Fire with Fire (Demonblood Series #2)

by Penelope King

  “Why do you think you can deceive me? Do you think I am a fool?” she asks, sliding closer.

  I’m sobbing in earnest now. “No, Tat,” I choke out. “I’m not lying. I swear to you. I swear on Kayla and Michael. Please believe me. I didn’t disobey you…”

  The hot fire prickles my skin, and for once, I gratefully welcome my invader. I can’t bear to see Tatiana like this for another second. Maybe Lucky can do something…

  As I stagger to the couch and fall on the cushions, I barely have time for my fading plea. “Tat, you gotta believe—”

  Chapter 9. Lucky

  Tatiana is glaring like she wants to kill me.

  “What? What’d I do this time?” I get up from the sofa and quickly head into my room. But a light wooziness sweeps through me, and I have to lean against the wall for a moment until it passes. I turn around and head into Tatiana’s room instead. I cast a wary glance over my shoulder and see her onyx eyes blazing into me. Great. Just what I don’t need right now.

  Tatiana is right behind me as I swig the last of the Energy potion. “I’m gonna need a refill here soon, Tat,” I say, tapping the emerald bottle with my finger.

  Her black eyes are cold as she studies me. I haven’t seen her this mad since the time I accidentally blew up the kitchen practicing my fire charms. But I haven’t done anything really wrong lately… have I? What’s gotten her so upset?

  “I am very angry with Liora. She deliberately disobeyed a direct order from me today,” Tatiana says as I brush past her and charge into my room. I’m relieved it’s Liora she’s angry with and not me, but I don’t have time for this drama right now. I have bigger things on my mind. Much bigger things. Like figuring out a way to save Kieron from an entire clan of hostile demons all by myself.

  Tatiana perches herself on the edge of my bed, still glowering.

  “Yeah? What’d the sweet lil’ angel do this time? ” I nervously dig through my closet, tossing clothes everywhere. Tatiana dodges to avoid being hit by a flying boot. Finally, I emerge and pull a white velvet camisole over my arms.

  “She went to the Flintridge Mines today with some boy even though I’d expressly forbidden her to do so. And then she had the audacity to lie to me about it.” Her eyes narrow as she picks up a black halter top from her lap and sets it aside. “Did you have anything to do with it?”

  “Thanks. Blame me for everything, why don’t you? I don’t give a crap about the mines, and I have no idea why she went there. She’s probably just acting like a normal teenager for once. Good for her. A little rebellion is good for the soul, I always say. But don’t look at me with those murderous eyes…I had nothing to do with it. I have more important things to worry about right now,” I say indignantly, pulling on some black leather pants.

  I admire my reflection in the mirror for a moment before ripping off the white camisole top and replacing it with a red one. Considering what I have planned for the evening, white probably isn’t the smartest choice, even if all my clothes are specially treated to repel demon blood stains. No point in pushing it.

  Tatiana lets out a long sigh as her eyes fade to a smoky gray. “Do I dare ask?”

  Like she even has to. I slide on my steel-tipped boots and reach for my dagger, nestling it safe inside its hidden pouch in the boot lining. “I told you this morning, I’m rescuing Kieron.” I avoid making eye contact. I already know she’s going to try to stop me, just as she knows it’s pointless to try.

  The old cedar trunk at the foot of my bed creaks as I lift the lid. Carefully, I begin to rifle through its contents.

  “Surely you know it’s impossible. You cannot march into hostile territory alone and expect to survive.”

  I pull out two crossbows and set one aside. Then I gather five bundles of arrows—sixty in all, and place them next to the bow. I pause briefly, then snatch a large velvet satchel and very gently place in on the ground.

  My eyes close when I hear Tatiana gasp. “No, not the veneficus calx. Those are all that are left in existence and are irreplaceable…you mustn’t take those.”

  The magical stones are by far the strongest, most powerful weapons I have. And they’re my best hope for survival. Although they look like tiny purple marbles—nothing more than a Sapie-child’s play toy—shattering even one will kill any demon within a twenty foot radius. I just have to make sure to throw or shoot them far enough away from me. As long as they’re safely inside the protective pouch they’re harmless enough…but dropping even one too close would mean lights out Lucky.

