Nocturnal Part 17

When Evil inhabits the ruby's red heart, true love's blood and sacrifice take it apart.

The spell, written beneath the lines, was in her mother's neat hand. Mari glanced up as Darius cursed and ducked away from a demon's slas.h.i.+ng claw. There was no denying that the demon mist was changing-demons were beginning to show their true form.

All three men bled from numerous wounds, yet they fought on without pause. Even so, as they grew weaker, the demons seemed to gain strength. Mari glanced at the geode she still clasped tightly in her hand. The rubies inside glowed and pulsed, beating like a living heart.

"Leland!" Darius shouted as Leland went down beneath a writhing cloud of demons. Part mist, part demon, they covered the young guard in a seething ma.s.s of teeth and claws and black, oily smoke. Leland cried out in pain and frustration. Darius's sword slashed back and forth through the demons, leaving flashes of light, sparking flames, and the stench of sulfur.

Dozens died, but there were more to take their place.

A shouted curse was all the warning given before Matthias disappeared beneath even more of the demons. Darius fought with frantic thrusts and slashes of his crystal blade, but there were too many, and they were too strong.

No matter the sacrifice, Mari knew she was the only one who could make it. Tears streaked her cheeks as Mari held the geode in front of her, grasping it with both hands. She'd read the spell only once, but the words seemed imprinted on her brain. She closed her eyes and chanted, "Heart's desire and heart's blood true, power of crystal for payment due."

She raised the ruby geode high over her head. "This sacrifice I freely give, that these brave men I love will live."

Clasping the geode against her heart, oblivious to the hundreds of demons screaming and shrieking as they suddenly swarmed over and around her, she shouted, "Evil burn and demons die. These ruby crystals cannot lie."

The screeching reached a crescendo. Mari held the geode out and pointed it toward the demons. They ma.s.sed now, as if to attack her. Energy flowed through and over her body and her long hair stood on end as she screamed the final verse. "My heart, my soul, take all of me. Let Evil die. So mote it be."

Everything stopped. The strands of her hair floated slowly to her shoulders. Mari had time to wonder if the spell had failed, if they were all lost. Then the geode exploded. The loud concussion deafened her. Brilliant crimson light flashed, demons shrieked and, as if it happened in slow motion, thousands of red crystal shards spun and twisted and flew through the air, targeting each of the demons.

She heard Darius shout as if from far, far away.

"Mari! No! G.o.ds, no!"

Pain sliced into Mari-unimaginable pain that went straight through her heart. Darkness overwhelmed her. Darkness and a sense of peace, that she had not given her life in vain.

As she fell, she knew the demons were gone.

Chapter 9.

The flash blinded him for a moment. The concussion made his ears ring, but the silence that followed was deafening. Darius raced to Mari as she crumpled slowly to the ground.

"Mari! G.o.ds, Mari. No!" There was blood. So much blood spilling from a wound in her chest, a deep puncture directly over her heart. He grabbed a white silk scarf off a sales rack beside her, wadded it up, and put pressure on the gaping hole, but blood pulsed out around his fingers and pooled on the floor.

Bright red heart's blood. There was nothing he could do for her. No way to save her. Her eyes were closed, her lips already growing pale as her life's blood spilled out of the wound, pumping slower now as she bled out and her heart failed.

Lifting her in his arms, he held Mari against his chest. Willing her to live, silently begging her not to die. Leland dragged himself close, and Matthias stumbled to his feet and joined them.

"What happened? The demons had me down. I was a dead man." Leland rested his hand on Darius's shoulder. "Who is she, Darius? How did she stop them?"

"She is the woman I love. She stopped them with magic. With love." His voice broke. He couldn't imagine losing her. Not when he'd just found her. Tears blinded him and his heart felt as if it were being ripped asunder.

"Darius. Pay heed."

He raised his head. A woman's voice? "Who speaks?"

"Nine h.e.l.ls, man." Matthias gaped at him. "It's your sword."

"Hold me against your true love's heart. Now, quickly, before it is too late."

