The Artifact of Dissium (Demona Book 2) (16 page)

Chapter 15:

Lessons Learned

Demona and Felix walked into the cave hand in hand. They glanced at one another and smiled when they saw the loo
ks on their companions’ faces. There was mixed reactions to the display of affection. Aero had greeted them with a whinny and nodded his head. He seemed to be the least affected by the new relationship between Demona and Felix.

Ileana’s eyebrows rose higher than ever. “About time!” A smile grew on her face and she winked at Demona. It had been no secret between them that Felix was still interested in Demona.

Demona could feel the waves of emotion spread through her body. She knew that Kearne could view this as a challenge and was hoping that it would not become a problem. He watched Demona cling to Felix’s arm with each surge he sent her way. It only seemed to anger him more and he scowled at Felix.

“By the way, the rain has stopped,” Felix said.

Ileana hopped up from her rocky seat. “Awesome! I need to stretch my wings.” She cracked her knuckles and ran through the cave. She leaped into the air and her feet never touched the ground again. Ileana transformed into a magnificent phoenix and soared through the cave’s entrance and upwards out of sight.

Kearne rigidly stood and walked from the cave in silence. Demona could feel the seductive emotions that he sent her way, but she still clung tighter to Felix. Demona could tell Kearne was sulking
. Aero was right, it is difficult for him to give in to the challenge
. She was impressed that he had not thrown more of his pheromones her way; it seemed that he was making an effort to try and remove himself from the situation.

Aero walked toward them. His hooves clopped on the stone flooring with each step.
It is hard for the fairy. He too is one of the last few of his race. Have patience with him, he tries to resist his instincts. I will survey the river’s breadth and determine our next course of action
. He exited the cave leaving the two alone once more.

Demona turned to Felix not knowing what to do with Kearne’s attitude.

Felix shrugged his shoulders when he met Demona’s eyes. “This journey has been hard on us all.” Felix reached for Demona’s hand and gripped two of her fingers loosely.

“I can’t imagine being the last of a race, or species. Can you imagine how Aero and Kearne must be feeling?”

Felix shook his head. “I don’t think there is any way we can really understand how they feel.”

I bet it feels lonely
. “I wonder what happened to Kearne in the TGHC dungeon. He’s different…I mean, he’s cocky just like he was when we first met, but he seems sad. I saw the TGHC dungeons; they were not a place I would want to live. If he had been shackled to the walls like some of the prisoners were…” Demona shivered at the thought. “I can only imagine what he went through. He was down there for months.”

“Maybe you should try talking to him about it. I mean, you know what the TGHC was like and why you turned from them. Maybe, he can relate to how you felt…or still feel,” Felix said.

“I guess it’s worth a try,” Demona replied. “Thanks for the advice.”

Felix kissed her forehead. “No problem.”

Demona exited the cave and looked around for Kearne. She turned around and found him seated on a rock several yards above the entrance of the cave. She hesitated a moment and tried to decide how she could approach the subject of TGHC lightly, without triggering Kearne’s instincts. He could not hurt her, but that did not mean that he could not make her very uncomfortable.

Kearne watched as Aero grazed at one patch of grass and moved on to another. He looked sad, but tired also.

Demona climbed up the side of the cave. “Hey, do you have a minute to talk?” Demona asked.

Kearne tossed a pebble at the river. It made a plopping sound as it fell through the water’s surface. “I am not doing anything particularly important at this moment.”

“Darius had you in the dungeons…I-I can’t imagine what that must have been like.”

Kearne scoffed at her comment. He searched for another rock on the ground below his feet.

“Look, I know what those dungeons were like. And I know that you had to have suffered down there,” Demona said.

Demona felt a compulsive wave of lust spread through her body and she lurched towards him in response. She held her hands up when the feeling began to dissipate. “I get it, that topic is off limits,” she said. “I gather that you know a little bit about me. Darius would have told you why you were being sent here.”

“You are the legendary
Mythos
and a traitor to TGHC. Darius needed you to be watched. He wanted to make sure that you obtained the artifact in order to serve a purpose for both TGHC and GLC’s interests. Yes, I know the story.”

“A traitor! That’s what he told you? There was more to it than just betraying TGHC. My hand was forced and I made a choice based on what I felt was the right thing to do for myself at the time. The dark beings never accepted me and I did not belong at TGHC!” Demona yelled.

Kearne was wide eyed. He had clearly lacked experience with angry women.

“Sorry. It’s just a sore subject.” Demona looked away and tried to determine how to salvage the conversation. “I found out that Darius was my master and for some reason he abandoned me when I was a fledgling. Then, I found out about being the
Mythos
and that Darius had made me a vampire, because he knew what I was. He and Kerrick set me up; they made me think I was part of something important at TGHC, after I had tried so hard to fit in with the dark beings. Then, that damn demon gave me a vision that showed me the truth.

