Curse of Shadows and Light by Penelope King
“Ha ha, that’s cool. I just have this…” I demonstrate my fireball abilities by quickly making a few and bouncing them around.
She nods. “That’s cute. I can spit volcanic fire over a hundred yards with the velocity of speeding bullet and with bulls-eye accuracy.”
“Holy crap. Can you kill Light-angels?”
She shrugs. “I’m a pure demon. Of course I can.”
My mind quickly flashes back to when Kieron and I fought with the Light-angels at the cabin… and how it was Bones’s ashes that eventually killed them and saved us when our powers were useless. Even in death, Bones was still stronger than Kieron and me combined.
“But it works both ways. They can kill me, too.” Adessia reaches into her pocket and pulls out a lip gloss and dabs it on.
“Can you kill demons?” I mutter.
She laughs. “Sure, I do it all the time. Fortunately I’m sanctioned, so I can take liberties. Why, who do you want rubbed out?” She leans toward me and raises her eyebrows.
Wow, she must be really high ranking. I let out a deep breath. Where to start? The Amazèa for casting my curse and keeping me hostage for as long as they are allowed to live? Gyan for betraying all of us and getting us caught? The evil Abbaton for reducing Bones to ash?
Yes. Yes. Yes.
“Abbaton is already dead. Haven’t you heard?”
I look at her, my eyes and mouth open wide.
“Oh, don’t be so surprised. Your thoughts were so loud and angry, I’d have heard them even if I wasn’t a telepath!”
I grimace and lean away from her. “I hate it when you guys go barging in there uninvited. My mind is my own business.”
She shrugs. “Sorry, wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. But you practically shouted the answer.”
“What do you mean Abbaton is dead? How is that possible?”
“I told you, a lot of things have been going down lately. It happened right after the incident with Bones, I believe.”
Good. That’s what that piece of shit deserved.
“But how? I mean, I thought he was the leader. The strongest one. How could he get killed? And did it hurt? Please tell me he suffered immense, excruciating pain.”
“Darling, don’t you know? No matter how strong or powerful someone is, there is always someone or something stronger and more powerful. The Legionare is not the boss of things. They are simply the muscle. They take orders.”
“And someone killed him?”
“Him and dozens of Legionare troops. Heard it was an ambush. And something with some veneficus calx being involved, but I’m sure that’s just a rumor. Everyone knows those have been extinct for centuries.”
“What?!” My eyes open wider, but I quickly recover. The veneficus calx are the stones Bones and I gave the Hlbafa in exchange for our freedom from their prison. The deadly stones could kill any demon within a certain range. The Hlbafa must’ve gotten their revenge for Abbaton and the Legionare showing up and wiping out half their tribe.
Good for them.
“I wonder why no one told me anything,” I mumble. “Good news should be shared.”
“Maybe they’re trying to protect you.”
I’m quiet for a moment, thinking of the implications of her announcement. “Does Vincent know that Abbaton is dead and the Legionare is spread thin?”
She nods. “He does. Anyone who’s been to Thiberoux knows. Hell, even those who’ve been banished and haven’t been there in decades know.”
Except me, apparently.
A thought slowly forms. “If he’s dead, then I’m not banished anymore, right?”
She raises her eyebrows and shakes her head in warning. “It doesn’t matter if he’s dead, the bounty still stands. That means you’re fair game to all, and any demon can kill you with no repercussions whatsoever.”
“Screw them. I’ll take on anyone who tries. I certainly wasn’t going to take on Abbaton and the Legionare, but if they’re no longer an issue—”
“That’s a risky little game you’re playing, child.”
I meet her gaze dead on. “I’ll tell you what’s risky. Risky is them killing the people I cared about more than anything, ruining my life, and thinking I wasn’t going to get my payback one way or another. I am an Aequitas Demon. Justice and Revenge are who I am. What I was born to do.”
I stand up and brush myself off. Now is the time. I know it.
Adessia looks up at me from the couch. “Lucky, you can’t get your revenge on someone who is already dead.”
