The Demon's Possession

by Kiersten Fay

  “How can anything live here?” Ethan mimicked her thoughts.

  “Well,” Cale offered, “when you are the same temperature as your surroundings, it probably works out fine.” He didn't seem to mind the cold. In fact, none of the demons did, though more of their skin was exposed to it.

  Ethan noticed as well. “Don't you guys get cold?”

  Marik brushed past him. “Internal heating. Come, before you both freeze to death.”

  They walked a little way, guided by Anya. She prayed that her gift wasn't on the fritz. Sebastian offered to carry her more than once, but she refused, wanting to be strong for him.

  She did cleave to him, however, when small white balls began to fall from the sky. In her alarm, she tried swatting them away, until Sebastian explained it was just frozen water. Apparently, when cold enough, water particles would freeze, become weighty, and fall to the planet's surface. She felt a little silly not knowing this, but nobody faulted her for it.

  It wasn't too much longer that the small white balls became large white balls, gliding calmly to the ground. If she wasn't so cold, she would have appreciated the beauty of it. White masses of the stuff clung to her hair and clothes, traveling with her for a moment before melting and dripping down her neck.

  It was official. She hated this place!

  How could her sister have lived so long in such an awful wasteland?

  Sebastian's voice rang out beside her. “Looks like this storm will worsen before long. We should take shelter back in the ship and wait it out.”

  Anya was all for that plan. She was about to say as much when she caught a whiff of something familiar. Heart pounding, she sucked in a harsh icy breath as emotions assaulted her. Unshed tears pricked her eyes.

  Nadua.

  “I feel her!” Anya yelled over the sound of the growing wind. “She is close!”

  “It's getting too cold. Look at you, your lips are turning purple,” he said.

  “I'm fine. What if she's hurt? What if she's alone?” When he continued shaking his head, she resorted to begging. “Please.” He knew she could never live with herself if something happened to her sister when they were so close.

  “She's close, you say?”

  Anya nodded, biting back tears.

  “Spread out, everyone, but keep in sight of one another.” To Anya, he said, “We only have a few minutes.” He rubbed his hands vigorously over her arms to warm her.

  “Please, Bastian. Go look for my sister. I might be colder than I've ever been in my life, but she could be dying. I'll wait here. Promise.”

  At length, he nodded. “I won't be far.” His warm lips met her icy ones, and then he was off.

  After a few lonely minutes, Anya bounced impatiently with nothing to do but think of the cold and her sister. Was she okay? What would she look like? How could any place be so cold?

  A large gloved hand wrapped around her mouth, cutting off her air.

  * * *

  ——

  * * *

  Sebastian trudged through the snow, glancing back at Anya every few moments. She'd been shivering uncontrollably when he'd left her. He'd agreed to look for her sister, but after a quick perusal, he was getting her back to the warmth of the ship as quickly as possible. The storm was already thickening, limiting his vision. Too much longer out here and they wouldn't be able to find their way back.

  Atop the summit he saw nothing but white, white, and more white. It was no use. They wouldn't find anything in this stuff. He turned back; ready to gather the group, when his heart stopped at the sight below.

  Squinting in the haze, it looked like someone was slowly approaching Anya's back. When the darkened figure wrapped a hand around her mouth and she began to kick wildly, Sebastian sprinted toward them. The Edge came swiftly. Rage coursed through him.

  Bellowing, Sebastian watched in horror as the person was dragging his Anya toward something. A ship! His thick thighs kicked harder against the soft snow covered ground.

  He almost came crashing to his knees when Anya went limp, body slumping against what now looked like a large male. He recognized the face as Darius' second in command. Fire burned hatred through his blood.

  I'm too late!

  The shuttle door shut tight, and the ship began to rise. Sebastian threw himself against the door, clawing at the thick metal. “Anya!” he screamed, knowing it would make no difference. I’ve lost her.