“You have no idea what it’s like knowing that what little bit of a life you remember has been a total lie,” Demona said. “GLC was the only place I had left, the only place I was accepted. I never asked for this…I never asked to be the
Mythos
or a vampire.”

Kearne stood. “Did they ever tell you why you were bringing me in?”

“It was because of all the women dying from your touch.”

“That was a lie!” Kearne whipped another rock into the river. “I have never been like most Gancanagh. Sure, it’s in my instinct to lure women, but I just wanted love. How could I help that my touch turns women into stalkers who end up dying because of it. I was born a Gancanagh, I never had a choice either.

“I am the last unwed Gancanagh, the last of my generation. Gancanagh women are the only beings that can resist our poison. Do you understand what that means for me?” Kearne asked.

Demona rubbed her arm and nodded.

“The reason why you were sent to capture me was, because Darius wanted me. He wanted me, because of my knowledge of Dissium! There are very few people who travel between the other realm and here; most do not even know Dissium exists. I do not know what Darius is up to, but he clearly knew he needed me for this,” Kearne said.

“But that was before anything happened with Abd al-Malik and the possession. There’s no way he could have known,” Demona said.

“Though, beautiful, you did just say that he turned you into a vampire, because he knew who you were. Do not forget that he is one of the oldest vampires in existence. We do not know what he is capable of, or what he understands about the events taking place. For all we know, he could have orchestrated this whole thing.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Your guess is as good as mine…”

“I’m sorry about everything that happened to you. Had I known everything I know now…things would have been different. Kearne, is there anything else I need to know, about why you are here?” Demona asked.

“There is one thing you should be aware of, that in exchange for seeing the artifact safely back, I regain my freedom. Nothing…nothing will keep me from my freedom.” Kearne clenched his fists tightly.

“I’m going to do everything I can to make sure Darius holds to his promise. Nobody deserves to be a slave to him,” Demona said. “I need you to help make this work. Please, stop taunting Ileana. And cool it with the whole seduction stuff. We need to work together…”

“I will do my best, but do not forget that you are not the only being that has internal struggles,” Kearne replied.

Ileana landed nearby and came to stand near Demona. She stood with her hands on her hips and she looked at Kearne in disapproval. Ileana was always agitated when she was around him.

Demona looked at Ileana intently. “We’re all going to try and work together now, okay?” She looked back and forth between the two. “Kearne’s had his own tough journey to get here. Try to be sympathetic towards him, Ileana. Try to get along. We’re all working toward the same goal.”

“I’m not so sure... But as long as he quits giving me those stupid feelings,” Ileana replied. She glared at Kearne.

“I’ll stop, as long as you stop calling me a toad,” Kearne said.

“Good, now that we know what is irritating you both you can go work on it. Now, I’m going to go get Felix and go hunt for firewood, again, since the fog has finally lifted.”

“Awe, sneaking off with your babe again?” Ileana asked.

“I’ve got more important things to worry about.” Demona rolled her eyes.

Ileana laughed. “There’s nothing more important than L-O-V-E.”

Demona ignored Ileana’s comment. “Now, you two are going to sit and get to know each other in the meantime.”

“But Mom, do I have to?” Ileana whined.

“Yes.” Demona pointed at both of them. “And behave!”

****

Demona and Felix had gone to search the forest once again for firewood. Since the fog cleared out of the woods, they were able to safely venture farther into the thick trees. They found several arm loads of wood and occasionally returned to camp to drop the supply off. Throughout their search they flirted and stole kisses from one another. Demona tried to enjoy the near perfect moment with Felix, before it was gone and they had to continue their journey.

They returned to the cave where Felix dropped his last load of wood onto the ground. Demona sat her own supply of long branches down on top of a large pile. They began preparing a fire as they had done on those nights back at the northeast headquarters. It was almost like Demona and Felix’s actions were synchronized, knowing exactly what job needed to be done in order to complete the fire.

Felix placed the stick up against the others and stepped back. Demona leaned forwards and held her hands above the carefully placed kindling. The damp wood sizzled as Demona accessed her
mageia
to dry them enough that it would catch fire. Demona once again produced a flame that caught quickly and they were soon warming their soggy limbs around the raging campfire.

Kearne and Ileana had seemed at peace with one another. It had been a shock for Demona to see that they may have actually worked their bad feelings out. There was no bickering or hateful glares exchanged between them. It seemed almost as if Demona sat in a cave full of genuine companions.

Who would have thought?

Aero stood at the cave’s entrance and continued staring out at the moonless night.

“Aero,” Demona said, “You’ve seemed sad since we left the lake.”

Aero swung his head to glance at the four humanoids behind him.
There are many things I am reminded of in the Forest of Grief...the massacre..
.

“Ah, the Massacre of Grief. An excellent story it is!” Kearne said.

“I’d love to hear the story,” Demona said.

Aero stomped his hoof.
If the fairy whishes to tell the tale he may do so.