Needing is One Thing

Chapter 14. I don't need to walk around in circles

Andrew had waited for this day, dreaded it, prayed for it, for as long as he could remember. It felt surreal to him.

He stood, hands in his pants pockets, staring out over the sunny Chicago skyline through the wall of windows that lined the loft. The workroom was large, floored in smooth light wood. Widely-spaced round metal columns ran floor to ceiling. A set of chairs and a table took up one corner; workbenches and bookshelves placed here and there, partitioning spaces off to the sides. His apartment was down the hall, the large fire door leading to it closed and bolted. His father had given him the space, gifted him with it so his son would be close when he worked. Andrew had resented it at first but now, he had to admit it was handy.

Andrew was dressed for his father's funeral: light blue shirt, black suit, tie. He wouldn't bother with the memorial gathering the company was hosting. He could care less. And the church service? Well, he couldn't set foot in there. It would be more than a little...uncomfortable. But he would be at the cemetery. Maybe I'll see Mika again. It was likely her father would drag her along. The thought of her almost made him smile for a moment.

Andrew shifted and checked his watch. He had time. He felt exhausted, despite what he'd stolen from James. He'd stayed up most of the night, working.

It was difficult at first, the hell-borne magic didn't want to give him up but he'd pushed through it. It was all about strength. Still, Andrew had spent all of his life avoiding it and now here he was, diving in, feet first and eyes open.

He was warned about how easy it could be. He'd seen the compulsion in his father. Closing his eyes, he felt a deep twist of guilt.

I'm sorry Harold, I tried. The man would have been so disappointed in him but Harold was gone and Andrew was left to fend for himself. I do what I must, there is no other option.

Andrew didn't hear the approach of the elevator down the hall. He was too lost in his thoughts.

"You!" Startled, he spun around to see Sam stepping into the room. The demon's eyes were burning bright green in fury, his hands clenched into fists as he glared across the space at Andrew.

"You're dead, motherfucker!" Sam ran for him, pouring on his speed. Andrew's eyes widened in fear as he struggled to pull his hands from his pockets. He tried to step back but Sam was right on him, cocking back a fist to smash him into next week.

Light flashed in a bright violet flare. Sam's hand, followed by his whole body, rammed up against an invisible wall. He heard the bones in his hand crunch, felt them grind, and hissed in pain. Andrew backed away, eyes wide, only to have his feet trip him up. He fell backward, knocking his head against the floor.

"What?!?" Sam finally pulled back. "What the fuck is this?" He stepped back a few steps before his back hit it again behind him. Sam circled, finding himself trapped in some kind of invisible barrier. He curled his hands into fists, felt the bones shift in his injured hand. He didn't even wince, his anger burned up the pain.

"You must be Sam, am I right?" Andrew rubbed his head gingerly and slowly stood back up. He looked at the demon disguised as a man, surprised, trying to ignore the racing of his heart. That had been close. Too close.

Sam refused to answer him. Instead, he muttered some syllables under his breath, words Andrew didn't recognize, that slipped away before he could really hear them. But Andrew could feel the flare of energy, saw the glow as the barrier absorbed the magic. Sam was trying to do something. Whatever that was, it wouldn't happen.

Sam's eyes went wide as he realized it. His brothers weren't coming.

"Whatever you're trying, it won't work," Andrew sighed and straightened his jacket, brushing it off before turning back to him. He tilted his head to consider the brute, studying him. "Somehow, my little compulsion spell must have fired on you, instead."

Andrew frowned and narrowed his eyes at Sam for a moment, loosed a small amount of demon magic to read him. Strength, speed, enthrallment... Shit.

Sam met his eyes and Andrew saw Sam's flash gold. Felt a tingle run through his body before the barrier slowly lit up, a faint pink darkening to deep violet. The human blushed, then shook it off.

"Why Sam, I didn't know you felt that way about me," Andrew chuckled. As if I'd fall for that trick. The light vanished immediately as Sam dropped the enthrallment, his eyes returning to their fierce green as he glared at the human.

Nesting his injured hand in the other, Sam began slowly pouring energy into it. He wouldn't let the fear in. There has to be a way out. He stared at the human while he healed himself. "How?" Sam grated out the single word.

Andrew gave a little shrug and pointed up with his index finger. Sam looked up to see a white chalk pentagram scribed on the ceiling above him, the runes about it twined with purple and green light. He was standing directly in the center of the circle. Andrew had been just a foot outside of it when he attacked.

"You tricked me," Sam growled.

"Hey, you did it to yourself," Andrew chided him. "We could have just talked," he added, blasé. He slowly started to pace around the circle's perimeter, forcing Sam to turn in order to face him.

"That," Andrew nodded his head towards Sam's invisible cage, "is what's called a devil's trap. Or in this case, with a few minor modifications for demon magic, a demon's trap. You boys still have to play by the rules it appears, despite Harold foolishly setting you free." Andrew turned his back on him.

At the sound of Harold's name, Sam lost it. He snarled and threw himself against the barrier again. "You filthy mother fucker. I'm gonna..." Sam's language poured out of his mouth, describing what he'd do to him in intricate detail.

It was impressive, Andrew had to admit. He let Sam wear himself out while he stepped up to one of his workbenches and picked up a paper cup of cold, stale coffee. Forcing himself to relax, he took a sip. Sweet and dark. Mika was right, it was great coffee. As Sam's yelling began to wind down, he turned back.

"That trap was meant for your brother," Andrew sighed, "But I've caught you instead. So, what am I supposed to do with you?" He took another sip then put the cup back down. Folding his arms in annoyance, he walked back up to the edge of the circle. "You are the brother called Sam, aren't you?"

"Sam?!" A familiar screech echoed through the room, causing the two to pause. "You caught Sam? Oh... this is going to be sweet!!!"

Andrew frowned in frustration as Sam scowled, both turning towards the hall. Sam's stomach dropped as the devil known as Malix strut into the room, his gang following behind. Drawing a deep breath, Andrew turned to the devils, his expression going cold.

"You know each other?" He quirked an eyebrow. "Then I guess I won't have to worry about introductions."

"You are in for a world of pain, Sam." Malix laughed. The sound echoed through the room. "I'm really going to enjoy this." He pulled his hell-borne gun and leveled it at Sam's face.

"Don't break the circle." Andrew's voice lost its playfulness. He commanded Malix, throwing magic into the words. "Don't kill him. Don't drain him. I need him intact."

Malix turned to Andrew, his eyes flashing red to match his blood-red skin. They stared at each other in silence, a battle of wills. Finally, the devil broke eye contact. He shrugged, laughing again.

"Fine," Malix replied, too easily. "We won't."

Andrew watched the devil for a moment more. He wasn't satisfied, but he had places to be. "Then I'll just leave you two boys to get reacquainted." The devils chuckled around them. "Keep an eye on him." Andrew turned back to Sam, flashing his half-smile. "Have fun!"

"Wait!" Sam stepped towards him, coming up short as he hit the barrier again. He growled in frustration. Andrew was quickly striding out of the room. "Wait!" he called after him.

Andrew paused at the door.

"What do you even want James for?"

Andrew looked back over his shoulder, then turned fully around to face Sam. "James? Who said anything about James?" He cocked his head, amused.

"That trap was for Erik."