FIREFANGED

Chapter 26 (The Source)

Raven accompanied me to the town's eastern gate. We got it closed and locked before returning to the square to meet with Volk and, hopefully, the lord mayor.

Volk held his line outside the mansion with shields at the ready. "Duncan is inside now with the mayor."

"Good," I said. "The town is now clear, and both the east and west gates are barred shut. The nearest demon is holding its position a mile to the northeast. I plan to kill it tonight if it doesn't run or follow it home if it does."

Waving to Hicks, Gunner, and the Martells, I pointed to the carcasses. "Mind dragging the demons into the fire before anyone sees them? Folks around here are completely undone, and a hairy, twitching nightmare won't help. Also, watch out for the venom dripping off their fangs."

I walked over and rapped on the mayor's heavy steel door. Tappen opened it, directing Raven and me inside.

The mansion smelled much the same as the church. It was packed tightly with hundreds of terrified people, and I kept a lookout for any familiar faces in the dim light. There was one in particular that I needed to see before anything else.

We headed to the mayor's meeting room, a place with a few not so fond memories. I sent Tappen to grab one of the sentinels outside and collect all our horses from the western gate. The mayor had stables nearby where they could be fed and watered.

I found Mott.

The scout was the center of attention in the crowded room. He waved me in. "Vigil Storm, please meet Lord Mayor Ramsey."

I turned to meet His Lordship again. "I'm Vigil Ara Storm."

Here was a man that had seen his city plunged into uncontrolled chaos and fear. From his elevated position, he was as helpless as the next person to do anything about it. The mansion was filled with the haunted, desperate eyes of men, women, and children on their last stop before insanity.

"Vigil Storm, well met. It's been a nightmare."

I'll give Ramsey credit. He didn't even blink as he recognized me. He smelled of prey, fearful and shocked due to the traumatic events raging through his city, but he'd done what he could to safeguard the lives of his citizens.

"Mayor, your town is currently clear of any and all demons. We killed four beasts, two behind the church and two right outside your front door." I spoke loudly, intending to bring Duncan and the rest of the room up to speed as well. "There are more outside the city walls to the northeast. We'll deal with them later tonight."

Mayor Ramsey nodded.

"Lord Ramsey, how is your daughter?" Cat should be here in this room, but she wasn't, and I couldn't think of anything else.

"I—I don't know," he stammered.

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"Well, she hasn't spoken since the first attack, four nights ago."

"Four nights ago?" I looked over at Mott. "Not six?"

Ramsey replied, "The first demon came over the wall four days ago, just after midnight. The city militia was able to kill it, but only after a dozen citizens were lost. More hellions have shown up every night since."

It was time to take charge. The Vigil held sway in any situation where the Infernal was at hand.

"Mott, you are now in charge of Lockrun's defenses and recovery. Use whatever resources are necessary to secure the town's walls and get the population moving again. There are two dead demons on the far side of the church. Please have them burned and send some folks to repair and reinforce the rectory's doors."