Warrior

by Jana LaPelle

  “Seriously, guys, what is up?” I ask in frustration.

  Tarron turns back to me, his eyes serious, “Mo solas, let us protect you.”

  “By all means, can we not have a look? Luc said she was a bit of a spit fire, let us have a looksee. We don’t bite. Do we brother?”

  I’m at the end of my patience and exclaim, “Enough!” I imagine standing in front of the two princes of hell, and I trace. I find myself front and center of the two very large fallen angels before me. “Damnation, but you two are tall, and imposing.”

  “Is this better, tiny goddess?” One of them asks.

  The two take a couple of steps toward me, and as they do so, their size diminishes until they are no taller than my two protectors. Both males are smiling down at me, their white teeth gleaming against the dark brown of their skin. They both are sporting beards that are trimmed close to their square jawlines, just like the hair on their head. The two males are beyond handsome and share a thoroughly mischievous grin, and both appear to be identical except for the eyes. One has warm chocolate brown eyes that twinkle as they watch me take them in, and the other has unexpected green eyes, and I whisper, “Lust and envy.”

  The one with warm chocolate brown eyes asks, “Yes, but do you know, which is which?”

  I bite down on my lower lip before responding, “That’s easy, I think. Green eyes. Like the term, green with envy.”

  “Well then, brother, the jig is up, she has figured us out.” Asmodeus says.

  “That’s no fun, tiny goddess,” Leviathan scolds in a teasing tone. “The least you could have done was play along.”

  “I’m sure that Luc shared with you my intense dislike of being called little or tiny, so cut it out.”

  The two smirk and Dez says, “As you wish…, tiny goddess.”

  “Seriously? Why does everyone have to point out my height disadvantage?” I sigh in exasperation.

  Tarron speaks up, “My lords, thank you for your hospitality. We are much appreciative. We are anxious to rescue Alaric, her kindred.”

  “Well…, I fear that will be a difficult task. You see, Mammon has entered him into the games. He is set to face his first opponent in one click or…, what is the term you will understand? Tomorrow. You will not see him until then, unless Mammon decides to put him on exhibition tonight to increase the bets on the games, and that is entirely possible since we have invited him to a little soiree to be held in your honor, tiny goddess.”

  “But I want to see him… now! We’ve traveled all this way. Please…” I beg, suddenly weary.

  “I’m sorry, tiny goddess, but we have certain rules to follow. Tonight, we celebrate. Tonight, tiny goddess, you will be my guest, my date, you will sit by my side, and you will enjoy yourself.” Asmodeus has staked his claim on me, just like Luc said he would.

  “I will do as you wish. Only, if you enter me into the games.”

  “What? No!” Tarron exclaims.

  “No, Little Bit, you can’t do that.” Tolin demands and then begins to pace with his hands on his head looking just a little freaked out at the prospect.

  Asmodeus has not taken his eyes off of me when he pronounces, “So be it, it will be so. We will look forward to your skills in the arena.” Effectively shutting Tarron and Tolin down. It is clear we are not in control here.

  ‘Brother, we share her? If not…, I will fight you for her.” Levi announces, and he sounds entirely serious.

  Yes…, dear brother, we share her. She is so enticing. She is our prize. Aren’t you, Ashlinn? You will do whatever we ask, just as long as you get to see your kindred. Isn’t that right?”

  My two protectors begin to shift nervously at my back, and I narrow my eyes at the two Fallen in front of me, “I thought that you were loyal to Luc? We were to be your guest, as we are Luc’s guest in his realm.”

  “We are loyal to Luc…, for now, but Mammon gains power while Luc follows our creator’s path. We are simply… hedging our bets, so to speak. Have you forgotten where you are? You are at the mercy of us both, it’s not called the Citadel of Depravity for nothing.” Asmodeus cocks his head, waiting for my reaction and I hear both Tarron and Tolin swear behind me. Both laying a hand on either shoulder possessively, and I find that I’m rather glad the Jasmine retracted her wings to hide away in my hair.

