Sometimes it feels like I’m a teenager hangin’ out with really old people. I’m over two hundred fucking years old, but that’s peanuts compared to most Eternals. I might not be ancient, but I’m not a kid. I’m a soulmate to the Mother of, well, everything.
I matter, I must. Just wish it felt like these people thought so.
“Don’t worry, we won’t fail. I trust you, too.”
Snapping my gaze to Cas, he’s focused and present. “Thanks, brother.”
“Give yourself some credit, I certainly do.” He nods. “There’s nobody better at navigating the realms than you. Now, please. Pick your jaw up off the floor, I need to study a minute more. If you’re drooling, I’ll be worried about my books.”
Closing my mouth – I was not drooling – I fold my arms in front of me and lean against a bookshelf. “Read with speed, dude. Got a sister to save.”
“All right.” Cas grunts. Standing from his chair, he moves toward me. “Let’s go.”
His hands light up, and in a second, we’re stepping across the threshold of a portal. This one’s opening into a back alley in Canton, Ohio. I thought we were going to the Shadowlands, but this is about as close as it gets where we can still see humans. Oh well, nothing like jumping into shit with both feet.
I fucking hate this town.
To humans, Hell is what we call the Shadowlands because it’s dark and full of bad guys. Humans think it’s all fire and brimstone, hot pokers, and dogs being chased by vacuums. That’s just not how it is. The Shadowlands are scary, yeah. But the fairytales spun for centuries are just ridiculous.
Canton, however…terrifying.
So naturally, this is where I come when I want to shake down a Demon or two. Somehow, they feel at home here. Couple of Shadow bars, a biker gang with a Second Gen as its head, and even a strip club with a Shadow staff. Bouncers, DJ, dancers…all Demons and 2Gs. Really busy place.
Like Disneyland for the dark.
But hey, I can always count on getting the skinny of whatever lead I need to chase down. And we need info. Yesterday. Time to crack some skulls. Yeah, I said it. I love that damn movie.
“This should be interesting.” Leave it to Cas to understate the obvious.
“You’re a bit, um, unaccustomed to this crowd. Try not to piss ‘em off, ‘kay?”
“Will do.” Cas holds out an arm, always the gentleman. “After you.”
Face firmly in my palm, I take lead.
“Just… try not to talk. Listen. See if you can pick up anything I miss. We need eyes and ears open. Catch everything. Never know what passes by these places.”
“Got it.”
“Word. C’mon, let’s boop a snoot or two, see what barks at us.”
Cas’s chuckle brings a grin back to my face. Gotta get in the right mood, you know?
Swaggering out of the alley, Caspien in tow and trying not to look like a tour guide, I stride to the outer door of a Demon bar. The bouncer sitting in the dim light freezes with my glare. I know him, and he knows not to fuck with me. On the other hand, he knows I don’t cause problems, so he’s not freaked.
Fisting the inner door open, I scan the room. Gotta make sure there aren’t many Shadowlanders here.
Pool tables, check. Neon bar signs, check. Grimy bar, check. Big-ass Demon pouring hooch into a possibly clean glass, check. Jesus, he’s big. Only a dozen drinkers, which is good. It’s why we came during the day instead of, say, Friday at quitting time.
Crossing the dirty floor toward the bar, I pull up a stool and slide a bowl of cheese doodles in front of me. Not that I’d ever put something that’s been sitting out here in my mouth, but it looks normal-ish.
“Yo, two Yuenglings over here. Tallboys, Mike.”
The big-ass Demon bartender eyes me before grunting and pouring two mugs of Pennsylvania’s finest.
For this, I’ll take a chance on a few germs.
“Whatcha doing in here, Z?” Mike’s unnaturally low growl would raise the hackles of most humans, probably why he seldom speaks. But he’s an information broker of sorts. It’s kind of a barkeep’s job to know things and what to talk about. Mike is like that, but with a Shadowlands vibe.
“We’re trying to find a new weapon from your side.”
Mike tenses up so obviously, a blind man could’ve seen it.
“Relax, I’m not here to hunt anybody. Just need to know if the game has changed and by how much.”
