by Nichols, TJ
Saka finally spoke. “Why didn’t you want a demon?”
“It never seemed right. I’ve read underground theories about magic and demons and what happens to missing people… guess they were right.” Some made it home. But not all. How many had been sacrificed, their souls eaten?
“We take some. We have to balance the magic between the worlds. Too much is going through to your world. If my world collapses, what would that do to your world?” He tapped his cup. “I forgot to tell you the third way magic is balanced.”
Great. Blood and souls. The third option was probably worse.
“Maybe I’ll just cast a circle and go home.” Angus crossed his arms.
“Be my guest.” Saka indicated the central floor space.
Angus stood, but that bad feeling was growing in his stomach. Why was Saka letting him try now? Didn’t he need to rebalance the magic? Angus’s head spun with what that meant.
Too much magic was going across the void. How did Saka know too much was being taken?
In the middle of the floor space, Angus closed his eyes. He breathed and tried to find that place within him. There was magic all around. He could feel it, and it was nothing like the weak currents of home. If he opened his eyes, he’d be able to see it as he created a circle around him. He kept them closed. He needed to focus.
When summoning a demon, the circle was to keep them in until the warlock gained control over them. Now he had to put himself in a circle and tear open the void. It should be easier here. He was in a world where magic was everywhere, talking to a demon and learning new things. He wanted to learn more about magic and how to use it as a wizard, not as a warlock. The circle snapped around him. For a heartbeat he expected Saka to tear it down. He didn’t.
Angus reached out to feel the void, to send himself across.
Nothing happened.
Of course. If it were that easy, the other humans that had been taken would’ve all come home straight away. That didn’t stop him from trying again.
And again.
The void was there, but he couldn’t tear it. It was as smooth and strong as diamond.
There was a rustle of cloth as Saka got up. Angus opened his eyes and stared at the demon through the shimmer of his circle. “Why doesn’t it work?”
“Because it doesn’t. No demon can get through to your world without someone opening the way from the other side.”
Angus shook his head. “No. That’s a lie. Demons get through and go on rampages all the time. It’s why there is a warlock strike force.”
“I haven’t told you a lie yet, Angus. If a demon is rampaging, it is because someone wanted it to. You lump every being from this world into one basket, but just as there are humans and animals so there are demons and animals. Sure the animals look different than yours and they have magic in their bodies, but they are dumb beasts. Most warlocks get a beast, something to match their ability—at least that’s what we theorize here.”
“I’m not very good at magic.” But then he had been busy trying to fail.
“You connected to me. Your innate talent must be vast.”
Angus laughed. Was Saka flattering him or himself? “You lucked out with me.”
“I don’t think I did. You aren’t my first warlock.”
Angus cut the circle. There was no point in keeping it there when he could do nothing with it and Saka could break it anytime he wanted. It broke apart with a tinkle like a wind chime. Little flakes of blue crystal spiraled away on the breeze.
“What happened to your first warlock?” The words tumbled out before he could think if he even wanted to know the answer.
“He was killed by humans. It was most unfortunate.”
“I’m sure he felt the same way.” Angus frowned, remembering the conversation with Miniti. “Why do you need a warlock?”
“There is a growing imbalance between our worlds. The mage council is concerned. Those without a human were told to snatch one if they got the chance. I did. And here you are.” Saka grinned in a way that was most unsettling. “Before tomorrow’s fate decider, you owe Arlyxia some magic.”
Angus went to raise the circle, not wanting to part with blood or soul in a hurry, but Saka was faster, grabbing Angus’s wrist. The circle reformed around them both. He swallowed and looked Saka in the eye.
The demon’s bare chest lifted with each breath, his nostrils flared.
That twinge of lust that had hit Angus when he first saw Saka returned. Maybe it was the lazy smile, or the way he was half-dressed. Angus had always let his head be turned by a half-naked man. Saka might be a demon, but he was also male.
The demon’s grip gentled. His fingers caressed the soft skin on the inside of Angus’s wrist. His touch was hot, as though his body temperature was naturally warmer, and his skin felt nothing like human skin. It wasn’t soft or smooth.
Saka stepped closer. “Don’t you want to know the third way to rebalance?”
Angus was getting a good idea what it was, and as long as it meant no ritual cutting or eating of his soul, he was tempted. Very tempted.
He shouldn’t be. He should be running fast and far. Curiosity was stronger than fear, at least for Angus. It was curiosity that had led him to reading the underground theories. To preferring to study unofficially rather than officially. His father had banned that, but by then it was too late. The seeds of doubt had already been cast, and now Saka was watering them.
Here… here was an opportunity to learn more about magic than he ever could at home. Unless Saka was lying. Warlocks lied, wizards lied. Did anyone tell the truth about magic? However, if Angus could see it, there would be no hiding what was happening.
Angus stared at Saka. If Angus couldn’t open the void, he was waiting for rescue. He didn’t let himself wonder what would happen if there was no rescue. “When they come for me, will you let me go?”