  I look at the both of them, and realize that I’m disappointed in the two, but I should have seen this coming. Luc warned us to not trust them, shaking my head I say, “Honestly, I should have expected this. No one in this realm makes anything easy. I will be your guest. I will play my part, but make no mistake, I’m no one’s date except for Alaric’s. We are kindred, we are soul bound, nothing changes that, nothing!”

  Chapter 16

  (Alaric)

  Ashlinn is here. Even through our muted bond I can sense her presence. Evidently, I’m to present myself for a gala event within the citadel. Mammon must think much of me since he will not allow my chains to be unbound for this event. Apparently, my being here is symbolic in nature. Mammon simply wants to show off his latest acquisition. I march into the room with my shoulders squared and my head held high, my bound wrists before me, the shackles bind my hands together, the chains hang below my wrists, quietly clinking together for everyone to see. My attire is simple, I’m dressed in only a pair of white linen drawstring pants that sits low on my hips, my feet are bare, as is the rest of me. Mammon wants everyone to see the scars that remain on my back from my time with The Morrígan. I have two guards on either side of me, as if I could get away from this hellish place.

  The event is already underway as Mammon sweeps into the enormous room in front of me, his form is not as large as I have seen him, but he chooses to tower over everyone by at least two feet. There are all sorts of races that I’m not in the least familiar with, they have parted to allow the prince of greed to move toward the dais in the front of the large hall. That’s when I see her, and the dormant beast within me stirs long enough to issue forth a menacing growl. Mammon pauses and swings his head my way, along with the twin males that flank Ashlinn’s right and left side. Ash’s gaze meets mine and her stoic façade softens. For a moment, a smile graces her lovely features and the light I have missed so much shines through. As I take her in, I wish with all my might that she had not followed me to this dreadful place. My eyes leave hers to travel down to her neck. That’s when I see that she wears a black jeweled collar with two delicate chains that connect her to the men on either side of her, both wear a large wrist cuff that effectively leash my kindred to her twin captors. Another growl erupts from deep within me and rumbles through my chest as I step forward. Ashlinn’s eyes meet mine and she barely shakes her head, indicating that I should stay put, but I can barely contain my rage at the two by her side that have laid claim to my mate. I’m visibly shaking with the need to take the two large, dark skinned males down.

  Beside me Mammon laughs, addressing the two, “Brothers…, I see that I’m not the only one that has acquired a prize. Although… yours is much more lovely to gaze upon than mine.”

  Their conversation bleeds to background noise as I take her in. I’m like a starved nomad that has not seen water in days. The brothers have dressed my kindred in a black lace catsuit that barely covers her most intimate areas. She wears a long black open front skirt and is a vision for all to see. Clearly the two are putting her on display and I don’t like it at all. The only thing that brings me any solace is that her kindred markings have begun to faintly glow. I look down to my own and see a flicker for just a moment. I catch her gaze again and she mouths the words, “Soon, Alaric. We will be reunited.”

  I shake my head and whisper-ask, “How?” under my breath before holding my chains up before me for her to witness. Not only do I still wear the binding cuffs but tonight I’m also bound by Mammon’s chains to be paraded around this party like a prize stud.

  She nods and mouths, “You will see. Tomorrow, Elf-Man, in the arena. Have faith.”

  Mamm
on grabs my right bicep in his over large hand garnering my attention, “Whatever you and your kindred are planning? Rest assured that it will not come to pass! Now that I have you, I mean to keep you, no matter the outcome of the events tomorrow. You belong to me now!” His voice reverberates around the room staking his claim on me. “The god of life bound by iron forged from angel fire does my bidding and mine alone!” His booming voice echoes about the chambers.

  Where are Tarron and Tolin? Why is she all alone? That’s when I see the two standing behind the twin brothers, their backs to the wall, they are dressed in a similar fashion to myself, and they are not happy with the goings on in this place. My attention is drawn back to my kindred. Ashlinn’s ire knows no boundaries, she has embraced the wind element and her form lifts seamlessly into the air still leashed to her two companions, her hair whipping about her form, her eyes are glowing, and her kindred markings are ablaze as are my own. For the first time since these binding cuffs have been placed on me, our bond is open, and she is furious. The room has become utterly still as all eyes turn to her. Some of the multi-hued patrons that are closest to us have begun to back away from the dais and look somewhat frightened of Ashlinn as her wrath unfolds before us all. Her hands are lit up as she calls the fire element to her. Her voice is otherworldly, and I have only heard her voice like this once before, “Mammon, you dare to challenge what is mine by right? What belongs to me? I don’t care what you paid the slavers for my kindred, he belongs to me, heart, body, and soul. You have no right to chain him and parade him around this room. He is a god by right, a guardian of the circle of life, and you would do well to remember that!”

