Tainted Light

by Izzy Shows

  I didn’t trip, though. I fell. I didn’t know what would be at the bottom, or how deep the hole was. Oh, gods, I was going to die.

  It was too soon! I had things to do. I couldn’t die like this.

  Abruptly, I stopped falling. My shoulder wrenched, hard, out of its socket, and I screamed.

  My eyes, which had been squeezed tightly, popped open. Emily was gripping my wrist with both hands, sweating profusely.

  “I’ve got you.”

  It looked like she only barely had me.

  I twisted and reached up with my other hand to grab hold of her forearm. I tried to pull myself up, but something caught my ankle.

  “Fuck!” I kicked with my free leg, but I couldn’t find anything to hit. It felt like a tentacle was wrapped around my leg, and it was creeping up.

  Shit. I was about to get dragged to my doom.

  “Emily, something’s got me.” I struggled to pull myself up on her arm.

  She yanked hard, and fresh pain burst out in my shoulder. Dislocated. Fuck. This was bad. My arm was now useless.

  The tentacle jerked, and I slipped. Emily’s grip went from my wrist to my hand, fresh terror in her eyes. She thought she was going to lose me.

  Fuck that. Fuck all of this. I wasn’t going down without a fight.

  “Incendium.” I let go of her forearm and turned my hand down. Magic coursed through me, searing every nerve ending inside my body. A gout of flame burst from my fingertips. The use of pure magic without a focus was so gods damned painful it threatened to overwhelm me. But letting go of consciousness now would end me.

  A scream rumbled from below, but the tentacle’s grip barely loosened.

  I’m in hell, moron. Fire isn’t going to help me much.

  “Glacio!” Ice sickles flew from my fingertips and stabbed into the darkness below me. At last, the tentacle let go. “Now, Emily!”

  She pulled harder than before. I flew up and over the lip of the hole I’d been in and splattered on top of her.

  At least I was out.

  For several minutes we laid there, panting for breath. I rolled off her to examine the giant hole I’d almost died in. The tentacle monster—whatever it had been—wasn’t coming out as far as I could tell. It would have done it already. Maybe the ice had killed it.

  Memo to me, use ice while in hell. It was just stupid to try and use fire.

  I said looked down at my useless arm. “I need you to pop my arm back in.”

  “Right. Sorry about that.”

  “Don’t be. You saved my life. Again.”

  I was losing track how many times she had, and I knew this wasn’t going to be the last.

  She offered me a sweet smile and took hold of my arm at the shoulder. I clenched my jaw, trying to prepare for the agony that was about to come. Without warning, she shoved it back into place. I barely managed to hold back a cry.

  We climbed to our feet and exchanged shaken looks before continuing our seemingly endless journey.

  It would do well to remember how dangerous this place was.

  Chapter 17

  There were no words to describe hell. I had learned fast that it wasn’t like I’d expected. It was hot—that was a given—but there were no fiery pits so far, and we’d yet to come across a screaming soul being tortured.

  We reached the next border late in the day, which meant we were likely to reach Desirious at night. I’d have rather not taken on an angel in the dark, but it couldn’t be helped. Time was already disappearing fast, so we couldn’t exactly wait around for daylight. I would just have to suck it up and deal, hoping for the best.

  Please just hang in there a little longer, Malphas. I’m coming. They are not taking you away from me.

  “Blair?” Emily’s voice yanked me from my reverie. “You kind of got lost there for a minute.”

  “Huh?” I blinked, confused for a moment. “Oh, sorry. I was thinking.”

  She pursed her lips. I could tell she ached to ask about, but she didn’t say anything, apparently having learned her lesson.

  She gestured at the border. “Are we going through? Normally you’re rushing to get past these things.”

  I hesitated. It was already late enough that we usually were making camp and settling in for the night. It didn’t help that my shoulder and arm were still weak from falling into the pit, either.

  Did I have the strength of mind to make it through another trial? Could I handle my soul being ripped bare again?

