Hidden Fire

by Deirdra Eden

  “Relax.” Lucas squeezed my hand. “You could at least smile like you are happy to be engaged.”

  I dropped my shoulders and forced a smile, but part of me still hoped to see Azrael in the crowd.

  Lucas led me to the seats next to the king, where we sat as the guests of honor. I tried to be happy that I was engaged to the boy I had loved since I was a child, but so much sorrow clouded my weak façade.

  Luckily, Lucas sat between the king and me. Despite the barrier, I reminded myself to try to get along with King Edward. “Thank you for hosting this celebration in our honor,” I said to him.

  The king did not reply. His head hung low as he stared into a glass of wine. Death itself painted his face. He glanced at me with dark, hollow eyes. Something was wrong with him. His pupils had dilated so wide, there was no colour left. “Your Majesty,” I asked. “Are you ill?”

  Lucas gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry about him. He’s drunk.”

  I had seen him drunk before, but this was different. I swallowed hard. At least he was in no condition to chide me about my failed mission.

  I watched the crowd dance in a hypnotizing rhythm. Each guest seemed jubilant and relaxed as if they didn’t have a care in the world.

  This didn’t make sense. Erebus’s black storm still ominously covered the sky, but no one had seen any Shadow Rebels.

  Lucas slid a glass of wine to me. “Drink. It will help you relax. You worry too much.”

  I fingered the stem of the goblet and glanced at the king. Seeing someone that drunk made me never want to put that poison to my lips. It reminded me of the Shadow venom. “Lucas?” I started. “Where did you get the poison you gave me before I left?”

  Lucas took a long drink, then casually shrugged. “I got it from a gypsy merchant on my way back from the crusades. I thought it might come in handy someday.”

  “Oh,” I replied. It made sense. I decided not to tell him it was really a venomous lure. He would be overwhelmed with guilt if he knew he put me in danger. I traced the scars on my arm where the wolf bit me, then fidgeted with the fringe of the table-cloth. It looked like England really didn’t need me anymore. I had to find a way to ask Lucas to come with me to the sanctuary after we pulled the English troops out of Scotland.

  Lucas put his cold hand over mine, withdrawing me out of my thoughts. “You aren’t drinking.”

  “I’m not thirsty.” I shied away from his touch. It was wrong, but I couldn’t help compare it to Azrael’s warm touch and the way our celestial energy collided, as if connecting us together.

  I had to forget about Azrael or I would be miserable being married to Lucas.

  I glanced up and saw the familiar god-like Neviahan. The crowd parted for him as he walked toward me with a confident stride. His magnificent eyes sparkled from behind the mask.

  “Azrael?” I whispered to myself, horrified that he had the nerve to show up at my engagement celebration. I turned to Lucas and smiled pleasantly. “Excuse me.” I left the table before Lucas could ask why then followed Azrael into a private corner. “What are you doing here?” I whispered coarsely.

  Azrael shrugged nonchalantly. “Following the plan.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “What plan?”

  He smiled even wider. “The plan we came up with after Lucas kidnapped you.”

  “Ah!” I pressed my palm against my forehead. “Azrael, I wasn’t kidnapped.”

  Azrael smiled smugly and nodded. “It sure looked like it to us.”

  Another song started, and before I could react, Azrael gripped my hand and waist. He spun me onto the dance floor and ignored my momentary lack of grace. “You look beautiful,” he said as if continuing a casual conversation.

  I couldn’t help but smile whenever he smiled. “The dress looks beautiful,” I corrected.

  He leaned forward. His lips brushed across my ear. “No, you look beautiful.”

  Waves of emotion flooded me. I was so in love with him, and it terrified me. “Azrael,” I hesitated. “You really shouldn’t be dancing with me,” I said through my teeth. I could feel people staring at us. “I don’t belong to you.” It didn’t feel right saying that, so I amended, “You have my heart, but not my hand.” I desperately wished that Azrael was mortal so we at least had a chance of being together. Azrael grinned, making his eyes shimmer past his mask. My breath escaped me. “You shouldn’t be dancing with me.”

  Azrael raised one eyebrow. “What?” he asked with false innocence. “Lucas can’t handle a little competition?”

