The witch was dead.
Through the cries and jolts of magic came a low deep growl. It was a furious sound that immediately caught my attention. I quickly glanced in its direction, my gaze landing on Dante. He was a second away from tearing Willow to pieces.
Without a moment’s pause, I drew in quickly, whished air out and caged him where he stood. Just another cool thing I could do. He growled and snapped his teeth viciously. He was safe and wouldn’t be a pest again. I focused back on the witches in front of me.
Their magic was everything darkness is. Shadows of misery surrounded us. Everything quieted around me. I calmed, focused on the witch closest to me. With a deep breath, I drew on the Fire element and sent those flames spiraling toward her. I never let go of the magic, never ceased, not until all that was left of her was dust.
Willow pounced forward again, attacked with great speed, but she didn’t see the fireball coming toward her. I shrieked, but it was already too late. She let out a little scream as she tumbled to the ground.
I couldn’t go to her, had to remain where I stood. If I moved, it would endanger Haven. I positioned myself in front of her, so I could shield her from any threats. The magic couldn’t touch her if it hit my shield first.
She knelt down behind me, leaving her hand fixed to the ground. Zia and I were the only witches here, other than the dark ones, who had the ability to throw magic without touch. Mainly, it was just the two of us fighting. Haven and the others were providing shields against the magic shooting at us.
Being that this was my first real assignment against witches, I didn’t really get the whole gist of it. The more it went on, the more I could see there was strategy here.
Zia had the strongest defensive magic. It would have to be Zia that would need to destroy the witches, but she wasn’t safe like I was with my shield. The other White Magic witches provided that protection for her—using their magic to put up walls, create wind—do anything that would deflect their power away. They did everything possible so Zia could destroy the threat.
The remaining two witches continued to come at us hard, blasting with swirls of fire, swoops of air, just about every type of natural disaster imaginable. One option weighed heavily on me.
Not long ago, I’d discovered that I held the ability to draw the darkness into me. Not accept it in any way, but gain the strength that Black Magic provides. It was an easy way out, but the more I accepted it, the harder it would be to resist it. Zia was sure of that.
In resignation, I let go of that thought and continued to assist Zia in our attack against the witches. Sweat gathered on my skin as it took every ounce of my control to hold my shield against their force.
Zia stepped forward, braced herself, and released the magnitude of her ability. Combining her Air and Water together with such a force, she blew apart the witch in front of her, causing her to explode into tiny particles through the sky.
After the initial shock of seeing Zia’s magnificent powers, I focused on the lone witch. She continued to weave around the magic. Zia went harder, dug down deeper, not letting up for a second. I followed her moves, sent my Fire to join in with Zia’s Air as the other White Magic Witches continued to protect her.
However, it was pointless. This witch held the ability to move in lighting fast speed. Before the magic would hit her, she released her own, and quickly dodged ours.
We needed to end this.
“We have to work together,” I urged Zia.
She squealed as fire blasted up her arm. “Thoughts quickly.”
“You need to distract her, so that I can hold her.”
“Watch closely.”
Over and over Zia went at her, but the witch moved quickly away. My gaze followed her movements, anticipated the way she threw her magic, so I could understand her next move. She weaved her from left to right quickly.
I focused on the rhythm. When I knew I had it right, I released my Air in full force of its strength. The witch instantly realized what we had done. Her eyes went wide as she stood frozen, unable to move. Knowing she was scared shitless expression, I sent a fireball blasting toward her.
Seconds later, it was over.
Without thought, I hurried over to Willow. “Are you okay? Please be okay,” I pleaded, reaching out to touch her. Her chest continued to rise and fall. She was still alive. I drew in a deep breath quickly and sent a blast of Spirit to heal her.
A split second later, Willow jumped to her feet and scowled at me. “Ouch that hurt. You better appreciate what I do for you,” she said, her tone snarky.
I let out a deep breath. Relieved, annoyed—I was just glad she was okay. “I thought she killed you.”
Willow grinned in her feline way. “It takes more than one psycho bitch to knock off this kitten.”
Chapter Eight
When we returned to the Otherworld, Zia joined the Council in her chair and I glanced around. Except for the Witches who had joined in on the fight, and the Council, the hall was empty. “Where’s Kyden?” I asked.
He had been angry, but he wasn’t that mad that’d he wouldn’t wait for me. I was expecting him to snatch me up in his arms when I returned, not leave me deserted.
“Out on assignment,” Talon replied.
This wasn’t good. Well, having Kyden no longer angry was good, but what Talon had just implied was so very bad. “A wolf assignment?” I asked hesitantly.
Talon nodded, reassuringly. “Do not worry yourself. We have sent Finn along with him.”
“It’s not him I’m worried about,” I stated, glancing at Zia.