“If it was my choice, yes. I would rather have a warlock that I can work with than one who sees me as inferior and wants to drain me. I think we could work well together.” His fingers hadn’t stopped moving on Angus’s skin, and he had stepped closer. Again.
The blue magic of the circle shimmered around them, casting its own soft light and blurring the world on the other side.
“Did you work with your previous warlock?”
Saka smiled. “He was never here the way you are now.” His hand lifted to cup Angus’s jaw. “But he was interested in how magic is balanced. He also preferred women, so it was all theory. I could show you the third way magic is restored to my world from yours.”
Angus stared into the bottomless black eyes. They weren’t empty or soulless the way he’d been told. Saka was smart and dangerous. Angus wasn’t going to be tricked into anything, or agree to anything blindly.
“What is it?”
“Sex magic.”
Chapter Four
Saka waited for Angus to say something. Anything. Instead the human man stood there as if magically silenced. There had been no magic involved in Saka’s statement. From the moment he’d felt the tug across the void and readied himself to capture a warlock, Saka had known that there would be rebalancing.
However, on seeing Angus for the first time and watching him fumble the spell and blush, there had been only one way Saka had wanted to create balance. The red-gold hair and blue eyes made Angus seem delicate. But that wasn’t the case. He couldn’t forget that this was no innocent human. No, Angus had enough innate talent to bridge the void even though he didn’t want to, and enough magical ability for Saka to make the connection.
Angus could be dangerous.
However, unlike other warlocks, he hadn’t ignored what Saka had said about the worlds being unbalanced. He’d seemed almost interested. That was an improvement over his last warlock, who’d listened but had done nothing. Too afraid of the other warlocks. Saka didn’t know the details about his death, only that no demon had been involved.
For years the demon mages had been trying to share knowledge ac
ross the void. There had to be balance, but warlocks didn’t seem to care about anything but personal power. Angus’s underground was all that had been achieved. A small step, but better than nothing.
“Blood, souls, and sex,” Angus said finally.
Saka’s tail flicked in agreement. “Energy is available from all three.”
“Two require death.”
“No, only one does. Blood magic just requires sacrifice.”
“And you use humans.” Angus made it sound like a bad thing.
He who would’ve been happy to use a demon for magic. The nerve. Saka had to remind himself that Angus didn’t know better. Humans had to pay for the magic they used. It couldn’t remain on their side of the void. Too much had already been taken, and Arlyxia was suffering, drying.
“Only those who have bridged the void.”
“Those missing warlocks died here to rebalance the magic.”
Saka shook his head. “No, not all. But most. Those that might be useful are returned if people look for them. Most don’t get looked for. Why could that be?” It was a question he already knew the answer to.
Angus swallowed and glanced away. “Because the warlocks in charge know about the rebalancing. They know some have to die.” His gaze refixed on Saka. The brilliant blue of his eyes made brighter by the circle shimmering around them. “If they know, why aren’t they saying something?”
“I am hoping they’ll look for you, and that you can find the answer to that question. If they do not look and you do not agree to help, then Miniti will take you from me.” And Saka would have to wait for another warlock and try again. Maybe another mage would have more luck. Many mages preferred blood and souls. Sex required more from them. Saka liked the challenge. There was also a bigger reward at the end. Blood and souls only had a finite amount of magic. Sex magic, though, could be repeated again and again and again without killing or maiming the human.
Perhaps he was too kind, too greedy, and too much of a perfectionist to expect anything but the best. However, that was the reason he was Miniti’s favorite mage, a position he’d like to keep.
To do that he needed to get some magic out of Angus.
Angus frowned. “That’s not much of a choice.”
“I didn’t get one when you summoned me. I am being more than generous.” Saka let the circle fracture and scatter. The scent of the magic was cold and sharp.
“They will look for me.” But he didn’t sound sure.
“Good.” He meant that. Angus was more use to him alive and on the other side of the void than here and waiting to die—which would happen eventually. Demons couldn’t live on Humanside, and humans couldn’t live in Demonside. They would weaken and eventually die even if a mage wasn’t using them to rebalance. “Then we can work together to find out who is killing demons.” Kitu was dead, he was sure of it. He had mourned and now just wanted to work out what was going on and how to stop his world from dying.
Angus drew in a breath, his shirt clinging to his chest. “And why the truth is being suppressed.”
“The answer to that is always for power. If we do not find a way to stop them and fix the balance, both worlds could die. The balance must be maintained.”
“How do you know the balance is off?”
“The desert is spreading. Each year there is less rain. There must be changes in your world from excess magic.” Or was it just his world dying? Perhaps Humanside would be fine.
“My world is getting colder, but the warlocks are working on it.”
“By using more magic?” Which would only make the problem worse.
“It may not be connected.” Angus didn’t seem convinced. Confusion pulled at his features as if he was trying to make sense of two different worlds.
“Do you really believe that?”
Angus stood still for a moment, then shook his head. “Our worlds are connected; no one disputes that.”
