Horror wrapped its icy hands around my heart.
I wasn’t going to watch this happen.
My gaze darted to the trees above us, where branches seemed to be straining for us.
I closed my eyes, thinking of Samael hunting for acorns for me, so I wouldn’t be scared.
I’d destroy anyone who tried to hurt him.
I opened my eyes. I breathed out, and it happened in an instant, a fraction of a heartbeat. A branch shot out, snapping through the air to the man behind me, and the drude dropped his knife.
I spun to see the branch wrapping around his neck, yanking him high into the air. Another bough pierced his chest cavity, tearing through his heart and ribs.
Lilith was the Iron Queen—goddess of life and death. Bodies rotted underground, but my flowers grew from them, making their souls eternal. I’d kill here, feed the soil with blood, and I’d make the Weald come alive again.
I whirled to see one of the drudes staring at me. He’d wanted to feed my nightmares.
But they weren’t the only monsters here, were they?
The skies went dark above us, night falling fast. I felt the drudes’ magic weaving its way around my head, prodding, attempting to feed me nightmares. They wanted to stop me. But Samael was in danger, and my focus was razor sharp.
I raised my hands, flashing them a smile. “You like nightmares, do you? You’re in luck. I’m the worst nightmare you’ve ever seen.”
I slashed my wrists through the air, and the bare tree branches shot out from above. They plunged into the demons’ mouths, then smashed through their chests. Twigs and branches shot out from between their ribs, and yanked them into the air. Impaled, they dangled, and leaves bloomed from the twiggy branches. Their arms hung limply by their sides, and blood dripped into the snow.
When the Iron Queen was in love, she did not fuck around.
The drudes’ presence was gone now. When I looked above, the dark skies cleared, the sun beaming. Beneath my feet, the snow started to melt into the earth, and green grass sprang up unimaginably fast. The branches around me bloomed with bright green leaves, and life sprouted from the mouths of the slain demons.
I breathed in the fresh scent of spring, exhilarated for a moment.
Then, I lowered my gaze to Samael.
My heart shuddered at the sight of him—blood spilling from his chest, arrows piercing his body.
Dark blue veins ran beneath his skin. His eyes were closed.
Panic stole my breath. He couldn’t be dead, could he? Sex with a mortal could make him vulnerable for a time. But I was no longer mortal. I had no idea how long this weakened time period lasted. A day? A year? That had never been spelled out to me.
With a growing sense of dread, I rushed over to him, desperate to feel a pulse. He groaned as I reached him. I went to work pulling the arrows out of his body, then the splinters, like he’d done for me. I worked with the speed of a demon, desperate to save him. Blood spread over the green earth. With every arrow I pulled out, his eyes opened a little more.
At last, I’d pulled every last splinter from his body, and I swallowed hard. “Time to suck the poison out.”
He propped himself up on his elbows, wincing. “You can’t suck the poison out.”
“Why not? I mean besides it being weird. You did it for me.”
He looked around at the vernal scene—the green grass, the leaves growing from the trees—the men impaled by leafy boughs. In a wintry landscape, I’d created an oasis.
“Was this you?” he asked.
“Of course.” I touched his chest, desperate to heal him. “But what about the poison?”
Grimacing, he started to rise, holding his ribs as he did. “There’s a risk. If you suck the poison out, you can ingest it. It could make you sick.”
My heart clenched at the sight of him in pain. “You took that risk. You said the poison could rot you from the inside out. We can’t let that happen.”
His eyebrows drew together, and concern gleamed in his eyes. “Sucking out the poison will be a last resort. First, we should find Thura.”
Lila
As we walked, I found the forest coming to life beneath my feet. The snow thinned; icicles on the trees began to drip and melt. Amber light slanted through the boughs, dancing over the mossy stones.
Lilith was bringing the world alive again.
The air smelled of rich soil and life, and green buds appeared on the branches. Never in my life had I imagined spring could come this fast.
