by Linsey Hall
I’d done it—using the light and the dark. As long as I controlled it, they were both tools I could use to help the world.
The short burst of victory was followed by pure terror.
Maximus.
I turned, racing toward him, my wings carrying me as fast as I could go. I shifted back to human right before I landed so I wouldn’t crush anyone.
Ana knelt at Maximus’s side. She’d transformed back to human, and tears streaked down her face as she held her hands over Maximus’s chest, sending her glowing light of life and healing into his body.
I knelt beside them, a sob tearing from my throat.
“I don’t know if he’s going to make it,” Ana croaked.
I reached for him, pressing my hands to his chest. “Come on, Maximus. I love you.”
Tears poured down my face as I looked between him and Ana. She was doing everything she could, and I couldn't have loved her more in that second. Until he was conscious enough to swallow a healing potion, she was my only hope.
When Maximus gasped, I thought my heart might explode.
He opened his eyes.
“Are you okay?” I demanded. I wanted to throw myself over him and hug him, but I didn’t dare. There was no telling what was broken.
“Fine.” He grunted and tried to sit. He barely made it an inch off the ground. “Sort of fine.”
I laughed through the tears, and Ana collapsed backward. He looked at her. “Did you bring me back to life?”
“I don’t know.” She shook her head. “I couldn't tell if you were dead. I just started feeding my healing light into you.”
I scrambled for the potions in my belt. Now that he was conscious and could drink them, I’d pour them all down his throat.
I started with one, though, since too many could be damaging. Finally, he was able to sit.
I pressed a kiss to his lips, tears pouring down my cheeks.
He groaned and pulled back. “It might be a while before I can walk again, but I’ll be fine.”
“Good.” I squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”
He gave a half shrug, as if to say, What else was I going to do?
I looked at him one last time, then stood. Our troops had already rounded up the demons who hadn’t been able to flee when the battle ended. The unlucky saps who didn't have transport powers or charms would be sent back to the underworld. Some of the humans looked pissed, while others looked a bit confused. There’d have to be some kind of trial with the Order of the Magica to figure out who deserved punishment and who didn’t, but that wasn’t my job, thank fates.
I turned to find Bree. She stood behind the bodies of the Titans with Hera, who was now dressed in pink leggings and a white top. Her same messy blonde bun sat on her head.
“Go to them,” Maximus said. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll watch out for him,” Ana said.
I turned to her and hugged her hard, whispering in her ear, “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
I gave Maximus one last look, then walked toward Hera and Bree. Jude joined me, along with Queen Penthesilea and Queen Hippolyta.
“How are casualties?” I asked.
“Not bad, considering,” Jude said. “There are some grievous injuries, but we lost no one. Not yet, at least.”
I prayed those injuries wouldn’t take them.
“Same,” Queen Penthesilea said.
My shoulders sagged. “Oh, thank fates.”
My gaze scanned the crowd as I walked through. Mordaca and Aerdeca were looting the bodies of the fallen enemies. The Menacing Menagerie were doing the same, while my other friends from Magic’s Bend were all gathered in a circle, talking and tending to their wounds. Ali, Haris, and Caro were slumped against the exterior wall, looking like they’d gone through hell. They were able to give me weary smiles, at least.
I walked by the fallen bodies of the Titans and stopped in front of Hera and Bree.
Hera smiled at me. “You did it.”
“Barely.”
“That just makes the story better.” She lifted the golden vase, which now pulsed with a dark light. “I’ll put this in Tartarus. You can be assured they won’t escape again. Especially since they no longer have bodies.”
“Thank you.”
Her gaze moved to the fallen Titans. “On second thought, I suggest burning.”
“I can take care of that.”
We shared a few more words, then Hera left.
I hugged Bree, collapsing against her. “What a day.”
“What a year.”
I laughed and pulled back. “I’m going to take care of the Titans’ bodies, then let’s grab a drink.”
She nodded, and I turned, transforming into my truest self. I roared and took to the sky, determined to banish every last bit of the Titans forever.
Epilogue
Two days later, once everyone had slept for twenty-four hours straight and done some healing, we met at the Whiskey and Warlock. Jude was throwing us a party, and after the wringer we’d just been through, folks were ready to let down their hair.
Unfortunately, there were still people recovering from the battle. The infirmary was full, which was saying something. With the healing magic that the Protectorate had access to, people would normally be all better within hours.
Not after that fight, however. A dozen people had been so grievously injured that they’d almost died, and it’d taken some quick work on behalf of the healers on our team. My potions store was tapped out, as were Hedy’s and Lachlan’s and Connor’s, and all the healers had worked their fingers to the bone.
I couldn’t be more grateful for the outcome, however, and as we walked into the Whiskey and Warlock, the smile that spread across my face was so big it almost hurt.
Ana nudged Bree and me as we walked into the warmth and said, “Finally, we get to have that drink.”
I’d always wanted to be able to sit with them after a job and have a celebratory drink, and she knew it. I’d helped them with stuff in the past, but for the first time, I felt like I’d really earned it. Like I was truly part of the team.
I smiled. “Can’t wait.”
