Page 42 of A Seduction Of Death (Umbra Hunters #4)
FORTY-TWO
Meyer
I scream as I spin through the darkness, the pressure on my body so heavy it feels like something is crushing me. With a pop, the darkness recedes, and instead of spinning, I’m falling. The night sky is above me and suddenly visible as I crash to the ground, landing hard on my back, and knocking the wind from me.
There is a heavy thump right next to me, and I turn as I gasp for breath, trying to inflate my lungs as Inanis slowly stands from the crouch he landed in. His red eyes flicker toward me with disinterest as he steps forward, eyes scanning the dark hilltop. Turning, I push myself to my hands and knees, watching as Inanis throws the black necklace up in the air and catches it once, twice… a third time before turning to look back at me, pain lingering in his eyes.
“It chose you. Not the boy,” he says almost thoughtfully as he looks me up and down. “It appears that you should have been the one I selected to help me with my conquest. I fear I wasted my time with the other one. Alas, there is nothing to do about it now. Stand, girl,” he commands with a flick of his wrist, red magic wrapping around me and yanking me to my feet. “Come here,” he beckons with a tilt of a finger, his dirty and bloody face swollen from Nox’s beating as I glare at him.
“No,” I snap, shoving at the magic that tightens around my ribs with crushing force. One brush of my hand against it, and it snaps back, recoiling from my touch and making Inanis raise a brow in surprise and excitement.
“Interesting,” he whispers, thumb rubbing the stone, making the black polished surface start to glow as his magic thickens in the air. My chest aches with the magic, and I nearly groan in agony as his thumb keeps swiping over that stone.
“What are you doing?” I ask, taking a step through the red magic he has hovering between us, making his grin grow.
“Calling my pets. I’m assuming your mates will be here soon since you decided to tag along with me. Something I had not been too happy with, but I think it might have worked out for the best,” he says with a quirk of his lips as he turns and gives me his back, studying the empty space before him. “It would be rude not to have a welcoming party to greet them.” I take another step forward, and he chuckles, looking over his broad shoulder at me. “I would stay where you are if I were you, child.”
With his words, the already dark sky turns from a blue shade to black, a void above us, a thrill of excitement running down my back. The trees nearby quake as the ground shakes beneath my feet, and my hands tremble at my sides as I look up and up at the darkness, my heart pounding. Magic swirls through the air like a cold winter breeze, whipping my hair around my face. I look at Inanis, lips parted in fear, as dozens of howls echo through the night air.
His pets… the Beastia.
The darkness above swirls like a living thing, curling in on itself. Then, an explosion of red magic ignites, sending everything nearby to the ground. A massive wave of sound emits from it, taking down the trees, snapping them like flimsy twigs.
I watch the destruction unfold, surging around me like a wave, leaving me and Inanis unharmed. I watch him, the Devil that has haunted my dreams, taking in his thick black hair falling down his back in intricate braids. He’s smaller than he was while fighting Nox and Orcus, shifting into a more human-looking form, though I wouldn’t call it normal-looking. His chest is bare save for the black leather belts strapped diagonally across his body, holding an arrangement of weapons. In his hand, he clasps the necklace he yanked from my neck, and in the other, the sword he had in my dreams the first time I saw him.
Darkness swirls at Inanis’ feet, making it appear like he’s walking in shadows as he appraises the land before him with a feral smile, exposing the long, sharp canines behind his full lips. “It's healed some since I last walked these hills,” Inanis muses, taking a few steps away from me, head tilted like he’s studying something, yet there is nothing in front of him.
“What has healed?” I can't help but ask as the howls in the distance grow louder with each passing second. Bright red eyes find my own, and a feeling of rightness and excitement flows through me, followed quickly by fear and despair.
“The Veil between worlds. Come, child,” he whispers, the words identical to the first ones he spoke to me in my dreams. His voice drops into a soothing tone, sounding like a terrifying lullaby. Only this time, it's much easier to ignore his demand, my body listening to me rather than the magic he’s woven around me.
