I continued to chase incubi and succubi because I was told that there were still farms to be found, and they had apparently not received my message. I lured them into the alley, kidnapped them, and sent them to the blood farms. A week later, I spotted my shadow.
I went into the alley and said in my head. "Come out, Salvatore, and don't hide there."
Damon walked into the alley and said, "I was wrong about the women. - don't worry, we didn't use the master bedroom. It's still unconsecrated, baby. "
Somehow, that sentence broke my heart, and I didn't even understand why. Then I smelled the passion fruit, saw his gestures, all the little signs.
After a moment, it hit me. Because this was the Damon who'd been with me in England, and now he was admitting he'd fucked others. I shouldn't make any assumptions. Even if we had the most wonderful time in the world, Salvatore is a fuck machine.
I glanced at Damon, my eyes meeting his as I spoke. "I'm still not in the pack, so it doesn't matter to me. I'm in the middle of a job, so if you could just let me get back to work."
The surrounding air hung heavy with tension, the faint scent of damp concrete mixing with the distant sounds of city traffic.
Damon studied me for a moment, his gaze searching, and finally, he said, "I'm really sorry about the threat; it was just a threat. I would do nothing for you. But something has happened to you. You have a shell. Strong. But I can't see what because you've hidden it. Come on, Mimi. Tell me. I can help. Remember how it helped when you told me?"
His words seemed to echo in the stillness, a faint breeze ruffling my hair.
I held his gaze for a moment, my mind racing, before I replied, "Damon, don't lie, yes you would have done something to me if I had stayed. And I'm fine. Just let it go."
Without waiting for a response, I turned away, my footsteps echoing against the pavement as I walked past him and continued on my way. A small voice inside me screamed, urging me to confide in Damon, while another part hoped he would chase after me, as he had done countless times before in England.
I took my time, savoring the solitude, and when I glanced back, there was no one in sight. I was alone, a sense of sorrow washing over me. That chapter of our lives was now a distant memory, and Damon had reverted to his old ways, finding solace in the arms of other women.
I carried on with my gigs, my purpose unwavering. The incubi would soon understand the message I was sending. And now, there was something new. We had sold jewelry crafted by Dresden and Constantine that allowed people to identify an incubus. These jewels carried a hidden magic, but they had to be purchased, not given as gifts. We didn't ask for exorbitant prices, and they sold like hotcakes. The word about incubi and succubi spread like wildfire.
Damon used to shadow me from time to time, but now he no longer made an appearance. I had gone to the alley twice, hoping to glimpse him, but he never showed. It had been two months since the gig, and I still hadn't returned to the pack. I was now on my own, focused on my work, hunting demons and other supernaturals who posed a threat.
The scent of the supernatural hung in the air, mingling with the metallic tang of blood. I knew Damon was watching, but he kept his distance. And I didn't speak to him. My attention was solely on my work, and with each passing day, the year in England seemed like a distant dream. The intensity of my concentration consumed me, driving me to be even more relentless. I craved the thrill of capturing powerful creatures, adding to my growing collection on the blood farm.
It was early morning as I was on my way to my car. I stopped, helpless, in the alley as a song played in the store—Alice Cooper's Poison. I froze in place, and all I could do was tremble in horror. I noticed nothing around me, and the old man who looked at me for a long time, well, I didn't even notice him. Or his species.
When the song ended, I got into my car and sighed. It had been horrible. Sheer fear and terror the whole time. I sat in the car and shook for another two hours with no relief. Finally, it was over at last, and I could function.
When I got back to the base, Bran called and begged me to come back to the pack. He told me that the women were now dead, killed outright because they were not fit to be werewolves, and he had done the job all by himself.
Bran explained how Adam and Samuel were unhappy and depressed about me not being in the pack. I agreed because I didn't feel like fighting. I didn't bother to get Bran to admit the truth that my being in the pack strengthened him when I was in a very strong existence.
Even though I felt the pack bonds were coming together, my bonds with Adam and Damon were closed, and nothing was coming through. I didn't let it bother me. We have made a lot of progress regarding incubi and succubi, and it has shown in people's daily lives. People dared to be out, to go to bars to meet others.
I received another donation from an angel—an enormous pile of angel blood of different strengths. We had had little of them in England as I hadn't had so many, but now I put them in a few houses.
Then, I learned more about the demons' deeds and focused on them again. Magnum, Adam Jake, and an enormous bunch of fleas were already cleaning up the Canada of them.