  The craft rumbled to life and quickly disappeared into the sky. Sebastian's mind was a haze of chaos. He'd promised to protect her, keep her safe. Promised they'd be together forever. He'd failed her in every way.

  Cale and Ethanule rushed up beside him, glancing around wildly for the threat.

  “What happened! Where is Anya?” Sebastian couldn't decipher who was speaking. His mind just kept repeating: She's gone. She's gone. Evidently he'd been saying it aloud too because someone said, “What do you mean she's gone!”

  Marik came racing toward them with a look of urgency. “Run! The natives are coming. And they're not happy!”

  Sebastian cleared his thoughts and took stock of the situation. He was no help to Anya in his panicked state. “Darius has Anya. Everyone to the ship. I'm going after her.”

  Swoosh.

  A long arrow, attached to a thick rope landed in the snow beside them, as a group of agitated natives appeared from behind the cascading snowfall. Rows of white headed people, all but one was scantly clothed as if the cold meant nothing. One of them, standing at the forefront, was completely covered in skins and furs, a hood covered his features. Must be the leader.

  At any other time, Sebastian would have tried for diplomacy. “Let's go!”

  They hurried away, dodging arrows and spears. The snow was rapidly falling, obscuring Sebastian's line of sight. He thought he saw their ship ahead, but when he looked again all he saw was a blanket of white.

  A roar of agony rang out through the air. They turned to see one of the arrows fixed with rope spearing through Marik's thigh, the rope was taut. A hefty tug caused his leg to rear back, spilling him to the ground. Clawing at the ground, he slid backwards a few inches in the slick snow. When their eyes met, Marik's were resolute, and Sebastian's heart clenched.

  “Go! She needs you more than I! You know this!” When Sebastian hesitated, Marik let go, and he was dragged away, disappearing quietly into the veil of snow.

  Marik was a fierce warrior. Whoever held the other end of that rope would surely lose his head.

  “Let's go!” Sebastian called to the others still dodging angry projectiles. Leaving Marik sickened Sebastian. If it wasn't his mate in trouble, he would have stayed to fight. Marik understood this, as any demon would. Confident in Marik's skills, he vowed to come back for him once Anya was safely in his arms again.

  They reached the ship. Cale took the helm and the ship ascended, swiftly leaving the frigid land and Marik behind.

  * * *

  ——

  * * *

  The familiar feel of cold hard metal aggravated her skin. Stagnant air coated her lungs in the menacing darkness. The familiar drawl of Extarga surrounded her.

  There was no help for her now. No sweet life with her equally sweet demon. Sebastian’s face flashed in her mind, and she had to bite back a sob.

  No, there would be no happy endings for her.

  Her only consolation was that Sebastian and the others were left behind, eluding Darius' attention. At least they had a chance to return to their lives, before she'd endanger everyone with her fatuous attempt at changing her fate.

  Now that they had the book, they had a chance at saving her people. They knew where to find Nadua, and Ethan could easily decipher the rest of the text. Her involvement had been completed, and she was glad she'd served a purpose.

  Her major regret was allowing Sebastian to claim her. She'd managed to ruin his life either way. How silly it was of her to think so long term. Forever he'd be separated from his one mate. She hoped he could move on one day and fin
d happiness. He had the luxury to try. She hoped he would succeed.

  Be happy for the both of us.

  As it was, she would never forget him. The memory of their time together she will cherish always, even as it eats away at her sanity.

  She shifted her body. Her back ached from the lashings. Manacles at her wrists and ankles were attached to heavy chains that clanged against one another as she moved.

  How many days had it been? She guessed two or so, maybe three.

  Her newly enhanced gifts were becoming a menace. She could sense the people on board and wished she couldn't. Most of them were appalling. Touching their energy made her feel contaminated.

  Light flooded the room, burning her eyes. She blinked away tears as a man unlocked her bindings while another stood in the doorway.

  Darius.