  Slowly, Mammon begins to clap and laughs before saying, “Nice try, little goddess, his abilities are bound, and by the looks of you…, I would say that you have been acquired by not one, but two of my brothers. Lust, I do so love your parties! She’s feisty. I like that. I want her too, to add to my collection. What will it take for me to acquire her?” I’m not surprised when Ashlinn forms a fire ball and lobs the fiery mass at Mammon’s head. He easily catches it and it fizzles away to nothing between his massive hands, and pins her with a glare before saying, “Enough! This is our domain, and you will play by our rules here. Levi, Desmond, control your pet!”

  “I am no one’s pet!” Ashlinn erupts.

  The twin males at her side grow in size and take her by either elbow, the one with warm brown eyes leans into Ashlinn and says, “Tiny goddess, this is not the way. Tomorrow, you will prove your worth in the games.”

  She turns her glowing eyes on the male beside her and bites out, “You people are barbaric, Asmodeus.”

  The look of adoration for my kindred is quickly replaced by scorn at her harsh words and he retorts, “We aren’t really people though…, are we, tiny goddess? My brothers and I are the Fallen. Once mighty war angels in the service of our father. When we fell from grace, we became greater demons and now we serve a higher purpose. We rule the realm and you will bow to us. We are what our father made us to be. You and your kindred are surrounded by demons and shades. This is The Underworld and here you will play by our rules…, no matter how barbaric.”

  Ashlinn stands her ground, but reigns in her anger and looks my way, once more our link to one another is suppressed now that she has reigned in her fury, “Desmond, I apologize, I mean no disrespect. You know I’m here for one thing and one thing only, and then we will be on our way. May I please talk to Alaric, to my kindred?”

  “He belongs to Mammon now, it is not I whom you must ask.”

  “I blame Luc for this predicament,” she seethes. Taking a deep calming breath, she turns to my new master, and curtseys. She floats downward, her arms elegantly outstretched on either side of her and she bows her beautiful head in deference to Mammon. Jasmine’s many hours of instruction has paid off as my mate executes a near perfect curtsey. Her voice carries to the far reaches of the room as she looks up toward the prince of greed through her thick lashes, and addresses him, “Please forgive my angry outburst. I find myself out of my element here. My lord, Mammon, may I be granted permission to speak with my kindred?”

  “Do you think me a fool? Why would I grant you that request? Here is what I will grant you, I see that you have been entered into the games, so you will be pitted against my best female champion, if you win then you will have an opportunity to speak with your kindred. If you lose, I will spare your life, but I will acquire you giving me a mated pair. I think that is more than fair.”

  I can no longer keep quiet and push forward to address my kindred, “Ashlinn, what do you think you’re doing? You have our children to get back to, you can’t fight in the games, and you certainly can’t make deals with the princes of hell. The four of you need to leave this realm while you still can! All The Realms are depending on you.”

  “No Alaric, they are depending on us, and don’t you forget it,” Ashlinn argues, and for the first time since walking into this hall she looks at me uncertainly.

  Mammon steps between us, “That’s enough! Get him out of here. I need him well rested for the games.”

  Mammon’s slavers take both of my arms and roughly push me back toward the entrance to the hall. I struggle against them, and shout over the growing noise in the large room, “Ash, get out of here while you still can!” I break free of their grip and stagger forward toward the dais. One of my guards is quick to come after me. I turn and deliver a quick punch to the throat, he drops to his knees clutching his throat gasping for breath as his reptilian eyes roll back. Several more demons surround me, manhandling me to get me out of the chambers. I shove and struggle against their attempts to forcibly remove me from their gathering.

