by Boone Brux
Jade pulled the shift back out of the bag and laid it on the bed. After a couple more waves, she folded the note and slipped it between the folds of the garment. As an afterthought, she spread the gown out on the bed. Ravyn might miss the small nightdress, but the gown was a clear indication that something was amiss.
“There.” She picked up the pack and walked to Luc. “I feel better.”
He shook his head and then gave her arm a light punch. “You’re a good friend.”
Unsure if he was being glib or genuine, she chucked him back. “You too.”
He didn’t reply, simply pressed a finger to his lips and opened the door. The hinges gave a tiny squeak of protest. He poked his head into the corridor, his hand groping behind him until he found her wrist. Warm fingers wrapped around her and pulled her out of the room. Though she was quite capable of exiting her chamber by herself, she let him lead her but extricated herself once in the passage. His touch had a tendency to unsettle her and make her do stupid things. This was no time to be distracted.
People sprawled along the hallways. Some were wrapped in cloaks. Some cradled children to them. All were of the lower classes. Illuma Grand was big but not big enough to accommodate everybody. She had to wonder where the merchants and noblemen slept.
Jade skirted a man who lay toward the center of the passage. This life she understood. The only bed she’d known for years was a cold, hard stone in the Shadow World. The soft ticks she slept on now were some of the things she liked best about her new life among the Bringers. A twinge of shame nudged her. Though her room was not grand, she could have shared it with a mother and her children. The thought hadn’t even occurred to her. How easy it was to succumb to a life of entitlement.
If she got out of this mission alive, she would do more to help those less fortunate. Her stride slowed. She could actually do that now, help people. No more plotting. No more scrounging just to survive. No more hate and darkness.
Luc stopped, waiting for her to catch up. “Are you all right?”
She nodded. “I’m fine.”
He eyed her as if to make sure she wasn’t having second thoughts. She shooed him forward and whether he believed her to be committed or not, he continued on.
Outside, tents had been erected along their path. Some were lavish, some the most basic shelter. Nobody stirred and for the first time she wondered what time it was. There was no hint of sunrise in the sky. She didn’t ask because the only thing that mattered was that they were able to leave unseen.
Another question arose. She jogged a few steps to catch up to Luc. “How are we getting to the…” She glanced around. “Where we’re going?”
He smiled down at her, turned the corner of a building and stopped. A moan escaped her when she saw a young Bringer holding the reins of two saddled horses. Luc stared at her, almost daring her not to go.
“You won’t get rid of me that easily,” she said between clenched teeth.
He gave a quiet snort of laughter and continued into the stable yard.
Jade silently groaned. The thought of getting back on her mare made her backside hurt. From the ache that still ran down her legs, she was almost certain she sported several bruises in that tender area.
Luc took the reins and in exchange placed a small bag in the man’s hand, the clink of coins revealing its contents. “Thank you, Thomas.”
“Always a pleasure, my lord.” With a quick nod, the young Bringer pocketed the payment and walked back into the stable.
She watched until he disappeared inside. “Aren’t you afraid he’ll alert somebody?”
“About what?” He handed her a set of reins. “That we’ve left? They’ll know that much by breakfast.”
“Right.” She supposed he was right. The man couldn’t reveal what he didn’t know, and if Luc hadn’t shared details, then what would it matter if he told or not?
She gripped the leather straps and eyed her horse. From their trip to Illuma Grand, she knew the animal to be gentle and easy to guide. It didn’t make the prospect of traveling by horseback any better. She tied her bag to the back of the saddle and moved to the side. With one fluid motion, Luc mounted. Much less gracefully, Jade hoisted herself up and swung her leg over to settle slightly off balance. She held onto the pommel with a white-knuckled grip and righted herself, glancing at Luc to see if he was watching. He was.
“Ready?” he asked, his brows rising in question.
“Of course.” She bobbed up and down a few times, trying to find the most comfortable position. “Lead on.”
