Without warning, Salem fell out of the air with a spear through her shoulder pinning her to the ground. She cursed and moaned as she tried to shift the wooden shaft. “You said you would protect me,” she said, looking directly at Nemesis.
“You failed to guard your emotions. I see in your heart you have been a false friend and pupil. Disloyalty dissolves honorable contracts,” Nemesis said. She walked over the fallen woman, placed her foot on Salem’s body, and yanked the spear free. Reaching down, she grabbed a fistful of hair and pulled the half demon up as if to kiss her. Instead of a kiss, she drew in a deep breath as Salem screamed in pain once again.
The last hint of pale, seafoam-green color faded from Salem’s flesh. The light scales along her hands and shoulders changed to smooth skin. Her sharp teeth flattened into normal rows. The cat-like pupils changed to the round of a human’s eye.
When Nemesis dropped her, Salem sobbed in a heap on the ground. After a few moments she managed to ask, “What did you do to me?”
“You have been judged and found wanting. Your punishment is a mortal life,” Nemesis said without a drop of emotion.
A ring of flames erupted in the center of the triangle made between Sabrina and the two celestial beings. A female and a male form took shape out of the smoke and fire. When the inferno subsided, Delilah and Brandon stepped out of the ring.
Chapter 18
Brandon took in the sight with a swelling sense of dread. Sabrina held Eleanor’s gladius in the ready position, but her body wasn’t positioned correctly to defend from either of the celestial beings in their current places. It appeared she might have been, had Nemesis not stood over Salem. Mars no longer stood ready for action, but Brandon knew Sabrina did not have enough experience to notice. Sabrina’s only saving grace was the barrier her pendant created in times of stress. Brandon still felt sick, knowing magic might be involved. There was nothing in his experience to help her in the event someone cast a spell.
He finally noticed the sun. His eyes widened. He covered his face with his arms and looked for shade.
Delilah laughed. “Oh, stop being such a baby. It’s fake! We’re underground. Do you think I’d be caught dead standing in full sunlight? Now, would you please get back to the problem at hand?”
Brandon turned his attention back to his wife. The strained look on her face made her seem ready for a battle cry and a charge on the enemy, like a celestial war face warping her true beauty. Her battles steamed between two magical beings and something coming from within. He could only surmise the glowing sword was to blame.
“Sabrina, honey, this isn’t like you. You aren’t the sort of person who runs off in anger to seek revenge. Baby, listen to me. Put the gladius down,” he said, praying she understood the short sword’s influence.
“I can’t. If I drop it, they can get to me,” Sabrina told him. A considerable amount of tension played around her eyes. Whatever the sword was doing to her, she seemed to fight it.
Delilah walked casually over to Nemesis. “I believe you have something that belongs to me. Since you’re finished with it, I’d like to have it back,” she said lightly and reached down for Salem. The demoness grabbed a handful of Salem’s magenta hair and dragged her back to the ring of scorched sand, screaming. Delilah dropped the whimpering woman at her feet.
“Judgement and punishment have passed,” Nemesis said firmly. She stayed standing and did not bother to take up an offensive stance against Mars or Sabrina.
“I can see that, but only for betraying you. There’s another judgment waiting for her. Salem’s mother, Jeezabeal, already interrogated Marley, thinking the telepathy between the two would help locate her. It seems Little Miss Social Climber turned off the connection,” Delilah explained. She leaned over Salem and gave an evil grin. “Don’t. Move. I’ll deal with you in a few minutes.”
Salem’s only response was another whimper and to curl up into a ball.
Another ring of flames brought Winston, Marley, and Hadrian. Hadrian stepped out of the ring toward Sabrina but stopped when he noticed everyone else. Winston and Marley rushed to Salem’s side.
The half demons cradled their sister, stroking her bright hair away from her face and whispering words of comfort. Together, they looked like a family who genuinely cared for one another and certainly did not appear to abide by the stereotype of being cold-hearted.
