by Jaci Miller
“And Dane? Is she to be a sacrifice as well?”
Alistair shook his head. “He cannot do this without her. Because of the blood pact, he will forever be connected to the ancient dark. We believe he needs more than your wife’s blood to keep him alive he needs the one that can destroy both he and the beast. Killing Dane would mean he would no longer be safe from purgatory.”
Nathan Callan ran his hand through his hair as his voice rose. “How do we stop this madman?”
“I’m sorry Nathan, I’m not sure we can. The blood pact has given him the ability to walk on both sides of the veil. We can’t kill him, nor can we severe his control over Dane. As a glamour witch, he is formidable, but the transformation to incubus and the power he gained from the blood bond has made him too strong. He’s virtually invincible. There’s no known magic that can break the pact.”
Celeste walked toward him and put her hand lightly on his forearm. “Don’t fret yet Nathan. Your daughter is strong, and there is still hope. I gave the celestial my amulet. It can block Lucien’s control over her if they can find a way to get it on her person. If anyone can figure this, it’s those who’ve come from another time to help us. Let’s not give up yet.”
Nathan stood. “You’re correct, Celeste. Dane is strong and not easily manipulated and Gabriella is just as determined. If there’s a way, she will find it. Where is Lucien Beck now?”
Alistair’s raised a brow. “The incubus came home right before dawn. An hour later he left with Dane. They left the city; I believe they’re heading to Brighton Hill.”
Celeste nodded and clasped her hands together. “Good, then let us begin our own preparations to do the same. We need to be in Brighton Hill in two days to meet with the others. If Lucien thinks he’ll be facing only the chosen few on the eve of the twenty-third, he is mistaken. Whatever comes that night it comes to all of us.”
Alistair’s yellow eyes flashed. “How many do you have?”
“Over a hundred witches, most with physical powers.”
He grinned. “It sounds like we will give the incubus and the ancient dark an unexpected welcome indeed.”
The daemon grasped Nathan’s hands. “For Ella.”
Chapter 29
“It’s getting louder,” Kai said to Sebastian, who nodded in confirmation.
Stevie sighed. She was speaking of the shadow of separation, the mystical clock marking their destinies and counting down to a time when a fateful choice must be made. It had been heard intermittently since their return to earth but had grown in intensity since their arrival at her house.
“The time is drawing near when each of you must make a choice. One that will reveal your true destiny and the path to which you will take.”
“How will we know what choice to make when the time comes?”
“The shadow of separation is part of you. The decision will be instinctive and most likely not conscious. You will probably not understand that a choice you make will be the one which changes the direction your destiny takes. It may be a choice that simply affects another or one that reaps a far greater result. Fate is a singular entity. Each of your decisions will be as well.”
“Not helpful.”
Sebastian placed a hand on her shoulder. “Trust in who you are, Kai and the knowledge obtained from your ancestors. If you do the decisions you make, no matter the consequences, are the correct ones. Even small subtle decisions can have an enormous impact. Your destiny is always in your control if you trust in yourself.”
The tick-tock of the clock faded, suffocated by the fog descending on this rainy morning.
The cell phone in Stevie’s hand buzzed. “Mr. Callan just texted. Lucien Beck has left the city. They believe he’s coming here.”
“Then it’s time to pay him a little visit,” Kai said.
Stevie agreed. “Let’s deal with the Marlee situation first, and then we can focus on Lucien and Dane.”
Drow walked in, a big black satchel across his shoulders. He’d changed from his velvet coats and ruffled shirts into a plain black tunic and pants. His white hair and deep red eyes were vibrant against the dark color of his clothing.
Stevie’s stomach fluttered and she smiled to herself. For once, she wasn’t afraid of her feelings and no longer wanted to run from them. I love him, she thought as he walked over and placed the bag on the kitchen counter.
He kissed the top of her head. “Ready?”
She blushed.
Kai grabbed Sebastian by the arm. “We will leave you to it.” She dragged the elder warrior from the kitchen. “Yell if you need anything.”
“They are intimate,” Sebastian said when they reached the far end of the living room. It wasn’t a question but a curious observation.
Kai chuckled. “Apparently destiny has a unique way of moving through time and space.”
His brow raised as he smiled. “That it does.”
It had taken a few hours for Stevie and Drow to concoct the ancient elixir that when administered would hopefully rid Marlee of the Keltie fae’s control. It required three of them to hold her down and force her to swallow the liquid.
They stood at the far side of the bedroom as she writhed on the bed, tugging at her binds. Her blue eyes sparked with fury as she hissed and spat in their direction.
“How long before the elixir begins to work?” Elyse asked.
Drow’s shoulders sagged. “It should have taken effect by now.”
He looked at Killenn who shrugged. “Maybe she requires a stronger dose.”
“If we give her more, it may kill her. She might be gifted with immortality, but she was born a mortal. We have no way of knowing how much she can handle without risking dire consequences.”