A slow smile spreads across my cheeks. “It’s not Abbaton I’m after.”
Frowning, she studies me until a flicker of understanding registers in her pale eyes. “No. You can’t. They are too powerful. Too strong.”
I can’t help but chuckle to myself. “What did you say…? There is always someone stronger and more powerful? And now that Abbaton is dead and the Legionare is scattered and fighting bigger battles, it’s time for me to take care of something I should’ve done long ago. Fix this once and for all.”
“But they are surely hidden. Imprisoned in the darkest of places. You’d be walking into a lion’s den, and at the worst possible time.”
“No. This is the best possible time. Because even though my curse isn’t guaranteed to break if they die, it definitely won’t break while they live. Every breath they take is an insult to Michael and Kayla, Ivy and Cody, and to me and Liora. I only let them live for a very specific reason last time. But now things have changed. I need to kill them, and I need to do it now. Because if I don’t get my soul reunified before some Light-angels get ahold of Liora, then it will be the end of the world as we know it. And I for one am sick of hiding out like a scared chicken waiting for something to happen. I’m more in the mood to go kick some ass.”
Adessia stares at me, her mouth agape. But she doesn’t argue.
A sense of certainty unlike anything I’ve ever felt settles over me. There is no other way. This must happen. And it must happen now.
I’m going to my rightful home, and I’m going to kill those Amazèa bitches, and I’m going to take my life back.
And this time, no one will stop me.
Chapter 18. Lucky
I struggle to open my eyes, and see Vincent kneeling on the floor, staring at me. He looks concerned… and confused.
“She’s back,” he says.
Who’s back?
I feel a gentle rubbing on my shoulders and glance around. Adessia is sitting beside me on the couch, holding my hand.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“I don’t know. But I think you fainted?” She stares at me wide-eyed. “You were getting pretty fired up, and then poof, you just sort of sat back down and nodded off, like you fell asleep or something.”
“That’s weird.” I shake my head and sit up straighter. I’m pretty warm, but other than that I feel perfectly fine.
Vincent looks at me carefully. “Are you okay?”
I nod.
“Demons don’t just faint, you know.”
I stand up and shrug him off. “First time for everything. Maybe someone roofied my drink. Speaking of, I could really use another.”
“Stay here,” he orders. “I’ll get it for you.”
I’m a bit put off by his tone, but I nod and sit back down, my mind still on what Adessia just told me. Abbaton is dead… the Legionare is in shambles. Who would notice, or even care, if a little ol’ demion went wandering into Thiberoux? Of course it’ll take some planning. I’m not going to be so stupid this time. I don’t regret trading my chance to kill the Amazèa for Kieron’s freedom from the Legionare, but circumstances have changed. And I’m not letting this opportunity slip through my fingers again.
“Here you go.” Vincent returns and hands me my drink. As I chug it down, he turns to Adessia. “Can we have a moment?”
“Of course.” She gives my hand a quick squeeze before gracefully rising and float-walking back to the VIP area.
Vincent takes h
That’s it. I’ve had enough.
I finish my drink, set the glass down, and turn to him. “Why are you doing this?” I ask him, my voice low.
“Doing what?”
I can feel my irritation build as I gesture back and forth between us with my hand. “This! The way you’re looking at me… acting as if I’m some sort of precious possession to you. I mean, we just met like five seconds ago, and you keep acting all… ugh! You know I have a boyfriend, right?” And that my heart is breaking for my real love…
He stares at me. “Yes, I know.”
“Then what is this? What are you doing to me? What’s with all the sexy vibes and concerned protection like I’m your… your…” I break off, not sure what I want to say.
He raises an eyebrow. “My what?”
I shake my head. “Like I’m your lover or girlfriend or something. Just stop it!”
Vincent lowers his gaze and is quiet for a moment. “Yes, I know we just met,” he begins. “And I’m very sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable. That certainly was never my intention. But the truth is I am concerned for you and your well-being. That I won’t apologize for. And it is my job to make sure that you are guarded and safe from harm. Any harm. You are precious, and I will die before I let anything happen to you.”
