Alice in Demonland

At exactly ten o’clock, I arrived in front of Kade’s door. It was closed and I reached out to knock but stopped. Kade had said he would answer my questions. That meant I would finally find out which demon was my sire. It seemed almost unreal. After nearly eighteen years, I would know why the marks on my hands hadn’t changed color, why my eyes were blue instead of gray, and why I was able to kill a greater demon without having killed my sire first. Finally, I would understand.

Those thoughts filled me with anticipation and dread as well. I’d had nightmares about it while I slept earlier, not that it mattered. But I did worry that I might not want to hear what Kade had to say.

The door whipped open. “Alice, you going to stand out here all night, or did you want to come in?”

My eyes got wide. Kade had on gray camo pants, but no shirt. My eyes couldn’t help but linger on his muscled arms and shoulders. His chest was hairless, except a dark line that started at his belly button and disappeared down below the waist of his pants. “Okay.” I stepped inside and moved so he could close the door, clutching my hands together.

The room was sparse, nothing more than a bed, a nightstand, and a chest of drawers the same as my room.

Kade went over to the bed and sat, then patted a spot next to him. “Come here.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, nervous. “I think I’ll stay right where I am, thanks.”

“Why?” He licked his lips. “Afraid I’ll bite?”

My heart rate spiked. I was shaky, a bundle of nerves. “Try it and it’ll be the last thing you ever do.”

Kade laughed. “Sit down. Let’s talk. I won’t do anything bite-related until you have your answers.”

I would’ve believed him had he put on a shirt, but I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want him to know the effect he had on me. I didn’t want to seem weak. I was the Queen of Hearts, after all. “Good.” I sat, staying as far from him as possible.

My seat choice caused him to laugh harder, but only for a moment. His face became serious. “I’m ready to tell you whatever you wish to know. Ask me your questions.”

I pushed my arms farther around myself. Looked down at my pants. Swallowed. “Which demon is my sire?” I waited for the answer, unable to look at him. But when he still hadn’t responded after several long seconds, I peeked.

A ripple of movement rushed over his skin, like an electrical current, glowing in the dim light. “Your sire is the Devil himself.” As he spoke his eyes glowed bright green.

“That’s impossible. He isn’t one of the seven deadly sins.” Before I realized it, I was off the bed and my back was pressed against the door. “You’re lying,” I whispered, my voice pleading. It couldn’t be true because if I was the devil’s daughter, then what kind of monster did that make me?

His expression turned sad. “I’m afraid not, Alice.”

Desperation surged through me, sucking away all my strength. “I was taught about demons and why they do what they do. Never once has a Moth or Dark Moth ever been sired by the Devil. Not once in all the millennia.” I slid to the floor. Leaned my head back and closed my eyes. And I knew he spoke the truth. It was the only thing that made sense. “So why me? Why now?”

“It’s simple, Alice. Even the vilest of creatures have a desire to leave behind a legacy.”

A burst of bitter laughter escaped my throat. “But he’s going to kill me anyway. So why bother?”

“In the animal world lions, bears, even dogs are known to kill their young. In nearly every case it’s because the child was defective in some way, either sick or deformed. The Devil will try to kill you, but I can promise you there is a part of him that wants you to live, to prove yourself to him.”

I opened my eyes in time to see him look away. “There’s more,” I said. It wasn’t a question. I sensed he had much more to say.

Kade ground his teeth together before speaking. “We’re talking about the oldest monster in the world. Of course, there’s more. We could spend weeks talking about them and I still wouldn’t have told you everything. For now, it’s enough to know that the Devil is your father.”

“I need to go.” I tried to stand, flustered, scared, and wishing he hadn’t told me the truth. “This is too much.” Tears pressed against the backs of my eyes and I wasn’t a crier. Never!

“Hey. Hey. It’s going to be fine. I’ve got you.” Kade was suddenly beside me.

When I didn’t respond, he lifted me into his arms and took me over to his bed. At his nearness, all of the fight went out of me. With Kade by my side, maybe everything would be okay. I needed him desperately to tell me everything would be fine.

