by Nesa Miller
“Such a loving daughter, leaving them alone to die.” A sly grin spread across his face. “You ran, and ran, and ran.”
“How could you know?” Her thoughts spiraled, the past mixing with the present. “I was just a kid.” Could I have saved them? How? Wretched eyes looked on a face so like Dar’s, yet so different. How does he know?
“An excuse. You had power, even then.”
“What?” She stared at him, eyes wide. “You knew me?”
“I remember the first day your mother brought you in. Your father was so proud, showing off his precious little empath. I felt it the moment you entered the room. Of course, your parents thought they knew how to play the game, thought they’d played me for a fool.” She felt mesmerized by his gaze, swallowed up whole in their green depths. “I saw the potential in you. Such sensitivity and intelligence, not to mention your promised beauty.” His twisted smile was more of a leer. “Which has been fulfilled many times over. Then, as if that weren’t enough reason to acquire you, I came across the tale of a dragon warrior descended from Lyoness. A warrior with the promise to change everything.”
Get it together, Etain. You know bullshit when you hear it. He’s playing you.
The thought was enough to turn her fear into determination. Straightening her shoulders, she shifted her hips and raised her chin. “And you wonder why I chose Dar?”
Midir flashed a warning glare. “Your family was an obstacle easily removed.”
“A demon killed my family.”
“Zagan.” The acid grin returned. “Quite the assassin.” He eased himself down on the edge of the bed. “I hear Dar did him in.”
Stop changing the game, damn you!
His voice was matter-of-fact. “Zagan was quick, clean, and professional. Unfortunately,” he mused, “the job on your family wasn't so clean, but a couple of jarvlen fixed that.” His casual air horrified her. “It was a means to an end. Strictly business.”
Her arms fell to her sides, hands curling into fists. “The slaughter of my family was business?” The demon within yearned to lash out, her talons itching for release.
With a cavalier air, he rattled on. “Then there was that nasty business of Dar nearly slicing you in half.” His smile, a tainted version of Dar's boyish grin, knocked the breath from her. “Let’s be sensible about the whole affair. How could it have been him when he was too busy with his boy scout duties? What a gullible sod! His holier-than-thou attitude made it easy to phase in and lift the sword.” In his excitement, he acted out the scene, ending with a javelin throw. “Never saw it coming.” Her skin crawled, hearing his nearly maniacal laugh. “If that wall hadn't been there, who knows where you would have landed.” He clapped his hands. “It was entertainment at its best.”
Hearing the coldness in his voice, she couldn’t believe his disregard for the precious lives he had destroyed. She sank to her knees, her vision blurred by tears.
“If you lived, I knew it would empower you. But Dar was there, wasn’t he? A sucker for the down-and-out. He can’t resist coming to the rescue. Never did I think he would share our blood.” If possible, his dialogue became livelier as he walked to her and patted her on the head. “It was the boost needed to spark your powers into overdrive.”
She suffered his words in pained silence.
“One of my favorites was when your… What do you call her? Your sister?” The man chuckled. “Think about it, mon petit. How can she be your sister when Dar is her sire?”
“No! Shut up, Midir! Shut up!”
He grabbed her by the chin, forcing her to look at him. “Surely you see it.” He crouched down, green eyes piercing into hers. “Much as I hate to say it, the boy has style.” He cocked his head. “Are you aware she carries his child? Yes, I see you are. I know because my sword vibrated from its life force.” He caressed her cheek. “So smooth, so perfectly did her soft flesh part, taking in every inch.”
She jerked away. “I can’t believe you have any link to Dar.”
Licking his lips, he straightened, walking back to the bed. “Where was I? Oh, yes, the day your sister mortally wounded you.” He shook his head. “Etain, that was stupid. You're better than she is, yet you let her get the best of you. Mon petit, never be a doormat.” A smile came to his lying lips. “On the bright side, it did lead you to becoming my Etain.”
“I am not your Etain,” she said, jaw clenched.
