Don't go out after dark. That was the number one rule. Every man, woman and child knew that rule. Everyone could name a friend, a relative who had died breaking that rule. Because after the sunset, the demons had free reign. They walked the streets and flew through the skies. And they made war with the Fellowship. So why, Catherine wondered, was she running down the street an hour after sundown?
It had been a lovely date. Eric had taken her to her favorite restaurant. Afterwards he had taken her to see the new romantic-comedy that she loved, and knew he hated. He had spent the evening waiting on her hand and foot. He complemented her on her clothes and even noticed her new earrings. It had been a almost been a perfect evening. Except Catherine knew Eric only paid this much attention to her when he wanted her forgiveness.
"You're what!?"
"I'm joining the Fellowship," Eric repeated, "I already passed the initiate exam."
The Fellowship of the Light. Warriors against the Demon Scourge. Protectors of the People. Or so their propaganda said. In Catherine's opinion the Fellowship were a bunch of bullies who didn't pay attention to what they were doing. A good number of people felt there would be far less demon attacks if the Fellowship would stop trying to fight.
Eric ran his hand over his shaved head,"Look, Cath. I really don't think the Fellowship is that bad. If you would just..."
"Manhattan."
In the early days of the demons, the Fellowship had found a nest in the subways under the island. Resolving to burn out the infestation, they had sent in a team armed to the teeth. Hours later what was left of the team came out screaming. What had been advertised as a simple mission had turned into a firefight that spilled into the streets, with the Fellowship losing. People were evacuated, but it wasn't easy to get a million people out of a war zone. Many people people got out just fine. Others made deals with the demons to survive. And all too many, like Catherine's aunt got caught in the crossfire. The demons ruled Manhattan now. Of course some believed the propaganda that said the Fellowship stopped a demon invasion from taking over the entirety of New York City. People like Eric.
"Don't think your going to change my opinion Eric." Catherine seethed. "Dammit you know why I don't like them!"
"Cath, just because you know someone who died, doesn't make the Fellowship the bad guys."
"It's not just because I know someone who died Eric," Her voice was quiet, she rarely yelled when angry. Eric knew she was furious when he had to lean in close enough to see the emerald fire in her eyes."It's because they go and start fights in the middle of populated area's and don't care who gets caught in the crossfire. And you're joining them?"
"Look, Cath I don't expect you to understand but..."
"You're right Eric," Catherine interrupted, "I don't understand. And I'm leaving." With that she grabbed her purse and headed for the door.
Eric sat up at that, "Cathy wait, it's too late to be going out!"
"Goodbye, Eric."
There had been plenty of time until sunset. Or so she had thought. Instead she had gotten off at the wrong stop. Instead of getting back on the train she had decided to walk down the street for a bit. Then the streetlights turned on. She started to walk faster. She looked up.
Dark shapes stirred on the rooftop. Wings stretched and claws scratched on stone. One shape jumped from one roof to another across the street. The demons were awake.
Catherine started to run. Fear gave her wings as she raced down the street. She skidded around a corner and bounced off of a parked car. She ran and ran. She ran until she heard a gunshot ring out.
Catherine slid to a stop and stared at the body that landed in the middle of the street. The long mass of wings writhed on the ground trying to get back into the air. Another figure dropped on top of the demon and started tearing into its opponent. A grotesque distorted human face looked up from the demon's corpse, blood dripping from its fangs.
Catherine froze as the vampire crawled of its victim and headed towards her. She felt a scream welling up in her throat when a black bolt of power slammed into the monster, flattening it. Then the fight broke out in earnest. Humans stepped out of alley ways and from behind cars, guns raised. Vampires slipped their leashes to crawl up the sides of buildings. Armored demons dropped to the street swords in hand.
The same fear that had frozen her only moments ago now forced Catherine to move. Looking around she saw that she was standing next to a truck. Grabbing the handle, and pulling the miraculously unlocked door open, she crawled into the cab. Closing the door she hit the power locks and slid beneath the passenger seat. Flashes lit up the street as guns barked. The truck rocked as bolts of demon magic crashed down next to it. She buried her face in her hands, doing her best to muffle her cries.
Then it was quite.
Catherine held still to scared to move. Afraid of what might still be out there. Tapping on the windshield made her look up. A skeletal shadow loomed in the truck as a vampire scratched at the glass. It saw Catherine looking and hissed.
"Who's in there?" A voice shouted, a man's voice. At the sound of that voice Catherine almost relaxed. Almost. She could still see that vampire scratching at the truck's windshield. "Come out now!"
