Kyle paced back and forth. The beige rug quickly greyed. He gripped his chained necklace hidden under his shirt. “This can't be happening.”
​

Blaine stared out the hotel's window. The cigarette in his mouth remained unlit. Although the hotel banned smoking, Blaine had said he found comfort having a cigarette in his mouth, lit or not. His arms were folded over his chest as he stared out the freshly cleaned glass.


“What are we going to do? Mina is dead!” Blaine didn't acknowledge him. Kyle threw his hands up. “We're going to be killed!”


Samantha came out of the bathroom. Her dark hair had been washed and brushed. The dark locks draped over her bare shoulder as she walked toward the small designated kitchen in nothing but a wrapped plush towel. Kyle blushed at her womanly shape. He forced his gaze to the floor and turned his back to her. He heard Samantha going through the cupboard and turning on the faucet. The low hum of the microwave turned on.


“It's only a matter of time before Jacob finds us! How can we possibly stand up to him without Mina?”


“There's no point in fretting, young Kyle,” Samantha said. “At least we're out of that dreadful asylum.”


Kyle noted the high society persona Samantha had donned before her committed stay. Whether it was a coping mechanism or her returning to her former dignity, Kyle couldn't tell. If anything, all he could really think about was how he wished she would put on clothes and out of the revealing towel. “How can I not worry? You saw the way Jacob threw Blaine around like some rag-doll!”


Samantha pulled out her heated cup of water from the microwave. She dropped an orange-spiced teabag in. “Have some tact, Kyle. Think about Blaine's feelings.”


“Oh.” Kyle looked at Blaine again. This time, really looked at him. He stared at the unlit cigarette to the dark eyes focused on the outside world.


“Our situation has already gone through everyone's mind. Instead we should focus on what we can do.” Samantha sat on the edge of the bed and glanced over at Blaine. “If there is anything we can do.”


“Is there a point to finding one? I don't know anything about demons or anything, but it was clear that Mina was our fighting chance. What's the point of trying without her?”


“Because the world is at stake,” Blaine said.


Kyle and Samantha turned their attention to Blaine.


Blaine sniffed. “Why is Jacob after Kyle?”


Kyle clench his jaw tight. “He said I know too much.”


Samantha glanced from Kyle to Blaine. Blaine finally pulled himself away from the window. “No. There's more to this than he's letting on.” Blaine glared at Samantha. Kyle couldn't tell if he blamed Samantha for Mina's death or if the glare was just the man's way of focusing. “There's information missing and I think you know what it is.”


Samantha stared at her steaming cup of tea. “What do you know?”


“We know that your son has been possessed by a high-ranking demon and he's trying to kill you,” Blaine glanced at Kyle, “and his best friend. We also know that the possession occurred because of your husband. We don't know if he was a cult leader or follower, but this was his doing.”


“It's more than that.” Samantha took a long drink of her tea. She lowered the cup after a minute and sighed. A cloud of steam rose from her lips. “Damon was a demon.”


“That's not just a metaphor, is it?”


Samantha shook her head. “I hadn't the slightest idea.” She chuckled. “Although a name like Damon, he made it obvious.”


“It all makes sense now.” Blaine dragged his hand over his stubble. “Samhaerin was able to possess his body because Jacob is half-demon.”


“Yes.” Samantha hung her head.


“This changes everything.” Blaine returned to the window. “Your husband was likely one of Samhaerin's followers who could manifest on this plane. This plan was put into motion decades ago.”


“What does this mean for us then?” Kyle took a seat at the desk near the bed.


Blaine looked at Samantha, “Why you?”


Samantha blinked. “What do you mean?”


“Why did your husband choose you?”


“Oh.” She shrugged. “He said something about the blood of my ancestors holding power. Now I think he meant they were witches or something.”


Blaine nodded. “And with the blood of a demon and witch both, Jacob's body was strong enough for Samhaerin to possess.” Blaine leaned against the wall. He pulled out his lighter and lit his cigarette.


“Blaine!” Kyle rushed over to the window and slid it open. “You're going to get us kicked out!”


“They'll deal.” Blaine took a puff. He looked Samantha over carefully. “Time to tell us what happened that night.”


Samantha shifted uncomfortably. “Does it really matter?”


“Yes.”


