by Meg Xuemei X
“What is this, Akem?” I asked. “Why are your beasts in my ship?”
“My children are going with me,” Akem said, his voice chilly and inhuman.
Shivers of fears from flesh and blood rolled through the jungle.
“That’s not the deal,” I said.
“But you said if we leave, we all leave together,” he said.
He was twisting my words.
“I promised you could go with me. Not them,” I said, not letting my anger and annoyance get in my icy voice. “They aren’t included in the deal.”
“I modified the deal,” he said shamelessly. “It’s only fair that you take half of your entourage and I bring half of mine. I’m quoting what you said, ‘I nurse the idea of having the mortals, who have served me, to continue to witness my glory—our glory—should you join me. It’s less fun not to have an audience to witness how we destroy the worlds.’ You get your audience, and I want mine. You cut half of your people, and I fill my half.”
He would insist his share, or all bets were off. That was why he’d shifted half of my army and allies away.
“All I want is fairness,” he said, gloating.
Gabriel looked enraged. I added the weight of my hand on his arm to warn him not to act rashly. Marrok, Kaara, and the others all looked grim and angry. We all knew we couldn’t beat the entity by our force, especially not at this most crucial moment.
“Fine,” I said. “Have your children with you, but you’ll need to make the ship just a bit more spacious.” Then every one of us could still come on board.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” Akem said. “I already feel weak by giving the ship so much of my energy.”
The elemental entity insisted on being a dick.
“Then it won’t work,” I said.
The dark mass shifted to a darkly handsome man, or I would say the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen.
“Or we can make a compromise,” the man said. “You leave one person behind and take the rest, and I’ll leave my children behind.”
I knew who he wanted me to exclude.
Gabriel snarled at the cue.
“I can be so much more than him,” Akem continued with a darkly charming smile. “I’ve learned your humanoid way by watching you. I can fulfill your fantasies and satisfy your desires. I can be that man in your vision. I’ll fuck you better than he does.”
Gabriel shrugged me off and flew toward Akem like a black lightning, his sword thrusting to Akem’s heart. I didn’t blame the Archangel, since Akem wouldn’t be reasoned with.
Akem, in a man’s form, raised his hand, darkness dashed out of him like a raged storm. It slammed into Gabriel, sending him crashing into a tree. The tree toppled and broke.
Gabriel roared, wielded his sword, and flew back toward Akem again, but his angelblade had no effect on the entity.
Akem shifted back to the dark mass, its living black hole revolving, determined to swallow Gabriel.
“No, you don’t!” I hissed, my fire lashing out at Akem’s dark vortex, just before Gabriel was sucked in.
Then all hell broke loose.
18
The Angel
Fiammetta’s fire rammed into Akem’s darkness, keeping his living black hole from pulling me in, but the foul entity’s infinite mass started eating away her fire.
While they faced off, I couldn’t go help my mate, since I was still fighting at the edge of the vortex and holding on for my dear life. I conjured my flame, but it only burned on my wings.
My angelic flame was formidable, but it was nothing like my witch’s terrifying fire. Mine was more of a defensive weapon.
Akem pushed waves of his darkness toward my mate, sending her into the air. I shouted for Marrok to catch her, but Fiammetta’s own darkness and icy storm had caught and sustained her.
The jungle rumbled with roars and howls—Akem’s creatures had all come for the battle, and the ones inside the Red Dragon also poured out to fight our army.
Tears, claws, and swords met each other in screams of pain and fuming shouts.
Marrok, in his warrior form, tore into a giant Lamashtu. Kaara, brandishing an angelblade that was forged in my homeland, fought beside him. She put it to good use and cut down a Kruid—a cannibal race—at the knees.
The two sides were slaughtering each other. Blood spurted everywhere, and the living turned to corpses.
Then the vampires and other hostile clans also rushed toward us from out of the tree lines. They’d been waiting for Akem’s order to attack. The vampire prince and princess weren’t among the enemy soldiers.
