Ivory Guard

by Natalie Herzer

  “What makes you think that?”

  She shrugged and frowned. “I can’t really say. She just feels human to me. I mean, look at the way she tucks her hair behind the ear. You could think it was calculated strategy…but no. She likes him, or the attention he’s giving her. And the healthy blush on her cheeks is something I can’t conciliate with a demon. She’s nervous.”

  “She should be. ‘Cause he’s the demon.”

  Her head snapped around to look at Raz in astonishment. “What?”

  “Sorry, it was kind of a trick question.”

  Lillian looked back at the couple, this time watching the guy more closely. Graying hair, good build and sure smile, he had this Richard Gere thing going for him. She could see it now. He overdid it.

  “It’s too much, too studied. The way he moves and dresses, he shouldn’t be in this golf club but rather in one with much higher rates. He’s good but on a closer look he’s a little out of place.” And there was a hungry glint to his eyes that had nothing to do with sexual desire – but plain hunger, for a soul. After the two of them obviously came to a sort of agreement, the man took the woman’s hand in his and kissed it. It could have been quite the romantic gesture, if it weren’t for the weird, white gold…spark between them and the fire in his eyes.

  “She doesn’t see it.”

  “No, she can’t. He just nibbled at her soul, her very essence.”

  Lillian thought a moment, then suggested, “Some kind of vampiric demon?”

  “Not bad. He’s a Dreamwalker and just made the connection. He’ll find her in her sleep and garner her soul through mental games while she dreams, probably by playing with her fear and definitely by using sex.” Raz nodded at her approvingly and grinned. “You know, that’s one of the reasons while training you is actually fun sometimes, you’re a quick study.”

  “Will we do something about him?”

  “Not yet. Too open out here.”

  Then he took her hand in his, surprising her with the warm contact and shiver that ran up her arm. She peeked up at him to see whether he had felt the same, but without so much as a glance at her or an explanation he tugged her towards the club.

  The interior was fashioned to appease different tastes and therefore rather bland. Raz introduced them as a couple that had been scouting clubs in an effort to find the one that would fit them. The clothes they were wearing seemed to help and conveyed a certain degree of arrogance in Raz’ case, so did his whole bearing. His smile was that of a bored wanna-be somebody and Lillian had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from bursting out laughing. But it seemed to work since soon they had rented a cart and explored the course.

  The sun was up in a blue sky that Lillian had to admit she wouldn’t have thought she could miss so much. But she had. Every touch of color was now a miracle to her eyes that had gotten too used to the gray world that was purgatory. Leaning her head back she wanted to forget about the reason they came here and just enjoy the warm sunlight and breeze on her skin. Fate, or heaven, had other plans however.

  “Remember what I told you about the hellholes?”

  His deep voice pulled her back to her reality. She had no trouble swallowing her sigh but the sudden butterflies stirring in her belly were a different matter entirely. This was true and real, and she had to keep her head in the game. She could relax later…that was, if she survived her first fight against a couple of demons.

  “Yes.”

  “Then tell me where we’re headed.”

  Hellholes were bubbles like purgatory but without the distinct boundary between worlds which meant contrary to purgatory they blended with their surroundings. Nevertheless, in the heart of it was a hole leading to hell that was clearly visible for Ivorys and angels the closer they got. Raz had told her to watch the colors since they would become more intense until finally, upon approaching the actual hellhole, the world would be tinted in red. So that’s what Lillian did.

  When her gaze slid over forested terrain farther ahead and to the side, she frowned and looked more closely. She couldn’t really say whether the green of the trees really was more intense but what struck her as odd was the air. It seemed to move and blur above the tree tops, like on a hot road.

  She discretely gestured towards it. “Over there.”

  Raz didn’t say a word regarding her suspicion, giving her no indication whether she was right or wrong, but only nodded and followed her directions.

  When they reached the edge of the tree line they quickly got out of the cart and checked their surroundings, careful that no one was watching them before disappearing into the shrubs.

