by Olivia Ash
The absence affected him in ways he never understood, and he couldn’t wait to have her back in his presence, his sight, his arms. He loved her. He was always at peace when with her. She didn’t seem to mind his quirks and his lighthearted manner. She didn’t judge him, and he trusted her. He was safe with her and she with him. With her, he was home.
Without her, however, he was lost. Ambling in a senseless direction.
He hoped she would be home soon. The absence of her smile and laugh, even her sexy glares she believed would be deterrents for his behaviors were evident everywhere he looked. Especially in him. She held a piece of his soul. A piece he only noticed was missing when she was gone.
“Brother,” Kaiser said, walking up behind him. “You’re sulking a bit much lately.”
“Shouldn’t you be keeping an eye on the witches?” he asked, walking with his hands in his pockets.
“Hobson, albeit unhappily, has that covered for right now. He’s helping them set up a training course. I came out here to check the fortifications. Scout for places to set up guards.”
Steele nodded. “Make sure to set up one outside of the succubi’s rooms and at my room as well. In fact, don’t. I’ll just ward my door.”
Kaiser chuckled. “Wow. Really? Look at what our girl has done to you. Never thought I would see the day.”
“You could always go in my place,” he said, giving a sideways glance and mischievous smile to his brother.
“I don’t have a death wish, but thank you for the offer. I never knew you cared so much.”
Steele shrugged. “It’s horrible, isn’t it?”
“Nah, just fooling around.” Kaiser slapped Steele on the shoulder.
“Not that. Sadie being gone. You feel that too, don’t you?” he asked and stopped walking to face his brother straight on.
Kaiser nodded, his expression turned serious. “I mean, how long is it supposed to take to find one witch?”
“Right?” Steele continued to walk. “Who is set to arrive next?”
“I have no idea,” Kaiser said. “I think all we’re waiting for now is the warlocks and witch.”
Steele nodded. He thought the fortress was crowded enough sharing it with his four brothers. He didn’t want to know what living arrangements would be like to have a small army of allies on top of everyone else. He shook his head. “We should set up watches for the allies. Make sure they get along.”
“I’ll take the first one. You look like you could use the rest.”
No. What he needed was Sadie home, yesterday. But he tried to be as patient as he could with her absence. Maybe he could take some of his frustrations out on some training and extra rest. She would have to come home sooner rather than later.
At least, he hoped.
“Alright. I’ll take next. Have Hobson come get me when your turn is over.”
Kaiser nodded. “Sleep well, brother.” He held his hand out.
Steele stared at it for a moment, as though legs or wings would sprout from the skin… it had been so long since they shared in that notion. Finally, he gripped his brother’s forearm and gave a slight squeeze. He nodded.
Kaiser did the same.
He left his brother to the remainder of the perimeter check and headed for the courtyard Sadie loved to train in.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Sadie
“See all the animals?” Damien asked. “We’re close.”
Sadie wasn’t sure what the sight of animals had to do with Astrid and said, “If you say so.”
Mordecai breathed out, “Finally.”
A number of animals scurried the edges of walls along the alleyway leading to a small door of what looked like an abandoned warehouse. There was a small, yellow-orange light at the side of the door that flickered dim light, barely illuminating a small circle around the door.
“Every time I’ve seen Astrid, she’s been surrounded by animals. I learned she has an affinity for them and uses her powers to heal and take care of them.”
Mordecai searched the shadows and muttered, “We need to hurry this up.”
“This is it,” Damien said, pointing to the door with the flickering light.
Mordecai sighed, and continued to search the shadows for whatever it was that set him on edge. But Sadie wondered if it wasn’t just the situation. Witches were the counterparts of warlocks. Maybe there was something wrong with him hanging out with witches as well? Either way, he was definitely on edge and that made her want to know why.
She was about to ask when a thin woman with long dark hair stepped out of the door with a bag full of kibble. She scattered the food in front of the door and all the animals scurried to catch their little piece of sustenance. The little chitters and squeaks made her giggle. Sadie wondered if that was her.
Damien stopped walking and said, “She has a strong ability to heal. She can take care of almost any ailment known to man and a few unknown. She’s a strong warrior in magic of light and is very capable to hold her own in battle.”
Sadie nodded and turned her attention back to the woman. “So that’s her?”
He nodded.
“Damien?” Astrid said. “Is that you?”
He smiled and approached. “Yes. I’m sorry for arriving unannounced, but I’m afraid we have urgent need of your services.”
She pursed her eyebrows. “How so? Who is with you?”
He gestured to Sadie and his brother and said, “This is Sadie, the new demon queen, and my brother Mordecai. Please don’t say anything about her. We’re trying to lie low with my father on the loose. We came to call in a few favors.”
She nodded. “And I’m one favor you’re calling in.” It came out more like a statement than a question, and Sadie noticed that the witch was instantly wary and suspicious of her and Mordecai.
“Yes.” Damien stopped at the border of the ring of light surrounding the door.
“I have no reason to ally with any demon,” she looked to Sadie, “or demon queen. How are you human?” She turned her gaze back to Damien. “How do I know what you said is true?”
