by Nora Ash
“Wake up, child.”
Kain blinked at the gentleness with which the goddess spoke. It was so very different from the tone she’d used on him, and it made his anger level just a little.
Golden light shimmered around her hands and flowed into Selma’s abdomen. When his mate groaned softly and shifted underneath the goddess’ touch he could barely contain the relief flowing through his entire system. It would be okay, she was okay—
“Kalam!”
The Word of Power slammed him backwards so hard he hit the uneven tarmac of the small side road with his left shoulder first. A cocoon of golden light arose around his awakening mate and the goddess who’d just attacked him.
* * *
“You silly girl.”
The motherly scolding tone that broke through the sensation of bathing in light made Selma frown before cracking her eyes open. Feeling more than a little confused, she stared up into the most beautiful face she’d ever seen—high cheekbones, full lips and dazzling golden eyes surrounded by golden blond hair. Behind the incredible woman was a starry night sky beyond a shimmering veil of light.
“Who are you?”
“I am Bealith, Goddess of Seers. What is your name, my child?”
Goddess? She must be the one in charge of the Sanctum. “I’m Selma. What … happened?”
“You tried to cross the boundary while carrying one of them in your womb. The barrier expels all demons, including the unborn.” Bealith’s hand skimmed over her belly in a gentle caress.
If she hadn’t been so dazed by the shining light and waking up staring at a Goddess, she might have felt a bit more than mild surprise at that revelation.
“Oh. I thought it was supposed to be difficult to conceive with a demon.”
The goddess’ perfect lips quirked into a smile. “I take it the father is the demon who singlehandedly tried to tear down my defenses?”
Selma frowned. “Kain?” Why would he be trying to tear the barrier down? “Is he all right?”
The smile turned decidedly mischievous. “A bit upset, but perfectly fine. He claims he brought you here for protection. Is that true?”
“Yeah. Why is he upset?” She struggled to sit up, annoyed at the slight dizziness making her head buzz. It felt a bit like being drunk, only without the fun parts.
A brightly shining wall came into focus when she was finally upright, and behind it … behind it was her mate, his face almost unrecognizable with rage as he slung wave after wave of pure black energy against the shield. A faint echo hummed through the air with every hit.
“What did you do?” Shock cleared her head from the daze and she whipped around to stare at the goddess again, anger filling her. “Drop that shield! He thinks I’m in danger—I need to calm him down. Now!”
Bealith cocked her head as she looked at her. “I will, but first you and I need to talk. However, if you could convince him to stop attacking my shield it would be much appreciated—he’s very strong for someone who just poured enough magic into my Sanctuary’s barrier to crack a few of the wards, and I need time to explain.”
Selma narrowed her eyes at the beautiful woman. “If you trick me, he will kill you.” There was an odd feeling of calm in saying those words. In knowing that someone as powerful as the Demon Lord raging just a few feet from them would stop at nothing to protect her.
“I know, but you have no need for his violence to shield you from me, little Seer. I will never harm my Daughters. Please, tell him to stop and I will explain everything.”
Seer? Daughters? Selma gave her a hesitant look, but then nodded. Whatever a goddess had to say would be worth listening to.
She wobbled a little as she got to her feet, and had to place both hands against the wall of light to balance herself. Her palms buzzed pleasantly at the contact.
Kain’s black gaze locked with hers through the wall, fear plain on his face instead of anger now. He put his hand against the wall opposite hers, but pulled it back with an obvious growl when sparks flew at his touch. Dark energy burst from his hurt hand against the wall above her head, making the entire thing vibrate, and anger once again marred his features.
How did one go about calming down a Demon Lord seemingly hell-bent on wreaking havoc?
Selma waved a hand to get his attention, and when he paused the assault she shook her head determinedly.
His dark brows drew into a frown, and he gestured agitatedly at the Goddess who remained seated on the ground with her back halfway turned in an obvious attempt at seeming nonthreatening.
Selma nodded at him, hoping he’d understand. He seemed to, because despite the less-than-amused expression on his face, he nodded once and stood back, arms folded over his chest. Waiting.
She smiled in thanks and then turned back around to the goddess.
“I don’t know how long he will hold back for, so you should hurry with that explanation. Please.” The last word was tacked on at Bealith’s quirked eyebrow—it was undoubtedly bad form to make demands of a goddess, and Selma blushed at her poor manners. Apparently, being around demons for too long wasn’t good for her social skills. Carefully, she sat back down.
“Why are your here, child?”
Selma blinked in surprise. That wasn’t exactly what she’d expected to hear. “You mean at the Sanctuary? I was told it—you—take in Breeders who escape their Masters.”
Bealith wrinkled her nose delicately. “You are not a ‘Breeder’, Selma. You are so much more than what those meat-heads can imagine. You are a Seer, one of my beloved Daughters. Yes, I take in those of my Daughters who cannot accept a life by a demon’s side, if they are lucky enough to make it here. However, you seem to care for the one who has chosen you, so I ask again. Why are you here?”
“I ….” That question should have been a lot easier to answer. Selma glanced at the man who called her mate and felt her heart clench uncomfortably. “He gave me my freedom. If I don’t take it I will forever be a slave to them.”
