The Death Skull: Relic Defender, Book 2

by Cassiel Knight

  Ash stared at Jackson. “I cannot be here when Beliel arrives. It is bad enough I’m here now. I don’t have to justify why I’m here, or leaving, to you, a human.” A sneer twisted his lips.

  “I didn’t take you for a coward, Dakeni.”

  Ash snarled and lunged at Jackson, who met him with a snarl of his own. Mari stepped between them, her hands on their chests. On Ash’s, she flamed but on Jackson’s, she kept her hand empty of fire. “Stop it.” She narrowed her eyes. “Jackson, I want to talk to Ash.”

  “So talk.”

  “Alone.”

  He stared at her for a minute, then shoved his hand through his hair. “Fine. I’ll go see if we can get to the skull without triggering anything.”

  “Thank you.”

  With a glare at Ash, Jackson pivoted and crossed to Kanek. With his hand on the boy’s shoulder to guide him, Jackson walked with him toward the skull.

  She turned back to Ash. “I know you aren’t a coward and leave if you must, but I don’t understand why you are continuing to side with Beliel when it’s obvious you no longer support him.”

  “I’ve never supported Lucifer’s son. My loyalty is to Lucifer.”

  “Isn’t that the same thing?”

  “No.”

  “Wouldn’t Lucifer be upset to know you are here?”

  “Yes.”

  She rubbed her temples. “Ash, help me out here. If Lucifer would be upset, why are you here?”

  He swept his palm across the back of his neck. “Because there is more going on than you know. I’m here to protect certain…interests. To ensure things are kept in balance.”

  “Balance? By Cerberus’s heads, what does balance have to do with anything?”

  “Everything, Mari. Everything.” He held up a hand as she opened her mouth to protest. “I cannot tell you more than that. You will just have to trust that I know what I’m talking about.”

  A snort blew out her nose before she could stop it. “Trust you? When have you ever given us any reason to trust you?”

  “I could have let you die.”

  Her lips pressed into a thin line. Lucifer’s balls, he was right. He could have let her die. It was only due to his interference that she’d survived. The Goreals would have torn her into small pieces.

  She sighed. “Okay, Ash. Go. I don’t have the time or energy to worry about other than what’s right in front of me.”

  “Soon enough, you will need to worry, cousin.” He lifted his sword in salute then disappeared.

  She stared at the spot he’d been, her mind spinning. When had things started to go so wrong? Had it been less than two weeks ago she’d been in Mikos’s house complaining about how bored she was? Now she was in a place that had nearly taken her life, learning there was some greater plan that affected them all and Lucifer’s Slayer was in the middle of it all. One day, she was going to get Ash to share his secrets.

  She spun on her bootheels, then strode to Jackson and Kanek. The Texan and Mayan were crouched in front of the obelisk. With the tip of his finger, the boy traced the carvings. She joined them and hunkered down. Jackson cast her a searching glance. She just shook her head, then focused on Kanek. She felt Jackson’s eyes on her for a bit longer before he, too, turned to the boy.

  The carvings were writings—symbols mostly, not pictures—cut deep into the stone. The effects of nature had chipped away at their edges so many were so worn they were hard to decipher.

  “Kanek, can you read them?”

  He nodded. “A blessing,” he said, his fingers trailing over one set of symbols, “and a curse.”

  “Great.” Jackson snorted. “I love those blessing-and-a-curse messages.”

  She shot him a scolding glance then focused on Kanek. “What are they?”

  “The blessing offers that the one with the most to lose will learn what it means to sacrifice all.”

  “Huh. That doesn’t sound like much of a blessing.”

  She shared Jackson’s disbelief. “And the curse?” she asked Kanek.

  “Death.”

  She waited for him to elaborate. When he didn’t, she looked over at Jackson, noting he had nothing to say in response. His gaze cut between Kanek, her and the obelisk. Two vertical lines slashed the space between his eyebrows.

  Something occurred to her. “Physical or spiritual death?”

  Kanek shrugged. “It does not say.”

  Jackson rubbed the back of his neck. “Does it matter?”

  “It might be important, Jackson,” she said. “Could be a transformation of some kind.” Her shoulders hitched. “Or it could truly mean death.”