“I have had no reason to lie to you before, and I don’t now,” Damien said.
She shifted her attention back to Sadie. “I want proof.”
Whether it was the fact that she accused Damien of lying to her or that she was forced to prove herself to a witch, Sadie was annoyed by constantly being questioned of her human nature and being demon queen at the same time. Still, she could see that Astrid was guarded and hesitant to even discuss the possibility of helping.
“Zagan is on a warpath to ultimate domination. I currently stand in his way. He’s threatened by my power, and his is growing. How much longer do you think you can realistically refuse him? If I fall into his hands, Zagan will be unstoppable. You won’t be able to resist him. I would be honored to have your aid in preventing him from taking over the underworld entirely. Please, join us. Help us end his reign.”
Astrid seemed to think over things a little but didn’t seem to sway toward her.
Mordecai shifted his weight and searched the dark alley nearby. Sadie wondered what he kept looking for. But before she could ask him about it, Damien spoke again, pulling her attention back to the conversation.
“Astrid,” Damien said. “All we’re asking for is some help.”
She snorted. “Yeah, and then comes the high-pressure sales for my soul. No thanks.”
“I would be honored if you agreed to help,” Sadie said. “And there will be no binding yourself to me or any demon for your help. I promise.”
“No offense,” Astrid said, “But I don’t take the word of demons or their queens. I’ve been there, done that and not happening.”
Sadie’s hope diminished slightly. Still, she wasn’t willing to give up just yet. There had to be a way to get Astrid on her side.
Soft whimpering echoed to her from the farthest part of the alley. Sadie focused her eyes and senses. There was a small puppy, all alone and sounding hurt. Her hea
rt hurt for the poor thing and her natural need to take care of it kicked in.
She made her way to the little guy, picked him up, and cradled him close to her body as she noticed that he was bleeding badly. Someone or something had done this to him. She cradled him close to her body and carried him to Astrid.
“He needs help,” she said to Astrid. “He’s covered in blood.”
Astrid seemed taken aback. “I’ve never expected a caring and giving heart from a demon queen.” She held her arms out for the puppy and Sadie carefully passed him over. Astrid nodded. “Follow me.”
She glanced back at the men who nodded at her. She followed the witch inside. As she stepped in, she was shocked that the building on the inside looked well maintained with clean, white walls and sterling silver equipment.
Astrid stepped into a room off to the right and Sadie followed. The witch set the puppy on the exam table and began shifting through his fur for the sources of the wound. Her eyes closed, and she tilted her head up. Her hands hovered over the puppy, and the whimpering slowed to a stop as the wounds sealed right in front of Sadie’s eyes.
“Grab the formula behind you,” Astrid said.
Sadie nodded and turned around to find a set of bottles and cans of puppy formula sitting on the counter. She pulled the tab off one of the cans, filled a bottle, and twisted on the nipple. Turning, she held the tip of the bottle so that some of the liquid would drip in front of the puppy and he sniffed it and found the nipple, sucking as though the poor thing hadn’t eaten in weeks.
“That was amazing, what you did there,” Sadie said.
“Thanks. I’ll be right back.” She left the room and returned a few minutes later with a vet-tech. “Keep an eye on him and make sure he stays warm and is able to pass the food easily. Alert me if there are any complications.”
The tech nodded and took over feeding the puppy.
She followed Astrid back out. The witch stood in front of Damien with her hands crossed and most of her weight on one leg. She seemed to think over a few things in her head and shifted her eyes to Sadie.
“Zagan, huh?” she asked.
Sadie nodded.
With a sigh, she stood straighter and said, “I’ll help, but I refuse to pledge myself to any demon. I have made it thus far and don’t want to commit myself to anyone. I enjoy being free and don’t want to feel like I’m at the beck and call of any demon who may end up using me for nefarious means and eventually own my soul. I refuse to never get the rest I deserve once my life on this realm is over.”
“That may not last much longer,” Damien said. “Surely you’ve seen the signs that my father’s power has accelerated and continues to do so. We both know that you, and the coven you protect, don’t have much longer before bonding with a demon will provide more protection for you. Sadie would be your best option.”
“She’s human.”
He shook his head. “Not entirely.”
Sadie blushed a little internally. It was sweet that he wanted Astrid to pledge loyalty to her. Though she wasn’t sure about how that happened. Maybe they could figure out a different way if it came down to it. Right now, she was just so relieved that Astrid agreed to help them. That was a check in the victory box. And that was enough for Sadie.
Astrid went silent as she thought about Damien’s words. Finally, she said, “It would take someone seriously special for me to align myself with a demon. However, I don’t trust Zagan either. I know time is running out, but I won’t be rushed into anything. Especially not something so important. Not with so many lives hanging on my choice.”
Sadie wondered what she meant by that. What lives would hang in the balance due to Astrid’s decision on aligning herself with her? Maybe she knew of a war bigger than hers and Zagan’s? Or perhaps her coven was a lot larger than anyone realized.
She silently considered the possibilities, not yet trusting Astrid enough to show all her cards.
