Shadow’s Wrath (Demon Generals Book 1)

by Gia Tsiknas

  Anget shivered.

  He felt Machi’s change in demeanor and it unsettled him, but he didn’t argue. Once the moment passed Machi spoke.

  Count to five then give the signal. And remember, whatever you feel in our bond, don’t come for me until I call.

  Machi crumpled her wings and dropped like a stone.

  Five…

  The wind whistled and Machi focused once again, shielding the unsuspecting Anget. She was protective of his naïve nature.

  Four…

  Machi closed her eyes and pictured herself as a shadow, unnoticed and unseen. Her body shimmered, and a haze formed around her.

  Three…

  Machi opened her eyes, and spotted her target, a lone guard near the inner keep. She used the tips of her wings to steer her fall in an angle towards him.

  Two…

  The castle proper grew rapidly. She spread her wings out wide, swooping out of her dive with a bone-jarring jerk.

  One…

  Machi slammed into the back of a lone guard, crushing his neck before he made a sound. She bled her momentum off in a roll and sprang to her feet, her wrist knives in her hands.

  Machi looked up and smiled. Bursts of flaming rocks rained on the castle’s northern wall. Everyone who could move was fortifying the northern defenses or heading to the spreading fires. She would have the inner keep to herself. She ducked into a servants’ entrance and concentrated on her magic. Black mottled shadows disrupted her figure and muffled her footsteps. Strength flooded into her from Anget. His anxiety for her was overwhelming, but he didn’t come, just as he had promised.

  Machi set out at a trot, replaying Aidrian’s information in her head as she walked. If the castle is under attack Zafirah would head to her throne room. Part of the reason for the fireworks, besides keeping the castle-folk busy, was to get Zafirah to a place she could find. She paused at a large black door and glanced around, then lay a hand on Brizna’s swords as they hung on her belt.

  She paused. Machi wasn’t sure why she still held onto them; she did not know how to wield dual swords. She just knew that it was the right thing to do.

  Raboni, help this to work out well.

  You have grown, daughter, and remember you are never alone.

  Machi nodded. She held the wrought-iron handles of the door. She took a deep breath and pushed open one door, slipping inside. Machi left it cracked and inspected the room.

  The throne sat on a gorgeous dais. Black marble covered the floor and walls. Windows lined the walls to her left and right, each a gothic work of art. Between them suits of armor with an array of weaponry stood sentry. Spears, war hammers, swords, axes, too many for Machi to name. She shook her head and looked up. The overhead skylight was awash in the red streaks of the dragon’s onslaught. On the far wall, behind the throne, hung an enormous tapestry in the castle colors. The large tapered flag was purple with a giant blue snake coiled to strike, its eye glittering in the moonlight.

  The door slammed shut leaving Machi with scant light from to see. A low hiss permeated the silence. Machi softened her breathing and stepped to the right, crouching to make a smaller target.

  Her eyes darted around the room. She stowed one knife and slipped her claw knuckles onto her right fist. Machi’s new weaponry was a gift from Aidrian. They were the highest quality dark-steel, thin but strong. Cloth wrapped the blade, so no sound broke the silence.

  Machi winced as her iron bracers clinked. Something must have torn loose when she pulled from the dive. The bracers were light for their size, covering her forearms and elbow.

  A black shadow surrounded Machi, blocking off the scant light. A surge of thrill pulsed through her. Machi glanced at the emotion, acknowledged it, and shoved it aside.

  “So you think you can confuse me?”

  Machi’s emotions were cool, but her voice was hot and taunting. She motioned and a whip of light lashed out at the darkness, slicing it open. A shriek echoed in the hall as the shadow collected into the form of a large snake.

  It struck.

  Machi dodged, slamming her spiked fist into the beast’s head. The knife slammed into the snake’s skull and lodged there. Machi leapt to the side as the snake’s head swung around.

  Again the snake became a shadow, and the knives clattered to the ground.

  She cursed and called forth a ring of light, trying to illuminate the room. The almost imperceptible grate of scale on stone came from the left and Machi spring to the sky, snapping her wings out and wincing.

