The Awakening (Immortals)

by Joy Nash

  A ball of demonfire sprang to life in the Immortal’s hand. A white nimbus pulsed around it. With an abrupt motion, Tain fired the unholy combination of life and death magic at Kalen.

  It exploded in Kalen’s face. He fell to his knees, clawing at his eyes. With a hoarse cry, he crumpled sideways onto the ground and lay still.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  The impact of flesh and bone with hard, unforgiving earth sent a sharp jolt of pain through Kalen’s body. He tried to move; he found he could not. A great weight crushed his chest, making it difficult to breathe. He called his crystal spear to hand, but the weapon didn’t obey. Above him, Tain stood with hand outstretched, holding Kalen in place as if he were a doll. Immortal magic and death magic snapped like lightning around him.

  Kalen’s mind was still reeling with the revelation that Culsu and Kehksut, the Old One who’d led Tain off the battlefield all those years ago, were one and the same. That the demon had imprisoned and tortured Kalen’s brother, and held him in thrall now. Under Culsu/Kehksut’s influence, Tain’s strength had grown incredibly.

  Tain remained motionless, but his eyes didn’t stop moving. The gaze that flicked over Culsu was at once adoring and anguished. “Did he hurt you?”

  Culsu’s answer was calm. “No, Tain. I am unharmed.”

  “You should have let me come to you sooner.”

  Kalen tried to rise. A subtle motion from Tain’s finger kept him firmly in place.

  Tain’s agitation grew. His eyes darted from Culsu to Kalen, then to the cairn stage where Christine lay bound and Leanna stood triumphant. “May we finish this now? I…I do not feel well.”

  “Of course, my love,” Culsu purred. She went to him and stroked a soothing hand down his back. Some of the tension seeped from Tain’s body. When Culsu pressed her lips to his nape, he shuddered.

  She stepped away. “Bind him.”

  Shackles appeared in Tain’s hand. Kneeling, Tain fitted the cold steel around Kalen’s wrists and ankles. Tain kept his head down, refusing to meet his brother’s gaze, murmuring all the while. “They hurt…they burn…but you’ll soon grow to love them. And love what she does to you. The pain—it will keep you safe. It kept me safe.”

  “You are her whore.”

  Culsu laughed. “Yes. I’ve claimed him. Tortured him. Loved him. Pleasured him. In many, many guises.” Her features began to morph, the bone structure of her skull shifting and sliding to accommodate the change. Her long, twisting tresses were absorbed into her scalp. Her chest expanded, her shoulders grew wider, her height increased. The black velvet dress transformed into a human man’s dark business suit. A red necktie was held in place by a gold and diamond stickpin.

  “Yes.” Culsu’s male body was as beautiful as her female one had been. “I am known by many names. Culsu. Kehksut. Amadja. And many, many others.”

  Advancing, the demon stroked Tain’s bent head. Tain looked up at his master with eyes as adoring as any dog’s. He made a low sound in his throat and pressed his cheek into the palm of Culsu’s hand.

  Kalen’s voice was flat. Was his brother truly as mad as Christine had claimed? “Tain. How could you have given your body and soul to death’s purpose? You are an Immortal. Created to guard life.”

  Tain’s expression softened. “But death is so sweet, Kalen. It’s the ultimate release, the ultimate bliss. Why should so many mundanes know its pleasure while we Immortals are denied it? I want to die, Kalen, and Culsu has promised to help me. Because she loves me. But…I don’t want to be alone. Come with me, Kalen. Die with me. We’ll be together, like the old days in Ravenscroft.”

  Kalen swallowed the thick lump in his throat. It was true—Tain’s mind was gone. Insanity shone in his eyes. Gods. Kalen hadn’t truly believed it possible until that very moment.

  “Culsu.” Christine’s voice was a thready gasp. “Destroying Kalen will make no difference. There are others. United by light and life magic. They will not let you win.”

  Culsu smiled. Christine’s bravado faltered. Her body seemed to shrink into the stage as Culsu’s male incarnation—Kehksut? Amadja?—paced toward her, climbing the cairn with deliberate steps.

  “So brave,” the demon murmured, bending. His open hand hovered above Christine’s stomach. When he made contact, Christine inhaled sharply and tried to shrink into the stage. But she couldn’t escape the demon’s touch.

