Tower Falls: Demon Song: A Paranormal Urban Fantasy Thriller Read online

  Tower Falls

  Demon Song

  Eden Redd

  Tower Falls: Demon Song © copyright 2017 Eden Redd

  All Rights Reserved

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  “If you don't deal with your demons, they will deal with you, and it's gonna hurt.”

  -Nikki Six

  One

  A shadow loomed over a woman in a stream. Hair hung over her face as she sobbed into the flowing waters, the bottom of her white dress swaying to the current. The faint light of the moon caressed the land as the woman sank her hands into the cold water, gentle whimpers touching the air for no one to hear but herself.

  “I can hear her,” a voice whispered, flowing along the small stream and eventually passing on into oblivion.

  The woman moaned her pain, hands digging into the icy water as if searching for something. Rocks moved and tumbled in the stream as fingers coiled around something meaty and heavy. Another hand searched the muddy stream bottom until it too touched and grabbed like a hungry wolf.

  The woman cried out, head whipping up with the dim moonlight caressing her pale face. Eyes half closed, the sobs grew in pitch. Fingers tightening, she lifted her hands up from the stream and held them out. One hand opened with a black heart beating in her palm, the sound of its pulse as thick as winter fog. In the other hand, a dove laid, neck broken and eyes as white as its feathers.

  The woman in the stream screamed into the night, clutching the beating heart and dead dove to her chest. Blue fire rose up from the water, licking the air around her as her flesh fell away. The dove stirred and turned its head in a strange angle. White eyes fell on the black heart and the dove burst from one hand and fluttered to the other, its beak puncturing the black beating heart like a rabid creature. Blood trickled down and faded into the flowing stream. The blue fire grew until it burst in all directions, shattering the animated dove and black heart with a cleansing burn, sending their ashes into the wind.

  ***

  Kira’s eyes slowly opened, the lamp light touching her vision with a welcoming glow. The young woman stirred on the couch, thoughts rising up like blooming trees in a fast growing forest. Hazy memories of a woman in a stream slipped away as she sat up. Cell phone tumbling from her chest, Kira reached to snatch it from its fall and just missed as it hit the rug.

  Scooping up the phone, she let out a thankful sigh when she saw it wasn’t damaged. Tapping at the screen, she saw she had no messages and gently lay back down on the comfy couch.

  Collecting her thoughts, she wondered if Holly was home yet.

  “Holly?” Kira half shouted in the dark apartment, a lamp by the couch providing the only light.

  Waiting, she heard nothing but her own breathing. Checking her phone again, it was after 2am. Kira knew Holly could be a party girl. Coming home closer to 4am was more her speed, but the young woman felt a nervous energy lick at her heart.

  Sitting up, she tapped on her cell screen and was about to call Holly when stumbling and laughing spilled in from the front door. Kira put her phone on the coffee table and waited, the lone lamp light filling the living room with a soothing gloom.

  The laughter only grew as footsteps made their way closer. Another sound entwined with the laughter of a man. His laughter was deeper but filled with delight. Kira’s eyes fell to the light under the front door, shifting shadows swaying underneath. Keys jingled as the giggling and laughter vibrated against the front door. A key slid in and the lock turned.

  Kira watched as the door swung open and Holly nearly fell into the room. A handsome man was with her. He wore a biker jacket and had short dark hair covering his head, and a smile that could melt butter. Holly would have crashed onto the floor if her handsome gentleman hadn’t caught her in time. Kira stayed where she was as the man helped Holly back to her feet.

  Holly giggled on as she pressed her hand to his chest, eyes looking up adoringly. Kira knew Holly was focused on one thing and that caused her to sigh loudly.

  Holly whipped her head around with a drunken smile, “Kira! You’re awake!”

  Kira gave a small smirk and tired eyes, “I am now.”

  “Kira, meet Asher….Asher…?” Holly said without hearing what her roommate said.

  The man gave a devilish grin, “Asher Gray.”

  Kira gave a small nod, “Hi Asher.”

