We choose our playground and set the stage. Liam, Ash, and Willow would attack Asmodeus with their magic, while I distracted him in my panther form. We needed to keep Asmodeus on the defense. Once we had him sufficiently distracted, I would shift back into my natural form and stab Asmodeus. Izzy’s job was to keep hold of the dagger and hand it to me, when the time came.
It was easy to set up the circle to summon Asmodeus. Since we had done it before, the guys let us take the lead. They seemed shocked at the full force of the whirlpool. It was stronger outside than it had been in Izzy’s apartment. Nature enhanced the summoning, and the winds the whirlpool created seemed had the intensity of a hurricane.
We expected the demon to show itself, but we didn’t expect that he wouldn’t appear within the circle. Instead, he took corporeal form behind Liam. He used one arm to send Liam flying through the air until he hit a tree trunk with a resounding crack. The other arm gestured towards the circle and pulled the energy into his palm.
Asmodeus smiled, while his hand held an enormous ball of energy. His head twitched back and forth, as it had in the secret passageway. His eyes sought mine and in the space of seconds he conveyed his amusement at our attempt to confront him. My stomach dropped when his head turned to Ash and he sent the energy ball flying towards him.
The ball hit Ash in the chest and I expected him to fly backwards, but the ball transformed into vines, which wrapped around his ribcage. They started tightening at a slow, agonizing pace. I focused on transforming into my panther form. Meanwhile, Willow called on Earth. The roots of the surrounding trees sprung up through the dirt, at Asmodeus’ feet and grabbed his wrists before he could do any more harm. Asmodeus merely laughed at her attempt and broke the restraints.
Liam shook the pain from his injured body and sent an ice storm towards Asmodeus. I urged my body to shift more quickly and watched as the ice climbed through the feathers of Asmodeus’ wings. In response, Asmodeus snapped his wings open and sent icicles flying in all directions. One caught Liam in his arm, but he continued his fight.
I burst forth as a panther, sinking my teeth into the Arch demon's feet and dragging until he fell backwards. Switching tactics, I went for his wings and repeatedly bit, until I was certain they were damaged enough to prevent flying. His blood tasted different than I expected. It was warm and rich when I thought it would be stale and tar-like.
“Willow!” Liam shouted. I looked towards her to see a tiger made entirely of fire. Liam created a wall of ice between Willow and the tiger, but her arms had already been badly burnt from trying to fend it off.
Asmodeus shook me off, which knocked the wind out of me. He walked towards Willow, who was now standing with Liam. Ash lay on the ground beside them; his face blue and the vines wrapped tightly around him. His mouth was frozen in a silent scream and his eyes were dead. My heart broke and I roared with all the pain this demon had brought into my life.
I stalked Asmodeus; not wanting to signal my approach and threw my whole body against his back. My teeth reached for his throat. Finding skin, I bit down with all the force I could muster. A sound tore through him that I recognized as a scream, but sounded closer to a terrifying song.
Asmodeus threw me off him and crouched. His face was twisted in anger, his eyes blazed with an inner fire, and his skin electrified with inscriptions.
“I will kill you for that!” He bared his teeth and I saw each of them was sharpened to fine points. I roared in response; begging him to try. A slow, wicked smile lit up his face; showing me that he understood my dare. My paws inched backwards, while his feet replaced the ground I gave up. I turned and ran; he pursued.
He was fast, but I had the strength of a panther behind my movements. I needed him to follow me. Ash was already dead, Willow badly wounded, and Liam’s injured was more extensive than I originally thought. I wouldn’t let him hurt anyone else I loved.
Izzy appeared in my path with the dagger. I shifted as quickly as possible and took the blade in my hands. She handed me my dress, which I threw on as I ran. It was dark and though I could hear his laughter behind me, I was terrified of making a wrong turn.
