by G. K. DeRosa
Narkins were vicious fighters, but they were dumber than the gigantic rocks crumbling over the Marski mountain range. They’d follow a master blindly but were just as quick to switch sides. Loyalty wasn’t exactly a concept they understood.
“Nice welcoming committee,” said Dallas as his fangs descended. A troop of a dozen guards escorted us to the door. Talon’s shoulder brushed mine as we walked. He’d been blatantly hovering since we set foot in the sixth realm.
The four of us could easily take the narkins, but I hoped this visit would be a friendly one. Our mission was more recon than anything else. Despite my grandfather’s wishes, we weren’t here to dethrone anyone today. My major concern was determining Delacroix’s objectives and assuring he wouldn’t run his mouth off about me to the SIA. My thoughts flew to Vander, unbidden. Talon had sent him back to headquarters and according to the guys, because he’d blown his cover on my assignment, he’d been relegated to desk duty.
I shoved back the thoughts, focusing on the present. There was nothing I could do to help Vander now.
The sharp creak of the castle door wrenching open jerked my attention to the entryway. A familiar towering dark shadow loomed in the threshold. Delacroix’s onyx lips curled into a sneer as his eyes settled over me. “Come to pay me a visit so soon, little demon? Things too boring at the prison without me?”
“Don’t talk to her,” Talon snarled. “Don’t even look at her.”
“Well, that would make for an even more boring visit, now wouldn’t it?”
“Relax,” I whispered, squeezing Talon’s hand. I could feel him bristling beside me. A thick tension filled the air as the new dark lord and my dragon bodyguard continued their stare down. The narkins closed in tighter around us, and Hayden’s angel sword materialized in the palm of his hand. The tips of Dallas’s fangs glistened beneath the dim light of the lantern overhead.
After a lengthy silence, Delacroix finally stepped back and fully opened the door. “Please, come in.”
The soldiers released their battle stances, and the tension dissipated a notch. Talon led the way behind Delacroix with the guys closing the circle in around me. The hellus demon had countless opportunities to murder me while at Darkblood and yet he never had. Maybe it was stupid, but it gave me a sense of security in his presence.
As we traversed the cold stone corridors, Delacroix spun around, walking backwards. “Welcome to my humble abode. I assure you things haven’t changed much since your last visit here. With the exception of a new tenant occupying the dungeon.”
My ears perked up. “So it’s true? You have Thax imprisoned?”
He nodded, a slow smile spreading his dark lips. “I told you I would have my revenge on the dark lord. Killing him was too kind a mercy. Eternal incarceration fit the severity of his crimes more equitably.”
Delacroix whirled around and motioned to the large atrium down the hallway. “Let’s sit and talk. Tell me what has brought you here today.”
“We’re not here to chitchat,” Talon snapped, following him to the sitting room.
“Yes, we are.” I shot the surly dragon a sidelong glance. Play nice. We need his help unless you really want me to end up in the Underworld.
Talon grunted in response to my mental message.
“We were hoping you could fill us in on some missing pieces. Like why you failed to mention you were my cousin.” I wrapped my arm around Talon’s, hoping to calm the radiating tension.
Delacroix motioned to the chairs set up around the hearth, and we each folded into one. Talon grabbed my seat and hauled it next to his own. The hellus demon smirked, his pitch eyes alight with amusement. “If you recall, I had no idea who you were when we first met. Thax never apprised me of what he wanted from you, only that you were important. By the time I figured it out on my own, I thought the point moot.”
“Really?” Talon snarled.
Delacroix’s mouth twisted into a frown. “We all have our secrets don’t we, dragon? Why would I share mine, when she hadn’t shared hers?”
A spasm of fear streaked across my insides, and my gaze flickered to my tattoo, unbidden. Did he know about my warlockness? I shoved down the panic, keeping my expression calm. If he had an inkling, I couldn’t confirm his suspicions. I went for a different tactic. “So was this your plan all along? With Luxora’s blood in your veins, you had a direct claim to the throne.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” His dark gaze razed over me, a snide grin still twisting his lips. “I take it your memories are back then, Azara?”
