by Jana LaPelle
“I look forward to it, Sahzu, you will be a worthy ally,” turning my gaze to the large hellhound, I say, “Thank you for getting me here in one piece, although, I think some of those near misses on the trail where just to scare me. I hope you enjoyed my squeals of unease.” He snorts, and I swear that the beast is chuckling.
“Until we meet again, Ashlinn,” the she-demon, turns her mount and they slowly walk back down the mountain pass, their ambling form swaying from side to side, and I watch her go, her blue and black silhouette against the reddish sky. Her team moves to follow suit, their hellhounds taking their time. Obviously, they are going to take a more leisurely trek heading back to Luc’s domain.
Turning, I look toward the drakes. Their handlers are waiting for us. They appear to be chomping at their bits to get a move on. They are harnessed and saddled. I quickly look them over, they are four legged creatures and their wings are reptilian like. Most or either a combination of red-black or either red or black. Turning toward the male who is obviously in charge, I demand, “Give me the low down, tell me what I need to know.” Tarron, Tolin, and Jasmine gather around me as we wait for his answer.
“The drakes know the way. So, give them their head. Once they have deposited you in the Citadel of Depravity, all you need to do is dismount and they will head back home. Good luck, my lady.” The drake handler looks human, but I really don’t have time to ponder this as we choose our mounts.
The drakes before us are eager to take to the skies. I eye them warily before approaching the one small dragon that has been eyeing me curiously. Her gleaming black scales along her back are a contrast to the red scales that blend to black on her underbelly. I look up at the reddish sky above, and back at her scales along her underside and smile. It’s almost the perfect blend to camouflage them from any onlookers from the ground, and I mutter, “That’s genius,” turning my attention to the man before us, I ask, “Do they change colors? Or have they adapted their coloring to this place?”
“No, their coloring doesn’t change. Once they take to the skies, they are very difficult to detect from the ground. You will be safe until you arrive at the citadel.” He walks over to the drake that has been eyeing me curiously and gestures for me to come forward, “She will be fast, and her ride will be smooth. Agoru, meet Prince Luc’s guest in this realm, this is Ashlinn, she’s the goddess of life, so take good care of her.” The drake eyes me before inclining her head. She seems very intelligent.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Agoru. I very much appreciate you and your fellow drakes providing safe passage for me and my friends.” Her green eyes blink, her vertical pupils widen and then narrow before she lowers her front legs to a crouch, inviting me to mount up. I quickly step into the stirrup of the saddle secured across her back. Swinging my leg over her back, I settle in.
The handler moves to reach over me, “Begging your pardon, my lady. This strap will more securely fasten you to Agoru. It’s precautionary, just in case the slavers try to take you by force. The drakes will evade their maneuvers. They are very aerodynamically skilled. They will see you to the citadel without mishap.”
“Thank you.” I smile at the handler, before asking, “Is Agoru the alpha?”
“Yes, my lady, Agoru is their queen. She is fierce, and she chose you, as you chose her. She recognizes your status. She will see you to the citadel. After that you are on your own.”
“I gathered that. Jaz? Are you ready?” I ask, my grin belying my enthusiasm at our next adventure. So much has changed since my introduction to Faerie.
“Yeah. Let’s do this!” Her tiny wings are fluttering rapidly in front of me.
I give Agoru her head. and she spreads her wings. With several galloping strides she takes to the air. Jasmine has secured herself to my side and squeals in exhilaration. I smile and hold on tight as Agoru gains altitude. Tarron and Tolin mount their drakes and follow suit. As soon as we are all in the air, we head west, or what I think is west toward the citadel.
