Demon Warden: A Paranormal Urban Fantasy (The Cursed and the Fallen 1)

by Selene Kallan

  I open my eyes, portalling back to the alley near Qetesh. A rumble of thunder echoes in the night and illuminates the prone body of the Nephilim, Aaron. It takes a while for a broken neck to heal, after all. I glamoured the entrance to the alley, making sure no one can see or hear anything; if someone tries to enter it, they’ll be repelled, disoriented.

  Bryce is leaning on the wall, arms crossed in front of his chest, azure eyes hard on my face. “How’s Dinah?”

  “Tired,” I say, and it’s not a lie. “You’re training her tomorrow.”

  Bryce frowns with suspicion. “I knew it, what did you say to her?”

  “Now is not the time.”

  The Nephilim is stirring; he groans and rolls to his side before sitting, slate eyes falling on Bryce then me.

  “Took her away so you can kill me with no interruption?” he rasps, standing.

  “You are to stay away from her,” I say, keeping my voice even, almost uninterested. “And you’re no longer welcome in Qetesh.”

  The Nephilim snorts. “That’s okay, she’ll figure out sooner or later that she doesn’t belong amongst demons. She’ll see your filthy existence for what it is, a deviation of nature.”

  I feel my insides burn, the temptation to unleash my fire almost too great to control. Isir was right, it’s too late to try to stop myself from becoming attached to Dinah.

  “Are you quite finished?” I ask.

  “Don’t you think we should kill him?” Bryce asks, eyeing the Nephilim with sheer disgust. “I know Dinah asked you not to, but I have a feeling that it’s a bad idea to allow him to live.”

  As if on cue, the Nephilim begins to glow with vomit-coloured green light; he sends a bolt towards Bryce and me; I block both, holding my ground. My shield shimmers and I feel the opposite energy burn. He’s powerful, there’s no denying that. Not enough to defeat me, but stronger than Dinah, at least for now.

  “My turn,” Bryce growls, stretching both hands and sending a jet of blue flame towards the Nephilim who hastens to lift his right arm—hand fisted—and cast a shield, but is just a fraction of a second too late. His cry of pain is music to my ears; a rush of satisfaction and bloodlust makes my heart pump faster. I strengthen the glamour to make sure no human witnesses the fight between mythical creatures.

  I cock my head, examining the partially burned Nephilim as he murmurs a spell in Asteri language to cast a stronger shield. Bryce’s blue fire clashes against a green barrier that vibrates. The Nephilim is forced to use both hands to protect himself, but he’s still moving his lips.

  “Obex!” I cry, just in time to stop the spell from hitting Bryce. My shield flares and shimmers as the crackling magic is absorbed, I can feel its taste, like ozone and charred soil. It wouldn’t have killed Bryce, but the damage would have been considerable.

  Bryce stops his attack. “The fuck was that?”

  The Nephilim spits more words in Asteri language. The sound sends a bolt of warning down my spine. In less than a fraction of a second, I have Bryce behind my back.

  I have to put an effort to keep my shield in place this time, I’m forced back against Bryce as green energy cackles against my own. My skin prickles painfully, a wave of nausea building, it’s just as bad as when Dinah lost control.

  “Nox?” Bryce asks, uncertainly.

  I pull at my power in earnest, sharpening it into a lance that will cut through the Nephilim’s defense and destroy his semi-immortal flesh. A circle of rune magic appears behind him, a pale hand closes on his shoulder and he’s pulled inside the portal before I can hit him. A growl escapes through my clenched teeth as I will my power to simmer down.

  “Hell,” Bryce murmurs, coming around me to examine the empty alley, disbelief in his face. “Can you follow them?”

  “Magicae revelare,6” I cast, some of the runes shimmer amethyst for less than a second, dispersing like smoke. “Whoever cast that portal knows how to cover their tracks.”

  “And they are powerful too,” Bryce ponders, facing me.

  “Of that, I’m not sure. It is an old but rather simple spell,” I admit.

  “He is stronger than he looks like,” Bryce says, lip curling.

