Throne of Blood

by Amber Cook

  The woman's fingers drew softly over Adira's hand, a dazed grin on her face. For a moment, Adira thought the woman would smother her between her breasts and wallop a kiss on her, but she turned to retrieve the ale she promised. Adira's eyes followed her as the woman waltzed away, and she sat back in the stiff chair. Her fingers instinctively touched the Orb, and her eyes narrowed as she looked around the room.

  At first glance, what appeared to be a cluster of slimy, drunken fouls was the opposite. Adira noted that individuals carried a cruel-looking weapon by their side, and their bodies were lined with thick muscles. Some weapons seemed to have incantations and characters carved into them to ward demons away, versus some had those very things inked on their skin. They were mercenaries.

  Although her knowledge about such things was limited, as it was when it came to humans, Adira could only imagine. Had somebody hired someone to steal the Orb? That wouldn't make sense. If the Orb had been stolen from the Fifth Pillar, that person would surely be dead. She couldn't imagine that the Fifth Pillar's Orb, or any of them, would allow themselves to be handled by humans without reason.

  Sitting around, trying to connect the dots, would do nothing. She didn't need answers, after all. All she needed was the Orb.

  Where are you? Show yourself to me.

  She gingerly stroked the top of the Orb, and she lowered her lashes.

  Don't keep me waiting. Wouldn't you like to be with me? Someone who loves and values you. Don't be shy. I won't pester you.

  Adira's eyes revolved around the room. The orbs were different and yet the same in certain regards. When it came to Adira, all of it was the same. Although they always had a roundabout way, the orbs truly loved Adira. When Adira would lower her lashes and tone, no matter if they were man or Orb, they would fall beneath her wishes. She knew it would only be a matter of time. It would call out to her as it had done many times before.

  As she was getting ready to think again, Adira saw a flash. It was minuscule, small enough that the human eye would have never been able to see it. But, Adira's eyes caught it right away. The Fifth Pillar's Orb was there.

  It took everything in her power for her not to surge onto her feet, but Adira knew that she couldn't be so risky. The people surrounding her were not typical humans. These were monsters that had been trained and honed to kill her kind. Even with her strength, even with the Orbs buried in her breast, there was no guarantee that she would escape unscathed. If she were in the Demonic Realm, she would have no hesitation, but this was different. A fatal blow could leave her unable to do anything for days, especially with her current injuries.

  Adira's fingers fell to the dagger that pressed against her hips. She knew it would not be as easy, as walking up to one of them and asking for the Orb back, especially if they knew what it was. But, could she kill this person quietly?

  Her eyes shifted to stare at the person who she assumed harbored the Fifth Pillar's Orb. He was a hideous human, as they all were in her eyes. Warm, rich chocolate locks spilled down from his scalp, and his face was sharp and crisp. Scars peeked out of his exposed neckline, and there was a flush to his cheeks. His skin was well tanned from days out on the road, but he still looked young to her. He had to have been in his thirties, she supposed.

  His amber eyes were vibrant in the low light, and he seemed entirely occupied by the ladies on his hips. With the tops of their dresses pulled down to expose their breasts, the surrounding men appeared delighted. Seeing that sight only made her brow furrow, and her fingers tightened on the hilt of the dagger.

  One quick flick of the dagger, and she could kill him, but not with everyone near him. She would have to get close enough to him where he could not escape. Her lip pulled in disgust, and she tapped the orb in her breast.

  Are you worth it for me to fall on my knees before scum?

  There were no immediate replies, but Adira could have sworn she heard one of them snicker. It wouldn't be the first time Adira had to grovel before the feet of men, nor did she doubt it would be the last. She had grown accustomed to doing such things, no matter how much it made her stomach ache. After a while, they tended to lose their potency, but that didn't mean it didn't make her pissed. She had done such things for demons surrounding her, her father even multiple times. She had to do this.