“I have to agree,” she said grimly. “This is very worrisome.”
Talon raised a brow, missing the gist of our conversation.
“If there was another wolf incident,” I answered his unasked question. “Then, the witches we encountered tonight were not the only ones.”
The light dawned for him,. “I see your point.”
“What do you think this is about?” Haven asked.
Zia shrugged, dumbfounded. “Your guess is as good as mine. I cannot find a reason why the witches would be killing humans. They are no threat to them.” She sighed deeply, her frustrated gaze meeting mine. “There has to be something we are missing.”
Just then, Brax entered the hall and said, “Valor is on his way.”
Dante was lying a few feet away, sleeping soundly. Zia had knocked him out with her magic until we could figure out a solution to this mess. If she hadn’t, he’d been tearing the place apart.
Only seconds past before Valor tore into the hall, running toward Dante. Tension and grief oozed from him. “How did this happen?” he demanded.
Zia raised a comforting hand to his shoulder. “We are unsure of anything right now.”
“Lots of questions with zero answers,” I said, giving Valor a hug. Tonight, he sank right into me. It was hitting him hard and his turmoil flayed through my mind. Instantly, I threw up my block. This wasn’t something I wanted to read. I’d had enough hardships myself, thank you very much.
Valor backed away from me and rubbed his hands along his son’s side. “Is he gone?”
Zia knelt beside him, placed her hand next to his on Dante’s stomach. “He is, yes.”
Valor looked at her, his eyes pleading. “What can we do for him?”
“There is only one way to release him from this.”
Valor jumped up, his shoulders strong, stance ready to go off into battle. “Tell me. I will do anything.”
“I am afraid it is not something you can do,” she told him.
His shoulders sank; sadness lay hard on his body. “What must be done?”
My heart ached for him. Despair swept across his features in every way. Valor was good. Dante was good. They didn’t deserve this. None of them did.
“Magnus must grant the release and this…” Zia hesitated, “is not something he will do lightly. We will owe him something for this request.”<
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“Christ,” I gasped, grasping the disparity of this situation. “Owe him what?”
“Whatever he wishes. It is his to decide what he feels Dante’s soul is worth.” She sighed heavily. “I will go and contact him now. Arrange for a meeting.” She strode out, her steps heavy.
Mixed emotions ran through me. I desperately wanted to help Dante, but the mention of the Magnus made me want to bolt.
“What has happened?” Kyden’s voice came loudly as he and Finn rushed into the hall. He glanced between me, Valor and Dante lying on the floor. He reached me first, ran his hands along my body, then turned me around a few times. “You are not hurt?”
“No.” The world spun. “Stop that! You’re making me dizzy,” I snapped.
Thankfully, he did, then knelt beside Dante to touch the side of his head. “What has happened to him?”
I grabbed his hand, allowed the memories of what happened to bring him up to speed. This was a hell of a lot easier than going through the whole event with words.
When the memories stopped, Kyden arched a brow. “Witches are responsible for this?”
I nodded bleakly. “They are, and we’re up shit creek.”
Kyden stood, removed his hand and glanced at Valor. “We will make this right.”
Valor’s expression was fully desolate. “It will be a great cost to have Magnus release him.”
“Whatever the cost,” Kyden assured him. “It is worth it.”
Zia rushed back in, breathless from having travelled to God knows where to contact the Underworld. I suspected there was a connection in the Earthworld somewhere. Maybe some freakish Goth club.
“Magnus has agreed to meet,” she exhaled in a long breath. Talon and Kyden stepped forward, but Zia shook her head. “You are not to go.”
Talon lunged forward, grasped her tight by the arms and pulled her toward him. “You will not be going there alone.”
She cupped his cheek and smiled softly. “You’re right, I won’t be going.” Then, she looked at me. “Nexi will.”
“Over my dead body,” Kyden roared.
I gulped deeply.
Haven rushed forward and wrapped herself around me. Obviously, she sensed my anxiety. Go to the Underworld, alone. A place where demons existed…over my dead body too.
“This is Magnus’ request.” Zia looked about as happy as Kyden. “He has assured that she will be kept safe and returned home immediately after.”
“No,” Kyden roared, grasped my arm and yanked me closer as if to glue me to his side.
“Ouch,” I complained as Kyden’s grip dug into my arm, while Haven hugged my other one fiercely. “I haven’t left yet. Let go. The both of you. You’re hurting me.”
Neither of them listened.
“I am not happy about this either, but this is the only way to save Dante,” Zia spoke softly. “Kyden, if she does not go, we will have to kill him. Is this what you want?”
Kyden’s eyes swept over Dante, a thousand conflicting emotions rushed along his face. “She will not go there alone.”