  “I have the nagging feeling he allowed me to crack his neck,” I think aloud.

  He could have fought off that blast of my power. I was doing my best to keep most of it contained, worried about Dinah being hurt by it.

  Bryce frowns. “To put on a little show for Dinah, the mean demon, and the defenseless Nephilim.”

  I nod. “Indeed.”

  Bryce paces, scratches his neck. “We should warn Dinah.”

  “I already did.”

  “Right, but I have the feeling that conversation did not go well, am I wrong?” Bryce asks, examining my face.

  “Dinah has to make a decision: remain independent and go against what most of her ilk believes of supernaturals, or join them in their senseless bloodshed. We can do nothing more than hope she chooses right,” I evade.

  “And what if she chooses to align with the Nephilim?” Bryce asks, hands on his hips. “What will you do then?”

  “Let her go.”

  “Just like that?” Bryce challenges.

  “Just like that,” I say, and I hope I’m not lying to myself.

  CHAPTER 18

  DINAH

  I wake up to find Isir bringing me breakfast on a tray and I feel taken care of but useless. She keeps her tone falsely cheerful and inquires about my project and what I plan on doing after I get my degree. I answer her questions on autopilot, no longer feeling excited about the prospect of finishing college. I’d always envisioned a proud grandma watching me graduate; there’s a gaping void where excitement over my future used to be.

  Nevertheless, I get showered and dressed and force a goodbye smile to Isir before taking the elevator. Bryce is waiting for me, leaning against the limo, azure eyes careful as he examines me.

  “Are you all right, Dinah?”

  I take a deep breath, pushing down against the desire to tell him to mind his own business.

  “Fine, angry at Nox, but what else is new?” my voice is still rough, I’ve barely spoken all morning.

  Bryce nods. “For what is worth, Isir scolded him for being an idiot.”

  I smile weakly. “Isir can be a scary female, it does make me feel better.”

  “Good,” Bryce grins, then gives my shoulder a friendly squeeze before opening the door for me.

  I feel better knowing that Bryce and Isir care about me, I can read their intentions well enough. Nox is the issue, he can’t stand my kind, how can I trust him if he despises me? Part of me knows that he’s not evil, but what if that’s just wistfulness?

  * * *

  I try not to fidget as I wait for Spence to arrive, taking sips from my water glass and wondering what all the forks are for. Spence has told me several times, but I can’t remember. Soft music and chatter buzz comfortably around me, the pleasant smells of garlic, spices and thick sauce are calming. The waitresses are wearing somber black dresses. Several chandeliers provide soft and comfortable lighting.

  The front door opens and Spence enters, followed by Xander. My former roommate looks slightly flushed and debauched. I bite my lip, suppressing a smile as I greet them both. Xander orders wine, speaking in Italian to a male waiter.

  “So, where’s your blond bodyguard?” Xander asks.

  Spence folds his napkin, looking too serious for comfort. “I saw the monstrous limo parked outside, but no sign of him.”

  I shrug with feigned nonchalance. “He’s probably running an errand or something.”

  Both look at me with suspicion, I sigh. This is why I’m here, I remind myself. To tell both Spence and Xander the truth about who is after me and keep them safe, give them the option to stay away from me.

  “Bryce is checking the perimeter,” I relent. “Making sure there are no demons around.”

  I keep my voice low, we’re at a rather secluded table but speaking aloud in
public of such things unnerves me.

  Spence blinks, frowns. “You’re a Nephilim, aren’t you?”

  I bite my lip and look at Xander. “I thought you’d told him.”

  Xander’s lips quirk in a small smile.

  “No, I asked him not to tell me, I wanted to hear the truth from you,” Spencer explains.

  “Oh, okay,” I mutter, cowardly wishing Xander had just told him.

  My stomach rumbles loud enough for them to hear it.

  Xander lifts a brow. “Perhaps it’s best if you eat first?”

  “Yes please, though I assume it’ll take a while,” I say, pressing a quelling hand against my tummy.

  Spence smiles. “It won’t, actually, I hope you don’t mind, but I placed our orders through a phone call a while ago.”

