by Mary Ting
It nicked the wall and dropped.
He gripped my chin, the other hand wrapped around my throat. I was fast, but without my sisters’ power to make me stronger, I wasn’t as fast as him—the original vampire. I gasped for air, my face heating from no oxygen.
“What was that?” he sneered. “Poison?”
“Slee … ping drug,” I managed to say, ready with my magick to strike.
Cain let go. Keeling over, I coughed relentlessly.
“You say that every time.” Cain dusted his arms and straightened his black tie.
I scowled and hooked strands of hair over my left ear. “Every time. I’ve only tried twice.”
“And you failed twice. You can’t retrieve my sperm.” He poked my chest. “I will not give you more children.”
I sat on the edge of the office desk and shoved a paper tray aside. “I don’t want your sperm this time. I need your blood.”
His already angled brows knitted together. “And what do you want with my blood?”
I traced a letter “O” on the dusty table continuously. “If I inject your blood, then I don’t need you to bite them. It’s easier, and it’s simple. You won’t be blamed, and I’ll get what I want. An army of my own.”
Cain, all six feet two inches of him, pushed apart my knees and stood in front of me. “You’re crazy. Do you know the newborns have the strength of two supernatural beings? If you lose control of them, it will be chaos. They will create more on their own with a blink of an eye.”
I leaned closer, my lips almost touching his. “I’m counting on it. Maybe I’ll bring them to the TO meeting with me. See what kind of chaos the newborns will bring.”
“This is precisely the reason why I won’t work with you. You should be concentrating on unifying and building the witches into a better generation, but instead, you want to destroy it all. Think about what you are doing. You’ve waited so long to be recognized and come out of hiding; don’t blow it for your sisters and brothers.”
I shoved him away and stood up. “You must not know me well. I’m not doing it for them. I’m doing it for myself. What if we build a new TO with a new order? You can be by my side. We can take over the world and set our own rules. Think about it.”
He leaned back against the cabinet, his hands inside his pockets. “First of all, where is my money? That’s the reason I summoned you here.”
“If you have a seat in TO then you won’t have to worry about money for the rest of your eternal life. Think about it, Cain.”
He released a deep, bored sigh. “Listen. It sounds very tempting, but I will not risk the peace within the vampire community for my own selfishness. I am the original, but that doesn’t mean I come first. I have to look after my people.”
“Your kind are dying out, and you know it. There aren’t many of you left, thanks to the TO.”
He shrugged. “Then let it be so. Perhaps, one by one, the supernatural beings will be extinct. Just like the dinosaurs.”
I clenched my teeth and my nostrils flared. “You are a disgrace to your kind. Pathetic. And it’s exactly what I thought you would say, so I brought back up.”
“Awan?” He pushed up from the wall, ready to grab me or shield himself.
Too late.
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
Cain looked down at his chest. Five needles.
“You.” He pointed at me but stumbled forward, swaying. “You can’t do this. I didn’t say I’d allow—”
“Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I’m tired of people telling me what I can and cannot do. I’m a witch, after all. Sisters?” My voice resonated through the room.
Corian and Giselle stepped out of their cloaking spells.
“Nice work, sisters.”
“What are you … going … to do … with … me?” Cain spoke slower than before, blinking to stay awake.
I patted his back, causing him to trip and drop to his knee. He’d lost his muscle control.
“Don’t worry, Cain. I’ll take good care of you. After all, you’re going to give me plenty of blood. I’ll make sure you don’t feel any discomfort.” I leaned into his ears. “I’m going to take every single drop.”
“You’re all going … to … He …” He dropped, stomach down.
“We’re already in a hell. It’s just not as hot.” I turned to my sister. “Pick him up. We’re taking him to Malum’s place. I have a special cell waiting for him.”
Chapter 42
Lucifer
Keira
“Do you think Balen can take me to Lucifer?” I asked, sensing something off in the air.
Ezekiel unlocked his car and stopped. He must have felt what I did. Jonah and Uriel glanced off to the distance, but didn’t say anything.
