by Rach Elle
BeStone quickly recited an incantation; holding out his hand for emphasis as he shouted the words. But his moment of glory was interrupted by Hasmukh’s joyous cackling. Nothing came of the spell. BeStone looked down at the incantation; wondering if he’d said it right.
“Oh, BeStone Soltan,” Hasmukh patronized, “Do you really think I’d leave the Grimoire where you could easily fetch it? You are truly an idiot.” He held out his open hand; palm facing the ground. Suddenly BeStone, Parag and Fazal could feel an overwhelming pressure pushing down on their shoulders. They tried to fight against it, but it was too heavy. Soon their knees buckled and they fell to the rooftop, still fighting gravity as it tried to push them flat into the surface.
“Remove my chains,” Fazal whispered through gritted teeth.
“No,” BeStone refused.
“I know you too well BeStone,” Hasmukh called over the howling wind. “I knew to set up this little happening on the roof. I knew you would attack from the ground up; fully expecting me to be ready for an aerial attack. I had to wait longer for your arrival, but it was worth it to see your face the moment you saw your females.” He smiled as the flames began to touch the roof. “But what makes this piss poor attempt at heroism even more entertaining,” he continued, “Is the fact that even if you had nicked the Grimoire and had conducted an effective spell – it wouldn’t change the fact that I am still half Limrid.”
Kingsley jumped off of the roof as Tauggle rushed Cooper to do the same. “But the girls,” Cooper whispered.
“I’ll get them,” Tauggle reassured her just as she took flight.
Hasmukh cried, “I have much more power than you could ever dream!” He threw his hands in the air as the flames roared to new heights all around them; circling them in a ring of deadly fire.
BeStone’s eyes narrowed and focused on the bulbous ring that sat atop Hasmukh’s finger; the ashes of Kyran swirling inside and powering the Indian Limrid.
“And would you like to know what else I have?” Hasmukh asked rhetorically. He pulled from his pocket an ancient object. “I have the Egyptian Eye!” He waved it around for BeStone to see. “Allow me to show you how much it means to me.” He turned sharply and pitched the Eye into the fire. A wide, maniacal smile stretched across his face as he looked back at BeStone. “It means nothing! All this time you thought you had the one thing I couldn’t. But all this time you were wrong. Look around you BeStone! Look at everything I own. Look at the way in which I control these flames and hold your life in the palm of my hand! No more games! I’ve officially won.”
Hasmukh laughed, “Tata Parag!” He flicked his wrist and Parag suddenly flew off the mansion; barreling into the dark valley below.
Hasmukh sneered at BeStone, “Your time is up!” The Limrid cried. “I’ve made your decision for you!” He spun to face the females and waved his hands to fan the flames behind him. They latched onto the pyre as Viattrice and Amelie tried to scream through their taped mouths.
“No!” BeStone cried. He grabbed Fazal’s chains and brought the Limrid mere centimeters from his face. Through a clenched jaw he growled, “I hate you,” and snapped the chains apart; freeing the Limrid from his restraint. With a smile, Fazal disappeared.
Hasmukh turned around casually to see BeStone on all fours; unable to stand. “How apropos, wouldn’t you say?” he began in a playful tone.
BeStone hung his head.
“Don’t look away,” Hasmukh lifted his finger; telekinetically lifting BeStone’s chin. “I want you to watch as every centimeter of flesh melts off of their bodies.” The flames reflected in his hardening eyes, “I want you to watch them burn just as she should have centuries ago.”
BeStone noticed out of the upper corner of his eye the sight of Tauggle working to free his beloveds. As Hasmukh began to turn around again BeStone raised his voice over the roaring fire to keep his attention, “Is that what this is about; Supriya?”
Hasmukh scowled, “You should have let her burn on the pyre!” He cried. “But you couldn’t stand the thought of bowing to me. I lost my reign because of you; because you just couldn’t bear to follow my rule!”
“I didn’t care about that!”
“Then why wouldn’t you let her burn?”
“Because I loved her!” BeStone cried; his own words surprising himself.