In the distance, I caught a glimpse of elks flitting between the trees. Elks. Real live ones—not my glowing demon ones. These creatures hadn’t existed in Albia in centuries, but Lilith fed the forest, and the forest gave her gifts.
“You’re transforming the world,” said Samael, with a hint of reverence in his voice.
“I didn’t want to brag.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Yes you did.”
“Okay fine, next time I will openly brag.” As I walked over the mossy earth, I was sure that not only was I bringing spring, but the soil was bringing me back to life. Power streamed into my body from the ground up, making me stronger. No longer sore, my shoulder blades vibrated. I was pretty sure I could fly again.
“And if I may brag again, I think I’m strong enough to carry you when flying.”
“Absolutely not.”
I rolled my eyes. “I thought you’d be more secure in your masculinity than Oswald.”
“I’m perfectly secure, but I do not need to be carried. I can fly myself if I have to.”
I held out a hand. “Okay, wait. I have an idea. Just wait here for a moment. I’ll fly above to survey the landscape, so we at least know how far we have to go. And I’ll look for the soothsayer’s house.” I squinted in the sunlight. “Any idea what her house looks like?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know, but I’d imagine a forest soothsayer would live in some kind of stick hut covered in moss and bones and bird droppings, with maddening wind chimes.”
“Sounds about right.” I arched my back, turning my face up to the sunlight that streamed through the trees. Through the golden rays, I felt myself building in strength, my feet rooted to the mossy earth. As dark wings erupted from my back, I lifted into the air.
My wings brushed against the leaves as I flew through the canopy. The warming air rushed over my body, and a vernal breeze streamed through my hair. And as I soared, spring spread its green mantle out beneath me. Leaves and flowers blossomed, and sun rays hit the melting droplets of snow. It looked like thousands of twinkling jewels dappled the forest beneath me.
The only problem was that away from Samael, I started to hear the Free Men again.
Knowledge is power. Join us, and you will control the world.
The image of the book bloomed in my mind—bathed in light, sitting on a wooden desk. I felt it like an ache deep in my chest, the need to possess it, to turn pages … The tug was pulling me northwest of here—to Belial University, where ancient books lined the walls, and a window overlooked a golden city.
“Piss off,” I shouted at the vision.
At the sound of my voice, a flock of starlings took off from a tree beneath me, and started to fly around me in a twirling murmuration.
I focused again on the world before me, trying to reorient myself—I was here in the Weald, looking for Thura’s home. I had to keep my attention here, to get back to Samael before those fascist cockweasels warped my mind completely.
And already, I saw something—but it wasn’t at all what I expected. Instead of a little hut made of sticks and mud, a grandiose mansion came into view, made of glass and sandy stone. Three stories high, it overlooked the rushing Bryne River.
I circled, peering in the enormous glass windows. People bustled around inside. As I arced over it, the snow beneath me started melting. Around me, the trees started to bud and birds began to sing in their boughs.
As I swept lower, I caught an inscription in the stone above the door:
Thura’s Manor.
Well, that made things easier. All we had to do was walk north, and we’d find our weird forest soothsayer. I arced backward, heading for Samael again. As I soared over the forest, I fought the tug that kept trying to pull me toward Belial.
With my arm around Samael’s waist, we approached the mansion at last. From the river, a curving stone path led up to an oak door. Bright green moss grew beneath our feet, like an earthy carpet.
Above us, enormous arched windows overlooked the woods. One of the corners of the mansion was entirely glass, giving perfect views of the river. I saw people standing at the windows, staring out.
Samael nodded at them. “They’re probably wondering how exactly spring arrived within the span of fifteen minutes.”
“This place looks bloody amazing.”
Before we had a chance to knock, a woman pulled open the door, beaming with excitement. She was nearly as tall as Samael, with deep bronze skin and hazel eyes. Her long hair flowed over her tattooed shoulders, and she wore a thin top, hardly more than a handkerchief, with leather trousers.