  With an oath, Kalen wrenched at his manacles.

  “Hush, Kalen,” Tain whispered in his ear. “Everything will be fine. Culsu is supreme. A goddess. A god. Christine will be safe forever.”

  Kalen strained against his bonds, then cursed and lay still. “Tain. Brother. Release me. I’m begging you.”

  Tain gave him a sad smile. “I can’t do that. Culsu needs you, Kalen.”

  “So beautiful.” Culsu’s masculine hands drifted over Christine’s body. “As beautiful as you were that night, naked in the sand, ready to fuck that worthless musician of yours. You gave him everything. All your magic. Didn’t you realize how worthless he was? How he’d bargained your soul for riches?”

  “You…you know about that?”

  “It was I you kissed that night. I you evaded.” The demon’s white teeth flashed. “I admit, I’d underestimated you badly. Until that night, I’d no idea of the depth of power you possessed. Ah, I shall enjoy drinking that power. We’ll have centuries together in hell before your body and soul turn to ash. And your Immortal lover…” Culsu turned to Kalen. “He may watch.”

  Kalen’s jaw clenched. Christine’s terror was palpable—and he could do nothing. He experienced a wave of overwhelming helplessness.

  “Should I fuck you with a man’s body,” Culsu mused, “or a woman’s?” His body wavered, then morphed into the female form Kalen knew all too well. Tendrils of wild hair snaked about the demon’s head. She raised her hand. The portal to hell, still wavering on the cairn between Leanna and Christine, widened. Smoke hissed anew from the void.

  Culsu met Kalen’s gaze. “Your new home, Immortal.”

  Leanna’s pale eyes blazed with sudden anger. “Wait a minute! What about me? What about the reward you promised me?”

  Culsu raised her brows. “What of it?”

  Leanna traced a rune. Demonsmoke rasped backward into the portal. The rift vanished with a loud crack. “Have you forgotten? I opened that portal with my blood. I delivered the witch into your hands. I called you to this circle. I will have what you promised me!”

  “You presume to command me?”

  “I do. Here in the circle, on the graves of the ancient ones, living and death magic intertwine. You are bound by my blood. You promised me immortality and you will give it to me!”

  Culsu’s eyes flashed red, but in the end she inclined her head. “Let it be done.”

  Leanna gave a smug nod. Descending the cairn, she approached Kalen. “You’ll give me your child now. Your immortal child.”

  “You mean to steal the babe’s soul for yourself.”

  “Yes.”

  He jerked his head toward Tain. “Why not have his?”

  “He’s insane. You’re not.”

  Kalen’s eyes didn’t leave Leanna’s face. When he spoke, his tone was derisive. “You can’t conceive my child unless I will it. What will you trade for such an honor?”

  Leanna didn’t blink. “Your witch. She’ll go free when you give me what I want.”

  Kalen’s gaze cut to Culsu. “You agree to this?”

  Culsu looked none too pleased, but waved a regal hand in acquiescence. “It will be as my slave says. Once you’re in hell with me, and your immortal child in the Sidhe’s belly, the witch may go free.”

  Christine’s life in trade for the soul of Kalen’s unborn child. It was an ugly bargain. And yet…he might still turn the circumstances…

  “No,” he said. “Christine must be freed first. And I need assurance Leanna won’t harm her once I’m gone.”

  “You ask too much, Kalen,” Leanna said dangerously.


  “It’s not a request,” he said tightly. “You will do this, or I’ll go to hell now and your soul will remain mortal.”

  There was an angry moment of silence as Leanna considered his words. “Very well. I’ll take an oath of no harm against the witch. But it won’t be binding until I conceive your immortal child. If I don’t, the witch accompanies you to hell.”

  Kalen nodded. “As you say.”

  Christine’s bonds dissolved. “Get up,” Leanna spat.

  She did, slowly, resisting the urge to massage her wrists.

  “Come down here.”

  The circle of fire evaporated. Christine descended the stage, her knees shaking so badly she almost fell. If she could get close enough to Leanna to touch her, she might be able to knock her unconscious. But what good would that do? She couldn’t fight Culsu. The demon was as dry and ancient as hell itself. Nor could she fight Tain, an Immortal. But maybe, if she could reach Kalen, merge her power with his, they could fight together.…

  “Say the oath, Leanna.” Kalen’s tone threatened violence.

