Daywalker: The Demons of Sedona, #4

Prologue

The sun was warm on Ovorion’s skin. It caressed his legs, nuzzled his face, and held him in a comforting embrace. He raised his arms to the sky, soaking in as many of the rays as possible, nearly delirious with joy.

He took a step onto the beach and felt the grains of sand under his toes. The wind picked up as he walked toward the ocean. He felt cold. He shivered, relishing the sensation.

A bird flew overhead, letting out a loud caw as it passed. The sound danced through the air, mingling with the screams coming from the woman in the distance behind him. Ovorion considered silencing her but held back. There was far more important work to be done.

Ovorion.

The name rolled around his mind, gathering speed before sliding down his mouth and rolling off his tongue. Ovorion.

That was his name, the memory of it brought back by the power of the Death Walker’s blood.

He hadn’t heard his name in centuries, not since before The Separation. He had been called many things since then. The names floated back to him: abomination, devil, demon, vile spirit. But most importantly: The First.

He thought back to The Separation, remembering it for the first time in ages. That had been the last time he saw the sunlight or felt the breeze. The charmed knife pierced his chest moments later, snuffing out all feelings of the sun.

Ovorion continued his march toward the water. Shielding his eyes from the sun, he spotted a boat ahead. It was small, barely large enough to fit three people.

It would do.

He made his way to it, moving through the sun, the wind, and the sand. He felt stronger with each step, as the Death Walker’s blood mixed with his own and returned the vitality that had long been lost.

He felt invincible. He was alive, or the closest to it since the Sedona king put him to death. His execution had come shortly after The Separation, when the cowards he’d wasted his first life serving turned on him.

That was the second time he was stabbed. The memories continued to return, and he recalled the feel of the executioner’s sword sliding into his chest, piercing his lungs but missing the heart it was supposed to destroy. The heart that wasn’t there. The fools thought they had killed him. All they had done was turn him into something new, something they weren’t prepared to face: a creature with the power to walk between life and Death.

A wave kicked up, splashing him and giving him his first taste of salt. He inhaled deeply, savoring this unexpected twist.

His second life began soon after the first ended. Returning from death wasn’t hard. He’d done it dozens of times before as a Sedona mage. It had been nothing to do it one more time. And it had been worth it to see the look on the king’s face when Ovorion returned.

What had been hard was sharing the knowledge of the veil the brethren that sworn themselves to him, opening the barrier and allowing them to return to life with him.

He remembered the screams and shouts from that glorious night when he finally laid claim to the throne that so rightfully belonged to him.

His hand went to the gold crown on his head, and his thoughts turned to Yari. He wished she had stood by him. They could’ve been together now, working to finish what was started that night. But she made her choice, pushing him to seize the throne only to recoil in horror when she saw how far he would go to reach it.

Ovorion shook his head as he reached the boat. Yari was the past, and it was time to focus on the present and the future. He had come so far already. Now was the time to finish the task.

Draining the weaker of the two Death Walkers had been easy. The pathetic human was weak from their previous battle, and his companions barely put up a fight.

One Death Walker remained. He would be a challenge. He had defeated Ovorion twice already, and although his knowledge of the charms and spirits was low, his will was almost unbreakable. Had he been born two centuries earlier, he would have been a mighty Sedona mage.

More troubling, his strength was still growing. Linked as they were through blood, Ovorion could feel each time the Death Walker used his powers. He saw the fear it inspired in The Brethren and The Children. Even now, though distant, Ovorion could sense his adversary somewhere to the south.

They would face each other again, but next time it would be on Ovorion’s terms. It would be after he tore down the barrier between the worlds and freed the remaining spirits to roam the land. Then, with his army fully formed, Ovorion would have such a force that not even the last Death Walker would be able to stop him.

He stepped into the boat. That time was fast approaching.

Another scream sounded, and Ovorion was reminded of the Death Walker’s companions. His work was too important to delay, but some responsibilities could be delegated.

He closed his eyes and reached out across the veil, back into Death, finding The Brethren and The Children. Come forth. Do not fear the light. It will not harm you any longer.

He felt as each child took a timid step forward only to retreat back. Pity welled in his heart. They had spent countless lifetimes fearing the light, hiding from it each morning. He understood why they fled. It was their instinct to run.