Hasmukh gasped as he looked upon his enemy from so long ago. He had never known about BeStone’s feelings for the woman he had lost everything for. For a moment he almost felt sorry for the gargoyle in front of him; unfortunately that moment was all too fleeting. His jaw clenched and his eyes lost all sign of life as he spoke beneath the roaring of the fire; knowing BeStone could hear every word, “And I loved him.”
Hasmukh gathered balls of white electricity into the palms of his hands. The Limrid side of him would finally have his revenge. Kyran would finally have his revenge.
A rogue sphere of electricity shot from behind and hit Hasmukh square between the shoulders; sending the warlock barreling into the rooftop. He laid on his back, barely able to move as a white haired, orange eyed Limrid stood over him. “Fazal,” Hasmukh croaked.
“Fazal!” BeStone called, “Get me his ring!”
Fazal followed orders, reached down and retrieved the ring from Hasmukh’s finger as the Indian Limrid tried to push himself up. “No,” he breathed as Fazal tossed the ring to his master.
BeStone caught the ivory ring filled with the ashes of Kyran. With a clenched fist he smashed the ring into the rooftop and blew the ashes into the night sky.
“No!” Hasmukh cried as the wind picked up and began to swirl around him in a cyclone. It lifted him off the ground and spun him in tight circles as he screamed until finally – he disappeared.
On cue, the flames disintegrated around them and BeStone looked up to see an unlit pile with two empty wooden posts. The females had made it to safety.
61
Parag stood in the valley below, holding Amelie and Viattrice under his arms. They hugged him; rejoicing in his embrace. He couldn’t hide the fact that he held onto one of them tighter than the other. He closed his eyes and took in the beautiful scent of Viattrice’s hair.
Viattrice looked over her shoulder and a large smile stretched across her face, “He’s here!” She called as both she and Amelie ripped themselves away from Parag’s grasp and ran to meet with a landing BeStone and Fazal.
Both girls jumped into BeStone’s embrace; wrapping their arms tightly around him and thanking him for his bravery.
After a moment of sweet reunion, Amelie asked, “Where are Augmen and Cypro?”
BeStone lowered his head as if in memoriam, “They betrayed us. They are no longer a part of this clan.” He lifted his chin and looked at his females, “The important thing is that you two are alright; and we need to keep it that way.” He looked at Parag standing alone, “The brothers know where we reside. We must find a new dwelling before sunup.”
Parag nodded and the clan followed his orders; spreading their wings and taking flight alongside their orange eyed Limrid.
62
London, England…
Cooper and Kingsley reached the castle and landed exhaustingly on the flat rooftop amongst all the stone gargoyles. The night sky was black except for the beacon of light that was the moon; giving some semblance of hope on this otherwise bleak evening.
The old man and the petite woman shifted; too tired to carry the weight of their wings and tails any longer. They headed for the door that led into the castle and stopped for only half a second to recognize the figure leaning casually against the tower – Tauggle.
Cooper’s eyes lit as she ran to the Limrid, leapt through the air and threw herself into his arms. He caught her with ease and held her tightly; burying his face into the crook of her neck, “Hello Lovely,” he whispered.
Kingsley entered the living room in the Vanderburen castle having just put on a pair of sweatpants he snagged from Junior’s room. They were too long and the elastic
band had to stretch to accommodate his waist, but at least they didn’t have a gaping hole in the ass from where his tail used to be.
Elizabeth looked up to see Kingsley descending the stairs and tears instantly welled in her eyes. She had woken up in the guest house to see his note earlier in the evening. He had told her he was leaving with Cooper to go find Junior and Awilda. But when Junior and Awilda came home without him she couldn’t help but fear for the worst. She crossed the living room as quickly as her arthritic knees would allow and embraced him; so happy to feel his warmth again.
Zeff stood in the corner of the room; happy to hear both Kingsley and Cooper were alive and well, but fuming nonetheless. He had listened to Junior and Awilda recount their evening in Wiltshire. He should have been there.