  Asher gave Kira the once over as Holly leaned into him, pressing her chest to his. The guest’s eyes drank in Kira as she sat, her brow turning into a slight scowl. Kira wished men wouldn’t do that every time Holly brought them home. Holly was the wild one but Kira was the modest, subdued roommate who didn’t appreciate such rudeness. Asher’s eyes travelled down to Kira’s above average chest and lingered for some time as Holly whispered in his ear. The couple glowed with sex and perverted stares as Holly pulled Asher in and closed the front door behind them.

  “I’m soooo tired,” Holly moaned and giggled, “Asher, why don’t you come to my room for a little bit.”

  Asher nodded but his eyes were on Kira, “Sounds like fun. Maybe your friend should join us?”

  Kira sucked in a breath of disgust and glared at the rude guest in their home.

  Holly gave a sloppy grin, “She’s not a party girl, at least not anymore.”

  Kira rolled her eyes.

  Asher kept his whimsical grin as he continued to eye Kira, “I don’t mean to be rude. Holly here is fun, but I won’t stay long.”

  Kira closed her eyes and shook her head, “Do whatever you want. It’s none of my business.”

  Asher’s eyes narrowed and kept his razor smile, “Whatever I want?”

  Kira glared once again. Asher stepped further into the apartment, Holly nearly clutching to him. The room took on a dirty vibe as Asher’s eyes slid along Kira’s noticeable curves. The young woman kept her hard stare as shadows seemed to sway in the room. An edge crawled along firing nerves and a chill stabbed into her heart.

  Asher stood directly in front of Kira and raised his arms up in a stretch, face tilting up. At first, Kira thought it was some stupid attempt to show off his toned body. Her eyes glancing down, she saw his jacket partly open, showing a holstered gun gleaming in the dim lamp light on one side and a dagger hilt in the other side. Asher’s arms fell, as did his gaze to Kira, jacket quickly covering up the weapons.

  Kira was to her feet. Hand reaching out, she grabbed Holly by the arm and pulled her to her side.

  “Not so rough,” Holly said with a drunken whine.

  “I will have to ask you to leave,” Kira said sternly.

  Asher stayed where he was, eyes holding a predatory gaze, “I was invited in. I mean no harm.”

  Kira kept a tight grip on Holly as she maneuvered her behind her, “We have a strict rule on house guests. Come back tomorrow morning when Holly is sobered up.”

  “No we don’t,” Holly slurred.

  Asher was as still as a cemetery statue, “That’s not what you said. You said we could do whatever we wanted.”

  Kira backed up, pushing Holly to the kitchen, “It’s a new rule. I expect you to follow it.”

  Asher stayed where he was, amusement painting his face, “Do my weapons frighten you?”

  Holly’s eyes widened, “What?”

  Kira continued to back up with Holly now holding her arm, “Weapons don’t frighten me, just the people who use them.”

  Asher took a steady step forward, “Strange how my charms are not working on you. They work on Holly.”

  Holly’s fear melted away
at the soothing pitch of his voice. Kira looked down to see Holly’s grip loosen and her body regain its drunken sway. The blonde looked past Kira and once again stared adoringly to Asher.

  Kira’s brow formed a hard V as she pushed Holly with her back until they reached the alcove kitchen on the other side of the living room. The raven haired woman glanced at the knife rack and mentally picked out a knife before turning back to Asher who moved two steps toward them.

  Instincts kicked in and Kira kept calm. It was easy to let fear take root but she knew better than that. Her gut screamed danger and she heeded it. Fingers flexing, she remembered everything her family taught her growing up.

  Asher took another two steps forward, hands up and open, “I’m sorry if I’ve frighten you. I only wish to spend some time with Holly. This is my last night in the city and I will be gone in the morning. I don’t mean to set you on edge; I do tend to get a little playful from time to time.”

  Kira stared, her mind made up, “Just leave. Holly is in no condition and frankly, guns and knives are a deal breaker.”

  Asher eyed the dark haired beauty, “I’m trying to be nice.”

  Kira’s eyes narrowed, “Leave!”