Samantha sighed. “That night, I came home after picking up medications the doctor prescribed for Jacob's pain. He still wouldn't talk about what happened at the school. I didn't want to leave my baby alone for the time to pick up the medication, but I knew I had to.” She shook her head. “I thought he would be safe with his father there. Who knew he was be the problem.”


Samantha took a second to take another long drink of her tea. “When I came home, I found Jacob sitting in the living room with his hands and legs bound and bawling for his father to stop. I had just noticed my daughter, Lisa, also bound nearby when I was hit from behind and knocked out.


“When I came to, I was also bound beside Lisa and Jacob. His father was drawing some strange symbol on the floor and muttering about how the time had finally come and how he'd waited for so long. I was confused and started demanding to know what was happening. That was when he turned around and his eyes were a monstrous gold. He started to tell me about whom he really was and how he had used me to create the perfect vessel for his master.


“I started using this nail that poked out from the bottom of our couch to rip through the tape binding me. That's when the clock struck twelve. Damon approached Jacob. He pulled out a knife and said, 'the sins of the father, the womb of the mother, the innocence of the sister, and the bond of the brother', and thrust the knife into his heart.”


Tears rolled down Samantha's face. She quickly wiped them away. She didn't notice Blaine glance at his phone when a notification alert went off. “Jacob screamed,” she continued, “This black substance crawled out of him and the next thing I knew, Jacob wasn't... Jacob anymore.”


Blaine put out his cigarette on the window sill. “The sister was still alive then? It was Jacob himself who killed her?”


Samantha nodded. “I watched my boy slit the throat of my daughter, his sister. Her blood came to my knees and he relished in...” She choked. She sniffed back the tears again. “He was coming for me next but I managed to escape. I don't know how. He had powers. He set the house on fire and even blew away part of the house.”


Kyle stared at Mrs. Dawson. He couldn't imagine the pain she was going through. Yet he hadn't the slightest idea how much she was holding in until this moment. She had acted so strong throughout. Even when he thought she had gone crazy. He glanced at Blaine. The man was doing the same thing, holding down his pain to do what had to be done. Kyle suddenly felt embarrassed for his hysterical rant.


“I think I understand now,” Blaine said. “Samhaerin hasn't fully possessed Jacob yet. He can't.”


Samantha and Kyle jumped to their feet. “What does that mean?”


“There's a reason Jacob is trying to kill you,” he nodded toward Kyle, “and you as well. For a demon of Samhaerin's level to fully possess a human, even if half demon, the human half cannot have any earthly connections. His mother,” Blaine focused on Kyle, “and the chosen brother.”


Kyle's eyes widened. “We're the anchors to Jacob's soul.” Blaine raised an eyebrow in surprise. “What? I watch plenty of TV. Some things I can pick up.”


Blaine chuckled. “You two are the remaining anchors for Jacob's soul; which means we can still reverse the possession.”


Samantha's face beamed. “Can we really save my boy?”


“There's a chance.” Blaine crossed his arms. “But there's a lot of work to do. Mina's absence is a great loss for our side.”


“Can you do it?” Kyle asked.


Blaine exhaled. “Not alone.” He strode over to the exit. “Stay here. I'll be back. I've got to do a little shopping.” He closed the door behind him.


Samantha slumped her shoulders. “We're doomed.”




. . .


Kyle leaned against the black car. His hand came to the bulge in his back pocket. He gulped back his nerves as he felt the gun. He instead focused on the silver machete in hand. The blade felt more comfortable in hand than a gun. He would avoid using it at all costs.


Blaine blew out a puff of smoke. He tapped the ashes from his cigarette. Blaine took off his suit jacket and tossed it into the backseat. His gun holster around his belt and the combat knife attached to his suspenders were clearly visible. He tossed the cigarette away. He put a warm hand on Kyle's shoulder.


Samantha pulled out a black duffel bag from the trunk. She slung it over her shoulder. “Will this work?”


“Won't know until we do it.” Blaine motioned Kyle toward the trunk. He pulled out two more duffel bags. Tossing one of the bags to Kyle, he closed the trunk and made his way across the street.


Kyle glanced up at the Dawson's house. He stared at the portion that had been blown off. Jacob had done that.


Blaine led Samantha and Kyle to the house. He kicked the door in without a care.


