But maybe he won’t. Maybe he’ll be so hurt by our betrayal he’ll leave and never return. Maybe he’ll hate us. My brain is a whirlwind of clutter as I stare out to the water.
Suddenly a movement catches my eye as two figures make their way down the shore towards the house. Two men from the looks of it—tall, one with dark hair, one with light. They don’t appear to be casual beach strollers. They are walking with purpose and intent. I glance over to where Corrine is sitting enjoying the sun, unaware, as the two men draw nearer.
“What? No!” I gasp.
I jump to my feet ready to scream a warning, when I hear Kieron’s voice right behind me. “It’s okay. It’s just Vincent and Demetri.”
Startled, I spin around. How long has he been standing there? I turn back and see the two men now talking to Corrine. She’s smiling, but from her body language she seems flustered. She turns and points at us, and then the three of them begin heading up the side of the cliffs.
Kieron rests his hand on my shoulder.
“Looks like we have company.”
********
The first thing I notice about the darker one is the intense, thoughtful look in his eyes. The second thing I notice are his lips… and how deliciously kissable they are.
“Liora, this is Demetri,” Kieron says pointing to the light-haired man. “And this is Vincent.” He nods to the one on his right.
“Nice to meet you both,” I say, my gaze firmly locked on Kieron’s eyes.
Kieron gives a small grin. “Liora isn’t very comfortable around demon types she doesn’t know,” he says, trying to explain my odd demeanor.
A warm hand on my back gives me a jolt that nearly causes me to jump out of my skin. “It’s okay. You don’t need to be afraid of us,” a quiet voice says. “We’re only here to help you. To protect you. You are a part of us, and I for one will personally lay down my life before letting any harm come to you.”
Oh. My. God.
Slowly I turn to meet the gaze of the man whose touch sent rockets of fire up and down my limbs. I nod. “Th-thank you,” I gulp.
Vincent’s expression doesn’t change, but I see the smile in his deep brown eyes.
“Let’s go inside where we can talk,” Kieron says. “Not sure how much longer I have till I need to nod off. Hopefully this one will be a quickie since I slept a bit last week in the Hlbafa dungeons. Not the greatest rest, though. And needless to say we’ve been through a lot lately.” He glances at me with a nervous laugh.
“Don’t worry, comrade. We’ll stay with her as long as necessary. No harm will come to her or Lucky while you slumber. That I can assure you,” Demetri says.
Kieron glances at Demetri, then Vincent, then back at me again. I can’t read the expression in his eyes. I don’t know if he’s pleased or displeased.
“Come on, follow me,” I say, leading the three men back towards the house. Corrine has already gone inside, and as we walk through the sliding patio door she’s standing in the family room wearing a clean blue sundress and holding a plate of crackers and cheese.
“Welcome. Please make yourselves at home.” She swishes her hand toward the couches and sets the appetizer tray down on the glass coffee table like the perfect mistress of the house. “May I get you anything to drink?”
She’s probably asking all of us, but her gaze is locked solely on Demetri. He favors her with a polite smile. “I’d love a soda if you have one.”
“Coming right up!”
Forgetting about the rest of us, she spins and hurries to the kitchen. I chuckle softly under my breath.
“Gentlemen.” Kieron motions toward the sofa and chairs. Vincent and Demetri each take a seat on the long couch, and Kieron in the loveseat. But instead of sitting beside him, I curl up on the oversized chair across from Demetri and Vincent.
Kieron glances at me but doesn’t say anything, and subtly repositions himself in the center of the sofa, his legs crossed. Demetri reaches over and grabs a few crackers, while Vincent glances absently around the room. I stare at a vase of yellow flowers on the coffee table and try to figure out how I can avoid staring at Vincent without being obvious. But if Vincent happens to be the one talking, it would in fact be really rude not to look at him, wouldn’t it—?
“Here you go.” Corrine sets a tall glass filled with ice and soda in front of Demetri and gives him shaky smile. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
He looks up at her, his blue eyes soft. “Thank you, Miss. That’s very hospitable of you.”