“No,” I whisper, shaking my head as I step back, brushing the magic from me.
“No?” he asks, the red light growing, making me tense as it brushes against my mind, and I release a growl so loud I startle myself. Is he really trying to use his mind control shit with me?
“That won't work,” I grind out, shoving his magic back and making him blink at me in surprise.
“It will if I want to use enough magic, but I need it for the Veil.” Inanis moves his black onyx weapon to his other hand, then reaches for me, hand outstretched, a serene smile on his face.
“You’ll need it for more than that,” I tell him, unable to stop my grin as I tug on Nox’s mate bond, hoping to lead him to us. I think I can keep the Beastia away. I know I have the magic to do it. I just need to figure it out, but I will need help with the big bastard in front of me because there is no way I’m letting him destroy the Veil and let those monsters onto Earth. There isn't much I can do unless I can get my hands on that necklace and escape, or keep him talking and hopefully prolong the inevitable until more help can show up.
Inanis’ head tilts to the side, blood-red eyes locked on me as he laughs and nods in agreement at my threat. “Yes, I will,” he says, looking down at the mark on my wrist that’s glowing red.
“Hmm, I should have known from that mark that you were the one I should have gone for. But my plans were already in motion when I discovered you. But why fight who you truly are, Meyer?” he asks, using my name for the first time and making the hair on my arms stand on end.
Inanis steps even closer to me, his giant body only ten feet away. He holds his arms out at his sides, making sure I can see all of him as his magic spirals around him. I watch as red symbols carved into his leather-like skin shimmer to life and glow brightly in the pitch-black night.
“You were born to rule, darling girl. A weapon made by destruction passed down in our bloodline. You could have everything,” he whispers as the air shifts around us. He takes another step forward as I feel my body warm, the muscles relaxing. “Be whatever you want, with whomever you want.”
“I already have who I want,” I whisper back, feeling like I’m floating in the air. Inanis scoffs, waving a hand through the air dismissively.
“Those boys are nothing. They want their own power and seek to control you,” he says, and my vision darkens as I feel myself nod in agreement. “They know what they have in their grasp and will simply use you. Don’t be fooled, my child. Boys like that don't want a woman more powerful than them. They’ll never want to share, not for long. They play with your mind and heart, then break them. And the boy… Lennox, ” Inanis sneers Nox’s name as he takes another step. He’s within touching distance now as he crouches, resting his elbows on his knees, now eye level with me. “He’ll cast you aside the moment he gets what he wants.”
“And what is that?” I ask, a frown tugging at my lips as Inanis reaches out a big hand and runs a finger over my cheek.
“Power. Your power, Meyer. Give me your hand,” he demands, and I feel myself responding, my hand falling into his as if it's the most natural thing in the world. “Now feel. Let the magic run through you. You have so much more than you know, darling girl,” he whispers as bright red magic begins to glow between us. The markings on Inanis’ skin gleam, and I gasp as my mark heats and starts to burn. “Don’t fight it,” he rasps, and I nod, letting the magic swirl through me.
The burning in my wrist continues, lighting up my arm and moving over my collarbone, and I gasp when I look down, finding not one but about a dozen elaborately designed symbols gleaming on my pale skin.
“Good!” Inanis chuckles, sharp teeth gleaming in the glow of our magic. “Much better than even I when I first tried this. Of course, I didn’t have any guidance. But just think of the power you could wield under my guidance,” he whispers, hand moving from my wrist as he stands and steps behind me, facing the direction he had been standing as the ground shakes, but it's not from our magic this time but from the hoards of Beastia storming the land behind us.
They snarl and snap at one another as they rush toward us, their claws kicking up the moist dirt underneath them as they slow their rapid pace. My heart thunders in my chest, and my palms sweat, yet there is no dread or fear as Inanis stands next to me.
