Horde of the Demon Priest (Demona Book 3) (18 page)

The GLC members made their way back to headquarters. Demona held the box of charms protectively in her lap as she road in the passenger seat beside Molony. She looked at the box’s lid and hoped that the charms would not be necessary during this battle, but she knew it was much better to be safe than sorry. She still worried about what the charms would cost them, but somehow felt that if it was going to be a problem, Kerrick would have said something to her. She knew that despite their differences, they shared a common enemy.

Demona pulled her cell phone from her pocket and dialed Itzig’s number. Even though the detective could not help them, Demona felt that it was best to keep him informed on the situation. After all, it could not hurt to have a human ally in an authoritative role. He might be vital in the clean-up effort, or cover-up, after the battle.

Itzig wished Demona and the other’s luck. He asked Demona to make sure that his Uncle Barty and Aunt Anne stay away from the battle. He also promised to listen to the walkie-talkies in case any information came through about their activities. Itzig hoped that he could deflect any unwanted attention away from them, but he reminded Demona that he was limited in what he could do now that he was quarantined.

Chapter 18:

Cousins

After their parley with Darius, Kerrick, and the field-agents; Demona and the GLC members returned to headquarters to begin preparations for battle. They pulled onto the old bumpy road toward the vast sea of canvas tents. When they drew nearer to the Roost Haven’s entrance, they noticed an abundance of cars parked in front of the fence in a little clearing of the field. The license plates read Texas, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. A large group of people were gathered at the front of the entrance waiting to be searched in order to go into the base.

Molony quickly pulled the car into the lot and shifted it into park. Demona scurried out the passenger side door to find out what was happening. Molony reached the gathering first and was able to pass the line of people in order to get into Roost Haven. He stood beside a guard that was on duty and questioned him about the activity.

Demona was waved through the gate by one of the guards and promptly went to stand by Molony.

“They just arrived from Gleannbroch. One of the defenders said that one of the Council members, Madam Elder, received a message from
Aleph
during prayer. As soon as she was able, she sent out a message to all GLC headquarters, across the country, to send as many volunteers to the northeast headquarters in preparation for a war against evil,” the guard said.

Molony clapped his hands together. “It’s a miracle!”

Demona placed her hands on her hips and her brows creased with confusion. “
Aleph
sent them, before we even knew how to use the artifact? To get this many people from so far away Madam Elder had to have received the message days ago.”

Molony nodded his head. He placed his hand on Demona’s shoulder. “I’ll go see Ezekiel about the parley and start getting things in order.” He turned toward the church.

Demona found her tent and rested a little while before deciding to venture out into Roost Haven. She wanted to find Felix and see what he had been doing. She assumed that he was still assisting Kaleb with any necessary fortifications before they were ready to leave. Now that there were even more pairs of hands, they could afford to leave a few more people behind to guard the base, while they went to confront the demon priest.

Demona stepped out of her tent and looked around at the crowded base. Between the volunteers, neutral refugees, and the new reinforcements their numbers had swelled to almost three hundred. Around her the new arrivals were setting up sand or green colored canvas tents that they had brought with them. Boxes of nonperishable food items were being carried into the church. Numerous weapons were being checked in and organized at the armory.

“Demona,” a voice called to her.

Demona spun around in response to her name. She saw a familiar face come jogging through the crowd in her direction.

“Oakley!” Demona hugged him when he got closer.

“I wanted to say hi before things got too chaotic.” Oakley motioned to everything around him.

Demona nodded in understanding. “How are you and Benen?”

“I’m good. Benen is the same as always, just growing like a weed,” Oakley smiled. “Speaking of which, he wanted me to give you this.” Oakley handed Demona a folded piece of paper.

Demona unfolded it to find a drawing that had clearly been done by a small child. “Is that supposed to be me?”

Oakley grinned and leaned over the paper. “Yes, he said that’s supposed to be you with the sword killing the giant. And that is Felix in a whirlwind. Like how you made one in the training field in Gleannbroch, he said.”

Demona giggled. “That kid is something else!” Demona said. It brought a smile to her face. She could not remember the last time she laughed or smiled. It felt like ages to her. “What are you doing here, anyway?”

Oakley shrugged. “I volunteered.”

“We appreciate it; we can use all of the help we can get.” Demona grabbed hold of his hand and gave a slight squeeze.

“Any idea where Felix is? I wanted to say hello to him too,” Oakley asked.

Demona shook her head. “Sorry, I was just about to go look for him myself.”

Oakley half turned and stopped. “Oh, I almost forgot.” Oakley beckoned a man standing behind him to come forward. “Demona I would like you to meet Napoleon Brennan, your cousin.”

Demona was shocked.
A cousin
. She had never thought about searching for her extended family. Of course she would have some, but between focusing on finding out what had happed to her parents and dealing with her destiny, she had not had time to spare it any thought. Demona almost smacked herself in the head for not thinking of it before. She had known that her grandmother was alive; at least she was back when her parents had died. She never thought to try and find her, or any other family members.

Demona realized she had not said anything. “Sorry, I just wasn’t expecting that.” She reached her hand out for a handshake.

Napoleon reached out and grabbed her hand with a firm grasp. “Call me Leon.”

“I’ll let you two do some catching-up and go find Felix,” Oakley said.

Demona reached out her hand to stop him. “Will you tell him that I’ll find him later?”

“Sure,” Oakley said. He left Leon and Demona to talk alone.

