Summon Me
Chapter Two
Deal With Me
Darien cocked an eyebrow, "Be more specific in what you mean by freedom."
He was impressed when she kept his gaze. Directly she answered, "Freedom from summoning. I want your witch to find a way to seperate me from the name that calls me forth into a circle. For what you want, I never want another being to have the power to call me against my will."
Darien frowned as he reviewed her request. It certainly wasn't what he had thought she would ask for. He had been expecting money, an exchange of power, or a favor to be called in later. Never just a simple plead to be left alone. To not be subjected to another's will.
A request he could fully understand.
But one he didn't know if he could provide.
Glancing over his shoulder he silently asked Mina the question.
There was a subtle shrug of her shoulders. She wasn't sure.
Fair enough.
"I cannot guarentee that my witch would be able to do what you ask. If that type of magic even exists. I can strike a deal that for gathering information on our missing Lykan and assisting in his return should you find anything usefu; l we will do everything in our power to assist you in what you are asking." Darien bargined.
"What if I cannot find any information on your missing friend. If returning him in not an option? Where does that leave us?" Serena asked.
"With the same deal. If you do your part, I'll do mine," Darien confirmed.
"I agree," Serena nodded, her voice soft between them. Excitment and hope roared in her veins. To be free of another's will, to never again worry of when she will be called and for what. It sounded like paradise.
Darien sealed the deal, "I agree." Magic flared up suddenly. A lock on his soul, a mark that sat heavy. It seemed fate would make sure he kept his end of the bargin.
"Did you do that?" He snarled, suddenly suspicious. He had not antipicated an actual mystical binding deal, more of a good word as he was used to.
"Darien," Mina touched his arm, "You just struck a deal with a demon. What did you think would happen?" she chide. Clearly he had alot to would probably be a steap curve as he planned to make this is first, last, and only dealing with a demon.
Serena frowned, unsure of what she had done to upset the large Lykan in front of her, "The Brand of the deal forces me to comply as well," she re-assured him. He begrudgingly nodded in acknowlagment.
"Give me the information needed to find-" Serena broke off suddenly, spinning in place she watched as the circle that held her began to glow. A vibrant red that pulsed faster and faster around her. "Witch? What are you doing?" she asked, facing the blond.
"N-n-nothing!" Mina exclaimed, looking just as startled and worried.
"What's wrong?" Rae asked
"Summoning rings don't light up like this unless someone is summoning," Mina explained, "I don't understand what is happening," She flew to the alter to the right, flipping through a large leather bound book that was flanked by two stout candles.
Serena studied the symbols that incased her. They were very general, nothing of noteworthy significiants...
She knelt down trying to read the pulsing writing.
"When you summonded me-what title or request did you use?"
The witch looked bewlidered, "I-I-I used a general spell and enchantment requesting a demon of the blood line who took my mate to come forth,"
Serena sighed loud and put upon, "So you had no name? Used a blood line request?" she snapped, the pulsing had gotten so bright it blocked out the rest of the room.
"Yes, why?" Mina demanded, fear clawed at her tone making it raw. She felt the power rising.
The last flash erupted. Next to Serena in the small summonding circle stood another member of her father's blood line.
Her brother...cousin...long distance relative was massive. Clearly half troll or orge? Clearing seven feet his shoulders spanned nearly the entire circle. He was a block of sheer muscle with the lovely not so decorative ram rod straight horns that juted from his forehead. He smiled down at her, a display of silva ridden teeth that were half missing.
The smell just about knocked her over. His speech was marked with anger when he reliezed he was being held. He pounded hard on the summoning circle barrier. Making the magic ripple in affect of his rage. When the first couple poundings bore no fruit of escape he turned on her, his body pushing along the edges of the circle held him... that held them.
She ducked the first paw that swipped her way. She generally used her speed against her enemies in battle, but with no room to move she was greatly handicapped against demon-troll's strenght and size. He managed to grab her easily the second time around.
Slamming her body against the barrier several times he raged in her face.
Serena clawed at his hand that held her but the throat, stuggling to breathe, she kicked out. Her bare feet stuck bone and gave the troll no pause in his attack.
"Mina send it away," Darien commanded, watching the circle. He reached his hand out to grab the silver haired demon but it was quickly slapped down by his sister. He shot Rae a look.
"Are you crazy?" Rae raved, "You can't trust a demon and you were about to let two out!" Her voice was high and strained. He could see the whiskey gold of her wolf's eyes coming to the front for protection.
"If we let that one die," he pointed out, "the were are no better off than we were an hour ago for information about Mal." He might not like what his sisters did but he had resigned himself that in this instance a noble deed might require a bad choice. Letting the bad choice die before it became useful was not an option.
Serena forced herself to relax and think. Her head swam and her chest constricted, desperate to breathe. She struck out again, this time thrusting upwards and slamming the palm of her hand into the troll's large nose. With a crunch, he howled, blood poured down his body. He released her, reeling back to grab his face. Serena sucked in air as her bare feet hit the floorboards, emotions running high, her nails had turned to glitterly sliver claws. Luckily, the binding magic of the summoning circle didn't prevent her natural defenses from appearing.
She smashed through the under carriage of his chest, just between his ribs and ripped out his heart. The troll was dead before he hit the ground. Blood sprayed up and on to her body before pooling around her feet as he continued to bleed out.
"And to think I was going release you and help," came the scathing comment.
Serena turned to meet the Lykan's chilling gaze. The heart slipped from her fingers and plopped to the ground. More blood droplets dusted her body. She was sure she made a gruesome sight. She had seen her apperance after a round of killings...she never looked more like a demon than in those moments.
