Till Death And Beyond (Witch World)

by Lyn C. Johanson

“You are not taking our babies—”

  “You know it’s impossible to separate essences at such a young age without killing!” Raven and Amira spoke at the same time.

  “And whose fault is it?” The demon arched his dark brows in question. “Did I force you to compose poems? Good thing you two can’t keep your hands off each other, otherwise…” He stood up from the bed and moved closer to Mila. “Not to mention the missing soul I snatched from under everyone’s noses.”

  “You didn’t mind the risks earlier.” Amira sat up straighter with their son resting in her protective arms. She hated being so weak as to not even be able to stand, while Dazlog’s mere presence threatened her babies.

  Just keep him talking, Raven told her, needing time to liberate at least a few of the males from their stupor. He had an idea. Or a vague semblance of an idea. Either way, help was necessary.

  “If everything went according to my plan, I wouldn’t have given a damn even if thousands of souls went missing—but no,” Dazlog raised his hands dramatically, “you had to open your mouth.”

  He approached the queen, who was shielding one of the babies with her body. And just as he was about to place his hand over the small forehead, Amira raised her voice, “Why do you need it?” She was close to scrambling out of the bed.

  “It is a tidbit I’d like to keep to myself,” he answered without elaborating further this time. “Pretty, isn’t she?” Dazlog put his palm over the newborn girl. His girl. And began murmuring something under his breath.

  He said he needed to be smart? Well, fuck smart—Raven’s control snapped at the sight of a mist forming around Dazlog and his baby. His blood boiled. Raven lunged. He knocked the demon down, dissipating the mysterious fog in one second, and getting thrown to the other side of the room the next.

  Raven jumped to his feet, shaking off the pain, but instead of charging again, he composed himself. He watched as Dazlog moved closer to him, slowly, like a panther stalking his prey. Danger and fury radiated from every cell of the being—all focused on Raven.

  Raven waited … waited … The moment the demon was almost on him, as far away from his family as possible, Raven opened fire.

  White searing bolts of energy shot from Raven’s palms, targeting the enemy. Blast after blast, the demon’s chest was hit with power he rarely used. A power he hoped would be enough to kill a demon. After all, they weren’t indestructible.

  Dazlog staggered back, grabbing at his heart. His breathing became fast and shallow. Raven doubled his efforts, his own breaths coming in quick, strangled huffs. His skin covered by a thin sheen of sweat. The strain of the power he was channeling was catching up with him.

  He had to finish it! He sent one last jolt through the demon and lifted the spell lingering in the air. The men rushed to his aid immediately—Pharell and Deron grabbed Dazlog by his elbows from behind and turned half a circle, for the vicious kick Ciaran delivered. The demon sank into the chair and a moment later, was staked to it as Ciaran’s sword drove all the way through Dazlog’s chest.

  “Feisty, aren’t we?” Dazlog slowly pulled the sword out, not once displaying a single frown or wince to indicate he felt pain. He wiped the blade clean with a cloth he manifested, and threw the sword to Ciaran, who clumsily caught it, eyes wide with shock.

  Very calmly, Dazlog disposed of the bloodied cloth, parted his torn shirt to reveal a massive hole decorating his chest, and an eerie silence enveloped the room. Those who had the sense not to openly gape till now, hung their jaws loosely at the sight of flesh knitting before their eyes. The wound disappeared in seconds, leaving nothing, not a single scar, not even a reddened spot to mar the demon’s smooth bronzed skin.

  “Give me one good reason not to kill you all.” He lifted his steady gaze, buttoning what was left of his shirt.

  “I won’t let you!” Amira staggered to her feet after handing her child to Natalie. She could no longer lay in bed. But the moment her hand brushed her sweat-soaked hair out of her eyes, her legs wobbled, and if not for Raven catching her, she would have stumbled.

  Dazlog laughed, “Yes, I see it clearly.” He made himself comfortable in the chair he was in, as if he was an honored guest rather than an unwelcome intruder. “You’ll faint me to death.”

  Amira inhaled, knowing he was right. She was too weak. And she hated it!

  “Look at you in that damp, bloody robe,” Dazlog continued, “barely standing on your feet. Pale and shivering … while the gods think you possess Nially’s power. Otherwise they would be storming your castle for the stunt you’ve pulled.”

  Amira gulped, hearing his words for what they were. A threat. But deep down she registered another thing…

  He can’t take it, she told Raven. For whatever the reason he’d failed to capitalize on her promise when the power was in her, was the very reason Dazlog was now sitting and talking, instead of seizing what he wanted. Amira’s promise still bound her, but all she could give was her own power—something he had no use for, evidently. And her children, the ones who possessed it, had never bargained with him.

  They are safe?

  “Not even close,” Dazlog smiled, apparently able to listen in on their private conversation. “The gods weren’t happy to allow Raven to come into his powers, but it was considered a lesser evil than allowing Nially to wreak havoc. Do you honestly believe they would allow these three to live after everything they have gone through just to rid themselves of Immortals, especially of Nially? Twice.” His eyebrows lifted slightly.

  “One word from me and you know what happens,” he said evenly, without an ounce of threat in his voice. Only promise. Amira felt panic mounting, overwhelming her senses. If the life of her children depended upon the mercy of the demon—they were doomed.

  “And, if that is not enough for you,” he said as he finally rose from the chair, “then think about the Underworld. When they find out a soul is missing, they’ll come to collect.” He approached. “Since both of you are already dead, technically speaking, it could be anyone or everyone. And you know I am not lying.”

  She did. Demons didn’t care which soul they took. As long as they took.

