Apocalyptic

by Trina M. Lee

  “Then why are you here?” I didn’t stand a chance against this guy if he wanted to leave me in ashes. It would be a shame to go out like that after fighting to keep from succumbing to Arys.

  “I wanted to see you for myself.” Bane rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck from side to side. Ominous. “I wanted to see the woman capable of reaching Falon’s tragically broken heart.”

  Say what now? Was I supposed to know who this guy was? My confusion grew. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Like hell you don’t. It’s no secret that you’re lovers. You taint one another’s auras. Don’t lie. I’ve heard so much better about you. You’re supposed to be a real tell-it-like-it-is type. I can respect that. It must be what he likes about you.” Raising a finger, he poked it into my circle like it was a bubble.

  It burst like one, falling away to leave me exposed.

  My mind raced as I tried to suss out anything I might know to tip me off as to who exactly Bane was. Out of habit I reached for the Dragon Claw, but it wasn’t there. Still in my car. Shit.

  “You must be mistaken. Falon doesn’t like anything about me. We’re not exactly friends.” Falon had warned me. He’d said trouble would come down the wire because of our entanglement. It had arrived.

  “Whatever you are, it’s closer than he’s allowed anyone to get in an incredibly long time.” Shifting his massive weight from foot to foot, Bane had to do very little to exude a constant threat with his mere presence.

  He leaned in close, trying to force my retreat. To herd me away from safety. But there was no safety with demons. Standing in a parking lot that grew busier with people didn’t protect me. It didn’t do a damn thing.

  “Who are you, Bane?” I asked, hissing his name. “Really. Why do you care so much about Falon’s latest lover? I’m probably just one of many.”

  Tapping a foot, Bane studied me. Then he came at me fast, forcing me to defend. I threw up both hands and blasted him. The shock of energy coursed through him like lightning. Bane twitched and spasmed but didn’t go down.

  He broke free with a grunt. He didn’t retaliate with magic. Instead he backhanded me. I went down on my ass but rolled right back to my feet. My fangs had sliced the inside of my mouth. I spat blood and braced myself.

  Bane hung back. He didn’t seem interested in hurting me. He was feeling me out. Also not cool. I wasn’t keen on strange and terrifying demons getting too close and curious.

  “You really don’t know?” He looked offended. Raking a hand through his hair, he chuckled. A hair-raising, bloodcurdling sound, the demon embodied fear.

  “Should I?” Fear made me angry. It was either that or scream like a horror-movie victim who’s too stupid to live. Bane unsettled me on the deepest level.

  Because I knew who he was. Deep down. I didn’t want to believe it, but I knew.

  He eased away from me, into the shadows beyond the parking lot lights. With a bent finger, he beckoned for me to follow. I didn’t budge.

  When he stood just beyond the light’s reach, Bane dropped the glamour that gave him a human form. Two horns curled up from each side of his head. Black wings cloaked him. A black furry tail whipped about behind him. The red of his eyes had encompassed the whites, giving him an animal-like appearance. His clothing changed to that of a long blue robe tied with a black sash. Atop his head sat a crown of gold so pure it shimmered in the shadows where he stood.

  “My name is Prince Bane of Rhytheria. My family rules a land on the other side.” He snapped his fingers and his human guise returned. He stepped back into the light. “Falon and I were in love with the same woman.”

  No. Oh, please no.

  I gaped at Bane, unable to comprehend what I’d already known. He was the dark prince who’d cursed Falon and Winter. He was the demon she’d chosen in order to escape the curse. The lost and tortured brokenness I’d discovered in Falon, this demon was the cause.

  I snapped.

  Launching myself at Bane, I threw a fist loaded with power. It cracked against his jaw, thrusting him back into a nearby car. Not content to stop at just one, I madly threw both fists. With an angry growl I drew on the light, begging it not to fail me, and I threw it in his face.

  Bane’s guttural cry was almost strong enough to throw me on my ass. Not quite. But the sheer shot of absolute black he nailed me with was more than enough. I hit the ground and rolled. With the breath crushed from me and a sharp pain twisting my spine unnaturally, I didn’t have the air to scream. I could only watch as he approached.

