21. Chapter Twenty-OneDaria
Chapter Twenty-One
Daria
W hile Marcus went over plans with Harris, I got a call from Devin explaining that the coven made something that could help us against Rorrick. He also stated that he’d pulled a small group together of officers and witches willing to help us. Seems mentioning Rorrick’s name got enough people startled to act.
Marcus got off the call with his brother and walked over to me in the kitchen. He didn’t speak as he wrapped his arms around me, tapping his chin on the top of my head. “Little flower, I will stop underestimating you now.”
“Good, because I’m smart and stuff,” I replied into his chest. I pulled away slowly. “So, what’s the plan?”
Marcus stepped back and looked over to Angie and Sam sitting at the dining table. “Harris said he has a witch on retainer who will teleport them here when ready. They’re going to be on standby. It’s too risky for them to drive here because, like your family, Death Mask might have eyes on them.”
I nodded. “My family can teleport here too, then.”
“No, babe. Your family aren’t fighters. This is dangerous. In fact, if Death Mask shows up, I’m calling Harris, and he’s going to teleport you out.”
I placed a finger on my chin and gave him a patient smile. “How sweet. So, crazy thing, I could have sworn we already discussed allowing me to do my thing. My thing being raising that cemetery down the road. So, I will need to be here to raise and control them.”
Sam shot up, excitement on his face. “You’re going to give us zombie fighters?”
“It’s actually better to call them undead, but yes.”
“That’s so badass. I continue to be impressed by you. I’m not sure my brother deserves you.”
Angie nodded, still sitting down. “That’s what I told her.”
I glared at her. “You never said that.”
She pointed at me. “Well, I thought it loudly, and that’s close enough.”
“It really isn’t.”
Marcus shook his head, appearing confused. “I did come up with a plan that saved you both. Sam, you were there for that, right? Because you’re looking real alive-like right now.”
Sam rolled his eyes. “I’m going to be in the retirement home hearing about this, aren’t I?”
“Of course, why would you think otherwise?” Marcus turned away from his brother and looked to me, his eyes fierce. He was about to get really serious. “If you stay, you follow my instructions. I’m by your side when you raise that cemetery. You don’t go rogue.”
Part of me wanted to crack a joke, but the look on his face was serious parental mode. He was already pissed he had to give in so far. He was out of his comfort zone, and I didn’t want to make it worse for him. He’d been successful in this type of work before and deviating too far wouldn’t be good for anyone. I saluted him, moving my hand from my forehead, and he grumbled.
He pointed his hand index finger between Sam and me. “The two of you will be the death of me.”
Sam waived his arms out in front of him. “Stop, stop. It’s not like I’m some helpless kid. I’m fully capable. I’m well trained in various martial arts since I was a kid. When your family acts like you don’t exist, you have to learn how to protect yourself.”
“And yet you still got caught and needed my help.”
“Well look, I’m not John Wick. I can’t take out a whole gang with just a pencil and well-placed choreography. My fists aren’t bulletproof.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I almost ignored it. It felt so weird to be tied to my phone again. Devin stated he was heading here with some trusted others, including his fiancée, Shante. We were about to have a full house.
Several hours later, Devin appeared at our door with Shante and a few others from the coven and police force. That made about fifteen of us, but with Harris’ help and my zombies, that could take out a demon gang.
We gathered in the living room to discuss our plan. Devin stood in the center with Marcus. They both looked so important. Was it weird I was feeling proud of Marcus in that moment? Definitely impressed.
Devin scratched his beard as he looked around at us. “We don’t have exact numbers on the size of the gang, but we know it’s one of the largest in the DMV with affiliates. They aren’t as low-level as people believed. They’ve been playing it smart. It’s a good thing we’re getting your brother’s help.” He placed a hand on Marcus’ shoulder.
I expected the other cops in the room to be uneasy with him, maybe even the coven members. However, no one seemed bothered. I assumed it was because Devin and Shante spoke to them beforehand as part of the convincing. I didn’t see them coming all this way without being sold on whatever we were trying to do. I was disappointed, however, that we didn’t get more police force.
Marcus crossed his arms, glaring at the few other cops there. “I need assurances my family and their people won’t be arrested for the actions we take to stop this gang. They won’t play fair, and we aren’t either. If I can’t get that deal, then you and your people can leave.”