  “Elf-Man!” I hear Ashlinn’s strangled fear laden voice ring out from behind me.

  “I mean it, mo grá. I’ll be okay, as long as I know you and the babes are safe.” I’m shoved again and curse as a club connects with the back of my knees, causing my legs to buckle and I lurch forward. I’m quickly dragged from the hall, surrounded by my captors, and I call out, “Ashlinn!!” My cry is cut off as the club of my captor connects with the back of my skull, stunning me.

  My vision fades to black.

  (Alaric)

  I rouse from my stupor as I’m dumped unceremoniously in a heap just inside the door to the rooms that Pip and I share. I swear I have a knot on the back of my head the size of a goose egg. I look up to see that Pip is staring down at me in concern, but I can’t worry about that now. What has she done? Why was she chained to the princes of lust and envy? Why, oh why could she not have just done as I told her to. If only she had gone back while she was on the other side of the Great Divide when she was with Luc.

  “What is it, Mister? What’s happened?” Pip’s little voice trembles, and my world feels as if it’s being torn apart. They are all here because of me and there’s not a damn thing I can do to keep them safe.

  Standing, I sigh, “She’s here, Pip. Ashlinn has come for me, and now she is to be thrown into the games. She fights for the opportunity to just speak with me. No matter the outcome, Mammon will not allow her to speak with me unless he owns us both.”

  “Maybe she’s here to rescue you. I want to go home, and just maybe she has a plan. Did you get to talk to her? What did she say?”

  “She told me to have faith. Whatever is going to happen will happen during or after the games.”

  Pip smiles a toothy grin, and a look of hope comes over his cute little face, “Then have faith, Mister. She does have a plan. I can’t wait to meet your kindred.”

  Rubbing the knot on the back of my head, I sigh, “I certainly hope that she does, and I hope that she is safe tonight. I can’t lose her.” Smiling, I try to lighten the mood and reach over to ruffle his white hair, “Pip, what would I do without you?”

  “Well you certainly wouldn’t be here, would ya? Well…, that might be a good thing. I don’t know anymore, Mister. Momma always said that she believed in destiny. Maybe, we were meant to meet. Just
maybe this is part of both of our destinies.” He pauses and shakes his head before continuing, “Naw, I’m just a kid. What do I know, that just sounds stupid now that I’ve said it out loud. Don’t you pay me no never mind, Mister. All I know is that I’m tired and you need to be well rested for the games.”

  “Well, we’re not going anywhere tonight, that’s for sure. Let’s turn in, Pip.”

  Chapter 17

  (Ashlinn)

  I’m helpless to watch as Mammon’s guards manhandle Alaric to remove him from the room. Desmond and Levi are standing stoically by my side, they have both pulled my leash tight to keep me from going after Alaric. I turn my angry gaze on the two. My eyes glowing in my irritation, I bite out, “I’m ready to leave now.”

  “I think not, my dear. You will be by our side this evening and you will enjoy what the City of Depravity has to offer. Who knows, you may come to like it here.” Desmond says, a cruel smirk on his otherwise handsome face.

  “Brother, she is magnificent. I would be willing to go against Luc for her. What do you say? She is more powerful than I thought. Did you feel the power radiating from her in her anger? Truly a prize to behold.” Levi’s brilliant green eyes flash brightly my way.

  “No way are we staying here, Levi. You can get that right out of your head right this instant.” I retort, before asking, “Will they harm him?”

  “Who, my sweet?” Levi asks in confusion.

  Snapping my fingers in front of his eyes, I say, “Snap out of your envy induced haze. Who else could I possibly mean? Alaric, of course. Do you think they will hurt him?”

  “No, tiny goddess. Mammon will want him ready for tomorrow’s games. That is what you should worry about. Not his treatment by the slavers tonight. He will be well rested for the tournament on the morrow.” Asmodeus is the one to respond. “Now, the rest of the evening should be spent in indulgence. Come, our evening is just beginning.” The two lead me off the dais, escorting me on either side. Tarron and Tolin follow us from behind. They too were bound prior to entering this gathering.