I peered up when a huge shadow loomed over us.
Not a bird.
Not a plane.
No such thing as Superman. Darn.
A loud crashing sound echoed through the air. Metal screeched on metal.
Jonah shoved me behind him and shot out his wings. Uriel did the same with Ezekiel. Several cars down, something that looked like a twelve-foot-tall giant bat stomped on the hood of a car, crushing it. And then it hopped from car to car until it landed in front of us.
It had neither fur nor hair on its body or head. Red eyes beamed. Its nose looked skeletal with sharp teeth in rows like Jaws. Hands and feet were claws, and its black wings were almost as massive as Uriel’s.
My God. Abomination. What creature has come out of Hell?
“Lucifer!” Uriel bellowed.
The siren from the NU building rang, and the hunters ran out with their personal arsenals in tow.
“Go back inside. I’ll deal with him.” Uriel waved to the hunters.
“Do as he said,” Ezekiel ordered.
The hunters cautiously listened while the figure morphed.
“Hello, people. Did you miss me?” Lucifer chuckled, holding Suri by the back of her shirt.
Lucifer shrank from his grotesque, monstrous form and approached me in a dark suit, looking debonair. Like he was about to walk into a business meeting. Suri cowered, her scared eyes pinned on me saying help me.
“Suri,” I murmured.
Thank God Lucifer hadn’t harmed her physically, nothing I could see. But I didn’t know if he had played with her mind.
“How did you get out?” Uriel stepped forward.
“You know how. Don’t pretend to not know, brother. I used Suri as my vessel. You left me no choice.”
Tears streamed down Suri’s cheek. She couldn’t look at me anymore.
No! I screamed inside my head and I poised to bolt and beat the crap out of Lucifer, but Jonah yanked me behind him again when I edged past him.
We had been told when a being was used as a vessel, it meant that they had given their soul willingly. Suri wouldn’t have done it unless she had no choice. He’d probably tortured her.
It also meant she would be his to control. It was a good thing Daniel and Kai had been sent on duty earlier. But Kai would find out. We were only delaying the inevitable.
There had to be a way to break the bond.
“Let her go, Lucifer. You got your freedom for the day. You’re free to do as you will.”
“Perhaps. But where are Michael, Gabriel, and the rest of our brothers?”
“They’re locked away by a spell cast by a witch named Awan. Do you know anything about that?” Uriel sounded accusatory.
Perhaps nothing surprised Uriel. Lucifer had his minions doing all sorts of crazy things on Earth.
“Yes, I’ve heard of her.” A wry grin plastered his face. His eyes gleamed like he had something malicious planned. “I have a deal for you. I’ll help you get rid of Awan and get our brothers back. In exchange, I will release Suri and I get to stay on Earth.”
“No,” Uriel growled.
“No?” I raised my voice and turned to Jonah. “Is there another way to release Suri’s bond with Lucifer?”
“No. Lucifer
is the only one that can.”
“Please, Uriel. Please.”
“Listen to your daughter, Uriel.” Lucifer sighed as if he was bored. “You think the witch will hold up to her end of the bargain? She’ll make you do something else, dangling her prize. The list will go on. She has you where she wants you. Besides, I’ve learned my lesson. What could go wrong with me here on Earth? I’ve been rehabilitated, I swear. I won’t touch the humans. I’ll only have my fun with the witches. Come on, brother. Time is ticking.”
“Please …” I was desperate, and though I wouldn’t admit it, I’d felt his love when I was stuck in my dream. His love had pulled me out. A part of him cared for me. He might not say it, but he did show it.
“Please. Please, Dad. Suri is not just my friend, but she’s like a sister to me.”
Uriel slowly faced me. His features softened, and the stiffness in his shoulders eased. Calling him Dad seemed to be the magic trick.
