by Bonnie Lamer
Not giving away that they do not know her as well as they think they do, Xandra asks, “Why are you trying to start a war between the Giant tribes?”
“Because nothing brings about more passion than fighting for your life,” the one that looks like Ellu says. He must of regained consciousness. I cannot see him as my eyes have developed a film across them.
Scornfully, Xandra asks, “That’s what this is about – passion?”
I believe it is the Ellu clone responds. My ears do not seem to work as well as they had, so I cannot be sure. “I have felt the passion in your soul. Surely, you understand what a powerful motivator it can be.”
Disgusted, Xandra says, “So, there’s no point to this war whatsoever other than to amuse you and let you feel more passionate?” I am disgusted by this as well, but I am too wrapped up in a demi-god’s magic to declare this.
“We have not come to quench our need for passion. We answer the call of those seeking justice,” Rhamba says. “Something you seem to understand. That is why you would be a wonderful asset to have.”
“I am not anyone’s asset,” Xandra snarls. In another situation, that comment would have made me chuckle. Steering the conversation back to them, she asks, “Where are you from?”
“We are half gods, where else could we be from but the heavens.”
“Oh, please. You’re a half god? I don’t think so. Half demon, maybe.”
There is anger in Rhamba’s voice when she says, “Your insolence will not be tolerated any longer.”
“And why is that?” Xandra demands. In my fog, I am still able to put a warning hand on her shoulder. Probably because I have done it so often now, the action is hardwired into my nervous system.
Instead of answering, Rhamba rises from the ground and her head falls back. Magic swirls around her in a muddy cloud. Then, with great force, she throws it at Xandra. Unphased, Xandra puts up a magical wall, blocking it. I suddenly find myself released from my trance-like state. The wall must have cut off the path of the magic holding me. Xandra gives me a quick, relieved glance but then focuses all of her attention on her magic. Even through her magical wall, I can feel the force of Rhamba’s magic. It is coating Xandra’s, looking for any weakness. She is a powerful being but Xandra’s magic holds.
After several minutes of not being able to penetrate Xandra’s wall, Rhamba loses the pleasant smile and her face becomes harsh, almost hag-like. Knowing that the situation could take a turn for the worse now, Xandra grabs my hand and teleports us back to Dagda’s.
Chapter 26
Surprised gasps echo around the library when we appear out of thin air. At least there is no screaming this time. Unfortunately, Xandra is still perfecting her landings. She drops us onto a chair and we both tumble to the floor.
“Where have you been?!” Dagda demands as we get to our feet. He is pissed. “We were about to organize a search party.”
“Um, sorry,” Xandra says, avoiding the question.
“Quinn says he can be ready with his men just after sunrise. We will attack then.” Quinn nods from where he’s leaning against the window sill.
Xandra shakes her head. “Listen, I know you guys all want to go to war, but it’s not necessary. It’s not even Ellu who’s responsible for what’s been going on. There’s someone impersonating him. One of the wood nymphs I told you about before.”
Dagda is losing patience with her. “Xandra, we have already discussed this. There is no such thing as wood nymphs!”
“I saw them, as well, Uncle,” I say, putting an arm around Xandra’s shoulders in a show of solidarity.
“What are the two of you talking about?” Quinn asks. His voice is harsh, he does not want us to talk Dagda out of war.
“We were at Ellu’s…” Xandra is able to say before Dagda cuts her off.
“You were where?!” If she was not stronger than him magically, I believe he would be tempted to forcibly lock her in her room. Even if it is in disrepair at the moment.
Xandra sighs and rolls her eyes. “Yes, I know you’re mad. But, I had to try to find an alternative to war, and I have. It’s not Ellu that’s causing the trouble. It’s the wood nymphs, or whatever they are. They said they were demi-gods. They can impersonate people and they’re really powerful. Powerful enough to convince people to do things they don’t want to do.”