  Leanna scowled, but lifted her hands. Her fingers moved swiftly, tracing a rune. The lines glowed with a soft green light. Ansuz. Harmony.

  “I vow before the stones and sky, I will not harm this witch once the Immortal’s vow to me is fulfilled.” She closed the spell with a symbol Christine didn’t recognize.

  Christine felt the power of the oath descend in a spiral all around her. She felt a brief wave of vertigo, but the dizziness passed quickly. Culsu was watching her closely, her brows slightly lifted. Christine’s gaze slid past the demon to Tain, who stood nearby but didn’t seem to be entirely aware of what was happening. His eyes had taken on a faraway look. He removed his helmet, revealing a bright shock of red hair and a pale complexion accented by a pentacle tattoo on his left cheek. Moving to one of the standing stones, he bent close, scrutinizing the markings carved on its surface.

  Her gaze shifted to Kalen. Should she make a dash for him? Could she reach him before Leanna or Culsu intervened?

  Anticipating her action, Leanna moved to block her. “Get back. Now. Or have you forgotten the oath is not yet binding?”

  She looked helplessly at Kalen. His eyes met hers, then slid away, darting to a point beyond the circle. Christine’s eyes widened, but she didn’t follow his gaze with her own. She knew what he was trying to tell her.

  She backed away, to the edge of the circle, into the shadow of a broad, flat standing stone. Mac’s body lay supine in the dirt—Leanna and Culsu had forgotten him. Dropping into a crouch, Christine inched toward the Sidhe.

  “I need Kalen naked,” she heard Leanna tell Culsu.

  With a smirk, the demon lifted a hand. Kalen’s clothing dissolved in a flash of fire and smoke.

  Leanna eased her thong over her hips and down her long legs. Straddling Kalen’s hips, she paused expectantly. A moment later, she frowned. Lips thinning, she took Kalen’s soft penis in her hand and began stroking. Christine dragged her gaze away. She knew Kalen was giving her time to act. If she failed, would he truly sacrifice his own child in order to save Christine’s life? Christine couldn’t let that happen—she had to rouse Mac and hope his magic could swing the advantage.

  She laid a hand on the Sidhe’s shoulder. He gave a soft groan, his head rolling toward her.

  “Shhh.”

  His eyes opened a fraction. He tried to prop himself up on his elbows, but didn’t get far before collapsing back to the ground. “Fucking demon,” he muttered. “Got me good.”

  Christine dared a glance into the circle. Leanna was still trying to arouse Kalen, with no success. Culsu looked distinctly amused. Tain merely stared blankly at a standing stone, frowning.

  Mac followed her glance. He swore under his breath. “What the hell is going on?”

  Christine explained in a few words. Mac gritted his teeth and pushed himself to a sitting position, his spine against the stone. His face went white. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Christine ran her hands over his stomach, inspecting his wound. It was as big as her hand, gory in the center and charred at the edges. No human, and few magical creatures, could have withstood such a blast. Even Mac, half god, was clearly suffering.

  She put her hand directly over the wound. He hissed in a breath. Closing her eyes, she sought his magic, water magic like her own, and whispered a spell. Reaching for the power hidden in the blood coursing in his veins—the hidden streams and rivers flowing through his body—she called a spell of healing, washing his pain out of his body and into the earth.

  “Feels like a cool stream, love.” Mac sounded more like his old self. His breath came easier. “Thanks.”

  She took away her hand. The burn looked much better, though not fully healed. It was enough for Mac, though. He rolled easily into a crouch, his eyes intent on the scene inside the circle.

  “Culsu won’t be able to leave the circle,” he mused. “Not if Leanna bound her with blood. I wonder about Tain, though…” He rubbed his chin. “Do you think you could distract him while I break Kalen out of those shackles?”

  Christine swallowed. “I can try. But what about Leanna?”

  A muscle in Mac’s jaw ticked. “I’ll take care of my sister.”

  Leanna bent over Kalen, magic swirling in a maelstrom of green sparks, trying desperately to arouse him. Culsu was chuckling, her dark hair whipping about her face. Incredibly, Tain had taken to wandering the perimeter of the circle. Stopping before each stone, he inspected its spiral markings. After a moment, he shook his head and moved on to its neighbor.