“Hands out,” he demands, gripping both my wrists and bringing them in front of me, ignoring how they tremble. “Now, I want you to focus on the magic,” he whispers as the chain of the necklace moves against my skin, where it's still clasped in his hands. “Watch me do it first,” he instructs, his magic flying from our hands, and a loud crash sounds only feet in front of us as red magic lights up and spreads… and spreads… and spreads until a wall I hadn't seen before appears. Its massive structure stretches to the sky, disappearing in the black void above, and a chill rushes down my spine as I look up at it, feeling the immense power before me.
“It's broken,” I say, my words nearly drowning out in the snarls of the monsters behind us. Inanis raises one hand, and they instantly grow silent, only the slight shuffle of paws and inhale of breath to be heard.
“It is. Fractured beyond repair, though it does look like Orcus attempted to patch it. Nothing for us to concern ourselves over,” he says dismissively. “Now, it’s your turn, Meyer. Use the magic, guide it to the Veil… and let it loose. Let it free through you and give it the purpose you know it needs. The darkness you know that’s deep inside you.”
I swallow hard at his words because… it's there, that darkness that he speaks of, dancing and twirling inside me. The excitement of the magic is so damn intoxicating, I feel myself smile as it presses forward, wanting to listen. But there’s something else there as well. Something soft and loving, calming my thirst to let the power free and tugging me back enough that I exhale sharply as my chest tugs and I grin.
“No,” I whisper, the word barely clearing my lips as I spin, grabbing the chain of the necklace Inanis has clutched in his hand and yanking it free. Using that magic he so carefully demonstrated for me, I strike him in the chest, tearing him off his feet and throwing him back into the massive army of Beastia.
“Oh fuck!” I gasp as I get my first good look at the army, their soulless black eyes trained on me, making my heart lodge into my throat. I instantly move my attention from the monsters and back to Inanis, where he presses himself up on his elbows, but instead of the snarl of rage I’m bracing for, it's a manic smile that crosses his face. “That's worse,” I admit as I step back, feeling the warmth of the magic radiating from the Veil behind me.
“You will be a fun one to break,” Inanis muses as he climbs to his feet. “And make no mistake. I will break you, Meyer. I’ll bend your mind to suit my needs, control you so thoroughly that you will drive a blade into each of your mate's hearts with a smile on your face.” He stalks through the army of monsters, and they part for him, mindlessly moving to his will, just like he promises to do to me.
“That will never happen,” I snarl as I raise the hand not holding the necklace and release my magic. He catches the red glow with a laugh as he shakes his head in disappointment.
“I am your magic! It comes from me and my bloodline! This little party trick you used on the boy,” he says as he continues to walk forward, hand outstretched, keeping my magic from him. “It will do nothing to me!” he roars, finally showing some of that mad rage I saw at the castle. I expect to see the anger, expect to feel the terror racing through me as he walks closer, and I step back.
What I don't expect is the sword-wielding man dropping to the ground beside Inanis completely severing Inanis’ arm from his body. Inanis screams as his arm falls to the ground, his eyes moving to the man crouched by his feet who’s looking up at him with a triumphant smirk on his face.
“Archer?” I gasp, then shout as Inanis brings his other arm around, swiping at Razar’s twin with clawed fingers. Arch falls back, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike, but he’s not fast enough to move from Inanis' kick that sends him rolling over the grass of the hill and straight into the feet of an outraged Demon Prince.
“That was faster than I expected,” Inanis snarls as Lennox reaches down and tugs Archer to his feet. My mate keeps his dark eyes on the Devil the entire time.
“You took something that I deeply,” he growls the word. “Care about.”
“She is my bloodline. Some may argue that you took something that didn't belong to you,” Inanis growls back, blood dripping to the ground as his magic weaves around the stump of his arm, healing what it can as I step closer to Lennox, then gasp as unknown hands fall on my waist. Grabbing one of my blades, I spin and press it to the throat of the man holding me, then curse and drop the knife instantly.
“Damn, Lemon Drop. I’m almost as impressed with how fast you moved as I am terrified of that little magic showdown I just saw,” Creed whispers, smirking down at me.