Kade straightened. “I’m going to the kitchen to get you a glass of water. I’ll be—”

“No,” I grabbed his arm. “Don’t go.” I pulled until he sat beside me.

“I’ll be back in a few. Promise.” He gave me a sad smile.

I sat up. Caught and held his gaze. “Kiss me.” I knew my request was out of character and surprising. One of Kade’s eyebrows rose in confirmation. But that didn’t change the way I felt. I wanted his lips on mine. I wanted to forget what he’d just told me. Slowly, my fingers moved along his forearms and slowly trailed up his biceps, to his shoulders and neck and finally cupped his face. “Please.” I tugged him down.

Urgent hunger replaced the worry on his features. “You sure?” he asked, sitting beside me.

I nodded. “Yes,” I said, moving in so I could feel his breath on my face.

He came closer, leaning down until our lips met. At the touch, there was a spark. I saw it as well as felt it. The shock reached into my heart, melting away the locks and chains surrounding it. I whimpered as my insides warmed and expanded as though my feelings required my heart to grow to handle them. Kade deepened the kiss, pressing my lips open. I urged him closer, clinging to his shoulders as I got on my knees. Kade cupped my face, his hands heating my skin.

Never in my life had I believed I could feel the way I did at that moment. Later, when I recalled the experience, I would believe Kade and I had fused. I couldn’t find where I ended and he began. It was the most amazing, intoxicating experience of my life and I didn’t want it to end. Kade, my mind whispered.

I know. I feel it too.

I gasped, my eyes opening, searching his for an answer. He heard my thoughts and I’d heard his.

Abruptly, Kade pulled away. “I can’t do this,” he said, standing, his hands at his sides, his chest heaving.

“Why?” I was confused and heartbroken. It was as though when he pulled away from me that he took my heart with him. I wanted to cry out at the pain I felt with him gone. “Kade.”

A wild look shone in his eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let that happen.” He yanked open the door and left without a backward glance.

I sat up, stunned. “Kade,” I whispered. Tears fell, wetting my cheeks. I had no idea whether Kade knew what he’d done to me. Or maybe he didn’t care how much he’d just hurt me. The love and warmth and happiness I’d felt a moment ago were replaced with darkness.

And I wanted to hate Kade.

In the early morning hours, I stopped crying and made myself a promise. I would forget about Kade and focus on the first trial. There were still five more demons to kill. Six, if I counted my sire. The damned Devil would die and do so painfully, especially if I had any say in the outcome.

* * *

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Alice Fights Demonland is now available.

CHAPTER 1

“Shall I call you Alice the Demon Hunter?” The Wrath demon tried to make small talk as he circled me slowly, his heavy body leaving footprints in the cracked ground as he searched for an opening.

“Call me whatever you want for the next few minutes as long as I get to call you dead when we’re finished.” I followed him with my body, keeping my katana in front of me. This demon would be my fifth in as many days. Who knew killing royal demons would become almost mundane?

We were several miles outside the city of Wonderland, in the middle of the desert. I’d decided that if the demons were going to track me, it’d be better to fight them in a place where humans couldn’t get hurt or see and record what was happening, like the fight at the Mexican restaurant. That battle had made front-page news. Local government agencies began poking around, asking questions the Dark Moth Society didn’t want to have to answer. Wrythe made an executive decision to have Heathcliff, our resident doctor, create an elixir. We put it in the water supply to remove all memories of demons from the humans’ minds. Brief confusion had ensued, but humans believed only what they wanted to believe. And giant demons walking the Earth were more than most people could handle.

“I knew you had a mouth on you, but I hadn’t appreciated it would be so bloodthirsty. Show some respect for your master,” he said, sending spittle into the air between us.

I watched it land and sizzle. Then snorted at his bluster. He wasn’t my master any more than the Devil was.

So far, this match had been the easiest of all. It didn’t matter that he was a Wrath demon, supposedly the most aggressive. Within minutes after the battle began, the demon became so frustrated, he shed his human husk and now stood over ten feet tall. Two great ram horns shot from his skull and curled three feet in the air, red as blood. He looked like a zombie bull; his body sparsely covered in patches of black fur. The skin puckered and was leaking pus. His eyes were empty sockets and his mouth was filled with rotting teeth. The worst part was his smell, like over-ripened fruit and the decaying flesh of a menial rat. Sweetly putrid and utterly nauseating. My stomach rolled, but I steeled myself. This monster wouldn’t get the satisfaction of seeing me lose my breakfast.

