Shadows and Sorcery: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels

by Adkins, Heather Marie

  “You’re not my buddy Satan.” Caine breathed heavily as if he had run miles to be here. His eyes frantic as he gazed at me with the worry filling his eyes.

  Lucifer scrunched his face up as if he had tasted something bad at those words.

  “Satan? You know how much I hate being called that, Caine. But I digress.” This last was said with an evil grin as he sat back in the chair, his arms resting on the chair arms as if he had all the time in the world.

  “Why are you here, Lucifer?” I could tell by the set of Caine’s shoulders how tired he was, but he was trying to hide it by standing tall and glaring at Lucifer.

  “I came to visit my new bride.”

  12

  The booming, cracking thunderclap shook the walls and roof of my house making me run to the front room of my house, made my feet walk out the door of my house, concrete steps still cracked and uneven with withered blades of grayish grass struggling to survive. The light from inside the house the only illumination for me to be able to see in the night, even though I knew the grayish white block of concrete set deep in the ground was broken and uneven I still tripped on the cracks as I managed to make as ungraceful an entrance as I possibly could. The snort of laughter from Caine was loud enough to make my glare venomous, but I knew he was right. Typical of my klutziness. I glanced up at the darkening heavens, grayish-black wisps of clouds racing together to form thick clouds filled with bolts of lightning.

  Tripping my way through the clumps of weeds in our partial gravel strewn yard where brown patches of wet soil tried to give enough nutrients to the weeds and grasses attempting to gain root. You’d think in Washington it would be easy to grow grass but not us.

  Finally standing beside my father, Caine, Amy and I watched a slowly gathering army, bodies clustered together as far as the eye could see of demons and evil enthralled humans that had been called to their defense. The smell of Sulphur becoming overpowering as more and more demons appeared, I glanced between the three of them expecting to know when our defense was arriving.

  Looking behind me, my mother and Ben stood in the doorway looking hesitantly out, their eyes widening at the sight before them. I motioned to Devlin to get them back inside and out of danger. He nodded his understanding and agreement, hurrying over to them and ushering them both back inside. I hoped he’d be able to get my mother to stay hidden and with Ben to protect she probably would.

  Now I understood why it had sounded like thunder outside. Thousands of demons on one side with thousands of angels on the other facing each other off. Waiting.

  As I waited, I studied the houses up and down the street that had more property than our tiny house did but how no one else in any of them heard the rumbling I had no idea. Since Devlin was with Mom, I twisted to one side, leaning my body and nudging Amy with my shoulder as I motioned to the other houses in a silent question.

  Her gaze followed mine, “We’ve stopped time for them. If we are here there will be nothing different. They’re asleep, in another dimension actually so they can’t be hurt and when we’re gone will wake up as if nothing happened.”

  As I stared the houses, cars and anything else connected to the people that lived here in this small town disappeared. The town was gone. As if it never existed. My jaw dropped as my head twisted one way and the other not believing what I had seen. Nothing but bare ground.

  “What about Mom and Ben? They’re here.” I twisted my neck around to see them gone and the door closed. I hope Devlin stayed to protect them, my brows meeting and my mouth getting dry as I began to worry about them.

  Amy’s eyes followed mine and watched with me as the house and my car blinked out of my existence, seeing what was apparent in my face as my eyes widened, said, “Devlin will make sure they stay safe. He loves all of you. That’s the only thing that would keep him away from joining in this war.”

  I could hear the censure in her voice and sighed, “I know that now. Before I didn’t even know who, he was.”

  Amy’s face softened at my words and she nodded in understanding.

  My protest had been loud and righteous in the dark, moonless night so that it rang out clear even with the thunderous murmuring of the voices. Several heads pivoted in our direction and I hoped the couldn’t see the blush darkening my face.

  “What is everyone waiting for? Why the standoff?” I asked as I speculated as to why the demons and their human minions were milling about making threatening and foul gestures but not doing anything else. The human’s faces were slack except for some that had devious cunning plastered on the hungry expressions. Waiting.

