Tuesday morning—day three

Dax came awake with the all-too-familiar pain from the demon’s curse pulsing within his tattoo. Bumper growled softly. Then her tail began to thump the bed, and she whimpered. Dax blinked in a vain effort to dispel the dark shadows in the small cell. It had been brightly lit when he and Eddy lay down to sleep. Willow zipped by overhead, and her blue sparkles left a small trail of incandescence.

The energy barrier was gone. The bars were open, and Alton stood in the doorway. He carried a pack over one shoulder and the jeweled hilt of a long, shimmering sword poked out of a tooled leather scabbard strapped to his back.

Taron stood beside him. Eddy struggled awake in Dax’s arms. He turned her loose, sat up, stood up, and tugged Eddy to her feet. “What’s going on?”

“Shhh.” Alton held a finger to his lips. “I spoke with the Nine. I’m sorry. They have no intention of setting you free.” He shook his head in disgust. “Fools. All of them, nothing but fools. They want no part of any battle between demon and human. It might upset our oh, so glorious way of life.”

His soft bark of laughter wasn’t the least bit humorous. “The council has decreed that you be held as trespassers and tried on charges of threatening the sanctity of Lemurian society. The crime, my friends, of trying to save our worthless lives, of attempting to warn my people of the threat to all of us, is punishable by death.”

There was no ignoring the contemptuous sound in his voice. “The Ruling Council of Nine is not known for speed. I imagine they will be debating your fate for many years to come, if they even have those years left to them. We must hurry. They sleep now, but soon will rise. I believe you, and I believe the threat of demon invasion is real. Gather your things. We have only a few minutes before the guards return from a fool’s errand on which I sent them. We must go now.”

Taron grabbed Alton’s arm with an expression that said this was the continuation of an argument already in motion. “My friend, you risk everything. Your future, your heritage. I can’t let you take these risks alone. I beg you, take me with you.”

Alton shook his head. “Taron, you’re my oldest, my only true friend. Stay. Please, for me? Do your best to convince them that I’ve made the right move, one that will ultimately save their stubborn necks. You have the records showing the demons’ steady increase on Earthen soil. Stay here. Convince them, or I can never return.”

“What if they don’t listen? What if…?”

“Make them listen. You’re my only hope if I ever want to see my home again. You and I both know these travelers bring us a true warning. The demon invasion is not going away.” He rested a hand on Taron’s shoulder. “Besides, my friend. I’m not traveling alone. I have this man’s assurance that his is a courageous band of warriors.” He glanced at the four of them. “I’m not making jest of your promises, my new friend. I am trusting in your ability to fight bravely, or I wouldn’t be giving up everything I’ve ever known to come with you. Hurry. I’ll get you out of here, but I’m going with you. Once I help you escape, I’ll have sealed my fate with my people.”

Eddy looked up from tying her boots. “Alton, I’d tell you not to take the risk, but I can’t do that. From what Dax has told us, this is too important. If we don’t stop them…” She huffed out a big breath and looked away. Then she grabbed the leash and attached it to Bumper’s collar. Dax checked his laces, nodded to Alton, and straightened up. Willow flitted in front of Taron and left blue sparkles shimmering in a line across his chest as she buzzed the Lemurian. She landed on Dax’s shoulder.

Dax turned to Eddy. The tattoo beat a steady cadence of fire across his chest. He ignored it. “Are you ready?”

She nodded. Taron hugged Alton tightly and then stood back.

Dax held out his hand to Taron. The Lemurian took it in a firm shake. Dax looked down at their clasped hands and once more realized he was making a pact. He raised his head and looked steadily into Taron’s green eyes. “We will protect your friend. This I swear.”

Taron nodded. “I’ll hold you to that one, DemonSlayer.”

Eddy held on to Bumper’s leash, and Dax grabbed her free hand. He looked about the small cell, once more at the tall Lemurian standing in the shadows, and then followed Alton down the dark tunnel with Eddy’s hand tucked tightly in his.

When Dax glanced at her, she flashed him a big smile. There was no fear in her now. None. They were on their way. He held tightly to the promise he’d made to Taron, to watch out for the tall Lemurian. Held it close to his heart, both the promise and the name with which Taron had gifted him.

DemonSlayer.

