A Demon Made Me Do It

Chapter 24. Lucky


Kieron nods his head silently. He enters the dark cave as I follow close behind. Once we’re both inside, he snaps his fingers several times, each time igniting a small, singular flame from one of his fingertips. The flickering light reveals a long, twisting tunnel. Sharp grey rocks jut menacingly at every turn, and I shiver in the unnaturally icy cold. I wonder how Kieron managed to drag two of the strongest, most powerful demons in existence down here by himself, or if indeed, this isn’t some elaborate hoax after all.

My agitation increases with every step. For so many years I’ve longed for this moment, and now that it’s finally here, my stomach is churning with anticipation and dread. This isn’t exactly how I’d pictured my showdown with the Amazèa unfolding; nevertheless, it will end the same way. I will have my revenge. Justice for Kayla and Michael.

We travel deeper into the cave, until Kieron finally halts. “You’re almost there. They’re right around the next turn.”

“Aren’t you coming?” I ask, suddenly fearful and trying not to let it show. It’s not being hurt by the Amazèa that I’m afraid of; it’s being alone with the monsters whose faces have haunted me for so long.

He shakes his head, the light from his fingers casting an eerie glow on his handsome face. “No. This is for you and you alone. The cage’s shield only works one way, so your powers will be able to penetrate it; theirs will not. I’ll be waiting outside for you when you’re...done.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, hating the way my voice trembles. I look in Kieron’s eyes one last time as he brushes past me and disappears into the darkness. I almost call out to him; I don’t want him to leave me here all alone.

But I say nothing. He’s right. This next step is for me and only me. Despite all my rage and bravado, I’m scared—terrified I won’t have the strength to do what I’ve vowed to do.

I take a deep breath, and the cool air fills my lungs. Opening my palms, I let my own dancing fire guide the rest of my journey. I force my legs forward one step at a time, and with each step my heart thumps heavier. At last, I round the narrow corner and my breath catches in my throat.

The small orb has an orange glow and emits a faint electric hum. Several interlocking circles rotate continuously around the outside, and standing in the middle, holding hands and smiling sweetly, are the two Amazèa demons.

Nausea floods over me in waves. I stagger to a wall. I lean against it until my knees buckle and I slide to the floor. I can’t blink, and for a long moment, can’t breathe. How many times have I imagined seeing their bright, angelic faces…their big blue eyes, like innocent school girls…their long golden hair cascading down their childish bodies. The two deadliest creatures I’ve ever known in my life, and they resemble the sweetest, the most perfect visions of innocence and youth…the very things they live to steal from others and to absorb within themselves.

I take several deep breaths and attempt to compose myself. Despite the chill of the cave my skin is on fire, my insides a raging inferno of hate. These demons not only destroyed my friends, but my innocence and my sanity. They literally shattered my soul, reducing the broken pieces to empty, pitiful shells.

Because of them, I hate my human half for causing me to care so deeply for Michael and Kayla in the first place. The pain of losing someone you love is the worst torture imaginable, and these monsters have been torturing me for years…

Ironically, my human half hates me for being of the same vein as these creatures—ones capable of this much destruction and heartache.

Deep down, I know we’re both at fault. And neither of us is to blame.

I glare at the monsters in their glowing orange cage, and they eye me curiously. I wonder if they know who I am or why I’m here. My face is like stone as my eyes bore into their enchanted prison. Why don’t they seem bothered? Why are they just standing there contentedly, smiling and looking around as if they don’t have a care in the world?

Suddenly, they grab hands and start dancing in a circle, singing a child’s nursery rhyme.

“Ring around the rosey, pocket full of posey,

Ashes, ashes, they all fall down!”

On the last word, they collapse in a fit of giggles and playful screams. Everything they do, designed to torment and mock me.

They know who I am.

The rage burning inside me threatens to erupt. But I force myself to remain still, motionless. I sit on the cave floor and just watch them as they repeat their act again and again, dancing and singing and laughing hysterically as if they’re the happiest little girls who ever lived. They repeatedly flash cherubic, dimpled smiles in my direction as I glower at them, fireballs in hand.

The time has come to do what I need to do. And once I do it, there’s no turning back…my fate will be sealed. Bracing myself against the cave wall, I slowly rise to my feet and lift my arms.