  The next stone in line for Tain’s scrutiny was the one behind which Christine was crouching. She met Mac’s gaze.

  “Go,” she said urgently. “I’ll take care of Tain.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  “Stay outside the stones,” Mac said in a tight voice. “Keep Tain from coming to Culsu’s aid. Can you do that?”

  Christine hesitated. “I think I could if I had water.”

  “There’s a stream down the hill.”

  “Too far away.” She eyed Tain, who’d left the neighboring stone and was plodding toward them. “There’s no time.”

  “How about rain?” Mac asked.

  Had he lost his mind? “What rain?” she whispered urgently. “There isn’t a cloud in the sky.”

  “This is Scotland,” Mac muttered. “I can bring the clouds.”

  She stared. “You can?”

  “Normally I’m not allowed to mess with the weather, but I’m not overly concerned with the regs right now.” He grimaced. “Of course, it’ll take a spot of time.”

  Christine eyed Tain’s progress nervously. “How long?”

  “Depends on where the clouds are. Five, ten minutes, tops.”

  She drew a breath. “All right. I can work with that.”

  He nodded. “Be careful.”

  “You too.”

  A triumphant laugh drew her attention back to the circle. Leanna’s magic had deepened into a pulsing green light, and Kalen’s rod had begun to stiffen in her hand.

  “Go now, love,” whispered Mac.

  Christine nodded and rose. Tain was just approaching the stone she’d been crouching beside. The Immortal didn’t seem to notice her—he was too engrossed with the stone’s spiral markings. The enormity of her task struck her. Her courage wavered. This was Tain, Immortal Warrior, a demigod bent on destroying himself and the world. How many humans and life magic creatures had he killed? How many others had succumbed to demon slavery because of the death magic he’d unleashed? He was vicious and terrible, and insane to boot. A scourge on the earth.

  But at the moment, he looked like a lost little boy.

  She glanced at Culsu. The demon’s back was turned. Mac had crept around the edge of the circle, gaining some distance from Christine while he readied for his attack.

  Christine took a deep breath and slipped around the stone to stand at Tain’s side.

  “Hello,” she sa
id softly.

  The Immortal’s head snapped up. His eyes darkened. He towered over her, his broad form made even more threatening by his armor and sword. His arms, thick with muscle and sinew, bore an angry tracework of scars. Panic clawed its way up her throat. This man could crush her in a heartbeat.

  “What are you looking at?” she asked, trying desperately to keep her tone conversational.

  Tain frowned. He walked his fingers over the lichencovered stone, pausing when he reached a spiral marking. “This…”

  “The symbol of the Mother Goddess.”

  “Cerridwen is my mother. She’s a goddess. I think she loved me once.” His brow furrowed more deeply. “But…I can’t feel her anymore.”

  “That must hurt you.”

  “Hurt?” His voice was suddenly sharp. Anger flashed in his eyes and his stance shifted threateningly. “Who are you?”

  “No…no one,” Christine stammered, shrinking back.

  “Ah.” He seemed to relax. He returned his attention to the stone, tracing the spiral over and over with his forefinger, from outer edge to center.

  Christine caught sight of Mac moving farther into the circle, easing into place behind Culsu. Leanna struggled with Kalen. Kalen’s gaze darted toward Christine for the briefest instant and his expression turned thunderous. Resolutely, she looked away. Kalen might prefer that she flee, but that was one thing she’d never do. Not when his life was at stake.

  “I cannot feel her,” Tain said mournfully. He left off tracing the spiral to spread his palm flat upon it. “She’s gone.”

  “Your mother?”

  He nodded, a tear slipping from one eye to track down his rough cheek. Christine’s heart twisted. Without thinking, she laid her hand over his and cast her senses into his body.

  The surge of death nearly choked her. Tain’s Immortal magic was nothing like Kalen’s. Whatever light he’d once known was all but gone. His power was sinister and twisted, perverted by pain and dark, anguished eroticism. Little wonder he couldn’t feel the living magic of the Mother Goddess. His psyche was a cesspool, a writhing pit of evil. It was all Christine could do to keep herself from snatching her hand away.