“Hey, this is my house you're trashing,” Samantha said. Kyle and Blaine looked at her, increduously. “Eh, I had to say it at least once.”


Blaine shook his head. He moved toward the living room. He frowned at the dried blood on the floor. “Where did the sacrifice take place?”


Samantha bit her lip. It took a long moment before she found the strength to move her gaze to the soaked rug in front of the fireplace. Blaine put a quick comforting hand on her shoulder before heading to the spot. He lit a match and tossed it into the fireplace. The wood set alight and quickly heated the chilly room.


Kyle dropped his bag onto one of the demolished sofas. It was hard to look at the ruined piece of furniture and think he had spent so much time sitting there with Jacob. For years they had spent the time watching movies and playing video games. He gulped back his emotions as he thought about how close he and Jacob had been. The best of friends. Borthers. Now Jacob was trying to kill him.


“Hand me the first stand,” Blaine said.


Kyle blinked. “What?”


“The stand?”


“Oh.” Kyle unzipped his duffle bag. He pulled out a slick, black stand with a wide cup on the head. With a twist, Kyle extended the stand to twice its length. He set it in front of the lit fireplace.


Blaine took out a black gem from his bag. He set the large orb onto the stand. “You all right?”


Kyle shrugged. “Dunno. Just feels strange fighting Jacob.”


Blaine chuckled. “Yeah, it's not your normal standard of fighting between bros.”


“It really isn't. Jacob and I rarely fought anyway.”


“That shows the strength of your friendship. You two understood each other. There is no need to fight. It was like that with my best friend too.”


Blaine took out another round gem, this time a pale blue in color. Kyle set up the next stand to the left of the fireplace. Blaine set the pale blue gem in. “Is he that Clay guy you mentioned,” Kyle asked.


“Yes.” Blaine pulled out the next gem. The ruby-red gem shone bright against the fire. “He was my best friend and Mina's boyfriend.”


“What happened to him?” Kyle placed the next stand across from the one in front of the fireplace.


“He was killed. Demon.” Blaine put the ruby-red gem on the third stand. “Mina was haunted by it ever since. That's why she started hunting demons.”


“I'm sorry.”


Blaine straightened. “It is what it is.”


Kyle took out the last extendable stand. He placed it across from the stand housing the pale-blue gem. “You say it so nonchalantly. How?”


“What else can I do? It happened nearly four years ago. I've had my time to grieve.”


“But... even with Mina. That's still fresh. How are you functioning so well?”


“There's a job to do. I can deal with what happened after.” Blaine pulled out the last gem; a lovely purple shade. He set it atop the last stand. With the fourth, all stands circled around the blood-soaked rug. “There. First part is complete.”


Kyle watched Blaine. The man returned to his bag and pulled out a few candles. But Blaine's face was tense. He took a moment to fix his glasses, then returned to setting the candles around the room.


Samantha moved closer to fireplace. Her hands trembled as she reached out for the fireplace's mantle. She sniffed loudly at its touch. “So... What are these gems supposed to be for?”


“The four gems represent the four elements,” Blaine answered. “They will be the foundation for our plan. Black for earth, pale blue for air, red for fire, and purple for water.”


Samantha placed the bag down. “And these?” She pulled out athree semi-auto rifles.


“That's one way we fight,” a deep voice behind them said.


Samantha and Kyle spun on their heels. Samantha pulled one of the guns to the hooded stranger standing in the doorframe. Kyle wrapped his fingers around the gun in his pants.


The hooded stranger walked in fearlessly. His thick British accent caught them off guard. “Put the guns down before you hurt someone.” He slicked his hood back. “Rather, someone you don't intend to hurt.”


The man was handsome. Not even the scar on his cheek marred his features; actually it enhanced the rugged features. He wore a brown leather jacket which exposed his bulky arms. His grey cargo pants were tucked into doc martin boots. A sword was strapped to his back and a gun held against his thigh.


The man approached Blaine. He cupped his hand around Blaine's neck and pulled him into a passionate kiss.


Kyle blinked back his surprise. As the kiss continued, he felt his face flush and he looked away. He glanced over at Samantha who appeared very intrigued by the sight. She leaned against the fireplace with the smile.


The two finally pulled away from each other. “Oz. Nice of you to join us.”


