by Nina Croft
“We have to get him back.”
“It’s too late. He wears her sigil.”
She couldn’t bear the thought of Piers in slavery. He’d make a shit slave. Would Andarta hurt him if he defied her? Why had he done it?
Christian answered her unspoken question. “He did it because he knew she would win otherwise.”
“How do we get him back? How do we get him away from her?”
“We don’t.”
“We can kill her.”
“If she dies, those bearing her sigil will also perish.” He came to stand in front of her. His face held pity but also resolution. “This is what he wanted. His grand gesture. He did this for all of us. The best thing you can do is accept it and live your life.”
Yeah, like that was going to happen. “You’re his friend—you can’t leave him there.”
“Maybe it won’t be so bad. He loved her once. Perhaps he still does.”
The memory of his words drifted through her mind. I love you. And she knew he didn’t love Andarta. He loved her.
Christian’s expression softened. “Do you think he would have done this if we could think of another way? For the past week, we’ve been searching for a means to defeat her and we’ve come up with nothing. The attacks that have been happening were only the beginning. Millions would have died, the rest been enslaved—”
“Instead it’s only Piers.”
“Yes.”
She had to get away. Think this through. There had to be a way. Someone who would help. She looked at Jonas, and he shrugged. His loyalty was to the Order.
Around her neck, she could feel the ring her father had given her. He hated Piers. He’d probably love this. But he claimed to care for her, and she also guessed that her father held the answer to unlocking her own powers. She remembered enough to know that it was with his help that she had shut them away when she had been little more than a baby. She wasn’t sure what he could do, but if she was going to outwit Andarta, she needed every bit of help she could get.
“What shall I do with this?” She held up the Key.
“We’ll hand it over to Asmodai, and he can destroy it as he should have all those years ago.”
“Well, perhaps someone should watch him this time. Here.” She gave the Key to Christian and walked away.
She needed to do something before she contacted her father next, and she headed to the elevator. The doors slid open, revealing Ryan and Maria.
They appeared very chummy, and was that guilt that flashed across Maria’s expressive features as she glanced up and noticed Roz? She shifted a little distance away from the detective.
“Not gone back to the mother house yet?” Roz asked.
“I may not go back. Tara has offered me a job here. She runs a refuge for people who have been damaged by contact with this world. She thinks I could help.” Maria shrugged a little helplessly. “I’ve seen so much now. I can’t go back and hide behind the convent’s walls. I must do what I can to help.”
“Good.” She glanced at Ryan. “And what about you? Have you decided?”
“Yeah. I’m staying as well. It’s that or let these fuckers mess with my head—not going to happen. I told Piers and Christian last night. I just have to work out my notice and then I’m moving in.”
“I’m glad. They need good people like you.”
“Forget the good. They just need people. This place is full of monsters.”
“Including me.”
“No, not you. I don’t know what you are, but you’re not a monster.”
She realized this could be the last time she saw her friends, and she couldn’t even say goodbye. Finally, she moved aside so they could pass and stepped into the elevator.
“Look, I have to go, but I’ll see you both later.”
“Will you?” Ryan asked.
Roz ignored the comment and jabbed her finger on the button to close the doors. She made her way up to the roof where they’d met with her father the last time. Sitting on the low wall that ran around the edge, her legs dangling, she decided how best to approach him. She required information as much as anything. Christian had told her there was no way to save Piers. But did she believe him?
The sun was high overhead. Down below she could see tiny figures scurrying along the streets, hear the blare of car horns. Once, she’d desired nothing more than the chance to live a normal life among these people. Now, she accepted that would never be and she wasn’t upset at the thought.
Always before, she’d been alone, hiding what she was. This last week had shown her what it could be like to be among friends. Loved ones. Piers. She couldn’t give up on him. She pulled the chain from around her neck and rubbed at the smooth metal. It felt cool under her fingertips.
“Come,” she whispered. “Father, come to me.”
For a minute, nothing happened, and a sense of despair hit her. She didn’t know what she expected from him, but he was her only hope. Everyone else here was on Piers’ side. They wouldn’t go against him.
A mist formed in front of her and her father materialized.
“Rosamund.” His expression was guarded, and she realized he must already be aware of what Piers had done.
“You knew?” she asked.
“He came last night and told me.”
“Seems he told everyone but me,” she said, not trying to keep the bitterness from her voice.
“He knew you would ask him to stay, and he had made his decision. You should be proud. I’ve always hated Lamont, but what he has done will save countless lives.”
“We have the Key now. There has to be a way to get him back.”
“The only way he can be freed is by mortal combat. And only then if she accepts the challenge and is killed. Asmodai could maybe kill her, or perhaps even Christian. But she’d be a fool to accept a challenge from them. And Andarta is no fool—except obviously in her feelings for Lamont.”
“If we just kill her…?” Christian had told her that Piers would die along with Andarta but she wasn’t sure she believed anything anyone told her anymore.
“Any who bear her sigil will also die.”
Damn. There went that idea.
“I won’t let this happen,” she said. “I won’t just walk away and get on with my life.”