  “I promise I’ll only use them as a last resort. Hopefully I won’t need them at all.” I meet her gaze steadily. “Can you get me the demon grimoire, please?”

  “What are you looking for?”

  I start picking up random articles of clothing I’ve strewn about the room, only to toss them back down again. “I want to read up on the Hlbafa real quick. See if I can find anything useful.”

  She purses her lips and allows a slight nod. Three quick snaps of her dainty fingers and the humongous book comes flying into the room like it was shot from a gun. I barely duck in time as it whizzes past my ear and lands gracefully on Tatiana’s lap.

  “Yeah…Don’t worry about me. I don’t really need my head anyway,” I mutter.

  “Ostendo mihi Hlbafandando,” Tatiana murmurs, running her withered hands over the ancient leather binding. The book opens, and the fluttering leaves turn of their own accord before finally stopping on a page of bold, black script. She fixes me with another disapproving look before getting up and leaving the room.

  At least her eyes are white again.

  Thirty minutes later I hear her low chanting and find Tatiana in her room, bending over her cauldron. Her eyes are rolled back in her head as she carefully stirs some mysterious brew. I lay my arrows on the bed and sit down to watch her work. One after the other, she masterfully mixes her ingredients as easily and efficiently as if she had perfect vision. I’ve always wondered how she knows exactly what is in each of the dozens of unmarked vials she has on her shelf, how she knows exactly where each one goes and what it does.

  “Tat, you know I need you for this,” I whisper. I hate to disturb her, but I need her attention. It’s imperative she do this spell for me. Without it, I’m totally screwed.

  Her eyes slowly focus on me, and I take a deep breath. “Sorry to interrupt, but I need you to make me a poison for my arrows…one that will be a sure kill-shot every time—”

  “Come to me,” she commands, her voice low.

  I stand and make my way to where she is hunched over the enormous iron cauldron. The stench of its contents is nearly unbearable. My throat constricts and my lungs rebel against the foul odors. “Gah, what died in there?” I cough and cover up my nose. “That’s the worst smell I’ve ever—”

  “Give me your arm.”

  Of course… She’s already started to make the poison. When I realize why she needs me, I swallow a small groan. Now is not the time to show any weakness or hesitation.

  Tatiana picks up her ruby-tipped knife with one hand and grasps my arm with the other. She holds the razor-sharp blade to the fire for several long moments, then presses its tip against my flesh.

  I bite my lip and think of Kieron’s smile as the knife pierces my skin. Tatiana drags the silver blade down the full length of my forearm, then tips my wrist at a slight angle so the oozing blood drips neatly into the bubbling cauldron. She closes her eyes and begins chanting again. As disgusting as it is, I can’t help but be fascinated by this ritual. Blood spells, though unpleasant, are the most potent kind of dark magic there is. And it takes some serious power to create a poison that is capable of killing Dark-angels.

  She grasps my wrist harder as she recites her secret spell. There is a hissing, a crackling, and then a loud pop. Tatiana gives my wrist one final squeeze, a gentle shake, and then puts one finger in her mouth. She draws the wet finger over the bleeding gash, sealing it instantly before releasing her grip.

 
“It is ready,” she declares.

  Tatiana took a lot of blood…more than usual. I fight the wooziness in my head and eye the empty bottle of elixir on her nightstand. It worries me that I’m not exactly one hundred percent, but I push it out of my mind. Once I get to Demon Bar and properly replenish, I’ll be fine. For now I just have to put up with the sickly feeling in my blood, and the raging inferno in my chest.

  Holding the arrows by the quills, I dip them one by one into the mystical brew. Careful not to touch the poisoned ends, I divide them into two piles, putting them in drawstring quivers fastened securely over my shoulders. I pause a moment, then remove three of the arrows and place them on the table. Since I’m taking all the veneficus calx, I need to leave something here at home in case of an emergency. After another moment’s pause, I place one of the tiny purple stones next to the arrows.

