Summoned

~`~`~`~`~` ( Author Notes ) `~`~`~`~`~

As promised here is Chapter 21. It kicks off the next big scene with some more snooping by the cops, Harley doing her own investigation, and Slaiden goes on the hunt for his next target. Not sure yet if Harley will run into Slaiden in this chapter or the next, which ever seems to fit is what I’ll use. Enjoy!

Amanda88 – I don’t even know myself yet, lol. ;)

ShelleDW – Yes, things have really picked up. Glad you love my story so much, it makes me so happy and motivated to write the next chapter. :D

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Note: Story is in Harley’s POV unless stated otherwise in chapters.
“Blah blah” – Normal speech
“Blah blah” – Thought of character
(Blah blah) – Author comments

Chapter 21

During the car ride home I decided it was time to fight fire with water, after all fire with fire just means more fire. I needed to do some research if I was going to stop Slaiden and his summoner. It was time to exercise my brain and start strategizing.

Once I got home, my mom was watching TV in the family room. I had just missed my dad but my mom had said it was fine if I wasn’t going to help teach today. Luckily she didn’t ask too much on why I had gone so early. She just mostly asked about my night last night. I told her it was fun, of course leaving out some major details. Once she seemed satisfied and went back to watching her show, I went up stairs to properly change. Since it was raining off and on so far I settled for jeans and a lavender top. I fix up my hair in a neater pony tail and go back down stairs. I tell my mom that I’m going to the big library a few miles away. Checking the time I realize the library won’t open for another hour so I decide to go to Starbucks and use their internet for a bit. I head out the door with my laptop in hand.

I get to Starbucks and order a mocha frap. While I’m not a huge coffee drinker, I actually like fraps when they have chocolate in them. Once it’s ready I take a seat at a nearby table and turn on my computer. When I’m logged in, I check my email first then bring up Google. I type in demons in the search engine and click “Search”. I start reading the first things that come up to see if they look promising. I completely ignore Wikipedia because since anyone can edit it, I won’t know what would be most accurate. My English teacher did have a point after all when he says not to use Wiki as a source. Only the first three look promising because the rest start to become about fantasy games or fiction books, nothing I can really use. I click on the first one and notice that’s it’s an old but not very long article. Seeing that this is my best bet, I start reading. It only takes me a few minutes as I sip on my drink. The article wasn’t too helpful although it did seem to relate to Slaiden a lot. Nothing about summoning though besides that it is the only way for demons to enter our world. I look for the authors name, hoping to find more stuff by him or her but the article states that they had wished to remain anonymous which makes me wonder if they had experienced something with a demon that would scare them enough not to use their real name or that maybe they just didn’t want to be the laughing stock of the publishing community.

I go back to my result page and go to the link below it. I don’t even have to read it to notice that it’s some conspiracy website published by a middle aged geek who probably still lives in his parent’s basement. I go back a page and click on the last one. It’s another website but is more of a site on folklore and myths so I click on the demons tab. The page shows some artwork of what humans thinks demons may look like. I give a little snort at some which look compeletly ridiculous. A few actually resemble Slaiden a bit besides different hair and clothes but the general idea is similar. I read a bit of the paragraph after studying a few more pictures. It doesn’t say much but it does mention summoning and contracts. Seeing that it is basically restating the earlier article, which I think this person may have got the information from, I exit out of that tab to pull up Facebook for a while. I glance at the clock and see that it’s a bit after 9. I sip more of my drink then feel my cell vibrating on the table. I pick it up and see that Tina is calling. She knows I’m usually up early on Saturdays so she probably can’t wait to tell me about her and Jeff’s date. I smile to myself, excited to have a normal conversation with my best friend.

“Hey girl! How was last night?” I say, not bothering with small talk.

“Hey Harley.” Tina says with a laugh. “It was great!”

I can almost hear her smiling on the other line. “Well details! I want to know!”

