Chapter 22
Jamie spun around as he heard someone laughing. He searched but couldn’t see anything; that was a lie, he saw a pin prick of light that seemed to be some distance away.
Jamie wasn’t afraid to admit he was scared witless.
Why did he even say he was coming? He had only known this world was real for a few days, watching ghost-hunting shows didn’t count, nor did watching Charmed.
And now here he was, kind of invisible, with some weird force field around him.
At least Ivan knew what had happened to him.
Jamie took a breath. “Okay, I survived the parents, I’ve read books on witches, curses and spells.
I’ve watched Charmed, both the original and new versions.
I can do this. I can channel my inner Halliwell.
They rhymed their spells, how hard can it be?
” Jamie thought for a moment. “I’m stuck in a barrier, and cannot be seen.
Release me now and prove this isn’t a dream. ”
Thiago followed the demon magic to the room with a pentagram on the floor and runes around it. He appeared in front of the demon.
The demon was about a foot or two taller than Thiago.
Where Thiago looked like a handsome sprite, the one in front of him looked like every evil version of a demon, with horns curling out of his head, his skin red and scaly, a long-forked tail swishing around, his eyes black as black could be. A large cloak shielding most of him.
The demon looked surprised. “Thiago?”
“As you see. What have you done?” Thiago asked him.
“I don’t know what you mean,” the demon replied.
“A resident here, a man called Derrick, sold his soul to you for immorality. He’s long gone, so why are you still here?”
“Oh, Tia, feel around, there is so much misery, anger and helplessness in practically every room. Where else would I be? This place calls to me.”
“Leave my friends alone,” Thiago said, staring at the demon.
“Friends? Vampires, wolves, witches, and a mystic, really, Tia, have you no shame?”
“Yes, friends, and you’ve already hurt one of them.”
The demon waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “He’s fine.”
Thiago sighed and rubbed his forehead before dropping his hand.
“Can we not do this? I do actually have things I should be doing. Instead, here I am, trying to help my friends stop a demon, you, and to get Derrick’s soul returned and his immortality taken away.
I really don’t care what you do with the spirits here, or how you use the residual emotions. Just let my friends out of this place.”
The demon moved closer, staring intently at him. “But what do I get for letting your friends go and returning the soul, Tia?”
“You get to keep existing,” Thiago said.
The demon took a step back. “What do you mean?”
Thiago gave a hollow laugh. “What do you think I mean? You went on a killing spree, you slaughtered two hundred and forty-seven humans, one hundred and ninety-four paranormals and over a thousand demons, all in the space of four days. What did you think would happen? Lucifer himself signed your kill order. I’m honestly surprised you’re still alive, but if you’re hiding out here, that could be why. ”
“You would turn me in?” the demon asked in surprise.
“Not if you return the soul, let my friends go, my family go.”
“I’m your family,” the demon thundered, his tail swishing fiercely.
“So are they.”
The demon stared at Thiago for a moment. “Fine, they can go for now. Now leave me be.”
“What about the soul?”
The demon's black eyes flashed red. “It has been returned to him; now go.”
Thiago didn’t need to be told again and quickly vanished.
The demon smiled an evil, sinister smile. “Until we meet again, my son.”
Mathis was still trying to punch his way out of the room, while Gabe was trying to destroy the runes.
“Vampy,” Gabe said.
Mathis stopped mid-punch and looked at him. “Little Witch?”
“Look,” Gabe said, pointing to the centre of the room.
Mathis walked closer. “It looks like that shimmer thing when Kay and the others were invisible.”
Just then, there was a bright light, and Jamie stood in the middle of the room. “It worked,” he happily said, sounding surprised.
“Jamie, how did you get here?” Gabe asked, looking around.
“No idea. I was in the foyer with the others. The rubbish started flying around, and suddenly I was in a barrier thing. I could see and hear you, but you couldn’t see or hear me. I called on my inner Halliwell, made up a rhyming spell, and here I am.”
“Inner Halliwell? Mathis asked, confused.
Gabe laughed and shook his head. “Charmed. Nice going.”
Thiago suddenly appeared in the room.
“Thiago!” Mathis exclaimed in surprise.
Before the demon could say anything, the door burst open, and the others rushed in. Raz, seeing his mate, hurried to Thiago’s side.
“Reunion later, we need to leave right now,” Thiago said urgently, and with a quick thought, they were all outside in the garden.