  “Azrael,” I whispered. My voice strained. I could feel my heart breaking. I had to marry Lucas. It was the only way I could stop the war. “I’m already engaged.” I tried not to sound bitter.

  The statement didn’t shake him. “Engaged in what?”

  There was no use in arguing with him. “Have you seen any Shadow Spirits or Shadow Lords since you’ve been here?”

  Azrael nodded. He stepped closer to me and whispered, “Over a hundred.”

  My eyes went wide as horror gripped my stomach. “How can that be? Lucas said they hadn’t—.”

  Azrael cut me off. “Erebus is here too. Korban and Orion are in the castle tracking him.”

  My heart raced. “The Shadow King is in the castle?”

  “Shhh,” Azrael whispered.

  I pressed my lips together and looked around the room. “Where is your cat?”

  Azrael smirked and pointed to one of the tables. A long, striped tail swooshed back and forth from under the tablecloth.

  I tried not to laugh. “If people see him, they are going to think all Scots are terrorists. Which reminds me, Lucas agreed to pull all the troops out of Scotland if I marry him.” I forced myself to smile. “I can bring peace between the two countries and we can focus on the real battle against the Rebellion.”

  Azrael didn’t look happy, but kept his voice regal and calm. “Is that the only reason why you are marrying Lucas?”

  I dropped my shoulders. “What else am I supposed to do, Azrael?”

  “Don’t,” Azrael said. “Don’t sacrifice yourself by marrying him.”

  I stared into his perfect immortal eyes, and for a wonderful, brief moment, imagined myself marrying him instead of Lucas.

  Whitened knuckles gripped Azrael’s shoulder. “May I cut in?” Lucas asked.

  “You already have,” Azrael murmured. His eyes narrowed. He turned to me and mouthed the words, “Stay on guard.”

  Lucas slipped one hand behind my waist. “Bold fellow, isn’t he?”

  I nodded in agreement. “Yes, he is.” A smile escaped my lips. I loved that about Azrael.

  Lucas and I danced to several songs without speaking to each other. I didn’t know what to say to him. Doubt over whether I was doing the right thing by marrying him preoccupied my mind. The songs seemed to drag on and as soon as one ended, Lucas held me tighter and forced me to dance another one with him. I shouldn’t be dancing with him or anyone right now.

  Korban and Orion were navigating the halls, doing my duty while I wasted time dancing. I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling knotting inside me.

  “You are simply ravishing,” Lucas flattered, interrupting my thoughts.

  I looked up. “Thank you, m’lord.” Movement from the ceiling caught my attention. Shadows in the silhouettes of men moved along the beams, then seeped into the stones.

  Lucas looked behind him. “What are you looking at? Is something wrong?”

  I shook my head. “Excuse me. I need to check on something.” I pulled away from his grip and raced from the ballroom and up a flight of stairs to find the rebels.

  I rounded the corner into a heated battle. Korban whirled his swords in a dance of blurred blades and slammed his weapons into a Shadow Lord. The Legionnaire crumbled and hit the floor.

  Ash of dead Shadow Legionnaires carpeted the ground. Orion held his axe and charged into several Shadow Lords like a massive plow. A gangly Shadow Lord dropped from the ceiling behind Korba
n. I shot a stream of fire from my fingertips and disintegrated the devilish creature.

  Korban whirled around as the rebel fell in a heap of ash. “Well struck, my lady,” he said. He crossed his weapons and sliced into another decrepit Shadow Lord. Even in the narrow hall, Korban seemed to dance with his weapons. Shadow blood smudged across his bare chest and leather war kilt. His swords whirled fluidly around him like a slicing shield, moving with the tempo of the music from the celebration. He cut through the charging line of Shadow Lords as gracefully as the nobles dancing below. He spun with the blades, creating a metallic chorus to the traditional folk songs. I could clearly see his gift with weapons.

  The song ended and Korban cut through the last attacking Shadow Lord.

  The main hall erupted in applause as if for Korban’s epic victory. I couldn’t help but clap too after seeing the magnificent weapon display.

  Korban didn’t hold back his smile.

  Orion approached me and rested his massive axe casually on his shoulder. He let out a long whistle. “I thought you were stunnin’ before, but you clean up good.”