That was why he had sought out the weaker Death Walker. He had needed to break the light’s power over him and his children, and he suspected the blood of one that could walk in Death and the light would be key to overcoming it. His guess had been correct, and here he was, basking in the sunlight. Now it was time to pass on this ability, just as he passed on the ability to walk through the barrier into life.

It will not harm you, he repeated. Rise, my children.

A moment passed, and a section of the sand turned black as a hand poked through. It was followed by a second a moment later, then another pair of hands some feet away. Ovorion watched as several demons emerged from Death. Each looked to the sky with wonder, feeling the sun’s rays before dropping to their knees in submission.

Ovorion then glanced at two of the spirits before him. They would work as the sword, but he needed a knight. He closed his eyes. Come, Palfar. I have a task for you.

A beat, and then another spirit rose. This one was older, its skin all but gone, but it still wore the tattered purple cloak of Ovorion’s personal guard. Palfar had been a trusted soldier during their lifetimes. Now he was needed once again.

Palfar began to kneel, but Ovorion waved him off and pointed back to the village beyond. Devour everyone there. Consume their spirits. Leave nothing for the Death Walker.

Palfar nodded and began to walk toward the village. The Children followed, save for two. Ovorion watched them go before directing the stragglers to the boat, where they each grabbed a paddle.

It was time, Ovorion thought as he settled down into the boat.

Take us to Sedona, he directed as the spirits began to paddle the boat out into the ocean. The journey would be long, and they had little time to waste.

Chapter One

Vera

After the last scream escaped her lips, Vera Corliss sat in a stunned haze. The village around her lost focus as the haze clouded her vision and her mind. She felt numb as if someone had dipped her entire body in ice water until the feeling had gone.

Shouting started somewhere around her. She tried to locate the source, but the details were blurry. Everything was blurry.

She looked down, hoping against hope that she had witnessed an illusion. But Arli’s lifeless body was still there in her arms, his skin still gray and his head bent backward.

How had this happened? Arli had been alive just a moment before. Weakened from one battle too many, but alive. Now he was dead, like so many before him.

The yelling grew louder, and her body was jerked upward. Two green eyes filled her view and her body shook. She focused in on the green eyes until she saw a silver outline along the irises. She blinked, and Quinby Randall’s face swam into view. He was shouting.

Vera! We’ve got to go!

She blinked in surprise and stared at Quinby for a moment. He shook her again. Now, Vera!

Confused, she looked around. She nearly screamed.

All around them, the ground had darkened as demons began to rise from emergence holes.

In the daylight.

Which was impossible.

What’s happening? she said, bewildered and afraid.

I don’t know, but we can’t stay here and find out!

Quinby helped her to her feet and placed her dagger in her hand. He tugged at her elbow, pulling her back toward the cart. She took two steps forward before wresting free of his grasp. What about Arli?

It’s too late for him.

No, she said weakly. We can’t leave him like this.

Quinby placed his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. I don’t want to leave him any more than you do. But we can’t help him and we’re dead if we stay. I can’t get back to Liane if I’m dead. You can’t get back to Tobin if you’re dead.

Tobin’s name brought Vera back to attention. She had walked through the proverbial fire with Tobin these past few months, and there was no way she was going to die here without him.

She cast one last sorrowful eye toward Arli’s body before turning to Quinby and nodding. The last of the Eori’s spirit leaders lay unceremoniously in the dirt, all traces of the power that once welled inside him gone. Then they ran, moving at full speed past the rows of emerging demons as they made their way to cart.

Two fully emerged demons blocked their path ahead. Quinby picked up a rock and hurled it at the closest one. The stone flew through the air…and missed. The demon dodged at the last moment. Vera’s mouth fell open in horror. Demons that avoided projectiles were demons that could think. That meant the Demon King was still around.

She grabbed Quinby’s arm and pulled him away. We’re not fighting those. Arli and Tobin were the only humans who could stand a chance against the Demon King, and Arli was dead.

She looked around the village. Demons were emerging in front of all of the homes, and they quickly found their path to the cart obstructed by the dead. Finally, Vera settled on the only multi-story building: The Elder Hall.

