Reluctantly, he did as he was told. Some of the spells were familiar from his father’s memories, while others were completely foreign. During the uncomfortable training session, Anna sat and glowered. Sometimes she asked questions, even things he was uncertain about, and that’s how he knew she was learning alongside him even if she wasn’t yet strong enough in magic to work the difficult spells.
By the end of the second hour, he was feeling weary and unclean, as if he was coated with a fine dusting of grime.
Taryin snapped her fingers closed on a bit of blood magic she’d been spinning; the rusty colored flash was now a familiar sight, and he’d long since gone nose-dead to the odor.
“We’re almost out of time since you need to report to Captain Honnan for your lessons in our history,” Taryin said, looking altogether too pleased with herself. “But before you go, I would like to do one more spell showing you how to tap into the potency of fresh blood.”
“And I’m sure you’ll just happen to need blood that isn’t your own,” said a feminine voice from out in the darkness.
Shadowlight looked over his shoulder. Captain Vaspara stood on the other side of the magic barrier, her arms crossed over her chest.
“Ah, Vaspara,” Taryin said with a hint of disdain in her voice. “We were just finishing up, but you’re correct, I didn’t bring fresh blood for the spell. I’ve run out since the Rasoren and his Kyrsu deprived me of the fresh bodies I was having delivered yesterday. I’ll have to procure a new source soon.”
“You do that. Now lower the shield or I’ll do it for you,” Captain Vaspara warned. “I need to get these two to their next lesson.”
The shield surrounding the stones crackled and then vanished from sight. He breathed a sigh of relief as the night breeze blew cool across his skin. Vaspara didn’t need to tell him to come, he was more than happy to escape the blood witch.
Anna was right there beside him. When they were out of earshot, she said with a somewhat sickly laugh, “I never thought I’d look forward to history lessons taught by an incubus. But I totally am. Anything is better than where we just were.”
“I want a bath,” Shadowlight whispered back to her.
“Just one more lesson and then will be allowed to escape until last meal.”
At the mention of food, he perked up a touch.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Their first week of training turned out to be routine, no better or worse than the first full day of lessons, Anna supposed. As Gryton had promised, every third night they went before the Battle Goddess to undergo the same ritual ordeal they’d survived the first day where Shadowlight was required to absorb a portion of the demigoddess’ power, and Anna was force-fed a few drops of the gargoyle’s blood.
It was never good. Each time they had to go before the Lady of Battles marked yet another three days where Anna had failed to find an escape.
Weapons practice with Sorac was a favorite session, followed by Honnan’s lessons in history. So far, the male demon hadn’t tried anything, and Anna was certain that was because Gryton threatened to have the blood witch geld the sex demon if he so much as looked at Anna with a lustful gaze. So, all in all, it could have been much worse.
One week turned into two.
Before long two weeks of training slid into three.
Anna could see the gradual changes in Shadowlight. He was an inch or two taller and she thought he’d bulked up a little more. It was hard to judge with no other gargoyles around to compare him to.
And he wasn’t the only one changing. She was growing stronger and faster. It wasn’t her imagination either. Captain Sorac had commented on her quicker reflexes.
The Battle Goddess’ captains weren’t the only ones to notice Anna’s new abilities. At the end of every third night, when Anna was just drifting off to sleep after a long night of training and lessons, another terrifying being came to visit her.
Lord Death haunted her dreams, whispering promises of escape if she and the young gargoyle would simply surrender themselves to him.
If she was absolutely certain Shadowlight wouldn’t be harmed, Anna would have agreed to go with this other demigod. But he never promised to save anything more than their souls.
He was honest at least. If he found them incurable, he would free their souls before what his sister put into motion could taint their spirits.
Which, hey, was important and all, but Anna would have liked something with better odds than Russian roulette. If what the Battle Goddess had done to Shadowlight was not something Lord Death could fix, then seeking his aid would be tantamount to suicide.
“Simply find the most peaceful darkness within your mind and pass through it to come to me.” Lord Death repeated those words at the end of each of his dream visits.
