by Sarah Noffke
He handed the vial to Stefan. “Drink that lying down. And I’m sorry to tell you, but whatever pain you’re experiencing right now might get worse.”
“Might?” Liv asked.
“Someone being healed of demonism is almost unheard of,” Renswick explained. “The documentation I’ve read said that it hurts like hell.”
Stefan drank the antidote in one swift movement. “I’ll take hell over eternal damnation any day.”
“He will never be the same,” Renswick explained to Liv as she paced in front of the open window in the sitting room. Outside the yard was full of color, unlike in the house, where black and white and various grays monopolized her vision.
“Will he look like a demon?” Liv asked.
Renswick poured her a glass of bourbon. “No, that will be gone within the hour. However, in nearly fusing with the demon, he’s become well acquainted with evil.”
Liv spun abruptly. “Will he be bad now?”
Renswick shook his head. “Quite the opposite. He’s going to be repulsed by evil. Most likely he will have an allergic reaction when in contact with evil. However, like I said, this is not well documented since it is a rare case, so Stefan will defy the odds.”
“He fights demons,” Liv stated. “I don’t think it will be a problem for him to have an allergic reaction to evil.”
Renswick poured himself a glass as well. “Before, he went after that which he was assigned. He will now hate evil so thoroughly that it will always feel like a personal vendetta.”
“Why is that a bad thing?” Liv asked, wondering if she was missing something.
“It may not be,” Renswick said. “However, please remember that this world is not balanced without good and bad. As much as I hate to admit it, evil serves a purpose. If we wiped it out completely, our planet would be full of gray. It is evil that gives color to good. Evil highlights the holy power of goodness.”
“So what am I supposed to do?” Liv asked, feeling somehow responsible for Stefan now.
“You may not be able to do anything,” Renswick said, taking a sip of his bourbon. “But you might be able to ensure that he doesn’t lose his mind trying to stomp out all evil in the world. That agenda would end the best of men. It is an impossible job.”
Chapter Nineteen
Liv could hardly believe how normal Stefan looked as he stood in front of the Door of Reflection. His color was back, and his blue eyes sparkled with a new intensity. There was no sign that he’d been bitten by a demon except for the scar on his forearm.
He pulled his sleeve down, covering it, giving her a proud look. “You’re staring.”
She shook her head, trying to dispel her disbelief. “It’s just that it hasn’t been that long, and you look so…so…”
“Normal?” he said, finishing her sentence.
“No, that’s not what I was thinking,” she replied. She didn’t know how to say that Stefan Ludwig looked better than normal. There was a new confidence in his eyes. Several times as they traveled back from Renswick’s, she’d seen him blur as he moved. Liv suspected that he retained the super strength too. Multiple times she had to stop herself from asking him about it. She didn’t know if Stefan wanted to be reminded that he was still part demon and would be for the rest of his long life, which Renswick thought might be longer than most magicians. He was the best part of the demon, and yet he was only a magician again. It defied reason and made Stefan one of the most unique magicians in the world. And no one could know about it. That had been the one thing he’d requested as they entered the House of Seven minutes prior.
“Please keep my secret,” he had said as they strode through the long hallway covered in the ancient language.
“Of course,” Liv had replied. Now, staring at him, she wanted to say so much, ask him so many questions. He didn’t look deterred by the way she continuously ran her eyes over his face.
“Are you ready to report?” Stefan asked, gesturing at the Door of Reflection.
Liv released a small, proud smile. “Oh, I freaking can’t wait for this.”
Stefan returned the grin. “Yes, and I look forward to seeing the relief on Hester’s face.”
Liv took a step toward the Door of Reflection, pulling her eyes away from Stefan.
“Oh, and Liv?” he said at her back, making her turn.
“Yes?” she replied.
“I owe you my life,” he told her simply.
She shook her head. “No, you owe me nothing. Friends save each other. I only did the same thing you’d do for me.”
He took a step closer to her, his eyes dancing with a strange intensity. “I’ve never had a friend like you; someone who would risk their life for mine.”
“That’s because you usually have blood splattered on your boots, which most who would like to be your friend would find really gross,” Liv said with a laugh.
A smile lit his eyes. “And you’re right. If it had been you, I’d have risked everything to save you. But the thing I love about you is that you don’t need to be saved. You, Liv Beaufont, are unlike anyone I’ve ever met.”
Liv didn’t know what to say. She was hyper-aware of how close Stefan was to her. Of the racing of her heart, and the way her breathing was suddenly shallow.
Maybe sensing her nervousness, he took a step back and pointed at the Door of Reflection. “I think that we’re officially ‘Liv Beaufont’ late. That should set the right tone for this meeting with the council.”
Liv laughed. “That’s my style.” A second time, she started for the Door of Reflection.
“Oh, and one more thing,” Stefan said when she was only a couple of feet from the door. Liv was about to turn, but before she could, Stefan raced around her, taking the spot right in front of the door. “In case you’re wondering, I did keep the speed and strength of the demon.”
Liv gulped. He was even closer than before. “I was wondering.”
He nodded. “I know. I can sort of read you.”
“Is that another benefit of almost becoming a demon?” Liv asked.
