Dark Beginnings: The Darkest Fire / The Darkest Prison / The Darkest Angel

“I will glamour myself and stay by your side,” she told him, though inside she beseeched, Tell me why you continually push me away. She only wanted to draw closer.

He didn’t, of course. He nodded and stepped forward. She stayed close, as promised, mentally projecting the image of bones and scales. Anyone who glanced in her direction would think they saw one of their own. She could only hope her fear was masked as well. They would not hesitate to devour one of their own.

Taunting laughter and pain-filled cries immediately assaulted her ears. Gulping, she sent her gaze around the room. So many demons…they came in every shape and size. Some were like the image she projected, bones and scales. Some were half man, half bull. Some were winged like dragons with snouts to match. Yet all of them crowded a stone slab. A moving slab?

No, not moving, she realized, horror claiming her in a bruising grip and nearly crushing her lungs. Human spirits were atop the slab. The demons were ripping them apart, eating their insides. Dear gods.

Unfortunately, there was no peace for the damned. Only endless torture.

“Disgusting,” she couldn’t help but breathe. “How can we defeat a horde of these?”

“All we can do is try.”

Yes. Sadly, they had no guarantee of success. But I told Geryon I would protect him, and I will.

“Over here.” He edged them to the side and out of the way, and she knew it was so that they could observe the happenings without drawing notice. “The creatures you see here are minions, soldiers and servants. They are not what we will be fighting.”

That’s right, she thought, stomach sinking. Violence, Death and the like were Demon Lords. While minions enjoyed their prey’s agony, their main focus was the fulfillment of a single, basic need: hunger.

The Lords cared only for the agony. Prolonging it, increasing it to the depths of insanity. And the more agony they inflicted, the more screams they elicited, the stronger they became.

Oh, yes. They were far worse than anything here.

She would never be able to keep Geryon safe.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“SSSMELL GOOD, LIKE FEAR,” something suddenly growled beside Kadence. “Mmm, hungry.”

Startled, she gasped. I’ve already given myself away? She’d just decided to do something, anything to force Geryon to return to the gate. Now this. Hell. No, she thought.

Geryon tried to pull her behind him, but she resisted. This time, she wouldn’t sink into the background, forcing him to do all the work, take all the risks. This time, she fought.

“Move away or die,” she told the demon.

It frowned at her. “Look like me ssso why you sssmell so good?” It licked its lips, saliva dripping from the corners of its paper-thin mouth. It was covered in yellow scales and only reached her navel. And while it appeared lean, she suspected unyielding strength rested underneath those scales.

A tremor moved through her. Remember who you are. Remember what you can do.

It stepped closer. “Tassste.”

“You were warned,” she said, bracing herself.

“Wait outside, Kadence. Please.” Geryon tried to move in front of her. “I will handle this.”

She blocked him, not facing him. “No. You will not fight them alone.”

As they spoke, the demon continued to inch toward them, its claws lengthening.

“Please, Kadence.” Geryon tugged at her. “I need to know you’re safe. Otherwise, I’ll be distracted, and a distracted warrior is a defeated warrior.”

Defeat would not be theirs. “I cannot act the coward. Not anymore. Besides, if this works, you will not have to fight him at all.” She was Hell’s warden; it was past time she acted like it. Past time she ruled rather than merely observed.

“If isn’t good enough. Not when it comes to your safety.”

She did not have time to bask in his beautiful concern. Any moment the creature would cease its stalking and spring. She knew it, felt it. Kadence reached inside herself as she angled her chin to stare deep into its eyes, surprised to find her power easily accessible. She shouldn’t have been surprised, though. She might try to suppress it, but it was always there, never silent, a churning sea inside her.

Hadn’t Geryon’s earlier fight proven that?

“Stay,” she said, and the creature locked in place, its mind still active but every part of its physical form hers to command.

For a long while, she simply drank in her handiwork, amazed. I did it. Not once did the fiend try and approach her again—even though murder gleamed in those beady eyes.

“Something’s happened,” Geryon said, sounding confused.

“I happened,” she said, proud of herself. “Watch.” To the demon she said, “Raise your arms over your head.”

Instantly, it obeyed, shooting both arms into the air without a word of complaint. But then, she had possession of its mouth, as well.

Joy burst through her. For once, she had used her ability for good: to save someone she greatly lo—admired. Dear gods. Love? Did she love Geryon? She loved being with him, loved the way he made her feel, but did that mean she had given him her heart? Surely not. Surely she was not that foolish.

Soon they would part.

“Look, Kadence.” Geryon pointed to the slab. “Look what’s happened.”

She followed the direction of his finger and gasped. Every demon had frozen in place, their hands in the air. Even the spirits had stopped writhing. There was no laughter, no cries. Only the sound of her own breathing could be heard.

“You did this?” Geryon asked.

“I—yes.”

“I am amazed. Awed.”

Her joy intensified. He admired her. Was perhaps even proud of her. “Thank you.”

“Can they hear me?” When she nodded, he slowly grinned and shouted to the creatures, “Hear me well. Go forth and tell every Demon Lord the Guardian is here and that I plan to destroy them.” To Kadence he added, “You may release them now.”

“Are you sure? I could command their bodies to wither and die.” And those bodies would obey. Power…so sweet…

“I am sure. They are here to punish, so they do serve a purpose. More than that, they will now bring the Lords to us.”

Though she wanted to protest, Kadence did as he’d asked. In less than a blink, the creatures were racing from the building as fast as possible, leaving her and Geryon alone. “We must prepare,” Geryon said gravely.

“For?”

“War.”

There would be no taking him back, she realized. Unless she ordered him to return. Which she could do, and he would now be forced to obey. Power… But he would return, she was sure. Too much determination rested in his smoldering eyes.