  Malphas doesn’t have the luxury of picking and choosing when he is ready to go through pain.

  “Yeah, let’s go.” I stepped across the border with Emily right behind me.

  We were thrust into another dreamscape, this one black rather than white. It was hard to see Emily, but I felt her near. I didn’t know what I’d have done if we had gotten pulling into different dreamscapes.

  But she was beside me, and as long as she was, I could weather any shit thrown our way.

  The sentinel walked toward us, shrouded in darkness. He came into view in various glimpses at first, fading back into the shadows until he stood in front of us.

  “Welcome, mortals.” He had a pleasant smile on his face. His voice didn’t boom inside my head as the others had, but maybe that was because of his physical form. In my gut, I knew he was sentient and not an automatic system to guide wayward travelers through the trials.

  I needed to be sure, though. “You’re a real demon, aren’t you?”

  “Indeed I am, young mage. I am a nephilim. One of the oldest, in fact.” He beamed, clearly proud of his standing.

  I shrugged. “Big deal.”

  His eyes narrowed. “In fact, it is. There is a very high turnover here in hell. Most of the cambien die quickly, but we nephilim are made of stronger stuff. I have made it through much, and I will make it through more. Longer than you will.”

  I tilted my head to the side. “Humor me for a moment. What’s the difference between cambien and nephilim? I thought there were, like, a thousand different kinds of demons.”

  He didn’t chafe at the small talk. He seemed somewhat happy talking about himself.

  “You have a curiosity about you. That’s good. It will serve you well. You are correct. There are various breeds of demon serving in hell, but there are only two species. We nephilim are the sons and daughters of the Fallen themselves and the strongest demons you will ever encounter. The cambien…” He snorted derisively. “Are our children. Weaklings. Their blood is diluted, and thus, their power is minimal.”

  I arched an eyebrow. “You don’t seem particularly fond of your children.”

  He waved a hand dismissively. “We do not share your human trait of parental affection. We breed, we fight, we torture. It is what we were made to do. We do not feel.”

  His nostrils flared, and his gaze focused on Emily.

  “You have brought a paladin into our midst.”

  “Damn straight.” I crossed my arms. “She’s the best of the best. Better than a nephilim, I’d say.”

  Emily gave me a chastising look but remained silent. She probably didn’t like me bragging about her.

  “She does not belong here.”

  “No, but when you’re going into demon territory, it’s nice to have some muscle for back up.”

  He sighed. “I should hope that will not be necessary. I am not looking to do combat with you, mage. I have heard of you and have a great respect for your prowess. I hope that one day you will take the path of the great Lilith.”

  He shuddered as he spoke her name, and his eyes darted nervously from side to side.

  I perked up at her name. “Lilith? She’s one of my best friends. I love that girl.”

  His eyes widened. “You have spoken to Lilith?”

  “Yeah. She’s awesome. I mean, we got off on the wrong foot, but now we’re solid.”

  His lips curled into a smile. “Then perhaps she will rub off on you.”

  I laughed. “I doubt it. I’ve heard her story. It’s
not for me.”

  Lilith had slept with one of the angels. I was pretty sure something else had happened along with the tryst, but she hadn’t said anything more. After, she’d become the first succubus. Malphas came into my mind. I couldn’t deny my attraction to him, and I’d thought about sleeping with him before, but I didn’t want to give up my nature just for a good lay. Standards, and everything.

  Emily laid a hand on my shoulder. “That is not Blair’s path,” she said. I wondered if her mind had gone to Malphas, too.

  The demon’s eyes shifted back to Emily. “I do so love a good tug of war. Friends with the only nephilim to not have been born one and consorting with one of the holy. You are quite intriguing, aren’t you?”

  “I like to keep things interesting.”

  “How would you like to make things a little more interesting?”

  I tilted my head to the side. “What do you mean?”

  “Blair…” Emily’s voice held a warning note, but I ignored it.