  Leaning down over me, Bane smiled that evil, mirthless smile. “See, you do know who I am.”

  “You’re a piece of shit,” I gasped.

  “Well, you’ve only heard one side of the story. Whatever Falon told you about me, I assure you, it’s only half true.” Bane released the power that held me. Staring down at my prone form, he again had that look, like he wanted to taste my flesh.

  I wasn’t sure why I felt the need to clarify but I did. Tremors shook my limbs as I struggled to get up. “He didn’t tell me anything. Shya did.”

  This seemed to take Bane by surprise. Then it became satisfaction. “Unable to speak of it after all these years. What a shame.”

  My limbs tingled and my face throbbed. I clutched the closest vehicle and waited for the effects of his magic to subside. “Yeah, it’s a real shame that you couldn’t find your own woman so you had to resort to stealing someone else’s.”

  Yeah, me and my big damn mouth. It was going to get me into trouble I couldn’t get out of one of these days.

  Bane grabbed me by the throat and slammed me down on the hood of the car. His eyes were wild and animal. “I saw something I liked and I took it. I came to see if I might like you as well. I prefer my women dark haired, but I could still find a few uses for your sassy mouth.”

  He choked off any retort I’d have mustered. I reached for the light in my core again, sifting through shadows to find it.

  “I’m impressed. Falon has landed himself another rarity.” Bane didn’t give me a chance to fight him off. He released me with a shove that banged my head against the hood. “But he knows how much I like rarities. He should have done a better job of keeping you a secret.”

  He was gone with that, leaving me to slide down the side of the car to the hard ground. Panic engulfed me. Clenching my hands into fists, I shook with fear and fury.

  Silently, I pleaded for Falon. This was one issue I could not handle on my own, nor should I have to. He had to feel me.

  When the air moved five minutes later, I tensed and reached for my power. Falon materialized with his usual scowl in place. It disappeared when his silver gaze took in the sight of me. On the ground hugging my knees, shaking. Face bruised and lips bleeding. I must have looked beyond pathetic.

  On alert Falon glanced about the parking lot in search of danger. “Alexa? What happened? Is it Arys?”

  I shook my head, suddenly cold. “No, worse than that. It was Bane. He was just here.”

  Falon’s gaze snapped to mine. Now he really took in my battered face and wounded pride. He bent down and took my chin in his hand. Turning my face to the light, he studied the cuts and blossoming bruises.

  “What did he say?” His hand was a gentle caress on my sore face. With a thumb he lightly stroked my throbbing cheek.

  I leaned into his touch. “He said that you should have done better at keeping me a secret.”

  In the dull light I saw him pale. Dread and dismay stole over his fine features. Then it morphed into absolute rage.

  Falon stood up and spun away from me. He slammed his fist into the large garbage bin at the end of the lot. It crumpled beneath his assault. Massive craters dented the metal.

  After he’d unleashed all over the helpless bin, Falon returned to me. He pulled me to my feet and smoothed the loose tendrils of hair back from my face. “Are you alright?” Despite my nod, he didn’t look convinced. “I’m sorry he found you. I never wanted that to
happen.”

  “I know.” Unsure of what to say, I sucked in a deep breath and released it slowly. “How concerned should I be?”

  Falon pulled away, like he didn’t know if he should touch me or not. Embraces of comfort and affection were not something we shared.

  A frown knit his brow into knots. His face became a mask of confusion. Like he didn’t know how to process the situation. I was right there with him. For the first time someone had treated me as Falon’s property, rather than the other way around. Neither of us knew how to react to that.

  “Don’t be concerned. I’ll handle it.”

  “What does that mean? He could be goading you into a reaction. Don’t give him what he wants.” The shakes eased off and the panic began to fade. For now. I wasn’t looking forward to seeing Bane again.

  “Don’t worry about it, wolf. I’ve got it.” He brushed the whole thing off, waving a hand dismissively. “You should probably take off. Help Gabriel with that vampire.”

  My initial reaction was to be insulted. Didn’t he give a shit that a demon prince from his past had threatened me? “Yeah, I’ll get right on that, boss.” I flung sarcasm like a weapon. “Sorry my brush with true evil delayed me.”

