8. POWER

POWER

D aemon strode to the Well of All Souls, hands stretched slightly wide, fingers parted as if he were about to grab the air itself and command it. Two of Kaly's forms were frozen there though they were not visible at the moment. The ghosts were like waves on a stormy sea around them, swamping them in swells of cold mist then withdrawing and leaving them exposed like rocks on the shore, naked, wet and shivering.

The form called Artemis Alucius, the one that had sired Caemorn, looked at him for one moment. There were so many emotions in those silver eyes from joy to grief from love to hate from arrogance to terror. The female form called Moira stared straight ahead, her jaw muscles clenched and her throat working convulsively. It was like seeing two parts of Kaly's mind at once. Their thoughts were unsurprising.

You think that you have stopped me? Kaly asked. Surely the incident in the museum has taught you that I am not your only foe.

You mean the children that you have poisoned? Daemon shook his head wearily.

I mean those who know your power and understand that you must be stopped now--

You know you cannot stop me. Nor can they, Daemon interrupted, still weary. You know I am inevitable.

But what you bring to your rule, what lessons you've learned, are not, Kaly said and Artemis' chin quivered up a millimeter but no more. Balthazar had him completely in his power.

You think you are the one to teach me? Daemon shook his head again.

I established order in the Vampires. I ensured that the Immortals did not rise again to make cannon fodder of them and destroy our food source and our progeny. You think that nothing? Arrogance brimmed in those words and in Artemis' eyes. Moira's were filled with desperation to find a way out of this.

Everything you've accomplished, Kaly, has been built upon lies and death, Daemon told them sadly. That is why it will all fall and you will not be seen as the hero, but the villain.

A blankness wiped both Artemis and Moira's faces clean at his words. He had struck at the heart of them.

People like Fiona who were believers knew the truth once they heard and saw it. Your lies peeled her away from the Order and her faith was damaged irrevocably, Daemon told them. And others will follow the same path she did to understanding. They already are.

Not all! Kaly insisted.

Not all, Daemon admitted. And those are a problem.

Daemon thought of Kara, the Kaly Vampire who had killed so many for no reason. He reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and pulled out the soul stone that contained her. Artemis saw it and knew she was in there, but there was no pity in those silver eyes. No regret. No loss. No guilt. Of course, there wasn't. There would never be. That was not who Kaly was. And that meant that they would go through no end of people like Kara to teach him lessons.

Do you think I should mourn her? Kaly asked. She gave her life and her soul in service to an idea she fully believes in. She is a hero. Or would you call her a villain too?

I would call her delusional. She was betrayed by you, Daemon explained as he rubbed his right thumb over the gem's smooth, warm surface. He caught sight of a silvery light inside of the gem. Kara's soul. She thought you offered her truth and a greater purpose. But she never knew the truth and her only purpose was to serve your ego.

People don't care about the truth, not really. They feel things and want to believe in those feelings, Kaly answered. I gave her what she needed.

Yes, Daemon thought sadly. You did. And now you must be made to give her another feeling.

You think you can convince me I'm wrong? Come now, Daemon, surely you realize that by leaving the world to mourn a fledgling that was to be yours in time that you betrayed us all! Kaly pointed out.

Daemon nodded and he felt Kaly's shock. I did not realize what role I played among you.

How could you think that with our petty squabbles and our attempts to one-up one another? Kaly scoffed. How did you ignore such things?

Daemon's mind went back to the many times he had intervened, played the mediator, and sometimes the First Among Equals to end bickering that had turned too bitter.

I was overcome by my own grief, Daemon stated. I was not perfect. I am not perfect now.

But you are king! Kaly's voice was mocking. You are inevitable! Such a being can never be wrong for the cost to all of us is too high.

Daemon considered this. Things had not gone well in his absence. Seeyr had warned him of that, but he had not cared at the time. He couldn't see beyond his own pain. I am chastened by what has happened.

But you will still rule everyone, won't you? Kaly said and Daemon imagined them shaking their head sadly.

Yes, it is my nature, Daemon also admitted. And I will make more mistakes, Kaly, and I will learn from those too.

So you see then? I am doing this for you, Daemon, for your good. For the good of the world, Kaly stated.

I know you think that, Daemon answered sadly. Or you've convinced yourself of it in any case.

It is the truth!

Maybe when you started all of this, but not now. Now, you are simply seeking to keep the sand underneath your kingdom from being washed away, Daemon told him.