Uriel closed his eyes tightly, and then opened them. “Fine. Let go of Suri’s bond first, and you need to stay by my side. If you trick me, the deal is off. You help me save our brothers, and then afterward they will decide your fate. If you prove you have changed, then you will be free to join us. Don’t make me regret this.”
“Very well. I’ll stick to those demands. I’ll show you good faith by releasing Suri.” He placed a hand on Suri’s head and smirked.
Suri ran toward me, but I met her half way and held her tightly.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I swear we were going to find you.” Tears dampened my eyes.
“I know,” she whimpered.
“Are you hurt?” I pulled back to examine her.
“What are you saying, girl?” Lucifer rolled his eyes. “I don’t torture kids. She’s fine. I just spooked her by showing her my devilishly handsome form.”
I didn’t blame Suri. She had been with him alone.
“I’m okay.” She sniffed, wiping her tears. “He didn’t hurt me.”
“What now?” Jonah glared at Lucifer.
“First, we need to find a place with three bedrooms. Preferably close to Ezekiel’s apartment.” Uriel shook his head as if he couldn’t believe what he had allowed.
Lucifer’s dark eyes beamed like polished onyx. “Then we play. I can’t wait to see Awan. First things first, I’m a bit hungry. I need food.”
Uriel released an agitated sigh. “I’ve just become a babysitter. Come on. Let’s get you fed. Everyone, get in Ezekiel’s SUV.”
“Why the SUV? Why not just fly?” Lucifer asked.
“Mortals don’t know we exist in this lifetime, and we must keep it that way. Got it?”
Lucifer rolled his eyes. “Chill, brother.”
Uriel shook his head and backed away. “Afterward, I need to save Enoch’s mother.”
“Who’s Enoch?” Lucifer asked.
“Never mind. Just get in the car.”
“I’m going to take Suri back to her place. She needs to collect herself. Call me if you need me,” I said to no one in particular.
“Let me know if you need anything. Good to have you back, Suri,” Ezekiel said.
“See you soon … niece.” Lucifer’s lips spread to his ears, and he wiggled his fingers.
“I’m not your niece.” I drilled my eyes to his.
“So feisty. Why is everyone on Earth so uptight?” Lucifer opened the passenger door and went inside.
“Be careful. We’ll see you soon.” Uriel held his door open and waited for me to walk away. Jonah and Ezekiel did the same.
Uriel was watching me. Watching me like a father would after his own child.
“Let’s get you home. You can take a shower and tell me everything.” I led Suri to my car and I glanced over my shoulder.
They were heading out of the parking lot. Just before they were out of my sight, I got a glimpse of Lucifer sticking his head out the window. He waved at me with a victorious grin.
A chill raked down my back.
“Keira, are you okay? You look like you saw a ghost.” Suri placed her hand on my shoulder.
“I’m fine.” I shook off the feeling. “Let’s get you home.”
Book 3 -- 2020
Read Chapter 1 Jaclyn and the Beanstalk
By Mary Ting
Chapter 1
Sixteenth Century
Shrieks rent the peaceful night. I bolted upright and gulped air as if I had been under water too long. My heart raced as a white, ghost-like mist escaped my panting mouth. Despite the chill, sweat trickled down my forehead and dampened my back, causing the fabric of my chemise to stick.
I squinted through the darkness; moonlight faintly illuminated the storage chest and a nub of a candle was atop the plain table. In my room—safe. But my heart did not slow, for the cries still echoed in my mind.
Please, go away. Go away.
My head—a pounding mess.
Curling into a ball and covering my ears, I hummed a tune Mother used to sing. The song always had a way of comforting me, but it never made the noise go away.
Thinking the devil waited for me to lose my mind, to seize my soul, I whispered the Lord’s Prayer. “…And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
As the noises faded, I released my knees. Exhaustion consumed me and I found sleep once more.
“Rise, Jaclyn,” Father hollered from the kitchen. “Time for your lesson.”
No, no, no.
I squirmed lower under my coverlet and yawned.
Bodies shuffled and thumped in other rooms. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I shivered as frosty air pricked my bones. Outside my window, the sun glowed molten-gold through the cluster of gray clouds.
