Craven flipped back to his feet just as the shadow master regained his own footing. A thin trickle of thick, black liquid trailed from the corner of his mouth onto the front of his dashiki.
So you can bleed, Craven taunted. It wasnt his fault the shadow master was scared to change back into his other form. He would beat this demon either way.
The man spit on the ground and glared with unfathomable rage. He knew this necromancer wanted his territory and he refused to back down. He lived by his own code a demon that backs down is a demon that deserves to die.
I wont let you! the shadow master growled and came at him again. Only this time Craven didnt dodge. When the demon came within arms reach, Cravens fist flashed forward burying itself in the demons chest.
They both stood there staring at one another, one with shocked surprise on his face, the other with a smug expression of triumph. Craven pulled his fist from the demons chest and stepped back. A hole remained showing the inky blackness inside the human façade the demon had claimed.
A human scream erupted from one of the women followed by the sound of feet hitting the pavement. The humans couldnt see the shadow master for what he really was, nor could they see Craven as a demon. What they saw was two men having a street fight and one punching a hole in the other ones chest.
Craven smiled sardonically, You lose.
The shadow master staggered back a few steps and looked down at the hole in his chest. A long, deep wail filled the parking lot and the demon looked up just in time to see the first soul fly into the hole. His body jerked forward at an odd angle just before another soul forced its way inside. More followed suit, flying into the demons human body to attack the darkness within.
Craven sighed with satisfaction when the last soul fought its way inside. The demon stood ramrod straight with his arms outstretched. His skin began ripping apart and wisps of black smoke rose from the gaps accompanied by a soft white light.
Spinning around, the demon tried to run but his movements were stiff and jerky, almost zombie like which amused Craven to some extent.
The master threw his head back and screamed just as his body was completely ripped apart from the inside out. The scream abruptly silenced and a thin, grayish black smoke hovered for a moment before fading in with the morning fog and vanishing completely with a final hiss of contempt.
Craven held out his arms as though asking to be embraced. The souls moving about the parking lot turned toward him and shot back into his body. When the last soul disappeared from this dimension, Craven lowered his arms and approached the remains of the clothing the shadow master had been wearing.
Leaning down, he picked up the medallion and exited the parking lot. As he stepped back out onto the sidewalk, Craven looked about and saw more humans mulling about.
In the shadows cast by the nearby buildings, he spotted a few shadow demons slinking around useless with no master to follow. Shadow demons were normally not much of a threat once their master was defeated, so Craven didnt really concern himself about where they went. Holding up the medallion in the dim sunlight that was starting to burn away the fog, he smiled once more.
Good morning! he said quietly before putting the Aztec medallion in his pocket and headed toward home. Perhaps he would find some amusement in the medallion the shadow master had been wearing.
He began shimmering through the city so fast that when he saw the silver-winged creature it was only an afterimage. Slowing his steps, Craven turned and again faced the inner city in contemplation. Now this was interesting hed thought all of the female Fallen were taken from this world at birth.
*****
Carley had followed the Indian carrying Tiara all the way across town before theyd finally arrived at a dark mansion in the outer hills. The place gave her the creeps maybe it was because of the gargoyles and demons that were crawling all over the outside. The inside wasnt much better.
Once again, she was glad most of the monsters couldnt see her. Even if they could, they wouldnt be able to hurt her thanks to Tiaras spell. That didnt stop her from flinching when she heard screaming coming from the basement at least she hoped it was the basement and not the actual ground.
Trying to block out the cries of agony, Carley hurried after the Indian as he went up the stairs to the second story. If he was taking Tiara to some kind of torture chamber, then shed have to act fast. When she entered the room behind him, Carley paused to watch the man simply staring down at Tiara.
Nighthawk frowned wanting to feel something even a spark as he gazed at the beautiful girl. She had caused something to spark within him when hed met her the first time, but it had been so quick that now he wondered if it had only been an illusion. His gaze was drawn to the graveyard dirt lingering on her face and body.
Carley went into panic mode when the Indian started removing Tiaras clothing.