  “The horde is on its way.” He sneered and threw something on top of her. She expected it to hurt badly since it landed on her wounded back. But it only slightly stung. Grasping soft material, she strained her tired eyes to see it.

  A dress? A finer material than had even existed on Marada. She looked back up at Darius, venom in her eyes.

  “Be grateful, Analia. I'm about to give you a present.”

  He ordered her to put on the dress, watching as she did, with a wretched smile on his lips. She wasn't going to ask about the present, though he obviously wanted her to.

  “Not curious?”

  Silence.

  “Oh come now, you might like to know?”

  She turned and faced him.

  “Very well, I'll tell you. The demons are coming. I suspect a misguided attempt at a rescue.”

  Her muscles stiffened. She forced herself not to react. He was watching her intensely.

  “Fortunate for them, no one here needs rescuing. Isn't that right?”

  Anya stared right through him.

  “Because if someone did need rescuing, then I would have to fight them.” His tone was laced with significant meaning. “I might even be forced to kill them.”

  She bit her tongue to keep from showing a reaction. A sick feeling crept into the pit of her stomach. She fingered the expensive gown, waiting till she was sure her voice was steady before she spoke. “You want me to tell them to go away.”

  “I want you to convince them that you are perfectly happy where you are, and wouldn't want to leave for the life of you.”

  Bile rose in her throat.

  “I need them one hundred percent convinced. Can you do that, sweetheart?” He raised a hand to brush her cheek. Swiftly she turned her head away. “Or I could just kill them, whatever you wish.”

  “No,” she breathed, her voice hollow. “I can convince them.”

  * * *

  ——

  * * *

  Sebastian barreled his way onto the ship, demanding access. With little persuasion, their small shuttle was permitted to dock. In the back of his mind, he found that strange, but his thoughts were on getting to Anya.

  Calic was the voice of reason, along with Ethanule. They'd determined their easy admittance was the beginnings of a trap. Sebastian agreed, but he had to get to her. Was she okay? His chest tightened with worry.

  They were led into a medium-sized compartment, a viewing room of sorts. Underfoot was a platform, and above was a balcony lining the walls. The moment he spotted her up there, his heart sang with relief. Until he registered the look on her face.

  She looked…smug?

  A stunning red gown draped her body. Her hair was up, exhibiting the soft curve of her neck, with light tendrils falling around her face. Her stance was lax, as if she didn't have a care. She seemed…wrong.

  “Anya?” he called to her. He thought she stifled a flinch, as if he'd slapped her with the use of her name.

  “Demon,” she said coldly, her tone like a retaliating blow.

  “What is this?”

  Her laugh was sharp. The sound of it was horrid. Sebastian's stomach tightened with fear.

  “I fear I've played a nasty game with you, demon. You believed it all too well.”

  “Believed what? Are you unwell? Did they do something to you?” For a split second, he saw his Anya in her eyes, only for a moment, then it was gone.

  “They've done nothing to me that I didn't want.”

  Cale jumped in. “So help me, I will gut you, wench!”

  Sebastian growled him back in line then turned to Anya. Her expression was amused, cutting at his heart.

  Not you, love. Don't betray me.

  “Give me a sign, Anya. Are you being coerced?”

  Tossing her head back, she laughed at them once more. “And still you believe it. Oh, how this will amuse me for years to come.”

  “Anya, please!” It couldn't be true. Darius had to be making her say these things. Yet she looked so at ease in her expensive gown, hand leisurely resting on the banister at her front. She looked as if she'd never known a day of suffering. Could he have been so stupid?

  “Anya, please,” she heartlessly mimicked. Her eyes turned to Ethan. “You too were fooled. Too bad I didn't have more time to play. It would have been fun pitting the two of you against each other.” Looking at her nails, she added, “Do what you will with the book, it's no concern of mine.”

  To his back, Sebastian felt the heat of Ethanule's rage. Sebastian swallowed the building lump in his throat. “Just give me a sign. We can make it out of here. Just give me a sign.”

