“Tartarus is about to be breached. They will face the universe’s most feared creatures, who will rampage through Hell, pausing only to slaughter any living creature in their thirst to reach the surface. If they cannot contain them, life for humanity will be over within a matter of weeks.”
Back into the fray I go. Pain, war, heartbreak, but also purpose, friendship, and love. I rub over the bite on my shoulder. There are a million reasons to not go back. But my scattered pieces can only be repaired by the raging war that is Archan Reinheart. My heart beats to his storm. “And if I say no? If I don’t want to go back?”
He blinks and leans back on his hands. “You’ve earned your peace, Natia. You don’t owe any cosmic debt to the world or the people you left behind.” He shifts and moves forward, his eyes allowing me to glimpse the galaxies he commands. “But will your soul ever truly be at rest? Even without your memories, were you at peace, or did something feel missing? Few get this chance, and I won’t offer it again.”
I finger the damp handkerchief. “If I remember rightly, you said you could not bring a human back to life.” In fact, I had begged him to return me before he removed my memories to offer me peace.
“You are correct. But you were never human, you died even less human, and I will not bring you back as a human. No, to fight this war, you will need every advantage I can give you. But there are conditions, consequences of these actions that define the laws of the universe.”
I tilt my head. “What will you bring me back as?”
He grins. “A goddess, of course.”
5
Chapter Five
Archan
The speed of light is the fastest in the universe; but no matter the situation, darkness always gets there first.
Scattered shafts of light play tricks on my eyes as they dance along the darkened club. It didn’t take twenty four hours to find her, it took us six. No leads, no trail, no sightings, then bam, Marsha lights up our locator spell like a beacon. What would a sorceress be doing hiding out in a human club? The answer was obvious; she wasn’t hiding, she was waiting. Somewhere crowded to ensure her safety. Although, if Lawrence got his grubby hands on her, I imagine he wouldn’t give two shits about outing the paranormal world to the humans. I glance at Lucifer, who’s guarding the main exit; he gives me a firm nod and folds his arms.
I survey the dance floor where bodies move in a sensual rhythm to music, red fabric flashes across the dance floor. My breath halts until my eyes hit a brunette with pale skin. I shake my head. At what point will my mind end this torture? Perhaps when I can let her go. My heavy legs climb the steps to the almost empty mezzanine floor with its scattered black leather sofas and low glass tables. I nod to Zac for him to go left, and Jed to go right. I bar the only exit. Let’s see if we can flush the little witch out.
They both fade into the shadows, stalking the floor as they seek their prey. The music changes and a version of “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers floods the room. I blink. This is the song I associate with Natia. It declares both love and heartbreak in the same breath, which is exactly what Natia is.
I close my eyes, the scent of a storm breezing past me, causing me to snap my eyes open and pivot around on my heel. My heart thumps a staccato beat in my chest, making my ribs ache. I swallow and scan the shadows for the impossible. Months have passed, but she’s still a clear entity in my life. The feel of her skin against mine, a bittersweet memory; the song of her voice, a torture on my mind; and her scent, like the most intoxicating fragrance known to man. I keep waiting for the memories to fade or the heartache to ease. It doesn’t. I try to harden my heart back to the cold stone that had settled in my chest before I met her. She took my black and white life and filled it with bursts of color I can’t unsee. She was an unfading flower in a world full of weeds. Her love had brought me to my knees, just as she promised, and now I can’t get back up.
Jed reappears at my side. His nostrils flare as he tilts his head, frowns, and then shakes his head.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Nothing, no sign of her on my side.”
Zac initiates telepathic contact.“I have her directly opposite you, Archan.”
I focus across the open expanse and find green eyes staring back at me from under a tumble of flaming hair. “Don’t move,” I state. She hears me or reads my lips.
A grin splits her face, and she offers me the back of her hand. I teleport, landing directly in front of her. “Archan, I presume?” she says, her southern lilting accent pleasant and seductive. Pity my heart still beats for someone who no longer exists.
I kiss her hand. “Marsha, you are a difficult woman to find.”
She chuckles. “I’m not difficult. You have just been too slow. I have been waiting for you after all.”
“Is that so?”
Her eyelids flutter as Jed and Zac flank me. “I’m aware I am being hunted. Lawrence’s lackeys stalk my every move. Just yesterday, one of them breached my home in Scotland. They are becoming more powerful; I know the difference between being correct and being arrogant. I won’t be used like a puppet as a key to let out the world’s most feared creatures.” She sighs. “I need help. ”
Her gaze scans the room, her lips turning down as she stands. The floor length, black silky dress is out of place amongst the legs and cleavage on show in the club.
“Something isn’t right,” she mutters.
I don’t take my eyes off the sorceress. “We are here to keep you safe,” I state. Her eyes flick to me, then go back to studying the club. A shift in the power of the room alerts me to the unfamiliar presence. They are strong; stronger than Lawrence alone. He probably brought many reinforcements and what I am feeling is their collective power. He could fill the club with his demons and I would still destroy them single handedly.
“Take her to the tower, secure her in the guest suite,” I tell Zac. “Take Lucifer with you. Jed, stay with me. We might be able to end this before it’s begun.”
Marsha’s eyes widen, and she reaches for my arm. “Wait-,” she begins before disappearing with Zac.