Stop it! she yelled and slid between them only to have Nighthawk reach right through her without missing a beat. Damn it, wheres a cowboy when you need one? Carley railed and made a flurry of movements trying to get his attention off Tiara and on her. She finally stopped since it seemed to be useless.
She needed to go back to PIT and let Jason and Guy know Tiaras location but she couldnt bring herself to leave until she made sure her friend would still be alive when they came back to rescue her.
Nighthawk stood up and removed his own clothing down to his breach cloth before taking the girl back in his arms. Moving into the bathroom, he stepped into the large garden tub and kneeled down, patently waiting on the basin to fill with warm water so he could cleanse her lover from her. He also did not like the scent of the Spinnan master lingering on her skin.
Relaxing his body, Nighthawk let his mind drift while the heated water rose. He despised necromancers because they had turned him into what he was now even that feeling had to be concentrated on before he felt the slight twinge of it. This necromancer was different from the others she didnt want to control she wanted to set them free.
Looking down at the woman in his arms, he didnt have to wonder why her body had no effect on him. His soul was still trapped in the grave and with it most of his emotions. He felt no need to be loved or to be hated much less want someone.
Finding the shampoo on the corner shelf, Nighthawk gently lathered up her long silver hair allowing the strands to slide silkily through his fingers. Seeing no reason to rush, he took his time washing her. It had been a long time since hed touched someone without the intent of causing harm.
When he was satisfied with her scent, he rinsed her off and emptied the tub. Wrapping some towels around her body and hair, he stepped back into the bedroom and placed her down on the bed. Hed done what he could for her. Since the water hadn't roused her, he knew she was in a very deep sleep and probably would not awaken for some time. Without the right protection, this war would be the end of her.
Removing the towel from her hair, Nighthawk gently lifted her upper body and touched his fingers to the injury on the back of her head. Hed felt it while washing her hair. During his first life hed been somewhat of a healer a shaman so he knew this injury was not life threatening.
He let his mind reach deep inside her, wanting to know if there was another reason for her to want to stay asleep abandoning this world for a little while. He had never severed the link shed established with him in the smaller graveyard and this allowed him to turn the mental link back on her. In the past, when a necromancer would link with him, it had felt more like a choke hold. Hers was the equivalent of holding hands.
He let his mind reach deep inside her, wanting to know if there was another reason for her to want to stay asleep abandoning this world for a little while. He had never severed the link shed established with him in the smaller graveyard and this allowed him to turn the mental link back on her. In the past, when a necromancer would link with him, it had felt more like a choke hold. Hers was the equivalent of holding hands.
Even in her sleep, he could feel her hunger burning the side of her that wasnt of Cravens bloodline. She was keeping it deep inside her hiding its call. The hunger was offering to speed up her natural healing abilities. This was the one thing he could not do for her the energy she needed came from the soul, and as of yet he didnt have one. It was good that she slept for now, even though it was a slower way to heal.
Nighthawk traced the back of his knuckles across her soft cheek where Nile had struck her and left a dark bruise. Craven had said a lovers caress could heal her. Did one have to have a soul to love? He supposed so since he had not felt the emotion since his true death decades before. He had to strain just to feel any emotion beyond hard numbness most of the time.
Gently lowering her back to the pillow, Nighthawk straightened to his full height and glanced over his shoulder at the soul who had been haunting him since returning to the house.
You are hers are you not?
Carley jumped in surprise, not realizing the Indian had been aware of her the whole time. She narrowed her eyes on him. Hed just simply ignored her while shed yelled and ranted at him... the jerk. Her expression softened shed stopped yelling after a while, becoming confused after seeing him take such tender care of Tiara.
She slowly came forward, stopping to hover next to Tiara, appearing to sit on the edge of the mattress. There was no sense in hiding from him it wasnt like he could hurt her even if he wanted to which she doubted.
Someone might assume that I was hers but Im not. Carley answered honestly as she reached out and ran her hand over Tiaras long clean hair imagining what it would feel like if she were still alive. She hadn't been dead long enough to forget the feeling of touch.
Then why did you follow her? he asked.
Carley looked up at him and raised her chin defiantly, Shes my friend I want to know she is safe.