  I curtsied in my ball gown. “You clean up good as well.” I put my hands on my hips and nodded toward the pile of ash.

  Orion laughed and flexed his bulging chest muscles.

  I instantly blushed and covered my eyes. “Orion, I’m an English lady.”

  “And we’re Scottish barbarians,” Orion chortled.

  Azrael’s voice came from behind, “This way.” I whirled around to face the Immortal I loved more than I should. At least Azrael was still dressed like a gentleman or I might have fainted seeing his bare chest and leather battle kilt. “Baby picked up Erebus’s scent.”

  I lifted my flowing gown and raced with my beautiful, immortal barbarian comrades down the hallway. “How did you get Baby out of the ballroom without anyone seeing him?” I asked Azrael. The cat was the size of a small horse and filled the width of the hallway.

  “Lucas ended the feast after the last dance. While everyone was focused on him we slipped out.” Azrael said then added, “I don’t think he’s happy you left the celebration.”

  I bit my lip. How was I going to explain this to Lucas?

  Baby bounded through a doorway. He froze in an aggressive stance and let out a low growl.

  Azrael drew his sword. “That is it,” he said. “‘Tis the room where Erebus has been hiding.”

  I scanned the room and shook my head. There had to be some kind of mistake. “Azrael, this is my bedroom.”

  Korban shifted his weight and I heard Orion swallow.

  Azrael reached for my hand, his eyes wide with alarm. “Aura, you’re the target.”

  “See, I told you she would make great bait,” Korban said, catching his breath.

  “Why?” I asked. “Wouldn’t the king be a more likely target?”

  Azrael ignored my question and paced the room. “This isn’t good. ‘Tis very bad.”

  Korban dropped his arms to his sides, making his swords clang together. “I will just say what’s on everyone’s mind—Shadow Queen.”

  Orion jerked. His face turned white.

  “Shadow Queen?” I asked. “Who is that?”

  Azrael continued to pace. “‘Tis a Shadow Lord’s mate. All the women who rebelled from the kingdom of Neviah lost their creation abilities when the King of Neviah turned them into Shadows. They lost the ability to have children. A Shadow Lord can’t breed with humans. If he is going to create his own race of demonic offspring, he needs to find a true Neviahan woman to be his mate, one who still has the Lifelight.”

  I froze, trying to process what Azrael was saying.

  Korban continued, “He needs to find a Neviahan woman who will willingly marry him and give birth to his offspring. The only Neviahan woman here is you Aura. You’re the target.”

  I slapped my hand over my mouth to keep from gasping. It was the most horrible thing I had ever heard. Why would I, or any Neviahan woman, willingly do such a thing?

  “Where’s Lucas?” Azrael asked. “He might be in trouble.”

  My hands trembled. “The last time I saw him, he was at the feast.”

  “Baby and I will check the king’s chamber,” Azrael said. “Orion and Korban, search the main hall.”

  The three Neviahan men ran off in opposite directions down the hallway.

  I couldn’t just stay here and wait if Lucas was in trouble. Gripping my sword, I raced down the hallway toward Lucas’s room.

  Movement in the dark hall drew my attention. I slid out of sight and pressed my back against the wall. A line of decrepit, zombie-like Shadow Lords entered the war room and shut the door behind them. I stepped lightly with slow, deliberate movements toward the door, gripping my full skirt to keep it from rustling as I walked. Kneeling on the ground, I looked through the brass key hole.

  The rebel Shadow Lords and Shadow Spirits bowed to Lucas. He smiled and motioned for them to arise. Did Lucas understand what they were? Didn’t he see they were rebels? Dark clouds formed around my fiancé. Lucas snatched one of the Shadow Lords by the tunic and lifted him into the air with one hand.

  I covered my mouth. What was Lucas doing?

  “Your Shadow Wolves couldn’t take care of one mortal Watcher? Was the scent of venom not strong enough for your mangy dogs?” Lucas flicked his wrist and sent the Shadow Lord hurtling across the room. “I want her dead. She’s not powerful enough right now. After she dies, I’m sure she will return as an Immortal for her precious Lucas. Then we will make her an Immortal queen.”

  “Master,” one of the Shadow Lords addressed Lucas, “what about King Edward? Are we going to kill him and steal his body?”

