The Guild: Page 3

I jumped back in horror, and my chair tipped back, dumping me onto the ground. Samara looked down at me, annoyed.

"Wow. I really can't believe I picked you."

I pushed myself to my feet.

"Samara, what the fuck was that?!"

She rolled her eyes.

"Gods, you are slow."

Her words would have stung had I not been in shock over the whole murder thing.

"News flash genius, demons are evil."

"What? No, you wouldn't."

I backed away from her until my back pressed against the door.

"You see, there's a person in here I need to kill. Unfortunately, this place is very strongly warded against demons. But I realized there was a loophole. I just needed a willing soul to bind myself to so I could sneak in."

"You... used me?"

"Bingo! Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna kill everyone here."

I summon Vedra, now in the form of a shield. Just in time too, as Samara hurled a missile of purple magic at me. The force still pushed me against the wall hard.

I cast Dark Aura, filling the room with inky black smoke. With her distracted for a moment, I ran into the hall, keeping my eyes on the entrance to the room.

A moment later, she stepped out, scowling.

"Fine, we'll do this the hard way."

She charged at me, but I reacted quickly. In my hands, Vedra reformed, taking the shape of a spear. I swung it at her, catching her in the temple. She stumbled back, laughing.

"You think you can use my gift against me?"

She snapped her fingers, and Vedra teleported into her hands. I cast Shield, only for Samara to slice right through it, leaving a gash across my bicep in the process. Pressed further into a corner, I had to do something. I cast Misty Step, aiming for a space across the hall. Unfortunately, she was ready for that.

"Counterspell Misty Step."

Before I could even react to that, she jabbed me in the ribs with the blunt end of the spear.

I doubled over, gasping, and she swept my feet from under me. I hit the ground with a thud. Stars sparkled in my vision when I opened my eyes. My body ached when I sat up.

"Seriously, what is your plan? This isn't a fantasy story, Lucas. You can't beat me."

I forced my legs to lift me up, until I was once again standing, though just barely.

"Maybe, but what's the harm in trying?"

I threw an Eldritch Blast her way, which did nothing literally nothing.

"Enough!"

She lunged forward, clawed fingers passing through my magical shield like it wasn't there. Her fingers wrapped around my throat, and she threw me backward with ease.

I landed hard against a wall. I'm pretty sure I broke something. For a few moments, I just laid on the ground, probably dying. But between my ragged breaths, I heard something. Somewhere in the distance, I could almost hear someone saying my name. Too bad I was distracted from that when Samara's shadow appeared over me.

"Come on Lucas. You never stood a chance."

I gasped painfully. I was pretty sure some ribs were pressing into my lungs. Despite that, I still managed to cough out a sentence.

"I'm not done yet."

With the very last of my magical ability, I cast Blade Storm, sending a flurry of magically conjured knives circling around her. She dropped the spear, swiping at the daggers as they sliced at her. For a powerful demon, it was a nuisance, but an effective one.

With every ounce of willpower I had left, I pushed myself to my feet, stumbling back from her.

"Counterspell Blade Storm."

The knives disappeared in a puff of smoke. Samara scowled at me. I got the distinct impression my little nuisance had done a number on her mood.

"You are wasting your time. All you have done is guaranteed yourself a slow and very painful death."

She held out her hand, and Vedra appeared in it. Like liquid metal, she reformed into a sword. I barely avoided the aggressive swing that followed, but I wasn't so lucky the next time.

She stabbed me, right in the thigh. My legs gave out from under me, and I fell to my knees.

"Why would you fight me, Lucas?"

I almost laughed at her question. Why would I fight? Because why not. I would die either way. I mean, she was a demon after all.

"Why not just kill me?"

"I want you to give up before you die."

In my head, those words knocked loose some dusty old memory. Helen had said that to Damian. She had warned him that if he joined the Guild, he would die, but that he would give up long before that. I had never understood how she could hold such disdain for the organization that literally protects the world, but she never had anything good to say about her employer. Finally, the pieces clicked together.

"This isn't real."

Despite the pain, I actually chuckled. I stood up, ignoring the pain in my leg and chest.

"This is the test, isn't it?"

Samara looked around for a moment, then rolled her eyes.

"You wish."

She thrust forward, driving the end of the sword towards my heart, only to have the blade shatter against my skin.

"Yeah, no. The jig is up."

I closed my eyes, focusing on myself. I ignored the flurry of attacks Samara rained onto me. But I wasn't planning her game. Eventually, I realized I couldn't hear her anymore.

I opened my eyes and peeled my face off of the cold wooden desk.

- CAS! LUCAS! WAKE THE FUCK UP YOU GOOFY ASS HUM- oh hey, you're awake.

"Man. That was fucked up."

What happened?

"You can't see it in my memories?"

No, there's like a blank spot.

Outside the room, a loud horn sounded suddenly.

"Congratulations Applicants. Your performances in the evaluation have been noted. Should you wish to continue, follow your Guild Application Director to the Assignment Wing."