“Do you really think he’s done with her?” He strode over to her, reached down with bruising speed, and yanked her up by her arm. “Hell, woman. Are you blind? Why do you think he keeps her around? If she’s carrying his child, how long before you’re discarded? I know my brother. He’s not as honorable as he would have everyone believe. His loyalty will be with the mother of his child, not some vixen he’s taken a fancy to.”
“He loves me,” she said, feeling like a child and, worse, sounding like one.
“He loves the chase. Once he’s had you, he’ll relegate you to guard duty…if he’s smart. If not, he’ll do away with you.”
Again, her eyes moved to the bed. “He made the sword for me…to prove his love.”
“Not another sword! The blackguard.” He raised his hands in exasperation. “I’ve lost count of how many times he’s used that one. You won’t have it for long, mon petit. One morning, you will wake up and it will be gone, along with your lover. The sword is very effective in keeping his women compliant.” His hot breath caressed her neck. “Now, I would make you my queen.” Lustful lips trailed along her delicate skin. “Who do you think has taken care of you since you were set free?” Catching an earlobe in his teeth, he gingerly tugged, making her tremble.
She turned into his face. “Stop.”
He traced a line down her neck with his finger, pulling the neckline of her shirt, exposing a soft shoulder. “Where’s the dragon?”
She hadn’t a clue what he was talking about, but said, “Replaced.” His eyes followed hers to the ripped cloth just above her left breast. The shimmer enticed him to the exposed skin. As his hand neared the mark, a flash of golden fire flashed.
Eyes wide, he ripped the shirt from her body. “This can’t be.” Tattered pieces fell to the floor. “Stupid girl!”
“I told you I wasn’t yours.” She lashed out with a taloned hand, catching him across the chest.
He staggered back, surprised, but recovered quickly and came at her, tearing off his cloak. He slapped her, knocking her to her knees, and grabbed her by the throat. “I knew you tasted different.” He dragged her onto the bed and straddled her hips. Dagger in hand, he traced the tip around the mark and along her ribs. “He had you in that shit castle of the Alamir, didn't he? The cursed protection spell kept it from me.”
She spat in his face. “I will see you dead.”
He slapped her again, splitting her lip. Curling her hand into a fist, she tried to hit him, but he pinned her arms against the bed.
“I am the one who made sure of your inheritance. Made sure everything your father owned was passed to you.”
“You murdered my family!”
He pulled her arms down to her sides, holding them in place with his knees, then slapped her again. “How else would you have this house, your car, your life? Dar has done nothing but get in the way.” She struggled to get free. His attack intensified until she lay unconscious, a fist to her jaw the deciding blow.
He pressed his body against her slack form. “I will have you, mon petit.” Impertinent hands snaked over succulent flesh, raising gooseflesh on his arms. The mark over her left breast glowed in a threatening light. He forced himself to move away, trembling as he stood next to the bed. “Once we’re in my realm, all this will be forgotten. I will remove that stain from your body.” He smoothed his hair and straightened his clothes. “Since I can’t have you at the moment, your little friend will do nicely. The power I take from her will be a welcome delight.”
The green-eyed demon walked into the kitchen, expectant of his interlude with the ma
ge, but the room was empty.
“Looking for me?” Spirit’s voice dripped with contempt.
He whirled around, seeing a pulsating energy ball of green light in her hand. “I have a little present for you. Matches your bloody eyes.” She released the ball and turned for a quick escape.
Midir dodged the blast by phasing out, immediately reappearing in her path. “Such impatience,” he said, laughing at her shocked expression. “I love a forceful woman.” With a slight move of his hand, he blasted her to the floor. “Let’s see how forceful you are after I’m done with you.”
With his first step, a surge of energy threw him back into the corner. He gazed up into the violet eyes of a demon, wings spread, talons at the ready. “You will not touch her.”
He stared in amazed appreciation.
“Get out, Midir.”
“Not without you.” He turned his face to the heavens. “Thank you, Dar.” He scrambled to his feet, drawing his sword. “As for you, my beauty…” He waved the blade in her face. “If you come to me, I'll forget about the mage. Otherwise, I fully intend to be satisfied, one way or another, before I leave.”
“You won’t get the chance.” She lashed out, but Midir sidestepped just beyond the reach of her deadly talons.
