The Demon Inheritance

TWENTY-ONE

"Don't remember... I can remember a building, but that's it..." I bit the inside of my cheek, then willed my aching muscles to work as I pulled myself up. I straightened my back and stretched my slightly-muscled arms in front of me. "Damn, this aches."

"Perhaps the old woman, Gran P, will let you bathe?" Oliver gave a delicate shrug. "That would be good for you. You hurt because you haven't had a good sleep in so long... How long have we been on this mission for?"

"No idea... I just know that it's May. After my birthday, I lost track of time." My eyes met my sword from across the room, and I gulped steadily. When will the next fight be? This is what life was like at war, I imagined. Always on alert, always depending on other people. I shook the thoughts away and crawled out of the bed, feelinghis sapphire eyes follow me. "Let's walk around outside a little before everyone else wakes up."

He nodded eagerly and followed me, patting the wrinkles out of his jeans as I began trekking out of the room. He grabbed his pack of cigarettes and my sword, and caught up by the time I was already at the front door. No one else was awake, from the looks of it.

I took my sword from him, suddenly becoming aware that my appearance was probably in shambles. Greasy, knotted hair, sweat, clothes wrinkled... I felt the heat of irritation play at my cheeks, and I let my weapon droop at my side. You have never cared what you look like to other people. You're turning into a fucking girly girl, Emma Whitestone.

Oliver slid a cigarette out of the pack, creasing his eyebrows. "Is something wrong?" He stood downwind of me, and was careful to keep his distance so I wouldn't choke on the plume of his nicotine in the air.

I shook my head with a sudden anger, crossing my arms. Maybe I'm just uncomfortable. After all, I usually don't go so long without a shower. "I am alright. Really."

With another step outside, the land erupted in stripes of corrupted purple streaked in black. Oliver shrieked and jumped back towards me on the unstable ground, and I grit my teeth before a cry could escape. My hand immediately flew to the sword clipped in my belt, fingers gripping hard around the handle. The ground spiked around us, and I balanced myself with my sword.

Oliver stumbled a bit, then stood upright again. His blue eyes darted around in panic, and I was careful to stay at his side. "Who is it this time?" His query was quiet, unsure, and afraid. From the looks of it, he had already guessed who was attacking us.

I knew because I had seen his mental energy from Ebony's eyes. It was Salt.

Said demon burst from the plumes of dirt, testing his sword by bringing it down against where Oliver stood. My Apotropaic twisted out of the way, expression going almost as fiery as it did whenever Bluethorne had threatened me.

"You, boy! It's been a long time~" Salt twisted a sickening smirk onto his face, pushing the long white hair out of his eyes. "It has been a long time since I got you practically alone, hasn't it?" His inky eyes rested on Oliver, merciless and cold.

I stepped closer to my Apotropaic, resting my hand on the hood of his jacket. My own dark gaze made its way towards Salt, unbroken and hot with anger. I pulled Oliver closer to me, feeling a strange protectiveness swell over my body. If the demon dared get close to my Apotropaic, mentally or physically, I would kill him. "He isn't alone."

Oliver seemed frozen in fear, eyes glittering in raw, cold emotion as his hands trembled. Of course, he could resist the man now, but all those years ago, he had no control over what had happened to him... When Salt tried to... I shook my head, wondering if he had gotten away with it. After all, I didn't see the entire vision...

Salt grinned, corners of his mouth curling sickeningly. "Oh, protective. That's a good trait. I am proud of my son to have such an Extant."

"I am not your son!" Oliver snarled, fists shaking at his sides. "I disown you! You were never my parent!"