The little side room where the Protectorate always met was more crowded than it had ever been. People jostled at the bar and huddled around the warm hearth. The thick beams on the ceiling hung low over the crowd, the dozens of copper cups that dangled from them glinting in the light of the fire.
Lachlan and Cade stood at the bar, but I had eyes only for Maximus, who sat in a wheelchair by the fire. He looked like one of those badass Paralympic athletes.
I nudged Bree. “Get me a beer, will you? Something interesting.”
“Sure thing.”
I pushed my way through the crowd toward Maximus. I wanted to plop down on his lap, but that wouldn’t help the healing process any. He should be walking again in a couple weeks, and I didn’t want to do anything to slow that down.
I leaned over and kissed him. “Looking good, handsome.”
He smiled at me. “Not too bad yourself.”
Ali vacated the chair next to Maximus and grinned at me, gesturing to the seat. “For the lady of the hour.”
“The lady of the hour?”
His eyes widened as if he’d said something he shouldn’t have. “Going to get a drink. Want one?” He disappeared before I could say no.
I sat and looked at Maximus. “That was strange.”
“Very.” A secret glinted in his eyes, I was sure of it. But before I could ask, he spoke. “So, I was thinking. I’d like to make this official.” He gestured between us.
“Official?”
“Yeah. With the labels and the real dates and all.”
A grin spread across my face. “I could totally go for that.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, good.” He pulled me close for a kiss.
As soon as my lips touched his, my body melted. This. I could definitely do with a lot more of th
is. And now that the worst of the danger was out of the way, we could see where it went. I had a feeling it would be lasting a long, long time.
“Drinks!” Ana’s voice cut through the haze in my mind, and I pulled back.
She handed me a beer, and I sipped it, nearly moaning at the fizzy happiness of some kind of India pale ale. “Thank you so much.”
“Anytime.” She held out her glass of sparkling pink champagne.
Bree mimicked her motion, holding out a pink martini that gave off glittery smoke.
We clinked our glasses together, and I was so happy I could have burst. I looked around at all of my friends and colleagues, trying to think of an appropriate toast. “To health and happiness.”
“Health and happiness,” Bree and Ana echoed back at me.
I sank back into my chair, spotting the Menacing Menagerie across the way. Sophie had given them little cans of soda, and they seemed happy as clams on their shared seat at the bar.
“I really couldn't have better friends,” I said.
They were all here, too. The Amazons, the folks from Magic’s Bend, and all of the Protectorate. Even Lavender had given me a grudging, “Well done.”
“Everyone! I’d like to make an announcement.” Jude’s voice carried through the crowd. I spotted her by the bar, standing on a chair so her head rose above the others. “Rowan, will you come up here?”
Heat flooded my cheeks, but I did as she asked, pushing my way through the press of people as my sisters cheered me on. Ali stood next to Jude and another empty chair. He gestured to it, indicating that I should climb on.
I did, not letting go of my beer. It was like my security blanket. Once I was standing next to Jude, I looked at her, confused.
Her gaze was on the audience as she started to speak. “This isn't just a party. It is also Rowan’s early graduation from the Academy.”
My heart leapt, and I almost dropped my beer. “Really?”
Jude shot me a quick glance out of the corner of her eye, along with a grin. “Really.” Then she looked back at the crowd. “We’ve been through the wringer these last few weeks, fighting an evil bigger than any we’ve ever faced. We wouldn’t have made it without every single one of you.”
The crowd cheered, raising their glasses.
Once they settled down, Jude spoke again. “Rowan performed above and beyond the call of duty. Without a doubt, she’s one of the most powerful Magica to ever grace our institution. With that in mind, I am proud to offer her a spot in the Paranormal Investigative Team, so that she can fight evil alongside her sisters.”
Joy exploded within me, so much that I probably glowed like a lantern. I blinked back the tears and nodded. All I’d ever wanted since I’d arrived at the Protectorate was to join the PITs. I wanted to protect the world alongside my sisters and couldn’t imagine anything better. I even liked the dumb acronym.
“Do you accept?” Jude asked.
“Yes!” I nearly shouted the word as my gaze traced over the crowd.
It landed on my sisters and Maximus, and I knew without a doubt, that this was the best day of my life.
~~~
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Magic’s Bend, Oregon
Population: 60,000 Magica, Shifters, and Things That Go Bump in the Night
“Aeri? Answer me! You better not be dead, or I’ll kill you.” My sister’s voice whispered out of the enchanted charm around my neck.
I slapped my hand to it, muffling the sound.
“Shut it, Mari!” I hissed. “I’m still tracking him.”
And this demon was fast. He’d led me on a chase through the city streets all the way to the cemetery entrance. Which was actually quite thoughtful of him. Here, I could kill him without witnesses. I’d have to remember to thank him before I sent him back to the Dark World.
“Aerdeca, you listen to me!” Mari said.
Oh dang, she’d used my full name. That meant she really wanted me to pay attention.
“Danger coming from behind.”
“But the demon is in front of me, going through the cemetery gate.” Nerves prickled along my skin as I peeked behind me.
On the other side of the street, a tall shadow moved.
A man?