Once we reach a certain altitude, we’re able to take a look around. Things are much different from one side of the divide to the other. There are areas that appear to be barren, there are forest, and rivers all of which lay beneath this realm’s ominous crimson sky. There are clouds, and it does rain here, but there is no moon, no sun, no stars. I miss that. I miss all the vibrant color, I miss home. This place is dreary in comparison. My little group is unusually quiet. There is no banter amongst us as we sit astride our mounts. I look to Jasmine and her face is set in grim determination. We have no idea as to what awaits us. Then, in the distance, I see an astonishing sight. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It looks like an island suspended in midair. The chains that tether it to the ground and the mountain range are utterly enormous. There are several, much smaller islands secured to the main floating rock. The sight is nothing short of incredible. Then there is the city that is perched upon that enormous mass of hovering earth, it looks pristine compared to its surroundings. It literally glows like a celestial body in the sky.
Beside me, Jasmine mutters, “Wow…, cover me with pixie dust, and paint me surprised. I wasn’t expecting that.”
I can’t help but laugh and respond, “Neither was I, Jaz. It’s a bit unexpected.”
Agoru and the other drakes continue steadily toward the colossal city. From our vantage point I can make out towers and what looks like an enormous coliseum. It appears to be circular with one exception, the walls surrounding it are open on one end at the edge of the floating island. If someone is unlucky enough to find themselves on the losing end of a battle and are backed up to that end of the arena, their fate will be sealed. They will plummet to their death, unless they have wings. A shiver washes over me and I’m worried for what is to come.
The drakes circle the citadel, so we can get a better look. One of the towering buildings stand taller than the rest and is smack dab in the center of the city. It gleams golden under the attention of the scarlet skies, it’s as if it glows from within, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that is where Alaric is being held, I can sense him even though our bond has been dampened. Agoru is flying past that structure and is heading towards a stone building that is just as impressive yet understated. There is a large open balcony with no balustrade, it is as if it were constructed just for this very use. One by one the drakes land and walk forward toward the two men with chocolate colored skin. They bow their heads in reverence to their princes. The two appear to be identical, they must be the princes that Luc told us of, lust and envy.
I lean over and stroke Agoru’s neck and say, “Thank you for transporting us here. I very much appreciate your service.” Swinging my leg over her back, I dismount and slide to the ground.
“It was my great pleasure, my lady.”
The drake before me inclines her head and I startle when I hear her voice in my head. “How can you…?”
“What is it, Ash?” Jasmine asks in confusion.
“Only you may hear me. I hope that we may meet again, but I fear that it will be under different skies as The Realms go to war. Change is coming. Change for us all. Take care, my lady. Until we meet again.”
“Until we meet again, Agoru. Thank you, I will look forward to seeing you again, when the time is right.”
Tolin and Tarron both come up to flank me on either side as we watch the drakes take to the sky. The younger male that Tolin was riding walks off the edge of the landing and free falls before stretching out his wings to be carried higher up on an updraft, back to fall in behind his queen. Figures that Tolin would get the light-hearted drake.
Turning I mean to greet the two brothers, but before I can do anything Tarron and Tolin step in front of me blocking my view of the two. I try to slide between my over-zealous protectors, but that doesn’t work. So, I try to sidestep around Tolin and again I’m blocked. I’m getting seriously frustrated by my two protectors and mumble, “What the hell, guys. Let me by, you chum it up with Luc, but now you decide to
take your role seriously?”
I hear a rather deep throated chuckle and peer around Tarron’s large frame to see that both of the brothers are amused, “Lucifer said that your little entourage could be rather entertaining. I see that our brother spoke the truth. Come now, we mean the tiny goddess no harm. The four of you are most welcome in our not so humble abode.”
“Seriously, guys, what is up?” I ask in frustration.
Tarron turns back to me, his eyes serious, “Mo solas, let us protect you.”
“By all means, can we not have a look? Luc said she was a bit of a spit fire, let us have a looksee. We don’t bite. Do we brother?”
I’m at the end of my patience and exclaim, “Enough!” I imagine standing in front of the two princes of hell, and I trace. I find myself front and center of the two very large fallen angels before me. “Damnation, but you two are tall, and imposing.”
“Is this better, tiny goddess?” One of them asks.