  Scowl back in place, Falon had the nerve to shrug me off. “Don’t let it happen again.”

  I bit back my next retort. Fear and anger had us both in its grip, Falon likely more so than me. One of us had to be reasonable. “He called me the queen of light and dark,” I said, shuddering as I heard myself say it.

  I didn’t have to tell him I was afraid. Not that I’d be ashamed to admit it. Bane was just another threat of many, but I could only deal with so much at a time.

  Falon’s expression went blank. Emotionless. Best damn poker face ever. “I have to go.”

  “Just like that? Shouldn’t we talk about this? Why does he even care about me, Falon? I’m nobody, but he seems to think otherwise.” I put myself in front of him, grabbing his arm so he’d look at me.

  Bane had said he wanted to see the woman who could reach Falon’s broken heart. Why would he ever assume it to be that way?

  Trying to avoid a direct eye lock, Falon pulled free of me. “Don’t worry about Bane. I’ll take care of it.”

  “Falon, wait—”

  He didn’t. He left me there in the parking lot cursing him.

  CHAPTER TEN

  “What do you know about Bane?” I demanded after discovering Willow at the bar. “Prince Bane of something or other, to be exact.”

  Willow smiled apologetically to the tequila-drinking lady he’d been exchanging pleasantries with. So typically his type. “The demon who cursed Falon and Winter? Not much. Our paths never crossed. I’ve heard things. The underworld talks. Why?”

  “He was just here.” I turned my face for him to better see the evidence I bore of the demon’s blow. “Seems to have a weird fascination with Falon.”

  Willow’s eyes narrowed. “I knew that asshole would bring trouble your way. Alexa, you have got to stop this thing with him before it gets you killed.”

  The woman he’d been chatting up wandered away, and I winced apologetically. “I think it’s too late for that now. And I’m not sure I could if I wanted to.”

  “Because you’ve claimed him.” Willow gazed up at the ceiling, silently imploring it for wisdom. How many times had my actions made him look skyward like that? “Of all the people, why him? You don’t even like him.”

  “I don’t know how it happened,” I whispered, more to myself than to him.

  He heard me anyway. “It’s who you are. A master of energy manipulation in many forms. Light and dark. You didn’t bond him to you by accident, you know. Intent always plays a role.” Putting a hand on my shoulder, Willow gave a sympathetic nod. “You can still cut him off. Break ties.”

  “He called me the queen of light and dark, Willow. Falon did. The night I made you human. When he was trying to keep me from quitting. Bane just repeated it now.” I wanted to hug Willow and be needy for a while. Touching him too much so soon after his change could take us to the weird place. So I didn’t and that sucked.

  Willow’s gaze darted about as he sought out another potential blood donor. He couldn’t help it. Best not to test the bloodlust. “You’re one of the last Hounds and a Light Flame.” The most beautiful gold-flecked green eyes met mine. They were kind and gentle, exuding reassurance. “You, Alexa, are the place where light and dark meet. Very few people command both forces. Balance must be maintained, not just between you and Arys but between light and dark as a whole. You help protect that balance. People like Bane will seek to control and harm you. But when they back you against the wall and you come out blazing, they won’t know what hit them.”

  Somehow I felt better, even though I knew I was in danger. Not just from Bane. However, it also put me in a power position. Rolling over and running scared now would send the wrong message.

  “We need to find Salem,” I said. “Walking the ledge with Arys is making us weak. We can’t have that.”

  “I’ve reached out to everyone I can. I won’t give up. We’ll find him.” Willow patted my arm, doing his best to be comforting, but his attention was on the woman I’d distracted him from.

  A sudden buzzing in my pocket reminded me that I was supposed to meet Gabriel. Once I’d laid eyes on the demon from Falon’s past, it had slipped my mind. “Thank you for the words of encouragement, Willow. I can always count on you for that. Sorry I interrupted.”

  “Never be sorry. I always have time for you. That being said…” Bloodlust gave his gold-sprinkled gaze a predatory gleam. He bid me farewell with a nod and immersed himself in the growing crowd.