Dagda opens his mouth to say something then stops. Spinning around, he goes to a shelf in the far corner of the library. He scans a couple of rows of books before he finds the one he is looking for. He pulls it out and puts it on a small table. He flips through the pages until he finds the one he is looking for. Looking up at Xandra, he asks, “Are you certain that one of these nymphs, as you call them, is impersonating Ellu?”
Xandra nods. “Yes. And not just him. I’m positive they’re the ones who were posing as my parents and who posed as me and Kallen earlier.” Her cheeks turn scarlet. I glare at Quinn when he snickers, understanding in his eyes.
“Come here,” Dagda says. He starts reading the page he has open. “Does this sound like these creatures? Apsaras: A trio of demon and Cowan spawn who can be summoned by a fallen hero or a woman scorned. Each excels in a different area of magic. Rhamba, the leader of the three, moves about as demons do, able to teleport from place to place. Tilattoma, also known as the Enchantress, can invade dreams and create illusions as ways to control prey. Manaka incites lust and passion, causing her victims to lose themselves for hours at a time.” He gives Xandra and me a pointed look before he continues. “Once called, the three may not be controlled. They will appear only to those whom they wish to see them, and will take the form of others at will. Their demon magic is strong, making it almost impossible to kill them.”
“Um, yeah,” Xandra says, her cheeks still blazing. “That sounds like them.”
Quinn’s brow is pinched together tightly as if he is struggling to think. An exercise I am sure he is not used to performing. “And you believe it is these Apsaras, these demi-gods, who have been attacking the Devas?”
Xandra nods. “Yes, I do.”
“For what purpose?”
Dagda responds before Xandra can. “There are only two who can summon them. Can you think of anyone who falls into either category?”
Quinn purses his lips and thinks about it, then shakes his head. “No, I cannot. Before the last few months, the most recent truce between us and the Daityas had inspired many years of peace. I cannot think of anyone who would want to bring these Apsaras upon us.”
A gleam of insight appears in my mind. “What if they are not seeking revenge against the Devas?” I say.
Xandra turns a puzzled face to me. “What do you mean?”
Turning to Quinn, I say, “You believe that a war between the Devas and Daityas would have a given outcome. Perhaps someone who agrees with you is angry enough with the Daityas to incite war, believing that the Daityas will fall under the swords and crossbows of the Devas. Thereby killing the one who wronged him or her.”
Xandra knows where I am going with this. “I think I know who would have summoned them.” Everyone in the room is surprised except me. “Breena and Ellu broke up recently. She does act like a woman scorned.”
Quinn pushes away from the window sill and crosses his arms over his chest. “That is impossible. She is Devas and he is Daityas. It is forbidden.”
Xandra rolls her eyes. “Yeah, because history isn’t full of forbidden love and the tragedies that surround it.” She does have a point. That is a theme that crosses all realms.
Dagda just might be convinced. “Radella, please find Breena and escort her here.”
Radella nods to two of her security team and the three of them walk out of the library in search of Breena. She better have returned here after leaving us in the tunnel. If not, I will hunt her down myself.
The room is quiet as we wait for word on whether Radella and her team have found her. I spend the time massaging Xandra’s shoulders, trying to get the knots out of them. My
mind keeps straying to other parts of her body that I would like to massage.
Radella returns a short time later with Breena in tow. The Giant seems surprised to see Xandra and me. So, she had been leading us into a trap. She fully expected the demi-gods to kill us. Xandra flinches when my hands tighten on her shoulders as my anger unfolds within me.
Not knowing how much we have figured out, she tries to mask her surprise with subservience. “Your majesty, there is something you wish from me?”
Even Quinn is having difficulty not going over and throttling her. His hands are in such tight fists, his knuckles are pure white. He remains silent, though.
“Yes,” Dagda says, as if he is about to ask her to pour coffee. “There have been some unusual reports coming in. The security teams are seeing what they describe as nymphs wandering the area. Have you heard anything about this? Were there sightings before we came here?” This is an unusual approach he is taking.
