by Sharon Kay
“The mountain is going to collapse. Come. We all need to leave.”
“Why should we believe you? You brought us here. You lied to us. All of us,” Crystal said.
He scowled. “I know you don’t trust me. But right now, I’m your only hope and your only way out of here. You can die in this cave, or have a chance to go home.”
“Home?” Soto asked, his voice raw. “You’ll take us home?”
“Not me, but the demons I’m here with. They’ll help you. Come on!” His voice rose, peppered with frustration and anger.
Daphne exchanged a glance with Soto and Crystal. The worry on their faces reflected what she felt. Stay here, in obvious peril, or go with the male who they knew to be a criminal?
One danger or another. Not much of a choice.
The ground shook again. The Deserati extended his hand and his tail swept through the debris on the floor behind him. “We need to go now. I only want to get you out. Please, trust me.”
Daphne swallowed hard. Staying here would certainly mean the end of her life. With a deep breath, she walked toward him. “Okay.”
Relief crossed his face. “Good. Now—”
“Are you crazy?” Crystal shouted. “He’s the one who—”
“I know.” Dismay and fear carried through Daphne’s voice as she implored her friend. “But we can’t stay here. Maybe he’s lying about everything else, but he’s right that the mountain might collapse. We need to go. Come with me.”
“I’ll go.” Cara reached for Daphne’s hand.
“Me too,” Soto said, though he looked all kinds of reluctant.
“Crystal. Stop being stubborn,” Daphne said. “We’re out of time. And we’re in this together.”
Crystal frowned, but joined Daphne.
“Follow me,” the demon said. “Hurry.” He crashed through the mess of broken wood that used to be the door. Beyond, a dark tunnel yawned. As a Lash demon and a predator, at least in theory, Daphne possessed perfect night vison. Her fae friends might have more trouble and she kept hold of Cara’s hand. The earth rumbled as they made their way through the long, winding corridor, the only way out of their well-hidden prison. The big demon set a fast pace, easy for him with his long legs.
Cara jogged to keep up. As they hurried, Daphne detected a different smell in the air. Not just dirt and rock, but the scent of rain and fresh air. And blood. Oh, gods, there really was a fight.
“Almost there,” the demon shouted over the roar of thunder and the harsh groaning of the ground. He ducked around a corner. Daphne followed close on his heels, but nearly skidded to a halt when she saw the intake chamber.
The sprawling, cavernous room where she had first been brought, and which she had passed through when Splinter had dragged her out to do their dirty work with them, was littered with bodies. Splinter bodies.
But even more shocking was the opening of the cave. Where there had once been a narrow, easily guarded entrance, now stormy gray sky churned over a huge wide mouth in the mountain. Rain poured in sheets. Lighting flashed outside, dangerously close. “W-what—”
“No time, keep going!” He reached for her hand, but Daphne yanked it away. She wouldn’t let him touch her ever again. He simply turned and ran to the entrance, picking his way over bodies.
Daphne released Cara. They would both need their hands free if they tripped over the macabre mess. She tried not to look too closely at the injured, but couldn’t help noticing several piles of ash…ash? As if someone had thrown a fireball into the Ghazsuls, causing instant death. Only her own species of demons could do that…
No time to dwell on it. Daphne ran after him. Almost to the mouth of the cave.
Lightning blazed across the sky, brightening it to near daylight levels. Several towering figures moved toward them. Males…clad in black fatigues, armed with swords and blades. Others in civilian clothes, but just as armed and imposing.
She gasped.
Watchers.
The elite fighting force of the Lash demons. Her own race. Relief barreled through her heart. They were the good guys. The real deal.
“C’mon!” she shouted to the friends behind her. “The Watchers! We’re safe!” She picked her way across the debris covering the cavern floor and toward the tall commanding soldiers.
They had spotted her kidnapper and the straggling group behind him and were moving in. At the cave’s opening, two males grabbed him and another raced toward Daphne. He stopped, towering over her, laying hands gently on her shoulders. “You’re safe now. We’re getting you out of here. But we don’t have much time. Are you injured?”
“No.” She looked up at the blond Watcher who assessed her with methodical concern. Dirt covered his clothes and a streak of blood decorated his jaw. “I’m okay.”
“Good.” He glanced to the left, where another Lash fighter was speaking to two more prisoners. “Everyone all right?”
“Yes, sir.” The other male turned. “We’re good to—” His eyes locked on to Daphne in stunned shock.
Heavy raindrops pelted her and she squinted at him, confused. Something in his voice triggered a spark of familiarity. But she didn’t know any Watchers…
“I need to speak to her,” he growled to his colleague in a tone that brokered no argument.
The blond fighter shook his head and muttered, “Make it quick.” He gestured to the other evacuees to join him, and they hurried away from the cave entrance.