  Raz motioned for her to take the lead.

  Ignoring the nerves fluttering inside her like a swarm of wasps now, she nodded and carefully continued her way towards where she suspected lay the heart of this hellhole. On alert, all her senses more alive than ever which she wasn’t sure was due to the fear and adrenaline rushing through her veins or her being an Ivory, Lillian’s brain almost clinically noticed the scent of the famous and local cedars, the roots and smaller shrub in her way, the flicker of shadows as the sunlight filtered through the branches.

  But she didn’t hear any birds.

  Her lips curved in a small, triumphant smile. In her gut she knew she was on the right track and the thrill of it called to the wasps inside her belly. Breathe in, and out. She was in control, she had trained for this. She could do this.

  Soon she noticed the colors gaining an edge, as if you played around with the settings of a TV, becoming more intense until finally a red veil covered the world. The sight was so stunning that Lillian halted in her steps. She should have been used to this kind of change in scenery. But this was different from purgatory. Purgatory’s white-and-black seemed harmless against this. The sky, a clear blue only moments ago, was now crimson. Lillian’s hand rose to touch the bark of a tree in front of her. It looked like a black, bloody thing rising up to meet the sky. A strong, branching vein pumping into a hungry heart. The dry leaves scattered on the ground were crimson as well, reminding her of images of blood cells under the microscope.

  Somehow she couldn’t imagine that humans weren’t able to perceive this, but Raz had assured her that they really couldn’t. Guess he’s right, she thought. If they had any idea, they would run away screaming and not calmly play golf.

  Voices reached her, coming from where she suspected the hellhole, and pulled her out of her thoughts. A glance at Raz confirmed he had heard them as well, and after a nod from him they both armed themselves. Not even a conscious effort was needed and her long sword was in her hand. The hilt felt good in her hand, her grip strong as she felt a warm ripple course up her arm as they became one. It was a heady feeling. Only weeks ago she had been calmly sitting in a library and now she was a fighter about to head into battle. Life really was a damn crazy ride.

  Lillian took the lead, making her way through the trees and shrub to where she suspected lay the center of the hellhole. Alert and as quiet as possible they closed in and another wave of adrenaline rushed through her, her heart pumping and reveling in the thrill. Amber had told her that Ivorys were made for this, would go nearly crazy without fulfilling their duty, and now Lillian understood.

  It was a rush she really could get addicted to.

  Crouching, hoping they wouldn’t be detected before they could use the moment of surprise, Lillian observed a small clearing ahead of them. It wasn’t so much a clearing as a space where the trees and shrub were thinning.

  In the center of it was the hellhole.

  A red, concentrated swirl, it was a moving, writhing thing and reminded her of a horizontal mini-tornado. Two winged Ebonys were guarding the hole while two other demons were stepping out of it. They were human in appearance but some gut instinct told her they were the middle ranking kind on the prowl for a good soul.

  Of the two demons, one was a man and the other a woman. They were talking with each other, the woman bursting with a laughter that had
a nasty edge to it. Evil vibes practically oozing out of her. The guy was dressed in a suit, with his hands in his pockets looking like he was on his way to court. He stayed silent, and after a quick lift of one corner of his mouth that was probably meant to be a grin his expression was back to bored and a little annoyed.

  Heart pounding against her ribs, stomach jumping with excitement, Lillian swallowed. Her first fight. Four opponents. Breathe, one more moment to enjoy the anticipation that was a mix of healthy fear and nerves and … unholy pleasure – there was no other word to describe the euphoric buzz inside of her.

  Lillian didn’t want to wait until there were more of them and decided it was the perfect moment to attack, since the female’s resounding laughter offered a perfect distraction as the two guards turned to look at her as well.

  Knowing Raz would be with her, she jumped out of the shrubs, sword drawn, and the battle began.

  The first Ebony was a victim of his own surprise and easy to dispatch. Swinging her sword, her movements fluid and determined, Lillian squared of with the remaining guard and the female demon. Both were armed with daggers, but thankfully the ones in the female’s hands weren’t of the shadowy variety.

