Her head cocked to the side. “You are that most hated creature... man, in stone or flesh. I do not help men.”
His throat tightened as she spoke, as if her very hands were closing around his throat. “I knew all this before I came. I even knew that you might kill me before you heard my words.”
Something unreadable flashed in her eyes. “And yet, you came. Why?”
“It was worth the risk.”
She crossed her long legs and the skirts moved yet again in their eerie, unnatural way. “Speak.”
The tightness in his throat eased enough for him to speak. “We seek to overthrow Caine. My demon-brothers and I, along with our angel, have been searching out the true rulers of the realms, because Caine is corrupt. He is turning innocents into demons, and thugs into angels, and we plan to stop him.”
The woman rose slowly, her eyes wide. “You’re saying... not everyone who is a demon sinned so greatly that they deserved their punishment?”
He shook his head. “No.”
To his amazement, the demon began to pace, her powers electric in the room. “I never imagined such a thing. I just thought that after what was done to me—that I held some blame—that I deserved—“
Her gaze snapped back to him, and for one horrible moment the pain and suffering in her eyes made the protective gargoyle within him want to roar in rage. Then, the look was gone. “I have never helped a man... except my brothers, but I will hear you out.”
“Thank you,” Tristan whispered. “It has been decreed that it will take all ten Immortals to overthrow Caine. They are the rightful rulers of the realms. My brother sacrificed his life to learn their whereabouts. He has told us that time is of the essence, and we cannot save him and them. I know that what I'm asking is a great thing and no simple task, but you are the only one who can help us. Can you prevent Caine from destroying Mark's soul while we save the world?”
Her brows rose. “You’re asking me to go against the most powerful man in existence.”
“I am.”
“He will come after me for this.”
“I know.”
She studied him. “So, what makes you think I will help you?”
He tried to hide his unease. “I have been told that you wish for one thing above all else, and even though I don’t think it’s what’s best for you, I can give it to you.”
A guarded look came over her face. “I want for nothing but vengeance against men.”
“And a stone heart.”
Shock registered on her face.
“You don’t want to feel anything anymore. You want the human part of you to die.”
She moved closer, her voice lowering. “I wish that more than anything, but I’m told such a thing is impossible.”
“Not if a gargoyle gives you his essence, that which makes him a gargoyle.”
Her hands came together before her, clenched above her heart. “Give it to me.”
He shook his head. “My friend, Mark...”
She released her hands and went back to pacing. “I cannot prevent his soul from judgment...”
Tristan’s hope fled.
“But I can buy you some time.”
“How much?”
“Three days.”
Tristan shook his head. “We need more than that.”
She whirled on him. “That’s all I can give. Take it or leave it.”
His breathing became rapid. Was he really going to do this? Give up being a gargoyle forever?
“Alright, but you must allow me to remain a gargoyle until I’ve completed my task. I can’t save the world with the flesh of a man.”
She moved to stand in front of him and held out a delicate hand. “It’s a deal.”
Power swelled around her and magic swept over him in a wave of heat, suffocating in its terrible beauty.
He raised his hand, and she snatched it.
Black magic exploded from beneath them, dark shadows that lifted them into the air and swirled in a storm of chaos. He tried to tear his hand free, but her magic was too powerful. Something in her life had created a creature of such rage that it overtook her and made her into this demon, a demon more powerful than he ever imagined.
White light began to pull from him. It was uncomfortable at first, and then painful. A scream tore from his lips, and he fought against whatever was happening to him, but there was no escape.
At last, in front of him, a swirling light formed into a heart and pulsed with white light.
With her free hand, she cradled it in her palm.
They dropped to the floor. She came down gracefully onto her feet, while he fell onto his side in the sea of bones.
She whirled around, her black skirts flying about her. Seating herself back on her throne, she set the white, pulsing heart on the arm of her chair. The look on her face was one of complete satisfaction.
At last, he drew in a breath, coughing. The pain still held him in its grip, but he tried to breathe through it.
She smiled. “I never said it wouldn’t be painful. Now, my gargoyle, you will attempt this task of yours. In three days’ time, whether you succeed or fail, I will devour your stone essence, and you will be nothing more than a demon.”
He struggled back onto his feet, rubbing at the ache in his chest. “Thank you.”
She wasn’t looking at him. She was looking at the pulsing heart.
Slipping from the room, he pushed himself faster, even though his body screamed in protest with each step. Now, Mark’s soul would be safe. They had three days to find the Immortals, and then, no matter what, they would wage their war on Caine.
Chapter Two
Surcy was so angry, angry and scared. Where the hell was Tristan? He’d told them they needed to hurry to save the Immortals. He’d told them that they couldn’t help Mark.
And then? He’d disappeared.
“Surcy!”
She spun at the sound of Daniel’s voice. He was kneeling over Mark’s body, which still lay there wrapped in a blanket. A black smoke rose from Mark, and slowly, his body faded until it was gone.
Her throat tightened.
“We knew it would happen,” he reminded her, his tone strangely robotic.