“Glad you called.” Oz grinned sheepishly. He cocked his head to the side, staring into Blaine's eyes. “What's the job this time around?”


Samantha held up a finger. “Hold up a second. Who is this handsome man?”


Blaine took Oz's hand in his. “This is Oz. He's a part of a secret organization that hunts demons and the like. We met about two years ago and on occasion, he helps us with a little demon trouble.”


“Uh huh.” Samantha tapped her chin. “That looked like more than just co-workers.”


Oz's grin grew wider. “Well, leave that for human resources.” He grabbed Blaine's ass and squeezed. Blaine slapped Oz's hand away. Although Blaine looked away, Kyle caught the red in his cheeks.


Oz stepped over to the blood-soaked rug. He gently ran his fingers along the gems. “The epitaph of ritual, eh?”


Blaine crossed his arms. “This is where we will make our stand.”


“Well, I'm always up for a bloody good fight.” He ruffled Kyle's hair before plopping onto one of the couch halves.


“This isn't going to be an easy fight, Oz,” Blaine warned. “We're talking about one of The Nine.”


Oz whistled. “Quite concerning, I must admit.”


“I need you not to kid around this time.” Blaine pulled out a cigarette.


“I'll end the jokes when you cease the smoking.”


Blaine glared at Oz. He stuffed his lighter back into his pocket but left the cigarette hanging in his mouth. “Did you uphold your end?”


“You know reliability is my mantra.”


“Unless you get distracted.” Blaine started lighting all of the candles.


Oz flicked his eyebrows up. He flipped a closed switchblade between his fingers idly. “So when is the big bad to make an appearance?”


Blaine pointed at Samantha, “Where she is, our target is bound to show sooner or later.”


“The mum?” Oz looked Samantha over. “I reckon she's the one we need to protect then.”


“Actually, both of them.”


“Really?” Oz chuckled when he looked at Kyle. “It's a bloody challenge then.”


Blaine pulled out his strange dagger and his Springfield handgun. He eyed Kyle as the teen shifted uncomfortably. Kyle awkwardly put the gun back in his waistband. “You remember how to use that, right?”


Kyle looked over at Blaine. “Yeah. I think so.” He picked up the machete.


Blaine smiled. “Hopefully you won’t have to.” He faced Samantha. “You’ll be in the center of those gems. They will protect you. If he gets you, it’s all over.”


Samantha held herself. “Do you really think we can get him back?”


“We’re going to try our best.” Blaine guided Samantha to the gems.


How adorable. Have you finally come to the conclusion that you can’t win?


The four jumped. Blaine shoved Samantha to the center of the four gems. He readied his dagger and kept his gun down low.


Shadows accumulated in front of Blaine. The shadows webbed toward the ceiling. Jacob rose from the shadow-clad floor. His black eyes reflected the surroundings. “I appreciate you bringing them here for me. It saves me time.”


Kyle gripped the dagger in hand tightly. His face paled at the sight of Jacob. His heart raced with trepidation as it gripped his very soul.


The shadows slowly broke from Jacob. Not a single shadow remained near him, not even his own silhouette. “Now, how about we save me more time and you step away from my mother. If you do, I'll make your death a quick one.”


Blaine raised the Springfield at Jacob. “Don't get me wrong. Only reason we're here is to defeat you.”


“You still think you can?” Jacob chuckled behind his hand. “Even though I killed your witch?”


“All the more reason to.”


Oz leaped off the couch. He coolly came to Blaine’s side. He grabbed the hilt of his sword. “We rather like this world, you see. There's a lot to appreciate: games, concerts, parties. And you aren't invited.”


Jacob eyed Oz. “So you found a replacement for your witch already.” He smirked. “But can the loud-mouth handle what's to come?”


The house rumbled. A loud screech echoed outside. Howls surrounded the vicinity. The living room darkened. Imps and wolves approached the house outside.


There was a crackle in the air. Imps crawled out of the shadows. They gathered around Jacob, baring their ugly grins.


“One, two, Jacob's coming for you, three, four, gonna bathe in gore,” Jacob sang. He let out a bloodcurdling laugh. Jacob's eyes glowed red. He thrust his hand forward. Blaine and Oz were thrown off their feet. They crashed into the wall behind Samantha.


