The Society Series Box Set 2

by Mason Sabre

  “You promised him that?” Nina asked. Demons would promise anything. Edward had to know that.

  “No, that was what he wanted.”

  “And I bet you didn’t tell him you can't make someone fall in love with him.” Fucking demons. He would have twisted it for Edward. Made it seem like he was promising the earth, when really, he was promising nothing but an eternity of slavery for his soul.

  Arioch paused, tilting his head to one side like he was listening to something. “People are coming. Why?” He shook his head. “Why do they always think they can save the child? Morons.”

  Arioch hadn't noticed Henry yet, who was peeking out from a corner farther back. Nina made eye contact with him and gave a quick shake of her head. Jumping Arioch would not work now. They had lost the surprise. Right now, she wasn’t at all sure how she would get Arioch from Mike’s body.

  The stone in Edward’s hand was a replica from the one in the stone room, but it was his earthly vial—the one he could not slip in and out of with ease. They should have used that when they had incarcerated him. It was harder to do, but much better in the long run. He would have a hard time being summoned from his cage then.

  The skies above them crashed suddenly, like the clouds were alive with storms. They opened, cracking in half in places, shades of blues and purple emerging … so many hues of colour decorating the sky and turning it darker. Almost like the Northern lights somehow being seen in the daytime. The wind swept up, strong and wild, thrashing, bringing the promise of bad weather …

  But that wasn’t what was coming.

  Taking advantage of their distraction, Henry ran for Edward before he noticed him. Slamming into him, he knocked him to the ground and rolled with him. Edward pushed against him, but it wasn’t Edward Henry was after—it was the stone. He grabbed it from Edward’s grasp. “Nina,” he shouted as he launched the stone at her.

  “Nooo ...” Arioch rushed forward, reaching for it, but he was thrown backwards before he could get anywhere close as Roman landed, large, black, glistening wings out behind him. Perfect white hair was cropped short, and bright eyes looked out of a preternaturally beautiful face. He sucked in a breath.

  “Roman …” Nina squeaked.

  “Nina.”

  “I …” She didn’t know what she was going to say, but her stomach clenched at the sight of him. Roman, Aboas’ right-hand man. Aboas asked and Roman did—though sometimes Roman did of his own accord. Either way, he was not one to go against ... Probably as close to the top as one could get. “I’m sorry.”

  Someone below screamed, making them all turn. “I’ll jump,” Arioch warned. “I’ll kill this little fucking shit. You can't stop it.”

  Roman fixed him with deep cobalt eyes—eyes that were as cold as he was. “Do it,” Roman said. “Then you’re mine.”

  “You will let me kill a Human? One of the precious things?”

  Roman shrugged nonchalantly. “They are of no interest to me.” Roman was old—very old. Humans in his eyes were nothing more than insects that lived out a cycle over and over again—birth, devouring, and then death.

  “He can't just kill him,” Nina gasped. “It isn’t right.

  Roman was fast, so fast that no one actually saw him move. One moment Arioch was threatening to jump and the next he was being held over the crowd. Roman had one strong hand around his throat, holding him out with no effort at all. “If you really wanted to jump, you would have done it already, and you would have picked somewhere a lot higher than this. If you jump from here, you’d be lucky if you broke a leg.” Roman’s voice was deep, vibrating along the earth, demanding authority.

  Arioch wriggled in his grasp, trying his hardest to pry Roman’s fingers from his throat. He stopped breathing for a second, eyes locked on Nina, but then the grin was back across his face.

  Shit. He was going to jump … or let Roman drop him.

  His face flushed red, his eyes swelling, the whites turning red. Every part of him suddenly seemed to turn a darker shade of red, then purple. No, he wasn’t going to jump.

  “Arioch …” Nina sprang forward. The boy’s eyes bulged in his head, his cheeks pressing outwards, his bones cracking within the confines of his body with a sickening series of snaps. But Roman held on, raising a hand to Arioch’s face. “No, you do not do that.” But even as he said that, the boy exploded in his grasp, covering him and everything around him with bits of blood and flesh and skin. The crowd below shrieked as parts of Mike landed on them. Shit. That was exactly what Arioch needed.

