“Liam,” I warn, my voice calm and steady, “quickly—go inside and do not come out until I say it’s safe.”
His eyes widen and he looks over his shoulder, trying to see the source of danger.
“Wh…what’s going on?” he asks, his voice on the edge of quivering.
“Please, go inside,” I repeat. “I’ll come for you when the danger has passed.”
Before I finish my sentence, the demon leaps from the bushes; his turquoise eyes flash in contrast with his golden locks, as his perfectly shaped lips curl into a sneer. Between his meticulously groomed appearance and stylish outfit, I don’t even have to sense the sexual energy rolling off of the demon to know instantly what he is.
An incubus.
“How touching, angel. How very touching of you to spill such…sensitive details so freely. It touched my cold, dead heart. It truly did,” he says, crossing his arms behind his back and taking another step forward. “I’m curious, does your ever-important Guild know of your affections toward this… lower being? I’m surprised they approve of such a thing. And if not… well, it would be a pity for these details to somehow make it back to them.”
I tug my brows in, clutching my sword tightly. “I wouldn’t worry about me, demon. You should be more worried about yourself,” I say, summoning the support from the building blocks of the Universe to aid me and guide my sword.
“Demon?” Liam cries, his eyes widening as he takes a step back.
The incubus chuckles menacingly, not at all surprised by Liam’s shock, or the fact he can hear me. His eyes flit from Liam back to me, and a wicked grin once again spreads across his lips. “And yet, I’m simply not shaking in my stylish Chelsea boots, dear angelic one.”
The demon edges forward slowly until he stands between the door and Liam. His stature would make it impossible for Liam to get inside without accidentally coming into contact, and that would have dire consequences. A simple touch drives humans into the servitude of the incubus, even though they have no idea what’s going on. They simply think they have a sex addiction of some sort, but in reality, they’re being fed off of until they’re no longer useful. Then they’ll simply drain the human’s life force completely until they wither and die. Then they bring them back to life and start all over again—ensuring a lifetime, and then some—of servitude.
Liam takes a step toward the door, his eyes scanning the deck around him. His fight-or-flight instincts have kicked in, and part of him is geared up for the fight. After the night he’s had, he thinks an altercation would soothe the pain inside his heart. But he has no idea what he’s dealing with, or even how to fight it.
“Not that way. Go to the back door,” I command him, teleporting myself so I stand between Liam and the incubus.
“What’s happening?” he asks, his voice rising. “Why did you say demon?”
“Evil is here, that’s all you need to know. You mustn’t hesitate,” I say, my senses homing in as I anticipate my next move.
The incubus hisses, lunging at me with otherworldly speed, clearly done with our banter.
“Go—” I yell, summoning the element of water and commanding it to encircle the blade of my sword.
Liam stumbles backward, twisting on his heel as he makes an attempt to run. He almost trips over his own feet but regains his balance and races around the side of the house.
The demon leaps forward, taking its chance at following after Liam, but I’m quicker than he is. Swiping my sword through the air, I lunge forward and make contact with the incubus’s fingertips, lobbing off his right hand’s pointer finger in the motion. Instantly, his hand crackles as the skin freezes against the blade’s energy. It makes its way up his hand, forcing it to seize up and contort his remaining fingers at odd angles.
“Dammit, angel,” he curses, groping his hand to his chest. Blood splatters on his white button-down shirt, and his face tightens. “You’ve ruined one of my favorite shirts—and do you know how long it will take for my finger to regenerate? I’ll need extra feedings now, thanks to you. Hope that weighs heavy on that Guardian conscience of yours.”
“Don’t count on it—” I say, lunging forward and jabbing my sword toward the incubus’ exposed lower abdomen. “You won’t have the opportunity—”
He jumps back, narrowly missing the tip of my sword as his body thumps against the siding of the house. His turquoise eyes flash with anger, and the power of his suggestive mind scuttles across the outside of my aura.
