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 yo
ur 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 demand 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 Throne Angel’s gaze drifts from me to the end of my sword, then she snorts. “That archaic sharp object will do nothing against me. Surely you must know this.”
“It’s not meant for you,” I say, rearing up and flinging it toward the Asphyx Demon. It slices through his outstretched gray, scaly forearm, and it thrusts him backward. With the sword pinning him momentarily to the couch, he squeals in surprise.
Not much passes my attention, and a demon being sneaky is certainly not one I’ll let go. If he has his way, the Asphyx can entrap Liam’s soul and call all of his demon buddies to feast on him until he’s a shadow of his former self. Not unlike the incubus, but in a non-sexual way.
In any case, no thanks.
From inside out, light erupts through the Asphyx’s veins at the point of the sword’s entry. The universal light breaks apart the skin on his arm as if it were a mirror being shattered in slow motion. Before the light has the ability to flood through to his torso, the Asphyx pulls his arm out of its socket and detaches it from his body entirely. Without so much as a scream, the gory mess of light and gray flesh flops onto the couch cushions. A stench rolls off the hunk of flesh, and I cover my nose to keep from gagging. The demon bolts upright, and the glowing green orbs for eyes land squarely on me.
“That was nasty,” I say, making a face.
Pulling back his lips, he snarls. “Do you know how long it will take to regrow that limb, Guardian?”
“Do I look like I care, Asphyx?” I retort, scrunching my face.
“Time is running out for your beloved human,” he sneers, drawing out the word long enough for the Throne Angel to take notice. “You can’t protect him much longer.”
“Beloved?” The Throne Angel says, turning her wheeled eyes on me.
“It’s…” I begin, shaking my head, “not like that. He’s human and I—”
It was a simple statement from the Asphyx demon, but it’s put me on the defensive more than any other weapon could have. And he didn’t even know what he was wielding.
“There are rules against such a fixation, Guardian.” She crosses her arms over her body. “Surely you know that.”
A shiver races up my spine. “I know. There are no rules being broken,” I mutter, backing up slightly. “He’s under my protection. N-nothing more. The demon was being glib.” Heat creeps up from the back of my neck, flushing my cheeks. I fight the instinct to cover it up with my free hand, but my back stiffens.
Regardless of my admonishment, the Throne Angel isn’t convinced. It’s clear across her stiff stature and burning gaze.
“Uh-huh,” she says, her wheeled eyes rotating counterclockwise.
My insides roll. I don’t know what I’m feeling—not really. And I sure as hell don’t know how Liam feels. This is all so new. Too new. There’s been no time to assess.
With his remaining hand, the Asphyx Demon’s fingers contort into odd shapes and angles as he works some sort of strange magic only he can command. Lightning begins to arc around his fingers, but before I can summon my next weapon, a strange odor fills the room—and it has nothing to do with him. The scent is potent, and even Liam covers his nose with the crook of his arm.
“Ugh. What is that horrible smell? What’s happening, Eva?” Liam asks, his voice muffled by the fabric of his shirt as he pulls it up over his face.
“I don’t know—” I say, flitting my gaze around the room.
Behind us, the origin of the odor becomes apparent as a Lurite Demon appears. His toothless grin and horrifying smell make my stomach lurch, and I want nothing more than to vanquish him quickly so it will dissipate.
“Oh, this looks my kind of party. Not every day you come into a mixture like this. Thanks for the invite,” the Lurite says, tipping his chin toward the Asphyx Demon. Then he raises a hand and points to the bloody stump. “Looks like you’re missing something.”
Without a word, the Asphyx raises his hand and jabs his remaining pointer finger in my direction.
“This is getting ridiculous,” I mutter, tipping my gaze to the ceiling. “Liam—do something.”
Without having to ask again, Liam crouches down, covers his ears, and takes a deep breath. Beside the Asphyx Demon, a portal begins to manifest, either to summon more buddies or to capture Liam.
“Oh hell no—” the Vengeance Demon proclaims, leaving the doorway to make his way through the growing cro
wd. “He’s mine. I had dibs before any of you lot knew he was on the market. His girl, er, ex-girl, gave me direct permission to—”
Without thinking, I summon a throwing star dipped in the blood of the ancients and fling it at his head. The Vengeance Demon shifts to the side just as it whizzes by his ear with millimeters to spare. His eyes open wide in surprise, then flash with horror and trademark vengeance. The sides of his face clench as he prepares to run at me. Quickly, I summon another weapon—this time a saber.
“Gods, Goddesses—angels, archangels, demons, and other beings—I release you from my previous request. I…uh—reinstate my protection shield, or whatever it’s called, and cast any beings not here for the betterment of my life out of my home and away from me,” Liam says, his words tumbling out in a gigantic run-on sentence. “But—but Evangeline can stay. I want her to remain by my side, and I want to continue to hear her.”
One by one, as if pulled by a ripcord, the demons are plucked from Liam’s home. The portal the Asphyx began shrivels up and crackles out of existence just as long, black fingers began to poke through.
The Throne Angel, on the other hand, takes another step forward, completely unfazed by the change in creed. If she could narrow her eyes, I swear she was doing it because the weight of her stare is unbearably uncomfortable.
“Judgement is a fickle thing, my dear Guardian. As I stated earlier, whether you like it or not, it has been set in motion, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it—no matter how much you wish it to be otherwise. You, however…you would do well to remember Judgement isn’t only reserved for the lower beings of humanity. You are not immune from its reach. Should the Guild learn—”
“There’s nothing to learn. He’s my charge,” I say, looking over my shoulder at Liam as he pulls his hands from his ears and looks around. “Nothing more,” I breathe, casting my gaze to the floor.
“It is not me you need to convince. It’s not my place to deliver Judgment for you at this time. I’m here strictly for the human. However, if a direct question is asked of me by someone of higher rank, it’s best you know I cannot lie as well as you,” she says, eyeing me unblinkingly.
Playing With Fire Page 81
