ELYSE'S POV
It's been a few days since Groden made his big announcement. I can wrap my head around him being from Burbarri. That somehow just makes so much sense, but me? No. I'm completely human! Right? Lately, I haven't been so sure. The nightmares have been getting worse and crazy things have been happening around me too. I have decided to stay hidden away in my own little bubble for a while.
I stand up from my couch as a loud knock sounds at my apartment door. I wonder if it's Groden, my mind conjuring up an image of him leaning against the door frame with one arm above his head and the other arm full of Chinese takeout. Yum! Shaking my head, I shuffle over to the metal door and peek out of the little glass viewing bubble. Not seeing anyone outside, I slowly open the door and look around. No one. I step back into my apartment and slide the lock into place after closing the door. I switch off the outdoor light and arm the security system for good measure. My trusty baseball bat leaning on the gray wall beside the door, just waiting for some action.
I turn around to head back to the couch where I was binge watching Supernatural. Now, I know what you're thinking. Your girl is watching a show about demons, ghosts and two cute guys right after finding out that these things are really, well, real. Not my best moment, okay? Anyway, I turn around to see that the two large windows in the living room were open, the white curtains blowing in the breeze coming from the ocean below. I slowly take a step back and reach for the baseball bat behind me. Wrapping my hand around the metal, I put it up to my cheek like Babe Ruth at the world series. Ready to swing on anything that wants to take the chance.
The light from the television hits something large in the corner of the living room. It looks like a man, a large bulky man. I call out to him but he doesn't respond. Instead, he lunges forward, my bat connecting with his shoulder as I swing. I don't give him the chance to jump at me a second time. I pull my bat toward my cheek again and swing once more. Nailing him in the face this time.
I realize that this is not a normal man. If it was, he would not be standing right now. The creature is now laying on the hardwood floor. I step over to him as he tries to crawl his way to the open window. He won't make it. I swing the bat one more time, effortlessly knocking the creature unconscious.
As he lies on the floor of my apartment, I grab my cell phone from the coffee table. I scroll through my contacts app until I find the number I am looking for. Groden answers almost immediately, concern lacing his voice. " Elyse! It's late, are you all right?"
"Hey, yeah. Can you come over here? I have a problem that I believe you should look at."
"I'm on my way. Fill me in, what happened?"
I can hear the ruffling of clothes and Groden's motorcycle starting up as I take a deep breath and explain what happened.
It wasn't long before another knock comes at my door, this time it was accompanied by a familiar voice. I step over the body lying in my way and unlock the door, Groden steps in and pulls a knife from his belt loop.
He pushes the door closed and makes sure that it is locked, putting my dining chair under the handle for good measure. I'm sure he is just trying to make me feel a little more comfortable, he is a demon after all. There isn't much I need to worry about with him here. Bending down beside the guy on the ground, he confirms my suspicions.
"Definitely a demon. Not one of King Dentorri's guys though. He came in from the window?"
"Yes. I opened the door to see if someone was outside and when I came back in, he was standing there." I say as I point toward the corner beside the windows.
"And you hit him with a baseball bat when he attacked you?"
"Groden. Yes. I already told you this. I watch horror movies; I'm not going to be a damsel in distress. Demon or not!"
"Okay. I'm going to tag him and send word to my second in command. He'll help me sort this out." Groden puts the knife back into the holster on is belt and grabs the demon's arm. Flipping it over, he lays both hands on the demon's wrist, emitting a blue and silver light from his palms.
"Groden, what is that? What are you doing?"
"Tagging him, it'll keep him sedated until we can get him sent to Burbarri prison." Groden looks up at me as he says this, realizing that he is doing magic in front of me. He finishes the spell, and the light suddenly stops. Standing up, he slowly walks over to me, placing his hands on my arms.
"Hey. It's going to be all right. I'll get my guys up here and we will get this sorted out."
"You were just doing magic." I can't help but focus my attention on that. His hands are still warm from it. Now I know, the blue and orange streaks in my dreams are definitely magic!
"Wait. You could see that? Like for sure, you saw my magic?"
"The blue and silver little light show, um, yeah. And I see those colors along with others when I dream at night! It's amazing and scary!" I throw my hands into the air, turning my attention back to the demon laying in the floor.
"Are you sure he isn't going anywhere? I do not want him coming at me again!"
Groden laughs and places his hand on the side of my face, his thumb rubbing my lips. "It's fine, El. He is most definitely down for the count. Most of that was you, by the way. I barely had to sedate him. You have nothing to worry about."
I turn and walk to the kitchen in hopes of clearing my head, Groden walks through the rest of my apartment. He locks all the windows and pulls the curtains closed. I make a couple of ham sandwiches and grab two bottles of lemonade from the refrigerator, settling down on the couch. Groden places the demon in the bathroom and blocks the door from the outside, just in case.
We sit on the couch and Groden calls the rest of his team with his cell phone. Two of the guys are coming to deal with the demon locked away in my bathroom, while Groden stays here for the night.