Demonheart: Book 1: Raging Elementals

by J. J. Egosi

  She leaned closer to the opposite side of the bench where Isabella was sitting. Michael’s face was squeezed between them. “I rocked his world. It was hot. It was steamy. And just so you know, he’s huge!”

  “I’m too late…” Isabella ran from the room.

  “And that’s how you mark your territory,” Julianna said with pride. She wrapped her arms around Michael, laying her head against his shoulder in satisfaction. Michael couldn’t hide his sadness.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I thought you were honest. Then, you lied, just to knock her out of the race. I’m going after her,” Michael said, standing up.

  Julianna gritted her teeth. “Not if I can help it!” Julianna summoned her sword and freed her wings. She would keep him from ever seeing Isabella if she had to. “You know the grief she caused you. If you walk into her life again, you’ll keep getting hurt. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, I understand. No matter how bad Isabella was to me, she still loves me. I want to know why.”

  “Michael…”

  “I’m not saying I have feelings for her, but she needs to explain herself if she ever wants closure. More importantly, I want her to answer for her two-faced behavior. That’s why I want to return to her. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

  Julianna lowered her sword and returned her wings. “I see. You never loved her. You just want her to answer for everything she put you through.”

  “I won’t leave until I know.”

  Isabella returned to the room, seeming much calmer.

  “I heard what you said. I heard everything. I don’t know why I did what I did. I just… I promise to have an answer for you one day.”

  Michael put his hand on her shoulder. “Take your time. It had just better be good!” He laughed. Isabella nervously joined in with his laughter. Julianna, however, was not amused.

  “That’s it?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “This bitch beat you to a pulp for years, and you settle for that piece of shit response?”

  “I don’t know what you want me to say,” said Michael.

  “Then I’ll say it,” Isabella said, giving Julianna a vicious scowl. “I don’t know who you think you are, you dirty bitch, but you are not stealing my Michael, got it? I run a multi-billion gold company. Do you want to know how I made that happen? Because I will crush anyone who gets in my way.”

  “Is that right?” Julianna had a smug grin on her face, and her arms crossed over one another. Isabella matched her stance.

  “He may be yours for now, but when I can face the darkness inside me and give him the answer he deserves, Michael will return to me. I swear upon Asmodai Jewelry that he and I will start our family right here on this estate!”

  Face the darkness inside her? Michael thought.

  “Did you say Asmodai Jewelry?” asked Julianna.

  “Yes, that’s my company. What’s your point?”

  “My point is I love your work! I must be your biggest buyer,” Julianna said with excitement.

  “Wait, what?” Michael felt somewhat baffled at the sudden change in tone.

  “Wait… Julianna as in the Julianna from Pendragon Swords?” Isabella lit up as well.

  “I sure am!”

  “I thought I recognized my work on your latest model. I’m your biggest buyer too. Let me show you my collection!”

  “Who would have known that our companies have worked together before?!”

  The pair quickly put their differences aside and headed to Isabella’s sword room.

  Michael was left alone now. He looked around at the empty room, completely confused. Their explosive fight seemingly came to an end with little more reason than to discuss their shared admiration in each other’s work. He knew he would never understand the heart of a woman.

  What the fuck just happened?

  He slammed his head against the wall, hoping to wake himself up from whatever dream or nightmare he was having, to no avail. The only thing he accomplished was giving himself a bigger headache.

  He composed himself and left the room in search of the girls. As he made his way to the main entrance, he saw them descending the spiral staircase, having a seemingly pleasant conversation.

  “So tell me how you became the jewelry powerhouse you are today? The heiress of the Asmodai estate,” Julianna excitedly asked.

  “Well, I started buying shares in weak local businesses. Once I’d bought enough, I took control of them for distribution purposes, all in preparation for the day I could finally take over,” Isabella said.

  “Naturally,” Julianna agreed.

  “Then when I started merging them with my business, well, you know the old saying.”

  “The flowers blossom as a single garden,” they said in unison.

  “I see you two are best friends now,” Michael said.

  “Oh, there you are. Hey, did you know Julianna is the biggest manufacturer of swords in all the Light Realm?” Isabella grinned.

  “Really? How about that?” This was news to him, but he was too annoyed to show any interest.

  “She did it just by funding it with the money she made by collecting bounties. Once she got enough, no one would even think of competing with her. A deadly assassin who can make a mean sword? Talk about a killer combination! All this time, I thought you assassins were nothing more than rats feeding off the scum of society,” said Isabella.

  “And here I thought all people who lived in stuffy places like this were nothing more than government brainwashed dirtbags.”

  The two of them cackled.

  Michael was dumbfounded. I’m not sure what’s going on, but by introducing them, I may have just gone and fucked myself.

  Seeing his confusion, Isabella put her arm on his shoulder. “Hey, don’t worry about us. Like you said, we’re best friends now!”

  “Yes. We’re looking forward to our friendly love rivalry.”

  “Love rivalry?” His stomach churned.

  “Yes, of course! She’s just as impressive as you said she is. Besides, now that I know she’s as rich as I am, I can’t let her win,” said Julianna.

