Free Horde of the Demon Priest (Demona Book 3) by Megan A. Hepler Page B

tree. The boldness of the colors popped out against the bleak brown and gray surroundings.
     
    The sky was overcast with heavy gray clouds that passed quickly above. Their speed sent strong gusts through the park, which made the branches creak and groan. Demona had always felt that autumn was beautiful, yet haunting. They stood waiting for the other half of their patrol team, when a cool drizzle began to sprinkle from above.
     
    Demona tried to focus on the beautiful flowers, but one more thing just happened to add to her misery. One of the field-agents that Demona and Felix were to patrol with was none other than Persephone Black, one of Demona’s least favorite people in the world. She had been Demona’s coworker at TGHC, before she had become a field-agent. Persephone, and a werewolf by the name of Claudia, had tormented Demona every day from the office cubicles next to hers.
     
    That was when she realized that she was unlike any of the TGHC employees and other dark beings. Demona had not belonged among the dark beings, nor surrounded by evil. She had, however, come out on top after Claudia and Persephone eventually humiliated themselves at work. Demona grinned momentarily at the thought, but the bully’s presence still made her uncomfortable. Old feelings were hard to shake.
     
    At least, Persephone did not look anymore pleased by the situation than Demona did. She stood with her arms crossed over her chest and huffed immaturely. She made a point to glare in Demona’s direction and tapped her foot with irritation. She made enough of a scene to draw Felix’s attention. Then, a sudden mischievous smile crept over her face.
     
    Nothing good can come from a smile like that.
     
    “Demona, I’m so happy that you left TGHC. You left Kerrick broken hearted, which made my task of moving in all too easy,” Persephone said.
     
    Somehow I doubt it took much for him to move on.
     
    Demona knew Persephone was only attempting to get under her skin. “You can have him.” She looked at Felix with an annoyed expression on her face. She wanted to grab his hand and leave, but there was a very real reason for their patrols.
     
    Persephone must have noticed the exchange of looks between Demona and Felix, because she suddenly went to stand beside Felix. She twirled one of her braided strands in her fingers as she looked at him. “You’re really cute.”
     
    Felix rolled his eyes. “Sorry, not interested.” He walked away from her.
     
    Demona quickly stepped in to get things moving after witnessing Persephone’s failed attempt to move in on Felix. “We should head out for patrol. Standing around sulking isn’t going to help any of us.”
     
    Felix nodded. “Sounds good to me.”
     
    “I was just going to suggest that,” Persephone said.
     
    Sure you were.
     
    Demona and Felix led the way in the direction of the center of town. They cut through the park instead of following the pathways. Persephone and the other agent, a werewolf in human form, followed behind. They followed the sidewalk as they patrolled the streets of Melville. Each kept a cautious eye out for any unusual activities.
     
    They travelled from one end of town to another. They passed crumbling brick factories in the industrial park. They dodged trucks that pulled in and out from the many warehouses. They walked through an old development with rows of matching old Sears homes situated on tiny plots of land.
     
    They walked through the poor section of Melville. That part of town was run down and many of the homes were dilapidated. Shady characters watched them from street corners as they passed by. Their viciously trained dogs tugged on their leashes and flashed their sharp teeth as they barked boisterously. Slobber and foam flew from their jowls with a warning to stay away.
     
    Occasionally, Demona cast Persephone a weary look. The dark skinned witch had made a point to stick close to Felix’s side throughout patrol. Demona also caught