Free Dark Calling by Cheryl McIntyre Page B

you’re laughing.”  She stares at him.  His features morph.  Become solemn. 
    “You’re right.  I’m sorry.”  He turns side ways on the couch facing her and c rosses his legs.  “You have a choice, no matter what.  That is the first thing you need to understand.  It is ultimately your decision what happens.”  He gazes at Keely.  She can feel the intensity of his words.
    “Your mom and dad tried for years to have children.  Test s confirmed that your father was sterile.  Having her own child was import ant to your mom .  She decided she wanted to be artificially inseminated.  Your dad, feeling badly that he couldn’t give her a child, agreed.”  Nick looks Keely in the eyes.  Makes sure she understands the implication.  Her shocked expression confirms she does.
    “There were many donors to choose from.  Your mother chose a man that was good looking.  An artist.”  He pauses.  Allows that to sink in.  “He was also an accomplished musician.  Talented in many ways.  Superficial ways.
    “She could have chosen a scientist, or a doctor, a lawyer.  Instead, she chose beauty.  Your father is the same as Asmoday’s father.  The king of D emon s.  Just as Asmoday is a prince, you are a princess. 
    “Several women were inseminated by the Demon King.  All of their daughters were beautiful.  All blond.”  He incl ines his head toward her.  “Several are dead.   Possibly all of them.   E xcept you.
    “The man that attacked you, Keely, that man was also your brother.  Also a Prince of Demons.  We aren’t sure why he tried to kill you, or why he killed all t he other girls.  All we do know is it has something to do with your eighteenth birthday.  That’s when whatever power you possess will bloom.  Apophis is one of the oldest and most dangerous D emons we know of.”
    “Apophis.  He’s the one.  The one that tried…”
    Nick nods.
    “I always thought of him as a monster.  I didn’t realize he really was.”  She shivers as the memory stirs. 
    “Can you tell me what happened that night?  It may help us figure out why they want you dead.”
    Keely nods.  Pulls the blanket off the back of the futon.  Covers herself with it though she isn’t really cold.  She feel s protected; it g ives her enough security to say the words that may help Nick solve the puzzle.
    “I was at practice—I was a cheerleader.  He watched me from the bleachers every day for weeks .  I thought he was cute.”  She shakes her head.  It seems so weird to think of him that way because for so long she has thought of him as such an ugly being. 
    “He would approach me after.  We flirted , but I wasn’t really serious about him.  He was older and I had a boyfriend.  And there was something about him.  I had a weird feeling. That limp and those cigars …   He made me uncomfortable.  He asked me out over and over.  Finally , on that day , I told him I just wasn’t interested.  I t old him he had to go.  And he left .  He could have killed me right then, but he didn’t.”  Keely grips the blanket tightly.  Her hands in fists.
    “I thought that was it.  I thought he graciously accepted my rejection.  But I found out that night how wrong I was.
    “He followed me to my friend’s house.  She was having a Halloween party that night.  I went as this girl from my school.  We were always making fun of her for the way she dressed.  Always in black.  Black make-up.  Black hair.  I thought it was a big joke. ”  Tears of shame fill Keely’s eyes.  She doesn’t move to wipe them as they spill over.
    “So I went to the party and he showed up dressed in this suit and wearing a masquerade mask, but I knew it was him.  I also knew it was weird that he was there, but I had been drinking and I ignored all those warning feelings .  He was cute and seemed to like me.  So when he asked me to dance, I danced.  The way he touched me, it was exciting.  New and scary, like I