  Tatiana is silent as I return to my room to finish my preparations. Hair up in a high ponytail…a dash of my favorite cherry red lip gloss…I hoist my crossbow over my shoulders, then throw on my riding cloak and fasten it with my Boumeaux.

  As I tie the end of the bag that holds the veneficus calx, Tatiana enters, eyeing me with steady disapproval. “Are you sure you must take those? Once they’re gone, that’s it—no more. Forever. If we are ever attacked…”

  I glance down at the sack and sigh. “I have no choice, Tat. I need all the help I can get. I know these are for extreme emergencies only, but that’s what this is. I can’t think of a better use for them. But I did save one. It’s in your room next to a few arrows. Just in case…”

  “As you wish,” she says quietly.

  I know what I’m doing is nothing short of suicidal. And taking these stones is selfish and reckless. But I can’t help it. If I was being held prisoner, Kieron would do the same for me. I know he would. But it’s more than just that…I have to rescue him. I cannot lose another person I care for. I just can’t. I’m not designed to handle grief the way Liora is. And now that I know he’s out there somewhere, maybe hurt and afraid…wondering if anyone will come for him, or if he will die alone and forgotten…I can’t think of anything but saving him.

  I raise my hood over my head. As I turn to bid farewell to Tatiana, I’m taken aback as a single tear rolls down her cheek.

  “Tat? What is it? Please don’t cry!”

  She makes no move to wipe the tear away and just stands there like a tiny frozen statue.

  I throw my arms around her and hold her tight. “Don’t be sad, Tattie. Everything will be all right. I promise. I’ll be fine.”

  She nods as I pat her long, silver hair. “Just know that I love you very much. I always have, and I always will.” Her voice lowers to a whisper. “Whatever happens, know I’ve always been on your side, and always will be. As long as you need me, you’ll have me.”

  “I love you too, Tat. But don’t be so worried, and quit talking like this…it’s freaking me out. I’ll be careful. You’ll see me in a few hours and everything will be cool. Just watch.”

  I pull away and head out the door.

  ~~~

  Diablo races through the night, and as we approach the thick fog surrounding the Portal to Thiberoux, my heart thuds ominously. I take a deep breath and recite the secret command:

  Hasish Auria, permissum mihi obduco.

  Hasish Auria, permissum mihi obduco.

  Hasish Auria, permissum mihi obduco.

  The fog breaks and the scenery changes. Instead of the gloomy, moonless night of Sapie-land, I’m suddenly surrounded by a sparkling oasis of golds and greens, glowing and illuminated by the three full moons of Illyria. At my urging, the black stallion races around the curves and up a mountain, my body pressed to his powerful neck as he flies through the forests of my homeland.

  “Whoa, boy,” I whisper as we near the River of Kings. Diablo eases his pace, and I glance around. Even though I don’t see anyone, a prickly unease creeps up the back of my neck…I feel vulnerable and exposed…like I’m being watched. I check in every direction, then reach into my boot and withdraw my dagger.

  “Bones?” I call out meekly. No answer. I’m not sure if he’s supposed to be on patrol tonight, but someone should be here…

  “Bones?” I call, a little louder this time.

  A faint bark sounds in the distance, and I breathe a sigh of relief. A moment later the massive black beast emerges from the shadows, phasing into the shape of a beautiful man. He saunters over to a pile of rocks, grabs the jeans and shoes lying on top of them, and quickly dresses.

  “Hi, Bones.”

  He draws a long look over my body. Not his usual sexy, longing look, but one of guarded apprehension. “I meant to be here for you when you arrived. But you were late, and I needed to check on something.” He pauses and looks away. “I was getting worried,” he adds under his breath.

  I dismount and take a few steps toward him. “Tatiana had to do something for me before I came in tonight. It took a while. But it’s okay; I’m fine.” I give him a small smile.

  “Yeah, you’re awful fine for someone who’s on a suicide mission. Tell me, Lucky, why do you want to die so badly? Is this life really so unbearable for you?” Bones’ mocha-colored eyes are both sad and angry.

  “Bones,” I sigh, “I have no desire to die, especially not tonight. I’m being smart about this. They have no idea I’m coming. I have the best weapons. I know their weaknesses. All I need to do is find where they’re keeping Kieron and get him free. That’s it.”

  He lets out a guffaw. “Oh. That’s it, huh? It’s going to be that simple?”

  “Look, I’m not stupid. I did some research on the Hlbafa. I know what I’m up against. The hellhounds we took out were probably their strongest fighters. The ones who crashed Demon Bar were probably their next strongest, and some of them already got killed. They’re a small tribe, and there are only so many places where they can be keeping Kieron prisoner. All I have to do is lay low, find out where he is, and break him out.”

  He circles around me and lifts up my cloak. “A regular one demion army, you are,” he says with a chuckle.

  I yank my cloak back down and take a step away. “Do I have a choice?” I ask, my eyes level with his.

  Bones searches my face for a long time. “I was hoping you’d change your mind. Come to your senses. But I see there’s no stopping you. Don’t know why I thought I’d be able to. That boy is under your skin in a big way…more than I think even you realize.”

  I stare at the grass around my feet. “Yes, Kieron is very special to me. I’ve never felt like this about anyone…I didn’t even know it was possible. And now that I do know—”

  Bones gets up abruptly and moves away. “Yeah, yeah, I know. You love him. I get it.” For several minutes he just stands quietly, staring out into the distance. Finally he glances down at me and holds out his hand. “You coming?”

  I look at him, questioning.

  “…I’d say we better go stock up on our drinks. Looks like you and I are really gonna need all the Energy we can get. We’re in for quite a night—”

  I jump up and throw my arms around him. “You’re coming with me?”

  He presses me close before turning away. “Did you really think for one second I was going to let you go alone?” He gives a short whistle, and a moment later two more hounds appear. They shift into the forms of Alik and Khalil and move to stand proudly behind Bones.

  “Let’s do this,” Bones says rubbing his hands together.

