Angel of Darkness Books 1-5

by Mackenzie Morris

  "What is Tivare?"

  Liaxa pointed towards the middle of the city where the glass structures twisted and wove around the base of a large jewel-covered white tree. Strings with tiny balls of mage-glow encircled the branches as elven children played on the large bulging roots. Bright blue birds nested high up in the dark green clumps of leaves and tiny purple flowers. Two elves were placing small wooden plaques onto the trunk.

  "That ancient tree is Tivare. Tivareshen is named after it. Those plaques have the names of new elven babies born in Tivareshen. They place their names on the tree as a sign of gratitude to the tree for blessing them with children. Elven children are rare, mainly because they are taken by slavers from Wolfekin or paladins who seek to destroy everything that is different than they are."

  "And you believe that humans and demons both came from that tree?" Jaylen asked.

  "Call me hopeful. If the hatred between humans and the otherworldly beings like the elves is ever going to cease, then we need to realize that we are all the same in our souls."

  "If elves are otherworldly beings, why do they have all of this in the human world?"

  "That is one of the many lies you have been told. The elves primary live in the otherworld and The Veil because they have been threatened by humans for centuries. Do you see the beauty here? Humans seek to claim that beauty for themselves at any cost. Don't get me wrong. There are some very evil elves, but the ones still in the human world are kind and only want to be left alone so they can live their lives as their ancestors did."

  "How do you know so much about these elves?" Jaylen asked.

  "I've always been interested in my people." Liaxa pushed her purple hair behind her shoulders to reveal her elongated ears adorned with sparkling diamonds. "I'm part elf."

  "How is that possible?"

  "One of my father's targets was a female elf in this city. She became pregnant and I was born, half-elf and all succubus."

  "I see. Where is your mother now?" Jaylen asked as he stepped over a glittering pool of water that had gathered in the middle of the pathway.

  "I don't know. As soon as I was born, Gavin took me to The Veil to live with him. I've never actually met her. But I guess I've never tried to find her. Gavin has been a wonderful father, the best I could ever have asked for. You might not think a demon could be a good father, but Gavin is the best."

  "Do you want to look for her while we're here?"

  "No. I'm sure she has her own life to deal with. I wouldn't want to be a burden." Liaxa jumped down a set of wooden steps in the side of the trail. "Do you want to get something to eat? I've heard that elven food is wonderful."

  "Shouldn't we be trying to find transportation back to Wolfekin?" Jaylen asked, trying to judge how long they had been gone. "Zeriel is probably worried sick about me."

  "He's an angel. He can deal with it for awhile. I'm not worried about Zeriel. Don't you think it's a bit creepy how close he is to you?"

  "What do you mean by that?" Jaylen asked.

  "Well, some angels have special relationships with their paladins."

  "Oh, no. No no no. We're not like that at all. Zeriel would never do anything like that, especially not after what Doran did to him."

  "I was just curious if you had any feelings for him."

  Was she serious? "No way. I can't have romantic feelings for anyone, but if I did, it certainly wouldn't be for a man."

  "Again, there's no reason to get so defensive about it. I was just curious, remember? Gavin was the same way until Stephan showed up."

  "Who?"

  "Stephan. Gavin's primary . . . boyfriend."

  "Is that not weird to you?" Jaylen asked.

  "Nah. It doesn't matter to me. Gavin is an incubus, after all. He's my father, and I couldn't care less what he does behind closed doors. Come on, Jaylen. I'm starving."

  Jaylen followed her as quickly as he could, grateful that his nausea had completely vanished by that point. As they walked arm in arm down the brown dirt path, the elves stopped and watched them with curiosity in their large orange eyes. A few of the children raced up to them and threw tiny yellow flower petals at them and giggled as they formed a group to follow them through the streets.

  He leaned close to Liaxa. "They're following us."

  "Of course they are. They have prepared a meal for us. We are their guests, after all. On top of that, most elves haven't seen a human who isn't trying to enslave them or slaughter them. Not to mention the fact that you are a human who is currently holding the arm of a demon."