Astrid turned to Sadie. “I will help, but I promise nothing. I will spend time with you and determine for myself if we’re… compatible. If this works out, perhaps I can convince my coven sisters and warlocks to join you as well.
“How many have you accumulated now?” Damien asked, arms crossed over his chest.
Mordecai had taken to holding up the side of the building with a foot resting on the side and his arms also crossed over his chest. He stared into the dark alley still, just as on edge as before.
She smiled. “More than one hundred. That’s all I’ll divulge.”
“What exactly will you be looking for when it comes to spending time with me?” Sadie asked.
Astrid shrugged. “I want to see who you really are. If the kindness is just a perceived front. After all, demon queens aren’t exactly noted for their kind histories and reputations.”
Sadie forced back a laugh, deciding just to go along with the flow of everything. She really should be used to people not trusting her.
“We’ll send word to your coven once we’re back at the fortress. When you are ready to send for them, we’ll do so at once. We’ve been gone for too long, and we need to return immediately.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sadie
They started to walk out of the alley when Sadie’s amulet warmed with a warning. She focused on the sensation, hoping to decipher what it meant. There was still so much about her amulet’s magic that she didn’t understand.
The air shifted, turning colder than before and filling with tension.
The streets seemed quieter. A sense of being watched overcame Sadie. She looked to Damien and Mordecai. Both seemed on edge and watched the shadows while Astrid maintained her composure. Her eyes darted through the area around them.
The shadows in front of them moved. The group stopped and moved in close.
“Shit,” Damien said.
Mordecai summoned his smoke staff and said, “Father’s envoy.”
A man led the group of eight demons. Each of them armed to the teeth and looking ready for a fight. The leader’s eyes focused on Astrid, and a wicked smile stretched across his face. “My master wishes to have an audience with you and requests,” he chuckled and looked to his demon backup, “that you join him.”
Requests my ass. Sadie wasn’t about to let Astrid go without a fight. Even with a fight. Zagan could go to hell.
Astrid stood a little taller and firmly said, “Tell your master that I must decline his offer.”
The demons joined in with the leader’s chuckle. He settled his dark, threatening gaze on the witch and said, “I was so hoping you’d say that.”
He threw a ball of fire at Astrid. Sadie jumped in front of her, summoned her smoke wall, and blocked the flaming missile before the heat could even warm the air. She summoned her shadow sword and looked to Astrid. “You all right?” she asked.
Astrid nodded. She had a look of surprise and gratitude. But that assessment would have to wait. Sadie had to teach these assholes a lesson for picking on the wrong people.
The man smiled, eyes glowing green, and signaled to the shadows on either side of them.
A group of witches and warlocks flanked them on each side, charging at full-speed. Damien and Mordecai held them off, each taking a side. Meanwhile, Sadie took on the leader and his demon groupies with Astrid at her side.
The man leading the group came first and Sadie rushed in to meet him, swinging her sword down on him. He blocked it with the vambrace that covered his forearm. He absorbed the shock and turned the metal from silver to black. He took his gloved hand and shoved it forward, fingers splayed out. The glove glowed blue and a force hit Sadie, tossing her back. Her sword fell from her hands and disappeared.
Sadie realized the man she was fighting was a warlock. He didn’t use magic in the way she understood witches did but used magic-infused armor instead. She needed to quickly think of a way to take care of him before all their work in getting Astrid was thrown away.
The warlock wasted no time in trying to grip Astrid
’s arm. She twisted to the side and elbowed him in the back. Sadie quickly climbed to her feet and rushed to Astrid’s side as four of the demons approached from behind, the other four charging from the front.
Sadie conjured the magic in her amulet, needing to take demons out immediately. The warlock came up from behind her as her amulet warmed and pulsed through her body. Her hands warmed and took on the glow of purple and dark blue. The warlock’s arms wrapped around her body and she headbutted him in the face. But he didn’t let go.
He chuckled darkly in her ear. “It’ll take a lot more than that for you to best me.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
She stomped his foot and placed her hands on his sides. A bright blast of light flashed, and the warlock screamed. She turned, hoping to find him in nothing but a pile of ash, but instead stood there with burning, charred holes in his sides.
He panted. “Bitch! You’ll pay for that.”
“Not yet.” She turned and conjured her shield and sword of fire. She shot a blast of fire at the demon that had a hold of Astrid’s arm. She struggled to free herself from its grip but it was useless. She was on the verge of ripping her arm off with the hold the demon had on her limb.
Sadie took a step forward to slice the demon’s arm off, but Astrid’s eyes turned white and a bolt of lightning shot straight into the top of his head from the sky. He limply fell to the ground as smoke poured from the crater in his skull like a chimney. Sadie nodded in approval and lunged forward as she was kicked in the back. She caught herself from hitting the ground and turned on her heels to jab her sword at the warlock.
He blocked the move again with his vambrace and she used the sword to block his hand from the same move he made before and kicked him in his gut. She jumped into the air, sword high, and as she landed, sliced through his armor. He stumbled backward, dazed from the blows, and she thrust her sword forward, sinking her flaming blade into the warlock’s abdomen. He screamed as he burst into flames and fell to the ground in a heaping pile of burning flesh.
