“You’ve lost your mind. How can we hurt Valcrum?” Dylan yanked me around to face him.
Shaking off his hands, I flung the door open. My heart pounded loudly in my ear as my pulse leaped at the base of my neck. I could feel my anger swarming inside me, heating my inner core until my eyes glowed with restraint.
“Trevor. Answer me. How are we going to hurt him?” Dylan pulled me around to face him. I gave up attempting to reach Dylan, and yet I reached him anyway. The determination I saw in his dark blue eyes made my lips curve. Dylan does have a backbone somewhere in his spineless body.
“Valcrum only cares about the thousand years of peace between all beings because he draws his power from all of us. Once we destroy that peace, all our true powers will manifest and we can save ourselves.”
“You’re crazy. If we break the thousand-year peace treaty between all life forms there will be death everywhere. Nothing will ever be the same,” said Dylan. He brought his hand up to forehead massaging his temples.
“If you want to die fine. You owe me. I need you to gather everyone that wants to reach their full power potential to meet me back here in an hour.” I needed to stack the odds in our favor and I know just how to do it.
Turning away from him, I headed back toward the way I came. I needed all my strength for what I was bout to do. I would sacrifice all to make Valcrum pay, even my life. I have never feared death and I am not going to start now. My footsteps halted when I heard his question shouted at my back.
“What are you going to do while I am doing that,” asked Dylan?
I turned him. A smile curved my lips. “I’m going to even out our odds for success.” I headed toward Victoria. My plan was either ludicrous or ingenious, and I was about to find out.
I floated to the Waters of Serenity. The water was beautiful and the sight magical. The water lily leaves are spread throughout the water. The crystal blue water rushes against the tall evergreens. A flock of black crows hover in groups on the nearby tree branches. There is something different about this place. I am not sure what it is. For some reason there is a darkness that lurks around here.
This was the place where I lost everything. I’m not sure I can face Victoria and not try to kill her. It’s a battle I will not win, but that does not matter to me. I have nothing to live for anymore. Sinking to my knees in the patchy grass, I allow my sorrow to overtake me. My crimson life force slides down my eyes and my pride will not bear to have Victoria know how devastatingly broken I am.
A huge splash echoed through the water. Peeping through the grass, I watch. Several giant waves of water crash against the rocks but there was no sign of Victoria. I’m not sure why I am hiding since I am seeking her. Then I see her. It is the black-haired goddess that was in the maze that night. She was the one who saw Valcrum murder my Lily.
I knew she was a nymph. Could Lily be alive? An orange glow surrounded me as a kernel of hope swirled around my heart. I just want her here, but I should not ignore that Lily asked Valcrum to end her suffering. He is not cruel. Shaking my head, I snuck closer to the water.
She swam toward the rocks and walked out of the water. A few minutes later, Victoria walked out of the water.
“What happened? Did you kill her,” asked Victoria? She crossed her arms over her chest. The pink flowers were dispersed through her red hair as the water dripped for her naked skin.
“That girl was stupid. She went to Valcrum, so I couldn’t kill her, but I did something much better,” said Thalia.
“Thalia what have you done? The only thing better would be if you had brought her to me to kill. You don’t make decisions you follow directions,” said Victoria. Her lips thinned as she balled her fist at her side.
“Just hear me out. I told Trevor that she’s dead and he believed me. There is talk that he plans to revolt against Valcrum,” said Thalia.
“I want her dead not him. I have to undo what you have done,” said Victoria.
Victoria’s body had a sandstone glow as her eyes blazed red. Her hair turned a fiery reddish honey hew as she opened her mouth, and a silver ball of energy blasted into Thalia.
Thalia screamed. An ear-piercing sound shook the trees scaring the crows. A flash of light came down from the sky and Thalia’s body exploded into tiny pieces.