Breena’s body tenses, but she tries to keep her face impassive. “I have not heard of any such sightings, your Majesty.”
Dagda pushes harder. “What about someone posing as another?” She shakes her head but sweat is gleaming on her brow.
Xandra is too impatient for Dagda’s roundabout questioning. “Did you summon the Apsaras or not?” she asks. Dagda gives her a hard look but Quinn is both amused and impressed by her directness. I am also, but I keep my face blank.
Breena’s face hardens. “You could not leave things alone, could you? The moment I heard you were coming, I knew you would be trouble.”
Xandra shows no reaction to her outburst other than to say, “That’s why you sent the Apsaras after me on the carriage ride here.”
“Ah, pet, you are quick,” Rhamba says from behind us, making us both jump. We spin around in unison.
“I am not your pet,” Xandra growls.
Rhamba smiles. “You will be. Yes, Breena asked us to dispose of you however we saw fit, but you were much too valuable to kill. Your abilities far outshine any other magical creatures we have met outside of ourselves. Your passion is mighty, and your determination is inspiring.”
Xandra is not impressed by the flattery. “Thanks for the great build up, but I’m still not interested in being your pet.”
Rhamba raises both brows in amusement. “How lovely that you truly believe you have a choice in the matter.”
Rhamba has no idea she is pushing all the wrong buttons with Xandra. “Isn’t it?” Xandra purrs. “Oh, and by the way, I guess I was right on the money when I said you were demons, not gods. We just read all about you and your friends.”
Rhamba’s smile does not falter. “Am I supposed to be concerned about you reading of us? If anything, it will help you understand the futility of your resistance.”
“Futility of my resistance?” Xandra laughs, honest amusement in her voice. “That sounds like a cheesy line from Star Trek.” And now she has lost everyone in the room. What is ‘Star Trek’?
Rhamba is growing impatient with the conversation. “Xandra, this is your last opportunity to join us willingly. If you refuse again, we will begin killing off the people you love.”
As if on cue, Menaka shows up behind her with Alita in tow. Alita looks miserable, suffering greatly from such close proximity with a demon’s spawn.
Xandra is pulling magic in waves and her words are ice cold as they leave her mouth. “Leave. Her. Alone.”
Menaka laughs at Xandra’s growing anger. “You are no match for Rhamba, little Witch Fairy.”
Those words might as well have been spoken as a challenge. Assessing the room, Xandra takes in where everyone is standing, including Kegan who has moved in behind Menaka and Alita. Xandra’s magic bursts forward. Taking the shape of a snake, it tears at Menaka’s neck. The demon lets go of Alita as it tries to free itself. This gives Kegan the opportunity to push Menaka to the floor and grab Alita. Swooping her up in his arms, he races to the door and out in the hall and then beyond, getting Alita as far from this room as possible.
Menaka is pissed to have lost her prey. She charges towards Xandra who creates a trip wire of magic in her path. Menaka goes sprawling to the floor again, her face now a distorted and bloody mask of rage. “You will pay for that,” she roars at Xandra.
“Enough!” Rhamba shouts. She sends her own magic flying towards Xandra. Xandra repels it without even the barest of struggles. She is angry enough to have complete control over the ocean of magic she has pulled from the earth.
A strange expression takes root on Xandra’s face. Her magic falters a moment as she goes completely still, her mind searching for something. Still, her magic keeps the demons at bay while she ponders whatever it is. Turning to me, she says, “When we’re right hand-fasted, I want a blue ring like I saw a few days ago in the carriage.”
What the hell is she talking about? Has she gone insane? But then I notice the sly smile on her face and I suddenly know what she is talking about. My lips widen into a grin. “Anything you want,” I say. I reach out with my mind and send a message to Sindri.
Rhamba looks incredulous. “You are discussing a hand-fasting? You are never going to be hand-fasted. You will be my pet or you will die.”