  “You are powerful; this much is known. Even I would not be so arrogant as to deny it. But there is always more power to be needed, more that must be conquered, more that can challenge you. I am a nephilim, and though not so great as my father, I have been imbued with such as my brethren will never know.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It is not my power to use, but I have been given the ability to offer that which none other can, not even my father or his brothers. I can offer you the power of the Fallen. Limitless in nature, it would give you the strength of a god. None could against before you.” He laughed, clearly taking note of the look on my face. “Don’t fear. It will not change you. It is not the path of Lilith, nor an alternative to her path. You will not become like one of the Fallen, and I ask for nothing in return. Not even a taste of your soul, though its scent is seductive. I will take nothing from you, and I will not change you. The offer is freely made, not the pact of a Fae. It is not even a deal, not in truth. You will not be required to seal anything with me, and no contract will be made. Think of what I offer. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It will never come about again.”

  I frowned. “Limitless power, huh? What kind of power are you talking about? What does it do? Where is it stored? How does it affect its host?”

  “Blair!” Emily’s voice was high and sharp. She gripped my shoulder more tightly. “You cannot seriously be having this conversation.”

  “Well, I am, aren’t I? I don’t see why not. You have to admit it’s interesting, to say the least.”

  “He’s a demon. He cannot keep his word.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, paladin.” He sneered as he said her title. “One more thing that might interest you, mage. No one else has taken this gift, and if you do, it will never be available to another. You alone will hold this power. Only the Fallen could stand against you.”

  I quirked one eyebrow. “Why hasn’t anyone else taken it?”

  He shrugged. “In truth, we see very few mortals come through. The souls damned to hell are not capable of undergoing the trials or taking the gift. Thus, it cannot be offered to them. Of the few that have come, most were similar to your paladin. They did not trust in what was offered. Only one has accepted, but he was too weak to withstand the power.”

  “Too weak? What do you mean?”

  “You asked where the power is stored. Inside you, of course. It will mingle with your soul. Only the truly powerful can contain such power. But I will admit. I knew he could not handle it. It was…humorous to offer it and watch him disintegrate. I can gauge the power of a mortal, so do not worry. You can withstand the trial.”

  “And how do I know you’re not just saying that because you want to watch me disintegrate?”

  He looked appalled. “I could not speak such a mistruth.”

  “You are not Fae. You are not bound to speak the truth.”

  “You are, of course, correct in theory. We demons are not bound by such laws, but I am. Only in regards to the gift, though. I cannot misconstrue the gift, and any details you wish to know must be freely and truthfully given.”

  This grew more and more interesting.

  “Answer my other questions then. What kind of power is it, and how does it affect the host?”

  “It is power in its purest form. It is not the power of hellfire alone, or of healing, or of knowledge of words of power. It is all of that and much more. It is the power to give, and take, life with a word alone. As to how it would affect you, as I said, it will not transform you. Your soul will remain human, but…well, you would become immortal. Your personality would not change, and your morals would not be twisted. You would remain yourself at your core. But just as an opportunity in life can change a person, this could as well. If you were to win the lottery tomorrow, it is possible the money would make you greedy. Particularly for someone who has never known what it is like to want for nothing. Even falling in love with a person can change you. That is the only way the power would affect you. It would give you abilities, and how you viewed those abilities, and how you chose to use them, would affect you in the same way as any choices in life would.”

  “Interesting.” I bit my lip, thinking it over.

  “Blair, you cannot be serious,” Emily snapped.

  I turned to look at her and took in the cross look on her face. Of course, she would be upset.

  “I cannot believe you would even consider this!”

  “It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve accepted demonic power, now would it?” I asked with an eyebrow raised. I’d taken Malphas’ offer of power without hesitation and would do so again. “Power is power.”

  “This shouldn’t even be a conversation. Tell him no, and let us be on our way. We’re wasting time.”