The Watcher moved toward her, focused on her like she was something unique and rare. Though all these warriors were lethal by definition, she harbored no fear as he approached. Only a curiosity that grew more insistent with every step he took. Bewildered, she shielded her eyes from the deluge and studied his square jaw and full lower lip. A recollection teased the edges of her mind, struggling to break free. Who was he…
He stared at her, blinking away the rain that had turned his thick black eyelashes into spiky points. Sudden recognition soared in her soul as those eyes searched her own, moving from one to the other, from her left eye to her right.
From her blue eye to her green one.
“Daphne?” His voice was gentler, but carried the weight of surprise and concern.
She stared as memories snared her heart and yanked it back through time. It couldn’t be…“Raul?” she whispered, barely getting the word out through her shock.
He nodded, looking as thunderstruck as she felt.
“Oh my gods!” She flung her arms around him, awash in astonished disbelief. How was it possible? Standing before her, this male she’d known so long ago and had shared innocent years with. For a heartbeat, nothing else mattered. Not the storm, not the trembling mountain.
His arms encircled her, surrounding her in his embrace. “Holy hell.” He tucked her head to his chest and breathed deeply.
She curled her fingers into his shirt, dimly aware of voices shouting and lightning flashing around them. But against his solid warmth, a new feeling surfaced. One she hadn’t experienced in a month. Safety.
Slowly, he pulled back, focused on her as if time had stopped. “Gods, Daphne…What are you doing with Spli—” The mountain rumbled and groaned. Thunder boomed overhead. “Shit. We have to go. Now.” He glanced over her shoulder. “How many others?”
“Nine.” She still could only stare in wonder at him, all business as he barked details into a comm device. Soot smudged his cheekbones and she noted a cut with already-dried blood on his neck. He spoke in half sentences and one-word acknowledgements, keeping her close the whole time. Something about captives…amulets…headquarters…all clear. Around them, Watchers gathered her fellow kidnap victims. And in front of her, Raul was the picture of efficiency, topped off with an enticing curl of heated memories. Gods, the last time she’d seen him, they’d been teenagers, so many years ago. They’d talked about what they would do with their lives.
“We’re taking a portal to Watcher headquarters. We can talk more when we get there.”
“Wait, did everyone make it o
ut?” She glanced around, spotting Soto and Crystal with Watchers. Cara stood with a male and female who weren’t dressed in combat gear, but appeared to know what they were doing. Cara clung to the female like she was a lifeline. “Guess so.” She turned back to Raul as the earth shook again.
With quick, practiced ease, he recited a spell that opened a portal. A shimmering ring appeared in the air on their left, stretching to a diameter of six feet. “Let’s go.” Tugging her into his brawny arms, he broke through the iridescent surface.
GLOSSARY
Atropa Sword - A sword that many believe to be a myth, it is magically enhanced with one seed of deadly nightshade embedded in its creator’s blood. When used by him or his kin, the blade coats itself with nightshade (Atropa belladonna) poison.
Black lily - A plant native to Evena. Liquid can be extracted from its leaves and stems that if ingested, will provide temporary added strength, speed, healing, and sensory perception. Control of the plant was the cause of a war that took place four centuries ago on Evena between the Serus demons and the Kentini demons. The plant survived the toxic breath of the Serus demons, but many other vegetation did not, and neither did the humble brown bee. This bee was the sole pollinator of the lily, and the entire crop became extinct.
Bloodspire Mountains - Highly treacherous and inhospitable mountain range
Carapace Mountains - A mountain range full of limestone formations resembling weapons
Cotton Creek - A village of peaceful pixies skilled in harvesting and weaving cotton
Demonish - The native language of demons, it has many dialects. Some are ancient and some are specific to a particular species
Deserati - A predatory humanoid demon. They have small horns on their heads and a whip-like tail that they can conceal with magic. They are all skilled at scrying. A small percentage can also control lightning. They tend to stick to their own clan business, but will get involved in conflicts if there is something to be gained.
Domu - A predatory demon with gray, ashy skin and yellow eyes. Most are seven feet tall and their hands are clawed.
Elder - Any old and learned member of a species
Evena - One of the demonic realms. Sparsely populated due to the environmental damage caused by war between the Serus demons and Kentini demons.
Fae - Includes several petite and mostly peaceful races like the wood nymphs, water nymphs, sprites, pixies, fairies, and elves. Dark elves are also part of the fae group, though they are bigger and more hostile.
Ghazsul - A grotesque-looking red skinned demon with claws. They have been recently reported to have an altered physiology that includes wings and the ability to cast spells.
Halfling - offspring of a human and a supernatural creature. They may inherit some or all abilities from their supernatural parent.
Halice - One of the larger cities on Torth
Hellhound - A large canine breed that resembles a Neapolitan mastiff. Adults weigh over a hundred pounds. Used as guard animals. They have black fur, red eyes, sharp teeth, and are skilled at tracking.
Hota - Demonish word for grandmother
Hoto - Demonish word for grandfather
Ivydale - A village of peaceful plant pixies. Skilled at coaxing many different plant species to grow, the village has become an important agricultural hub.