I was a mouse in a wooded maze. Asmodeus laughed as I made a futile attempt to escape, but only he knew the way out. He didn’t count on the fact that I never intended to find my way out. I was fighting for the survival of my loved ones now. I didn’t care if I lived or died, but I needed them to. If this would be my last stand, I could die with that. I refused to stop even though my veins melted away to acidic fire. I needed freedom from the cage he had made of my life. I needed to have a choice.
My dress strap caught on a branch and was torn free causing minor pain, when the edge pressed into my shoulder and drew blood. Chaotic laughter trailed behind me. The ageless trees loomed around me to conceal this creature, which would destroy everyone I loved. Their branches attempted to restrain my wrists, while their roots shackled my ankles. I clawed at the barriers until I came to a dead end. I had made a wrong turn.
Towering rocks trapped me between them and him. My attempt to climb them proved useless, which left me a single option. I turned to meet him in the dance of death. One of us would die tonight. I tore the dagger from the scabbard and threw the scabbard into the forest. I took a fighting stance and waited.
15: Ultimatum
LIAM
Willow leaned over Ash’s body and tore the vines from him. Tears carved their passage down her cheeks to bathe his face. I sat inches away holding my shirt to the wound from the icicle. I wanted to go after Savannah, but I knew I would be a liability. I tried to comfort Willow, but she pushed me away.
Willow gently lifted Ash’s head and bent her head to kiss his lips. I thought she was saying her goodbyes, but her body began to spasm. Her limbs tightened and relaxed in patterns, while she pulled his lips open. The spasms moved from the lower half of her body to the top in waves.
When the waves reached her neck, a long trail of green smoke trailed from her mouth like a snake. Its head moved clockwise around his lips and dipped into his mouth, similarly to how a child tests the water with their toes before diving in. The snake plunged into Ash’s mouth and down his throat.
I felt sick, as I watched the snake’s tail emerge from Willow’s mouth to swim into Ash’s. It caused Ash’s throat to expand with its size. Once the snake had left her completely, Willow collapsed beside Ash. Her chest continued to swell with each breath she took.
Ash’s body jerked. His eyes opened to reveal white sockets, while his chest twitched with electricity that ran along his skin. His body curled into the fetal position and wiped back, until I thought his spine would split in half.
Willow woke and scooted away from Ash’s body in horror. Her hand covered her mouth and a sound tore from her chest. It was a familiar sound; almost comforting. Though, I wasn’t anxious for her call to be answered.
The ground shook with the full force of her call. The air behind Ash turned into a minor cyclone; pulling debris into its vortex. I stood, still holding my wound and limped over to Willow. She finally quieted, but it was already too late. Death stepped through the vortex and walked forward.
With each step he took, the plants at his feet blackened and decayed. He was furious. Ash’s eyes blinked open. He sat up in amazement, but when he saw Death approach him, he did what any sane man would do; he moved away.
Behind Death, Kali and her sister Ivy came through the portal and it closed behind them. Ivy was smaller than her sisters. She had a petite frame, but was quick. Her Hellhound name was Poison, which suited her personality. Though, her appearance did not. She was a platinum blond with a vivacious body.
I cleared my throat. “What brings you three to my neck of the woods?”
Death flipped his head in my direction to assess me. He looked like an ordinary man; brown hair, onyx eyes, tall, and well built. However, he had such an intensity that no mortal could be in his presence without fear. This was Death; the one thing that all living beings avoi
ded and feared.
“Silence.” Death turned to face Willow. “What makes you think that you have the right to command death?” His voice was hollow; like the absence of sound and yet we all heard him.
“I… If I have the power to do it that gives me the right.” She stood and placed herself between Ash and Death. “You are not going anywhere near him!”
Death stopped and appraised Willow. “A mortal thinks she can stop death?” He laughed.
“Willow let him through.” It was Kali who spoke and she looked humble. I had never seen her this way before. It was as though all life had been sucked from her and she was merely a dog, lapping at Death’s heels. Ivy stood beside her with a domineering smile.
