Demon Singer II (11 page)

        It didn't take long. The woman hopped off the truck into the giant Knockers arms. Turning back toward the restaurant, Anaya carried her to safety.

        As soon as they reached the restaurant.Joss opened the door and hustled them inside, slamming the door on their attackers.

        Anaya set the woman down. Ruby saw she possessed that special kind of beauty that defies age.

        "I really can't thank you enough," the woman said as she rushed toward the kitchen area in the back of the restaurant. "My name is Maddy, if you ever need anything, find me at the palace."

        "Wait!" Ruby shouted as she followed after Maddy. "You should stay with us!"

        "Sorry, I can't, I have to get to the Lux.  Thanks again." Maddy disappeared out the back door.

        Ruby turned to her friends in exasperation.

        "We can't just let her go." She said.

        "Why not?" Joss asked.  "The zombies are out front. She'll be fine. Besides, I find her discernment top notch."

        "Indeed," Anaya agreed. "Did you hear her? She thanked us.
Twice.
It's such a nice change from being blamed for calamities.

        "Let's get out of here." Ruby said as she made for the back door. "Anaya, can you get the barge and bring it around back? I want to get to the palace."

*   *   *   *   *

        Gar Lich counted twenty one soldiers wearing black uniforms approaching the table he sat at beneath the awning of his RV. When it became clear his engagement at Markhato was apt to be lengthy he sent for a bigger vehicle he could relax in.

        A stern looking officer at the front of the contingent stepped out front to address Gar. The zombie boss held up a staying hand as Cicero and his servants prepared to attack.

        “Gar Lich, I am Captain Les Shope of the Markhato City Guard. I am hereby placing you under arrest for thirteen counts of homicide and twenty-five counts of malicious wounding with intent to kill. Please stand and turn around, placing your hands palm to palm behind your back like you're praying.”

        Gar smiled and remained seated.

        “That's adorable,” he said to the captain. “I've never prayed before, I'm afraid I don't know how. And you seem like a very capable leader, but you only brought twenty men. That's not going to give me much to work with in terms of sending a message. I don't suppose I could convince you to go get some more? I promise I'll wait right here.”

        Captain Shope’s eyes narrowed in anger.

        “Mr. Lich, I don't think you understand your situation here. My men are more than sufficient to assist you to comply with my request.”

        “So be it. I'll make do with twenty one. Who dies first?”

        Shope barked an order and the City Guard launched themselves at the zombie boss.

        Those who see Gar Lich up close tend to find him repellent and perhaps even scary. His enormous body and thick features are far removed from anything resembling beauty. His perpetual scowl survives any attempt his face makes to smile. And his penchant for disgusting snacks - like ladyfingers...
real
lady fingers - is unsettling at best. But one would never assume by looking at him that he could be lethal in any way other than perhaps falling on someone.

        The first guard to reach him took flight as Gar threw him with one meaty paw into a tree so hard it was certain that guard would not rejoin this - or any - fight.

        This casual display of strength broke the headlong rush and forced the rest of the guards to consider how best to proceed without getting similarly maimed.

        “Well, now we know who died first,” Gar said cheerfully. “The only other question we need to address is who dies last? C'mon, we'll figure it out together.”

CHAPTER 8

        Lyric and company stood halfway out on the Head Island Causeway staring at the frigid, gray Atlantic. Barely restrained turmoil flowed along the tie from Cadence. Concern tinted his voice ever so slightly.

        "What's wrong?"

        The warrior didn't answer, but gestured at the water.   

        "She hates the ocean." Acheron spoke in a low tone on Lyric’s other side. "She was alive when it was made you know."

        Lyric's confusion must have been apparent on his face. Acheron looked at him pitifully, as though he were a one legged frog.

        "She died in the flood, idiot."

        Clarity dawned.

        Cadence was a Nephilim, the product of an angel and a human. She was born before the great deluge that had wiped out the planet millenia ago.

        He looked back at Cadence, trying to sort through the emotions storming through her small frame. Fear seemed to be primary among them.

        "I'm so sorry. You can stay here, Acheron will keep me company."

        Cadence's jaw clenched, her entire body radiated tension, but she shook her head.

        "You're not going anywhere without me, Lyric. Besides, the trollop has no power. You need me. I'll be fine.” She smiled bravely but the terror radiating from her was thick and heavy.

        Lyric looked back out over the water. Quietly he began humming a tune Ms. Nightingale used to sing to soothe and calm singers in the infirmary. Suddenly the side of his face was on fire and his head hurt. Cadence had slapped him. He looked in shock at the Verger.

        “I don't want you fixing me, Lyric!” The small warrior yelled at him.

        “I was trying to help you!” Lyric shot back. “Why would you hit me?”