Victoria spat on Thalia’s roasted carcass before heading back into the water. The water turned aqua blue as she descended further down into it. The lily pads floated on top of the water shielding patches of the water from view. The ground shook and in the center of the water formed a whirlpool. Thalia’s body lifted off the ground and flew inside the whirlpool.
Lily might not be dead. Thalia and Victoria played me. If Lily is not dead the safest place for her to be is with Valcrum. I still need to stack the odds in our favor. Valcrum holds everything in his hands, but he is not as powerful as he thinks. He needs us. If he did not, why would he create us? Victoria’s powers are diverse and limitless, which are two qualities we need right now. I need her on my side. Once I defeat Valcrum and get Lily back, I’ll deal with Victoria.
Once the whirlpool in the water ceased, I waited ten minutes. When I couldn’t wait any longer, I stood to my feet. Time was passing and I knew that the end was coming. I needed to make my move. Valcrum is distracted with managing all life forms everywhere, but he is not stupid.
“Victoria. Come to me.” My booming voiced caused the sparrows in the trees to take flight and soar through the sky. I feet stepped over the warm spot where Thalia’s body was just a few moments ago. I continued walking until the water was too deep to stand, and I swam further out. The temperature was pleasantly warm. When I swam to the center the temperature turned cold, and the water went from clear to murky. Something strong wrapped around my leg. It was rubbery and slick as I fought to get the octopus off my leg.
“You dare to show your face here! Do you want to die Trevor,” said Victoria?
She had not surfaced, and I could not see her through the water. Her voice vibrated through the tree branches. It was impossible to pinpoint her location. I had forgotten how she liked to play games. It was just one of the reasons I hated her.
“You allowed me to live. I do not have time for your games. I need you.” I lunged to my left, but she was not there. Flinging a fish away from me, I gritted my teeth.
“Do you want me to beg?” I have never begged in my life. I’m not sure I know how it is done.
Her head popped up. “When I’m done with you, you’ll do a whole lot more.”
“What do you want from me?” I kicked my legs, treading water in place. The current was getting stronger. That or this freeloading thing on my leg was getting heavier.
“Everything. You will give me everything I want from you. You know what your problem is Trevor?” She dipped under the water and came back up floating on her back.
“No, but I am sure you are going to tell me.” I concentrated all my energy and blasted at the octopus on my leg. Its tentacles loosened but it didn’t fall from my leg. Digging my nails into its black slippery flesh, I pried it from my leg and threw it far away from me. My life force seeped from my body from the four punctured holes in my right leg.
“You want everything your way, and you don’t want to sacrifice anything to get it. You don’t care about anything but yourself.” She picked up a floating flower and picked the pink petals off tossing them around her.
“Victoria, you and I are a lot alike. We both want what we want and will stop at nothing to get it. I care about other people besides myself.” I cared about Lily. I will always care about her. That is at least one person. To me that’s progress.
“You cared about that woman and look what happened. Your caring killed her.”
“Find me when you want to talk, and if I still want to deal with you then I will.” I have had enough. This place hurts my soul and Victoria’s lies irritate me like cancer. I must have been crazy to think she would help anyway. I swam toward the rocks, but something pulled me under
the water. The water stung my eyes, so I closed them.
The black octopus wrapped one tentacle around my neck and one around my leg. It squirted something into my wound. It dragged me further underneath the water. I concentrated and shot a bolt of lightning through it. The tentacles unwrapped and it fell toward the bottom. Swimming back up, my head broke through the water. A sense of weakness circulated through my body, and I shivered despite its warmth. I crawled to the rocks and rolled myself on my back.
My chest heaved as I struggled to breath. I lifted my head to look at my right leg. It had turned black. There was a black substance circulating through my veins. I closed my eyes.
“Why would you go and tangle with a black Mobuka? You are so self-destructive,” said Victoria. She walked out of the water and crawled over my body.