  Asher let his hands drop to his sides, “I understand. You’re afraid.” Asher looked past Kira to Holly, “Come Holly, we can go somewhere else.”

  Holly tried to step around but Kira put her arm out.

  “She’s not going with you,” Kira said adamantly.

  This time, Asher’s face took on a dark edge. Shadows grew longer under his eyes as he stared menacingly at the protective roommate. A dark energy spiked and a chill rolled down Kira’s spine. She knew that look; a look when a man wanted what he wanted and nothing would get in his way. Dark energy crawled along alert nerves as she watched him. His fingers curled into fists and brow creased. Heat bloomed as a rage bubbled behind his striking blue eyes.

  Asher let out a sigh as his shoulders relaxed, “I wasn’t expecting the night to go this way.”

  Kira watched as he reached into his leather jacket and drew the long dagger. Kira turned and drew one of the large kitchen knives from the rack and held it out, arm steady. Asher gave a sardonic smirk as he took another step closer, blade gleaming.

  Kira studied him as he took slow steps toward them. The leather jacket had several patches she methodically committed to memory. She mentally recorded his frame, size and height, taking special notice of a heart tattoo on his neck, a thorn covered vine wrapping around it. Every contour of his face was blazed into her memory as she prepared herself.

  Holly stood behind Kira, stunned into silence and unable to move.

  Asher stepped past the couch, eyes lingering on Kira as he spoke, “I only have tonight to make your dreams come true. Submit like the cows you are and you won’t see me again until I come back to take what is mine.”

  “Kira,” Holly said with growing alarm.

  “It’s going to be okay. Give me the dish towel,” Kira said without taking her eyes off Asher.

  Holly grabbed the dish towel off the counter and handed it to Kira. The raven haired beauty whipped it around her free hand while holding the carving knife in front of her. When the towel was wrapped fully around, Kira relaxed her stance.

  “Drop the knife,” Asher said in a dark whimsical tone.

  Kira kept her stance.

  Asher looked past her, “Holly, take the knife from her.”

  Kira watched as her friend’s hand reached up toward the knife. Kira brought her elbow in, slamming into Holly’s ribs. There was a yelp as Holly stepped back, clutching at her side.

  Asher smiled broadly, “Well well. I wasn’t expecting this kind of fun tonight. You should have just let me fuck your friend.”

  Time slowed down and Asher burst forth like a demon straight from the abyss. Dagger flashing, Kira burst forward to meet him before he had a chance to take advantage. Thoughts flashed to her upbringing as she kept her wrist loose and knife curving. The wrapped hand moved like a club, smacking the dagger aside while she curved the knife for the soft part of his stomach. Asher grinned as his body twisted, dodging the knife and spinning around. Kira changed direction, trying to drive the sharp edge into a soft section of flesh.

  Holly was frozen as she watched Kira and Asher move like dancers trying to kill each other. Blades missed their targets by inches. They twisted and moved, keeping the other beyond arms length. Kira tried not to think about how fast he was. She needed to land a blow and end this before it really started. Asher’s body tilted and turned, the knife passing close but missing his neck. Every time he tried to gain the upper hand, Kira knocked away his dagger with her wrapped hand.

  Kira fell back to her training, constantly moving and not giving him the chance to cut her. Limbs and bodies moved with expert ease until something dark flashed. Kira brought up the hand wrapped in a towel as something black slashed across it. Kira stumbled back, nearly crashing into Holly as she looked down to see the towel shredded, around her fist. Eyes whipped forward to see something snaking behind Asher as he growled with amused contempt.

  “Nothing like a little fight to get the blood boiling,” Asher grinned.

  Kira shot forward, eyes centered on his neck. Something black whipped around from Asher’s backside but Kira bent her knees to dodge it, the black thing missing her head by inches. Knife close, she closed the distance and drove all her power upwards. Asher took a step back but it wasn’t enough. The knife sliced upwards, the tip touching his neck and slashing across his tattoo.