  “We’re waiting for the head honchos to arrive.” A mischievous smirk tipped Amy’s lips up.

  My mouth said the word what? But nothing came out.

  “What my daughter is being smart assed about saying is we’re waiting for Lucifer and at least a couple of the higher up demons. Also, I’m sure heaven will be sending at least one Arch Angel. Michael possibly.” Caine supplied gruffly, displeasure coloring his whole demeanor. His arms crossed over his chest, the biceps bulging, his left leg jumping in his agitation.

  Involuntarily my hand pressed against his bicep, rubbing slowly up and down against the thick muscles to add some calm to his aggravation but his hand suddenly on mine as he removed my hand made me glance up. His gaze was warm and filled with hope. I nodded as my fingers pressed tightly to his. Not knowing whether our lives could end abruptly brought our possible relationship to the forefront.

  The murmurings became louder still and now the scraping of many boots and shoes against walkways, streets as well disappearing when feet encountered grass as more demons and angels popped into being. Until Lucifer himself arrived dressed leisurely in light washed jeans with tears and holes indicating designer status. With a kingly dip of his chin he acknowledged our presence as he leisurely surveyed the two armies facing each other down.

  He strolled over to the head of the crowd positioning himself at the head of his army, Asmodeus at his side with two other lieutenants behind Asmodeus. I watched as Lucifer placed his hand on Asmodeus’ shoulder in comradery a bright grin lighting up his face as he threw his head back in belly laughter.

  I couldn’t believe that in such a serious time he was telling jokes and pretending this was wasn’t important. I scanned the other side filled with angels their faces twisted with anger and disgust at Lucifer as if this was side show.

  Some of the angels had wings and some without. I didn’t know if they just hadn’t unfurled them yet or if they didn’t have any. Caine and Amy didn’t have theirs revealed yet so mine wasn’t either.

  Lucifer stepped back to the front of his army who suddenly went silent as if they had lost their voices in anticipation. A feral grin sliced his lips apart baring his teeth. Blindingly white. And sharp.

  “Looks like you fallen have no one to protect you. The Arch Angels don’t think your fight is important enough. Bad choice for you.”

  A boom split the dark sky again this time loud enough with bright lightening as if knifing the sky in two, dark clouds forming and separating, as a sparkling white light appearing between the two sections of black clouds making the demons drop to the ground on their knees, holding their hands over their ears at a earth shattering thundering as hope began to overtake me and the others on the side of good. Their faces brightening and they straightened as a speck of white light appeared, growing larger and larger as it fell closer.

  Giggling Amy grasped my bicep between her hands jiggling me from side to side as she jumped up and down, her joy apparent. Caine even looked less of a grump than usual.

  The speck became a man carrying someone incased in his arms. Wearing black jeans and a red and black checked flannel long sleeved shirt his feet hit the ground with a thud that was ground moving. He slid the woman onto the ground with a soft murmur.

  She was beyond beautiful with dark iridescent skin that glowed with flower tattoos on her skin. Her dark hair fluffed around her head in curls that had a l
ife of their own as they spiraled and then sprang back into place.

  Lucifer strolled halfway to the two armies, spreading his arms wide with slow deliberation, his voice loud and carrying as he said, “Michael I wasn’t sure you would show. Leave all the work to your minions. “ He derided.

  Michael’s hands slid down the woman’s arms to her hands as he bent to her height where she glanced down as their fingers entwined, her face blank with confusion. But that confusion lasted for about two seconds before her hazel eyes flashed and she stepped back to thrust her arm back hauling off and hitting Michael’s face with her closed fist, the slap of flesh hitting flesh making me wince. His head moved almost in slow motion as it turned sideways with the strike, body staying still as his deep blue eyes darkened with his shock. Her musical voice carrying, “How dare you take me from my home without asking first.”

