Eternal Flame

by Valerie Twombly

  “The bra as well.”

  Caleb shredded the bra, leaving her bare from the waist up.

  Lileta looked at Caleb through fused lashes. “Bastard.” She spit in his face. He glared at her then turned his back and walked away, never bothering to wipe his face.

  Odage stepped forward and raised the dirise, its sharp blades glistening in the sunlight. In one fluid motion, he brought forty-two inches of pure hell down, slicing across her back. Lileta flinched but never muttered a sound. Blood trickled down her chin from where she bit her lip. Odage struck again, this time catching part of her right breast. Blood poured from her wounds as the sun beat down on her.

  “You will obey me. I am your master.”

  She met his gaze, eyes filled with hatred. “Never.”

  Odage swung the dirise over his head in a circle like a lasso then brought another sharp slap across her back. Her long raven hair now matted against her bloody skin, but still she refused to whimper, not even a tear escaped her golden eyes. He had to give her credit. She was a warrior and took a beating like one. He’d known many men in his life that had screamed like small children from a beating less than what she had just received.

  “I should leave you out here for the vultures to pick at your bones.”

  Caleb leaned over and whispered something in Odage’s ear. His lips curled into an evil grin as he looked at Caleb. “Granted.”

  * * * *

  As Cassie moved behind Eliza, her skin pebbled. Someone followed them. She turned her head and wished she hadn’t. Behind her were two demons. Their black, shiny skin glistened in the light. Tusks protruded from their mouths, luminous eyes cast an eerie glow. They walked on hooves, and large claws protruded from their hands. Their height equaled her own.

  “Ummm, there are some disgusting things following us.” She wondered how they were going to get out of this mess. It seemed unlikely Marcus would be coming for her, she’d tried to reach him, but there was no answer.

  “Ignore them.”

  Right, easier said than done. Especially when one of them yelled out.

  “Give us the human female.”

  “Yes, give us the female, and we will let you pass,” the other hissed.

  Eliza stopped and whirled around. “Back off, bitches, she belongs to High Lord Lowan.”

  The creatures shrieked and began to back up “Yes, take her. Leave us please.” They sang in unison.

  Eliza stood for a moment to make sure the beasts fled then jerked on the rope. “Come.”

  Cassie tripped and nearly fell but managed to right herself before she hit the ground. She doubted Eliza would have stopped but dragged her to their next destination.

  “Who is Lowan?” Again, another question she wasn’t sure she wanted the answer to. Then again, best to get to know all your enemies.

  “He is High Lord, and my and Drayos’s son.” Eliza flashed a wicked grin. “He is most anxious to meet you.”

  Cassie bit her bottom lip. Yeah, she couldn’t wait to meet him either. Not. “So he sends his mother to do his dirty work? Why didn’t he just come and get me himself?”

  “He cannot leave his world, yet.”

  Fantastic, so if she could get away from him, he would be unable to chase after her. Then she only had to worry about bitchtilda here. Of course, how she would escape here was another problem altogether. What is this? They were coming up to another cave. She was really getting sick and tired of caves.

  “Don’t touch the walls,” Eliza warned.

  “Do I dare ask why?”

  “Flesh-eating spiders.”

  Cassie stopped dead. She had a real fear of spiders. “Do we really have to go in there?” Her body started shaking uncontrollably. Hyperventilation wouldn’t be far away if she didn’t regain composure. She tried to remember her breathing exercise, one Dr. Stanley had taught her. She had worked with one of the psychiatrists at the hospital on her phobia. Breathe in, breathe out. In with the good, out with the bad.

  “Why, you have a fear of spiders, don’t you?”

  “Yes, and flesh-eating isn’t helping.”

  Eliza walked into the cave and left her standing outside until the slack in the rope ran out then with a jerk, she went stumbling into the darkness. Eliza had produced a torch, Cassie almost wished she hadn’t. At no time did she want to see the creepy crawlies that slithered along the wall. Instead, her gaze focused on Eliza’s head and imagined the numerous ways to remove it.