  “That’s right. If you’re lucky, our battle for your heart may just end in a tie,” said Isabella. The two of them wrapped themselves tightly around him.

  Michael flushed.

  Unbelievable. After making such a big fuss about how I handled Isabella and Julianna’s blatant lie about us having a sex life, they decide to get all buddy-buddy? Women are so damn confusing…

  “Aw, look at how adorable he is, trying to escape,” Julianna said, tightly holding his arm.

  “So did you really have sex with him, or was that just a ploy to get rid of me?” Isabella asked.

  “Not yet. Although I have stripped in front of him.”

  Julianna stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around Michael’s shoulder. She pressed her face against his.

  “Big deal. I did that every day when he lived here,” Isabella said, mimicking Julianna’s action on Michael’s other cheek.

  “You what?!” Michael exclaimed.

  “Don’t act like you weren’t looking. I caught you all the time. After all, those after-hours bedroom shows were just for you.”

  “You dirty man. It sounds like you need some serious punishment.” Julianna rubbed Michael’s thigh. Isabella soon joined in.

  Michael tried desperately not to look down at their breasts. The girls pressed up against him on either side. They bulged out of their shirts.

  “Is there any way you two could give me some space?” he asked. Michael breathed heavily at the sensation of them wiggling their bodies against his.

  “What’s wrong? Getting a little excited?” Julianna asked.

  “No…” Michael replied nervously. He averted his gaze to the ceiling so he could avoid making eye contact with either of them.

  “I can tell you are by what you’ve got going on down there,” Julianna said, looking down at Michael’s pants. He tried his
best to cover up. Isabella giggled.

  “Oh, yes. I love that dick of his. I used to peek at it whenever he was changing or in the bath,” Isabella admitted.

  “You did?!” Michael was infuriated by the invasion of privacy.

  “I see peeking runs in the family,” said Julianna.

  “Technically, he’s my adoptive brother. When he was first brought home, well, I’d never seen a boy before, being homeschooled and all.”

  “I see. That couldn’t have been an easy transition.”

  “On the contrary, it was wonderful. Oh, how I loved taking baths with him and dressing up in his favorite outfits.”

  “Oh? Tell me more.”

  “Please don’t…” Michael replied. He felt both embarrassed and sick, blushing from the constant shaking back and forth between their bodies.

  “It was every bit as great as it sounds. As I got older, my parents told me I couldn’t do those things anymore because it was inappropriate, and he had urges. Well, so do I. Can’t I have fun too?”

  “You’re even more of a pervert than he is!” said Julianna.

  The two of them laughed. Michael did not.

  Why is this happening to me?

  “What’s wrong?” asked Isabella.

  Michael had clearly grown weary of their behavior; he turned away seriously. “Sorry, but this just isn’t right. None of it is.”

  “I know this will take some getting used to, but-”

  “This doesn’t make sense!” Michael angrily interjected before Julianna could finish. He stepped away from them both. “I’m a servant. A slave. An outcast. Possibly a murderer. Not someone to be fought over by women.”

  “Michael…”

  “Save all this affection for someone who doesn’t make a living pickpocketing and drinking himself into a coma. Someone who deserves it.” He could no longer hold back his tears.

  “Michael, you do deserve it.” Isabella wished she knew what to say to reassure him.

  “Yeah, we both really like you.” Julianna stepped towards him ever so slightly, hoping he’d meet her halfway. “It’s not your kindness, or because you’re a pushover, although those are huge bonuses. It’s because you’re incredibly kind and accepting. I’ve never seen any man act so considerately or respectfully. I don’t know if it was the many years of being pushed around by this jewelry loving heiress, but I want to fight for someone with such a big heart.”

  “Big heart, huh?” He looked at them both. Each carried their own earnest smile and open arms. “Then tell me this. Why is it that I feel so worthless?”

  “You’re not!” Isabella’s eyebrows furrowed with frustration. She felt herself on the verge of tears.

  “Then why…?”

  “Look. There are a lot of pigs out there who’d do anything to violate women like us, terrible things. You, however, are a gentleman, despite dressing like a slob. You’re kind and you’re sweet. You may not think that’s much, but it’s enough,” Isabella said.

  “Though you should probably work on that apparent drinking issue Isabella told me about,” Julianna added.

  “I see.” Michael nodded reluctantly. “Well, if that’s how it is, I’ll try to adjust.”

  “Good. Let’s get you out of those horrid clothes. No future husband of mine is going to be dressed like a street rat,” said Isabella.

  “Speaking of street rats, I did a little cleaning last night in the streets. I imagine you heard about a recent attack.”

  “You mean it was you who killed those officials? Nice job. That’s all people are talking about. News travels quickly in the Dark Realm, you know.”

  “Is that so?” Julianna grinned.

  “Apparently, they think a pack of bears did it,” said Isabella.

  “That’ll happen when you plant the right evidence!”

  “Oh, you are good!”

  “Is what those posters are saying true? Did I really kill all those officials and your parents?” Michael asked.

  The hallway fell silent.

  “You saw those posters?” Isabella asked regretfully.