“Alright! You’re almost as bad as my mom was earlier. Jeff was such a gentleman! He held doors open for me, paid for everything, even though I tried to pitch in. Dinner was good, we went to P.F. Chang’s since he knows how much I like it there. We saw Date Night which was really funny, better than we had expected.” She goes on, explaining every detail. Once she finishes at them leaving the movie, I know I have to push her.

“And?...” I say being sly.

“What do you mean?” she asks, pretending not to know what I’m getting at.

“What do you mean, what do I mean? Did you two kiss!” I say with eagerness.

She laughs on the other end before answering. “Well you know how usually I don’t like to kiss on the first date but since I’ve know Jeff for a few years and really wanted to, I let him when he walked me to the door.” She gushes.

“Alright! You go girl! I knew you two would be cute together!” I say, then add to myself, “I won’t say that I pushed Jeff along.”

“It was really nice. And I had a wonderful time. My dad didn’t even give him a hard time since he’s always liked Jeff. Jeff said he wants to go out again after he kissed me. Oh Harley, I’m so happy right now! It’s like I’m floating on air!” she exclaims.

“I’m happy for you two too! It’s about time too! Me, Ryan and Conner have been waiting for one of you to make a move but you two were so oblivious of each other.” I say jokingly.

“Yeah, Yeah, I know. But now it is, so there!” she says with a laugh. Silence follows for a second. “Oh shoot, I got to go Harley, my mom wants me to get dressed and ready for brunch with my grandparents. I’ll talk to you later or we can hang out tonight. Bye!”

“Ok, cool. Later!....*Click*…” I say then hang up.

Once my cell blinks back to its wallpaper screen, I note that the time is almost 10. Figuring that the internet wasn’t going to be much help, the library was now much needed. I pocket my cell and pack up my laptop. I take one last sip, finishing my frap off. I toss it in the trash and go out to my car.

Traffic picked up a bit as well as the rain so it took me longer than expected to reach my destination. The library is already busy since it is a college town and the campus library tends to fill up fast so students come here as well. I find a parking spot and head in. I pass the main desk and took around, trying to decide which section would be most helpful in my case. My eyes travel over signs reading ‘Non-fiction’, ‘Reference’, and ‘Autobiographies’. I walk down the main aisle to find one that catches my eye. As I scan more overhead signs, I come across one that reads ‘Old Sciences’.

“Hmmm I guess summoning a demon could be considered some sort of science, if not magic.” I think, deciding to give it a shot. I turn down that aisle and start reading book bindings. Some of the titles make me arch an eyebrow in question while others almost make me want to open them up to see what’s inside. But as I walk down further, none of the titles jump out at me that screams “Demon!”. “I wonder if the summoner found out how to summon Slaiden by a book here, I mean it would have to be an old book since there is nothing on the internet. Maybe he or she still has it…”

I sigh in frustration. I must have caught the attention of a nearby librarian because one just turned into the aisle to face me. “Can I help you find something?” she asks with a kind smile.

“Might as well go for it. I’ll just say it’s for a project.” I think, deciding to take her up on her offer. I don’t even hesitate to speak another lie, after all I’ve already lied to the police…..three times. “Yes actually, do you have any books about demons? It’s for a class project on myths and folklore.”

She gives me a surprised look then smiles again. “What a coincidence! I just helped a young man find some on them for the same reason. Maybe you’re in his class at the college then.”

“The summoner? Or maybe someone else who actually is doing research for a college project.” Deciding to go with it I nod with a smile. “We probably are. Can you point him out to me please?”

She motions for me to follow her to the nearby study area and points to a young man sitting down at a round table. He is averagely built, if maybe on the thin side, with messy brown hair. I say thanks and go to approach him. As I get closer I note that he has about three books in front of him and is taking notes as he reads. I swallow hard, preparing to speak. I’m not even sure if I should try to pass myself off as being in his class or not because I don’t know how large the class is or who he knows.

“Hi…the librarian said that you had the books on demons. I’m doing a project on them as well and was wondering if I could look at the ones you aren’t using at the moment.” I say casually, thinking I was pretty smooth.

