Daniel Taylor Between Two Worlds (6 page)

“Both of you are!” Mike grinned as Vanessa gave him a light punch in the stomach.

“Be serious.”

Mike’s smile became thoughtful. “No, you’re right, of course. You need the right partner, and both people have to feel ready for it; otherwise, it’s no fun.” He heaved a deep sigh, arousing Vanessa’s curiosity.

“What’s up with you?” she asked. She wasn’t the only one who had changed since she had begun dating Daniel; she had noticed that Mike had been much quieter lately. “Don’t tell me that you’re lovesick, too.”

Mike cleared his throat. “No, not lovesick. I barely know the girl.”

That pricked up her ears. “Who is she? Do I know her?” She shifted away from Mike so that she could see him better; he was clearly uncomfortable talking about the subject, because he ducked his head and wouldn’t look her in the eye.

“Maybe. She was at Rebecca’s Halloween party. Her name is Marla.”

“Marla?!” Vanessa sat up ramrod straight on the couch. Her pulse accelerated dramatically.

“You know her, then?” Mike’s blue eyes lit up with hope.

“Uh, not very well.” That was a bit of a fib. Mike was her friend, and she didn’t want to lie to him, but she just couldn’t tell him that she saw Marla all the time. He would have wanted to learn more about her, and what could Vanessa tell him? That Marla was a demon who might ravish him for breakfast and then tear his still-beating heart from his chest? Vanessa knew from Danny that demons had no capacity for romantic feelings. Was that why Daniel was only after sex? Was he merely looking to satisfy his urges?

No — there was more. Vanessa could tell from the way he looked at her. His green eyes could be so full of warmth. But in an instant his expression could turn cold, demonic, sly. Or flaming with rage.
I’m just imagining that because we had a fight.

“Does she come from around here?” Mike was staring at her, transfixed. He was obviously dying for more information.

“No, I don’t think so. As far as I know, she comes from another … country,” Vanessa replied with a shrug. “You’ll probably never see her again.”

“Another country? She mentioned something like that, and she has such an unusual accent.”

Vanessa had to watch what she said. “I … uh … yes, another country, but I really don’t know that much about her or where she comes from exactly.” That was the truth. She had tried to ask Marla questions, but the demon had avoided answering.

Mike smiled. “Well, at least I’m not the only one confused by her.” Sighing, he leaned back into the sofa, his eyes half closed. “It’s too bad you can’t tell me anything more about her. I got along with her so well.” He scratched his eyebrow and looked up at Vanessa. “It sounds ridiculous but … it was like we had known each other forever, like there was an invisible bond between us. I’ve only met her once, and I feel totally crazy about her.”

“It’s not ridiculous, Mike. I know what you mean.” Vanessa took a deep breath and then exhaled. She could see that Mike was in love with Marla.
You’d be better off staying away from demons
, she thought.
You’ll just get burned. It’s hard enough loving a half-demon.

She quickly got up before she could blurt anything out. “It’s getting late; I have to go.” She couldn’t get Daniel off her mind. Even though it was late, she had to talk to him — otherwise, she would never fall asleep.

“I’ll take you home,” Mike said, getting up from the couch.

Vanessa stood in front of the Taylors’ house, undecided. There was still a light on in the kitchen, so she bravely pressed the doorbell.
Anne probably just got home from her shift
, she guessed.

It didn’t take long for Daniel’s mother to open the door. She looked surprised. “Nessa? It’s pretty late.”

“Yes, I know. Could I speak with Danny for a minute? It’s important.” She tried to hide her anxiety. If Anne noticed, she’d get curious and start asking questions.

“Sure, come in.” Anne shut the door behind her and gestured toward the stairs. “I understand — I was once young and in love,” she said with a smile. “Daniel’s upstairs.”

As Vanessa climbed the stairs, her heart was pounding violently. She came to a halt in front of his door. There was no sound from inside.
Is he already asleep?
she asked herself, but then she saw the light shining under the door, so she entered the room.

As always, the first things she saw were Daniel’s desk at the window and the shelf holding his stereo on the right side of the room. When Nessa shut the door behind herself, she gasped. Daniel was lying stretched out on the bed, his shirt pulled up so that she could see his flat stomach. His breathing was rapid, and he made no sign of noticing her. At first, Vanessa thought that he was having another attack, but then she was horrified to see a young woman suddenly materialize on top of him, her fiery hair hanging like a curtain over Daniel’s face.

“Sirina …” Vanessa knew at once who the demon was, despite never having seen her before in person.
Daniel’s future wife.
It looked like she had found the right way to win him over.

Sirina raised her head, tossed her hair back, and smiled insincerely at Vanessa. “Get lost, human, he belongs to me now!” As if to prove it, she leaned over Daniel’s face and kissed him on the mouth. Vanessa thought she might faint, but then a fury rose within her.

Daniel briefly seemed to return the kiss, but Vanessa thought he looked strange, almost detached.
No wonder
, she thought,
he’s been blown away! Sirina knows what she’s doing.

