“Step forward,” Luna bellowed. The smallest of the three, with pale blond hair that flowed to her waist, she sat on the edge of her throne with an irritated look on her face. “Girl. Come here.”
“My name is Kai.” Kai squared her shoulders and tilted her chin as she walked toward the steps but stopped at the base. “I--I am a Custodian of the Light.”
“We shall see,” Willow said softly.
Asmodeus moved in behind Kai, but kept his eyes on Willow. Her bright red hair was tied back in a long braid and her sharp dark eyes were fixed on him.
“No one told you to approach, demon,” Willow bit out.
“You have no control over me, Willow.” Asmodeus kept his tone even and calm but inched closer to Kai. “I am here to get the ring and return it to the Underworld where it belongs.”
“Ha!” Raven clapped her hands and pulled her feet up on the chair. She linked her arms around her knees and played with the fabric of her purple skirt. Long black hair flowed over her shoulders in thick waves and her coffee colored skin glowed with the illusion of youth. “What makes you think the Ring of Solomon belongs in the Underworld, Asmodeus?”
“Raven, you know the power it possesses.” Asmodeus smirked.
“True.” Raven giggled and her lavender eyes twinkled with mischief. “It will be no fun at all if you get to take it back there. I was kind of hoping the Fae would get their hands on it, but Willow is still so pissed at Satan, that she’d probably give almost anything to—”
“Enough chatter,” Willow, said impatiently. “Kai, Isadora has told us about your unique...situation. I explained to her that I had to see the ring for myself before we could go any further. I have to be sure that you are entitled to the information you seek.” She crooked one long finger at Kai. “Come here.”
“Do as she says,” Luna added tersely.
Kai glanced over her shoulder at Asmodeus but before he could follow her, Luna waved one hand in the air and chanted something under her breath but Asmodeus saw it and countered. The witch wanted to play dirty but he was in no mood.
Asmodeus called on the power deep inside him, heat flashed over his body as he raised both palms. A fireball shot toward Luna and exploded in mid-air as it met her spell. Kai yelped and stepped back, away from the steps but Asmodeus didn’t miss the fact that she was holding her right hand to her chest and it had begun to glow.
Luna swore and rose from her seat but Willow, who hadn’t taken her eyes off Asmodeus, placed one hand on Luna’s arm and urged her to sit. Raven giggled and rested her chin on her knees as she looked between them.
“I suggest you keep your spells to yourself, Luna.” Asmodeus’ voice boomed through the room. “I have no time to screw around and very little patience.”
“Funny,” Willow simpered with a quick look to Kai. “That’s not what I heard.”
“Do you want to see the ring or not?” Kai asked boldly.
Willow waved Kai forward. Taking the steps slowly, Kai’s skirt jingled as she bravely approached the three witches. Asmodeus, his body tense and ready to respond in a blink, watched the scene intently. If any of them attempted to do anything to Kai—he would kill them. Consequences be damned.
The three priestesses rose from their thrones and gathered at the center of the altar platform. Kai stopped in front of them, sucked in a deep breath and held out her right hand, showing them the Ring of Solomon.
All three witches leaned closely but they didn’t speak. Luna, Willow and Raven nodded and, though they weren’t speaking out loud, Asmodeus knew they were communicating telepathically. He looked to Isadora for answers but she shrugged and rolled her eyes as she mouthed the word drama queens.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of silence, they stepped back and clasped hands. Luna and Raven were on either side of Willow and they stared at Kai in silence.
Kai put her hands on her hips before turning around and giving Isadora and Asmodeus a look that screamed what the hell?
“Well?” Kai asked in exasperation. “You’ve seen the ring. Now what can you tell me?”
Luna and Raven reached out toward Kai with their free hands but remained silent.
“They want to connect with your spirit, Kai,” Isadora said.
“They’ll be able to get a better read on you that way.”
“Why didn’t they just tell her that themselves?” Asmodeus seethed. Anxiety flickered up his spine and he inched closer to the steps.
