“How… how do you know that?”
Nikolas stepped in. “We shouldn’t linger here,” he said.
Ashes blew away on the breeze. The giant worm was beginning to disintegrate, as demons usually did when killed in this realm. I pulled out my phone and snapped a photo of it, for all the good that did.
“Proof,” I said. “Not that the Grade Fours will accept it, but someone needs to see what happened here.”
“I agree,” said a male celestial with dark skin and dreadlocks. “But—all we have is half an explanation. They’re saying you’ve fought demigods and met—Inspector Angler? The guy who died four years ago?”
“Later,” Nikolas said. “I’ll drive you back to the academy, on the condition that if the Grade Four celestials or anyone else asks how the guild ended up being destroyed, you tell them the truth—about the demon and the portal.”
“Who are you?” asked the dreadlocked celestial, as though he couldn’t help himself. Even with his wings gone, it was plain as day that Nikolas was unlike any warlock the celestials had ever encountered before. It wasn’t like they generally hung out at places like the Harpy’s Nest.
“Nikolas Castor. Warlock,” was all he said.
“I take it you believe me about the guild now?” I added.
Several nods followed.
The drive back passed much smoother than our hair-raising arrival. As much as I wanted to ask Nikolas if he had any clue who the arch-demon was, I took the opportunity to give a proper account of recent events to the celestials instead. I didn’t know how much they took in—some were in shock, others in flat-out denial. But when we dropped them off at the academy, subdued and covered in blood, some of them even thanked me.
Another quick drive found us back at Nikolas’s house. My chest tightened as I looked up at the full moon, an echo of the one in Babylon. Orange streaks tinged the sky from the site of our battle, but no other signs of it remained. For now.
Nikolas unlocked the front door and led us inside.
“Devi,” said Fiona, who waited in the living room. “I saw the fire. Are you okay?”
I flopped onto the sofa. “There’s a lot of celestials who are much less okay than I am. I’ll live.”
Nikolas came in, with Rachel behind him. “How are the vamps?” asked Rachel.
“They keep coming down and asking questions,” Fiona said. “Like if I’d let them bite me, for instance. I told them I was possessed by an evil fire demon who’d burn their faces off.”
“Good,” I said. “I forgot about them, to be honest. They’re probably on the verge of being blood crazed. I don’t know about you, but I’m not volunteering to donate.”
“Don’t worry,” said Nikolas. “I have genuine bloodstones somewhere here. I can’t say I know if Madame White will show up here tomorrow morning, but it’ll keep them quiet until then.”
“Shit,” I said. “I forgot about her, too.”
“So how’d it go with the Grade Fours?” Fiona asked.
“Badly.” I gave a brief rundown. “So the Grade Fours think we set them up,” I finished. “Because they wouldn’t believe the inspector’s a demon.”
“They were listening to propaganda for years,” said Nikolas. “You didn’t find the real inspector. He might still be alive.”
“Not much chance of that,” I said. “If so, he’s probably in Pandemonium.”
“So who was the fake one?” asked Fiona.
Everyone looked at Nikolas. He picked up the book he’d been reading before, flipping it open. “Once I heard it confirmed we were dealing with shapeshifters, I knew who was behind this.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Want to give me a clue?”
He turned the book’s page. “The arch-demon’s name is Abyss. She’s a shapeshifter, but her own true form is too powerful to hide. So she uses proxies to infiltrate places. Governments, whatever. On demon realms and otherwise. She’s vicious and cunning. She’s brought down several realms without lifting a finger herself, sending in her own people instead.”
“Shapeshifters,” I said. “There’s something I don’t get about the whole thing. The act was so convincing. He was the inspector. An arch-demon who’s never been to this realm wouldn’t have had time to learn everything about him, even with Damian passing on information.”
“That’s their power,” he said. “They’re also not simply shapeshifters. They take in the memories of the people they imitate, and actually take on their characteristics. That’s what makes them so convincing.”
Damn. “Then why did Damian lie and say he was raised from the dead? To throw us off her trace?”
