"We will meet tomorrow, after lunch - at least those of us who are planning to fight." repeated Danny, looking questioningly at Terrence.
"I'm in. I just don't want to die - or worse..." sighed Terrence.
"We are here to protect you. You aren't going to be a soldier, fighting in the thick of the battle. What we need from you is your special gift to sense demons, without them being aware that you can. You'll basically be doing what you have been doing, but with friends who have your back." explained Amber, trying to soothe the young man's frayed nerves.
"I see. So that message I have in your saddle bag, we should make sure it gets delivered?" he asked, becoming slightly less fearful.
"Yes, I think so. But we will discuss that tomorrow, at the meeting." she replied.
"Sounds good... I just have one more question, if that's alright?" he asked, looking pointedly at Danny Rupert.
Delilah spoke up quickly, and with passion. "Of course! If we are going to win against this powerful evil force, we have to trust each other. Ask whatever you want, and we will tell you if we can."
"Is pizza really as good as everyone claims?" Terrence asked, struggling to keep a straight face after Delilah's heartfelt speech.
Everyone laughed, including Terrence. "Why don't we go see Charlie, and you can decide for yourself." replied Danny, smiling.
In Mrs. Preda's study:
"Where is Fawlazar? She was supposed to be here by now, with Busk's people... I hope she and Dionor didn't have a squabble, and send each other back." Mrs. Preda mused anxiously, as she brushed her already lustrous hair.
Tap tap tap.
"Yes?" said Mrs. Preda, forcing herself to sound bored.
"Selene Busk is here, asking to see you, Ma'am." replied a guard, without opening the door.
"Send her in, right away." ordered Mrs. Preda.
The door opened, and in walked Selene Busk, possessed by the demon Fawlazar.
"Finally. I trust that my staff are helping your army to settle in? You are late." Mrs. Preda said, mildly annoyed.
"Uh... Not exactly Mistress, I barely made it here by myself. Dionor and that idiot in the head servant got themselves sent back. A woman who rescued a victim that Dionor captured defeated both of them. I walked in on it, and my host was badly injured. Her skull is cracked. Selene won't last much longer." said Fawlazar nervously, as she avoided eye contact with her Mistress.
"Incompetence! You will direct all of your energy into healing your host. Take a room, and when Selene has recovered enough, go back to Grove. You will not let her die yet. I want that army! Do we understand each other?"
"Y - y- yes, Mistress." stammered Fawlazar, as she backed out of the luxurious room.
One week later:
"I understand that Selene is ready to travel?" Mrs. Preda asked, as she stood in front of Fawlazar, who was eating a fruit salad.
"Yes, Mistress. She survived, and is getting stronger by the minute. As you can see, I'm feeding her healthy food, and her head is healing nicely." Fawlazar said proudly.
"Excellent! You will return to Grove today, and rally her people. I want you to take the long way back. Go to the outlying villages, and find appropriate hosts. Slickville has a shortage of strong healthy specimens, and I have hundreds of servants eagerly waiting to come into this world to serve me.
"Yes, Mistress." said Fawlazar, her eyes glowing softly.
"And do I need to say that I don't want animals, kids, or weaklings? I can get those here if I want them. I want strong healthy adults, in their prime - but not strong-willed! Do we understand each other?"
"Perfectly. I am going to enjoy this assignment, Mistress." smiled Fawlazar, as she popped a piece of melon into her mouth.
Cover image made in Canva using their gallery