“What?” I don’t pretend to hold on to the meditation façade.
“You aren’t even trying.” Disappointment and a hint of frustration seep into his words “You haven’t tried these past days.”
“Yes, I have.” I push off the ground, brushing away the grass clinging to my leggings.
“Oh really? Is that why you were just thinking about how stupid meditation is?”
My eyes snap up, then immediately narrow. “Were you reading my mind?”
“It doesn’t take mind reading to know you don’t believe the method will work.”
I throw my hands in the air. “Because it hasn’t!”
I’ve let Belial try to help me remove the block on my magic, but despite the fact he’s been alive for almost as long as humankind, nothing he’s suggested has worked. Maybe I can ask Victor for a contact in the warlock community when I wake up.
Belial pinches the bridge of his nose. “I don’t have time for this.” He mumbles under his breath, but I hear him like he shouted the words.
“No one is forcing you to help me.”
Seriously. I don’t need him to break my barrier. I’m only doing this so I don’t go crazy sitting on my butt all day, doing nothing.
I can figure out another way to access my power again. I’m only going along with this so he will get comfortable enough to spill another secret. Or so I tell myself.
Belial’s arm falls down, and he stares at me with a blank expression. “You’re right,” he says calmly. “No one is forcing me to do this.”
“Then why are you?” I ask just because I don’t know what else to say, and I have an immature desire to pick a fight.
It probably isn’t the wisest decision to argue with an original demon, but I’ve never claimed to be wise.
“I would’ve thought you’ve figured that out already, little mountain.”
Instead of engaging him, I walk away. I take the path along the edge of the lake. For a propagator of evil, Belial sure does have good taste when it comes to landscaping. I don’t know the exact location of his residence, but the gardens grow with wild beauty, though tamed enough to create an easy hike around the private body of water, surrounded by lush trees.
Without making a sound, Belial appears at my side, easily keeping pace with me as I traverse the uneven ground. “Not going to say anything?”
“Nope.” I keep my eyes forward. I’ve learned Belial is more likely to fill silences when he isn’t expecting them. He wants me to respond, so he will keep talking until I do.
“Haven’t those foolish instructors shared your people’s history with you yet?” He sounds a little exasperated.
I spare him a short glance. Not enough to let him know he’s totally snagged my attention, but enough to let him know my interest is piqued. “They have.”
I step around a muddy puddle. Belial simply floats over it.
“Then haven’t you traced your lineage back to the child of Thaddeus who is your ancestor?”
I frown. “How am I supposed to trace my lineage when I just learned my mom’s name? I’ve been stuck in this dream with you.”
Belial sighs. “Little mountain… you wound me. Surely, our time together hasn’t been that troublesome.”
I turn and pretend to admire the glistening lake. Then, I stop walking and whirl on him. “If you’re so eager for me to figure out my lineage, why don’t you stop playing games and just tell me.”
I thought anger might motivate him to give in, or at least back off and stop taunting me, but it has the opposite effect.
The distance between us disappears. And I can’t help but remember this exact thing happening with Logan at the museum— something I’ve convinced myself not to read into.
Logan had mentioned feeling something between us—a power, I think he said. But he was stressed from the danger we were facing. He didn’t mean any of it. He definitely didn’t mean to give the impression that he felt something for me. He’s my mentor. Such things are forbidden between us.
Belial’s unique scent fills my nose as I inhale a startled breath. His shirt brushes against mine, but his neck is pulled back so he can look into my eyes.
“You think I wouldn’t tell you if I could, little Aspen?” His breath fans over my face, heating and cooling my skin in equal measure.
It takes me a moment to process what he’s said.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean what I said.”
Is he actually trying to tell me that he can’t tell me my ancestor’s name? I’m not buying it.
Then again… Belial does seem sincere. And he has spent the last few days catering to my every whim and keeping me company.
But that means nothing. Demons are masters of deception.
Ugh.
My thoughts give me whiplash. I can’t seem to pick one to stick with. All I want is for the confusion to end. I want answers. And I’m determined to get them. No matter what it takes.
I take a breath and close my eyes, then I reach out and grab onto Belial’s arm. I feel his surprise in the way his muscle tenses.
I open my eyes. “Belial,” I murmur, remembering how he said he likes when I say his name. “What do you mean?”
My eyes beg him not to skirt around the question. I don’t trust him entirely, but I do trust he cares for me… in his own weirdly obsessive and most likely unhealthy way. Perhaps I can prey on those inclinations.
Belial looks from my face to the fingers pressed against his pale skin.
“Research into Thaddeus’s children when you wake,” is all he says, and I immediately deflate. My fingers lose their grip, but Belial quickly presses them against his arm with his other hand.
“If you research their stories,” he continues with a meaningful gaze “you will understand why I cannot tell you your ancestor’s identity.”
I purse my lips. This makes zero sense.
I weigh my options for several seconds. During that time, Belial maintains his hold on me, and I don’t try to pull away.
At last, I say, “Okay. Fine. I’ll research his children, but is there anything you can tell me to help me figure out why my mom hid from the Shadowguard? Is there something I should be worried about?”