“As Sabrina is only half-blood and unwanted by her closest celestial relative not in exile, I claim prior rights to her,” Delilah announced. She placed both of her hands on her hips and scowled at both Mars and Nemesis. “I created both her father and her husband, and therefore, I hold a certain amount of interest in her well-being.”
Nemesis’s face grew dark. “She cannot escape punishment forever. Her very existence is against the celestial laws, and her life has provided too much in her favor. Balance must be maintained,” she said boldly. She drew herself up to her full height and shifted her weight to her back foot, as if expecting an attack.
“Oh really? She grew up as an orphan outcast in a community of witches. Mercenaries tried to kill her. Lucifer attempted to kidnap and use her for his own person magical spindle. Her grandmother tried the same thing and ended up disowning her. She lost her only mother-figure when Eleanor died saving her life. How is that getting too much?” Hadrian asked calmly. His tone sounded just like it did when he wanted to teach a lesson.
Nemesis seemed to ponder his words. “Given this information, I will consider that portion of her life paid,” she replied and went silent.
“I don’t agree to give up anything,” Mars said brusquely to Delilah. “She has my sword and has used it for its intended purpose. With Eleanor beyond my reach, I want her as my newest protégé. Her magical makeup is more valuable to me than that lump at your feet. Just look at her—she’s losing the battle. It won’t be long before the power of the sword takes her. Then, she’ll be mine, no matter what you want, demoness. Go back to Hell and do whatever it is you do.”
Brandon’s stomach clenched. “Sabrina, please, drop the sword. I won’t let anyone harm you. Just let it go,” he pleaded. He had no idea what to do if anyone attacked her, but he had to try.
Tears rolled down her cheeks. She tried lowering the gladius but did not seem able to make her arm work. “I can’t. It won’t let me put it down,” she said.
Without worrying about his own safety, Brandon slowly walked toward her magical shields. The entire time he focused on how much he loved her and wanted her back in his arms. The dark rainbows felt like thick cobwebs as he pushed easily through them. Once inside her magical cocoon, he stepped around the blade.
He wondered what power he possessed to battle the sword’s influence. What did he have to short-circuit the sword’s power? He was no celestial being. He owned no other magic than what made him a vampire, a blood-drinking creature of the night. His life only continued because of a curse perpetuated by Lilith’s will. With no active magic, what hope did he have of helping Sabrina?
Hadrian spoke from just outside of Sabrina’s shield. “What do you have, my boy, which the sword does not? Find the answer, and use it to your advantage.”
Love. The sword is hate and avarice, but hate has no power over love.
Brandon pressed his body against Sabrina’s tense form, ran his hands over her head, and brushed his lips across hers. He thought about her naked body beneath him as he worshiped her body. Memories of seeing her dancing in their penthouse living room and getting dressed for a date night flowed between them. He put every ounce of love and affection into his kiss, hoping it gave her the strength to fight. Was it enough?
* * * *
Sabrina wanted to let go of the weapon, but her fingers refused to obey her command. Her inner lioness fought hard but seemed to lose ground quickly. She was not sure how much longer they could hold out against a tsunami of violence and hate.
Voices in her head swirled. Each one whispered promises and offered her peace, if only she gave into the p
ower. “Look how happy Eleanor was. You could be, too.” Another whispered, “You could make them all pay for how they treated you.” Still another offered her the chance to rule the modern world. “Just look at the fools of this age. They fight and war amongst themselves for scraps and resources. You could own them, make them yours, rule through their arrogance and pride. You would be a queen.”
Heat began spreading from her mouth to the rest of her body. A sweet tingling etched its way across her tongue. Someone was kissing her with more than just lips. An electric sensation filled the kiss, providing her with strength and a renewed purpose for fighting the gladius’s influence.
What was this energy, this delectable sensation spreading through her body and into her soul? Flashes of memories came with it. She danced in the living room to her favorite song while dusting and laughed when she knew Brandon caught her. Water ran over her face as she nuzzled into his chest. Thickly corded, strong arms wrapped around her as she leaned far over the edge of a balcony to see the street below. The delicate aroma of jasmine in a rain garden filled the air. The feeling of being loved wholeheartedly and with such intensity that the world would stop turning if the love ever failed consumed her.