        “You have no right messing with my head, Singer!” Her anger very clearly trumped her fear. “I will follow you anywhere!
And
when the time comes I will die with you... Cheerfully! But on
my
terms and as myself under my own control, not as an extension of you. Do
not
use your powers on me!”

        Lyric opened his mouth to reply but stopped himself.

        “No go ahead,” Acheron chuckled, “say something, I dare you.”

        "Shut up, Acheron." Lyric and Cadence said in unison before turning back to the sea.

        Ervin had taught him a simple tune before they left the Grand Staff, telling  him to stand right here and sing it. Then they were to wait and the boat would come. Lyric tried to ignore the strong emotions still rolling off the Verger and sang the song into the salty breeze. Then they waited as bidden.

        "There," Acheron said. Lyric looked in the direction the demoness was pointing and marveled at what he saw.

        Speeding toward them was a group of men.

        That assessment in itself wouldn't raise many eyebrows, but for a few small details. First, these ‘men’ were cerulean blue. Second, many of them were diving through the waves like porpoises, towing something that resembled a large white platform behind them. It was that platform though, that was the most interesting part of the picture.

        A huge five masted carrack was taking shape on the water as the blue men hauled it toward the trio.

        Obviously the ship wasn't made of wood. It was impossible to tell without being closer, but it appeared the enormous vessel was made entirely of ice. A swarm of the bluemen were clamboring all over the huge ship, building it as they climbed.  Everywhere their hands touched, more of the ship formed.  Within minutes the carrack was complete, minus sails.

        Lyric and his companions watched as the blue men scaled the five masts and spread out across the beam. As one, they joined hands and jumped, trailing behind them what appeared to be sheets of iridescent glass, like the wall of a bubble.  Rather than splatting on the deck as the Singer half expected, they were caught by their comrades below.  

        A few more twists and pulls and whatever else they were doing and suddenly the glass-like sails were filled with air and the carrack was moving toward them under its own power.

        The men towing it dropped their lines and launched themselves out of the water, over the high rails onto the deck.

        A commotion toward the bow of the ship indicated the blue men were making something else.  Seconds later a small skiff was cast over the side to splash in the water.  A pair of blue men towed it to where Lyric and company waited. They pulled the skiff up close and held it steady. They didn't say a word, they just scowled.

        Ervin had warned Lyric about the surly temperament of the Blue Men of the Minch.  Lyric ignored the glares and stepped into the skiff, turning to assist the girls. He could feel Cadence's distress rolling off her like waves.  Nevertheless, she pretended not to see his proffered hand and jumped lightly into the boat, immediately sitting down.

        Acheron, still learning to compensate for her loss of strength, stepped in carefully, holding tight to Lyric's hand.  The Singer remained carefully neutral sensing the demoness' humiliation at having to be helped.  She plopped down next to Cadence and leaned against the small warrior.  For once, Cadence didn't sidle away.  

        They were all still getting accustomed to the three way soul tie.  It was difficult sorting out everyone's impressions.  When feelings were strong like right now, it became difficult to identify even one's own feelings.

        They sped through the waves to the enormous carrack and soon were climbing the ladder to board the ship. Once on deck, the trio were greeted with a ring of unfriendly faces.  One man with thick, dark hair stood taller than the rest and stepped forward to meet them.  

        "I'm captain Calder Glas.” He said with a fantastic Scottish brogue. “Welcome aboard the Gaoithe Mhín."

*   *   *   *   *

        Noale Sabre had been summoned to the main gates to deal with the return of the City Guards he sent to arrest Gar Lich.

        Upon reaching the gate he found all the guards milling about in a makeshift pen, the reason immediately apparent. The son of a bitch had killed them all and turned them into zombies. The men were grotesquely twisted and broken and all of their eyes had been carved out. Each man had a piece of paper stabbed into his chest with a single large letter written on it.

        The men guarding the gates were subdued and quiet. They carefully avoided talking to each other or even looking at their former comrades. Captain Les Shope had been popular among the men. A bit melancholy perhaps, but he loved his men and he loved his job. He didn't deserve to die like this, none of them did.

        Sabre choked down his rage and drew his sword. Intellectually, he understood that these were no longer the men he sent out to arrest Gar Lich. These were mindless, soulless meat sacks that had no thought other than to eat the nearest living thing. There was no denying the emotional trauma though, of seeing men he knew - men with wives and children - existing in this grotesque parody of life. This was a responsibility he refused to delegate to any of his men. He was responsible, he would handle it.  Preparing to enter the enclosure, he was stopped by a hand on his arm. His former CO, General Brad Tagshout, stood beside him. Not a word was spoken, but Sabre understood anyway.

        He didn't have to do this alone.