Anna just wasn’t that desperate yet.
Though, she might be in the coming weeks if she hadn’t found a way to escape with the kid.
“Is it possible for gargoyles to reach Lord Death from anywhere?” Anna asked Shadowlight as she stirred her steaming cup of tea. She was sitting in a chair by the hearth in what Anna had come to think of as the Livingroom. Shadowlight was drowsing in front of the fire.
He blinked open his eyes. “Hmmm, my father’s memories say it is possible. It is an offshoot of gargoyle shadow magic.”
That actually made sense, in a twisted kind of ‘magic’ logic.
“I still don’t like it,” Anna muttered.
“It might be better than staying here.” Shadowlight fingered the collar around his throat. “This prevents me from calling shadow magic unless I’m given permission during a training session.”
Secretly, that was a relief. She didn’t want the kid running back to Lord Death with only a fifty-fifty chance that he’d survive the encounter.
“I’ve been thinking about the collar. Some of our instructors trust us now more than when we first got here. They’re starting to relax. If I can catch one of them off-guard, I might be able to force them into surrendering control of the collar to me,” Anna said.
A loud rap sounded at the door and one of the servants quickly opened it.
“Lord Gryton,” Lanya said in a voice that was a touch louder than normal. “Shadowlight and Anna are almost ready.”
She hadn’t said out loud that it was still early, but the question was clear.
Anna wondered why Gryton was here. It wasn’t one of the Battle Goddess’ ritual days, and Gryton didn’t typically seek them out on the days when it was just lessons as usual.
“We’ll talk more later,” Anna said to Shadowlight. He bobbed his head in agreement.
Together they walked over to greet Gryton.
“You’re both to go before the Battle Goddess,” he said in a cold, clipped tone.
No niceties or even a bit of flirtation, which she was starting to come to expect.
That couldn’t be good. All business was never good.
After issuing the order, he turned sharply and marched back out the door and down the hall.
She and Shadowlight scrambled to catch up before he reinforced his statement with a verbal command.
Anna glanced sidelong at Shadowlight and then whispered along their mental link. “Someone’s in a pissy mood.”
Shadowlight huffed in agreement.
When they reached what she’d come to think of as the altar room, she gave it a quick scan. It looked the same as it had yesterday, the two altars made of gray stone with manacles just waiting for them.
Was the Battle Goddess planning to do this daily now? Or had something gone wrong with yesterday’s ritual?
Or had the blood witch gone to the Battle Goddess complaining that Anna wasn’t progressing fast enough?
Guards came forward to secure them to their altars. They didn’t fight. She wanted to though; her gargoyle instincts picked up some hint of danger or new deception, more than usual at least.
They’d just finished chaining Shadowlight down when she heard the Battle Goddess
approach. Involuntarily, Anna’s muscles tensed. A few seconds later the demigoddess was in her customary place at the top of the stairs.
“My children, I am most proud of your progress.” A smile brightened the Lady of Battles’ features. “However, Captain Taryin informs me the female half is falling behind in her magic studies because her gargoyle nature isn’t developing as it should.”
Anna was almost used to the way the demigoddess labeled them, like they were two halves of the same creature, instead of two separate persons. She wondered if that was the plan, to train them to work as such a tightknit unit that she and the kid eventually lost their individuality and just became killing machines ready to carry out all the demigoddess’ orders.
It wasn’t the most reassuring thought, but it made sense. Gryton had commented more than once that she wanted to create her own version of the Avatars to lead her armies.
On the surface, Anna obeyed and allowed herself to be labeled like an inanimate object, but it didn’t mean she was just going to roll over and become whatever the Battle Goddess wished.
With that in mind, a week and a half ago she’d attempted to exert her will over her gargoyle heritage, controlling it, instead of being controlled by it. So far Anna thought she had some success going by how annoyed Captain Taryin had become.
“Tell me, little hybrid,” the demigoddess said, “Have you been holding back?”
