He is older, probably around my parent's age. He has salt and pepper hair and a tan complexion that says he works outside most everyday. He has laugh lines around his mouth and eyes so he must be a happy person. His eyes are the greenest that I have ever seen and I immediately wonder if he is a, dare I say, human?
But surely the village wouldn't send a human out to tail the Hell-Horde. Humans are supposed to be extinct anyways, but even if that is just another lie they told us, humans are the only kind without any special abilities.
I watch him analyze each and every one of us, probably trying to figure out what kind we are, and then a sweet smile comes to his face.
I like him.
I don't know why but I like him. He reminds me of my father.
My stomach clenches at the reminder of my parents back home. I haven't seen them in two years. I hope they are doing well.
“Did you five actually escape the city walls?” he asks, hope infusing his tone of voice.
Gabriel answers him with a swift nod. “We did, barely. And not without a few...misfortunes,” he glances at Shadow with what, to my total shock, looks like compassion.
His eyes are wide with disbelief written on his features again.
“What are you?” Gabe scrunches his eyebrows at him as if he is looking at something he has never seen before and trying to figure out if it is real or not.
“I am a human,” the man pauses, letting us grasp the weight of that statement.
Wraith and Kaia and Jezebel all move around the fire now, closer to him. We all stand in a circle around the fire now, mostly on the opposite side than the human stands.
Gabe scoffs. “Humans are extinct, as well as most of the kinds that you mentioned a second ago that presumably live in your village.”
The man arcs an eyebrow at Gabe causing him to stand a little straighter.
I bite back a smile that this human man can instill a little bit of fear and respect in Gabe.
“Well, if humans are extinct then I don't know why I am standing here. And what blows my mind even further,” he pauses, looking directly at Shadow, “is the fact that I am staring at the Demon Lord right now.”
We look to each other with looks of confusion and doubts and Gabriel just gives the man a look like he is insane.
I notice the look on Shadow's face is anything but mocking. Instead, he wears an expression of comprehension and shock.
“What is he talking about, Shadow?” I whisper, grabbing his hand for strength and support.
Shadow examines the ground, eyebrows drawn down. His teeth slide over the two suds in his lip and he sucks one into him mouth, thinking. That distracts me for a moment but I squeeze his hand to draw both him and myself back to reality.
“The prophecy,” he says, deadpan.
I glance to Kaia with wide, excited eyes and she grins from ear to ear. We knew it!
Wraith rolls his eyes at us and Gabe shakes his head.
“No, you're wrong. He isn't the Demon Lord, he is a half-ling. The one the prophecy speaks of says that he will be the one to defeat the Hell-Horde, not be hunted by them.”
We all glare at Gabe except for Wraith.
Jezebel ogles him and smiles, moving to stand on the opposite side from Gabe. To my utter amazement I see her smile and grab his hand. He stiffens for a moment and then relaxes and I swear I see his lips twitch.
“Yes, the one the prophecy speaks of will bring the all of the kinds together and lead the army of the free kinds to defeat the Hell-Horde. I think the leader of all of the different kinds would have to be, two different kinds don't you?”
Gabe chews on this for a moment. Either that or he is distracted by Jezebel who is now rubbing her thumb in circles over his hand.
I become angry for some reason seeing this and I don't understand why. Shadow squeezes my hand now and I glance back at him with a question in my expression. He arches his eyebrow at me and I smile innocently and shrug my shoulders.
No, I'm not jealous. I just don't like her.
I know. I wasn't worried about jealousy. You forget that my demon half can feel emotions and I felt your anger blast through the room like an explosion.
I laugh inside. My bad.
He chuckles low and deep.
Gabe finally snaps back to reality, like I knew he eventually would. He loves winning an argument more than I love flying.
“That doesn't necessarily mean anything. My father leads all the different kinds back at the Grand Mecca.”
The man shakes his head, his lip tight. “I have a lot to tell you about your father and the Grand Mecca. But not now, not here. You must come with me. The Hell-Horde is right on your heels. But I must tell you one more reason that we all know who the Demon Lord will be when we see him, and I know that it is this young hybrid.” he cants his head indicating Shadow. “The Demon Lord, and prophecy leader, will be part demon and part angel, and his mate will be an angel,” he looks at me when he says this, then his gaze lingers on our joined hands. “They will bare the same mark, the mark of Lucifer's father, which is a flame with a circle around it.” My eyes bug out and everyone gasps. Shadow stiffens.
The man nods his head with a pleasant smile on his face. “For this reason even Lucifer will bow down to him. He will have powers that none have seen to this day and he will be a mighty force.”
The man walks around the fire and closes the distance between himself and Shadow. Shadow lets go of my hand and puts his arm around me, tucking me in close to his side and turning us to face the green eyed, human man.
“I can't tell you how glad I am to see you,” he smiles genuinely at Shadow and I know I was right about the laugh lines around his eyes and mouth. “We have been waiting eagerly for you to find us. We are honored to finally have you,” he says and then takes my breath away when he bows before Shadow and I.
“I pledge myself to you and my queen,” he glances up to meet Shadow's eyes and then my own,” from this day hence, I am yours to command my Demon Lord.”