It was a title he would carry with pride. He was no longer a demon. In spite of the curse, he would become their greatest nemesis. With Eddy, Bumper, Willow, and now Alton beside him, Dax finally had the confidence they might actually prevail.

 

Alton led them through a series of lava tubes and tunnels within the mountain. He walked with the confidence of one who had, as he’d quietly explained, explored every inch of the dark passages with Taron when they’d come here as children, shortly after the original continent of Lemuria was rocked by volcanic explosions and destroyed.

When she asked him how long ago that had been, Alton merely shook his head and whispered, “Millennia.”

That was a little hard to swallow, but so was picturing Alton as a child. It was difficult for Eddy to imagine him as anything but a fearsome warrior as he led them, walking confidently with his crystal sword held aloft. Shining like a brilliant torch, it cast a silvery glow bright enough to light their way.

The passageway seemed to go on forever, and Eddy felt as if she’d been walking for hours. Her stomach rumbled from hunger, and the bottle of water she’d been carrying was almost empty when Alton turned and held a finger to his lips.

“We’re passing close by the main plaza. It’s just on the other side of this wall. Sounds carry through the stone, so be very quiet. We’ll reach the veil shortly. Once we pass through, we should be out of danger, at least from Lemurian guards.”

Eddy cast a quick glance at Dax. He’d hardly said a word on the long walk, and his face appeared lined with strain and fatigue. Leaning close to him, she whispered in his ear, “Are you okay?”

He nodded, but she felt a shudder pass through his body. The demon’s curse! How could she have forgotten? “Hold Bumper.” Eddy shoved the leash into Dax’s hand and squeezed his fingers around the strap. She practically ripped the top two buttons off his flannel shirt in her haste to get it open. Then she slipped her hand inside and pressed her palms to his chest.

Alton watched them, frowning but not interfering, thank goodness. Eddy glanced up into Dax’s eyes. She felt his angry frustration. He hated the fact he had no control, that the damned curse should have the power to slow them down.

Even though Eddy couldn’t actually see the tattoo beneath his shirt, she knew exactly where it was the moment she touched it. His skin burned her hands. She felt the snake writhe and ripple beneath her palms as she softly stroked the small portion she could reach.

The Lemurian watched them through narrowed eyes. It was obvious he was as intrigued as he’d been when she’d done this earlier, when Dax was explaining their quest. Now, as then, Eddy paid him little heed. Dax needed her. She felt it. Welcomed it.

Willow sat quietly on her shoulder. Bumper had planted her butt on the stony floor and leaned against Eddy’s leg. She could have sworn she felt their energy, their strength pouring into her as she tried to ease Dax’s pain. If only she had a clue what it was that she was doing!

Whatever it was, her touch seemed to work. After a few minutes, she realized they were actually breathing in sync. As her heart rate slowed and her breathing calmed down, the same thing seemed to happen to Dax. She felt the tension flow from his body. The tattoo was still, his skin cooler beneath her palms.

“Thank you.”

She barely heard his soft whisper as he stroked the back of her wrists with his fingers. “I don’t know how or why, but when you touch me, the pain melts away.”

Eddy grinned and pressed her fingertips against his cheek. “I guess it doesn’t matter, as long as it works.” She slipped her other hand free of his shirt and fastened the buttons she’d undone. Her palms actually felt burned, as if she’d touched a hot stove.

Alton stood by, impatient now that Dax seemed better. Eddy nodded to him. Without a word, he turned away, and they quietly hiked down the long tunnel. Voices, faint echoes, could be heard through the rock. Then the only sound was the steady roar of falling water.

Only it wasn’t water. It was the same wall of what appeared to be molten gold. Alton paused near the base, where the shimmering liquid disappeared into the ground without a puddle or splash to mark its passing.

“It’s energy,” Alton explained in a low voice. “Much like the energy barrier in your cell, except this is a three-dimensional representation of melted gold. There’s no substance, only an image disguising the portal between the Lemurian dimension and Earth’s. Follow me.”

He stepped through the golden veil. Eddy held tightly to Dax’s hand as they followed Alton. She recognized the tunnel they’d followed on their way in, even the spot where they’d paused, where Dax had kissed her.

His fingers tightened around hers, and she glanced up at him. When he smiled, she knew exactly what he was thinking.