Anna kept her lips sealed. If she lied, they’d know and punish the kid. If she told the truth, they’d probably punish her disobedience by punishing the kid.
“Are you defying your goddess?” Gryton snapped.
“No,” Anna answered when Gryton drew a knife and stepped towards Shadowlight. “At least not with malicious intent. I don’t want to lose who I am. But I can feel it happening.”
The Lady of Battles settled cross-legged on the top landing. “Your concerns are understandable. However, they are unfounded. You will not become less than you are, nor will you lose your sense of self. You will still be Anna Mackenzie, born to human parents, but you will become more - an immortal, a powerful creature of magic. Whether you wish it or not.”
“I’ll do better,” Anna said a little desperately, sensing her plan was about to go sideways.
“I’m sorry.” The deity waved at Gryton and then Shadowlight. Gryton nodded. “I can’t allow your fear to hold you back.”
“I can overcome this.” Anna tugged at her chains.
“Yes. You will, with some help.” She looked toward Gryton a second time. “I’ve changed my mind. Have Captain Ninara summoned here. I’m sure Honnan’s twin can help us with this problem.”
Commander Gryton relayed the order to have Ninara come to the altar room. Anna hadn’t worked with Ninara much, but she hadn’t liked what she’d seen either. Worse, Captain Vaspara had a mildly horrified look on her face before she’d mastered her expression.
Not reassuring. Not in the least.
Anna stared up at the dark ceiling high above, forcing herself to calm as she summoned tendrils of shadow magic. In the first week, she’d learned that the others were unable to sense shadow magic unless she drew on a large outpouring of power. This was just a tiny bit sent to study and infiltrate the links of the chain and the locking mechanism spell on each cuff. Hopefully, it wasn’t enough to draw their attention.
All too soon Captain Ninara came striding down the stairs and joined Gryton, Vaspara, Honnan and the other guards circling the altars.
“My goddess, how may I serve you?”
“The human has reached a plateau in her development, but I think we can force her past it if the young gargoyle’s blood becomes more potent. I want you to see if your power can trigger him into the next level of his development.”
“I can only try. He may not be old enough for my power to affect him.”
“Do not fear, Captain, I will not punish you for something even my magic hasn’t yet managed to accomplish.”
Ninara nodded and then moved forward to where Shadowlight was chained to the altar.
“Hey!” Anna shouted and pulled at her chains. “Let’s all leave the kid out of this. I’ll embrace my inner gargoyle or whatever the fuck you want from me. Just leave the kid alone.”
“You should’ve thought of that before trying to resist the transformation.” Gryton laid a finger on her lips and then stroked it over her chin and along the vulnerable skin of her throat. “This will teach you to swallow your stubborn pride and do as you’re told.”
Anna stared into Gryton’s brown, amber-ringed eyes and promised herself she’d see him dead one day for his part in this.
Shadowlight snarled a warning. Anna looked at him and rage rose within her. Ninara was leaning over him, magic rising from her skin and cascading down upon him. He twisted, trying to prevent the foreign power from touching him, but his chains only allowed for a minimal amount of movement.
He snarled louder and lashed out with his tail. The blade-tipped end came within a few inches of impaling the succubus. Only her twin brother’s swift reflexes deflected the blow.
A louder, fiercer growl echoed through the vast chamber, and Ninara jerked her head up and glanced over at Anna. There was a look of surprise and a hint of fear in the Captain’s eyes.
It fed the wild, chaotic ball of magic and rage in Anna’s chest. The power reached some kind of flashpoint, expanding outwards beyond her ability to control. Icy power raced down her every limb, covering her skin with gooseflesh and a dusting of frost.
Seeking out the weakness she’d already hunted out in the metal of her chains, she unleashed a savage wave of shadow magic upon that point. Even as she shattered the chains holding her down, the power within continued to rise.
Snarling in victory, Anna rolled off the altar and lunged towards her prey. Talons lengthened from her fingertips and wings shredded her tunic as they burst from her back. She snapped her new wings open to their maximum expanse, instinctively blocking her prey from breaking either left or right.
