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Chapter Seven
Love and War
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Austin didn’t like sneaking around his own house. He didn’t have much of a choice at the moment because he knew his mother was looking for him and that was an argument he just didn’t want to have this early. He had called work to let them know he wouldn’t be available for the next few days. Thankfully one of the newbies was asking for more shifts. Given that John already thought Austin was sick, his boss didn’t mind giving him the time off. He didn’t like lying to the man and he hated being stuck in the manor. This house felt so much more like a prison in the last few years.
He wasn’t even sure he was any safer here thean he would be at work. It was true that the manor house was spell warded and sigiled up to the nines with every kind of protection rune used in the last ten thousand years but how many of them still worked, Austin had no idea. The manor had survived through wars and invasions in the past but nothing in the last five hundred years.
‘Having fun?’ Exton asked. Austin yelped. He spun around and glared at the hellhound.
‘Don’t sneak up on me!’ He hissed.
Exton raised a dark eyebrow. ‘I didn’t. I called your name three times. What are you doing in here?’ Here being the fancy drawing room with all the stupidly expensive and very uncomfortable spindly furniture and tiger rug.
’My mother would never look for me here,” Austin said flatly.
‘True, but she actually likes this room so she would likely just walk in here anyway,’ Exton pointed out.
‘Shit,’ Austin mumbled. Almost on cue, his ears picked up the distant clacking of her heels on tiles. He ducked around Exton’s bulk and fled into a side corridor which he knew would take him past the kitchens and up onto the second floor. As he ran past the massive kitchen, he stopped. He wasn’t sure what made him stop, whether it had been some movement or flash of colour that had grabbed at him sideways. Austin paused, his foot on the stair as he looked through the huge kitchen with its stainless-steel worktops and out the massive window. From the kitchen, one could see straight down one of the garden paths.
At the end of the cream gravel path was a person that Austin didn’t recognise. Something in Austin’s stomach clenched but he couldn’t identify if it was fear or adrenaline. Exton had followed after him and paused by his master. The hound followed his gaze to the window and a dangerous, dog-like growl left the man’s throat.
‘Stay inside Aus. I’ll take care of this.’ As Austin stared at the man, he had this incredibly strange idea that he both knew and didn’t know this person. He started walked for the door, deaf to Exton’s angry bark to call him back. A large hand closed on the scruff of his jacket, hurling him away from the door.
‘For fuck’s sake Austin! Are you trying to get yourself killed? Stay in the damn house,’ the hellhound snarled. Austin blinked, slightly puzzled as to how he had managed to end up on the other side of the room.
‘I think I know him,’ Austin heard himself say. He was still staring through the window. The man looked tall, broad shouldered and rough. He had a short beard of pale grey hair across his sharp jawline and was wearing clothes that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a soldier. Large steel capped boots and camo patterned trousers. Austin found himself looking for a weapon.
‘I don’t care. Stay. Here. I mean it Aus,’ Exton growled. The hellhound flung open the door and strode outside to confront the stranger. Austin watched as the man calmly turned and walked off the path and behind a hedge. It took only a few second for the hellhound to sprint to where the man had been standing. Even before Exton spun on the spot, peering around, Austin knew with strange certainty that the man was already gone.
The hellhound was in a towering temper by the time he came back to Austin a little over forty minutes later. Austin didn’t need to ask if he had found anything. He very clearly hadn’t. Austin wasn’t keen to test the hound’s temper, so he quietly returned to his bedroom with the seething hound following at his heel the entire time. The afternoon really didn’t get any better after that. He left Exton to sulk in the front room whilst he went to his bedroom.
He had two missed calls from Jess. Apparently, the new kid was hot garbage if Jess’s lengthy text was anything to go by. Though it sounded weird to some, Austin really missed his work. He missed the sweet smell of the back room and the chill that was always laced with ice cream and chocolate. He texted back wishing he was there and flopped onto his bed. He wondered if the demon who had marked him would retaliate for Austin’s obvious betrayal.
The man hadn’t exactly said that Austin couldn’t make contracts with anyone else. Sure, it was heavily suggested but in the demon world, if it wasn’t plainly said or plainly spelled out in black and white then anything went. Loopholes were how some demons did business. Had that man been sent by Jedrzej to intimidate Austin? What was that man doing on the estate’s grounds? The grounds were supposed to be protected. True, they weren’t as heavily protected as the house itself (that would be a huge waste of magic) but they did have some protection.
‘Hey Aus? You might want to come take a look at this,’ Exton called. Austin looked up from his phone with a frown. He got off his bed and padded out to the front room. The hellhound was standing in front of the massive television, his eyes scanning the screen. Austin padded over. It was running a news story, an elegant looking woman in a white blouse was talking to the camera, her face serious. Austin picked up the remote and unmuted it.
