“My dad said that we are sometimes telekinetic, and we can feel what humans are feeling or thinking—whatever that means.”
“Yeah, everyone in our group is telekinetic, but not every demi is. A DA friend of mine in Indiana isn’t. And from what she says, no one in her group is. And none of us have been able to figure out how to use our telekinesis,” she whispered. Our heads were so close that they nearly touched. “So far, beyond the visions and the telekinesis, no one in our group has additional powers, so Chay’s ability is unusual. But it sure comes in handy, like last night.”
“Yeah. Back to this subject, I wish you guys would tell me about these things instead of just letting me come face-to-face with them,” I snapped.
“You mean the hobgoblins? I told you, we didn’t think they’d be around so soon. We’re trying to ease you into things so you don’t go all kung-fu on us like you did with the table of gigantic baboons over there.” She giggled.
“My dad was surprised they were around, too.”
“It’s usually closer to their birthday when DAs start seeing them, but I guess Azazel wants you pretty bad.” Muriel took a bite of her lunch and made a face. “Good Lord, what is this?”
“I think it’s time you guys tell me everything there is to know before I come up against something deadlier than a couple of red rugrats in my backyard.”
“We should talk to our dads, maybe go see Grandma again. There are definitely some things you should know now that the hobgoblins have made an appearance. Which ones came?” She picked up her Coke and took a drink, swishing it around in her mouth.
“I don’t know. They didn’t give me names. They both looked pretty much the same. Short, fat, and red, but one had a scar running down the length of its face.” I ran my finger down the side of my face where the scar was.
“Oh. I know those two. They aren’t too bad. They mostly just deliver messages from Azazel. Usually, the same message over and over and over again.” She waved her hand in the air in a blah, blah, blah motion. “Change sides. It’ll be wonderful. Azazel is a great guy. Blah, blah. You’re gonna get really sick of seeing them by the time this is over.”
“Great. Sounds like I just made some new friends.” I rolled my eyes. “So there are worse things than the hobgoblins?”
“Oh, hell yeah. You’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg.” She pushed her tray away and scrunched her nose up. “It should be illegal for them to serve this.”
“Great.” I threw down my half-eaten sandwich. My appetite had disappeared.
“Are you going to eat that?” Muriel pointed at my sandwich. I shook my head. “Good.” She snatched it up and took a big bite.
I chuckled at her, but it was just a fa?ade. I didn’t feel like laughing or smiling, not even crying. I just wanted to sit in a quiet corner somewhere to figure things out. Maybe if I could make sense of it all, I wouldn’t be so scared.
***
After school Friday, the group met at my house for dinner. Muriel and I were going to talk with our dads about what I should expect, but my dad thought it would be better if I heard it from the people going through it with me.
“There’s a hierarchy in the demon world,” Shayla told me. “First, hobgoblins. They’re the lowest and least deadly form of demons. They’ll cause a lot of trouble for you, though.”
“How?” I leaned toward her.
“They’ll create problems, and you’ll have to intervene. When you’re having a vision, you’re the most vulnerable. So the hobgoblins try to force you into visions by creating things for you to deal with.”
“So they intentionally put people in dangerous situations?” The concept didn’t surprise me, I supposed. What worried me was how much I’d play a part in it. Was I going to be the reason they’d create dangerous situations? And would I be strong enough to do what needed to be done? Would my visions tell me what to do? Where to go? What if I couldn’t save the people? Then it’d be my fault.
“That’s what evil does every day. It doesn’t matter how many demi-angels fight to protect innocent humans, there’ll always be evil to fight back. Sometimes, we’ll win,” Drew shook his head and looked down, “and sometimes, we won’t.”