Authors: Kate Douglas

Crystalfire (22 page)

BOOK: Crystalfire

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Then she rocked her hips, driving him deep and feeling her climax build. Tiny shocks of sensation, growing, building one upon the other. She forced herself to open her eyes, to focus on the brilliant green of Taron’s.

He watched her, and his look was one of feral pleasure and absolute need. Of lust and passion and the tenderness of love. When lightning struck, his eyes went wide and bright, and when Willow finally flew from that amazing precipice, she didn’t fly alone. With a cry that was both a challenge and a promise, she took Taron with her. In the heat and power of the moment, she branded him. Marked him forever, and claimed him, heart and soul.

Chapter 17

He lay there on the dusty couch in the attic of the decrepit building where he’d taken refuge, staring into shadows filled with cobwebs, pondering his next move. The visual that came to him, though, was that glorious moment in the crystal caves when he’d held Dax close, when he’d felt the strength and life pour out of the man, into him.

Power. There’d been so much power.

And then it was gone. He wanted that power back. Wanted all of it, but his thoughts kept moving inward, touching on the frail consciousness of the human. Had he erred in choosing this weak avatar? It lived, but barely. Soon it would take even more energy to function in this dimension.

The Dark Lord had not tried to contact him, so that was good. There was still time to make this plan work, though he’d faced more problems than he’d expected.

This body, for one. There was no power here. He raised one arm and stared at the hand. Soft. It was all so soft and easily injured. Much too easy to kill.

He was a predator, housed in the body of prey.

He deserved better. He would have better.

He would have Dax. His life force, his soul.

So where was the bastard?

His mind wandered. It took so much energy to think clearly, and there was no more energy to be had here in Evergreen. He’d sent out his summons to demonkind—they should have come to him, but none had responded.

That damned Lemurian and the woman who was something other than human, other than Lemurian ... the two of them had somehow managed to destroy every single demon. He’d sent more than enough on ahead, to be here and feed him as he needed their strength, but he hadn’t counted on every damned one of them getting wiped off the face of the planet.

Which left him in a bit of an unexpected quandary—he was running low on energy. He could return to Abyss for more, except that would mean abandoning this body which was the bait he needed to draw Dax to him.

He only had need of it for a few more hours.

Unfortunately, though the body was weak and frail, the man himself had shown amazing strength of will, fighting possession every step of the way. It was draining what little energy was left in reserve. A few more hours might be all he had, before he couldn’t hang on to the human’s body any longer. Without the avatar, he would be forced back to Abyss.

Not an option, not with the Dark Lord’s threat hanging over his head. The demon glanced out the window through Ed Marks’s eyes and thought the day looked much darker than it had only moments ago. Could it be nightfall already? Slowly he crawled off the couch and shuffled across the dusty attic floor. The window was filthy, but he rubbed a bit of the glass clear so he could peer outside.

It was dark and gray and raining, but the darkness wasn’t nightfall—it was merely from the thick layer of clouds. He stood there a moment and watched the water falling out of the sky. He still had a few more hours until sundown.

Moving this body after dark took less energy, and he didn’t run as great a risk of being caught by humans. There was no point in taking foolish chances. Not now.

So what was his next step? What if Dax didn’t show up? What if the fool didn’t come after him?

He gazed through the falling rain in the direction of the quiet neighborhoods east of town. Not all that far off was the house where Dax stayed when he was here in Evergreen. They’d fought there once before, when he’d used the stone gargoyle as his avatar. When he’d almost managed to bring that creature to life. What a sense of power that had given him! Of course, that was before he’d found the demonform, the one he truly deserved. Before he knew the importance of Dax’s life force.

He wondered if Dax was at that house now?

Maybe it was time to find out. Once it was fully dark.

Decision made, he turned away from the window and headed slowly back to the couch for a few more hours’ rest. If Dax wasn’t going to come to him, he would just have to go in search of Dax. Besides, going on the offense would give him the upper hand. There was nothing wrong with that.

He lay there on the lumpy couch in the dark and filthy attic of the abandoned library, and laughed out loud. He was strong enough to last for one more night. Strong enough to take on Dax.

Something clicked into place. Why hadn’t he realized ... he sat up, alert, his body shivering with a sudden burst of excitement. Why not? If he could steal Dax’s life force, what was to keep him from taking the same from other humans? Why must it only be demons whose souls he stole?

Still chuckling softly, he lay down and closed his eyes, but his mind wouldn’t stop spinning. Humans ... they had a powerful life force. Why hadn’t he known this before? Humans should work. Had the Dark Lord somehow hidden this knowledge from him? No matter. He knew it now. Knew he needed to be strong. Alert and ready.

Tonight he was going hunting.

Now that was interesting. Ed heard the demon’s thoughts as clearly as if he’d been chatting with Eddy in the void. What could that mean? He’d even been aware of laughter. That was just weird, hearing laughter coming out of his mouth that wasn’t his. He wondered what was going on, why things felt different.

The creature wasn’t fighting him right now, either. Generally, when Ed tried to surface while the demon was awake, the demon forced him down, pushing so hard he had to retreat to the safety of his subconscious mind. In fact, it had ended his last conversation with Eddy with hardly any warning at all.

Was the demon growing tired? Or was Ed’s body finally giving out?

Ed thought about that for a bit with a certain amount of sadness. Even though he knew it was probably for the best, he wasn’t ready to die, especially since Dax had convinced those Edenites to fix his bum hip. Heck, he’d been moving around like a man half his age for the past couple of weeks, and he’d thoroughly enjoyed not hurting for a change.

He couldn’t really feel his body at all now, which made him wonder if the demon had just about used it up. As far as he knew, he hadn’t had anything to eat or drink since he’d been taken over, which meant stuff was going to start shutting down before too long.