I can’t explain it, but a feeling of dread has gathered in the pit of my stomach. I feel like something bad is going to happen when I wake up, but I can’t figure out what.
Belial shakes his head with a remorseful sigh. “The truth of your mother’s self-imposed exile is tied to the identity of your ancestor. Everything will make sense when you discover the truth.”
Then, his eyes shine bright, and I see eagerness behind his placating expression. He wants to tell me everything, but for some reason he can’t.
I know demons can’t lie, and that’s the only reason I nod and say, “Okay... I’m trusting you.”
Deep emotions—the kind I can’t even begin to decipher—flood his eyes. He stares at me like I am the moon to his stars, brushing my cheek with the pad of his thumb.
Belatedly, I realize the significance of what I’ve said. Belial’s wanted me to trust him from the moment we met. I used to think it was because he wanted to trick me, but now I suspect there is something much more serious going on.
“I cannot wait to share everything with you.”
My breath catches in my throat. This was a mistake. Touching his arm… letting him stand so close… acting like he’s not my enemy…
I’ve known Belial feels an unexplainable attraction to me, and I shouldn’t be encouraging it. His affection means nothing good for me or my fate in the Shadowguard.
Longing, raw and intense, fills the air between us, and he takes a step closer.
Oh god… I can’t let this happen.
Something deep in my soul knows that if I let Belial act on the emotions currently overwhelming him, there will be no coming back. Not for him, and not for me.
And I’m so not ready for that.
I move back, pulling free of his g
entle hold. For a second, I’d worried he wasn’t going to let me move away. His grip had tightened a little before releasing me.
Belial continues to stare, not concealing his emotions despite the distance I’ve put between us.
This is incredibly awkward. I feel like I should say something, but I wouldn’t even know where to begin!
I’m only eighteen for crying out loud. No one’s ever told me how to handle the romantic attentions of anyone, let alone a freaking original demon.
I breathe deep and try to calm my nerves.
On my exhale, I’m prepared to speak, but I’m interrupted when a new voice joins our conversation.
“Now this is quite a surprise.”
My blood runs cold.
I know that voice.
Slowly, I turn around and confirm my fears. Azazel stands just beyond the tree line, separating the forest from the lake, and his grin is nothing short of calculating… and victorious.
Chapter Twenty-One
Instinct screams at me to break free of this dream. I might’ve been the one to initiate this particular dream, but I’ve never ended one without Belial’s acceptance. If I have the ability to do so, now would be the perfect time, healing mind or no.
But as much as I try, I remain stuck in this dream.
I stare down the original demon, remembering how I burned his mundane minions with my power. I see them leering at me with rotten teeth... I see my friends fighting for their life.
Twice now, Azazel has tried to hurt me. He’d commanded the demons in the junkyard. If Belial hadn’t interfered, he would’ve murdered us all. And if I hadn’t stopped him at the gala, he would’ve tried the same.
I barely notice Belial shift until he stands slightly in front of me. My attention rests on the demon I view as the bigger threat, desperately wishing I could figure out a way to escape this hell before anything bad can happen.
“Brother,” Azazel tsks. “Dream sharing? With a Guardian? Someone’s consorting with the enemy.” His tone is playfully accusing, and I’m shocked he hasn’t addressed the elephant in the room. He saw my power. I’d stopped his attack. Why does he seem so relaxed? What is he planning?
“This is a violation, Az.” If it weren’t for seeing Belial’s back muscles tense, I’d say he’s unbothered by his brother’s arrival. But Belial knows what really happened at the gala. He’s just as on guard as I am. “I trust you have a reason for invading my mind?”
Azazel’s eerie blue gaze doesn’t leave mine. “It’s been days since anyone has seen you, brother. I dropped by for a visit and found you lost in your mind. I thought I’d pop in and see what has you so preoccupied.” A slow grin climbs across his face. “And now the mystery is solved.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. I was freaked out the first time Belial dragged me into a dream. It had been the oddest display of power I’d ever seen or heard of. But knowing other demons can infiltrate another demon’s dream is even more concerning.
I know I’m only in Intro to Demonology, but I don’t think Guardians have any idea of the full extent of what our enemies can do. Or maybe they do… and they just don’t tell the rest of us.
“What do you need Az?” Belial pointedly avoids taking Azazel’s bait. “Why did you come to visit?”
The blond demon shrugs and begins walking towards us. Leaves crunch under the sound of his fancy black loafers. Again, this all seem too real for comfort. I take a small step closer to Belial.
“There’ve been attacks on my mundane demons.” Azazel pauses beside a tree less than ten feet away.
That isn’t what I expected to hear.
He leans against the sturdy bark, and his gaze gradually shifts from me to Belial. “I came to see if you have any information about it.”
I peer at Belial. His expression is blank, but I see the hint of surprise in his violet eyes. Spending days with him has given me the ability to read his expressions.
Belial crosses his arms, feigning indifference. “Who’s been attacking the mundanes?”
Azazel spares me a glance. “Vampires from the New York coven if my sources are to be believed.”
Holy crap.
Is this a retaliation for his attack on the gala?
