My mind traveled back to the night Alex was kidnapped and taken to Hell, before the eve of the Spy Games’ third trial. After we’d emerged from Hell, the Hellgate had broken open, spilling hundreds, if not thousands, of demons into the modern world.
It was the only night I’d seen Lucifer, king of the demons. Even in the dark of night, his burning red skin had contrasted starkly with Ishtar’s blue coloring. He’d had horns, wings that spanned at least ten feet, and a tail that flicked with pride.
Ishtar was much easier for me to envision. I’d seen her up close and personal, and she sometimes haunted my dreams. In my mind, I placed them side-by-side and shuddered. Even in my vision their eyes glowed with hate and malice.
I nodded. “I see them both.”
“Now, focus on Eva’s scar while you think of them.”
I did as Morgan instructed, concentrating harder than ever. When my heart began to thunder, and my mind wanted to stray away from the devils, I pulled it back. Though it broke my heart to do so, I even ignored the trembling of my best friend beneath my fingertips.
If I could access this power, it might change everything. And if a little discomfort on both our parts was necessary, then so be it.
After what could’ve been hours, but was probably no longer than five minutes, a spark ignited at the end of my middle finger.
I gasped and nearly pulled my finger away.
“Hone in on that,” Morgan directed, her tone low.
I did and clenched my eyes shut. The spark grew and seeped into my fingers. A sensation that I could only describe as thick, artery-clogging, and corrosive ran through my bloodstream. It brought with it a darkness, something that made my body vibrate, and my jaw tighten. The foul sensation continued to trickle through me and the urge to retract my hand grew with it.
“Keep it there,” Morgan instructed.
I complied, the sensation growing more intolerable by the second, until finally, it bloomed into something terrible and unstoppable, as if a freight train were tunneling through me. Like an alarm, my scar burned like I’d pressed an iron to it.
I wrenched my hand away with a yelp.
Eva’s eyes were already open, full of terror and watching me. “What was it? What’s inside me?”
“The same thing that’s inside Odette,” Morgan replied. “Yours is simply a little stronger, easier to find.”
“Why?” my best friend asked, her chin trembling. “Why would my demon-touched mark be stronger? It’s not like Lucifer is more powerful than Ishtar, or vice versa. They’re equals, both terrible.”
I understood why she said that. And yet, the idea that she wanted my dark power to be as strong as hers stung a little.
“Yes, they are equals.” Morgan spoke more softly in response to Eva’s fear. “Yours is only stronger because you actually took in part of Lucifer’s blood. When that succubus attacked you, and her acidic magic entered your bloodstream, you imbibed theactualblood of Lucifer.” Morgan’s eyes turned to me. “I don’t think you carry Ishtar’s blood. Only her intent to bend you to her will, and the magic that seeped into your skin when she tried to make that a reality.”
Morgan released a sigh. “Both are horrible, but they’re what you will need to rid your world of the demons, and free yourselves from Lucifer and Ishtar.” Her expression hardened. “That is . . . if you’re willing to unleash the darkness within you.”
CHAPTERTHREE
Eva and I agreed to try to access our black magic. And we did, a dozen times. But by the time we left the godswood, we were no closer to uncovering our demon magic than before.
Eva seemed confused by our lack of success, which made sense if she really had uncovered her dark power before.
Personally, I was both relieved and disappointed. The sooner I could figure this out and learn how to timewalk by myself, the sooner we could get back to our time.
Then again, knowing I had demon magicterrifiedme.
Was I ready for such power? Did I want it? If I let it loose, would it change me?
I was still ruminating hours later, as my crew walked the narrow village lane to the tavern. M&M allowed Alex only a single stint of exercise daily, and he usually used it to get as far away from our little shack as possible.
Whatever he wanted, the rest of us indulged. No one wanted a grumpy Alex on their hands.
Plus, the tavern was fun, and one of the few places Morgan and Merlin would let us go unaccompanied. This was largely because they owned it, and as their guests, we were protected. Especially after they made it clear that anyone who bugged us at the tavern would risk dire repercussions. So far, no one had stepped a toe out of line.
In the time it took us to arrive at the tavern, Diana, Hunter, and Alex had noticed that Eva and I were strangely quiet. And they’d started to ask questions.