  “Two against one? Not fair.”

  The female, clad in tight black pants and a very revealing gold top as if she had planned a hot night out, clucked her tongue. There was malice in her eyes and voice. “We’re demons, what did you expect?”

  Good point.

  Then it was enough with the talk and time to fight. At first her mind was too much into it, overthinking, and making her movements less fluid and sometimes hesitant. At first she had also feared she wouldn’t be able to kill, but in a battle where it quickly became clear that her adversaries really wanted her dead it ceased to be an issue. It was survival now.

  With the warmth creeping up her muscles and settling into them, she became more and more aware of her body. As a weapon. Forgetting all the theories and the thinking of what to do, how to do it, she let instinct take over. It was a dance now. Of strikes and thrusts, that were parried and blocked. Weaknesses were revealed and used. On both sides.

  Soon Lillian was breathing hard. She was still trapped between the two – time to remedy that. When they attacked simultaneously she jumped, willing her wings into being – and although she couldn’t fly they gave her the little extra boost she needed – and she rammed her sword down and into the Ebony’s neck while kicking out with her leg, bringing the female demon to fall.

  Lillian chanced a glance at Raz. Oh boy.

  It was like looking into the eye of the storm, complete calm bursting with power. Fluid movements, fast, he was a fantastic fighter and a sight to behold. But it was his eyes that did it; they were filled with a level-headed serenity that unhinged his opponents and made her heart stumble.

  Unfortunately Lillian didn’t have the luxury to enjoy the show since the woman was quickly back up on her feet, and they started circling each other, weapons raised.

  The demon’s daggers had a closer range and had therefore a small advantage over her long sword for which she needed more distance and space to work with. But she would do with what she had; at least she had most of the clearing by now since Raz had cut down his enemies to one. The Richard Gere wanna-be from earlier had joined in.

  They attacked until nothing existed but the lethal symphony of singing steel. Lillian’s attention focused on the woman before her – mind, body and soul. She was one with her sword, dancing with it. But then she made a fatal mistake. A beginner mistake.

  She slid in a puddle of black blood from the fallen.

  She could almost hear Raz’s voice echoing inside her head. Even though she never lost sight of her adversary, she had lost it of her surroundings for just one moment. And it could cost her the fight, her life even.

  The demon didn’t hesitate and used that moment, going for Lillian as she was on the ground. Straddling her, the woman instantly crossed her daggers and pushed them down against Lillian’s neck. Lillian almost tsked. The bitch should have gone for her sword first. She still had it and in the last moment managed to put it between them, metal clashing against metal. But the demon was strong and using all her weight to push those daggers down. Even gravity was on her side. Lillian’s arms screamed with the effort. She grit her teeth as the demon leaned in even more.

  Losing wasn’t an option here.

  She was too young to die – and besides, it was downright embarrassing to go meet her maker as a brand new Ivory that was bested by a mediocre demon bitch in her very first fight. That woman wasn’t even an Ebony for crying out loud. With determination and the will to live fueling her, she let her arms loosen up a bit, let the daggers get a taste of her blood. Then she roared and pushed upward with all her might, using the demon’s rash presumption that Lillian was done for and the fight over against her. Lillian shoved her away and rolled to the side, using the momentum to get back on her feet.

  White fire sheathed the sharp length of her sword, which she hadn’t even noticed before. A smile spread across her face. She had done it. The flaming sword. Her lingering gaze nearly cost her.

  The demon was up again and attacked, but Lillian was quicker, already moving and swinging her sword in a wide arch. The demon’s head toppled to the ground.

  Her adversaries were dead. Her first fight as an Ivory was over.

  Maybe it had been a little sloppy but in the end she had come out on top of it, with her flaming sword in hand. She had killed, yes, but it was a trade - lost souls to save innocent ones. She was surrounded by mess, but deep down inside she knew she had saved lives. And that was a heady feeling. Exhilarating.