  He noticed her throat working hard. She waited a moment before speaking again. “Forget it, demon. It's over. I'm tired of you. Leave now before you irritate me further.”

  Cale shouted, “I'll kill you, you bitch!”

  Anya gave a gesture as if to say, “Well here I am.”

  Sebastian placed a palm on his chest, in no way enough to stop him if Cale truly wanted to get to her. He suspected Cale was hurting as badly as he was right now.

  Facing Anya, Sebastian tried one last time. “This is your final chance. Come with us now, or stay here forever.” His tone was harsh, but his emotions were threatening to break him down. He waited, breath held, for her answer—hoping beyond all hope that she would drop this facade, reveal the old Anya, and run into his arms. “I love you.”

  Her eyes grew cold as she stabbed him in the heart with her words. “I don't want you.”

  * * *

  ——

  * * *

  Anya's heart died each time she had to speak. Horrible things were spewing from her mouth, hateful untrue things that stuck in the back of her throat like acid. Cale was quickly a believer, swift to relinquish his trust. Hatred seethed through him. But Ethan was still suspicious. And Bastian…

  She was running out of time, needed to convince them to leave.

  Pain from the beatings still laced her body. The bruises were covered by the lie of a dress. For a moment she became dizzy and had to grasp the banister to keep from falling over.

  Just go, she pleaded with her mind. Save yourselves.

  Sebastian wasn't giving up. He was going to fight for her. So she had to say something that would make him hate her forever.

  Her throat worked feverishly to keep down her sob. Her eyes strained to hold back the tears for what she was about to say. “I don't want you,” she spat.

  The hurt she saw in him just then replaced her pain with something far worse. But when she actually felt him switch, felt that he was starting to believe her lying words, she couldn't take it any longer. “Leave this ship now, or die!” Quickly, just as hot tears streaked her cheeks, she left the room, and her love, behind.

  None of them would know what she'd done for them, and Sebastian would hate her for eternity.

  Chapter 26

  Dumbfounded and heartbroken, Sebastian stood motionless, staring at the empty spot where Anya had been standing. She'd looked at him with disgust as she effortlessly ripped his heart from his chest.

  Memories of his own mother’s betrayal flashed in his mind. Anya had sported that same call
ousness look on her face, with not an ounce of remorse.

  Betrayed again. By his own mate!

  Now he truly understood Cale's pain. How could he have lived through such a thing without plunging over the Edge forever? Even now, Sebastian felt his mind going. He wasn't strong enough to endure this. His stomach twisted in his gut.

  A faint voice called to him, “Sebastian, you're losing it, man. Hold it together.”

  Anguish and rage filled him at the words. He wanted to grab whoever had spoken and wring his neck until it popped. Anya was gone! He had nothing to hold on to; nothing to live for without her.

  “Let's get back to the ship and regroup.” It was Cale who spoke. Cale wanted him to leave his mate behind!

  She doesn't want me!

  She'd been cold, distant, and heartless. Not his Anya. But there had been flashes, he recalled. For tiny moments, her old self had shone through. Had her hands been shaking? His mind went to work, evoking every detail. Blond hair washed over her face, shadowing shiny red eyes. Had she been crying? Her voice had been nearly empty until the end when it faintly cracked on her last words. She'd grabbed the wall—for support?—as she'd rushed through the door.

  He refused to believe Anya could be so uncaring. She was always too self-sacrificing. Then it clicked. She was sacrificing herself, thinking she could save them. That had to be it.

  “Sebastian, we should go.”

  “I'm not leaving without her.”

  “I know what you're going through—”

  “She was lying!”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “No, just then she's was lying.”

  Cale gave him a sad look, opening his mouth to say something more. But Sebastian interrupted.

  “I know her. I know her heart. She only said those things because she thought she had to.”

  “I want to believe that too, but…”