“Yes, I suspect so,” he said. “We were never supposed to figure out it was her. She thrives on chaos, and her actions have stirred everyone up in this city. She likes destroying things, but has no interest in ruling.”
I frowned. “Then what’s the point in this setup? To screw with us?”
“Essentially. She’s ancient, and arch-demons have a tendency to get bored easily. But I can’t say I know what turned her onto our realm in the first place. The vampires’ former leader had his own grievances with Haven City, and perhaps it struck her as an easy target.”
“Not on my watch,” I muttered. “Great. So we know who she is, and possibly where she is… You said she sends in her minions rather than coming in person. So might she not be in Pandemonium at all?
“Her goal is to watch the destruction from a distance, usually,” Nikolas said. “I can’t say I ever had the pleasure of meeting her in person. However, the portal has closed. The problem, of course, is that I don’t know exactly how the shapeshifters revive themselves, or how they choose who to imitate. Their regenerative magic doesn’t work the same as ours does.”
“Damian said he was… ashes. Like he can be reborn that way. So he might still be here?”
“Possibly, but I doubt it. She has no shortage of servants.”
“Great,” I said. “How are we supposed to track her down? How do you find an arch-demon?”
“Inside their own realm?” Fiona suggested. “Like—like the one who marked you? He must know about this, whoever he is.”
“I don’t even know if the realm where he marked me is actually his,” I said. “I never even figured out which realm it is. They all look the same.”
“Bringing another arch-demon into this conflict wouldn’t be a wise move,” Nikolas said. “It’s not possible to track one down, anyway. Not if they don’t want to be found.”
Zadok had said… if the demon called my name, I’d have to go there. I wouldn’t be allowed to resist. Finding the demon on my own was all but impossible.
But giving up wasn’t an option. And who knew, maybe the arch-demon had no intention of calling me at all. Maybe I had to find him first.
Exhaustion seeped into my bones. I looked up at Fiona, wishing I could rip the demon out of her head and rid her of his awful presence.
“I didn’t ask for this,” I said quietly. “I’ve literally no freaking clue if I’m supposed to fight for heaven or hell, but it seems the people I care about suffer no matter which I choose. I win the war, and we get locked up for life. I lose, and this world is destroyed. Who in the netherworld volunteered me for the job? I want to resign.”
“You and me both,” said Fiona. “I don’t know what that creature will make me do next.”
“I know it’s worse for you. I’m sorry.”
I was scared—terrified—that the dark Divinity would turn me on my friends and force me to fight on the enemy’s side. Fiona was braver than me for confronting those fears directly rather than hoping to get through the confrontation without having my mind manipulated by a demon. Even a former Divinity. It raised me from the dead. Maybe it could bury me as easily. But I owed it to the others to try.
“I’m going to bed,” Rachel announced. “Wake me up if the vampire queen knocks on the door.”
“That reminds me,” Nikolas said. “I need to reset our defences.”
Once they’d both left, Fiona turned to me.
“I never asked… are you and Nikolas definitely a thing? If I’m going down in flames, I deserve to know that, at least.”
“I think we are,” I said. “Honestly? I didn’t think that far ahead. Kind of stuck on the war, to be honest.”
But I’d moved on from Rory. I wanted Nikolas, and not just because my demon mark was drawn to him. He was magnetic, yes, but he’d also saved me in ways I’d never expected. And if one thing in my life came without complications—aside from Babylon, that is—I was glad it was him.
I slipped outside after him. The warlock district usually wasn’t quiet at night, but the only sound came from the front lawn, where the celestial guild’s pentagram was hooked up to what looked like—explosives?
“You’re blowing up the pentagram?”
“Just taking it out of commission.” He circled it, sprinkled some powder onto the edges, and snapped his fingers. Lightning sparked, and the pentagram turned black around the edges, its golden sheen dulling to grey.
“The guild will arrest you for damaging a priceless artefact if we survive this.”