Kaly did not respond to this.

The others are going to return. Many already have, Daemon told Kaly. Our existence is going to be revealed to the world. I cannot have you or those poisoned children terrorizing everyone.

What will you do to me? Keep me in a soul gem, too? Kaly asked. Or make us all mortals again? Or--

No, as I said, I need your assistance, Daemon answered and he released the hold that Eyros had over the form Artemis.

"Hey! Daemon, what are you doing?" It was Balthazar crying out as he jogged towards Daemon from the trees. His mind told Daemon that he was not going to let the Vampire King face Kaly alone.

Daemon smiled. Balthazar's bravery--as well as his desire for revenge--was greater than his sense at this point. But it did not matter. He had not ordered them to remain behind. The others came after Balthazar. Fiona's forehead furrowed. Christian was frowning. Caemorn was preparing for battle. Artemis stretched and cracked his neck from side to side. He was not attempting to flee. Not yet. Of course, he wouldn't be allowed to leave.

"What's the plan?" Balthazar asked. There was an eager light to trap Kaly in the place inbetween to torture him as he had tortured Balthazar.

Daemon reached over and cupped Balthazar's cheek. "I am sorry I was not here to stop that."

Balthazar's eyes grew dark, but then he shook himself. "No, I'm glad you weren't. I needed to know my own power and to realize… Did you know? About Roan?"

Daemon slowly nodded. "It was the only explanation for why Christian was a Speaker to the Dead. I think you might find that you have more gifts from--"

"I don't want them!" Balthazar flared, then looked down guiltily. "I'm happy with my own gifts."

"Yes, of course," Daemon said.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have shouted at you," Balthazar said, looking apologetic. "It's just…"

Daemon patted his cheek. "I understand. No apology needed."

Christian had been watching this interaction. His frown had deepened. He was worried about Balthazar's state of mind and he did not quite understand what Roan and Kaly had in common. Not quite yet.

Caemorn's gaze was fixed on Kaly. But Daemon knew that he had heard their words and was already working towards the inevitable conclusion: that both he and Balthazar were Blood Brothers, but from different forms, if not the same Immortal.

"Why have you released me?" Artemis asked. "To have some big showdown? At least give me Moira and make the odds a little more even."

"You said the Well of All Souls was your place," Caemorn stated. "Do you need additional help?"

Artemis' eyes narrowed then he laughed, "By the Gods, Caemorn, look at you! A proud dog at his new Master's heels!"

"Better than a beaten dog," Caemorn remarked simply.

Caemorn's lack of hurt from his words had Artemis stymied for a moment, but he shook himself and gave an evil smile.

"You killed Julian's parents. You can never undo that," Artemis said. "You can never truly join Daemon's family."

Caemorn's eyes slide to Daemon. There was that promise again. If he had the soul gems he could bring them back. Daemon knew he meant it.

Whatever the cost...

"Where are you keeping the soul gems containing the Harrows?" Fiona asked.

"As if I would tell you!" Artemis scoffed and tossed back his angelic blond head.

"You should use it as a bargaining chip," Fiona answered just as coolly, her arms crossing over her body. "You're not getting out of here."

"Why have you released me then?" Artemis repeated to Daemon.

"To demonstrate that I can learn. That I have learned." Daemon slipped Kara's soul gem into his pocket.

"We'll see," Artemis said before he struck.

The ghosts that had been flowing around them like water suddenly surged towards them. A tidal wave of spirits, all with one thought: drain them. He heard Caemorn muttering behind him.

"Let me get a lock on his mind," Balthazar hissed.

"No, not yet," Daemon said quietly.

"What? Why?" Balthazar's lips writhed back from his teeth, wanting to fight. "We have to do something about those ghosts! They are not kind."

"I'm doing something about them!" Caemorn responded.

Caemorn suddenly was tossing great amounts of soul stones into the air all around them, forming a protective circle. When the line of ghosts touched them, they were pulled into the stones. Everyone crowded into the very center of the circle as a circle of ghosts thirty feet high surrounded them on all sides.

"How many more do you have of those?" Balthazar asked as he noted some of them glowing as they filled to the brim with spirits, unable to contain any more.

"A few," Caemorn said as he broke open another of his secret pockets and reinforced areas of the circle where there were too many glowing stones. He spun like a whirling dervish as he did so.

"I do not think you have enough for all of them," Christian said from his spot beside Caemorn.

"No, but I'll think of something else," Caemorn answered through gritted teeth.

