Mark of the Bear (Hades' Carnival)

by N. J. Walters

  She wasn’t getting out of these woods alive. Kellsie wasn’t stupid enough to believe such a crock of shit. This wasn’t a movie where the heroine escaped and lived happily ever after. This was reality and it totally sucked.

  “Yeah, well, I have a problem with that.” She found the strength inside her to raise her sword. “My soul is my own and you can’t have it.” She said the last four words slowly, emphasizing each syllable.

  If he wanted a fight, she’d damn well give him one. He might kill her, but he wasn’t getting her soul.

  Marko listened in awe as Kellsie faced down Hades, god of the Underworld. She was a warrior to her core. Oh, he knew she was frightened. Only an idiot wouldn’t be when faced with such raw power. But she was still standing beside him, tall and proud.

  Pride burst inside his chest alongside a love so pure it almost brought him to his knees. He loved Kellsie more than he loved his freedom, more than his brethren or his goddess. She would live. She had to live.

  He stepped in front of her, drawing Hades’ attention. “Enough. You have tempted us and been rejected. Some of us don’t fall as easy.” He shot a damning glance at Mordecai who simply saluted him with his sword. He still couldn’t believe his brother-in-arms had gone over to the dark side.

  Hades leaned against a stately oak tree, looking slightly bored by the proceedings. “True, but that situation could change at any time.” He flicked his hand and the portal widened. Demons of all shapes and sizes, a dozen in all, poured out of the opening. He recognized all of them from the carnival, except this time they were in their true forms and not their human ones.

  The stench of rotted flesh and sulfur poisoned the air around them. Behind him, Kellsie coughed.

  “Holy shit,” she gasped. He heard fear, but beneath it was steely determination.

  He reached inside himself for his other half. The bear responded immediately upon sensing the danger to Kellsie. We must meld equally, he reminded the bear. There was no struggle for dominance as the animal half of him put his mate’s well-being ahead of all else.

  Marko grew several feet taller and his arms and legs thickened and grew more muscular. His sword hand remained that of a human, but his other one morphed into a giant bear paw tipped in razor-sharp claws, ready to tear and gouge.

  His jaw grew and lengthened exposing gleaming lethal teeth. He was the ultimate fighting machine—the best of man and animal combined.

  Mordecai whistled under his breath. None of the others had the control Marko did or were able to hold both forms in harmony. It was one of his gifts. While in this form, he had the strength and cunning of the animal but the brain and dexterity of the man.

  Marko roared his displeasure as he faced the horde of demons. The sound echoed down the side of the hill and spread out to the forest beyond, sending creatures miles from the area scurrying away in fear.

  He had to admire Hades. The god knew just how far to push the power surge so as not to attract unwanted attention. Hades couldn’t fight himself, not without garnering unwanted notice from the other gods of his pantheon.

  No, Hades would let his demons fight and die. He had plenty more. He’d sit back and watch and assess. The god was more of a tactician, a planner than an actual fighter.

  Mordecai was another matter altogether. He was a warrior through and through, a master of warfare, a general without equal. Roric had always relied heavily on him when they had fought together to protect the Lady. They all had.

  And now he was the enemy.

  The demons in the lead gave a screech that hurt Marko’s ears, but he ignored the pain as the creatures leapt at him. Marko swung his sword with savage intent, lopping the first creature’s head off without a moment of regret. Blood splattered his chest and face, the acid in it burning his skin.

  The fight was on.

  He sensed movement behind him and knew it was Kellsie. “Run,” he yelled.

  “Shut up and fight,” she countered as she yelled and swung the sword he’d given her.

  Marko knew then that she wouldn’t break from the battle, wouldn’t leave him to fight alone. The thing he loved most about her—her bravery—would be her undoing if he didn’t win.

  Losing was not an option. If he couldn’t win, all he had to do was hold out until midnight. And the time was closer than he’d imagined. The position of the moon and the bear’s natural instincts told him so.

  Time passed differently when Hades was around, the god’s power flexing and warping time. Marko wasn’t even certain Hades realized it was happening.