If only she could be so certain of her own thoughts. Heat spread over her chest and face, and she looked away. Alton was already moving on. Walking through the glowing, swirling light of the portal with a purposeful step, he passed through without pausing.

Walking away from his home, away from everything familiar to him. It struck her then, what a huge thing this was for the Lemurian. By choosing Eddy and Dax over his own people, Alton had exiled himself from the only life he’d ever known. She let go of Dax’s hand and rushed to catch up to the tall Lemurian.

Without hesitation, Eddy raced through the portal, into the main cavern that was peppered with passageways to other worlds. Alton stood in the middle, staring at the many shimmering gateways.

“Alton? Wait, please.”

He stopped and turned around. The expression on his face gave nothing away. “We must hurry, Eddy. We need to put more distance between ourselves and Lemuria. What do you want?”

She grabbed his hands in both of hers. “To thank you. Taron was right. You’re risking everything for us. Thank you.”

He flashed a quirky smile, and she realized again how handsome he was. When he sighed, he looked entirely human. “Only yesterday I was complaining that my life was boring, that there was nothing exciting in my world. Nothing to look forward to. It appears my complaints were too much temptation for my gods.”

Dax caught up and placed a hand on Eddy’s shoulder. “It does appear that way, doesn’t it?” His eyes narrowed. He jerked his hand away from Eddy and whipped around. “Look!”

Eddy spun about as Bumper let out a low, threatening growl. The wall across the cavern from them shimmered an angry red and the surface began to waver. A thick, black smudge of oily mist reeking of sulfur seeped through the glowing rock. Dax shoved Bumper’s leash into Eddy’s hands, stepped around Alton, and ran ahead of the small group.

He stopped directly in front of the portal, raised his hands, and spread his fingers wide. An icy blast shot from his fingertips and encompassed the mist. It froze in midair and shattered into hundreds of small shards of black ice. Dax quickly hit them with bolts of blazing fire from his fingertips.

Hissing, the steam dissipated and disappeared.

All of them stood silent, waiting to see if any more demons would appear. After a moment, Dax’s shoulders relaxed, and he took a deep breath. Eddy ran shaking fingers over Bumper’s curly head, and Willow popped out from behind Alton’s shoulder, where she’d taken refuge beneath his thick fall of blond hair.

“Effective.” Alton shook his head, but he was staring at Dax’s hands. “Very, very effective. Ugly things, aren’t they?” He nodded toward the spot where the demon had died. “I had no idea you were so well armed.” He cast a curious glance at Dax’s perfectly normal-looking fingers, and frowned. “Why didn’t you merely overwhelm our guards when they captured you?”

Dax merely shrugged. “That would have been foolish.”

Alton tilted his head, obviously considering Dax’s answer. “Well, you might not have ended up in a cell.”

This time Dax shook his head. “It would have been counterproductive. We came to ask for your help, not to fight you. Attacking men who were merely doing their duty wouldn’t have helped our cause, nor would it have been honorable.”

Alton stared mutely at Dax for a long moment. Then he turned away, held his crystal sword high for the light it cast, and strode forward, toward the dark red portal where the demon had emerged.

Eddy heard him muttering quietly as he passed her.

“Demonkind with more honor than the council. Amazing.”

 

Alton paused in front of the section of wall that pulsed like a thing alive. The colors shimmered in a loathsome, nauseous swirl of reds that perfectly fit his mood. It took a few deep breaths to calm his anger, the disgust he felt for his people. How could they ignore such a horrendous threat?

He glanced over his shoulder to make certain no guards followed them. Then he turned, took a deep breath, and faced the portal within the vortex. Taron hadn’t exaggerated. It reeked with the filthy stench of demon, and displayed all the signs of an active route from Abyss to Earth.

The demon in human form stepped up beside him. Dax. Alton reminded himself that despite the sense of demon clinging to him, Dax was one of the good guys. Unfortunately, Alton’s sword didn’t seem to care. He tightened his grasp on the hilt to keep it from attacking the man.

Dax appeared puzzled by the gateway to his home world.

“Is this the one you came through?” Alton nodded toward the wall. Power surged through his blade once again. He pointed it off to his side, away from Dax. The thing jerked in his hand as it tried to strike out, to kill the demon beside him. Alton held the sword still.