  The snake dove again and missed, but instead of melting into shadows it remained corporeal, and swung its head around. Machi slipped behind the creature.

  She dove forward, striking the base of the snake’s head with her claws, tearing through the flesh as if it was paper. The giant snake shrieked and crumpled to the ground, shrinking into a girl, scaled and naked.

  Aalas lay gasping on the ground, blood oozed from her neck.

  A slow, mocking clap rang through the darkness. Machi turned to the sound, losing sight of the girl. With a curse Machi swung back to finish the job, but the girl was gone.

  She frowned.

  “Bravo, bravo.”

  Machi whirled around as she heard a rustle of cloth. Zafirah walked from behind her throne and sat in it as she clapped. She was in her nightgown. Her hair messy, as if she had just awoken.

  Brizna walked out as well and stood to Zafirah’s left. His eyes were lifeless, staring straight ahead. He wore baggy pants but his chest was bare. With a snap of Zafirah’s fingers the hall erupted in light. The windows now looked out to a bright sunny day.

  “Quite a brilliant performance.”

  Machi spat on the floor.

  Zafirah sighed. She made a gesture as if to call Machi closer. Machi sheathed her knives and drew one of Brizna’s twin blades.

  You may only have one shot, if that. Adrian had said. Her power over the soul lies in her pendant. Shatter that and he may wake, if the boy is not too far gone.

  Zafirah raised her eyebrows. Machi took a few steps forward. She kept her voice light as she advanced.

  “I’ve come to return something to my friend.” Her eyes flicked to Brizna’s cold face then returned to Zafirah.

  “As expected.”

  Machi ignored her and continued stepping closer.

  “Dear girl, have you not yet realized?” Zafirah chuckled. “Do you not comprehend the disgusting world that we call our home? Do you not know my true purpose?”

  Machi started climbing the stairs, the fire in her eyes shielded by the stoic mask of a Hunter.

  “Humans and Drakians alike are filthy, bent on wars and violence.”

  Machi was at the top. Her boots were oddly quiet on the marble floor. The only sound other than Zafirah ranting was a soft clink as Machi shifted her grip on the sword. Zafirah sat before her, relaxed, as Machi advanced.

  “Ah, but a world without filth. A world where there is no longer need for humans and their bloody slaughter. Aid me, young Drakian. You can be reborn. Reborn into a clean body; reborn to shed the world of humans and their vile greed.”

  Machi frowned at Zafirah’s calm smile. A prickle of unease crept up her spine. Something wasn’t right. Something about Zafirah’s eyes.

  Machi snagged her trailing thoughts with an iron grip. She was a Hunter. Questions would wait.

  She raised the sword to Zafirah’s throat. She pulled it back and aimed.

  One solid push and…

  A flash of silver caught her eye, and she froze, the point of the sword scratching Zafirah’s throat.

  “So impatient.” Zafirah laughed. “Do you not want to know how I will do this?”

  “You are still under her spell.” Machi didn’t flinch as she felt Brizna hold the cold metal of a dagger to her throat. She was ice. Brizna pressed against Machi’s back.

  “Kill me and you’ll die before your next breath at your dear Brizna’s hand. But join me,” Zafirah’s eyes glinted, “and I will release him t
o you.”

  Machi’s cold, emotionless stare made Zafirah’s smile falter.

  “I know you treasure that boy. Join me, and he’s yours.”

  Softly, like a butterfly, Machi reached toward Brizna with her mind.

  Break free.

  Zafirah’s smile came back as Machi stood unmoving.

  “Perhaps you would like more time to consider.”

  Reaching deeper Machi whispered again. Give me half a second, Briz.

  Machi felt Brizna’s heart race at his nickname. A weak spark glinted in his eye. Slowly, precisely Machi lowered the point of her sword.

  “You are wise, child; wiser than your feeble-minded mother.” Zafirah’s smile grew wider, but it never quite reached her eyes.

  Rage ignited in her mind, threatening to thaw the ice, but she pushed it aside. There could be no distractions.

  One chance.

  Her sword paused in its descent. She thrust, snapping open her folded wings.