From the look on his face he didn’t believe her, but after an assessing second, he signaled the horse forward and her mare automatically fell in behind. If left to her own navigation, she would have been lost within the first mile. Perhaps it was the darkness or how much the trail had changed over the years, but the forest no longer resembled the same place where she used to play. Time had a way of altering all things.
They rode in silence and the slow rock of the saddle lulled her into a doze, only to be jerked awake when she started to slip from the horse. With a frantic grab, she gripped the pommel of the saddle and righted herself, glancing up to check if Luc had seen her. He still sat straight, his head occasionally rotating from side to side and above, searching for danger. The sky slowly lightened from black to pinkish gray, signaling a new day.
Her stomach growled. “I’m hungry. Did you pack food by any chance?”
Luc reared back on the reins to stop his horse and opened the bag tied to his saddle. Much to her pleasure, he produced a bright red apple and tossed it to her. “Your wish is my command.”
She fumbled for the fruit, nearly dropping it, but managed to keep hold. Though his offering might have been meager, she was grateful for it. There had been times when she’d eaten a lot less. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He dug an apple out for himself and bit into it, holding it between his teeth while he retied the bag. Juice dribbled out of the corner of his mouth.
Jade licked her lower lip and watched the thin line of liquid slither down his chin. She was neither able to look away nor stop the desire spreading through her chest.
Luc bit down, wiped the juice with the sleeve of his tunic and signaled the horse forward, blissfully unaware of the effect he had just caused. She jammed the apple in her mouth and chomped down, taking off a sizable hunk and almost choking herself. Juice sprayed and trickled down her chin in a far less seductive way than Luc’s had. She wiped her arm along her mouth and urged her horse into motion.
They didn’t stop again until after noon and then only briefly to eat and relieve themselves. Jade’s backside throbbed and she stifled her irritation that Luc seemed unaffected by the ride. Though she refused to complain, the thought of sitting down was too much to bear, so she opted to eat standing up. While Luc stepped away to attend to his private business, she leaned against a large oak and attempted to heal herself. A small buzz hummed in her head and for an instant the world shimmered and brightened, but just as quickly faded. Even though the display had been unimpressive, her radiating pain did seem to lessen somewhat, but it still took all her willpower to get back on the horse.
A twisted tree that reminded her of a dancer came into view. Its large leaves draped around the lower branches like a skirt of green. She smiled, now knowing their location. This was the familiar trail she had used in and out of the Shadow World. They were close, maybe two hours from the entrance. She goaded her horse with her heels to come level with Luc.
“We should be there in another few hours.”
“I’d rather go in tomorrow when we’re both rested. Do you know of a good spot to camp?”
She knew the perfect spot next to the hot spring. “About an hour and a half farther on foot, there’s a pool fed by an underground spring that’s cool enough to swim in. I’ve never run into the Bane there.”
“Perfect.” They entered a small clearing. “You should lead.”
She moved ahead. “We
’ll need to leave the path up ahead. I’ve done my best to conceal the trail.”
“That’s wise, both for your safety and others who might wander near the opening.”
A gnawing bite hit so suddenly Jade nearly fell from her horse. She gasped and clutched her arm. Luc sprang from his mount and grabbed her around the waist, hauling her to the ground.
“Get into the trees.” He gathered the reins and led the horses to cover.
The animals shied away, their nostrils flaring. He looped the straps loosely around a sapling. The burning sensation expanded across her shoulders and down to her fingertips. She leaned against the tree, flexing her hands.
“They must be close.” She scanned the woods but saw nothing.
“It’s getting worse.” He gritted his teeth and reached in his boot, pulling out the immortal dagger. “Wait here.”
She opened her mouth to protest but he was gone. “Idiot,” she mumbled.
He crept forward, staying to the shadows one tree back from the clearing. Jade crouched, her fingers digging into the soft bark. This very position reminded her of when Rell would hunt her. Leaves rustled overhead. Her gaze snapped to the canopy, searching within the branches for a lurking demon. Was it Rell?