Caemorn then scattered his last stones and he rose up. His silver eyes were blazing. He thrust his hands up and out. There was a wave of power that came from him and the ghosts were pushed back several feet in all directions. Some flew back to the Well. Others headed off into the endless Ever Dark woods. And yet others attacked their counterparts. He was picking off dozens from Kaly's control. But there were thousands. Tens of thousands.

"Very good, Caemorn," Artemis laughed. "But not good enough!"

The souls suddenly slammed back around them once more. Caemorn had his hands outstretched to his sides. Sweat clotted his brow and trailed down his cheeks only to drip from his jaw. His lips writhed back from his teeth as he used the energy of the trapped spirits to hold the rest back. He was draining the gems, which were only filling up again with more spirits. But he couldn't keep this up forever. The Vampire King put a hand on his heaving shoulder.

"That was excellent, Caemorn," Daemon said gently. "It shows your skill and power. A Vampire of twice your years should not be able to do this, even having Kaly's blood. I know. I've met many."

"Why aren't you helping him, Daemon?" Artemis asked from beyond the wall of spirits. "Why aren't you fighting back?"

"Uhm, yeah," Balthazar asked with a lifted eyebrow. "Why are you holding back?"

"I can help! All I need to do is speak to the spirits," Christian began.

"No, Christian. Let it be," Daemon instructured.

The ring of stones Caemorn had sown about them was still working as was Caemorn's forcefield of ghosts. But it would fail soon if something wasn't done.

"Let me get everyone out of here, Daemon," Fiona begged, her hands balled into fists.

"That is a good idea, but it would only change this battle to a different time, Wyvern," Daemon explained.

"Yes, I know, but… Caemorn can't defeat Kaly. Not now. Not yet," she pointed out. "And you're still… still weak. For you! I mean--"

"You are right, but it does not matter," Daemon told her, which had more frowns appearing on people's lips.

"He wants to show us what he's learned," Christian said suddenly. He had been studying Daemon long and hard. "He's not afraid. We shouldn't be."

"You didn't see all the dead at the museum," Artemis cooed. "Shall I take their souls, too, Daemon?"

Daemon's anger bridled before he shoved it down. "You can try."

"I can't protect…" Caemorn looked gray. "I can't protect them and hold off the spirits."

"You don't have to." Daemon then squeezed Caemorn's shoulder just as the Kaly Vampire's strength was fading fast. "Let go."

"What?" Caemorn clearly thought he was insane.

"It's okay, Caemorn," Christian said as he seemed to realize that Daemon truly had a plan. "You can do it. Let go."

With a heaving cry, Caemorn did and collapsed to the ground. But the spirits did not overwhelm them. Daemon held them at bay. If he were to fight Kaly toe to toe on this, he would eventually win, but at what cost? But there was no need to fight with spirits.

"You're holding them back effortlessly," Caemorn breathed.

He had been helped to his feet by Balthazar. Caemorn had said "thank you" under his breath. This had caused Balthazar to stare at him and then quickly turn away, muttering "you're welcome."

Blood Brothers. This will be interesting.

"Not effortlessly," Daemon admitted. "I am still not at full power. Not by a long shot. But this is all a conceit. Artemis has grabbed Moira and--"

"He's headed into the damned forest! He thinks he can get away! I can stop them, Daemon!" Balthazar's eyes were glowing hotly. "Why won't you let me?"

"Because there's no need," Daemon answered calmly.

Balthazar's eyebrows were both up. "You're hiding what you're planning, Daemon. Not fair. Because things look pretty damn dire. My hands are frosting over again."

Balthazar showed the fine ice crystals that were forming over his skin as the ghosts sucked all the warmth from them.

"This only seems insurmountable because we think we can control all the ghosts. No one can fully beat Kaly at their own game without great cost," Daemon explained to his friends. "We must think differently."

"But if Kaly is getting away…" Christian said with a shrug.

"They are not. Trust me on this," Daemon said. "We must remember that to defeat an enemy, do not use their methods of fighting. Use your own ."

"Yes, like me crushing his little brain," Balthazar suggested.

"Exactly, but not quite yet," Daemon said. "I will have you use your power shortly."

Daemon closed his eyes and sought communion with the Ever Dark. The earth that seemed so barren in some eyes, bearing only the evil trees and poisonous foliage, was rich with life for him. Creatures near and far lifted their heads, their eyes going red as were his eyes. They listened. The trees and plants turned their leaves towards him. They listened. The insects squirming in the ground paused in their ceaseless digging. They listened. The air and the earth seemed to hold a tension as if listening to.

