Page 66 of The Vampire and the Barista

CHAPTER 22

Jamie spun around as he heard someone laughing. He searched but couldn’t see anything; that was a lie, he saw a pin prick of light that seemed to be some distance away.

Jamie wasn’t afraid to admit he was scared witless. Why did he even say he was coming? He had only known this world was real for a few days, watching ghost-hunting shows didn’t count, nor did watching Charmed. And now here he was, kind of invisible, with some weird force field around him. At least Ivan knew what had happened to him.

Jamie took a breath. “Okay, I survived the parents, I’ve read books on witches, curses and spells. I’ve watched Charmed, both the original and new versions. I can do this. I can channel my inner Halliwell. They rhymed their spells, how hard can it be?” Jamie thought for a moment. “I’m stuck in a barrier, and cannot be seen. Release me now and prove this isn’t a dream.”

Thiago followed the demon magic to the room with a pentagram on the floor and runes around it. He appeared in front of the demon.

The demon was about a foot or two taller than Thiago. Where Thiago looked like a handsome sprite, the one in front of him looked like every evil version of a demon, with horns curling out of his head, his skin red and scaly, a long-forked tail swishing around, his eyes black as black could be. A large cloak shielding most of him.

The demon looked surprised. “Thiago?”

“As you see. What have you done?” Thiago asked him.

“I don’t know what you mean,” the demon replied.

“A resident here, a man called Derrick, sold his soul to you for immorality. He’s long gone, so why are you still here?”

“Oh, Tia, feel around, there is so much misery, anger and helplessness in practically every room. Where else would I be? This place calls to me.”

“Leave my friends alone,” Thiago said, staring at the demon.

“Friends? Vampires, wolves, witches, and a mystic, really, Tia, have you no shame?”

“Yes, friends, and you’ve already hurt one of them.”

The demon waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “He’s fine.”

Thiago sighed and rubbed his forehead before dropping his hand. “Can we not do this? I do actually have things I should be doing. Instead, here I am, trying to help my friends stop a demon, you, and to get Derrick’s soul returned and his immortality taken away. I really don’t care what you do with the spirits here, or how you use the residual emotions. Just let my friends out of this place.”

The demon moved closer, staring intently at him. “But what do I get for letting your friends go and returning the soul, Tia?”

“You get to keep existing,” Thiago said.

The demon took a step back. “What do you mean?”

Thiago gave a hollow laugh. “What do you think I mean? You went on a killing spree, you slaughtered two hundred and forty-seven humans, one hundred and ninety-four paranormals and over a thousand demons, all in the space of four days. What did you think would happen? Lucifer himself signed your kill order. I’m honestly surprised you’re still alive, but if you’re hiding out here, that could be why.”

“You would turn me in?” the demon asked in surprise.

“Not if you return the soul, let my friends go, my family go.”

“I’m your family,” the demon thundered, his tail swishing fiercely.

“So are they.”

The demon stared at Thiago for a moment. “Fine, they can go for now. Now leave me be.”

“What about the soul?”

The demon's black eyes flashed red. “It has been returned to him; now go.”

Thiago didn’t need to be told again and quickly vanished.

The demon smiled an evil, sinister smile. “Until we meet again, my son.”

Mathis was still trying to punch his way out of the room, while Gabe was trying to destroy the runes.