LEGACY.

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Chapter Twelve

Fighting Fire with Fire

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The amulet felt warm against his skin. It wasn’t much, but the feel of it was some small comfort. The amulet was blessed with a few basic but powerful charms. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much that could be done to protect him from Jed’s raw power, but the charm would allow him to resist the man’s influence. He should be able to keep a clear head even if Jed attempted to sway him.

Austin’s mother hadn’t given him any updates from the day before. From her stony expression, he suspected her search wasn’t going well. He didn’t know if that made him feel better or worse. Ever since the dinner, Austin had been trying to think of what he could do to save himself from the worst of whatever the new demon lord could want from him. Unfortunately, part of the problem was that Austin didn’t know what the man wanted him to do.

He had briefly considered spending the morning going around and attempting to make a few more contracts. However much he hated the idea, he was going to have to reluctantly make peace with the fact that as a human, he stood no chance. This was about survival now and he could only do that by becoming stronger. He half expected Jedrzej to own a ridiculously over the top club like Nathair, but when he looked up the address that had been sent to him (he had no idea how the man had his mobile number but that honestly wasn’t high on his list of shit to deal with right now), he was surprised to find that the building was a restaurant. It was old fashioned with exclusive membership that was attached to a hunting club. Naturally.

He’d been told to go into reception and give his name at the counter. Austin had decided to leave Exton behind, something the hellhound had fought hard against. Austin couldn’t take the risk of Jed using the hellhound against him again. Austin had no doubt that even now Exton was silently following him from the shadows, but he knew the man would follow orders not to come inside. However much he might want to.

The journey to the restaurant somehow took far too long and not long enough. He was soon standing out the front, gazing up the old stone front with its carved pillars and cream curtains on the huge windows. It was the sort of building that even his mother would have looked at with interest. To him, it just looked imposing. Trying to collect his facade of confidence, he made his way up the carved steps and into the reception area. The inside of the building was cool and smelt of aged timber and polish. A smartly dressed woman, her hair bound tight in a bun and her glasses balanced on her delicate nose, was studying him from the front desk.

Austin approached; his shoes thunderously loud in the empty space. It was strangely stark, lacking a welcoming feel that he expected in a restaurant or club. Huge double doors marked the entrance into the main establishment on the left. He could hear a faint hum of conversation from the other side. He cleared his throat, meeting the receptionist’s critical eye.

‘My name is Austin Arvaris. I was told I would be expected,’ he said by way of greeting.

There was a rapid clicking of keys as she typed on her computer. She paused and glanced back at him. ‘No.’

‘Pardon?’ He frowned.

‘I have an Arvaris in the system but no Austin.’

He sighed. Of course. Any way to be a petty asshole... ‘Yes. Elessarion Arvaris. Austin is my preferred name.’

She nodded. As he studied her, Austin became aware that she wasn’t human. What was strange was that he was pretty sure she wasn’t a demon either. Her aura was weirdly muted and greyed out. He couldn’t remember ever seeing anything quite like it. ‘Yes. Welcome Mr. Arvaris. Please wait here. Someone will be in to collect you shortly,’ the receptionist said without looking up from her screen. Austin nodded mutely and shifted to one side. There were no chairs or couches. This area was not designed for people to loiter. The message was clear. Either you had an invitation to move through... or you left. He wasn’t left waiting long.

The doors swung open. The rush of sound and scent was dumbfounding. It was hard to believe those two doors could block out this other world so well. As he stared, his third eye picked up a glittery flicker in the air. Ah, there was magic involved here. He shifted uncomfortably. Without looking at it in great detail, it was hard to identify what exactly those sigils did. They likely provided some kind of security. The amulet he was wearing shouldn’t be detectable but there was a possibility.

‘Mr. Arvaris, follow me please,’ said a tall man in the same plain neat uniform as the receptionist. The man’s eyes were a stunning shade of purple. Austin nodded and followed the man through the doorway. The amulet heated against his skin as they crossed the threshold but with every step he took, the cooler the metal became until it was ignorable again. He let out a slow breath. The inside of the building was in sharp contrast to the cold reception area. There was a mix of demon and fae in what looked like a lounge area. The lounges were large and comfortable looking with low tables nearby. A woman with a long pipe in her bone thin hand studied Austin with predatory interest as he passed.

It was common knowledge in Austin’s world that demons usually only interacted with other demons. Demons fed on most other creatures... they fed on lesser demons too for that matter. The fact that so many people in this place were neither human nor demon was interesting and concerning. Maybe this was how Jed collected so much power so quietly? If he had made alliances outside the circle of demons, he would have been able to accumulate what he needed without alerting the overlords. Austin couldn’t help but wonder what Jed had offered these creatures in return. Fae very rarely interacted with people outside their own courts. They were quite literally from another world.