Stefan grinned. “No, that just applies to you.”
The council was quiet when Liv took her spot next to Stefan in the Chamber of the Tree. They appeared to be busy reviewing their devices. Since they were the only two Warriors in attendance, she had thought they’d receive the council’s immediate attention.
“You’re late,” Adler said, not looking up.
“We were busy slaying demons,” Liv answered.
Hester glanced up, surprise springing to her face. “You’re both here!”
Stefan smiled, his hands clasped behind his back as he rose a couple of inches. “I missed you all and decided to pay the council a visit.”
She winked at him with joy in her eyes. “I missed you too, Warrior Ludwig.”
Adler sighed, annoyance heavy on his face. “Really, showing such sentiments is highly unprofessional. You both know that.”
Liv gave Stefan a sideways look. “Remember that we’re not humans with emotions. We’re robots.”
He nodded. “Copy that, Robot Beaufont.”
Adler rolled his eyes, finally looking up. “The council is extremely busy reviewing a developing case. Go ahead and make your report, and make it fast.”
“In addition to slaying over two dozen demons, we’ve put an end to a demon responsible for heavily spreading the disease,” Stefan stated.
Clark glanced up then, his attention piqued.
“Mr. Ludwig, inflating your numbers will do you no favors,” Adler said.
Liv looked at Stefan. “He’s right. That number is way off.”
Stefan agreed with a nod. “Yes, I totally forgot about that nest in Texas. It was actually three dozen.”
“That’s incredible,” Raina said, giving them a wide smile. “Great job, you two.”
“Yes, it appears that you two make a good team,” Hester stated.
Stefan grinned at Liv. “Yes, we have a nice dynamic.”
“Did I
hear you right?” Haro asked. “Did you slay the one they call the Master Demon?”
Stefan pushed his jacket back, resting his hand on his sword. “Yes, Sabatore is gone.”
There was muttering from the council.
“Sabatore?” Lorenzo said, a question in his tone. “I didn’t know demons had names.”
“They were once people,” Liv stated at once. “We should never forget that.”
“If you have in fact slain the Master Demon, that will significantly affect the demon population,” Bianca said.
“We did in fact slay him,” Liv corrected. “I dropped his head off in your room. I thought you might want it.”
“You did not!” Bianca yelled, her nostrils flaring.
“Oh, you didn’t want it?” Liv asked before glancing at Stefan. “I probably shouldn’t have put it in her bed.”
“Ms. Beaufont, that is quite enough,” Adler spat.
“Oh, did you want the head?” Liv asked, not at all deterred by his tone.
“I think we all know that no one here wants a demon’s severed head,” Adler stated.
“Actually, proof that the Master Demon is dead would be quite valuable,” Haro corrected. “That’s a feat that will gain much favor from the magical community, as well as create a great deal of good will with the elves. This is the key we were looking for with the current negotiations.”
Adler threw his arm in Stefan and Liv’s direction. “Do you see either of them carrying a demon’s head?”
“The giant horns on the top of Sabatore’s head wouldn’t fit in the duffle bag I had. That was why we took a picture and filed it with our report,” Liv stated.
All of the Councilors’ head turned down as they began reviewing the files.
“Wow, you killed this beast?” Clark, the first to glance up, asked.
Liv pointed at Stefan. “He did it, actually.”
Stefan smiled. “It was one hundred percent a team effort. I couldn’t have done it without her.”
Adler didn’t look impressed when he looked up. “Again, your comradery has no place in these meetings.”
“I think it absolutely does,” Hester argued.
“Ms. DeVries, we have more pressing matters than hearing these two exchange kudos,” Adler stated.
“Although we are quite busy,” Raina began, “these Warriors have achieved an incredible thing and should be able to celebrate. Actually, I think they deserve to be rewarded.”
Adler sighed again, one of his favorite things to do. “A Warrior doesn’t get rewards for doing their job.”
“Maybe that’s something we should change,” Clark interjected, displaying new confidence against Adler.
“We aren’t in the position to make changes to our processes at the moment,” Bianca said. “We’re in the middle of a huge negotiation.”
“Which, as we just discussed, might go much smoother now,” Haro said.
“Enough,” Adler said, slamming his fist on the bench. “Ms. Beaufont, have you gone to visit the giants yet?”
“Nope,” Liv said casually. “I’ve been busy ridding the world of demons.”
“But it was you who said you could do both cases,” Adler argued.
“And I plan to,” Liv stated.
“Then make it happen,” Adler said. “And Mr. Ludwig, hopefully, you can still get rid of demons without Ms. Beaufont holding your hand?”
“What? We’re being split up?” Stefan asked, the smile dropping from his face.
“Well, yes,” Adler said, browsing his device, suddenly appearing distracted. “Ms. Beaufont made another commitment to the council, and since you two have reduced the demon population again, I see no reason why two Warriors should be assigned to the case. Does everyone else agree?”
There was a collective murmuring of yeses from the council.
“Very well, then,” Adler stated dismissively. “Ms. Beaufont, we’ll expect a prompt report from you regarding the giants’ response.”