“They are.”
“Wonderful. I’m pleased to see your cousin caused no permanent damage.”
Flashes of the souls I’d taken streamed across my mind, their screams echoing in my skull. I squeezed my eyes shut to drive out the pain, the anguish and mostly the guilt. There may not have been any permanent physical damage, but Thax had irrevocably marked my soul.
Talon squirmed in the chair beside me, and I wondered if he’d ever seen the grisly images that plagued my thoughts. When I broadcasted my words, did he also get a glimpse at my nightmares?
“So why are you here exactly?” Delacroix’s question forced my eyes open, and I drew in a calming breath.
“To see my cousin suffer.” The words popped out of my mouth.
“And to ensure your intentions regarding Azara are aligned with ours,” Hayden supplied. Ever the diplomat.
Delacroix sat back and stretched out his long legs. “My business with Azara has been concluded. Thax has been removed, and I am more than content to occupy his throne.”
“A throne you occupy only because of Azara,” said Talon. “If it weren’t for us allowing you to tag along that day, you’d still be rotting away in Darkblood Prison.”
A crooked grin lit up his dark features. “Sure, if that’s what you’d like to believe. What is it exactly you’re asking of me?”
“Only your silence,” I interjected. “The SIA still doesn’t know of my capture or of my residence within the prison, and we’d like to keep it that way.”
“Are you really willing to add another favor to the pile you already owe me?”
Talon lurched forward in his chair. “She doesn’t owe you. I do. I was the one that agreed to the deal in exchange for her safety.”
I cringed. I knew making that carte blanche deal with Delacroix would be more trouble than it was worth.
“And you believe this to be an extension of that deal?”
I nodded quickly. “Yes. You got everything you wanted, Delacroix. All I’m asking is for you not to rat me out to the SIA. I promise to stay out of your life, and you’ll never see us again.”
He shrugged. “What if I like seeing you?”
A deep growl tore between Talon’s lips and if it wasn’t for Dallas’s quick reflexes, we would’ve had a dozen narkins on us and a full out brawl in the sitting room. Hayden and Dallas held Talon down while I did my best to smooth over the situation.
“Are you going to help me or not, Delacroix?”
He blew out a breath and rolled his eyes, the brilliant white a stark contrast to his ebony flesh. “I suppose I can allow this one favor free of charge. We are cousins after all.”
Yeah, weird, twisted cousins. “Thank you,” I muttered.
“And since you traveled all this way, perhaps you would like to see Thax in his new accommodations.”
“I don’t think—” Talon started, but I cut him off.
“Yes!” I leapt from my seat. I wanted to see my traitorous cousin suffer for all the pain he’d caused. I might not have been able to drain the life from him, but at least I could relish in his downfall.
“Azara, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Talon whisper-hissed in my ear.
“I have to. I need to see him and finally confront the bastard after all he stole from me.”
Talon’s lips pressed into a tight line, but he nodded. “Fine, but I’m going with you.”
Though I dipped my head, I fully intended on losin
g him at some point. What I needed to say to my cousin had to be said in private.
“Very well then. To the dungeons.” Delacroix rose to his feet and we all followed, Dallas and Hayden trailing a few steps behind. A few of the narkins shadowed their dark lord, but I had a feeling it was more for show than anything else.
I stepped in line with Delacroix, and Talon begrudgingly fell back. I had to find out how things were going in the sixth realm without being too obvious and the new dark lord would be unlikely to divulge anything with my dragon shadow looming too close.
“So, cuz, how do you like the whole dark lord gig?”
Delacroix eyed me as we trudged down the stairs. “It’s fine,” he muttered.
“All the demons falling in line?”
“Most of them. The ones that don’t will soon be made examples of.”
Okay at least he sounds like he has a plan. “And the other warlords of the Underworld, have they stopped by with welcome baskets?” After my time spent with Thax, I knew how bloodthirsty they could be once they got scent of fresh meat.