He looks up and gives me a nice smile. “Sure! No problem. Have a seat.” He motions to the seat across from him.

I say thanks and take the seat. He hands me a book and introduces himself. “I’m Louis by the way.”

“Harley.” I say in return.

He doesn’t say anything more though and gets back to his notes. It almost strikes me as odd because he didn’t ask if I was in his class or if I even went to the college. I then notice that he doesn’t have a laptop with him which would be attached to any college students hips in a library. And no school attire at all. I study him more and notice that he could be of college age but a little older, like a grad student. He looks to be in his early twenties at most. Then something catches my eye. I notice an ID card sticking out from underneath some papers. I can distinctly see the letter C and S above where his name starts before it gets covered. “CSI! This guy is no college kid, he’s with the police! Probably works under Trisha! Why is he doing research on demons then…have they discovered something? What should I do? Should I say something or play along?” My mind screams as I try to figure out what to do. Settling on to just do my own research and worry about it later, I crack open a book titled “The Evil side of Religious Beings.”

Unlike the internet, these old books are actually quite helpful. The one in my hand was written in 1832, very old but in well preserved condition. They go into detail about the history behind them, how in ancient Greece, the word daimon was once a term of a ‘goodness spirit’. In fact they didn’t become known as evil spirits until the time that Christianity started to spread in the Late Roman Antiquity. (Unlike Harley, I’ll use Wiki *wink*) I’m assuming this must’ve been when the first summoning occurred since it was such a big shift. Ancient Romans must’ve seen what demons really were like. The book also has a section on possession which maybe a power demons possess which wouldn’t surprise me since I’ve seen Slaiden do some crazy things during these encounters. The book also talks about how other old religions and cultures described demons and their world. Some mention demon kings or Satan himself being in charge while others mention things about a Nether world, the opposite of Heaven. The one that catches my attention the most is Ancient Arabia’s perception of demons. They say that demons are of inferior rank to God(s), depending on religion, that have human like qualities such as eating, drinking and reproducing their species. This defiantly sounds like Slaiden. His sex drive is definitely present. Reading more, they also say that demons sometimes produce with human beings which make me uneasy. Also they had a preference of smelling and licking things. Oh yeah, this definitely sounds like Slaiden. These Arabians had is almost spot on from what I know so far.

That’s about it so I switch out that book for another one that Louis isn’t using. This one is called “Creatures of Darkness.” I look at the index and see that it has a chapter on weaknesses. I quickly flip over to it and start reading. Based on European telling, they believe that with ceremonial magic, demons were supposedly unable to pass through a magical seal carved in lead, or brass or cold-iron. But there is little evidence to support it. While magic brought Slaiden here, I don’t have time to learn barriers that would only hold him off, not actually stop him. They also talk about holy relics but I don’t think that will work since the Mexican wore a cross and it didn’t protect him or hurt Slaiden in anyway. I flip a few more pages then give another sigh in frustration. Nothing helpful on how to stop him. I’m about to shut the book when I notice the title of the next chapter. The Deal. “This might be helpful…” I think as I start reading again. This chapter talks about how when making a deal with a demon, there is a price that needs to be paid, of either equal or greater value. The demon will either ask for something that they want or the summoner will offer something. They usually have individual idiosyncrasies regarding what they want, meaning that what they ask is something that they are very partial to or have a habit of using. The book also states that if the summoner cannot pay the debt then the demon can take any actions that it feels is necessary to satisfy him. “I wonder what Slaiden asked for…what would he see as an equal exchange for killing those people?”

I muse over my findings and start writing down what I’ve learned. Even though I may not have found a way to stop him, I may be able to use this information to get some answers out of him that may trick him into leaking something important. I look up and see that Louis has picked up my first book, discarding the one I haven’t read to the side. I reach to grab it but stop when I notice what the title is, ‘The Demons in Us All’. It looks to be more on the inner religious side so I don’t bother with it, which seems like Louis's decision too since it barely had any pages tabbed in it unlike the others. I guess what I have now is as good as it’s going to get unless I somehow get that book that the summoner has. I pack up my things and rise.

