by D. C. Gambel
The pain the blade had caused me still lingered but had muted in intensity as I distracted myself with everything going on.
Magic swarmed around me whipping my hair upwards in a swirl. It sucked the air out of my lungs lifting me to my feet. I gasped feebly, but the magic tingled in my blood like ants scurrying through my veins. A cyclone the power licked greedily over my skin, taking all it could before heading towards the entrance where Charlie stood. She took hesitant steps, backing away from the magic, but it bypassed the barrier and engulfed my friend yanking her back over the threshold onto our side before dissipating completely.
I fell to my knees gasping in my first lungful of air feeling completely drained. Still feeling the magic stick to my skin like a residual phantom, it took a moment for me to realize that that spell was over. My stomach plummeted to the floor when I realized Charlie was the only one who made it through. Here I was stuck in a magically cage with my best friend on the other side with three demons who wouldn’t be very happy that the spell didn’t go according to plan.
Clutching my chest to catch my breath, I glanced up to see Shane slowly approaching Charlie. Would he toss her over into the third dimension again out of anger? Would he attempt the spell once more? I didn’t know if he had enough ingredients to try.
Fearing for my friend, I shouted “No!” Ramming into the invisible shield that kept me contained, I was zapped, tossed backwards but that didn’t stop me from trying again. “Get away from her!” I demanded slamming my fists against the walls only to be stung again.
Charlie righted herself seeming unaware, or unconcerned about the demon approaching her. Dusting herself off, she slowly spun to face Shane.
“Kneel son of Adam.”
My jaw almost landed at my feet when I saw Shane do as my friend commanded. Dropping to his knees, he bowed his head like a servant to its master. I was confused and my expression didn’t disguise it.
“My queen,” Shane whispered almost gleefully staring down at Charlie’s feet.
“You’ve done well Cain.”
Cain?
Chapter 20
“I knew you were the one for the job, Cain. Who better than the first demon.” Charlie smiled down at the demon at her feet cupping his jaw affectionately. I didn’t understand why she was calling Shane Cain. Did she mishear his name perhaps, but no one corrected her. I shifted on my knees attempting to ease the ache, I drew her gaze to me, and an unfamiliar smile spread across her face. It was sadistic, something I didn’t recognize on my friend. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the nephilim.”
“Charlie, what’s going on? Why are you calling me a nephilim?”
“First of all,” Charlie strutted by my cage. At first my heart sored thinking she was getting close to be able to release me, but she simply strolled around it, almost admiring the magic that contained me. “I’m not your friend.” When my brow furrowed she rolled her eyes and continued. “She’s here of course, but she can’t come to the surface. You’re lucky I am who I am, otherwise I’d have expelled her from this body the moment I took over, but I needed a soul to be able to cross over the dimensional barrier and since I was never human, unlike my comrades here, I have no soul. Your friend was simply a vessel. As to your second inquiry, did it never occur to you why the wolves sought you out all those months ago? They hunted the nephilim and yet they pursued you. You can’t possibly be that dense.”
“Charlie, please,” I begged.
Charlie spun so quickly it seemed unnatural. “I’M NOT CHARLIE!!!” she yelled slamming her fists against the cage sending electric bolts off the walls zapping me. “You sent me into the third dimension and cruelly forgot me. Now it’s payback. Not even your he will save you from me.” I was more confused than ever. Without another word she spun to Shane who was still kneeling.
“Rise,” he did. “Is he close?” Who, I wondered.
Shane nodded. “We suspect he is. It was smooth sailing from the moment we grabbed her. Too smooth.”
“Excellent. Then it’s time to take my true form once more.”
Charlie’s body suddenly fell to the ground like dead weight retching a scream from me. It took a moment to process that a woman with flaming red hair stood where Charlie had just been. She glanced at me over her shoulder.
“Nyx?”
