Demon Street Blues by Starla Silver Page A

“Leeches… really big ass friggin’ leeches.”
    “Never really been a fan of bloodsuckers before, but now…” Michael choked on his words, disgusted. 
    “How did they get so big?” asked Eva, gagging as she spoke.
    There was no time for discussion as one of the leeches approached Charlie. When it was about five feet away, it did something even more surprising. It stopped and stood up, leaning on its backside, as if trying to walk.
    Its intention, however, was not to walk. As it stood, the contents of its body shifted, as if everything inside the creature just sank to the bottom. The head of the creature elongated and swung out in a circle, ready to knock over anything that got in its path.
    Michael focused on this one, as it was the closest to causing harm and pushed his palm forward, as if forcing energy out of his hand and toward the leech.
    A shimmering force field pushed through the cave, knocking the creature over. Michael turned and did the same to two other leeches that were climbing the cave walls, over Charlie and Eva’s heads.
    These leeches also slammed down to the cave floor. However, in seconds, had up- righted themselves to attack again. 
    “Use more, Michael,” urged Charlie.
    “If you say so. This could get messy.”
    “No choice! Do it!” Charlie shouted.
    Michael pushed out another energy ball, this time it surged across the cavern and upon impact, ravaged the leech, blowing it into bloody bits. The others, smelling the blood, stopped their attack and raced to the blown up bits, gorging on what was left of their comrade. 
    “Stupid pets,” the Sea Hag rattled.
    Charlie saw his opportunity and lunged forward, knocking the Hag flat on her back, pinning her to the ground. “Did you ever kill any Howards?” he grilled viciously.
    “Kill…” she croaked under his tight grip. He ducked out of the way of her poisonous quill-like strands.
    “Answer me!” Charlie demanded. “Did you ever kill any Howards?”
    She flailed like a fish out of water, opening her mouth as if to speak. At first, Charlie heard nothing. A second later, a high-pitched noise pierced his ears. A moment after, Michael and Eva heard it too.
    “She’s going sonic!” Michael warned. “Stop her now, or we’ll have more company than we can handle!”
    In one swift movement, Charlie lifted his arm and swiped his wolf-like claws across her scaly skin, slitting her throat. She gurgled through the blood gushing out of the wound and seconds later, the Sea Hag was dead.
    Charlie’s fist pounded into the cave floor next to her head, and he let out a cry that was a blend of both human and wolf. Killing her was the right thing to do, but he had not gotten the answers he had desperately wanted.
    He angrily kicked her dead body into the water.
    One after another, the leeches plopped in after her, seeking out the blood.
    “Charlie,” called out Michael.
    Charlie gave him a sign that he was okay, and just needed a minute to regain his composure. He leaned on the cave wall, resting his forehead against the cool, damp, rock, his breathing still coming out in ragged pants. 
    Michael turned to Eva. “You okay?”
    She just nodded in bewilderment. 
    “A little more than you bargained for, eh?” Charlie’s breathy human voice jeered from a distance. He cast his blue eyes in her direction.
    “Something like that,” she insinuated warily. 
    “What do you suppose those things were eating?” Michael asked, investigating the walls of the cave more closely.
    “Don’t know. Never heard of anything in these caves that any sea creature would find edible,” said Charlie, joining him.
    “So those things were once bloodsuckers… leeches?” confirmed Eva.
    “Still are. Just much, much bigger than they should be,” Michael said.
    “Those aren’t in the bay, are they?” Her mouth twisted downward as she thought about what she was asking.
    “God I hope not,” droned Charlie. Just thinking about it made his stomach