Late morning sunlight seeped through the bedroom window, the golden rays casting geometric patterns across the floor, gradually shifting as the sun climbed higher. In the bed, Kevin opened his eyes, shielded his face with an arm, and rolled to his other side, away from the window. A thought about buying some blackout curtains crossed his mind as he re-adjusted the pillow under his head.
The idea faded fast as he reflected on the night before: Rygen's attack, Charlie rescuing him, his sister's frantic efforts to save his life, and finally waking up to his princess healing him.
He shook his head gently, amazed at how strong she was becoming. Clutching the beaded necklace around his neck, he realized that if he hadn't agreed to wear it, he would be dead now. However, all it did was remind him that, for a while, he hadn't trusted Charlie the way he should have.
Lifting it over his head, he rolled over and opened the nightstand drawer by the bed, symbolically discarding the last of his worries about his girlfriend being a demon. Doing so felt like shedding a negative layer of himself.
Thinking back to something Charlie had teased during their lovemaking, he chuckled softly and agreed, "That… felt… good!"
That thought unlocked the door to more intimate memories, and he felt a stirring in his lower regions again. The way she felt, tasted, and how her body moved beneath him, embracing him, sent electric pulses through him. If she'd still been in bed with him right then—what was it she had teased—that demons were insatiable? He was determined to face that challenge head-on. Kevin wanted to dedicate his life to making her happy, fulfilled, and satisfied every night.
This made the next memory even more painful: her tears, which made his heart ache. He hoped that from now on, he would never see her suffer like that again, neither for him nor because of him. Kevin made a silent promise to always be the shelter for her soul.
With a soft sigh, Kevin swung his legs over the side of the bed and placed his bare feet on the plush carpet. The thick fibers cushioned his steps as he moved across the room. Standing up, he picked out some clothes from the dresser and headed into the bathroom for a quick shower. He wanted to see his ladies and check on their training progress, then he'd look into retrieving anything salvageable from the car.
As he walked past the mirror, he paused to examine his chest closely. Touching it, he noticed how smooth it was now, as if he'd never been in a war at all. There were no telltale signs of a life spent fighting—no scars, no bullet holes—and certainly nothing suggesting he'd nearly been killed the night before.
Charlie's power had not only healed his wounds but also restored him and made him whole again. Kevin touched the firm, smooth skin above his heart and realized that her love had also healed his soul. He was finally free from the grief and torment he had carried all those years. Taking a deep breath, Kevin knew it was time to stop punishing himself—it was time to live again.
At the same time, on the roof, Cassie and Charlie were deep into a training session. Above them, clouds had rolled in, blocking some of the sun's rays, and the overcast sky painted a muted gray light over the dojo, where shadows were no longer sharp but diffused across the training mats. After nearly two hours of training, sweat from the humidity beaded heavily on their brows, and their chests rose and fell with each breath.
The pair faced each other, their bruised bodies rigid, exchanging intense looks. The air was thick with the lingering energy of their sparring, both women poised and alert to strike.
Cassie winced when she took an extra deep breath, but she shook it off. "Okay, Charlie, for this next one, I'm going to show you how to skip-catch, or as it's also known, a helicopter spin." She held her Bō out horizontally in front of her. "This is beneficial for balance and concentration."
Charlie mirrored the movements, the two standing face-to-face about ten feet apart. "Like this?" She followed along, adjusting her grip.
"Yes. Now watch me." Cassie nodded approvingly and began slowly so Charlie could see her hand placements, then gradually increased her speed.
Studying the precise movements and technique, Charlie worked to mirror the motions. However, after dropping the Bō twice, her demon voice growled in frustration.
"Easy, darlin'." Cassie said soothingly, "It's okay to mess up when you're just learning a new move."
Charlie grumbled as she resumed her movements. "I just want to know everything so I can protect Kevin better." Her mind then drifted to other thoughts—And repeat this morning over and over and over and over—and in response, her cheeks flushed warm.
Tilting her head, Cassie read her expression. "Then focus on the moment, and don't think ahead." A knowing smile crossed her face as she winked. "And clear your mind of the past."
Charlie stopped spinning her staff and swallowed hard, her cheeks turning almost a full shade of rose. "H—how? How did you know?"
A wide smile filled out her lips as Cassie set the end of her Bō down and leaned on it. "You know I can get a sense of your power even from afar, remember? It's not potent; it's more akin to a gentle buzzing or an echo. But this morning, that echo screamed—but not in an alarming way." She paused, studying Charlie's embarrassed expression. "I wasn't sure at first what it was. I still thought Kevin was injured. When you told me you'd healed him, I initially believed the power burst was the cause. But you've been glowing all morning, Charlie. I just connected the dots."
"Oh, my." Charlie turned away, her cheeks really burning now.
"Don't be embarrassed, sis." Cassie's voice softened. "You both have suffered so much—from his past and your memory loss—that you two finding each other feels like destiny to me."