Suddenly, Tatiana’s face flashes in my mind. I think of how she’d found me in the woods as an infant after I’d been abandoned and left alone to die. Of how she took me in, cared for me, raised me, and gave me everything, and more, that I could ever hope for. She’s more than a guardian—she’s a friend.

I glance at the Amazèa again and back down to the swirling fire in my palms. I see Bones, my dearest friend and companion. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I do know I never want to see him get hurt. It’s bad enough I’ve already hurt his feelings, but I know someday he’ll forgive me and things will be good again. I cannot let him get physically hurt because of me. I have to protect him —protect him from defending me, which he undoubtedly would, if I become a target of the Legionary for my crimes.

My heart racing, I slowly lower my hands to my sides as the Amazèa dance and sing happily. I swallow the bile rising up the back of my throat.

There’s Liora. She’s a part of me. Her humanity, a hindrance and a strength. As much as I hate her sometimes, I know it’s only her ability to feel love that allows me to experience it myself…an intoxicating sensation I know I never want to be without. True, when it’s bad, it’s really bad. But when it’s good, it’s really good. And if killing the Amazèa doesn’t lift the curse, Liora will be hanging around for a while. As long as she’s alive, she’s vulnerable. Therefore, I’m vulnerable. She’d never survive a life on the run.

Finally, Kieron. As much as I desperately craved hearing his words of love, I can hardly believe they’re real—that he’s actually real. He who fits me so perfectly, who is my exact match in every way, and makes me feel like a better version of myself. He who makes me feel so alive after years of feeling dead inside. He who sees me—really sees me—with all my flaws, but is still here anyway. He who is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for me and my happiness.

My arms go slack and the flames on my palms subside.

This isn’t just about me anymore.

Michael and Kayla—as much as I loved them—are gone forever. Nothing will bring them back. The love between us can now serve as my compass…my guide.

I slowly realize my criteria for achieving happiness has changed. Even if I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that killing the Amazèa would reunify Liora and me, we’d never be whole. Not if it meant losing all the people dearest to us.

Michael and Kayla taught me that.

I glance at the smiling faces of their killers for the last time. Then I turn and head toward the darkened corridor, never once looking back. The balls of fire on my hands are now reduced to tiny flames on my fingertips, showing me the way out.

Kieron sits on a rock, staring off into the vast wasteland. He’s made a small fire, the only light in the otherwise gloomy night. His mouth is set in a hard line, his jaw clenched. I can see he’s bracing himself for what I’m about to tell him.

He doesn’t flinch as I sit beside him. I reach out, and immediately his soft hand surrounds mine. Finally, he turns to look at me, and the love in his eyes wraps around my heart. Without the faintest hint of judgment or condemnation, he searches my face for clues.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

He swallows. “For what?” he asks hoarsely.


I lean closer to him. “For believing in me.”

His eyes sparkle, and a small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. He places one hand behind my head, pulling me to him. The sweet reunion   of our lips douses the last embers of hate raging within me.

“I believe in us,” he whispers in my ear.

He rises to his feet, pulling me with him. “I have to go now. Finish this once and for all. My contract expires at dawn.”

I almost laugh. “Good thing you’re not cutting it close or anything.”

He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me close for another kiss. I don’t want him to move, I don’t want him to leave my arms, not now, not ever. But I know I have to let him go this one last time.

I know it’s okay. He’ll be back for me.

For us.





The End





Keep reading for a preview of FIRE WITH FIRE, the next book in the Demonblood series…





Prologue





It’s cliché to say it’s always darkest before the dawn, but in my case it’s true. There is a brief window of time, just before I wake, when I am not Me, and she is not Her. We are together as one, unified in our blissful state of unconsciousness.

Sometimes this sleep lasts for a few seconds; other times, a few hours. It is during this time that we exist in harmony, slumbering away our fears, hostilities, our mutual disdain and resentment of each other. It is during this time that we have a few fleeting moments of peace. Because for more than five years, it has been only during this time that we are together as we should be. As we were meant to be.

It is also during this time that we can dream of him…remember the way he held us, kissed us, looked into our eyes and filled us with such love.

The memory of loving and being loved by Kieron is the one thing she and I now share, along with the unbearable pain we’ve silently suffered since he’s been gone.

Now, we also share the soul-crushing fear that he’s never coming back to us.

And we are more damned than ever.