Dark Demon (Demon Assassin Series Book 2)
your possession?”Nodding, he pats the satchel at his side. “The power this thing emits is making my toes curl. It tastes like pennies.”
“The satchel protects most of the power leaking out. What you’re feeling is residual raw magic.” I hold out my hand for the sack, and he passes it to me over the table.
“Where did Anima go?” I ask. She needs to have possession of the orb before a demon gets their hands on it.
“Training with Nox in the back. He says her power is bursting. I underestimated the witch. Her magic is almost as wide as the orb. Raw magic like that is dangerous,” Mammon murmurs.
“With a bit of practice, she’ll be able to change worlds. It scares and excites me at the same time.” My confession holds weight as I walk out the back of the house.
Once I place my bare feet on the earth, a sigh of relief comes over me. The Realm is answering my call. I would be stronger in the Bloodlands, but this will have to do. I’m not ready to face my brother.
Welcome back, my king.
My face turns to the sky as I see Ari swoop down. She joins me on the grass. Her beak nips at my outstretched hand. I’ve missed her all these years.
Anything to report?
I can see nothing from here. There is a ward placed on the property, but it won’t hold him off for long. She is leaking too much power to stay hidden.
She’s powerful.
I can’t help but smile at the thought of my mate. Not only is she beautiful and fierce, but she’s also one of the most powerful beings I’ve ever met.
Yes, and with the tyger, she will be unstoppable. We’ve gotten to know each other. Their bond is solid, and she will make a suitable match.
I scoff as I continue to the back of the property. Ari takes flight, causing a breeze to ruffle my hair. I can hear the clanging of swords and grunts. Uriel is sitting on the fence, watching Nox and Anima duel.
Their fighting is beautiful. A dance befitting a king and his princess. With each movement, she counters his bow, floating away as if she’s defying gravity.
“Use your power,” Uriel laughs from the sidelines. He’s enjoying watching Nox get his ass handed to him.
Anima sends out a blast, and she spins out of the way. Nox lands on his ass and groans.
Bringing her arms to the sky, she shouts a battle cry. Her sword shines in the sunlight, and I can’t help to fall for her a little more.
“You’ve bested me once. That does not make you a master. Let’s go again.” Nox says, brushing dirt off his pants.
I come upon Uriel and lean over the post, ready to watch her take him down again.
“You sure about that, old man? When was the last time you battled with a worthy opponent? You forget I’ve been fighting my entire life. There was no reprieve for me back home,” she taunts.
Pride beams out of her. Her life has been hard, but there is nothing she can’t overcome.
“She’s wonderful. If you fuck this up, I will blast you so my holy magic until your body disintegrates to sand. There will be no trace of you left,” Uriel whispers so only I can hear.
Normally, a threat like that would raise my hackles, but I would agree to anything for Anima.
“You have my word I will treat her with the respect she’s owed. I will live and breathe for her. She is my world now, and nothing can stop me from protecting her. I’m a sunken ship, Uriel, and she is my life raft.”
A choking sound comes from the ring as Anima stubbles and barely misses a blow from Nox. She darts away, glaring at me. I may have spoken loud enough to let her hear me.
“I will remind you every chance I get to honor your words. She is part of my soul, and now that she is here with Nox and me, there is nothing I wouldn’t do for her.”
He pushes off the fence and jumps to the ground, walking over to the two warriors. His sword appears at his side, and a whooshing sound calls out a battle cry.
“Let’s see how rusty you are, Nox. Anima, ready to take on the king of the Dark?” Uriel asks, stepping up to her side.
She watches with apprehension, not sure what to make of him.
“I think Nox is the one who needs help. Allow me to take on both of my soul-merge. I think you will regret it.”
An evil smile crosses over her as her smoke leaks down her arm and merges with her sword. Uriel and Nox turn to each other, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen two beings look this happy.
“Prepare yourself, tri-bred. This will hurt,” Nox says before charging her.
Uriel’s wings burst out, and his sword catches flame as he rises to the sky. Reading his charge, he rushes to the ground, but Anima expects his blow and disappears before he can touch down.
She lands a kick to Nox’s back, making the two collide. Bouncing back on her feet, she holds the position.
“You are rusty. Have you forgotten how to fight a witch?” she taunts. Spells cast on her lips as she moves, circling them.
A ring of fire engulfs them, and she readies her next attack. What she doesn’t see is Nox inhaling the energy. The king of the Dark’s powers are very particular. He can absorb energy in any form, just as I’m able to control the blood of others.
He blasts her with the consumed energy, and she goes flying back into the tree line. Uriel is there in a moment, bringing his sword down on her. As he’s about to make contact, she rolls away from him.
Nox’s shadow snakes out to grab hold of her, but she bounces off the ground and disappears again. I must ask her how to do that. It’s something that could come in handy.
His smoke