“The three of them are connected by a collective consciousness and if they speak it will break their concentration.” Isadora nodded and waved. “Go on, Kai. It’s okay.”
Kai licked her lower lip and nodded, but Asmodeus could tell that even though she was putting on a brave front, she was terrified. Her delicate hands reached out tentatively and then he saw her suck in a deep breath as she placed her fingers in theirs.
A bright light flashed from Kai and quickly engulfed the four women. A loud humming sound pulsed through the room as the light grew brighter still and became so blinding, that Asmodeus could no longer see Kai but only the outline of her body.
Panic consumed him as he watched her small form get swallowed up. A deep, sonic, bass pulsed around the room like an invisible snake. Whipping around them with incredible speed, the sound became deafening.
Asmodeus took the steps in one leap and dove into the light with little thought about what it would do to him or to Kai. All he knew was that he had to get her out of there.
Heat fired over him and as his hands penetrated the light, they connected with Kai’s shoulders. Blind and deaf from the powerful force, his fingers curled over her and with every ounce of strength he had, pulled her toward him.
He flew back and landed on the flagstone path with Kai’s lifeless body splayed over his. Facedown, her blond hair covered his chest and unadulterated fear filled him when he realized she wasn’t moving. Asmodeus gently laid her on the ground and brushed the hair from her face, holding her hand in his he whispered her name.
“She is a Custodian.” Luna’s voice floated down from the altar. “But she must find her grandmother’s Book of Spells. That is where she will find the answers she seeks.”
“What have you done to her?” Asmodeus whipped his head to face them and he knew his eyes glowed red.
“We awoke the parts of her that were dormant,” Willow answered.
“How do we get this ring off her finger?” he asked urgently, although deep in his gut he already knew the answer.
“You won’t,” Luna said firmly. “Kai will wear that ring for as long as she possesses the light.”
Asmodeus swallowed hard and glanced at Isadora, who looked as bothered by this whole thing as he felt. Kai possesses a light because she’s alive, so if what they’re saying is true...the ring will only come off when she dies.
“Given her Fae and witch bloodlines, this girl will be around for a very long time. My, my, my,” Willow simpered. “I can’t imagine the rest of the Brotherhood will be very happy about that. Can’t have a Fae-witch hybrid running around with the Ring of Solomon on her pretty little hand. What on earth will they do?”
“Don’t you mean what will he do, sister?” Raven giggled. “You know first- hand that the demons never choose a woman over the Brotherhood.”
“Shut up,” Willow spat.
Raven giggled and covered her mouth as she peered at Asmodeus. He glowered at them because he knew exactly what they were talking about.
The Brotherhood came first. No woman had ever come between them. Willow and Zemi, the Fae Queen, knew that first-hand, didn’t they? Satan and Lucifer gave up the women they loved for the duties of the Brotherhood. If only Asmodeus’ choice were that simple.
He looked into Kai’s beautiful face and the dull ache in his chest grew. She moaned softly as she started to wake up and Asmodeus kissed her forehead as he knelt beside her and held her hand in his.
Walking away from her was one thing and he’d been prepared to do that but th
at wasn’t even an option anymore.
Asmodeus only had two choices left.
Let the Brotherhood kill Kai to get the ring or fight his own brothers and die to protect her.
***PART THREE***
Chapter Eleven
Ever since Kai woke up in the Witches Council chamber, her body throbbed with what could only be described as an undercurrent of energy. It felt like a ripple of electricity ran beneath the surface of her skin and she half expected to see little flickers of it coming off her head like one of those lightning lamps they always had at science fairs.
Asmodeus had tried to help her to her feet, but Kai was still pissed and she pulled her arm away, not wanting him to touch her. To her surprise, and everyone else’s, a streak of yellow light ripped across the room, making the ivy burst into flames.
Awkward.
Willow, Luna and Raven insisted that Isadora show Kai how to channel her energy so that she didn’t set the entire facility on fire. In fact, the High Priestesses sent them outside to ensure their secret compound was left unscathed by Kai’s attempts to use her newfound powers. So for the past several hours, Kai had been working on getting the hang of channeling the now ever present energy and so far she felt like a great big dummy.