“No. Got it? I don’t care what you are. I gave him life and you are not taking it away!” Willow moved forward until her face was even with Death’s shoulders. He looked down, but his anger had evaporated. He seemed amused and it was confirmed, when he doubled over, holding his stomach from laughing.
The hellhounds looked on in horror, but Death’s laughter only made Willow angrier. When had she gotten a backbone?
“Don’t laugh at me!” She smacked Death across the face and everyone froze, while Willow’s face transformed into one of shock. “Oh my God, I… I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry. I’ve never hit anyone before. Are you okay?”
Willow moved forward in concern and tilted his head up to inspect her handiwork. A red welt was already swelling where she hit him. She caressed his cheek and we all watched, while she healed the injury she had caused.
Death’s eyes narrowed to slits. He grabbed Willow around the throat, dragged her to him, and then bit her neck. Blood trailed down her collarbone.
“Please, she didn’t know any better!” Kali rushed forward begging Death. “Don’t hurt her! She’s just a child!”
Death lifted his head from Willow’s neck and licked the blood that had pooled at her collarbone. “Why did you heal me?”
“I hurt you. I believe in fixing your own messes. Now, I think I would like to give you a new slap and not heal it!” Her hand reached up to repeat her earlier gesture, but he caught it and yanked her to him.
“Do you know what you are?” Death gazed in her eyes and nodded to Ash. “You have the power to give life. It’s a power that resides with me…and those who I gift with it. There is only one Hellhound I ever gifted with that power and she is long since dead.”
“Well, obviously you have your wires crossed, because I just gave him life.” Willow pulled her wrist from his grip and crossed her arms.
“Hasn’t anyone ever taught you to respect others?” Death reached out his arm to bar Kali, when she tried to go to Willow.
“I’ll respect you when you earn it, but it still won’t change anything. You will leave Ash alone.”
Death sighed, and Ivy laughed in the background. “It seems we are at an impasse. The only way you could have the gift to give life, is if you are a direct descendant of the hellhound I gave the gift to. I wasn’t aware any of her offspring survived.” He turned to look at Kali and Ivy, who shook their heads.
“I don’t care who I am a descendant of. I want you to leave.”
Death raised his eyebrows at Willow’s voice. “You think you can order death? His soul is mine. He died and I came to claim him. Although, I might be willing to make a deal.”
Willow shot a nervous look in my direction, but shook it off quickly to face Death. “What kind of deal?”
“I only have five remaining hellhounds. All of the others have died and they rarely give birth. I could use another. If you agree to join my ranks and take your place among your sisters, I will allow your witch to live.”
“What if I say no?”
“There are many ways to kill someone. Your witch might fall down the stairs and break his neck or a bus may hit him, while crossing the street. You can’t be with him all the time.” A crooked smile lit up his features and I shivered.
“I have friends and a family. Ask for something else.”
“No.” He snapped his fingers and a large tree branch fell next to Ash. “That could have been his head.”
Tears fell from Willow’s eyes, while she took in Ash and the enormous branch beside him.
“Willow, don’t do it. It’s okay. If I was meant to die…I can face that.” Ash stood and attempted to push Willow out of the way. She turned and looked Death in the eye.
“Give me until the end of summer to give you my decision.” When Death opened his mouth to speak, she placed her hand over his lips to silence him. “If he’s as easy to kill as you claim, you can wait.” His eyes crinkled in amusement and he nodded.
“You have a deal.” A sigil appeared on Willow’s inner wrist, in sync with Death’s words. Ivy howled to open a portal and they left.
I was alone in a clearing with Willow and Ash, but Izzy soon appeared to remind us that Savannah was facing an Archdemon on her own. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed.
“I gave her the dagger.” Izzy spoke quickly. “Well, come on. We can’t let her face this on her own!”
Her words pushed us into action. Izzy blinked out of sight, while the three of us raced in the direction Savannah had gone in. She went off the trail we originally set out and it slowed us down, because we had to track her.
