The petite woman started to run, ignoring the demons that swiped at her with talons large enough to take off her head with one swipe. She seemed immune to the demons’ strikes. They fell away, as if hitting an invisible shield. The bizarre display drew more than Katie and Toby’s attention. A ripple went through the demons, and they turned to watch the tiny woman sprinting towards them with flashing blue eyes.
“Is she insane?” Katie breathed. “What is she doing?”
“She’s pissed,” Toby said and sank behind Katie.
Deidre reached the group of demons. Rather than attack her, they parted, inching away from her. Speechless, Katie watched her approach. The demons fell silent, and even those fighting Gabe stopped.
“Go inside,” Deidre said, stopping in front of Katie. “I’ll take care of this.”
“Nice of you to show up,” Gabe snapped.
“You’re … Death,” Katie said, stunned.
“To you, I’m Deidre,” Death said. “I liked being Deidre.”
“I …l liked you being Deidre,” Katie stammered. Her gaze traveled to Gabe, who was bloodied and beaten. Suddenly, Deidre’s vague story of lost love and Gabe’s bitterness towards her clicked.
“Go inside and wait for me.”
Katie turned away and snatched Toby’s hand. They approached the demons tentatively, waiting for the quiet creatures to attack rather than move. As if under a trance, the demons moved away in synchronized steps. Katie ran.
“Gabe, clean up this mess,” she heard Death say.
“Working on it,” Gabe growled.
Toby took the lead, and the demons, Death and Gabe disappeared as Katie rounded the corner of the palace. The angel released her and raced into the palace and up a set of stairs. They ascended several floors, until Katie was sucking wind bad enough to stop. Toby didn’t wait for her, and she stumbled forward. The interior of the palace was unlit, and the darkness of evening crept into the hallways.
She stopped, but Toby yanked her forward.
“We have to go!” he shouted.
“She said to wait.”
“Mama, if Death –“
“If Death what, Toby?” Deidre demanded, materializing beside them.
Toby mumbled. Katie made out the words dead-deadandunderworld.
“What he’s saying is that I’ll kill you,” Deidre said. “Toby, I could’ve done that yesterday.”