Asmodeus, the one person she thought she could count on, had turned into a giant, silent, glowering jerk. He’d barely said two words to her since their exchange in the bedchamber, which was ironic. He was pissed at her? That was rich. Wasn’t he the one who went from hot to cold in a New York minute? What right did he possibly have to be upset with her?
Kai glanced over her shoulder at him but he looked away and folded his arms over his chest as though he was keeping a look out for Ben or the Brotherhood. But Kai knew he was doing his best to avoid any contact with her.
Tears stung her eyes as she spun back around and glared at the one, singed pile of hay and the two others that remained totally untouched. So far she stunk at the magic thing—at least when she tried to use it on purpose.
Standing in the middle of a wide, green field that sat between two snow-capped mountains, Kai squinted as she shielded her eyes from the sun. Self-doubt and frustration simmered cruelly as she kicked at the grass, making the charms on her skirt jingle.
“I feel like an idiot,” Kai muttered under her breath. Arms extended, palms facing out, she focused on the haystacks on the other side of the field. “Where are we anyway, Isadora? Aren’t you worried that someone will wander by and see me shooting light out of my hands?”
“This whole area is enchanted,” Isadora said with more than a little exasperation. Lying on the grass, she stretched her arms over her head and images of Kai’s cat Zephyr came to mind. Eyes closed she waved her hands absently. “No one will see you unless I want them to. Think of it as being in an invisible, soundproof chamber in the midst of the great outdoors. However, if you see any sudden or unusual looking rays of light, do let me know.”
“Rays of light?” Kai asked as she continued to try to get her powers to work. “You mean like sunlight?”
“Any light,” Isadora said as he propped herself up on her elbows. “The Fae use beams of light to travel between dimensions.”
“What do you mean between dimensions?” Kai dropped her hands to her side and gave Isadora a quizzical look. “The Fae aren’t in this dimension and what do you mean they use beams of light?”
“Well they hang out here from time to time but the Fae world is in a different dimension. I’ll tell you more later but you’ve got work to do right now.” Isadora jutted her chin toward Kai. “Focus, Kai. Close your eyes and picture that light inside you, that is where the core of your power lies.”
“It’s your soul,” Asmodeus said quietly.
“Well that’s a little dramatic,” Isadora scoffed. “But kind of.”
“Fine,” Kai sighed. She closed her eyes as Isadora instructed and picture her own aura in her mind. “Tell me more about the light and how the Fae use it to travel.”
“Concentrate, Kai.” Asmodeus’ bossy tone drifted over Kai’s shoulder with irritating clarity. “We don’t have time for silly questions and nonsense about the Fae.”
“Oh, really?” Kai turned around slowly and glared at him. Hands on her hips she strode toward him. “I’m so sorry if I’m taking too long to learn how to use magic, you big jerk. Unlike you, I am not accustomed to having balls of light flying out of my skin, so excuse the hell out of me for all of my silly questions,” she said making air quotes. Heat fired over her flesh as her frustration grew. “And the information about the Fae isn’t nonsense, thank you very much, it happens to be a part of who I am and up until yesterday, I didn’t even know that. So give me a break. Okay?”
“Kai,” Asmodeus’ voice was even but firm and he dropped his arms to his sides as she approached. “Be careful.”
“Why?” Kai shouted. Anger crawled up her back as the little hairs on her arms stood on end. Static electricity flickered around her in the air and heat spread through her chest. “Why should—“
As sweat broke out over her flesh, Kai answered her own question. Shaking, she held up her hands and saw the bright, white light of her own aura as it merged with a red glow that emanated from the ring. Her heart rate increased and the air around her suddenly felt thick, as though she was suffocating.
“What’s ha-happening?” Kai asked in a shuddering breath.