She nodded, unable to force the words past her lips. The bodies of demons and angels never remained in this world. They guessed it was Mark's druid powers that had allowed his body to stay for so long. She’d prayed she would have more time.
Somehow, losing his body felt like losing him yet again.
She walked on legs that trembled and knelt beside Daniel, taking his hand.
“That fucking druid,” Daniel whispered, his words holding tears. “I loved that idiot. I loved his stupid plants and that smile of his. He had a damned good fucking attitude about everything. I—I didn’t deserve him.”
She wanted to hug him, but he rose and tore from the room, slamming the door behind him.
Reaching out, she stroked the blanket that had held Mark and counted to thirty. Wiping away tears, she walked across the room. Daniel had locked his door, but she twisted the handle, snapping it off. Pushing open the door she saw him by the window, lighter in hand.
“Give it to me,” she ordered.
His face twisted. “It doesn’t even matter anymore.”
“It matters to me.”
His eyes held unshed tears. “My fire... issue... is nothing compared to all this bullshit. Mark and Tristan are the ones that helped me get clean. You should have seen them in the demon-realms. Do you have any idea how much using fire would’ve helped us escape? But no, the little shits pinned me down and wouldn’t let me touch it. They wouldn’t let me use it. They knew it’d killed me once, and they wouldn’t allow it to happen again.
“You have no idea how much I hated them for that.” Then, the flame went out and his hand dropped. “And no idea how much I loved them. No one ever cared before.” Tears slid down his cheeks. “No one gave a fuck if I killed myself, until them.”
His shoulders shook
and his face fell into his hands.
Surcy raced across the room, grabbed the lighter, and tossed it out the window. Her arms wrapped around him, and she held the big demon, the fire mage, as he fought harder than she’d ever seen a person fight, to keep his control.
“Let it out,” she told him.
But he didn’t. His shoulders continued to shake. He didn’t seem to breathe. He just held himself stiffly, fighting back his need to cry.
“The reason you want your fire so badly is because it’s easier than feeling, but nothing will truly help until you mourn losing him.”
A shudder came over his body as he took a deep breath.
Raising his head from her shoulder, she saw the two tears that had tracked down his cheeks. “That’s just it, isn’t it? We all know that Caine’s going to kill him the second his soul is reborn. We’re all acting like there’s still a chance, but he’s never going to send him to the demon-realm. He’s going to destroy him, isn’t he?”
She didn’t know what to say.
He was right.
“We have three days.”
Her head jerked up and she saw Tristan in the doorway. He looked pale.
“What?” Daniel asked, wiping at his face.
“I bought us three days. Caine can’t destroy his soul in that time.”
“How?”
Tristan shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. It’s done.”
Daniel walked across the room, and she imagined a million possibilities. She didn’t expect it when he wrapped Tristan in a hug. It wasn’t their awkward pat on the back either. It was a strong hug. Tristan held him fiercely, like a father. She could see the anger in his eyes, his need to protect the man who was fragile in ways most people couldn’t see.
She swallowed around the lump in her throat and wiped at the stray tears tracking down her cheeks. Since she’d arrived, memory gone and lost in the confusion, her demons had done nothing but focus on her. There was something amazing about this moment, because she felt she was seeing into who they were before, a team who watched out for each other.
Daniel pulled back. “Okay then,” he cleared his throat. “Time to find some Immortals.”
She rose. Three days wasn’t a lot of time. But for Mark, they’d do anything.
Chapter Three
Caine was angry as hell. His angels had been unable to deal with Surcy and her demons. He wished, yet again, that the stupid Fate hadn’t thrown herself into the Soul Destroyer to protect some useless human. Right now, he could use her guidance.
He had the remaining Immortals under his power in places the angel and her demons could never find. He had a choice. Destroy the Immortals’ souls to ensure he would remain in power and never be overthrown, or kill the Immortals still under his control, have them reborn, and start all over again, breaking them down to take their magic.
He froze in his pace. Or, he could take the druid's necklace, find the Immortals stolen from him, and finish breaking them. Because even though I’ve invaded Surcy’s mind, magic has blocked out enough of the sanctuary’s location that I’m unable to find it. Those bastard druids and their powers...
Once he got them, he could make them pay... and finally take their powers. The Fate had told him the best way to crack the Immortals, and he knew they were so close.
Could he really throw all his hard work away now?
Only if I truly fear Surcy and her demons.
His nails tapped on the arm of his throne. No, it was time to stop fearing the Fate’s warnings. He feared no one. He needed to find the druid and take his necklace. He needed to find the location of the sanctuary, and he needed to capture all of the Immortals, once and for all.
And take their power. Then, and only then, could he be certain to remain sole ruler forever.
Without paying much attention, he tossed one soul after another into the demon realm. None of the white wisps shone too brightly, and none looked human enough to be useful.
And then, one soul flashed into the room, blinding in its power.
Climbing to his feet, he pushed the other souls away and drew it to him. When the creature met his eyes, he realized it had been a demon.