She still didn't move. There was something in that man's voice that chilled her. She didn't trust that voice. Didn't trust the vampire that scratched at the glass. She didn't move. She couldn't move.
"Come out now!" The vampire leapt from the hood to the top of the cab. Another figure appeared through the windshield, this one fully human. Catherine stared down the muzzle of the rifle pointed down at her. "Come out now, or I will fire!"
Still, Catherine didn't move, terror holding her in place. Then she found her voice, "Please. Someone. Anyone.
"Save me."
Why are so many humans fools? The dark lady looked down at the wrecked street. Cars lay on their sides or completely overturned. More than one was a blazing ruin. Bodies, demon and human, lay broken among the wreckage. And none of this would have happened if the cursed Fellowship hunters hadn't shot down a harmless messenger.Her eyes fell on the shredded body. Truly harmless, even without the Pact. And by killing it the human had opened itself to retaliation. Its fellows had defended it of course, leading to the devastation below.
Her gaze was drawn to a human and vampire team at the edge of the destruction. The human herded its vampire over to a truck that had somehow survived the battle. She watched as the vampire crawled onto the vehicle. The human seemed to be getting excited. It brandished its weapon and said something at the vehicle. It brandished its weapons again, before giving a command to its vampire.
The creature moved out of its master's way as the human climbed on top of the vehicle. It yelled for someone to come out. Then she heard something. A whisper even her ears shouldn't have been able to detect.
"Save me."
Before the sound faded, she was already airborne, dark wings swept back, magic assisting her flight down the dark street. The human never saw her coming. A taloned hand tore him open. The vampire lunged for its master's killer, but a fiery blast threw it back. She dropped to the street as bullets screamed past, grunting when one grazed her arm. Turning back to the truck, she severed the door from the vehicle with a flash of fiery magic. In human strength sent the door spinning into the Fellowship hunters gathered against her. Another bullet bounced off her armor as she pulled the limp figure out of the truck and into her arms. She launched herself into the night sky, disappearing into the darkness.
A ledge halfway up the tall building sat wreathed in shadows. A perfect place for her to perch and study the human in her arms. Clawed feet easily held her in place as black claws brushed a lock of strawberry blonde hair out of the woman's face. Something stirred in the demons heart as she looked down at that face. It wasn't love. She had lived too long to mistake it for that emotion. But it was there. An infatuation that could become more. The demon's heart leapt as emerald eyes fluttered open.
Catherine first became aware of the strong arms cradling her. Then she opened her eyes. Looking down at her were black eyes set in a face of darkest crimson. Above those eyes were rows and columns of horns instead of hair. She was in the arms of a demon. And she was not afraid.
Her heart hummed in her chest. But it wasn't with the fear that had sent her flying down a dark street. It wasn't the fear that had made her tremble as a battle raged around her. It wasn't the fear that had held her frozen when another human had pointed a gun at her. She couldn't quite place the feeling that raced through her, but it wasn't fear.
"Hold tight," Before Catherine could respond to that soothing whisper, a sharp drop mad her wrap her arms around the demon's crimson neck. And then she was flying.
The demon beat her wings, rising above the skyline. Catherine looked down to see the streets racing past below as the demon glided to her destination. Landing on a roof, the demon gently set Catherine on her feet. Straightening, Catherine turned to get her first clear look at her rescuer.Slightly taller than Catherine's modest height, she had black talons on each finger resting on the massive bicep of the opposite arm, folded across a blackened steel breastplate. A leather skirt covered muscular legs ending in clawed feet.
"You saved me."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I don't know," she looked down at her talons, "I heard your call and acted. I cannot explain why."
"Oh," Catherine felt the night catch up with her. The fight with Eric. The run through dark streets. She had to sit down, and she pulled her legs to her chest. Then she thought of the man with the gun. "Did you kill him?"
The demon didn't need to ask as she sat cross-legged next to the human. "Yes. Does that bother you?"
"I'm not sure," Catherine confessed. Her feelings were definitely confused. While she had no love for the Fellowship, it felt strange to think that one of their members would have killed her. In contrast the demon, a supposed enemy of mankind, had saved her life. A long silence passed between the pair. Then Catherine reached over and put her hand on the demon's knee. "I don't even know your name."
The dark lady smiled revealing sharp teeth. "My true name is impossible for the human mouth to pronounce. However, I find Valkyr to be an acceptable substitute."
"Valkyr." Catherine let the name roll in her mouth. She liked the way it felt. "My name is Catherine Hedgekins. Thank you for saving me Valkyr."