“Corrine. My name is Corrine Wilson.” Suddenly she seems to realize there are more of us in the room other than Demetri. She covers an embarrassed giggle with her hand. “Uh, did anyone else want anything?”
“No thanks.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m good for now.”
We all shake our heads and politely decline. She glances at me, and I can see her cheeks are flushing rosy pink. “Okay, well, I can see that you have a lot to talk about, so I’ll just make myself scarce.” She hesitates a moment as if unsure, and I give her a small nod.
“Thanks. We probably won’t be that long.”
“I’ll just go watch a movie in my room or something.” She waves at us and heads down the hall.
We sit silently for a moment, and I reach over and grab a few crackers—only to have something to do to distract my brain from Vincent’s presence. I don’t know why I’m so hyper-aware of him. I don’t even know the guy. But there’s just something about him that I find extremely appealing. Maybe it’s how he moves, or his voice, or his confident posture, or the way he said he’d lay down his life in order to protect me…
“So, Liora’s the one who had the most interaction with the Light-angels,” Kieron begins. “I’ve already told you all about Lucky’s and my confrontation with them.”
Demetri nods. “Yes. That information is extremely helpful, the way you managed to actually kill them. Their strengths and weaknesses are such a mystery, those details are crucial.”
Kieron nods. Then he slowly rises to his feet and comes over to me. “I leave you in good hands, my love.” He leans over to give me a soft kiss and gently squeezes my arm. “I’ll wake as soon as I can.”
“Take all the time you need,” I say without thinking. His brow twitches, and I quickly add, “I need you at full strength. I want you feeling your best.”
He nods and gives me another quick peck on the cheek.
“You know I’ll probably be out a minimum of twenty-four hours, but it shouldn’t be longer than seventy-two.”
“Sleep well,” I say, as he heads down the hall.
After Kieron leaves, I return my attention to the two men on the couch across from me. Suddenly, I feel like a teenager whose parents have left her alone and unsupervised for the weekend. Who knows what sort of trouble I could get myself into?
And as I lock eyes with Vincent, I realize I can’t wait to find out.
Chapter 16. Liora
Vincent leans back into the couch and brushes the hair from his eyes. “Are you comfortable talking to us without your boyfriend here?”
“Yes… yes, I’m fine.” I shift my gaze to Demetri who is sipping on his soda, then back to Vincent. “You guys seem cool. Not like regular demons. The ones I hate.”
“And why is that, love?” Demetri asks as he sets down his drink.
“Why is what?”
He smirks. “Why do you hate demons when you are one? Sort of self-defeatist, don’t you think? Not a very positive self-esteeming way to go through life.”
I sigh and roll my eyes. I really don’t feel like getting into my issues with this guy, and I certainly don’t need some random demion judging me. But for some reason I don’t want Vincent to think that I’m a bigger nut job than he probably already does.
“Demons murdered my best friends about five years ago. Slaughtered them. Then they cast the curse that made me this way—human by day, demon by night. My whole world was shattered insta
ntly, so I guess you could say I have my reasons.”
“But you only feel this way when you are a human, right?” He glances at Vincent. “I mean, your demon counterpart, Lucky, she seems quite normal.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Normal?”
“And your boyfriend, Kieron… Isn’t he a demion as well?”
“Well, yes. But he’s different. Look,” I scowl and cross my legs, suddenly defensive. “I’m not in the mood to have to explain my likes and preferences to you or anyone else. You have some questions about the Light-angels, ask away. Otherwise, I’ll thank you to stay out of my personal business.”
Vincent’s mouth twitches in an almost-smile, but his eyes remain serious. “Unfortunately, we think your feelings toward demons is what made you a target for the Light-angels in the first place,” he says.
“Meaning?”
“Meaning there are those who would wish to acquire your ‘services’ to attack demons, and that puts you, and Lucky, in danger.”