When she opened her mouth, her split pink tongue licked my earlobe. Her salty, wet skin dripped more water on me as she settles on top of me. An aroma of lilies traveled to my nose. When a nymph wanted intimacy, they secreted a scent, and the scent would lure men to them. Victoria’s scent smelled like lilies. It should smell like decay because she killed without prejudice. Everything that smells good to you is not good for you.
“Do not play coy with me Victoria. I know you summoned that monster on me.” I tried to sit up but pain shot through my chest. My breath came out in short bursts as my head dropped back down to the ground.
“Do you know what a Black Mobuka is? It is a tiny monster that is usually harmless but when angry will squirt a thick purple substance that blinds and burns the eyes,” said Victoria. She rubbed my hair away from my face.
“Woman, get off of me.” I rocked trying to move her off me. I gritted my teeth as she stretched out on top of me.
“The substance is fatal in thirty minutes. It must be injected into the skin, so as long as you are not wounded anywhere, you’re safe.”
“Get off me. I do not have time for this.” I tried to shake her off me but her legs tightened around my waist.
My blood felt like it was boiling. I was hot from the inside out, and every part of me hurt. I have never thought much about my death. This is not the end for me. I am so close. Victoria never meant to spare my life. I underestimated her. She was only bidding her time until she could cause me the most suffering before ending my miserable life.
“Let me die in peace woman.” I turned away from her. I allowed my mind to drift back to when I first laid eyes on Lily.
“I have the power to save you. All you have to do is be mine.”
I snorted. Her body stiffened against mine. “I intend to kill Valcrum. One way or another this ends for me. It does not matter whether it is here, on this bank or in front of Valcrum.”
“If I allow you to live long enough to battle against Valcrum you will be mine.”
“If I agree you must promise never to hurt or kill Lily.” My mind was made up and I intend to protect Lily even in death. I promised her no harm. For once, I intended to keep my word.
“You’re in no position to bargain. You forfeited a life with her when you betrayed Valcrum.”
“Your word Victoria or no deal.” I tried to wiggle my toes. There was no feeling in my lower limbs.
The vein in my head throbbed against my temples. I am out of time. I could not keep my eyes open anymore. Pain wracked my body as my heart slowed and the last of my strength faded. Darkness came from below the soil. When terrible people die dark spirits came from below the earth and carry them away. It would not be long when the dark spirits would come for me. I surrendered to my fate.
Victoria leaned down and used her long-curved fingernail to slice open his right leg. She tapped the black poison in his vein. Most of it slithered out of his body. She bent her head back and lifted her hand to the sky. A surge of energy flowed through her, and she touched it on his leg. Pressing her hands on his chest, a jolt of energy surged through him.
My eyes flew open. “Just let me die.” I rolled over pushing her off me. I buried my face into the dirt as tremors ran through my body. I stood. Looking down at my leg most of the discoloration was gone.
“We are bound together now. If I die you will die. The only thing keeping the poison under control is me. You go fight Valcrum but you belong to me, so get used to it,” said Victoria.
Getting to my feet I stared at Victoria. Her eyes glowed. I am back in business. Not bad, I guess. I only had to sell myself to the devil. Floating away I headed to meet Dylan. It was time for me to face my destiny head on. Something was different about me. There was someone or something crawling inside my head stroking different memories and distracting me. Looking down at my arms, I saw the black poison circulating in my veins.
“Your destiny is with me,” said Victoria.
What? Get out of my head Victoria. Rolling my eyes, I spotted Dylan standing with forty men. Every one of them looked ready for battle. I should have told Dylan to be discreet. It is best to take your enemy by surprise. We need all the advantages we can get. Lily still lives but there is no way to undo what I have done.
“We are connected. I’ll always be with you, and you with me,” said Victoria.
You never told me you would be in my head. Get out. I need total concentration. I do not want you swimming around in my thoughts distracting me.
“I’m just trying to get to know you better. It isn’t often that I get a chance to see what you’re thinking,” said Victoria.
Gritting my teeth, I made my way through the crowded streets. Death was looking brighter and brighter. I do not want that manipulative chick in my head.