He moved like a man in a dream, grasped his sword, and pressed the crystal blade against Mari's bloodied chest, over her heart.

A black mist seeped out of the open wound, hissing as it blossomed above her body. Working purely on instinct, Darius twisted the blade through the oily mist and it burst into flame with an eerie shriek and the stink of sulfur. The moment it disappeared, he pressed the s.h.i.+mmering blade against Mari once again, praying to his G.o.ds for all he was worth.

Long moments later, Mari's eyelids fluttered and slowly opened. "Darius?"

"Dear G.o.ds. Thank you." His voice cracked and failed him as he gathered her close, weeping without shame, holding her in his arms as he felt her chilled body slowly grow warm once again.

"What happened?"

Darius couldn't answer her at first. His throat was too tight, his chest burning. Finally he whispered, "You cast a spell. A powerful spell. Whatever it was, it worked."

She licked her lips. Leland grabbed a metal bottle from his pouch and handed it to Darius. He opened the top and tipped it so that Mari could drink. After a few swallows, she struggled to sit up. Darius pulled her into his lap and supported her against his chest.

"Thank you." She reached over her shoulder and touched his cheek, as if to rea.s.sure herself he was still there. He kissed her fingers.

"It was the geode," she said. "I don't know how I missed the information, as much as I've read through that spell book, but the geode was drawing the demons. Empowering them. Giving them corporeal bodies without the need for avatars."

Darius ran his fingers over the healed wound above her left breast. "When the spell exploded the geode, a sliver of crystal must have gone into your heart."

He still couldn't believe she lived.

"Evil hitched a ride on the crystal. She would have lost her soul and become his avatar."

Mari blinked. "Who was that?"

Darius grasped his sword. "I'm not entirely certain. She hasn't properly introduced herself."

The blade pulsed in shades of blue and silver. "I am EarthFire, Darius of Kronus. The spirit within your blade. You have fought well, as have your comrades. I suspect their swords will speak to them soon."

"I did not expect a woman warrior." Darius glanced at Mari, and then at his sword once again. "You honor me, EarthFire."

"I do more than honor you, Darius of Kronus. I give you the gift of love everlasting. A spelled crystal remains buried deep within your true love's heart. A heart she was willing to sacrifice to save you and your comrades. Bravery is honorable, whether human or Lemurian. I have used my power to bond the ruby crystal within the fabric of Mari's soul, where it will give her eternal life-and the chance of love everlasting."

The blade lost its glow. Mari didn't lose hers. She stared at Darius, eyes wide, lips parted. "Does that mean what I think it means?"

Darius rested his forehead on hers. "It does. You and me, together. Always. Are you okay with that?"

Slowly she nodded her head. "I am. More than okay."

Darius and Mari took the mattress. Leland took the couch after a flip of a coin, while Matthias threw his bedroll on the floor. Exhausted from battling demons and blood loss, the two guardsmen were asleep within minutes.

Darius held Mari close against his chest. Occasionally his body trembled when he thought of how close he'd come to losing her today. How much he would have lost.

How much both of them had gained. The battle was far from over. Demonkind appeared to be increasing in strength, but the small army of demon slayers was growing. His sword had gained her sentience today, and they had added a new warrior, a powerful woman warrior able to fight demonkind with magic.

Mari wielded stronger magic than either of them had suspected. She'd called the rain with a simple spell. She'd shattered the geode and turned it against the very demons it empowered. They'd discovered a simple truth: It wasn't just the words in the spell-it was the innate power of the one speaking those words. It was Mari and the magic she'd been born with.

She'd never realized her abilities before tonight. Darius should have known. She'd bewitched him from the very beginning.

She was the key to a future he'd never truly considered. He would gladly bind himself to her for all time. She ruled his heart. Owned his very soul.

"Go to sleep, my love. We'll find answers for all our questions later. Tomorrow will arrive exactly as it should, even if we sleep." Mari planted a kiss on his chin.

With his lips buried against her tousled hair and her slim form tucked close beside him, Darius closed his eyes and did exactly as she said.

