First Thirst (Craving 1)

Water worked on many demons. I held the water at bay, but now I gave him a smile and brought it out of the earth with a force that sent him flying backwards and into his spluttering portal.

He screeched all the while. I smiled.

Closing the portal was easy.

I used a simple spell to lock it on this side. He had not come from the Demon Realm. He had come from somewhere not far off. Even my basic witchy training had taught me to recognize the different classes of portals.

So, where had he come from and who had sent him? Allora. No other would be interested in taking me out. Did she know that I was a MacForly descendent? Or did she just want me out of the way?

Unsettled, even though I had won this first round, I ran, not walked, back to the castle. Just outside the front door I stopped and caught my breath.

With more haste than my usual hasty self, I made my way into the Keep and pulled my phone out of my jeans pocket and called Jeremy.

“Bobbie…” he said pleasantly.

“Don’t Bobbie me. You need to get over here, now, right now. It is one thing to bring me here because you need help, but quite another to let me go this alone. Vampires and demons? Come on. We need to do something and soon.” I was angry.

“I’ll be right over,” he said.

* * * * *

I paced like a lunatic in the library while waiting for Jeremy.

He rushed in and said, “What has happened?”

“What has happened?” I was naturally incredulous. “You dare to ask me that? How could you bring me here and then not tell me the truth?” I accused, and couldn’t stop my wagging finger. “Yesterday, I was being watched by a vampire…in the woods just before dusk. This morning, a demon, a Red Demon, I am sure you know the type, came out of a portal in broad daylight…a naked demon…gross, and I had to deal with it, so you don’t get to ask the questions! I do.”

He sank into a nearby chair and buried his head in his hands before he said, “Heaven forgive me. You were attacked?”

“Not yesterday, but just a while ago…you could say that.” I sat across from him. “And no sense pretending any longer about anything. I have spoken with Devin and know the gist of the story.”

“You…you spoke with Devin?” He seemed more astonished about this than the fact that an aggressive demon had paid me a visit. “That is…impossible. I shielded him against supernatural detection.”

“Well, apparently not against my supernatural detection, but I can’t see him,” I said. “However, never mind that. I want answers…I thoug

ht it was Allora we had to worry about. What’s with the demon and if there was a vampire lurking about, does that mean she will be arriving next?” I looked up from my chair and even though I couldn’t see him, I looked for him. I couldn’t see if he was there, and he wasn’t participating in the discussion so I asked, “Devin…you here yet?”

No answer.

Annoying. Where was he?

“Wait…I…how…?” Jeremy tried to speak.

“As I said, I am asking the questions,” I reiterated. “Will the vampire in the woods yesterday report to Allora? I have to figure on the safe side that he will. And what has a demon to do with anything? Does she use demons to do her dirty work?” I demanded.

He shook his head. “This is unexpected. I have never known Allora to consort with demons. She despises all supernaturals other than vampires. However, she may have called on one in exchange for a boon she might allow him. As to the vampire…I don’t think the one you saw in the woods reports directly to her. I have seen him in the village in the evenings and I know he is staying at Allora’s place, Brently Manor, but only because she houses vampires there from time to time. However, I am concerned about the Red Demon. They don’t do favors unless they get one in return. Who is he working for if not Allora?”

“Well, I’ll tell you this. I think if the vamp I encountered yesterday is staying in her place, he must have her cell phone number and given her a call to let her know a woman was installed at MacLeod. She may not know my bloodline and still want me gone,” I offered to myself as well as to Jeremy. I waved this all off. “But that is beside the point. I should have been told about all of this as soon as I arrived.” I put up my hand and stalled his retort. “Let’s cut to the chase, Jeremy. You are an immortal warlock. You brought me here to help rescue Devin, who is trapped in another realm, and I am willing to try and free him, but I need to know everything I might encounter here at MacLeod!” I gave him a look I meant to be withering and added, “And just so we know, I don’t like demons, spiders, or snakes.”

He sank into his chair and stared at me. “I honestly don’t know what to say. I have never encountered a demon of any kind here at MacLeod before.”

“Well, you should have informed me when we had our little talk yesterday about my situation here. You should have told me the truth and the truth is the only thing I will deal with here, or I am gone.”

“Truth? Devin wanted me to tell you everything immediately and give you the opportunity to return to the safety of your life back in New York.”

“Okay, I get it. He is your friend…your brother-in-law, and you didn’t want to blow a chance at freeing him. Fine. But from here on out, no secrets, agreed?”

“Agreed, Bobbie,” he said sincerely. He then lifted his hand and chanted a few words in a language I didn’t recognize, but which immediately translated itself through my Shama.