Chapter 6

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Lyric

“I’m sorry, Lyric.”

“It’s fine,” I replied, keeping my eyes straight ahead as I walked up the hill towards my favorite tree. Gregor and my father were already waiting at the crossing.

Mateus put his hand on my forearm and I shrugged it off.

“Yeah, you’re obviously totally fine,” he mumbled sarcastically.

“Look, I’ve got other things on my mind right now. You shot me down last night. I’m a big girl. I’ll get over it.”

Before bed, I’d knocked on his door and suggested we have sex for old time’s sake. It had been one of my more ill-advised ideas. I’d only ever done the deed on the one occasion and it had been lackluster at best. Fortis demons were supposed to be highly sexual. I guessed my human half had broken that part of me.

My only excuse for trying a second round, nearly four years later, was that I needed to feel something other than what I was feeling. That, and possibly enjoying one sexual encounter before I died.

Oh, but I did enjoy a sexual encounter, didn’t I? Too bad it was only in a dream.

I’d never imagined he’d say no. Even worse, I’d ended up touching myself in my sleep—the first time ever. My subconscious must have decided to give me what Mateus wouldn’t.

I’d die if he found out what I ended up doing. His apology was only adding to my embarrassment.

Mateus blew out a breath. “You didn’t want to, not really. I didn’t want to feel like I was taking advantage of you.”

I stopped and turned on him, two-hand pushing at his broad chest. He was built like a brick shithouse and didn’t budge, not even with my heavy rucksack strapped onto his back.

“Are you kidding me? What am I, some helpless hysterical female who doesn’t know her own mind?”

He tapped his nose. “I could scent you, dumbass. Your body wasn’t remotely interested.”

He was right. When I’d knocked, I wasn’t feeling the least bit aroused.

“I wasn’t there for my body. I just … I needed an anchor. You’re all I’ve got, Mateus.”

The corners of his mouth lowered. “Well, shit.”

I smiled sadly. “It’s okay.”

He pulled me into his arms and hugged me hard. “No, it’s not. None of this is okay.”

Mateus ignored the fact I stiffened. Hugging wasn’t something we did. I awkwardly encircled his waist, inhaling his familiar scent, hoping it wasn’t the last time I’d ever have the chance to do it.

Tilting my head back, I looked up at his handsome face. I memorized the shape of it, the squareness of his jaw, the tiny bump on his nose from when I’d broken it years ago, back before I’d learned to pull my punches.

I’d been upset that I’d somehow ruined him, damaging his pretty mug before his healing powers were at full strength. Mateus had laughed and told me he loved having the reminder that a female could put him in his place.

His short dark hair and black eyes looked like every other Fortis demon’s in our clan. He was built like them, too. Wide shoulders, a sturdy frame, and big all over.

I’d wanted his weight atop me, to hold me down before I floated away. I had needed him to smother my panic.

I hadn’t truly been interested in intercourse. I’d wanted some sense of connection and security before I no longer had either.

Turning off my thoughts had proven impossible. The vagueness of the mission, as well as the reasons for sending me through the crossing, prompted my brain to fill in the holes. Since my brain was half-cracked, those holes filled with all sorts of ridiculousness.

“You’re the strongest being I know, Lyric.”

“Says the male with biceps bigger than my head.”

“Strength doesn’t come from the body alone. You get in a pinch, you remember that. Got it?”

I nodded.

“Good.” He gave me one last squeeze and broke away. “I’ll do my best to get on the crossing rotation. I fully intend to come see you.”

“You sure you can make it through?”

Mateus was strong, but he was young. Only a handful of Fortis demons were allowed on that rotation, acting as transport for correspondence and goods.

“I’ve already crossed once.”

“What?! When?” I demanded, punching him in the arm. Didn’t the daft fool know how dangerous that was?

“Calm down,” he gritted, rubbing the place he’d been frogged. “It was weeks ago. I didn’t tell you because Gregor told me not to. It was fine.”