SPARK OF TEMPTATION.

By Jess Haines

Chapter 1.

I couldn't stop fidgeting. Mostly I was bored, but I was also a bit nervous about the vampire and mage sitting on the uncomfortable plastic chairs across from me. It was getting hard to stay nonchalant about not staring at them.

Like me, they were in the intensive care waiting area of a hospital in Queens, twiddling their thumbs while the nurses finished unhooking our friend (and my business partner), s.h.i.+arra Waynest, from all the gadgets monitoring her vitals. She was being s.h.i.+fted to a different ward today as her doctor thought she was out of the life-threatening stage and into the world-of-hurt-to-get-over-somewhere-else stage.

s.h.i.+arra's parents, brothers, and boyfriend, Chaz, were all in the room with her. Since Arnold (the aforementioned mage) Royce (the aforementioned vampire), and I weren't family, we were banished to wait outside. The place reeked of astringent and was empty save for the nurse tapping furiously at a keyboard across the room.

"Ms. Halloway," Royce purred, drawing my attention. He'd been so quiet and still, it caught me unawares. I only remembered at the last second not to meet his gaze and open myself up to being bespelled. "I wonder if I might enlist your services."

I was tempted to laugh in his face at the request. He didn't look look dangerous in those Italian loafers and that dreadfully out of place Armani suit, but it was all part of the camouflage he used to hide his true nature. It was partly his fault that s.h.i.+arra was here in intensive care. Instead of insulting the ancient, influential vampire, I cleared my throat and mustered a more cordial refusal. dangerous in those Italian loafers and that dreadfully out of place Armani suit, but it was all part of the camouflage he used to hide his true nature. It was partly his fault that s.h.i.+arra was here in intensive care. Instead of insulting the ancient, influential vampire, I cleared my throat and mustered a more cordial refusal.

"No offense, Mr. Royce, but I don't think s.h.i.+arra would take it too well if I accepted a job working for you."

"None taken. I understand your concern but I can promise that you wouldn't be in any danger."

Arnold glanced at us over the top of a paperback he'd brought with him, s.h.i.+fting a little in his seat. The mage was cute in a geeky, bookish sort of way, but he was also an Other-and therefore dangerous. A magic user like the guy who'd put s.h.i.+arra in the hospital and who'd come very close to sacrificing me to whatever nether creatures he wors.h.i.+pped. Even though I knew Arnold wasn't anything like that monster, being in his proximity made me nervous. Almost more so than the vampire.

Yet, Arnold had been one of the few at s.h.i.+arra's back, helping to save us from the crazy guy out to take control of all the supernatural critters that call New York home. It was hard to stay afraid of him after all that, but the aura of magic that surrounded him never failed to give me the s.h.i.+vers.

"That's a crock of s.h.i.+t. Haven't you caused enough damage? Leave the girls alone."

Royce shot the mage an affronted look, which Arnold ignored by the simple expedient of going back to reading his book. Irritated, the vampire returned his attention to me and paid no mind to Arnold's snort of amus.e.m.e.nt.

"I need someone of your talents to a.s.sist me. A gentleman has been most persistent in his efforts to sneak into employee-only areas and interview the staff at some of my clubs. He flees whenever one of my security team attempts to question him or throw him out, so somehow he knows who they are. I don't want you to address the matter with him directly, just find out who he is and what he's after."

Working around Royce had proven extremely hazardous to s.h.i.+arra's health. Most times I wasn't deterred by danger, but humans rarely came out in one piece when Others were involved.

"No, thank you. There are a couple hundred private investigators in Manhattan alone. I'm sure you can find one who's willing to help you."

"True, but I have no guarantee of their competence or willingness to interact with my staff in a tactful or respectful manner. Make no mistake, your capture only proved your courage. You remained levelheaded and acted appropriately in the heat of a battle that would have sent most of your compatriots fleeing for their lives." One coal-black brow arched sardonically, and I s.h.i.+fted to look away. "You sit here holding conversation with me rather than retreating to s.h.i.+arra's bedside or avoiding me entirely. It only proves that you perfectly suit my needs for this task."

