Page 25 of Firefly

Simon dropped the note, wrapping his arm around Rebecca as she seized in his arms, foam spewing from her lips. He squeezed her body, attempting to calm the shivers rolling over her. “Rebecca. Fight it. Fight the demon. You’re strong.”

Alexander tsked. “Even when she has abandoned you, cast you aside, you would stand by her?”

“You forced her to write this. You’re sick. I would put nothing past you.”

Alexander leaned down, retrieving the note even as his daughter shook and spasmed. “I’m tired of your chivalrous heroics. You promised me demons, and you will deliver. Simon, drop Rebecca.”

Simon shouted in frustration as his body acted against his will, tossing her twitching body to the floor. “Rebecca. Rebecca, I love you. I’m sorry! Please fight.”

“Simon, shut up.” He groaned the command as if his cold, unfeeling heart cared nothing for the daughter dying at his feet.

Simon’s pleas halted abruptly.

“Simon, stand.”

He did, wishing any part of him could retaliate against the monster holding his strings.

“Now, Simon, listen to me. You will leave, get on the next ship and depart for England. When you reach our sister land, go where the demons converge. Do not return until you have collected one hundred demons. I don’t care if they inhabit bodies or float on a breeze. You may not set one foot on this property until you have done what I ask of you.”

The spells binding Simon in place remained taut. It was his only sign there would be more demands.

Alexander cleared his throat to deliver the rest of his speech.

Rebecca sputtered, bile dribbling over her lips.

Simon tried to pry his mouth open, tried to fall to his knees and hold her, but he stood, immobile, watching as she rolled to her side and coughed, blood leaking down her chin.

He screamed internally, begging whatever god listened to grant him this one moment to go to her, to comfort her.

She coughed again as dark smoke poured from her mouth, forming a solid shape above her. She fell back, motionless, and the demon’s red eyes narrowed on Alexander. Simon watched Rebecca’s chest rise and fall as elation shot through him.

She had won. Somehow, she had fought the demon and won.

He had only a moment to consider it before the demon struck, attacking Alexander with feral strength.

Alexander formed a shield of fire in front of him, sending the demon dancing back.

Simon could tell at once it was no low-level demon. The thing had presence of mind; its calculating red gaze searched the room for a counter strategy, intent on winning its prize. Alexander had long known his soul was of particular interest to the demon population—one as black as his was like a beacon.

It was half the reason he’d spent a small fortune on spells and gargoyles to ensure they couldn’t reach him. As a further precaution, he had moved to the fourth floor, where no demon could tread.

Rebecca moaned softly, capturing Simon’s attention.

It drew Alexander’s, too, and something flashed in his eyes before he said, “Simon, protect me. End the demon and leave the estate. You have your orders.”

Simon’s body moved, and his mouth opened wide, sucking in the demon’s essence. It gave him strength, but not enough to fight the spells binding him. When the demon disappeared, his feet moved, carrying him through the broken bars of the fence.

He stopped, inhaling sharply for the first time that night.

“Rebecca!” he shouted. “Rebecca, I’ll be back!”

He stood on the other side of a fence he had hated for three years, wishing for the first time he was still trapped inside.

Chapter 19

Rebecca

Rebecca grunted, every part of her body aching. Even that small sound was like fire in her throat. She felt as though she had been burned from the inside out.

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