There! she pointed and tugged. They headed straight for the hall, dodging outstretched arms of half-emerged demons.

How was this happening? It was daytime. There was no way demons should be able to be out right now, not without burning. Daylight had always been humanity’s main advantage over the dead, and suddenly it was gone.

The pair bolted into the building. Vera tried the door and found that it had been left unlocked. She ran in and slammed it shut as soon as Quinby made it through. She searched the hallway, her eyes falling on a table. Help me move this, she said as she began pushing. Quinby joined in and the two drove the table in front of the door.

She took a step back. There was no way the barrier would hold, but it bought them a moment. Then she motioned to wooden steps behind them. We need to head up.

Why the hell would we do that? Quinby questioned.

Because there’s no way we’re fighting them off down here, and if we can destroy the staircase then maybe we can keep them from getting to us.

Good point.

Ignoring the banging that came from the front door, they climbed the stairs to the second level. Vera then searched around for an ax or hammer, anything that she could use to destroy the stairwell.

The front door groaned and Quinby pulled her away. We don’t have time. He led her into a side room and closed the door. He blocked it with another table right as cracking wood sounded below. He crept back to Vera and held a finger to his lips. The two stood in silence as shuffling footsteps sounded all around the floor below.

Vera gave the room a once-over; it was filled with mostly books and parchments, with a fishing net that sat tucked into a corner. Nothing that would be useful to them in a fight, though.

Could they even win such a fight? Tobin was the reason they were successful last time they faced the demons of Sedona, and he wasn’t here. The time before that she watched helplessly as the demons worked together to overwhelm the Eori down in Three Rivers. And the Eori were warriors; they trained their entire lives for nightly battles with the dead. What chance would a healer and a blacksmith have?

Footsteps sounded from the stairwell, and Vera backed even further away from the door. Shaking, she clamped her hands over her mouth as the footsteps moved closer. One, then another, until she could see a shadow under the door. Quinby tensed beside her. Vera drew her blade and held her breath.

The shadow faded, and the footsteps moved farther down the hallway. Vera exhaled and turned to Quinby. We can’t stay here, she whispered.

I know. We just need to get to the cart.

He walked over to the window and peered out carefully. His head moved back-and-forth across the village until it stopped and his mouth dropped open in horror. On second thought, forget the cart.

Vera moved over to the window and peered out. Several demons had clustered around the cart and were feasting on the horse. So much for their only way out.

Quinby rested his back against the wall and slid down to the floor. Time for a new plan. We’ll just grow some wings and fly away.

Not helping.

Vera felt the urge to bang her fist on the window frame but thought better of alerting the dead to their position. More footsteps sounded down the hall, but she ignored them as she tried to focus on getting out alive.

Fighting wasn’t an option: there were too many and they would be using pack hunting techniques. And that was without their newfound tolerance of sunlight. That left fleeing. They needed to get away. But the cart wasn’t an option. That left…

The sea!

Vera turned her eye back toward the water, where she saw the Seamen ships. She spotted several unused boats at the base of the hill, closer to the shore.

There, she pointed. If we can get to the boat we can head out to sea.

Quinby stood and followed her finger. That’s as good a plan as I’ll come up with. Now we just have to get down there without getting eaten alive or torn apart.

She scanned the area. Most of the demons were huddled in front of the cart, several yards away. We could jump.

Quinby blinked in disbelief. From here? Right now?

Vera nodded. We’re not that high up, we shouldn’t break any bones. She left out the very high likelihood of spraining an ankle, which would be just as bad in this scenario.

Quinby shook his head. This seems like a bad idea. His words were punctuated by the sound of banging on the door to the office, followed by several hisses.

Vera pulled out her dagger. If you’ve got another way we’re getting out of here without going through them, I’m all ears. She waited for a moment. I didn’t think so.

With that, she smashed through the glass. The banging on the door intensified, and several demons near the cart looked up at the commotion. She hurriedly cleared the remaining shards out of the sill before climbing through.

Hang on!’ Quinby shouted as he raced to the corner and grabbed the fishing net. He returned right as the doors splintered. Vera saw the hint of a single, emaciated demon that wore a tattered purple robe. Okay, go!"