  Cassie wrapped her arms around her waist. It was the only way to keep from touching the cavern wall and the spiders that lurked there. “How much farther?” She felt like she’d been walking forever. Tired, hungry and her back was killing her. At this point, she was just downright cranky.

  “Stop your damn whining, or I’ll leave you here with the spiders.”

  That was it, the last damn straw. She grabbed the rope and jerked with all her might. Success, Eliza fell on her ass. “I have had about enough of you, bitch.”

  Eliza jumped up and was in her face before she could back away, slapping her so hard she stumbled backward. “I should gut you right here.” Fangs reflected the glow of the torch. “If my son didn’t need you to leave this realm, I would.”

  “What do you mean he needs me? For what?” She had a bad feeling about this, her gut told her to gather as much information as she could. The guardians were going to need it, and she planned on leaving here, alive.

  “We don’t have time for this.” Eliza grabbed Cassie by the arm and shoved her out front. “You go first, I’ll cover your back.” She flashed a mouthful of white teeth.

  Cassie grabbed the torch and marched forward. Screw this, I want out of this god forsaken cave and now. Once again, she tried to find a telepathic link, not caring that Eliza might eavesdrop. Marcus? Aidyn? Odd, rather than the silence she always heard before, now she got static. Maybe that was a good thing, perhaps she was closer to establishing a link with someone. Eliza hadn’t made her usual remarks either. Could it be she hadn’t heard her this time? She tried to remain calm, not wanting to get her hopes up.

  Her eyes caught a faint light ahead. It looked like the spider cave was coming to an end. She forced her tired legs to move faster, wanting out of the confines of the narrow tunnel. When she stepped through the opening, she froze. Her eyes took in the bleak surroundings.

  “Lovely, isn’t it?”

  The light she had seen came from rivers of lava. Small fires burned, and thick, hot goo bubbled to the surface. A combination of rotten eggs, burning flesh, and blood assaulted her nose. More than she could bear, her stomach rebelled, tossing its contents onto the jagged rocks nearby. While her gut was racked with spasms, screams filled her ears until she thought they would bleed. If this wasn’t hell then god help her, for this was worse than she ever imagined.

  “Tsk, tsk, such a weak stomach you have.”

  God, that voice grated on her nerves. Visions of tossing Eliza into the burning inferno made her smile. Had she not been attached to the bitch by a rope she might have given it a go. Another jerk on the rope and bitchtilda had Cassie following behind her. I swear to the heavens. Wait…why didn’t I think of this sooner? Argathos.

  She held her breath, would the god heed her call?

  Cassandra. The voice caressed her mind like a whisper. Excitement coursed through her veins, she clasped a hand over her mouth to keep the squeal of delight from escaping, lest Eliza suspect something. So far, the bitch seemed clueless.

  Oh Argathos, I’m in terrible trouble. Please help me.

  Cassandra, I am unable to enter that realm, but there are three who come searching for you. Are you hurt?

  No, not really… Who’s coming for me? She hoped with all her heart that Marcus’s name would roll off the god’s lips.

  Marcus, Gabriel and Baal search for you. They are in that realm right now.

  Tears filled her eyes. Marcus was coming for her, or maybe he was coming for his daughter. She didn’t care, he would save them bo
th. Eliza is taking me to her son, Lowan, some high lord or something.

  Have you spoken with Marcus?

  No, you’re the only one I’ve been able to connect with. Static. Damn it, had she lost him? Argathos? Panic caused her to trip over a rock and fall to the ground. It was then she noticed the demons, all different shapes and sizes but all disgusting just the same. She spotted a woman tied to a burnt tree. The woman yelled to her, pleaded for Cassie to help her as a demon raped her. She tried to look away, but her body refused to move.

  “Eliza, we have to help her.” Cassie yelled.

  Eliza looked at her, and for a moment, Cassie swore there was a hint of sadness in the vampire’s eyes, but then it was gone. “She is only a tortured soul. There is no help for her now.” She tugged on the rope. “We’re almost there.”