Devin gave him a diplomatic grin, undeterred by Marcus’s sternness. “We’re here of our own accord. That’s why there are so few of us. We know the history of Death Mask and of Rorrick. We aren’t keen on waiting around for them to bring some new terror to our city. Not to mention, Daria is a friend of the force. She’s in this mess because folks knew she’d been helping us. We owe her.”
I smiled, appreciating that Devin had my back. It felt good to know there were people out there who cared about me. I might be an introvert and a hermit most of the time, but I wasn’t alone.
Shante raised a finger in the air, perched on the arm of the couch. Every time I saw her, she looked so polished. Today, she wore black high-waisted leggings with a fitted casual jacket over her mid-size curves. Her thick black hair, usually hanging straight, was pulled back in a high ponytail. “And the coven approved us coming here. We’re meant to help keep the paranormal peace, and apparently, Rorrick was a true terror when he was first alive. They aren’t too keen on dealing with him again.”
Sam snorted, looking unimpressed as he leaned against a wall in the living area. “Then why aren’t more of them here? Magic is what’s going to get us the upper hand.”
Shante gave him a patient nod. She seemed unaffected by his rudeness, and that calm demeanor had rubbed off on Devin, or he would have given Sam the business. She really was good for him. “Well, as you know, supernatural crime has risen in Baltimore. We’re spread a bit thin. But we can teleport more of us in if needed. Also, they don’t believe Rorrick is at his full strength now.”
“Yeah, I don’t know about that. He ripped a demon’s head off and drank from it like it was nothing.”
Shante grimaced, her dark brown eyes squinting. “Ok, well, gross. But it doesn’t make him all-powerful. Our elders believe that resurrection is a process. It can work fast or slow, but it doesn’t come all at once. Especially for someone long dead. We have members who can feel power levels far and wide. They don’t feel the power level he once was. Not yet at least. He’s building strength the more time that passes.”
That might have explained why Marcus and his people were able to escape him. He was formidable but not invincible.
Shante went on. “But that can change at any moment. It’s been quiet in the last several days since the raid on the warehouse, but it’s possible he is laying low as he regains his strength. There are also so many variables to raising the dead. He could be even more of a challenge than before, or he could be on borrowed time. Raising the dead from a spell or ritual is one thing. Raising him from necromancy is another. It’s not a science. Magic is never set.”
I chewed my lower lip, thinking about her words. I still didn’t understand how I was able to raise something that long dead and he still be alive and with all his mental faculties. At least, we were assuming he was still in his right mind. Maybe we’d luck out and he was just an aimless demon undead now. That wouldn’t mean Death Mask would give up on me, but it might make the fight easier.
Shante stood up. “We didn’t come empty-handed. The coven created something. A power stone.” She opened up the purse on her shoulder and pulled out a small black pouch. She then walked over to Marcus and gave it to him. “You need to put it inside of Rorrick. From there, it will explode inside of him like a grenade. He won’t just be in chopped-up pieces like he was before. He’ll be no more.”
He opened the pouch and pulled out what appeared to be a smooth, black rock. “Why are you giving this to me?”
“He’s coming for Daria first. And although she’s not coven, we must protect her as an innocent.” She looked over at me. “No offense, but you aren’t a fighter.”
I raised my brows and put my hands in front of me. “No offense taken. I’m pretty sure he would kill me before I got close enough to shove anything inside him. But should Marcus be the one? I mean, you guys have magic.”
She leaned back with a shocked face. “Oh, girl, I’m not doing that. I got a whole wedding happening, and Devin’s not getting close to that thing either. The wedding venue is booked and paid for. Being here is risky enough.”
“Well, no, not you. I know crime fighting isn’t your job.” I waved my hand toward some of the other witches. “One of the trained professionals.”
Marcus placed a hand on my lower back. “I can do this, little flower.”
Not him calling me by my nickname in public. I felt my cheeks heat up, and I leaned my hip into him. “I know. I need it to make sense.”
Another witch spoke up. A tall, middle-aged man with a bald head and glasses. “We’re going to do everything within our power to fight and attack Rorrick through our magic, whether near or far. The reality is that Rorrick wants you both. He wouldn’t come close enough to anyone else. But we have another stone. They take a lot of magic to make so we just have the two. If Marcus can’t get close enough, then I will and vice versa.”
