Chapter 10: Battle Lines

Annia felt the rough material of the mattress press into her cheek. She sighed, raising musty clouds that invaded her nose and every open pore. Daemon sat in a very scarred and busted chair beside her, cleaning his sword. She propped herself up on one arm and awkwardly fiddled with the medallion.

"You're over three hundred years but you act like you're seventeen again." Daemon stated. Annia sighed and flopped back down onto the mattress.

"I know, but being around Danny just makes me feel young again. Is that a crime?" Annia retorted. She stared at the cracked and stained ceiling, wondering how Danny was. He had dropped her off over two hours ago but she hadn't been able to fall asleep.

"You can't keep going on with him you know." Daemon said and held his sword up to the dim light. Annia shook her head, wisps of her hair falling onto her face.

"You and Ma kept saying that. I will find away to stay you know." She said. Daemon made a noise and he stood abruptly.

"Look, we need to talk about this whole Takune thing." He said and sheathed his sword. Annia sat up, brushed the hair from her eyes and hugged her knees to her chest.

"There's nothing to talk about Daemon. I don't even know where to begin." Annia sighed and perched her chin on her knees. Daemon walked to the foot of her bed and turned to face her.

"Kristina, we need to find that missing piece." He remarked irritably.

"You're cranky for an Angel." Annia muttered.

"And you're immature for an adult." Daemon pointed out. Annia scoffed and turned her face away.

"Kris, Takune is missing a hand." Daemon said. Annia snapped up and stared at him.

"You mean he's literally missing a piece?" She asked bewildered.

"Kris." Daemon gave her a look.

"I was just curious." She muttered and threw her legs over the edge of the bed.

"Having the hand of a demon can mean bad things for this world Kristina. If the host activates it, or Takune infiltrates the psyche, the host can wreck all sorts of havoc."

"You mean the host will be able to use Takune's powers?"

"Exactly. The host will have access to the shape shifting, the shadow manipulation, the blood bursting, the possession, everything." Annia shivered as Daemon went through the list. Blood bursting was a favorite of Takune's, but one he could only use with a solid body. The power allowed him to bring all of the blood out of the victim's body through the pores. It was extremely painful and very gory.

"How can we track the host?" Annia questioned.

"We can't. It's not so much that the piece has become an extra piece, but it's a part of the host, only accessible through transformation." Daemon replied.

"So, there's not someone walking around with a third arm?"

"No."

"Damn, I was really hoping there for a second."

"Weren't we all."

"So, Takune left an arm here after we killed him?"

"If you remember, Danny and I were pretty banged up and watching you at work. Meanwhile, Takune was shape shifting all over the place and he could've sliced a piece of himself off in an attempt to stay."

"And it has a mind of its own? Come on Daemon."

"He's a demon Kristina, it could happen. It could easily have melded in with the shadows and waited, or escaped."

"But why now? It's been four years."

"Do you know how hard it is to wake up a soul from Styx? That woman does not like to let go till the soul gets to where it was going."

"I was in transit?"

"Kristina."

"No, seriously. Where was I going?" Annia asked. Daemon shifted uncomfortably and turned away. Annia rose from the bed and went to him.

"Daemon?" She asked softly.

"Another soul was trying to claim you. Styx was holding onto you while they were working something out." Daemon said, but wouldn't look at her.

"Who was the other soul?" Annia inquired. Daemon didn't answer and took a few steps away.

"Daemon, who was the other soul?" Anna asked, stronger this time.

"It was Domine," Daemon said bluntly and turned back to her. "Domine was trying to take your soul to be with him." Annia stumbled and fell back onto the bed.

"Why…" She drifted. Suddenly, there was a large explosion and Annia was rocketed forward. She fell flat onto the floor and Daemon rushed to her side. He knelt down and helped her onto her knees while Annia clutched her head.

"What was that?" She groaned. Daemon lifted her to her feet and they stared out the window. Annia rushed to it and saw a glow a few blocks away.

"What the hell was that?" Daemon echoed. Annia shook her head and started to walk away.

"Kris!" Daemon exclaimed. Annia turned and gasped. A shape rose to view outside of the window. Annia ripped off the medallion and jumped through the wall. She felt a slight pressure but then she was outside.

"Danny?" Annia called. The shape came into view and Annia flinched. It was a familiar scene. The shadow monster held a broken body in its arms.

"Danny." Annia cried softly. The figure came closer and took on a more distinguishable face.

"Domine?" The figure hovered in front of Annia and the thin lips rose in a sadistic smile.

"Who do you want to save Kristina? Me or this boy?" Annia shook her head and fell away. She looked at Danny and found one of Domine's arms a grotesque black shape that shivered on its own.

"Daemon said he saw you in the After Realm." Annia tried to rationalize with the spirit.

"I came back looking for you. I know Daemon took you, I had to find you. When I came down here, I found Takune instead." Domine said.

"But why Danny?" Annia asked.

"Krissy, I was going to be your husband. Why this boy?" Domine retorted. Annia shrunk away from him.

"Pick, Kristina, but you know you can only save one of us." Domine said. Annia reached out to grab him but Domine and Danny melted into a shadow and disappeared.

"DANNY!" Annia screamed into the night. She started falling toward the earth but Daemon whisked by and picked her up.

"Kristina, you have to see this. Half of Danny's block is gone."