  “Well, either way, I think we need to find the skull and get the hell out of here. This place gives me the creeps, and I’m still waiting for the trap to snap shut.”

  Almost as if his comment offered a challenge, she heard a grinding roar as a heavy stone door slid into place, blocking the path. Jackson swore and darted for the opening. He tried to hold back the stone, his fingers scrabbling for purchase. She headed to his side but only got about halfway there before she heard another grumble and whirled to see a second door closing, neatly imprisoning them.

  The trap had indeed sprung.

  At the chuckle scraping across the room, Jackson turned to face the issuer. That damn brown-robed son of a bitch stood near the obelisk, which was no longer bare. In the dim glow that came from the torches, a crystal skull reflected a rainbow of colors.

  Jackson stared at the thing they’d come all this way for. The thing that had already taken so many lives, and if Beliel had his way and they failed to stop him, would take more.

  The Mitchell-Hedges skull looked to be about eight inches long, five inches high and nearly five inches wide. He knew it was made out of transparent quartz and weighed around twelve pounds. It shared similarities with a human skull—the ridges, cheekbones, a nose area, plus a detached jawbone and deep eye sockets.

  The longer he stared, the more the damn thing drew Jackson in, and his feet moved before he realized it. At the same time, a hand clutched his arm, bringing him to a halt.

  He swung his gaze to Mari. Violet eyes met his, worry darkening the usually brilliant purple. He nodded. Relief filled her gaze and she released him. Jackson sucked in a deep breath. Jesus, the power in that thing.

  “I told you we would meet again, fallen one.”

  Jackson studied Mari. Her face was devoid of expression. Nothing reflected in her eyes or in her body language. If he hadn’t known better, he would have thought he was looking at a living, breathing statue, so frozen was she. What did the brown-robed creature mean? She certainly hadn’t mentioned seeing this thing before.

  “My king looks forward to seeing you again, and finishing what was started.”

  “What the hell is he talking about, Mari?”

  She didn’t even look at him but kept her gaze fixed on the brown-robed thing. Now, though, there was some emotion in her eyes. Something dark and, if he didn’t know better, afraid. Of one guy? Or something else?

  “It is not important, Jackson.”

  He opened his mouth to argue but snapped it shut. She was right. This, whatever it was, between the dude and her would have to wait. The skull was right there, in front of them and Beliel was not in sight. Neither were the nasties they’d fought in the other cave. Surely, they could easily take it and head on out of this creepy place.

  Another grinding noise not far from him halted thoughts of escape. Ah shit, what next?

  Part of the wall rolled back and two figures were shoved through, followed by a tall man with red hair, a petite blonde who looked too fucking familiar and…Kat in her new body.

  “Beliel,” Mari breathed then hissed, her fangs protruding from beneath her lips. Her eyes, losing their glamour, turned crimson.

  So, that’s the guise the demon now wore. Red hair, green eyes, taller, leaner body. Still a bastard.

  Silver light flashed as Mari called her sword to her. The long blade hissed and spa
t glimmering sparks. He’d never seen the thing do that before.

  Beliel raised his finger and wagged it at her. “Now, cousin, put that away.” He pulled out a dagger and held it to Kat’s neck. “I need this human, but I can find another. And while that would take a long time and make me very angry, I’m willing to deal with my anger if you don’t sheathe your weapon. Besides,” he said, then spat out a command, “I’ve brought backup.”

  About two dozen of the nasties slithered in behind Beliel, Jahi and Kat, then the door rolled closed with a crunch of stone. With Kat in tow, Beliel came toward them. Jahi ambled around the edges of the chamber, making her way near to Mari, Jackson and Kanek.

  Jackson’s skin crawled as he remembered the press of the succubus’s body against his. The way she seemed to tangle with his mind and will, making him forget anything but her touch. The taste of her lips. The scent of her skin. He clenched his fists at his side, fighting the urge to bolt. Hell, he didn’t run from anything or anyone. But that woman made his insides shrink and gibber in terror.

  As if she could smell his fear, her full pink lips widened and a tongue came out and swept over her mouth, moistening her flesh. His groin tightened. She was like a viper. Deadly beautiful.