That made me feel slightly better. Marcus was super strong, but he didn’t have his own magic like demons did. Then again, not every demon had magic beyond their strength either. I hadn’t seen Rorrick do any teleportation or telepathically toss someone across the room or explode their heads. He was ancient and powerful, so he had to have the ability. Maybe, if we were lucky, he hadn’t gotten to that strength yet.
Devin cleared his throat, and the attention was once again back on him. “We need to get prepared. There’s been underground chatter about Death Mask moving north soon. We don’t know where, but this could be their destination. We have eyes on the roads, but they could travel via the underworld to get here.”
My heart stopped for a second. I knew, in theory, we’d have to fight, but I was nowhere near mentally prepared. I just pretended really well.
Marcus cursed and looked to Sam. “Call Harris and tell him it’s time.” He turned back to Devin. “How would they know where we are?”
The bald coven leader spoke up again. “We aren’t sure of much, but we have contacts that can trace other demon magic both in our coven and on the police force. Demon energy has been reduced this morning. Meaning, a large number of demons disappeared from the city today.”
Devin nodded. “We know that some paranormal folks associated with criminal activity were being recruited to join the gang, and there is an underworld bounty on both you and Daria.”
I spun, looking for a chair as my legs threatened to betray me. Marcus, sensing my shock, held me tighter. “You didn’t tell us that,” I said.
“I know. I didn’t want to scare you. We still don’t know where the gang is going, but we don’t like coincidences. You aren’t in the city, and they are leaving the city. You never know where their eyes are. Or access. They could have taken something from any of you and used it as a locator device.”
Marcus shook his head. “This place is cloaked.”
Devin twisted his lips to the side. “You know there are ways around that with the right level of magic. I’m not taking any chances. Your girl’s gotta be around to make my wedding cake.”
I leaned forward to glare at him. “Once again, I’m concerned about you guy’s priorities.”
Shante moved forward. “You really do make the best cakes, I’m just saying.”
I twisted my lips to the side. “Woooowww. But I’m with you on the keeping me alive bit.”
Devin patted Shante on the back. “We’re kidding. Mostly. The point is, we’re serious about protecting you. No one is going to die.” He clapped his hands. “Let’s get set up.”
The group began to disperse, implementing orders I wasn’t fully aware of but happy for the support.
Sam clicked off his phone. “Harris and company are on the way.”
I grabbed Marcus’ hand. “Let’s go. We gotta get to the cemetery so I can raise my undead horde.”
His eyes darkened, but he didn’t argue.
Devin and Shante stood in front of us before we could leave. Devin leaned forward. “I gotta say this.” He looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to us. “I know what you told me earlier about you two is bullshit and that he kidnapped you to save his brother.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but Devin raised a hand. “Look, I’m not trying to mess up what you both ended up having. You’re mated now, and Daria, you seem alright about it.”
I squeezed my orc’s hand, and he gripped it back, looking down at me with soft but worried eyes. “I am alright about it.” And I meant it.
Devin rolled his shoulders back and looked away. “Yeah, I’ve been known to do some questionable things for the people I love.”
Shante snorted. “Did he force a claiming on you? Because this guy.” She pointed a thumb at Devin.
He glared at her. “Love of my life, you do realize I was trying to save your life. We not past that yet?”
She gave a playful shrug, rubbing his arm. “It’s fun to tease about it.”
“It makes me look like a dick.”
Seems forced claimings weren’t so uncommon after all. I slowly looked up to Marcus, who avoided my eyes, face stoic. “Yeah, it’s crazy to force a claiming on someone,” he muttered, turning his head and scratching his scalp.
I struggled to maintain a straight face. One day, we’d be able to laugh about it. Not right now, though. I did enjoy seeing the uncomfortable look on his face.
Devin waved a dismissive hand in front of him. “Desperate times. Anyway, you got a friend on the force now, my guy. I know your history and how you’ve been living these last few years. You run into trouble in the future, let me know. Might end up being easier for you.”
Marcus nodded, not speaking, his mouth set in a tight line. I could feel he was a swirl of emotions. Anxious energy raced within him. He was ready for a fight, but he was scared. Not for himself. At least it didn’t feel that way. He was worried for us. Sam, myself, and the others. He was used to fighting on his own. He’d have to rely on and look out for others with various levels of fighting ability. That was likely way too many unknowns for him, and I could feel the burning stress.
He wasn’t the only one feeling that way.
We were really about to fight a demon gang.
Heaven help us.