The white wolf and the other half of our team, who had been teleported to another location, had just arrived. They crashed onto the vampires, taking some of the burden off us.
Then the next instant, my ship went completely dark.
Akem had withdrawn his energy from the Red Dragon.
This had gone horribly wrong. Even if we won, we wouldn’t have many people left, and we wouldn’t have a ship to go home.
Fiammetta’s fire struggled to keep Akem’s power at bay, though his infinite darkness seemed stronger than her fire. He’d absorbed quantum energy for eons, but Fiammetta had just regained her TimeFire lately. It was an unfair duel.
But with her aid, I gathered my strength and flew from the edge of Akem’s vortex. I dashed upward toward my mate while she tried to balance herself in the air.
My angelic flame wasn’t an offensive weapon, but it could recharge my mate. I reached her, pouring my flame into her and feeding her my raw energy.
Fiammetta’s fire then pushed back Akem’s darkness. She gained an inch, then another inch, sweat beading on her forehead.
By the end of the day, even if she won, she would be too exhausted to open the portal.
There was no chance we would leave today or another day.
She stared down at the raging battle on the ground, realizing we wouldn’t have many people left when the slaughter was over.
I was torn between reinforcing the army and recharging my witch. I couldn’t leave her to fight Akem alone, despite watching our soldiers be outnumbered and torn by claws and teeth.
“It’s enough, Akem!” Fiammetta shouted. “Call them off! I accept your terms.”
At the same time, her icy storm and darkness hit me, sending me against the hull of my shuttle and pinning me to the cold metal.
19
The Witch
I’d underestimated Akem.
I thought my TimeFire could overcome him, but his darkness was infinite with immense energy. I would never win fighting him head on.
My army was falling. I’d promised to lead them to safety, but now they were being slaughtered.
Akem fought dirty, determined to suck me into his living black hole and make me part of him, but he also underestimated me. While his darkness kept eating up my fire, I produced more. He did not understand this magic, because it was the opposite of his essence, and he was also damaged as my fire burned away a portion of his darkness.
However, I would soon use up my reservoir if I didn’t end this soon.
While my icy storm sustained me in the air, I spotted the acid, red mist floating toward us.
I couldn’t duel Akem and shield my army at the same time.
If I didn’t compromise, it would cost us everything.
I had to give Akem what he wanted.
“It’s enough, Akem!” I cried out. “Call them off! I accept your terms.”
To convince the entity, I shoved Gabriel away from me, my dark magic sending him crashing to the hull of his own ship and pinning him there.
“Fia, release me!” Gabriel roared. “What are you doing? Are you out of your mind?”
Akem and I broke our duel at the same time. His darkness swirled and screeched, and his minors retreated.
My wind and darkness put me down on the ground before my army.
Marrok and Kaara flanked me. They stared at Gabriel, who struggled and cursed and
glared at me. Marrok darted his gazes away, a pained expression on his face.
Kaara turned to look at me. “Fia?”
I had an icy mask on my face.
Marrok stepped toward the Angel, but Kaara dragged him back. He glared at her, and she glared back, hissing viciously. “I trust my queen with my life. Will you trust me?”
Marrok clenched his fists, a muscle twisting on his jaw.
Antonio shifted to his human form, spat, and stalked toward Gabriel to help him, but my icy storm swept him away, probably a bit too forcefully, because his mate—a golden-red leopard— snarled and ran to his aid.
Akem transformed to the darkly handsome man. “That’s a wise move, Wickedest Witch,” he said, his voice rich, velvet, yet inhuman.
“Of course,” I said. “Between you and him, it’s always you, Akem.”
Gabriel stared at me in disbelief. A second later, a sad understanding came to his dark green eyes. He knew I had to betray him so that the others could live.
He dropped his gaze, so no one could see how heartbroken he was.
I’d never seen him looking so defeated.
I hardened my heart, so it wouldn’t shatter. At least, not now.