Perhaps the night before had been a dream. Can one dream the same dream for months on end?
I swept the night’s occurrences to the back of my mind and pulled the bedclothes tighter. I shut my eyes against the light kissing my cheeks and thought only of rest until my chamber door creaked open.
The mattress shifted.
“Father.” I flailed my arms and kicked uncontrollably, laughing and slapping his hands as he tickled my sides. “Cease, cease. I’m awake.”
I sat up and clutched the coverlet, wishing to be honest with him about the nightmares. Swallowing the words, I gave him a sheepish smile. He had a belly full of worries and I did not wish to add mine. I would not have him think the devil damned my soul; Father’s belief would make it true.
He’d aged right before my eyes. Even his garments—dark breeches and a forest-green tunic—drooped wearily, and his muddy black boots had cracked. Father’s thick eyelashes touched his ruddy face when he looked down. His rough hands, callused and dirty from labor, cradled his favorite tatty, brown hat, and he poked his finger through a hole in the top.
“Are you well, Daughter?” The skin around his nut-brown eyes crinkled with concern, and his forehead creased.
No. I hear monsters at night. Something is wrong with your daughter.
“Yes.” I disliked keeping the truth from him. “A little unwell, perhaps.”
I smiled when the aroma of fresh baked bread wafted through the door, but cringed at the sight of rat droppings on the white linens—gifts from vermin in the thatch that had fallen from the roof.
Father raised his chin and wiggled his nose. “Generous this time, were they not?” He chuckled. “They left none for me last night.”
I cursed under my breath, frowning. “They left me plenty.”
“You’re late abed this morning.” Father rubbed his jaw, and pushed his fingers through the white streaks by his temple before placing the hat on his dark head. “Do you want to pass this morning?”
Closing my eyes, I wished my lassitude away. “Nay. I need to dress first.” I plucked at my white chemise.
“Certainly. Clothe yourself and eat some of your mother’s bread. I’ll be tending to the horses.” He ruffled my hair and shut t
he door behind him.
Determined to begin the day afresh and forget the previous night, I took out a boy’s breeches and tunic from my chest. Mother had frowned when I wore them at first, but ceased when she grew tired of mending gowns.
Father had been training me to use a sword and other weapons, so I had no choice but to dress accordingly. Our only neighbors were hills and forest—no townspeople to scandalize.
Hunger pangs grew as I opened my chamber door. Just before I closed it behind me, I glanced about. I had smoothed the coverlet, shut the chest, and ensured nothing lay on the dirt floor. The small chamber left no room for a mess.
“You’re awake at last.”
Mother’s smile and sky-blue eyes warmed me better than the fire under the big kettle.
I smiled back. “Good morning, Mother. Thank you for the delicious meal I’m about to eat.”
A tankard of milk and a wooden trencher bearing a piece of bread with sweet butter had been set on the table. After I said grace, Mother tugged at my long, brown hair as I devoured my meal.
“You’re sixteen and you can’t even comb your own hair. What if a suitor comes to call? You should at least appear presentable.”
Mother yanked back my bushy hair and worked it over with my favorite brush. I’d had it since I was a baby and always loved the vine carvings on the handle.
“I shall tie it up.” I paused to swallow a bit of crust. “And I don’t want a suitor, even if one happened to wander into the hills.”
Mother did not reply. I winced and yelped quietly as she pulled and twisted my hair, determined to produce a miracle. She captured two tight braids and secured them atop my head. Not a strand of hair strayed out of place, but the cool air tickled my bare nape.
“There.” She set her eyes on mine. “Beautiful. You can wear a brown sack if you choose, but your face Jaclyn, is a thing of beauty. You’ve got regular features, thank goodness, nothing like your father’s crooked nose. And if I did not know you, I’d swear you’d painted those lips rosy. I’ve always said give me a pair of handsome brown eyes over flighty blue any day. You’re living proof.”
