by Izzy Shows
“I can,” he snapped. “But I won’t. Marchosias is right. It’s an insult to my power for him to imprison Bael.”
“What are we going to do, then?” Marchosias asked, one eyebrow raised. “We’re trying to avoid war. We don’t want to kill Zepar anymore than we want Bael dead.”
Malphas pinched the bridge of his nose before dropping his hand back to the table. “I am not sure what other option he has left us at this point.”
I frowned. “Why is he doing this?” I asked, frowning. “It doesn’t sound like this is an everyday occurrence.”
“It’s not,” Asmodeus said quietly. “We do not war with one another. Disagreements perhaps, but we respect one another’s sovereignty over our domains.”
“So, why the tantrum?”
“We…we honestly don’t know.” He grimaced. “It’s highly abnormal.”
Lilith cleared her throat. She didn’t look happy. My stomach sank to my feet.
I knew what she was going to say. It had entered my mind, too, but had hesitated to vocalize it, fearing giving voice to the thought would make it real.
“We need to consider the severity of the situation.” Her voice was soft yet strong. “Zepar is acting outside the norm. He’s aggressive and destructive with no consideration for his survival. What does that remind you of?”
She looked pointedly at Malphas. He stiffened, his lips forming a tight line.
“You can’t deny it, Malphas,” she said.
Valefor frowned. “I don’t follow.”
“What Lilith is so subtly implying is there is a good chance Zepar has been infected with the taint that almost took over my soldiers recently.”
“If he’s infected, that’s a good thing!” I said, leaning forward. “We can fix this without bloodshed.”
Malphas shook his head. “It’s not that simple. Zepar will not submit to inspection, so we can’t confirm whether or not he’s tainted.”
“We don’t need him to. The nine of us can go to Zepar together and see. If he is, we can cure him. And if he isn’t…well, you all are surely a match for him together. Maybe you can avoid killing him. You could just contain him until he gets over this.”
Asmodeus made a small sound of surprise. “That’s not a bad idea.”
“Why do you sound so surprised?”
He shrugged. “You’re mortal. You’re not supposed to have good ideas.”
I decided not to take that personally.
“I think it’s a good plan,” Marchosias said, nodding his head. “Well done, little mortal. I can see why Malphas is so taken with you.”
Malphas growled out a low rumble. “I don’t like it. The five of us will go. Blair will stay here where it’s safe. This doesn’t concern the two of you.” He glared while he spoke.
I opened my mouth to protest, but Emily spoke first.
“I agree with Malphas.” Emily gave me an apologetic look. “I see no reason for you to be involved. It’s not our place to intervene in the affairs of the Fallen.”
“It was her idea,” Marchosias said, frowning. “Surely she has the right to see it through.”
“Besides, I can remove the taint,” I said. “You all hold him down, and I’ll get to work. It’s not complicated.”
Malphas slammed his fist on the table. “You are already weakened from Bael’s actions. I will not risk you in another dangerous situation.”
My nostrils flared. “You don’t get to tell me where I can and can’t go. I’m a grown ass woman.” “Blair, this isn’t wise,” Emily said, placing a hand on my arm.
I shrugged it off. “They can’t do it without me.” I clenched my jaw, trying to maintain control of my temper. Why were they all being so difficult?
“That’s not true.” Malphas appeared more relaxed now. “I removed the taint in my soldiers. I can do the same for my brother. I don’t need you.”
I gaped at him, hurt by his words. This was the kind of shit I lived for. I thought he understood that.
Lilith made a disapproving sound. Relief washed over me. She was on my side?
“It’s true you were able to before.” She shook her head, seemingly at odds with her words. “But it was challenging. You nearly killed several of them, and we still don’t know the long-term effects it will have.”
She gave him a significant look. His eyes darkened. What long-term effects?
“Blair was able to save me without any negative repercussions,” she continued. “She’s very familiar with the spell and knows when to stop before it reaches a dangerous point, unlike you. She should be the one to remove the taint if necessary.”