He turned back to the fae who stopped struggling and shot him a penetrating stare. Tilting her head, she began to speak in tongue. Drow recognized it immediately—the language of the royals and a language only his kin spoke. His body tensed as her eyes and words burned into his very soul.
Stevie grasped his hand. “You understood her, didn’t you? What did she say?”
He hesitated, his eyes never leaving Marlee’s. “She said the world would burn with a new fire and the flame of the Dragon Gypsy would forever be extinguished.”
Unexpectedly, a screech exploded through the room as Marlee began to thrash on the bed. A thick white foam appeared on her lips as it dripped from her screaming mouth. Her eyes bulged in their sockets and blue veins appeared bright against her pale skin.
“It has begun,” Killenn acknowledged, moving to the side of the bed to help Rafe ensure her restraints would hold.
Marlee struggled, her body riddled with agony as the poison tortured her being. She pulled at the bindings holding her wrists and ankles trying to free herself. Her body drenched in sweat convulsed as the ancient elixir flowed through her veins. And as the fever rose her face blotched with an angry red rash contorted, and she screamed in rage and pain.
Elyse stood horrified in the corner of the room.
“Let’s get her out of here,” Stevie said to Kai.
They took their friend by the arm. “There is no reason for us to be in here. Drow will come and get us if anything happens.”
Tears sparkled in Elyse’s eyes. “What if she dies?”
“She won’t,” Kai said firmly. “She can’t.”
Drow sighed as they led Elyse down the hallway toward the kitchen trying their best to distract her from the screams echoing from the bedroom.
A few hours later the house finally became quiet.
Drow leaned toward Sebastian his voice low. “If she makes it through the night, she should be fine.”
Sebastian’s green eyes flickered as he watched the fae sleep.
Marlee was deathly pale and covered in a shimmering sheen of sweat. Her eyes flicked back and forth under her closed lids and her h
ands twitched as if she were caught in a dream.
“There is nothing more we can do for her, it’s up to fate now. We must focus on what we can control,” Drow said.
Sebastian closed the bedroom door softly. “You are correct. Elyse can check on her throughout the night. We have further business which requires our attention.”
They found the others in the kitchen.
Stevie was washing the dishes. “How is she?” Worry etched her forehead and her hands shook as she placed the plate in the drying rack.
Drow’s voice softened. “You did well. The elixir calmed her mind. She is resting. Time will tell if it will banish the Keltie instincts and revert them to the more disciplined and mischievous traits of the Athir fae.”
She glanced at Kai who reached out and squeezed her hand. “It will work. We can’t lose another friend.”
Sebastian intervened. “Marlee will be in good hands with Elyse, but we have other matters to attend. This day is far from over.”
As the warriors planned their next move Gabriella pulled Kai and Stevie aside.
“You must find a way to get this substance into Dane,” she said handing them a vial that flickered with purple iridescent light. “She must consume it so a part of the All Souls is within her.” Gabby’s voice was firm. “If you don’t, she will be unable to release herself from Lucien’s control. She will succumb to the darkest part within, and we will have lost her.”
Stevie grabbed the vial from Gabby’s hand. “I’ll find a way.”
“Lucien must not suspect anything.”
“He won’t,” Kai said grinning at Stevie. “Let’s go. We don’t want to keep the incubus waiting.”
Chapter 30
Lucien pulled her close. Three days remained until the full moon and Dane’s transformation would be complete. He hadn’t had a sexual release in days and would be glad when he could take her as his own. Being near her made him constantly aroused and it had become increasingly difficult not to surrender to his needs and desire for her.
The glistening light once so vibrant in her irises had faded. The darkness was taking her. He kissed her passionately his tongue parting her lips. She responded in kind, her body arching toward him as she ran her fingers through his hair. Pushing her away he released her from his embrace. Dane resisted at first but then as his powers dictated, she moved away.
Only three more days.
Although he had Dane completely under his control, he had to ensure one more thing. He’d learned a lot about her recently and although he was able to fester the darkness within, he still needed to deal with her innate desire to protect those she loved. Now he needed to curb her instinct to fight evil and mold it into a more targeted response. As well as getting her to accept magic and darkness as the new world order.
Although he couldn’t make her forget the others, he could make her think they were in danger if the prophecy comes to pass. He needed her to be firm in her commitment to him and his desires. When the beast rose, he had to be confident she would submit and allow his version of the prophecy to play out.
He lifted her chin.
Her green eyes grew dim a dark emerald replaced the brilliant shimmering jade. The color churned like an angry sea.
Lucien smiled. “I have something to show you.”
Dane’s reaction remained flat, her apathetic attitude part of the process. Although necessary, he longed for the day when her passion would reign, and she would be hellfire. His body twitched at the notion. He continuously fought every natural and magical instinct he had as both a glamour witch and an incubus when she was near. Sometimes it was torturous. He would be glad for the day when he no longer needed to seek out others for pleasure.
“Dane, it’s essential you understand why we are doing this and why the prophecy as foretold is incorrect. There is no way for you and the others to defeat the beast and to save this world. This world has become toxic: the wars, the hate, the killings. Mortals are without guidance or direction. They need to be contained or there will be nothing left but ashes and ruin. What is coming is a much-needed cleansing.”