  He bowed to the woman, “you are the Angel of Destruction. I thought you would want to get your chance at Lucifer. My mistake,” before turning away to stride to Lucifer, his body stiff but still full of pride amid laughter following him from the demon horde. That was when my shock hit me square in the face. They were twins.

  As they faced each other with identical smirks on their faces except opposite. Looking at them I observed they must be opposites in every way. One good, one evil.

  Michael shook his head as he stared down his brother the half smile still plastered on his face his deep blue eyes sparkling in challenge. He took one step closer to Lucifer until they were face to face, the nearest demons, both large and small, surging forward to protect their Master at all costs.

  “So, Lu. You need protection?” Michael swept his hand out to indicate the horde of demons milling about baring their sharp teeth in grotesque grins, stomping their feet and raising their fists and shouting foul words. “Can’t protect yourself from your loving brother?”

  Lucifer scowled at his brother at the taunt, a gleaming golden sword suddenly appearing in his right hand. His black wings as black as his hair burst from his back to lift him in the air as he yelled, “attack demon horde!”

  I rolled my eyes at his words but ran forward myself to help the Angel forces. Michael’s sword was golden as well but it appeared in his left hand his own black wings bursting forth at the same moment his brothers had.

  The girl that Michael had brought, watching him, shook her head as if she was coming out of a dream her red sword gleamed with red and orange flames appearing in her hand. Her heavy steel-toed boots kicked out as a demon attacked her his sharp teeth gleaming with saliva, he flew backwards until he hit the side of a trashcan with a loud clang, denting the metal container as it hit the side of a house with an even louder clank.

  She turned as she heard our pounding footsteps crouching ready to attack. My light auburn wings thrust out from my back as being me I was sure Caine and Amy were doing the same. She raised her sword, the hilt touching her forehead before raising it swiftly to us.

  That was if there was before demons leapt by the hundreds to attack the angels present. My sword glowed with pinks and blues struck out as two were about to jump on her back. That, I couldn’t allow. They impaled themselves one after the other as I held it out my sword, my back to hers, we were protecting each other as we fought.

  13

  Bobbing, weaving and striking out with our swords the woman and myself evaded the knives and swords of the demons and their minions. She would move one way and I the other. We made a great team if I thought so myself. To the side of us was a seven-foot wooden fence with an oak tree whose branches were hanging over the top of the fence. I tried to keep one eye on both of those because a demon or minion could use either one to drop on us.

  My lips pressed tightly together but I pull a corner of the inside of my cheek between my teeth as I concentrated on staying alive and not getting killed.

  A small demon fluttered his wings at me before swooping at me like an arrow his wings held close to his body. Swerving out of the way I ducked, and as he swooped by thrusting his sword at me, I bobbed back up and thrust my sword into his belly as he flew by. Screaming he dropped his sword and as his hands held his belly, he burst into flames with a slight whoosh and breeze as he flickered from sight.

  The other angel raised her sword to her forehead in respect suddenly a blow to her solar plexus making her bend over hacking and gagging, one arm pressed tightly to her ribs, her face twisted in pain even as she still held her sword upraised still ready to fight.

  At my own inattention I found myself sitting on my butt, hands flat as the grass prickled my palms, fingertips buried into the damp earth at first not knowing how I had gotten there, a demon with a sword raised ready to slice me in half. Not going to happen. Swinging my feet underneath me, I jumped up ducking out of the way, my back rubbing against the wooden fence, splinters nicking my skin through my shirt, waiting to see what his next move would be.

  My breath came in and out harsh and fast as I fought, lungs working like an old-fashioned bellows, my brain switching directions at one hundred miles an hour trying to anticipate the demon’s intentions.

  Taking one step back my foot slipped on the damp grass almost dumping me on my face but I was able to recover with only my knee sinking into the dew-dampened grass. Damn. Now not only my butt was wet but my knee. I needed to keep my head on straight.

  Leaning to the side at the last second the slight displacement of air alerting me to the fact of the sword that sliced past narrowly missing my shoulder.

