Page 24 of Resurrection (Daemons & Lumens #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Morax

T hree guards stood inside the room I was being held captive in while Foras dosed me with another round of his vile toxins. My daemon itched to come out, raging beneath the fog created by this poison.

“I’m going to rip out your heart, Foras,” I snarled at him, and he simply smiled.

“I highly doubt that, Morax.” Foras stepped away, crossing his arms. “Belial will be here soon, and I’m quite certain he will kill you first.”

I smirked. Phen would be the daemon joining this party, but he didn’t know that. “Whatever you say.”

Foras frowned and cocked his head. He was lean, and his skin was pearly white, almost as white as his hair.

Even in his more human form, he looked all wrong.

He was always a wiley fucker. The lesser daemon had no wings and limited power.

He couldn’t even summon fire. And yet he climbed through the ranks and became important enough to work for my brother and this gods forsaken cult.

“Do you have a secret, Morax?” Foras grinned, and his eyes glowed violet. “Are you perhaps thinking your crazy younger brother Phenex will save you?”

My head snapped up, and I bared my teeth at the weaker creature. “What did you just say?” If my hands weren’t chained behind my back, I’d wring his neck.

Foras laughed, his teeth sharp and gleaming. “Did you really think Phenex, that absolute loose cannon, would be able to plan some kind of heist without Belial finding out?”

I didn’t respond. My mind was reeling. Was he telling the truth? Where was Phen?

Foras grinned like a smug weasel. “Poor Morax. You really have no idea what’s going on.”

I scoffed. “You’re an imp. A leech. A low-level daemon to use and toss away when your usefulness runs out. I can’t imagine you know much of anything, Foras.”

The daemon snarled, his eyes glowing violet as his control slipped, just as I hoped. He came at me, claws extended, and swiped out, leaving deep gashes across my cheek.

I laughed. “As if you could truly hurt me. You’re a pawn in a game meant for kings. Why don’t you leave now before Belial laughs in your face.”

Foras swiped at me again. “I am his FAVORITE! I have been by his side every step of the way, planning your demise. I have been in the ears of The Obscuritas Kings. When he comes, I will be the one to receive the royal blood.”

He spat in my face, and I grinned. Belial was making promises he most definitely couldn’t keep.

Only the King of Caligo could offer blood to a lesser daemon to enhance his power.

Our father would never do this for Foras.

Is this what The Obscuritas Kings hoped for?

To taste the blood of my father and become daemons themselves? I chuckled.

“Oh, you fools. My father wants slaves, not equals. He will never give you what you seek.”

Foras heaved angrily, staring down at me as he registered my words. But instead of anguish, I saw only mirth. “Once more, Morax. You know nothing.”

The slimy daemon turned and quickly left the room, leaving me to ponder his last words. The guards stepped out after him, and I was alone once more, unable to do anything but rage at my own insignificance.

I lay on the floor, wrapped in chains, my power subdued and unavailable to me.

I could hear the music playing in the ballroom.

The mansion vibrated with energy. Even in my weakened state, I could feel it.

Sense them. There were other creatures here now.

Lumens, daemons, hybrids…and witches. I sniffed the air, and the scent of a witch invaded my nose.

This one was nearby. What was a witch doing so far from the party?

Muffled sounds suddenly drifted through my closed door. Bodies dropped to the floor. I narrowed my eyes, waiting for whoever was out there to come for me. The double doors opened, and in sauntered three females. My eyes widened. A witch, a lumen, and a human. How curious.

The witch came forward, her hazel eyes taking me in, assessing. She had light-brown skin, and dark curling hair flowed down her back. She wore black leather pants and a fitted dark-green sweater. The witch was clearly not here for the party.

The lumen, however, was dressed in a brilliant gown of blue silk.

Lumens held a natural grace that daemons often envied, and this one held herself well.

She was young, but experienced. I could sense her strength even now.

Her silver eyes glowed brightly, but her face remained grim.

Her black hair was braided back, and she flicked the long braid off her shoulder as she stepped up next to the witch.

The human with them was equally fierce, in her own right.

She too had long black hair, but it was styled up and twisted around the crown of her head.

She had green eyes, murky and haunted. This one had seen things that scarred her soul.

I noted the scars on her neck and down one side of her body.

Her emerald-green dress had strategic cutouts to showcase her curves, and her tattoos.

Her body was covered in scars, and her scars were covered in tattoos.

This human was nearly burned alive. It was easy enough to recognize where the flames had licked her skin.

“Don’t look at her,” the lumen snapped, her eyes glowing and her hands balled into fists.

I raised an eyebrow. “And who are you, young one?”

The lumen raised an eyebrow. “I am Nuriela.”

I narrowed my eyes. The name was familiar, but why, I wasn’t sure. I turned to the witch, who was now crouching in front of me. “And what brings you ladies to my chambers?”

The witch rolled her wolf-like eyes. “Getting you out of here and ready for what comes next.”

“And what comes next?” I pressed, watching her closely.

She pulled a small bag with several small vials from her pocket. She opened one and held it to my lips. “Drink this.”

As if I would trust a witch. I pressed my lips together.

“Drink this if you want to help your mate,” she snapped.

I opened my mouth and allowed the clear liquid to slip down my throat. I grunted, feeling whatever it was enter my bloodstream and attack the poison. My daemon snarled as the fog inside began to dissipate.

“Thank you.” I bowed my head to the witch. “Who are you?”

She smirked and stepped back without a word. The lumen, Nuriela, came forward and easily ripped the locks off the chains wrapped around my arms and legs. I stood, shaking them off and already feeling my power returning.

I breathed in deeply, and another scent caught my attention, making me smile. “You’re Gremory’s witch,” I stated.

The witch crossed her arms and smirked right back at me.

“I see your power is returning.” She held out another vial.

“Before the ritual, make sure each of the Princes and Seraphina drink one drop each. As soon as your brother arrives, you all need to get the hell out of here. Do. Not. Hesitate.” She turned to the lumen.

“And don’t engage. If you fight, you will die. ”

The lumen frowned but nodded. “I understand.”

“And where are we going?” I asked, memorizing all of her instructions.

“Vespertine Hall. It’s warded and ready.” The witch gathered her small pouch of vials and pulled out one more, handing it to me. “Drink this, it will keep you mostly undetectable from other creatures. Foras will sense you, though, so try to stay away from him until it’s time to run.”

Without another word, the witch left the room.

The lumen and human female followed her.

My clothes were not masquerade appropriate, so I quickly changed into a black suit, white shirt, and a black tie flecked with gold.

I pulled down a pair of dress shoes from the top of the closet and looked inside.

The two boxes with Michaela and Seraphina’s necklaces were still here, safe.

Was tonight the right moment for them? I had memorized the message left behind by Ezekiel Parrish, the one Michaela and I listened to all those months ago.

The darkness that would take over our world and her own world. If we carried on this path, no one would survive. There was only a small window of opportunity to make things right. You and your sisters are that opportunity. Take the gift. I have kept it these many years for you and Seraphina.

It seemed our time here was coming to an end, but whose end, I wasn’t entirely sure. I sent a silent prayer to my brother and begged the stars to let him hear me. Foras thought Belial had the drop on Phen, but I knew our wiley brother better than he did. And I had faith he would not fail in this.

As my power fully returned, I closed my eyes and reached out for my mate.

I could sense her. She wasn’t in pain, and relief flooded my system.

While I was filled with that poison, I could not reach her, could not feel her.

Knowing she was with Laszlo Blackbyrn all night drove me near to madness.

I needed to see her, touch her, hold her, taste her.

And once I took us away from this fucking place, she would never be rid of me.