The greater Daemon gestured to Titus, who was trying to settle his weight on his palms. “I wonder what will happen if he ascends?”
Axel snarled, the cracks on the floor brightening until red light poured out. Titus had been placed in the centre of two concentric circles, runes Axel recognised appearing in the gap in between. He had been shoved into a summoning circle, one used for calling, and trapping Daemons.
“This wasn’t the fucking deal, Bishop! My soul! You’re supposed to use my soul!”
Bishop pulled his auburn hair up into a ponytail, a small smile curving his lips. “Don’t worry, we have your soul too.” He disappeared in a puff of smoke, only to reappear a moment later holding a young woman, her body shaking as she silently cried. She held a book to her chest, lips trembling as she spoke quietly beneath her breath.
“Your fellow Guardian has already passed several tests, so we’re going to skip a few steps for his ascension,” the greater Daemon said, holding his hand out to the woman. “I’m sure he’ll be able to take it, he’s taken everything else I’ve given.”
The woman took a step forward, unable to release the book as the Daemon yanked her closer. With a long fingernail he stroked down her cheek, catching the tears that flowed freely.
“This is for our freedom?” she said, voice a quiver that barely carried. “For the greater good?”
Bishop smiled, stepping closer to touch her shoulder. He looked almost human, the sharpness to his features softening and his body covered in a band t-shirt and jeans rather than armour. His horns were hidden, as were his wings, and his eyes had transformed into a warm brown. “Let the light guide you.”
Her face glowed, effervescence radiating from her smile before the greater Daemon reached over and slit her throat. There was no change in her expression, her blood a violent stain that soaked the front of her white dress. It wasn’t a simple trickle, the spray wide as it landed on the circle, only to sizzle and hiss at the contact.
She fell just as another wave scored through Axel’s body, forcing him to his knees as he groaned through the shock. Titus had finally settled himself on all fours, head hung low between his arms as his shoulders trembled to hold his weight.
The blood soaked into the runes, brightening the already vivid light that emitted from the cracks.
The greater Daemon turned his head, meeting Axel’s eyes for the briefest second before his lips moved, and Titus screamed.
“Ti!” Axel tried to reach forward, but nothing could stop as Titus twisted into a painful angle, back bowing until he made a perfect arch. Every glyph along his body glowed, seeming to pulsate along with his cries. “No!”
Rage burned like fire in the pit of Axel’s stomach, growing as he thrashed against his chain. His beast roared, and Axel vibrated with energy as he turned to his ankle, the skin slick with blood. With all his strength he hit down, his bone groaning, but didn’t break.
Wings in his vision. “What the fuck do you –”
On his second hit his ankle shattered, his foot twisting enough along with the blood lubrication to slip out of the cuff seconds before it began its next wave. He immediately changed into his beast, allowing the magic to course through his veins as he turned to Baldy, his large jaws snapping straight around the Daemon’s throat.
Chapter34
Sam
Fuck, he ached, the dull pain something he tried not to focus on. So instead Sam concentrated on the silence, anxiety a pressure at the back of his mind as he walked behind Riley and Alice, with Lucy by his side. Lucy wasn’t one to remain quiet for so long, making Sam’s nerves one hundred times worse. It was uncharacteristic, especially considering Lucifer didn’t even growl at the man who had rudely thrust a leaflet into his face. Sam expected a burst of violence, not a sharp glare and slight grumble.
Fuck. Calm down,he thought, absently brushing his fingers over the cool metal of the gun strapped to his chest like some cop wannabe.
“Are we any closer?” he finally asked, unable to bear the silence between them any longer. He was going to burst, the tension so tight he was surprised he hadn’t already. He was in sensory overload, the train station a chaos to his nose and ears as they walked through the crowd, trying not to draw attention. Well, as much as a group of people dressed in black and covered in weapons could be discreet. Sam was surprised no one had called the transport police already.
Riley had tracked Axel and Titus down in the underground, the signal tentative as they took the stairs down to the platform, a train just leaving as it whipped up a gust of air.
Alice looked over at Riley, who cocked his head as if listening to something Sam couldn’t hear.
“Do you know,” Sam continued as if he had verbal diarrhoea, which was entirely possible. “I think it’s super creepy that the Guardians can communicate in their minds like some dysfunctional superpower.”
Riley turned to look over his shoulder, blue eyes piercing. “Xee said their signal is failing, so they’re circling back towards us.”
“I didn’t say it wasn’t helpful.” Sam bit his lip, flicking his eyes over the commuters who quickly looked away, quickening their pace. “Costume party.”
Lucy snorted, the first reaction since they had entered the station. “We’re going as sexy assassins.”
Riley held up his arm, indicating for them to stop. They had come to the end of the platform, the track empty as he peered into the darkened tunnel to the right. Glancing up at the time board he jumped down, turning to pick Alice up around the waist.
“I could have done that myself, you know,” she muttered, shaking his hands off.
His smile was private, and after a second she responded.
