Emily remembered how she’d saved Michael from the Alfreds. She had found him in a dungeon beneath the Alfreds’ castle. Emily had gone down to find Michael while Rina and Joanna had remained by the door—from where they were eventually abducted. After Emily had sprung Michael from the cage and was carrying him out of the place, she’d been accosted by Marion.
He’d sent a blue fireball her way, and her response had been instinctual, much like the way you’d blink when someone tried to touch your eyeball. She’d intended to whistle and do some fancy maneuver that Selena had taught her, when instead of a whistle, she belched a spew of liquid fire. And she was as surprised about it as Marion looked.
Her liquid fire had destroyed the blue flame and threatened to destroy Marion if he hadn’t jumped out of the way. That was when she took the opportunity to escape from the dungeon.
You’re saying I caused this? Emily asked, aghast.
Yes and no, Selena said. It was always going to happen. But you were the trigger. Look, we’ve not had time to really discuss the extent of your abilities. You’re not like your mom. You’re The Owl. Not just any Owl. You have what we call a fire demon.
Emily rolled her eyes. She already knew that. Aunt Anastacia had called her as much when Emily had told her the name of her Owl was Selena. Emily hadn’t pressed for more information because saving Michael and ending the Alfreds was more paramount on her mind.
Precisely why I didn’t bother you with the information, crooned Selena. I didn’t know you were going to go ahead and trigger him so soon.
Emily’s temper rose. How the hell was I supposed to know I had a demon within me?
Well, that’s why you should read more often. Selena was becoming more sarcastic. Emily had to breathe in again before she screamed at The Owl.
You could have informed me of the dangers I put myself in when I returned from the Alfreds’.
Right, and when did you return? asked Selena. She didn’t wait for Emily to provide an answer. Barely a few hours ago!
Emily sucked in air. By now, she was on top of her panic crisis. Her breathing had stabilized. She was in control. Although she still felt the adrenaline pulsing through her bloodstream, she was calm.
She felt the aches and pains in her joints. The fire demon had sapped all her energy. She wasn’t sure she would be able to turn into The Owl again that night. She needed to rest up and recuperate her strength.
Great. The silly fire demon sapped my energy and took me out of the fight, Emily thought to herself. If the Alfreds came right now, it would be game over. It wasn’t that she wanted to go back into her Owl form. No, she dreaded it. She dreaded the idea that the fire demon would just take control of her again, and if Aunt Anastacia wasn’t there to rein it in, it would rampage all over the town. And she’d be blamed.
You know, you can control him, Selena announced.
I tried, Emily said. He’s more powerful than me, and he has a way of making it hurt.
Selena went on, It’s because you allow him to. Look, he’s subservient to you, just like me. He can be a little hot-headed sometimes, but he listens. And he’ll obey you.
Emily frowned. You sound like you know him well. I didn’t hear you when he was pulling my strings.
Well, we can’t be active at the same time, Selena chirped. Before he’s active, I’m available to you in both your forms. But he’s the more powerful consciousness, so he gets The Owl form while I’m stuck with the human form.
So you can’t communicate with each other?
No. Never. It would be a catastrophe. Selena sounded adamant.
So, how the heck do I control him? Emily asked. I can’t have him acting without a plan or without a broad view of what we’re trying to accomplish.
Just give the command.
I tried that and it didn’t work.
It’s because you didn’t call him by his name. Call him by his name and issue your order. He’ll be forced into compliance.
Emily rolled her eyes. And what is his name?
Zee. He’s my brother.
Emily chuckled. Seriously? That douchebag is your brother?
Hey! Selena sounded hurt.
Emily laughed as she pulled herself to her knees. She still wasn’t looking at the two figures standing on the porch.
“I’m sorry, Selena,” Emily said out loud. “But he really is a douchebag.”
Selena didn’t reply at first. Emily could, however, feel her ire like a candlelight burning away in her mind.
You might be able to control him now, Emily, but a word of caution, Selena warned. Don’t estrange him. He can do things you won’t be able to, especially when you’re faced with a great evil like the Alfreds.
When that time comes, when you sorely need him in control, Selena continued, he won’t yield to you. And even if you command him, he won’t win the fight for you.
“So he’d rather we all perished together?” asked Emily, incredulous.
Selena’s silence was her answer.
Emily pushed herself off her knees.
“I see you’re back with us.” Aunt Anastacia spoke. A little color and strength had come back into her bones. She was no longer rattling, although she still looked like she had aged a hundred years.
Emily nodded and glanced at Dad. “Sorry about—”
“No need for an apology,” Dad cut her off. “I’m just glad you’re back with us and alive.”
“Well, we won’t be alive for much longer if we don’t get inside,” Aunt Anastacia pointed out.
“Why?” Emily and Dad asked together.
Aunt Anastacia pointed to something behind Emily.
Emily turned to see what it was . . . and felt her heart stop.
The Alfreds had arrived.
7
It was a simple Land Rover. Small. Compact. A dull gray color. But it wasn’t the Land Rover that stirred Emily’s fear. It was what hovered above