Suddenly he pushed the demon away and sat up. “Nessa!”

“Daniel … I …” Vanessa stammered in confusion. “Why?”

He hastily pulled his shirt down. “It’s not what you think!”

“Oh, yeah? Like between me and Mike, but you wouldn’t believe me. In any case, he didn’t
kiss
me!”

Daniel scowled. “Liar! I saw you — you have feelings for each other!”

“What?” Vanessa didn’t understand what he meant. She was so furious and hurt that she tore off the silver ring and threw it at his feet. She turned around and left without saying a word. Vanessa could hear him calling after her, “So, that’s it, then. That leaves you free for Blondie!”

She would have liked to say so many things, but no words escaped her lips. Tears streamed down her cheeks instead.
Just because I’m not ready, he hops into bed with Sirina?

Blinded by rage and pain, she stumbled down the narrow stairs.

“That was fast!” called Anne from the kitchen as Vanessa ran past. She fled from the house without responding.

“Danny, what was up with Vanessa?” His mom was standing at his door. She raised a questioning eyebrow.

“We broke up, I think,” he said as calmly as possible, turning the delicate ring between his thumb and index finger before sticking it into his jeans pocket.

“What?” Anne looked at him aghast. “Why?”

Daniel shrugged. What should he tell his mother? That his life had been absolute chaos ever since he found out he was half demon? Maybe he should finally explain everything to her, but he wanted to talk to his father first. With his
real
father, James Carpenter.

Of course, Daniel had asked his mother all about the adoption, but when it came to James and his origins and why he had decided to give Daniel up … She hadn’t wanted to talk much about that.

“Did you pressure Vanessa somehow?” his mother asked.

The carefully suppressed rage boiled up again within Daniel. “Why is it always
my
fault when something happens?” He just wanted to be left alone — he didn’t feel up to a cross-examination. He already blamed himself for doing everything wrong with Vanessa that a boyfriend could do wrong. Daniel didn’t want to accept the fact that Nessa had just ended their relationship.

Sirina was standing off to one side, grinning. His mother couldn’t see the demon, and Marla had disappeared when Sirina pushed him onto the bed.
This bitch ruined everything for me!
he thought resentfully. But then he remembered her words: “Come with me into the underworld, and I’ll teach you how to use your powers.”

What was keeping him up here, anyway? His mother couldn’t or wouldn’t tell him about his real father, and thus he couldn’t learn anything about himself. Now she had taken Vanessa’s side as well.
Nessa … would she go right back to Mike?
Danny pushed the thought away. It was time for him to take control of his life. Maybe he really didn’t belong in this world.

Daniel’s mother just shook her head and left the room. Then he turned to Sirina. “Okay, I’ll come with you.”

I just have to picture it? Is that all?
Those were Daniel’s first thoughts as his training began in the great black marble hall. He had always imagined that he would have to learn special hand gestures or spells. He thought back to the history class a few weeks ago when he had choked the air out of Toby the brownnoser using only his mind. The powers were hidden within him; he just had to find a way to use them in a controlled fashion.

It was dark in the hall, and the smoke from the burning torches made his throat scratch. Why was there no electricity down here? Daniel pondered the question. How deep beneath the earth’s surface were they? How could they produce energy down here? Geothermal power, or maybe natural gas? It was warm enough, anyway. Daniel was sweating buckets.

Tzock!
A mental blow coursed through his consciousness, and Daniel doubled over in pain.

Metistakles tapped a finger on his shaven head. “Don’t trouble yourself with things that don’t concern you.”

In Daniel’s opinion, the subject certainly did concern him, especially if he was supposed to lead the masses of underworlders one day. But he was trying to pay attention to his demonic lessons — they were a far cry from Kuwalski’s history class. Daniel attempted to create an energy sphere in his hand. His fingertips tingled, and tiny sparks flashed across his palm, but he couldn’t manage to form a ball, no matter how hard he tried.

Metistakles was standing next to him, smirking as he looked down at him. “It’s not so easy, is it? It requires a certain control and profound concentration to focus your powers. The more you practice, the better you’ll be able to use these abilities, Silvan.”

Silvan! Would he ever get used to his demon name?

Metistakles penetrated his mind and showed him how to produce an energy sphere in the palm of his hand. Unfortunately, this reminded Daniel of how his mom had behaved when he was learning to ride a bicycle. Metistakles’ technique was similar. Just not caring — more humiliating, really. Once again, Daniel received a mental jolt. This one felt like a sword thrusting into his brain.

“You have to start controlling these human emotions!” Metistakles’ enraged voice echoed through the dome. He raised a coal-black eyebrow. “They only distract you and make you weak!”

Daniel nodded. He was sweating and every muscle in his body was trembling as he concentrated on blocking out his memories. This time, he actually managed to create an energy sphere the size of a marble on his palm. He had done it! Grinning, he held his hand under his teacher’s nose.