Nighthawk nodded, respecting the answer. And Cravens magic does not touch you even though you are inside his walls?
It seemed like an important question to the Indian so Carley shook her head and gazed down at her friend, Because of Tiara, necromancy can no longer touch or control me. I love her for that, so please dont hurt her.
Nighthawk felt his chest swell with hope. The emotion quickly vanished but it had been enough of a taste to make him want more. Thats all hed ever wanted to never be called upon by a demon again.
We have no intention of harming her. It was her wish to come with us and we honored that request. If you do not believe me, then you are free to stay until she awakens and ask her yourself. He spoke only the truth the one trait that he had carried over from life.
Then who hurt her? Carley asked knowing it wasnt the man standing next to her, but the rapidly healing bruises on Tiara spoke volumes of evil intentions.
The demon she was fighting in the cemetery did this. Craven saved her from him, Nighthawk answered as he moved to sit on the window seat where the sun could touch him. This was one of the only rooms in the house where the windows had not been painted black. Nighthawk tried to remember if he had ever enjoyed the sunlight or not he supposed so.
Carley frowned when he turned his face toward the window as if dismissing her and the conversation. And Craven would be the demon who was with you? Would that be the same man that has surrounded this house with so many monsters? I honestly dont think Tiara would approve.
She reached out and laid her hand on Tiaras even though it went right through Tiaras hand. And why would she leave us her friends, to be with a demon?
She and Craven are blood kin. You would call Craven her uncle. But in Cravens mind, his brothers child is the same as his own child. That is why he will not harm her. She is not a prisoner here and she will not be forced to stay. Once she heals if she decides to leave, I will go with her as a protector.
Why would you do that? Carley asked. It was Craven that was kin to her not the Indian. Did Craven order you to?
No, I am beyond Cravens control now. he answered without turning to look at her. I am a Night Walker and she is the only one that can return my soul to me.
Carleys jaw dropped... a Night Walker? Now that was some powerful magic. She thought back to the myths and legends shed studied and even those ancient writings had rarely mentioned of them.
From what she remembered, a Night Walker was created from a human whod possessed mystical powers during their human life and was then raised from the dead like a zombie by a powerful wizard. But that was only the first step toward becoming a fully developed Night Walker.
Unlike most zombies, they could use their own power to regain their mind and heart. It was said they were soulless but she didnt recall what powers a Night Walker possessed or if there was even a limit to what they could do.
She frowned when she couldnt remember reading anything about a Night Walker regaining their soul. Was that even possible?
Isnt your soul in the afterlife? Carley asked curiously.
No, it is bound to my grave, Nighthawk answered as he vanished into the spirit world.
Carley sat in stunned silence. Bound to the grave? She shivered at the thought of being bound under the dirt instead of free as she was now. Lowering her gaze to the floor, she noticed Nighthawk may have vanished but she could still feel him there within the room.
Looking back at Tiara, Carley decided not to push the subject by continuing to speak to him granting him the privacy he had silently requested.
Chapter 2
Amidst the mayhem of Hollywood Cemetery, Michael looked down at the dead Spinnan at his feet and dusted his hands on his coat.
That was enjoyable, he muttered. He glanced up just in time to see Kane rip the head off of another demon and toss it over his shoulder. Michael scrambled out of the way of the flying head and glared at Kanes back.
Do you mind? Michael demanded. Ive made it this far without getting dirty Id like to keep it that way.
Kane smirked at him over his shoulder, Youre quick enough to move if something comes flying at you.
Tabatha sighed having seen enough gore to last her a lifetime. Now it just looked like the boys were playing in it. If I didnt know any better Kane, I would swear youre having too much fun killing these things.
Well, I never heard he stopped and thought for a moment then looked around at the dead demons then back up at Tabatha. Youre right, I am having fun, he shrugged unsympathetically.
Remember what you asked about us using a camera? Tabatha asked coyly.
Kane dropped the headless demon to the ground and let his eyes rove over his mates body suggestively, Yeah I remember.
No camera, Tabatha growled and started walking away.
Michael started laughing at the look of dejection on Kanes face just before the blonde vampire ran after his mate.