A dark chuckle escaped his barrel chest as we turned yet another murky corner. “We’ll sort things out eventually. It’s only a matter of time before I’m officially confirmed. As I’m sure you know, they don’t take kindly to outsiders. Spending the last few decades in Darkblood has kept me from the inner runnings of the realm. But I assure you I have everything well in hand.”
“Great,” I muttered. Maybe Luci had been exaggerating. Maybe all his worry about the demons running amuck was only to convince me to rule in Delacroix’s place.
I squeezed my eyes shut and focused on the hellus demon walking beside me. I hadn’t given my supernatural ESP much thought lately, but maybe it was time for a test run. I focused on the dark tendrils of energy from deep within my core. My mystical warlock ones were completely different from the demonic variety. Magic swirled to the surface and my tattoo ignited, drawing my eyes open. A deep purple glow lit up the murky passageway. Oops.
Delacroix’s eyes darted to the demon mark, and his furry brows arched. He knew I had magic, but I hoped he couldn’t tell it was the warlock kind. Before I lost my nerve, I opened my mind to his, pulling on the dark energy.
Forcibly wading through the demon’s mind was completely different than anything I’d tried before. The other instances, the person’s thoughts had jumped out at me.
“Azara?” Delacroix’s deep voice yanked me from my mental snooping. “The dungeon is just around the corner.”
“Great, thanks.”
“Consider this my gift to you. I may not have allowed you the opportunity to kill him, but rest assured, he is suffering.”
I nodded as a swell of anxiety rippled through me. As much as I’d dreamed of this moment, my insides were tied in knots at the thought of finally seeing my cousin. What if it brought forth more buried memories? What if I couldn’t handle them?
I hazarded a glance over my shoulder. Talon and the guys were a few feet behind us, and the door to the dungeon was within arm’s reach. “I need to go in by myself,” I whispered to Delacroix. “Don’t let them in behind me.”
A devious smile parted his lips. “As you wish, Azara, but don’t blame me if the dragon rips the door down.”
“He won’t.” Or at least I hoped he wouldn’t once I explained it to him.
Delacroix unlocked the door, and I darted in. A second after it slammed shut, Talon’s furious shouts filled the lower chamber. I’m sorry, Talon. I need to do this by myself. I opened the connection between us, holding my breath as I waited for a response.
I could practically feel his fury bleeding through the mental link. Just be careful. The anger laced his words, even unspoken.
I released a breath, surprised at how understanding he’d been, and marched deeper into the sprawling dungeon. Delacroix didn’t mention any other prisoners, so I focused my senses on any signs of life. As I traversed the darkness, images flashed through my mind. No, no. Not now. Now was not the time for another mind-numbing flashback. But as usual, I had no control over what bubbled to the surface.
Fire scorched through my veins. I bit back the scream from exploding free because I didn’t want to see the satisfaction on Thax’s sallow face. I’d never let him see how much he’d broken me. I slumped against the cold stone, the manacles chained to the wall barely holding me upright.
“Let her out!” Thax cried.
“Never!” I gritted through the pain.
“You know you want to free your demon, Azara. It is who you are. Stop trying to shackle her within your frail human confines. You are an animas demon, and you live to feed off souls. Be free!”
“I’ll never do it, Thax. Eff you.” I spat on his shiny boots as my head lolled forward.
“Then you have a long road of pain ahead of you. One that you’ll never recover from if your memories ever return.”
“I’ll never forget this. And one day, I’ll make you pay for what you’ve done.”
The scene blurred away, and the phantom pains dissipated. I wrapped my arms around my middle to keep from breaking apart. Thax had tortured me in this very dungeon, and now I’d see him suffer a similar fate.
“Armorem,” I whispered, and my magic sparked to life. A blade appeared in my palm, and a smile formed unbidden. “Where are you, cousin?” I singsonged as I marched through the darkness. “I’ve come to pay you a visit and repay your kindness for all those months of hospitality.”
