Part 18 (1/2)
One of the men comes to stand beside me. ”Liora, this is Khalil. He'll be taking you back to Dryndara and then back home.”
”What about you?” I ask, losing myself again in his warm honey gaze.
”I have to stay here for a while...take care of some things. Don't worry. You'll see me again.” His smile is sincere...soft, and sad.
I reach over and give him a hug, savoring his sweet scent once more. ”Okay. Bye. I'll miss you.”
His deep eyes search mine. ”You too, love. More than you know.”
A sudden boom literally shakes the air, and the ground trembles beneath our feet. A high pitched wail, louder than anything I've ever heard before, pierces the atmosphere. I cover my ears against the sonic screech and stagger to the ground in pain. My head feels ready to explode from some unseen pressure, squeezing it tight.
”What's happening?” I gasp at Bones, who is on his knees beside me. There is unmistakable pain in his eyes, and he doesn't answer. Again the sound pierces the air, and again the ground shakes...this time so violently I'm sure it's going to crack open and swallow us whole.
”Bones!”
But my cries are drowned out by the panicked shouts of terrified Hlbafas as they moan and writhe in agony. The ground continues to quake and tremble with increasing ferocity. Thick black clouds darken the sky, and the G.o.ddess moon changes from bright-white to blood-red. The air becomes hotter and hotter, until I can barely breathe. Sweat beads on my forehead and stings my eyes. The ground shakes so hard it bounces me into the air. I slam back down on the hard soil, knocking the air from my lungs like a painful punch.
”Bones...help me!” I cry out, reaching for him. He s.h.i.+fts into a h.e.l.lhound and places his body over mine, wedging us between a rock and the wall of a small building. The hot fur is suffocating, but soft, and keeps me safely on the ground.
The siren wails again, and the pressure on my head becomes unbearable. My ears feel like they're bleeding, and I'm sure my brains are being liquefied. The only thing I can do is to squeeze my hands over my temples to try to relieve some of the pain. It doesn't work.
”Bones! What is it? What's happening?!” I cry out again. Whatever it is, it's huge, and it's killing all of us.
From the panicked ma.s.ses a voice rings out.
”It's the Legionare! Run for your lives!”
Chapter 19. Liora.
The ground trembles even more. I peek out and see demons trying to flee, but falling clumsily onto the rocking ground. Then I watch, horrified, as they disappear one by one into thin air, as if being zapped with a magic wand. The terrifying noise gets louder and louder. I squeeze my eyes and cover my head with my hands.
And then...it's gone.
For a brief moment there is absolute stillness.
Then, screaming...louder...and louder. Bones' ma.s.sive body presses down on me, and I know this is it. We're all going to die.
From beneath his giant legs I see a row of what looks like soldiers riding in on red horses. But these are no ordinary horses. They're much bigger than Diablo and have wings and horns. I can only a.s.sume their riders are demons, but their faces are hidden beneath dark cloaks. Many carry long swords that glow an eerie green. The one in front waves his hand, and instantly the Hlbafa demon screaming on the ground in front of him vanishes. I squeeze my eyes harder and try to retreat even further beneath Bones. I'm guessing I have seconds left to live. What a way to go...hiding beneath a sweaty h.e.l.lhound only to be snuffed out by a faceless earthquake-making demon.
The marching stops, and the troops form a long line in front of the camp. The leader jumps down and pulls back his cloak. His jet-black, shoulder-length hair almost hides his eyes, which are mere slits. His nose is hooked and pointy, and his chin is too large. But there is something strangely compelling about him. His unique features enhance the power that radiates from within.
”Who is the leader here?” His gravelly voice shakes the air. The remaining villagers have become deathly still. Finally, the blonde demon steps forward.
”I am Xandria, daughter of Pernach, ruler of Hlbafa.” Her voice trembles with false authority.
I peek around Bones' body, grateful no one seems interested in us. Then I see him...sitting atop one of the winged horses. It's all I can do to hold back my screams of relief.
Kieron!