Silver claws, sliver eyes, lengthened canines and a slight sheen of silver to her skin. It made it thicker, harder to penatrate.
And those were just the changes he could see. Free of the circle she was far more dangerous.
"Would you have preferred I let him killed me?" She asked, sick of attitude. THEY had summoned HER. They didn't get to bitch because she was too demon for them. They were about to send her to The Below in order to search of information. "You can't have it both ways Lykan," she returned the tone, "You cannot summon a demon for a job and then complain because they act like a demon."
He breathed in heavily before opening his mouth, but the sight of the circle glowing again cut him off.
"Witch!" Serena exclaimed, "It is to crowded in each for another member of the blood line. Stop the damn summonings!"
"I'm trying," came the reply, but it was too little too late. A pair of new demons now filled the circle. Due to the lack of space with the dead demon-troll crunched on the ground they were forced to half stand on his dead corpse and lean against the summoning ring. The pair were identical, small boned, and frail in structure. They would have been less imitimating if power didn't roll off of them in waves.
Well trained magic users. With a frown the twin to the left raised his hand with the barest wave and the summoning barrier broke open as if he had just popped a balloon with a pin.
Having been mostly supported by the invisible wall due to the the lack of space she fell back, landing at the feet of male and female Lykan.
The twins attacked, breaking rank and taking on seperate targets. Lefty plowed into the blond witch, hitting her with both the force of his body and a waivering magical shield. Unprepared for the attack she was an easy target, thumping to the ground and not getting back up.
Like a bolt of black the small female Lykan returned the favor to Lefty, squaring off the two rounded on eachother.
A low growl rumbled on her side, the Angel showed his teeth and met Righty head on, slashing and clawing for dominance. Righty seemed to have less of his brothers affinity for magic. More of a physical warrior, he kept pace with grown Lykans extremely impressive combat skill.
Trying not to ogle the Angel, she stood and reached behind her.
Not inhibited by the summoning circle she was free to use her limited magics. The tattoos on her back rose to her commands, with a burn that was familar and comforting the twin blades touched the palms on her hands as she brought the curved short swords forward.
They had been forcefully inked in to her skin by no choice of hers by her first summoner. He had been powerful enough to control her for a time outside the circle as well as in it. He had found having a puppet who was always armed a benefit to his safety, until that puppet rebelled.
Still the weapons had saved her ass more than once. The beautiful details and power that had been inked into her body reflected in the corporaly blades.
The Angel pinned Righty to the floor and with little thought Serena brought a blade down, seperating his head from his body.
Behind her Lefty screamed, a tortured sound.
The severed head rolled across the floor, stopping at the feet of the unconscious witch. In her soul, Serena, felt the tie she had to her father's blood line weaken, a tiny snuff of light that seemed to be burnt out. She had never felt something like that before.
Prehaps the promixity to the deceased?
Because she delivered the finial blow?
Despite the obvious pain and turmoil Lefty re-bounded quickly, angered, he knocked the female Lykan aside easily. Snatching the book from the Alter he winked out of time and space. One momeent here, then next POOF gone to who know where.
Serena kept the swords firmly in hand as she faced the large male in front of her. They had been allies in this small skirmish. Would he still consider her so witht he other demon gone and her standing outside the summoning circle.
His dark eyes watched her warily. As if he knew how she felt...backed into a corner. She wasn't going to hurt him, but she wasn't going to be a victim either.
Been there, done that, never again.
Darien watched as the little demon in front of him lifted her chin. Her small power play to let him know he did not frighten her.
And he probably didn't.
Not after what she could have possibly seen in her life. Still as he watched her pull inward it was clear that the position was for defense.
"Rae?" he questioned, eyes still on the silver demon.
The huff let him know more than her words. His sister was alright, just winded, "I'm fine. Mina is too. She's just going to have a good size bump on her eye from the pile drive she took."
Darien nodded, "Pick her up, take her home and bandage her. Alert the pack. We haven't seen the last of the demon who escaped. I'll not have our members hurt from careless actions." His voice was rough.
"Darien-" Rae started, but one look from her brother had her bowing her head. He was right. There was enough damage tonight. But concern for his safety had her trudging on , "I don't want to leave you with a demon, it's not safe."
"I'll be fine," he determined, staring at the demon who had yet to drop the wicked looking swords she held her hands.
While his sister was proned to argue she quietly picked up Mina, glanced back for one last look and walked out of the cabin.
Across the small space he continued to stare at the demon. He took a step back to give her space, a small momento of trust.
Serena offered a small smile and let the swords sink back into her skin. While the Lykan's eyes widened in suprise he remained silent.
Stalemate.
Someone had to make the first step.
"My name is Serena," she said, her voice felt husky and rough. Suddenly, she was very aware of being naked and soaked with blood in front of him. Looking down...yup...she was dripping on the bare floors.
"Darien," he acknowledged.
Peeking around him she spotted a small shower. Prefect!
Darien tensed slightly when she started towards him. Unsure of the female who boldly waltzed across the floor naked, covered in blood, and sporting magical tattoos. She was in many ways out of his relam of knowledge.
She was a singluar shining creature in a world of dull colors.
He tracked her as she moved around him, careful to give him space as well he could see. His were glued to her hips as they swayed around him and into the shower room.
"I'm going to clean up, then we'll talk and sort this out," She announced, promptly shutting the door in his face.
He was amused, his wolf was aroused.
Feeling strangly calm despite recent events, he flopped into the overstuffed chair that sat next to the alter.
He couldn't quite keep the wicked grin that spread on his face as he waited for the silver haired demon to exit the shower.
Serena..