A moment later, Cooper and Tauggle finally decided to grace them with their presence. They descended the staircase shoulder to shoulder and walked casually into the middle of the living room.
Zeff couldn’t help it; he charged forward, outstretched his arms and shoved the Limrid backward. “What the fuck did you think you were doing?” His eyes burned red.
Tauggle looked at the shifter confusingly, “I’m sorry?”
“Zeff, stop,” Cooper chimed in.
Zeff ignored her, “You put her in danger!” He motioned to the petite shifter that now stood between them. She held out her hands to calm him down, “He didn’t do anything!” She raised her voice to get his attention. When his red glare dissipated to an icy blue and lowered to meet her eyes she continued calmly, “I made the decision to go to Wiltshire with Kingsley.”
Zeff suppressed all emotion in his expression, but couldn’t stop it from seeping through his words, “Why didn’t you get me? I would have gone with you.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t include you, but I honestly didn’t think it was going to be as intense as it was. Otherwise I would have asked.”
Zeff stared into Cooper’s brown eyes lined so perfectly with long lashes and listened to her words; speaking as if no one was listening; as if they were completely alone. He whispered, “I would have protected you.”
“I know,” she smiled softly, “But you didn’t have to. Tauggle protected me.”
Zeff shook his head, “You could have been killed.”
“I would never let that happen,” Tauggle interrupted.
Zeff’s eyes hardened at the sound of the Limrid’s voice, “And I’m supposed to trust you?” He growled. After a moment of clenching his fists and trying to will his anger to simmer, he looked up into the Limrid’s gold eyes. “Next time you want to put her in danger,” he bit, “Make sure a real man is there.” He pivoted sharply and stormed out of the room.
Kingsley pursed his lips as Zeff whisked past him. He looked to Elizabeth, “Well, that was only slightly insulting.”
Cooper stood alone; feeling smaller than she’d ever felt as she watched her friend walk away. Her sadness lifted only a little as she felt Tauggle’s hands touch her shoulders. “Are you alright?” He asked. She turned around and smiled, “Yes.”
“Good,” he smiled back. “Now, if you’ll forgive me; I need to do something outside the castle. I’ll be back shortly.”
“Where are you going?” She asked.
Tauggle’s lips thinned as he thought of his next words, “I need to make sure Hasmukh doesn’t become a recurring problem.”
Cooper’s eyes widened, “You’re going back to him?”
Tauggle nodded, “Yes. I am not his enemy; I’ll be fine.”
“Let me go with you…”
“No,” he said adamantly. “I don’t want you anywhere near him.”
Cooper resisted the urge to jump on a soapbox and preach about how she could take care of herself. Instead she simply nodded and said quietly, “Be careful.”
Tauggle stared into her eyes for a moment before bringing his lips to her forehead. He kissed her gently; lingering against her soft skin before suddenly disappearing into thin air.
Cooper opened her eyes to see the Limrid was gone; the phantom sensation of his touch still tingling against her skin.
63
Wiltshire, England…
Hasmukh sat on a balcony on the east wing of his mansion. He stared into the night sky; wishing he could be in his study. That was his favorite room in the house. He loved the oversized leather seating and the sound his bourbon made as he swirled it in the glass. He sighed, longing for the light of tomorrow when he could get to work on rebuilding that wing of the home. He considered a full remodel; new features and finishes. Except for his study; that would be restored, not renovated.
As the blades of grass in the dark valley danced in the wind, Hasmukh took a deep breath, “To what do I owe the pleasure?” He drawled as he looked over his shoulder to see a white haired Limrid standing in his bedroom.
Tauggle studied the man before him. He was smaller than he remembered. But then again, he himself was much bigger after having been claimed by Awilda. “Since when do Limrids mingle with demons?” He asked flatly.
Hasmukh smiled, “I do not mingle; I am their employer.”
“Why did you bring Awilda here?”
“I believe she came on her own.”
“Because she couldn’t withstand an overwhelming urge to do so. Do not take me for a fool, Hasmukh. I know you and your dark magic were behind it.”