I laugh at the attempt. He has no influence over angelic beings, and he knows it. His only chance is with Liam—or someone else—and there’s no way in hell I’m letting him get that far. He will die tonight.
Raising the sword up high, I arch around, swinging it with full-force in an attempt to end the incubus by severing him in two. Instead of fleeing for his life like any sane demon would have done, the incubus climbs the wall, creeping along the ceiling of the covered porch, and landing on the other side of me. Without stopping, he runs at full bore around the house after Liam.
Teleporting again, I phase through space just as Liam enters his house and closes the back door. The incubus slams down his anchors, trying not to come into contact with me or my weapon.
“You have nowhere to go, vile thing—admit it, this game is over,” I say, widening my stance and flaring my nostrils. “You have no weapons and no one to feed on. Instead, you’re basically flaccid, and you’ve met your end.”
“Flaccid. Ouch,” The demon sighs loudly and turns around. “Well since you put it that way…” he says, flicking his gaze upward.
Without waiting for another opening, I clench my teeth and thrust my sword toward his torso. This time, he’s more prepared as he sideswipes my maneuver and leaps over the railing of the wraparound.
My jaw tightens, and I jump the railing after him.
“Come back here—”
“Yeah, because that’s totally something on my agenda. Thanks, but no thanks,” he says, puffing up his chest. “Enjoy your time with lover boy in there—I have places I need to be. Important places,” he says, emphasizing the word.
My eyes widen.
He means the Guild.
There’s no way I can allow that.
Pirouetting around his body, I phase in and out, appearing just behind him as I wrap my arm around his throat. He clutches at my forearm, screaming at the contact of my holy energy against his own demonic presence. Bending forward, he throws me up and over his back, but I land on my feet and twist around with my sword ready.
As he stands, I swing the blade around. It makes contact with the side of his face, spattering blood across the grass. Squeals of pain and surprise erupt from the creature as he holds his blood back with his already-mangled hand.
The energy of my sword lights up along the side of his face, contorting his features into a mangled, bloody mess. With ungodly speed, he comes at me, plowing his head and shoulder into my abdomen and knocking me backward. I land hard on my back, losing contact with my sword for a brief moment.
It’s all the opportunity the incubus needed. He clambers to his feet and rears his foot up high before slamming it back down on the blade of my sword. With a micro shockwave, my sword breaks in two. Its light and elemental energy is severed as it goes completely inert.
I’ll need a new sword, and it won’t come cheap.
“How dare you,” I spit, struggling to sitting up. “You’ll pay, I swear to all that’s holy, you will.”
His eyes lock with mine and a slow, deliberate grin spreads across his lips. The slice across his cheek is deep, showing the hint of his cheekbone beneath.
“The feeling is very mutual,” he hisses.
Taking a step back, he waves with the tips of his fingers. The bloody nubs bob up and down. Without another word, he vanishes.
Slumping back on the ground, I exhale loudly. Partly in relief, partly in exhaustion and concern.
Getting a new elemental sword could bring about an investigation by the Guild, if they deem it
necessary. If the demon gets to them before I do, an investigation is imminent. They’ll open my memories and have a look for themselves. If that happens, they’ll have access to everything, and I’ll be sent to Purgatory. Then Liam…
“Liam—” I scream, scrambling to my feet and rushing into the house. “I swear—if that damn incubus—”
As I enter the home, I sense Liam’s presence in the living room and instantly find myself at his side. My eyes dart around the room, searching for any signs of the demon—or any others like him who may have been inadvertently given access to this space—but the home is, thankfully, devoid of any threats.
Liam holds still, sitting on the edge of his couch with his hands folded in his lap. His eyebrows are tugged in, and he inhales sharply.
“Are you… are you here, Eva?” he whispers, refusing to look up.
My heart flutters in my chest, and my knees suddenly feel weak.
He said my name.
Exhaling slowly, I take a seat beside him. “I am,” I breathe.
“Is…is everything okay now?” he asks, clenching and unclenching his jaw.