  Roman launched himself upwards, soaring in a flash of white, blue and black into the air. Roman aimed for a tiny shimmer—the way the air shimmers when it is hot. Reaching up, he grabbed it.

  He landed with a thud, the ground quaking beneath him from the force. Arioch was in his grasp once more—Roman had grabbed him from the air before he could get into another vessel. Nina expelled a heavy sigh of relief. The scream of the ethereal spirit as it struggled to get free was louder than any Human could ever stand.

  “Nina,” Roman commanded, launching Arioch at her with perfect aim, “open the stone.”

  She snapped it open, aiming it at Arioch as he sailed through the air to her. His desperate face stared at her, his eyes pleading, but she snapped it shut on him and immediately smeared it with angel dust to seal him in there.

  The stone throbbed in her grasp, the life inside it screaming to be let free. Fuelled with anger and the chaos that he had devoured, she held the stone to her chest and shut her eyes tight for a moment before raising them once again to Roman.

  “You are wanted by Aboas,” he said, standing in front of her. He was huge, taller even on this plane. Such a deadly force, the very presence of him enough to make anyone stand to attention. “You and Jas face charges.”

  “Jas? No ...” She shook her head, her heart dropping to her feet. “Please don’t punish Jas for this. It was all me.”

  “Jas let you stay here. He lied for you. Whatever measurement his part is, is of no concern to us. He chose not to stop you. Jas has chosen his fate … as have you.”

  “And what will that be?”

  An almost sinister smirk spread across Roman’s face. Whatever it was, it wasn’t good.

  “Please spare Jas. I beg you.”

  “There is no mercy for what you have done.”

  Nina clutched the stone to her, the whisper of Arioch filtering through. Her Human form could hear him. I can grant you … Fake promises trailed off as she tried not to fall into them. That was all demons were … they promised the very thing the heart wanted ... Jas’ freedom. Arioch’s idea of that, though, would differ greatly from hers.

  “The stone needs binding,” Roman said. “So much clean up to be done here.”

  “I will do it,” she said, lifting her head with the last vestiges of dignity left in her.

  “You will.” He held a long arm out to her, his hand pale. Roman was an odd colouring. No one matched him. His skin was a milky complexion, like his hair. Only his wings and eyes seemed to bear any colour. The blue seeped down his face from his eyes, like tattoos under his skin, down his arms and to his wings, where it ended at the tips. Some said he could see all around him like that. “Give me the stone.”

  Nina stood, clutching it to her. Still Arioch sang to her from inside, whispering promises he would grant her. But she fought back, refusing to listen. It was heavy in her hands, so heavy.

  Something pulled against her, making her wince from the agony in her wing. Pain exploded there for a fraction of a second, and before Nina could see what it was, Edward had spun her around and snatched the stone from her. Clasping it tight, he backed away from them, going to stand by Lisa.

  “He is mine. We had a deal.” He shuffled closer to the girl. “You all need to leave.”

  Chapter 10

  Edward grabbed the tie that held Lisa’s hands in place and gave it a yank. She hadn't been secured to the chair, but aside from rubbing the aches out of her arms, sh
e didn’t move.

  “Get up,” Edward demanded.

  Wide, desperate eyes searched Nina’s, darting to Roman and Henry’s for some help, but there was none to be found just now. They all waited on Edward’s next move.

  “Stay back, and she doesn’t get hurt.”

  Roman let out a long drawn out sigh. “Do you think I care if she is harmed? Now give me the stone.”

  “It’s mine.”

  “Please, Edward,” Nina begged. She knew what Roman could do. If she could talk him down, she could save him … from pain, at least.

  Roman didn’t care if he had to kill the boy, either, but Edward—foolish, idiotic, stupid Edward—grabbed Lisa by the arm and dragged her along to the edge of the roof. She stumbled, letting out a yelp. Edward dug his fingers into her arm. “Move,” he said and shoved her to the very edge of it. “If you make me, I’ll push her off.”