Xandra gives her a sour look. “Could you tone down the drama? I’m planning my wedding details here.” I cannot help the chuckle that starts in my throat and will not be held back my lips. But I notice a tiny slip in Xandra’s bravado. Not enough for anyone else to see, but enough for me to see. I smile in encouragement and lace my fingers with hers. All the while, she and Rhamba continue to hold back the other’s magic. Everyone else in the room is perfectly still, not wanting to distract Xandra. Or they could just be fearful like Radella obviously is.
“You are strong, stronger than a Witch or a Fairy,” Rhamba says, pointing out the obvious.
Xandra does not bother to reply because Sindri is in the doorway with a small bag in his hand. She looks like she wants to kiss him. Hell, if her plan works, I will kiss him.
Xandra turns to him and surreptitiously pulls a small wooden box from her pocket. Inside, there are two whittled figures and a small vial of what looks like blood. The old Giant’s words ring in my ears as Xandra prepares the items. ‘For the beautiful virgin who captures hearts, a touch of blood holds them in place,’ he said. ‘A touch of poison prevents escape.’
Rhamba’s eyes burn with fury when Xandra turns her back on her. Her eyes have become black, the obsidian eyes of demons. “What are you doing?” she demands.
“I’m filling out my will in case you win,” Xandra says sweetly.
In response, Rhamba’s teeth lengthen into fangs. “There are no tricks up your sleeve. As you read, we are virtually indestructible.” I cannot determine if she is saying that to convince Xandra or herself.
Opening the tiny vial, Xandra lets a drop of blood fall on the two figurines. Then, she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a third figure. She places a drop of blood on this one, as well. Putting the cap back on the vial, she slips all three figurines back into her pocket. Closing her eyes now, Xandra calls for her wings. When the beautiful white feathers appear on her back, even Rhamba, Menaka and Tilattoma are in shock. That makes Xandra smile.
“You have the wings of an Angel,” Tilattoma stutters.
Xandra cocks her head to the side. “Oh, did I forget to mention my Grandmother is an Angel? Oops,” she says with a grin. Looking slightly over Rhamba’s shoulder, she catches Sindri’s eye. “On three.” Sindri gives a slight nod.
Rhamba looks baffled. “What are you talking about?” She must not have noticed the interchange with Sindri.
Xandra ignores her and counts aloud. “One, two, three.” On three, she lets her magic go at the same time Sindri throws her the small bag in his hand. Xandra catches it and immediately, her wings fold around her, protecting her from the onslaught of Rhamba’s magic. “The rest of you are going to want to close your eyes,” Xandra says to the room in general. I hesitate before closing mine, curiou
s to see what happens.
A powerful pressure has formed in the room, a pressure that is pushing the demons towards Xandra, and vice versa, as the Angel and Demon blood in the room are attracted to each other. Xandra’s wings must have sparked the process. Their blood does not want to combine. It wants to act on a natural instinct to eradicate the other. Xandra peeks over her wings, determining how much time she has before they collide.
A sudden, blinding light forces my lids closed. Xandra’s Angel light explodes from her and three voices begin to scream in agony. Her light is a weapon they cannot fight. I hear the dull sound of the figurines dropping to the floor. Risking seared retinas, I pry my lids apart only a fraction but enough to see what Xandra is doing.
The blood Xandra put on the wooden figurines rises in the air, tiny red particles that look like dust motes. These particles swirl around the three Apsaras, and then combining again they dive towards their chests like three bloody arrows, finding their hearts and setting them free. Before my eyes, the facades of the demons fall away until their true forms can be seen. They have black skin over their chests but the rest of them are skeletal, hollow. I have seen pictures of demons but they are even more grotesque than I could have imagined. The hearts they wear on the outside of their chests have crumpled, becoming nothing but ash. The ash is drawn to Xandra and then to the small figurines. The remnants of each heart wraps around one of them and now Breena’s blood will hold them in place. They are trapped. A demon has no power if it has no heart.