  With each passing minute power seemed to hum within Marko, building slowly and steadily like a well-stoked fire. He was getting stronger, gaining back the power he’d once had. He wasn’t at full strength yet and wondered if it would be enough for him to win.

  It would have to be.

  Kellsie slashed at the arm of a lesser demon. The creature’s talons slipped under her defense, tearing through the flesh of her thigh. She cried out but didn’t falter, following through with a straight shot through the demon’s throat. The creature fell to its knees and clutched its neck. Blood seeped from around its fingers and it fell to the ground with a solid thump, raising a cloud of dirt around it.

  Marko was the first line of defense and threw himself at the horde in order to keep any demons from getting beyond him to Kellsie. She had to be protected at all costs. Marko fought tirelessly, slashing and hacking at his opponents. None of them fought with weapons but with their claw-tipped hands and sharp, pointed teeth.

  Marko slashed with his razor-sharp claws of one hand and wielded his sword with the other. Sweat coated his body and trickled down his forehead into his eyes. Blood stained his skin and fur. His muscles burned but he never faltered, never hesitated in his mission to protect Kellsie.

  The task was endless. He knew he’d slain at least a dozen demons, probably more. It was then he understood Hades’ real tactics. There were never more than a dozen demons here at any time, but another one came through the portal as soon as Marko cut one down.

  Hades had started with smaller, lesser demons. They were determined but not smart, and Marko expended an enormous amount of strength defeating them. Like the foot soldiers in human wars, these demons were expendable in Hades’ war against him.

  Now that Marko was tired, the god was sending in the big guns. Two huge, winged creatures flew out from the portal. Their fingers were tipped with three-foot talons. It was like facing ten swords at once, times two.

  He gripped his weapon and drew on his reserves. He only had to hang on until midnight and Kellsie would be safe. He didn’t actually have to defeat Hades, but oh how he wished he could. The need to destroy the god burned like a never-ending fire in the pit of his gut. But the need to protect Kellsie burned even hotter.

  “Stay back!” he yelled at Kellsie. He wished he could turn and look at her. Wished he could tell her how much he loved her. But he dared not take his gaze from this latest threat.

  Hades laughed, the wickedly smooth sound of pleasure grating Marko’s ears. He’d heard that laugh before. The god was anticipating victory. Marko wasn’t in the mood to give it to him.

  Roaring to the heavens, he raised his sword and leapt toward the winged creatures.

  Holy shit. Kellsie ducked and swung at the demon in front of her. Her blade hit leathery flesh and sliced right through it. Just like in the movies, she reminded herself. But the blood, guts and gore were real. She couldn’t let herself think about that. Not now and maybe not ever.

  The only way she was getting through this ordeal was by treating it as choreographed stunt scene. She’d used props before—guns, knives and swords. She’d also been covered in blood and guts before, fake of course. The smell was the worst of it. The stench of sulfur and seared flesh coated the inside of her mouth and nostrils, filling her lungs every time she took a breath.

  Marko was incredible. She’d never seen him like this, didn’t even know he could shift into a creature that was half-m
an and half-beast. He was as large as he was when he was in his bear form, but parts of him were still human.

  His jaw was that of the bear, but his forehead was still that of a man. He had feet, but his muscular legs were covered in thick fur. His leather pants had disappeared and he was fighting totally naked. It made him appear even more primal, more powerful. His chest was covered in fur and thick muscles, which offered him better protection against the demons. He swung his wicked-sharp sword with one hand and wielded his claw-tipped hand with lethal intent.

  Marko was like a fighting machine. He didn’t falter, wasn’t even showing signs of fatigue as he slaughtered one demon after another. He’d even sliced through two in one stroke with that huge sword. Not to mention the havoc he was creating with that massive bear paw.

  It was strange to see him like this, part man and part bear. Yet it was somehow fitting. He was like an ancient god, the supernatural embodiment of the animal itself.

  For a moment it seemed as though they were winning the battle. Then two winged demons, straight out of a nightmare, swooped out of the portal and attacked Marko.