Dax shook his head. “I’m not sure. The whole night is just a blur to me. I remember thinking the demon that attacked me was expecting me. He was lying in wait, but not here. It was somewhere else that he hit me with his cursed fire.” He glanced about the cavern and shook his head. “Damn. I’m not even certain if it was inside the cavern, or after I’d stepped out of the mountain. Nor am I sure if I came through from Abyss or possibly straight from Eden.”

Willow buzzed close to Dax as he stared at the ground a moment. Was he organizing confused thoughts, or twisting the truth? Alton wished he could trust him more, but as much as he wanted to believe, it was hard to ignore the sense of evil still clinging to Dax’s human body.

Hard to ignore his sword’s obvious desire to kill. A sword that had never drawn blood, that still hadn’t given Alton its name. Obviously, it wanted demon blood.

The power of the demon pulsed beneath fragile human skin or, as Dax maintained, in the tattoo hidden now beneath his shirt. Alton’s intuition struggled with the powerful sense of demonkind, the feeling that had all his instinctive responses on high alert whenever Dax stood this close to him. Maybe it was worse here because of the strong scent of the others that had passed through this particular portal.

Sulfuric stench filled the air near this passage to Abyss, and the sense of evil surrounded them. Surprisingly, though, the dog didn’t seem to mind, and the will-o’-the-wisp certainly appeared loyal.

As for the woman? She was loyal too, but that was to be expected. A woman always stuck by her man, though the women Alton knew were not meant to fight. They lacked the killer instinct, the physical strength, and mental prowess to do battle.

Women of Lemuria knew their place in society. They brought comfort to the men, raised the rare child born to a very few, made a home where a man could find peace.

Eddy Marks didn’t appear to understand those rules a bit. When she caught him watching her, she didn’t glance away as a maiden should. No, she practically dared him to disagree with her. As lovely as she was, he knew a woman like her would be an exhausting mate for any man. The demon was welcome to her.

Alton held tightly to his sword and turned his attention to Dax once again. “Concentrate. Did it wait for you here or outside of the mountain?”

Dax closed his eyes a moment. Willow sparkled in the air and then settled on his shoulder. He jerked his head up, and his eyes flashed. “Thank you, Willow. Outside,” he said, grinning broadly at Alton. “I was outside the mountain when I emerged through the portal. Willow reminded me that it happened as I stepped out into the half light of early dawn. Neither Willow nor I recall how we got here—inside the cavern—or what portal we came through, but I remember now how we got out.”

He took a few steps, as if reliving the memory. “I stepped out of the dark cavern, passed through the portal to the gray light of morning in Earth’s dimension. Willow was behind me. The gargoyle waited, perched among rocks. It struck the moment I stood up. I was unsteady, still not used to this body.”

He turned toward Eddy. “I remember standing up, stretching one leg and then the other, facing down the mountain away from the sun. Knowing that was the way I needed to go, because Willow had told me. The gargoyle rose up into the air, shouted something in a language I didn’t understand. Then it cast demonfire at my chest. Demonfire powered by a curse.”

Dax shuddered and wrapped his arms around his waist. “I remember pain. Horrible pain and the gargoyle hovering over my body. Then it was gone. The sky was light and then dark. I must have been unconscious throughout the day.” He shook his head and turned to the woman. Frustration was in every word he spoke. “My next clear memory was waking up in that little shed outside your house, Eddy. When the demon’s avatar stabbed me with the pitchfork. I have no idea how I got there from here.”

Blue sparkles lit up the air. Dax nodded. “I should have guessed. Thank you, Willow, for guiding me to Eddy.”

Eddy reached for Dax’s arm. “You know what that means, don’t you? We have even less time than we thought. I’ve been counting days since Sunday night. If you actually arrived early Sunday morning, we have less time than we’d hoped.”

“Then we’ve no time to waste,” Alton said. “Stand back. My sword dislikes demons. I don’t want it tempted by your proximity.” Dax and Eddy backed away.

Alton held his sword out and touched the roiling red surface of the portal. He concentrated his power through the crystal blade, felt the link between himself and the energy in the portal. The blade glowed in colors all across the spectrum until it finally shimmered a brilliant green. The rock appeared to congeal, and all sense of movement slowed. Within minutes, a solid wall of twisted, melted stone covered the area where the doorway into Abyss had been.