“Blair should not be spending more time around demons than is necessary,” Emily said, raising her voice. “It isn’t safe.”
“Why ever not?” Lilith arched one eyebrow. “Blair and I have spent quite a lot of time together over the past few years. Nothing bad has happened to her because of it.”
“Zepar doesn’t even know that she’s here,” Emily pointed out. “Consider how all of you reacted. He would try to harm her, just like Bael did.”
“That isn’t a concern.” Valefor waved his hand in the air. “We’ll be holding him down so Lilith can confirm if he’s tainted. If so, he will be restrained, and Blair can remove it. And if he is not, he will still be contained until he cools his head.”
“There you go.” I folded my arms over my chest with a smug smile on my face. “No danger. I can do this. I should do this.”
Malphas ground his teeth together, shaking his head. “I don’t like it.”
Asmodeus laughed “You’re outvoted.”
“Fine.” He practically spat out the word. “But I want at least three of us around her at all times. Zepar can’t get anywhere near her, do you hear me?”
The brothers sobered and made small noises of agreement.
“She’ll be safe, brother,” said Asmodeus.
Silence descended. Malphas’ agreement was tenuous at best, and I didn’t want to push him into changing his mind.
“She will be safe,” Emily said, lifting her chin. “Because I will be going with her.”
Malphas visibly relaxed. “I will be much more comfortable with the situation with Emily there.”
“Absolutely not!” Marchosias snapped. “We cannot bring a paladin into Zepar’s domain. It is disagreeable enough for us to be in the presence of one so…holy.” He made a face. “Zepar would assume we were bringing her there to execute him. It flies in the face of trying to make this a peaceful mission.”
“I absolutely will not allow Blair to go without me.” Emily’s voice was calm and controlled.
“Allow me?” She had about as much control over my actions as Malphas did, regardless of the love I had for her. “How exactly would stop me?”
Her eyes glittered when she looked at me. “I will tie you down.”
“Kinky,” Valefor said, laughing. “But all the same, I do not think you could stop us from bringing her with us.”
“She isn’t going anywhere without me,” she said. “I will simply follow if you do not take me as well.”
“Enough,” Malphas snapped. “The paladin is coming with. No more arguments.”
“Fine.” Marchosias glared at him. “But you’ll be in the front when Zepar sees her. It’ll be your head he goes after first.”
Malphas shrugged, apparently not bothered by that. “I am not concerned by Zepar. If you are afraid of him, I will certainly go first.”
“It’s settled, then.” I stood. “No time to waste.”
I was nervous, of course, but also excited. We were going to take on one of the Fallen, and that was just…beautiful.
I only hoped it wouldn’t blow up in my face.
Chapter 34
Traveling with the Fallen was fucking badass. Journeying through hell the first time had taken days, but the Fallen were able to just ‘poof’ wherever they wanted. It was seriously unfair.
Emily had been opposed to the idea of the brothers transpo
rting us. Something about not wanting any part in demonic magic, but it was this way, or another long trek through three other realms on foot.
I hesitated before crossing the border into Zepar’s realm, a little nervous about what was to come.
“I believe you said there was no time to waste?” Marchosias asked, grinning at me as he spoke. “Let’s go.”
There was a tinge of humor in his eyes. I relaxed some. Bael had been the only brother downright antagonistic to me, but Valefor and Marchosias hadn’t been exactly friendly either. I hoped I could develop something of an amicable relationship with the two of them, so things wouldn’t blow up after Zepar was taken care of.
I didn’t want to think about what would happen with Bael once we freed him.
I nodded, and we stepped across. My muscles tensed, expecting to be pulled into another dreamscape and have to pass the trial all over again. Nothing happened, which I should have known would be the case. We’d passed already. Why would we have to go through it again?