“It’s what Lamont wanted. A chance for you to find yourself. Come with me to the Faelands. Let me show you our world, our people. You could be happy there.”
“Yeah, like you’ve been really happy, haven’t you? Tell me—have you had one peaceful day since my mother died?”
He looked away briefly. Then back to her. “No. But your mother is dead, and I blamed myself. Piers is alive, and this is not your fault.”
But she suspected that it was her fault. She suspected that Piers had done this for her, to give her the life she had never known. I love you. His words whispered through her mind. “Do you really think I can be happy knowing Piers is in servitude to that bitch?”
“They were lovers before.” He shrugged. “Perhaps he won’t find it so unpleasant.”
“He’s not the same man he was back then.”
“I can’t help. I cannot even enter the Abyss.”
“But I can.”
She’d been before, but always with Asmodai. Somehow the rules that kept the fae out hadn’t worked against her. Was that somehow tied to her hidden powers? Now, she needed to persuade the demon to take her again. And help her find Piers and Andarta. And afterwards?
“You cannot mean to face Andarta.”
She ignored the comment and moved on to something else. “Jonas says I have power.” A wary expression entered his eyes, and she continued, “A power he doesn’t recognize, that’s been locked away. Can you help me unlock it?”
“There’s nothing. He’s mistaken.”
“No. I feel it inside me, sleeping. And sometimes I have a memory of when I was very young. You taught me how to shut something away. I know it’s not just a dream.”
“I can�
��t tell you anything.”
“You mean you won’t.”
“No, I can’t—not if you want to live.”
She understood then that he wouldn’t help her, and despair formed into a hard lump in her stomach. “I want to live, but not at any price.”
“I’m sorry. Now, I must leave you—I am to stand witness as the Key is destroyed.”
“They’re doing it now?”
“Soon,” he said.
“I’ll see you down there. I need some time alone to think.”
“There’s nothing to think about. Forget Lamont.”
She couldn’t do that. Shit. She was going to have to challenge Andarta, demon of death and destruction, to mortal combat. She was crazy. But she couldn’t see another way. Maybe one last time, she’d try praying.
…
She’d thought she would have to go through Shera to arrange a meeting with Asmodai, but when the elevator doors opened on the reception area, he was waiting. Of course, he was here to destroy the Key. She stepped aside, and he entered to stand beside her.
“Down,” he said.
She pressed the button. “Can I have a word with you afterward?” she asked.
“What about?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
He shrugged. “Why not? I heard about Lamont. I’m sorry.”
“You are?” That was good. Maybe he’d be more amenable to her request.
“I know what it’s like to lose someone you care about. To know he’s still alive and you can do nothing to help ease his burden.”
“Is that what happened with Tara’s mother?”
“I was banished to the Abyss after the last demon wars. She couldn’t follow, and she wouldn’t go home for fear of what they would do to her child. She perished making sure Tara was safe.”
“Well, I’m sorry as well, then. We’re a sorry pair, aren’t we?”
He nodded as the doors opened.
They found Christian with Tara in Piers’ old office, both studiously ignoring her father. Obviously neither of them had forgiven him for nearly killing Tara.
Christian didn’t make small talk, just handed the Key to Asmodai.
The demon wrapped his fingers around the metal, held it in his fist. “So much power.”
“Do it,” Christian said.
Asmodai appeared to weigh it up for a moment then glanced across at Tara. “You know, this is the one thing that could have saved your mother.”
“What? How?” Roz could hear the shock in Tara’s voice.
“She perished because she couldn’t enter the Abyss. When it was clear the war was over, I went to find this, to give it to her. I was on my way to the convent when I was taken and banished. With the Key, Lillian would have been able to follow me. I could have protected her, kept her safe, kept you both safe.”
The Walker rose to his feet. “It must be destroyed.”
“Why?” Asmodai said. “The Key has great power, but it’s not intrinsically evil.”
“You think we’ll let you keep it?”
“No. And I have no more use for the thing.” He took a step toward the other man and held out the Key. “It was only ever the fae who demanded it be destroyed. But perhaps instead, you can keep it safe, and maybe one day it may be used for good rather than evil.”
“You aren’t worried the fae will invade the Abyss?”
Asmodai grinned. “No—you’re welcome. But just make sure you call before you drop in.”
The Walker turned to Christian. “And the Order will allow this?”
“I don’t see why not. We never wanted the Key destroyed.”
“We did, but times change.” The Walker gave a brief nod of his head. “I will take the Key.”
As Asmodai handed it to him, his eyes widened, then he slipped the Key into his pocket. “I must go and inform my brother.” He stepped up close to Roz and took her hand. “Come and visit soon. There’s a home for you with us when you are ready.”
She gave in to the urge and hugged him. Just one time. She reckoned she wouldn’t get another chance. Then he was gone.
“Well, that’s over,” Christian said, taking Tara’s hand in his. “We’re going home.” He looked weary. And sad. Piers had been his friend, so obviously, he wasn’t going to like the way things had turned out. But she guessed Piers hadn’t given him a choice. Piers was good at that. He’d also gotten way too used to people doing what he told them. That was about to change.