I can’t imagine Victor being so reckless, but perhaps it’s not really reckless. I’m sure all lesser demons at the gala were incensed to learn of Azazel’s attempted attack, regardless if the raid squad had been his actual target.
If lesser demons banded together and launched a coordinated attack against the mundane demons, they would have a good chance of success.
My heart beat accelerates, both in fear and anticipation of what’s happening in the outside world.
“Vampires?” Belial questions. “You’re certain?”
Azazel scowls. “I know what a vampire looks like, brother.”
“Of course,” Belial quickly placates the other demon. “To answer your earlier question, no. I have no information about these attacks. This is the first I’m hearing of them.”
“That is not surprising,” Azazel’s attention once again slips to me. “You’ve been preoccupied.”
And just like that, the subject moves back to me.
“Tell me,” Azazel crosses his arms. “Why are you meeting with another little Guardian in secret? Is there something you aren’t sharing with the rest of us?”
Another little Guardian?
The rest of us?
Belial remains calm. “I’ve taken a liking to this one. She’s… entertaining.”
A cat-like grin pulls at Azazel’s lips. “Is she now? Pray tell, what kind of entertaining are we talking about? Does she tell jokes? Does she sing? Or is it something much more fun?”
His insinuation is clear.
My face heats, and I avert my gaze.
Azazel sees and roars with laughter. “Ah! She’s shy. How refreshing. I suppose that’s the benefit of wooing them while they’re young, eh brother?”
Why is he pretending like he doesn’t know me—like he hadn’t experienced my power? This doesn’t make sense.
“Indeed.” Belial replies evenly. I see him turn to look at me from the corner of my eye. I keep my attention on the ground.
Everything about this situation is alarming and wrong. And I don’t know what to do.
That sentiment is intensified when Azazel asks, “Is your plan to turn her?”
My head snaps up and I look at Azazel with wide, terrified eyes. My reaction only makes his smile grow. I shudder from the maniacal gleam in his gaze.
I pull my desperate eyes from him and search Belial’s. My pseudo-ally shrugs, threatening to destroy the small semblance of trust I have in him. “I have not yet decided.”
Oh my god!
I stumble to the side, towards the safety of the tree line, eager to get away from both of the demons. Again, I wish I had the power to free myself from this dream turned nightmare.
A gust a wind rustles the trees by my head, making me jump. The breeze blows my hair all over my face, momentarily blocking my sight. Panicked, I quickly shove the strands back, fearful one of the demons will use the opportunity to leap onto me and initiate my transition to a demon.
But neither of the demons move an inch.
Azazel watches my frightened departure with the same wide grin. Belial’s expression is unnervingly void of any emotion, giving me no indication if I should turn around and run for my life or trust that this is all just a ploy for his evil brother’s benefit.
Then, the wind reaches the demons.
Both Belial and Azazel stiffen. Their nostrils flare.
Gone is Belial’s indifferent expression, replaced by undeniable protectiveness.
Azazel’s grin falls away, replaced by fury.
“It’s her!” Azazel shouts with equal parts bewilderment and anger. He bares his teeth at Belial. “You tried to mask her from me!”
Suddenly, I understand Azazel’s unusual behavior.
Belial used his power to hide my i
dentity.
He really hadn’t known who I was.
“I can’t believe this” Azazel growls, staring at me like I’m an anomaly he can’t wait to throw on a marble slab and dissect. “I’ve spent the last weeks searching for her, and she’s been here! Do you know what she is, Belial? Do you know what she can do?”
I continue to backpedal, completely unnerved by the intensity of Azazel’s deranged excitement mixing with anger. Belial watches me with fear. Not for himself, but for me.
Azazel shakes his head, and evidence of his irritation disappears. He walks next to his brother and clasps a hand on his shoulder. “You’ve done it, Belial. You’ve found the key to our survival.”
I trip on a log. My arms flail, then my butt crashes onto the soft earth.
Belial is there in an instant, pulling me to my feet. I rip my arm away and almost fall again from the effort.
His purple irises swim with regret. He doesn’t try to grab me again.
“What is he talking about?” I finally manage to hiss under my breath, glancing fearfully between the two demons. Azazel still grins like a deranged person.
“I’m sorry about this.” Belial whispers with sincerity. “I should’ve sent you away the moment he appeared.”
“What are you whispering about, brother?” Azazel questions loudly.
I glance between the two, confused. “He can’t hear us?” Demons have exceptional hearing. Azazel should be able to make out our conversation.
“Not outside my barrier,” he tells me.
It’s then I notice the shimmering purple sphere encasing us.
“Oh.” I don’t know what to say. “Why did you try to hide me from him?”
“Do you really need to ask that?”
I gaze into his sincere gaze. “No,” I exhale. “No, I don’t.”
“Brother?” Azazel grows impatient. Over Belial’s shoulder, I see anger flickering among his too-eager expression.
Belial ignores him.
“Shouldn’t you talk to him?” I cast a nervous glance at the blond demon. I’m not sure who would win in a fight between them, but I have zero interest in finding out. A conflict between original demons will likely be a catastrophic event, even if it takes place in a dream.
Demon Marked: Shadowguard Academy Book 2 Page 16