We crossed the outskirts of Zepar’s realm in silence. The brothers appeared to be deep in thought, no doubt worrying about Zepar, and what he would do when he saw us. Emily was going to complicate things, but I’d rather have her here.
When we got to the capital, I glanced over at Malphas. His eyes shifted to me as if he could feel me looking at him.
The city was deserted.
“Where is everyone?” My voice echoed loudly in the empty city, even though I had spoken at a normal volume.
“Likely Zepar has sent all of his demons to Dersius,” Asmodeus said. “To try and break through Malphas’ borders. He won’t have kept more than a few of his most trusted nephilim with him. Malphas is not an easy one to take on.”
“It’s a suicide mission,” Malphas said, shrugging. “He will lose all of his soldiers once my wards and soldiers get through them. That is if they even reach the borders.”
“It’ll be over today. No one needs to die.”
“Why do you care if the demons die?” Valefor asked, frowning. “You are mortal. Looking at you closer, I think I recognize you.”
I flushed. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“You are familiar…” His eyebrows drew together. “Ah, yes. You are the Hunter. My demons had talked about you and showed me your face when they complained about you getting in the way of their jobs. You’ve made it your life’s mission to eradicate the ‘bad’ people, like us.”
“Not quite,” I said. “Just the ones who threaten the safety of my people. Stay out of their way. I don’t care who you are or what else you do.”
“You have an interesting sense of morality. But back to my original question. Why do you care?”
“I don’t believe in senseless murder, or war, or whatever you want to call it. If it isn’t necessary, it shouldn’t happen.”
“Being what they are, they will likely face you at some point. They will disrupt the peace in your city, and you will fight them.”
“If they do, I will. But at the moment they haven’t.”
“You grow more interesting by the minute.” He grinned almost suggestively. “I like you.”
Malphas growled low in his throat. “That’s enough.”
“What, you don’t want us bonding with your mortal?” Valefor quirked one eyebrow. “I would have thought you’d want us on friendlier terms.”
“I don’t want you to have anything to do with her, one way or the other,” he snapped.
“Well, I’m afraid it’s a little late for that.” Valefor laughed. “Better for me to find her interesting and liking her, rather than attempting to claim her or hurt her, like Bael.”
“If you find her interesting, if you like her,” Malphas said, glaring at him. “Then it stands to reason you would want to claim her later.”
“I have no interest in battling you, right now. Not for her. Not yet.”
That didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t want him growing more interested in that any more than Malphas.
“I already established I’m not a toy for you to squabble over,” I said.
Valefor grinned, jabbing Malphas with one elbow. “See how she speaks? It’s refreshing. I can’t help but be curious. But we’ll put a pin in it for now, for both your sakes.”
“That’s good because we’re here,” Asmodeus said, thankfully putting an end to that conversation.
The fortress loomed about a block away, and still, there was no one to be seen. No guards stood in front of it.
Why was Zepar being so careless?
Because he’s tainted. That’s what happens. They stop caring about their own lives.
I swallowed, grim. It was only further proof, but I remained quiet. He didn’t need me adding more stress to the situation.
We ventured inside the castle, Malphas taking point. Unfortunately, Emily’s suit of armor wasn’t the quietest thing in the world, but that couldn’t be helped. It wasn’t doing anything to endear her to the brothers, but nothing would. Not so long as she stood on God’s side of things.
Malphas turned a corner, and two giant doors greeted us. He didn’t hesitate or give us a second to prepare. He just shoved them open and strode inside.
We entered the throne room. Or at least, that’s what it looked like. It was huge with high ceilings, and the whole room was made out of dark stone.
Zepar stood in front of the stone throne at the far back of the room shouting at a demon. Based on what the brothers had said, I assumed it was a nephilim.
I’d never seen anyone look so…mad. I didn’t mean upset. I meant absolutely stark raving psychotic. His eyes were wild, his hair mussed, and I doubted he had eaten or slept in ages. He looked like death.
The taint was eating him alive.