  Adira pushed herself off the table, straightening herself. Her face and body were still concealed, and she tried to steady her steps as she walked to where he sat. The people around her would cast side-glances as she passed, seeing how she limped and the torn holes through her clothing, but they never stopped her. It wasn't uncommon for people to come into a place like this in this condition, or worse. Even the blood that rolled down her arms did not faze them.

  As she neared, the man did not lift his head to acknowledge her. His full attention was on bewitching the woman by his side, who whispered sultry words in his ears as she pressed herself against him. The woman on his other side raised her head, face turning into a pout.

  "You'll have to wait your turn, mister. We can only entertain so many people at once."

  Adira did not reply right away. If situations were different, she would never respond to such a lowly beast. She would spit in her face and smash her beneath her heel before even replying. Nonetheless, this was a game that she had to play.

  Before his feet, Adira dropped onto her knees. This sudden movement caught the young man's attention, and finally, he turned his eyes on her. She pressed her fingertips against the Orbs one last time to make certain it was indeed this man who had it before she continued.

  "That won't be necessary," Adira whispered beneath her breath as she raised her head at the three of them. She pressed her hands against his knees, pushing her own body against them. She shook her head, allowing the concealing hood to slide off and expose the tendrils of her silky, silver hair. In the dim light offered in the tavern, her hair looked like newly finished steel. Compared to the others surrounding her, it stood out in bold contrast to their neutral tones.

  Adira did not give him a minute to react, and she continued pressing forward, climbing onto his lap. When the woman beside her reached forward to push her away, Adira's eyes cut into her. The darkened, crimson irises pinned her down to where she stood, and the woman's lips clenched. Although Adira's Demonic Energy was weaker than before, she still had some tricks up her sleeves.

  The feeling of his legs beneath her bosom brought Adira disgust. It took everything in her power for her to not retch on him. She couldn't believe she was forcing herself to act in such a way. The man seemed to not worry about the new woman, and he shifted, leaning back in delight. His amber eyes were filled with warmth and lust that made Adira want to gag. She stiffened as she felt his nimble fingertips pressed against the sides of her hips. But, no matter how much Adira wished to flee from him, she could not.

  She pressed her breasts against his chest, lowering her eyelashes as she looked up at him. Now, her cover would be blown. She would have to be quick.

  Her crimson irises were filled with light as she looked up into his eyes. The moment he saw them, his eyes widened, and his hand moved to reach for something, but Adira snatched it. Her lips pulled into a quirky grin, and she pulled his hand towards her. He hadn't expected her to be so strong.

  Adira unfastened the ribbon that held her cloak on and brought his hand to her chest. She pressed the palm of his hand against her breast, so he could feel the Orb residing in her. His eyes widened in disbelief once he felt the firm rock beneath his palm.

  She leaned forward, forward enough to where her breath could kiss the nape of his neck and his earlobes, and she began to speak. "I think you have something I want." Her tone was sultry, low in her throat so that only she could hear him.

  She could feel his stiffened body beneath her, which only filled her with more delight. Through the stench of body odor and alcohol, she could taste the fear that radiated from his body. It took everything in her power for Adira not to lick him, to get a taste of that sweet
fear that she loved.

  His fingers clenched as he felt the pressure of the Orb beneath his palm. He lowered his eyes to look at it nestled between her breasts, the surface twisting and swirling.

  "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. You can decide."

  He gritted his teeth, trying to figure out what to do. At first, he had believed she had been nothing more than another silly, drunken lady, but it was the opposite. She was a monster, and for her to have the Orbs buried in her chest meant she was the worst one of all.

  He looked to the two by his side before he exhaled between his teeth. He was trapped with nowhere to go. The only thing he could do was listen to and follow her request if he wanted to make it out alive.

  Adira's eyes widened in alarm as he jumped onto his feet, keeping his hand wrapped around her waist. His other hand went to her legs, forcing her to wrap her legs around his hips. Adira's eyes darkened at the gesture, but she did as she knew to do. She tucked her head into the nape of his neck and buried her teeth down into her lip. Thick droplets of blackened blood began to ooze from her lips.

