The elf leader spoke first. "This was Grange territory. If it isn't anymore, then we have every right to it."The rat leader sauntered forward in front of his minions. "I have come to claim it. Fight to the death. Whoever's left standing, wins."Don Archer stayed back. His men stood quietly behind him while he watched this play out.I turned my attention to the other two. "I took out The Grange Faction, so this is my territory. Get out."The rat-man snickered, sending a wave of laughter through his group.The elf leader regarded me. His blue lightning crackled in the palm of his hands. "I highly doubt you did that. They were a strong contender in this town. You're brand new to this. We don't even know your name."Don Archer nodded in agreement.Liam stepped in at my side. I held my hand out to halt him. I didn't want to play games. This would not be won through talking. I was going to have to demonstrate my power."This is my territory now," I growled. I let the pink god power
I sat behind Liam on his motorcycle. I didn't know much about motorcycles brands, but this one was black and thick. It must have weighed a thousand pounds. I held on to his leather jacket as an army of ten men escorted me back to the Ardor Bar.We pulled into the parking lot. The bikes settled in around us, each cutting their engines until it was silent. The men dismounted their bikes but waited for me. I swung off and waited for Liam.He turned to my waiting gaze. "I feel like you want to ask me something.""Can I go to Utah?" I asked.His face drew down into a deep frown."I think Mila took Kezia there. She's going to sacrifice her.""Beloved, you can't leave us. If you do, we'll be defenseless.""But Kezia..." I stared up at the imposing orc. He gave me the most pleading look an orc possibly could. I hung my head. "I understand."He held a hand out for me to lead the way. I walked down the stairs to the double doors into the bar. My group of ten bodyguards followed me only a
The darkness pressed in around me. It was cold and tingled my skin. The darkness expanded outward. A figure stood at a distance. So far, it was only vaguely human-shaped. I squinted, but there was no light. I was standing in empty dreamspace, just like I had been when Isabell had called on me. Except this wasn't Isabell, it couldn't be. It didn't feel like her.The figure floated closer. Slowly the edges of her defined into the small shape of Mila. She stopped about ten feet away from me. She still looked like Mila, but her presence was huge. Even though my eyes saw her the same, she felt like she took up so much more space, the monster under the mask."Where's Kezia? Where's Amy?" I asked.Mila smiled that too big grin with too many teeth. My stomach flipped in fear."Why do you need them? Are you trying to bring Isabell back?"She chuckled. "Isabell? No, she did her job." The darkness made Mila's voice sound more on the gravelly side. It made her seem older and more haunted."T
I slumped into a pile on the floor. I felt useless. I felt pathetic. I wiped at the tears on my face, but they just kept coming. I had no idea what I was doing, who I was, or what I should do. Juno had wasted her energy on me. I had made a mess of the faction. They were the only people that had been nice to me. I had fucked it all up and had no way to fix it. And Kezia, she was going to die because I couldn't do anything. And all because I couldn't pick a damn name. I lay there in the dreamscape staring into the nothingness. I was no one. I was nothing. I was worse than the darkness because at least the darkness was something. It was terror; it was fear. I was nothing. I stretched my hands out in front of me, reaching into the nothingness. I stared at them for a long time. They were my hands. They were not Kira's or Lanie's. They were not scars or tattoos. They were fresh. They already had blood on them, but they were new. They were mine.I was nothing now, but that didn't mean I
While I was brushing my teeth, the clothes I wore faded into nothing. I was left standing in my pajamas. Before the converse disappeared, I tried pushing a little bit of magic into them. They solidified again. That was interesting. So things I created couldn't stay in the real world for long unless I fed them energy. I let them fade and got dressed for the day.I walked down the stairs. Anton was waiting in the kitchen for me. He must have heard me in the shower."Good morning," he said with cheer in his voice."Morning.""Can I make you something?"I nodded."Perfect."He set out bowls and started making what looked to be waffles. I sat in the chair at the counter while I watched him work. I could feel that same energy that was in me in him. It wasn't the god power, but the succubus power. It was there but hidden deep beneath his soul. I stretched a hand towards him.His eyes looked to it then up to me with raised eyebrows."I just wanted you to know how grateful I am that yo
I finished up my shift and headed upstairs. Brothers and sisters bid me good night. I only nodded at them half-heartedly. I held a bag of the god powered crystals. It felt weird leaving them behind, so I brought them with me. I was one day closer to letting Kezia die. I still hadn't fully decided. I knew what I should do. I should stay here.I ground my teeth as I walked the stairs. I didn't like that. I didn't want her to die. I didn't even know her, but I knew the darkness was using her as bait for me. Mila was dangling both her and Amy in front of me and all because she wanted me. I pulled out my phone."Hello, Cherry?""I want to meet with Don Archer. Can you make that happen?""Ok, thanks."I slid the phone back into my pocket. I opened the door to the loft. The lights were off. Anton was gone. I finished the trek to my bedroom and sat on the bed. I needed to figure out what to do."Sandriel," I said in a commanding voice, letting magic drip into it. "Natalia."The shadows
When we reached outside of the city, Natalia stretched her hand out to me."Where to, boss?""Back to my room. We need to get Sandriel on board next.""Heaven doesn't like to make deals.""I've made one with them before. It's okay." I took her hand.The shadows covered us, then the cold. A moment later, my room brightened into view around us. Sandriel sat on the bed."Took you long enough.""We were gone for a minute," Natalia said."And in hell time that's hours," he said."Yes, it was hours. Its own kind of torture," Natalia said. "Your turn. You get to see our new boss in action."I raised my eyebrows at her. "It wasn't very impressive."Natalia shrugged. "Impressive enough for me."I held my hand out to Sandriel. "Ready?""I guess so."He took my hand and pulled me close to him. His arm came up around my waist. I held on to his strong shoulders as his wings popped loose. He jumped through the window. His wing caught the wind and we flew through the air. The city disap
I didn't sleep. I paced the room. I tossed and turned in bed, but I never managed a wink of sleep. Hours ticked by. Painful minutes ticked by. There was nothing. No word. No text or message. I was just stuck in the dark and I didn't dare bother them because it could mean life and death. At seven o'clock in the morning, I stumbled down the stairs on tired legs. I wanted to sleep, needed it, but I couldn't. I made some cereal and sat looking out at the sun in the sky over the city. The harsh sun reminded me of my garden. I let my mind wander to that peaceful place. I thought about the blooms, the sun, and the pink glow. Before I knew it, I was standing in my garden.The plants were still there, but they looked wilted. The ones next to the stream were okay, but the rest looked a little frazzled. I added more of the glittering water next to them and they slowly perked up. I touched others and they blossomed again. The tiredness slowly drained from me as I walked through my creations.I