by Callie Kanno
“You did not tell me you were being pursued,” came the voice of the demon through the conduit. “Your enemies have reached the Threshold.”
Basha was weak from the ritual, but her eyes still flashed with loathing. “I did not imagine they could get past the barriers mentioned in the book.”
“The barriers would only stop the feeble,” sneered Cha-sak, “but nevermind that now. Our contract is complete, and you have the ability to summon me from this prison. Go beyond the circle of the first barrier and complete the ritual I gave you. That will enable me to pass beyond the influence of Serraf vyala, and we shall begin our conquest of this mortal world. I will take care of your enemies here.”
Basha bowed low. “Yes, Great One, but what of my L’avan prisoner?”
“Leave him,” ordered the demon. “The remainder of his life is necessary to maintain this crack in the Threshold through which I may escape.”
“Yes, Great One.”
The Shimat woman lurched to her feet and hurried to complete the task that had been given to her.
Her new master would not be pleased if she lingered.
***
Adesina was dumbfounded.
She found herself staring around the room in confusion, and she could sense that Ravi was doing the same.
The cavern was just how she remembered it from her Dream. Dozens of intricate scenes were carved into the walls, and the center of the room held a dais made of white marble. The runes and elaborate designs etched into the platform glowed with the power of vyala, and a doorway of light shone in the center of the circle.
But where were Basha and L’iam?
Adesina was the only human in the room.
She looked up at the shining doorway on the dais—the Threshold. An impossibly black shadow stepped into view, marring the brilliance of the portal. It was shaped similar to a man, but larger and without distinguishable features. Wisps of darkness roiled off of its form, and its eyes glowed red.
An icy shiver raked through Adesina’s body, and she was frozen with terror.
“Kneel before me, half-breed,” commanded a voice that was both menacing and forceful. “I am Cha-sak, Demon Lord of the Shimat.”
The power of his presence alone made her tremble, and her instinct was to obey immediately.
Yet, there was something deep within her that refused to acquiesce. It bore her up and gave strength to her own voice.
“I am Adesina, Daughter of the Serraf. I bow to no demon, no matter their title.”
“You dare to claim equality with me?” hissed the midnight form.
“It is not a claim,” said Adesina with growing courage. “It is a fact.”
The ruby eyes of the demon glinted, and then narrowed thoughtfully.
“How came you to stand before the Threshold, Adesina Serrafdaughter?”
There was something about the way that he said her name that made her feel extremely uneasy. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and she clenched the handle of her Blood Sword tighter.
“With much toil and sacrifice,” she answered shortly.
Cha-sak leered at her, which seemed much more unpleasant coming from a featureless face.
“Surely not much. You are not like that other half-breed. I can sense your strength, even from this distance.”
Adesina’s heart leapt. “The other half-breed?”
“The one whose vyala cracks open the Threshold,” the demon said in a dismissive tone. “You are stronger than he.”
“Is he still alive?” she asked in desperation. “Where is he?”
It was difficult to read expressions on the shadowy face—nearly impossible. However, there was an odd sense of emotion that could be gathered if one dared to look directly into the demon’s eyes.
Cha-sak was amused and intrigued. “He means something to you. Perhaps he is the reason you came all this way?”
Do not give any more information than you have to, warned Ravi. The Shimat demons are liars and manipulators, just like their namesakes.
Adesina had almost forgotten that her guardian was with her. She was gladdened by the reminder that she did not have to face this threat alone.
She repeated her question in a more moderate tone. “Where is he?”
The jet black hand of the demon waved indifferently. “Far from here. You cannot save him now.”
Cha-sak appeared to take malicious delight in the words.
For a moment, Adesina felt that she would be overwhelmed in grief. She had come so far and fought for so long. Could it be true that she was too late?
No, Ma’eve! Do not give up.
Ravi’s encouragement was like a warming liquid in her mind. The chill of fear melted away, and she was once again filled with hope and determination.
“I have done the impossible before,” she stated firmly.
A pleased chuckled rasped from the demon’s throat. “Is that so? I would greatly wish to see a demonstration of this ability.”
“I am not here for your amusement,” Adesina snapped.
“No,” agreed Cha-sak. “You are meant for something far greater. Perhaps we can come to an arrangement that would be mutually beneficial.”
The offer surprised Adesina. She stared at him for a moment before stammering a response. “What do you mean?”
“Nothing can stop my return to this mortal world,” exulted Cha-sak. “I have already seen to that. However, the servant that has sworn to me is weak and lowly. I would have my vessel be of higher blood.”
“Do you mean me?” Adesina asked incredulously.
“You may be a half-breed,” said Cha-sak with distaste, “but you have more worth than the other. You could stand by my side as my faithful servant, and you would be honored when I conquer this world.”
Her brow furrowed in confusion. “You said you already have a servant. Did you not make a blood vow with Basha?”
Cha-sak exuded indifference. “Our contract is of a nature that I may terminate it whenever I wish. She knew so little of blood magic, and she readily accepted all of my terms—even the ones she did not fully understand.”