Kicking out at the succubus with the intent to gut her, Anna was somewhat dumbfounded to see her feet encased in boots instead of ending in long clawed toes. The kick still landed with enough force to lift the other woman off her feet and toss her back from Shadowlight.
Anna leaped to follow. Beating her wings powerfully, she caught the other female and then wrapped her talons around the other’s throat. She tried to drag her struggling prey up into the air with her, but she couldn’t get lift.
Guards were hauling on the trailing ends of her chains. She snarled at them, then leaped into the air a second time and beat her wings harder. This time she dragged them across the polished floor and smashed them against the alter stone she’d been chained down to only moments ago.
All the while, Ninara twisted and fought, trying to break Anna’s hold. Snarling, she buffeted the other woman with shards of shadow magic propelled forward by powerful slaps of her wings. She didn’t stop until the succubus was bleeding from her ears, mouth and nose.
Other guards were rushing forward, but they wouldn’t be in time to save her.
“Stop,” Gryton shouted. “It was a test. Stop now.”
Anna snarled at him. He could shout all he wanted. It wouldn’t do any good. She didn’t have a control collar around her neck.
Her fingers tightened farther around Ninara’s slender throat, her talons digging into the soft flesh drawing a flood of rich copper scent and warm blood. The succubus twisted and fought, but her blows bounced off an impregnable shield of Anna’s shadow magic.
Gryton and the Battle Goddess both bellowed for order.
Even Captain Honnan was shouting Anna’s name. Growling, she tracked his voice, sensing some new danger. She found him poised over Shadowlight with the deadly tip of his sword pressed against Shadowlight’s neck. The young gargoyle snarled and broke his chains, deflecting Hannon’s sword.
Seeing her opening, Anna tossed the smaller succubus higher up into the air and then kicked out with all t
he force in her lower body. Ninara flipped through the air and then crashed into her twin brother, and both demons slid across the floor ten feet away. Honnan’s sword spun through the air before landing on the floor and skidding until Captain Sorac’s foot slammed down upon it.
Sorac wasn’t fighting. He was laughing, deep body-shaking chuckles.
“Anna, stop.” There was a command there, one so deep and pure she couldn’t fight it.
Anna’s muscles tensed. She wanted to finish off her prey, but with a soft snarl, she landed and dropped to all fours. Stalking over to the one who’d issued the order, she inhaled deeply, scenting the air. She shoved her muzzle against his side and on up to his shoulders and face, where she gave him a quick lick. She tasted no taint and found no injuries.
The most powerful scent wafting from his skin was nothing more concerning than his surprise, so she relaxed marginally and dropped back down to crouch at his side. Though her tail still flicked in a slow warning to the others in the room, telling them if anyone attempted to harm her Rasoren, she’d tear them apart.
“Easy, Anna,” Shadowlight said with another reassuring pat to her head.
“It was a test,” Gryton added, “Shadowlight was never in danger.”
Anna growled at Gryton. He stood unmoving with his sword out, blade bare.
“Don’t be foolish,” he warned.
The other guards she’d used to mop the floor had fallen back. Only Captains Vaspara and Sorac were still within striking distance, but they weren’t presently threatening Shadowlight, so she ignored them and leaned into Shadowlight’s fingers while he gave her a good head scratch. Her tail still lashed back and forth in warning.
Sorac held his hands out, showing them empty of weapons. “I’m not a threat.” He said with another laugh, “but I’d pay dearly to see that again.”
Anna growled when he took a step forward, but he ignored her. “Told you, you’d be breathtaking in battle if you learned to tame that berserker rage into something more constructive. Though, this wasn’t what I had in mind.”
“Spectacular!” Loud clapping accompanied the words. The Lady of Battles was standing on her customary landing. “You sliced through Ninara’s protective magic like it wasn’t even there. What a breathtaking show of raw, untrained power. And Shadowlight has begun to master his control over you. Once you’re both fully trained, you will bring great honor to my kingdom.”
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