“Good! That one’s sealed.” He held his sword pointed toward the earth. The glow had dimmed now, but it still shimmered brighter than mere crystal as Alton glanced about the cavern. “The other gateways belong here. I recognize Atlantis, Eden, and Earth. The one we just passed through goes to my world.”

Dax frowned. “That’s it? You’ve just closed the portal so they can’t get in?”

Alton smiled and sheathed his sword. There was enough light from the remaining portals to see without the glow from the crystal blade. “That one is closed and sealed. I imagine there are others. The mountain is a huge vortex, and this is but one small cavern. Most likely some of the demons are capable of creating more gateways to Abyss, though it will take them time. The trick now is to find and kill all of the demons who have crossed over. Taron has evidence of a massive influx over the past few days. I’m afraid we have our work cut out for us.”

“Great. Just what I wanted to hear.” Eddy tightened her hold on Bumper’s leash. “We need to hurry. I want to see what’s going on in town. I’m worried about Dad.” She reached into her pack and pulled out a small contraption, flipped a lid, and gazed at a blank screen. “No signal here. What was I thinking?”

Laughing, she grabbed Dax’s hand and grinned at Alton. “Okay, Lemurian. We need to get out of this mountain. Then I’ll call my father and have him come pick us up.”

Unused as he was to taking orders from a woman, Alton realized he was already headed toward the portal that would lead them outside. He must think about that. She definitely carried the aura of command about her. He held his hands up and felt for the shift in dimensions, the point where they could safely pass through.

He’d hate to end up somewhere besides their destination, but it had been known to happen. “This way,” he said. He took Eddy’s hand and stepped into the darkness. He sensed the others following close behind and wondered if Eddy held as tightly to Dax as she did to his hand. Seconds later they stepped out into the starlit sky just below the snow line on the scree-strewn flank of Mount Shasta.

Alton turned Eddy’s small hand loose and gazed up at the mountain’s peak, glistening with snow in the first glimmer of early dawn. He felt a huge lump in his throat and realized he was near tears. He’d not felt such a wealth of emotion even on the night he’d slipped outside and walked across rain-washed ground. Stars still filled the night sky to the west, chased by the imminent rise of the sun. The eastern horizon shimmered with the advent of dawn.

Time in this dimension must be linked to that of Lemuria. He’d have to ask Taron what he knew. His friend was the one who always had the answers.

Taron. Already he missed him. His humor, his wise countenance, his ability to find laughter wherever he went. He wished Taron were here with him now, sharing this beautiful morning—a morning like none he’d experienced since he was but a child. Other than a few clandestine visits outside of Lemuria, neither of them had left their underground world. The risk of discovery had kept them as prisoners within their own dimension.

He’d forgotten how much he missed the smells of clean earth and rocks still carrying the heat of yesterday’s sun, of growing grass and melting snow. The cool sweep of fresh, clean air blowing over his skin almost made him forget why he was here.

The decision he’d made, one that would forever change his life. He’d chosen to throw his lot in with absolute strangers. Their story was more outlandish than anything he’d heard before, but it was one he couldn’t help but believe.

His choice had not been made lightly, though he knew there would be times in the coming days when he might regret it.

Probably would regret it.

But he knew, without any doubt at all, he’d rather regret leaving the life of ease he’d lived for so long, than know he’d done nothing to preserve the world that had given him so much. He thought of his sword, still nameless, strapped across his back. Maybe now he would prove his worth to the sentience within the crystal blade. Maybe it would finally speak to him.

He glanced up at the sound of Eddy’s soft voice.

“Thanks, Dad. We’re fine. We’ll meet you there in about an hour or so. I’m okay, and I’m really sorry we had to wake you so early. Okay. I love you, too…and Dad? I’ve got a great surprise for you. G’bye.”

Alton stared at the woman as she folded up the thing she’d called a phone and stuck it back in her pack. A communication device. It struck him as odd that of this entire band, only the will-o’-the-wisp actually used telepathy. He’d had no idea humans were so primitive, though that thing Dax did with his hands was pretty impressive.

Of course, that was all tied to Dax’s demon powers and the odd tattoo he claimed was now cursed—a curse Eddy somehow seemed able to control. Such a beautiful woman, yet so fierce. She didn’t look like a fighter with her big, brown eyes and wispy dark hair. She had the look of a sprite about her, much like their companion, Willow.

