Silence engulfed us as the air grew colder, the stone walls of the basement making my skin prickle.
Small wall lights lit the basement, and as we reached the bottom of the stairs, I glanced around.
The room was a decent size, with a desk and shelves all around. Boxes of files lined the shelves, and there were a few other odds and ends down here.
But I didn’t get a chance to look around too much as Creeper led me over to a solid, iron looking door.
It was already ajar, and we stepped into the second room.
Creeper stopped to close the heavy looking door behind us, cranking the large level lock so that it sealed tight.
The light in here was flickering, and as I turned back to face the room, I realized that there were actual fire torches on the walls.
The room was bare, save for the alter at the far end.
Not your typical altar either.
There was no cross, let alone Jesus nailed to it, instead, an iron pentagram was on the wall.
“Pentagrams signify protection from evil. Most suitable, I guess,” Creeper said when he noticed I was staring at it.
The white stone altar beneath it had a few candles lit on it, and my eyes moved to where Dezikiel stood, still in his suit, with my three other hellhounds.
“Come, Lily, midnight is near,” Dezikiel beckoned me over.
I glanced at Jack, then to Creeper beside me, who just nodded.
I drew in a sharp breath, my legs stiff and frozen.
Of course the fear would kick in now. I thought I’d been handling it all so well today.
But this was too real.
I was a demonic, something with powers and a rare bloodline.
It was mind-blowing.
I flinched as Creeper slipped his hand into mine, giving it a soft squeeze.
I glanced down at our joined hands, finding just his touch was anchoring me, helping me to calm myself.
I let out a shaky breath, meeting his dark eyes and smiling softly.
“Thanks,” I murmured.
He just nodded, starting forward, walking slowly with me.
Dezikiel stood patiently by the altar, and the other three hellhounds watched as I walked to stand before it with Creeper.
I stared down at the stone floor, my feet getting rather cold from it. But what intrigued me was the intricate pentagram carving that had a seven-foot radius, that I now stood within.
Creeper pulled us up so that I stood at the center of this carving on the floor, and then he turned to me.
I looked up at him, at those dark eyes that were clearly devoted to me. He just nodded softly, then slowly released my hand.
“Midnight is only minutes away, Lily. Don’t be afraid, it is nothing to be frightened of. This is who you are, what you were always bound to become. Something greater than humanity,” Dezikiel said, his voice echoing around the room. “For a millennia, mankind believed demons to be evil, but they knew not of the demonics who retained their souls. Human souls, entwined with the power and magic of demons, of Hell itself. And yet, they are not evil. Their souls are what make that possible. When midnight hits, I want you to remember your mother, of her love for you. She is the one, the reason you will retain your soul and yet gain abilities. You will become something greater, and we will teach you how to use that strength and power for good.”
I stood still as Dezikiel’s voice rang out, taking in every word he said.
The magic of Hell itself.
Had my mother known just who my father was? Did she know the truth of this world?
Or had she been used? Why was I created? What purpose did I serve?
“Focus, Lily. Midnight will be upon is in just a moment,” Dezikiel’s voice pierced the air with a sense of urgency.
I swallowed, closing my eyes as I clasped my hands together.
I focused on my mom, on her laughter that I still remembered, on her sweet face. I thought of the photo I had of us, of all the joy and happiness we’d had.
I missed her.
I wanted so badly to see her again, just one last time. I wanted her to know I wasn’t crazy. That the monsters were my friends, that they’d looked out for me since she’d gone.
That I wasn’t alone.
I gritted my teeth as I felt a burning begin deep inside me, scorching through my very soul and exploding through all my veins and nerve-endings.
This was it.
Jack (Jorkan)
I felt when midnight struck. We all did. Lily still had her eyes closed, but I could feel the hellfire within me raging, and as I looked to my brothers, I saw their eyes ignited, burning with the fires of Hell that had forged us.
We began moving, and I couldn’t explain how I knew what I was supposed to do.
We took up positions around her, kneeling down as our horns burst forth.
I felt my canines lengthen as I knelt before her, my hellfire burning and begging for me to complete the shift.
I knew my brothers felt it too, their eyes flickering with the same desire.
I snarled, bowing my head as I felt the fire explode forth, encasing my body as it underwent the shift.
Growls and snarls rose up around me, and then I stood, in my half-shifted state.
We all stood in these forms, facing Lily as she lolled her head back to gaze up at the ceiling.
Then her mouth fell open, and I felt her power break through as her eyes lit up with a blinding white light.
She raised her arms, the light pouring from her eyes and lighting up the room.
I felt like I was in a trance, obeying some strange rules set out long ago as I stepped forward, along with my brothers.
We rested our clawed hands on her shoulders, covering one another’s hands as we felt her very essence and power pulsate through us.
That blinding light flickered red, and then the hellfire exploded forth from her.
We held on as it scorched over us, tingling against our impervious black fur coats, burning through the room.
I didn’t even think of Dezikiel as we all stepped closer to her.
Our bodies drew in the hellfire, sucking it from the room and preventing further damage.