For one second, he almost tossed it into the demon-realm, but he froze when he realized. This wasn’t just any demon, it was one of Surcy’s, the very druid he had been seeking.
“Well, well, what do we have here?”
Mark neither flinched nor looked worried. “Hello, Caine.”
Interesting.
“After everything, why are you here? How did you die?"
Mark said nothing.
Caine smiled. “No matter. With you gone, your necklace is no longer protected. Finding it should be easy without your power hiding it. Once I have the necklace, the Immortals will finally be mine.”
The demon looked sad. “Is power really worth all of this?”
His teeth gritted together. “Only someone who has never tasted power would say something so foolish. Now, say goodbye, Mark. You won't be coming back. Your soul will never be reborn again.” He pointed to the Soul Destroyer. “Enjoy your fate.”
The demon didn’t scream or try to escape. He simply lowered his head as if he had accepted his fate.
Which Caine found utterly annoying.
Flicking the druid into the Soul Destroyer, he waited for his screams. But Mark’s soul simply hovered above the black pit.
Caine frowned and tried again and again and again, but the demon remained.
“What is this?”
Mark lifted his head from where he was suspended in air. "How the hell should I know?"
Turning, Caine shouted for his guard. “Bring my witch!”
The angel leapt into action, racing from the room. Within minutes, he’d returned with the young woman slung over his shoulder. He tossed her to the ground and the prisoner groaned and lay on her side, filthy and stinking of the prisons.
Caine gritted his teeth together. “Why won’t this soul be destroyed?”
The witch lifted a hand, her weak, trembling arm at odds with her great power.
“There’s a spell that prevents him from leaving this world.”
Caine felt his rage swell. Who in all the realms would dare to defy him in such a way?
“Who?” he asked, the question hanging in the air.
“The Demon of Sacrifice,” she whispered.
His jaw clenched. That was yet another soul he should have destroyed. She’d become too powerful, and apparently, foolish.
Looking at his guard, he glared. “Bring her to me.”
Then, glancing back at Mark, he nearly lost all control. The idea of someone having the audacity to defy his plans and stop his punishment... but then he froze as an idea hit him.
Destroying Mark’s soul was a delicious punishment, but perhaps there was a better one, a punishment that might even lead him to the Immortals even faster.
Settling back into his throne, he waved Mark’s soul toward him and smiled.
For the first time, the druid looked nervous.
He should be.
Chapter Four
Surcy and her demons stood at the edge of a large farm surrounded by woods. It reminded her of somewhere, but she couldn’t quite place where. The sunlight bathed the entire place in a glow that warmed it like a painting, but something lingered underneath the beauty and peace of the place, a bad scent she couldn’t quite place.
Mark’s note had said that the farmer of these lands was an Immortal, but he believed himself to be nothing but a human. She didn't know whether this man had somehow managed to avoid Caine and his angels, but she was planning for trouble.
And she was sure she was right.
“So, what’s the plan?” Daniel asked.
“We get him, fast.” She tried to take a step forward, but Tristan grabbed her shoulder.
Staring back at him in confusion, she frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“This can’t be like the other times. We have to move faster—�
�
“I just said that!”
He held up a hand, and she closed her mouth. “We can’t explain why we’re here. We just need to grab him and go for the next Immortal.”
“We have to bring him to the sanctuary first though—“
“There isn’t time.”
Her stomach twisted. “But if we get caught, we lose all of them.”
“And if we aren’t fast enough, we lose all of them anyway.”
After a second, Daniel sighed. “I’m with Tristan. If we could teleport into the sanctuary, that’d be one thing, but we’re going to have to spend hours walking back and forth beyond the barrier. That's time we don’t have.”
Surcy didn’t like it, but their logic was sound. Every second they wasted was dangerous. Caine could decide with the flick of his wrist to destroy the souls of any Immortals in his control, and then all would be lost forever.
“Fine, let’s go.”
They started across the field, her hands itching to call for her soul-blade, to not enter an unknown territory weaponless, but she forced herself to just keep walking. To hope for the best.
Suddenly, two children darted out of the corn field, laughing. A boy and girl that had the same dark hair and dark eyes. They had to be twins.
The girl’s gaze slowly moved to them, and the laughter died on her face. She grabbed her brother’s arm, the boy looked at them, and then they were tearing through the field away from them.
“What do we do?” Daniel asked. “Chase them?”
Tristan’s deep voice came, soft and certain. “Never chase children. There is nothing more fierce than a parent who thinks his child is in danger."
They continued forward, and seconds later, a farmer emerged from the cornfield. He gripped a pitchfork in one hand, like a stereotype. But other than that, he wasn’t what she expected. For one, he seemed young, perhaps in his forties, with dark hair and a muscular body. And something in his stance—it screamed that he was ready for a fight.
“This isn’t good,” Daniel whispered.
Mates of the Realms: The Complete Collection: A Paranormal Reverse Harem Box Set Page 57