“It looks like the High Priestesses did indeed help you tap into your power but you better learn some control. Those bitches cracked the seal but your emotions are triggering the natural defenses of your Fae side,” Isadora said calmly. No longer lying on the grass, she’d moved in to Kai’s left and spoke in soothing tones. “The Fae are known for being highly emotional and witches are deeply connected to nature. It’s obvious that Asmodeus over here is capable of triggering some intense feelings in you but being out here in this natural setting, also seems to be amplifying your powers.”
“I’m afraid to move,” Kai whispered as she held Asmodeus’ now glowing red gaze. “I don’t want to hurt anyone. Asmodeus, can you stop it like you did in the bed chamber?”
Asmodeus raised his hands, but Isadora grabbed his arm and tugged it down, preventing him from interceding.
“No,” Isadora snapped. “Kai, you have to learn how to control it on your own. Close your eyes,” she said quietly. Kai did as she was asked. “Good. Now tell me what you’re feeling. Talk us through it.”
“It’s as though there’s a rope of electricity running just under my skin,” Kai said in a shaky breath. She held her hands in front of her, palms facing her belly. “It feels like it’s looking for a way out.”
“Good, child,” Isadora’s voice drifted over her like a comforting blanket. “I want you to imagine that you’re running your hands along the rope, feel it, rushing beneath your fingers. Can you see it?”
“Yes.” Kai’s brow furrowed and sweat beaded on her upper lip as she strained to get control. “But why?”
“Your mind is your most powerful tool and controls all of your magic.” Isadora’s voice was gentle but firm. “Now…do as I said.”
Kai said nothing but nodded as she did as Isadora instructed. She pictured a beige, rough rope whipping beneath her hands so fast that the palms of her hands actually burned.
“Good. Feel it rasping beneath your fingers and when I tell you to, I want you to grab it,” Isadora commanded. “Now!”
With the image firmly in her mind’s eye, Kai curled her hands into fists and as she did, her body jolted with a surge of power. She gasped as every cell of her body lit up with energy. A humming filled her head and the vibration of power she’d felt since waking up grew stronger but for the first time, it didn’t feel out of control.
“You have it, girl?”
Kai nodded. Body rigid and fists clenched, she grit her teeth as the otherworldly power vibrated through her.
“Good. Turn to your right. Remember those short pine trees?” Isadora asked as Kai nodd
ed wordlessly and shifted her body in that direction. “Good. Now throw it,” Isadora shouted.
Kai threw a prayer to the universe as she tossed the massive surge of energy toward the cluster of pine trees. Heat bloomed in her chest as the prickling rush of power gathered before radiating down her arms and rushing to the target. Kai screamed in triumph as she watched brilliant streams of light blast from her hands and slam into the trees. An instant she stared in awe as the branches erupted into flames.
Shaking with triumphant adrenaline and with the ring on her hand throbbing with residual energy, Kai turned to Asmodeus and found herself staring into his glowing red gaze. His broad, muscular body loomed largely in front of her and at first glance, she thought he looked angry but it was something far more surprising---pride.
“What’s the matter?” Kai said breathlessly, as the now familiar energy hummed through her body in an oddly comfortable way. It was as if the energy, at first a separate force, had now merged with Kai and two became one. “Never seen a girl throw ropes of firelight before?”
Asmodeus’ eyes gleamed red as Kai inched closer but before he could answer her question, thunder rumbled and the blackest clouds she had ever seen blew in over the mountain behind him. Asmodeus growled and spun around, instinctively shielding Kai’s body with his.
Black as coal, thick and billowy the odd cloud formation moved at an unnatural speed and as she watched with wonder, the ring burned against her skin like a warning.
Something or someone was coming and they were coming for her.
“What the hell is that?” Kai whispered with a mixture of fear and awe.
“The Brotherhood,” Asmodeus murmured. “They found us.”
A massive clap of thunder boomed through the tiny valley as the dark mass of clouds blotted out the sun and jagged streaks of lightning ripped across the sky. One bright, white bolt after another punctured the ground, scorching it, as though blindly searching for a target. Kai shrieked as the tree in front of them was struck and burst into flames.
ASMODEUS: Demon of Lust--BUNDLE Parts 1-4 (Princes of Hell) Page 13