I rolled my shoulders and readjusted my sword. I’d already chopped off one of his legs. Black blood had oozed from the gaping wound briefly, but it was already starting to close. In a minute, his leg would regenerate, and I’d have to start over. I so wasn’t in the mood. I just wanted to get this trial over with.

Mentally preparing, I twisted my katana, bringing it above my head. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of light. Distracted, I turned, but there was only sand and more sand.

The Wrath demon pounced, using his tail to swipe my feet out from under me. “You’ve already become complacent,” he huffed, saliva coming from his mouth, spraying against my face and arms.

My skin hissed as it burned me. I forced myself not to focus on the pain. It would do no good to whine about it. I’d heal quickly anyway.

“How arrogant you are. Give me a few more minutes and I’ll chop you into little pieces.” He was bluffing. We both knew who would win this fight and it wouldn’t be him.

I yawned to prove I knew he was full of it and flipped myself back to my feet.

“Slay him and be done with it,” Peter said. He and Wrythe stood off to the right, their weapons drawn, though they were obviously bored.

I’d forgotten he and Wrythe were there. They didn’t need to be. After I’d defeated the first demon, my confidence, skill level, and abilities had flourished. Even now my demon power burned like a dull flame radiating from the center of my belly, waiting for a time when I would need it. “Fine.” I ran and leaped on the demon, wrapping my legs around his neck. He grabbed hold of my legs, trying to rip me in half, but I held on, driving the edge of my katana deep between his eyes. The power within burned hot as it left my body, coursing through the sword. It was my power that would kill the demon, the sword just the vessel used to drive it home.

The demon’s body went rigid. A second ticked by before it released a heavy, repulsive breath, falling to the earth in a heap. I held on with my legs until the last moment before doing a front flip off his lifeless body. The demon’s body turning to ash as it hit the sandy floor, becoming one with the hot Arizona wilderness. When he was gone, I faced Peter and Wrythe. “Done,” I said, sheathing my sword and trying not to smirk, though it was difficult not to feel pride at my accomplishment.

“Now you’re just showing off,” Wrythe said, his gray eyes alight with irritated amusement.

“I don’t even know why we come with her anymore. She doesn’t need us, that’s for sure.” Peter jumped down from the large rock he’d been standing on, landing a few feet in front of me.

Wrythe did the same, his gorgeous eyes sparkling as he studied me.

I patted him on the shoulder. “Let’s get something to eat. I’m starving,” I said, heading back to Wrythe’s Hummer.

“Do you ever get the feeling I’ve lost all mystique and she no longer respects me as her king?” Wrythe asked Peter, his voice low, but not low enough that I couldn’t hear.

“I respect you, sire. I’m just really hungry. Demon slaying builds up the appetite.”

He roared with laughter. “Well, then, Alice, let’s get you something to eat.

As we drove back to the compound, Wrythe turned on his favorite music from the seventies. Over the last few days, I’d learned he liked the Bee Gees, Blondie, and Queen. It was heavy on the disco with a little classic rock thrown in for good measure. Not my favorite, but it was better than silence, especially since Peter and Wrythe weren’t big talkers.

After he parked his Hummer in the large concrete parking garage and we rode down the elevator back into Demonland, I went to my room, showered, and dressed in my standard black before heading to the cafeteria. Wrythe and Peter were already there. Their heads hung together, obviously discussing something. I paused mid-stride, clinging to my tan tray. Atop it sat my chicken and waffles and my mouth watered at the scent of salt and sweet. But should I sit with them or find another table?

The cafeteria was empty, so I had plenty of choices. Everyone else was training or in class at eleven fifteen in the morning. But since the ultimatum given by Deckland as part of the first trial, I kept different hours than the others.