Demona led the way as they began to walk around the base. “So, that makes you my cousin on my Dad’s side?”

“Yup, our fathers were brothers,” Leon replied. He had the slender build of the ljosalfar Elvin people. He had the same dark brown colored hair that Demona remembered her father having.

“Wait. You said
were
brothers?” Demona asked.

Leon nodded solemnly. “My father died several years ago, he was Napoleon the first,” he said. “We were surprised to hear that you were alive when word spread through GLC. We knew that something devastating had happened to your family, but we never knew what exactly happened. It was as if you dropped off the face of the earth, nobody knew where you were and Grandma made sure that the family searched everywhere for you.

“When news reached us that the daughter of Uncle Darryn had been found, we were ecstatic.” Leon bowed his head. “The whole family is sorry for your great loss.”

“Thank you. The memories from the day they were killed still haunt me,” Demona said. “But I guess it wasn’t just my loss, was it? It was my whole family’s loss.”

Leon nodded. “We were sad to hear of their tragic ending.”

Demona directed them to a log in the grove where they could sit and warm themselves by the burning barrels. “Tell me about the rest of our family.”

Leon paused for a moment to think. “Let’s see… our grandparents are no longer with us. Grandpa died before you were born, but Grandma passed only just recently. They only had two children, my father and yours; my father being the oldest. Other than me, you have two other cousins. My sister, Lydia, and my brother, Uriel.”

“Wow,” Demona tried to process all of the new information.

“Uriel is about your age. He’s in Gleannbroch receiving an education to become an ordained priest. Lydia lives in Dissium with her husband and daughter, Tilly.”

“I can’t believe this!” Demona said. “So many family members to get to know. Had we ever met? I don’t think we have, but sometimes I find that I’m still missing memories or they’re fragmented.”

Leon shook his head. “No, we never met.”

Demona studied Leon’s features. Other than his full head of brown hair and delicate frame he resembled her father in other subtle ways. He also had soft porcelain skin, very much like her complexion
. I wonder if I share any other physical similarities with my other cousins.
“I’ll have to go to Gleannbroch and Dissium when this is over so I can meet Uriel and Lydia.”

Leon grimaced. “I would not suggest meeting Lydia… While my brother and I are allied with the GLC, Lydia, and particularly her husband, remains neutral. That is why they live in Dissium; they want nothing to do with the light or dark beings. They live in an isolated ljosalfar community.”

Demona looked sullen. “That’s a shame.”

Leon gave a half smile while he nodded. “It is.”

“And what about you?” Demona asked.

Leon did not answer immediately. He needed a few moments to figure out what he should share. “There isn’t much to say, really. I live near the northern headquarters, in Wisconsin. I’m an ally to GLC, as I mentioned before. I’m a bachelor…Umm, That’s about it.”

“That sounds nice and calm,” Demona replied.

“It is. Probably a lot calmer than what you’re used to.”

Demona nodded vigorously. “You have no idea…So you came to help us?”

“I did. I hope that my elemental powers will be of use,” Leon replied.

“I have them too. I mean, I know I’m only half Elvin, but I have elemental magic, too.”

“Grandma always said there was something special about you,” Leon said.

Demona smiled. “Ha-ha. If only she knew…”

“It’s fascinating that I’m related to the chosen one.”

“So, you know about all of that?” Demona asked. “I’m glad someone is excited about it.”

Leon looked serious after her comment. “That’s why I’m here. How could I let my cousin, the chosen one, fight a battle without being there to support her. It would be a disgrace to our noble heritage if nobody from our family fought alongside you against such a great evil.”

“I appreciate the support, Leon.” Demona nervously picked at her fingers. “I’m so grateful. Just don’t get yourself killed before I have a chance to get to know you better.”

“I won’t.” Leon reached into his pants pocket. “Here,” Leon handed a small piece of paper to Demona.

Demona took it and flipped it over. It was not a piece of paper, but an old photograph of her parents when they were younger. Demona studied the picture. Her mother’s hair was a wild, wavy brown, not much unlike Demona’s.

“I thought you would want it. You look like your mother,” Leon said. “I compared your father’s features to my father’s. They looked very similar when they were younger.”

Demona held the photograph over her heart. Tears glistened in her eyes. “You have no idea how much this means. Thank you.”

Leon shrugged. “That’s what family’s for.”

Word went through Roost Haven that a meeting was to be held on the plans for the next day.” Molony called everyone to gather around at the picnic tables, where he stood on a table. The fire in the burning barrels that dotted camp stood out against the blackened evening surroundings. The firelight seemed to bring his red hair to life as he stood waiting for the murmuring crowd to quiet down.

“Tomorrow is the day we face evil itself. Tonight, don’t worry about the specifics of the upcoming battle. Instead prepare your hearts, minds, and bodies for what you will face.” Molony paused. “We’ll leave for our destination at eleven o’clock tomorrow morning. We ask that you think on this one thing. If your heart tells you to go with us to battle, then go. If your heart tells you to stay, then stay. Guards and other personnel will be needed to keep things safe and running smoothly both while we are gone and when we return. I wish you all a good night and
Aleph
be with you.” He stepped down and made his way back to the hospital wing.

Demona sat beside Felix on one of the cold wooden benches. They gripped each other’s hands tightly. The crowd began to disperse into their tents for the night. Demona wondered how many of them would actually sleep. She pondered if she herself would be able to rest. She tried to brush away the thought of the upcoming battle and the important role that she had in defeating the demon priest out of her mind.