Page 52 of Virgil's Demons

"Good," I said. "Then hang on. It's about to get rough."

I took a step back, centering myself, trying to feel for the dark presence I knew was waiting. I closed my eyes, letting the music roll over me like a soft aura, and I let out a low growl, pushing my senses outward, searching for the twisted energy that had been clawing at me, at all of us.

"You think you can hide from me?" I called out, my voice echoing in the room. "You think you're untouchable? Come on, you piece of shit. Show yourself."

The air in the room seemed to shift, growing heavier, colder. I could feel it—the demon stirring. A slow smile crept onto my face as I sensed it watching, waiting.

"Where are you?" I taunted, stepping closer to Hellsing, knowing it was listening. "You too scared to face me? I've seen scarier things in the gutter, you pathetic excuse for a demon."

Hellsing's breath hitched, his eyes darting around the room. He could feel it too now. The temperature dropped, and Spectre stiffened beside me, taking a step toward Raven, his hands instinctively moved to the blade at his hip.

"Come on," I growled. "You think you're something special? You hide in the dark, in the minds of kids and women. You ain't shit. You're nothing. You are weak."

The lights flickered, and a low, guttural laugh filled the room. Spectre's eyes widened as a shadow began to form around Hellsing, twisting and writhing like smoke.

"Virgil…" Spectre's voice was tight with unease, but I kept my eyes on Hellsing.

"Keep going," I told Raven. "It's just playing with us."

The shadow moved, curling around Hellsing like dark tendrils of fog. His breathing quickened, and I could see the fear in his eyes turning to panic. He thrashed against the restraints, but Spectre had tied him down tight.

"Raven, leave!" I demanded, my voice rising. "What's your name, you fucking bastard? Tell me who the fuck you are."

The laugh came again, low and chilling. Hellsing's eyes rolled back in his head, and when he spoke, it wasn't his voice. It was deep, distorted, like nails on a chalkboard. "You want to know my name, father?" the demon sneered through Hellsing's mouth. "Your boy here, did you know he is already broken. You can't protect him."

I gritted my teeth. "He's stronger than you think."

His eyes darted to Raven, who was moving toward the door. "Uh-uh," it uttered, sending Raven against the wall and lifting her off the floor.

"Raven!" Spectre shouted, heading towards her but I underestimated the demon as it sent Spectre flying back, slamming him against the door and pinning him there.

"Is the bitch who was singing," it rasped.

"Raven. Raven!" I shouted at her as she was staring in shock at Hellsing. She was pinned off her feet.

"Use your powers, shifter!" I said to her and she suddenly snapped out of whatever shocked trance she was in.

I felt an energy surge around and it suddenly exploded, impacting both me and Hellsing and sending us flying across the room.

"Fuck you!" She shouted at it and she dropped to the floor and ran toward Spectre.

"You are not gonna fuck with us today. You're gonna tell me your name demon."

Hellsing's body jerked, and his eyes snapped open, but they were wrong—glowing with a sickly, yellow hue. The demon had taken hold.

Spectre took a step back, his hand going to his blade. "Virgil…"

"Get her out of here, Spectre," I warned, never taking my eyes off Hellsing.

The demon turned Hellsing's head toward Spectre, a mocking grin splitting his face. "Do you know what hell looks like, Spectre?" the demon taunted. "I've seen your soul. You'll rot there, just like your father. Just like your whore."

Spectre paled, his hand trembling on his weapon. "Shut the fuck up," he muttered.

"My father will come for you. This I promise," he hissed at Spectre.

"Don't listen to it!" I barked. "Focus!"

The demon turned its attention back to me, Hellsing's body twitched as it sneered. "You think you can stop me? You can't even save them. Not your mother. Not Barythaya. And certainly not him."

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