Ivan wasn’t the only one to breathe a sigh of relief when they appeared outside in the long grass. Jamie rushed into his arms.
“Jay,” Ivan said, wrapping his arms around him and dropping a kiss on his head. As Raz pulled Thiago into his.
“Is everyone alright?” Gabe asked.
“We are, let’s find somewhere to eat, I don’t know about you lot, but I’m starving,” Adrian suggested. “We can talk about everything over lunch.”
“We can do that,” Kevin said, “We can all squeeze into the cars.”
“Can you text Raz or me when you stop, and we’ll join you?” Thiago asked.
Seth looked at Thiago for a moment and nodded. “We can do that, see you in a bit.”
Raz watched them walk away and turned to look at Thiago. “Tia, are you okay?” he asked softly, dropping a kiss on Thiago’s head.
Thiago leant into Raz, his head resting on his shoulder, and wrapped his arms around Raz. “Yes and no.”
A moment later, Raz saw they were stood by a beautiful lake. The water was clear and still, and the trees were ringing around the lake. “This is lovely.”
Without lifting his head, Thiago nodded. “I needed this.”
Raz tightened his arms around Thiago. He didn’t ask questions, just held his demon close.
After about five minutes, Thiago raised his head. “I found the demon; he gave Derrick his soul back and released everyone from the house.”
“What did you have to agree to, to get all that?” Thiago had explained that some demons wouldn’t do anything without asking for a boon in return, one that can be called upon at any given time.
“I promised I wouldn’t turn him in.”
“What’s he wanted for?”
“Multiple murders. He went on a killing spree and killed thousands in four days. Lucifer himself signed his kill order. He is the definition of a bad demon.”
“Sweetheart, who is this demon to you?” Raz asked softly.
Thiago looked up at Raz, his eyes sad. “My father,” he whispered.
“He is not you; his actions are on him, not you,” Raz told him.
Thiago lifted his head, and Raz happily kissed him. He slowly pulled back. “Thank you, Raz.”
“Thiago looked sad,” Gabe commented.
“He did, but Raz will help him, and so will we,” Mathis told him.
“Maybe he knew the demon,” Jamie suggested.
“Maybe,” Gabe said. “I’m more interested in you at the moment, Jamie.”
Jamie turned around in the front seat and looked at Gabe. “Me?”
“You.”
“Is that because of my inner Halliwell?”
“Inner Halliwell?” Ivan queried.
Jamie looked at Ivan. “Yeah. I was trapped in that place, the bubble thing. I thought about the ladies from Charmed and how they made up spells. I did the same and was suddenly free.”
“So you’re a witch?” Ivan asked.
“Unfortunately not,” Gabe said.
Jamie swung back around, looking at Gabe. “Really?”
Gabe nodded. “Very sorry, but you look to have some psychic abilities as you did see that ghost.”
“So, how did I get out of that barrier place?”
“I think the demon let you go. For a moment, it felt like the demon magic had vanished, probably long enough for us to get out. I bet if we went back, the demon magic would once again be in place,” Gabe explained.
“Damn, there goes my dream of cackling about a cauldron,” Jamie muttered.
“We really don’t use cauldrons,” Gabe told him, grinning.
“Another myth busted,” Jamie said, shaking his head.
“Just add it to the list,” Mathis suggested.
Jamie grinned. “I will, that list is getting longer. Hey Gabe, has Dave told you we have a support group going for humans that mate with vampires and only get vampire hickeys? I know you’re a witch, but you got jipped as well. You should join.”
The others laughed.
“Once all the crap we’re dealing with has been sorted, I’ll happily join.”
“Can I do anything to help?” Jamie asked.
Gabe shook his head. “No, but thanks for the offer.”
“Looks like we’re stopping here to eat,” Ivan said, following Seth’s car into a pub carpark.
“I’ll text Raz,” Mathis said as he pulled out his phone and messaged his brother.
They all parked up, and everyone got out of the cars, walking inside.
Mathis and Gabe stayed outside by the car; the next minute, Raz and Thiago arrived.
Gabe pulled Thiago into a hug. “Are you okay?”
Thiago hugged him back before pulling away. “I’m okay,” he said softly.
Gabe put his hands on Thiago’s shoulders. “If I can do anything and I do mean anything to help, just call.”
“Thanks, I will.”
Mathis pulled him into a hug next. “Whatever you need.”
Thiago patted his back and smiled as he pulled away. “Thanks. Shall we go in? I'm starving.”