“Oh, of course. It was fine,” I huffed in irritation. “Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because I don’t want you to worry about crossing. Is it working?”

I snorted, shaking my head. “No. But now I’m more focused on kicking your ass, so at least I’m distracted.”

“Awesome,” he grinned.

Mateus checked his watch. “It’s time.”

Grabbing my hand, he led me up the rest of the short climb. Once we crested the top of the hill, I expected him to let go before Gabrian saw us.

He didn’t. I was glad for it, too, when I saw what was just over the ridge.

Standing in a V-formation, narrowing at the entrance to the crossing, were over a hundred Fortis demons. All dressed in matching black combat gear, the same as what Mateus and I were wearing.

To an outsider, it would look like a grand sendoff. I inwardly chuffed. This was no sendoff. It was a blockade, ensuring I didn’t turn around and try to come back through.

At the point of the V, where the demons stood closest, was my uncle. Gregor was facing the portal, watching my father as he emerged, having spent part of the afternoon on the other side.

“It’s okay now, Mateus,” I whispered, squeezing his hand. He squeezed mine in return and let go, dropping a step behind me.

Our strides fell in sync as we strode down the slope. I stopped, some twenty yards from the entrance.

“Did you check her weapons?” Gregor asked Mateus.

“Yes, Sir.”

I rolled my eyes. Like I didn’t know how to do such a thing. It’s not like I was allowed to take much. I’d settled for my necessities. I had my katanas strapped on my back, a blade in each boot, and a variety of stars and daggers on my belt.

Some C4 was in my pack along with a small supply of blasting caps. It was more than I thought Gabrian would allow. I mentally slapped myself for feeling the tiniest bit grateful.

Unfortunately, I had no firearms. While I preferred blades, a gun did come in handy from time to time. But that was here, in Earth Realm. Taking my Glocks into the Otherland was a no-no. Something with the magic of the crossing interfered with such weapons’ firing capabilities and they became unreliable, often backfiring.

Personally, I liked keeping both of my eyeballs as they were—inside my skull and completely functional. Besides, a bullet wouldn’t kill a demon or any other race of Other.

My fingers brushed the cargo pocket on my left thigh. I guessed my father’s gift was a weapon of sorts, as well. I didn’t mention it to Mateus. I had no plans to use it so there was no point in adding to his worry.

Gregor looked at me pointedly. Like a good little girl, I kept my mouth shut. I even managed not to flinch when his eyes drifted down my black pants to the pocket holding my alleged failsafe. Go me.

“It’s time,” Gabrian announced.

Mateus removed the backpack and held it up for me to slide my arms through the straps. He’d helped me finish packing this morning and I had faith I was as well-equipped as I could be under the circumstances.

I took one last look at my friend.

“Remember what I said,” he ordered.

“I will.”

Mateus held my stare for a moment more and then nudged me to face my destination. My feet were suddenly heavy as I stepped closer to the Primus Crossing.

As planned, both Gabrian and Gregor entered before me, one after the other. I counted to three, then forced myself onward. Twelve more steps and I was past the opening.

Huge trees lined the sides, so dense I couldn’t see very far into the surrounding woods. Their trunks curved drastically, creating a canopy and blocking the sunlight.

I was ready for the cold atmosphere, having landed inside this space multiple times. I concentrated on deep breaths, waiting for the atmospheric pressure to slow me down.

It didn’t.

Further in, hazy fog made it difficult to see much, but I could still sense the sunlight at my back. I moved lower into the ravine, where the grass thinned, and the earth cooled. The air was damp, as if water vapors were trapped in the passageway after a summer rain.

Ten more yards and I was almost to the other end. The ground started to slope upwards, heading towards a swirling oval of mist.

Unlike the greyish, stagnant fog, the twirling vapors were bright white and spinning at a dizzying speed. The magics screamed danger!, a spell designed to deter humans and animals from proceeding. I had an impulse to turn around.