A warrior woman of Earth, a tiny will-o’-the-wisp from Eden, and a demon with a borrowed human body, united against a demon invasion. How in all the hells did the pieces fit together?

Alton sensed that Eddy watched him watch her. Unwilling to voice his real concerns, he asked, “Who were you talking to?”

“My father.” She smiled and nodded toward the valley. “It’s a long hike to town. He’s driving up the mountain to get us. We’ll meet him at the end of the road in about an hour.”

She touched his forearm and smiled up at him. “I can’t wait for my father to meet you, Alton. He’s going to be absolutely beside himself.”

With that confusing statement, she hoisted her pack and slung it over her shoulder. Dax grabbed the dog’s leash, and the will-o’-the-wisp, much to Alton’s surprise, elected to perch on his shoulder.

The sun was barely peeking over the mountains when they started down the mountainside. Thoughtfully, with his eyes wide open, Alton walked away from all he’d ever known.

 

Dax sat in the same chair he’d been in just yesterday morning, only this time the Lemurian Alton sat across the table from him while Eddy’s father cooked breakfast—and he was all too aware that another day of the seven allotted to him had passed.

Gone, as if they’d never been. Dax rubbed his hand over his chest in a vain attempt to ease the constant pain pulsing through his tattoo. The demon’s curse grew stronger by the hour, the pain more intense, while his ability to draw on his demon powers seemed to fade with each passing moment.

Would the demons win, after all? Two days down, and so far all they’d managed to do was close one portal, while he knew at least one of the demons must have the ability to create more. How else would that gateway between Earth and Abyss have opened?

At least they’d gained another soldier in Alton, but would he be enough? According to Ed, the demons were everywhere. He’d heard reports of odd happenings in town, and he’d destroyed two ceramic garden figurines just last night when he caught them walking across his back lawn.

He’d destroyed the figurines, but without a weapon that would actually kill a demon, he’d allowed the stinking mist to escape. That meant those demons had probably gone on to animate yet another set of avatars.

“Dax?” Ed stopped midway between the refrigerator and the stove. “As serious as the situation appears, have you thought of contacting the authorities? Could the police or military help? They’ve got some pretty big weapons.”

Dax shuddered at the mere thought of the government getting involved. “That’s the worst thing that could happen, Ed. Demons thrive on chaos. They gain strength from death and destruction. The minute the military steps in, you’ve got all three of those things.”

Alton agreed. “Military means soldiers with guns, which have no effect on demons. Flamethrowers, maybe, but can you imagine the panic? The loss of innocent lives? It would give the demons who’ve already crossed over a huge reservoir of power.”

“We need to keep this as quiet as we can,” Dax said. He rubbed his hand across his chest. The pain was constant now. He sensed the tattoo taking on a life of its own.

“It’s not going to be easy.” Ed poured eggs into the frying pan as he spoke. “I’m hearing reports from all over town of strange occurrences that have to be demonic, but no one seems to have connected the dots. In fact, Eddy, Harlan called, wondering when you were going to get a story to him about all the weird goings-on. He didn’t sound very happy.”

“That’s probably an understatement, knowing Harlan.” Eddy drummed her fingers on the table. “I’m going to have to come up with some kind of excuse for not working. There’s just no way I can show up at the paper until this is settled.”

“So how do we keep things quiet?” Dax threw the question out, not really expecting an answer.

Alton leaned back in his chair. “I can help.”

Dax turned and stared at the Lemurian. “How?”

“Hypnosis. Mass compulsion. Lemurians are fairly adept. How do you think we’ve kept our presence hidden for so long?”

Ed laughed. “You haven’t hidden it entirely. I knew you existed.”

Alton nodded. “Agreed, but everyone, including your daughter, thought you were nuts.” He laughed along with Ed. “I can discourage memories through compulsion, though I can’t entirely erase them. I can target one person or the entire community, but I can only do it a few times before the subjects begin to build up an immunity.”

“Then we save it for when we really need it.” Dax took a sip of his coffee. He stared at the dark brew in the thick mug. He was really going to miss coffee when…

Eddy interrupted his musings. “The last thing we need is Channel Three news showing up with their remote broadcast truck and beaming our demon invasion into every living room in the country.” She shook her head and stared at her father.