“Yeah, I know.” I shift uncomfortably in my seat. When did it get so hot? “That’s why we’re here. Hopefully the Light–angels won’t find me under Anastasia’s protective spell, but even if they do, they’re powerless to do anything. And as for Lucky…” I glance at both of them, but my eyes linger on Vincent. “She’s on her own, but I think… hope she can take care of herself. And now she has you guys to help her too.”
“Tell me what happened with the Light-angels before you came out here. Tell me as much detail as possible,” Vincent urges.
I let out a long sigh. I know it’s important, but I’m so sick of even thinking about how I was just being manipulated. It really pisses me off. I stand up and head toward the kitchen to get some water.
“Well, basically this guy and girl showed up at my school one day, and I started talking to the guy, Tristan. He and his sister were covered with these wicked scars that I thought everyone could see, and I only found out later that wasn’t the case.” I fill up my glass and walk back into the family room.
Vincent nods. “Go on…”
I take a few sips to buy some time. “Well, for a while I became pretty close with Tristan. Which I only realized in retrospect was really weird, because at first I hated him and I was in love with Kieron—”
“But Kieron was away, right? Imprisoned by the Hlbafa?” Demetri asks, with a hint of a smirk.
I give him a look. “Yes, Kieron was away, but I didn’t know where he was or what was happening to him. And I still loved him! But somehow Tristan just made me feel like being with him was normal… like it was exactly what I wanted. I felt powerless around him, but I only realized how powerless I really was after the spell was broken.”
“And what did they want from you exactly?”
I shrug. “I guess they wanted this.” I pull out the Boumeaux necklace from beneath my shirt. After everything that had happened, I’d vowed never to take it off again. The next time Light-angels get too close, I want to know. “And I guess they need me to open the portal for them.”
“Because you, even as a so-called human, can handle the stones needed to unlock the gates of Thiberoux,” Demetri murmurs. “Normally humans who touch them would disintegrate into dust—as would Light-angels.”
I nod. “I guess that’s how they see it. But why can’t they just get some other demon to do their dirty work? Why me?”
Vincent shakes his head. “We explained this to Lucky as well… It is impossible for a Dark-angel to turn against their own Source of Power in any way. It’s coded into their very existence. That leaves you.”
“Well, if you ask me their plan really sucks, because I’m not really sure where the portals are. And aren’t there some magic words I need to chant? I don’t remember them—”
Demetri shakes his head. “No doubt they have someone who could jog your memory.”
I take a deep breath. “So now what?”
“Right now we need to make sure that you remain safely hidden until the threat has passed,” Vincent says.
“And you think the threat will actually ‘pass’?”
They look at one another, silent.
I clear my throat and set down my cup. “Look, no offense or anything, but how can you guys actually protect me from anything? According to Kieron you don’t even have demonic powers… only passive ones, whatever that means. If Light-angels or even some demons come after me, how could you help me?”
The two exchange another glance. Demetri shrugs. Vincent gets up and comes over to stand next to me.
“May I show you?” he asks.
I nod. I feel his warm hand touching my shoulder, followed by a quick blast of dark coolness. I gulp, but before I have a chance to process anything, I realize we are back outside standing on the cliffs overlooking the ocean.
“Wha—How— What just happened?” I look around, completely flustered.
Vincent gives a small smile. “I can teleport myself and whomever else I’m touching, as long as they allow it. It’s considered a passive power because I can never use it on another against their will, and it is intended to be used for self-protection. Although I will say that it comes in handy at other times as well.”
I scrunch my eyebrows. “That certainly is a power. Wonder why Kieron said you didn’t have any?”
“He’s right that I don’t have demonic powers. It’s a little complicated. Short version is, many centuries ago prior to the creation of a full time human-demon ambassadorial unit, Guardians from Thiberoux, like myself, were tasked with the additional duty of communicating with our counterparts in Mortal World. We needed to be able to do so under complete anonymity— and completely off the radar. The powers of Angelus, Dark and Light, leave a very specific trace for anyone who is looking. So we were each granted a single defensive magical power by a mighty demon witch. Mine is that I can teleport.”