  “Yes. Did I really do all that? Did I really kill your parents?” Michael’s voice trembled.

  Isabella looked at Julianna, who nodded back at her, silently communicating not to tell him the truth just yet.

  “None of it’s true. You were framed. People found out we were harboring an illegal citizen from the Light Realm and decided to blame the murders of all those officials on you. My parents faked their deaths to keep the mobs from tracking them down. They’re on a business getaway. They’ll be back soon, I’m sure. That’s why I asked you to leave. Otherwise, there’d be hell to pay. More importantly, if they disposed of you, I could never have another bath with you again.”

  “I see. Where do we go from here?” Michael asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I made it back home and got somewhat of an explanation,” he said. “I’m sure you’d like me to stay here, but I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to Julianna yet.”

  “Then don’t.” Julianna put her hand on his shoulder. “I still need to trade my killings for gold. Come with me. I’ll give you a tour of the Light Realm. How does that sound?”

  Michael nodded.

  “I’m assuming that offer extends to me as well?” asked Isabella.

  “Of course! It wouldn’t be a fair fight if I took off with him while you weren’t around. I may be an assassin, but I don’t play that dirty.”

  “Won’t you need to take care of your business, though?” asked Michael.

  “It’s fine. It’ll just be for a few days. Besides, if someone touches my business, I’ll run them into the ground!”

  “Then it’s settled! The three of us will journey to the Light Realm!”

  Michael smiled nervously as they dragged him out of the estate, with one arm around each of his. He wondered what would become of such an odd and potentially dangerous relationship.

  Chapter 7

  Element of Surprise

  A

  week had gone by since Michael, Julianna, and Isabella had left for the Light Realm. They moved on foot and had traveled through many villages far and wide, experiencing their many attractions, for better or for worse.

  Some towns were friendly and welcomed strangers onto their land - namely, the more neutral villages on the borders of the Twilight Forest. But those were not met without first crossing through other towns in the Dark Realm. Those towns hadn’t hesitated to give him the same unpleasant greeting he was more used to.

  He tried to ignore them, as always. Isabella and Julianna tried to stand up for him, but their cruel tongues and threatening actions towards the townspeople had them chased away.

  Their journey took them into another forest by the border of the Twilight Realm. They saw a large horse-drawn wagon with dozens of stacks of hay piled up in the wagon.

  “Hey, I recognize that sun and moon insignia,” Julianna whispered. The iron plate of two astral symbols merging into one another was nailed onto the back of the wagon.

  “You do?” Isabella asked.

  “Yeah, it’s property of the Twilight Realm.”

  “Which means it should be heading to the world’s central-most seaport,” said Isabella.

  “That’s right.” A grin curled across Julianna’s face. “A one-way ticket to the Twilight Seaport, here we come.”

  Michael didn’t like the idea of having to sneak onto a ship for the third time, but with the seaport dividing the realms of Light and Dark, he had no choice. Especially with the impending threat of incensed townspeople hunting them through the woods.

  The three of them saw the perfect opportunity to escape and snuck into the wagon when the carriage driver stopped for a bathroom break.

  The rider returned and took his horses by the reins, unaware of his new passengers. Hidden beneath many layers of straw, they were off to the seaport of the Twilight Realm.

  The wagon was spacious despite a great deal of hay. With
out the worry of dealing with the angry townspeople, they were able to catch their breath.

  “Talk about luck finding this wagon,” said Isabella.

  “No kidding,” Julianna replied. “I don’t know what the deal was with that last village. You decapitate one tubby big mouth, and you’re suddenly a bad guy.”

  “Cutting people’s heads off can be upsetting to them,” Michael whispered across the wagon. He hid behind two blocks of hay, rifling back and forth.

  “Are you still changing back there?”

  “I don’t usually wear clothes like this. It takes time,” Michael replied. He shoved his arms through the leather gauntlet and his feet into his boots. With a tug, he freed his hood from the back of his chest plate.

  “Well, hurry up,” Isabella insisted. “We’re almost there.”

  The seaport of the Twilight Realm appeared in the distance.

  The carriage stopped just in front of one of the ships’ ramps. The rider stepped down to speak with the ship’s captain regarding the hay being transferred to a distant farm.

  Julianna and Isabella snuck off the wagon and sprinted behind a nearby tree.

  “Hurry your ass up!”

  Michael frantically tried to get the last of his new attire in place. He made sure his gloves and boots were on correctly and let the edge of his hood fully fly down. Once his sword was sheathed, he was ready.

  He jumped from the back of the carriage in his new armored attire. It was similar to what he’d worn in his dream not all that long ago.

  He joined Isabella and Julianna in catching his breath as the crew began unloading the wagon onto the ship.

  “That was close.” He leaned forward with both hands on his knees, taking deep breaths under the weight of his armor.

  “Is wearing all this stuff really necessary?”

  “We told you we weren’t going to let you dress like a bum,” Julianna said.

  “Besides, no one will mess with someone who’s carrying a sword,” Isabella added.

  “You and I both know from our experience in that last town that that isn’t true.”

  Isabella patted him on the back. “Don’t worry about the small things.”