An explanation flowed from Ravi’s thoughts to Adesina’s.
Immortals can only speak the truth when offering the terms of a blood vow, and it is assumed that the one accepting the terms fully understands what is being offered. If Basha asked no questions and made no amendments, Cha-sak could have made any sort of vow he desired without repercussions.
Adesina felt pity for Basha. The future of the Shimat warrior looked grim.
“I swore long ago that I would never serve the Shimat,” declared the young L’avan queen.
Cha-sak appeared astonished by her answer. “You do not realize what I can offer you. You may be strong compared to the other mortals, but I can bestow greater power than you can imagine. You would be able to bend humanity to your will.”
“There is nothing you can offer that would tempt me,” replied Adesina with disdain.
“Not even the life of your precious lover?” sneered the demon.
Her heart skipped a beat. “Can you promise his life will be saved?”
Cha-sak hesitated.
There! He cannot lie when the terms of a contract are being discussed, and he knows he cannot make such a promise.
Her thoughts turned to the role she had accepted as the Threshold Child, and she was filled with courage and purpose. When she had first heard the prophecy, she had thought that it was her duty to lead her people to a greater purpose. Now she knew that it was through her sacrifice that the L’avan would find their true path.
Her actions today would change the world—even if she never lived to see it happen. She had accepted that, and now it was her duty to see it through.
Adesina raised her chin in a gesture of defiance. “I will never serve you, Cha-sak. In truth, I will be the source of your downfall. I swear it.”
The demon appeared only momentarily disappointed. “We could have ruled this world within a
year. As it is, my dominion will only be slightly delayed. You cannot defeat me, Adesina Serrafdaughter. I am destined to be sovereign of all.”
There was a strange throb of magic from a distance—something Adesina did not recognize. Cha-sak’s tone took on a hint of satisfaction.
“So! My new servant can follow instructions. I will make use of her after all.”
He made a gesture to something standing behind him on the other side of the Threshold.
“My conquest begins today, Adesina Serrafdaughter. Unfortunately, you will not live to see it completed.”
Another throb of the strange magic transported Cha-sak through the Threshold and beyond Adesina’s reach.
“No!”
She could not allow a demon to escape.
Before Adesina had a chance to do anything about the disappearance of Cha-sak, a hulking figure stepped up to the Threshold and began to push against the magical barrier.
It was vastly different from Cha-sak, and yet it exuded the same evil intent.
It was a sickly grey color, and it looked as though it had no skin. Its four arms were masses of exposed muscles, as were its two legs. Its face looked like a mask of bone, and a number of jagged spikes protruded.
The Threshold appeared to be an open doorway, but the barrier that kept the two worlds apart was only weakened—cracked very slightly. The barrier seemed to work like a sieve, trapping larger forces of magic first. A demon such as Cha-sak was too powerful to escape on his own, but a lesser demon could slip through with enough effort.
Adesina and Ravi both experienced a sinking feeling as they watched the mass of muscle and bone push its way past the light of the Threshold.
The demon roared in challenge, and Adesina raised her Blood Sword in response.
Chapter Fifty-two: Falcon
Adesina had never faced any opponent like this before. She was accustomed to fighting humans, and she wasn’t sure how to adapt her fighting style for this situation. She connected to her vyala, feeling the warmth and vitality of the magic fill her entire being. Then she opened herself completely to Ravi, throwing wide the doors of their Joining.
All of this took mere seconds, but that was all the time they had to prepare.
The demon charged forward, uttering an ear-splitting bellow. Adesina broke to the left and Ravi broke to the right. Through Ravi’s vision she could see the demon swipe a clawed hand at her back, and she dove and rolled to avoid the blow.
Adesina sprang to her feet, but not in enough time to dodge the demon’s following strike.
Ravi used their shared vyala to harden her skin against the razor-sharp talons of the demon, but the force of the attack knocked Adesina against the wall.
She was momentarily dazed and gasping for breath. The demon towered over her, but the expected blow never came.
Ravi darted forward and sank his teeth into the thigh of the demon, using his powerful jaw to tear at the grey flesh.
The demon shrieked in pain and turned away from Adesina, giving her time to dart out of danger.
Adesina and Ravi both felt a surge of satisfaction at seeing their enemy hobbled, but the feeling soon faded. The muscles of the demon’s leg quivered and shifted, mending itself as if the injury had never occurred.
Adesina cursed quietly and adjusted her grip on her sword. Perhaps if she moved quickly enough the monster would not have time to heal.
She dashed forward with the intent of severing the demon’s hamstrings, and Ravi automatically positioned himself on the opposite side to flank their enemy. The demon gave a defiant howl, and Adesina felt it connecting to its own form of vyala.
A dark energy pulsed outward, throwing Adesina and Ravi back from their attack.
The L’avan queen’s vision swirled a gold and dark blue as she called forth her own power. She wove a spell of protection around herself and Ravi, holding onto it tightly in the corner of her mind so that it would not weaken.