Biting my lip, I nod. “Yes—for now.”
“That didn’t sound very convincing,” he says, lifting his gaze to a meter or so in front of him.
I tilt my head to the side. “I suppose not. It’s just…there are forces…beings you’ve invited to you—and, well, I don’t know how many will want to answer your prayer. Together, we need to set some wards to keep the bad ones out.”
His face scrunches and his eyelashes flutter. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I place my hand on his back, wishing my touch meant more than simply a gentle energy of peace for him, “Don’t worry. I’ll walk you through it. It will mean more if you put your energy into the ritual. Once that’s done, things should go back to normal.”
His lips suddenly tug downward, and I feel anxiety flood through him rather than relief.
“Will that mean I can no longer hear you?” he asks.
I bite my lip. “I don’t know.”
“Eva…you said you…” he begins, but stops, letting his gaze once again fall to the floor.
“I know what I said,” I say softly.
“You’re my…guardian? What does that mean?” he asks, swallowing hard.
“I’m the angel assigned to your protection,” I whisper.
“Angels, demons.” His tongue slides across his lower lip, and he shakes his head, “I’m just…I don’t know what to think about this. I mean, am I having a nervous breakdown or something? I know all of this with Rachel is stressing me out, but—”
“You’re not crazy,” I say.
“Then what? What is this?”
“You’ve simply given permission you hadn’t before,” I offer.
“So, had I granted permission earlier, I would have been able to hear you?” he says, his eyes searching the room.
“Yes. No.” I sigh. “I don’t know. I honestly don’t know why you can hear me.”
“You were talking to someone—something. A demon?” he says.
“It was. Could you not hear him?”
He shakes his head. “No, just you.”
My eyebrows pinch together.
Why me and not him? We both had the same permission—
He stands, reaching his hand up and scratching at the back of his neck.
“This is all a bit—”
“Yeah,” I agree, not waiting for him to finish. I sit down on the couch beside him.
“If we do this warding thing and I lose contact with you, how am I meant to go forward knowing what I know?” he asks.
“There are ways. Maybe I can contact the Intermediaries. They can wipe your memory of any of this—” I say, my heart suddenly sinking. “If that’s what you choose.”
“And what if I don’t? What if I want to remember?” he asks, a sense of urgency in his tone.
I place my hand on his upper arm. “Then it’s a burden you’ll need to carry. But it won’t be easy.”
“Why can’t I just leave things as they are?” he says, turning toward the sound of my voice.
“Because I can’t always protect you from the forces of evil. There are times when I may not be here. Or I might be shielded from your outcomes. If you’ve invited them in, then it’s free will, and they can enter. They can do whatever you’ve asked them in to do,” I say, sighing. “And based on what you said, it’s a pretty loose interpretation.”
“What did I say?” he asks, swallowing hard. “I was honestly just desperate. I don’t even remember.”
“You asked for help to take the pain away—but you called upon anyone who would hear you. Gods, goddesses, angels, guardians. Everyone. And you said you’d do whatever it took. It’s pretty much like announcing a big bowl of candy for any fallen angels to come and have free reign,” I say, biting my lip. “I can’t leave you exposed this way.”
“Shit,” he mutters, running his hands through his hair. “I didn’t know.”
“Of course not—how could you? Most humans have no idea of the world they’re enveloped in.”
“I feel so stupid,” he mutters, standing up and walking over to the big picture window and looking out over his yard.
Following him, I stand at his side, casting my gaze out over the open landscape. The sunlight filters through the tree branches in the setting sun. Beyond the sanctity of his home, across the near-barren field of grass and sparse trees, I catch the movement from multiple beings closing in. As I tune in, their essence is mixed. Some good, some bad—and all with the intention of answering Liam’s prayer.
Chapter 3
A Congregation of Sides
Sucking in a breath, I reach out, trying to pull Liam back from the window. Of course, my fingertips only clutch at the energy between us, not truly making contact.