Hasmukh glanced at the gleeful blades of grass one more time before standing and turning to face the Limrid, “I was simply fulfilling my end of the contract.”
Tauggle crooked a brow, “The brother’s?”
Hasmukh nodded, “They didn’t agree with BeStone’s plan for the impending war and offered me the chance to not only betray BeStone myself; but to help his most trusted clan do so as well. You see,” the Indian smiled, “BeStone was the fool in this scenario.” He closed his eyes as the wind picked up and swirled through his black hair. “Never trust your enemies.”
After a moment Hasmukh opened his eyes to see Tauggle displeased by his response. “Oh, come now,” he rolled his eyes, “You know I never care to get mixed up in this prophecy business. Awilda was involved tonight only because I hold up my ends of bargains. Besides, it provided enough distraction for me to nab those two females. You know, hit BeStone right where it hurt the most.”
“By trying to kill the people he loves.”
“Why not?” Hasmukh’s expression grew grave. “He killed the person I loved; an eye for an eye.”
“So Awilda was merely a pawn in your attempt at revenge.”
Hasmukh weighed his words, “More or less.”
“And I am not to expect you to threaten the girl or her clan ever again?”
“Of course not,” Hasmukh chuckled, “Didn’t you hear, BeStone destroyed my source of power. I am now weak and fragile.”
“I believe I asked you to not take me for a fool,” Tauggle smirked. “The ring was just for show, wasn’t it?” His eyes drifted downward to meet the set of jewels embedded in the Indian’s chest. He focused in on the middle jewel seemingly made of ivory. The slight iridescence of the oval shimmered in the moonlight. “Let me guess,” he began, “Kyran’s teeth?”
“Fingernails, actually.”
“So now BeStone thinks you are no longer half Limrid.”
“And he’ll never bother me again.”
“Was Fazal in on your rouse?”
Hasmukh shrugged, “He hates the bastard almost as much as I do.” After a moment of silence, the Indian sighed, “Is that all? I really must get my beauty rest. I have to draw up my plans for renovation tomorrow. Do you think a conservatory would be too pretentious?”
Tauggle ignored the question. Instead, he stared at the man before him intently, “Thank you.” His words were full of depth and sincerity.
Hasmukh furrowed his brow, “For what?”
“For not killing her.”
Hasmukh smiled, “I’m flattered you think so highly of my abilities, but even I cannot kill the destroyer…”
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“That’s not what I’m talking about.” Tauggle cut him off.
Hasmukh fell silent for a moment; the memory of the petite shifter on her knees at the mercy of his demons played in his mind. He could remember vividly the look in Tauggle’s eyes as he stared into hers. He knew that look all too well. “I know,” He returned his gaze to the night sky laced with stars. “I’ve always liked you Tauggle; you’re smart. I would never hurt you more than I was contractually obligated. And it was apparent tonight that killing her would have ended your life as well. I know what that feels like.” He lowered his head in memory of his own beloved.
Tauggle exhaled the breath he didn’t realize he had been holding, “I had feared you would harbor resentment toward her.”
“Why; because she turned a Limrid? It is true that in doing so she has made an enemy of every black eyed minion still left in this world, but my Limrid’s eyes turned a long time ago. And lest you forget,” He smiled, “I am still half human. I have compassion and loyalty.”
Tauggle nodded, “Aye, I am still learning the properties of humanity.”
Hasmukh chuckled lightly, “Did you know that I can still see Kyran’s memories? It happened frequently when he first gave me his life. Over the years they’ve dwindled, but I can still catch a glimpse if I concentrate.” He stared into the golden eyes of the Limrid before him, “He too appreciated you, Tauggle. And because of his memories I know that the faith you once had in Lucifer was merely misguided; not stubborn or hateful.” A sincere smile stretched across his dark face, “My dear friend, you’ve always had your humanity. It just took you much too long to recognize it.”
64
London, England…
“Do you want me to go up with you?” Junior asked as he stared into Awilda’s beautiful brown eyes.
She shook her head with a soft smile, “No, I’ll be okay. I’m just going to take a shower and try to get rid of some of these nerves.”