Blood Revenge

Chapter 18

It was two more days before Westreturned with the 'professional' he knew that could performStefan's exorcism. I was skeptical from the beginning. The manlooked older than Reif, if he'd been human. He was shorter than meand his beard looked to be twice his size. He carried it slung overone arm as he toddled about on frail legs, supporting a frailer bodythat looked as if one strong breeze could snap it in half. He wore ahat pulled tightly down over his head, partially obscuring his eyesso he had to tilt his head back at a painful looking angle to seeanything. "Those are notmage robes," Anders whispered to me as I tried to process the man.Having worn them for years himself, he was the expert.

"Of course they're not, youidiot!" the man snapped from, I swear, 30 feet away. "I'm nodamn mage."

Anders balked, my jaw fell and Isuppressed a howl of laughter. Impeccablehearing, Reifcommented.

"Anymore dullard comments, orcan I get to work?" the man questioned.

I nudged Anders. "I think helikes you."

"This is ridiculous," Beriscoffed, scowling at the old man.

"You watch your tone, missy,"the man said, getting close enough to wag a gnarly finger in herface.

Beri's face turned an angry redand I saw her contemplate breaking the finger off. He probably couldhave grown a new one, but I didn't want to take the chance. BeforeI could intervene, Beri took a deep breath and settled for backing upa step and glaring defiantly. "Oh, what! That is so unfair! If Icalled her 'missy' ever, I would be minus a tongue!" Andersprotested.

"With all of the wagging itdoes sonny, I'm surprised no one's caught it and removed it yearsago," the man came back.

That was it. I couldn't hold itany longer. I burst into a fit of laughter. "I think we may have tokeep him around," I sputtered.

"Enough!" his voice boomed,demanding obedience. We all clamped our mouths shut. "Now if youdon't mind, I'd like to see the demon."

All mirth completely quashed, Inodded and led the way to the cell where Stefan had been locked,coming in and out of himself, for three whole days. West helped theold man down the stairs and was immediately shrugged off when he'dreached flat ground. I stopped dead in front of the locked gate. "Inthere," I pointed.

The man, whose name I laterlearned was Marl, took a glance at Stefan then said, "Well, let mein. We haven't got all day."

I took the keys from a pouch onmy belt that nobody else had been given access to and opened thecell. Marl barely gave me a chance to step out of the way beforesweeping past me into the cell.

"He's fast for an old man,"Stephanie whispered to Reif.

"Keep your wits about you,"he replied, glaring toward Marl. I saw him inch closer to me.

Stay with Stephanie. I cantake care of myself.

I don't doubt it, but youare in the thick of things. She is all of the way back here.

I didn't reply. I just returnedmy attention to Marl who was circling Stefan. Stefan was watching himwith a look of utter hatred and disgust that told me we were notdealing with Stefan. My hands hovered over my weapons warily. I felta rush of energy as Anders' magic prickled over my skin. We wereall on high alert. "What is this, my pet?" Stefan asked, lookingup from Marl to me with a macabre grin on his face.

"I am notyour pet, demon," I sneered, taking a step toward him.

I felt Anders' hand on my arm,holding me back. "You'll speak when spoken to!" Marl boomedwith a wave of his hand. I felt a rush of magic over power Anders'and Stefan writhed, screaming.