As they left the lounge behind them, they crossed a hallway into a sort of dining hall. There was quiet conversation, the language a mix of everything from Danish to ancient Latin. The food came out on delicate tiny plates. Most looked decadent though Austin was almost sure one plate that passed him contained a neatly sliced portion of raw human liver. He wasn’t surprised. He had no idea what it took to be invited to dine in a place like this but doubtless, no unwelcome human could just wander in. Through the dining area they made their way into a quieter niche. Low lit and comfortable, the carpet sunk under Austin’s steps.

Jedrzej was waiting for him. He was dressed plainly but elegantly, a cup of coffee balanced in his left hand. He could almost pass for human if not for his glowing eyes. He looked at Austin with a mildly interested gaze.

‘Sit,’ the demon commanded. Austin did as he was told.

‘It’s good to know you are capable of following basic instructions,’ Jed said dryly.

‘Feel free to find another contractor if you aren’t satisfied,’ Austin replied acidly. He sat down in the furthest chair away from the man.

The demon’s lips quirked into a ghost of a smile. ‘Your lack of respect and fear is detrimental to your health, little one.’

‘Comes with the territory,’ Austin said, trying to keep his tone in some semblance of politeness.

‘You’re a child, trying to fit shoes that were never made for you,’ Jed observed.

‘I didn’t want to do any such thing. It’s everyone else that expects me to be my father,’ Austin shot back.

‘Naturally. As a human, you are less than useless. At least as a contractor demon you can serve your betters,’ Jed sighed and took a sip from his coffee.

Unable to help himself, Austin snapped, ‘If I ever meet one, I’ll let you know.’

‘Hold out your hand,’ the demon said calmly. There was absolutely nothing in the world that Austin wanted to do less but he did as he was ordered. Jed reached out and placed cool fingers over his.

The reaction was instant and violent. The pain was akin to touching the kind of electric fence that could keep in a full-grown bull. Pain leapt through his entire nervous system, scorching across his veins, and temporarily clamping his lungs shut. He wasn’t aware of falling out of his chair, but he must have because when he opened his eyes again, he was lying on the floor.

‘Your little acts of rebellion might be considered cute, but I don’t tolerate misbehavior in my subjects,’ Jed said steadily. He looked much less calm than he had before. His carefully swept back hair was in disarray and his eyes were glittering.

‘Not yours,’ Austin panted, working to make his shaking muscles support his body. The hum of conversation was much quieter now and he knew they had an audience for his humiliation. At least Exton wasn’t here.

‘Get off the floor and sit back down. I have a full schedule today and limited time,’ Jed said in a bored voice. Tasting blood, Austin dragged himself back into his chair, glaring hatred at the other man.

‘Now that we have done something about your back chat, let’s talk about what I want you for today. I need to find someone, a girl. You’re going to allow me to do that.’

‘Who is she?’ Austin croaked. His limbs were still twitching slightly under his clothes. Every inch of skin on his arms and chest felt raw and sensitive, as though he had sunburn inside his muscles.

Jed snorted. ‘Does it matter who she is?’

No, probably not. Austin might feel slightly less disgusting if he didn’t know who she was. He certainly didn’t want to know why Jed wanted her.

‘How does a contract help you?’ Austin asked weakly.

‘Oh, it will help immensely.’ The demon looked over Austin’s shoulder to someone in the crowd. ‘Bring him in,’ he called.

Austin frowned and swiveled around in his chair, body protesting. A man in his late forties was being dragged forward by the arm. He was pale and his checkered shirt was stained yellow from sweat. He smelt as though he hadn’t showered in days and several of the guests wrinkled their noses in disgust. He was also very clearly human… and terrified.

‘H..have you found my niece?’ The man was trembling, his lips chapped and thin.

‘That’s why this nice gentleman is here,’ Jed said, waving a careless hand in Austin’s direction.

‘You want your niece found, don’t you? Nice and safe?’ Austin had no idea what the fuck he had walked into. The human’s aura was revolting. It was like a trapped worm under a bucket, squirming and slimy with tinges of browning yellow. This man had either done something very bad or was very bad.

‘O…of c..course!’ the man stuttered.

‘And you know the consequences if she can’t be recovered?’ Jedrzej asked.

The man nodded his head so violently, Austin was a little surprised he didn’t give himself whiplash. Cold droplets of sweat were shaken free from his greasy hair. Austin had to fight his instinct to recoil back as a splash of it landed on his shoulder.