She beamed. “You do remember. Perfect.” She nodded to the demons in the room who fanned out down different tunnels. My heart sank when Shane headed down the path where I suspected the horsemen were hanging out. I reached for the bond but still came up empty. I prayed they’d moved on. “Precious Cameron will be along soon.” She glared at me. “I hear things have gone quite your way since I was ejected. He claimed you as his soul mate.” She shook her head in disbelief. “It was really quite foolish to give into your baser desires.” Sneering at me, she looked down her nose. “Did you really think you could keep him?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Feeling suddenly hostile even though I was in no position to intimidate, she stirred something inside of me. “He’s mine,” I hissed.
Nyx threw her head back laughing. “You have him because I wanted you to. Now maybe I want him for myself.”
“Wow. Petty really doesn’t look good on a woman your age.”
That wiped the smile off her face. “Cameron is mine.”
I shook my head. “Now you’re just delusional.”
“We shall see. Remember Evie, just because your father rules over this world doesn’t mean you have any real power here.”
“What do you mean? My father is dead.”
“Is he?” She asked but her tone was condescending. She spun leaving me standing alone in my cage. I’d seen my father just hours ago, but he’d been a figment of the mists, hadn’t he? No matter how much I demanded to know what she meant she stayed quiet going about her task with her back to me. The demons had vanished, Charlie was unconscious, and Nyx turned to the alter where Shane had set ingredients, some that I wasn’t even aware he hadn’t used. Why bring them then?
I sat down on the ground being carefully not to touch the walls surrounding me, or risk another zap, and wrapped my arms around my knees. Closing my eyes I concentrated on the energy that would lead me to Cam. I couldn’t feel him. With a silent curse, I took a deep cleansing breath and tired again. There! Just a hint, but I felt it. Opening my eyes, I sighed with relief when I noticed he was no longer down the tunnel where Shane had headed. Whatever their plan was they needed to do it fast.
Just as I thought that, movement caught in the corner of my eye. I turned towards it thinking one of the demons had returned. My breath caught in my throat at the sight of one of my fellow horsemen.
Ty held his finger to his mouth in the universal sign to keep quiet then waved for me to come to him.
Glancing quickly at Nyx, who still had her back to me, I shook my head then pointed to the black salt circle surrounding me. Ty’s mouth formed a silent curse before nodding a disappearing back down the tunnel.
The sound of feet shuffling drew my attention forward where my heart sank. Cam stepped out of the tunnel flanked by Shane and Dom looking ever much the prisoner, but the way he strutted in he seemed to be gloating. Had this been their plan or was Cam simply refusing to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation?
He’s been stripped of his weapons if the horde the incubus held were any indication. I even saw the small knife Cam normally carried in his boot. They had been very thorough. The Horseman of War’s gaze slipped to me for the briefest moment; just long enough for me to see the telltale sign of relief.
“Just who I was looking for,” Nyx joyous tone rang as she stood upright admiring my soul mate with a hunger that stroked my jealousy. I charged towards the barrier of my cage out of instinct only to be met with a harsh zap. I knew Cam was more than capable of handling himself, but I still didn’t like this woman, who had caused us so much trouble, staring at the man I loved with such lust in her eyes. It was different than the way most women eyed him.
Theirs was a seductive lust while Nyx stared at him in a gluttonous way. He had something she wanted and she felt it in reach.
“I’m here,” Cam stated appearing indifferent to the entire situation. “Now let Evie go.”
Nyx smiled in a way that sent a chill down my spine. “She’s a means to an end Cameron.”
“And it appears your end has been met. You’re free. You no longer need her.”
Nyx cocked her head to the side admiring Cam. “And if she were gone then how would I get you to comply?”
Cam crossed his arms over his broad chest refusing to back down from the goddess’ stare. “Why don’t you just tell me what you want then, Nyx. I came at your thugs’ request, yet the reason for my visit is still unknown.”
“They are not my thugs, as you say, and don’t play coy darling Cameron. You’d be here even if not for my request.” She tilted her head to stare at me. “After all, I have your soul mate.”