  ~~~~~

  “Stop right there,” Aria commands the four of us at the entrance to Demon Bar. She shifts her emerald eyes from Khalil to Alik, and back to Bones and me. “You may enter,” she says, motioning to the others. “I need to speak with these two here.”

  As Aria talks, I hear her husky voice loud and clear inside my head, as well as with my ears. Her icy gaze falls back on me. A nervous tingle races down my spine, and I automatically take a step back. Bones places his hand on my arm in a show of support.

>   “Girl, you are out of your mind,” Aria says, shaking her head,

  “I wish you would stay out of my mind,” I mutter, giving her a dirty look.

  She smiles at me and glances at Bones. “And you are crazy for agreeing to go with her.”

  Bones raises his hands in protest. “I have no choice. I can’t talk her out of it and there’s no way I’m letting her go alone—”

  “Oh, I understand your reasoning.” She flips her hand through the air dismissively and juts out her tiny chin. “Both of you…Doesn’t mean you’re not totally insane for thinking you can actually pull it off. Or that you have any hope for survival.”

  “Well, you try telling her that. It’s like talking to a brick wall,” Bones says, casually leaning his tall frame against the door frame.

  Aria looks him up and down appreciatively, then shifts her magnetic gaze to me, locking her eyes on mine like two lasers fixed on a target. Immediately my head starts swimming. I feel my brain shrinking and turning into liquid. It swishes and swirls before fading into a spongy mass of nothingness. Like a statue I stand frozen, unable even to blink. It’s okay, though. I have no desire to move. I just want to stay frozen here for as long as I’m supposed to. Forever is fine.

  Aria pulls Bones close, pressing her curvaceous body seductively against his. It’s fine. I don’t care at all. I’m perfectly content to remain right here forever and let them do their thing.

  “She thinks she can actually pull it off, marching across the border and rescuing her friend. You are her companion, her sworn protector. Why would you agree to let her try this madness?” Aria asks quietly. Her voice is a sing-song ditty in my head.

  “There’s no stopping Lucky when she has her mind set on something,” Bones replies, running his fingers through her thick, chestnut mane. “I thought it’d be better if I were by her side to help. Who knows? Maybe it’ll work. She has good weapons—”