Legacy of the Demon by Diana Rowland
Michael shoved the front door open. “Hey, everyone!” he hollered. “Squig and Fillion were hiding in Jill’s truck. You gotta see!” He dashed off and leaped down the steps.
Jill came down the hall, followed by Ashava. “What’s going on?”
“It seems the missing catlets have been found,” I said then gestured toward the goo-puddles. “And we have two more for dinner. Makonite and Krawkor, formerly known as Marco Knight and Cory Crawford, and who are both currently showering off pod-gook.”
Jill muttered something under her breath then followed Szerain and me outside. Bryce leaned on the porch rail, a big grin plastered on his face. His gaze tracked something in the air. A bird?
Jill moved close to Bryce’s side. “Is that a . . .”
Bryce gave a laugh. “Yes. Yes it is.”
I stared. From high above the driveway, a metallic-silver furball streaked toward a bewildered, tongue-lolling Sammy.
“Fillion!” Michael called. “Be a good kitty.”
The catlet spread big bat wings wide to slow his dive, then spat a weak bolt of arcane energy at Sammy’s tail before climbing again. Sammy yelped but immediately bounded around, barking upward as if wanting more of the game.
“Bryce?” I managed to get out.
“Seems the kittens stowed away in the back of Jill’s truck,” he said, eyes dancing with amusement. “She drove them straight to the middle of the mutagen.”
Jill smacked him on the arm, grinning. “Not on purpose!”
“Oh no,” I groaned. “And they didn’t have makkas, so they mutated.” Holy shit, that was fast. If we hadn’t shut down the flow, the world would have been unrecognizable in a matter of days.
“Are they still friendly?” I asked. “And where’s the other one?”
“I’ll show you!” Michael dashed down the steps and peered into the bushes. “C’mon out, Squig! Peoples here to see you.”
Out of the bushes stalked a winged catlet covered with furry green scales, tail straight up in the air. A tail covered with needle spikes instead of fur. I had the awful suspicion that she just might be able to hurl them.
“Good girl, Squig.” Michael scooped her up and cradled her close, the biggest grin ever plastered on his face. “See, Kara?”
I grinned right back, relieved that Squig had flattened the needle spikes to avoid injuring Michael. “I see.”
Szerain draped his arm over my shoulders. “Just wait ’til they grow up.”
“I almost feel sorry for Fuzzykins,” I said, giving a mock-shudder.
Ashava tugged on Jill’s hands. “Mom, can I play with Fillion? Pleeeeeease?”
“Sure, sweetie. Just be careful with . . .” She trailed off as Ashava ran and made a flying leap off the porch, transforming midair into a blue and silver dragonet about twice the size of Fillion. “Alrighty then,” Jill choked out then laughed as Ashava and Fillion started a game of aerial tag.
Szerain’s arm tightened around me. I looked over to see tears gleaming in his eyes as he watched the young qaztehl play.
“She’s beautiful,” he said in a cracked whisper. “So free.”
The pain and envy in his voice tugged at my heart. He’d been crippled and enslaved for thousands of years. How could he dare to believe he might someday be truly free?
I pulled him close. “You’ll join her up there soon. I promise you that.”
He gave a shaky smile, hope flickering weakly behind the despair in his eyes.
Jill peered toward the sky. “Ashava, dinner in ten minutes! No wings or claws at the table!”
The dragonet bugled an acknowledgement then did a neat barrel roll around Fillion.
“Spaghetti and meatballs, with green beans from Rhyzkahl’s garden,” Jill announced to the rest of us as she pushed off the rail. “If y’all behave, Ashava and I will make chocolate donuts for dessert.”
I sucked in a breath. “Real chocolate donuts?”
“Real chocolate donuts.” Her eyes sparkled. “I made sure to get all the ingredients during my pre-summoning errands.”
“Sounds like heaven,” I said, sighing happily. I placed my hand over the leaf and Mzatal’s ring, pressed both tight over his sigil, and willed an impression of this one perfect moment to him. Later, I’d tackle demon pacts, lordy machinations, alien antics, and the billion other issues that weighed on my heart and mind.
But for this little slice of now, I planned to enjoy the company of family, friends, and demonic battle kittens.
Glossary
Terms Related to the Demon Realm
Anomaly: A tear in the dimensional fabric. Various causes. Effects can be catastrophic. Repairs done by demahnk, demonic lords, and (for small anomalies) syraza.