Still feeling the warmth in her cheeks radiating, Charlie turned back around to face her. "I feel it, too. Every part of me tells me that Kevin and I were meant to be together, that there's real power between us."
"Real love holds real power." Cassie nodded firmly. "I've always believed that."
Lifting her Bō, Charlie repositioned herself. "And I want to use that power to protect him, to be his armor. To do that, I need to learn everything you know! You told me, 'don't think ahead' or be stuck in the past, right?"
"Right." Cassie picked her staff back up. "Stay in the moment. Watch."
She repeated the initial steps while Charlie narrowed her eyes, observing every twist as Cassie crossed her wrists; her upper hand turned palm up to catch the Bō, then she twisted it to her lower hand. The princess's eyes widened as the other woman's movements sped up, until the spins resembled the propeller of an airplane. Continuing, Cassie nodded for Charlie to try again.
Beginning carefully, Charlie soon picked up speed, as her demon reflexes took over. Shortly after, Cassie whistled in awe as Charlie's wooden staff became a blur of motion, creating a low whooshing sound that filled the dojo.
"Damn, girl," Cassie smiled broadly. "You got it!"
Charlie giggled as she stopped and bowed appreciatively. "I think I understand now. Focus on the grip and stance, and keep my hands steady."
"Exactly." Looking impressed, Cassie added, "Let's try this one. It's a bit easier to learn and can help you deal with opponents on your flank."
She continued her demonstrations slowly, but Charlie was catching on faster and faster. After a while and a few more techniques, Cassie adopted a challenging stance. "I'm sure you recall how I beat you up last night."
"Oh, how could I forget?" Grinning, Charlie assumed her own defensive posture, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I owe you a few bruises," she paused briefly before adding with her demon voice, "Sis!"
Cassie chuckled as she began to move slowly, combining techniques and aiming to catch Charlie off guard. "Smart. You're using your innate abilities mixed with the training to make your opponent nervous."
She suddenly dropped to one knee and spun her Bō along the ground, nearly clipping Charlie's feet. The princess was more prepared than before and hopped back up. Still, Cassie was much more experienced with staff combat, and she swung the Bō up hard, striking Charlie in the hip, causing her to stumble.
"But of course, I'm not scared of you—sis!" Cassie teased.
The impact rippled through Charlie's bones, but she adapted quickly, using the momentum to regain her footing. Charlie's horns emerged, her eyes pulsed, as she found her balance. Her claws gripped the Bō so tightly that the wood groaned, but her demon voice carried a hint of amusement: "Oh, come on!"
"Let your power flow, sweetie." Cassie's eyes lit up. "Try everything; come at me with all you've got!"
Charlie did exactly that, striking at her in a forward swing, which Cassie blocked by raising her Bō horizontally. The princess then quickly followed up with an upward strike from the lower half of her Bō, and Cassie dropped hers to block that attack. The clash of wood on wood echoed sharply through the training space. Both of them stepped back and exchanged smiles, and the fight began in earnest.
Becoming more aggressive, Charlie increased the intensity of her attacks, which forced Cassie to focus on defending herself, blocking more strikes than she could counter. Soon, Charlie had her backed against one of the dojo walls, cutting off her escape. Suddenly, Cassie's eyes shifted, and she dropped her Bō.
Stopping short, ignoring the buzz of her demon energy urging her to finish the attack, Charlie's brow scrunched up in concern. "Cass, you okay?!"
But Cassie didn't answer. Rather, she rushed past Charlie, her voice cracking as she shouted, "Kevin!"
Charlie turned to see Kevin leaning against the doorway arch, smiling. He looked refreshed and whole, his damp hair suggesting he'd just finished showering. Her cheeks rose as her smile widened.
"Kevin!" Cassie repeated, grasping him tightly, her voice thick. "Thank the Goddesses, you're alright!"
He returned the embrace. "I'm sorry to put you through all of this, sis. Thank you so much for saving my life."
"Always!" Cassie wiped her eyes as she stepped back. "I can't believe Charlie was able to heal you. It's a real miracle."
Approaching the siblings, her Bō still in hand, Charlie watched as Kevin extended an arm, allowing her to nestle into him. "Yes, she is."
Her cheeks flushed again, but Charlie shook her head. "I'm glad, but… if I didn't have these powers…" She looked at him and bit her lip. "You might have died."
The memory of last night smothered the celebratory air, but Kevin shook his head and brushed a few strands of hair from her face. "I might have, but I didn't, thanks to you and your power." He kissed her forehead, but his face was slightly shadowed. "But now that we know more about what you can do…" His demeanor turned serious. "We can guess what Samedi can do under Bible's guidance."
"He's no demon." Charlie's jaw set. "What can he do that I can't?"
"Call up more demons." Kevin's voice went flat. "Rygen may be dead and gone, but he's just one demon, and Samedi could call an army. Couldn't he, sis?"
