by Boone Brux
The passage curved and a pinprick of light glowed at the end. Luc eased toward it, his body outlined faintly by the distant light. She took extra care not to kick rocks and possibly alert any waiting demons. Rell could be there. After all, this was her home—her world. The prospect of releasing her soul in a place that had in essence been her prison seemed wrong. But believing Rell would agree to come with them so they could perform the deed among loved ones was an even more foolish idea.
To her surprise, Luc’s fingers brushed her hand. He latched on and squeezed. Despite her bravado, the anxiety of facing her sister tested her resolve. She intertwined her fingers with his and returned a reassuring squeeze.
They stopped just inside the shadowed doorway. The cavernous room yawned before them, empty. Moist heat coated her skin, making the clothes she wore cling.
Shadows cast along one side of his face when he looked at her. “Empty.”
His whisper filled the passage, too loud for the stealth they were attempting. With no reason to wait, they stepped into the cavern. The soft hiss from vents in the floor and the slow bubble of some of the pools created enough noise to hide somebody’s approach through the passage.
Jade entered behind him and stopped. He looked at her, as if gauging her reaction, probably wondering if being back in the Shadow World would be enough to make her abandon their mission. It wouldn’t. She surveyed the chamber, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. She loosened her fingers and pulled away. Luc didn’t resist. From here on out they needed to be ready for an attack.
He moved around a burbling pool. “I wonder where she is.”
His statement echoed Jade’s thoughts. Traveling deeper into the Shadow World was not what they had hoped for. Still, if Rell wasn’t here, they couldn’t afford to wait very long.
“You’re getting careless.” The demon’s voice drifted down to them.
They both spun and scanned the soaring ceiling. Perched on a high outcropping twenty feet above sat Rell. In her current pose, she reminded Jade of a distorted stone statue carved for the cathedrals of The Order of the Saints. The creatures were meant to keep evil out. Large wings opened and Rell launched herself from the ledge.
Tattered membrane flapped as she spiraled to the ground. Jade moved to stand in front of Luc, her right hand ready to retract the dagger from her boot when needed, her body tensed for attack. She watched her sister’s descent with the intensity of a shepherd dog watching its flock.
Luc stood a mere pace behind her, waiting. No matter what the cost, they would accomplish this disagreeable mission together.
Rell folded her wings and dropped the last few feet to the ground with a heavy thud. Holes speckled the membrane of her wings and Jade noticed that she favored her left side when she straightened. Guilt tempted Jade to relax her stance and give her sister solace, but she pushed her emotions down, burying them under duty.
“Come to free my poor tortured soul?”
Rell’s statement threw Jade off guard. An inkling of dread ran up her spine. Had she known all the time they would come? Had they walked into a trap? She opened her senses and searched for other demons, but inside the Shadow World their presence was too great to recognize one demon from a horde.
When Jade didn’t reply, Rell sneered and turned away to limp toward a large flat rock, as if their presence was of no concern. “As I suspected.”
Luc remained at Jade’s back, letting her take the lead. The gesture left her grateful and horrified. She knew he thought it best to get this over with, but as hard as she tried, she couldn’t separate all her feelings. There was so much she wanted to say. Things she needed to understand about why Rell had not told her about their mother. Things she wanted her sister to know. Would it matter? She doubted Rell would listen or try to comprehend them.
“I love you.” Jade’s soft profession fell flat.
“Ah, yes, love.” Rell circled behind the rock and stopped, propping her hands against the top. “That would be the reason you’re here? Because you love me so much?”
Jade’s throat worked up and down, trying to swallow past the growing lump. Luc stepped up behind her and placed a hand on her back. Together, they presented a united front, but would it be enough?
“I felt the darkness, Rell.” She hugged herself, the memory sending a chill deep into her heart. “Nobody should be forced to live with such desolation.”
“Did you come to this conclusion on your own, or was it—” She flicked her horns toward Luc. “His idea?”