I had taken whoever I could get and a few division demons, too. You never know when you might need the blood. I wasn't killing them, but the fae, for example, contacted us because the demons were capturing them and eating them or else killing them.
Fae are difficult to kill. I knew that myself, and if there are such vicious demons out there, what's to stop them from coming after us? They should really get their asses kicked. Fae would make damn good allies. They were their own creatures, and there were many of them. Hundreds, if not thousands, of different, and some of them are naughty. Dark fae, but there were many different light faes, too. I thought of a good way to help and help properly.
I went to Idaho and was now first looking at what would be the most effective way to get these demon bastards out. I planned a lot of demonic gigs and again set up a couple of groups for that. Demon squads. They went through Constantine and Dresden's intensive training in demon killing and had their very own equipment set aside.
These divisions would take care of large demon nests. So when the demons came into our dimension, they would make a nest. Some kind of shelter where there were demons and lots of them. But these nests were relatively easy, so you could get in there if you were determined and had enough people, but the payoff was very high. There were at least 200 demons in one hive, and a squad could destroy three hives a day. There were a lot of these nests because the demons had been coming here for centuries, so there was plenty of work to do.
I knew that Adam and Magnum were doing flea work in Canada, but they weren't part of these new demon divisions, as I called them. Then we got another gig. In Texas. A big facility with over 300 fae held captive. Divisions were in Nevada, and we had limited time, so I did the gig. I'd be a savior again, not a killer.
Yes, I brought my guns and daggers, though, if need be. I'd fucking blow the fucking programming away. This was going to be a demanding gig, and we had planned it for two weeks. Now we've considered every fucking option.
Magnum had gotten more powerful vests, but there weren't many so that the attackers would get them. The fae was very suspicious, so I should dress a little more calmly than like I was attacking Fort Knox. So, I then had to figure out the safest option for my equipment.
We'd have three places where the movers would move the victims to safety, a gigantic pile of cars waiting so that every time one car was full, it would already be moving. Similarly, the collectors were on standby. The fae didn't appreciate being examined, and if we could get that information back or destroyed, all the better.
I already knew in advance that a great many agencies were examining the fae to find weapons to use against the supernatural. And I would not allow it. So, the collectors would also send stuff down the tubes as fast as they could. This would be one of the biggest jobs we had ever done. This was a very high-prestige job, and now, yes, I went through all the possibilities.
I would now put on a lighter vest, which had Velcro straps to adjust it well, and an undershirt, but I would not now put on any more armor on the jacket- my jacket was protected as well. But the sword of the demon might go through my equipment. I would not be left to be maimed, but rescue was the main thing. And I was keeping people safe.
We gathered our gear, and the whole motorcade got moving. There was a silver lining to this. The demons are arrogant and believe very firmly in their own superiority and abilities, so they don't rely on technology at all, not even terribly much in the way of weapons.
Because they had their swords, their poison, and their daggers, human weapons were nothing, even though demon-killing bullets could very quickly turn demons into slime puddles. Now, I didn't have any tranquilizers with me, as they don't really work for the Fae, who are generally a very suspicious lot. There were six of us rescuers, so there was plenty of work for everyone.
Then it was showtime. The venue was bustling with activity as at least 30 of us prepared for the mission. The scent of anticipation filled the air. We knew well that the demons had no CCTV cameras or armed guards, but they roamed freely in the yard.
Over fifty of them lurked around, their presence palpable. Time was of the essence, but the 18 destroyers swiftly guided us inside, ensuring our safety before more demons emerged from the shadows. There were whispers of a demon's lair nearby, just down the road.
Trusting the Destroyers to clear a path, I ascended to the sixth floor. My steps quickened with vampire speed. Yvette, a vampire who harbored a deep disdain for Damon, accompanied me as my backup. Our camaraderie was strong, and Yvette had experienced her fair share of hardships.
Racing across the yard, I suddenly realized that Magnum was present at the gig. Though we were aware of last-minute additions to the crowd, their identities remained a mystery until now. I proceeded to the first patient room, leaving Yvette to stand guard at the door.
Inside, I beheld beings with human-like features, except for their pale white hair, silver-grey eyebrows, bluish skin, and lips. Furrowing my brows, I couldn't determine their species as I had never encountered them before. They were shackled, adorned with ancient runes, but I broke their chains.
One of the fae woke up, and I untied her. Her electric blue eyes glowed with an otherworldly intensity, as if fueled by an electric current.