The light bursting from her eyes faded, and Lily collapsed, smudges of ash marring her skin where her clothes had been burned away.
We sank to the floor with her, laying her down as our bodies shifted back to human.
It didn’t bother me that we were naked, just that she was okay.
Creeper nudged her shoulder gently, but she didn’t respond, her eyes closed.
“Lily?” I murmured.
“She’s fine. It’s taken a lot out of her.”
I turned to Dezikiel, grateful he’d shielded himself from the flames with… them. Something I knew Lily would want to know about. She sensed he wasn’t like the rest of us. Not that we could tell her. Dezikiel didn’t like us telling, and not all of the students knew about him.
She’d find out, in time.
Dezikiel joined us, checking over Lily before nodding.
“She’s completely fine, just unconscious and worn out. That was a lot of power that awoke inside her. You boys did well extinguishing that hellfire. I’ve never seen so much explode out of a demonic before, and not with such power entwined in it. She truly is special,” he said, murmuring the last part.
He adjusted his suit before nodding to us.
“Take her to her room, Jack, clean her up please, and put her to bed. She deserves a good rest.”
I nodded as I slid my arms beneath her body.
I lifted her with ease, and her head lolled against my chest. I carried her from the basement, the other three following behind me closely like soldiers behind their commander.
Behind Lily.
She was going to be okay.
So why was having her naked form in my arms making my heart race?
I didn’t want to think about it right now. I had a task to do, and I’d focus on that.
But I found myself
smiling softly as I carried her all the way to her room.
Nineteen
I awoke with a start, sucking in a breath as I sat up.
“You okay?”
I turned to spy Bug in my reading nook, putting down his book and heading over.
I glanced down, quickly pulling the blanket up and covering myself.
“Where are my clothes?” I hissed, looking around frantically. “And how did I get to my bed? And why have you got horns?” I fired off the questions, noting the horns protruding from his head with a frown. They were two-pronged and oddly suited him.
“They got burned off, and Jack carried you,” Bug said as he sat down on the edge of the bed and gave me a gentle smile. “As for my horns, sometimes they randomly sprout. It’s why I can’t leave the mansion like the others.”
“He carried me, naked,” I stammered, unable to focus on what he’d said about his horns. I was more stressed that they’d seen me naked.
“Well, we were all naked. We shifted and withdrew the hellfire that came forth from you,” he clarified.
“We were all… naked?” I mumbled in disbelief.
“Jack cleaned you up too, you had ash on you from your clothes,” he said with a wide smile.
I felt like my face was on fire.
Jack had seen all of me naked… and he’d even cleaned me.
I could never look at him again.
Hell, they’d all seen me naked.
“Wait, hellfire?” I frowned.
“Yeah, big explosion of hellfire. Was strange actually, the power that awoke in you affected us too. It was like we were programmed to do what we did,” Bug said, his brow creasing.
“What did you do?” I asked, still covering myself with my blanket. I didn’t remember much after standing in that pentagram and closing my eyes.
“We all shifted, took up a formation around you. Felt a power inside us too. Then we held onto you as the hellfire was unleashed. You collapsed after that, and Dezikiel said to bring you back to your bed to rest,” Bug relayed.
“Dezikiel, is he okay?” I gasped.
“Yes, he’s fine. A little hellfire is nothing for him,” Bug chuckled.
“He’s not a demonic though. Are demonics immune to hellfire?” I asked quickly.
“No. Not all demons are immune either. Lower class ones will be destroyed by hellfire, so Xander would perish. But higher class demons, ones who’ve walked through Hell for a great time, have developed an immunity. Demonics aren’t immune, except for the few who can wield it, but hellhounds are immune. You know, being forged in Hell and all that,” he explained, dodging the statement about Dezikiel, which I didn’t miss.
“Is he an angelic?” I asked. It was something I’d considered.
“You could say that,” Bug nodded.
I just sighed, closing my eyes as my mind whirled. Just like Dezikiel said, everything made more sense now. The whole revelation of demonics and angelics didn’t bother me now. I guess being awakened and becoming a true demonic did that.
“Sucks about your horns,” I said as I opened my eyes and glanced at them. They were slowly receding now.
“I’m used to it. Probably why I love reading so much, since I can’t leave here until I get a handle on my horns.”
I just nodded, feeling sorry for him. To be unable to explore the world.
“I’m sorry about your name,” I blurted.
“Hmm?” Bug cocked his head at me, and I had to bite my lip at just how utterly adorable he looked like that.
“Bug. You were always so nervous, it made me think of a jitterbug. Hence why I called you Bug. I can’t believe it stuck, I’m sorry,” I murmured as I looked down at my bracelet. Guess the sterling silver didn’t melt. Either that or I’d somehow protected it from my hellfire. Or it was charmed. Jack did say Hadley and Diane had helped him choose it. They’d probably spelled it to withstand a lot.
My pendant was perfectly intact, but considering it was a gift from my father, that didn’t surprise me.
“Don’t be sorry. I’ve always been like that actually,” he chuckled as he glanced over at the window overlooking the garden. “I actually like the name. It’s simple and easy, and reminds me that I’m special, that you took the time to give me a nickname which suited me.”