17: Choices
SAVANNAH
I stood poised for Asmodeus’s attack, waiting for him to barrel through the woods and attack me head on. He walked through the trees and leaned casually against a tree. His neck, ankle, and wing had completely healed. Our efforts hadn’t even put a dent in his armor. It was insulting.
“That’s a pretty little blade you have there, but it won’t help you.”
“We’ll just see about that.”
Asmodeus shrugged nonchalantly. “As you wish, you can’t surprise me though. I’ve been watching you all along. I know all of your little secrets. It’s what I do. I have always believed in the need to know your enemy.”
“Oh really? You think you know all my secrets? Why? Because you slip in my dreams and stalk my friends?”
I made my move. I lunged with my dagger, but he danced aside. His moves were smooth and graceful. It looked effortless. I had never been a fighter, but I knew the basics. I threw a punch with my free hand, but he caught my fist. Throwing my weight into my movement, I attempted to stab him in the gut and deliver a kick to the groin, but he spun around and caught me in a choke hold.
“You think I stalk your friends and haunt your dreams? You think that is the only way I’ve been able to watch you?” He laughed hysterically and tightened the choke hold. “How about we play a game of trivia? What is one of the first things people learn about demons?”
“I’m not going to play your stupid game!” I felt dizzy from lack of oxygen.
“Play or I will fly to your friends faster than your little panther can run. I’ll kill them all and then I will continue on to take each coven.”
“I don’t know. What is it?” I barely managed to choke the words out. He let go and walked a few paces away to sit on a large boulder.
“Think about it.”
I struggled to answer the question, racking my brain for all of the stereotypes. “Ah, crosses and holy water hurt them?” He nodded. “They work for the devil and live in hell.” Again, he nodded. “A priest exorcizes them.”
“Bingo. Now, why does a priest exorcize them?”
I was beginning to feel like a child and I didn’t like it. I sighed, “They exorcize demons because the demon possesses someone.” Asmodeus smiled. It was an eerie smile that left spiders crawling up my spine. “You… you possessed someone I know?” In shock, I thought about all of the people in my life. “Who? Isis? Griffin?” My throat tightened. “Willow?”
“Your lover boys. You see, it really wasn’t that difficult. Whenever you were with them, I slipped in to take over. They didn’t even realize they had become my puppets.”
; I felt ill. Thinking over the past few weeks and how fickle I had been, the sudden surge in hormones I had never experienced before. How I sometimes felt a magnetism pushing me towards Liam or Ash, while other times I didn’t… I loved both of them. I was in love with Ash; Ash who I had never viewed as anything other than a brother… until recently.
“I used my power to lure you to me and played on your desires.”
Tears fell before I could stop them. My vision swam when I looked Asmodeus in the eyes. His wings were open and his inscriptions had faded to a poor example of their true worth. I could feel it; the way I felt when I was alone with Ash or Liam. The overwhelming wave of energy that pulled me towards them, I felt it with Asmodeus.
“No! It can’t be.” I shook my head and backed away with my hands held out in front of me, as if barring the truth from touching me. “It wasn’t you! I… Oh God. Why? Why did you do this? Couldn’t you have just killed me?” I covered my mouth with my hand in disbelief. “If you just wanted my power, why play with me like this?”
“I needed to keep an eye on you. After all, I needed time to gain enough energy to keep my physical form. Besides, it kept me amused. Still want to kill me?”
My hand holding the dagger dropped to my side in defeat. I was in love with an Archdemon, who not only wanted to kill me, but everyone I loved. He was a murder, who ruled in hell alongside Lucifer. I thought back to each time I saw Asmodeus in person or my dreams. Then I thought about the moments I experienced with Ash and Liam, but those moments were with him. How could I kill someone I was in love with?