‘Then place your hand on the table and recite what I tell you.’

‘I..is this like a spell, my lord?’ the man asked, placing a trembling clammy hand down on the tabletop.

‘It is a contract. Young Elessarion here is a Contract Demon. He is going to ensure that my hounds can find the girl and that you have no way of weaseling out of what you owe.’

The man hesitated for a dangerously long time. ‘Why do I have to make the contract? Surely a demon as powerful as yourself-’

’Because she is yourblood relation. Your blood will bind the contract, your blood will lead us to her.’ The man opened his mouth but couldn’t seem to think of anything to say so he nodded instead.

‘Place your hand on top, little bird, and we’ll get started.’ Austin really didn’t want to, but he knew this was coming. He didn’t have any more choice in this matter than whoever the hell this human was. He placed his hand on top of the man’s. It was disgustingly damp.

‘Repeat after me. I will it that my blood be used…’ Jed began.

The man looked around them in a state of panic. It was almost as if he expected someone to swoop in and save him. Sorry, no such luck. He even glanced at Austin, sizing him up for a frantic moment. Austin didn’t try to offer any encouragement. The man licked his dry, cracked lips. ‘I will it that my blood be used…’

‘To find what belongs to the Veida Clan Leader, a girl of my blood and bone…’

The man repeated the sentence.

‘May this contract be holding until Meaghan Roshea is brought home…’

There were no real set rules to how these contracts were made. It didn’t matter what language was used or how long they were. Really, it was the power and intention behind the contract that was the important part. Someone could write a five-hundred-page contract with millions of little stipulations but if that someone had no power and the contract demon was not strong enough, then that contract would only be worth its basic parts.

The man yelped as Jed swiped a blade from the side of his wrist to Austin’s mixing their blood. Austin managed to hold his tongue even as he winced in pain. The cut wasn’t nearly as bad as whatever the hell Jed had done to him before. Austin felt the rush of magic and knew the contract had been made.

‘What now, my lord?’ the man asked hopefully.

‘Now? Now you go back to your cell where you can’t offend my guests with your smell anymore,’ Jed said dismissively. The man began to stutter worse than ever.

‘Bb..but m..my lord! I-’

‘Do not speak to me like we are equals. You’re not even high enough on the food chain to be considered worth eating.’ The demon waved a hand, and the man was yanked roughly away by the same brutish figure from before, still blubbering as he was removed from the restaurant.

‘Now then. That wasn’t so bad, was it?’ Jed asked Austin sarcastically.

‘Is that all you needed from me today, my lord?’ Austin bit out. He felt slightly sick.

‘Yes, I think so. For now. You may go.’

Austin rose from his seat, pressing one of the pristine napkins to the cut on his wrist. He turned to go. ‘Oh, and little bird? Next time you try to wear an unauthorized amulet into one of my establishments, I’ll burn it off your body myself.’

Austin didn’t turn around. He just started walking. No one called him back, so he walked a little faster. Just as he was about to round the corner to the huge doors, he spotted a familiar face. Holter was seated with a group of demons a few tables away. Their eyes met and a small kernel of an idea kindled inside Austin. Maybe there was still a way for Austin to make this work…

He had barely made it back out onto the street when Exton was nearly crushing him in a hug.

‘Are you alright? Did he touch you? What did you talk about? Are you okay?’ Exton exploded. People stared.

‘Exton! Can’t. Breathe!’ Austin wheezed.

His hellhound reluctantly let go but as soon as he saw the bloodied napkin, he started again. ‘Shit, you’re bleeding! How bad is it? Let me see. Do you need stitches? I knew I should have gone in with you.’

‘Exton! Get ahold of yourself,’ Austin snapped. People were really staring now, some even slowing right down to gawk.

‘Car. Now,’ Austin ordered. The hellhound looked as though he might protest before he nodded. What Austin didn’t expect was for the hellhound to pick him up.

‘Exton, you idiot! Put me down! I’m not dilapidated! You’re causing a scene! Put me down! Exton!?’ Yeah, no, the hellhound did not put him down. He either was not listening on purpose or was too panicked to take anything in. Either way, Austin was at least thankful that the car wasn’t far away. He threw himself into the back seat, his face flaming with embarrassment.

‘Seriously, Exton, what the fuck?’ he hissed.

‘We’ll get you home, then worry about that cut,’ Exton mumbled, clearly not listening to him as he climbed into the driver’s side. Austin groaned, thunking his head back against the car seat. This day just kept getting better and better. At least he was going home.

First things first, he needed to find out who Meaghan Roshea was.

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END

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