It's so quiet and still, the only sound the fire cracking and popping and the only movement the flames dancing on the walls of the cave.
Shadow clears his throat and my mouth is agape. “Your vow honors me,” Shadow nods his head at the man. The man stands up facing us.
“What is yours name?” Shadow asks.
“My name is Xavier,” the human says crossing his heart with a fist.
Shadow smiles at him, showing his fangs and his wings flare out to his sides, behind me. “I am Shadow, and that's what you can call me. Now Lord, or Master, or anything else.”
The man laughs and it's catching. I smile and before I can help it I laugh too. Shadow looks at me with an expression of what I hope is love and endearment and everyone else's laughs ring out behind us.
Wraith and Kaia walk up to join us and we ask the human man many questions. Wraith asks about his namesake and Xavier tells him about the woman from their village. She knew his parents and was the very best friend to them.They grew up together and their love for his was the only love that rivaled their love for her and her kindness. She was a wraith and apparently she died from the plague.
After a while a talking and listening I realize that neither Gabe nor Jezebel have been participating in the conversation and I glance around the cave looking for them.
What a mistake that is I realize just a bit too late.
This is because they are sucking each other's lips off on the other side of the fire. Gabe's back is to me as he pins her against the wall.
This time no anger explodes from within me but I do roll my eyes and fight the bile that threatens to rise up my throat and enter my mouth.
Yes, please fight that or you won't be getting any tongue action from me for a while.
I snicker because, man, he is just so funny.
He leans down a little and puts his lips to my ear. I'm glad you think so baby,” he says in a gruff, sexy voice.
Xavier clears his throat. “Ah Lor— Shadow,
” Xavier catches himself, “I really must stress the importance of us leaving sooner rather than later.”
“I'm not trying to be rude, but I have been wondering why the village would send a human to track the Hell-Horde?” Wraith asks.
Xavier nods with understanding. “Humans are practically undetectable by the Hell-Horde. They cannot trace our aura with their infrared type seeking ability. Also, they can not sense or smell us. As long as I am quiet, I am the best man for the job,” he smiles again, fisting himself on the chest.
Wraith looks impressed and he nods his head.
I hope Kaia gets him to speak more than he does for us or I really don't think he would be any fun.
“Xavier is right, we should leave now. We will go to his village with him and decide on a plan from there.”
“We have a place for you to stay, clean clothes, and food,” he offers.
Glancing at Shadow's shirtless back, I realize how long it's been since I saw him with a shirt on. I am going to miss seeing his scars and muscles on display, along with those gleaming nipple rings.
“That means a lot to us, as you can tell we desperately need those things,” I speak up.
Everyone mutters their thanks and picks up whatever they had with them.
We walk together to the entrance and the cold, windy, dark night greets us.
Chapter Thirteen
“Aeron?!” I squeal in disbelief. My old, dear, friend and transporter and a nymph that I greatly respect stops mid-sentence and turns from the spirit he was in conversation with to look at me.
As soon as recognition shows on his face I sprint towards him and jump into his arms.
“Alexia! It's so good to see you, Myn Doul.” In the nymph language, “myn doul” means, “my sweet”.
I shake my head, still just so excited and crazy confused how he is here, outside the walls too. “I can't believe it! How are you even here?”
He laughs sweetly and winks at me. Shadow and the others are at my side now too, seeming a little confused as to how I know someone out here.
“I am wondering the same thing about you, but I can't say that I am not happy that you and your friends are free of that awful place.”
I glance at Shadow and figure that I should introduce them before Shadow gets the wrong idea. It can not be missed that Aeron is blessed in the looks department and as always, dressed to impress in that sleek style of his.
“Shadow, this is Aeron, he was my transporter to the Grand Mecca and he is also a really good friend,” I smile.
Shadow nods towards Aeron and reaches out to shake his hand. When I glance at Aeron I notice the astonished look on his face and the slow movement of his outstretched hand.
“Oh not you too,” I say. “Yes, this is probably the guy from the prophecy,” I mutter. Everyone bursts out laughing at my tone of voice.
Aeron smiles tightly as he clasps Shadow's hand.
“These are my best friends: Gabriel (my smile falters as I almost introduce Jezebel next, since she is sidled up next to Gabe) ah Kaia and Wraith. And this is Jezebel, I met her in the dungeon...it's a long story.”
“Yes, well an interesting one I'm sure I won't mind hearing, maybe over dinner?”
I nod in agreement and glance Shadow's way.
Xavier interrupts. “If you all wouldn't mind following me I will show you each where you can stay and give you new clothes. We will all gather for dinner when the sun goes down.”
We say our goodbye's to Aeron, but I know I will be seeing his at dinner so it's not a big deal. New clothes sound great and so does abed to sleep in after sleeping on the hard ground so much lately.
Xavier shows Shadow and I to our room last, after finding two other little rooms for Wraith and Kaia and Gabe and Jezebel, which I guess are getting along well to say the least. Possible mates? Well I suppose we will just have to see.