Blaine and Oz scrambled to their feet. “Death won't reach us today,” Blaine said.


Gunfire echoed outside. Imps dropped from the sky and crashed into the ground. They writhed in pain as they shriveled to ash. The wolves whined as gunfire pierced their furry flesh.


“Who?” Jacob looked outside.


A group of thirty men gunned down the sea of imps and wolves with semi-auto rifles. Blood splattered on the cracked windows. The men made a perimeter around the house.


Oz hopped to his feet. “Sorry, mate. My back-up from the Huntsman Association finally came.”


Jacob's lip curled to a growl. “The damn Huntsmen. Should have figured you were one.”


Oz shrugged. “But you didn't. Looks like we don't have to worry about your deduction skills.”


“Cute.” Jacob flipped his hand. Oz was pulled off his feet and slammed against the ceiling.


“Think you're so bloody tough with your demon magic? I bet you couldn't take me on without it.” Oz grinned. The ceiling cracked around his frame.


Jacob burst out laughing. “You think it matters?” Jacob released his hold. Oz dropped. He fell onto the back of one of the couches. “Well, then. Let's see what you can do.”


Oz dusted himself off. “That was bloody rude. Couldn't have let a bloke down gently, could ya?”


Jacob crossed his arms. “Is talking all you can do?”


“Tough crowd.” Oz put up his dukes. “Let's see what you got, mate.”


An imp flew between the two. Oz charged. He rammed his fist into Jacob's face. Jacob grabbed Oz's wrist. He twisted slightly. Oz dropped to his knee.


“All bark and no bite.” Jacob chuckled. He released Oz's wrist and kicked the man back. “Stop wasting my time. Do you really think the Huntsmen will make a difference?”


Jacob snapped his fingers.


Kyle turned at the first yell outside. He ran over to the window. Six Huntsmen were sinking into the ground. Two Huntsmen tried to help their comrades out, only to be pulled into the quicksands themselves.


Jacob laughed. “You are nothing but pathetic humans.”


Kyle swung his tightly-clutched machete at an incoming imp. It barely grazed the flying imp. Kyle punched the imp against the wall. As it tried to shake off the surprise, Kyle thrust the machete into the imp's abs.


He turned as Jacob grabbed Kyle's shoulder. “Dear friend. Why do you fight so?” He grinned.


“For you.”


Jacob's smile faded as a loud clap echoed in the room. Jacob staggered back. He looked down at his side. A hole had burned into his shirt.


Kyle blew the smoke from his gun.


Jacob cocked his head to the side. He brushed the gunpowder from his side. His skin was bruised but the bullet, now squished thin like a coin, clattered on the floor. “Well, that was rude.” Jacob smacked Kyle across the face.


Kyle dropped to the floor. He flipped onto his back. He raised his gun and pulled the trigger. Jacob stepped back. Kyle pulled the trigger again. Again. Again.


Each bullet dropped to the floor after contact. Jacob grabbed the gun, even as Kyle pulled the trigger again. With a firm pull, Jacob picked Kyle up from the floor. He tossed Kyle aside.


Blaine caught Kyle before he crashed into the wall. Blaine shot his Springfield on an imp. “You good?”


“Yeah, thanks.” Kyle got to his feet.


“You know what to do.”


Blaine dashed forward. He shot two imps at his side and thrust his dagger into a third in front of him.


Jacob approached Samantha. “Hello, mother.”


“You aren't my son.” Samantha held her rifle at Jacob's head. She cocked it and placed her finger onto the trigger. “Get away from me.”


“Now, mother, is that any way to speak to your baby boy?” He took a step closer. Jacob eyed the four gems. “Did the fools convince you these pathetic things will protect you?”


“Worth a try.”


Jacob laughed. He stepped into the center of the four stands. “Is it?”


Samantha avoided glancing down. Kyle placed a transparent crystal between two of the stands. As an imp tried to pounce on Kyle, Blaine shot the creature. It turned to dust above Kyle. Kyle frowned from the demon dust now in his hair. He crawled on his stomach and placed another crystal between the next two stands.


Samantha focused her gaze on Jacob. He stepped in closer. He hadn't noticed Kyle yet. “You already got my boy, demon. Why can't you leave me to mourn my losses?”


