“You’re able to shift your form,” Balthazar said, as he gazed in astonishment at his estranged grandsire. He looked him over, not fully believing what he was seeing.
“I’ve spent many centuries with the humans,” Ashdad said, stabbing at the growing embers of the fire he had made to help dry them, “and I’ve learned a thing or two.”
Balthazar had a bitter conflict in his heart sitting next to Ashdad. Most would consider it a joyous occasion to be reacquainted with a missing relative, especially one as close as a grandsire. But for Balthazar it only complicated things. There could only be one Lord Sultan of Devas and he would reign until his death. Ashdad, being still alive, was the rightful Lord Sultan. Though it put Balthazar in an awkward position, it could also be better for the kingdom as a whole.
“You know who has taken Alexandra?” Balthazar asked. He was anxious to get to her. The rains were starting to let up and they would be able to leave the cave soon.
“I do,” Ashdad said, with a sigh. “I thought sending her here would keep her away from them, but I didn’t know that Sami was dead. Now we must hope to reach her in time.”
“In time for what?” Balthazar said, growing even more worried. “Who has taken her?”
“She is special, you know?” Ashdad said. He set down the stick he was using to stoke the fire.
“Of course she’s special, she’s a human,” Balthazar said. He sat up and put his hands on his knees. He was getting irritated that he wasn’t getting more productive answers.
“She is more than just a human,” Ashdad said. “A normal human has only a fraction of the power she has.”
“She’s only just begun to access her powers,” Balthazar said.
“Yes,” Ashdad said. “That’s why the Magi have taken her now. They need her blood to be powerful, but not too powerful that she can fight them off.”
“I’ve never heard of the Magi,” Balthazar said. “Why would they need her blood?”
“They are creatures not of our world,” Ashdad said. “They were trapped here by the humans when they severed their connection with our world.”
“Her blood,” Ashdad continued, “ when given freely, is the only thing that can raise their Master, the Ancient one they serve.”
“She’s defiant,” Balthazar said, for once happy that she was, “she won’t give anything freely.”
“They are very persuasive,” Ashdad said, lifting his eyebrows at Balthazar.
“I need to get to her,” Balthazar said, his jaw tensing as he looked outside the cave. It was still raining.
“You won’t be able to do anything with the rains falling like they are,” Ashdad said. He stood up. “I’ll go. The rains won’t affect me in my human form.”
“No,” Balthazar said. He tried to stand, but his full strength still hadn’t returned and he was forced back down with a light head. Ashdad rested a hand on his shoulder.
“She is my responsibility to protect,” Ashdad said. “If I can’t save her, you certainly can’t. I’ll find her. You wait here until the rains stop.”
Balthazar didn’t have much of a choice. He couldn’t leave the cave, no matter how bad he wanted to. He would just have to wait it out and hope that Ashdad would get to her in time to stop whatever it was the Magi had planned to do with her. His shoulders slumped forward as he nodded for Ashdad to go.
“Hurry,” he said. “Save her.”
The rains finally stopped and Balthazar flew out of the cave to search for Alexandra. Unfortunately, he had no idea where to go. All trace of the magic used to kidnap Alexandra was washed away with the rain.
The wind blew softly around him and Balthazar’s nose caught a very familiar scent. It was Baal, and he was close by. He didn’t know if Alexandra would be with him, but it was the only lead he had to follow. It didn’t take Balthazar long to find him, and much to his relief Alex was unharmed. She was unconscious and tied to a tree, but she appeared otherwise just fine. Balthazar saw no trace of Ashdad and that concerned him greatly. If he was supposed to be finding Alexandra, how was he not here by now? Balthazar certainly could have used his help against Baal.
“I was wondering if you were going to make it,” Baal said standing from the spot beside Alexandra where he had been sitting. He’d never been the type of demon to take orders from someone beneath him, and Aelek wasn’t going to change that. He had no intention whatsoever of giving the girl over to anyone, especially if she was going to lure Balthazar to him as well.
The two demons sized each other up, inching closer and closer together. Balthazar was the first to strike out. Baal anticipated his movement and easily leaned out of range. He turned his body slightly and brought the heel of his foot into Balthazar’s gut. The young demon fell to his knees. Baal was on top of him in an instant, grabbing him in a chokehold. Balthazar slammed his elbow into Baal’s chin and the older demon staggered back.
Balthazar leapt to his feet. Turning on Baal he struck out again but the old demon was once again faster than him. A clawed fist ripped through Balthazar’s abdomen. A fierce growl tore through his chest at the pain, snapping Alex to back consciousness.
“Balthazar,” Alex screamed, her voice cracking as she saw the bloody hole left by Baal’s fist. Balthazar fell to his knees, catching himself with his hands. His eyes snapped up to Alex.
“Good, you’re awake,” Baal said, flexing his hands into fists. “Don’t worry, I’ll leave him alive just long enough to watch as I rip you apart.”
Balthazar watched as the fear washed over Alexandra’s face. The stale stench of it reached his nostrils. He had many reasons to defeat Baal, but the one that seemed to matter most at that moment was Alexandra. He had to save her, no matter what the cost. Even if it meant losing his own life, the only thing he cared about in that second was saving her.
Balthazar’s eyes began to burn. His pulse quickened drastically. He could feel the scratch of his inner beast. It ached to be set free. It taunted Balthazar, whispering for him to free it. His beast could beat Baal. His beast could save her.
Alexandra watched in horror. Her mind raced as she struggled against the rope holding her to the tree. She had to do something. She refused to sit by and watch as Baal killed Balthazar. Taking a heavy breath to calm herself, she reached out for the tingle of Balthazar’s aura. She could feel the rage behind it, the blood thirst, and she knew that was his beast. She had to help him control it. The beast was a dark force that could give his power the raw boost it needed to defeat Baal. Instead of trying to push through that dark force as she had done the last time, she embraced it. She imagined wrapping her arms around it and holding it close to her.
Balthazar growled as he flew towards Baal, his claws extended and ready to tear into flesh. His eyes clouded over to solid red, and he moved with an increased speed brought on by his loss of control. He snarled as his claws dug into the chest of the old demon. His other hand dug into his neck. Baal’s eyes were wide as Balthazar’s beast ripped his head clean off his body. Blood dripped from Balthazar’s claws as his chest heaved with every gasping breath.
His bloodied eyes fell on Alex. Before she could blink he was before her. The feel of his aura grew fiercer as he barred his fangs at Alex, but he hesitated. She could feel the turmoil behind the tingle that touched every inch of skin on her body. He was trying to fight his beast. Trying to fight the urge to tear her to pieces. He had given it control to kill Baal, but now the beast wanted her dead.
“Don’t fight it,” Alex said, in a rush of breath. Somehow she just knew that if he let go, everything would be alright. She knew that he could control it, but he had to let it take over completely to do it. “Let it take over.”
He looked confused for a moment, but then his shoulders relaxed. His eyes closed and his jaw clenched. Alex could feel him allowing his beast to take over the last bit of control he was holding onto. She continued to wrap her aura around his, holding him steady. Finally, Balthazar opened his eyes. The crimson color was
gone and the usual gray blue was left behind. Balthazar reached out for her and sliced through the rope that held her tightly to the tree. He pulled her body into his before he fell to the ground, the gaping hole in his torso bleeding profusely.
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