“Why, hello.” Her eyes slid from Samael to me, then back again. “The angel of death and Lilith are here!” she called out. “I told you all we would be having visitors. The cards made it very clear.” With a smile, she beckoned us. “Please, come in. I am the Thura you are looking for.”
Thura opened the door wider, and I stepped inside, Samael following close behind.
I smiled. “You can call me Lila.”
She led us through a stone hall. “Lila, you look like you can use a drink.”
It was morning, but she was being nice, and I wasn’t going to argue. “You can really tell the future?”
She shrugged. “Of course. What kind of soothsayer would I be if I couldn’t?” A small owl swept in, landing on her shoulder.
“But how did your cards tell you our names?” I asked.
She turned to smile at me. “The cards didn’t tell me that. I knew only that I would have visitors. But not many people look like the count, and my sister has described him to me. She has told me all about his dark mistress Lilith, bringer of spring and death.” She bit her lip. “And it looks like spring has arrived, for which I’m eternally grateful. Fuck winter. Seriously.”
Sighing, she led us into a spacious hall with an indoor pool and an arched mezzanine. Half-naked people lounged around the pool, drinking what looked like fruity cocktails, and sunlight streamed in through the windows.
“My sister also said that if Samael doesn’t marry the mortal woman, the streets will run with blood, and that Lilith will be the cause.”
A silence fell over the hall, and everyone stared at me. What an introduction.
“She could be wrong,” I said defensively.
Thura shook her head. “Oh, she’s never wrong. Samael will tell you that.”
“I’m not marrying the mortal woman,” Samael said with a sense of finality.
It seemed he believed the soothsayer, but was willing to sacrifice throngs of mortals to avoid marrying Harlow.
Thura shrugged. “You should marry who you want to. We don’t know that the streets running with blood is a bad thing. It’s like the death card. Sometimes it just means a change!”
I frowned. “Sorry, but how would blood-filled streets be a positive? That really stretches the bounds of—” But as soon as the question was out of my mouth, hope lit in my chest. I turned, grabbing Samael’s arm. “What if it’s the army of the Free Men? What if you and I can defeat them together?”
Samael’s eyes danced, and a smile warmed his face. “That’s a very good point.” He gripped his bleeding side. “Thura, can your cards tell us if we will vanquish our enemies?”
She cocked her head, then tapped her lips a few times. “I’ve already done your cards. I’ve seen that you could win, yes. If you stay together. But also that if you don’t marry a virgin mortal woman, you will transform into a demon. It’s most disappointing. I don’t know why everyone makes such a fuss about virgins. Terrible in bed, frankly, the men and the women.” She paled. “No offense, Samael. I’m sure you were great.”
Wow. Thura knew a little too much.
“Thanks for your vote of confidence,” said Samael.
She sighed. “But anyway—yes. You must marry the boring virgin idiot, or you turn into a terrible monster. Can I interest you in coffee or a morning cocktail?”
I cleared my throat, desperate to change the subject. “Sorry, we have a bit of a poison situation on our hands.” I pointed to Samael’s ravaged chest and stomach. “I don’t suppose you could help with that? Does that fall under the soothsayer skillset?”
She frowned at Samael. “Oh right. I forgot about that. Yes, you do seem to be bleeding all over the floor. Ghastly.” She clapped her hands. “Well it’s not quite my wheelhouse, but I do have someone who can help. Healer! We have a bleeder!”
She tossed her hair behind her shoulder. “While they sort him out, I think I owe you for the spring you brought. I bloody hate winter. Absolutely cannot stand it. And you fixed it! You must come every year.” She grabbed me by the hand, leading me to a stairwell. “I think you will like this.”
But I resisted, knowing what would happen if Samael and I were separated. “Can we stay together? He’s literally keeping me sane.”
“Of course.” She clapped her hands again, then bellowed, “Healer! Bring the broken angel to the balcony!”
Lila
The next thing I knew, I was sitting in my knickers in something she called a hot tub—a bath of stone, on a balcony in the open air. Sunlight streamed over us, and a humid breeze kissed my skin. Water bubbled around me, like a hot spring.