"Ah, Daemon, dear fellow, the circle is failing! Are you going to do something?" Balthazar's voice was light with an almost funereal amusement.

"Yes. Now ," he said.

And the earth and air in the well answered his request. There was a grinding, crashing sound as the stone making up the brick moved inwards until there was but a dime-shaped opening left. The ghosts, fearing they would be cut off for all time from the renewal, broke free of Kaly's control and fled into the well. He waited until every last one of them had left, leaving the area around the well free of souls for the first time in a long time. There was a terrible grinding sound. The light from the last ghost winked out. That last space was closed. And now there was only a heap of stones where the Well of All Souls had once been.

The Ever Dark was silent for long moments but then the churr of night insects returned. The soft peet-peet of unseen birds in the trees came back. The rumbly growls of predators snuffling through the underbrush filled the air. These were still soft sounds, but they were sounds that had not been heard near the Well of All Souls in an age. Daemon smiled and opened his eyes.

Caemorn was open-mouthed but there was dismay written large on his face. He had, after all, lost a place where he could come and easily fill his soul gems. Daemon used the power of Ashyr to lift up the soul gems and send them flowing into Caemorn's pockets.

"Do not be so sad. You have these," Daemon said. "Besides, it should be hard to collect souls. It should not be like shooting fish in a barrell, Caemorn."

Still, Caemorn's lower lip nearly trembled. "Yes, but… I was investigating how it worked. Now I will never know."

"You won't?" Daemon lifted an eyebrow.

"And don't the souls need this place?" Christian asked, scanning the woods for souls, but the spirits were no longer being funneled here.

"They do?" Daemon lifted that eyebrow higher.

Both Caemorn and Christian looked at him in bewilderment. "Don't they?"

That was asked in unison. Daemon smiled.

"Does it make any sense that something clearly…" He gestured to the stone well, " constructed by someone would be needed to help in the process of life and death?"

"No," it was Fiona who answered. "No, not at all. In fact." She bit her lower lip as her gaze grew distant. "In fact, this is completely artificial. I can feel… yes, I can feel… but how is that possible?"

"You're keeping us in suspense! What do you feel?" Balthazar asked her, windmilling his arms.

"When I teleport, I've always felt that I was opening a gateway, sort of like the gates to the Ever Dark and…" She stopped as she looked at Daemon. Her eyes widened. "I made the gates."

He nodded.

"I made the gates!" Fiona cried and nearly jumped up and down.

Daemon smiled.

She spun back towards the well. "Oh, my… I helped make this. I did this for Kaly…"

"Speaking of them, shouldn't we be going after… oh…" Christian's words were cut off as a creature seemingly made of vines and blood came slithering towards them. And in its mass were Artemis and Kaly, completely caught.

Daemon stepped over to the two of them. The others followed. Artemis' silver eyes were filled with only hate and fear now. Moira looked resigned. Kaly knew that this was the end of the road for these two forms.

Or so they thought.

"So no ghosts to use against us anymore," Balthazar said and kicked Artemis' shin. "You're useless without them!"

"Balthazar," Fiona chided.

"What?"

"He's incapacitated. We should behave that way towards one who cannot defend himself," she said mildly.

"You don't know all that Kaly has done!" Balthazar growled, but he didn't kick Artemis again.

"That trick with the well wasn't your only lesson learned, was it?" Christian asked.

Daemon shook his head as he got down on his haunches and stared down at Kaly. "Hunting Kaly down will not be the hard part."

"I can locate the bodies they are using. I was saying that before," Caemorn said.

"Yes, and we will have you do that. But it is those that they have convinced of the rightness of their cause that are the problem," Daemon said as he thought of Kara. "We must change their minds."

He turned his head slightly towards Balthazar who was frowning.

"You mean… change their minds , right?" Balthazar finally asked. "Like me changing--"

"Yes. It must be done in such a way that their minds accept it and do not break," Daemon said. "Somewhat like you did to those Kaly Vampires before. But these are… zealots."

"Zealots are really hard to convince." Balthazar rubbed his chin though and looked more like he was challenged rather than determined it wouldn't work.

"They are." Daemon stood up and gestured to Kaly and Moira. "That's why you're going to practice on Kaly first. Change their mind and I don't think you can fail with anyone else."