Blade (verb): To stab a being with an essence blade. With rare exceptions, results in permanent death and a scattering or consumption of the target’s essence. The body of one killed by an essence blade will not discorporeate.
Demon realm and demon language: The world of the demons and demonic lords. The demon language has never been fully mastered by a human because of the verbal complexity and telepathic component. The same sound may have a multitude of different meaning depending on the telepathic pattern behind it. The demon word for their world is heavily telepathic and seventeen syllables.
Demahnk: Non-corporeal beings who take on demon and human forms. Their demon form looks like a large syraza with ridges on the torso and skull. Sometimes called “Elder syraza.” Each of the eleven is ptarl bound to a lord, with the exception of Zakaar. The lords are half demahnk, half human.
Demahnk Council/Demon Council: Comprised of the eleven demahnk ptarl/advisors of the lords. Holds power and influence that Kara is still discovering. Enforcers of Szerain’s exile.
Demonic lord: Half human, half demahnk hybrid. Able to monitor, maintain, and influence the potency flows of the demon realm.
Earthgate: One of eleven gateways between the Earth and demon realm. Defunct for thousands of years.
Eleven: A significant number in the demon realm in rituals, architecture, and managing potency. Also, the number of demonic lords (before Ashava).
Discorporeate: The immediate dissolution and disappearance of the physical form after death when the death occurs on the non-home world. A demon that dies on Earth will discorporeate with a chance of resurrecting in the demon realm, and the same goes for a human who dies in the demon realm. Death by blading precludes discorporeation.
Essence blades: Three knives created by Mzatal as artifacts of power. Khatur (Mzatal), Xhan (Rhyzkahl’s, but currently with Mzatal), Vsuhl (Szerain).
Lord headache: Excruciating head pain triggered by thoughts of topics deemed off limits by the demahnk council.
Manipulation: The altering of memories or controlling of actions through telepathic means. Utilized by demonic lords and demahnk.
Mutagen: Specialized rakkuhr that can cause mutations.
Mraztur: Derogatory demon word used by Kara and her allies to refer to the demonic lords unified against her personal interests and those of Earth. Rhyzkahl, Jesral, Amkir, and Kadir. Rough translation (per Seretis): motherfucking asshole dickwad defilers.
Nexus: A confluence of potency streams harnessed as a focal point of power in each lord’s realm. Universally marked by a platform of stone, wood, or crystal surrounded by eleven columns. Foundation for the most powerful rituals. Mzatal and Kara created a basic nexus in Kara’s back yard. Mzatal later amplified it by anchoring Rhyzkahl to it.
Plexus: The chamber in each lord’s realm where the arcane potency flows of the planet can be monitored, manipulated, and adjusted by a demonic lord. Used daily, often for many hours at a time. Most are furnished for comfort during long work sessions. Kara’s rough translation: a demonic lord’s man-cave.
Ptarl: The demahnk counselor and advisor to a demonic lord.
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Rowan: As yet enigmatic personality that Rhyzkahl intended to overlay on Kara. Demonstrated arrogance and sense of invulnerability. Seems to be familiar with Szerain.
The Cataclysm: Demon realm disaster that began in the 17th century and lasted nearly a century. Earthquakes, floods, fire rain, and rifts in the dimensional fabric. Started by a ritual performed by Szerain and Elinor.
The Conclave: An annual meeting of all qaztahl where global issues are addressed and plexus schedules for the upcoming year are confirmed. Outward hostility is frowned upon. Intrigue is rife.
The groves: Clusters of white-trunked trees that form a network of organic teleportation nodes, with one in each realm of the eleven qaztahl and a dozen or so more scattered across the planet. Animate and sentient. a.k.a. Rho. Kara has a unique relationship with the groves. Teleportation can only be activated by a lord, demahnk, or Kara. Each grove has a mehnta as its caretaker—a lifelong commitment.
The “others”: The vague designation given by Zack for ones he cannot speak of who, along with the Demahnk Council, hold and enforce ancient oaths.
The Three: Mzatal, Rhyzkahl, and Szerain when they each bore their essence blades. Dominated the demon realm unchallenged and unchallengeable for centuries.
Valve: An arcane conduit between the demon realm and Earth that acts as a potency pressure valve to help stabilize the demon realm.
Terms Related to Earth
Arcane Investigations: FBI special task force in charge of demon and arcane-related action and investigation.
Bertha: Cory Crawford’s 1976 Chevy Nova. Kitted out with ham radio equipment.