A voice spoke to her, one she had never heard before.
Call to me, sweet lady. Dar has made me yours. Call to me. Let me be your vengeance.
Arm at her side, the talons retracted. “Nim’Na’Sharr.” The sword appeared in her hand, its crystal blade aglow with the same violet as Etain’s eyes.
Midir held his black blade in front of him. “What is that?”
“You don’t recognize it? Is this not the sword Dar bestows on all his ladies?” She took her stance, raising her blade. A shard of sunlight peeked through the curtains, glinting off the crystal blade, casting a rainbow of colors through the room. “She’s quite lovely, don’t you think?” Her wings arced up and snapped-in close to her body. “Were their wings as pretty as mine?” She whipped Nim through the air, slashing across and down, bringing her blade up, deflecting his attack. She ducked down and clipped his shins with the tip.
“You bitch!” he screamed, raising his sword. She countered with a graceful twist, bringing her body and sword up, meeting his fevered attempt. Just as quickly, she swiped the sword toward his midriff. Midir jumped back, looked down at his belly, and watched the fabric split, revealing a line of blood. “Leave with me, now.”
“You came alone. You leave alone.”
She moved to Spirit and offered a hand up, taking her eyes off her opponent. Midir hoisted his sword up. Spirit screamed, reacting with a freezing blast, staying his move in midair. Etain whirled around, Nim in the lead. The crystal crashed into his frozen blade, shattering the black blade. Unfortunately, as she turned, her shoulder clipped Spirit's jaw, knocking her into the corner.
Midir recovered before Etain, dropped the broken sword, and threw a left-handed power blast into the mage. Etain gasped, watching Spirit hit the wall again and slump to the floor. Midir grabbed his dirk, stabbing into the mark on Etain’s chest. She blinked, not sure of what had happened. Spirit needed her help, but…
Dark spots clouded her vision. Midir kept fading in and out. Is this a new trick? She felt so strange. Midir stretched his arms out, catching her as her legs gave way. Someone called her name, but she couldn’t respond.
Nim’Na’Sharr fell from her hand, its glow fading.
15
In Search of a Demon
Dar crawled out of bed and dressed, his mind mulling over Etain’s request. “For you, my love, I will try to make peace with Inferno. Maybe the pigheaded fool will listen.” Gazing out the window, he noticed the sun peeking over the horizon. “A red sunrise.” He picked up his scabbard. “Blood will be spilled this day.” He unsheathed the blade for a quick inspection. “Let’s make sure it is not mine, Ba’alzamon.” The blade returned to its sheath, he strapped it across his back and left the room. Reaching the kitchen door, he heard Inferno in conversation.
“I don’t like it, boys. It’s been too quiet.”
Someone chuckled. “You love to whinge, mate. Enjoy the peace while we have it.”
Dar recognized the voice.
“When me balls twitch, it means something’s up, and they been twitchin’ a lot lately.”
Usually when Wolfe was around, there was also…
Elfin joined in the conversation. “I think it has more to do with what’s been going on upstairs than the Bok.”
“Or what hasn’t,” Wolfe chimed in. “Maybe we should have a chat with Spirit.”
Dar sighed and pushed through the door. “Morning, gentlemen. Inferno, we need to talk.”
Their smiles faded.
“That we do, demon, but it won’t be with words.” Hatred burned bright in the man’s eyes. “Me blade has plenty to say.”
What a difference a day makes.
Dar did his best to remain civil. “We should sit down and settle our differences in a peaceful manner.” From the corner of his eye, he caught the movements of Wolfe and Elfin reaching for their dirks. He stepped back. “You disappoint me. I thought if it came down to this, you’d be man enough to fight me one-on-one.”
“I don’t need help to beat you,” Inferno barked. “This is between me and the demon, boys.” A devilish smile crossed his face. “Put the dogs in the kennel, then come watch me put Lord Darknight in his place.”