Ravi harried the demon, drawing its attention away from Adesina. He tore at the demon’s legs with his teeth and his claws, moving quickly and gracefully.
The demon raised its two upper arms and black fire burst into flame in each hand. It brought down its arms with all the strength it could muster, but Ravi threw up a magical shield that took the brunt of the blow.
The black fire shattered like glass, and the shards flew in all directions.
Adesina instinctively brought up her Blood Sword in a defensive stance, and an unexpected aura of gold flickered to life in the blade. The shards of fire that fell in her direction appeared to be absorbed by the magical glow.
The shards that flew elsewhere remained active. They set fire to the stone, and the flames slowly began to grow.
Several fiery fragments landed in a circle around Ravi, trapping him where he stood.
Adesina did not feel any heat through her Joining with her guardian. Instead, the black flames gave off an icy blast that penetrated to the heart.
Ravi tried to transport himself away from danger, but the fire repressed his ability to use vyala.
I cannot jump over it, he thought frantically. My legs would be injured beyond repair.
The demon purred with feral delight, and it reached forward to crush its prey.
Adesina’s vyala flared orange, and she threw out her free hand in a forceful gesture towards her enemy. The wave of magic sent the demon flying backward, and Adesina sprinted to Ravi before the beast could regain its footing.
The young L’avan woman tried to use her vyala to put out the black flames that surrounded Ravi, but nothing worked. The demonic spell seemed to exist outside of the normal laws of nature.
“I cannot put it out,” she said in panic.
“Can you lift me over it?” the Rashad asked desperately.
She tried to reach through the fiery barrier with her vyala, but it was as though the black flames consumed the magic.
Adesina shook her head. “It did not work!”
From across the cave, the demon rose to its feet and bellowed in rage. It lowered its horned head and began to charge.
A sudden idea came into Adesina’s mind, and she acted on it without further consideration. She raised her Blood Sword high above her head and brought it down on the black fire that surrounded her guardian.
The golden light flared around the blade, and the icy flames winked out of existence.
Adesina stared at her sword in amazement. The intricate etchings along the blade continued to glow, even when the aura around the sword began to fade.
Had her weapon always possessed such power, or was it the proximity to the Threshold that changed it?
“Ma’eve!”
The demon was still charging, and Adesina had to dive out of the way.
She was not fast enough to avoid contact.
The tip of one of the jagged spikes on the demon’s mask of bone caught her leg, slicing the flesh of her calf in spite of the protective spell she had woven earlier.
A burning pain shot up her leg and through her back, paralyzing her almost instantly. Her heart began to race in an unsteady pattern, and the burning sensation started to spread.
Heal!
The thought came almost unbidden, but it was obeyed by her vyala without her taking any direct action. Adesina’s vision flared to a yellow tint, and her power began to purge the poison from her system.
Her body was immobile while it healed, which left her in a precarious position. Ravi tried to draw the attention of the demon, but to no avail. The monster could see that Adesina was injured, and it renewed its attack on her.
Adesina split her vyala so that she could defend herself. This slowed her healing, but she knew it would ultimately save her life.
She altered the gravity surrounding the demon, making its movements heavy and slow. The beast redoubled its efforts, exerting its full strength to reach her.
Just before it came within range of her, Adesina reversed the pull of gravity—making the demon lighter than normal. The
demon had no time to adjust its movements, and it flew over Adesina’s head and into the cavern wall behind.
Allow me to help heal you, Ma’eve.
Ravi channeled some of his life force into Adesina, which quickened her healing even without the aid of vyala. With the magic already working, it became a wave of regenerating power that swept out all traces of the demon’s venom.
Normally, Adesina would have protested such reckless use of Ravi’s vyala, but she had no time to argue.
The demon was on its feet once more, and it was berserk with rage.
It raised all four arms and gave an ear-shattering howl. Sickly green balls of light began to form in each hand, and the demon hurled them in Adesina and Ravi’s direction. The first few attacks missed by a wide margin, but the destructive power was enough to throw off Adesina’s balance.
She dodged behind one of the few outcroppings of rock in the cave, but it only took three balls of exploding light before she had to find new cover.
She was running out of places to hide, and she wasn’t certain she could face the bombardment directly.
A thought came to Adesina, and she chided herself for forgetting one of the fundamental teachings of the Shimat.
Use your surroundings.
As she darted through the cavern to avoid the barrage of demonic attacks, she used her vyala to scan her environment. She sensed that Ravi began to do the same, and together they found the one feature that would help them to win this fight.
There!
In the far corner, against the wall of the cave, a section of the stone ceiling was riddled with cracks. With some help, they could cause the entire area to collapse.
Now they just had to maneuver the demon to the right position.
Ravi immediately began to execute a series of swift assaults and rapid retreats. His intent was to enrage the demon rather than to injure it.
Adesina did her best to remain out of the demon’s notice. She studied the cracked ceiling meticulously and placed her magic with precision. If she made a mistake in her calculations, the entire room could cave in.
The demon bellowed with growing frustration and threw its mighty fists against the ground, causing the floor to quake.