Karishi - A deceased clan of warrior demons
Kentini - A species of predatory demons, most of whose members were killed in battle with the Serus demons. The Kentini need only a miniscule amount of oxygen to survive
Khali - Demonish word for granddaughter
Lakewood region - A popular tourist destination, this region is known for its many lakes, including Lake Coriander, Caine’s home
Lash - A race of predatory demons who work to maintain the balance of peace in the realms. Able to summon balls of fire in their hands. Their eyes glow when they experience strong emotions
Ley Lines - Magical “power lines” under the ground that form a network that supplies energy for both spells and everyday items on Torth. Ley lines on Earth exist but are not as powerful
Makara - An undead race of warriors who were defeated by the Karishi in a battle near Ravenbane. Unable to avenge their loss, they remain trapped in a nebulous state underground, prevented from moving to a peaceful afterlife
Mate - A bond chosen between two individuals which lasts until one of them dies. The bond can occur between members of two different species. Once mated, the two can sense each other’s emotions at all times and can project thoughts and mental images when near. Each will also gain a lock of hair that matches their partner’s hair. In the instance of a mate’s death, it is rare but possible to mate again.
Neshi - A predatory demon with four arms and orange, scaled skin. Their skin is resistant to fire and will not immediately burn. They are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for up to one hour.
Nihja - Demonish affectionate term for a girl
Nihjo - Demonish affectionate term for a boy
Ravenbane - An ancient ruin where a battle between the Makara and Karishi took place centuries ago. It rests at the bank of a river in a remote part of Torth, and is easily identified by a tall white tower.
Rivkin - A colony of wood nymphs who reside in a large, densely wooded part of their forest
Scry - To look into a reflective surface (water, a mirror, or glass) and see events unfolding somewhere else. Most creatures with this ability can see events in real time, while some can see past events. Future events are not discernable. Sometime scrying can be done by an individual who has no special talent for it, but uses a spell or a special surface.
Serus - A predatory demon race who can breathe toxic fog. The level of damage depends on the strength of their opponent and on the amount of toxin they inhale. Serus demons are humanoid in form, with gray skin, black eyes, and wispy white hair.
Skell - A demon species who are unintelligent and clumsy. They are greedy and are happy to do others’ dirty work in exchange for money or protection. They are petite with gray skin and have faces that are human-looking but are more elongated and oval shaped.
Solsti - Four women linked by blood who can control the elements of fire, air, earth, and water. They only exist when the need for their level of power arises. Many creatures consider them to be a myth.
Splinter - a rogue group of Ghazsul demons, more vicious than their kin, who live in the Bloodspire Mountains
Stroehm - A region of Torth that is largely barren of vegetation. A gladiator compound of the same name is located here, where slaves must fight to the death for the enjoyment of a crowd. The father and sons who lead the compound are known for their cruelty. It is thought to be impossible to escape.
Tarsa - A peninsula in the southern portion of Torth. It has a tropical climate and violent, if bountiful, marine life living in the surrounding waters of the Sangre Sea. A warrior species, called the Tarsa demons, lives here. They have dark skin, razor-sharp teeth and are known to ignore outsiders.
Torth - One of the demonic realms. Time passes in the same way it does on Earth. The magic of ley lines powers every day equipment like appliances and cell phones. Many different terrains and climates exist here, as well as rural and urban areas. This realm has two moons.
Portal - A common method of travel both between realms and within realms, it is a six foot wide circle that is summoned by either a spell or a transportation amulet. Some amulets are pre-spelled to go to a specific destination, while others can only bring travelers to a general area. Once a traveler steps into a portal, they are whisked through darkness. They may see flashes of light or experience nausea, and will usually be “dropped” onto the ground at their arrival point.
Porter - A creature possessing the rare ability to teleport using the power of his or her mind. Only six are known to exist. Due to their rarity, they can charge exorbitant fees for their services. Traveling with them is preferred over using a portal, because there is no feeling of weightlessness of nausea,
nor being dropped at the destination. Porters can be any species.
Vampire - A weak species residing on Torth. Their population is low and scattered across the realm, and they are looked down upon by others. Full vampires must drink blood and are usually forced to consume animal blood, as humans don’t live on Torth and other races are generally stronger than vampires. Half-breed vampires can eat other food.
Viper - A demon with green scaled skin, this predator walks in a humanoid form but its head reassembles that of a snake. They have large fangs filled with venom potent enough to kill a weak creature and incapacitate a strong one. Their venom is the one essence that slows the rapid-healing abilities of many of Torth’s predators and can be poured on wounds to cause scarring.
ABOUT SHARON
Sharon Kay writes award-winning fiction and can never get enough reading time. She loves winter and black coffee, and is endlessly inspired to write kick-ass heroines and the men strong enough to capture their hearts. Sharon lives in the Chicago area with her husband and son, and one weekend the idea for her Lash Watchers and tough leading ladies formed in her head, refusing to stay quiet until she put pen to paper. Her characters tend to keep her up at night, as they banter, fall in love, and slay endless varieties of power-hungry demons.
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