“No.” She wouldn’t let him take the blame for their situation any longer. His irresponsibility might have had a hand in the events that had happened thirteen years ago, but he was not at fault for the horrible things that had followed. Somebody had plotted against her father, and the entire family had paid. “I wanted this.” She moved toward the demon. “Ever since that night at the chapel, I realized our life has been a lie.”
Rell’s lower lip turned down in an exaggerated pout. “Finally realize I was a Demon Bane?”
“No.” Jade shook her head. “That I could accept. What I can’t accept is that you’ve lied to me about our mother.”
Understanding of why her sister had kept that secret flittered just out of Jade’s reach. She tried to put herself in Rell’s place, but she couldn’t fully grasp a rational excuse. And that one concept is what drove her to complete this mission. There was no rational excuse, no answer that would ever satisfy her.
The arrogant look on Esmeralda’s face slipped. “Was your life so awful?”
“I know you did the best you could.” Jade paused. “But it wasn’t a good life—not what I could have had with our mother.”
Rell sneered. “She left us. Why did she not try to find us?”
“Why would she when she thought we were dead?” She pointed at Rell. “Why didn’t you tell me she was alive instead of hiding me away in this cavern?”
“Look at me.” Her sister held her arms out to her sides. “Do you really think she would have accepted this for a daughter?”
“You never gave her a chance.”
“It doesn’t matter now. What’s done is done.”
Jade reached into her boot and removed the dagger. “And what has to be done must be done.”
“Will you be the one to send my soul through the Veil, sister?” The demon hopped on top of the boulder. “To hold me as I turn to ash?”
Luc didn’t move, his hesitation like silent words of encouragement. Would she be able to release her sister and lose her forever? “Yes.”
With that one word, Luc edged to the right to block Rell’s path so she couldn’t escape through the door and flee deeper into the Shadow World. Jade tensed, her every instinct screaming to strike. But before she could lunge, Rell leapt off the boulder, clearing Jade’s head by three feet. Surprised by the lightning-fast movement, she and Luc spun to follow the demon’s movements.
Rell landed behind them on the other side of a pool, but remained crouched. Unwittingly, she’d pinned herself in between the water and the sheer rock wall. There was no escape besides flying.
Jade glanced at Luc. “This is going to be a lot more difficult than we’d planned.”
“I never thought it was going to be easy.” He looked back at the demon. “But I know you can do it.”
His unsolicited praise gave her courage the boost it needed. She turned back to Rell. Living with her for more than thirteen years gave Jade insight into her sister’s actions.
They circled the pool, each moving in a different direction. When they were within a few yards, Rell leapt away from them and landed on the large flat rock closer to the entrance of the cavern. Jade ground her teeth. Her sister was playing with them. This was like chasing a mouse around a circular room. Just when you thought you had it cornered, the rodent slipped through your hands.
Sharp talons scraped along the stone as Rell settled, glowering down at them. “Two against one, that doesn’t seem very fair.” She smiled. “For you.”
Obviously tired of being played with, Luc sprinted toward her and dove. Like a jettison of steam, she shot into the air, but she hadn’t anticipated Luc’s determination. Using the rock as leverage, he leapt onto the boulder and pushed off, the leap taking him high enough to reach the demon’s ankle. His arms wrapped around her legs and knocked her off balance. The two plummeted to the ground and smacked into the earth with a heavy thud.
Jade raced toward them as Luc released his hold and jumped on top of Rell. He rolled her face down on the ground and using his knee, pressed her into the floor. Jade skidded to a stop, unsure what to do or how she could help.
Luc straddled the demon and bent over her to keep her wings crushed against her back and her shoulders restrained. With his other arm, he wrapped it around Rell’s tiny waist and hoisted her off the ground. Once upright, he compressed both her arms against her side in a snakelike hold. Despite her petite size, her wings were taller than Luc and her feet swung free, slicing at his pants with her talons.
“Stab her!” On an inward swing of her legs, he tried to pin her clawing feet between his knees, but Rell was too fast.