As if sensing me there, Kieron s.h.i.+fts his gaze slightly to where I lie huddled behind Bones. His eyes lock with mine, and I feel the familiar flood of love shoot through me. How long I have waited for this moment...to see him again! His mouth twists in the half-smile I adore so much, and my heart flutters with joy. He gives a small nod in my direction and a quick wink. I still can't believe my eyes, that he is here, and I fight my need to cry out to him. What is he doing with these loathsome creatures?
Wait-didn't the blonde woman, Xandria, say that Kieron had set me and Lucky up? That we were here because of his trap?
The black-haired demon steps closer. ”I am Abbaton. I have been notified that you are in violation of the land treaty that prohibits the capture and killing of demons from other tribes without sanction.”
Xandria pulls her cloak around her. ”No, you heard incorrectly. We are within our rights to punish the murderers of our precious sisters. Our prisoners were trespa.s.sers who killed five of our n.o.ble sentries. We only seek justice, not war.”
Abbaton turns to Kieron who dismounts and walks over to him. My G.o.d, it's so good to see him. I have only to look at him to know everything is going to be all right.
Kieron whispers in Abbaton's ear, and he nods. ”I've heard all I need to hear. You are to release the prisoners at once.”
”But that's not fair! They're the ones who broke the treaty! It is they who should be-” Xandria starts.
”Silence!” Abbaton looks around until his eyes fall on Bones and me pressed against the wall. ”Bring the prisoners to me.”
Someone nudges us from behind, and Bones and I get up and walk over to the demon leader. My eyes search Kieron's, seeking rea.s.surance, but fail to find it. He looks like the same Kieron, but now he's different somehow.
I stand beside the two naked men and Bones, who still hasn't changed to his human form. I wonder why. ”Kieron, what's going on?” I ask bravely as my heart thumps deafeningly in my ear.
He s.h.i.+fts his gaze from me to Abbaton. Abbaton eyes me curiously, circling me. ”Are you the demion I've heard so much about lately? The one causing so much trouble for us?”
”I-I don't know what you've heard, sir. But I can a.s.sure you I had nothing to do with whatever happened here. I just woke up and found myself here with Bones-”
”Show yourself, hound,” Abbaton says. In an instant Bones is human again, and holding my hand. I glance at Kieron, but he just looks away, his jaw rigid. ”Speak your position, and tell me why I shouldn't let the Hlbafa have their justice.”
”It is true we killed five of their sentries, but we had the Otium Peace Torch. We were investigating the disappearance and murders of two of ours...it turns out it was from the Amazea, but we had no way of knowing that. Yes, we found them on Hlbafa land while following their scents, and we wanted to speak to their leaders to see if they knew anything. We were attacked, and were forced to defend ourselves. Five of their sentries died, and we lost one of ours as well.”
”But this is just your word. How do we know it was not you who provoked the attack?” Abbaton asks.
”You don't. But not ten days ago a band of Hlbafa ambushed and attacked our peaceful gathering spot in Dryndara, killing over a dozen innocent demons who had nothing at all to do with this. Even then we didn't retaliate into war...we just came here wanting to save our...friend...who was being held hostage.”
Abbaton turns to Xandria. ”Is this true? Did you attack their lands?”
”Well, yes, but only because-”
He snaps his fingers and she vaporizes into the mist. Just like that.
I gasp, dumbfounded. Abbaton turns to us again. I'm too terrified to look at him, so I just focus on Kieron's hands. On his dirty fingers. His frayed jeans. His dusty black boots. I can't believe Xandria is gone, in the blink of an eye. Not that I liked her much, but how can someone be here one second and be completely gone the next? Well, I guess she's not completely gone. A small pile of her ashes still lies at Abbaton's feet.
Recovering from their initial shock at the sudden death of their leader, the panicked villagers again begin running and screaming, pursued by the hors.e.m.e.n, who callously slaughter them either with their long swords, or by pointing their fingers and reducing them instantly to dust. I bury my face in Bones' chest and hold my breath.
When the commotion finally dies down, I look up. This time, my eyes lock on Kieron, who continues to stare at me intently. I desperately want to run over and throw myself into his arms, but something tells me not to let my feelings show right now. Stay cool. Calm.
Abbaton returns his attention to us. ”I think that is all that needs to be done here. You are free to leave except for one. One must be the tribute for the Hlbafa's lost sentries.”