“You’d better show me some respect before you lose some of your memories. I’d hate to remove Lily from your memory. Oh wait. I’d love to do that.”
Victoria I am warning you. Get out of my head or I am coming over there to end us both. There were more people standing in the streets than usual. Something was about to happen. Something big. I can use the distraction to make our move on Valcrum. Maybe things are finally looking up.
“Dylan why are all of you standing around like you are ready for war? What has happened?”
“Gabriel Santos’ baby has been killed,” said Dylan. He looked at the red-headed man to his left.
“Gabriel was the first angel born under the new peace treaty, and all-out has started everywhere. We stand in the streets ready for Valcrum to show up.”
“When he arrives, we’ll make our moves. Valcrum won’t tell us what to do anymore. We have the power to overthrow Valcrum. Who’s with me?” said Fred. He stepped in the middle of the street.
“You’re crazy. Valcrum is going to kill all of you. You broke the treaty. We aren’t going to die for you,” said Jill.
Jill raised her hands to sky and flew high in the air. Lightning flashed across the sky. Her eye turned silver as she shot bolts of lightning at us. Dodging them I swirled my hands in a circular motion summoning all my energy forcing my men behind the emerald force field. Each hit caused sharp pain vibrating up my nerves. I fell to my knees.
Spiritual spirits had many powers that Valcrum bestowed on them. You never knew who was more powerful than you. I refuse to die here on this spot before accomplishing everything I wanted to do. Valcrum will die, and Lily will be safe. Getting on my feet I felt the intensity of my powers draining my essence. I could not hold her off much longer.
Dylan teleported inside Jill, and her high-pitched scream shattered the silence. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and she called on Valcrum. The sky became darker but the lightning stopped. Jill’s face morphed into Dylan’s as he battled her from inside herself. She collapsed into a ball on the street. Dylan teleported out of her and raised his hand. A double-sided spear flew and landed in Dylan’s hands. Jill still called Valcrum’s name like an enchanted spell. Her eyes cast upward toward the sky. All her attention was on Valcrum and not on Dylan. We didn’t have much time before Valcrum would answer her cries. Dylan needs to shut her up, but instead he’s showboating. I guess the meek mouse is sh
owing that he’s a lion. There’s nothing wrong with that.
“Valcrum does not care about you. You will die on these streets and there is nothing Valcrum can do to stop it. When will you learn? Valcrum does not care about you.” My voice rose as I stepped from the force field.
Dylan lifted the spear above Jill’s head. He angled it at her head and struck with all his might. Jill glowed yellow and no matter how many times he cleaved off her head, nothing happened. Jill got to her feet and praised Valcrum.
“What is happening? You have to be dead,” said Dylan. Dylan tried to jump inside Jill but was frozen on the spot.
The sky cracked open. It started to rain blood as a silver spirit descended from above. I tried not to tremble where I stood but all of me shook at once. This was not the first time I had seen him. This time he came with a battle-ax. Valcrum does not want to talk. He came for war. The bright light that reflected off him was blinding. The heat from the light felt like you were dipped in acid.
“Who is that,” asked Fred. He held up his hands ready for war. The other men followed his lead and held up their hands readying themselves.
I shook my head at them. They did not seem to understand the severity of their actions or the consequences. “Put your hands down fool. That is Valcrum.”
Valcrum walked past Jill. She fell to her knees and placed a kiss on his foot. Touching her hair, he stepped over her.
“Trevor, you think you are more powerful than I and you lust for my power. Come, take what you so boldly crave,” said Valcrum.
The people cleared a path, and Valcrum walked toward me.
“You took Lily from me. That was your first mistake.” I stepped away from my men. This was the moment I was waiting for. Valcrum was going down. Violent emotions overtook me, and I summoned all my strength. Ten replicas of myself manifested and we all charged Valcrum.
Shape Shifter’s Demons in the Mist: Angel Academy Page 4