  “I’ll defend my family, whatever it takes. From whoever threatens it.”

  “I believe you,” he simply nodded, “but in the end you will lose. Are you ready to watch your little Kiara perish into the flames?”

  “Her name is Evolyn,” Amira shot back, hoping Raven wouldn’t mind.

  “Maybe so, but she is a Kiara. The dark one.” Dazlog added, “or she would be if she had a chance.”

  Amira hoped there was a chance. But how could there be? It was either gods, or demons, or this particular demon. She didn’t know which choice was the worst, but there was no best, that was for sure.

  Dazlog smiled as if he took a fiendish delight in torturing her, leaving her without options, without hope. But then again, he was a demon. What else could she expect from him?

  “But you can prevent it,” Raven finally spoke, after considering all possibilities.

  “And I would do this because of my noble heart?” Dazlog laughed.

  “Because we both know you can’t get the magic you need, and you won’t ever be able to if my children are killed,” Raven rationalized. “Besides, after the others find out about the missing soul I don’t imagine they will pat you on the back.”

  Dazlog narrowed his eyes. “So what are you proposing? To cover my deceit before someone notices, in exchange for leaving these three parcels at peace?”

  “And never to come after them,” Amira added.

  “Not if you keep your end of the bargain,” Dazlog promised. “Now agree, or I am taking the triplets.”

  “Agreed,” Amira said. Anything to save her children. Even her life.

  “Next time I won’t be so charitable.” Dazlog turned his gaze from Amira to Ciaran. “Let’s go.”

  “No,” Eliana shouted, her voice full of sorrow and dread. It woke up the infant sleeping peacefully in her arms
. He began to cry. All three began to cry.

  “Take me instead,” Pharell spoke for the first time. He was always calm, but after his sister’s death and what happened to him in the dungeon, he had distanced himself from everyone completely.

  “I made my choice,” Dazlog told him. “It’s either him or the little ones.”

  “I’ll go,” Ciaran finally spoke, sheathing the sword. “You won’t get what you want.”

  “Typical human,” the demon laughed. “Must you all be this narrow-minded?” He put his hand on Ciaran’s shoulder. “I just did,” he grinned and a second later, they both disappeared.

  Sobs broke from Natalie, tears rolled down Eliana’s cheeks. Deron crumbled on the ground, shaken by the sudden loss of their son, while Amira stood stiff as a ramrod, her trembling fingers clutching Raven’s shirt. She couldn’t move. And even if she could, what was the use? She was bound by her own words.

  * * *

  Amira stood near the crib where three little angels slept. She was so deeply sunken in her thoughts, she didn’t notice the door creaking, or two strong hands wrapping around her.

  “You are thinking about it again,” Raven whispered, placing a kiss on the crook of her neck.

  Amira closed her eyes and leaned back, welcoming his heat. She’d been too cold these past few days. Her joy of having healthy and strong babies overshadowed with worry over Ciaran’s fate.

  She felt so guilty. Thoughts of him being tortured invaded her mind day and night.

  “If only I could…” her words faltered. How was it possible to be this happy, and at the same time … Amira was afraid to show her face to others, knowing full well the nightmares it caused them.

  “It’s going to be alright,” Raven assured her.

  “How do you know?”

  “I just do.”

  “Did you see something?” she asked, hoping against hope Ciaran wasn’t suffering.

  He did see something, Raven thought. But explaining it was beyond him.

  “Did you?” she persisted. “Sometimes I can see the future, but this time all I see is the unknown.”

  “Maybe because the future is for him to determine.” Martha stepped inside, and tears spilled down her cheeks.

  Finally, Raven expelled a sigh of relief. The way she locked everything inside had him worried. She needed to let go of her emotions. He didn’t like her distant. With no smile on her lips. No tears in her eyes. It wasn’t healthy. And even though she did show emotions around him or their children, they were the only people who saw anything except the shell she hid in.

  He watched Martha, who was freed from her curse for quite some time now, approach them slowly. Not with the same impatience and ardor as Adam and Nyssa did, but steadily, taking one step at a time. She spread her arms into a welcoming gesture. His angel lifted her head, eyes glistening, and walked straight into Martha’s embrace. She put her head on the woman’s shoulder and closed her eyes.

  “There are three miracles who I think need you more than your cousin. And here’s an old woman waiting to see her grandchildren,” Martha smiled.

  “Don’t forget us,” Nyssa interrupted.

  Amira didn’t know how Martha did that, but she managed to comfort her. The words penetrated her, and for the first time in the past couple of days she had faith.

  Thank you, her gaze touched Raven. I love you.

  He smiled. I love you too. And you’ll see, we will find a way to get him back.

  Amira nodded and took the hand he offered. Even tragedies weren’t so awful, when she had friends to rely on and the man she adored to love and stand beside her. No matter what.

  Did You Like This Book?

  Let everyone know by posting a review on Amazon.

  Just click here and it will take you directly to the review page:

  Give a review

  About the author

  Writing got Lyn through every hurdle and hardship life has dealt her. At first, she shared her feelings with her diary. Then, she poured her soul into her poems. But despite the hidden passion, she chose a career in the logical world of software engineering.

  The long and boring hours of writing her master’s thesis encouraged Lyn to open a new blank page and let her imagination take flight. Several years later, her first romance novel was born.

  Switching career paths has turned her life upside down. Now, she doesn’t just live with her husband and sons, she constantly visits the world she dreams up.

  Want to be the first to know when the sequel comes out?

  Sign up here: Sequel reminder

  I take your privacy seriously, and will not use this email for anything other than to notify about my future releases.