Chapter Seven
I sniffed the air, the thick moist stench of the dungeon clogging my nostrils. Beneath the cloying odor, the unmistakable smell of man lurked. My grip tightened around the blade concealed in my palm. I took a few more steps, the closer I got the more desperate my demon became. Her dark presence filled my chest, growing more overwhelming with each step until every inhale and exhale was torture.
I squeezed my eyes shut and shoved her down. This was my revenge to take, not hers. I inhaled slowly until the tightness passed, and I was able to breathe once again. Down the dim passageway, a shadow caught my eye. I froze and ice crystallized my veins. “Who’s there?” I called out, steeling my voice.
Creeping forward, I squinted and called on my demon abilities to see more clearly. A dark figure melted right into the wall. What the hells? I rushed to the end of the narrow corridor but hit a dead end. I ran my hand over the roughhewn stone, and a hint of magic buzzed across my skin. Not Thax at least.
Shaking my head out, I spun back and focused on the cells, slowing my erratic breaths. On my last intake of air, a familiar scent filled my senses. Thax. Squinting, my demon sight kicked in and fixed on a dark shadow in the next cell.
My heart jackhammered against my ribs, the manic beats roaring across my eardrums like a runaway freight train. Relax, Azara, you can do this. Talon’s reassuring voice echoed in my mind, and my frantic pulse slowed. I wasn’t sure how he’d sensed my panic, but I was beyond thankful for his ghostly presence.
Reaching the murky cell, I wrapped my hand around the iron bar and glared at the shadowed figure huddled in the corner. “Thax,” I hissed.
Nothing.
“Stand up and face me, you coward.”
The dark form stirred, but only ever so slightly. I squeezed my head through the bars, trying to get a closer look and the stench of urine and decaying flesh assaulted my nostrils. I staggered back to take an untainted breath and keep from vomiting.
“Thax!” I shouted again, this time holding my breath. The bastard was ignoring me. There was no way I was leaving today without saying my piece. I tore the keyring off the hook on the wall and shoved the rusted skeleton key into the hole. Whipping the door open, I stomped in, my fingers clutching the hilt of the blade tucked in my palm.
A part of me realized how stupid and reckless I was being, but the other part didn’t care. I kept my eyes intent on the shapeless lump as I crept forward. A dribble of sweat snaked down my spine. Stopping a few feet before reaching him, I bent down and picked up
a rock from the hard-packed earthen floor. Unable to make heads or tails of the figure huddled under the blanket, I chucked it at the center of the form.
A satisfying squeal seeped from beneath the dark covering.
“Come out and face me, you coward!”
The mound shifted and a hand crept out, slowly peeling away the blanket. The skeletal remains of my cousin coalesced into barely a man. Deep, sunken eyes peered up at me, his sallow countenance marred by dark purple bruises and fresh lacerations. Despite hating the man, a twinge of pity tightened my throat. I quickly swallowed it down, focusing on the hell he’d put me through.
“Come to gloat, have you?” Thax’s gravelly voice was so unlike the smooth timbre that replayed in my nightmares.
Yes. “I came to make sure Delacroix had made good on his word, and of course to see you suffer in person.”
“That backstabbing, double-crossing demon—”
I cut him off with a swift kick to the leg. He cowered back, hugging his knees to his chest. “You have no right to talk. You tortured me for months, unleashed my demon, stole my memories and lied to me about everything. And still, you lost your throne. Only it was to the wrong cousin.” I smirked. “Sucks, doesn’t it?”
He grunted and swept a lock of greasy hair behind his ear, wincing from the movement.
“But in the end, I was the one that caused your downfall so I guess your stupid oracle was right.” I bent down, searing him with my steeliest glare. “Where is Remy anyway?”
His frail shoulders barely lifted.
“Was it worth it? Going through all that trouble to frame me, to send me to Darkblood Prison? Now I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. If you would’ve left me alone, none of this would’ve happened.”
“You’re wrong,” he snarled. “You should know by now that fate will always have her way. She’s a fickle bitch. But you are not the same, Azara. I’ve broken you. Regardless what comes next, that naïve young girl that was tossed into prison is gone forever. At least a small bit of revenge for my mother.”