I take a breath and stare at him.
“And as for these ‘sexy vibes’,” he continues, a mischievous twinkle lighting his normally serious eyes, “well, I wasn’t aware I was doing that. I’ll try and keep it down.”
I shake my head and look away. Is he kidding me right now? What the hell is this?
We sit in awkward silence, the tension so thick I can barely stand it. I’m just about to get up and leave when he asks, “Are you happy?”
I turn to him, incredulous. “Is that a joke?”
“I’m quite serious.”
“Why would you even ask me that?”
“It’s a simple question.”
“Ha! Simple my ass. That’s the most loaded question ever. But the short answer is no. No, I’m not happy. I’m really pissed off about a lot of things right now.”
“Like what?”
I stare at him. Part of me wants to talk to him, to trust him. But another part knows how stupid that is. Demons cannot be trusted, especially ones I hardly know. And I cannot open any more emotional doors with this guy than I already have. I don’t care how hot he is.
“Like a lot of things I’m not getting into with you.”
He leans back into the couch and crosses his long legs. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry, and I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable. I just want to keep you safe. My nature, my soul is one of a Guardian. So I apologize if I come off a bit strong sometimes.”
“It’s okay,” I mumble. Now I feel foolish. “It’s me. I’m just stressed, I guess. Sorry.”
“Don’t mention it—”
“Hey, Vincent, my man!” Some guy comes up from behind us and pats Vincent on the back, breaking our moment.
Vincent looks at him, and his face lights up. Wow, he’s got an amazing smile.
“Rodrigo, my old friend, how are you? I haven’t seen you in ages!” Vincent stands to shake hands with the tall, dashing man with the pointy black eyebrows and silver goatee. For some reason he reminds me of a carnival barker. “What’s it been, fifty… sixty years?”
“At least! Tell me what you’ve been up to, good man. You still breaking all the young girls’ hearts?”
Vincent laughs. “Ah, Rodrigo. I would never.” He turns to me. “Lucky, this is my old friend Rodrigo. He and I go way back. Rodrigo, this is my friend Lucky. She’s from Dryndara.”
I automatically stick out my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Rodrigo gives a small bow and kisses the top of my hand. “The pleasure is all mine, dear girl. Dryndara, huh? A shame.” He squeezes my hand and kisses it again.
Vincent gently disengages my fingers from Rodrigo’s. “Okay, that’s enough, Romeo. Save it for the maidens.”
Rodrigo stands upright and gives me a wink. “Oh, I see. This one is already spoken for. My mistake, old friend.”
Vincent gives him a look and starts to speak, but I interrupt. “I am spoken for, that is true. But my boyfriend isn’t here right now.”
Rodrigo raises his eyebrows and glances around. “Oh, no? Where is the lucky fellow?”
“Um, well, he’s at home. Asleep.”
“Ahh. Darling… Sweetheart… if you were mine I wouldn’t take my eyes off you for one second.” He chuckles and squeezes my arm. “Not one second! I’d refuse to sleep a wink until I was dead. Refuse!”
Vincent rolls his eyes and smirks. “Oh, that’s not creepy at all, Rodrigo.”
I glance back and forth between the two of them. “What did you mean earlier when you said it was a shame about Dryndara?” I ask Rodrigo.
He opens his mouth, but Vincent holds up his hand and cuts him off. “I haven’t had a chance to fill her in yet. Mind giving us a moment?”
Rodrigo glances at me. For a moment his playful demeanor turns somber, and he regards me with what appears to be sympathy.
My breath catches in my throat.
He gives Vincent a short nod. “Sure thing, brother. Oh, and I’m here with Cassius, Remy, and Lucien. Come say hello when you get a chance. They’d love to see you.”
“Will do, my brother.”
Vincent sits back down and turns to me, his face grim.
“What is it?” I demand. The apprehension in my gut is mounting rapidly. “What happened in Dryndara?”
He sighs, and takes my hands in both of his. “The past several days there’s been a lot of fighting all throughout Thiberoux. A few nights ago, Dryndara was attacked by three neighboring clans, led by the Hlbafa, in order to get revenge for what went down between your tribes.”