  He hadn't even noticed. Jaylen blushed and pulled his arm away. "Sorry. I don't know what came over me."

  Liaxa laughed. "It's all right. I don't mind you touching me. I know you like me, Jaylen."

  "I do not!"

  She wagged her finger in front of his face. "Denial is a dangerous thing."

  "I'm chaste."

  "So you say. But your dreams certainly aren't very innocent."

  "What? I have no idea what you are talking about."

  "About a week ago, you were whispering my name over and over in your sleep."

  Jaylen felt like he was about to faint with embarrassment. He covered his face with his hands. "Sola help me."

  "You were really enjoying that dream. I had sneaked into your room just to spy on you and I was so surprised at what I found."

  "Please don't tell anyone. What was I doing? I wasn't . . ."

  "You were just asleep, all bundled up in your blankets. It was the funniest thing I've ever seen. It's good to know that you dream about me. It was so hilarious that I told my father."

  "Oh, Hell. Who else did you tell?" Jaylen asked, feeling his nausea return.

  "Everyone. Zeriel was laughing so hard that he was crying. Oviel didn't think it was funny, though. He warned me not to get involved with you, that your dream was a sign of your inner struggle to remain pure. Will you tell me the truth? What exactly was happening in your dream?"

  "I can't tell you. If I say it, I'll start thinking about it again and I can't have those kinds of thoughts in my mind. They are impure."

  Liaxa's orange eyes danced with amusement. "Oh. So it was that kind of dream. So I was right in my suspicions of what you were doing."

  "Yes, it was that kind of dream and I feel horrible for it. I prayed for three hours straight after that. At least I know it was just a dream and I didn't do anything else."

  "Well . . ."

  "Well what?" Jaylen asked. "Don't play games with me, Liaxa. Not about this. What happened?"

  "Um . . . nothing. Don't worry about it. It wasn't anything."

  "Did you do something to me?"

  "I didn't do anything. You on the other hand . . ."

  Now he started to really panic. "What? What did I do?"

  Liaxa grinned, flashing her pointed white fangs. "It's so fun to watch you squirm like this. I'll put it this way. Nothing unnatural happened."

  "What is that supposed to mean?"

  "If you put the pieces together, I think you already know." Liaxa stopped in front of a two story building with small balls of orange mage-glow dancing around the door. "We're here. It's an inn where we can get some food and maybe a place to sleep for the night. I know you're still hurting from earlier."

  An elven man bowed to them as they stepped inside. "Shoes off, please. You can leave them by the door. It is bad luck to eat while wearing shoes."

  "Why?" Jaylen asked.

  Liaxa slapped his arm. "Just do it."

  "No, it is all right for the human to ask about our culture. We are always eager to teach. If someone eats with shoes on, then they are more likely to run off without polite after dinner conversation. Wearing shoes at all times makes you always prepared to fight, which is not an acceptable thing in this peaceful city."

  Jaylen slipped his boots off and followed the elf to a small wooden table in the back corner of the room by a window surrounded by purple silk pillows on the floor.

  The table was already set with th
in golden utensils and clear glass plates topped with embroidered napkins and delicate porcelain teacups. Porcelain bowls were filled to the brim with thick steaming vegetable stew next to a basket of warm yeast rolls with cinnamon butter, a bowl of fruit salad, four roasted pheasants, a pile of red potatoes, green beans, and an assortment of various cheeses of all different colors of orange, yellow, and white.

  Jaylen joined Liaxa on the silk-covered cushions on the floor by the low table. "Were they expecting us?"

  "Elves are always expecting someone. They strive to have food prepared for the eventuality that someone will show up and need it."

  Jaylen greedily piled the hot food onto his plate. "I always thought elves were evil."

  "Not all demons are evil. That is probably the single biggest lie the clergy told you. Demons are simply beings who are striving to achieve higher power, health, life, or enlightenment. That yearning for something better is what ultimately drives them to embrace the darkness. Darkness has its own ways of fulfilling those needs, though the poor souls generally end up paying dearly for the things they want. All demons are born with the innate need to accomplish something. Each one is different."