Then she grinned and looked directly at Dax. “Is it just me, or does it feel really weird that we’re back here in Dad’s kitchen getting ready for breakfast? It makes the past two days feel sort of dreamlike.” She paused to pour herself another cup of coffee. “Except, of course, we didn’t have Alton before.”

She flashed a bright smile at the Lemurian. Dax felt an entirely new kind of pain that had nothing to do with the demon’s curse. Then Eddy walked back to the table and brushed her hand lightly over Dax’s shoulder as she passed by him. He raised his head and caught the bright promise in her eyes.

A promise for him, not Alton. Suddenly Dax had a name for the pain he’d felt. Jealousy. Nothing more than jealousy, and there was no time for that. Not now, when time was so short and every second counted. When every fighter counted.

Ed carried two huge platters to the table and set them down. “Dig in, guys.” He grinned at Alton and then at Dax “I still can’t believe I’m sitting down to breakfast with you two.”

Willow buzzed by and flittered in front of his nose. Ed laughed. “Excuse me, I didn’t meant to exclude you, Willow.”

Eddy took a seat, but she glanced at her father. “I’m waiting for you to say, ‘I told you so.’”

Ed just shook his head. “No need. Having Dax, Alton, and Willow at our table gives me all the satisfaction I need.”

Their conversation made no sense. Food, however, made perfect sense. Dax turned to the heavily laden table. Steam rose from piles of bacon and a mound of scrambled eggs. Fried potatoes, sliced strawberries, bananas, oranges, and a plate of toast—and all of it smelled wonderful. He grabbed a strip of bacon. Eddy began loading up her plate.

Alton merely stared at the bounty. “Amazing. We have similar foods in Lemuria, but they’re all manufactured. Created to be wholesome and appetizing for us. I can’t recall ever seeing, much less eating, the actual foods themselves.”

Dax grinned at him through a mouthful of bacon. “I’ve never had food like this in my life. It doesn’t try to bite back.”

“Euuwwww…” Eddy made a face at him. “Not an image I want while stuffing eggs in my mouth. Killer chickens? Yuck.”

Dax scooped some of everything on his plate while Alton did the same. “Not chickens, no, but demons come in all shapes and sizes on Abyss. Here they might be nothing more than stinking clouds of black mist, but on Abyss they’re often multi-limbed, some with wings, others with bodies covered in scales like razors, some with claws almost as long as Alton’s sword.”

“What about you, Dax? What’s your demon body like?” Ed paused with a forkful of potatoes in front of his mouth. “I can’t picture you as anyone other than what you are.”

Dax slathered honey on a piece of toast and practically moaned when the sweet, gooey stuff hit his taste buds. He swallowed and tapped his chest, ignoring the pain. “I looked a lot like my tattoo. Brightly colored scales and long, sharp fangs, except the art’s more snakelike than I was. I had four multi-jointed arms.” He wiggled his fingers. “I have a feeling I’m gonna miss those extra arms in battle. I had claws on all the joints as well as on my hands. I only had two legs but…”

He raised his head, suddenly aware of the silence at the table. Eddy stared at him with a look of absolute horror on her face. Ed and Alton didn’t look at him at all.

They watched Eddy.

Dax felt as if someone had punched him in the gut. He set his fork down and carefully wiped his mouth with the napkin. All very civilized. Human. He thought of delaying even longer, of taking a swallow of his coffee, but it wouldn’t change a thing.

He reached across the table for Eddy’s hand. She quickly slipped it into her lap. Her rejection made him feel physically ill. “Eddy? What did you think I looked like? I’ve never lied to you. From the beginning I said I was a demon with scales and claws. Sharp teeth…the whole bit.”

“I know.” Her voice was so quiet he barely heard her. “It’s nothing.” She waved her hand, as if shooing all of them away. Maybe she was trying to erase the graphic visual he’d just given her. “Eat your breakfast. Please. Don’t mind me.”

Alton nodded and took another forkful of eggs. Ed munched slowly on a piece of bacon. Dax stared at his plate and realized his appetite was gone.

He might look like a human. He was even beginning to think like one, but as far as Eddy was concerned, he was still a demon. Still the creature of her nightmares.

Carefully, he folded his napkin and excused himself from the table.