  Roman shook his head in irritation. “Just give me the stone, Human. I will not ask you again.”

  “It is mine,” Edward snarled. Idiot. He was no match for one of the head Seraph. Not even his pet demon was a match for Roman. Sometimes Nina wondered if Aboas would be able to call off his head man if needed. Roman was that strong. He emanated power with every move he made.

  It would only take one big-booted footstep to get him to Edward. “Wait,” Henry called, rushing up. He held his hands out in front of Roman, then turned to the boy.

  “It’s mine. None of you can have it. I paid for it,” Edward spat out. “Mine.”

  Henry rolled his eyes. “Yes. It is yours. You have said that already.”

  “Then leave me alone.”

  He paused, a thoughtful knuckle at his lips. “You paid for it, I understand that. One soul for one gift. Like all Humans and love. You give over the very gift of life to purchase what does not belong to you, and never will. This girl will never love you. Not like you want.”

  “She will. He promised.”

  “You will be content with a love that is forced? Fake?” Nina cut in, daring to step forward, very aware of Roman, the snake waiting to strike at any second. It was a dance between them all—one delicious dance that Roman would end any second.

  “She is mine. This is mine. You can't have them.” He dug his fingers into the stone, backing away. Roman rushed at him, his eyes a fierce blue now. “No,” Edward yelled. He thrust his hands inside the stone, somehow breaking the seal, making the whispers grow louder, making them into an echo the wind carried itself. They whispered such promises that they could all hear him. She ran to the other side of Edward, and Henry flashed to the girl.

  He was fast, but not as fast as Roman. There was a chorus of cries and yells from below as Lisa slipped. Henry grabbed her hand, her face bashing off the edge of the roof, bringing a scream from her throat, but he held on fast. The stone opened with a crack at the same time—thick, dark liquid spilled from it, bringing Roman to a stop. He thrust a hand at Nina, knocking her back.

  The black tar spilled out and landed on the ground, pooling around Edward’s feet as Henry pulled Lisa up from the edge.

  The tar wrapped itself around Edward’s feet, around his childish trainers and jeans, snaking itself up along his body. It sunk into his shoes, wedging its way under his jeans, sucking into every available place it could find, pulling itself up. Edward yelled, fighting against it, yanking his feet, but they were stuck fast to whatever it was coming from the stone.

  “Help me,” he wailed, thrusting his hands out towards Nina. She made a move towards him, but Roman held her back.

  “There is nothing you can do for him now. The Human has chosen his fate.”

  “Help him. Please.” He hadn't known what he was choosing. He was just a stupid kid. “I know you can.”

  “I can snap its neck and kill him faster, if that is what you wish.”

  “Damn you, Roman,” Nina cried. “He’s just a kid.”

  Roman flicked his wrist out, sending Nina flying backwards without even having to touch her. She slid along the ground until her back smashed into the wall of the shed. Her head slammed off the brick. The world rocked around her, her sight growing hazy.

  Edward was on the ground now, the tar up his leg, reaching his crotch. He twisted to get away, but only … his upper body faced the wrong way. He screamed with it, loud and childlike, feeding the demon with his fear and chaos, giving Arioch exactly what he wanted.

  Roman retrieved the stone and flipped the top open. The tar travelled up along Edward’s body, wrapping itself around his stomach, his chest. With an unnatural move, he got to his hands and knees. Tears streamed down his distraught face as he let out another scream. The tar slid upwards, going to his mouth and pushing itself inside. His scream turned into a gurgle as the tar slid down his throat, cutting off his breathing.

  Arioch would take his soul now. That was what demons did. They removed the soul from the body it was offered from, dumped it out and took the body for themselves. Edward was still trying to scream … what was left of his face burned red.

  He clutched at the tar in his mouth, trying to claw it out, bringing away blood as he scratched at himself. It was a relief when he slumped forward, landing on his face, his body twitching violently as the tar invaded the last of him, going to his brain and taking over everything. He arched his back one last time, and then suddenly, he stopped. Edward’s body remained still for a moment, but then his head rolled backwards and just like the shimmer that had come from Mike, a shimmer rose from Edward, but it was fuller, lighter, like clear jelly rising out of his mouth and into the air.