“Because I need you dead. I cannot fully assimilate with Jacob Dawson until you and Kyle are gone. He still clings to this world.” Jacob turned around. He grabbed Kyle and tossed him into Samantha. The two tumbled into the fireplace. “Your fight is but a pointless game to me. Anything you plan will end in failure.”


Oz rolled his neck as he stepped up to Jacob. “This will be fun, indeed.” He unsheathed his sword. The blade was black with red webs rising from the hilt to the tip of the blade.


Jacob's eyes grew wide. “That's...” Jacob jumped back as Oz swung. A trickle of black and red energy trailed behind the blade. Jacob snarled.


“Aware of what this is, mate?” Oz rested the back of the blade on his shoulder.


“I'm surprised to see you hold possession of the Daemon's Bane.”


“This blade will be your downfall.”


Shadows crawled to Jacob. The house rumbled and cracked under his feet. The shadows wrapped around Jacob's legs. Jacob was raised off the ground. His black eyes somehow felt waiting to suck people into an abyss. “You think I fear the Daemon's Bane?! I am, Samhaerin, one of the Nine! When people think of hell, it is us they fear!”


Oz smirked. “Then why are you so angry?”


Jacob's eye twitched. He leaned forward to charge when he crashed into an invisible wall. “What in blazes?”


Samantha pulled back from placed crystal between the last two stands. Kyle helped her to her feet. Both backed away warily.


“A crystal barrier? Ridiculous! Such pathetic witchcraft won't keep me contained!”


“We expect not. All we need is for a moment so I can do my work.”


Kyle gasped. Jacob looked over his shoulder.


Mina walked into the room. She flipped her red hair with a brush of her hand. “Long time, Samhaerin.”


“Didn't I kill you?” Jacob straightened.


“You tried.” A group of imps tried to attack her.


Blaine and Oz moved quickly. As Blaine shot down the imps flying above, Oz cut the ones leaping from the furniture.


“It's about time you showed up,” Blaine said.


“You did well holding him off.” Mina took a step forward.


Jacob touched the invisible barrier. “Whatever you planned to do, witch, you best do it now.”


“Already am.” Mina's eyes turned pure black. She rose off the ground and hovered a foot in the air.


The gems around Jacob glowed. Energy crackled and popped around the four colored gems. A stream of energy connected from one gem to the next.


Kyle and Samantha watched with awe as Mina levitated higher. They maneuvered away from the fireplace as strands of energy strayed from the crackling stream. They crouched behind one of the burned couches.


Thunder boomed outside. Rain poured hard. Flames erupted inside the fireplace. Fire swirled around the barrier trapping Jacob.


“Is this light show supposed to do something?” Jacob scoffed.


“Just give it a second.”


Kyle stared at Mina. Had Mina's voice deepened?


“Separate.”


Her voice sounded otherworldly. It sounded... wrong.


Mina snapped her fingers. A blinding flash filled the room. Kyle covered his eyes. He heard the imps screech before each burst into ash. A gutteral yell came from Jacob. The yell sounded like an animal dying. The cry was demonic. With each second Jacob's yell grew louder. The scream became defeaning. Kyle tried to plug his ears before his eardrums popped.


Another voice joined the screams. It sounded like a cry for help. Kyle tried to open his eyes but the light was too bright. His eyes burned in attempt.


A defeaning boom sounded.


Kyle was thrown off his feet. He slammed against the doorframe and felt his back crack. Kyle let out a pained yell. The pain took over his entire body. Tears filled his eyes.


The blinding light disipated. Kyle peeked through squinted eyes. Samantha lay at the base of the wall nearest to him. She had been knocked out with the remaining half of the coffee table thrown atop of her.


Kyle tried to get up. Pain shot through him. He let out a cry. He froze. Kyle looked down at his legs. A thick piece of wood had pierced his right leg. Blood pooled down around his foot. Kyle's breathing hastened.


Blaine knelt by Kyle. “You'll be okay. Stay down. We'll get you to a hospital as soon as possible.”


Kyle gripped Blaine's arm. “I can't feel my legs.” Kyle breathed heavier and faster. His arms trembled. Kyle's eyes rolled behind his head and he started to shake uncontrollably.


“Shit.” Blaine forced Kyle onto his side. “Mina! The kid went into a seizure!”