“Belongs to you?” Nox snorts as Razar’s Beast slowly prowls to stand at his side, eyes locked on the Devil as acidic drool drips from his maw. “Meyer isn't a toy that you can claim, Inanis. She has her own mind and ability to make her own decisions. Without outside influence,” he adds as he brings his large ax up from his side, tossing it casually over his shoulder.
“But here’s where it gets confusing,” Nox says, taking a step forward, and I nearly gasp when Inanis takes a step back. “You had the necklace, yet the Veil still stands. You would have destroyed it instantly the moment you got here. I braced myself for that, expected it, really,” Nox muses as Archer brushes his clothes off and bends down, retrieving his bloody long sword from the ground. “The only reason you could destroy it all those years ago is because you split your magic, putting a shard of it in this necklace in order to control the Beastia. But it left you weak, unable to tear down the Veil on your own. A necklace that we all thought had been destroyed. That Orcus knew he destroyed… Do you want to explain how it's back, or should I?”
I watch Inanis’ jaw clench, and red magic begins to spark in his hand.
“Are you trying to play mind games, boy? Do not attempt such a trivial trick on me,” Inanis warns, and Nox chuckles, looking far too happy about this whole thing, considering the Devil is here and we are outnumbered. I look at the army of Beastia, their eyes still on me, not Inanis, and I frown.
What the hell?
“Not a game,” Nox says as he looks at me and smiles. “Valen pointed out recently how Dream Walkers appear in their dreams as a representation of who they are. The blue dress, a hint at Meyer’s Demon heritage. The necklace…” Nox trails off, and I feel my eyes widen as it starts to click into place.
“That necklace was destroyed. It was eradicated after your incarceration. But there is a reason that magic skipped over Jesthren, a babe already born. Not to mention the other two children who Orcus discovered.” Valen’s voice interrupts, and Inanis whirls around, finding my Dream Man there, fully shifted into his shade form as he twirls a blade that glimmers with green magic between his fingers.
“It needed a host, a descendant that is strong enough to hold the magic, a body created to keep it contained. Jesthren was already born with his own version of magic, and the others as well. Meaning, the magic couldn't go to them. But there was another bloodline that you had Jes hunt down for decades. A pregnant woman who escaped to Earth, a babe who hadn’t been born and was vulnerable enough to be a host.” Valen grins, his teeth sharp as he leans toward Inanis. “It must kill you to know a portion of your very own magic got watered down by humans. The race you hate so much you seek to completely eradicate them from existence.”
Inanis’ face is beet red as he glares at Valen.
“You were even willing to kill that portion of your magic in order to regain your life,” Valen tsks. “Your obsession with my mother is so great you would have sacrificed your entire plan to get to her. It wasn't until you realized Viviane would never be yours that you changed your mind and took the necklace, thinking it was your magic. I’m guessing you’re glad you didn't kill her now that you know, aren't you?”
“Kill them!” Inanis roars, spit flying from his mouth as he turns to look at his Beastia. They take one step forward, then still at my word.
“No.”
Inanis turns, eyes narrowing at me as I stare back at him, clutching the necklace in my hand a little tighter as I stare at the arm Archer severed from Inanis' body. There, in the palm of his hand, is a burned imprint of the necklace, etched into his skin like a tattoo. Nox looks at the arm and kicks it with a snarl as he stomps toward Inanis.
“How does it feel to have your magic turn on you? To have the necklace you created burn your very skin? That magic is hers to command, and you’re trying to mindfuck her into using it for your benefit!” he roars as I take a step forward. Fear washes through me as I feel the build of Inanis’ magic in the air. I may have that last fragment of his magic, but that doesn't mean the Demon in front of us is weak. I saw him fight Orcus and the guys.
Inanis is every inch the villain he portrays himself to be and should never be underestimated. “Don’t,” I whisper, my magic moving within me, matching his intensity as I look at Nox and shake my head. Clutching the necklace in my hand, I step out of Creed's arms and face Inanis’ imposing glare, watching his hand tremble and his legs shake. The man is terrified, and I can’t help but grin in excitement as the darkness inside me perks up at his fear.