“Best way to win a fight is to not be there in the first place,” I mumble, and he chuckles.
“Yes, that’s exactly right.” Then he cocks an eyebrow. “Mind you, that’s only here in Mortal World. Back in Thiberoux I can guarantee I never run and hide. Demons flee me.”
We share a smile, and I suddenly realize that we’re all alone out here, and still standing unnaturally close. I take an awkward half-step away.
“What can Demetri do?” I ask.
Vincent clears his throat. “Best I let him show you.” He reaches out to me again, and a second later we’re back in the house.
“Enjoy your field trip?” Demetri asks.
Vincent takes his seat again on the couch. “Your turn, dude.”
Demetri smirks and puts his hand on Vincent’s shoulder. The next second they are gone.
I glance around the empty room. “Okay… I get it… he teleports too. Okay, you can come back now!” I shout.
A low chuckle comes from the direction of the couch.
“Vincent?”
“Right here, darlin’,” his disembodied voice drawls, and a second later they both reappear exactly as they were.
“You can turn invisible,” I say in awe.
Demetri nods, and Vincent gives me a reassuring smile. “So you see, we’re not completely useless around here. Although you need to stay close by us, for obvious reasons.”
Okay, twist my arm.
But my mood quickly sours as his words sink in. What this all means. The abhorrent reality that we all face.
“This… everything…it’s all my fault, isn’t it,” I whisper. Unexpected tears spring to my eyes, and I quickly look away. “This is all because I’m weak and vulnerable and helpless. Because I’m human.”
“You’re not helpless, and you’re not weak,” Vincent says quietly. “But you are more vulnerable.”
“And the only way that’ll ever change is if I’m not a human anymore,” I mutter.
“But that’s not a possibility right now is it?” Vincent asks.
I let out a deep breath and stare at my hands in my lap. “Maybe it is.”
&
nbsp; He frowns and leans toward me. “What are you saying?”
I shake my head, unable to continue. True, I’d already planned on staying here at least until I give birth, but the thought of being a virtual prisoner indefinitely, even in a place as lovely as this, turns my stomach to knots. And what if the Light-angels somehow got through Anastasia’s spell and got to me, and Vincent and Demetri were out of reach? I have no way of fighting back. The scariest thing about Tristan—other than his crazy scars— was how he appeared so normal. He made me feel so good, I didn’t even realize I was under his control. Everything felt natural. Like I was the one making decisions.
It’s frightening to think I wasn’t.
Demetri taps his fingers nervously on the coffee table beside him. “Liora, darling, I don’t want to scare you, but I also don’t want to understate the importance of what is at stake. The barriers between Light and Dark have existed for many millennia. They need to remain that way for Order to reign. Yes, we are natural enemies with the Light-angels, but we need each other to keep the balance. Our worlds are kept separate for a very good reason. You are a loophole that was never supposed to happen. Now that they know about you, there are some rogues that will stop at nothing to get in to Thiberoux and seize power. And even though it’s just a few, it’s like a dam cracking. Once that crack is made, the walls between worlds will come tumbling down. Dimensions will overlap. Humans will be caught in the crossfire, and either perish or go mad. Demons and Angels will fight to the death, each side pulling in more and more of their kind to join them. It will not end until one side is completely destroyed, and believe me when I say there will be no winners… only losers. Every living thing on this planet will suffer the consequences. It will be the end of ages.”
Tears come to my eyes again. “Oh, is that all? And here I thought I’d be the cause of something bad.”
Vincent lets out a deep sigh. “Liora…”
“What am I supposed to do?” I whisper. “If that happens, it will be my fault.”
“No!” Vincent shoots Demetri a harsh look and comes over to kneel beside me. “No, not your fault at all. You’re just being used as a pawn in a very old and very treacherous game.”