Maybe, but that was a problem for future Aeri. Right now, I had a demon to catch.
And even if someone were there, he couldn’t see me. Not as long as I wore my ghost suit, which made me nearly invisible. The simple white fight suit with a hood and veil made me look like a slight shimmer in the air, and no one knew to look for that.
“Mari?” I whispered. “You gotta be quiet now. I’ve almost got him.”
She grumbled, but I could hear the agreement in her voice.
Just in case, I tapped the comms charm at my neck, lowering the volume, and sprinted toward the cemetery gates. The demon had escaped the Dark World two hours ago. It was my ordained job to catch him, and damned if I’d fail. Especially since he was of the baby-eating variety.
At the cemetery entrance, the heavy wrought-iron gate had swung shut behind the demon. I darted left, scrambling over the stone wall that circled the cemetery. Right before I dropped down on the other side, I caught sight of the shadow I’d seen earlier.
It was a man.
Tall and broad shouldered, with a face like a fallen angel. A shiver of awareness raced over me.
He was headed right toward me, and it sure as heck felt like his gaze was glued to mine.
Shit.
Could he see me?
No way.
Which had to mean he was hunting demons, not me.
I hoped.
I dropped down behind the big stone wall and turned, crouching low to the ground as I surveyed the rows of graves and the mausoleums beyond. Tendrils of fog snaked around the headstones, giving the place a totally haunted feel. Which was accurate, since it actually was haunted.
Ahead, the demon slipped behind one of the small white buildings, his body huge and gray. Massive horns rose from his head, and dozens of weapons hung off his leather vest, making him look like a violently decorated Christmas tree.
I darted toward him, drawing my mace from the ether. Depending on the circumstances, I also used a sword or dagger, but I was in a smashing kind of mood today. The heavy spiked ball on a chain would be perfect. The weapon glinted white under the moonlight. The demon stiffened, as if he sensed me nearing, then turned.
His flame-red eyes searched the area around where I stood, finally landing near me. I grinned, knowing he couldn’t see me.
“Who’s there?” His voice sounded like two huge boulders scraping against each other. He raised a hand that gleamed with blue magic.
I crouched, ready to dodge. He couldn’t see exactly where I was, but he was looking in my general direction.
“Who’s there?” He sounded even more annoyed.
“Your worst nightmare.” I gave it my best Batman impression, grinning.
My sister Mordaca—Mari, to me—would say I should be more cautious, but I needed the challenge. After years as a demon slayer, it was getting to be a bit old hat.
The demon scowled and hurled his blast of blue magic. It flared brightly as it flew through the air, headed straight for me. I dodged, sliding along the damp grass. The magic plowed into a headstone behind me, and the enormous stone structure shattered. I covered my face as the shards of rock pelted me.
A piece sliced my hand, and pain flared.
I looked up, catching sight of the demon hurling one more sonic boom—right at me.
I scrambled away, my hands digging into the damp grass. The magic crashed into my side, slamming me against a headstone. It felt like a punch from a giant fist, and tears smarted
my eyes.
I groaned, rolling onto my side. My mace lay next to me.
How had that bastard seen me?
My gaze caught on a long section of grass that looked like it’d been crushed. It had—when I’d slid out of the way of the first sonic boom.
Clever demon.
My favorite kind.
Quickly, before the demon could power up some more magic, I scrambled to my feet and grabbed the chain of my mace, then charged him. My whole body ached, but I ignored it.
By now, I was a pro at that.
The hulking beast stood between two of the small mausoleums, little marble buildings that housed the remains of Darklane’s dead.
Instead of approaching head-on, I darted right. There was a series of successively taller tombstones that led to the top of the mausoleum. I sprinted toward them and jumped onto the first, using the other ones like stairs to reach the top of the small building.
Years of practice made my footsteps silent, and by the time the demon looked up, it was too late. I leapt down upon him, swinging my mace for his head.
He moved right before I made contact, and the spikes of the mace dragged against his chest instead of crushing his skull.
He roared, his rage vibrating through me, and swatted at me. A big hand crashed into my arm, shoving me aside.
Damn it.
The demon whirled to face me, yellow eyes searching blindly. Blood poured from the wound at his chest.
I raised my mace and swung for his head.
The steel crashed into the side of his skull. Shock widened his eyes for a fraction of a second, so fast I might have imagined it.
Then his head jerked violently, skull crushed and blood spurting. I grinned and stepped sideways, neatly avoiding the spray. The big demon toppled to the ground, his body slamming into the grass.
Quickly, I stashed my mace in the ether and drew a small glass vial out of my pocket. I yanked the cork out and knelt at the demon’s side, pressing the vial to his bleeding neck so it filled up with dark blood.
Once upon a time, I might have been grossed out by the raw flesh and other squishy bits, but that was a long time ago. Now, this blood was like gold.
Not only was I a demon slayer, I was a Blood Sorceress. Most of the demons I killed had liquid gold running through their veins. I used this stuff to make spells with my sister, which we sold for a pretty penny. It was our side hustle, and also our camouflage, since no one knew I was a demon slayer except for the council who’d anointed me. It didn’t necessarily have to be a secret, but making it one helped us hide from our past.