  Heart knocking with adrenaline, fear exploding into nothingness, and delight in her chest she stared at Raz. He was breathing hard, the muscles in his arms flexing before his sword disappeared, and he was looking at her, with pride in his piercing eyes and respect.

  It was a gift that made it all the more real, that made her heart swell until there was just too much inside of her. Too many sensations that wanted to explode and needed release. She cried out, a sound of joy about being alive and so much more, before she closed the small distance between them and threw her arms up to embrace Raz.

  Her cry of sheer happiness was still ringing in his ears as she jumped up to give him a peck on the lips. It was meant as a celebratory sharing of their achievement, he knew it. But it didn’t stop the snap of power in the air - or maybe it was in his blood, he couldn’t say - and they both stopped moving, staring into each other’s eyes. The thrill of battle and rush of victory was pumping through them, mixing with something deeper, even more primitive.

  She swallowed and wet her lips. Thought fleeing him, Raz dropped his head and kissed her and all he could suddenly think of and feel was Lillian. Her scent, her body and her warm lips against his.

  His arms went around her, pulling her even closer, molding her to him as her legs went up and around his waist, and for one perfect moment there was nothing else but the two of them. No thought to the blood covering them, to the scent of sulfur wafting around them as the dead went up in red flames. Nothing else existed but this new and intoxicating heat burning through his veins. Her mouth was inviting and warm as he dipped his tongue into it. A deep moan escaped him at the unfamiliar sensations and pleasure rushing through him.

  In the haze he didn’t even notice that he had moved until her back was up against a tree. He moved his lips along her jaw, tasting her skin, the healthy sweat, and then trailed a line of kisses from the soft, warm flesh underneath her ear to her collarbone which made her tremble and gasp his name. Fuck. He wanted to hear it again.

  In his mind he knew all about kissing, knew everything there was to know - and used it now - but feeling it, experiencing it was so much more than words could ever express. He could have fallen to his knees. Or even further…though merely the whisper of a thought it had the power of a sledgehammer bringing him back to reality with a snap. A cold shower was nothing a
gainst the chilling apprehension flooding him.

  What the hell was he doing? He had to get himself back under control, now.

  With images of bloody fire and blackened wings flashing behind his eyes Raz found the strength to pull away, his hand grabbing her knee and setting her back down on her feet. Their breathing was ragged. A look at Lillian, her eyes darker and more alive than he had ever seen with desire, her inviting lips swollen and red from his kiss, made his jaw clench. He silently cursed her for being so goddamn tempting, for making him feel this way. Cursed himself for cursing her, since he was the one who had failed.

  He took a step back, but it felt as if he put much more distance between them than that. “This was a mistake and won’t happen again. Keep your emotions under control the next time you’re close to a hellhole. Head in the game, if you don’t want to lose it.”

  Her mouth opened on a mute gasp, her eyes wide. Something sharp and hot pierced his heart but he ignored it. Without another word he turned around, wondering whether he would ever forget the shock and hurt he had put in her eyes.

  Suddenly Maion appeared in front of him, glaring white wings – silently mocking him – and a smile on his face that said he already had a few today. Great, exactly what he didn’t need right now.

  His brother looked at him, then at Lillian behind him, and Raz had no idea how much Maion really saw there. Maion’s best weapon was being underestimated. Downing a few beers didn’t keep him from doing his job and being good at it.

  His gaze was on Lillian as he announced. “The Guard is ready and on its way. They will be awaiting you at the safe house.”

  TEN

  Back in purgatory the Chevelle pulled to a stop in front of the house. Lillian closed her eyes, which she almost immediately regretted as her brain took her right back to that moment in the woods. Instantly her blood started to boil, as much from desire as anger, and her eyes snapped back open. Right now she couldn’t afford to think about the kiss and Raz and everything that was burning inside of her, and so she forced herself to count to ten inside her head. She needed to calm down for this, for this moment when she would face the people that she would have to train, be responsible for and one day would have to trust with her own life.