Asmodeus pushed off his rock to walk over to me. He looked me in the eyes, reached out, and pulled me to him. In his arms, I felt the pressure build. His eyes softened to a downy blue and he leaned downward to press me into a savage kiss. It was intense and I couldn’t stop my body from betraying my mind. I responded to him with all the hunger I could.
Asmodeus pushed me into the rocky structure behind me and wrapped us in his wings. He tore at my dress, snapped the remaining strap, and nibbled on my earlobe.
“Oh God, I want you.” His teeth broke the flesh of my neck and he fed from me. I wanted more. I wanted to taste every piece of him. I was betraying everything I stood for. He would kill us all and I was going to let him, because my silly heart wouldn’t listen to my brain.
I heard my friends shouting in the distance. They were looking for me. Asmodeus lifted his head in the direction of their voices. “I’ll be back.” He moved to go after them, but I plunged the dagger deep into his chest. His head swung back in surprise, while blood spurted between his lips and he looked down.
I cried, even while I knew he was evil, I couldn’t help but love him. “I’m sorry. I can’t let you hurt anyone else.”
Asmodeus stumbled backwards, pulled the dagger from his chest and let it fall to the ground. His body began to shimmer like a dying fairy. He was corporeal one moment and the next, he wasn’t. He walked forward to place my hand over his wound. His eyes looked ordinary now and the inscriptions had faded from his chest. He looked like a man, a dying man. He wiped my tears away with his fingertips and when I closed my eyes, he kissed my eyelids. Uncontrollable sobs overtook me, and I started to hyperventilate.
Asmodeus placed his index finger over my lips, but it was insubstantial and passed right through me. He leaned forward, until his lips were next to my ear and whispered. “Thank you. It would have been a shame to kill you. Be safe, my little Anakim.” Before he could move back enough to look me in the eyes, he disappeared.
I fell to the ground, screaming at the sky. Every cherished moment I spent loving Liam and Ash, I had really loved a monster. My entire childhood had been one huge nightmare, but it had been my parents’ way of protecting me. Izzy and Ash were dead. I was a virus; I destroyed everything I touched. I brought this evil to this place and into the lives of everyone I loved. Why did everyone else die, while I lived?
The shouting in the distance had grown louder, they were getting closer. I started to panic until my eyes fell on the dagger, abandoned on the ground. It was still fresh with Asmodeus’ blood. Gripping it in my hand, I angled the blade towards me. The horrors that had been visited on me throughout my life, were too much to take any longer. I couldn’t continue to watch this world die a slow, painful death that I brought with me.
My tears froze and for the first time I felt in control. I could decide; this was my choice. I moved the dagger far from my body and plunged it inward. The anger, pain, betrayal was all gone. My world was clear and I was free. This was what a choice was. Fate did not command me, my parents’ choices had not forsaken me, I was just me. This was my world, those were my friends, and the darkness couldn’t touch me unless I gave it permission. I looked down at the dagger sticking out of my torn dress. What was one more hole?
Willow walked into the clearing, while everyone else trailed behind her. She saw my hand covered in blood gripping the dagger, and screamed. Running forward, she grabbed my hands to pull them away from the wound.
“It’s not mine.”
Her eyes search mine in confusion. “I don’t understand.”
“The blood is Asmodeus’s. I made a choice; to live. The dagger is stuck in my dress, but only next to my skin. It’s not in my skin.” I smile awkwardly, while my friends looked at me in horror. “I needed to take back control. I had to want to live or I never would.”
I stood and walked to Ash. I cupped his cheek, but didn’t feel anything. My emotions were as they should be and the same was true for Liam. “I’m glad everyone is okay.” My voice sounded strange. I was no longer weighted down. When I smiled at my friends, my family… it was the first true smile of my life.
About the author
J.D. Stroube is a debut author, who will be releasing several novels in the near future. She attends a University as a Psychology major and intends to open her own practice one day. She lives in Naperville with her husband and is extremely close to her family.
Visit her website: https://jdstroube.weebly.com/
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