“Liam, we need to get working on reinstating your protection shield. Now,” I say, trying to sound calmer than I feel.
His left eyebrow quirks, as he tilts his head slightly. “Okay. Something up?”
“Yes, we’ve taken too long. Other beings are on their way, and if you don’t want to run into more trouble, we need to put the wards in place.” I close my eyes, willing him to step back.
“All right, what do I need to do?” he asks, turning around. His eyes search the room, trying to locate the source of my voice.
“For starters, you need to reverse the loophole you created. Adjust your prayer with a new one—and change your intention. But do it quickly,” I offer, flicking my gaze to the incoming entities.
It’s hard to say who—or what—they are, but I don’t want to find out.
“Uh, okay? I don’t know what to say. I mean, I don’t want to say the wrong thing again,” he mutters, scratching at the back of his head. “I’m not entirely sure what I even did last time.”
At least a dozen beings close in, each trying to be the first to arrive on the scene but pinpoint the best entrance to make. Some are nearer, some farther out. Mostly, they’re lower beings—not a single powerful God or Goddess amongst them. Surprising, considering the verbiage Liam used. My stomach unclenches a bit. Lower beings I can fight, but the sooner we close this opening, the better.
“There isn’t time to question the how…” I begin. “Just do your best. I have faith in you.”
All at once, two beings phase into the room. An Asphyx Demon sits down casually on the couch as if it’s simply waiting to be offered a drink. His bright-green eyes flash mischievously, standing out in direct contrast with his dingy gray skin. A couple of feet away, in the doorway to the kitchen, a Vengeance Demon leans against the doorjamb and surveys the room with suspicious surveillance. Rather than taking his demon form, he has chosen instead to appear more human, arriving in a white t-shirt and ripped-up denim. His blond hair is cropped short, with wavy spikes adorning the top of his head.
Right beside Liam’s left arm, a Throne Angel appears. Her glowing, wheel-covered eyes dem
and judgment. My pulse quickens, and I instinctively flick my hand open to draw out my elemental sword. Instead, a midget half-sword of lightning is summoned in its place.
“Dammit,” I curse under my breath. I’d already forgotten the damage done by the incubus.
Stepping around Liam I try to nudge him back with my energy, but he holds still, unable to sense the beings—or my push. Anxiety floods my being and for the thousandth time, I curse at not being able to physically touch my charge.
“Would you look at this? Pretty little Guardian thinks she still has to protect her human,” the Vengeance Demon chuckles, uncrossing his arms. “Evidently didn’t get the recent memo.”
“Liam, start praying,” I warn. “We’re no longer alone.”
The Throne Angel’s eyebrow twitches at my words but says nothing. She instead opts for simply watching and drawing conclusions. It’s what they do best. However, her close proximity does nothing to calm my nerves.
Liam swallows hard, his eyebrows tugging in and his nostrils flaring. “Okay, think Liam—think.”
Before he can get a word out to change his prayer, the Throne Angel steps forward and stands toe to toe with me. “You no longer have a place in this matter, Guardian. The wheels of fate have been set in motion by the human. Judgment is manifesting as we speak.”
“Mmmmhmmm, it sure is,” the Vengeance Demon says, nodding. “I gotta wish from a previous ex all about making him twist in judgment. It’s time to get busy.” He stands in the doorway, pretending to crack his knuckles.
“Like hell it is. He’s thirty-three and has a destiny to attend to. Judgment shouldn’t come until much, much later, so back off—both of you,” I say, glaring at the Vengeance Demon and back to the Throne Angel. “He made a mistake—he didn’t know how powerful his words were. And I don’t give up my charges that easily.”
I raise my half-sword in a defensive posture, eyeing them both.
“Destiny? Judgment?” Liam says, his voice a higher octave than normal. He takes a step forward, away from the congregation of sides as he drops to his knees in the middle of the living room.
The Chronicles of the 8th Dimension - Limited Edition Box Set (4 Books): A Supernatural Thriller Box Set Page 52