“Did you know the Beastia will still attack us? If they aren't controlled, they attack and kill us like any other person,” I tell him, tilting my head to the side as I look past him at the army, now entirely under my control.
“You pathetic little girl,” Inanis roars as he leaps for me. I laugh as the symbols on my arm glow, the Beastia that had been frozen from my command seconds ago leaping at Inanis.
“Aw fuck!” Creed shouts, grabbing me and turning as the monsters tear into their creator, shredding his skin as he screams in pain. He tries to fight back, hitting several of them with his own magic, killing at least a dozen, but their numbers are too large and quickly overwhelm him. “Eww, don’t look,” Creed whispers, and I laugh and nod, not really caring about the gore but allowing him to turn me so my head rests against his chest.
After a prolonged moment, the growls and sounds of flesh tearing and garbled screams of Inanis finally stop, and if Creed's sickly green color is anything to go by, it was just in the nick of time.
“You better not throw up on me,” I grumble up at him.
“I won't,” he rasps, but he doesn't sound so convincing.
“Well, that was…” Archer starts to say, and I look over at him and Nox, the brothers staring at the bloody pile of Inanis.
“Anticlimactic?” Nox offers up, and Archer nods.
“A little, yeah.”
“There is no way that worked,” Valen says, walking over and stabbing his knife into one of Inanis' eyes as he glares down at him.
“Yeah, probably not. The fucker is like a damn cockroach. But I think it was enough that I can have Father lock him back up,” Nox says with a shrug.
“How? The sarcophagus was destroyed,” Creed mutters, and Nox wrinkles his nose as he shrugs again.
“A problem we will have to solve, but on another day,” he says, his intense green eyes finding mine as he stares at me. The love I see there makes me shiver, causing a larger physical reaction than any magic ever could.
“Lemon Drop?” Creed whispers, keeping his arms around me as he looks over my head. “You want to disband the monster army?”
“Oh, yeah, sure!” I turn and look at the Beastia, finding all their eyes locked on me. I mentally will them away, letting them scatter while ensuring they don’t head toward the Kingdom. Or at least I hope I send them in the right direction. Frowning, I look at Valen, who is still crouched by Inanis, as Razar’s Beast snarls and paces the hillside next to them.
“Raz?” I ask in concern. The Beast turns, his soulless eyes finding mine as he stomps toward me. And I mean, he’s literally stomping, his massive feet strike the ground hard enough that dirt flies through the air as he draws closer.
“Uh, I’m pretty sure his Beast is throwing a tantrum,” Creed says with a snort.
“What's wrong?” I ask him, wondering why he hasn't shifted yet. He growls in response and snaps his teeth together, only inches from my face, and I glare at him. “I’m not going to talk to you if you're going to be rude,” I growl at him, making the big Beast huff and shake his big head, obviously frustrated that I can’t understand him. “So shift, and then you can tell me what's wrong,” I snap at him when he glares back at me. Archer dissolves into full-blown laughter.
“What the actual hell is happening right now?” he asks Nox, wiping at his eyes as tears form from his laughter.
“They tend to argue. You’ll get used to it eventually,” Nox says with a weary sigh, eyeing us, but thankfully staying away and not demanding Raz away from me.
Suddenly, my view of Archer and Nox is blocked as a very pissed-off, and very naked Razar stands before me. His big arms are crossed over his chest as he glares down his nose at me, a growl lingering in the air around us.
“What?” I ask, pressing from Creed's arms and moving into Razar’s, forcing him to uncross them as I wiggle into his embrace. He stays tense for thirty seconds, then sighs and wraps his arms around me, burying his nose into my hair and huffing out a sound that suggests he’s not as mad as he’s portraying.
“Pup,” he rasps, and I look up at him with a smile. I'm beyond glad that he’s here and no longer injured. “You are grounded. Forever.”
“Come on,” I hear Nox say as he clasps Archer’s shoulder and shoves him toward us playfully. “Let’s go home. There is someone who has been waiting her entire life to meet you.”