  Forcing himself to ignore her, he focused on Beliel, who had halted beside the skull and the brown-robed man. Beliel walked around the skull, his fingers trailing over the crystal. Avarice narrowed his eyes and pressed his lips into a thin line. This new body the demon wore was that of an attractive man about six feet three inches with a muscular chest and lean build. He appeared to be around the age of thirty-five. Wonder where he’d found the poor soul.

  Brown Robe nodded at the demon. “My king, as you can see, all are present.”

  Mari growled then spoke. “These goons have been working for you this whole time?”

  Beliel’s lips twisted into a sneer. “Unfortunately no, or I would have had the power by now. But they were anxious to help when I met them and told them I could make the skull work again.” He gestured.

  Brown Robe bent his neck in a bow. “Is this the human?”

  Beliel finished his inspection of the skull and tugged Kat toward him. “Yes, this is the female. She will communicate with the skull and activate its power.”

  Jackson’s brows lifted. Kat was supposed to communicate with the skull? That’s why the bastard needed Kat? To make the skull work? Shit, if the thing hadn’t been working when it tried to suck him in, what the hell was it going to be like when it functioned properly?

  “I’m not doing shit for you,” Kat spat out and tried to jerk her arm away.

  He yanked her up against his side. Must have hurt because her face tightened and her mouth thinned.

  “Kat, you okay?” Despite the creatures between the two groups, Mari appeared to be on the verge of forcing herself past them to get to Kat.

  Kat cast a weak smile at Mari. “I’m good. Don’t worry about me.”

  Beliel swung his gaze to Mari. “Sister, in light of our past relationship, I will give you one last chance to join me in building a new world on this planet.”

  Her head cocked and a brow lifted. “We never had a relationship, Beliel. Frankly, I’ve never been able to stand being around you.”

  Anger flushed his face, and he lowered his head as if he were a bull about to charge. “You are foolish and you will die, just like the humans you protect. Then I will go after Mikos and the Defender. This time I will succeed and you will fail.”

  “So says the villains in every poorly written movie I’ve ever seen.”

  A growl ripped from between Beliel’s lips and he shoved Kat in front of him. She winced and bit her lip on a gasp. Jackson itched to punch the bastard in the mouth.

  “Now, now, lover, mustn’t try and hurt my king,” Jahi purred from his side, her lips close to his neck. “After all, I would hate to see that handsome face or delicious body ruined before I’ve had my fill of it.”

  The scrape of her teeth against his skin nearly had him jumping out of it to get away.

  “Back off, bitch.” The sharp edge in Mari’s tone was nothing like he’d ever heard before. The menace even had him feeling as if he needed to take a step away from her, had he been able to move.

  The succubus moved away and Jackson’s knees buckled, threatening to send him to the ground. Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

  “Jahi, my love, there’s time enough for that later.” Amusement laced Beliel’s words. “Once I’m in control, you may have all the playthings you wish.”

  After trailing her fingers along Jackson’s arm, Jahi sauntered away to stand beside Kat. He shoved the former ghost at Jahi and gestured to Brown Robe. “Bring one of them here,” he said pointing at one of the two men Jackson hadn’t noticed before.

  When Brown Robe dragged one of the protesting men into the light and near the skull, Jackson recognized the guy. It was Acan. Stark terror etched deep lines into his face, the whites of his eyes bright as his skin stretched wide. He kept up a litany of words Jackson didn’t recognize.

  Beliel looked at Mari. “You’ve had experience with the skull, I believe. Let me show a taste of the fate in store for you and anyone who does not accept my rule.”

  Brown Robe yanked Acan directly in front of the skull and shoved him down to his knees on the slight rise at the foot of the obelisk. As if he knew what would happen, Acan kept his eyes shut while he turned his neck from side to side.

  Brown Robe hissed something and two creatures came forward. One grabbed Acan’s head and the other dug long fingers into the man’s eyes and stretched the lids wide. He shrieked as blood rolled down his face like tears.

  Jackson took a few steps and before he could blink, several of the creatures moved in front of him, blocking his way. Mouths gaped, showing serrated teeth the size of a pocketknife blade. The stench rising from their bodies made his stomach roll in protest. He lifted his hands, palms outward, and backed away. The nasties looked about as friendly as fire ants.

