Well, your sister doesn’t wrestle control from me like you do.
The fire demon had no response to that. Michael’s form loomed closer. From this height, Emily could see his features clearly. Michael stole glances at the sky and at The Owl as he gasped and ran through the lush greenery.
Even from such a distance, Emily could see the young man’s eyes were filled with abject terror. Every time he looked up at the fire demon, he saw his approaching death. Emily was almost tempted to let Michael suffer. All her troubles would be gone in an instant if he turned to ash.
But she focused her attention on the fire demon. She could tell he was deep in contemplation. He was probably wondering whether to go ahead and roast Michael or let him go because he was Emily’s family.
Emily recalled the fire demon’s name. She had the name on the tip of her thoughts. Ready to use it to command.
At the last minute, the fire demon pulled out of its attack dive, but not before swooping in to within a yard of Michael’s head, thereby causing the boy to dive. As The Owl started ascending away, Emily saw Michael bash his head against a tree trunk.
Serves him right for getting you upset and getting me all riled up, the fire demon quipped. The next thing Emily knew, she was back in the driver’s seat—piloting The Owl once more.
26
The Owl kept ascending. Emily in control. Dark clouds rushed to meet her until she passed through them. It felt so good to be back in the skies. The rush of wind against her plume excited her. Below her was a thick carpet of clouds. Beyond the clouds was the dusty, bright globe known as the moon.
The winds were hers to command, and she commanded her flight wherever she desired. She felt as though she’d just escaped being cooped up, which was exactly what she’d done. The last time she’d been in the clouds was when the fire demon had taken control and decimated the horde.
That was still fresh in her mind—including the thought that she was never going to shift back to human form or that she would always have to bend to the fire demon’s incendiary motives. But in spite of her fears—which had been somewhat assuaged by Selena telling her how to control it—she had still longed for the skies.
It was like an addictive drug. The more you used, the more you desired to use. Until you were hooked and there was no joy, no happiness, no fulfillment . . . until you’re spent.
Emily was there right now. She was hooked on flying, which was why, instead of returning to the car, she remained above the clouds for a while. She wanted to savor the feeling. She didn’t venture too far from the general orbit of the vehicle. She had a mental picture of where it was. So she maintained an orbit of a one-mile radius.
One mile might seem like a long journey on the ground, but in the air, and at the speed her huge wings could carry her, Emily could make the journey in less than thirty seconds.
After she’d soared the skies for a minute, Emily spoke to the fire demon. I didn’t think it was going to be so easy to get back in the driver’s seat.
I don’t blame you, the fire demon replied. I am often misrepresented.
Emily didn’t know how to respond to that. This was because she didn’t think it was a case of misrepresentation. How could he have been misrepresented when all she knew from him was fire and wrath?
It didn’t make sense. The fire demon was stubborn, intrusive, and incendiary. Emily knew because she’d watched him. He had wrestled control from her the first time and had decimated the horde—even though that was good.
Emily kept quiet. She didn’t want to say anything that could potentially anger the fire demon again.
So what are you really like? she finally asked.
The fire demon was quick to answer. I’m fun to be with. I’m cool, calm, and collected. I’m the kinda guy you wanna hang out with. Although, I don’t take shit.
Emily was taken aback somewhat. The thought crossed her mind that the fire demon might be joking. She half-expected him to erupt into laughter and tell her he was kidding. But silence stretched between then, and when it became awkward, she began to think the fire demon really believed he was a fun and easy-going guy.
She wondered if the issue was that the fire demon had deluded himself into thinking he was cool, calm, and collected when he was really intrusive, explosive, and incendiary.
Okay, so if we’re going to be sharing the same body, we have to lay some ground rules, Emily reasoned. She made sure her voice was stern enough the fire demon knew she wasn’t kidding around on this.
Sure, I can roll with that, the fire demon replied, ever so chirpy.
Good, Emily went on. First, I, and I alone, have the ability and authority to shift. Not you. Not anyone. I, and I alone.
The fire demon protested. What if it’s a danger you’re not aware of?
In my human form, it’s me and Selena in my mind, Emily replied. I doubt you will see a problem we missed.
The fire demon muttered his disagreement. What if you need a quick response? What if you’re dragging your feet, and I know I can take the monster?
No, Emily stated flatly. In certain battles, I want to fight them with strategy and not brute force. You can’t deliver strategy when all you want to do is soar into a fight and spew fire.
The fire demon muttered again. He seemed to be having a hard time agreeing to Emily’s number-one rule. If this was so, he was going to have an even harder