Cam followed her gaze to me, teeth gritted. “So you do.”
“I’m in need of a horseman,” Nyx declared while turning back to her task. She seemed to almost be primping her alter, but for what, I was unsure. She’d already made it out of the third circle of hell. What more could there be? “I want you.”
“I’m not for sale.”
Nyx’s laugh cackled through the air making Cam stiffen. “I think you’ll find that in fact you are.”
I gasped when I felt the rough edge of the blade graze against my neck. I’d been so distracted with the conversation between the two that I hadn’t even notice Shane breaking the salt circle and stepping in with me. Cam’s body moved towards me on its own accord before the Thor demon placed his hand on War’s arm zapping him with a small jolt of electricity, just enough to make him compliant.
“Let her go,” Cam demanded in a tone that gave no room to argue, but Nyx only smirked.
“Of course,” she nodded curtly, “the moment you agree to be mine. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what the blade is that my darling demon holds against your beloved’s neck. Her nephilim blood saved her from the small cut earlier. I’m honestly unsure if it will kill her, but I can guarantee the pain of the cut will be excruciating and she might wish she was dead.” She smiled proudly with herself. “Oh, and if you think his welding it dampers its effectiveness, don’t. The blade is rightfully his.”
“Cain?” Cam hissed coming to a realization that I hadn’t yet. “As in the first murder.”
Nyx grinned crookedly. “First murder, first demon, and the first human born into existence.” I stared wide-eyed at her occasionally trying to catch a glimpse of Shane, or rather Cain, out of the corner of my eye. I’d met with him many times; unaware that he was even a demon until later. All the while he’d been Cain from the bible, the one who murdered his own brother, the true wielder of the Blade of Sin.
My father’s words from earlier came flooding back. “The demon you travel with is more than he appears. He is the true wielder of the Blade of Sin.”
How had a figment of my imagination, or one of Hell, been aware of something I wasn’t?
“Bringing about the apocalypse was never my desire. It was a necessary evil to bring me here. The apocalypse was God’s plan. Mine is a bit different.”
“And how do I fit in to your plan?”
“You’re to be my Horseman of War.”
“And if I refuse?”
I gasped feeling the blade dig deeper into my throat.
Nyx shrugged. “It’s your decision, but know that Evie will suffer for your refusal.”
Cam’s blue gaze locked with mine. He was struggling with what Nyx was offering. I couldn’t help but wonder where the others were. I couldn’t feel them the way I could Cam, but I had seen Tyler and I knew Derek wouldn’t be far behind.
With a heavy sigh Cam nodded. “Release her. Give me a moment to say goodbye.”
My mouth fell agape. I couldn’t believe what he was saying. He was War. He was made for battle and here he was giving in without a fight. It didn’t make sense.
Nyx nodded to Shane behind me who hesitantly lowered his knife. Shoving me forward, I stumbled rushing into Cam’s embrace ignoring the aches that throbbed through my body with every beat of my heart. We met halfway between the space that had just separated us.
“Cam?” I whispered questionably.
“Shh…” He hushed me. His arms wrapped around my waist tugging me close until there was no space between us. Cupping my face he kissed me like he was saying goodbye. My body responded without question even though my curiosity was running rampant. When he pulled back from our tender embrace his lips found their way to my ear. “At the signal run to the tunnel on your left. Derek has your sword.”
“What?” I asked a louder than he spoke making me instantly regret it. I didn’t get the chance to hear a response or ask another question because suddenly the tunnel off to the right exploded releasing debris and created a cloud of dirt that blanketed the entire space where we all stood.
“Now!” Cam yelled shoving me in the direction. I didn’t argue as I raced towards where I hoped Derek would be. It was impossible to see in the haze, but I hoped I was heading the right way.
Suddenly arms wrapped around me, but before I could scream, I smelled the familiar scent of Derek and clutched him back for a moment grateful to have found him.
