondering briefly what he was cheering for.  

Looking around he saw a woman making her way through the press of humanity up to the table Rondeaux was using as a stage.  The military man was pointing at people and as he did fresh cheers erupted as those selected made their way forward.  Rondeaux's eyes lit on Lyric and Cadence and a brief spark of surprise flashed across his serious countenance.  His arm raised and he pointed his first two fingers at them.  Lyric grabbed Cadence's hand and led her forward as encouraging and occasionally jealous shouts accompanied them.

Upon reaching the front of the crowd, Lyric saw a large ugly man with an oddly porcine face standing on the farthest edge of the pavilion's concrete floor.  He was accompanied by a strikingly beautiful woman, the two of them in earnest conversation as they observed the proceedings.  

Another, younger woman met those selected by Rondeaux in front of his table and asked them to accompany her.  Their path took them right by the man and woman Lyric had noticed.

"....deaux's forces will be in place in 18 days.   My strike force stands at two hundred fifty thousand men.  Rondeaux's command outnumbers them four to one.  They will be more than sufficient to overwhelm the western front.  By day nineteen we should be in occupation. That gives you plenty of time to get there and work your magic.  Do you know how you'll get in yet?"  The woman's voice was cold, devoid of feeling.

"She said she'd take care of it.  She said that the idiot is already on his way and has no idea he's providing me entrance." The large man growled in a voice that put Lyric in mind of chewing glass. "You are confident you will be able to provide the needed distraction...?"  

Lyric passed out of earshot as he followed the smaller group up the hill, chewing on what he just overheard.  Obviously, they were talking about the war and for some reason what had seemed a vague idea of something far away was suddenly very real to him.  A cold feeling settled in his stomach as he realized that according to what he'd just overheard the attack on Markhato was less than three weeks away.  

The woman was likely Melody herself, which Lyric found surprising.  He didn’t think a goddess would spend her time among the rabble.  Who was the giant though?  Where was he going and why?  And who was the idiot they were referring too?  Too many questions and too few answers.  They approached a small building that looked like a doublewide trailer.

The woman escorting them opened the door and held it, allowing them to enter the dim interior.  Lyric looked around and saw the plush furnishing and ornate decor.  It was just one large room done up like a fancy old time parlor.  He and Cadence sat in a pair of overstuffed armchairs and surveyed their new companions.  Besides the man and woman Lyric had seen come forward from the crowd there were two other men and three more women.  From a physical standpoint, nothing stood out about any of them, nor were there any common traits.  One of the men was Asian, another looked like a surfer, where the first man was a towering redhead.  The women were also a mix, two Caucasian, one African with a huge beautiful smile and a Latina who looked like she never smiled.  Lyric wondered what the common denominator was that caused them all to be selected.  As far as he could tell, Cadence and he were the only two who’d been together before the selection.

“So, what are you in for?” Lyric asked the giant redhead.  The man gave him a level look before he spoke.

“I’m here for the same reason you are, sir, to serve the goddess however she sees fit.  General Rondeaux made it very clear that we would be placed in positions of authority if we pass the interview process.”

Lyric nodded with a plastic smile on his face.  That must be what Rondeaux was saying when he had his ears plugged.  It was an odd way to select leaders, apparently randomly from a crowd of strangers.

“I hear he can tell if you’re lying just by looking at you,” the first woman said.  Lyric wasn't sure if she sounded nervous or in love.

“That’s not real hard,” the Asian man snorted.  “The human body betrays deceit like a beacon if you know how to look.”

“And you know how to look?”  the Latina arched an eyebrow.

“Yes ma’am, I’m an interrogator for the Flagstaff PD.  I’ve sat across the table from every type of slime ball there is, even the upper crust ones,” he paused to look the well-dressed white woman.  “They all lie and I always know.”

“Sounds magical,” said a voice from the doorway.  They all turned to see Rondeaux had arrived silently.  Lyric wondered how long he’d been standing there.  “I’d love to see it in action Mr....?”

"Polph, Gary Polph." The Asian stood up and displayed his exemplary posture.  Rondeaux smiled slightly.

"At ease, Mr. Polph.  This is an informal meeting.  As all of you are aware, my name is Rondeaux.  You may call me Rondeaux for now, but after the interview process you will call me general or sir.  Please, sit down Mr. Polph.  The rest of you relax.  Because we have a strict time frame, I cannot do a great deal of handholding, reassuring or pep talking.  With your permission, I will give it to you straight.  

"You are well aware there is a war about to break out between the Goddess and the despots of Markhato.  The ultimate goal is not the conquering or destruction of Markhato.  The goddess could accomplish that from the comfort of her heavenly home.  Our objective is simple.  Bring down the second veil.  Reliable sources have led us to believe that veil is the work of soul singers and is powered somehow by the Light of Markhato."

Empty looks met his gaze.  He smiled as though this were expected.