“Thanks a lot Louis.” I say with a smile.

“Glad to help, good luck with your project.” He says with a smile of his own.

“You too.” I say with a wave.

I head back to the main entrance of the library and say another thank you to the librarian that helped me. I look up at the clock next to the door as I approach it and see that it’s just past noon. I go to my car and get in. I start my car and head home, thinking of what I have learned and about Louis who was doing his own research. “If Louis is a CSI, I wonder if Trisha has a theory about these killings. Maybe even Detective Gavin knows as well… but what could make them think it’s a demon?…I hope none of them get hurt or connect me, even if this is starting to get very interesting, if not weird.”

-------------------- ( Third Person POV ) --------------------

( Thursday )

It had been raining all week and was now finally letting up. But since there was still active lighting Slaiden refused to go out until the storm as over so he wouldn’t get shocked. He had said to Jeff that it was an experience that he didn’t want to have again. Apparently demons get hurt from lightning too…but almost always survive.

Slaiden was currently reading against the wall, a half eaten apple in his other hand. He marked his page and closed the book, sensing that the boy was coming up to his room. As expected, Jeff opened the door, dressed in his work clothes.

“So I was thinking, since Friday should be clearer weather, we will continue then.” He says, tossing his hat on his desk.

“Hnnn” is all he gets in response, followed by a crunch from sharp teeth sinking into an apple.

“I won’t be here though because after school, I’m going on a camping trip for the weekend with my cousins so I’ll give you some info on the next kill that you can do tomorrow night.” Jeff says as he pulls off his shirt next.

Another ‘Hnnn’ and crunch is all that’s heard. Used to this by now, Jeff just continues.

“The next guy is Donny Fletcher. He’s a college kid right now. He beat up my cousin who had a class with him real bad, just because he was gay. My personal beliefs aside, he’s family which I care a lot about. He’s even changed my view a bit. Fletcher never got charged though because Mike didn’t want to make a big deal about this, he’s a private guy. He convinced the family not to either since he wasn’t telling who did it. My dad had even offered to help him out if he did. Mike only recently told me and another cousin who it was because he wanted someone to talk to and we’ve always been close, growing up together and being close in age. We promised not to tell but this is the perfect chance to get even on that gay basher. My cousin spent weeks recovering from injuries, he even had to wait a semester before returning to school. I want Fletcher dead for hurting him.” Jeff says, anger fueling his voice with every pained word.

Slaiden is looking directly at the boy at this point, his face not giving away what he is thinking. He then speaks in a serious tone. “You humans hate on each other for the most irrelevant reasons. Hurting each other because of sexual orientation. There are some demons that prefer the same gender as mates but we pay no heed to that because we value power and strength in our species. If the demon is strong, who cares if he prefers men in his bed. Revenge I understand but petty hate crimes is so primitive of your species.”

“All the more reason to have him dead then.” Jeff says seriously.

“You’re starting to think like a demon boy.” Slaiden says with a fanged smirk.

-------------------- ( Third Person POV ) --------------------

( Friday Night )

Detective Gavin De Niro was driving back to head quarters with CSI Louis. They had just come from a shoot out in the more ghetto part of the city where three casualties, one being a innocent bystander, had been the result. CSI Supervisor Trisha Melrose had to duck out early to go to another scene so Louis had to get a ride back from Gavin when he finished processing the scene. Since they were alone, Gavin took the opportunity to ask if Louis has had any progress in their other case.

“So how’s the research going?”

“Well I’ve been pretty tide up the last few days but I got a lot done on Saturday when I went to the library not too far from my place, you know the one on Canal and Livernois?” Gavin nods, not taking his eyes off the road so Louis continues. “Since the internet wasn’t much help, I figure good old fashion book reading would be my best bet. I just told the librarian that was helping me that I went to the University, which I did three years ago, and was working on a project. It was actually funny because a girl came to me asking to borrow the books saying she was doing a project on them too.”

Gavin raises his brow at this. “Really? Did she appear to be in college?”