Mina gently landed. She clicked her tongue, “Damn it. Not now.” Mina glanced over at Jacob. Jacob lay on the floor unconscious. Mina smiled.


A dark figure stood over Jacob's unconscious body. The figure was clad in shadows, with only glowing red eyes and horns sprouting from the head as its defining features. The figure stared at its hand. It's voice was deep and sounded like a blend of multiple growling voice. “How?”


Mina raised her chin. “That barrier was only made by the crystals. The four gems there, representing the four elements, were placed to end your possession.”


“That's impossible. No matter the tools, no witch has the power to do such a feat. Not with such feeble tools! Not with one of the Nine!”


“I'm not just any practicing witch.” Turning on her heel, Mina hurried to Kyle's side. She placed a hand on his chest. She blew softly. His seizures ceased. Mina placed a gentle hand on his arm. The air around her swirled. The summoned air entered Kyle's mouth.


Kyle gasped. He groaned. “How long do we got,” Blaine asked.


“There'll be time to get him to the hospital as soon as we're done with Samhaerin.” Mina faced the manifested demon. “It won't take long.”


Oz came to Mina's side. “Has my moment to shine come, love?”


“It has.”


With a twirl of his sword, Oz stepped forward. He gripped the hilt of his blade with both hands. Oz winked at Samhaerin. He cut a hole into the fabric of reality. A strange crackle filled the air. Unbearable heat pulsed from the hole. A strong suction pulled the damaged furniture and loose remnants into the hole.


Samhaerin scoffed. “That damn sword.”


“Able to cut a portal into hell and banish demons.” Oz rested his blade on his shoulder again. “And now you shall be banished.”


Samhaerin crossed his massive arms. “Only a high-powered demon can banish one of the Nine.”


Mina flicked her eyebrows up. “Guess we're in luck then.” Mina closed her eyes. She tilted her head back. A shadow rose from behind her.


Samhaerin's glowing red eyes expanded. “You're the witch bonded to Ammut.”


Mina snapped her fingers. The portal pulled at Samhaerin. The demon growled. “Accept your defeat with humility, Samhaerin.”


“This time, witch. But this war has just begun. You and the rest of the pitiful humans will fall one day soon.” Samhaerin felt the portal pull harder. “I will be back.”


“And we will be ready.” Mina clapped her hands. The shadow behind Mina reached for Samhaerin. It grabbed the shadow-clad figure and flung him into the portal. The portal stitched back together.


The ground rumbled. Mina nodded at Blaine. Blaine picked up Kyle. “Oz, help me with the mother.”


“Of course, you're going to leave me with the woman. Tease.” Oz sheathed the Daemon's Bane. He threw Samantha over his shoulder.


The house rattled. “Don't forget about the boy we just saved,” Mina said.


“Can't you just lift him with some demon magic or something, love?” Oz rolled his eyes. Mina glared at him. “Fine. I'll be your carthorse, I guess.” Oz grabbed Jacob. “He's heavy.”


Blaine and Oz followed Mina out of the house. The ground quaked. They all looked back at the house. The house walls toppled and the roof fell in. In mere seconds the house had fallen into itself.


“Such a shame. The place could have been rebuilt.” Oz handed Jacob and Samantha to a couple of the Huntsmen outside.


The earth shook again. The ground slowly consumed the house remains. In seconds, the remnants had been ravished. To the horror of all, the hole continued to eat, expand, and consume the surrounding area. Two or three unlucky Huntsmen fell into the bottomless hole.


The sky darkened. Lightning webbed along the clouds. Thunder clapped. Clouds gathered above.


“What's going on?” Kyle wheezed.


“Not sure.” Blaine glanced down. Kyle could barely open his eyes and his breathing was labored. “Don't talk. We gotta get you to the hospital.”


The hole swirled. Crow's caws echoed throughout the sky. All Huntsmen looked up. Hundreds of crows flew overhead. Even with lightning striking an occasional bird, the crows accumulated above the hole.


Mina took a wary step closer. She could barely see the weaving of the portal the Daemon’s Bane created hovering above. “The Hellgate is opening!”


A hand burst out and ripped it open.


