The Heart Of The Demon

Chapter Nineteen: Lacey the Demon Physician

The rally was a mixed crowd of protestors and supporters. Shouts could be heard from the sidelines as several marched with signs that declared Lacey inhumane for the things she did to demons, while other fans argued with them and declared of her great feats in the medical advancement of the field.

Johnathan came along with us, despite what he'd said in protest, he declared that he wanted to go and see what Lacey had to say. More in the way of, how would she defend her terrible deeds than actual curiosity about her knowledge.

A woman with long dark hair stepped onto the stage. She wore a short dress that displayed her knees and calves that had designs inked into them. She was hour glasses shaped, with carved muscles in every bit of skin that showed. It was attractive in its own way, but surprising considering her status. Most in her possession would've dressed more modest.

Johnathan was clearly bothered when she stepped out. "She's a duel soul too, but there's a great darkness to the second one, that's why it almost looks like it's late evening in her shadow."

If Lacey was a duel soul, then how could she declare that she was able to get rid of other things? Unless this was all a scam, a way to get peoples money for nothing. "What does that mean?"

"It means her other side has committed great acts of evil, even Zendar's aura isn't that dark, and we both know he's done some horrible things," Johnathan stated as Lacey waved to the crowd.

"I've come to England in search of those willing to help me further my research. Whoever volunteers will be compensated for their time and come out very wealthy—" She smiled, her black painted lips stretching into a sneer. "If you survive."

"Evil woman! Demi and demon killer!" Someone in the crowd cried.

"Go back to America where you belong!" Another shouted.

Tall, muscled figures stepped out, creating a barrier between Lacey and the crowd.

Lacey's eyes zeroed in on me, within them was an emotion I couldn't recognize. "General Falosa, I didn't expect to see someone as esteemed as yourself here. What brings someone like yourself to my little rally?"

The crowd followed her gaze, all eyes landing on me.

I didn't like the intensity in her gaze, nor the recognition when I had no remembrance of ever meeting her. "I need your help."

"Interesting, very interesting. . ." Lacey smiled, tapping a finger on her lip. "We can discuss this matter in my tent later. Now, if anyone practicing medicine is interested, I have the updated copy of my book available for purchase and signed."

Geayu rushed forward to the table and bought one. Despite what he'd said about Lacey, he had the look of a excited child in his eyes. I had never seen him express himself in that way before.

Afterwards, we waited on the sidelines where Lacey had asked us to. The crowd gradually dissipated until all that was left were a few random protesters that seemed harmless for the most part.

The muscled men guided us to her tent. It was set up quite nicely with white furniture, bowls of fruit, and many things I wouldn't expect to see in a tent.

Lacey laid on her side on one of the couches, her nose buried in a book as she adjusted her spectacles. When one of the men whispered in her ear, she slammed the book shut and looked up at us. "Welcome, I heard you were in England and after what happened to Vagotha, I can't say I believed I'd see you alive. What a tragedy, truly."

Geayu rushed forward and shook her hand. "It's such an honor to meet someone so intelligent and bright." He kept shaking her hand until a muscled man stepped in and pulled him away.

"No touching our lady without asking," the deep voiced man reprimanded.

"Sorry, sorry," Geayu murmured as he peeked around the man at Lacey. "I'm just so excited to meet one of the brightest minds of the century. Your research has brought help to a lot of Demi's."

Lacey giggled girlishly. "Truly, I'm flattered." She held a hand to her chest. "I can't say I have many admirers, especially not such. . ." She eyed him from head to toe. "Deliciously attractive ones."

Turning bright red, Geayu combed a hand through his dark, greying hair. "Th—thank you?"

Lacey gestured to the chairs surrounding the coffee table in the center. "Have a seat, why are you seeking me out?"

"I've been possessed by a demon general and I want him out," I stated as I sat down directly across from her.

"More like you have a soul brother and you're selfish and want to murder him," Johnathan spat, his tone icy and bitter.

Raising her brows, Lacey looked between us. "So which is it? Duel soul or demon general? Those are completely different things."

"To be honest. . ." I side-eyed Johnathan. "I have no idea. I thought it was a demon general based off of the things he does, but apparently, according to some aura seeing Demi who thinks he knows better it's a duel soul."

Lacey hummed, taking out a parchment, quill and ink as she scribbled some notes down. "How long have you been noticing memory gaps and having lucid dreams that it feels like you are living?"

I opened my mouth to speak and paused. "I don't know."

"Most Demi's die within a week of being possessed by a demon general and the general takes over entirely. . . Perhaps Vagothian's are different." Lacey leaned forward, grabbed my hand and traced my palm. "You have a dark future ahead, Falosa. I can already see all the pain and suffering you're going to cause." 

I pulled my hand away. "I don't need my fortune told, I just need this demon out."

"You have to understand, he's been with you for a long time, he's a duel soul, not a demon general. The process is high risk and might kill you both," Lacey stated, her voice grave.

"See, she just wants to experiment on you and claim it's fine in the name of science," Johnathan accused, pointing a finger at Lacey, a rage flashing in his eyes. "I don't trust her, we should leave."

"Johnathan, I don't think you understand, Zendar is a risk to everyone. We need to get rid of him. No matter what it takes." I turned to Lacey. "I'm willing to try anything. I don't care how high risk it is."

A sadistic glee sparkled in her eyes, making a shiver travel down my spine. "Anything?"

"Anything."

Something in my gut told me I would come to regret this decision. It told me to run, to get as far away from her has possible. Johnathan's face fell. I could tell he was on the same side as my gut. There was danger here, something far worse than what I'd experienced so far.

"I'll have my carriage take you to my England laboratory." Lacey turned to the rest of the group. "I'm so sorry, only Falosa will be allowed to come. I like to keep my patients privacy." She handed me a blindfold. "For security reasons. I can't have you telling others where my laboratory is. It would be a violation of my privacy."

"I don't like this. . ." Zendar said, his anxiety wafting through our bond. "There's something very wrong with her. It's not going to work, she's only going to bring you suffering."

"You only don't like it cause I'm going to get rid of you."

"It's not going to work."

"You're a liar." I put on the blindfold, my heart racing as the world went dark and two strangers grabbed my arms, guiding me into the abyss. "I'm going to do whatever it takes to eliminate you."

Well. . . What can go wrong might go wrong.
I have a bad feeling this is not a good decision
What do you think is going to happen now?
Johnathan clearly thinks Falosa is going to be a guinea pig.
N.G.Brier