The two take a couple of steps toward me, and as they do so, their size diminishes until they are no taller than my two protectors. Both males are smiling down at me, their white teeth gleaming against the dark brown of their skin. They both are sporting beards that are trimmed close to their square jawlines, just like the hair on their head. The two males are beyond handsome and share a thoroughly mischievous grin, and both appear to be identical except for the eyes. One has warm chocolate brown eyes that twinkle as they watch me take them in, and the other has unexpected green eyes, and I whisper, “Lust and envy.”
The one with warm chocolate brown eyes asks, “Yes, but do you know, which is which?”
I bite down on my lower lip before responding, “That’s easy, I think. Green eyes. Like the term, green with envy.”
“Well then, brother, the jig is up, she has figured us out.” Asmodeus says.
“That’s no fun, tiny goddess,” Leviathan scolds in a teasing tone. “The least you could have done was play along.”
“I’m sure that Luc shared with you my intense dislike of being called little or tiny, so cut it out.”
The two smirk and Dez says, “As you wish…, tiny goddess.”
“Seriously? Why does everyone have to point out my height disadvantage?” I sigh in exasperation.
Tarron speaks up, “My lords, thank you for your hospitality. We are much appreciative. We are anxious to rescue Alaric, her kindred.”
“Well…, I fear that will be a difficult task. You see, Mammon has entered him into the games. He is set to face his first opponent in one click or…, what is the term you will understand? Tomorrow. You will not see him until then, unless Mammon decides to put him on exhibition tonight to increase the bets on the games, and that is entirely possible since we have invited him to a little soiree to be held in your honor, tiny goddess.”
“But I want to see him… now! We’ve traveled all this way. Please…” I beg, suddenly weary.
“I’m sorry, tiny goddess, but we have certain rules to follow. Tonight, we celebrate. Tonight, tiny goddess, you will be my guest, my date, you will sit by my side, and you will enjoy yourself.” Asmodeus has staked his claim on me, just like Luc said he would.
“I will do as you wish. Only, if you enter me into the games.”
“What? No!” Tarron exclaims.
“No, Little Bit, you can’t do that.” Tolin demands and then begins to pace with his hands on his head looking just a little freaked out at the prospect.
Asmodeus has not taken his eyes off of me when he pronounces, “So be it, it will be so. We will look forward to your skills in the arena.” Effectively shutting Tarron and Tolin down. It is clear we are not in control here.
‘Brother, we share her? If not…, I will fight you for her.” Levi announces, and he sounds entirely serious.
Yes…, dear brother, we share her. She is so enticing. She is our prize. Aren’t you, Ashlinn? You will do whatever we ask, just as long as you get to see your kindred. Isn’t that right?”
My two protectors begin to shift nervously at my back, and I narrow my eyes at the two Fallen in front of me, “I thought that you were loyal to Luc? We were to be your guest, as we are Luc’s guest in his realm.”
“We are loyal to Luc…, for now, but Mammon gains power while Luc follows our creator’s path. We are simply… hedging our bets, so to speak. Have you forgotten where you are? You are at the mercy of us both, it’s not called the Citadel of Depravity for nothing.” Asmodeus cocks his head, waiting for my reaction and I hear both Tarron and Tolin swear behind me. Both laying a hand on either shoulder possessively, and I find that I’m rather glad the Jasmine retracted her wings to hide away in my hair.
I look at the both of them, and realize that I’m disappointed in the two, but I should have seen this coming. Luc warned us to not trust them, shaking my head I say, “Honestly, I should have expected this. No one in this realm makes anything easy. I will be your guest. I will play my part, but make no mistake, I’m no one’s date except for Alaric’s. We are kindred, we are soul bound, nothing changes that, nothing!”