Wendy and the other trainees had been returned thankfully. At least Deckland kept his end of the bargain. I hadn’t had the chance to talk to them yet. Partly because I didn’t know what to say. It was my fault they’d been put in danger and I would understand if they weren’t happy with me. The other problem was they knew who my sire was. That knowledge had changed the dynamic between us. I didn’t want to believe it made any difference, but it was true. I saw it in the looks they gave me as well as the hushed comments I overheard.

I wanted to feel bad about it. Angry. Upset. Or even sad. Before Kade figuratively stole my heart and left, my emotions had exploded in abundance. But since he’d gone, I hadn’t allowed my feelings to overpower me the way they used to. Wrythe and Peter could tell there was something off about me, but what could I say? I was in love with Kade. He’d kissed me and then he told me we couldn’t be together.

I shook my head at even the thought of telling Peter or Wrythe the truth. Doing so would be mortifying. Because how did I, the person everyone called the Queen of Hearts, explain to a teacher and her king that I’d fallen in love with a stranger. Even as I thought of Kade, memories of our kissing came to mind. My body warmed all over and desire filled my belly.

No, I shouted at myself internally. I’d decided that even though I knew I loved Kade, I needed to lie to myself. It was the only way I got through the day.

With a sigh, I took another step toward Wrythe and Peter. Wrythe saw me and waved me over.

“Alice. Come and sit with us.” His easy smile didn’t intimidate me as much as it used to. I was glad of that. In fact, I’d spent so much time with Peter and Wrythe the last few days, I kind of considered us friends. More so Wrythe than Peter. I didn’t know if that was disrespectful or not, but it was how I felt. The two of us meshed well together.

“I just didn’t want to interrupt,” I said, sitting beside Peter. “It looked like the two of you were in serious conversation.”

Peter narrowed his eyes before taking a bite of the food Cook had prepared. “Not at all,” he said, but I could tell that wasn’t true. He wasn’t trying very hard to hide it either.

“What were you talking about?” The food smelled amazing. My mouth watered. While I waited for a response from either one or both of them, I spread a large pat of butter across the waffle, stuck the crispy chicken breast on top, and poured thick, maple syrup all over the whole thing.

“Nothing too exciting,” Wrythe said, his eyebrows raised as he watched me.

The king was seriously hot, but also so far out of my league there was no point taking my thoughts about his fineness any further. “Really?” I cut into the food and shoved a bite in my mouth. My taste buds sang, and I closed my eyes a moment, savoring the combination.

“Really,” he said, copying the way I’d laid out my food on his plate and then taking a bite. He chewed several times. “Very good,” he added around his food. “Much better than eating the waffle and the chicken separately.”

“Agreed,” Peter said. He’d been eating his food the same way I did.

It was obvious they weren’t going to tell me what they’d been discussing. Besides, the king’s close attention to everything I did made me nervous. Resolute in my desire to ignore the feeling, I took another bite. I didn’t have room in my brain to figure out what was going on in Wrythe’s head.

“You have one more demon to kill,” Peter said, changing the subject. “I think we should get an early start and head out to the dunes again tomorrow. That way we can get out there before the blasted heat boils my skin.”

Wrythe shook his head, pointing his fork at Peter while he finished chewing. “True, but I want to know what will happen to Alice once she completes her task. She’ll have the second trial to contend with, but what will it be?” He licked his fork. “I don’t like not knowing.”

I hadn’t thought about that. “It doesn’t matter what his plans are for me. I have a plan for him and that is snuffing out his very existence,” I said forcefully and lifted my cup.

Peter pushed away his food. “I’ve been studying the histories back to the beginning and there isn’t one iota of evidence leading me to believe that killing the Devil is a good idea or even possible.”

I focused on my waffle, deciding I wouldn’t pay too much attention to Peter’s comment. Whatever the histories said, it had to be possible. I would end him. Without a doubt. Otherwise, where did that leave me?

“The texts talk about a need for balance. That there must be equal opposition in all things. Good and bad. Light and dark…” His voice trailed off and he drank from his glass.

What aren’t you saying? I resisted asking the question aloud. That had probably been what he and Wrythe were talking about when I arrived with my food and interrupted.