Bloodbath Summoning: An attempt over thirty years ago by Peter Cerise and five other summoners to summon Szerain. Rhyzkahl came through instead and slaughtered all the summoners but Cerise, (including Kara’s grandmother, Gracie Pazhel). Tessa witnessed.
DIRT: Acronym for Demonic Incursion Retaliation and Tactics. Special units on the frontlines of rift formation and invading demon suppression.
DNN: Demon News Network. Television network devoted to coverage of rifts and demon activity.
Federal Command Center a.k.a. Fed Central: Beaulac Ground Zero headquarters for DHS, NSA, CIA, and other national agencies, with the FBI Arcane Investigations task force taking the lead. Located in what used to be the Southern Louisiana Heart Hospital, now converted into a secure compound.
Kara’s Kompound: Nickname for Kara’s house and property.
Ground Zero: The Beaulac PD parking lot and immediate surroundings. Relates to the valve explosion and its resulting destruction and arcane activity.
Rift: An opening in the dimensional fabric, often manifesting on Earth in the form of surface crevices that span anywhere from a few inches to hundreds of feet in length. Jontari can use them to travel between the demon realm and Earth.
Skeeter: Slang for “mosquito”. DIRT code word for a winged demon.
SkeeterCheater: Graphene-enhanced netting capable of holding a demon physically. Relatively immune to their arcane attempts to break free. Used to cover or partially cover rifts to slow demon arrivals. Exorbitantly expensive to produce.
StarFire Security: Legitimate high-end security company owned by J.M. Farouche.
Symbol Man: Peter Cerise. Serial killer who used blood and death magic. Tried to summon and bind Rhyzkahl. Killed by Rhyzkahl.
The Child Find League: Non-profit organization founded by J.M. Farouche to help find missing children. Impressive track record.
The Demonic Lords – the Qaztahl
Amkir (AHM-keer) Ptarl: Dima. One of the Mraztur. Light olive complexion, short dark hair. Unsmiling. Known for his temper.
Ashava (Ah-SHA-vah) No ptarl. Two-month old daughter of Jill Faciane and the demankh Zakaar (Zack Garner). Kidnapped by Szerain and Zack. In hiding from Xharbek. The only free demonic lord (a qaztehl).
Elofir (EL-oh-fear) Ptarl: Greeyer. Short sandy-blond hair. Slim, athletic build. Calm, gentle, deeply caring. Enjoys the quiet of his wooded realm. Zharkat of Michelle Cleland. Pacifist by nature.
Jesral (JEZ-rahl) Ptarl: Ssahr. One of the Mraztur. Slim, brown hair, keen gaze, impeccably styled and graceful. Smiling, outwardly friendly. Slick, cold, and calculating.
Kadir (kuh-DEER) Ptarl: Helori, estranged. One of the Mraztur. Tall, slender, blond, androgynous. Cold, psychopathic, chaotic, vicious. Utterly brilliant. Lives slightly “out of phase” with the rest of the demon realm. Nicknamed “Creepshow” by Kara. Associated demons: Sehkeril (reyza), Kuktok (kzak).
Mzatal (muh-ZAH-tull) Ptarl: Ilana. Essence Blade: Khatur. Also holds Rhyzkahl’s Xhan. Tall and elegant, keen silver-grey eyes, Asian features, very long jet black hair worn in a braid. Powerful and focused. Creator of the essence blades. Has a bond with Kara. Essence bond: Gestamar (reyza), Dakdak (ilius). Associated demons: Safar, Juntihr (reyza). Jekki, Faruk (faas). Tata, Krum, Wuki (ilius). Lazul (mehnta). Juke (kehza). Anak (zrila). Steeev (syraza)
Rayst (rayst) Ptarl: Trask. Partner of Seretis. Swarthy. Stocky build, but moves with grace. Considerate, but not a pushover. Pays attention to the dynamics between others.
Rhyzkahl (REEZ-call) Ptarl: None (formerly Zakaar/Zack). One of the Mraztur. Essence Blade: Xhan (currently in the possession of Mzatal). Long white-blond hair, ice-blue eyes, tall, muscled, utterly beautiful. Seductive and charming. Betrayed and tortured Kara in a failed ritual to create a weaponized summoner (Rowan) and raise an Earthgate. Exiled from the demon realm by Mzatal and imprisoned beside the nexus in Kara’s back yard. Associated demons: Eilahn, Olihr (syraza). Pyrenth (deceased, reyza). Kehlirik (reyza). Rega (faas).