“I think so,” Louis says, “She must’ve been a freshman at most though. I was lucky she didn’t ask whose class I was in or anything like not recognizing me because I would’ve been clueless and seem suspicious.”

“That’s actually suspicious on her part in my opinion…could she be the summoner if it is a demon?” Gavin thinks then asks Louis another question. “What was her mannerisms like and what did she look like?”

Seeing this just turned into a possible suspect, Louis answers to the best of his memory. “She was actually cute in my opinion, she was on the shorter side and kind of curvy but not at all over weight. She looked fit actually. She had long brown hair and brown eyes, she had a nice name too, Harley I think it was?”

“Harley?! Is it Harley Collins? She wouldn’t summon a demon would she? ….No…I don’t believe a girl like her would do that but she must know something since she has been popping up or been connected to several of the victims.” Gavin thinks then reaches for his phone and starts scrolling though his contacts.

Seeing Detective Gavin’s stoic expression, Louis can’t help but ask in a confused and worried tone, “Um…..Did I do something wrong?”

-------------------- ( Harley’s POV ) --------------------

( Earlier that Night )

Finally we had a nice day just in time for the weekend. I hadn’t come up with anymore leads this past week but I decided to put it on hold for a fun night with some karate friends. I was meeting Brock and a few others who are older students in the city for a bite to eat then going dancing at a few clubs since I’m eighteen. I’ve only been a few other times, once for Tina’s birthday a few months back and another with the same karate gang I was meeting. My parents finally felt ok with letting me drive myself into the city since Mark Hanson’s death since nothing else happened……that they know of.

It was just after 7:30 and I was pulling up to the pub where Brock and the others were waiting outside. I see him along with Jessica, a college age girl, Tom a 23 year old and Sandy, another eighteen year old senior in high school. They were all students that I’ve known for a few years. I felt a little bad that Terrance couldn’t come but he was still seventeen. He would’ve liked to since we are all close as a group. I get out of my car and greet them all with a hug each. Sandy immediately comments on my cute black halter top with dark jean capris and black heels. I have a spare pair of black flats in my bag since my feet will be sore by the end of the night. I return the compliment with one of my own, praising her pink and red glitzy top with matching heels. For a tough and sports crazed girl, she knows how to dress up for a night out on the town.

An hour later we leave the pub, heading to the club two blocks away. We laugh and talk the whole way, not even caring about the line either. Since most of us were driving a ways back, the 21 year olds and over had only a few drinks, deciding not to have any at the club if only a few early. We get in and us girls head straight for the dance floor. We start swaying to the music, moving to the beat as is gets faster. The place is packed, people everywhere. After a few songs, the guys join us, dancing a bit with each of us then find girls of their own. I dance with several other guys but never let their hands wonder since a certain image enters my mind each time I feel a male hand on my thigh.

A while later we go find a table to take a break. Tom comes with a pitcher of water and glasses for everyone. I message my ankles for a bit, starting to get sore from my heels. While I like the extra height they give me, the pain isn’t always worth it. Maybe if I wear them more I can last longer. We talk a bit then the girls and I go to the ladies room before hitting the dance floor again. After waiting ten minutes in line, we do our business, freshen up then look for the guys. They are already on the floor, each grinding with a girl. We join them and are soon approached by guys of our own. The one that comes behind Sandy is pretty cute so I give her a smile and slight nod, silently telling her to go for it. I really don’t care if my guy is that cute since I’m not looking to take anyone home anytime soon. He is a good dance though I’ll give him that. He actually isn’t that bad since I see his face when he turns me around in a graceful twirl, trying to be fun which he is. I just enjoy the music and watch Jess and Sandy in front of me. We dance a bit when something catches my eye. Sandy’s guy keeps putting his hand dangerously close to her inner thigh which has her hand having to keep moving it back to her hip. He keeps trying though which I can see a look of annoyance cross her face. I decide to help out.

I bring my guy’s head close to mine so I can talk into his ear. “Tell your friend to knock it off please, she doesn’t want his hand there.”