Liv was about to make a smartass remark to that when the black crow landed in the middle of the floor and stared at Stefan.
His hand jerked to his sword, pulling it in a flash. All of the Councilors looked up at the sound of the blade being whipped out of its sheath.
Their eyes darted to Stefan, who was regarding the crow with brooding contempt, and then to the bird.
“Mr. Ludwig, what are you doing?” Adler asked.
“He’s simply showing everyone the sword that was used to slay Sabatore,” Liv lied, since it was Bellator that had killed the master demon.
Adler nodded slowly, disbelief in his gaze. “That’s not necessary, and I believe you’ve both been dismissed.”
“Right,” Liv agreed, grabbing Stefan’s arm and yanking him toward the Door of Reflection. “Come on, let’s leave the council to do their thing.”
Stefan followed her reluctantly at first, his eyes staying trained on the crow as if he were resisting a strong urge to slaughter it. This was what Renswick had meant: Stefan would forever feel a unique brand of hate toward evil. And she’d do as Renswick had advised and help him so that it didn’t overpower him and make him irrational.
Chapter Twenty
Sophia wasn’t quite finished with the disguising spell that would make Liv look like Decar Sinclair. She could hardly believe that the child magician could master such a complex spell, and yet if anyone could do it, it would be the girl who was an expert at hiding.
This break gave Liv some much-needed time to study Bermuda’s book and train. She felt she could spend the next several hundred years studying magic and barely scratch the surface; that was how vast and complicated it was. Her father had called it the “endless artform.”
“You’re starting to rely more on instinct,” Akio said after they finished sparring that afternoon. “Before you thought about your next move, but now you’re allowing Bellator to lead you more.”
As Liv toweled off in the training studio, she told Akio about how Bellator had acted like a guide when she’d been hunting demons.
He nodded, not at all surprised. “Warrior Ludwig is correct. Your sword is more than a weapon. If you treat it as a valuable friend, that is what it will become.”
“It’s funny that you both talk about swords like they are living beings,” Liv remarked, studying Bellator. It didn’t look any different after being used to slay Sabatore, but for some reason, it felt different.
With a serious expression, Akio said, “The difference between a good Warrior and a great one is the latter sees their weapon as having a pulse and a spirit. A good Warrior uses it as a tool, but your sword was created with a timeless magic. There is no other tool like that in the world, I can assure you of that.”
“So do you think that the skill Bellator offers me is about being my guide?” Liv asked, having thought about this at length lately. Turbinger’s mark was eventually lethal, and it stored every memory from every battle within it. Rory had said that the extra benefit a giant-made sword offered its bearer was unique and only surfaced when that person bonded properly with it.
“I think that could be one of the benefits,” Akio mused, running his studious eyes over the blade. “However, like any friend, the sword can offer different advantages depending on the situation.” He withdrew his own sword, which was curved, its hilt made of minotaur bones.
“Once when I was in battle, Rakurai illuminated my path in very much the same way your sword did for you recently,” Akio explained, referring to his own weapon, which his great-grandfather had named when he’d forged the blade for the grandson who would one day become a Warrior for the House of Seven.
“However, if I went into every battle expecting that of Rakurai, I might become too dependent on it and not use my own skills,” Akio stated. “It’s important to keep an open mind so that you don’t limit yourself or Bellator.”
This was fascinating to Liv. She hadn’t realized there was so much magic around weapons. They were alive, and that made her even proude
r to be a Warrior. “What other benefits has Rakurai offered you?”
A slight smile wisped to Akio’s face. “It has guided me when I was lost, healed me when I was wounded, and directed my hand in battle. However, much like a relationship with a lover, some of the intimate details should remain private. That’s part of forming the bond that will furnish you with further benefits.”
“So, is Bellator supposed to be my friend or my lover?” Liv asked, growing confused, but that was typical when talking to Akio. He liked to talk in riddles, which she found somewhat entertaining.
“Shouldn’t every lover be your friend first?” Akio asked.
Liv nodded. “Yes, I guess people need to like each other before they love each other.”
Akio nodded.
Liv regarded Bellator with amusement. “I guess I should take you to dinner, then. Something with candlelight.”
Akio’s eyes flicked to the door as he straightened.
Liv turned to find his older brother standing in the doorway. Haro was watching them curiously.
“Do you need something from me, brother?” Akio asked.
Haro shook his head. “Unless you’d like to accompany us,” he said, motioning between Liv and him. “I was hoping that Warrior Beaufont would join me in my study for a drink.”
Liv tilted her head to the side, not expecting this invitation. She glanced at Akio with a question in her eyes.
“We are done training for today,” Akio said, seemingly dismissing her. “And I should devote the rest of my attention to my case, but thank you for the offer, brother.”
“Very well,” Haro said. “Warrior Beaufont, are you free to join me? I think it’s overdue that we speak.”
Liv didn’t know what that meant. She didn’t think she was supposed to be spending one-on-one time with Councilors, although there was nothing that strictly forbade it. She just didn’t know what Haro would want to talk to her about.
Intrigued, she strode in his direction. “Sure. I could use a drink after taking that beating.”
“You took it better than the last time,” Akio said with a laugh in his voice.