Eyeing him over the rim of my mug that’s quickly becoming in need of a refill, I prepare myself for a fight as a couple Shadowlanders approach from behind. I notice two distinct presences, both exuding a mix of negative emotions and hostility. It makes the back of my neck tighten up; tiny hairs stand on edge. At least, that’s how their presence feels to me.
“Mike.” My gaze pins him. “Tell them to stop where they are. That’s not why I’m fucking here.”
Eyes widening, he glances to the newcomers and curses under his breath. He looks…shook.
So Mike’s not setting me up. ‘Kay, I need to keep Cas and Mike safe. Mike’s a decent Demon, really. Besides, thinking like this is how I walk in both worlds. All three, actually.
In a flash of leather and divinely-forged steel, I spin and draw both my daggers, Scylla and Charybdis.
I always loved that story.
As fast as I move, Cas wraps the Demons in glowing bands of Luxe magic. They look pissed at being captured so easily.
My daggers slip easily back into their sheaths. I relax and look the Shadowlanders up and down.
Okay, new plan. Cas can probe their minds, I’ll keep ‘em distracted.
“Hmm… seen this Walker a while back. Cas, don’t let him loose, ‘kay? He’s got a reputation as a fixer, tying up loose ends. Sent quite a few Eternals into recovery for a long time.”
“As you wish. I’ve got them, question away.”
So polite. Dude’s a trip.
“Right.” Turning to the Demons, I address the Walker. “I need answers, fuckface. Now. Why are you tryin’ to make Mike’s day get ugly? He doesn’t need this shit.”
Black eyes boring into my skull, the Walker glares.
Giving up on this silent fucker, I turn to the girl. “What about you, sweetheart. Got anything to tell me?”
No response from her, either. I recognize her eyes…I’ve seen this Shifter before. Yeah, this chick is dangerous. “Cas, you good?”
“I said so already. I understand what’s at stake, I don’t need a reminder.”
“Right. Okay.”
I’m not nervous. Nope. Must be Cas.
My fingers are in my hair as I exhale a breath and turn back to the Shadowlanders. “You. I need info. There’s one chance I don’t slam both my daggers into your heart, which wouldn’t make whoever sent you very pleased. And that one chance depends on you telling me what I wanna hear.”
“Ryllkezzinim.” The gravelly sound coming from her disparaging lips makes Mike’s voice sound like the Vienna Boys’ Choir.
“Is that who sent—”
“Second enforcer. Serial number...” Her snarly lips curl into an ugly sneer. “Six, six, six.”
Cas’s surprised chuckle sends a flash of annoyance through me.
“Yeah, I gotcha. Name, rank, serial number. Hilarious.”
Her utter contempt would irritate me if I were actually interrogating her. She doesn’t realize it, but Cas is.
“How ‘bout I start cutting off stuff? Peel the skin off your arm, take an ear, maybe slice—”
“We need to get moving, Zander. Can we leave this for another day? I don’t think they know anything.”
Stifling a grin and keeping my poker face on, I step back. “Well, Ryllkezzinim. I guess it’s your lucky day. Get to keep your parts and shit.” My shrug conveys a lack of concern I don’t really have.
“Fine. Let’s dip. You can explain to me later what’s more important than seeing why these two are here.”
“In time, Brother.” Cas, still maintaining thei
r bonds, strolls off nonchalantly. “Coming?”
One last glare at the two immobile Demons, then I hurry after my bond mate. “You owe me a Yuengling.”
Rushing out the back of the bar, Cas splits his flows to generate another portal while keeping the assassins held tightly inside – I’m jealous of his strength and power – we’re quickly stepping out into a much nicer crappy back alley of a big city. Hot, dry night air fills my lungs.
Hidden between two dumpsters, I peer back through the hole in reality; silver tethers still trail back through the bar where the Demons wait.
I’m seriously in awe of my brother’s control.
Appreciating the simplicity of the solution, I grin as he lets the gateway close, severing the ties holding the Demons on the other side. Neat. Practical.
I just hope they don’t take their frustration out on Mike. But…bigger fish to fry.
“Okay, what did you find out?”
“Cairo.”
“Thought I recognized this building. Okay, what do we need to do?”