The sun has finally set and I have immensely enjoyed my at long last alone time with Shadow.
Our little room is beautiful. It just so happens that it is painted a light blue color, reminding me of the sky and has only one window in the roof, none in the walls.
It's not very large but neither of us mind, we are just grateful that they have a place for us to rest our weary souls.
I glance up at the night sky and marvel at the stars through the sky window.
Shadow cuddles up behind me and tucks me perfectly into his body just as he kisses me on top of the head.
I close my eyes, reveling in this moment.
Until screams disrupt this perfect moment.
Shadow and I rush to the door and look towards the direction the screams are coming from.
He grabs my hand and we dart down the steps and crash into Gabe and Jezebel. Wraith and Kaia are right behind them and we all share panicked, knowing looks.
The Hell-Horde have found us.
“Baby, you and the girls go back to the room and bar the door. Hide under the bed and be very quiet,” Shadow instructs in a breathless voice.
Panic stricken and scared half to death I just look up at him with bid, wide eyes and nod super fast.
Kaia releases Wraith's hand and grabs mine and we take off towards the room a few steps, not really caring if Jezebel is behind us or not, but figuring that she is.
Right when I reach the door to my room I freeze and it jolts Kaia's hand out of mine as her body continues into the room without me.
I turn back around, looking down the steps at Shadow, Gabe and Wraith. They are talking and pointing, getting a plan of action.
Jezebel shows up in front of me and turns to look too.
“I can't let them fight for us alone,” I mumble.
Shadow's attention whips directly to me, probably hearing me say that.
She looks at me and nods, feeling the same way. For the first time I feel like maybe we have some camaraderie going on. Could we ever be friends?
No, I don't think so. I can't ever forgive her for being with Shadow in a way that is reserved for only me.
But maybe someday I can like her.
Get in the room!
I cross my arms and stare down into his red eyes defiantly. I'm not letting you do this alone! His eyes soften a little, and I notice the Hell-Horde swarming and fighting behind him. One of the evil, dark creatures swoops down headed straight for Shadow and my eyes widen with horror. “Shadow! Look out!”
The vile demon aims it's poisonous arrow at Shadow and releases it, Shadow has only just turned around to see what I am worried about as the arrow flies too close to him.
But suddenly, Xavier is there, in front of Shadow. Taking the arrow for him.
“Oh gods,” I almost sway with relief, and my heart lurches thinking about Xavier doing that for Shadow.
I jog down the stairs towards them as the boys engage the eyeless, creepy looking Hell-Hordian and others of it's kind.
Jezebel and I reach Xavier. I fall to my knees beside him looking at the damage. “Oh no,” I say.
He shakes his head, as if dis agreeing with my panic and disappointment, and smiles that sweet smile at me. He grabs my hand with one hand and brings it to his lips and kisses it. “It was my duty, and my honor. It...will....not be...in...vain,” he says as the rest of his breath escapes his lungs.
I ease him back down and shut his eyes. Anger and rage infuse my body and I shake with it and grit my teeth.
The arrow his him right in the heart. The little sucker knew where to hit, whether the arrow was poisonous or not, he would never have made it.
And my first experience with a human, a kind that I was taught was extinct, was more heartfelt and empowering than any experience I have ever had with any other kind.
I decide that from here on out I will befriend all of the humans. In Xavier's honor and just because I want to. I will share his story and everyone near and far will know of his bravery.
“Alexia, you better stand up...I'm afraid hes gone and we are just open targets,” Jezebel says, surprisingly soft.
I nod and transfer my weight to my feet and push off of my knees to stand.
I look around at the damage that has already been done to this village, and we brought them here.
An arrow whizzes right between us and I gasp, jumping back. “Come on, let go help the wounded,” I say to her and she pauses a minute to think before nodding and following after me.
We make our way slowly down the rock steps and make sure the coast is clear from any flying freak-o's before choosing out victim.
Gabe is engaged on the ground with one, battling it out with the sword. I glance to Jezebel and she is watching raptly. “He will win, I have no doubt” I tell her. She breaks her eyes away from his movements just long enough to catch mine and smiles.
Wraith is at Gabe's back, guarding his six and warding off any oncoming arrows from the high flyers with his sword and shield. I hear him yell out duck, and to your right, a few times for Gabe's benefit, and notice how nicely they work together. A Captain and his Commander.
It sort of makes me feel a little jealous that my poor Shadow gets left out and I glance back to him. I am always aware of where exactly he is at, it's a part of this whole, being one thing.
Shadow is up in the air, and for some reason more than a handful of them circle him, but they seem sort of hesitant, like they are afraid of him.
They take turns swooping in like they are going to engage him and then they flap back out into their circle and continue taunting him.
He jerks forward in one motion and severs the last one to taunt him.
I hear their horrible screeching from here and to my amazement I hear Shadow speak in a language that I have never heard before. And it's not the demon language.
And even more shocking, but they speak back, understanding him.
Oh my gods, are you talking to them?
I am more or less threatening them. They know who I am.
H-how do you know their language?
Honestly, I'm not sure. I know a lot of languages now that I didn't know before they experimented on me.
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