  Kellsie faltered for a moment and her sword dipped. There was no way to win. Hades just kept bringing more demons through the portal. Her arms were like lead, the muscles screaming in pain. Her thighs quivered like jelly. She didn’t think she was going to make it.

  A demon snuck in around Marko’s left side as he engaged the larger ones. This demon was smaller than most, but that still put the creature at a little above Kellsie’s height. And unlike the rest of them she’d fought so far, this one was carrying a sword.

  She could do this. There really was no choice.

  Kill or die.

  She didn’t raise the sword in front of her. That took too much energy. Instead, she watched this latest threat closely as the demon moved around her.

  “Don’t you recognize me, Kellsie?” There was a hiss to the voice that changed it somewhat, but there was a familiarity to it that made her frown as she tried to place it.

  The creature laughed. “Surely you haven’t forgotten me. Can I get you anything, Kellsie? Do you need anything, Kellsie?” The creature spat on the ground, making the grass hiss as it burned. “You make me sick.” The demon changed, morphing into a beautiful young blonde woman with a killer figure.

  “Brittany?”

  The demon laughed. “I’m a succubus. I can have any man or beast I want.” She cast a sly glance at Marko. “And I think I’m going to enjoy him once Hades has him.” Brittany licked her ruby-red lips, letting her forked tongue slither over them, the movement reminding Kellsie of a snake. It was an apt comparison considering Brittany was a snake in the grass, the lowest of the low as far as Kellsie was concerned.

  Even though Kellsie knew Brittany’s remarks were meant to unsettle her, she couldn’t stop the anger from burning through her veins. “Over my dead body.”

  Brittany laughed, the sound light and airy. “That’s the plan.” She moved like lightning, thrusting her blade toward Kellsie. It was purely luck and good reflexes that kept Kellsie from being skewered by the other woman’s sword. No, not woman—demon. Kellsie had to remember that so she wouldn’t hesitate to strike.

  But it was more than a little disconcerting to swing a blade at a woman she knew. Heck, she’d even liked the little bitch, had defended her to the others. The others. Crap. Were all the members of the carnival demons?

  No time to worry about that now. Not with a very sharp blade coming toward her head. Kellsie threw herself out of the way, stumbled and hit the ground hard. Exhaustion pulled at her but she made herself roll out of the path of the weapon and struggled to her knees.

  Brittany was relentless and she gave a horrible screech that hurt Kellsie’s ears. She wanted to drop her sword and cover them but managed to retain her grip on her weapon. She raised it just as the demon’s blade descended. Sparks flew as metal danced across metal.

  Kellsie toppled onto her back, unable to combat the other woman’s strength. She blinked at the sweat that burned her eyes and glimpsed the vast night sky above her, still beautiful and enduring. What would happen to this world if Marko and his fellow warriors didn’t win in the fight against Hades? Would all this beauty be lost?

  They had to win, but Kellsie knew she lacked Brittany’s strength. After all, the other woman was a demon and Kellsie was only human. She couldn’t win this fight using brute force. But there had to be a way.

  Brittany stood over her, a satisfied gleam burning in her eyes. “I’m going to enjoy fucking your man. As for you, I think I’ll have you skinned and have a seat cover made out of you.” Laughing, she raised her sword and then slashed downward.

  Kellsie waited until the last second then threw herself to the side. The blade whooshed by her, taking a piece of her top with it but missing her by a hairsbreadth. She was struggling to catch her breath and spitting out a mouthful of dirt when a gut-wrenching roar pierced the night, like that of a powerful animal in pain. It was quickly followed by a woman’s cry.

  She looked up in time to see Brittany’s head leave her body. It dropped and rolled, coming to a stop when it hit her feet. Kellsie yanked her feet back and scrambled away until her back hit a tree.

  She expected to see Marko, but it wasn’t him who’d saved her. It was a bear. A real one. The largest one she’d ever seen besides Marko. The creature stood on two paws, growling and roaring its displeasure.