Luc circled the clearing, raking the trees for the faintest hint of the Bane. He’d learned his lesson from his run-in with Rell and Icarus. They could be anywhere.
A loud thrashing of underbrush broke the silence. Luc ducked behind a tree and looked over at Jade. He held up his hand, signaling her to stay put. She nodded, for once complying without argument. Several scenarios ran through his mind. What if the noisemakers were humans and the demon lay in wait? He would have to save the unsuspecting humans and destroy the Bane. These were his duties now, protect people and rid the world of Bane.
Laughter broke through the trees and the Demon Bane emerged. Their huge forms hunched forward, their arms nearly dragging the ground. Bulbous heads sat on top of shoulders twice as wide as his. Right away he noticed that neither creature had wings. He sent up a prayer of thanks. At least this fight would stay on the ground. Though he knew these to be simple-minded minions, they were some of the largest demons he’d ever seen and they were headed directly toward Jade.
Luc crept forward until he stood behind a tree to their right. He glanced at Jade. She stared at him, her eyes wide. Obviously sensing his plan, she shook her head, trying to stop him. He ignored her and stepped clear of the tree.
The two demons stopped and stared, seemingly confused by his appearance.
“Afternoon, gentlemen.” Luc leaned a shoulder against the tree, making sure to keep his right arm behind him, hiding the dagger. “I seem to be lost.”
Though he wasn’t that adept at battling as a dragon, once he transformed, the sight of the creature should be enough to send these two Bane running.
Black lips stretched in a fanged smile across the largest demon’s mouth. “Too right you are.”
“Looks like we got ourselves dinner,” said the smaller Bane.
The two demons laughed.
Luc smiled, chuckling along with them. “So you plan on killing me?”
“Killin’ ya and eatin’ ya,” the smaller demon said.
“We’ll be killin’, roastin’, and eatin’ ya,” the other added.
Luc shrugged. “Once I’m dead it doesn’t matter what you do to me. I won’t be able to feel it.”
The demons glanced at each other as if mentally conferring.
The smaller said, “Then first we’ll capture ya, torture ya, and then we’ll roast you alive.”
“Yeah,” the larger one chimed in. “And then we’ll kill ya.”
“Frightening.” Luc gave an exaggerated shudder and edged away from the tree, moving in the opposite direction from where Jade hid. An odor that smelled like a mixture of sulfur and rotting meat wafted off the creatures. “And you two look just the type to do it.”
The creatures beamed at his praise, straightening their hunched forms as much as possible.
“Done it lots of times before.” The small demon circled as he talked, following Luc’s course. “Even ate a Bringer once.”
“A Bringer?” Small sticks snapped under Luc’s feet as he continued to inch away. He shook his head and furrowed his brow. “I find that hard to believe.”
“It’s true,” the smaller demon continued. “I hit him over the head with a rock. Dropped him just like—” He tried to snap his crooked fingers, but the misshapen phalanges wouldn’t connect. “That.”
“How do you know he was a Bringer and not just a man?”
The demons glanced at each other, again as if mentally discussing their answer. Perhaps it took two of their brains to form a complete thought. Finally, the big one said, “Tasted different.”
“Yeah, like chicken,” the little one added. “Humans taste like mutton. Bringers taste like chicken. He was definitely a Bringer.”
“Hmm, I never knew that,” Luc said. “I’ve learned something new today.”
“All this talk makes me hungry.” The larger demon took a step toward him. “Time to eat.”
The Bane’s foul breath wafted toward him. Luc coughed, crouching, ready for the attack. The large demon lumbered toward him and swiped with a hugging motion. The movements were slow and capture easily avoided. Luc dove to the side and rolled to his feet a few yards to the right of him.
The smaller demon charged, moving much quicker than his companion. The sharp points of his talons raked across Luc’s tunic, shredding the material but not touching his skin.