  Just then, two waiters approach us with steaming plates. Xander exchanges brief words in Italian with one of them; I can understand a bit, but I decide to focus on the pasta. The sauce is incredible; I let out a little moan as my mouth waters. Spence chuckles and I kick him under the table.

  Xander has no food on his plate. He smiles contentedly and sips his wine.

  I take a gulp of wine. “You can’t eat normal food?”

  Xander shakes his head. “Liquor, coffee, tea, water is necessary. But no solids.”

  I grimace. “I don’t know how I’d live without chocolate.”

  Spence chuckles. “Oh, he doesn’t have to,” he winks at his boyfriend. “Apparently, I taste like chocolate.”

  I freeze, spaghetti hanging from my lips. Spencer looks utterly satisfied at my lack of finesse and Xander’s arched brow and slightly embarrassed blue eyes.

  “Gods help me, but I’m dying of curiosity,” I admit.

  Spence chuckles. “Now you know how I feel.”

  I bite my lip. “That I do.”

  Xander pours more wine into each of our glasses. “Go on, eat, we’ll share our stories after.”

  I smile. “Won’t argue with that.”

  * * *

  By the time the dessert is served, the restaurant is filling up. Our table has a good vantage point, but it’s still private enough for me to relax. The velvety tiramisu is heavenly, I have to remind myself I’m in a public place and licking plates isn’t socially acceptable. Even Spence seems to be struggling with his impeccable manners. One of the waiters comes to take away our empty plates and leave another bottle of wine.

  “I don’t know where to start,” I admit after finishing, sighing with contentment.

  Spence leans forward. “From the beginning, if you wish. I don’t want to push you, however. Tell us only what you’re comfortable with.”

  I take a deep breath and nod. There are some things I plan to leave out.

  “I’ve always been able to set things on fire, but I had no idea I wasn’t entirely human until a few weeks ago.”

  Spence and Xander listen intently as I tell them about Daniel’s attacks, about summoning Nox by mistake, and how he saved me from Kazzian. About the training and how my power keeps growing. I leave out my recent fight with the demon Prince and Bryce’s powers. But I tell them about being attacked in the club a week ago and how I’m being pursued not just by Kazzian but also possibly by mysterious Nephilim.

  “Gods, Dinah,” Spence sighs. “I want to tell you it would have been safer if you stayed with me, told us both you needed protection, but I know we’re in over our heads.”

  I shake my head. “I don’t want you to be at risk because of me, I would never ask you to protect me.”

  “You wouldn’t have to ask, I still want you to know that if you need us, we’re here,” Spence insists.

  I bite my lip and look at Xander. We are friends, but not in the same way.

  “We’re partners,” Xander says with a shrug, inclining his head towards Spence. “You are family to him, therefore you can count on me too.”

  The sincerity of both amazes me. How blind have I been not to see they cared?

  “I am realistic, however,” Xander admits, then locks his gaze with Spence’s. “I can perhaps manage to resist a demon long enough to run away, but you can’t.”

  They have a silent conversation and I feel as if I’m intruding.

  Finally, Spence sighs and meets my eyes with an apologetic look. “Well, I guess being half-fae is not very useful in this situation.”

  I blink, immediately looking at his ears. Spence chuckles and moves his hair behind his right ear with a careless flick of his hand.

  I groan. “I’m such an idiot.”

  While not much longer than human ears, Spence’s ears are elegantly pointy.

  “No, you’re not. See this?” he shows me the quartz necklace that hangs from a silver chain. “It’s magicked, the glamour works only with humans, which is why I thought you were mostly one. I thought you had fae blood in you, but it was more diluted than mine.”

  Xander nods. “I reached the same conclusion. Most human witches have Fae blood in their ascendance. So I thought you knew what you were, what we are, and we were all playing dumb out of courtesy.”

  I chuckle, covering my face with my hands. “Lack of communication sucks.”

  Spence smiles. “Agreed, so no more of that, please?”

  I sigh. “No more, there are some things I must keep private as there are secrets that don’t belong to me.”

