Chapter 9: Fractured

The sun had started setting by the time Danny forced himself to walk Annia home. The pink closed stretched across the sky to mingle with the stars beginning in the darker side of the sky. As he heard a sigh, Danny turned back to Annia, and realized she had taken his hand into her own.

"You alright?" He asked. Annia looked at him and smiled.

"I had fun." She replied. Danny smiled as well and looked forward. They had gone to see a movie but he couldn't recall the title. Danny had spent most of the time watching Annia. But after the movie, they had gone to the zoo and watched the animals. Annia had loved the panther. And for the rest of the day, they had walked around town till they got to a playground where they took to the swings and talked. Annia had told him that Daemon was the only person close to her. Danny had asked about her mother and Annia grew quiet. She told him how she and her mother hadn't been close in years. But then they just started talking about Danny, his family and his powers. He found her very easy to talk to and very understanding.

"Well, we're here." Annia said as they stopped in front of her steps. Danny looked around and verified his surroundings.

"Do you want to step inside?" She asked. Suddenly, they both tensed up and stared at the door. Annia let go of Danny's hand and ran up the stairs. She burst through her door and stood still. Danny followed and stood beside her; they could feel the linger effects of a battle, but the house was quiet.

"Daemon!" Annia cried as she went tearing through the house. Danny shut the door and followed her into the living room. She had fallen onto her knees and started sobbing, while Danny just froze. Daemon's body lay on the floor in a puddle of his own blood. One of his wings had been ripped off and his sword was impaled in the wall across from him. The missing wing was a few feet away.

"Is he dead?" Danny whispered. Annia stayed silent but he saw her body shake.

"No," She coughed as she tried to stop crying. "He's a ghost. He's still bound to me. He's freed when I'm dead. But I know what happened." After she said this, Annia lifted her head and sniffed. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a handkerchief with the initials "C.A.L." embroidered on it. With this, she wiped her nose and returned it to her pocket. She then stood and walked over to Daemon. She wiped her eyes on her sleeve and reached for her belt. Annia retrieved a slender bell and Danny flinched.

"Don't worry, its only Raphael. He heals." Annia said. Danny still stayed tense as she rung the bell. But the sound gently surrounded itself around Danny and he felt sleepy. He closed his eyes and felt the sound wash over him, almost like he was underwater. When he opened his eyes, Daemon was still lying on the ground. Danny felt like he had just been pumped full of adrenaline. But a glowing light caught his eye and he turned to Daemon. Annia had replaced the bell and was watching too. The wing slid across the floor and connected to Daemon's body. Danny could hear a sickening crack as the bones replaced themselves. Then the glow spread from the wing, outward till it covered all of Daemon. In a momentarily blinding flash, Daemon was restored. He stood with a grunt and looked around.

"So you two are finally back." He said. Annia smiled and laughed as she bolted to him and embraced him.

"I was so worried." She said. Daemon put his arms around her a squeezed lightly.

"One of Takune's minions sent a warning." Daemon said as they pulled away. Annia nodded and watched Daemon as he walked across the room to get his sword. Danny looked at the place where Daemon had fallen and noticed the blood stain.

"If he's a ghost, why did he bleed?" Danny questioned. Annia turned toward him just as Daemon wrenched his sword out, leaving a gaping hole in the wall.

"I created his body. I'm a Lemures. We specialize in spell crafted bodies." Annia answered simply. Suddenly, Danny went reeling. He had all these flashes of memories, things about Annia. She's a Necromancer, her name is actually Christina Annia Lemures, Daemon is her ghostly guardian, they were out to get something and he was involved.

"Danny?" A voice overhead asked. Danny opened his eyes and found himself lying on the floor. Annia was squatting next to him.

"You were remembering?" She asked.

"Yes." Danny said, his head throbbed in pain. Annia stood up looking concerned.

"Which means," Annia said. "We don't have a week anymore. The portal has been fractured and Takune can get through. He comes tomorrow."