But it didn’t matter. I’d heard the talk about balance before. From what I’d seen the bad far outweighed the good. Killing the Devil could only make the world a better place. As I thought about it, other questions arose. Like if the Devil were gone, what would happen to the demons? Would there even be a need for the Dark Moth Society any longer? At that last question, a pang of doubt filled my guts. Training and killing demons were all I knew, were what I lived for. My purpose. I didn’t need the Trial of Three to tell me that. I knew it as surely as demon blood flowed through my veins. In the same breath though, I understood I had no idea what I would do after I’d destroyed them all, but I wanted to find out.

Just as the human race continues to climb, so too will the demons. That thought entered my mind. I shook it away.

“Alice?” Wrythe was watching me again, his eyes flicking over my features.

“Hmmm,” I said, before drinking more water.

“What do you think? Can the Devil be killed?” He stuck an enormous bite in his mouth. Syrup coated his bottom lip and I had the urge to kiss it away.

Nope. Not happening. “Of course he can,” I said, tossing my napkin on top of my unfinished food. I was no longer hungry.

“I’d better get back to the books,” Peter said standing. He seemed frazzled by my commitment to kill the Devil, possibly because that would mean he was out of a job.

My eyes narrowed as I studied him. Or was it something else? A twinge of worry crept up my spine

“We know Alice will kill the sixth demon tomorrow. After that, we aren’t sure what will happen. All we know is that the second trial has to do with the emotional part of her psyche.” A shadow crossed Peter’s features. “I don’t know what that’s going to mean, but I hope to figure it out.”

Pushing away whatever bothered me about Peter, I stood too. “I need some sleep,” I said.

Wrythe growled. “I guess I’m finished as well, then.” He shook his head in exasperation. “All work and no play is really starting to drag me down.”

Neither Peter nor I offered an apology and from the look on Wrythe’s face, it was obvious he didn’t expect one. “I’ll speak to the others and seek out their opinion on the subject as well.”

We placed our trays on the conveyer belt and went to the exit. At the end of the hallway, I was to turn left and they were to go right. But Wrythe stopped, taking hold of my arm. “Have you heard from Kade?” His voice was easygoing, but there was a glint of… was it wrath or jealousy in his eyes?

“No,” I said. I hadn’t told them about seeing him in my room and our shared kiss. I couldn’t. “Do you know what he is?” My question was direct and to the point, so I was surprised when Wrythe stepped back, concern replacing his previous emotion. But I’d been plagued with strange dreams that were hard to explain. All I clearly remembered was that it felt like I was flying.

“It doesn’t matter what he is,” he growled. “As long as he hasn’t contacted you.” He tilted his head, as though that would help him gauge what I wasn’t saying. “Kade isn’t to be trusted, that’s for sure.” Wrythe rocked back on his heels.

Peter nodded in agreement.

My head rubber-banded back and forth between them. Sometimes I despised the Society and their secrets. “Let me get this straight. You both know what he is but are refusing to tell me. Is that right?” I was in shock. The last several days we’d spent loads of time together, but they hadn’t said a word about any of this.

“Knowing what he is won’t help you fight your demon tomorrow. It might throw you off your game. Plus, we have no idea what he wants.” Wrythe stepped closer as though he wanted to say more, but hesitated.

“If you want my opinion, it’s a mystery best kept unsolved,” Peter said an unreadable expression on his face.

I opened my mouth to tell Peter I didn’t want his opinion, but Wrythe spoke first.

“Once your first trial is finished,” Wrythe said, taking my hand in his and stroking the back of it. “Then we can discuss it.”

At his touch, I felt a jolt—like electric fire—and it stung me red hot. Dazed, I gasped, pulling away, placing myself at a safe distance from him.

“Alice?” Wrythe’s emotions changed again. This time to a look I never thought I’d see him give me—one of yearning. It was obvious he’d felt the electric fire like I had. “What the—” He swallowed, his pupils dilating.

“Hell,” I finished, moving around them. I couldn’t be in Wrythe’s presence a moment longer. “See you at sunrise,” I added before turning the corner into the hallway that would lead to my room.

In a quiet tone, I heard Peter question the king but didn’t wait around to hear his response.

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