“Just a thing or two. She knew about Azrael’s dagger. The male had no clue, he was just along for muscle.”
“Yeah, okay. She’s the one in charge. What do we do now?”
“Find a Demon called Whillaxar. She’ll share their connection. She sent them, after all.”
“Ugh. She’s a bigger monster than those two back in the bar?”
“Well yes, I suppose. Just… try not to talk. Listen and see if you can pick up anything I miss. We need eyes and ears open. Catch everything.” Cas winks, throwing my lecture from earlier in my face.
“Oh, that’s fucking hilarious. Alright, let’s go see this dangerous Demon.”
After a short trek through the dark streets of Cairo, we find ourselves in a tastefully decorated, modern Egyptian living room. Deep reds and golds drench the room, earthy walls peek out from behind tapestries. Standing in the middle is an older-looking lady with grey hair, red eyes, and a kindly smile. Her wings, invisible to humans, peek over each shoulder.
In keeping with Eternal themes, things aren’t always what they seem. Turns out this sweet old Egyptian grandma is Whillaxar. Head of the Enforcers, Helena’s toughest crew. They’re sent wherever they need to do the most damage.
I’ve never even gotten close to this legend, didn’t even know her name. And now, here we fucking are. Whillaxar, she who sends the darkest Demons to fight against our forces is offering me tea and finger sandwiches in her home.
“Hello, Caspien. I have no time for lengthy discussions about issues of cosmic importance. Eat quickly, this won’t take long.”
I’m doing my best to remain silent in this surreal exchange. Seems like Cas knows her. They’re actually friendly, for fuck’s sake.
“Whillie. You really need to clear some time to catch up.” Cas’s voice sounds…warm.
“Soon enough.” She smiles. “For now, you both need to listen closely. Lean in too, Zander. I do not care for repeating myself.”
For a second, I can see the fire in her crimson eyes. Almost literally.
Surreal.
“We have a rogue element, which is why I led you here. I’m afraid events have gotten out of Helena’s control.” Her whispered words send a shiver through my spine. “I fear for the balance we maintain.”
As I listen, chills climb up the back of my neck. Things are bad. Really fucking bad. Even so, a plan starts swirling in my mind.
Twenty minutes later, we step out of yet another portal into the dusky Chicago twilight. The warming May air causes sweat to seep out on my forehead after arid Egypt.
That’s the thing about Jagat – still don’t get why Genesis calls earth, Jagat – I don’t like. Aravot stays at a comfortable temperature constantly. No winter freezing, no summer broiling. Same with the Shadowlands, though the temperature isn’t comfortable without an invisible sun like Aravot, but at least you always know how to dress. Sometimes the temps here feel good, but tonight, it’s just fucking gross.
“Let’s search the building. Split up or stick together? I suppose we’d cover more ground if we separate,” I offer.
A brief thought flashes through my mind. With upheaval and unrest, I’m craving family. This slight separation is harder than it should be. As soon as the thought crosses my mind, it’s followed by the realization that Cas just heard and understood me. It’s hell trying to keep things private with a literal mind reader in tow.
“You’re right. Let’s take different sides, shall we? Signal if you need me.” Cas turns, heading to the left, pauses, and smiles back at me over his shoulder. “Just so you know, I’d rather stay close, too. Let’s just finish this quickly and get back to our family. Deal?”
“Word.” And that’s one of the reasons I love Cas. He gets everything, somehow. Sees deeply. And just like that, I feel better. It’s not only me, I’m not some fucking ninny. I’m Genesis, for fuck’s sake.
Sneaking up the stairwell, I move stealthily through the floors of this abandoned building, searching for what Whillie described.
Magic is a fully intuitive thing, and few humans trust their instincts enough to do more than dabble in it. We’ve been steeped in magic since each of us Eternalized. Whillie told us to search for the darkness and power that should accompany such a dagger as Azrael’s, but also impatience. Seems odd for a weapon, but whatevs.
Fourth floor, and what we came for is here. It feels like…up? Maybe? Yeah, definitely up a floor or two.