“So if something is happening in one world, there must be an effect in the other.” Perhaps this warlock could understand. “How will you rebalance the magic you have used?”
Angus’s gaze focused. He swallowed. “I want to keep my soul in one piece.”
“A wise choice, I don’t want to kill you—though you can lose small pieces at a time.”
“I haven’t used that much magic.”
Saka shrugged. “No, but your kind has. Is a little blood too much to ask?”
“It won’t be enough, will it?”
“No, but it is better than nothing, and I need to show Miniti something to convince her not to eat your soul.”
Angus considered for a moment. “A little blood… only a little.”
Saka smiled. “I do not want you dead. It will be no more than you can safely give up.” He’d been hoping that Angus would want sex; that was far more satisfying and gave far more energy. He picked up his set of knives. “You know all magic has intent? That the emotion behind it strengthens it?” He pulled a small knife free and examined the blade. It was clean and sharp. He kept his tools immaculate and always ready, but he wanted Angus to see it. “Do you prefer pleasure or pain?”
“What?” Angus stepped back, but his gaze never left the knife.
“You want to see some magic, some rebalancing? For the most effect, there needs to be an underlying emotion. Fear isn’t my favorite, but being afraid the first time is normal.”
Angus straightened his back and tore his gaze off the knife. “Pleasure.”
He didn’t sound revolted by the idea, nor did he sound thrilled. Resigned with a touch of curiosity, but it was tempered with caution. That Saka could respect—along with the way the young warlock was making decisions and thinking of the future. There was still the very real chance that Angus would attempt to kill him once he was back on Humanside.
But he could worry about that in the morning.
There would be no attempted rescue for twenty-four hours—if the warlocks even bothered with a rescue. The warlocks in charge knew some rebalancing would be done in that time, and they were happy for someone else to pay for their magic use. It was one of the unwritten rules. Not killing demons was another unwritten rule. One the warlocks were now breaking.
Perhaps the time of smiles and handshakes was over.
Once demons had been respected, worshipped, or feared. Now many warlocks treated them as chattel and slaves. But not all.
“Really?” As much as Saka would like to indulge, Angus was still too uncertain. “I don’t think so. I think if I kissed you or touched you while holding a knife to your skin, your fear would only get stronger. Sit.” He pointed at the cushions by the table.
“Why ask if you don’t care what I say?” Angus sat, but his gaze never left Saka.
“I do care what you say, because I want to learn more about you. Don’t you want to know about me?” Saka picked up a small vial for collecting the blood.
“What do you prefer?” Angus countered.
“Pleasure.” He smiled as he sat next to Angus and then extended Angus’s arm over the table, exposing the soft underside. He ran his finger down the pale blue vein. “But there will be later for that if you change your mind.”
“You just said no to pleasure.”
“You are not ready. You are thinking of the knife, not the magic. Humans don’t practice sex magic, do they?”
Angus’s cheeks turned pink, and he stared at the table. “We aren’t supposed to.”
And yet it was clear that at some point Angus had broken the rules. This warlock became more interesting by the moment. “It can raise a lot of power. Your college should be encouraging warlocks to use it… if they want to stop the drain of magic from here.”
“Only wizards draw up magic from themselves. Warlocks have demons.”
“I know.” He rubbed his thumb up Angus’s arm. His skin was so soft. “You have a choice to make, Angus. You follow your college and shun me, or I can teach you the magic they don’t want you to know about.”
Chapter Five
Angus lifted his gaze from his arm where Saka was paying far too much attention to the blue vein that ran its length. Had his veins always been so noticeable, or was he being paranoid now he knew what Saka wanted from him, and it wasn’t just his blood.
There was a certain seductiveness about his touch. If Saka was human and they had met in a bar, Angus would be thinking about going home with him or taking him home. But Saka was a demon and Angus was a long way from home.
He could be home tomorrow.
“How can you teach me when I go home?” Why was he even asking? He didn’t want to be a magic-using warlock. Yet he was. He had a demon and not any old demon but a mage. Saka knew magic.
There was a glint in the demon’s eyes. “You will summon me for class and in private. You will need to pay for the magic you take from me, but I will teach you how to draw it up from what is around you.”
“I could get a wizard to teach me that.” Jim and he had experimented with all kinds of wizard magic before Angus’s father had put a stop to it. They had broken up when Angus had been accepted into Warlock College. Jim couldn’t afford college, and he didn’t like warlocks.
Angus had to agree with Jim for the most part. He didn’t trust his teachers, and when some piece of theory didn’t feel right, he went looking for other answers. He tried to imagine another three years of disbelieving and looking for his own answers. Would he eventually fall into line, or would he get caught out?
“You could, but they are untrained. I know about your world, Angus. Your college keeps knowledge locked away for only a few, and those few are carefully selected so they don’t challenge the rules. How did you get in?” Saka’s fingers trailed over Angus’s palm.
He kept expecting to feel the bite of the knife with every touch, but he was enjoying being touched. He shouldn’t like it, but no one was here to judge him and no one would ever know what he did.