When they were left alone, she turned to Asmodai.
He frowned. “What is it?”
“I have to say goodbye to Piers.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He looked at her, and she filled her eyes with the despair she was feeling. “You’ll get over this,” he said. “You hardly know the man. Believe me—he would have pissed you off sooner rather than later. Piers Lamont is an asshole.”
Maybe, but he was her asshole.
“I don’t care what you think. I’m asking for your help. Take me to him.”
“To the Abyss?” He sounded shocked at the idea.
Roz gnawed on her lip. She could do this. Closing her eyes, she willed the tears to come. It wasn’t as though she was faking. She felt like crying, but tears had never been easy for her. She blinked, saw the shock flare in his eyes as a single tear slipped over the edge, and rolled down her cheek.
“Please,” she whispered, “if you ever thought anything of me, help me. Just a few moments to say goodbye.”
“Andarta will kill you if she knows you mean anything to him. Do you think he made this sacrifice just so you could throw your life away?”
“I’ll stay hidden. She won’t see me. Just get me a few seconds with Piers, and afterwards, I’ll leave.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I must be crazy.”
And she knew she had won.
…
She’d always quite liked the Abyss. It wasn’t like humans depicted Hell. It was dark, but the air was cool and crisp. Overhead, the sky was full of stars, and a half moon hung low against the horizon, casting its dim light over a landscape of mountains and deep rugged gorges.
She followed Asmodai out of the open air and into a wide tunnel that led under the mountains. She fought the sense of claustrophobia; she’d hated small spaces ever since she’d been locked in that cell.
Finally, when they were deep underground, Asmodai halted and turned to her. “You stay here until I’ve spoken to Andarta. I’ll try and get Lamont away from her. But you’ll have seconds at the most.”
But Roz wasn’t listening. She was staring past him into the huge cavern beyond. Her eyes were drawn instantly to Piers. He wore black leather pants, but his chest was bare and around his upper arm twined a demon’s sigil. She pushed past Asmodai and ran toward him.
“What the fuck happened to hiding?” Asmodai muttered and hurried after her.
She skidded to a halt in front of Piers. His eyes widened, and an expression of horror flashed across his features.
“What the hell are you doing here?” He turned to Asmodai. “What the hell is she doing here?”
“She cried,” Asmodai said.
“Shit. Which part of ‘take care of her’ did you not understand?”
Roz ground her teeth together. “I do not require taking care of.”
“Are you insane?”
She opened her mouth to answer as every muscle in his body appeared to lock solid. He stared over her shoulder. She didn’t have to look; she knew who must have joined them, and a shiver of revulsion ran down her spine.
“Are you the reason he’s refused to touch me?” The voice was soft but tinged with malevolence.
“No,” Piers snapped. “I told you, I just don’t like being forced. And the deal was I’d be at your side, not on top of you. I never said I would fuck you.”
“It was implicit in the deal.”
“Maybe to you.”
“It’s her, isn’t it? You’re in love with her.” Andarta
’s voice filled with disbelief.
Bitch. Roz stepped forward—time to get to the point of this meeting. Her throat was dry, and she swallowed. She could do this.
“Andarta, I challenge you to mortal combat.”
“Are you goddamn crazy?” Piers whirled around to face Asmodai again. “For fuck’s sake, get her out of here.”
“Too late,” Andarta purred. “I accept.”
Shit. This was it. “When?”
“Why not right now? Perhaps once you’re dead, Piers will be a little more amenable.”
“And perhaps he won’t,” Piers growled. Panic was forming on his face. Obviously it was sinking in that he had no control over what went on here. He shook his head as though trying to make sense. “Don’t do this, Andarta. Let her go, and I’ll do anything you ask. Just let her go.”
“Too late; the challenge has been accepted.”
“I’m sorry,” Asmodai said. “I didn’t know she was going to do this. She said she wanted to say goodbye, tell you she’d wait for you. She cried, goddamn it.” He took a deep breath. “We’re going to fight, I take it? But you know you’ll also perish if Andarta dies outside a challenge?”
Piers ran his hands through his hair. “To be honest, after a few hours with that bitch, I think death is preferable.”
Roz realized they meant to fight Andarta. No, this wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. But even as the fear crowded her mind, a circle of crimson flame formed around her and the demoness. Too late.
“Only one of us comes out of this circle alive,” Andarta said, her tone making it clear she had no doubt who that would be.
This was it. Roz backed away instinctively until the heat of the fire burned her skin, and she could go no further.
The weight of Piers’ stare drew her gaze sideways. He stared at her and his eyes filled with despair. “Why?”
“Because I never told you I loved you. And you sneaked away. And I’ve been happy this last week. And I couldn’t bear the thought of going on with my life all the while knowing that you were here with her because of me. I’m sorry.”
“Well, ‘sorry’ is not fucking good enough. Look out!”
The first bolt hit her in the arm, and red needles of pain shot through her. She swayed but managed to keep her feet.