  "Where are you going? Don't you want to stay longer, sir?" One of the lady's quipped, jumping to her feet to grab his side. Adira's eyes flashed up, and the woman cowered, taking backward steps as she grabbed the ends of her dress. The look of rage and power in Adira's eyes was enough to awaken anyone from their drunken state.

  "Did you find a good one?" Someone called, and the man laughed, his hand moving to squeeze Adira's bosom. At this, her eyes narrowed, and her hand nearly slipped to pull out the dagger.

  "Of course! You have to take advantage of the good ones while you can."

  "Leave her for the other's to enjoy too."

  Adira's teeth clenched harder, and she wanted to scream at them. They were just like the demons she had lived around her whole life. If they wanted a taste of her, then she would show them the real Adira.

  He kicked open the door with his foot and held her in his arms until the two were outside, far enough that a hundred feet separated them from the tavern. The moment Adira felt his hands loosen on her bosom, she shoved her hands onto his chest and flipped off him. By the time she pulled out her dagger, the man already had a short sword in hand, pointed at her throat.

  "How did you find me?" He asked, and Adira couldn't help but snicker.

  "How did I find you?" She straightened up, tapping the tip of the dagger against the Orbs. The dress she had worn had been pulled down, low enough to expose the Orbs and her breasts with plenty of space. "Did you really think that I would not be able to find you with this? Surely, even you know what this means?"

  His eyes darkened, and he kept the tip of the sword trained on her.

  "You're that demon."

  "That demon? Is that what you all are calling me? You should have some more respect for your superiors." She hissed, eyes narrowing as she gestured him with her dagger. "Give me the Fifth Pillar's Orb. I can feel it on you."

  "I don't have it."

  "Don't try and lie to me. I can feel it."

  "Why would I give it to you? So you can take it back to those demons and harm us more?"

  "That belongs to me."

  "How?"

  "You would never understand." She snarled, and Adira's eyes flickered to her chest. The droplets of blood that rolled down her cheek began to pool at it, and he stiffened at the sight. "Give me the Orb, or I'll have to kill you. I won't ask again."

  Sss.

  Adira's ears flickered at the sharp noise that filled the area around them. A moment later, light erupted into the sky.

  Chapter 4

  A deafening sound filled the air as shards of light erupted from the ground, splitting the very earth where they stood. Thrown backward from the force of it, Adira twisted to try and steady herself, but there was nothing she could do. When she clawed out to try and stop her plummeting body, she couldn't latch down onto anything. Masses of dirt flew past her face, grazing across her cheek, and before she could stop herself, she collided with the base of an aged oak tree in the thicket around her. Aggravating old wounds on her back, Adira screamed out as she made contact with the tree's thick base. Splinters of wood sprayed into the air, and the force nearly made Adira tear cleanly through the other side.

  Adira slid down the tree with a thump, limply falling onto the ground for a few moments as she tried to keep consciousness. Her vision tunneled every time she tried to lift her head, and she could feel something warm trickling down the back of her neck. She took shaky breaths as Adira's fingers went to the Orb first before checking herself over. The pressure of the Orb against her twitching fingertips was a relief she could not put into words. As long as it was still buried in her, she had a chance. If it weren't for the fact that the aged-oak tree's base had been so developed and thick, she would have been screwed. She could handle going almost through one tree. Five? Ten? She couldn't say the same.

  Every time she shifted to try and propel herself back onto her feet, she was met with new, scalding pain. If it did not come from the prior wounds she had, it came from the new ones that branded her body. When she tried to push herself onto her feet, Adira gasped and collapsed forward onto her elbows. A shaft of wood had been rammed through her calf, going cleanly through it on either side. Her trembling fingers reached towards it, and she nearly howled out as the shaft of wood shifted beneath them. She knew that if she removed the shard of wood, blood would spew from her legs, but she had no choice. With it buried in her calf, she could not move. She would have less chance of surviving here, like a sitting duck, than blood-loss.