Love. This was Brandon’s love, and it gave her the strength to fight back the power of the sword. Everywhere the love touched her, the hate and avarice retreated.
Her inner lioness continued to battle back the angry magic attempting to take over Sabrina. When Brandon’s love reached the big cat, she surged forward, carrying the love with her like a weapon. The sword’s power recoiled. She followed the retreating magic all the way to the short sword’s hilt. Sabrina saw the lioness pause for a moment in her mind’s eye. The great beast gathered as much love and strength as she could, glanced back at Sabrina, gave a cooing purr, turned, and forced the magic back into the hilt by leaping into it. The sword let go of her hand. The pendant around her neck burned like wildfire and then went suddenly cold, its magic spent for the time being.
A blinding light shoved Sabrina and Brandon off-balance, causing them to fall. The gladius clanged as it hit the ground and grew dim. The hateful magic wore off quickly.
Sabrina hugged Brandon tightly. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He kissed her forehead and gave her a squeeze. “No need to thank me. I love you too much to ever let anyone take you from me. I’ll always fight for you,” he whispered back.
“Well, damn,” Mars said in disgust. He strolled casually over and picked up the sword. “You haven’t completely ruined it, but it’s badly damaged. Do you have any idea how long it took to make this? There aren’t any demi-gods or demi-goddesses left to fix this, except you.” He dropped the gladius back on the ground. “What a waste.”
Sabrina looked up at Nemesis. “I suppose you still have more grievances,” she said quietly. Breaking the will of a hateful magical object left her weakened. She hoped Nemesis would say no, but she did not count on a favorable outcome.
The goddess wore a perplexed expression. Instead of looking at Sabrina, she stared at Brandon. “You were my most faithful servant and my lover. You should have died and moved on to the Elysian Fields. I could have spent time with you there and loved you forever. Why did you forsake me?” she said, looking directly at Brandon.
“I didn’t know your plan, not that I would have been okay with it. You didn’t just let me die. You made sure my opponent won the upper hand. You murdered me. Nothing says care and affection like getting your lover killed. I considered that your official breakup notice,” Brandon said curtly and gave Sabrina another good squeeze. “I turned vampire and moved on with my life. I think, given the circumstances, you can hardly blame Sabrina for our past. I love her, and nothing and no one will ever change that. Given my status as a vampire, you hold no authority over me.”
Nemesis looked hurt for a moment, but for only a moment. She smoothed her face and stiffened her posture. “You are correct. I am in the wrong to blame her for my loss of your affections. I believed Proserpina when she painted Sabrina as a homewrecker. For that, I owe you both an apology.” She placed her hand over her heart and gave a slight bow in their direction.
“Well, now,” Hadrian said jovially, clapping his hands together once, “all’s well that ends well.”
“You fucking ruined my life!” Salem screamed as she broke away from her siblings and rolled over twice, avoiding Delilah’s effort to stop her. She scooped up the forgotten gladius and lunged toward Sabrina as she came to her knees.
Brandon quickly shifted to cover Sabrina with his body. Only her head remained exposed. Without her pendant working, there was no way she could raise a magical barrier. Brandon’s exposed back would take the brunt of the blow.
“No!” Hadrian yelled and threw himself on top of Brandon and Sabrina.
Salem drove the sword down with all her might, missing her intended target. She backed off and screamed with rage at being tharwted.
Hadrian’s eyes widened. Disbelief crossed his face. He looked down at Sabrina. “I love you,” he said and slumped forward.
Sabrina gasped as blood began trickling from his mouth. Hands came from all directions to lift Hadrian and Brandon off her and laid them on the sandy arena floor. She sobbed at the sight of them.
Brandon ran a hand over his back. His fingers came away bloody. He noticed Sabrina and said, “I’m okay. It’s barely a scratch. It’s okay baby. She missed. I’ve already healed. Only the tip nicked me,” Then his eyes slid to Hadrian.
“Oh, Hadrian, no,” he moaned.