  He stuffed a roll into his mouth, too hungry to care about his table manners. "And what about you? What are you looking for?"

  Liaxa poured herself a glass of white wine then sipped it before leaning back against the window. "I am looking for something unheard of with demons like me. I'll probably never find it, but I will spend all of my life looking for it wholeheartedly. Maybe it's foolish, like my father says. He wants me to give up, but he knows that I was born with this ambition and it rules my life and my actions. I can't give up on it, no matter how old I get. I will accomplish my goal, one way or another."

  "What is your goal? Why is it foolish?"

  "I'm a succubus. Succubi are supposed to use men and manipulate them. We're not supposed to care about them or feel attachment of any kind. Other demons don't want me because I'm a half-elf. Elves don't want me because I'm a succubus. Of course, they wouldn't say so to my face, but I see the way the elven men look at me. They wouldn't want to be involved with me in any way. I've tried to be with some of the young men Gavin brings in, but they're so enraptured with my father's charms that they don't want me. Is that sad? That I'm losing prospective men to my father?"

  "Your goal in life is to have a mate?" Jaylen asked.

  "Not just a mate. No, I need something more than that. I need love."

  Jaylen stared at the wine. "That looks really good. The only wine I've had is the spiced wine they made me drink at The Cleansing."

  "It is good. Do you want some?"

  "I can't. I have my vows, remember?"

  Liaxa's mood darkened. She set down her glass. "Yes . . . your vows. You know what? I'm not very hungry after all." She stood up and grabbed her boots. "Don't wait up for me."

  "Liaxa, don't go. What did I do? Did I say something wrong?"

  "No, Jaylen. Everything about you is right. That's the issue here. I know you're three years younger than me, but young men in Vilyron start getting married around age fifteen anyway. When I first met you, I thought you were the one. Then I found out about your stupid vows. That's what they are. Stupid! They're stupid and you're stupid. You're nothing but a stupid boy! I hate you, Jaylen!"

  "Liaxa!"

  Liaxa shoved her boots on then stormed out of the building, slamming the front door hard on her way out. Jaylen was left alone in the empty room to question everything about the girl he thought was his friend.

  Chapter 8

  Jaylen stepped out into the dimming mage-glow where the elves waved to him as they retired to their homes for the night. High up above the glass canopies, the stars were already brightly shining in the warm summer air. It was such a nice change from the icy eternal winter in Ilyan. The elven mage-glow somehow emitted enough heat to keep things from freezing even at night. He made a mental note to inquire about it before returning to Wolfekin. Now, his thoughts turned to finding Liaxa.

  He meandered down the winding streets where the gentle breeze blew pink cherry blossom petals across the landscape, leaving everything coated in soft pastel pinks. The dirt roads were illuminated in the soft oranges and yellows coming through the windows of the nearby houses from the hearths inside. Occasionally, he could hear quiet lullabies being sung or the tender romantic whispers of a husband and wife. If elves truly were demons, then perhaps Liaxa was right about not all demons being evil.

  Once he reached the central plaza near the large tree, he spotted the dark purple hair of his friend where she was sitting on the edge of a fountain with a handful of the pink pebbles in her hand.

  "There you are. It's getting late. We should go to bed."

  "Are you sure your vows allow you to share a room with me?" Liaxa asked facetiously.

  "They don't, but I can make an exception."

  Liaxa scoffed as she tossed a smooth pebble into the water. "I don't want to be just an exception."

  "I have time now. We're not going anywhere until tomorrow. Why don't we talk? Tell me what you want from me and if I can help you get that, I'll try my hardest to make it happen. I hate seeing you like this. You're normally so happy and carefree."

  "You don't know much about me. Don't pretend to care now, Jaylen."

  "But I do care." Jaylen sat on the edge of the marble fountain and watched the succubus next to him. "I thought we were friends."

  "How can a holy paladin be friends with a demon?"

  "Maybe I am Tainted. I don't know. I have so many things happening in my life right now. It's confusing and I don't know who I am anymore. Everything I thought was the ultimate truth is now crumbling around me in heaps of lies. If you need something from me that I'm not giving you, then let me know. Please. I'm not the most observant man."