  When it was all gone, Edward’s body rolled to the side, but Roman kicked him, thrusting a boot into the boy’s back.

  “Stop! You can’t do this to him. He’s just a kid,” Nina yelled. “He’s only Human.” He would never be able to take a beating from Roman. No one could ever take a beating from Roman.

  “Not anymore,” Roman ground out, thrusting his hand into Edward’s back and yanking the boy up with no effort at all. Edward’s eyes opened, but there were no longer whites to his eyes, just pure, glossy black. His face twisted in hatred, his body hanging loose like a rag-doll. His skin had aged beyond his years in a matter of seconds. The sight horrified Nina, turning her stomach. Shit. What Roman said was true. Edward was no longer in there. All that was left was the demon he had sold his soul to.

  Roman plucked a feather from one of his own wings—a shimmering, deep blue feather, lit from the powers within him. “No time for you to get comfortable.” He dragged the feather along the boy’s throat, using the soft edges, splitting the skin as if he had used the sharpest of blades, and spilling blood and tar down Edward’s chest. Opening the stone, he shoved it under Edward’s throat, catching everything that dripped down.

  “Come, demon. Come and play.” He muttered something in Seraph, the blue veins along his face and shoulders lighting up, nearly bursting from his skin as they bulged. Cracks around the stone lit up for a second as light passed through them, and then it was gone, leaving nothing but smouldering blackness.

  Roman tossed the boy to the ground like a piece of trash, discarding him without a second thought. He turned to Nina, making her panic rise in her chest as his eyes fell on her. “Now we go back.”

  “Yes.” She nodded, slow and heavy, her heart breaking in her chest. She wasn’t worried about her. They could do whatever they wanted … but Jas … This wasn’t his fault.

  I’ll save you, Jas. I will. I promise.

  ***

  Nina had walked the halls a thousand times. She knew them like the back of her hand. They were home … comforting. A place where she could be herself. It wasn’t until she was away from them that she realised how much she had missed them, but right then ... God … right then, she would do anything to be as far away from them as possible. Roman’s boots thundered against the solid marble floor. His thick wings shimmered as he moved, making him beautifully dangerous.

  Her wings were torn, bloody, nothing but a me
ss and disgrace to her kind—just as she was. She walked with her head bowed, even though everything in her screamed to walk with her head held high. But arrogance would get her killed, and worse, maybe Jas, too. Suddenly, boredom wasn’t looking so bad after all.

  Darius walked behind her. She could feel his eyes boring into her back. She wanted to tell him she was sorry—sorry for dragging him into this shit. This wasn’t his fault, either.

  Roman pushed the giant doors open, his muscles bunching in his arms. Nina followed in behind him, her heart sinking. So many of the Seraph in there, waiting, watching—ready to damn her for what she had done. The shackles on her wrists clinked as she moved.

  “Sire,” he said as he greeted Aboas, leading Nina to the centre of the room.

  Jas was sitting in a chair in the corner, his wings draped over the back. He leaned back, calm, but the way his shoulders bunched and the way his hand rested on his leg, Nina knew that Jas was anything but calm. It was just better to give that appearance to people. She never wanted to show fear.

  “I’m …” Nina was about to say she was sorry, but the words died on her lips when Aboas didn’t move, his back to her. He was fiddling with something—probably his great mortar where he mixed items, usually blood. His all-seeing pool of everything. He shook his head when she spoke, and Nina snapped her mouth shut.

  “I do not wish to hear your apologies. We are beyond that now.” When he turned, his eyes landed right on her, burning her. She sucked in her breath, squaring her shoulders. He was beyond anything she had ever seen, and even though Nina had seen Aboas before, he was truly a magnificent sight to behold. “It is our purpose to guard those down on Earth,” he began. “Not for us to unleash the evil onto them and have their blood spilled.”