“Evie?” He breathed a sigh of relief tightening his grasp on me. “Thought you were a demon. Here.” He broke away from me thrusting a few weapons my way. I barely had them in my grasp before the cloud consumed him.
All around me I could hear the sound of weapons clinking or flesh hitting flesh. There was a time where I’d have shied away from such a battle, but now I could think of nothing better than joining in.
I slid all the weapons in their respective place until I held only a sword in my hand. The cloud was thinning making it easier to see. I could just make out Chad’s head whipping back and forth as he tried to determine where to move. He was the one being here that was affected by my powers but sheathing my sword to use them didn’t seem like the wisest choice. As he turned during my approach, I was glad I hadn’t chosen my powers.
The demon spun around with a knife in his hand. I barely saw the glint of the blade before it was sailing towards me. I rolled to my left just missing it. Chad was on me before I was back on my feet. My sword clashed with his that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. It took me a moment to realize the sword he used was Cam’s.
He had the better position as he hovered above me. With a quick jab to his knee the Thor demon buckled dropping to my level. Butting him in the face with the hilt of my sword gave me the brief moment I needed to right myself, but Chad wasn’t at my disadvantage for long as he rolled away before standing upright.
He wasn’t an expert swordsman by any means but his demonic blood gave him a superior grace that any human would have been thankful for. It allowed him to have a natural ability. Our swords clashed meeting one another on even footing. I’d trained with all the horsemen but Chad had a strength that exceeded mine. It didn’t stop the disappointment that rang heavily in me as he knocked the blade from my hand. Seizing the opportunity, he charged at me attempting to impale me. I sidestepped with a spin grabbing his wrist that was covered in a long sleeve to try and gain control of his weapon, but I had too much momentum and turned until I was chest to chest with the demon. On instinct, I slammed my palm to his cheek and his whole body froze and stiffened. I stepped away in shock as the blood poured from his eyes. The Thor demon wasn’t a friend, but he was someone I knew and watching him die was harder than I expected.
“Evie!!” Cam shouted. I turned trying to determine the reason for the urgency that rang in his voice when he slammed into me with a grunt. My brow furrowed as I searched his face feeling confused by the expression of pure shock on his face that quickly morphed to pure torment.
Something tugged at him from behind followed by a sound that made no sense then Cam fell to his kne
es and Shane came into view holding the Blade of Sin glistening with blood in his hand.
My lips parted as my heart pounded as pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Before I could react, Shane backhanded me with such force that I was thrown across the room. I slammed into the cave wall with a crack. Before I even landed on the floor I knew I’d fractured something.
Struggling to push myself up off the ground I saw Nyx beside Shane as they hovered over Cam’s form. Gritting his teeth he tried to move away from the pair but with his injury he barely budged.
Nyx sprinkled some kind of dust over the horseman’s form. It was in that moment I remembered her activity at the alter. There had been something else she’d been working on. Whatever it was, it wouldn’t be good.
I tried to move towards them, but my ribs argued with the move.
“Derek!” I screamed when I saw he was the closest.
He turned seeing the scene unfolding. Faster than I’d seen him move, he jabbed his palm into Dom’s nose, who he’d been fighting before charging towards Nyx.
Shane saw him coming and stepped in his path blocking him from Nyx as she continued mumbling over Cam. The two stumbled away as wisps of green magic raced towards the demon courtesy of Ty who rushed to my side.
“Nyx,” I hissed but when we both looked over to where Cam laid the goddess had vanished.
Chapter 21
Helping me to my feet as I fought against the agony, Ty gripped me leading me towards Cam. The pain was nothing compared to my need to see him. Deep crimson leaked from his wound pooling around him. Ty eased me to my knees beside him before moving to assess Cam.
“What was it?” Ty asked as he rolled Cam on his side to better examine the injury. I barely heard him as I kept trying to tell myself that he couldn’t die. We were horsemen. But seeing him on the ground lying in an expanding pool of his blood did little to convince me I was right.