"Theoretically." Cassie nodded. "However, based on the texts I've read and my conversations with my coven sisters, violent summonings drain a significant amount of metaphysical energy from the caller. They won't feel physically weak, but their internal energies need to recharge before they can perform another summoning."
"And if they tried anyway?" Charlie's concern deepened. One demon had been enough for her, but the thought of facing multiple demons worried her.
Cassie's expression grew grave. "If a Wiccan or Vodou priest attempted to call up multiple demons at once, they would likely lose control of all of them, and those summoned would kill out of spite alone."
Kevin's military mind calculated the threat. "And we'd have demons running loose all over the world."
"Perhaps." Cassie shrugged. "I've never heard any stories of multiple summonings to know for sure if they'd be free or end up being dragged back to Hell."
"Let's hope we never find out." Kevin sighed.
"And if they did try another summoning before they're fully recharged, then it would manifest in physical ways, making them sick and weak. Given that Rygen may only be days old at the most, I'd be confident enough to believe we should be fine for a few more days, at least," Cassie assured them.
"That's good to know." Kevin shuddered at the memory. "I'm guessing there are many kinds of demons. What kind was Rygen?"
"A hellhound." Charlie's voice soured on the word. "I may not remember my life, but you showed me enough horror movies that I recognized his form. If I were to compare him to any movie monster, it would be the Gmork."
"So, teeth, claws, and a bad attitude." Kevin looked at Cassie. "But no powers like Charlie?"
"Um, maybe." Cassie sucked on her bottom lip. "Some texts suggest they can take on human form—even the guise of whatever they've eaten."
"Or at least tasted?" Kevin's memory of the previous night sent a cold ripple along his spine. Charlie leaned in closer as she felt it, and he squeezed a little tighter on her shoulder.
"If the texts are right," she admitted reluctantly.
"So noted. If you're correct, it will take some time for Samedi to summon another demon." Gazing at Charlie, Kevin had a sudden thought. He turned back to Cassie. "And they know about Charlie."
"Yes," she confirmed.
"We know she's here because of a failed summoning. Could she be summoned again? The ritual completed? Is that what they could be planning?"
"That I don't know." Cassie shook her head. "There's nothing I've ever read about a demon on Earth that was partly summoned. So I wouldn't know if it's possible to complete it at all."
"If it could," Charlie reached out and gripped her hand, "then I'd want Kevin to complete it so I could be his demon for real."
"Hon," Kevin sighed, "no. I would never want you bound to me in any way except by choice."
"I would choose it." Charlie leaned harder against him. "Especially to keep Samedi from controlling me."
The siblings exchanged a look. Cassie had to say it. "And, unfortunately, Samedi would be one who would know how."
"Then, for now, we stick together wherever we go." Kevin's voice turned decisive. "And we'll order out if necessary until we can get a pinpoint on either Samedi's or Bible's location."
"I'll ask Davis to stop at the market for us before his next shift, so we have some extra supplies on hand. Pay him another bonus to help in his eventual abandonment of me." Cassie joked, but she really would miss the young man's presence.
"Sounds good. Now, I just hope Amanda finds something in the files she's collecting to give us some leads."
"Has she called?" Immediately, Cassie shook her head, knowing the answer. She frowned, "Right. Your phone's busted."
"Yeah," Kevin sighed, "we'll just have to wait for her to show." He paused and looked chastened. "Umm, about your car?"
Cassie shrugged. "I managed to get it back here before it completely gave up, but it's definitely totaled."
Kevin let out a frustrated groan. "I'm sorry."
She shook her head, smiling. "Charlie took payment from Rygen's hide, and you're okay. That's all that really matters to me."
He sighed, nodded, and looked toward the back lot. "So, it's parked out by the van?"
"Yup."
"Then I'm going to collect the arsenal I'd bought and see what I can salvage from the groceries. Meet you in the apartment afterwards."
"Will do," Cassie affirmed. "There's still an hour before noon. I'm going to teach Charlie a few more tricks, then we'll grab lunch. If Amanda arrives by then, we can review everything she brings."
"After I sort the inventory, I'll pull a few more books and get some more reading in." Kevin leaned in and gave Charlie a soft peck on the lips. "Go easy on my sister, okay, princess?"
"Sure." Charlie winked, then suddenly jabbed her staff out and caught Cassie in the shoulder, who grunted and stumbled back. "Just as easy as she did on me last night!"
Cassie skipped backwards and retrieved her Bō, adopting a challenging stance once more. "Why, you!" she exclaimed. "That's the last time you get one up on me!"
Kevin laughed as Charlie lunged at her, and the two began to spar in earnest. The sound of their weapons clashing filled the dojo once more, punctuated by quick footwork on the mats. Taking that as his cue to leave, he left them to their fun and headed downstairs, grateful for the time they had to recover.
Or so they believed.