Her reaction remained indifferent.
“What I’m going to show you, will be the state of the world, if we don’t intervene and change the prophecy.”
He took her hand in his.
“Don’t be afraid of what you’ll see. It’s a mere flicker of the future. It will feel real, but it isn’t. Not yet.”
Lucien closed his eyes and let the ancient magic stir. He could feel the energy of the beast inside him, building. Fighting to control the power he allowed images to flash through his mind, rapidly at first, and then like a film projector it slowed each frame capturing a fragment in time. A future that hadn’t yet come to pass.
He focused his energy allowing the images to transfer through his incubus seduction powers and into Dane. He could feel her tense as the pictures moved through her mind connecting to one another and submerging her within.
Silence pressed down as a thick mist, enshrouded her. The scent of wet earth hung heavy in the air hiding the foul odor caught in its wisps. It clouded her vision, but her other senses intensified instinctively.
Suddenly, the silence broke and a strange wind whistled by. On its wisps, the scent of smoke and ash drifted.
Dane groped into the dense fog her fingers clawing at nothing. A crackling noise drew her attention and as she walked toward it the toe of her boot hit something solid, and she flailed regaining her balance before she tripped. The mist began to dissipate, and images appeared around her as her surroundings were revealed.
She stood at the center of town. But nothing about Brighton Hill looked familiar.
The town had been destroyed. Fires crackled and charred buildings burned. Smoke wafted upward darkening the blue sky. All around her lay ruination and death. A decaying odor soaked the air as it rose from the bodies littering the streets. Some stared vacantly through dead eyes while others had no eyes at all just empty bloody sockets where they used to be.
Rivers of blood ran into the gutters.
A wave of panic surged within her as she searched the sea of bodies. Her eyes flitted from one face to another until she found them—her friends.
At the top of a pyre with her hands bound to a stake hung Gabby. Her wings were broken, and a sword pierced her heart. Kai’s lifeless body, bloody and bruised was being dragged down the street by a withered daemon. Stevie lay face down in the gutter her arm outstretched and her fingers reaching toward the eviscerated body of Drow who lay a few feet away.
Dane’s head began to fill with a visceral roar as her eyes found the others—all dead.
In the back of her mind she heard it laugh; an ancient death rattle. It goaded her. A prickle crept over her skin as a raspy voice surfaced in her head.
Behind you.
Nausea bloomed in her stomach as she turned.
More mutilation and death stretched in front of her, but she forced herself to search the devastation until she found it.
Standing at the end of the street mere yards away stood the beast. Its head was fire, the dark horns twisted and glistening with blood. Its eyes were blazing yellow slits. No longer the smoky entity of old it had transformed into the daemon of nightmares—a devil designed by human imagination. Its body was a hulking mass of withered skin, exposed bone, and raw flesh. It wore nothing but a black hooded cape, tattered and torn and draped casually over its shoulders. Underneath, its naked, genderless body bulged with muscles and sinewy veins. Hairy legs ended in thick black hooves. The beast was hideous and terrifying but what it held in its thick, clawed hands drew her horrified attention—Rafe.
The ancient dark had Rafe’s long hair clutched in its talons. His exposed throat had the blade of a curved ax pressed against it and his broken body hung limp in the beast’s clutch. His green eyes were hardly visible through the blood pourin
g from a gash in his head, but he was alive!
She moved a few feet closer, closing the gap.
The ancient dark roared and pressed its blade deeper into Rafe’s skin.
Do you want him? The raspy voice in her head asked.
She nodded. As she looked at Rafe’s battered face, her heart thumped painfully in her chest.
Then he is yours.
The beast pushed Rafe’s body toward her, releasing him. He teetered on his feet too weak to support himself. Through the blood, his bright green irises filled with sadness.
I’m sorry, he mouthed closing his eyes.
No! She screamed as she began to run toward him.
Her mind roared with anger and fear as she lunged, but every step seemed to push her further away from him.
As if in a dream she could only watch helplessly as the beast, with a speed unworthy of its size, swung its ax outward. The blade hit its mark expertly and sliced Rafe’s head from his body in one clean motion. His body toppled to the ground, but his head continued its forward momentum, rolling until it landed at Dane’s feet.
A horrified scream bubbled up inside her. A cry filled with rage, terror, and grief echoed through the demolished town as she sank to her knees, defeated.
Lucien was right. There was no way to win and no way to survive. Their fate wasn’t to defeat the ancient dark, nor was it to destroy mankind. They were neither savior nor destroyer—they were nothing.
Tears streamed down her face as the ancient dark turned and walk away dragging its blood-soaked ax behind. Its rattling laughter filled the air as the smoke from the fires billowed and it disappeared behind the murky tendrils.
They couldn’t defeat it.
The prophecy was wrong.
Their world would suffer the same fate as the Five Realms. Mankind would be enslaved, and a new world would emerge.