‘Dog attacks are on the rise in our city this week with three separate instances of mauling. One incident this morning resulted in the hospitalisation of a young boy. Austin Lewis was playing with his older brother when the rottweiler from the neighbouring house jumped the fence and bit the boy several times. Witnesses state the dog completely ignored the other boy, even jumping over the hood of the family vehicle to reach young Austin. The boy was taken to the hospital where he remains in intensive care. The owners of the animal are in shock. They state they have never had any problems with their dog in the past and can’t imagine what could have caused the animal to attack as the boys had often played with the six-year-old family rottweiler in the past. More news later tonight at seven.’
The two of them stared at the television screen as the news story moved on to a local fundraiser. Austin swallowed dryly. ‘Do you think it’s a coincidence that a demon known for hunting and controlling animals would be out for me at the same time a dog attacks a kid named Austin?’
‘Fuck no.’
‘Yeah, I didn’t think so,’ Austin rasped. He looked up at the hellhound.
‘My guess is that was a very obvious warning,’ Exton said ominously.
‘I can’t believe he set a dog on a kid. That’s just sick,’ Austin said, feeling slightly shellshocked.
Exton winced. ‘Despite where you have grown up Aus, you really don’t know much about the demon world. This was… forgive the poorly timed pun but, this was child’s play. You wouldn’t believe some of the petty shit demons will do to get back at each other.’
Austin pulled a face. ‘Well, what are we going to do? I cann’t just hide here forever.’
Exton sighed heavily. ‘Austin. I think it’s time we told your mother.’
’No!” Austin shouted. The hellhound winced.
‘Aus, come on. This is insanely bad. Your mother has many friends in community, people who owe your family favours or uncompleted contracts.’
‘Exton, what if telling her puts her in danger?’
The hellhound shook his head. ‘She’s already in danger Aus. What’s to stop this demon from attacking her when she leaves the house? How are you going to stop her leaving the house without telling her?’
‘What if…’ Austin broken off, his voice shrinking down to nearly nothing. He hunched over, wrapping his arms protectively around himself. The hellhound tilted his head in confusion.
‘What if she sides with Jedrzej? What if she sells me off to the Vieda Clan?’ Austin rasped, voicing out loud one of his worst fears.
Exton’s mouth fell open. ‘Oh, come on Austin. She might be a bit cool on the exterior but she’s still your mother! Trying to get you to marry a pretty demon lass from a good family is one thing but do you really think she’d sell her son out to a new demon overlord after he forcibly marked you!’ The hound protested. It was a lot, but Elizabeth Arvaris had never seen eye to eye with her son. Hells, there were some days when Austin thought the woman considered him more like a prized stud stallion than an actual person with thoughts and feeling.
Austin met Exton’s wide green eyes with his own intense stare. ‘Can you honestly say with one hundred percent confidence that she wouldn’t?’ Austin asked quietly. Exton opened his mouth and then closed it again. His expression was pained.
‘Besides. This is supposed to be my house that I’m inheriting. I’m over the age of eighteen. I’m an adult. It should be my decision what I do with myself,’ Austin said heavily.
‘Austin, I don’t think you’re old enough for this. I’m sorry, but you don’t know what you’re getting into.’ Exton’s voice was pleading.
‘Yeah well, the man who did know about this kind of shit disappeared off the face of the fucking earth years ago so… looks like I’ll have to learn,’ Austin replied flatly.
The hellhound looked particularly uncomfortable. ‘So, what are you going to do about you mother?’
‘I’ll talk to her. I’m not telling her everything but there’s no point in hiding that I’m taking contracts. If she wants to help me make more… well maybe that’s for the best.’ Taking more contracts would make Austin stronger. It would also destroy his chances of ever becoming an ordinary human, but he was beginning to feel like that ship had already sailed. His stomach twisted over, and he tasted something sour in the back of his mouth. He had just wanted to be a pastry chef.
‘I’m going to bed,’ he said dispassionately.
‘You haven’t eaten yet,’ Exton whined. The man really was turning into a do-it-all nanny.
‘Mother has her house party guests coming over. She won’t even notice I’m not there. I’ll just get the cook to send something up,’ Austin sighed.
‘I’ll do it. Aus, you need to talk to her soon,’ Exton said unhappily. His charge just nodded, turned off the television and trudged away to his bedroom. Austin’s mother really liked her over the top dinner parties. Most of the guests were females of various species and families. Austin had learnt a long time ago to stay out of the way. Tonight, he was actually grateful she was still hosting one because it meant he could avoid the woman for one more night. He knew Exton was right. He would have to face his mother and soon. He probably wasn’t going to get much sleep tonight.
—
Exton had fallen asleep on the couch. The hound really was worried about him. Austin glanced at his watch. It was a little past two in the morning. He had grabbed maybe a couple of hours of restless sleep but after waking for the seventh time, he had given up. His room felt too small and stuffy. He had pulled on some old clothes and his shoes and resigned himself to wandering the halls for a few hours.
It was as he was walking down the stairs, that he found himself retracing his steps to the kitchens. He had no idea what made him come this way, he just had a strange sensation that this was the way he should go. He stopped inside the massive kitchen, now once again spotless after the dinner party. The bar fridge with its huge display of champagne and wine was bright enough to light most of the room. Without much thought, he padded to the sink and started filling a glass with water. A movement caught his eye.