It won’t be so easy to get rid of me, Witch of Ammut. Samhaerin pulled the portal open further. Withn the hell dimension, Samhaerin’s arms were clad in black scales. He had a long, pointed chin and his horns curled from his forehead to the small of his back. His yellow goat eyes locked on Mina. He ripped the portal open a little more.


Each of the remaining twenty Huntsmen immediately opened fire on Samhaerin.


Samhaerin laughed. Your pitiful silver bullets are useless on me!


Oz came to Mina’s side with the Daemon’s blade tight in hand. “He shouldn’t be able to break through. Hellgate or not.”


Mina frowned. “It must have been the ritual. Samhaerin and Jacob are more deeply bonded than we thought.”


“How do we break their connection then?”


“I don’t know.”


“Any ideas how to prevent the end of the world then?”


Mina shrugged. “Fight with everything you got.” She took a deep breath. Wind swirled around her. She levitated high into the air. Black lightning crackled around her.


Come, Witch of Ammut. Fight against the inevitable so I can break you.


Mina thrust both hands forward. A seismic pulse pushed against against. The Destroyer of the Nine winced but continued to rip the portal open further.


Shadows appeared behind Samhaerin. Mina clicked her tongue in irritation. Hundreds of winged demons flew out from the portal. The Huntsmen turned their gunfire to the incoming demons.


Drawing as much power as she possibly could, Mina unleashed another seismic pulse. Samhaerin laughed. It’s useless, Witch of Ammut! I shall destroy this world and eradicate the human race!


Mina’s eye twitched. Her body felt weak. She wouldn’t be able to keep Samhaerin at bay for much longer. Mina’s breathing grew heavy. Her arms started to tremble.


Samhaerin grinned. Not much longer now, Witch of Ammut. He tilted his head back and let out a guttural roar. A tornado crashed down on the lot. It whipped a handful of Huntsmen and tore them to pieces.


“No!” Mina ceased her attack. She turned the remains of her energy on holding the tornado in place. Mina fell. She roughly landed on her knees. Her arm shook with strain as her energy rapidly drained.


“Mina! Keep that bloody tornado still!” Oz ran toward the spinning winds.


“Oz!” Blaine clutched Kyle tightly. “Don't be an idiot!”


Oz jumped into the tornado. The winds carried him to the sky. The British Huntsman's knuckles turned white with the grip of his blade tightening. Dozens of cuts destroyed Oz's jacket and tore into his skin. Oz struggled to keep his breath. “Mina!”


Mina released her hold on the tornado. She used the last of her power to throw Oz out of the tornado.


Oz flew toward Samhaerin. He put his whole body into his attack and struck the powerful demon. The Daemon's Bane cut cleanly through Samhaerin's shoulder.


Samhaerin roared in pain. He grabbed the Huntsman. Oz fought hard to free himself. That hurt. Let me give it back to you ten-fold. Samhaerin squeezed. Oz felt his bones crack.


“Oz! No!” Blaine took a step.


“Blaine! Get the others out of here. Now!” Mina tried to climb to her feet but staggered back to her knees. Her arms trembled. She had no power left.


Mina gasped as Jacob passed. He dragged his feet toward Samhaerin.


My vessel to be. Our bond calls to you. Samhaerin chuckled. Come, Jacob, let us merge once more.


“Bastard.” Jacob pulled out the dagger Samantha was holding.


How adorable. A dagger will do nothing to me!


“Not you.” Jacob drove the dagger into his heart.


Samhaerin dropped Oz. NOOOOOO!! The demon was pulled back into the hell dimension. The hole shut closed. A shockwave threw all nearby back. The ground slowly solidified and the lightning and thunder ceased.


Mina watched Jacob collapse. Blood soaked his shirt. She crawled over to his side. “What did you do, foolish boy?”


“Who are you?” Jacob looked up at the sky. He watched the crows fly away. Jacob coughed. Blood trickled down his face. “T-tell my mom... I-I'm sorry...”


The light faded from Jacob's eyes. Mina sat cross-legged by him. Blaine approached. “Mina...”


“Don't. Just... help me up. We've got to take care of the injured.” Mina reached out.


Blaine pulled Mina to her feet. One of the Huntsmen ran over and let her use him as support. Mina glanced back at the damaged lot. She pressed her lips tight together but it didn't stop the quiver of her chin.