We’d barely stepped into the room before he spun away from the nephilim and locked eyes with Malphas. His eyes flitted across the rest of us. He zeroed in on Emily, for a moment. Then his eyes landed on me and stayed.
He snarled a vicious sound that echoed through the room.
That was the only reprieve we got. He launched himself across the room, a rabid look in his eyes.
“Betrayal,” he snarled. “You dare to bring a holy one into my hall? You dare to march against me?”
“Zepar, get a hold of yourself.” Malphas raced forward to meet him halfway. Malphas grabbed his brother’s shoulders and struggled to hold him still. “We are not marching against you. We’ve only come to talk.”
“Lies. Treachery. Deceit. You would keep me from what I am owed.”
“The hell is he going on about?” Marchosias drawled from beside me. “What the fuck are you owed?”
“I should rule.” I wasn’t sure if he was answering Marchosias’ question, or if he was just launching into something of a monologue. “You lord your position over us, but it should be in me in the center ring!”
Oh, he was addressing Malphas now.
Malphas smacked Zepar upside the head. Well, smack might not be the right word. There was a deafening cracking sound, and Zepar’s head snapped to the side. His eyes widened and turned red.
“Traitor!”
“The only traitor here is you, Zepar,” said Malphas in a low voice. “You have marched against me, a clear act of war, and I cannot allow it to stand.”
“See? You are here to attack me. Betrayal!”
Black power surged out of him and lanced Malphas’ chest forcing him back several steps. Zepar took advantage of being freed from Malphas’ hold and jumped.
He launched himself into the air and came down in the center of our group. “Bitch,” he snarled. “You have come to ruin everything.”
“Now hold on just a second—”
He punched me hard in the gut, driving the air from my lungs, and raked sharp nails across my still bruised cheek. Grabbing me by the hair, he dragged me away from the others faster than they could recover from the shock of him just showing up like that.
Emily let out a sharp cry, her sword ringing i
n the air as she drew it. Her heavy steps clanged against the floor as she chased after us.
“I will destroy the mortal, and so destroy Malphas!” Zepar crowed, shaking me about by my hair.
I slammed a foot into his instep and followed it up with a jab of my elbow to his gut.
“Good luck with that.” I twisted and punched him in the jaw.
“Bitch, do not fight your fate.”
“Fuck you.” I shoved my hand in his face. “Glacio!”
Little spears of ice shot from my hands and cut into his face. He howled in pain, stumbling backward, but he didn’t let go of me.
Before I could get too worried about that, though, the cavalry came. Malphas was beside me, his teeth bared menacingly, and the rest of his brothers and Emily surrounded Zepar at the same time. The six of them closed in. They wrenched him away from me and pinned him to the ground.
Emily looked like she was about ready to offer him mercy, a clear sign that she wanted to execute him. I stopped her with a quick shake of my head.
We were here to cure him, not end him.
“Lilith!” I called, looking over my shoulder.
She glided across the room and looked down at the Fallen struggling to loosen himself from his brothers.
She sighed heavily. “Tainted.”
“That’s all I need to know,” I said, though I was breathing hard to catch my breath after Zepar’s attack.
I squatted and took a moment to study him. He practically frothed at the mouth and frantically contorted his limbs in an attempt to wrest control of his body from his brothers. Valefor and Marchosias had him by the arm and thigh on one side. Asmodeus and Malphas had the same spots on his other. Emily stood at his head, her sword held in both hands, ready to stab him if he got free.
He was well constrained, for the moment, but the taint lent him increased strength. There was no more time to waste. I extended my hand toward his chest and closed my eyes, reaching inside of myself.
“Spell,” I murmured, bringing my magic out of me—gods, it hurt—and sent it into his chest. I was inside him, searching for his soul. It was black and twisted, making it hard to decipher what part was the soul and what was the taint. At last, I found the shadow shrouding his soul. I closed around it and pulled, trying to oust it from his body.