  Lucas shook his head. “The king is an easy puppet to control. I won’t have anyone but me using such an influential human’s body, and I won’t give up this one yet.” He pointed to his chest. “This human identity is too powerful a lure for the Lady of Neviah.”

  I covered my mouth to keep from screaming. It couldn’t be true. There was only one way the rebel could have Lucas’s image—he was Lucas’s murderer. A dark reality crashed over me. The fire of revenge burned in my soul. I clenched my teeth and tears squeezed through my eyes.

  I was such an imbecile. How could I let this happen? The pieces to this puzzle sorted out in my mind. Since Lucas had returned, he never came into the sunlight and his hands were always cold. He even snared me into an agreement of marriage. How could I be so foolish and blind?

  The rebel in Lucas’s body held up my ruby necklace. “Now that I have this, Lucas’s mortal body won’t decay until long after Auriella accepts me as her husband.” The rebel curled his lips into a devilish smile. “Auriella will make a powerful queen and be the mother of a new Shadow empire. If she refuses, then . . .” He paused and laughed darkly. “She will not refuse me. I have her heart trapped in more ways than one.”

  A crippled woman hobbled from the crowd of rebels who surrounded Lucas.

  “Hazella?” I gasped and my hands shook. This just kept getting worse.

  Erebus took note of the old witch at his side. “You will be rewarded for helping to lead us to Auriella.”

  Hazella cackled and rubbed her hands together.

  “Though you were born a Watcher, you have proven your loyalty to the Shadow Legion. What reward would you ask?” Lucas asked. He held up a leather bag and shook it. The unmistakable sound of coins clanking together resonated from inside.

  “I be wantin’ a greater reward than that gold,” Hazella begged. “I be just as Neviahan as Auriella. Please take me ta be yer immortal Shadow Queen.”

  “You?” Lucas sneered. “But you are old, mortal, and barren. How can you be the mother of my damned offspring? I need a queen of power.”

  “I be a queen of power!” Hazella screamed and pointed at the ruby necklace Lucas wore. “Give me that there necklace and I be just as powerful as that wretched fire Watcher. Curse Auriella! Curse her and her Lifelight!”

  Lucas fingered the
necklace around his neck. “No,” he said. “I will not give any of my power away. But if your desire is to be a Shadow Queen, there is another way.”

  “Anything.” Hazella lowered her head worshipfully. “I be doing anything ta be immortal.”

  Erebus sneered. “I will strip you of this disgusting human image until you can find another. You must murder a human without damaging the body. Once she is dead, your dark spirit can become the host. Once that body grows old, you may abandon it and find another human body to take. In this way, you will have the immortality you crave.”

  “Yes!” Hazella crowed. “Yes, rid me of this body so I be findin’ another.”

  Lucas stretched out his hand. Obsidian mist shot from his fingers, enveloping the old witch. Blood oozed from her mouth, eyes, and ears. She shrieked as her body convulsed. Her hands strained in pain. Her white hair fell to the floor like dead straw. Hazella’s colourless eyes whirled in agony before they dropped from the sockets and bounced along the ground. Her flesh and muscles fell off her bones like a moth-eaten cloak. All that remained was her writhing skeletal frame. The jaw bone hung open, still screaming.

  Despite my dislike for the witch, my stomach turned watching Hazella suffer a hellish torture. Peaceful death refused to act out mercy.

  Finally Hazella’s bones crumbed into ash and her dark spirit was all that remained. A sinister laugh replaced her shrieking scream.

  “Go now and find your new human body,” Erebus instructed Hazella’s dark spirit.

  I fell back from the door and scrambled to my feet. My heart pounded. I moved clumsily as I fought to keep my balance on stiff legs and raced down the hallways back to my room. Hopefully Azrael, Korban, and Orion were already there waiting for me. I didn’t want to be alone after what I had just seen.

  I threw open my door and looked around the dark room.

  “They will be back any moment,” I told myself. I tried to compose my emotions and still my trembling body so I could report my discovery without breaking down into tears.

  I wrapped my arms around my waist and stumbled to the balcony doors. The man I promised my hand to was not the boy I’d known in my childhood—he was Lucas’s murderer. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen all the signs. I was so happy Lucas had returned that I was blind to what he really was.