"Oh, please. You can't honestly believe that load of bull," Arnold interjected. "I wouldn't do it, Sara."

Royce determinedly ignored him. "I can provide you with adequate compensation for your services."

"I'm sure," I said, doing my best to keep my expression from betraying that I was with Arnold on this.

Royce frowned, studying me with an intensity that made me thankful he was one of those "good," law-abiding vampires who believed in following the rules. Those rules clearly stated that no vampire or werewolf could touch me without a signed and notarized contract lodged with the courts beforehand-and there was no way I'd ever sign a Notice of Mutual Consent to Human/Other Citizen Relations.h.i.+p and Contractual Binding Agreement Notice of Mutual Consent to Human/Other Citizen Relations.h.i.+p and Contractual Binding Agreement. Not after what I'd been through.

"What can I offer that would interest you?" he asked. Persistent b.a.s.t.a.r.d. "Anything within my means-within reason, of course. Protection for your sister, perhaps?"

"What?" More of a squeak than I intended was startled out of me. How did he know about my sister? "What's Janine got to do with this?"

"She has been garnering some attention from one of my following. I'll ensure she never finds out and that she's left alone in the future if you will work for me."

"You keep your hands off her!"

"It's not me you need worry about. I simply cannot promise that the several hundred vampires who answer to me will all all know to stay away from her. Not without proper incentive. Without your a.s.sistance, what reason do I have to go to the effort of guaranteeing her safety?" know to stay away from her. Not without proper incentive. Without your a.s.sistance, what reason do I have to go to the effort of guaranteeing her safety?"

It was cold but I could see his point. I shot a look at Arnold, hoping he might have something helpful to add. He shook his head, frowning but not saying anything. No a.s.sistance from that end. d.a.m.n it.

I raggedly ran a hand through my hair, keeping my eyes off the leech as much as I could. His hypnotic gaze might tempt me into doing something I'd regret. Not that I wasn't already considering the possibilities.

Was taking the risk of leaving my weak, neurotic sister to fend for herself worth it? She'd be easy prey to a sweet-talking leech. When not on stage, she was reclusive and stayed at home or at the studio rehearsing. However, she also had a tendency to latch onto whomever she befriended, and vampires were nothing if not masters at making you trust them. How else would they get a human to open a vein for them?

No, I was only fooling myself to think, even for a moment, that Janine could handle herself. Not against a determined vampire. Until now, I hadn't understood how s.h.i.+arra had gotten herself tangled up so thoroughly with these creatures. I hadn't thought Royce had anything on me, and yet here he was, neatly manipulating me into doing what he wanted. This job would undoubtedly be dangerous, no matter his a.s.surances-but I couldn't bring myself to risk Janine's life.

"If I agree to work for you, will you make sure Janine is safe-starting now? Tell whoever is sniffing after her to back off? Even if they talk her into a contract, n.o.body will touch her?"

"If you agree and see this job through, I will make sure of it," Royce answered, his frown once again s.h.i.+fting to a sly smile. "My people will protect you-and your sister. I realize that may be of little comfort. Might I offer additional compensation to dispel any hard feelings?"

I reluctantly conceded. Blackmailing b.a.s.t.a.r.d. I'd make him pay through the nose for this. "As long as you keep your people off her back, I'll do it. I know the Moonwalker Tribe is helping pay for s.h.i.+a's medical bills, but will you pay the remainder? In a way she can't trace? If I did it, she'd pick up on it in no time. You owe her anyway."

"Yes, I do. I already planned to a.s.sist Ms. Waynest. Is there anything else you need?"

It would be no small chunk of change for him to pay those medical bills. That he was offering additional exchange for my services was worrisome, but I didn't know what else to ask for. I was by no means dest.i.tute and couldn't imagine what a vampire-even one as well-to-do as Royce-could give me. Aside from ensuring Janine's safety, that is. Maybe having the vampire owe me a favor wasn't such a bad idea.

"I'll have to get back to you on that."