  Cassie continued to stumble over rocks, her body hot and fatigued, the humidity so stifling she could hardly breathe. She kept her gaze to the ground. Otherwise, she bore witness to the atrocities played out by the demons. Souls tortured by rapes, burnings, and hacking limbs off. The screams continued to fill her ears. She knew that even if she managed to somehow survive, she would never be the same.

  “We’re here.”

  Her eyes slowly moved upward, her vision filling with horror. Marcus, please hurry.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Marcus, Gabriel, and Baal headed straight into the depths of hell and now were surrounded by demons. A scream pierced his ears. To the right, a soul was tied to a blackened tree and body parts were being hacked off. He looked away. He had no sympathy for the damned; shit happened when you bargained with the devil. Besides, it was Gabriel’s job to save those that were truly innocent, only tricked by greedy demons. His only concern was his mate.

  Gabriel produced two swords and tossed one to Marcus and the other to Baal. “Here, you will need this,” he said, producing another for himself.

  Marcus gave it a thorough inspection, noting that it held an odd glean. “What’s it made of?”

  “It is the blade of the Xarizith and will serve you well.”

  He was impressed, the blade of ice would indeed cause severe pain to any demon. “Thanks, now lead the way.” He itched to kill something, but more important, he needed his mate, and time was something he didn’t have much of.

  The three men moved past pools of fire and lava. He tried to ignore the screaming, but it grated on his already thin nerves. His lungs burned from the sulfur that hung thick in the air. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted four demons approaching them.

  “We have company.”

  “Yes, they have been following us for some distance.” Gabriel turned to face him. “I will question them about the human.”

  His lips curled into a snarl. “That human has a name, and you will address her as Cassandra.” He swore the next person to disrespect his mate would feel his wrath.

  Baal gave a snort.

  Gabriel’s face showed no emotion, just as it had since he showed up. His eyes merely darkened then he turned to face the demons. “Stop where you are. You will tell me what I wish to know.”

  The demons cackled, their forked tongues flicked out to taste the air. The largest of the four spoke first. “You do not scare us, angel.”

  Marcus sized up the other three. They stood a good foot taller than him and bore horns on their arms and legs, their skin covered in green scales and their eyes glowed red. He decided taking off their heads would prove enjoyable. He raised his sword, and in the blink of an eye, he removed the demon's head.

  “Wrong answer.” He looked at the other three. “Now, who among you cares to answer our questions and live?”

  Baal stood, sword planted in the ground and leaned on it. He looked at his nails. “The vampire here is in a foul mood. I’d play nice if I were you.”

  The other three seemed to have a change of heart. “We play nice.” They sang in unison.

  “Good. Have you seen a human female down here?” Gabriel stuck the point of his sword into the demon closest to him. The green skin burned from the ice, and the demon screamed, jumping backward. “No. But we heard that there are two females making their way here.”

  Marcus moved in, his turn to poke the demon. “Where are they headed? Think carefully before you answer, demon.” He prayed for the information he desperately wanted. He had to find Cassie; he would not fail her.

  “To our massster.”

  “Who is your master?” Gabriel asked.

  “Lord Lowan.”

  The three men looked at each other.

  “I have never heard of him,” Gabriel said.

  “I sense several more demons approaching,” Baal said.

  “Yes, they hope to overtake us. It would seem you may get your battle after all, fang boy,” Gabriel mocked.

  Marcus gave him a mental fuck-off for reading his mind. He hadn’t blocked himself, wanted to stay open for Cassie. So far, that had proved fruitless. “I’ll take up the rear; you deal with these dick wads.” He spun around to face the threat that came up from behind. Oh shit.

  * * * *

  Demons came in droves, and Marcus sliced and hacked off their heads with the blade of Xarizith. When he thought their numbers dwindled, more came. “How are you faring back there, angel boy?”

  “I fare well and you?”

  “I’m managing, but how many do you suppose there are?”

  “Hundreds, I’m sure. We haven’t even seen the meanest of them yet. These are merely minions of the many lords.” Gabriel said.