  It came down on its powerful front legs and stared at her for a brief moment. Kellsie froze in fear, unwilling to move lest she shift its anger toward her. The bear huffed once and then turned its back on her and charged into the fray. She heard another roar to her left and swiveled her head around to look. Another bear had joined the fight.

  Marko’s mighty roar had called to his brothers of the forest and they’d come to his aid. There were two of them, large, male and fierce. Adrenaline kicked through her system like rocket fuel, giving her the boost she needed to climb to her feet when all she wanted to do was curl into a ball and stay where she was.

  But Marko needed her. Even with the help of the two bears he was losing ground. There were simply too many demons and not enough of them to fight the evil creatures. There weren’t likely to be any more bears in the area that could reach them in time to help. Even an immortal warrior had his limits, and Marko’s had been tested relentlessly since he’d been freed.

  Mordecai was sliding around to Marko’s left, unseen as Marko continued to battle the two major demons. The bears were fighting the lesser ones and, as strong as they were, the sheer number of demons was overwhelming them.

  It was hopeless.

  She shifted position and swiped her arm over her sweaty forehead, all while keeping one eye on Mordecai. The moonlight hit her watch, illuminating the dial. Midnight. Or almost. Thirty seconds to go. They were almost there. Almost home free.

  Mordecai crept up behind Marko. He raised his sword.

  Kellsie didn’t think, didn’t hesitate. She threw herself between the two men just as Mordecai’s sword shot out toward Marko’s back. The blade sliced through her chest, piercing her flesh as easily as a spoon through Jell-O.

  Somewhere in the distance, she heard a bell tolling. She counted each ring. One. Two. Three. As quickly as it penetrated her, the sword was gone. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Blood spurted from her body, pouring onto the ground. Eight. Nine. Ten.

  A roar of anguish surrounded her. Eleven. Strong arms enfolded her. Twelve.

  The ringing stopped. The fighting stopped. Silence filled the space. Her gasps for air were the only sound. It was midnight. They’d made it.

  “I’ve got you.”

  Marko. She could hear his voice, the anguish and pain lacing it, but his face was blurry. She blinked but it didn’t get much better. She couldn’t feel his arms around her and she was so very cold.

  His hand covered her chest as though he meant to keep her blood inside her body by sheer will alone. She appreciated the effort but knew it w
as too late. But it was okay. They’d won. Marko was safe.

  She licked her dry lips several times as she forced the word past her lips. “Won.” It hurt to speak and she groaned, clutching her hand over his where it rested near her heart. She shivered. She was so cold now that she’d stopped fighting.

  Footsteps crunched on the ground and Hades came to stand beside her. He stared down at her, studying her as though she were a mysterious bug. “You were supposed to save yourself.”

  “Did.” She coughed, and this time blood bubbled up past her lips. She wanted to tell him that her soul was her own and Marko had lived. As far as she was concerned that was saving herself. The money, the career, the fame, they were nothing compared to her need to see Marko safe.

  Mordecai stood behind Hades. His blade was by his side, dripping with her blood. He inclined his head to her and stepped into the void, the vortex swallowing him whole. She thought he looked sad, even regretful. Or maybe she was imagining things. Either way, it didn’t matter. She was dying and there was nothing to be done about it.

  Hades followed Mordecai into the abyss, leaving her and Marko alone in the clearing except for the two enormous brown bears that had joined in their fight. The smell of scorched flesh mingled with the scent of blood, but even that was starting to fade as the cool night air disbursed it.

  “Don’t leave me, Kellsie.” Marko lifted her into his arms. She tried not to cry out but the pain was too great. She felt herself starting to slip away and struggled to stay with him. She wanted to tell him she loved him, that her sacrifice was worth it. Saving him was everything.

  Chanting. Someone was chanting. She heard it, even though she couldn’t understand the words, she felt it throughout her body. It started with one voice but grew to many. The bear claw attached to her necklace began to burn where it rested against her collarbone.

  She looked up at Marko and was surprised to see tears trickling down his cheeks. Like rain, they fell from his face and dripped onto her chest. “You can’t leave me,” he ordered, clutching her tightly.