  Adira's eyes shimmered as the leaking blood thinned, slicing the mass of wood and pulling it until all that was left was a gaping hole, three inches wide. If it weren't for the fact that Adira had other things to worry about, she would have allowed herself to fall prey to the gnawing pain, but she didn't have that choice. She had known the moment the explosion had been set off that it didn't come from a human. It wasn't crafted from simple explosives. It reeked of Demonic Energy.

  The houses that had surrounded them had been blown apart, but luckily, the two had walked a great distance away from the commotion. It didn't matter to her if it only wiped at one or twenty houses. After all, humans were the only things that lurked within them. She could see flames licking the surface near them, but she wasn't certain how close they were. These flames were not a vibrant orange but a crisp green. Even they were created from demons.

  As Adira dragged herself onto her feet, she could not see the mercenary from before. Instead, she saw two demons emerge from the fire. Masks brandished their faces, concealing their identities. Even if Adira could see them, she doubted she would recognize them. Thousands upon thousands of demons had been paraded in front of her since she had been brought into this world. After a while, they become nothing more than smudges.

  She could see the twisting and chaotic strands of Demonic Energy that pooled in their hands. As she stood, Adira leaped to the side to dodge a spear of energy that was hurled at her. Moments later, she heard an echoing boom as the spear exploded.

  "Ah, what a shame. I was hoping for more of a fight." One of them said, their tone irritating to her. "I expected more from you."

  Adira couldn't help the chuckle that slipped from her pursed lips as she steadied herself, raking her hand through her disheveled hair. "You've heard of me before? Thank you for the compliment."

  "How could we not?"

  "What are two demons doing here in the Human Realm at this time? We aren't supposed to move yet."

  They smirked, a high-pitch trill filling the air. "Do you think we are here to kill humans?" It inquired, and it raised its hand, a blade of Demonic Energy forming. "We're here to kill you."

  Adira's fingers clenched, but she had no time to ponder over those words. Leaping in the air to dodge one strike of energy, Adira twisted to try and shy away from the other. The blood that seeped from the gashes on her body was more than enough to be used as a weapon. The Orb
was filled with a blinding light, and Adira thrust her hands forward. Hundreds of finely fashioned daggers of blood were sent hurling towards them. The Orb in her chest twinkled in delight.

  She could hear a scream as she landed, beginning to dodge their attacks when her feet touched the ground. A fist flew towards her face, and Adira weaved to avoid contact. But, a moment later, the other demon was behind her again. Jabs, crosses, and elbows were thrown at her as she twisted, trying to create distance between them, but every step she took, they were there. They were right behind her, ready to slam their hands in her face.

  As Adira went to shy away again, she howled as a staggering pain filled her shoulder. One of the demons had thrust down a shard of Demonic Energy into her collarbone. She staggered backward, trying to rip it out as the other aimed a kick at her head. Adira's hand was there in time, catching the demon's foot within her palm. Her fingers clenched down, hard enough until she could feel and hear bone shatter, and she could feel the warmth of blood dribbling down her forearm.

  "Who sent you?"

  "Why does that matter?"

  "I said, who sent you? Tell me! Are you here to retrieve the Orb?"

  "The Orb?" The demon grimaced as Adira dug her fingers down harder, shattering the bone further. "A-Ah. Who cares about the Orb? Without you, they are nothing more than meaningless creatures. We were told to kill you."

  "By who?"

  The demon did not answer right away, and Adira thrust her hand forward into its chest. Its eyes widened in alarm as Adira's eyes shimmered a bloody crimson.

  "Tell me. Who sent you to kill me?" When the demon continued to keep its lips sealed, Adira lowered her face to its own, close enough that her warm breath kissed the demon's cheeks. "Your Demonic Energy is not that bad. I wouldn't mind consuming your soul. After all, I'll need it to prolong my body. You see, these human bodies are such trifling things."