The balcony overlooked the rushing Bryne River, and a vibrant canopy of sycamore trees that bloomed beneath us.
I glanced over my shoulder at the bedroom behind me, where the healer was working on Samael’s poison. First, she’d used some kind of suction cup that I couldn’t bear to watch. Now she was applying some kind of black ointment to his wounds. I sank deeper into the hot tub, my muscles relaxing as I stared out at the forest.
The sound of footfalls turned my head, and I saw Thura pulling off her trousers behind me. “Mind if I join you for breakfast in here?”
Breakfast. Yes. My stomach rumbled, and I realized I was starving. “Go for it.”
Wearing her top and knickers, she stepped into the water. “It’s so much more beautiful in the sunlight. I saw an actual wolf. I’ve never seen a wolf before.” She raised her hands, clapping. “Breakfast!”
I smiled. “You have a very nice life, you know that?”
She shrugged. “I do all right.” She clapped again. “And bring my cards! And the champagne with peach juice! And coffee!”
I wondered if she’d been born rich. “How did you get all the servants and this great big bloody palace?” It was probably rude to ask something like that, but since she could see into my future, I supposed it was only fair to pry.
She spread her arms over the back of the hot tub, relaxing. The sunlight sparked off her long, silvery earrings. “Investing is easy when you can see the future.”
“Of course. Brilliant.”
“Shame about your fella though, isn’t it? Then again, maybe he can just become a demon. Kind of kinky right? I’ve never shagged a demon. Do you think they get turned on if you stroke their horns?”
I stared at her. “I don’t know.”
“You haven’t got horns.” She frowned at me, sounding disappointed. “Demons should have horns.”
“I’ve got wings. And I can kill people with plants.”
She smiled. “Wicked.”
A muscular man crossed onto the balcony, carrying a tray. He was wearing only a pair of leather trousers, and his long blond hair draped over broad shoulders. Dark tattoos marked his pale skin, and he shot Thura a flirtatious smile.
“Thank you, Clyde.” She sighed. “They complain about bringing drinks out here when it’s cold, so you�
��ve done me an enormous favor.”
Clyde laid out a sparkling glass of fizzy fruit juice, and a plate with thin rolled pancakes, powdered sugar and lemon slices. He set down a bowl of berries beside it.
My mouth watered. I bit into a pancake, finding sweet cheese in the center, delicately flavored with lemon. This was pure heaven.
“Thura. I will happily visit every year. Every month in fact.”
“Perfect.”
I sipped the fizzy drink. If it weren’t for the looming threat of the Free Men using me to burn down the world, this actually would’ve felt like a wonderful vacation.
But Thura wasn’t eating. On the stones across from me, she was laying out the cards in an intricate pattern.
I ate a few of the berries, and the sweet tang exploded in my mouth. I never got berries in the East End. The first time I’d had them was the fruit tart Samael gave me.
I watched as Thura finished placing her cards. “Anything interesting?”
“Ah.” She lifted one to show me, and it depicted a cloaked figure. “You still don’t know exactly who your enemy is, do you?”
I sat up straight, suddenly alert. “The Baron? Can you tell me who it is?”
She turned over another card—this one with a moon and stars.
Adrenalin coursed through my veins. Sourial had the cycle of the moons tattooed over his chest. It was his special area of knowledge, the thing that had caused him to fall when he’d instructed humans with the knowledge of the angels.
“What does that mean?” I asked.
She looked at me from the corner of her eye. “Hang on a second.”
The next card was a picture of a nude woman wrapped in floral garlands. “This card is wisdom, it goes with the moons …” She cocked her head, flipping over a card of a throned man with white angel wings. “Ah. The angel Sourial. I have been told my eyes look like his.”
“What’s he got to do with all this? Is he working against us somehow?”
She shook her head. “He was only a temporary adversary. Someone who got in your way. He’s not your true adversary.”
Possessed (Hades Castle Trilogy Book 3) Page 11