  One day, watching Willow act like a vampire wouldn’t feel so weird. It wasn’t today. He emanated eroticism like it dripped from him in every move he made. My dark side wanted to go after him, to ravish him in every way.

  So I beat it outside before dark thoughts could sway me. Pressing the phone to my ear, I said, “Sorry, kid. Had demon trouble. What’s up?” As kid flew out of my mouth, I winced. Oops.

  No time to waste, Gabriel cut right to the chase. “Brogan just texted. Lizzy is browsing around her shop right now. Meet me there?”

  I made the drive in less than ten minutes. Gabriel was already there, parked down the block in one of the pricey cars from Shya’s garage, a white Mercedes.

  He met me on the street, and together we approached Brogan’s shop, shielding so our arrival wouldn’t be sensed. Gabriel had asked her to keep Lizzy there if possible. Keep her occupied somehow. The little magic shop was quiet, the parking lot dark and empty. Brogan was alone in there with a vampire who’d proven to be a loose cannon. As we neared the door, I worried about what we might find inside.

  “I’ll go in the front,” I said, reaching for the door handle. “You go in the back in case she runs when she sees me.”

  Without a word Gabriel slipped around to the back.

  Plastering on what I hoped passed for a normal, friendly smile, I opened the shop door. A string of beads hung on the back of the door clattered together, announcing me. My gaze darted to the young, blonde woman perusing a shelf of colorful candles. She held a basket loaded with magical items.

  Brogan stood behind the counter, pretending not to watch her like a hawk. She glanced up as I entered, “Hello. Welcome to Toil and Trouble. Can I help you find anything?”

  Playing along, I pretended to think about it. “Just browsing, thanks.” I raised a brow to Brogan, asking a silent question.

  She shrugged.

  Lizzy didn’t turn to see who’d entered. She couldn’t feel my vampiric energy while I shielded, but I didn’t feel human either so she’d figure it out soon.

  In the small shop a few steps brought me close enough to scope out her basket. Gemstones, sage, a few other herbal items I didn’t recognize. She added pink and black candles to her haul and moved on to the next tiny aisle housing statues of everything from Buddha to fairies to gargoyles.r />
  She glanced over her shoulder at me, a painted-on brow arched in silent assessment. Instead of acting suspicious in any way, she moved on to a display case filled with ritual knives and daggers.

  Then she did a double take. Yep. She knew I was here for her. That hadn’t taken long.

  Her body went rigid. This was the brief moment where she’d decide whether to run or fight. She dropped the basket and ran for the door in the back, marked for staff only. Straight into Gabriel who stood there with his arms crossed.

  “Gabriel.” She gaped at him, fumbling. “I was going to come see you. Have you been looking for me?” Had to give her credit for trying to turn this into a social call. Fear trickled from her. Regardless, she blinked big blue eyes at him, playing for innocence.

  “You know I have. Why else would you hide your energy signature? You have to stop now, Lizzy. You can’t keep killing people.” Slowly he extended one hand, an offering.

  We both waited, hoping she’d come peacefully. Well, that was just stupid of us.

  She blinked a few more times, trying for that fluttering lash effect. It didn’t work, because she was afraid and he wasn’t falling for it. Her gaze darted to me. I waited, keeping my distance.

  “But I did it for you, Gabe. So we could be together. The way we should be.” She reached to caress his jaw, and he let her. “You know that’s why you turned me. You didn’t want to be alone anymore. Besides, you kill people too.”

  His face hardened into a mask of disgust. “I have a system. Rules. I don’t run the streets.”

  My curiosity had been piqued. I didn’t know much about Gabriel’s personal rules. All I knew was that he came by The Wicked Kiss a few times a week. As far as killing, if he’d been doing any, he’d been keeping a low profile.

  “Rules? Where’s the fun in that?” Her hand trailed over his jaw to clutch his chin.

  Her thrall slipped toward him. She went in for a kiss. It was brazen, trying to seduce the one who’d made her. Although I hadn’t had a chance to feel her out, she didn’t give off a vibe any stronger than Briggs. Like him, she was no lightweight, but she couldn’t measure up to Gabriel or me. She had to know that.