  I glared at her, wanting to argue, but it was pointless. She’d never see it my way, and if I took the offer, it would cause too much upset between us. I wasn’t worth it.

  Too bad, though. Power like that would have been damn helpful against the angel. Hell, it could have changed the whole way my job worked.

  I looked back at the demon and shrugged. “Gonna have to be a no.”

  His eyes darkened. “Then you will not be allowed through.”

  “The hell? We’ve gone through the other trials without taking what was offered.”

  “A pity. Standards are slipping, but mine do not.”

  He lunged. His nails transformed into claws as he swiped at my throat. I dodged to the right, extending my leg. Age old trick, but it worked. He stumbled but saved himself from falling by rolling forward and back on his feet.

  His eyes narrowed when Emily unsheathed her sword.

  “You sure you want to go up against one of the Seven?” I nodded my head toward Emily. “She’s not exactly a lightweight.”

  “I am nephilim.” He beat his hand against his chest. “I do not cower before such peasants.”

  I shrugged. “Have it your way.”

  He waved his hand in a broad arc. Fire exploding out and headed straight toward me.

  “Glacio!” I brought my arms up in a cross pattern. The shield of ice formed instantly and took the hit of fire for me. The protection began to melt.

  He kept blasting. I kept pouring magic into the shield, cursing that I couldn’t see him.

  I heard a shout and a muttered curse; then the fire was gone. I dropped the shield in time to see him parrying a blow from Emily’s sword with one of his own. He’d drawn a sword of fire out of thin air and worked to keep pace with Emily.

  Gods, she was a thing of beauty when she fought. Her eyes, fiercely determined, were locked on her target. There was no hesitation in her movements.

  “Yield, demon,” she said, not even out of breath. “I offer you the gift of mercy. You can walk from this life and know peace for once in your existence. Embrace the light of the Lord.”

  He spat on the ground. “Never. Save your empty promises. I will never turn on my father.”

  “Your fate is sealed.�
� She swung again. He barely managed to deflect the blow, and the fire of his sword wavered when it clashed with hers.

  Her sword was metal, but it shone with a holy light that couldn’t be ignored. It hurt to look at. It was as if it was judging your soul even while fighting a demon. The sword knew who was, and wasn’t, worthy. Thank the gods; it hadn’t decided to blast me off the side of the earth on its own. I didn’t know if the sword was sentient like that, but it wouldn’t surprise me.

  You never knew how the Lord worked.

  Gritting my teeth, I pulled the ice wand from its sheath at my thigh. Damned good thing it hadn’t fallen out when the tentacle monster snatched me. I aimed and conjured icicles to life, and firing them one after the other at the beast.

  He struggled to defend against both of us. Fighting just Emily was hard enough, but having to block chunks of ice careening at his head at the same time sucked worse. It was only a matter of time before he faltered, and Emily struck home.

  At least, that was what I had thought.

  He transformed. All bets were off. One moment, he looked like a human man, and the next, he was a giant…thing. Kind of like a dragon, but a little more like a giant bat?

  I couldn’t figure it out, and I was wasting precious time trying to. I forced myself to focus and not falterer keeping the stream of ice flowing from the wand.

  Except the projectiles bounced off him like pebbles. He had his eyes trained on Emily.

  Fuck.

  He swooped down. One giant, leathery wing batted her sword to the side like it was nothing. He pinned her to the ground. I wasn’t exactly the kind of person who studied animals, but I was pretty sure bats didn’t have fangs like that. His mouth opened wider than it had a right to.

  My heart froze. He was going to bite her fucking head off.

  I threw myself forward with a psychotic cry and shoulder checked his giant form. It was like running into a wall. It hurt like hell, but it had gotten the job done. He turned his head and looked down at me like I was an insignificant ant.

  “Ventus!” I shook loose the chain resting on my wrist imbued with the power of the wind. A gale with the force of a hurricane shot forth from my hand and slammed into the beast, driving it away from Emily.