The Howling

Chapter Eighteen

        Piers must have sensed something happening because Villette's eyes flew open on their own. Her body turned and Villette permitted the action. She concentrated on allowing the movements. Think of yourself as a puppet on a string, she thought to herself. You're a puppet on a string. Just a puppet. 

        For a moment, nothing happened in the chamber. Then Eisen and Ignatius appeared on the raised platform in a swirl of black smoke. As the smoke dissipated, Eisen moved briskly down the steps while Ignatius took a moment on the platform, as if savoring his position. Hunger danced in his eyes as he regarded the children. He licked his lips and then followed after Eisen. 

        But when Eisen moved away from the children Ignatius instead moved towards them. Eisen held up a hand and said something in a voice low enough to escape Villette and Piers. Whatever he said stopped the fire demon cold. Ignaitus turned towards Eisen, responded, and then with a shrug followed after the magician towards one side of the chamber. 

        Ignatius had dark skin, the color of smoke and ash. A mess of white hair adorned his head, unkempt as if he had just awoken. But then, as Eisen spoke, he ran a hand through it, messing it up further. His eyes continued to turn towards the children as he listened halfheartedly to Eisen. 

        We need to move now, Piers urged. Villette could feel her body wanting to move and she allowed it, surrendering control to Piers. 

        They crept forward, keeping low to the ground to use the few remaining upward jutting rocks as cover. Villette moved smoothly, impressed with how precise Piers kept each and every movement. She hadn't exactly been clumsy on her own but she experienced her fair share of trippings and tumblings. With Piers in command every movement had a purpose. She supposed his control stemmed from centuries of experience. 

        As they stole behind the closest rock to the throne room, faint voices rose up and echoed throughout the room. Piers stopped them behind the crag and they strained to hear. 

        "I've already told you what you wanted to know. When are you going to complete the spell?" There was impatience in Ignatius' voice. Hunger. 

        "In a moment. I'm waiting for a phone call." 

        "A phone call?" Ignatius' impatience morphed into barely controlled rage. "We had a deal, magician. I tell you what you wanted to know and you surrender the children in lieu of your own soul. I did my part-I even granted you a slew of demons so that they might assist you. Phone call or not, you do yours." 

        There was a moment of silence and then a roar of pain from Ignatius. Villette wanted to peek over the top of the rock but Piers kept her down. We're too close. They'll see us. 

        "What do you think you're doing?" Ignatius demanded sharply. Shuffled footsteps. "How dare you use your magic against me?" 

        "I told you before. I am awaiting a phone call. You will not have even a single child until I receive it." 

        "If you're playing some kind of game-" 

        A shrill ring came from the other side of the crag, causing Villette to flinch. Eisen answered it with a curt "Yes," and then silence descended. The urge to peek over the rock gripped Villette again but this time she kept her curiosity in check. Piers was right. If she looked now, everything would be ruined. 

        Then Eisen snapped the phone shut and he answered Ignatius. "There. That wasn't so bad, was it? I'll perform the spell. Have your demons stand back. I would hate to think of what would happen should they stray too close to the extraction spell."