Demonbound

16

The engine hummed softly as the car rolled through the iron gates of the Blackwell estate.

Corvin sat in the passenger seat, elbow resting against the window, eyes fixed on the road ahead. Scott drove one-handed, relaxed, as if they were heading out on a casual errand rather than into unknown territory.

The city thinned the further they went.

Stone buildings gave way to squat houses with patched roofs. Paved roads cracked into gravel, then into packed dirt. Streetlamps became scarce, replaced by oil lanterns hanging outside shops and homes.

“This place looks like it got forgotten by time,” Scott muttered.

Corvin didn’t reply.

He was watching.

The village appeared suddenly, clustered low and wide like it was afraid to rise too high. People moved through the streets unhurriedly. Children ran barefoot. Women chatted near doorways. Men leaned against walls, laughing softly.

Life, uninterrupted.

Too normal.

They parked near the edge of the village and stepped out.

The air smelled of earth and fruit and old stone.

No wards.

No visible patrols.

No fear.

Compared to the city they’d left behind, this place felt… exposed.

“People are living normally,” Corvin said quietly.

Scott nodded. “Which makes the multiple demon sightings even stranger.”

They walked deeper into the village, boots crunching softly. The buildings were close together, most of them built from stone and wood, some leaning like tired old men. A narrow street opened into a small square where a handful of stalls were set up.

One stall stood out—bright fruit piled neatly in baskets.

They approached.

“Hey, excuse me,” Scott started.

The man behind the stall looked up, squinting at them. He was thin, middle-aged, with weathered hands and sharp eyes.

“Hi. What would you like to buy?” the man asked.

“I just want to ask you a few questions,” Scott said.

The man frowned. “You’ll buy something afterwards right?”

Scott glanced at the stall, then at the baskets of fruit.

“I’m not hungry.”

“Then I can’t help you,” the man said, already turning away.

“Wait.”

Corvin stepped forward.

The man paused.

“Give me an apple,” Corvin said.

The man smiled instantly and selected a red one, polished it against his sleeve, and handed it over.

Corvin paid and accepted it.

“So what would you like to know?” the man asked.

“Have you noticed anything weird lately?” Scott asked.

The man scratched his chin. “Not really. Just the disappearance of young girls every night from random locations.”

Corvin’s jaw tightened.

“And that doesn’t count as weird to you?”

The man blinked. “Now that you mentioned it, it’s a bit weird. I initially thought that they were just eloping with their boyfriends to better places. You know this is not one of the best places to live.”

Scott leaned slightly closer. “The girls that disappeared, where were they last seen?”

“I don’t know,” the man replied, lowering his voice. “But most of them visit the well at the centre of our town before going missing.”

Scott straightened.

“Thank you,” he said, and turned away.

They walked until the noise of the square faded behind them.

Corvin spoke first.

“This is a very weird place.”

“I know, right?” Scott scoffed. “Who still uses wells in this era?”

“That’s not what I meant,” Corvin said. “I mean demons abducting people. They never did that before. What could be the reason?”

Scott shrugged. “Guess we’ll be finding out tonight.”

He glanced sideways.

“By the way, why did you buy that apple? You hate fruits.”

Corvin turned the apple in his hand. “I also hate being in this place that reminds me of the eighteenth century, but here we are.”

Scott chuckled.

“So what should we do while we wait for nightfall?”

“I don’t know,” Corvin replied honestly.

Scott stopped walking.

“Have you ever talked to a girl before?”

Corvin frowned. “What brought up this topic now?”

Scott grinned and placed both hands on Corvin’s shoulders.

“Let’s make this mission interesting.”

He started pushing him forward.

“H–hey. What are you doing?” Corvin stammered.

“Keeping you busy,” Scott said. “We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves so we have to fit in.”

“And you couldn’t think of anything else?”

“I could,” Scott said easily. “But this is more fun.”

He shoved Corvin forward.

“Good luck.”

Corvin stumbled straight into someone.

“I’m so sorry,” he blurted. “I didn’t see you there.”

The girl turned.

Dark hair spilled down her back in loose waves, catching the fading sunlight. Her eyes were warm, curious, and unmistakably sharp. She wore a simple dress, but it suited her effortlessly.

Corvin forgot how to breathe for half a second.

“It’s fine,” she said with a smile, adjusting her clothes. Her gaze travelled over him—his boots, his jacket, the way he stood. “You don’t look like you’re from around here.”

“I’m not,” Corvin said automatically. “I’m actually from the Blackwell estate.”

The words hit him a moment too late.

Her eyes widened. He wasn’t meant to reveal that piece of information.

“That place for weirdos?”

She froze.

“I’m sorry,” she added quickly. “That’s just what most of us think of that place. It’s off-limits to basically everyone and everyone from there are always stoic.”

Corvin stared.

So that’s what the outside world thought of them.

“Wow,” he said softly. “I had no idea.”

“But you look cool though,” she said quickly. “I’m Maya by the way. What’s your name?”

“Corvin,” he replied, extending his hand.

She took it and shook.

“So what brings you to our secluded part of the state?” Maya asked.

“You know,” Corvin said, forcing his composure back into place, “just exploring and decided to visit new places. You’ve been here all your life?”

“Yeah,” she replied.

“It was nice to meet you though,” Corvin said, trying to smile, “but I have to catch up with my brother now. He must be looking for me.”

She tilted her head trying her hardest not to giggle.

“What are you doing?”

“Smiling,” he said, confused.

“Maybe you shouldn’t do that again,” she chuckled, already walking away.

Corvin exhaled. ‘What was wrong with his smile?’

He turned and headed back.

Scott was mid-conversation with another woman, leaning casually against a wall when Corvin approached.

He stepped between them.

“Pardon my intrusion,” he said politely, “but I have to borrow my brother real quick. Thank you.”

He dragged Scott away.

“Hey,” Scott protested, “why did you interrupt me? I was about to get her phone number. Or private mailbox number rather. They don’t really use cellphones here. This is a really weird place.”

Corvin stopped and turned on him.

“Care to explain what that was about? Why did you have to set me up?”

Scott smiled.

“The trader said the demon takes young girls every night. That was a young girl I pushed you to.”

Corvin’s eyes widened.

“You want to use her as bait to draw out the demon responsible for the disappearances.”

Scott winked. “Precisely.”

“That puts her in danger.”

“It does,” Scott admitted. “That’s why I made you talk to her. When the demon comes out, she’ll feel safer around you. You’re no longer a complete stranger.”

“That’s actually not a bad plan,” Corvin pointed out.

Scott glanced up.

The sky had darkened.

Lanterns flickered to life.

“It’s getting dark,” he said quietly. “Get into position. We’re hunting demons tonight.”