  A low buzzing filled the chamber. The noise nibbled at his skin as if insects were tap dancing on exposed areas. As the sound increased, the air seemed to vibrate. Small rocks from the ceiling pelted the top of his head and larger ones rolled across the floor.

  Jackson looked at Mari. The cold fury had fled. She stared at the skull, her face as pale as moonlight. He’d never seen her this way. They had faced some horrific things and she’d never flinched. She knew something about what was going on. Something that frightened her enough to put revulsion in her eyes.

  Suddenly, Acan screamed—a loud, drawn-out wail that screeched through Jackson’s head. A scream of despair and loss. Of pain beyond knowing. He resisted the urge to clap his hands over his ears. Even the creatures seemed unsettled. Several rocked, bobbing from side to side. A few cast uneasy glances toward the action over at the skull.

  The scream snapped off like a light switch. The creatures released Acan and he remained upright, then, in slow motion, toppled sideways and hit the floor with a dull thud. His head lolled to the side. Jackson skittered back a couple steps before he realized what he’d done. Damn it to hell. The man’s fucking eyes were gone. Seared right out of his head, now only two greasy-looking pits of black.

  At a soft sound to his side, Jackson tore his gaze from the dead man and found Mari—the source of the slight gasp. Fear, stark and vivid, glittered in her crimson eyes. Her right hand was fisted over her heart, the knuckles white. She trembled, her chest rising and falling with her rapid breaths.

  Holy hell, what was up with her?

  “This is just one ability the skull possesses.” Satisfaction glinted in Beliel’s green eyes. “Once I have the full power of the skull under my control, I will own this realm and all of its inhabitants.” Thin lips curled into a sneer. “Get the kid,” he said, his words curt, with a sharp and amused edge.

  Several creatures lunged at Kanek. One grabbed the boy’s arms. At the same moment, Jackson leaped toward Kanek and Mari moved. Whatever spell
she’d been under vanished. Faster than he’d ever seen her run, she darted forward. A front snap-kick made short work of one of the creatures, while her sword dispatched the other in a graceful arc.

  She shoved Kanek behind her and faced the oncoming creatures with her fangs extended in a snarl. The growling coming from her had the things hesitating. He didn’t blame them. He was hesitating, and he was on her side.

  “Don’t touch him,” she said, a silken thread of warning in her voice.

  Beliel snapped a word and the creatures halted. With a thoughtful expression, he stared at Mari. “Very interesting, sister. I’d heard that even while you protected the humans, you didn’t care for them. Yet here you are, defending one—an insignificant child—with righteous fervor. Could it be that you’ve begun to care about the humans?”

  While she didn’t drop her fierce expression, Jackson caught a hint of confusion shadowing her eyes. Did that make the bastard right? Had the she-demon begun to care? Almost the moment Jackson saw the look, her eyes narrowed.

  “I care about not letting you get what you want, son of Lucifer.”

  Beliel laughed. “This time, you will fail.” He jerked his head at Brown Robe. “Take my sister and her humans to the pit. I’ll be back in time for the eclipse.”

  Brown Robe hissed and the nasties lunged forward again. No matter how much Jackson and Mari struggled, they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of the slimy things. Fighting all the way, he was shoved and yanked into an antechamber. Before him and Mari loomed a dark hole in the floor. Shit, there really was a pit.

  Despite his struggles, he was hauled over to the rim and pushed in. The blackness swallowed him, and he had enough time to register coldness rushing over him before he slammed into the floor. Breath exploded from him in a loud gasp. He heard noise from above him and struggled into a sitting position. Every fucking bone in his body ached.

  He’d barely braced himself when a small body plummeted into his arms, knocking him back to the floor. Son of a bitch!

  Cradling Kanek to his chest, he scanned the boy’s form, made sure he was okay. Jackson looked up just in time to be crushed by another body, this one completely female. Mari’s front smashed into him, her breasts yielding even as she held her body away from him, likely in an attempt to keep her full weight from squashing him in the fall. She swore a blue streak, better than any ranch hand he’d ever heard.