My body braced, waiting for something. This was supposed to be difficult. Crossing was physically exhausting and dangerous. Cambions weren’t supposed to simply march through the thing like it was a Sunday stroll.

The only discomfort I felt was the cool air and depleted oxygen levels. Maybe the danger was pushing through the vortex ahead.

A vortex that was now a measly five feet away.

Now four.

Three.

Two.

One.

I paused, studying the psychedelic-looking doorway leading to another world. Once I crossed, that was it. I’d be a permanent resident of the Otherland.

Fuck it. It wasn’t like I could turn back. I lifted a foot and stepped into the unknown.

‡ ‡ ‡

I tasted the pungent ether of the crossing’s exit as it filled my nostrils and seeped into my mouth. I pinched my nose, gagging slightly.

Once the pressure gave way, I sucked in clean oxygen as if it could rinse out the nasty taste in my mouth. When it didn’t, I spit the extra saliva pooling under my tongue onto the ground.

My father’s disapproving sigh broke through my personal bad-smell hell.

I lifted a hand to shield the reddened sun’s rays from my eyes as they adjusted. I knew the coloring of the light source would be slightly different from the Earth’s sun. I hadn’t expected it to be so irritating.

My energies punched, firing through my limbs hard enough to force one step forward.

Whoa there, cowgirl.

I distributed my weight evenly so I wouldn’t fall on my face. First impressions were important, but I needed a sec.

The world being drenched in blurry shades of pink and red was messing with my senses as much as my magic was. My eyes were now watering like crazy, making it hard to look up. It was easier to keep them lowered.

It was like looking through glasses with a rose-colored tint while chopping onions. The grass appeared pinkened, as did the skin on my hands. Pretty much everything minus the fabric of my black clothing.

“You’ll get used to it,” one of the Shadow demons pronounced from just beyond where Father and Gregor were standing. I couldn’t see around the brothers’ broad backs at whomever was there.

My powers instinctively reached out and I felt three souls just beyond the two Fortis demons. One was familiar. It belonged to the being I’d encountered so many times before.

Today, it felt a little different. More inviting? No, that wasn’t the word. Compelling was more suitable a description.

Like birthday-solstice-clockwork, the soul called out and mine tried to charge forward. No touchy-touchy! I reprimanded my reckless spirit.

Trusting I was mostly under control, I released my magics once more. I could feel three different forces doing the same to me. I hadn’t met anyone new in years, so I hoped this magical meet-in-greet was going smoothly. Gods only knew what Others found when they surveyed me in turn.

At the moment, I was having trouble paying attention to anything other than the one I’d already “met.” It was bad form, overlooking the others, but pushing out another wave of magic might not be kosher.

I was about to pull back my powers when my soul jolted like it had just been shocked with a defibrillator. Reigning it in, the zap vanished as quickly as it came and I was left wondering what happened.

To hell with it. I needed a double check. I couldn’t count on my father or his brother to protect me.

From behind my family, I hastily scanned the three souls once more with a more superficial swipe. While I sensed they were on guard, none of them felt threatening. I filed away the stun-gun sensation under Weird Shit Happens in the Otherland and forced my feet to move.

I slowly sidled up to the left of my uncle, purposefully keeping my distance from Gabrian. My eyes were still cast downward, thanks to the brutal ultraviolet rays. It was like there was no atmosphere acting as a buffer, which resulted in my eyes blinking furiously. I was sure it was a cool look and very intimidating.

“Glasses, Alyrica.”

Duh, I thought. Normally I would have said as much to Gregor. His use of my birthname was a warning to behave.

I ignored Gabrian’s exchange of pleasantries with the group and felt around my pockets. I could have sworn they’d been inside my thin jacket.

“Try the ones atop your head,” a feminine voice suggested.

Pursing my lips, my hand lifted to the place the she-demon had suggested. The missing accessory was resting just past my hairline. I pinched the frame of the special pair of shades and lowered them down to rest on the bridge of my nose. The pinkish tint lessened and colors appeared somewhat normal.