Well, that was good then. I could feel less guilty for giving him the odd nickname.
“Hey, when Jack scratched me those times, I healed up fast, like, within a day. And they were nasty gashes, but they’d stop bleeding in seconds. Any idea why?” I asked, the odd thought popping into my head as he toyed with his elastic band around his wrist.
“Dezikiel thinks that because we were created to protect you, we can’t actually harm you. Any injuries caused by us are temporary and heal quickly,” Bug said as he turned back to look at me, a smile playing at his lips. “We would never hurt you, Lily.”
“I know,” I whispered. They’d been by my side for four years, I trusted them.
“Well, I bet you’re excited to start learning how to wield your hellfire, plus dive into everything else,” Bug grinned.
He was right, now that my initial uncertainty had been demolished and my fear gone, I was rather excited.
“When does that start?” I asked, unable to keep from smiling.
I felt alive, more alive than I’d ever felt before, like a fire had been rekindled deep inside me.
In a way, one had.
“Well, if you’re up for it, I’m going to head to breakfast shortly, then I’m off to see Mr Baron. I’m sure he’ll be keen to see you. There’s no real set schedule, they let us know what time things are on at lunch. We all go to the classes together, but sometimes you can get one on one time with the teachers if you need it. That’s why they’re there, so you can access them at any time,” Bug informed me.
“Okay, well, let me shower and brush my teeth, I’ll be ready in a moment,” I said excitedly, nearly forgetting I was stark naked. I remembered just as I went to climb out of bed.
“Um, do you mind…” I mumbled, biting my lip as he realized and nodded quickly.
He stood up, heading over to grab his book before making his way to the door.
I waited until he’d left my room before shooting out of bed and straight into the shower.
My life had been through one hell of a twist, and now, now a new chapter was unfolding, and I was quite excited.
I showered quickly, brushing my hair and throwing it up in a ponytail before brushing my teeth and heading into my closet for clothes. I picked out some ratty jeans and a plain grey tee. I glanced at my sneakers, then pulled them on. I doubted going barefoot to my classes was a good idea.
I found Bug waiting for me at my door, and he smiled brightly at me, his book in hand, still opened from where he’d been patiently waiting and reading.
“You look nice,” he said, and my cheeks flushed.
“Thanks,” I gave him a lopsided smile as I glanced at the cover of the book.
The Hobbit.
“Good book?” I asked, trying to force my hot cheeks to go away.
“Yeah, really good. I hear it’s been made into movies,” he said, still smiling at me. Those dark eyes were swallowing me up, searching mine as his smile softened.
My heart hammered at his sudden closeness, and I ended up breaking my gaze away, nervously glancing down at my worn sneakers.
“Let’s go, we’ll miss breakfast,” he said, offering me his arm.
I gave him an odd look, but then hooked my arm through his as he beamed at me.
Strangely, it felt right, and I rested my other hand on his arm as we walked.
“We all spoke last night after your awakening. Discussing things. We think it changed us too.” Bug shared his thoughts as we walked.
“What makes you think that?” I queried, loving how warm his arm was through his plaid shirt. He looked like a young cowboy in his plaid shirt and jeans, and I found myself forcing my eyes away. He really was quite attractive, and my
heart had sped up just by touching him so innocently. He smelled so good too, a scent I was growing fond of, the slightly charred scent of my hellhounds. Just being so close to him was making me all giddy and nervous. I felt like I was thirteen again and crushing on the boy in my Math class.
“Well, we felt bound to you since we were created. Now, we feel something, well, more. We also feel stronger physically. We tested it out in the training yard outside. Seems we may have gotten stronger, and faster. Which is saying something, as we were pretty swift before,” he stated, then gave me a side glance. “And I’ve been noticing that you draw out emotions in all of us. Feelings. I can also tell, that right now, I’m making you a little nervous. I can feel it, somehow.” He frowned down at me as he inadvertently flicked the elastic band on his wrist.
I pursed my lips at this, averting my gaze.
“Why are you nervous?” he asked, his voice rather soft, as if he was afraid of the answer.
Well, I certainly didn’t want to answer that, but the way he was flicking his elastic band, even with my arm hooked through his, proved that he was a little distressed by it.
“I think you guys bring out feelings in me too,” I said slowly, my cheeks burning. Ugh. Why did they have such an effect on me? They all did. Even before last night. All of yesterday I’d tried to deny how I felt around them.
They were hellhounds, my hellhounds, not potential partners. So why did I keep having these feelings?
“Oh,” was all he said as he chewed his cheek. At least he’d stopped flicking the elastic band.
My stomach was knotting, and I felt a little queasy at admitting it to him.
But as I glanced up at him from the corner of my eye, my heart skipped a beat at the small smile on his face.
And then I focused, not just seeing his smile, but feeling his delight at knowing I felt something for him too.
It shocked me, and as quickly as I felt it, it slipped away.
Was that what he’d meant when he’d said he could feel it? This was weird.
Wicked Souls: A Limited Edition Reverse Harem Romance Collection Page 91