Her screech reverberated off the walls. “Let me go!”
This was the moment. Rell was helpless. Jade could release her soul and they could go home. Tremors shook Jade’s hand when she lifted the dagger and drew it back.
“Please Jade, don’t do this.” Rell’s eyes widened and for the first time ever that Jade could remember, large tears pooled in her sister’s eyes. “I don’t want to die.”
A whimper escaped Jade. “You’re already dead.”
At those words, Rell’s pleading yellow eyes narrowed. She dipped her chin forward and flung her head back, smashing the back of her skull into Luc’s face. Blood spouted from his nose and streamed over his mouth and chin, but he didn’t let her go.
“Do it!” He spit a mouthful of blood on the ground. “I can’t hold her much longer.”
Jade stepped forward, determined to send her sister’s soul through the Veil. Rell’s eyes grew round again and tears spilled down her cheeks. She ceased her struggle and closed her eyes. “I forgive you.”
Before Jade took her first step forward, she knew she wouldn’t be able to stab Rell. Her voice cracked. “I can’t do it.”
“You must.” Luc pushed the demon forward, moving her sister within range. “Now, Jade. Be strong.”
“I can’t, Luc.” She shook her head. “I thought I could, but I can’t.”
“Jade.” Her name sounded like an accusation. “I can’t hold her and release her soul. You must do this.”
Reason and foolish loyalty fought for dominance. Love for her sister won control of Jade’s heart and she opened her mouth to refuse Luc’s command when she noticed her sister’s expression. Rell’s lips quirked at the edges and one brow lifted ever so slightly in a triumphant arch. A performance, that’s all these newly displayed emotions were. Anger rushed through her.
“You’re not capable of forgiveness or remorse.” Jade lifted the dagger overhead. “And I won’t let you dwell in darkness.”
The smile spread across Rell’s lips. Jade lunged, but before she could drive the dagger into her sister’s heart, Jade was yanked off her feet and lifted in the air. The dagger flew from her hand and hit the wall, clattering to the floor. A scream ripped from her throat, her fear of heights being smothered by the stark terror of the demon that held her.
Icarus’s thick black arm snaked around her neck, pulling her against his body. Muscles rippled against her back with each stroke of his wings. Unlike when Rell hunted her, Icarus’s movements were calculating and smooth. He settled on a ledge that was only big enough for one large-winged demon—and nobody else. Her legs dangled twenty feet above the ground, swinging madly in an effort to find a foothold.
Icarus’s voice reverberated against her back. “Let the demon go.”
Luc stared at them, unmoving. The arm tightened around Jade’s neck, cutting off air and making her gasp. Needle points of his talons settled against her heart and pressed through the rough fabric of her tunic to pierce her skin. She cried out.
“Let Rell go or I will drop her.”
Luc’s gaze darted to the dagger and back.
“Please, Luc,” Rell pleaded. “He’ll kill her.”
“As if you care,” he said, jerking her to the left as he inched toward the knife.
“I do.” Rell hung limply in Luc’s arms. “Of that one thing you should have no doubt.”
“You have a strange way of showing it.” He maneuvered them closer to the knife.
“One more step, Bringer, and I drop her.”
Icarus’s hold loosened and Jade slipped. She clawed at his arm, this time trying to hang on instead of getting free. “Luc!” Her intention had been to tell him to let Rell go, but what came out was completely different. “Release her soul. Don’t worry about me.”
“She’s very sweet, isn’t she?” Icarus called to Luc. The talons dug deeper. Warm blood flowed down her torso and pain seared across her chest. The pressure increased, making it difficult to breathe and impossible to speak. “Perhaps I should drink her soul.”
His words registered a second before what felt like an icy blade sliced through her body. Her head lolled forward, her chin resting against her chest. White threads that looked like smoke spiraled from her body and around Icarus’s finger. Heaviness weighed her eyelids and it became a struggle to keep them open.
“Icarus, no!” Rell’s shrill cry pierced Jade’s slide into unconsciousness. “You promised you wouldn’t hurt her!”