His breath froze in his lungs as he looked up through the huge glass window and saw the same man standing outside in the garden. Austin stood there, a deer in the headlights as he stared into the eyes of the figure on the other side of the glass. He should stay in the house. He should run upstairs and wake up Exton. He should stay in the damn house…
His hand touched the doorknob to the back door. It was quiet and peaceful outside. The night sky was clear, proudly showing its smattering of stars. The garden air smelt clean and full of damp cut grass and dew. The man was taller than Austin first thought. His grey beard gave him an aged look that didn’t quite match the heavy muscle and strong handsome facial features.
Of course, for a demon, outward appearance was absolutely no guarantee of true age. Austin had seen children who looked about seven who were actually demons nearly a thousand years old. Other demons could take form of elderly people to make hunting easier but truthfully barely be old enough in the human to be legal drinking age. It wasn’t until Austin was standing right in front of the man that his brain caught up with his dumbass body.
‘I could commend you for your bravery.’ The man had a deep voice to match his frame. It was calm and even. Austin got the impression it always sounded that way regardless of if the man was angry or not. Austin swallowed. It was far too late to go back to the house. Crickets chirped softly around them, creating a deceptively peaceful atmosphere.
‘You were here this morning. What do you want?’ Austin asked. He tried his usual trick of confidence, but it was harder than usual.
‘You came out to me. Do you not know?’ Austin blinked. He stared at the man, still remembering that weird sensation of recognition. His arm throbbed subtly, and he felt his own eyes widen.
‘You’re Vieda Clan as well,’ Austin breathed.
The man hummed and gave a small nod of approval. ‘Very good. I came to see what had my nephew so engrossed.’
‘Your nephew? The new overlord who marked me for a party trick?’ Austin ground out, his anger getting the best of his common sense. The man quirked an eyebrow.
‘Oh, you’re feisty. He’s not going to like that. Jed looks for obedience in his servants.’
‘I really don’t give a shit what he likes. I’m not his servant.’
‘You carry his mark.’
‘Not for much longer,’ Austin snapped. Okay so that was more wishful thinking on his behalf but if he could get the mark off, he was going to damn well try.
‘I can’t work you out kid. You have the ability to become one of the most powerful demons on the earth plane and you were going to throw it all away.’
‘Why do you care? Are you going to report back to your nephew?’ Austin growled.
The man snorted. ‘I think not. My nephew and I hardly get along.’ That was… interesting. Austin’s brain started to reel again. Could he use this? How much danger was he in here?
‘So, you’ve met me. You’re not here for Jedrzej. So, what now?’ The man took a step towards him. Austin had to fight every urge and instinct he ever had not to run. The man had an aura that was almost suffocating. It was like stepping into a small, dry room with someone wearing too much cologne. A large, calloused hand reached out and took hold of Austin’s hand and raised his arm, inspecting the golden mark.
‘If he wants you, he’ll have you. Make life easy for yourself kid and do what he says.’
‘And what do you want? You have a name right? Don’t you want something from all this?’ Austin asked carefully. The man smirked. He was good looking in a terrifying, mercenary sort of way.
‘My name is Holter. I am a hunter of my clan. I have no interest in petty politics or ruling others. That is not our way.’
‘It’s certainly Jedrzej’s way. How does the rest of the clan feel about that?’ The hand on his arm squeezed down hard. He winced with pain.
‘Careful now pup.’
‘Why? Are you scared of him?’ Austin baited. The grip tightened further and his fingers spasmed in pain.
‘You’re playing a very dangerous game.’
‘It’s in my genetics,’ Austin said with the slightest grin. The hunter demon seemed genuinely taken a back for a moment. Then he laughed. The moonlight glinted off his teeth. His canines looked sharp.
‘I like you kid. For your sake I hope you learn your lessons fast. I don’t want anything from you. I’m not stupid enough to take what isn’t mine.’
‘I’m not anyone’s yet,’ Austin said softly. The man’s pupils contracted just a little. The man looked back down at the glowing gold mark thoughtfully.
‘I look forward to the shit fight you seemed destined to make,’ Holter said, then let go of Austin’s arm. The blood rushed back to his fingers. He was going to have a very noticeable bruise there. The hunter demon turned to go. Austin wanted to say more but he couldn’t think of anything.
‘You could. Make a contract, I mean. If you wanted. I’m marked by the Vieda Clan, not him specifically. If you’re from the hunting clan then you have just as much right to make a contract with me as he does.’ He watched the man pause then he kept walked without looking back. Austin let him go, his heart still thumping in his chest. He had at least sown a seed of interest in the other man.
He knew he was playing a very risky game. Pitting demon against another was something that Austin’s father was practically famous for. He had been able to cause people to break the terms of his contracts or create new contracts without actually doing anything himself. This would probably be Austin’s fastest way out of this mess either because he succeeds or because he got himself killed. One or the other.
Yes, Austin was going to have to make his next move very carefully.
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END
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