  Pain ripped through a wing as it forced the metal from her throat. Brizna sprawled on the floor, his weapon clattering across the marble.

  Machi smirked, the ice thawing from her features as she watched the life slide from Zafirah’s eyes. The queen’s pendant lay shattered deep in her body.

  Zafirah gasped. Her head lolled to the side, and she didn’t move.

  Machi turned away, scrambling to Brizna’s side as he tried to stand. Machi caught him before he fell over again.

  “Easy there.” She laughed helped him to his feet.

  “Machi?” Brizna clutched his head.

  “It’s over.” Machi smiled.

  “No!”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  MARIONETTE

  Brizna tackled Machi just as an amethyst spear sailed over their heads. The spear lodged itself in the floor.

  “That wasn’t Zafirah! I mean it was, but it wasn’t! I mean…“

  “What?” Machi glanced at the sphere then toward the throne just in time to see Zafirah’s body melt into black smoke. The sword and the crystal’s chain were still lodged in the chair.

  “You have got to be kidding me!”

  “That Zafirah was a body double, created to throw off Hunters.” Brizna rushed on.

  A figure in a dark cloak limped from behind the throne. She was bent and decrepit, but with each step her back straightened and her features smoothed.

  “Oh dear,” she said as she dislodged Brizna’s sword with one arm. “I must make another copy. Tsk, tsk, they are such trouble to create. I’d have preferred if you’d have left that one alive.”

  The necklace clinked as the pieces fell onto the black marble.

  Machi threw a knife at the woman. The woman moved to the side, the knife catching the edge of her hood. The tattered cloth fell, exposing her face.

  It was a face filled with hard lines and red eyes. White hair fell to her shoulders.

  “Who are you?”

  The woman chuckled. “You are a quick-tempered one, and that will serve us well.”

  “Answer the question!” Machi sneered. She tried to sink into ice, but too many thoughts ran through her mind. How could she be here? Who was she? Why was she hunting her own people?

  The woman stood to her full height.

  “I am Skye.”

  Machi kept one eye on the woman, focusing her magic to reach about the room. She only held a handful of knives and one of Brizna’s swords. Brizna held nothing at all. She bit her lip.

  “Why?” Brizna spat. “Why torture your own people?”

  “Two children could never appreciate my plan.” Skye shook her head and hoisted the sword over her shoulder like a spear. “Now, this has gone on long enough.”

  Skye threw, the sword streaking towards Machi and Brizna.

  Machi grabbed Brizna and leapt. She snapped open her wings and flapped hard against the extra weight. Brizna yelped as they sailed across the room.

  Skye raised her hands and screamed. Amethyst spikes streaked through the air. Machi swerved, circling the room. Spike after spike flew at them. Shattering glass rained down on them as spears tore through the many gothic windows.

  Sharp pain tore through her wing. Machi bit her lip until it bled. She couldn’t stop, needed to keep moving.

  Blood trickled down her shoulder, spattering onto Brizna.

  He cursed.

  The pain turned to burning and her wing gave out, crumpling against her sides. Machi watched as the ground came closer and closer.

  They were too high.

  Warm air whipped around them. Brizna’s voice was low as he chanted. They slowed and landed on the marble. Machi hissed as her wing hit the floor.

  “Guess we made it.” Brizna said, but his voiced held a faint tremor.

  Skye laughed in triumph and pointed.

  Brizna snatched his sword from Machi’s waist. Blue lightning crackled along the blade. With a wide swing lightning leapt from his weapon, slicing through the crystal spikes.

  Brizna was panting. He glanced around the wreckage, snagged a sword from one of the suits of armor, and turned once again to Skye.

  She scowled and pointed, sending forth a barrage once again.

  He sliced through the first spike, sending the pieces away from them with a flick of his sword. He followed his cut with a reverse crescent, knocking a second spike to his other side. Gaining momentum he spun in place knocking two spikes at once. He spun again, kicking his feet in the air and knocking a spike above them off its intended path.

  Machi looked over her shoulder. The webbing of her wing was torn to the muscle, burning with such intensity tears leaked from her eyes. She focused, reaching for the life force of anything around her.