Vera jumped and tried to roll upon hitting the ground. She landed painfully on her shoulder but didn’t feel anything break. She was right; the jump was survivable. Quinby landed a heartbeat later but came up clutching his left arm.

He was off before she could help, already limping back toward the cart and dragging the fishing net. Over here, you bloody bastards.

About a half-dozen demons broke away from the horse and started lumbering toward him. Quinby crouched, gathering the net before tossing it atop the attacking dead. The beasts stumbled backward and Vera took the opportunity to stab one in the head before turning her attention back to the cart.

Quinby was already ahead of her, pulling loose her bow and quiver from the cart and tossing them back to her. A demon wriggled free of the net and grabbed at her, but she dodged and drove the dagger into its skull. The beast dropped, wrenching the blade from her hand as it collapsed. So much for that weapon.

She gathered her bow and arrows as Quinby frantically searched the cart for his hand ax. Where is it? It was just here.

She pulled at his arm. Come on, we have to move.

Quinby looked through the cart one more time before giving up and heading away. Together they fled down the hill and toward the water. Several demons gave chase, but Vera and Quinby were faster and kept distance between them and the horde.

I can’t believe this is going to work, Quinby said weakly as they drew near the waterfront. They hit the bottom of the hill ahead of the dead and raced to the dock. Vera started toward the first boat, but Quinby held her back and pointed to the chain that held the boat in place. It’s chained.

They moved to a second boat, this one tied to the dock with a thick rope. You got anything to cut it with? he asked.

Quinby shook his head. Old Slicey’s back somewhere in the cart.

Dammit. She drew an arrow. Use this.

That’s going to take us years.

We don’t have years. She reached back into her quiver, pulling out another arrow and slotting it into the bow before taking aim at the demons behind. I’ll hold them off.

She loosed the arrow at the oncoming horde, not aiming for anything in particular. The first demon in the arrow’s path ducked, but the second was too slow and the bolt landed squarely in its head.

She let loose another arrow. They weren’t doing much to slow the dead. Hurry, Quinn!

Let’s see you cut a bloody line with an arrow!

The ghouls continued their steady advance. Vera shot one in the leg and it tumbled, tripping up two more. But they kept coming, far too many to stop with just a few arrows.

How much longer?

Not helping!

Vera started to retort just as a flaming arrow flew past her and hit a demon in the chest. The arrow was followed by two more. Then three more. The beasts they hit burst into flames. She looked back, beyond Quinby and spotted a large ship on the water. Two archers were providing cover, raining arrows down on the shore.

Quinby whooped in celebration. Looks like help’s arrived!

Cut the demonspawned rope, Quinby! Vera loosed another arrow, and it was joined by flaming bolts as it reached its target.

Done! Quinby shouted, and Vera ducked down into the boat. Quinby gave it a push before hopping in and Vera started paddling as the demons reached the end of the dock. From her position on the boat, Vera watched as the demons stopped at the edge and stared out. The purple-clad beast she spotted in the Elder Hall stood chief among them, making direct eye contact with her as she fled.

Quinby groaned before flopping down and staring off into the sky. That was too close. Let’s not do that again, deal?

Deal.

She kept her eye on the demon in purple. It was the only other ghoul she’d seen wear that color aside from the Demon King. It didn’t feel like a coincidence.

Quinby sat up. What do you think; should we go pay our saviors a visit?

I don’t think we have any other choice.

She continued rowing, all the while watching the demons from the shore. She still couldn’t believe that they were out in the daylight. It started with the Demon King. She had watched as its skin healed after it drained Arli, and soon after the other demons began emerging. Arli’s death had something to do with this.

The demons of Sedona were free, and now they were walking about in the sun.

Heaven help us, Vera thought as they approached the ship. Because otherwise, hell is about to take over the world.

Chapter Two

Vera

Vera watched as the archers on the ship trained arrows on their small boat, and she was careful to throw up her hands slowly as she called out across the water. We mean you no harm. Thank you for helping us.

Her words did little to alter the situation, as bolts remained aimed at her head.

Quinby scoffed. What, so now they’re going to kill us? Why go through the trouble of saving us in the first place?

They’re probably worried that we’re bitten. She offered. To the archers on the ship, she added: We’re not bitten!

So move along, a voice shouted back. "We’ve done our part. Take your good fortune