The larger demon spun to face the direction where Jade hid and lifted his nose to the air. Large nostrils flexed, sniffing. Luc spewed a war cry, drawing the creature’s attention away from Jade. With a demon on each side, the only direction he could move was toward Jade or backward.
Fire rippled down his arms and burned along his fingers. He gripped the dagger, trying to stem the flow. Burning the demons would be a temporary fix. What he wanted was to release their souls. From what Ravyn had told him, all he had to do was stab them with the blade. Easy.
They rushed him. He dove forward into the clearing, landing hard but managing to gain his feet and spin. The larger demon barreled toward him, arms spread wide like a giant bear. Luc faked a move to the left and the demon followed. Before the creature had a chance to right himself, Luc snapped back and thrust the blade up and into the monster’s heart.
The demon froze, his watery yellow eyes round, his black lips going slack with surprise. Luc yanked the dagger free and jumped backward to crouch for another attack. The creature’s knees buckled and he dropped to the ground.
The smaller demon skidded to a stop, his eyes darting from Luc to his kneeling companion. “What did you do to my brother?”
Luc straightened and produced the knife, holding it up for the Bane to see. “Set him free.”
The big demon’s body folded, crumpling in the grass. His brother stumbled forward and dropped to the ground. He scooped up the bigger demon and cradled his brother to him.
“It’s so beautiful, Colin.” The bigger demon’s gaze stared at the empty space above him. He swallowed hard and struggled to speak, his hand clutching at his heart. “So light. No dark.”
“You gotta stay with me, Seth.” The smaller creature gave him a hard shake. “You can’t leave me alone.”
Seth’s reptilian gaze slid to his brother’s face. “Coooome.”
White vapor slithered from the wound in his chest and slid around his black talons and swirled around Colin’s arms, enveloping the demons’ torsos. His eyes grew wide, a small shriek escaping him. He released his dying brother and scrambled away from the sparkling wisps, swiping at the fog. A draft of air captured the white mist, spiraling it upward until it disappeared from sight.
A heavy breath rushed from the large demon, the final exhale rattling his body. Yellow eyes clouded and turned white. The gray, leathery skin paled and began to peel like bits of old paint.
A warm wind blew across the clearing. The demon’s body softened and turned to ash, flaking away with the circling breeze. Colin cried out and grabbed at the blowing bits, but the ash turned to powder and when he opened his hands they were empty.
He looked up, his expression so stricken it made Luc’s throat tighten. “What will I do now?”
“He wanted you to follow.” Luc took a step and the demon recoiled. “No more darkness, only light and freedom.” The need to console Colin overwhelmed him. This was not like anything he’d ever experienced or anything he’d expected. The dagger made everything different. “Instead of death, I can give you life.”
The demon struggled to his feet, locking eyes with Luc. His lips curled in a snarl. Harsh, as if he struggled against some inner foe, the words fought to get free. “Do it—quickly.”
Without hesitation, Luc stepped forward and thrust, but before the dagger could pierce the thick hide, the creature caught his hand. Pressure like a vice crushed Luc’s wrist and as he stared into Colin’s eyes, he saw the change. Muddy brown swirled to the color of cognac and began to fade. His chance was nearly gone.
Calling the fire, Luc felt the heat build in his hand. The creature’s neck was too thick to wrap his hand around, so he clamped down on the muscular shoulder. Heat radiated from his palm, searing the demon’s flesh.
The Bane reared back, roaring in pain. Luc thrust the dagger into the demon’s heart. Instantly, the fire cooled and the massive body slackened, dropping to the ground. Luc pulled the dagger free and crouched next to Colin.
A look of peace settled on the demon’s face, his mouth stretching into a smile of pure wonder. “So beautiful.” His gaze shifted to Luc. “Thank you.”
Luc covered the taloned hand pressed against Colin’s chest. This was not a happy moment, but one of necessity. The lives of two brothers had been forever changed by the Bane. A senseless and cruel fate. One he had put right to the best of his ability. “Go in peace.”