A new spring in my step, I sprint to the stairwell and bound upwards, three at a time. As I exit the door onto the sixth floor, Cas comes from the opposite side. His grin is infectious, and I’m buoyed by the realization that we’re nearly in reach of the dagger.
As we meet in the middle, we turn as one to the door on our right. It’s here, I know it. Cas knows it. I look at Cas, willing him to follow my lead.
In response, he bows slightly but formally in his customary way.
This is my show, ‘cause we’re gonna be dealing with Shadowlanders, possibly violently. Cas is good in fights, but I shine, and we both know it. This is what I do.
Magic pools in my mind; forces prepare an attack to accompany my fists, feet, and daggers.
Deep breath, quiet exhalation. Again.
A third time.
As soon as the air refills my lungs, I’m through the door and surveying the room for threats. I know whoever’s waiting at the end of this trail is gonna be formidable. What else would await us?
Skidding to a stop, I’m stunned to see the one Shadowlander I’d never have imagined, not if I had all of eternity to guess.
Standing in the middle of the room sporting an impatient scowl is the legendary Queen of Shadows, herself.
Helena.
In this utterly surreal moment, I’m certain she’s not here to fight, although I have no idea how I know. Cas seems to know it too, since he’s calmly walking up beside me.
Ebony hair glistens in the dusky light that peeks through a dirty window. Leader of the Shadowlands is devoid of defenses. Not a glimmer of magical power lingers in the air around her, no traps laid that a lesser Eternal might miss. Especially if Cas is this serene.
“It’s about time. I thought you would’ve been here thirty minutes ago. I need to get back before someone knows I’m gone. There are things in motion you have no understanding of, and I’m not a patient woman. Not anymore.”
“Apologies, Helena. I haven’t seen you in centuries. What are we doing, exactly?” Cas’s query sounds nonchalant, but the bewilderment in his mind is palpable. And if I can feel it, so can she.
“I have something you need, and a warning to accompany it.” Her tone is cool and clipped, having an obvious wish to be about her business. “Suffice it to say, dark days are upon us all, and I’m not prepared to give in to those who would burn the three realms to ash.”
Crossing my arms, I give her a skeptical look.
A wry grin spreads across her face at my posturing.
“Do you think I make appointments for no reason?” Hand on her hips, she raises a black eyebrow. Just one. “I know things you can’t, however effective you may be at ferreting out information. By the way, Mike’s fine, so don’t worry about him.”
A sense of relief flashes through me. Wait. How’d she know…never mind. She’s Helena.
“Now, let’s get this finished.” Her dark, Amethyst eyes never waver as she opens a portal the size of a basketball. On the other side seems to be…absolutely nothing.
Cas gasps, confirming my suspicions.
Helena’s hiding something in a pocket dimension, an extremely dangerous place to tamper with, created only by the most powerful among us.
Just because one can, doesn’t mean one should.
As she withdraws her hand, I’m stunned to see Azrael’s dagger. I barely even register the odd pop of the pocket dimension fading out of existence. A careless attempt at creating one ended with a Celestial vanishing a few thousand years ago. That’s how dangerous these things are.
But my attention is all on the weapon Helena is inexplicably offering, her fingers lightly grasping the edge of the blade.
“Take this, I don’t want it in my realm. I trust you have a need for it?”
Chills pass through me as I gingerly grasp the handle of the lethal forging. Gooseflesh erupts on my arms. This dagger was forged to annihilate an Eternal soul, Luxe and Tenebrous, yet Helena’s just handing it over to our side like it’s a cup of fucking sugar.
Am I using the word surreal too often? I think I am.
“We do.” My voice is steady despite the thundering of my heart and the rampaging thoughts trampling my mind.
Cas’s deep voice breaks the stillness. “What do you want in exchange? You know why we need this, I cannot imagine an exchange without conditions.”
The air stills as if quieting just so we can hear her clearly.
“Seraya’s child should not have to die.” She narrows her eyes, giving a look similar to one I’ve seen on Seraya many times. “I’m not a heartless beast, after all. The EMC will know what I want, now run along and get this to Micah. Farewell.” The words are barely out of her mouth as she turns and steps through a portal.
Realms and Rebels: A Paranormal and Fantasy Reverse Harem Collection Page 126