The emperor’s shaking hands tried to pull the sword from his ribs. He coughed and gasped. “Mea Dulcis,” he whispered and reached out to Sabrina.
Delilah came to his side and carefully extracted the blade. She examined the wound and shook her head.
Two sound punches stopped Salem’s screeching. Winston and Marley sat on their sister’s unconscious body. Marley watched the scene with tear-filled eyes. Winston looked somewhat shell-shocked.
Sabrina scrambled to his side. “Dad,” she managed to say, but the rest of her words stuck in her throat. She pulled him into her lap and tried to say everything would be okay. Her lips moved soundlessly.
“Delilah, please, is there anything you can do to help him?” Brandon implored the demoness.
Sabrina watched wretchedly as Delilah’s catlike eyes lowered to the ground. “You might have broken the blade’s will but not its lethal abilities. Its purpose was to kill all in its path, including celestial beings. It’s why Eleanor kept it with her, Sabrina. It was the only weapon in the universe that could both protect you and kill you. She hated it. Yet, she held on it as the only means of fulfilling her sworn duty as your guardian. I can’t help him like I did Brandon all those centuries ago,” she said mournfully.
Brandon swallowed hard. “I knew your blood smelled familiar. Why could you save me, but you can’t save him?”
Mars spoke up in Delilah’s place. “Because you were human. He isn’t. There’s nothing else for him to transform into, no curse to trap the soul twice. There’s no way to help him,” he said, clearly delighted with the turn of events.
“Sabrina, you must let him go. Your magic will hold his soul and prevent him from moving on to his eternal destiny,” Nemesis said.
Sabrina shook her head. “We need another way. Think, damn it. Think,” she said to herself.
Love. If love saved her from the sword’s power, why could it not save her father from its blade? She closed her eyes and summoned all her remaining strength. Casting her will out into the universe she called out to Venus.
Instantly, the long-haired blonde materialized in the center of Nemesis’s arena floor. Her flowing gown sparkled in the false sunlight. She glanced from person to person and settled her gaze on Sabrina.
“I’ve come. What would you ask of me to repay my debt?”
“Is there any way you can save my father?” Sabrina asked. What the hell, she thought. The goddess could tell her no, but she migh
t have just as well said yes.
“I cannot. His time is growing short. You must prepare yourself for the inevitable, Sabrina,” Venus said sorrowfully. She clasped her hands in front of her body and waited.
“Can’t you do anything for him? Love’s supposed to overcome all obstacles, right?” Sabrina asked, grasping at straws.
Please, you’re his only hope.
Venus nodded. “I can do something, but it will not preserve his life as you know it,” she said and took the last few steps to close the distance between herself and Sabrina. She knelt beside them and laid one hand over Hadrian’s silent heart. She lifted the other hand to the false sky. A frown crossed her face. “We need to get back to the surface. Nemesis’s lair will not allow this magic to work.”
Delilah grabbed Brandon by the hand and half pulled him to Sabrina’s side. “Take a hold of her in some way and don’t let go. Winston, bring your sisters,” she commanded. “See you topside, Blondie.” She gave Venus a wink.
Flames rushed up around them. Sabrina held her breath as the floor shifted under her. When the ground felt solid again, the fire died away, revealing a starry sky above them.
Venus moved back into position, laying one hand over Hadrian’s heart and raising the other toward the night sky. She whispered words in a strange, unearthly language. A breeze picked up, became a wild wind, and then became still.
A glittery shower came down from the sky and pooled beside Venus on the ground. The sparkling glitter slowly took the form of a woman but did not materialize into a solid creature. The woman reached out to Hadrian.
Hadrian glanced up at Sabrina, “Mea Dulcis, I will…always love…you,” he struggled to say loud enough for her to hear, and slipped away into death.
Sabrina leaned over his body and sobbed. Something cold brushed her cheek, and she sat up to find him leaving his body.
The cold hand on her cheek was his. His spectral soul rose quietly. He stood and gave Sabrina a cheerful smile. Reaching out to the glittery hand, he turned to the sparkling woman.
The Jewel's Treasure [Celestial Jewels 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 16