A second later, he raised his head. He was the vivid Archangel again.
When our gaze met, he nodded subtly, and I read his message. Lead them to safety. And take care of yourself, baby.
Akem laughed. He didn’t know how flesh and blood made that sound, so he imitated the Dark Prince of Vampire’s velvet, yet chilling laughter.
“Akem, I’m leaving the Archangel behind, as you wish,” I said. “Power up the ship. We don’t have much time left. We need to go.”
“Why don’t you first pierce the Archangel’s heart with that ice spear of yours?”
“After you start the ship,” I said mercilessly. “I need to know if you can still be useful.”
He snorted, waving at the ship.
In an instant, Red Dragon hummed with mechanic purr and lit brightly.
It was a blissful sight.
“Well done, Akem,” I said. “We’re ready to leave.”
“I’m still waiting for you to end the Archangel,” he said. “I’ve never hated anyone as much as I hate him.”
Gabriel sneered. “Get in line, dick. Why don’t you come duel with me instead of sending her to do your dirty work?”
He would never stop being mouthy, would he? I glared at him, and he flashed me a lopsided grin. It never got old. Even then, that killer smile tugged my heart.
I turned my gaze away from him.
“Where are the Furies, great Akem?” I asked. “Shouldn’t your most cherished pets come and say goodbye?”
“I’m glad you asked, Fia,” Akem said. “It’d be petty for me to bring it up first.”
I arched an eyebrow.
Gabriel growled again. He hated the entity calling my endearment. Would he just lay back? The entity didn’t understand any subtle emotions. He was only mimicking us to his best ability.
“The bitches consorted with your ex-lover,” Akem said. “They fucked in the sky. We were both betrayed.”
Akem didn’t need to imitate humans to lie.
I smiled coldly and cruelly, ice coating my skin and hissing steam. “I already knew. The Angel refused to service me in bed after he fooled around with the Furies. He even made some pathetic excuse.”
Gabriel just stared at me without saying anything.
“He was quite cozy with the vampiress as well,” I said. “Fortunately, I’ve never trusted any male whore.”
“Then stab his whore heart with your ice spear,” Akem said, using his voice to caress me, but a chill just slithered up my spine. “Surely, your weapon can kill him.”
“Death is too easy for him,” I said. “I want him alive to watch us leave, knowing he’s been discarded and that there’s no hope for him. If you understand an Archangel’s pride, you’ll know that is the worst punishment for his kind.”
Akem pondered. “Pride?”
I turned toward Marrok and Kaara. “Why are you standing here, my slaves?” I snapped. “Go get the ship ready! Don’t expect the great Akem to do everything for you lot.”
It was convenient that the monsters and beasts had charged out to fight my army. The ship was now unoccupied. The monsters stared at us with hatred, unable to attack, bound by Akem’s will.
Marrok barked orders, and our soldiers poured into the Red Dragon.
20
The Witch
TimeFire—the rarest magic—burst alive, blazing my hair. I would never veil it again. It was my essence. It made me who I was. And I was one with my fire.
Akem, the darkly handsome man in flesh, stepped back.
I trained my eyes on Gabriel. Even with his black wings being pinned on the hull of the Red Dragon, he was every bit a proud warrior. With the flames in my eyes, I could see him better. He was truly a magnificent being of sky, freedom, and flame.
He held my gaze. There wasn’t the slightest bitterness in his green eyes, just admiration and forgiveness toward me. I couldn’t see myself, but I bet with my fire lighting me up, I looked good.
I sucked in a breath and let my magic draw energy from the surroundings—a new trick I’d just learned. The world paled as color drained from the jungle. The black trees with black blossoms turned gray, the cannibal plants’ vines dried, and the shining furs on Akem’s beasts dulled.
The creatures of nightmare cringed back whimpering. As if putting distance between them and me could prevent me from taking their colors and vigor.
Immerse energy surged into me, and my flame burned brighter.