  Nothing. Skye was too guarded and the other inhabitants were fighting the fires far away. She cursed and pulled the energy from deep inside herself.

  Focus.

  Machi took a deep breath, forcing her body to relax despite the pain. As she knit up her wound, she felt the strength leech from her limbs.

  No!

  The pain ebbed but she couldn’t finish. It wasn’t enough.

  Machi!

  Strength slammed into her, making her mind spin. Anget’s vision flickered with her own. He was still in the air above the castle.

  With a roar he dove, fire billowing from his mouth and engulfing his body. The soldiers screamed, fleeing from the fire-laden demon that fell on their keep. She felt more and more of his strength draining as he tried to give it to Machi. Healing his wing had left him with scant reserves.

  Stop! Machi blinked, breaking through his rage just before he landed on the walls. Anget swooped back into the sky. This is enough. Please, go.

  But—

  Machi focused on her injuries, blocking the dragon out. Even with his energy she didn’t have enough time to heal. She stopped the bleeding as best she could. This would have to do.

  “Done.”

  “Finally.” Brizna tried to smile as he parried another spike. Sweat trickled down his back. A second spike came from his left and he stopped it. “We need to end this soon.”

  “I know.” Machi growled. She looked around and stopped on the great serpent flag. “Look!”

  Brizna risked a glance, but refocused to swipe away another spike from its intended target.

  “There are no spears on most of that wall, but we circled this room a few times.”

  “What of it?” Brizna sliced another spear.

  Machi laughed. “Want to make a bet?”

  “Nice time to jump into gambling, Mach.”

  Machi laughed again. “Bet that the serpent’s eye is the source of her power.”

  Brizna grinned. “You’re on. Winner is king for the day.”

  “You mean queen. Give me—”

  “Way ahead of you.” Brizna swung his two swords in a pattern resembling a wave of water. Mist erupted, covering the room in a thick white fog.

  Machi ran through the droplets, using her other senses to navigate. She dove to
the right, dodging a crystal, and rolled to her feet.

  There was another suit of armor, a spear laying next to it. Machi cursed and sped off again.

  “Come out, girl!” Skye snarled. Stone shrieked as Skye send a crystal flying.

  Machi crouched and searched. Two more suits of armor lay crumpled together. The bottom one bore a hammer. If she tried for it, the clatter would draw Zafirah. But was there another hammer? She couldn’t be certain.

  With a growl Machi wrenched the weapon free and dove.

  A whip encircled her wrist.

  “Just what are you up to?”

  Machi dropped the hammer, grabbed the whip and heaved.

  Skye lurched forward, and Machi’s punch sent her to the floor. Skye gasped clutching her broken nose. Machi snatched up the hammer and sprinted toward the throne.

  Skye roared. Fire streamed out of the woman’s mouth, evaporating Brizna’s mist.

  Machi cursed. Why can’t she be the one Drakian without a mark?

  Skye readied another burst of flame. Brizna leapt into the path of the fire, diverting it with his weapons. Machi glanced behind her as he cried out.

  She froze.

  Another roar of flame rose from behind her then the thud of a body hitting the floor.

  Brizna was on the ground wrestling with Skye. She had to help him. She—

  “Go, Mach! Now, while she can’t conjure those flames.”

  Machi swallowed her emotions, turned, and ran. She used the throne as a ramp and jumped.

  Her stomach dropped. She hadn’t jumped high enough. She wouldn’t make it.

  Machi flapped her wings to gain momentum. Pain ripped through her shoulders but she ignored it. The momentum was enough for her to grab the cloth above the serpent’s eye. Levying herself against the wall she swung back her hammer.

  It fell just as Skye threw Brizna off. She roared, breathing in deep. Chips flew as the metal glanced off the gem.

  Machi’s vision swam with Skye’s memories: Young Skye playing with Musty, Icham, and Yue.

  She swung again, chipping a corner.

  Skye stood staring over the carnage of a battle, bodies bloated in the sun.

  Again.

  Skye led soldiers down a servant’s stair case. Yue looked up. Tears filled her eyes as she tried to help an old man to his feet. “Skye, please…”