I quickly lifted the glasses slightly and did a quick swipe to clear the tears of irritation away. Finally, I was able to get a decent look at the super-helpful stranger who was right in front of me.

She was dressed similarly to me, in all black. Only, she filled out her fitted ensemble much better than I did. I wasn’t into females, but even I could appreciate her generous bust and how her tank top stretched to accommodate what was underneath.

From a foot or so above her perfect tatas, dark grey eyes peered at me with interest. Even with sunglasses on, I had to squint as the sun reflected off a thousand different shades of her silver hair, some so bright they were almost white. It looked like she’d sprouted shiny metal strings from her skull.

I’d never seen a Shadow demon before, though I knew they were easily identified by the color of their hair. I’d always thought they would look like little old men and women. They didn’t. She was the most gorgeous female I’d ever seen.

Never one to back down, I met her gaze with a smirk.

“Thank you ever so much.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied pleasantly.

I’d been expecting snark or some level of hostility after her flippant comment. I received neither. She took me in with some degree of inquisitiveness, offering a friendly grin.

“That’s Talia,” stated the male who’d first spoken when I emerged from the crossing. “I’m Phalen.”

My attention shifted to the voice on the far right when it snagged on the male in the center of the trio. I got soul-zapped a second time. The unexpected jolt faded into the background as I looked up.

And up.

And up.

“Holy shit,” I accidentally said aloud, mouth agape at the Adonis towering over the group.

Gabrian grumbled something and Gregor jabbed me with his elbow. I grunted but didn’t move. I was too busy freaking out because my soul was pushing at me, wanting to jump out of my chest and into the majestic giant just a few yards away.

It was one thing for my soul to spaz out over some unknown entity, but this titan belonged to the soul I’d flipped off 365 days ago. And he was hot. Smokin’ hot. Like my eyeballs were melting out of my skull hot.

He had to be pushing close to seven feet tall. At five-foot-ten, I wasn’t tiny, and he was a good foot taller than me. Most males were lanky at that height. Not this one.

He was lean, yet wiry. With his arms crossed, I could easily see the definition in his biceps and shoulders. Corded muscles and tendons wrapped around his forearms. A white t-shirt hugged his upper body tight enough I could see the outline of his sizable pecs.

I decided I very badly wanted to be a white t-shirt.

I glanced at the other male. He, too, was sporting some muscle man cleavage. Maybe all Shadows had big boobies, no matter the gender. Lucky bastards.

Focusing once more on the mountain in the middle, I noticed a dark tattoo emerging from under the neck of his tee. It snaked up and around one side of his throat. The stubble on his jawline made him look even more fearsome.

When I finally met his eyes, the pale silver irises were burning a hole straight through my very being. Instant lust slammed into me so hard my abs flexed and my knees went weak. My breath caught and I swore the corner of his mouth moved.

My father cleared his throat, ruining the moment. Or maybe saving my ass from doing something I really shouldn’t, like climbing the seductive Shadow tree and swinging from his neck, maybe wrapping my thighs around his hips, playing with his—

“Draven, this is my daughter, Alyrica.”

That damned ball of air was still stuck in my esophagus. I was having a total deer in the headlights moment. This stunner was the Shadow Lord? Not good. Not good at all.

I should have probably acted meek or at least somewhat cordial. Or was it supposed to be compliance for which I strove?

Be who you are, Lyric. He’ll respect you more if you don’t roll over.

Gregor’s earlier advice banged around in my head, demanding attention. My gut told me not to show fear, so I held Draven’s gaze, silently praying he wouldn’t detach my head from my neck.

Our stare off continued, cooling my lust a few degrees. I couldn’t read his expression and I didn’t care for it. I may have wanted to go for a ride on the Drave-y train, but it didn’t mean I’d allow him to think I was an easy target.

If he was waiting for me to curtsy or some shit, he was gonna be waiting forever. My left eyebrow lifted and this time the corner of that kissable mouth did a full-on twitch.

“Welcome home, Angel.”