Chapter 16
(Alaric)
Ashlinn is here. Even through our muted bond I can sense her presence. Evidently, I’m to present myself for a gala event within the citadel. Mammon must think much of me since he will not allow my chains to be unbound for this event. Apparently, my being here is symbolic in nature. Mammon simply wants to show off his latest acquisition. I march into the room with my shoulders squared and my head held high, my bound wrists before me, the shackles bind my hands together, the chains hang below my wrists, quietly clinking together for everyone to see. My attire is simple, I’m dressed in only a pair of white linen drawstring pants that sits low on my hips, my feet are bare, as is the rest of me. Mammon wants everyone to see the scars that remain on my back from my time with The Morrígan. I have two guards on either side of me, as if I could get away from this hellish place.
The event is already underway as Mammon sweeps into the enormous room in front of me, his form is not as large as I have seen him, but he chooses to tower over everyone by at least two feet. There are all sorts of races that I’m not in the least familiar with, they have parted to allow the prince of greed to move toward the dais in the front of the large hall. That’s when I see her, and the dormant beast within me stirs long enough to issue forth a menacing growl. Mammon pauses and swings his head my way, along with the twin males that flank Ashlinn’s right and left side. Ash’s gaze meets mine and her stoic façade softens. For a moment, a smile graces her lovely features and the light I have missed so much shines through. As I take her in, I wish with all my might that she had not followed me to this dreadful place. My eyes leave hers to travel down to her neck. That’s when I see that she wears a black jeweled collar with two delicate chains that connect her to the men on either side of her, both wear a large wrist cuff that effectively leash my kindred to her twin captors. Another growl erupts from deep within me and rumbles through my chest as I step forward. Ashlinn’s eyes meet mine and she barely shakes her head, indicating that I should stay put, but I can barely contain my rage at the two by her side that have laid claim to my mate. I’m visibly shaking with the need to take the two large, dark skinned males down.
Beside me Mammon laughs, addressing the two, “Brothers…, I see that I’m not the only one that has acquired a prize. Although… yours is much more lovely to gaze upon than mine.”
Their conversation bleeds to background noise as I take her in. I’m like a starved nomad that has not seen water in days. The brothers have dressed my kindred in a black lace catsuit that barely covers her most intimate areas. She wears a long black open front skirt and is a vision for all to see. Clearly the two are putting her on display and I don’t like it at all. The only thing that brings me any solace is that her kindred markings have begun to faintly glow. I look down to my own and see a flicker for just a moment. I catch her gaze again and she mouths the words, “Soon, Alaric. We will be reunited.”
She nods and mouths, “You will see. Tomorrow, Elf-Man, in the arena. Have faith.”
Mammon grabs my right bicep in his over large hand garnering my attention, “Whatever you and your kindred are planning? Rest assured that it will not come to pass! Now that I have you, I mean to keep you, no matter the outcome of the events tomorrow. You belong to me now!” His voice reverberates around the room staking his claim on me. “The god of life bound by iron forged from angel fire does my bidding and mine alone!” His booming voice echoes about the chambers.
Where are Tarron and Tolin? Why is she all alone? That’s when I see the two standing behind the twin brothers, their backs to the wall, they are dressed in a similar fashion to myself, and they are not happy with the goings on in this place. My attention is drawn back to my kindred. Ashlinn’s ire knows no boundaries, she has embraced the wind element and her form lifts seamlessly into the air still leashed to her two companions, her hair whipping about her form, her eyes are glowing, and her kindred markings are ablaze as are my own. For the first time since these binding cuffs have been placed on me, our bond is open, and she is furious. The room has become utterly still as all eyes turn to her. Some of the multi-hued patrons that are closest to us have begun to back away from the dais and look somewhat frightened of Ashlinn as her wrath unfolds before us all. Her hands are lit up as she calls the fire element to her. Her voice is otherworldly, and I have only heard her voice like this once before, “Mammon, you dare to challenge what is mine by right? What belongs to me? I don’t care what you paid the slavers for my kindred, he belongs to me, heart, body, and soul. You have no right to chain him and parade him around this room. He is a god by right, a guardian of the circle of life, and you would do well to remember that!”