  Xander shrugs. “Still, if you need help, the offer stands.”

  “Even if it’s just dating advice, we both know you suck at that,” Spence winks.

  I snort. “Hell no, I do not want anything to do with relationships. Males are stubborn, secretive idiots.” I wrinkle my nose. “No offense.”

  Spence laughs and shakes his head. “Oh darling, wouldn’t I know that?” He shoots a withering look at Xander, who smiles without exposing his teeth.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Xander lies, taking a sip of his wine.

  I bite my lip, examining the handsome vampire. He arches a brow.

  “How old are you?” I ask him. I hope that’s an innocent enough question.

  Xander leans a bit forward in his seat and checks we’re still safe from prying ears. “Six centuries, give it or take a few years.”

  I blink. “Wow.”

  Spence huffs. “That’s nothing darling, there are some of his kind who’ve been alive for millennia.”

  I wrinkle my nose. “Don’t they get bored with life after a few centuries?”

  Xander smiles. “Our bodies and souls do not get weary, as humans do. I’ve had some decades that aren’t memorable though,” his eyes seem far away, “but this world changes constantly. I lived through the renaissance, saw science bloom and empires fall. Does that sound boring to you?”

  I take a sip of wine. “Not when you put it like that.” I tap my fingers against the table and turn to Spence. “And what about you?”

  “Twenty-four years young,” he smirks, “and a few centuries to come if humans don’t fuck up the planet beyond repair.”

  “And you will most likely outlive us both,” Xander says, and the look in his eyes challenges me to contradict him. I swallow hard and nod, trying my best not to be negative.

  A big yawn escapes me. I had a horrible night, and after hours upon hours of studying, my head is mushy.

  “You look like you need to take a long nap, babe,” Spence observes, “everything OK?”

  I push down the impulse to tell them about my fight with Nox. “Yeah, lots of coding, I’ve been dreaming of it.”

  “We shall leave you to rest then,” Xander says, standing and fastening his suit jacket. “Do call us if you need anything.”

  “I will,” I promise, getting up too. Spence kisses my cheek and gives me a bear hug, Xander touches my shoulder lightly and I smile at him.

  “You guys go ahead, I need to use the restroom.”

  Spence spots Bryce sitting at the bar, drinking something on the rocks. “Right, see you soon, Dinah.”

  I smile, Spence on
ly uses my name when he’s dead serious. “See you soon.”

  I watch them both leave and sigh contentedly despite the weariness. Bryce waves at me from the bar and I point towards the restroom, he nods.

  I’m still yawning while I splash my face with cold water and look at my reflection. My hair is a bit longer than what I’ve become used to, falling an inch below my neckline. The crazy impulse to cut it close to my skull hits me again with violent strength, but I clench my teeth and decide the G. I Jane style doesn’t suit me. I can’t keep holding on to the trauma and let it control even my everyday choices anymore. It’s been years, it’s time.

  I give myself a resolute nod, feeling a bit deranged, and turn to leave. The world seems to tilt and I hold on to a sink, closing my eyes firmly to fight back the nausea that’s suddenly stirring in my stomach.

  Just as abruptly as it started, the strange nausea recedes, leaving only faintness. I blink my eyes open, the healthy golden color of my skin is gone and I look pale as a ghost. Maybe I’ve been overworking myself.

  “More pasta, less numbers,” I admonish myself, going to the door which swings open, letting inside a male I was hoping never to lay eyes on again.

  “Aaron, what in the actual hell are you doing here?” I ask, feeling my hands turning into fists. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

  He smirks coldly, slate eyes hard. “Maybe I enjoy fine Italian cuisine.”

  I take a step back as he takes a step forward, as my hatred of feeling cornered grips hold. “Bullshit,” I snarl.

  Aaron chuckles, the sound sends a shiver down my spine. “Very well, I wanted to talk to you away from the demons.”

  “I don’t want to talk to you,” I say through clenched teeth. “And contrary to what they sell in movies and books, stalking is not cute.”

  “You are too stubborn,” he says with a provocative smile. “A bit of stalking is necessary.”