“Do you know how many demons have willingly given up their mates before?”
Selma shook her head. “Few?”
“None.” The goddess stared unblinkingly at her, those odd, golden eyes seemingly piercing right through her. “Not a single one. Yet here that big brute is, bringing you to my doorstep for protection. He is the first demon I have ever heard of to go against all those primal instincts they’re filled with in order to do what is right. Do you think, if you chose to stay with him, he would enslave you?”
She felt heat rise in her cheeks again as shame filled her. No, Kain would never do anything to her she didn’t want, and she’d done him a great injustice by implying he would. “No. Never.”
“The Seers who find their way here are damaged. They have suffered in the hands of these beasts, and I suspect you have too. But his seed has taken root in you, and I cannot offer you sanctuary. I never wanted this for you—for any of you, but I wasn’t given a choice.” She bit her lip in a very human gesture, glanced at Kain’s impatient form, and then looked back at Selma. “What I want to tell you was never meant to be shared with anyone who isn’t a god, but I need you to hear it nonetheless.
“The war between Gods and Demons has waged for centuries, and before the fertility goddess Mattla intervened, we were losing. They were too many compared to us, and had we not done something, the balance would have shifted in their favor—and trust me when I say that neither we nor the humans would have fared well, had that happened. But then Mattla put forward her plan. She suggested a way we could make the demons fight amongst each other, whilst also lessening their number of offspring. The female demons had been forced into subservience by the ruling King, so they were likely to agree to a pact that would give them more power.
“The gods—all of us—agreed to the plan. It seemed perfect, and for many years, it was. The female demons birthed only more females, and the upheaval among the demon race meant they lost their focus in their war with us. But after decades of facing dwindling number
s and lost battles, they opened negotiations. And we had to act.”
Bealith reached out to grasp Selma’s hand between her palms.The buzz of her touch was oddly exhilarating—like drinking too much Irish coffee.
“That’s when I lost my Children, the Seers. I was always so proud of you—the gentle souls who carry the light within you. You spread joy and hope among the people you lived with, were revered as Wise Women and Shamans. Unfortunately, the demons have always favored you—they cannot resist the light you hold, even though they shun goodness in most other forms. They tricked or captured many into lifetimes by their side, and that is how Mattla got the idea to grant the male demons sons birthed by humans—but only Seers. It would greatly reduce their rate of procreation, seeing how rare you are, but it would break the negotiations between the males and females, ensuring that the demons will not unite and overrun us.
“I tried everything to plead for my Children, but the other gods had already decided. Because the demons favored you, you were selected, and the only way I am allowed to interfere is by ensuring that there is a Sanctuary on each continent where those who cannot endure their fate can seek refuge.”
Selma stared at her. “I’m sorry … I’m some sort of a … Shaman? I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but I’ve never been accused of being particularly wise. And I haven’t given a whole lot to charity either. No beacon of light within me, no superpowers of any sort. I can just see demons.”
Bealith smiled. When she spoke, her voice pitched with sorrow. “It was the trade-off for ensuring your could reproduce with demons. There is only an echo left of what you were—and the world is poorer for it, though your sacrifice has meant it isn’t overrun with darkness.”
Sacrifice? Something about that phrasing made it sound awfully willing, and Selma didn’t remember being asked to swap magical powers for the ability to be impregnated by demons.
“Why are you telling me all this? If—if you can’t protect me, then … then I will need to go back to them.” To Kain. There was a distinct lack of despair at that thought. Then she remembered what—or who—else she would be bringing, and anxiety finally nestled in the pit of her gut. She was pregnant. With a demon’s offspring. Kain’s offspring. He was going to lose whatever control still remained over his temper once he found out, and she wasn’t entirely sure it would be a positive reaction. Noble intentions or not, he’d made it clear he never wanted a mate, and even though he’d sacrificed his beliefs to save her, she didn’t think he would be particularly happy with adding a baby to the mix.
Not to mention how she’d cope herself, once she allowed the knowledge to take root. Which wasn’t yet. Not when she had to focus on getting enough information out of the goddess in front of her to ensure her survival.
A hazy image of a white picket fence and sunny afternoons on a porch swing was swiftly pushed away, even as her hand found and rested against her lower belly of its own accord.
Bealith smiled softly at her involuntary gesture. “I am telling you this, because I believe you have a chance at turning this cycle of abuse and despair around. Most demons who claim a mate will walk through fire to keep her, but the one who brought you here? He sacrificed his own needs for your benefit —no one’s ever thought these beasts were capable of selfless love, but this might be proof that the germ is in there. If you can nurture it and spread it to your children … my Daughter, you could be the catalyst who finally broke Evil.”
Selma’s mouth dropped open. “Whoa there! Kain was capable of love from when he was a child. I have nothing to do with that—and I think love is a fairly strong word for what’s between us! We’re doped up on each other’s hormones, and he’s a good guy. That’s why he’s helping me. As for this catalyst nonsense? If what you’ve told me is true, then I’ve had quite enough of being a tool for gods to play with. All I want is to live in peace!”
To her frustration, all her minor rant got her was a chuckle from the glowing woman in front of her.