Gabriel widened his eyes. He’d never seen this side of me. I was badass!
I could harvest life force as well, which I hadn’t known before this moment. No wonder my realm feared me. All my knowledge and memories flooded back to me, because it was finally time.
“How?” Akem asked. “How could you do that?”
He shifted between a man and dark mass, ready to withdraw if I ever tried to draw energy from him.
I wouldn’t take his darkness into me even if he begged.
“I’m the Wickedest Witch for a reason,” I said.
A current of fire streamed from my mouth, forming rings upon rings until they built a solid shimmer where the portal had been.
I could actually use Gabriel’s flame now, but he was still held down there by my darkness.
With this new force in me, I pushed more of my fire into the shimmering until it was large enough to let a spaceship fly through.
The portal, burning and shining in the air, looked like a star on fire.
Marrok and Kaara stood by me, gawking, just as mesmerized as Akem.
“Heavens,” Marrok murmured.
Kaara beamed with pride. “You have no idea.”
Gabriel watched me with dark lust in his eyes. My heart fluttered. Even now, he still wanted me. A person desired you and loved you, even when you didn’t deserve it—that might count as true love.
I waved for Marrok and Kaara to get in the ship.
“We’ll wait until you enter the ship,” Kaara insisted.
My Captain of Guards wouldn’t leave me unescorted.
A thread of fire speared my wrist, drawing out a stream of blood, and the droplets floated in the air.
Akem’s beasts and vampires stirred at the scent of my witch blood.
Gabriel snarled, ready to break the bound of my darkness.
Marrok, in his warrior form, flanked my left side, and Kaara raised her angelblade on my left. My darkness wheeled around us, shielding and hissing.
Akem stared at me with lust, dark fascination, and envy.
I formed the fire and blood into interwoven, three-dimensional lines. They expanded and evolved to twelve elliptical circles, linking one another. Together, they turned into an elaborate Time Maze.
My maze revolved around me.
Akem shifted back to the dark man, yet his face rem
ained shrouded.
“What is that?” he asked cautiously.
“Our throne,” I said. “We’ll rule together. Join me, Akem.”
He had seen the vision I’d tossed at him. He’d seen that I held his hand, watching the burned world destroyed by us. But he hesitated when I stretched my hand out to him.
I only smiled sweeter, and gazed up at him through my lush lashes; seduction and admiration in my eyes while darkness swirled around me, inviting him in.
“Be the ruler of the whole universe, Akem,” I said, my voice inhuman and full of dark power. “Not just the master of Pandemonium—a speck of dust amid the galaxies. Be my mate and the king of all the living and dead. Rule with me. Join me!”
Gabriel growled, his darkened green eyes burning with jealousy and pure hatred toward the entity. My darkness couldn’t bind him now. He could break free and attack us, yet he stayed where he was.
I couldn’t even imagine how hard it had been for him, but he didn’t want to screw this up for me. He wanted me to leave for safety, even though I had to take Akem with me and leave him behind. He’d abandoned all hope for himself but held it for me.
Akem stepped toward me and put his cold hand in mine, which made me tremble.
But he’d just entered my trap.
I knew I could never kill him. So, I contained him and allowed him to be useful.
The Time Maze pivoted around us like fire of rainbows.
“Aren’t they beautiful?” I asked.
“They are,” Akem said. “I’m glad—”
I withdrew my hand from his and stepped out of the maze.
Akem followed me, but he only stepped into the next timeframe woven by my fire and blood. Seven of them all interlocked.
Akem shifted to dark mass and rammed into the walls of the fire lines, but they were unbreakable. All he could do was to move into the next time-space dimension in my maze.
“I consider it as my master piece,” I said with a smile. “Should you get bored, you’re welcome to travel between different time loops, but you can never get out.”
Gabriel laughed until a tear dropped from the corner of his brilliant green eyes. Then he flew toward me. In an instant, he alighted beside me, his arm around my waist possessively, his wings arching around me.