Valor stayed quiet. The confusion gave his face a pained look. He was torn. Wanting to save Dante, but fearful of the risk to me if I went there.
“Kyden is right,” Talon said fiercely. “She will not go there alone.” He moved in closer toward me too.
This was ridiculous. “Okay, everyone back off.” I ripped myself away from their arms and stepped away, tried to free myself from the claustrophobic state. I needed to think for a second.
My gaze focused on Valor’s eyes. Memories of what he had done for me played instantly in my mind. If it hadn’t been for him, Kyden would be dead and so would I. That was as a fact. He would never ask this of me. Would never want to put me in a dangerous situation, but I had never asked him to help when he did, and he’d acted without hesitation. It was only right for me to do the same.
“I’m going,”
It took all of two seconds for my words to have the appropriate effect. Instantly, Haven, Kyden and Talon surrounded me, all of them yelling at me.
“It is the right thing to do,” I looked over Haven’s shoulder, to meet Zia’s gaze.
She looked beyond worried, very unsure, but agreeable. “It is the only way. I am not thrilled with you having to go there, but Magnus gave his word. You will be kept safe.”
“And you trust his word?”
She shrugged. “In this regard, I do. He is a leader first and foremost. We have an allegiance with the Underworld. He will not break this.”
The yelling continued.
“This is crazy, Nexi. Crazy. What are you thinking?” Haven screamed.
“You will not be going,” Kyden roared.
Talon just seemed to be screaming obscenities.
Even Willow, who I didn’t know was here, added her thoughts. “They are right, you idiot. I cannot protect you there. I cannot gain access to the Underworld.”
I sighed, choosing to ignore them and glanced back to Zia. “I’m a little worried about what he’ll want me to do for him once I get there.”
“It concerns me as well, but his request cannot be that you join him. You would have to accept the role of Siren that he has offered you in his guard of your own free will. If he forced you, we would know, therefore creating a war. He wouldn’t do this. It is to your advantage that Magnus wants you in his realm. It will keep you safe from any harm of others. Plus, you are very strong, Nexi. I do not doubt your ability in any regard. Your shield will keep you safe. Remember, whatever he asks of you, think cautiously when you are deciding. Never doubt Magnus for a moment. He will trick you.”
“He’s a sneaky bastard—got it.”
I glanced back to the three screaming idiots. “Stop it,” I yelled at them. They quieted instantly, though Kyden still looked ready to rumble. “This is the only way to help Dante. What do you want me to do?”
Valor approached me, the raw emotions on his face completely exposed. “I know why you are choosing to do this, but you do not owe me. What Magnus wants of you cannot be worth Dante’s life—no matter how much I might want to save it.”
I sighed, ignoring him too and raised my gaze to Kyden. “I’m going.”
“No,” Kyden’s voice was a fierce and scary thing. “You are not.”
Haven started crying. “It’s not safe. I’m sorry, Valor. I know this will mean the death of Dante, but Magnus is the Lord of the Underworld. Who knows what he will want her to do.”
“It’s fine.” I gave her arm a pat. “I’ll be fine.”
Kyden crossed his arms. “No.” He was unwavering.
“I’ll get in. Do whatever he wants and get out. It’s simple,” I reached up, touched Kyden’s tense arms.
“No,” he growled.
I lifted my chin, squared my shoulders, and nearly shouted, “Kyden, I’m going.”
“I will not have this,” he roared, and suddenly exploded—spinning and punching the wall until it crumbled into pieces. His anger wafted from him. He would never let me do this.
Too bad the choice didn’t belong to him. I could only hope that he’d forgive me for what I was about to do. I leaned up, kissed his sweet lips.
“Nexi, if you go there…” His voice was so angry it came out as a whisper, his gaze burned with rage.
Slowly, I started backing away. Oh, there would be repercussions for this, that was a no brainer. It was hard enough for Kyden to let me go out with Zia. Having me go to the Underworld, and alone for that matter, we were about to have the fight. A fight that was inevitable.
He wanted to protect me, and though I loved him for it, but this was my choice. If he couldn’t support me then he’d just have to deal with it. That was that!
Haven was full out sobbing, now in Finn’s arms.
Kyden slowly stepped forward. He knew what was coming and there was no way in hell he was about to let me leave.
“Where do I go?” I asked Zia.
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��When you go into the portal, think of Magnus. He has provided an entryway for you to be drawn into the Underworld.”
Two more steps passed beneath my feet before Kyden suddenly lunged forward, but I was ready. I spun away from his reach, almost drawing on my magic to trap him. The thought vanished immediately. After the stunt with Astoria, Kyden made me swear I would never hold him with magic again. I wouldn’t break my promise to him, but there was something else I could do.
The Devil’s Kiss Page 10