He shot me a grin. “It originally belonged to a warlock, actually. Nobody alive now… it’s been decades since its creation. But I’m disabling it so it only works on a Grade One level if at all. It’s too dangerous to risk the guild getting hold of it again. I know it won’t stop them making another portal, but…”
“We have to do something.” I moved to his side. “I know. I feel pretty helpless, to be honest.”
“I wish I knew more,” he murmured. “I wish I could lie to you and tell you I know a way to win this.”
He stepped back from the pentagram. My gaze followed the movement in the dark—the shadow of wings extending from his broad shoulders, the curve of his neck, the golden tint to his eyes even when I couldn’t see his aura. Maybe I’d always been destined to fall, when I saw beauty in chaos. Even in the demon dimensions.
I inched closer to him. “Thanks for coming with me to find the celestials. Even considering everything that’s happened.”
“Not at all.” He took my hand. “I had to check you weren’t wearing your trap.”
“I can’t promise I won’t forget to take it off one day and accidentally use it on you.”
His answering laugh sent warm shivers down my back. “I’m much too careful for that,” he said, drawing me into him, kissing me long and deep. I grabbed a fistful of his shirt and pulled him closer, as though by holding on tight enough, I could keep the world from spinning out of control. The taste of him exploded against my tongue, his brimstone scent awakening all my senses. Hot desire filled my blood with every stroke of his tongue over mine, every touch of his hands on my bare skin. Moonlight reflected in his golden eyes.
“All I want now is you,” he murmured. “Deal?”
“You bet.” I wrapped my arms around him again, seeking comfort in his touch, knowing it wouldn’t be nearly enough. One night wasn’t enough.
One night was all we had until the vamps came to kill everyone here.
Possibly less time than that until Armageddon. So you’d better believe I’d make the most of tonight.
Chapter 18
Nikolas wasn’t there when I woke. The bed was cold, and the covers had fallen onto the floor. Gathering them, I went in search of my clothes. Not a sound came from the rest of the house. Since the sun was up, the vampires would be asleep. Doubtless Madame White would send a contingent later to ruin our day, but where in hell had Nikolas gone? If he’s gone to Pandemonium alone, I’ll kill him.
I strapped on my last dagger and left the room.
“Hey, Devi,” said Rachel, peering around her bedroom door. “You’re up early.”
“Nikolas has gone,” I said. “Have you seen him?”
Her brow furrowed. “No. Maybe he went to warn Javos. He was concerned about warning the other warlocks about the shapeshifters.”
“Shit,” I said. “Yeah. I know. Who else might they have been imitating? They do such a convincing job, you wouldn’t know they were fake.”
“Exactly.” She shivered. “But I wouldn’t have thought he’d just—leave. Unless he was more concerned with the vampires.”
Dammit. “Tell me he didn’t go to confront her alone.”
“I wouldn’t have thought so.” A note of doubt entered her voice, and my mind. Maybe he would. Last night… had he thought we were saying goodbye?
“It’s okay. He’s probably in the shadow realm. Wouldn’t be the first time.”
“No, but that place isn’t exactly the safest. What if that portal came back? We never did find out who did it.”
“Zadok?” she asked. “Or—maybe one of them was an impostor, too. Anyone might have been.”
“Not a comforting thought.” I dragged a hand through my hair, fear slicing through me. Anyone might be replaced. We hadn’t been nearly careful enough.
A whistling noise came from behind the closed bedroom door opposite. Fiona’s room.
I looked at her. “She didn’t turn again last night—right?” Maybe we should have locked the door or set up more precautions. But with Nikolas’s ability to sense demonic magic, he should have picked up on it if she’d woken up as Azurial. And I was a light enough sleeper that I’d have woken, too.
“I don’t think so,” Rachel said. “Niko would know.”
“Fiona?” I knocked on the door. No response came. Then I knocked again. The door opened a little. Not locked. Tension gripping my spine, I pushed it fully open.