"Let me clarify some.  A secret society of men and women has been living among us for centuries.  Their training school is located somewhere right here in the U.S.  These monsters are called soul singers.  Very little is known about them other than they are extremely powerful and have the ability to enslave people's souls."  Lyric listened to the propaganda in stunned silence, increasingly agitated that he couldn't say anything.  Rondeaux continued his voice ringing with authority as he warmed up to a subject he very obviously felt strongly about.

"What if I told you there was an incredible paradise all around you?  That the hunger, desolation, greed, hate, murder, all the ugliness of this world were a fiction constructed by these soul singers to keep the supernatural world under their boot.  As long as mankind and the supernatural are separated by the veil, they are easy to control, manipulate, bully and harass.  The Singers keep them in line with violence, terrible sorcery and fear.  

"Our goddess has watched them work over the years, giving them every opportunity to turn from their evil.  She has pleaded with their leaders, she has offered them payment, safety, love and forgiveness time after time... and time after time they have spat in my goddess' face..."

Rondeaux's voice became thick with emotion and he paused to collect himself.  Lyric's heart broke for the man, and he vowed he would do whatever it took to bring down the Singers for the general and his goddess.  He took a breath and started to lean forward to identify himself and how he could help.  A sharp pain in his back simultaneously arrested his movement and removed his breath.  Cadence had done something to him and his flash of anger was immediately replaced by shame at himself, gratitude toward his companion, and fear and awe at this man's power.  He managed to nod barely and Cadence hit him again, immediately releasing him and launching him into a coughing fit as the air tried to fill his lungs sideways.

Rondeaux looked at Lyric in concern.  He walked over to a serving counter and poured a glass of water, which he brought to Lyric.

"Are you all right young man?"  He asked, placing a hard hand gently on his shoulder.

"Yes sir, I apologize."  Lyric saved himself from further talk by drinking the ice-cold water in a few huge gulps.  Immediately brain freeze robbed him off his ability to maintain a neutral expression and he held his head while grimacing in pain.

"Perhaps a little too eager, Mr..?"  

"West, Zach West sir.  Sorry again."

"Don't worry Mr. West, there's nothing wrong with enthusiasm.  You'll be fine."   Rondeaux clapped him solidly in the shoulder and turned his attention back to the group.

"The veil acts as a barrier between you and the supernatural world.  Behind it lays mysteries and wonders that will change your life forever.

"Goddess Melody's patience is at an end.  She has called together this army to march in her name to the Light of Markhato.  There we will destroy the power source and the veil will fall.  Then we will join our brothers and sisters beyond the veil and together we will throw off the yoke of the soul singers and bring them to justice for their crimes against our Goddess!"

The small group of people leapt to their feet spontaneously and began cheering, "the veil will fall!  The veil will fall!"

Lyric and Cadence were a beat behind, but stood up with the others.  Lyric put himself in performance mode, enthusiastic upper teeth smile, over loud voice and clear diction.  Cadence was silent but smiled warmly at the others.

Lyric shot quick glances at Rondeaux who was smiling at the reaction and saw that his eyes seemed to burn with the passion of a zealot.  Either this man was an amazing actor or he completely believed in his cause.  He hoped he was an actor, historically they didn't fight nearly as hard as zealots did.  Rondeaux let them carry on for a minute before motioning for them to quiet down.

"The Goddess has seen fit to bless me with the sight, is this term familiar to any of you?"

The black woman raised her hand.

"My grandfather was said to be able to see spirits and creatures no one else could."

Rondeaux nodded.

"That does sound like the sight, ma'am.  Basically, I can see not only supernatural creatures, but also anything behind the veil.  For me the veil doesn't exist, I see things as they are.  This valley is an example of the world behind the veil.  The Goddess has cut away the veil here so that I may prepare you for the struggle ahead.  Here you will see things as they are, and you will begin to understand the marvels that await all of mankind once we end the reign of the soul singers and bring down the veil altogether."

Mr. Surfer Dude raised his hand.  Rondeaux nodded for him to speak.

"I'm deeply honored to be one of the few you selected for the leadership vetting process.  No disrespect intended, but what made you pick us specifically?"  He certainly didn't sound as casual as he looked.

"Look closely at one another.  This is your second example of life without the veil."  Lyric looked around curiously as Rondeaux spoke.  "Some things are immediately, even shockingly apparent.  Traveling from hills, stones and scrub grass into a verdant valley with a lake is a big change.  Notice as you look at one another the things you missed before.  It's like knowing someone for years and looking deeply into their eyes for the first time.  You see, not green or blue or brown, but a variety of colors, beautiful striations, and a depth hitherto unnoticed.  Look, for instance, at the eyes and ears of Mr. Polph."  

Lyric looked at the man intently.  He noticed a faint white luminescence about the man's head that was most visible around his eyes and ears.  How did he miss that?  "Mr. Polph has already told us he's an interrogator for Flagstaff's finest.  The reason he's so well suited to that position is because he is supernaturally gifted in the higher senses.  He takes for granted the ability to see through deception because he's been able to his entire life.”

Rondeaux walked among them as he continued.