        Together, the generals quickly and efficiently put the men to rest. Then with a tenderness none of their soldiers would ever speak of, but would forever remember, they laid the men into the backs of the waiting wagons.

        A guard stepped forward to help and was stopped by an icy glare from Tagshout. The message was clear: These men may not have been Milleytes Lux but they would be honored by the leaders of the Milleytes Lux personally.

        Sabre retrieved each knife and each piece of paper during the process. Laying them out on the ground he rearranged them and in short order read the message:

        
Come get me yoursel
f♡
Gar

*   *   *   *   *

        Ruby and company pulled through the palace gates, watching as a regiment of  Markhato's army sped by in large black wagons pulled by uniformed centaurs.

        "What's with the black sheets?" Joss asked, pointing unnecessarily to the four huge black drapes hanging from the front of the palace.

        Ruby shrugged and parked the Barge next to a sleeping rhinoceros in what appeared to be a parking place. They arrived at the large front door to be greeted by a familiar woman of indeterminate middle age.

        "My rescuers! How can I help you?"

        "Maddy!" The redhead said in surprise. "You move fast. My name is Ruby. These are my friends Joss and Anaya. I'm sure he's busy dealing with whatever happened to your zombies, but when he's free I would like to visit my grandfather, David Westfall." Ruby offered her hand.

        Maddy looked startled for a moment as she took Ruby's hand. Then an odd combination of sorrow and anger crossed her face as she hurriedly pulled Ruby through the door and hustled her up the hall. Joss and Anaya shared a bemused look as they followed. Obviously there was no imminent danger here, but the lady's behavior certainly was odd.

        Maddy escorted the three of them into an opulent waiting room and locked the door. Turning to Ruby she said.

        "You are the granddaughter of King David Westfall?"

        "Yes, what's going on? Why are you acting so weird?" Ruby asked, shooting a troubled glance at her friends.

        Anaya smiled and gave her an encouraging thumbs up. Joss was busy assessing the value of the contents of the richly decorated room.

        "What is your name, child? Your real name." Maddy asked, her smile fierce and barely contained excitement in her eyes.

        "My full name is Ruby Rain of the Composer, but that's a mouthful, so everyone just calls me Ruby."

        Maddy nodded.

        "What is the significance of your name,  Ruby Rain of the Composer?"

        "You do realize this is not a normal conversation, right?" Ruby asked. “Can I see my grandfather please?”

        "Names are important," Maddy pressed. "Do you know the story behind yours?"

        "I guess," Ruby shrugged and recited the teaching of her mother. "The Ruby Rain of the Composer is a rare rainfall that lies behind the first veil, only visible to those with the second sight. It is a special rain that falls like water, but it's red and sparkles as though lit from within. There are places in creation where terrible things happen and sickness and death take hold of the very air itself, poisoning anything that lives there. If the people of those lands long for restoration and seek hard after the Composer, he weeps tears of joy, as a father at the return of lost children.  Those tears fall on the broken land, cleaning the air, healing the ground and making it fertile again. Typically the rain falls after a period of sober reflection that culminates with a Soul Singer's lament, but occasionally the heart of the people is strong enough to call it down themselves. It's said that wherever the rain falls, whatever grows there will be stronger than what was destroyed. It's just a story."

        Tears had filled Maddy's eyes. The older woman collected herself and said,

        "Stories, like names, are important. You can hear the best stories a thousand times and never appreciate them until the day comes you hear them differently. It can be an emphasis on a specific word, or a new scent on the air or even a familiar face looking at you from a stranger’s that gives your heart hope on a day you expected only heartache.

        “You have your grandfather's eyes. If you'll wait here for a moment, I'll get the King Regent, Noale Sabre to come speak with you."

        "I don't understand," Ruby said, an edge creeping into her voice. She didn't have a lot of patience to lose. Then Maddy's words clicked and an icy suspicion grabbed her heart. King Regent could not mean what she feared it meant. "What do you mean, King Regent?  What the hell is going on? I'm here to see my grandfather, you need to tell him I'm here and that it's important that I see him
now...
please."

        Maddy's expressive face became all sorrow. She rushed from the room saying over her shoulder, “I'll be right back.”

        They didn't have long to wait. A stern, commanding voice echoed down the hallway.

        "...will have to answer to Markhato, not just me. Stop questioning me and mobilize the Lux, I don't expect to repeat myself. Go now!" The voice grew closer as it spoke.

        Maddy returned a moment later  escorting a handsome man with excellent posture. Crow's feet decorated gray eyes and silver teased his dark hair.

        "Hello, you must be Ruby," the strange man looked questioningly at his wife. Maddy nodded. He offered a hand but Ruby ignored it.

        "I'm sorry, sir, but is your name David Westfall?" She asked.