Seretis (SAIR-uh-tis) Ptarl: Lannist. Partner of Rayst. Chiseled cheekbones, and shoulder length dark, wavy hair, reminiscent of a Spanish soap opera star. Bisexual. Loves being around humans, and has gone to extreme lengths to protect humans in the demon realm from other lords. Essence bond: Bryce Taggart.
Szerain (szair-RAIN) Ptarl: Xharbek (in hiding/presumed dead by most). Essence Blade: Vsuhl. Brilliant artist. Smart and inquisitive and very patient when his plans call for it. Is called a kiraknikahl—oathbreaker. Diminished and exiled to Earth as Ryan Kristoff, but now free. In hiding from Xharbek. Essence bond: Turek (savik).
Vahl (pronounced like the first syllable of volume) Ptarl: Korlis. Tall, black, and just the right amount of muscle. Tends toward rash decisions that cause him to be indebted to other lords.
Vrizaar (vree-ZAR) Ptarl: Fiar Dark-skinned, bald, with a goatee and no mustache. Dresses like a biblical king, with gold and jewels just shy of gaudy. As cautious and prudent as Vahl isn’t when it comes to dealings with the other lords, but not so staid that he doesn’t enjoy the thrill of adventure. Loves to sail.
The Demahnk Ptarl
Dima (DEE-muh) Ptarl of Amkir.
Fiar (FEE-ar) Ptarl of Vrizaar.
Greeyer (gree-YEAR) Ptarl of Elofir.
Helori (heh-LOR-ee) Estranged ptarl of Kadir. Supported Kara after Rhyzkahl’s torture. Spurned by Kadir. Prefers human form to the “elder syraza” form. Often associates with Mzatal.
Ilana (ih-LAH-nah) Ptarl of Mzatal. Quietly influential.
Korlis (CORE-liss) Ptarl of Vahl.
Lannist (LAN-ist) Ptarl of Seretis. Attempted to thwart the essence bond between Seretis and Bryce.
Ssahr (suh-SAR) Ptarl of Jesral. Essence bound to Xharbek.
Trask: Ptarl of Rayst.
Xharbek (ZAR-beck) Ptarl of Szerain. Considered missing or dead by most until he showed up in pursuit of Zack, Szerain, and Ashava after the PD valve explosion. Masqueraded as Carl, the morgue tech. Essence bound to t
Zakaar (zah-CAR) Ex-ptarl of Rhyzkahl. a.k.a. FBI Agent Zack Garner. Broke ptarl bond with Rhyzkahl during the Farouche Plantation incident. Was the guard and guardian of Szerain during his submersion and imprisonment as Ryan Kristoff. Fading and diminished after breaking the bond. Sire of Ashava. In hiding from Xharbek.
Residents on Kara’s Property
Bryce Taggart: (40ish) Ex-hitman for J.M. Farouche. Kara’s head of security. Has essence bond with demonic lord Seretis. Was a veterinary student when he accidentally shot and killed his roommate. Recruited by J.M. Farouche shortly thereafter. Changed last name from Thatcher. Was once Paul Ortiz’s bodyguard.
Bubba Suarez: (early 40s) Security team. Construction specialist. General handyman.
Chet Watson: (mid 50s) Security team. Gunsmith and firearms expert.
David Nguyen: (late 20s) Security team. Tree expert.
Dennis Roper: (early 40s) Security team. Skilled in logistics and planning.
Jill Faciane: (late 20s) Red hair, blue eyes, petite, athletic. Kara’s best friend. Custodian of arcane library. Smart and sarcastic. Mother of Ashava. Former crime scene tech. Former gymnast who’d been favored to make the Olympic team before a bad fall.
Jordan Kellum: (mid 30s) Security team. 5’4”. Former world-class powerlifter.
Lilith Cantrell: Security team. Tech expert.
Nils Engen: (early 20s) Security team. Medic.
Ronda Greitz: (mid 30s) Security team. Mechanic and engineering specialist.
Sharini Tandon: (late 30s) Security team. Military experience. Black belts in Krav Maga and Danzan Ryu.
Vincent Pellini: (early 40s) DIRT Arcane Specialist. Trained and mentored in the arcane by Kadir. Black hair, dark eyes, mustache, not as overweight as he used to be. Boudreaux’s work partner. Works in tandem with Kara. Former detective for the Beaulac PD as a partner to Boudreaux.