“Only if the Bringer cooperated.” He nuzzled her neck. “She smells so sweet, almost too good to resist.”
The reality of what was happening penetrated the haze building in Jade’s head. Darkness pressed around her, sucking her into the endless black void. Luc shoved Rell away from him. She stumbled forward, landing on her hands and knees, and scrambled for the knife. Her black talons curled around the hilt and she lifted it, holding it over her head like a prize.
“I have it, Icarus, and we have him.” When he didn’t respond, she walked toward him. “Let her go. I have kept my side of our bargain.”
He pulled his talons free from Jade’s chest and the white tendrils slithered back into her body. The pain dulled and awareness returned just as Icarus stepped off the ledge.
She tried to scream but the noise lodged in her throat. His huge, black wings flared, catching the air current to slowly lower them to the ground.
If it hadn’t been for the bulky forearm still crushing her neck, she would have vomited.
“Release her.” The promised retribution in Luc’s voice was unmistakable.
Rell walked to a rock and lifted a thick chain and pair of manacles. “Put your hands behind your back.”
“No.” Jade’s plea rasped from her throat and Icarus’s grip tightened. “Please.”
“It was either Jade or you.” Rell snapped the bands around Luc’s wrists. “You see, I really do care about my sister.”
“Your friend’s fate is sealed,” Icarus whispered in Jade’s ear. “But your fate is still undecided.”
“Let me go.” With great effort she dragged in the air. If she could get to Rhys and Ravyn, there might be a chance to save Luc. “I will serve you.”
The deep timbre of Icarus’s laugh rumbled against her back. “Liar. No, I will keep you in reserve.” He inhaled again, rubbing his cheek against her neck. “In case my attempts to open the Abyss of Souls fail. Full-powered Bringers are difficult to come by, but now I’ve got two.” He paused. “Lucky me.”
All the fight went out of Jade. The demon’s arm loosened from around her neck and lowered, brushing across her breasts and down her arm. Determination pulsed through her veins. She would not let the Bane have two people she loved.
Talons circled her arm, dragging it behind her. Rough metal clamped around one of her wrists and cut into her skin. She gave no resistance, but her eyes remained
locked with Luc’s, telling him this battle was not over. He dipped his chin in the slightest show of solidarity. They were in this together—to the end.
Rell knelt and shackled both of Luc’s ankles and then nudged him forward. Chains scraped against the stone floor with each shuffling step he took, reminding Jade of the slave market of Faela. Like the poor souls who were sold or traded for a few coins, her life and Luc’s had just become as expendable.
She caught Rell’s stare and held it, silently telling her sister that the game wasn’t over. A sliver of satisfaction coursed through her when Rell broke eye contact first, unable to hold Jade’s gaze.
“Follow them.” Icarus shoved Jade forward. “We have something special in store for you.”
She looked over her shoulder and gave him a humorless smile. “I can hardly wait.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The icy stone slab of the table pressed against Luc’s back, his body quivering uncontrollably from the cold and pain. Metal cuffs burned at his wrists and ankles and a leather strap bit into his chest, making it impossible to fight during his torture. Blood coated his body and pooled beneath him, coagulating into thick puddles. Blue light flickered from the braziers but provided no warmth to the cavern. This was a place of death, a place where one went to lose his soul, a chamber for the damned.
Knives, hooked blades, and axes lined a narrow table against the wall, unused. No need for weapons when Icarus’s talons were more than efficient at ripping.
“How were you brought to full power?” The demon stood over him and ran a talon down the center of his chest, piercing the skin and laying open the flesh. A thick line of blood spilled over his ribs. “I really must know.”
Stinging pain fanned across Luc’s chest. He pressed his lips together, refusing to answer the same question that had been asked a dozen times before. He inhaled, trying to focus his healing along each cut the demon had made. Concentrating was becoming difficult. Weakness crept through his body, his will power chipping away with each slice the demon delivered, and the wounds weren’t healing fast enough.