  "You're barely a man, Jaylen. It was stupid of me to believe that I could find what I needed with a boy like you. You don't have any facial hair yet, your voice hasn't completely changed, and you are still skinny without any real muscles. You're a child."

  "I'm not a child. I'm just going through puberty slower than other boys my age. It's not like I can control it. If the Holy Order could accept me as a paladin, I've earned the right be called a man. Besides, check this out." Jaylen took off his dark blue tunic and raised his arm. "Look. I have hair in my armpits now."

  Liaxa giggled and splashed him with water from the fountain. "You're crazy. So crazy."

  "Want to know where else I have hair now?"

  "No, I do not." She smiled as she handed his tunic back to him. "Get dressed before you have all the elven women fawning over you. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you upset."

  "It's fine. When I was younger, my cousins would make fun of me for not growing up as quickly as they did. Prince Averin had a mustache by the time he was eleven. I'm not joking. They would pick on me and call me a girl because of my voice."

  "Well, I think your voice is beautiful. It suits you well."

  "You don't think it's girly?" Jaylen asked as he pulled his tunic back over his head.

  "It will get deeper in time. And if it doesn't, don't worry about it. Those things aren't what make you a man. I didn't mean for it to come across that way. You're obviously not ready for what I'm interested in. That's all I meant."

  "What are you interested in?"

  "You really want to know?" Liaxa asked as she took Jaylen's hand. "Come back to the room with me, and I'll show you."

  * * *

  Jaylen waited patiently on the bed where Liaxa told him to sit. She was in front of him with her legs curled under her. They stared at each other like enemy generals meeting on the battlefield. One wrong move, and Jaylen would run. Everything about this made him insanely uncomfortable, but he wanted to help his friend in any way she needed him. At least, he thought that was the case. Liaxa knew the boundaries Jaylen had, but in the back of his mind he doubted if she would respect them. She was easily seventy pounds heavier than he was,
so she could completely dominate him if she chose to. Liaxa wasn't a small woman.

  Liaxa's orange eyes were glossy in the flickering light from the single candle on the bedside table. "Before I do this, know that I will not do anything that is a direct violation of your vows. I wouldn't want to cause you to break them if you don't want to. Okay?"

  Jaylen nodded his head nervously.

  "Close your eyes."

  "Why?"

  "You wanted me to show you, didn't you?" Liaxa asked. "Close your eyes. Trust me."

  "Okay."

  "No peeking."

  Jaylen closed his eyes as he smelled Liaxa's sweet scent and his body tightened as he felt her move closer to him on the bed. Her soft hands caressed his cheeks slowly. He shivered as her warm breath was inches from his face. No matter what, he swore that he wouldn't open his eyes. Even though she was a demon, Jaylen trusted Liaxa. They remained there, uncomfortably close until Liaxa's wet lips touched his.

  Jaylen gasped and opened his eyes.

  "Shh." Liaxa pushed him down and straddled his hips as she continued to kiss him, her hands moving under his tunic then across his smooth chest.

  Every part of Jaylen's mind told him to fight back. Every part of Jaylen's body told him to enjoy it. He was fighting a losing battle with himself. How was this not breaking his vows? He had never kissed anyone before, but in that moment under the spell of the soft candlelight, Jaylen kissed Liaxa back.

  After a few minutes, Liaxa let him go and slid off of the bed. "There. That's enough for now."

  Still in a daze, Jaylen sat up and placed his hand over his racing heart. "You kissed me."

  "Well, what do you think?"

  "I . . . I liked it. Have I broken my vows?"

  "Of course not, silly. It was just a kiss."

  "Did it mean anything?" Jaylen asked.

  "It meant that I am interested in you being my mate."

  Jaylen's euphoria shattered. He jumped up from the bed and went as far away from her as he could. "No! I can't be your mate. I can't be anyone's mate. You said it wouldn't break my vows."

  "Just because I'm attracted to you doesn't mean that we have to be intimate any time soon. Calm down. You told me to let you know what I wanted, so I did. Now you know."