  A strange screech filled the apartment as the black thing whipped around again and slammed into Kira’s side. Kira went sprawling down to the floor. A booted foot crashed into her side and sent her rolling onto her back. Pain welled up as she drank in the world around her. Asher’s hand clutched at his neck as dark red blood streamed between fingers. His face was screwed up into demonic hatred as he raised his boot up. The black thing swayed behind him, a scaly tail with an armored tip came into view. Holly cried out as she ran forward to block him. To Kira, it all appeared in slow motion as her strength dwindled.

  Asher’s boot came down on her face, cracking bone. The pain disappeared as the force of the blow knocked her senses off kilter. The boot came down again and again. Blood spurted as Kira tried to get back up. Limbs didn’t respond as she lay, lost to damaged senses.

  Asher knelt down, eyes looking her over as she coughed up blood. He clutched at his neck as dark blood continued to flow. Grabbing the towel from Kira’s hand, it came away easily and he put it to his neck. Holly was running forward when Asher turned and gave her a stare. Holly’s legs stopped and her hands fell to her sides.

  Through a bloody haze, Kira watched as Holly stepped closer, eyes and body submissive. A dull ache pulsed and Kira tried again to move. Asher beckoned Holly closer and she complied, molding her body to his. The biker kissed her deeply and she wilted to his touch. Kira gurgled as she tried to speak, words lost to blood filling her mouth.

  Asher turned away from Holly’s lips and looked down, “Too bad you’re a mess. Maybe when I’m done with Holly, I will comfort you with a….”Asher grunted when a sharp pain filled his leg.

  Looking down, the biker saw Kira’s knife buried in his calf muscle. Dagger still in hand, the biker knelt down and smacked her hand away, dislodging the knife. Blood spilled as Asher raised his own dagger and brought it down.

  Kira grunted as the sharp point penetrated her chest, close to her heart. Still fighting, she moved her hand with the knife still firmly gripped. Asher stood up and slammed his boot on her wrist, pinning it to the floor. His dagger stayed where it was, buried in her chest.

  Asher looked down as he spoke, “Holly, undress and be ready for me on the couch. Your friend here will spend her last moments hearing you moan.”

  Kira tried to get back up as soon as Asher pulled his boot away but weakness clouded her body. Muscles relaxed as their energy bled away. Tendrils of darkness crawled into her vision as she stared
upwards. In the corner of her eye, she watched as Holly undressed, her eyes lost and confused. Asher unbuckled his belt and then shrugged off his leather jacket. The blood at his neck had stopped flowing and a thin, black scaly tail shifted back and forth through ruined jeans.

  Asher gave Kira a wink before moving to the couch, Holly’s legs spread and her fingers between her thighs. Darkness pooled into her vision as the light faded away. Moans rose up from the abyss and then silence. A blue fire burned as Kira’s heart stopped beating and a sobbing filled the void.

  Two

  The ceiling remained unchanged as Lucas stared. Lying on his back, eyes wide and unmoving, he wished sleep would come and shroud him in comforting darkness. Instead he lay, staring at the blank ceiling with a sad heart and a heavy weight on his chest. The silence was deafening as nothing stirred, not even him. He couldn’t remember the last time he blinked and that thought triggered an endless spiral of noticing each blink. Mind chattering away like a storm of bees, he tried to push it all to the background and allow sleep to stroll in and stroke his weary mind. No matter what mental exercise he tried, his eyes remained firmly open and stuck on the white ceiling.

  The door to his room opened.

  Lucas felt the wet slide of his eyes turn to the door. A man walked in, broad shouldered with dark shadows covering his face. Hope spiraled upward as Lucas tried to sit up, but the weight on his chest grew and he was unable to move anything save his eyes.

  The man made his way in and began rummaging through Lucas’s meager possessions. Opening a back pack, the man’s hands dove in and moved stuff around. Finding nothing, he stopped and turned away. The man moved through the room as Lucas lay watching, helplessly.

  The man moved to a desk and opened drawers. Fingers rifled through papers and small books before slamming the drawers closed. Lucas eyed him with a sideways glance. The big man had short hair, and wore a leather jacket and black jeans. Chains hung from his hip as he continued to rummage through the small room, ignoring Lucas.