She said with gratitude, " Thank you for saving me and my swarm."
I replied, "You're welcome. Come, I'll assist you." However, she declined, stating that they would find their own way out. In a mesmerizing display, she transformed into a radiant ball of light, fluttering near me. Each fae followed suit, transforming into ethereal orbs of energy. I guided them towards the transporters.
These faes were of the energy variety, rare and extraordinary. They were elusive, often avoiding human form. Yet, the demons had captured them, intending to exploit their energy. We freed over 200 of them, and their gratitude overflowed.
They pledged their help in any future endeavors, proclaiming, "We are energy. If you ever need us, we will help. We are ever-present, capable of transforming into any form of energy. We are the swarm, connected by shared memories rather than individuality."
The transporters moved swiftly, their footsteps echoing in the dimly lit corridor as they navigated through the treacherous corridors of this damn facility. The air was heavy with the scent of sulfur, a lingering reminder of the demons that lurked nearby.
Yvette's urgent voice cut through the tension, her words spurring me into action. My heart raced as I changed rooms, my breath mingling with the distant sound of approaching footsteps.
With a surge of adrenaline, I ripped away the programming that bound me, a searing pain shooting through my veins. My senses heightened, and I witnessed a demon lunging at Yvette from behind. Without a second thought, I positioned myself between them, the clash of metal against flesh reverberating in my ears as I plunged my demon dagger deep into the demon's body.
The pain in my stomach intensified, threatening to overpower me, but the urgency of the situation pushed it to the back of my mind. There were more demons now, their presence multiplying like a plague. With each strike of my dagger, the pain receded, replaced by a fierce determination to protect my comrades.
Amidst the chaos, a surge of energy swept through the room. Our destroyers, driven by their job, joined the fray, their allegiance to us and our cause. Magnum, a steadfast ally, fought alongside me, his movements a blur as he dispatched the demonic adversaries.
My vampire reflexes kicked in, allowing me to expect their attacks and shield the vulnerable humans who relied on me for their safety. Lake Lanier, a distant memory, paled compared to the battle that raged before me. I took blow after blow; the impact reverberating through my body, but I refused to falter. I refused to lose anyone.
The demons proved to be formidable opponents, their agility and body armor making it difficult to find a vulnerable spot. Yet, I persisted, driving my dagger into their bodies with relentless determination. The body count rose steadily, the tally of demons reaching a staggering 500, while I accounted for nearly a hundred of them.
A level five demon emerged during the chaos, wielding a wickedly large saber. Its poisoned blade glinted ominously, a deadly reminder of the peril we faced. As the demon's strike breached my shield, pain seared through me, the demon blades embedded in my stomach burning with an otherworldly intensity. Though the agony threatened to consume me, I gritted my teeth and pressed on.
Summoning every ounce of strength, I thrust my dagger upward, piercing the demon's chin and penetrating its brain. A sickening pool of slime spilled forth, a grotesque testament to the evil we had vanquished.
I retrieved a protective bandage from the depths of my jacket pocket, feeling its texture against my fingertips, and carefully tucked it beneath my vest. Colin's first aid bandages, their sterile scent, mingled with the fabric's musty aroma. I fastened the vest snugly with the Velcro, the sound of the strips intertwining, ensuring that the cut wouldn't cause me any further discomfort. The vest provided a gentle support to the wound, relieving the pressure. Determined, I resumed my relentless pursuit of the demons, the sound of their screeches and growls echoing in my ears.
The wound, though present, seemed distant, not bothering me as much as I had expected. With a protective cover now concealing it, I inspected the injury more closely when I returned to base. As I secured my vest, I glimpsed Magnum's concerned expression, his eyes questioning my well-being. Ignoring his worry, I pressed on, determined to complete our mission.
In due time, we vanquished every one of those vile demons. My body was drenched in their vile slime, the acrid stench filling the air. I still had six spare charges left in my pockets, but the destroyers proved to be so effective that I didn't require many replacements. Magnum boarded one car with the rest of the smashers, their names aptly fitting their role, while I hopped into another vehicle with the saviors. Grateful for our success, a sense of satisfaction washed over me.
No lives were lost, except for those of the enemy. We had saved countless others. During the journey back to base, our conversation revolved around the Fae. We encountered three types of different mythical beings, which were a significant blow for the bad guys, considering our discovery that they were sometimes sold to Sark or Krycheck. The closure of that shop marked a substantial victory.