  “Just fucking great, how much time do we have left?” Marcus asked as he shoved his sword into the black heart of a demon, slowing him down enough to whack his head off.

  “Fourteen hours, can you keep up the fight?”

  “With one arm tied behind my back.” Damn, too much time lost already. Will I ever be a good mate? Maybe if he hadn’t failed Eliza, none of them would be in this mess right now. Then again, he wouldn’t have Cassie either. He would give her up if it meant her safety, if only he could go back in time and fix his mistakes.

  “Would you die for her?” Gabriel asked.

  “For Cassie? If it meant she could live, and be safe? Without hesitation.”

  “Interesting,” Gabriel shouted back.

  Marcus sent another head rolling to the ground to reside with the hundreds of others already there. “Wouldn’t you die for a loved one?”

  “I don’t love.”

  Baal and Marcus exchanged glances.

  “So angel, have you ever had the pleasure of a woman’s body?” Baal asked.

  “Yes, I have sex. I am a man and have desires same as any. I just have no desire to love, what’s the point?

  Warriors.

  Marcus slashed another demon's head, surprised that Argathos had been able to contact them. Have you found Cassie?

  She was able to contact me. Eliza is taking her to Lord Lowan, her son.

  Marcus glanced back at Gabriel, fear etched on his face. Eliza had a son with Drayos, and the bastard now had Cassie.

  Do you know where he resides? Gabriel was the one to pose the question.

  No, but the women are in the realm where you are now. However, you’re several hours away from them yet.

  Great and there seemed to be no end in sight, the demons kept coming. The warriors were now back to back. “We need a plan,” Marcus said.

  “I agree.” Gabriel spread his enormous wings and took to the air, tossing Marcus his sword. “Give me a second.”

  “You got it,” he growled and ran into the fray, a sword in each hand, slashing and stabbing and sending demons screaming. His muscles burned. The thought of Cassie with that bitch kept him on his feet.

  “Lowan must be the son of Drayos and Eliza,” Marcus said.

  Baal danced around a demon before slicing his head off. “Half demon and half vampire. What a fucking nightmare he must be.”

  The ground crackled and hissed, the warriors found themselves surrounded by ice, d
emons frozen in their tracks. Marcus and Baal looked at each other, a grin curling their lips.

  Baal waived his sword in the air. “Whac-a-mole time.”

  Swiftly they moved through the demons, whacking off heads in a double-fisted action. When finally none stood, they stopped and took a deep breath.

  “Shit, hell really has frozen over.” Marcus shook his head. “Never thought I’d see the day.” He looked up at Gabriel who still hovered above. “Why the hell didn’t you do that earlier?”

  “It weakens me.”

  A ferocious roar reverberated through hell’s sky. Marcus looked up. “Holy fuck.”

  The biggest, ugliest demon he’d ever seen floated above them. Its wings were at least twenty feet and moved up and down, sending a dust cloud swirling into the air. Its two heads snapped at Gabriel, showing razor-sharp fangs.

  “Can you get that thing to land?” Gabriel looked pale, but Marcus could only assist from the ground.

  Gabriel barely got out of the way of the demon's enormous tail. The sharp horn that protruded from the end nicked his leg. “The demon is even worse on land. Better to fight him from up here.” He produced another sword, but before he could react, the demon whipped its tail again and managed to shred one of Gabriel’s wings, sending him spiraling to the ground. Marcus heard the shattering of bone. The angels other wing stuck out at an odd angle. The warrior of death was out of commission, it was up to Marcus and Baal to finish the beast off.

  The demon landed in front of Marcus, its two heads dripping venom on the ground and causing the ice to snap and hiss. Note to self, stay away from the venom. He raised both ice swords and prepared for battle, while Baal stood to his right.

  He gave a glance at his friend. “How do we defeat this thing?”

  “I haven’t the foggiest.”

  Marcus pursed his lips into a thin line. “It’s your realm. You’re supposed to know these things.”

  “Hey, I’ve never had to fight one until you came along.”

  Gabriel, can you hear me?

  Yes.

  How do we kill it?