“Sure, sorry about that.” He says apologetically over the music.

He must’ve sent his friend a look because they make eye contact. The guy just gives him a ‘what’s your problem?’ look. Not complying he tries to puts his hand there again. Sandy shoots me and Jess a look before putting her hand over his as if to put it back up again. But instead she puts her thumb over the back of his hand and slips her two longer fingers, not her index, under his to be at the base of his palm. Suddenly she twists away to face him, gripping his hand a tight Akido hold. His wrist is bent in an awkward and painful way which forces him to bend forward. His expression is one of pain and surprise.

“I have five years of karate under my belt so when I say no I mean no!.” Sandy says to him with confidence. A few people dancing around us stop to witness what is taking place.

“Don, she means business. Stop it or go away.” My guy says as he steps to be at my side. I’m surprised that this guy is on our side and not his pervert friends, in fact Jessica’s guy is giving his friend a dirty look too.

Sandy releases his wrist so he can straighten up. He shakes it out then calls Sandy a damn bitch as he storms off. My guy then apologizes to Sandy for their friend’s behavior. They excuse themselves then, wanting to go make sure their friend Don cools off. Jess’s guy gives a reluctant look but then pulls out his phone wanting to exchange numbers. She does, apparently liking him. They then leave us. Brock gives me a concerned look a few feet over but I shake my head, silently telling him not to worry. Seeing that nothing else is going to happen, our few observers go back to dancing. We then do the same.

Once it hits midnight, me and Sandy decide to leave since we both plan to get up early. We say good bye to Jess, Brock and Tom then head to the door. We see the guys from earlier exchanging words with their friend Don.

“Dude if you’re gonna be like this then go home! Your being an ass! Me and Jake are staying til close at 2 so we’ll see you later.” Jess’s guy says near the door. My guy, Jake, gives a nod, annoyance on his face. Don mumbles a few curse words and leaves in a huff. We wait a few seconds before leaving so not to draw attention to ourselves. They don’t even notice us since they had walked back to the dance floor as soon as their pissed friend left.

Once outside I change out my shoes, welcoming the flats onto my feet. Sandy just gives a small laugh at me since she is used to heels more than me since she works at the mall in them. We walk the two blocks back to pub. I walk with Sandy to her car first. Once she gets in, she rolls down the window.

“Well that was fun.” she says with a small laugh.

“It was and nice Akido grip, I’m very proud.” I say with a wink.

“I learned from the best.” She says with a wink of her own.

I laugh then say I’ll see her tomorrow. She does the same and rolls up the window. I watch her pull away then go to my own car. Once I’m there I notice someone cussing out a storm not too far off. I look over to across the street to see the guy, Don, from earlier walking into an alley, kicking trash up all around him. I frown at this seeing as that this guy may have had a bit too much to drink and was more pissed off then he should be. He disappears from my sight so I go back to looking for my keys in my purse. Locating them I pull them out and just when I am about to press the unlock button I hear a man scream.

“You have got to be kidding me! Should I or shouldn’t I?.....but it could be Slaiden…” I think, fumbling over what to do. With a sigh I decide to be the good neighbor and go check it out. I shove my purse into my car and run over to the alley.

Once I get there, I hear struggling around the barely lit corner. I don’t waste any time and run around to see what is happening. My eyes widen but not from surprise, from being right when I had really hoped I wasn’t. Standing a few yards ahead of me was Slaiden, wings outstretched and all, holding Don up by the collar of his button down shirt. He then turns to face me, a smirk appearing on his face.

“I was wondering if you were going to show up, little girl.” He says, eyes gleaming in mischief.

I’m about to say something when a yell from behind me catches everyone’s attention.

“Harley!...Holy Shit!”


~`~`~`~`~` ( Author Notes ) `~`~`~`~`~

What an eventful chapter! Will Harley be able to save Donny Fletcher? Is Detective Gavin on to something? Who spotted Harley and Slaiden??? Find out next time on Summoned!

Look for an update sometime this week.

Please Review! ;)