“If that’s how it has to be.” Dar resolved himself to the chieftain’s decision. “I’ll be waiting at the shore.” He wanted to take the fight away from the house to ensure the women would not hear the clash of blades. Exiting through the back door, he could not resist a final taunt. “If you have the balls to bring it.” It felt good giving in to the darkness, if only for a tiny toe dip. He would like nothing better than to show this pain in the ass what pathetic really looked like.
Etain’s request faintly echoed in his mind. Being the warrior he was, he rationalized with his conscience.
I offered terms. He set them. Negotiations done.
Wolfe and Elfin rushed off to spread news of the ensuing battle. It was a rare opportunity to watch two blade masters go at it. One being a Krymerian made it all the more special. The clan gathered at the castle wall overlooking the shore.
“Okay, boys,” Wolfe said, taking a seat. “I say Inferno takes him down in five flat.”
Elfin was the voice of reason. “Come on. Dar’s a seasoned warrior. I’ll give him longer than that. I say he’ll last a half-hour, Inferno eventually taking the win.”
Most agreed their chieftain was the better swordsman.
“I’ll place a hundred Dar holds his own,” Linq said, interrupting their game. “If you’d ever seen him in action, you wouldn’t dismiss him so quickly. He’ll last well past a half-hour.”
The others laughed as Wolfe answered the elf. “It’s obvious you’ve never seen Inferno fight. He charges in and does a fine job of breaking down his opponent.”
“There are only two people I have encountered who can best me, and they’re both down there.” Linq held up a hand at the expected retorts. “I know Inferno is undefeated…within the Alamir.” Hearing a warrior yell, their heads turned to the clash unfolding at the water’s edge. “He’s never faced a Krymerian with something to lose.”
The rivals circled one another, sizing up their opponent. At exactly the same moment, the men charged, Inferno swinging his fists. A shirtless Dar ducked and heaved an uppercut Inferno blocked with ease. The Alamir came back with a right hook, meeting nothing but air.
The two carried on for over an hour. Winded, bruised, and bleeding, they separated.
“Ya think yer smart, don’t ya, demon?” Inferno yelled. “Yer a blasted fool.” His hand went to the hilt of his sword. “What ya think is love in her eyes is nothing more than pity.” He slashed out at Dar’s head.
The black blade of Ba’alzamon met Inferno’s blade, jarring the Alamir to th
e bone. “You would be wise not to speak of things you know nothing about.” Dar’s voice was heavy with venom. “You have no idea what’s in her heart.” Jumping back, he reversed his grip on the hilt and came around in a swirling cyclone, swinging his fist at the same time.
Inferno blocked the sword, but the fist caught him on the side of the head. He stumbled to the side. “Bleedin’ bastard! I’ll have your heart.”
Metal rang, neither gaining the upper hand. They charged again. Dar leaped over Inferno’s head as he swung his sword in a downward chop, but the warrior landed off-kilter. Inferno’s blade slashed down. Dar went with the bad landing, rolling on his back and coming to his feet, dodging the blow. Certain he had cleared the attack, a sudden stabbing pain in the chest told him differently. He dropped to a knee, glanced down, finding a line of oozing blood from one shoulder to the other.
Inferno didn’t give him time to recoup. “Ya had no right to pass yer taint on to her.” He laid a shallow gash across Dar’s back, twisted, and jabbed out with his elbow, catching Dar on the left side of the face. “Ya see what happens when ya face someone with real experience? I’ll be glad when yer dead and she’s free of yer poison.” Raising his sword, Inferno gasped, coughed, and staggered to the side. The tip of his sword fell into the dirt. He looked down at a nasty gash just below his ribs. “Yer faster than I give credit, devil. But it ain’t enough to save yer life.”
While the man bellowed his threats, Dar took a moment to check his injuries. The bloody gash was expected, but the hole in the mark he and Etain shared gave the warrior concern.
The bloody men, covered in sweat and dirt, dropped their blades and faced off. Dar swiped at his eyes, having to squint in order to focus on his blurry opponent. Inferno favored his left side, keeping one arm across his battered ribs. Each man raised a hand toward the other.
At the wall, Linq yelled, “Watch out! Power surge!” The air crackled with a magical charge. Everyone hit the dirt, waiting for the sonic boom that was sure to blast across the hillside.