  Jumping to my feet again I stood before a tall demon, sword held confidently in his hand the hilt gripped lightly. Grinning his eyes roaming over me as if hungry, licking his full lips, sharp teeth peeking into sight, he closed his mouth those sharp teeth clicking together menacingly.

  Shaking my head with disgust I advanced with one foot my sword held reassuringly in my one hand the other hand raised behind me in proper fencing form. It wasn’t often I was able to stand this way since most often my fighting was an all-out brawl with swords but sometimes proper form worked.

  The demon lowered his head into his neck as he rushed me with strong intent, his sword raised right over his head a war cry erupting from his mouth. Scaling the fence, which swayed back and forth at my weight, one hand gripping the top, my feet barely hanging onto the piece of four by four that emerged.

  His grin filled his leathery face as he thought he had me on the run. Gritting my teeth tightly I pivoted swinging my leg around on the fence I was perched on, letting go suddenly to fall to the ground my feet balanced beneath me, seeing a child’s yellow and green playhouse off to the side. A good place to hide, I ran to crouch behind it, my wings shrinking into my back to make a smaller target, huddling in wait for the demon to arrive. I’m not here, I’m not here I chanted to myself my mouth moving but no sound released.

  Immediately at my thought almost as if I had conjured him, he scaled the fence fully, his red clad body appearing to land on the squishy grass with a…squish where I had landed a moment ago. He glanced around surprise plastered on his face as his eyes widened. His all black eyes filled his d ace even more until his eyes narrowed in concentration. His head lifted, his nostrils flaring as he attempted to sniff me out.

  The sounds from the war suddenly flashed into a loud cacophony of disjointed racket. Wincing at the noise I ducked my head further into my shoulders surreptitiously glancing from behind the playhouse to keep an eye on the demon.

  The creature would take a step forward lifting his head to sniff the air. Glancing down to my armpits I sniffed myself quietly but couldn’t scent anything offensive. Or was he sniffing like a bloodhound. Were there bloodhound demons?

  Raising myself from my knees to crouch on the balls of my feet I readied myself to rush him when ready but he must have sensed me because when I sprinted from behind my protection he swiveled, thrusting his sword out to miss slightly as I swerved out of the way but he still pierced my shoulder, sliding through like butter.

  Stiffening, n
ever having this kind of pain before I closed my eyes slumping, hearing his chuckle of triumph. He would not beat me. Feeling him move closer I readied myself knowing I would only have one more chance and still slumped as if in defeat I barely cracked open one eye to see his glistening red face bright with triumph step closer until he was within reach to grab me. Instead I thrust out with one leg out and upward as hard and fast as I could right into him crotch. Hoping it worked on demons.

  The evil smirk still twisted his features until suddenly he stiffened and fell to the ground clutching his private parts if demons had private parts. His hand released the grip of the sword and screaming I pulled it out of my shoulder to a gush of blood releasing to paint my body and the grass red.

  “I killed you bitch.” He ground out; his jaw tight as he tried to get up but slumped back to the ground.

  “Weak.” I gritted my teeth as I held his own sword in my other hand, teetering on my feet from blood loss to stand in front of him. Holding the sword unevenly in my wrong hand I thrust as he tried to push himself backwards but he was too slow and still my aim missed. I aimed for his heart, if he even had one but I hit his abdomen instead turning the blade for a bigger hole. Howling he grabbed the blade in both hands the sharp double sides sliced into his hands as he attempted to pull it out of himself. As black blood gushed out of the wound, the noxious blood pooled beside him as he tried to pull the blade out but he didn’t have the strength. He fell over dying and I almost fell on top of him from loss of blood.

  The strands of grass prickled my back as I lay beside the dead demon his black eyes wide and unseeing as he appeared to stare at me. Shivering with disgust, my head pounding with disgust I tried to roll away from him not wanting his black blood to touch me. My fingers gripped clumps of the blades of tall grass tightly between my fingers, the roots of the grass buried deep into the soil. I was so weak I gasped as I began to shiver with cold.