She wasn’t there. But a pentagram lay sketched on the floor, its edges charred to ashes. In the middle was—
“The demonglass from downstairs. Azurial stole it.”
How had I slept through that? More to the point, Nikolas was usually careful about putting things away. The guild’s pentagram was no more. But there must have been enough demonglass fragments left on the floor for Azurial to scrape together a portal, using Fiona.
My demon mark burned insistently, angrily. “They took her. But Nikolas… fuck.”
I ran from the room, taking the stairs two at a time, and careened into the living room. No signs of Nikolas, or Fiona.
“Where the hell is that demonglass?” I ran to the shelf, finding the jar intact. And protected by a spell, to stop Azurial getting his hands on it. He must have dug right into the carpet to find every missing fragment he could. Dammit. It wasn’t like any of us had thought to clean up the floor, considering everything else we’d had to deal with yesterday.
Grabbing the jar, I threw its contents down on the living room floor. Then I picked up a handful and shoved them into my pocket, just in case.
“Wait!” said Rachel. “Who’s going to watch the vampires?”
“No clue. Their door’s locked. I can’t leave Fiona. It’s not like anyone can arrest us if we’re not here. The celestials will have worse to worry about if whoever took Nikolas comes here.”
Unless he’d left of his own volition. But Fiona clearly hadn’t.
“Javos needs warning,” Rachel said. “The enemy knows his weakness, right?”
“Shit, you’re right. The list had almost every warlock’s weakness. Not Nikolas’s, though—even I don’t know that. But I think I should go alone.”
“Not to Babylon,” she said firmly.
“I’m going to find him,” I said. “I have allies in that realm. And I know Zadok’s weakness. I can bring him over to our side if necessary.”
“I don’t know. He’d throw his own brother under the bus to save himself, and always sides with the one likely to win.”
“Perhaps, but he claims to know who’s pulling the strings here. So I reckon I can get answers out of him if need be. We do know who’s likely behind this. Abyss.”
She shook her head. “We know the name, but not what she’s planning to do now we’re onto her.”
“I can guess. She wants to make a bridge between our worlds. Possibly involvi
ng Babylon, too. If there are more demons attacking, then I’ll stop them coming here.”
I stepped through the demonglass, and the ground fell away beneath me. Too startled to scream, I flailed, desperately searching for something to grab. What—? I’d aimed for the pillared corridor, but someone had blasted a chunk out of the castle’s side. The pillars lay in shattered ruins. I landed on the smashed flagstones, Rachel’s boots cushioning my fall.
Venom dripped onto the floor from the stinger of a dead scorpion demon, adding to a thick river of blood. A battle had taken place here, and from the number of twitching venos demons’ bodies lying around, Zadok’s demon army had come off worse.
I ran, leaping over the cracks in the stone. I’d absorbed more knowledge of the castle than I’d thought, because in no time, I found my way to the bridge across to Zadok’s tower. As I’d suspected, the portal was open again, a torrent of achingly bright light blocking the path. Preventing me from seeing if Zadok was still in the tower or not.
“Zadok?” I asked uncertainly, wondering if he was in the shadows nearby, or one of his spies was. Stars speckled the sky, a picture of beauty and terror. And no sign of Nikolas or his brother.
I backed up, and ran down the corridor, aiming for the stairs. The sounds of fighting came from below. I jumped down the last step and nearly collided with a bloodstained warlock, the fork-tailed succubus I’d seen before.
“Have you seen Nikolas? Is Zadok here?”
She shook her head. “Not Nikolas. He left us. Zadok commands us now.”
“He didn’t leave you,” I said, but she’d already turned her back and stumbled down the corridor out of sight.
Zadok had taken over. And with an imminent invasion, the warlocks would have had no choice but to accept his rule. I didn’t have a clue how to handle this without Nikolas. This realm wasn’t mine. But I did know Zadok’s weakness. Whether he and Nikolas had ever been close or not, I needed to take him down. Nikolas would want me to. But where was he?
Celestial Ashes: The Celestial Marked Series: Book Three Page 16