A sixty-eight year old human didn’t exist for long on the souls of demons, but maybe he didn’t need to eat or drink when he was possessed. He certainly didn’t feel hungry or thirsty. No, he just felt extremely pissed off.

This was his body and his town, and the bastard was after his loved ones. He was the reason Eddy was trapped in the void, wherever and whatever that was. At least he knew she was safe while she was there. He wasn’t sure why he knew that, but he just did, damn it.

He searched for the demon’s thoughts, but the creature had retreated into whatever place it went when it rested. Ed stewed for a moment longer.

Then he went in search of Eddy.

Dad? Where’d you go? We were talking and you just ...

Yeah. Sorry, sweetie. The demon woke up and pulled me back. He’s asleep again. You okay?

I think so. I don’t know how long I’ve been here. I have no sense of time passing. DemonSlayer’s been quiet, but I think it’s because she’s working on trying to get us out of here. Are you okay?

He certainly wasn’t going to tell her the complete truth, but it wasn’t really a lie. Not entirely. He didn’t want her any more worried than she already was.
I’m fine. Pissed off, but fine.

Yeah. I know what you mean. I’m worried about Dax. He must be frantic by now. He’s not real good at waiting for things to happen.

Don’t you worry about Dax. He’s a big boy, and worrying about you is keeping him away from here. This demon wants his life force. Remember how you told me he almost sucked it out of Dax in the crystal caves?

That was so scary.

I bet it was. Well, that’s what this bastard is hoping for again. He wants another shot at your man. Wants to take everything he’s got and own it. That happens, all bets are off and the bad guys win, so we can’t let Dax anywhere near him.

Do you know why? How come he’s after Dax?

Dax was right when he said it had something to do with the body this demon wants for himself. He’s chosen Dax’s old demon body. I’ve picked up his thoughts, and he thinks it was the most powerful demon body in Abyss outside of their big boss, someone he calls the Dark Lord or the Lord of the Dark. Something melodramatic like that. Anyway, as long as Dax lives, there’s just enough demon left in him that he’s still attached to the body, which keeps this demon king wannabe from gaining full control.

I didn’t think there was any demon left in Dax. I thought he was kidding me when he said there was some still there.

There’s enough to keep all of us safe, so don’t you worry about it.
He wished he could laugh. Wished he could reassure his little girl with a hug or a smile, but ...
You know how you women are ... you all want the bad boy.

Yeah. I guess you’re right. I really love that part of him. He’s so sexy when he lets the demon out to play.

No, no, no! I don’t want those details, Eddy. You keep those between you and your man.

What’d the kids call it? TMI? Too much information?

Okay, Dad. So the demon needs Dax or he can’t really keep that body. That’s good to know. I just wish I knew how long it was going to take them to get me out of here.

Hang tight, sweetie. Dax loves you. He won’t let you down.

“Alton of Artigos!”

Alton popped to his feet, sword drawn. He’d nodded off, but it appeared a command from Mother Crystal could wake even a sleeping Lemurian.

“M’lady?” He sheathed his sword as the others stood beside him.

“Fetch Artigos the Just and his ruby blade. We have a plan to bring Eddy Marks back from the void.”

Dax grabbed his arm. “I’ll go.”

Alton shook his head. “We’ll both go.”

Crystalline light flashed. “No. Dax must remain. Ginny Jones and DarkFire as well. Make speed, Alton of Artigos. Time grows short before Eddy Marks is forever lost to the endless darkness of the void.”

“Shit.”

Dax spun away and continued cursing. Alton leaned over and kissed Ginny. “I’ll hurry. Will you be okay?”

“Go. Yes. We’re fine. Just get your grandfather back here.”

He shot one last, worried glance at Dax and then took off at a steady trot for the upper levels. He hoped he could maintain the pace—he hadn’t been kidding when he’d said the climb back up was a killer.

By the time he slipped through the last portal to the main level of Lemurian society less than an hour later, his lungs were practically bursting and his body dripped sweat. Alton knew he’d just broken his own record for the trip. He sent out a call for his grandfather.

Artigos the Just answered within seconds.
Where are you? What’s wrong?

Eddy Marks has been lost in the void. We need you and DemonsBane in the crystal caves. Mother Crystal is going to try and bring her back.

Mother Crystal? She’s revealed herself to you?

You know of her?

Who do you think kept me in books and gossip all the years I was held prisoner?

He thought about that for a moment. He’d wondered where all those books had come from. His grandfather’s shelves had been loaded with books and magazines, not only from Earth’s dimension, but other places he’d not recognized.
Grandfather, when this is all over, we need to talk.

That we do, Alton. I’m almost there. DemonsBane is leading me to you.

Alton heard footsteps just seconds later. He turned and saw his grandfather striding down the hallway, dressed in loose pants and a tunic top. The clothing, cut and sewn from his traditional robes, appeared to be the new daily uniform of Lemuria, but even in such casual garb, Artigos the Just carried himself with the natural grace of a born leader.

A leader Alton had helped to reclaim his position in the new Lemuria. A vital, spirited Lemuria, bursting with new energy, alive with fresh hope. Not only were their worthless robes giving way to more practical fashion, their entire society was suddenly energized with Artigos the Just at the helm. After thousands of years of subversive demonic rule, the true soul of Lemuria had finally begun to emerge.

“Grandfather. Thank you for coming so quickly.” Alton stepped forward with his hand outstretched, but Artigos pulled him into a tight, emotional embrace.

Just as quickly, he stepped back with both hands on Alton’s shoulders. “What’s happened to your friend? How did she end up in the void?”

“She disappeared while slipping through a portal. We’re not sure how, but we think the demon king managed to divert her into the void.”

BOOK: Crystalfire

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