LanieThe world rematerialized as a barren wasteland before me. Canyons and pits were filled with torture devices. Cries of pain filled the air, making my whole body shudder. I could see black hooded creatures, horned demons, and tortured souls dotting the landscape. There were lava pits, spikes, and spires with bodies strapped onto them being stabbed repeatedly.My mouth hung open at the spectacle. It was even worse than what I imagined Dante's Inferno to be. I must have not made it. I didn't even remember dying. I didn't even remember being in pain. My mouth worked at the word, until it came out in a hoarse whisper. "Hell."Someone released my arms. I couldn't take my eyes from the scene."Yes," Remi said at my elbow."Am I dead?"He reached out and turned my face towards him with one hand. He forced me to make eye contact with him. Seeing his face pulled me out of my shock a little. That deep set anger started to flare up."You are not dead.""Why am I here?""I had to. I h
I stared around the white expands for a minute. My heart still beat fast. My mind kept replaying Remi's kiss. The more I stared, the more things started to take shape. There were desks in the distance with people dressed in white at them. When I finally got my emotions under control, I started walking towards them.It felt like I walked a mile before I stood in front of the first desk."How can I help you?" The person asked. He looked human."I would like to buy a contract.""What is the nature of the contract?" He asked."Umm... he's an angel.""Long term or short term?"I frowned. "Long term? I want to own the contract, not borrow it."The man looked up from his screen to narrow his eyes."I have payment." I debated pulling the soul stone from my pocket, but I wanted to be able to negotiate if I needed to.""Right. You'll need to submit an application for intent to purchase with the contract holder at the contract holder desk, apply for a permit to hold a contract at the pe
KiraI looked up at Mila from the dirt. I hoped Lanie was okay. "Please, Mother...""Ha! I am not Isabell." Her voice sounded like that a Mila, but it was all wrong. Mila never said anything so harshly. She reached down and pulled me up by my shirt then pushed me out of the circle. She turned to Matei. "Get in the circle."Matei walked to the center of the circle and stood. His face was slack. His eyes were still dark."Where are we going?" I asked.Mila pocketed the dark knife. She completely ignored me. I tried to run, but after the first step, a dark cold cloud trapped my feet in place. I could feel it's tingling as it climbed up my leg.She turned back to the circle and lifted her hands. "I summon thee, Azserroke, Demon of darkness. I ask for a trade. Take this life and trade it for that of Isabell Grey. Unite her body, mind, and soul once again. Bring them here to me."The runes glowed green again. The gasses in the jars broke, releasing scents of marshmallows and smoky ash
LanieAngandriel flew us out of heaven. The clouds seemed to go on forever and the white surrounding us seemed oddly familiar. I wondered if it was something Kira had seen before. Maybe after we combined I would finally stop feeling this weird sense of déjà vu all the time.Angandriel held me in his arms in a hug with my hands around his neck. The wind was cold against my skin, but he was giving off so much heat that I just snuggled in closer to him."Where are we going?" I asked."Utah, they have Kira there. I think they are going to try the merging ritual again and summon Juno.""Juno, Juno... Why does that sound familiar?""She is the one that granted your mother's wish and separated your soul from your body."I frowned, "So, we're not friends.""She also granted your wish and separated Isabell's mind, body, and soul.""So, we are friends?""To her, you are a game piece and she is using you for entertainment.""Well, that's not very nice," I said."Most gods aren't.""S
I held the aurora sword in my hand. There was something about it that felt right. Some of the memories of its rescue washed through my mind. It was like it was a part of me, it completed me somehow, at least this part of my soul. I wondered if I would feel the same when Kira and I merged.I pushed the thought aside. I needed to find Kira. We were in Utah again, and if Isabell was trying to summon Juno, she was probably at the major nexus point. My quickest path there was teleportation, so I'd have to try it. I tucked the sword into my jeans. It felt like it fit against me, almost like I had done with the contract."Remi," I said into the trees. "Remi, I need a ride."I waited a moment. The shadows solidified in front of me. Remi's face looked drawn. An orange ember buzzed around his head."Are you okay?""Where's Angie?" He asked."What? Angandriel? I..." I looked back at the circle. "He's not coming."Remi frowned. "How are you going to defeat her?"I shrugged. The golden ligh
Isabell's eyes glowed orange. Fireballs lit in her hands. She combined them until it was four feet in diameter the pushed it with her hands at me. The Lanie in me jumped to the side swiftly, while the Kira in me was amazed. I dodged another two fireballs, flipping through the air and landing gracefully about the circle.My mind worked. It was Kira's brilliant mind and this time the Lanie side of me was amazed. I could feel the power thrumming through me. I pictured runes in my mind, clicking them into place as I realized what they meant. With Lanie's knowledge and Kira's intelligence, I formed a wall of pink light. It caught the next fireball and reflected it back at Isabell.Isabell's hair flew back as she absorbed her own spell. The glow in her eyes reddened with anger. Her lips started moving. The trees around the circle swayed. Their branches moved like arms as the unrooted themselves from the soil. They stomped towards me.I darted in between them, trying to gain some distance.
A dark blur coalesced in front of me. Another of brilliant white light landed behind Isabell. Remi pushed me backwards off the invisible string. His eyes flared with pain as the sword drove through him. I screamed as I fell backwards. Angie pulled Isabell back, pulling the sword out of Remi. Remi fell to his hands in knees in front of me as Isabell fought against Angie's hold. His wings spread out as he fought her struggling body.I scrambled forward then leaned over Remi. His breath was ragged. The hole in his back oozed with black blood. The same blood dripped out of his mouth as he fought to breathe. I lay a hand on his back."Remi," I whispered, "Remi." Tears leaked from my eyes.He words came out in wispy breaths. "Watch... out..."I spun. Isabell stood before me with my sword over her head. She came down at me. I jumped out of the way, leaving Remi on his hands and knees. I rolled and plucked up her dark blade in my hand. Angie lay on the ground, holding his side. His feath
BOOK TWOI twirled the cherry in my drink around with my straw. The thumping beat filled the bar drowning out most of the conversations around me. I kept my eyes on the people around the edges, the ones in the shadows. I was looking for someone specific, someone that others wouldn't pay heed of.A particular couple caught my eye. Their aura glowed a slight pink and green. That was strange for this atmosphere. They were close enough in their auras to warrant a match, which is what I was looking for. I finished my drink and called for another. Just as the second one arrived, their auras twisted with a purple glow, bringing on a perfect match.My eyes darted around the room. He must be here. I saw the back of a dark blonde head turn and walk off. I left my drink at the bar then pushed past the crowd. I kept my eyes locked on the man. If I could move fast enough, I could catch him. A man with tusked teeth and hard blue skin stepped in my way. I pushed past him. He grabbed my arm and s