“My dear, you’re the only woman in history to call a demon a ‘good guy’ while knowing his true nature. Even Breeders who grow content with their fate by a demon’s side would never claim he is good. That guy on the other side of this shield has crushed many humans' lives—it’s in his very nature. Yet you see kindness where others see evil. Deny your heart if you wish, my Daughter. When you have given birth to the demon in your womb you will be able to live behind my walls, if you wish to turn your back on your mate and his son. But if you don’t—if you can find it in your heart to nurture the love and gentleness within them both, then no one’s to say that you cannot have the peaceful life you desire, along with helping Light spread in an entire race that’s been ruled by Darkness since the very beginning. The choice is yours.” With a final glance in Selma’s direction she got up and turned to the wall, looking at the demon glaring angrily in at them.
“But I can tell you that love is the way to connect to the power you were meant to have. You are so much more than a Breeder, so much more than a damaged woman defined by the monsters who want to use you. It’s up to you if you want to take that power.” She turned her head to look at Selma over her shoulder, a small smile playing on her lips. “I am needed elsewhere tonight, my Child. Please do make sure your demon doesn’t wreak any more havoc on my Sanctuary’s wards—he has already done weeks' worth of damage, and scared those of your Sisters residing here witless.”
Selma frowned, the weight of the goddess’ words making her fold her arms protectively over her midriff. Just the thought of leaving a child behind, even a demon child she couldn’t even face the reality of just yet, sent cold shivers down her back.
“Choose wisely, Daughter.”
A flourish of golden light and shining fabric made Selma squint to protect her eyes, and when she looked back up, the goddess was gone. And so was the golden shield that had separated her from Kain.
“Selma.” Strong arms wrapped around her before she fully realized that they were alone again, and she gasped at the strength that crushed her against his hard chest. “I swear, I’m going to kill that fucking bitch! Are you all right? What happened? Ew, you reek of her!”
Selma laughed at his disgusted facial expression as he pulled his nose away from where he’d buried it in her hair. “I thought she smelled pretty nice. Like flowers and sunshine.”
The dark-eyed demon sent her a look that more than suggested that he was considering dunking her in the nearest river to lose the scent. “What happened to you? And what did that deceitful hag tell you? Whatever it was, you need to know that none of them are to be trusted. They are as dangerous and tricky as demons—they just go about it differently.”
Hmm. She was pretty sure he was somewhat unable to be objective about the trustworthiness of gods, but ironically, if she did take the goddess’ words for truth, then he had a point.
“Tell me what happened to you.” Concern was still evident in his voice, but his words bore the unmistakable air of a command. This demon had had enough of waiting.
“Er ….” She’d hoped to have a little more time to digest everything herself before deciding on how and what exactly to tell him, but when she looked up into his eyes she knew that he wasn’t going to accept anything but the immediate and full truth.
“Don’t freak out, all right?”
Both his eyebrows arched up. “You do realize that is anything but a calming statement, right?”
“Sorry, it’s just, ah … so you know how that barrier keeps demons out?”
“Yes?”
Selma bit the inside of her cheek. They hardly knew each other. The thought struck her out of the blue. Despite the incredible intensity of their time together, they had only been around one another for a handful of days—combined. Yet when his arms were around her, it felt like they’d known each other for a lifetime.
“Seriously, I need you to promise me you won’t freak out, because I can’t deal with that right now. I think I’m pretty terrified, and I don’t need you to�
��”
“Tell. Me. Now.”
Kain accentuated his growl by grabbing her arms and shaking her. Gently, but it stopped her rambling.
“Right, sorry. So the barrier … it, uh, keeps demons out. All demons.”
His facial expression didn’t change to a look of understanding.
“Also baby demons,” she clarified. “So that’s why I got knocked out.”
For the longest time, he just stared at her. Selma stared back nervously at his frozen face, not entirely sure if he’d actually grasped what she was trying to say.
“I’m pregnant.”
Actually saying it out loud did nothing to soothe her nerves, nor did his continued blank stare.
“…. So I can’t stay at the Sanctuary. And I … I really need you to speak now, because I don’t know what to do, and you’re freaking me out.”
When air wheezed out of his lungs she realized he’d stopped breathing while she spoke.
“Selma ….”
Her name on his lips sounded pained, and when he carefully released his grip on her arms she felt the loss of contact way too keenly. Fear of rejection pierced her heart painfully and out of the blue, making her wrap her arms around herself and the child she was apparently carrying, to stem the ache.
“I know this is not what you want, but I need your help, okay? Please don’t leave.”
Shock finally cracked his frozen mask. “Leave? You think I’d—” He interrupted himself with a foul curse and stroked a hand through his hair in an obvious attempt at soothing the agitation that seemed to flow out through the broken facade. “You’re carrying my … my child?”
She nodded, more than a little confused at his reaction. “Bealith told me so, and it makes sense with what happened with the barrier.”
Kain went quiet again, his body stilling.
“Kain?” Gently, she placed a hand on his chest, searching his eyes for a clue of what was going on. Her panic mixed with the confusion to an unpleasant roil in her gut. That’s when she saw the single tear drawing a path down his cheek.