I brace myself and stare into his eyes, willing him not to say the words I know he’s about to say.
“I’m sorry to have to tell you this,” he continues, his voice low, “but Dryndara fell. It was annihilated in the siege. Most were killed, and those who managed to flee are in hiding. It was a brutal, ruthless, and strangely coordinated effort.”
Dazed, I slowly shake my head, and shut my eyes against the tears that threaten to spill out. “You mean Dryndara… my home… is gone?”
He squeezes my hands. “I’m so sorry, Lucky. But yes, it’s been pretty much destroyed. Ironically, you being banished from there is most likely what saved your life. In fact, I know it is.”
I stare at him, too stunned to process his words clearly. “How do you know?” I whisper.
He gulps and glances away. “I was debating how much to tell you… but you have a right to know. But are you sure you really want to know? It might be painful for you to hear.”
A nasty pit forms in my chest. I should say no. I should tell him to stop talking now, because nothing he can say will undo the events of the past. So there’s really no point in continuing.
“Yes, tell me everything.” My voice is barely audible.
Vincent takes a deep breath. He catches my gaze, and I find strength in his eyes that I need to hold onto right now. “Apparently the Hlbafa wanted revenge for the Legionare killing their leader and dozens of their members,” he says softly. “They waited until the Legionare was distracted with other battles around Thiberoux. There was no one to stop them, and many Dryndarans were caught unaware. They blew up Demon Bar with some Veneficus Calx stones during peak hours.” I gasp. Veneficus Calx stones. “Maximum causalities. But there’s more…”
He stops and looks away. “Tell me,” I croak. He sighs, and gently wipes a tear from my cheek. I don’t blink.
“They were after you,” he says.
“Me? Why me?”
“Hlbafa is ruled by a demon wizard now. They blame you for what happened to their tribe. Well, you and Liora.
“So they just wiped out all of Dryndara because of me?”
He’s quiet for a moment.
“Some escaped, though.”
A weird, almost maniacal laugh escapes me. “Some. Oh, well, that’s a relief.”
Vincent reaches over and gently wipes the tears again. I’m numb to his touch. I’m numb to everything. Everything that happened is my fault. Everyone suffered and died… because of me. Those were my stones. Tattie warned me not to take them, but I did anyways.
“Lucky…”
“Get me out of here,” I whisper.
He nods. “I’m very sorry you had to hear this. But you would’ve found out sooner or later, and you need to know what happened.”
I swallow hard and nod.
“Come on, let’s get you home,” he says, and gently takes my hand.
Home… Ha. What does that even mean? I have no home. We have no home. I’m just as much a target and a pariah in Demon World as Liora is in Mortal World. Wherever we go we cause chaos… destruction… death. We’re not safe. We’re not wanted. Anyone who has the misfortune of getting too close to us inevitably gets hurt. And somehow it’s always our fault.
I’ve always known I was cursed.
But now I realize just how truly damned I really am.
Chapter 19. Liora
I’m not even fully awake, but I’m very aware of Kieron’s arms wrapped around me. My eyes still closed, I smile and snuggle closer, letting my lips touch the soft skin of his strong chest. My fingers reach for the contours of his arm, and I breathe in his musky scent, igniting a sensation of pleasure deep inside.
“I really can get used to waking up this way,” I mumble, pulling him tighter.
“Yeah, me too,” a husky voice murmurs.
I gasp and recoil as my eyes fly open.
“Sorry to startle you. Lucky was very upset last night and needed a friend.”
“I’m sure she did,” I mutter, giving Vincent a dirty look.
He chuckles and stretches out his long legs. I jump off the bed, trying not to gape at him. “Nothing happened,” he says. “Not like that. She was literally crying in my arms when she just sort of… fell asleep. I brought her… you… here to the bed, and you looked so peaceful I didn’t have the heart to disturb you. So I decided to get a couple z’s myself.” He smiles as his gaze travels up my body and settles on my face. “Good morning, Liora.”